Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Jewel Box Quilt

The sewing/spare bedroom looks like a hurricane hit, but it is creative mess. A few years ago, I bought some 6 inch batik squares on Ebay. I won two sets and I loved them. There weren't enough to make anything and they were small but there was a wonderful assortment of color and texture. Being the fabric addict that I am, I was content to take them out now and then, drink in their wonderfulness and enjoy them. During that time, I added a few batik remnants, a fat quarter here and there and there were some wonderful batik fat quarters in the fabric that I found at Goodwill. Still not what anyone would consider a "stash" of batik, but a great assortment.

Then I found this "Jewel Box" quilt pattern, and my batiks had found a home! (Sorry, but I can't get the link to work. It is from the About.com site) My great white hunter does not care for the black in this quilt, but I think it gives the punch needed to showcase each and every one of these lovely fabrics. It has also provided more practice on half square triangles, I WILL master those someday!

Here are the first two rows. All the units for the other blocks are sewn, so it just needs to be put together. It will have a black border and I will buy actual batik yardage for the back. (be still my heart!) Seriously thinking that this one will be a winter hand quilting project.




It is the first day of Fall and the TV says 99 degrees. We have planted fall tomatoes and cucumbers, flowers are next!

We are headed to the mountains this weekend for a quilt show, I am really looking forward to it, having gone to this one several years in a row. I will try to have pictures to post.

Finn asked for the date of my cataract surgery. It is the 30Th of this month. I have had my pre op appointment and have my eye drops and signed all the paper work. I am still not very comfortable with this whole thing, keep thinking about what the loss will be if it fails but trying hard to be positive. I love color so much and everyone says colors are brighter.......will concentrate on that for now. Thanks for asking, dear Finn!

9 comments:

Amelia said...

As I said before I love this...the black just makes the colors pop...and to The Great White Hunter have to vote with Norma on this.

Do let us know how the surgery goes...and have fun on your weekend jaunt to the quilt show.

Sheila said...

Norma, your quilt looks beautiful. You picked the right color to accent the others.

Stay positive about your surgery! I'll be thinking of you.

ZONE F DG TEAM said...

I think the great white hunter is out voted.

The black looks terrific!

Hipe to see more posts soon.

Granny Lyn said...

I, for one, LOVE the black, it shows off the batiks so well!

I know the surgery will be wonderful! you will be suprised at how easy it is!

hope you cool off a little, soon!

SueR said...

Your batik quilt is a stunner! Black was the way to go for the background. Imagine how beautiful those colors will look to you after your surgery! The chippies and red squirrels got into my tomatoes this summer--that, and a wet summer made for a terrible crop. Better luck with yours.

Teresa said...

Your jewel box quilt is a real gem!

Finn said...

It's going to be an absolutely gorgeous quilt Norma!!! I love the black with the batiks. What a great way to use them. It looks co-ordinated and scrappy at the same time .. wow!
So happy you've found the perfect place for something you love.
Thanks for date of your surgery, you know many of us will hold you in prayer. Everything is going to be fine, and things will be brighter and clearer. I only had one eye to have done with that particular method, but it improved my life 1,000 %. Legal to drive without glasses after wearing them for 52 years!
Sending big hugs, Finn
P.S. enjoy that quilt show and have fun with the great guy *VBS*

homegrownsongwritersalabama said...

Your "Jewel Box Quilt" is beautiful. Yes, you will enjoy hand quilting that one. I love batik and have dabbled in doing batik fabric in small pieces.

Prayer going out for the surgery.

jovaliquilts said...

Beautiful! The batiks on the black are great.
Thought you might be interested that our guild just had its quilt show at the Air and Space museum on the old Chanute Air Base. Quilts among teh planes...