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Thursday 3 July 2008

Elm Creek Samplers

For a long time I have wanted to make "Sarah's Sampler" from Jennifer Chiaverini's first pattern book Elm Creek Quilts - this is the quilt as it appears in the book (picture borrowed from http://www.elmcreek.net/):

(Ok, there are lots more quilts from these books I want to make!! *lol*). If you have read The Quilter's Apprentice you know this is the sampler Sarah makes when she first learn to quilt - and the storyline of the book is connected to each of the blocks in the quilt. But I have held back a bit on starting this one, partly because of the work of the setting but perhaps more because of the size. Then the other night I thought, why not make it as a mini? Ok, so I haven't eliminated the amount of work, but a wall quilt I can find room for :o) So I have drafted the blocks to 4" instead of the 12" in the pattern, and I think it will fit nicely over my desk! Tonight I sewed my first two blocks:

Yet again it's blue and white *lol* Maybe I'll mix in some other colours... I still have lots of small blue scraps, and the white is the cut offs from the baby basket... we'll see how long it lasts.

My heading says samplers, and the reason is that this morning FedEx rang the door bell, and they delivered my SBS! This was a lot sooner than I had expected, but I'm so happy my "baby" safely home again!

This weekend I'll be going to visit Inger Lise along with Hanne and May Britt - we are going to work on our Angel's Story quilts - I guess we are going to have lots of fun, and I hope to have some fun pictures to show when I get back :o)

Happy Quilting!!!
Sincerely, Anne Ida

20 comments:

Josh said...

beautiful work.

Dartagnan said...

Hi!
Nice, very nice!
I do something like you, needlwork and I Know how much work and patient you must give to do something like that.
Very nice!
Begood, be nice, be well!
http://howtomake1.blogspot.com/

quiltingnana said...

Beautiful work...have read all of the series - Can't wait to see your finished product!

May Britt said...

I guess it feels good to have your baby back home. It is always scary when they leave home.

And great idea to make the new quilt a mini.

See you saturday.

Trisha said...

What a great idea to make it smaller. I bet it will look wonderful! Congratulations on getting your SBS quilt back safe in your arms.

Unknown said...

It will be wonderful. I am so glad that your baby is back home. I hope your weekend will be great.

Valerie the Pumpkin Patch Quilter said...

Must be exciting to get your SBS back...that WAS fast!

The setting in Sarah's Sampler looks really tricky! I think it will make an adorable mini. :) Can't wait to see it - your little blocks look great so far! :)

Tina said...

Love the idea of making a quilt you like in a mini version! I'm going to have to try that sometime!

Cathi said...

Making a quilt in a smaller version is a great way to go -- you get to make the quilt, and have relatively quick finishes! :-) Have a great weekend.

shelley said...

Your little quilt will be very nice, I'm sure! So, so glad that your bridal sampler is back home!! I can't wait to see it "published"!

Hanne said...

I am happy for you, having your quilt back home!

Making a miniature sampler is smart - enjoy the process :-)

See you tomorrow for a great weekend :-)

May Kristin said...

I'm so glad your "baby" is safe back home again!
Have a wonderful week-ends with your friends!
Take care!

Lise in Norway said...

So good your quilt is back. The mini quilt sound nice. I think I must get one of these books you and hanne is talking about so I can understand why you can make these lovely quilts :-)

See you tomorrow- I am baking to day LOL

Rose Johnston said...

So happy you got your "baby" back sweetie!!! Thats was really quick, cant wait to see it in the book!! Sarahs Sampler will make a great mini quilt and i love the blue and whites, looks stunning!!
A day working on Angels Song with some good friends sounds wonderful darn i live so far away!!! lol
Big hugs xxx

Days and colors said...

I can imagine you hugging and snuggling your baby!!!What a relief!
Nedless to say how much I love your new mini quilt! It is so lovely, and it is blue! :o))) The first blocks already give an idea of how pretty it will be!
I wish you a wonderful Angel's Story weekend!

Teresa said...

Samplers are so much fun to make and always interesting to see. Your baby looks beautiful!

Anonymous said...

The quilt from the book is gorgeous! I love your idea of doing a mini! Happy Quilting!

Elin said...

You stick to Jennifer's patterns still, and I understand you, I would have done too...but you know I'm a bit out of shape for the time being. Have a nice weekend. I've heard a lot about Carl Berner's place on the radio the last days...lol

Anonymous said...

Hi Anne, I am a fellow SBS quilter and wanted to drop by and tell you how much I love your blog :-) Your idea to make sarah's sampler a miniature is great! I am so glad that your SBS quilt arrived home safely I just adore your finished quilt and cannot wait to see you in Jennifer's new book. Happy stitching! Cheers Erica

Sara said...

Great idea making a mini quilt of Sarah's sampler. I love those quilts and those books. Also glad your SBS quilt made it home safely!!