Oh Yes!!! Today is the day, the first view of Bluebell Woods, in all her glory.
Bluebell was made from Sherri Lynn Wood's book The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters using Score 1, Floating Squares. She is 50.1/2 by 43.1/2inches, and quilted using the serpentine stitch, Bernina stitch 4 set to length 2, width 2.5.
Can you see the bluebells, in three different shades, for as you know bluebells come in many different colours. The trees are arching over on the right, and the blue sky is overhead, peeping through at the top left corner. The gentle rain is falling softly on Bluebell Woods, feeding and nurturing the rich soil. Although I had originally intended to bind the quilt in green with a scattering of bluebells I didn't have enough left, therefor I extended the sky and the trees into the border and added only random bluebells on three sides. However I am pleased with the effect this gives.
I didn't plan the size, I just made the blocks and Bluebell just seemed to take on a life of her own. When it came to putting her together there was very little adjustment to be made. One block was too small by 3 1/2 inches, so I fudged a bit extra which blended in quite well, in fact although I know which block I have trouble seeing the adjustment. On another I added a small strip of background at the side. I did use the rotary cutter on the edges for a very light trim where they were very wavy, and one block was slightly too tall and had just over an inch trimmed off the top. Let's take a closer look.
Can you see the rain now? If we turn her over.......
You can see underneath the surface, the rich dark soil which feeds the woods, and look, there are lots of seeds scattered, ready for the summer flowers, (but there again it could be because I bought the fabric on sale :)
At this point I am supposed to evaluate my experience and results.
If I was to make this score again I would take more care in cutting the pieces, I was supposed to cut the squares in a size range, say 3 to 5 inches for one and 4 to 6 inches for another, in my enthusiasm to get on with it I forgot all about that and just cut whatever, as a result some of the squares were the same size so I didn't add as much background fabric between the squares as I would have. This has resulted in somewhat less of a 'floating' of the squares I think.
Apparently I wasn't supposed to trim the blocks, only odd bits which stuck out and just follow the natural shape of the fabric edges, and I should have added background filler to even up all the blocks instead of trimming the top of one. Well........ that wouldn't have worked with my wavy edges I think, and what's done is done in the trimming, but all in all I'm happy with my decisions to join the blocks as I did. There is a discrepancy on the size, it is slightly longer on one side than the other, and wider at the bottom than the top, but that's ok too.
Did I enjoy the experience? Too right, I loved making it, and I am looking forward to the next score. In fact I wasn't going to keep Bluebell, I was thinking about who I would give her to, but now, I have enjoyed her so much no way can I part with her, so she is mine forever.
But look again, for Bluebell Woods holds a secret known only to a few, do you know what it is?
On Friday The Final Chapter, The Secret of Bluebell Woods will be revealed.
But first, I have news of a giveaway.
As I said yesterday I have no sponsors or affiliates so my giveaway is at my own expense, so, as postage is expensive, and to make it world wide, I am giving away from my own stash. 18, 10inch squares cut from my solids collection, and including 7 textured read as solids. It's 18 because that is how many I have big enough to cut a 10 inch square. Most of these are included in my circles quilt, in fact if you wanted to make it there is enough fabric for all the circles in the quilt, although there wouldn't be enough for the borders.
So, to enter my giveaway, just leave a comment about Bluebell Woods, or the 2016 New Bloggers Blog Hop. For a second entry, leave a comment saying how you follow me. The giveaway will remain open until midnight on Saturday. I will announce the winner next Wednesday. If you are a no reply blogger remember to check back to see if you have won, then email me your address. You can find my email address on my About Me page. I will hold your prize for one week, then re draw if I have not heard from you.
This givaway is now closed. Thank you for participating.
Tomorrow I am so excited to be giving you news of my circles quilt, so please come back then.
Remember to visit the other new bloggers on the blog hop. In Mis Bee Hivin' they are:
Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
Kate @ Smiles From Kate (me)
Miranda @ I Have Purple Hair
Holly @ Lighthouse Lane Designs
I am so looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow,
With smiles from
What an interesting experience you had making this quilt Kate, I can see why you are keeping it for yourself :)
ReplyDeleteHi Kate! I'm up late reading everybody's intro blogs for the New Bloggers blog hop and you've already got a 2nd one done! You go girl! I loved reading all the symbolism you found in your BlueBell Woods. Very poetic!
ReplyDeleteI follow you via e-mail. Thanks for the generous giveaway opportunity from your own stash!
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, yes!!! Bluebell is so pretty, Kate! I couldn't "see it" as you were cutting the pieces but it really works for me, exactly as you describe it! The binding frames her perfectly, and I just love the rain!!!!! Such a clever idea, turn it over and there are the seeds!!!!! A masterpiece, Kate! I can't guess the secret, how exciting, but I will be back to see what it is!
ReplyDeleteYou are such a sweetie, and so generous to have a giveaway from your own stash. I'd love to make a circle quilt like yours!
Barbara xx
This is so lovely, Kate! I follow you on Feedly :).
ReplyDeleteI follow you via my Blogger Dashboard and email subscription, so I don't miss a post! See you tomorrow for the circles post, now I'm off to visit some of the others on the hop!
ReplyDeleteBarbara xx
Blue bell worked out just perfectly Kate, and here you are reminding me that I didn't evaluate my experience after finishing Can't Cut with Scissors" Oh well!
ReplyDeleteI can never remember how I follow people but I'm pretty sure it's on bloglovin.
ReplyDeleteI love the colors of Blue Bell. Rules are made to be changed and adapted.
