Thursday, October 10, 2013

Finished !

Once upon a time (around about the same time as the invention of the wheel) I saw a clamshell quilt and decided that I was filing that idea away for future reference. 

From time to time I came back to the idea and then shoved it straight back into the "too hard" basket. All that cutting - all that basting - all that appliqueing and all that quilting  just put me right off. Yep- basically I'm lazy. I knew I'd get about 10% of the way in and end up with a UFO on my hands that I'd probably be finishing in the nursing home.

Solution- a mini quilt -which would give me a chance to see if I liked the process enough to do a full sized quilt ( at some point in the distant future-have you seen how many other projects I have on the go at the moment?)  and would have the added bonus of yielding something pretty to put on my sewing room wall. In my infinite wisdom I decided this would be my first hand quilting project too.


It's done - I'm happy. But this is going to be an only child! 




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36 comments:

  1. Canadian AbroadOctober 10, 2013 at 7:10 AM

    But what a beautiful only child it is!

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  2. JenniferOctober 10, 2013 at 7:53 AM

    It is a lovely child! Even if it doesn't have any siblings, will it get a playmate occasionally?

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  3. CharOctober 10, 2013 at 8:08 AM

    I think it's beautiful! You might change your mind, this one will get lonely!

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  4. MB in MIOctober 10, 2013 at 8:12 AM

    It is lovely! Good thinking to make it smaller. What a pretty project to enjoy!

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  5. TerriOctober 10, 2013 at 9:17 AM

    That's a brilliant idea... I'm going to use that idea for my pink, yellow and lime green Grandmother's Flower Garden (hexie project). It'll be a dolly quilt.
    Hugs

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  6. HelsieOctober 10, 2013 at 9:21 AM

    Ah... but it is lovely isn't it? Who says you have to make full sized quilts all the time? This is PERFECT for your sewing room.

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  7. MisteaOctober 10, 2013 at 9:24 AM

    No need to duplicate something that puts a smile on your face. You've done good. This looks like a very happy decoration. Enjoy admiring your creation.

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  8. UnknownOctober 10, 2013 at 9:34 AM

    SO HAPPY FOR YOU SHAY!!! ok sorry about that but I knew you could do it! 1 project down! I'm so proud!!! it's beautiful...as parents we all say that once in our lives..but there is always that Ooops...I did it again clause when you end up with "another one"...LOL enjoy your bundle of clams!

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  9. Michelle RidgwayOctober 10, 2013 at 9:57 AM

    Ohh It is lovely. I have the papers to start...you may have just inspired me. After all what's one more project on top of the pile beside my chair. Lol x

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  10. AnonymousOctober 10, 2013 at 10:50 AM

    It's beautiful, Shay. What a nice feeling it is to finish a project. Not that I would know, necessarily:-) I'm guessing.

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  11. UnknownOctober 10, 2013 at 10:56 AM

    I have looked at this pattern, thankyou for making the decision for me, I will not be attempting this. I had wondered how findly this would be. Love your effort, love the fabrics.

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  12. PauletteOctober 10, 2013 at 10:59 AM

    It is so pretty. I love clam shell quilts but they look like a crap ton of work. I do have a pattern pinned for a clam shell with larger clams and I think (hope) it's pieced. Sewing larger curves doesn't seem as daunting as appliqueing the little effers, but it remains to be seen whether I ever pull the trigger and buy the pattern (much less start the quilt). Anyway, I digress from the point of the comment, which is good for you for finishing your cute mini! Only children are special!

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  13. KrisOctober 10, 2013 at 11:57 AM

    What a lovely word. Finished! And so is your finish. Lovely I mean. Small and perfect.

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  14. Razzle Dazzle QuilterOctober 10, 2013 at 2:03 PM

    well done! What a great creative solution.

    linda

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  15. Razzle Dazzle QuilterOctober 10, 2013 at 2:03 PM

    well done! What a great creative solution.

    linda

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  16. DebOctober 10, 2013 at 2:44 PM

    Looks great Shay but I bet it was a hell of a lot of work. I don't think I would have the patience.

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  17. theaOctober 10, 2013 at 4:04 PM

    Agreed! A beautiful only child. Sometimes one is enough. I really like it, especially the colors you used and the black border. Very, very nice.

