Saturday, December 31, 2011

End with a Finish


How about wrapping up the year with a finish,

Birdseye is done!


The last time I blogged about this project I showed you all my finished star blocks. I intentionally didn't photograph the alternate blocks because I think this is a a very clever pattern and don't want to spoil the surprise of how it all goes together.

Sometimes my finishes have to grow on me, I don't know if I get tired of working with them and they overstay their welcome or what, but I've loved this project from start to finish and am even a little sad to have it done. If I didn't have such a long list of other patterns calling my name I would make this one again and again, it was fun and easy. It's one of those patterns that looks like you spent forever working on but didn't.

I'm still calling my project Birdseye, generally I like to give my projects a different name but sometimes its first name, the pattern name, sticks. Maybe something new will come to mind after it gets quilted.

This project finished at 79" x 79" and has approximately 1,877 pieces.

Counting the number of pieces in each one of my finished projects is just a fun little thing I always do and add to my posts when blogging about my finish. I don't know why, I'm just a numbers girl at heart I guess. Since it's the end of the year, I thought it would be fun to add up all the pieces from all my 2011 finishes.....are you ready....
20,145 pieces !!
approximately...
That averages out to 55 pieces a day!



The pattern Birdseye is by Carrie Nelson for Miss Rosie's Quilt Co. I love this pattern, I've said it before and I'll say it again, I think there should be more Birdseyes in this quilting world, if you've not already done so, put this pattern on your To Do List for 2012, you'll be glad you did!

This is my 13th finish for the year. One more than my arbitrary and completely random 2011 goal of finishing 12 projects. This time last year, when I was thinking about what I wanted to accomplish in 2011, I was training for a half marathon and not even thinking about running a whole marathon, the Infinite Variety: Three Centuries of Red and White Quilts show was months away, I had no idea I would be making a Red & White Tribute quilt, let alone one that would get in a magazine. I was thinking I would make Eventide, but hadn't really put together the notion of hosting an Eventide Sew Along. My year was full of wonderful unplanned surprises, thanks so much for following along.

I'm open minded about what I accomplish in 2012 but look forward to sharing it with you and hearing about what you accomplish too.

Cheers to you, quilters extraoedinaire, bloggers, lurkers and friends, let's all go out and have a happy and healthy 2012.

Added Later - I just asked my husband to guess how many pieces were in the 13 quilts I finished this year, his guess, 1,000!
No, he's not a quilter.


33 comments:

  1. It's a beauty, Thelma. Happy New Year!

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  2. Very fun that you figured out how many pieces you've sewn this year!
    Great finished quilt top...so much to see in this quilt!
    Happy New Year!

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  3. It's a beauty :) happy New Year

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  4. Really wonderful !
    A very happy New Year, Thelma, XXX

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  5. Completely beautiful..... Was the pattern easy to understand....I have trouble "decifering" some. This is really gorgeous. Did you go the scrappy route or purchase fabrics specifically for the project? Happy New Year...

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  6. Birdseye is beautiful, Thelma! I've really enjoyed seeing your work this year and am looking forward to following along next year! Happy New Year to you!

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  7. Gorgeous quilt! Happy New Year to you and your family.

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  8. Thelma, the quilt is amazing! You must be so proud of yourself to finish this . If you recall, I have the same pattern and I still haven't started...it is so good that you didn't wait for me! You will be my inspiration! Happy New Year!

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  9. Beautiful quilt! Thanks for sharing! Have a Happy New Year!

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  10. Congratulations on another beautiful finish! I've enjoyed reading about your adventures in 2011 and can't wait to see what you get up to in 2012! Happy New Year!

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  11. Carol it's beautiful!! Can't wait to see it quilted. Wishing you a Happy New Year!

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  12. Birdseye is a a beautiful quilt! I like that you counted all of your pieces for the year. That's a LOT of pieces!

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  13. Absolutely beautiful! I would love to make a Birdseye quilt...I will definitely have to put that on my "to do" list. Have a wonderful new year, and I look forward to seeing what you accomplish in 2012! :)

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  14. That sounds like a wonderful year of accomplishments. Birdseye is beautiful. Love your counts, an incredible number of pieces. I have enjoyed reading about all your successes. Happy New Year!!

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  15. This turned out just fabulous! I am so glad you are happy with it and can't wait to see it quilted.

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  16. I think that you must like surprising us with a finished quilt top! Beautiful work, Thelma. One day I will have a Birds Eye done. Happy New Year to you.

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  17. This quilt is one of my very favorites. I love everything about it. Your blog this year has been a good inspiration for me. Thank you Thelma. I am looking forward to another great year of blogging and quilting.

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  18. Another beautiful quilt! I just love this and need to add Birdseye to my list of quilts to do. Happiest of New Years to you!

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  19. Thumbs up! Your Birdseye is a beauty!

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  20. You certainly have had a great year quiltwise. Love your newest addition - it is still on my to do list & the fabric all set aside for it. Hope it turns out as nice as yours. Happy New Year to you, with many more quilts to make!

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  21. Birdseye is just gorgeous Thelma ! LOVE IT !
    Happy New Year to you ! Looking forward to seeing what quilts you make in 2012 !

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  22. I really turned out lovely. Congratulations on the finish!

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  23. The quilt is beautiful. I'm a numbers gal too and enjoy reading how many pieces are in each quilt. Happy new year!

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  24. Just beautiful, your always inspiring! Congrats on a great finish and a great year for you! Heres to 2012 can't wait to see how you top this year!
    Kathie

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  25. Thelma, your Birdseye is beautiful. Wow, what a year you've had!!! Big Hugs and wishes for a wonderful and 'quilt filled' 2012.

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  26. Your quilt is beautiful! I found my Birdseye kit, but haven't started it yet. Have a couple of other items to finish first, but now I'm anxious to get started. Thanks

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  27. Maybe hubby would underestimate the fabric in your stash as well. Don't spoil the surprise. Birdseye is lovely Thelma. Happy New Year, keep up your great blog. Stephani in TX (Tomazec@aol.com)

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  28. Birdseye looks fabulous!

    I received some fabric for Christmas so I'm ready for 2012. Time to get sewing!

    Do you think you would have accomplished all those things if you had made them into New Year's Resolutions? Perhaps not. But what fabulous serendipity (and hard work)!

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  29. What a wonderful finish - it's gorgeous. Happy New Year!

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  30. That is a very good quilt design to make very scrappy. You did well.

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  31. 13? In One Year? I know that these are not small ones, so I'm in awe!

    This Quilt is just spectacular. You outdid yourself. I love the patter (which is why I have it!) but it always gets me when a beauty is brought to life.

    I am always curious... How do you count your pieces. I keep picturing you looking at all the half square triangles and counting.. 1...2...3...4...
    LOL!

    Happy New Year, my dear friend!

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  32. Wow you really did go out with a bang. Beautiful quilt and your Red and White quilt....what can be said...amazing. Can't wait to see what the new year brings.

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  33. It's a beauty - another Thelma triumph!!

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