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Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Carousel Ride and NTT

Well, I finished up my Gyroscope quilt and I just have to say, I just love it.


Here in Tennessee, we keep getting little snippets of spring weather, and then we're abruptly thrust back into winter's grasp.  I know it's only January and we still have awhile before it really warms up, but I definitely think these colors are a bit of wishful thinking on my part.


After toying with different quilting ideas, I finally decided that I am who I am.  I keep telling myself that I'm going to branch out on my FMQ and try another design like spirals or pebbles, but when it comes right down to it, I can't bring myself to actually put it onto a quilt.  One of my favorite parts of the quilting process is the actual quilting, and I have found my stippling groove.  It's fast, reliable, and relaxing.  I can pretty much quilt anything in one sitting with it, which is a plus for my crazy schedule.  So, I really have a hard time choosing to do something different.  The other thing is, even before I knew what it was called, stippling has always been my favorite kind of quilting.


I definitely had some fun with the backing.  I had plenty of scrap fabric left over, and since almost all of these fabrics were yardage cuts, and my scraps were still WOF, the bold stripes were kind of a no-brainer.


I decided to call this one Carousel Ride.  The colors are so fun and it makes me think of a fair, with carousel horses spinning in beautiful, bright jewel tones.  The finished quilt measures approximately 48x60.


Last week's party was fantastic.  I'm not really all about the numbers game in this whole blogging adventure, but I do have to tell you that there were 84 projects linked up.  Wow-  just WOW!  That's by  far the most Needle and Thread Thursday has ever had, and I just want to say thank you for sharing, and for encouraging others!

So, without further ado- onto the awesome highlights from last week.  Believe me, choosing what to showcase is no easy feat!

Cristina at Pretty Little Quilts shared her sweet cherries quilt-


Marelize at Stitch by Stitch linked up this beautiful Summer Solstice quilt-


and Snips Snippets shared this stunning quilt made entirely with shot cottons-


All I can say is, y'all are kicking it into high gear in 2014!  I'm looking forward to checking out what you share this week!  Oh, and by the way- please bear with me on the comments.  I love looking at every single link, but sometimes leaving comments for so many takes me a while!  Let's party it up!

1.  You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!
2. Link to your specific post to make it easier for others.
3. Spread the word and post my button or a text link.  
4. Spread the comment love far and wide!
5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!




47 comments:

  1. Love the finished quilt. We just received another 6-8" of snow and it is very cold. Most schools closed yesterday & today. Calling for another storm Monday I think.

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  2. lovely, bright finish, Kelly! awesome colors. as usual, I'm loving the backing. =) I just always have to say that even though it's getting redundant because your backings are the best. hugs!

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    1. ps - good for you for knowing your quilting stipple groove. there's nothing wrong and everything right about being who you know you are!

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  3. This is such a fun, energetic quilt. Your stippling looks so good. There is nothing wrong with sticking with what you know. My favorite way to try new quilt designs is on mini quilts.

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  4. What a really fun and beautiful quilt. I love the fabrics and colours you have used, they have resulted in a beautiful quilt that will defintiely bring sunshine and warmth to even the dullest of days.

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  5. I love the bright spring colours in your quilt. We're in the middle of a blizzard, so anything spring-like looks good! Don't worry about always stippling. Who says you have to do something different on each quilt? It's your quilt, do what makes you happy.

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  6. Four awesome quilts here for sure! I love love love the cherries, they are right in my wheelhouse.

    Thanks for the party!

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  7. I think your stippling is beautiful. And you have said before that the main reason you quilt is because it is relaxing to you, so I think sticking with what you love is fabulous. Speaking of fabulous...That quilt is amazing! Seriously. When you shared before, the quilt top, I knew it was cute - but now - WOW! I love the colors. Happy is what quilts should be (I think) and this is totally happy. I know I have seen the top (backing) fabric before - I feel like you told me you got it at bumbletee's, but do you remember what it is called?

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  8. Love your choice of binding, Kelly! What a perfect frame for this gorgeous Carousel Ride! I always loved that ride.....

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  9. Kelly....yes just the peek at Spring we all need!!! What white fabric did you use???Congrats on the success of your linky party too! We all love ya!

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  10. Your Gyroscope quilt is indeed lovely. And yes, Spring will be welcome here too.

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  11. gorgeous quilt in such fun colors! i too love the humble stipple.

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  12. Great finish Kelly! I love the lime connectors - all the colors are fab!
    Spring is coming soon!

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  13. I love your Gyroscope too and all the fresh reminders that Spring is coming! So ready for it!

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  14. This is beautiful! I really love the design of your blocks and the finish product is amazing! It does make me wishful for spring. Cold weather go away!!!

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  15. Your quilt looks great, and I agree, they are nice bright springy colours, but after seeing snow for the last 3 months, I could use some brightness!!

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  16. love it!! happy colors makes me smile!!