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  18. crazyquilterOctober 10, 2013 at 4:40 PM

    So pleased for you that you were able to make this on a small scale so that you could decided whether you would make another. I am right with you on not doing a repeat.

    I think a lot about the cutting out, stitching, basting for applique projects and it is usually enough to tell me not to go there.

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  19. audreyOctober 10, 2013 at 5:17 PM

    What a great little quilt! Very smart to keep it small so the finish would be very timely and exciting.:) I have one on my list too. Hmm... wonder if I should downsize mine too?

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  20. RachaeldaisyOctober 10, 2013 at 5:52 PM

    WoohOO , I love it!! It's absolutely gorgeous. Not every quilt needs to be a gigantic whopper. You'll be able to hang this on the wall for everyone to admire. I've got half finished clamshells, i really should get them done...

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  21. Dianne NealeOctober 10, 2013 at 8:00 PM

    Fantastic! It wouldn't be any fun if it was easy!

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  22. MargOctober 10, 2013 at 8:10 PM

    A perfect project to hang on your wall. You did good!!!!
    I love how you've framed it too. It's really pretty and now that you've made one, I don't have to!

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  23. NoelaOctober 10, 2013 at 8:35 PM

    It is gorgeous Shay. You may change your mind. Hugs.....

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  24. KarenOctober 10, 2013 at 9:15 PM

    It looks great! That is a perfect way to test quilt style. It looks very time consuming :)

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  25. CindyOctober 10, 2013 at 10:09 PM

    This is absolutely beautiful!!! it's so beautiful that I can't even think of a funny comeback. :)

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  26. AnnieOOctober 11, 2013 at 12:17 AM

    Woot woot! An idea born and brought to completion! Such happy colors too. Congrats are in order for sure. :)

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  27. KateOctober 11, 2013 at 10:53 AM

    Very nicely done! Congrats on finding a way to run your experiment and have a finish too.

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  28. KirstenOctober 11, 2013 at 3:34 PM

    Hey you did it. And you found out you don´t wanna do it again. Perfect! And what a cute Little wall hanging.

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  29. Katy CameronOctober 12, 2013 at 10:45 AM

    Wow, you don't often see the 'F' word round these parts at the moment... ;o) I think it makes a grand only child - I went out and bought a 12 pack of 18" cushions after work tonight at a local wholesalers, because I've decided I'm about to clear a lot of decks and just make cushions rather than quilts out of the unloved orphans...

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  30. UnknownOctober 12, 2013 at 8:12 PM

    Love it, it is super cute!

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  31. Three Birds InspiredOctober 15, 2013 at 6:10 AM

    Very nice and SO smart to do it in a "mini" version. I did that with a double wedding ring. Six rings and I called it done!

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  32. LindaBOctober 16, 2013 at 12:40 PM

    Hi Shay...well done on finishing your clamshells...I have a similar project lurking in my sewing bag wanting to be finished...maybe there for some time yet...LOL.. love your blog ...very jealous about those beautiful socks and your cinnamon cookie story made me LOL...thanks for sharing..LindaB

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  33. LarriOctober 18, 2013 at 3:57 AM

    Did you name it yet? I vote for 'Happy as a Clam' b/c it makes me smile when I look at your beautiful wall hanging. :) It's bright & cheerful. I'm sure it will bring you years of grins. Excellent idea to do a mini version of a quilt.

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  34. RenaissanceSandiOctober 25, 2013 at 4:23 AM

    I am glad to see that I am not the only one who does stuff like this. I, too, am "lazy" but in my defense, I get quite a bit done in spite of it! I love you blog and will follow-you should check out mine...

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  35. ElizabethOctober 31, 2013 at 5:12 AM

    That is so pretty! You obviously gave this only child all the best that was in you! I love the colors! And yay for a finish. Also, I'm kind of a schmuck for not commenting right away. I read your posts and then want to say something thoughtful so that you know I read the post and didn't just skim and look at the pictures. So I leave your blog open in my browser to remind me to come back and comment. And then three weeks goes by. Anyway, love the clamshell mini (and there's still time to link up for October finishes.

    xo -E

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  36. AndreaNovember 2, 2013 at 2:21 PM

    Fantastic idea, a mini quilt. I think I need to do that more so that I actually complete some quilts. By the way I just realized that I haven't been getting your blog feed on blog lovin and am catching up now. I don't know why. I've missed reading your great writing!

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