Friday, December 28, 2012

An Almost Finish . . .

So I was looking at all the finished ornament blocks on my design wall and I just couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.  It took awhile for me to figure out what, then it hit me, the ornaments were levitating not hanging!  After decorating 3 Christmas trees this season, I have a lot of experience with hanging ornaments.  So I decided to make my ornaments hang by adding a little gray "ribbon" to the top of each ornament block.


The strip of gray fabric is 3/4" which finished at 1/4".  And just a reminder, my blocks are 6 inches, not 9 inches like the blocks in Camille's Vintage Holiday pattern, which is the pattern I'm using for my project.

Then I got to thinking some more, how I didn't want all the ornaments hanging exactly the same, so I added 3 different lengths of "ribbon" to the blocks and came up with this.


Then I added my sashing and ended up with this.  It doesn't show up in this picture, but the sashing fabric has the prettiest little green leaf design.


Right  now this project is around 44" x 51", I plan to add an outer border, but not yet.   If I added a border to this project it would be done and go on my Lifetime Quilt list as number 99.  But I want Memories of Provence to be Lifetime Quilt Number 99.   And if I added the border after I got MoP finished this would be Lifetime Quilt Number 100, and this is NOT Lifetime Quilt Number 100, so it looks like I'll start the year with a UFO after all.  I know a lot of you are so relieved to hear that!

We had the nicest Christmas at our house,  my daughter was able to make it home for a few days and we enjoyed every minute of our time together.  I hope Christmas was just as merry at your house.


42 comments:

  1. THELMA!!! You are so creative! I love your additions to this pattern---it makes it more like Carrie's "Bounce" pattern. If I ever do this pattern, I'll definitely use your idea! Thank you so much for sharing your creativity with us. I have learned so much over this past year from your blog and others. Can't wait to see what the new year holds!

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  2. I love this. Very unique and perfect for the season

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  3. Beautiful. Love how you finished this. I am feeling a little sewing room withdraw- haven't been there since way before Christmas.

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  4. The quilt looks lovely. Great Christmas quilt.

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  5. Wow! It's amazing how much those ribbons add. It made the quilt so fun!
    I hope it won't be a UFO for too long... because I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next.

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  6. That quilt is amazing! What a great way to make that quilt come to life! Nice job!

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  7. I just love this, its so fun! another great "Thelma addition" to a pattern...Glad your dd made it home and enjoyed Christmas....

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  8. Your little quilt us adorable. I love the way you creatively adjusted the pattern to make the ornaments hang. Great idea!

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  9. Love it! Your idea of adding hangers & alternating block sizes was fantastic.

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  10. That looks so great and makes perfect sense. It just seems finished now.

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  11. I love the red frames. It looks like a shadow box. Super job!

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  12. I love how you've changed up the pattern! I wish I thought of doing these things. Aren't you funny not wanting to finish it, so specific quilts can be 99 and 100! Are you really starting 2013 with only one UFO?? I wish!!

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  13. Oh, that's perfect! Just the right touch to really make the ornaments look like they are on the tree. Love it!

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  14. Excellent choice to add those little hanger ribbons. Adds so much movement to the quilt. Love it!

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  15. Love your idea with the hangers for the ornaments. You need to design patterns!
    Hugs,
    Donna

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  16. Very clever of you to add the different length hangers on your ornaments for this quilt. It gives more "movement" to the finished quilt... love it!

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  17. You are officially the "pattern whisperer!" Pattern designers should hire you to proof their designs and give them finishing details before they are produced. Great job!

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  18. The hanger is a great idea for that block. I got a chuckle from your numbering system.

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  19. Love your creative additions! And just love visiting your blog to see what adventures you are up to!

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  20. That turned out so well, Thelma! Now I am ever so curious to know which quilt is Liftime Quilt Number 100. I guess we will know very soon!

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  21. That was nice that your DD got to spend Christmas with you. The different length hangers really add to the quilt and I love how your blocks are not all in a row. You are just way too creative!!!! I can't wait to see what Quilt 100 will be!!!

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  22. What a clever Idea for making hangers for your ornaments and have them different lengths ! PERFECT!!!

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  23. Very cute. It creates "movement" doesn't it? Like they are dangling and can swish. I also think that having more white around the ornaments makes them look less "blocky". I like it!!

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  24. You have a great eye for design and color.

    HAPPY NEW YEAR.

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  25. Love how you "Themanize" your creations! As much as I really liked Camille's pattern, I have to admit it sure makes sense. What really cracks me up is the reasoning of the numbering of your quilts - now that's funny! Maybe we will understand when we see what number 100 is!
    Happy New Year!!

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  26. I love your adaptation! Do you mind if the rest of us follow suit? Also, do you have a specific quilt already in mind for lifetime no. 100?

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  27. HAHA - leave it to you to think of such a fun change to the pattern. Can't wait to see this completed - and to see what you have in store for your 100th quilt! Happy Holidays.

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  28. Love the 'pattern whisperer' comment! Your sashing really sets off the blocks - love the red. Can't wait to see it finished!

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  29. I love your Christmas Ornament quilt....good idea to add the "ribbon"
    Cath @ Bits 'n Bobs

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  30. Each quilt you do, I say is my favorite...well, this may be my favorite of holiday quilts. I love the simplicity! Have a wonderful New Year and I'm keeping count (LOL)! XOXO

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  31. I love the ornament hangers! And your quilt is beautiful!

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  32. I love your adaptation!!! It is awesome!

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  33. Love your addition! And such a great fabric line to use for this pattern.

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  34. I love it that you made the quilt 'yours'. It certainly isn't boring and NO levitating! It's a lovely Christmas quilt. Happy New Year, Thelma, and lots of quilting in 2013!

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  35. I bought this pattern this Fall because I loved the idea of creating quilted ornaments. I have it in line to work on after I finish last year's Christmas gift quilt kit of Christmas packages (Flurry by Kate Spain.) I also like to work on Christmas quilts at Christmas. Love your adaptation of Camille's patterns and I bet she does too. Glad your Christmas was full of those you love. Happy New Year. Stephani in N. TX (Tomazec@aol.com)

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  36. I like the changes you made a great pattern even better. Varying the length of the hanger really adds some dimension & sense of movement to the cute ornaments. When I get around to making this pattern I will likely do it in a style similar to yours. As a more traditional quilter I was thinking of using some smalll pine branche fabric for the sashing to give the quilt the feel that the Christmas tree is just out of sight. Thelma, you know what you like & your artistic sensibilities always seem to guide you to make the best changes for your quilts. Have a great New Year & I can't wait to see this one finished.

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  37. Happy New Year, Thelma!! I'm looking forward to your blog posts in 2013 and the creative ways you change designs to make them yours. These posts help me "think outside the design" when looking a project.

    Love the hangers!

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