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  17. Thanks for sharing your attitude about the quilting process -- I too think I should "improve" but then I realize I'm pretty happy with a simple curve!

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  18. That is so beautiful! I love the colors and your fabric choices. I'm your newest follower. ;)

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  19. Great finish and another great quilt name! I seriously need your creative input on naming my quilts.

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  20. Your quilt is beautiful. I agree, wishful spring colors! It makes me smile just to look at it.

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  21. This is so pretty and I think the name suits it perfectly!

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  22. This turned out great Kelly! I love your stippling - why change something that is so beautiful that you also enjoy!

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  23. How did you finish this so fast?!!! Great job. I love the quilting:)

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  24. I love your gyroscope quilt, very pretty and fresh. Well done on finishing it.

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  25. Your Gyroscope block is awesome. I would love to see a tutorial on it. Or perhaps, if that's too involved, just some quick dimensions of the fabric pieces that you cut? Thanks!

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  26. I love this quilt, so playful! Quilting is supposed to be relaxing, right? So it's a good thing that you did what relaxes you. Actually the stippling on this quilt makes me think of a child meandering in and out of the blocks :)

    -Soma

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  27. I pinned your wonderful carousel ride quilt (connecting to your post, of course) http://www.pinterest.com/pin/143200463125852476/ with the following caption:

    From "My Quilt Infatuation," her "Carousel Ride" quilt. I love how the green lines look like spokes, attaching all the other blocks. This could be used to attach all kinds of blocks together to make a quilt look interesting, and to add motion to the quilt. The rectangles with the green line in the center would be quick to strip-piece, and then it's "just" a matter of linking up other blocks with them.

    I'm enjoying your blog! Whenever I get an email that it's been updated, I click right away!

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  28. Simply gorgeous! I love your stippling and if you like it, keep using it. :-)

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  29. You don't mess around when you want to finish something. I love it.

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  30. Love your quilt and the striped backing is a nice surprise. You are amazing. Thanks for NTT!

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  31. I love your quilt! Bright and spring-ish! I have to say at least you do FMQ! Something I am getting up the courage to do! I live in Tennesse as well and a 20 degree change in one day is not unusual! Cold is not my friend!
    twiggyandopal.blogspot.com

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  32. The weather has been very similar here in Austin. I love the bright happy colors of your quilt :)

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  33. Easter, that's what this quilt looks like to me! Picnicing on it in a field of daisies while the kids search for eggs. And it's minus 20 here and a blizzard, the Mr. has gone out four times to shovel the front porch. I keep telling him he's losing the battle but he's not getting it! So thanks for this little burst of spring, it's lovely!

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    1. Oh, and thanks for sharing my Shot Stars quilt!!

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  34. The quilt is lovely. You might try a different quilting style on a few small projects until you are more comfortable with it. Adding a heart or star or flower in with the stippling gives a different look too. I have a longarm so I rarely do stippling any more but it can be fast. I use it for a background fill in a smaller scale. Practice is the key, I keep struggling with feathers and that is what it takes and I'm not there yet.
    Quilting is a constant learning process and full of puzzles to solve. I think that's why I like it!

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  35. nice clean bright colours on your gyroscope quilt

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  36. I love your quilt and I wish I could stipple as well as you! What are you using to write your labels? They look great and I don't seem to be able to get dark lettering on mine. I've been using a Pigma Micron pen.

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    1. Thank you so much Pat! I'm glad you think my stippling is pretty! It is very relaxing for me, though it took a good bit of practice to get to that point. I actually use a Pigma Micron pen as well, and it shows up well for me!

      :) Kelly

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    2. Wow! This turned out so pretty! Love it. I'm with you, I always think I'd like to branch out on quilting styles, but once you find your niche and it works, why change? ;)

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  37. Whoopie! Your quilt is so cheery and bright! It really caught my eye over ar quilt-story. And I admire your stippling. Somehow I never mastered this :)

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  38. I share your wishful thinking. An early spring would be fine by me! Your Carousel Ride quilt is wonderful (front back and quilting!)

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  39. Beautiful work Kelly and you know stippling is still my all time favorite...so relaxing to do. Thanks for sharing.
    Freemotion by the River Linky Party Tuesday

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  40. Stippling is definitely loads of fun! Maybe try some other designs on small items like a cushion, I always enjoy going back to stippling :) I love the colour palette you've used, definitely spring dreaming ;) Thanks for linking up!

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  41. The name really suits this quilt and I love the pretty spring colors too. I'm in Utah (have lived here all my life) but I do not like winter. Not even a little bit. And I'm ready for spring too. Anyway, you did a beautiful job on this quilt, quilting included! Thanks for linking up!

    xo -E

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Thanks so much for your comment and for visiting! I read and appreciate every single comment, and I reply to each one as soon as I can. If you don't hear back from me, you might be a no-reply blogger. :)

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