Well, I promised myself that this would be my year to finish more full sized quilts, and I am off to a grand beginning! No, that isn't my quilt or my finish. Give me a minute to explain.
The quilt shown above is one made by Carrie Nelson, of Miss Rosie's Quilt Company. It is a pattern she designed called Jellystone. Back in 2007 I took a class to make this quilt from Carrie, and honestly, I didn't fare very well. Something about it just foiled me at every step. The bear paw units are fairly complex, or seemed so to my feeble brain.
Here is what the first unit is supposed to look like:
And here is mine:
Oh dear.
And here is what one quarter of the entire Bear Paw unit is supposed to look like:
How cool is that? But here is mine:
Gracious. No matter how I tried, I just could not wrap my mind around how to put this block together. Even though I loved the finished quilt and wanted one so badly. So, I ended up putting my project box away and not touching it for five and a half years.
This was the momentous week that my Jellystone project saw the light of day again. (Imagine the music from 2001 when the apes discover the obelisk). Yes. I can do this.
I unpacked the box and spent awhile examining the contents and trying to make sense of all the components. Notice the time on the clock.
Units assembled and organized. Notice the time on the clock. Nevermind, I did it!!! I now know what I am doing, and have my units all set to make into blocks.
Ta da!!! And seriously, if any of you notice some unit turned the wrong way 'round, DO NOT TELL ME. Or I will have to kill myself.
I am so happy right now! And don't worry, I haven't abandoned Hill Country Baskets. I am just taking a little break from the tedium of making those darn basket blocks. I cannot live without multi-tasking.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone. I'll be sewing, hope you will too!
Love the colors you have chosen. keep it up and soon you'll have it done.
Posted by: Sue | January 11, 2013 at 04:25 AM
Those are beautiful colors you have chosen. And sometimes a project just has to marinate in a box in a closet for awhile before it's ready to be worked on. Believe me, I know.
Posted by: Pat C in Washington | January 11, 2013 at 04:48 AM
LOVE THIS QUILT!!!! You are going to be SEW happy that you gave this quilt another chance!! Gorgeous!
P
Posted by: Paulette Doyle | January 11, 2013 at 05:14 AM
It looks great! This is going to be one awesome quilt!
Posted by: Jocelyn | January 11, 2013 at 05:29 AM
Your fabric colors are gorgeous. I just finished Double Duty from the same book and it turned out really great. One day I'll do Jellystone, too. Have a great weekend.
Posted by: Tracey Holzer | January 11, 2013 at 05:43 AM
That was too funny! I think we have all been there a time or two. Love your blog.
Posted by: Jody | January 11, 2013 at 06:15 AM
Sometimes things just have to sit there for a while (years!) before they work out.
Super color combinations as always.
Posted by: CarlaHR | January 11, 2013 at 06:15 AM
That's so beautiful, Nicole. It makes me want to dig mine out and finish it!
Posted by: Lisa D. | January 11, 2013 at 06:16 AM
I am so glad you hauled that one out of the closet!! It is truly a gorgeous pattern, and the fabrics you chose make it just so pretty!
Posted by: julie | January 11, 2013 at 06:22 AM
Applause!! This is one jazzy, scrappy, delicious quilt and will delight your heart evermore. Cheers for the Little Engine's "I think I can" attitude that lead you to bring Jellystone back into the light of day. Yabba dabba do!! Okay, sorry I couldn't resist that.
Hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | January 11, 2013 at 06:32 AM
I hear Carrie clapping! And so is everybody else. This is a beautiful quilt. Way to go, Nicole.
Posted by: Stephani in TX | January 11, 2013 at 06:43 AM
Way to go Nicole!!! Doesn't it make you feel smarter than the average bear!!!! Love the fabrics...what are they? This is going to be a beautiful quilt! I am glad someone else multi tasks!
Posted by: Kerry | January 11, 2013 at 06:48 AM
Sometimes we just need a fresh start and a little more experience to get a job done. they look great!
Posted by: Lee | January 11, 2013 at 06:50 AM
So pretty!
Posted by: Diane | January 11, 2013 at 06:52 AM
Looks good! I've been wanting to try out a bear paw quilt for a while.
Posted by: Karen | January 11, 2013 at 07:12 AM
Woop! Woop!! It looks great! And you've had 5 more years experience since then:)
Posted by: LoriD | January 11, 2013 at 07:26 AM
I love this quilt...I'm glad you're working on it! Good feeling, huh? :) I've always wanted to make a Bear Paw.
Posted by: Nancy Watkins | January 11, 2013 at 07:35 AM
What a happy time to get back in the groove with Jellystone! It's going to be beautiful.
Posted by: Mary on Lake Pulaski | January 11, 2013 at 07:45 AM
That quilt is going to be gorgeous! I am putting it on my TO MAKE list. I love it - everything about it!
Posted by: Audrey Bretz | January 11, 2013 at 08:01 AM
I just pulled out an old quilt last night that I had started 3 years ago. It is scrappy reds, but it has taken me so long because i don't want same fabrics to touch. I love all the progress you did, and it inspires me to keep working on mine.
Posted by: Dresden Quilter | January 11, 2013 at 08:21 AM
Way to go! I only see beauty! I too tried a bear paw and wanted to claw my own eyes out so I put it away for another year, (lifetime). Maybe when I grow some patience.
Posted by: Robbin | January 11, 2013 at 08:32 AM
This one was one of the first Miss Rosie's patterns I ever bought (I bought True Blue at the same time). Then it came out in the book Carrie published a few years ago and I got distracted. It kept getting pushed back in the to be made pile. I imagined mine in some Kansas Trouble line. I love the scrappy feel of it.
Sometimes you just need to let the knowledge simmer and it will all eventually click.
Posted by: Sandy M | January 11, 2013 at 08:50 AM
You always make me laugh out loud!! I appreciate the visuals, especially the ticking clock...I thought I was the only one who spent hours just sorting :0 I think the theme this year is the year of finishes, so you've definitely inspired me to dig some oldies but goodies out! Can't wait to see your progress :) PS - I'm another multi-tasker too!
Posted by: Anita | January 11, 2013 at 08:53 AM
I love this quilt! I can't wait to see your progress!
Posted by: abby | January 11, 2013 at 09:52 AM
I love Bear's Paw blocks but they are complicated enough without that extra piecing of the anchor "paw" center. Carrie does like lots of little pieces. Congrats on your wonderful progress--I am impressed it only took a few hours.
Posted by: AnnieO | January 11, 2013 at 10:13 AM