Please Pass the Water!

"Irish Lass" went on the frame a couple of days ago, and I've been working on her ever since.

I've barely made a dent.

This is going to be like running a marathon. I'll be the one gasping for breath...the one the ambulance paces, just in case. 

I'll finish, but I won't come in first. However, the finish will be momentous for me, and that vision pushes me on.

Irish Lass, on the frame


I was optimistic and confident during the first leg of the race.


Basting along each row of blocks prevents shifting.


Still comfortable, I rather enjoyed this stretch.


Stitching in the ditch


Today I started climbing a hill. A marathon is not always comfortable or easy. 


I've started filling blocks. This is my first attempt at precision free-hand work, and it's not perfect. I'm attempting to quilt in the style of Judi Madsen (Green Fairy Quilts), and know I have a lot of practicing to do!!!

Even though the work is challenging, I will press on. The purpose of this quilt is to discover what I like (and don't like) the look of, so I tried the same filler in a few different ways. I also tried different executions of the design to see how my brain works best.

Adding fillers

A couple of times I wondered if I'd gotten in too deep, but the more quilting I do, the easier it seems. By the time I get to the bottom of the quilt I will have this design down pat!

More complex fillers await. Gulp.

There are still many miles left in this marathon, so I'm grabbing a water and running hard until I'm forced to walk and catch my breath again.

Please pass the water!

Linking up with:
Show & Tell Tuesday, at i have to say...
WIP Wednesday, at Freshly Pieced
Let's Bee Social, at Sew Fresh Quilts 
I Quilt Thursdays, at Pretty Bobbins
Needle and Thread Thursday, at My Quilt Infatuation

Try, Learn, Grow!
Carole

P.S. I'm also checking in with Chezzetcook Modern Quilts for The Library Project QAL March report. Irish Lass is one of four projects I hope to complete during this QAL. Here is my complete list of Library Project goals.

Comments are welcome! Thanks so much for looking around.

Comments

  1. Sarah Fredette19 March 2014 at 13:21

    Here you go. :D You're doing great - this looks absolutely wonderful. I can only imagine how amazing it will look when finished!!!

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    1. Carole @ Fresh off the Frame19 March 2014 at 18:31

      Thank you! Your encouragement is appreciated! I think this is going to take a loooonnnnggg time to complete, but the hope of something spectacular is keeping me going.

      Delete
  2. Jasmine19 March 2014 at 15:59

    It is going to be gorgeous! Just remember that slow and steady win the race. :) I really liked seeing how you basted it along the blocks. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Carole @ Fresh off the Frame19 March 2014 at 18:39

      Thanks, Jasmine. It really will be slow and steady, methinks. Good thing I enjoy the process so much, or it would be torture! The basting made me feel more secure rolling the quilt back and forth on the frame to work on different sections. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  3. Heather @ Bobbins and Bullets19 March 2014 at 18:39

    Beautiful work so far! I can't wait to see the rest of this :)

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    1. Carole @ Fresh off the Frame19 March 2014 at 18:51

      How nice of you to say! Thanks!! (It is rather nerve wracking to publish my progress - flaws and all - but growth is never easy, is it?)

      Delete
  4. Anonymous19 March 2014 at 20:03

    So far, so good! Color me impressed!

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    1. Carole @ Fresh off the Frame20 March 2014 at 00:34

      Why, thank you Julie! There is a ton of quilt left to do, so I have lots of opportunity to practice. Should be pretty confident by the end!

      Delete
  5. Kels19 March 2014 at 20:41

    The stitching looks beautiful! I would be so nervous to tackle a quilt so large, but you are quilting it like a pro! Is it your long-arm machine?

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    Replies
    1. Carole @ Fresh off the Frame20 March 2014 at 00:52

      Hi! Yes, it is my machine. So far I've quilted 44 quilts on two different long arm systems (I upgraded after the first 20 quilts!), but have mostly done pantographs. This is a good stretch for me! I love making art quilts. Once I feel in control doing detailed work, I expect to use the long arm to quilt those, too. Thanks for stopping by, Kelsey!

      Delete
  6. Lorna McMahon20 March 2014 at 06:42

    Oh, this is exciting! You are so right. Just keep pressing on. Your work looks fabulous and will only improve as you go! Go Carol, go!

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    1. Carole @ Fresh off the Frame25 March 2014 at 11:25

      Thanks so much, Lorna. You always say just the right thing to keep my spirits up!

      Delete
  7. Leanne Parsons20 March 2014 at 16:36

    It looks amazing so far! Keep up the good work.

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    1. Carole @ Fresh off the Frame25 March 2014 at 11:29

      Thank you, Leanne. I've been away from quilting for a few days and am anxious to get back to work. The sooner that happens, the sooner I will see progress!

      Delete
  8. Judy@Quilt Paradigm21 March 2014 at 08:25

    GURL! This is going to be all kinds of awesome!! It looks great! Keep on quilting - you can do it!! :)

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    Replies
    1. Carole @ Fresh off the Frame25 March 2014 at 12:05

      Thanks!!! Only 26 miles to go! I haven't been able to work on it for a few days now, and I'm itching to get back to it. The more I do, the more I feel like I CAN do!

      Delete
  9. Jo Ferguson22 March 2014 at 10:29

    Beautifully done. It's always tough starting a marathon but there's nothing else that feels like finishing one. We're all here cheering you on.

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    1. Carole @ Fresh off the Frame25 March 2014 at 12:11

      Oh, my gosh...you are so right, Jo. The vision of the finish pulls me forward. Thanks so much for your encouragement! I WILL FINISH!!! (Hopefully before the end of March, but we shall see...!)

      Delete
  10. Gemma@prettybobbins26 March 2014 at 04:40

    I love this! Can't wait to see where you go from here :) thanks for linking up!!

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    1. Carole @ Fresh off the Frame26 March 2014 at 18:55

      Thanks, Gemma! Your linky party is always fun. I love seeing how others are quilting their projects - it's inspiring.

      Delete
  11. Julia D @ Jada's Quilting Adventures26 March 2014 at 06:20

    Wow! Incredibly beautiful! Fantastic job! I love the quilting!

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    1. Carole @ Fresh off the Frame26 March 2014 at 18:58

      Thanks, Julia. Now that I've had a few days away from the frame I'm happier with my work. Funny how things always look a mess when you have your nose right up to it, but just fine once there's some distance!

      Delete
  12. Seams Sew Together26 March 2014 at 06:44

    Looking great Carole, fabulous, I too am inspired by Judy.

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    1. Carole @ Fresh off the Frame26 March 2014 at 21:12

      Thanks, Mandy. What's not to be inspired by??? Wow, can she quilt!!! :)

      Delete

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