"Buttons and patches and the cold wind blowing,
The days pass quickly when I am sewing"
~Author Unknown

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Come on baby...let's do the Peppermint Twist!

I bet I'll have you singing that song now all day today. *grins* Saskia and I decided to order a number of charts together last week after returning for our visit to the tea garden. HA! Like I did not already spend enough money that day which you can see here. We had rescheduled our play date after I was too sick last Monday and yesterday was the day. Happily, I emailed her the evening before that the envelope containing our charts was laying on my doormat that afternoon. So we decided to start our little SAL with the chart Peppermint Twist by Blue Ribbon Designs.


Now I am a huge fan of Blue Ribbon Designs. I just adore the various design that are set up like a patchwork quilt. It speaks to my quilter's heart, of course. As you may remember, I am already stitching the five sayings from BRD of which I have the first two finished. So it will not surprise you to hear that four of the five charts we ordered are from BRD.

As this one has a Christmas theme, I got out my Little Women DVDs and let Saskia pick which version she wanted to see and we got into the Christmas spirit. A very good thing on a hot summer's afternoon. We did take a break for lunch and for ice coffee with freshly baked banana bread as we needed some refreshments as all stitchers do. *wink*

But the really fun thing about this SAL is sitting together to watch a fun difference come together as we stitch. I am using a piece of 26 count unbleached linen from my stash. Saskia stopped at a handwork shop on the way to my house to buy a piece of 25 count unbleached linen just a shade lighter than mine. But here comes the fun part...hers is being stitched 2/2 and mine is 1/1. I could not resist the temptation to create a miniature version of this as I love stitching over one.

It was fun to see big and little together. Saskia held mine against hers to really show you how much smaller it is. It fits in the top section of hers. And how is this for confidence with a super duper close up. Good thing my stitches are straight and neat. *wink* We have agreed with our goal for now until the quilt evening in July. We will then see each other's work and start our second parts. We are taking it slow and easy so we have time to do all of our other projects so this will be done in 10 weeks time.

Speaking of Christmas! I got the nicest gift in the mail this week too. It is a fabulous book called Jane Austen's Sewing Box and was sent to me by my dancing partner Barb. Barb and I are constantly joking about which happy dance we are doing through our blogs. Hope you are resting up Barb for our next dance? It will be a while now on my side as I have some UFOs running now. Thank you for your thoughtfulness over our friendship and this beautiful book! I have it on my coffee table to constantly leaf through.

And finally...an update on my Between Charming Friends QAL. I should have done an update last week with this stage of putting these blocks together. I cannot tell you how often I wanted to just bin these while I was sewing them. It is so far out of my comfort zone with the bright colors. I kept asking myself what I was thinking while I was sewing them. But I LOVE Susan Branch and so want to make something fun from the charm packs of her fabrics that I have had sitting for ages in my stash. So I swallowed hard and keep up the courage...

...and now that I am sewing the blocks into a quilt top, I am loving it! This is so daring for me as I am also using a plain, bright white for my background which is again very far out of my comfort zone. I am a warm and muddy tones kind of girl. I love autumn and the colors of that season. These colors are like a colorful summer picnic.

Am I glad I ventured out of my comfort zone? Yes, it is good for me to give this a try.

Have you ventured out of your comfort zone lately?

42 comments:

Pondside said...

I love the colours - they say 'summer living' but if the quilt were mine at bring it out in darkest winter too, to brighten up a room.
I spend so much of my working life outside of my comfort zone that I seek quiet, peace and a little bit of what others might call 'ordinary' in my home life.

BRD Girl said...

Oh Heidi - I am so excited you invited me to see your blog...and that you are working on Peppermint Twist! I recently found Saskia's blog, as well, and I am thrilled both of you are working on one of my designs as a SAL...and what a fun "twist" that one is 1/1 and one is 2/2...I will really enjoy following your progress!! I adore stitching 1/1, so I am excited to see your piece come alive. As you know, I love quilting too - and your quilt top of bright colors is AMAZING - I love it - I'm so glad you stepped out of your comfort zone with the colors, it is truly beautiful.
Hugs to you,
Belinda

Kaaren said...

I just knew that your version of Darlene's "Between Friends" quilt would be a winner using the Susan Branch fabrics, Heidi. It's gloriously fresh looking and I'm so happy you took the plunge and tried it. Yay!!!!

Your and Saskia's Christmas stitching projects are coming along nicely as well. I'll be anxiously following as you both continue the BRD project. Love it!

Deborah said...

I love BRD and have finished a few of them. This spring I went to the first New England retreat with friends. Belinda was our teacher. She was great and so much fun. The design was shaker inspired. i hope you take a look at my blog as well. Deborah

Barb said...

