Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Drum Roll Please......

I grabbed the camera and the quilt the minute there was plenty of day light to take a photo.We’re supposed to get rain all day. Full of thread pieces and in need of a good ironing, I still couldn’t be more pleased. It’s Scrappy Stars, a Miss Rosie’s quilt pattern.



I used up about 15 years of Thimbleberries red and black fabrics. At one time we had a small quilt shop in town that specialized in those fabrics. Back in the early 90’s there wasn’t a lot of quality colors to pick from. We’re covered in gray and white outside so much of the year that I was a real fan. I still needed more fabric so there are some Kansas Trouble pieces as well.

This wasn’t a tough quilt, it’s just real labor intensive. I pressed the seams open, at the advice of a couple of friends. Hopefully it will make it easier to quilt. I’m heading to Appleton tomorrow to get backing material. By the time I got to the outer red border I forgot about the pattern instructions, just sewed the scraps together and went with it.

Confession----- My grandmother did it…. My Mom did it…. Now add me to the list…. I sewed my pinkie finger. Yep--- we’ll spare you the gaudy pictures, but the needle went right through. Thank goodness my machine has the auto-up feature on the needle, so I wasn’t just suspended in pain. In true quilter form, I immediately protected the fabric from any dripping blood--- a bad omen for the quilt----then in true “Melanie-fashion” the tears poured. But the bone wasn’t hurt, the fingernail wasn’t touched. It just went clean through to the other side in the fatty part of my finger. I’ll live and the tetanus vaccine is up to date. I feel pretty stupid, so I guess I’m glad I was alone when it happened.

Chelsey came home over the weekend. We raided the garden for vegetables for her to take back. We loaded all leftovers in the fridge too. She cut flowers from the garden and I lost a vase in the process. No big deal.


On the docket for the day--- a sewing room cleaning session and letters to my Sunday School kids.

Gratitudes:

The sound of crickets in the evening

Popcorn

Emails of Encouragement

19 comments:

Unknown said...

Looks beautiful!

I've done it too, it hurts :(

Doodlebug Gail said...

Beautiful quilt.... so sorry about your finger - ouch!

Darlene said...

Applause, applause - it's beautiful, Melanie!

Ouchie - BIG ouchie - really BIG ouchie!!!!

Laura said...

Beautiful quilt! I have that one on my to do someday list too.

Karen said...

The quilt is beautiful! It will surely brighten up your winter!

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

Oh, Melanie, what a masterful job you've done on that quilt!!! IT....IS.....GORGEOUS! You have really got the whole "value" thing down.

I'm still cringing and whining, just thinking about your poor finger. Hope it doesn't hurt too bad.

QuiltNut Creations said...

oh the quilt is absolutely stunning! congrats on finishing it!

and owe!! hope your finger heals quickly.

Gypsy Quilter said...

Lovely, lovely quilt. In the days when I quilted a lot and was quite often very tired, I sewed through my finger twice. Once I actually broke the needle in my finger. Ouch. But I survived and yes, thank goodness for the tetanus shot! So glad yours is up to date.

Melzie said...

BEAUTIFUL quilt :) One of the prettiest I've seen in blogland lately! xoxo melzie

Carol said...

What a beautiful quilt! Glad you're OK...I did that once too...the needle went right through my index finger...OUCH! Take good care.

Anonymous said...

Sewed my thumb a few weeks ago, and yup!! Made sure not to drip blood on my quilt either :o) Boy it hurts though, doesn't it?

The quilt is fabulous!

May Britt said...

Ouch.......that sounds terrible painful. Hope the pain will go away quick.

But your quilt is soooo beautiful. If there is a lot of seams I too press open the seamallowance and that makes it very easy to quilt.

Mary @ Neat and Tidy said...

This is a stunning quilt! You had better be patting yourself on the back with this one. Are you going to be able to give it to your son?!!

Please be careful around machinery :D Wish I could have been there for you.

I'm listening to praise and worship music right now and thinking of you....

Unknown said...

Your poor finger - I did that once too when the children were small - applying a dressing one handed whilst watching toddlers was not easy I recall - love the quilt - those reds are so rich and warm - lovely!

Unknown said...

Love the quilt top, the colors really make the stars pop. Hope your finger is starting to feel a little better. I would have cried too, so don't feel too bad about it.

Judith said...

I am in love with this beautifull quilt

Nancy in WI said...

Your quilt turned out great! This has been on my "to do" list for quite awhile. It's calling me.... I didn't sew through my finger but I sliced through my nail and good piece of flesh with my rotary cut. It still makes me nervous to this day. Get well soon! Nancy in WI

Chookyblue...... said...

love the pinwheel blocks..........bad about your finger...........hope it is better but I couldn't read it all......the thought was too much......

Stina Blomgren said...

Ahhh... Melanie... That hurts.. a few weeks ago I spent a half day with one of the workers at my work that sewed right to the bone... and oh she was all green in the face.. so I guess it hurted a lot.. You take care...
ANd the quilt you just have put together.. I love it.. so nice and warm reds you have found.. just a wonderful quilt..