ReplyDeleteI follow you on blogger and enjoy reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteI love your Bluebells and can confirm that the bluebells in the wood here in Ireland look exactly like that! The secret is intriguing, will have to check back!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for a productive blogging experience!
ReplyDeleteI love your creativeness and we all learn by doing whatever strikes us at the momement!
ReplyDeleteI follow on Bloglovin'.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt has a wonderful story! I love the backing fabric - it is perfect for the quilt, on sale or not!
ReplyDeleteI follow you on Bloglovin!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on a beautiful finish. After all the agonizing and thought you put into it, you did indeed learn about improv. The serpentine stitch looks just like falling rain and the whole thing says Bluebell Woods indeed.
ReplyDeleteI follow you by email.
ReplyDeleteThis is so pretty Kate! I love it! It really looks like flowers in the woods.
ReplyDeleteShe is just lovely - a definite keeper. I have actually now written 'improv piece' on my ever growing list but that way it won't be forgotten. Thanks for the lovely giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI follow you on bloglovin' xx See you tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt and love your fabric combo.Thanks for the giveaway and I follow you by mail.
ReplyDeleteKate, reading your explanation of your bluebell quilt made me see it quite clearly. I haven't done much improv, but this makes me think I need to start stretching in that direction. Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like quite the undertaking, but all turned out well. Love the bright colors of blue & the cheery color of green in contrast to the quilt back-and I can see the rain! A difference from some of your other quilting with the straight lines- beautiful fabric!
ReplyDeleteI follow you on bloglovin!
ReplyDeleteBluebells is perfection and you are so right to keep her! I'm so not very good at improv so that makes me even more impressed. The quilting is perfect for this! So glad you are having fun with the blog hop! I knew you could do it. For sure I'll be checking in all week to see your lovely posts.
ReplyDeleteI follow you on Bloglovin'.
ReplyDeleteKate, she's a beauty! I didn't take time on the Internet this morning, so checking in before I tuck myself in for the night. Everything about this quilt is perfect, including how much you enjoyed making it. Well done, my friend!
ReplyDeleteGreat finish! I like the stitch you used. You should be pleased.
ReplyDeleteI follow on Bloglovin.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous ! You did a great job on Score #1. I love the "rain" effect.
ReplyDeleteI follow you via Blogger. Thanks for the giveaway !
ReplyDeleteI follow you on bloglovin. The quilt is great.... thanks for the giveaway, so kind of you.😀 Hope you are enjoying your new blogger experience. Off to check out the others now. Hugs xx
ReplyDeleteGreat finish! I love how you were so inspired by the book. Don't worry about "should" when it comes to following directions; I think using a pattern or set of instructions as a starting point but not the only way to do is the best of both worlds! I'm glad you are keeping Bluebell for you :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway and the links, arghhhh more bloggers to follow. I will never get any sewing done !😀 Xx
ReplyDeleteI found you through our involvement in New Quit Bloggers 2016 and I follow via Bloglovin!
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love experimenting with new techniques, and it turns out just the way you wanted it? Congrats on the lovely finish and have a great time with the blog hop... sounds like fun!
ReplyDeleteBluebell is surely a beauty. Of course, I am partial, she has all my favorite colors!
ReplyDeleteMy met you through A Quilt Story and am now following you through Bloglovin'. Thank you for such a fun place to visit!
ReplyDeleteBluebells is beautiful! I have made a quilt using one of the curved scores for Sherri's book and it was a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteI follow via bloglovin
ReplyDeleteOh, Kate! Bluebells is beautiful! Nice job. I wouldn't want to part with it either. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, and I follow with Bloglovin'
ReplyDeleteRemember there is no such thing as "Quilt Police." I think Bluebell Woods is gorgeous. But I have no idea what the secret is. First I thought if I squinted and looked at it I might see a message in blocky form. Hmmm, I guess I'll just have to check on Friday. kthurn (at) bektel (dot) com
ReplyDeleteThanks for your generosity by doing a giveaway. I follow with email. kthurn (at) bektel (dot) com
ReplyDeleteLove improv and this looks great!!! great job
ReplyDeleteVery nice! I'm following you! I enjoyed seeing your quilt at the Sew Cute Tuesday link. I linked too. I hope you come and see me!
ReplyDeleteFantastic! Your quilt turned out perfectly wonderful. Aren't you glad you stuck with it? Are you itching to start another floating squares or other technique?
ReplyDeleteThis is such a unique way to introduce your quilt. Thanks for sharing. BTW I am not really an improv quilter but I've seen that word "score" before...and I don't know what it means. Is it another word for pattern or plan? I'd love to know more about this. Do you have any suggestions for a complete newbie. Also. I should say I really like the way your pillow turned out in your later post. Currently deep into patchwork pillow love as a way to use up scraps and redecorate at the same time.
ReplyDeleteKate, Bluebells is beautiful and I absolutely love your story behind it. And I love that even the backing fabric is part of the story. I don't think I could part with it either, if I was you.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read you r description of Bluebells, it made the whole quilt come to life. I love the involvement y Behave with this jilt and how attached you became to it. It is so pretty. The quilting worked just perfectly giving a feel of falling rain. Looking forward to the last chapter of the story.
ReplyDeleteI happily follow you on Bloglovin.
ReplyDeleteI would keep Bluebells Woods for me too! I just love the name also!
ReplyDeleteI follow via Bloglovin'!
ReplyDeleteKate, right away I thought Bluebell Woods looked like a woods after the rain. I didn't see your quilting until your close up shot. You did a beautiful job! I think with Improv you should trim whenever you please. :)
ReplyDelete