You are just so welcome Heidi, and I am pleased you like it, I am hoping to see you in the bonnet!!!
I have put the shoes in the cupboard as I have cannot show what I am stitching as it is a gift for a bit later in the year. I am starting (did i say starting oops)another JA one as a sal on July 6th.
I actually like the bright colours clever girl knew you would make it work.Take care sweetie
Hugs from the UK

Linda said...

What a fun stitching day with Saskia and I loved that you watched Little Women as you stitched. It's going to be fun seeing your progress with PT.

Heidi, I love the quilt. It's just happy. I recently steped out of my comfort zone too. I've always stitched on Aida and have just started stitching on linen....loving it....hugs, Linda

Hazel said...

Lovely start and lovely patchwork piece. x

Deb said...

That Peppermint Twist piece is so cute and what fun to see it being done on two different counts of fabric!

Your quilt top is wonderful. I was thinking about joining that QAL, but have so many other irons in the fire I didn't. Yours looks wonderful - just love Susan Branch fabrics.

Jantine said...

Oh wat prachtig is deze quilt geworden. Goed dat je doorgezet hebt. Met dat wit er tussen wordt hij echt heel fris en gezellig! Leuk dat borduurverschil in groot en klein.
Uit mijn eigen comfortzone stappen, dat is best moeilijk. Maar ik naai nu een sampler met een blauwe ondergrond in plaats van wit en dat is me toch leuk!

Nanny Ree said...

You put me to shame Heidi ~ you always have so many things on the go & best of all you "finish" them !!!!!!!!!!!! 1/1 you are a glutton for punishment lol!!!!!!!!

Jenny said...

Heidi I love the Peppermint Twist SAL that you and Saskia are working on. What a fun design and I love the difference in sizes. I am a true minature lover and so I too love stitching 1/1. The Jane Austin book looks wonderful too and your quilt is beautiful. I am so proud of you for stepping out of your comfort zone on this one. It is a true work of art and one that is already making people smile. I am so glad you did not bin this one. Well off I go to do some stitching of my own... I have a few pinkeeps I want to finish as well as my sampler. I saw this quote a few days ago and thought of you...Busy as a bee, my needle and me. Have a happy weekend. Hugs!

hazel c UK said...

Hi Heidi, I love the BRD you and Saskia are stitching and will watch the progress with interest.

I am glad you came out of your comfort zone, I am always coming out of mine and love all the new and exciting things that happen in my life. I am always telling the grand children life is a challenge take opportunities when you can as long as they are safe and enjoyable.

Love Hazel (UK)

Carolien said...

Hi Heidi,

I am glad you feel better and how nice, that meeting with Saskia.
Your quilt feels so much like summer, don't you think? It looks like a nice picknick with strawberries and cupcakes and more sweets ... it's lovely!

Have a nice weekend & huge & groetjes,
Carolien

Sandra Henderson said...

I always love visiting you and seeing your lovely work! You are so amazing! Beautiful!!!
I'm having a giveaway if you get a chance to pop in... XO

Tanya Willis Anderson said...

I must say, Heidi, when I saw the candy cane ... it make me smile. It's 100 degrees here today, our 4th day of H***ish weather and a cool day in winter with a candy cane would be most welcome. LOL

Tanya

Anonymous said...

Hi! I am a new follower. Arrived at your blog from the Between Friends Quilt Along/Charming Chatter. Your work is exquisite! ...Karen

Barbara J said...

Great going on the BRD sampler. 1/1 stitching is definitely not for the faint hearted! You go girl!

And your quilt ... ahhh ... now that's a beauty if ever I saw one.

Sharon said...

This is a beautiful little quilt...love the fabrics you are using!

Jackie's Stitches said...

What a beautiful quilt! Your quilts are always gorgeous - within your comfort zone or not.

I enjoyed seeing the progress in your stitching and the difference in over 1 and over 2. I'm looking forward to following your progress.

Ginny said...

Oh! The quilt is great! Sometimes, it's good to get out of our comfort zones, as this quilt clearly shows.

I'm thinking I have the pattern for Peppermint Twist in my stash. Someday I might even get to it.

Happy stitching!

mainely stitching said...

Your Makkum finish is amazing, and I love the frame ... but this quilt just blows me away, Heidi!!

DonnaTN said...

What a fun play day, stitching and Little Women! Love your 1/1 Peppermint Twist and your super quilt. Hooray for stepping out of your comfort zone!

Siobhán said...

Heidi, that quilt is adorable! I know it's not in your comfort zone, but it's perfect for summer. Plus, I think it'll make all your other quilts zing a bit with something different amongst them. It also goes nicely with the colors in Peppermint Twist! I've had that as a WIP for two years or so. Gulp.

Marsha said...

