That sneaky scamp, Scout, took over my blog yesterday! I don’t know how she did it. But she’s a Border Collie and they are very smart, indeed. Thank goodness I’ve taught her some manners; she responded to all your comments in her inimitable, slightly sassy, way.
I finished all the blocks yesterday, then, on a rehearsal break, laid them out on the carpet. Then I climbed on a chair and stood on the kitchen counter to take this photo:
This is my home-away-from-home version of a design board. I’ve found that taking a photo helps me to see any problems with the layout.
The nice thing about being in this apartment is that I can do something I never could at home. I can leave the blocks on the carpet. No dog hair, no curious Scoutie walking all over them. Since I don’t have my own space at home that I can contain with a closed door, this is a refreshing treat! I kept glancing at the layout throughout the evening and found I didn’t like the concentration of vivid red at the top of the photo, so I kept playing around with block placement. The vertical row of blocks on the left will actually be the top of the quilt.
This is what I ended up with. Although now that I look at it here, I’m going to tweak a couple of blocks.
There. I tweaked it. It’s almost impossible to get a good photo in this space, but this gives you an idea of the look I’m going for.
The finished quilt is supposed to measure 63 inches by 74 inches. As you know, we don’t have a lot of wall space in our home, due to an abundance of windows and the sloped-attic-type walls upstairs. I started to wonder whether I should go with the 5 blocks by 5 blocks layout or make it 4 blocks by 5 blocks. Now is the time to make that decision. So I called Don and had him measure the available space on the staircase wall. When we first moved in to the cottage, I had a quilt hanging there. It’s sort of the perfect place for a quilt.
Turns out there is just enough room. I don’t want this to be a throw. I really want to hang it because the colors are so wonderful and they really go with the colors in our living room and kitchen – as well as in my studio. And the great thing about hanging it in that space is that I will also be able to see it from my studio. I like the simple, graphic quality to it and the patterns and colors make me happy. (Hopefully, I’ll still feel the same way when I’ve finished it!)
The next step is to start sewing the blocks together. Today, however, I will have to be at the theater most of the day. Final tech rehearsals in the afternoon and evening, then the first preview tomorrow morning. Morning, you say? Yes. For the life of me I cannot figure out why the first preview is a student audience at 10:30 in the morning. That means we lose another afternoon to run through the show before an evening preview. Believe me, if I was still an actor, I would not be happy about teching until 10 or 11 tonight and then having my first performance at 10:30 in the morning. For students. I do not know a single actor who likes morning performances.
Tomorrow I will have a post about my visit to Hartford’s Ancient Burying Ground, which was in use from 1640 to 1803. I took lots of pictures.
Happy Wednesday.
That outlay of the quilt looks so wonderful !! I love all those soft colours.
The trip you took sounds very interesting, can’t wait for the pictures.
Thanks, Monique Elisabeth!
Quilt is looking good!! Anxious to see your new photos.
Have a wonderful day!
Judy
You too, Judy!
Love the quilt!!!
xo Kris
Thanks, Kris!
The first layout of your quilt was gorgeous, the second layout was gorgeous-gorgeous, and the third layout is gorgeous-gorgeous-gorgeous!!! It kept getting better and better! Unbelievable. You could fly around the country laying out quilt blocks for stitchers!
I hope the production hits the nail on the head. (Oh dear, I am trying not to say “good luck” because I know you don’t say that to actors.) Break a leg, y’all. What is the best way to wish the best to the play and actors?
Break a leg is the best way to send good wishes, Tana!
Claudia ,Beautiful Quilt! I had to laugh about you climbing a chair and up to the counter. ha, ha, ha! Because that is exactly something I would do, and once I got up there go, I’m 62 years old what am I thinking!! ha, ha,!! Great post can’t wait for the burial grounds! -Judy A-
Post that is, Burial Grounds Post!
Yep. I get a bit nervous when I’m climbing up on things!
Your quilt is going to look fantastic! ;)
Thanks, Donna!
She’s beautiful Claudia..I love seeing quilts as wall hangings..so glad that you had enough room for her in the stairway..Those Dogwood flowers are gorgeous..can’t wait to see the rest of the graveyard..
There’s a pink dogwood and several white dogwoods in the graveyard, Nancy.
It is looking better and better. I can’t wait to see the quilt finished. :-)
Thanks, Regula!
The quilt is amazing. I am loving the colors. They will be perfect in your home. The dogwood picture is stunning. Good luck with the play.
Thank you, Debby!
Claudia I must tell you Scout was such a sweet girl yesterday, I very much enjoyed her post! Now this quilt is looking great! I like how you can continue to tweak it until it’s just right for you. It will be a lovely wall hanging. I look forward to seeing it done!
hugs,
Linda
That Scoutie is a handful, Linda!
Love the final layout of the blocks. I have the same problem at home with my Chloe. That sneaky dog hair gets on everything no matter how much I clean. She also likes to walk and/or lay on my projects too. But I wouldn’t trade her for anything. She’s my constant companion and I know you feel the same about Scout.
Blessings,
Betsy
I do, Betsy!
Your quilt is going to look beautiful on the wall. And I think you were right moving the reds around.
Brenda
The quilt looks fantastic! My sister is a big time quilter. I have no patience…..but a lot of appreciation :)
Dear Claudia
I am totally amazed you have the blocks all done!
You work quickly. The quilt is very graphic – an art piece for sure.
Lovely, and it “looks like you.”
Blessings ~ Brenda