Monday, July 29, 2013

Gone and Back

Bonjour!  While you were stopping by checking out my dresden blocks, I was on my annual Mother/Daughter vacation.  My house was empty for over a week so I decided not to mention on my blog that I was gone. But I'm home now and things are back to normal on my blog and I've even activated the comments section again.

I've yet to really go through the pictures I took while on my vacation, honestly, I've yet to finish unpacking, so for now here's one picture to give you a hint of the location my daughter and I selected for our annual trip.  




The week I spend with my daughter on vacation is one of my favorite weeks of the year, we have nothing but fun regardless of our destination, but this year we really had some fun by traveling to Paris and London.  It was my first trip to Paris and I absolutely fell in love with that city. I can't believe I waited this long to go to Paris but am so thankful I finally decided to go.  The main reason I had never visited Paris was that I thought it would be a challenging trip.  I had heard and believed that the French disliked and were rude to Americans and I was hesitate to visit a country that didn't speak the same language as I.  So while I was excited about going to Paris, I was preparing myself for a trip that would be work and maybe sometimes frustrating. I'm so happy to report that I was wrong, very very wrong.  We met nothing but friendly and helpful people, had no problems with the language difference, ( most everyone speaks English as a second language), and thoroughly enjoyed every minute.  I"ll post more about my trip when I've gone through my pictures and don't have jet lag, so stay tuned.

Before I left on vacation, in addition to piecing those 16 large dresden blocks for Dresden Doilies,  I also started a new project.  Do you ever visit the Stella Rubin Antique Quilts website?  I stop by at least once a week to look at the antique quilts they have for sale.  I am constantly amazed by the workmanship of those old quilts.  A while back I ran across a blue and white quilt that I enjoyed so much I thought I would try to make one of my own.  I seem to be going through a navy stage this summer.

Anyway, as near as I could tell, the quilt was made up of these pieces.  (I'm using a blue from the Indigo Crossing line by Minick and Simpson for Moda)



This is how I sort of figured out the layout.


And here it is with some more pieces and parts.




The quilt I saw online was they type of quilt that depending on how you looked at it, you could see different patterns, I'm not 100% sure I got the size right, but I think I do have the pattern right. 

Have you been keeping up with the Patriotic Quilter's progress on her version of Dresden Doilies?  JoAnne is fussing cutting a medallion print for her center circles that is amazing.  At this rate I think I'm going to like JoAnne's Dresden Doilies project better than my own.  Click on her blog in my Favorites List if you've not seen them.

And again, I've activated the comments section on my blog, feel free to leave a comment, I've missed visiting with you all.

28 comments:

  1. Can't wait to see your Paris pics! Thanks for sharing the info on Stella Rubin Antique Quilts. I have been drooling over the quilts on the site and be spending more time looking at them.

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  2. Welcome home! I'm eagerly awaiting your pics! I had the same warning about the French, and, like you, I found them warm and friendly. Great new project!

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  3. Thanks for the heads up on Paris. It is on my bucket list too. Your Dresden blocks looked fabulous - even if you never add any more to them. Isn't there just something calming about a classic quilt. Beautiful design!

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  4. An exotic vacation AND a new quilt started?!?!?
    You are having way too much fun!
    Can't wait to hear more about it!

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  5. Wow, London and Paris! My sister just visited both cities a few months ago and really enjoyed it, too. I'm loving your new blue project! I also really like your Dresden Doilies, too. It looks more fresh and modern than mine. I can't wait to see your progress. Are you appliqueing them or gluing like the pattern suggests? I'm appliqueing them and the quilt is getting pretty heavy with the center blocks sewn together. Thanks for mentioning me, it is really sweet!

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  6. I have loved the Dresden plates. Colorful and cheerful. And I love the blue/white you're working on. Thanks for all the fun quilts and patterns you post. I enjoy your blog a great deal. Laura Valdez

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  7. What more is there to say after a trip to Paris and London? How wonderful for you and your daughter to have that experience. Welcome home. Love the new quilts, dresdens are creeping into my plans. Yours are an inspiration, never thought of stripes and dotty dresdens.Love the new blue and white too. Glad you're home safe, and blogging again. Missed ya! Stephani in N. TX (Tomazec@aol.com)

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  8. Oh my....what a wonderful vacation for you and your daughter! Once in a life time trip and so happy for you.
    Have to say I was a bit worried and glad to hear it was a fun thing that you were doing.
    Very nice blue blocks and know you will have this done in no time. Will there be any red in this quilt...perhaps in backing;)))))
    Glad you are back.

