The doctor is trying really hard to keep me busy, probably so I won’t sit around and mope too much about how I don’t have to get up at six in the morning anymore to pack lunches, or spend three evenings a week sitting in a school auditorium somewhere, or stand in the rain watching one kid or the other run around in circles or march down the street carrying a trombone--how I actually do miss those things, though, oh my goodness, I can’t even describe it. So in order to keep me from bringing home a puppy or something, he makes plans. We went out for coffee twice yesterday. We went to Bed Bath and Beyond. We went to the post office, also twice. Between trips to the hardware store, I managed to finish this quilt, and right before it started to pour with gusty rain, I hung it up outside to admire it.
I machine-pieced the top a long time ago, got around to basting the layers after awhile, folded it up and left it to sit there for a month, then finally hand quilted it in one long day while listening to thirteen Zilch podcast episodes in a row. I discovered recently that the real name for my huge, hurried quilt stitches is “utility quilting” which seems right. There’s nothing fancy about them at all, but they look fine to me, and they get the job done. The finished dimensions of this quilt are 72” x 81”.
After our extremely busy day of leafing through magazines and buying squirrel deterrent, we put on our clean shirts and went into the city to see this, and I laughed so hard I couldn’t see straight, which was the best medicine ever, though I warn you it is not for the faint of heart nor the easily offended. Back in our quiet midnight kitchen, we shared the last of an apple pie, still laughing. It was a really good day. I don’t know how he’s going to keep up this pace, but I’m looking forward to it.
Ah Kristen I love it. I am up for cutting a new quilt, I was going to do squares (again) but your triangles have inspired me. What is the dimension of the square that you cut these triangles from? I love the ratio and proportion of it and think it will make a good dent in my scraps. Jo x
ReplyDeleteI cut 6 1/2" squares because that's the width of my ruler and I was feeling lazy. :)
DeleteIt's so beautiful. I love the way the triangles are matched up, kind of, light and dark. I am so glad you laughed so much.
ReplyDeletethat is pretty ! and you quilted it in one day too, that is impressive.
ReplyDeletethe empty nest thing does get easier but it takes a while to adjust... i've seen 5 off to uni and the 5th was as hard as the 1st. following doctor's orders will see you through ! keep on laughing
I love the idea of keeping you busy so you don't bring home a puppy or a kitten!
ReplyDeleteSo pretty, Kristen. Hope the rest of your week goes as well as this day. Hugs xx
ReplyDeleteSo glad you had such a fun time at the show, sounds great. The quilt is looking amazing.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt look amazing Kristen....I love it.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are finding fun things to do.
Jacquie x
Loving your quilt, the colours are gorgeous - very autumnal. Bed, Bath and Beyond? Sounds intriguing, but is that because I have a dirty mind? Glad you have enjoyed your day, Sam xx
ReplyDeletePS love your utility stitching too - perfect for me as well
squirrel deterrent?
ReplyDeleteYou don't mean you want to keep them away?
I am Always putting out some feed, just to have MORE of them.
Really gorgeous quilt! (wish I had quilting time)
Bed, bath and beyond?????
Nothing wrong with bringing home a puppy!!! Or a kitten...or a pony..... xxx ♥
ReplyDeleteA real beauty!!!!!!! Really nice work!!!!!!! Remember, laughter is food for the soul!!!! Have a fab week!!!
ReplyDeleteLove
AMarie
xxx
Lovely quilt! I love the quiet life now! hugs~
ReplyDeleteI shouldn't read blogs late at night. I thought you wrote squirrel detergent. i'm thinking what's that when it's at home?
ReplyDeleteJean
x
That's my kind of perfectly perfect quilt right there, but you already know that. It's amazing what you have time for when you don't have to cook, clean up after, wash clothes for, or keep track of your children. Enjoy yourself!! And if you can't stand it, get 2 new dogs like I did.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful autumn quilt! I love the photos of the wind having a tussle with it :) Wendy x ps: can squirrels ever be deterred?
ReplyDeleteI think it is very sweet he is trying to keep you entertained. Love the quilt. I miss swim meets, track, dinners for 120 high school swimmers at my house twice a year. I miss the kids running around my house at all hours with their friends and all the parents I met through all of their activities.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you and stay strong,
Meredith
That is a beautiful quilt. Hand quilted in one day?????? That's amazing! I am S
ReplyDeleteso dreading an empty nest again when Mandy & Miss Piper leave next week to join Brad. It's been wonderful hearing voices other than ours in this big house. You have many of us who understand the pain in your heart and sympathize with you.
Blessings,
Betsy
Your quilt is fantastic I like very much your choice of colors.
ReplyDeleteA puppy seems like a grand plan!! Though it would probably chew one of your beautiful quilts or eat your yarn.
ReplyDeleteThe quilt is just beautiful.
I love your quilt Kirsten. It is exactly how I imagine a quilt should look.
ReplyDeleteHi Kristen! What a lovely quilt, so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are winning, keeping busy and having a good laugh, nothing can beat that! :)
Have a good week!
Ingrid xx
http://myfunkycrochet.blogspot.be
Gosh I LOVE this! I think I might actually want to BE you! Although I'm laughing at myself, as that probably sounds really rather creepy over the internet! I am in awe of your knitting talents, but you sew beautifully too Kristen. This is just awesome. The colours are so well put together. One to be loved for years to come, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteHave a super week my lovely xxxxx
p.s I was cursing the packed lunches this morning!
Love the colors of that quilt! I'm still coming to terms with empty nest and my youngest is 23!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I love your quilt, and the colours really speak to me, I'm sure it's going to give you pleasure for many years..
ReplyDeleteits gorgeous, and i do so know how your heart aches. xxx
ReplyDeleteAt first I didn't realize "the doctor" was your husband and I was seriously impressed at the lengths to which your doctor would go to keep you healthy!
ReplyDeleteLove your quilt - that kind of scrappiness is such a joy to my eye. I think your therapy sounds wise and I wish you the best as you adjust. There's always something to adjust to in life and sometimes I just get tired of that.
What a lovely quilt...my favorite type...scrappy. I like how you used a lot of blue in the darker half square triangles. It will be a very cozy way to wrap up this winter and knit. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt...beautiful story
ReplyDeleteA good laugh is great medicine. Love your quilt. I would nearly make another one myself just to do the quilting the way you do. My last quilt was done by hand using gold thread - making swirly patterns all over it!
ReplyDeleteDear Kristen, what a lovely quilt, the colours are perfect, I love the blues and pale colours, too. Greetings from the south of France, where you can find a lot of them.
ReplyDeletenice work! fab colours.... I must get back to making quilts one day.
ReplyDeleteyours are amazing
Beautiful. I love the colours and fabrics you chose, it has a quiet country feel to it but is full of life at the same time. Soothing, cosy and comforting for Autumn, one to snuggle up in on the sofa as well as admire on the bed. Simple shapes are amazingly versatile and now I want to make a triangles one too!! Glad you had a good day :)
ReplyDeleteGill xx