Sunday, November 13, 2011

Border Options

I have been on the road again - this time to Washington DC for a business conference.  The weather was lovely, even if I did spend all day (8:30 - 5:00) every day in meetings.  Rather than show you the typical pictures of Washington, I thought I would show you some of the other visitors - the Occupy Washington crowd was there too. 
I took my hexies to work on in the evenings, and this is the stack I completed.  They are smaller than the ones I have been working on for my quilt, measuring just 2.5 inches across.   I want to use them in the border - but how????  There in lies the question.

My first thought was to create a "Posey Chain" around the border since I am calling this quilt Granny's Posies.   But then reality sunk in, that would take almost 175 of these little darlings - not sure I want to go there.
My next option was to create little flowers and with leaves and stems all around the borders, maybe mingling in a butterfly, bluebird, bumble bee every now and then.  I like this option better and it takes about a third of the number of flowers to make.  I just wish I could draw better as creating the bluebird, butterfly and bumblebee are real stretches for me.  I have a talented daugther though that can draw anything, so I am going to have to give her a call.
Have you any suggestions fo rmy border??? I always love seeing all the creative way people border their quilts, but when it comes time for me to do the same I think my mind goes into deep freeze.

My family all came over for homemade soup and cornbread last night.  Afterwards we were in the living room and they saw something that captured everyone's attention.  See that look of anticipation - and even fear on their faces? 
So you may be asking, or maybe you aren't, but here is what they were anxiously awaiting. The cuckoo scared little Taralyn so much she did not even want to go in the living room again the rest of the night. 

My wonderful brother and his wife brought me this clock from a recent visit to Germany.  

Happy Stitching!
Teresa




12 comments:

*karendianne. said...

What pretty pretty hexies! And oh my gosh Teresa, what an amazing clock. A real treasure. This clock has it first bit of family lore attached to it now. "You know that was the clock where Taralyn decided cuckoo's are for the birds!" (or something thereof…)

Marj said...

I am like both borders. the first seems more formal and the second is more playful. As for finding birds, butterflies. and bumble bees, look in coloring books or in applique quilt books at the library. Hope this helped a little bit.
Your clock is beautiful and what fun to share it with the family.

LuAnn said...

Your blog is the second I've stopped at that has a hexie project so I'm going to make a few more soon. I like the first border option but that is a lot more hexagons to make. I wonder how it would look if you would applique' a swag of different fabrics and put a hexagon to join them. Either way I love it.

Leeanne said...

Lovely clock.
I really like the flowers for your hexie border....just my opinion!

StitchinByTheLake said...

You have such beautiful colors in your quilt - have you thought of prairie points in some of the same fabrics? It might be too busy but it sounds like fun. blessings, marlene

Julie Fukuda said...

I liked the first border, then I saw the second one. I don't know if you really need birds or other stuff, The flowers are charming and the rows of green leaves are nice to enclose that riot of different colors.

Raewyn said...

Both versions are lovely Teresa - I'm not going to be much help in helping you make a decision sorry! using the small hexagons is a really effective touch. My Nana had a cuckoo clock, possibly smaller than your one - as children we were enthralled by it, maybe it wasn't as loud as yours as I don't remember anyone being scared of entering the room!

Carrie P. said...

Your quilt is looking good. I have to admit that I like the posey chain even though you don't want to "go there"
That photo where everyone is watching for the cuckoo is so precious.

Thimbleanna said...

Boy, that's a tough question. Your hexies look so pretty. I'm not sure how I'd set a border, but I think I like the chain better than the flowers. (Oooh, I just glanced at your other comments -- I love LuAnn's idea of making a swag of a different color and then joining them with the little hexies!

FlourishingPalms said...

Your wee hexies are amazing. I continue to watch others in the blogosphere make them, and continue to be glad YOU are, and not me! Your second border option, as flowers, is very nice. If you can get your daughter to draw your insects, you've got it made. Good for you to persevere on this big project. Cute story about the cuckoo clock... poor little girl.

Rose Marie said...

I like both versions ..... but how will it look on all sides since your hexie flowers edges will look different on the sides compared to the top and bottom?

Purple Pam said...

Go for the 175 hexies for the border. I like that design. Go for it. You can do it! Love the clock. How lucky you are, even if it does scare the kiddies!