The Big Reveal

Hello Everyone,

 

This quilt was always in the back of my mind, on the sketchbook, just waiting to come alive.  It practically designed itself while I held the mechanical pencil first and then an applique needle.

 

This scarecrow isn't going to scare anything away.  He's so friendly and invites the crows to his farm.  His outfit still reminds me of an old smoking jacket....not one of my better ideas! 

The fabric for the top of the acorn was perfect from the very beginning.

The sunflower looks like it's blowing in the breeze.

The geese are circling the farm just waiting to fly south.

I would like to have this basket of goodies on my table at Thanksgiving.

I put the two strips on the top section for cross-hatching when I put this on the long arm.

The barn is my favorite block of the whole quilt.  Putting the pumpkin advertisement on the side was Mr. Joe's idea.  I think he's a keeper and I listen to his suggestions......sometimes.

My mother gave me a blue bird of happiness a long time ago.  It sits happily here in the basket of flowers.

Plaids, plaids and more plaids.  I could name this quilt The Plaid Farm.

There you have it......my Harvest of Hope.  Hope for the future while reflecting on the past.  As we go about our days and weeks, we are all harvesting hope in our lives by planting seeds of happiness, giving smiles along the way, a hug here and there, and spreading encouragement to help each other grow and prosper.

You haven't seen the last of this quilt.  Next week I'll be posting pictures of the quilting process.  I need to have this completely finished by August 15th for the Preview Party for In Between Stitches. I'll quilt by day and write the pattern directions by moonlight so you can make a Harvest of Hope.

Soon,
Lynn

Almost a Reveal

Hello Everyone,

 

I half expected today to be the big reveal of Harvest of Hope.......instead I'm hoping for tomorrow.....or the next day.....or the next day.  I would have been finished if I hadn't changed my mind on the corner squares.  

 

My original design had a much simpler hour-glass unit for the corner......boring!  Mr. Joe and I both agreed the pumpkins in the corner added so much to the overall design.  But, changing to the pumpkin corners added a couple of more days of work to this quilt.  I'm driving myself crazy.

I have to go harvest a few more pumpkins!

Soon,
Lynn

Country Charmer Quiltalong August

 

Hello Everyone,

 

Can it really be that time again?  Each month passes onto the next in lightning speed and the Country Charmer Quiltalong rolls around again faster than before.



 

 

This month I'm posting several of my blocks that I made for my last Country Charmer quilt which is now on display at the International Quilt Show in Long Beach, CA in The Quilt House booth.

Selecting the fabrics for each and every block is my favorite part of the quilting process.  While making the blocks for this design, I always started with an interesting center and p-u-l-l-e-d the colors all the way through the block.

Fussy cut a center with several different colors, and the work is done for you.

Shop your stash and see what you can find.  You'll be surprised when a fabric that has been tucked away in a bin will be the perfect match.

You don't need much fabric for these scrappy blocks.  I used up some very tiny scraps.  Waste not, want not.

This is one of my favorite blocks.  I can't tell you why.....I just like it.

The center start pattern is very prominent in this block with the use of the blue fabric.

I threw some orange in the mix.....why not? 

I lost the criss-cross design when I made this block......but it still made it into the final quilt.

Another favorite of mine.

This one was on the "do not use" list for awhile.  But in the end, it made it into the final project.  Never give up on a block.  In the grand scheme of things, it may be just what the quilt needed.

Many thanks to Lesley, The Cuddle Quilter for organizing the Country Charmer Quiltalong.  Check out Lesley's post today to see her quilt blowing in the wind.  I offered to quilt her quilt as a "thank you" for hosting the QAL.  I'll be posting pictures of her quilt during the quilting process, which won't be until October, but just in time for the big Country Charmer parade on November 1st.

Until next month, have fun making your Country Charmer blocks.  Use up those scraps, experiment with color, relax and enjoy the process.

Soon,
Lynn