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  9. Welcome back! I hope you will share more pictures of your vacation! What a special time. How wonderful that you have a trip with your daughter to look forward to each year.

    We have just returned from a week-long family camp in Colorado. Nice weather; a fun time; all tired upon our return home.

    The blue and white quilt look great!

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  10. Wow, Paris! I can't wait to see the pictures!!!! I have a quilt made by my Grandma Vernon which goes back five generations. My goal one day is to reproduce it and I'll more than likely use Minick and Simpson fabrics. Your Dresden Plate quilt is going to look FABULOUS!!

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  11. What a fun vacation, Thelma!!

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  12. I love your new quilt! Glad you had a lovely holiday!

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  13. If I had known about your trip I could have taught you a few choice words/phrases to use in case you encountered any rude people. I learned them from my grandmother when, as a child in Louisiana, I would "help" her with laundry. She was a very devout woman who started each day with the rosary, but when that old wringer washer tore buttons off shirts, she used some very naughty words! I used a few of those words myself yesterday (both French and English) when I discovered I'd made cutting errors in the new quilt I'd started. I am not about to waste any of my beautiful (pause for irony) Paris Flea Market fabric, so I'll have to figure out a way to make it work. Glad you had a good trip and glad you are safely home.

    Cindy in NC

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  14. I'm so envious! I loved Paris and want to go back soon. I like what you are doing with the blue and white quilt too.

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  15. Paris... wonderful city. Been there twice. Loved it. So much to see and do.

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  16. Your blue and white quilt is going to be beautiful. I've enjoyed seeing your Dresden doilies and the happy fabrics you're using.

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  17. What a wonderful vacation. And how great to spend time with your daughter every year.

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  18. I've never disliked any of your quilts over the years. I'm just wandering how you're going to throw in some red?

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  19. Welcome back! Looking forward to hearing about your trio, I always fight with my daughter when we vacation together, so nice to see you have such a good time :)

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  20. Well, you sure know how to sneak off! I really enjoyed the Dresdan parade - I was sure you had more finished than you were showing!! LOL
    Leaving tomorrow for my daughter's graduation of her Masters degree. I'm so very proud of her. I'll be peeking in.

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  21. I love Stella Rubin's Antique quilt website.... I am amazed at the workmanship. I found a couple quilts I would love to purchase if my husband would only let me use our mad money stash lol. I don't know how you find all the time with vacayin' in Paris, family life, blogging and keeping us inspired with all your lovely projects. I would have to say, your blog is one of my favorites! Thanks for all your impressive quilt projects!

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  22. Aahhh, so that's why y turned off comments. I thought you were maybe having more trouble with spammers and bad websites. Can't wait to see your Paris pics. I loved JoAnnes fussy cut centres too.

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  23. My hubby and I visited France a few years ago to pick up our daughter who was studying abroad her junior year. I loved France and hope to visit again someday. You are correct -- the French are very nice.
    Your blue and white quilt is going to be spectacular! I can't wait to see it finished.

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  24. While reading through your post, I clicked over to the Stella Rubin site before reading all the way through your post. Oh my, lots of eye candy there. The antique quilts are amazing. Funny thing. The blue quilt you choose to replicate was THE ONE that caught my eye too. When I went back to finish reading your post, I was surprised to see that the blue quilt was the one you liked too. I cannot wait to see your finished quilt.

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  25. Sounds like you had a wonderful time! Nothing better than mother/daughter time. Can't wait to see pics of your trip!
    Now I'm off to see more Dresden Plate blocks ... love yours!
    Hugs,
    Donna

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  26. Paris. Ahhh. I'm sure you had a wonderful time ... while we were enjoying your progress on the Dresden Plates, which are lovely. I'm interested to see your blue and white quilt finished. Sometimes the simplest things are ... simply stunning. Welcome back. We look forward to more "voila!"
    Debbie R.

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  27. Paris ! it's where I was born and I'm still living. I'm happy to learn you enjoyed your trip and French People as much as I enjoy mine along your blog.

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  28. Paris... I've had the same experience as you - nothing but friendly chic Parisian's everywhere! Welcome home.

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