Wednesday, August 17, 2011

A finish and a new start.......

I'm happy dancing - Quakers & Quilts is finally done! HUGE SIGH OF RELIEF!   I finished it last week - what a thrill to put that last stitch in. This one has been hanging on way too long - I went back to my blog archives to see when I started it and it was November 2009.  It's not like I worked on it constantly since then, I had starts and stops but those quilts along the bottom really wore me out!  Lots of backstitching, half-stitches, and color changes.   It's a beautiful pattern though and should look great on my bookshelves when I get around to framing it.

Without further chit-chat, here it is.........excuse the color changes from photo to photo... I was playing around in the photo editor trying to get the linen to look like it does in real life- you know how it is when you are photographing needlework.


"Quakers & Quilts" by Rosewood Manor
Stitched on 40-ct Lakeside Linen - vintage bisque - and
with a conversion to Belle Soie & Silk 'n Colors threads




I couldn't wait to start a new project and I snuck in the first stitches on Lizzie Kate's 'Christmas Rules' the night before finishing Q&Q.  I absolutely am loving this project! It's like a breath of fresh air after trying to finish up Q&Q - easy stitching, bright colors and just a joy.  I actually may have this done and framed for Christmas this year if things go my way.  I fell in love with it last year after seeing it stitched on some blogs.  It's such a cute design - I have all the Halloween Rules charts too and plan to start that one probably in January for next year's Halloween.   I even talked a coworker into stitching Christmas Rules with me - she cross-stitches but is more of a quilter most of the time.  She loves Christmas though and couldn't resist.

Here's my start so far.........right now I don't feel like stitching on any of my other projects so am going to relax and enjoy this one for awhile! 

41 comments:

  1. Yippee! That is one gorgeous finish. Cameras can really drive you crazy.. they just don't see the way we do!

    Love your LK piece. That's the perfect fabric for it.

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  2. How gorgeous is Quakers and Quilts? Fantastic finish! Congrats! And you've gotten a lot done on your new start too. Such pretty colors!

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  3. Your Q&Q is gorgeous! I love the linen too...the faint mottling. It will look wonderful displayed in your house. I am stitching on Christmas Rules too and it is a breathe of fresh air! I am loving it so much I don't want to stitch on anything else! I am on the 5th "rule".

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  4. Quaker and Quilts is just so lovely, I can see from the pictures how much work has gone into it but so worth it ~ you must be so pleased xxx

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  5. WOW Q&Q is really gorgeous Jeanne! I am so happy for you to put the pedal to the metal and just keep hanging in there and finish it. YGG on the new LK design - it is a relief to change to different colors and just have fun so ENJOY! Melody

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  6. What a beautiful finish - I wouldn't have had the patience to tackle the bottom part - well done.

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  7. Lovely finish!
    Christmas Rules is coming along nicely, too.

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  8. Wonderful accomplishment! That is a beautiful piece.

    I agree with you on the change of pace for stitching the Christmas Lizzie Kate design. That will be a refreshing change for you. I've done similar things after a big finish.

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  9. Gorgeous finish! Love the colors and the fabric you stitched it on!
    Christmas Rules is coming along nicely!

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  10. What a beautiful piece! I love the colors you used and that Lizzie Kate piece is TOO cute!

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  11. Congrats on a gorgeous finish! I can see why the bottom part wore you out but the result is totally worth it. Cute Lizzie Kate project :)

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  12. Q&Q is beautiful! I have 2.5 motifs along the bottom to finish. Like you said, it's a killer! I love the BS silks you used.

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  13. Congratulations on a gorgeous finish!
    It is stunning.
    Love the new start also. It's years since I did a LK - must check out what's new.

    Margaret

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  14. Beautiful finish Jeanne!