I know these are your colors but oh, they are fun and bright and cheery. A few years ago I bought Peppermint Twist, it seemed everyone was stitching it. Now you've gone and inspired me again. It looks like a fun stitch. I may have to dig it out. I am outside my comfort zone in trying my hand at quilting for the very first time. I will post in a week or two about it. I just love the quilt.

Kathy A. said...

Love your little teapot.
Love Peppermint Twist.
Love quilt with white backing. Good for you going out of your comfort zone. Stunning result.
Love Amelia - I bought the whole series for my granddaughter when she was about 8 and she and I read them and laughed all the way through. Brought back a wonderful memory! Thanks!

Kelly@ Charming Chatter said...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that fabric -your quilt is looking SO CUTE! I'm really glad you ventured out of your comfort zone, too! And, your Christmas cross-stitch is adorable, too!

Christine said...

Your Peppermint twist over 1 is fabulous. I love the brightly coloured quilt too

Jeanne said...

Great quilt top Heidi -I'm not much for brights either but now and then I will "venture out" as you say LOL. I am very much wanting to start It's Cold Outside by BRD, now you have me thinking about doing it over-1. I have to start "down-sizing" more stitching as I am running out of wall space! That book looks lovely - heading over to Amazon.com to take a look..........

*karendianne. said...

A lovely post with so much delight! Thank you for sharing the variety and talent and all the goodies, too!!!

pinsandneedles said...

The colors are great for a small quilt. My blocks also are very bright and I'm using a bright white for the background. This too is not my usual choice but thought it perfect for this quilt. Nice work!

Shirley--Knot-y Embroidery Lady said...

I love the colours too! I know that thought, "What Was I Thinking!?" I am having the same thoughts about my choices too, yet I am going to complete it. Nice work!!!!

Susan in SC said...

beautiful quilt top! I love the bright colors!

Sonja said...

Bananabread, oh, that sounds lovely!! And I know what I am talking about!
Wat zien de twee handwerkjes van Saskia en jou er leuk uit, zo naast elkaar!
Gister hebben we een nieuwe router gekocht. Ik hoop binnenkort weer snel internet te hebben!
Wat een vrolijk quiltje wordt dat!
Talk to you soon! Liefs.

Saskia said...

Ha, mini en maxi... Net als in het 'echie'! LOL
I had to stitch this weekend,(and do some other stuff, and a little bit more than we promised to do..
I'm catching up in blogging world, so maybe I can update my blog later today or tomorrow.
I made a mistake in the peppermint twist though.. (sigh...I'm not a good stitcher)
But I like what we are making, it inspired me to finish all my other projects soon.
Knuffels
Saskia

Elly said...

Wat een vrolijk quiltje wordt dit! En wat betreft je handwerkje dat je met Saskia doet: Leuk joh!Die van jou zo klein en die van Saskia wat groter. Eigenlijk had er een foto bij gemoeten van jullie twee: Jij met je twee brillen op je neus en Saskia zonder! Ja, Ja, kleine steekjes, lol, lol. Of heb ik nu een geheim verraden? Sorry :) Tot gauw.
Hugs en groetjes

Elyte said...

Isn't it wonderful to work with some different colours. You are braver than me. I only make little things.

Nancy said...

Wow, it was so risky for you to do that quilt and oh my, it is going to be sooooooo cute. Good for you.
Well, you got a new Jane Austin book, and I am making your stitch house you wanted. It is on my blog today. Not finished yet.
That is so neat to see your work and Saskia's side by side. I would definitely pick her size. Yours is way to small for me. Very nice.
It was so funny the day you ordered that. We were looking on like together and I bought nothing and you bought three. LOL.
Love you, Mom

tich said...

Just love the mini quilt!

Anonymous said...

Hallo Heidi,
Ben helemaal in de wolken, zojuist bezorgde de postbode het boek jane austen's sewing box. Helemaal geweldig.
Als echte Jane Austen fan een prachtige aanwinst.
Over een paar weken op vakantie, ja inderdaad ik ga o.a. naar Bath.
Nu nog de voorpret.
Vind je blog heel leuk en behoort to een van de favorieten.
Groetjes Ellen W.

Tracy said...

Hi, Heidi! LOVE this needle work blog--love that banner! Your Peppermint Twist is lovely--I like the "oatmeal" color of the cloth. And your quilt top is coming along BEAUTIFULLY! I love all the white! At the moment I'm making a picnic quilt for this summer, and the scheme has more green in that anything I've ever done. I'm not big on green, but I am liking the pale jade, soft sage and silvery greens in this quilt in progress. So out of my comfort zone, but it's feeling better all the time. :o) Happy Days ((HUGS))

JayTee said...

I admire that you wrote on my blog that you were handquilting it...I love the look of handquilting but I am SOOO slow at it.

Béa said...

I really love your colour choice for the quilt along, and all your exquisite work. Hugs from France.