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  15. That is just stunning Jeanne...totally gorgeous! I have this one and the other quaker rosewood manor all kitted and ready....after seeing yours I'm chomping to do it! Maybe I'll pull it out when I get this next project of mine completed :)
    I LOVE how you've tiled your backgroud with your stitching. BEAUTIFUL!!!!

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  16. WaHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! Congratulations on a gorgeous finish! You must be so thrilled with it, and to be done. It's beautiful. Love the new start, too!

    Great job on the blog re-do, too!

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  17. Yeeeh for the finish! It is really pretty, but there is quite a bit of backstitching, which I always leave until last and then it takes me longer to do that part, usually longer than the rest of the piece. I love L*K "rules"...all of them. Enjoy the stitch on that one.

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  18. Congrats on the finish! Q&Q is absolutely gorgeous and I love it with the silks!!!!

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  19. Beautiful finish! The colors are just gorgeous.

    Nice start on Christmas Rules. Isn't it nice when something just feels right and you can't wait to stitch it? You will have it done in no time:))

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  20. Congratulations on an amazing finish Jeanne. It is beautiful.

    Love your start on Christmas Rules:)

    I take the project bag, tin etc that I won in your giveaway to craft club and one of the ladies was admiring the tiny pin cushion and pins. She thought it was beautiful :)

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  21. A gorgeous finish!! And, a wonderful start on Christmas Rules!

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  22. Mm see what you mean about the quilts but gorgeous all the same! I have Q.Diamonds waiting patiently at the starting line!

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  23. A really lovely finish!!! Congrats and a super LK start!

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  24. Oh wow it is stunning! All that backstitch looks very effective. Love your new start too. x

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  25. Congrats on your finish!! It is truly a gorgeous pattern with all the lovely colours and backstitching. Really beautiful!!

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  26. What a gorgeous piece, Jeanne!! I love it :)

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  27. What a gorgeous finish!!!!! I love it. And cute new start too :-).

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  28. Jeanne, I think we started our Quakers and Quilts around the same time over on the Legacy board. Mine is still in the WIP pile, but your beautiful finish makes me want to pull it out and work on it. Enjoy the new start and the easier stitching!

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  29. Congrats on this beautiful finish, the quilts look so very nice...

    Enjoy your new project

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  30. What a wonderful finish! I have this pattern and would love to stitch it sometime. I love the new start too. Hope all is well. I've missed reading your blog this summer. So much going on on my end. I am enjoying a little catch up time this morning.
    Take Care.

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  31. Oh my goodness, isn't that splendid??!!! Congratulations!

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  32. Congratulations on a wonderful and beautiful finish, Jeanne! You must be so thrilled! Great start on Christmas Rules, too!

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  33. Congrats on the fantastic finish! and what a great start on Christmas Rules. I like that one too. It will be a fun stitch I'm sure.

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  34. clap clap clap yahooooooo clap clap clap wooo hoooo clap clap clap clap clap.....

    You know, it's really not easy to type a standing ovation.

    :) Congrats on an ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL finish!

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  35. What a fantastic Happy Dance! Congratulations!

    Great, new fun start!

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  36. Congratulations on a beautiful finish!!! What a wonderful design. I have never seen it before. Chirstmas Rules is off to a great start so you will be done before you know it.

    Hugs from Holland ~
    Heidi

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  37. Congratulations! Q&Q is gorgeous and great start on Christmas Rules

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  38. Wow, your Quakers and Quilts is beautiful!

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  39. Hi Jeanne,

    Your Quaker and Quilts is just gorgeous. I love the closeup shots - you can really see the great colors.

    Your L*K piece is looking great also - it looks like a cheerful, relaxing stitch!

    - Margaret

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  40. Anonymous11:08 AM

    Beautiful finish Jeanne, this is such a gorgeous piece! Love your new start too.

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  41. Gorgeous finish, Jeanne - I've seen the model in person, and yours is every bit as lovely!

    Thanks for joining the WIPocalypse. I've followed your blog, and I can't wait to see what other amazing projects you have going!

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