A Tale of Two Pelicans
I have a tale of two pelicans to share with you today, along with a few other bits of quilty happenings here at Pieceful Thoughts. My posts have been few as of late, but I am getting some sewing done. Recently, though, I spent a day with friends at the New Ulm Quilt Show (New Ulm, MN). I got a chuckle out of these signs throughout the show – I thought you might enjoy seeing them, too!
It was a nice show with many beautiful quilts. I didn’t take many photos, just enjoyed wandering and looking.
Okay – pelicans! I recently was working on this blue pelican block, which I bordered and plan to make into a pillow.
You can see I had a little fun adding the quilting to the pelican. All of the quilting was done with my walking foot. My pastor happened to see the block on my phone, and wondered if I’d make him one, so here’s the version of the pillow that will be going to him.
It amazes me how different a block can look, just by changing the color scheme. That’s the part of quilting I enjoy most, playing with the colors. The pelican block is a design by Sandra Healy Designs, and with my added borders, the pillow will be 18″ square. The pillows still need their backings added, but they are close to done!
Meanwhile, I’m still working on this improv piece. I haven’t had time to add the borders, but this is where I think I’m going. Will it be ready for quilting after those borders are added? I’m still thinking on that.
Sandra of mmmQuilts is hosting another quilt along, and I’m in. Are you? The Luminous Layers quilt is a pretty one, and if you like stars, you might want to join in!
This is the fabric pull I’m pondering for my Luminous Layers quilt. I’m doing my best to shop my stash!
I’ve had that print in my stash for quite awhile, so I’m excited to see if I can make it work for this quilt!
And that’s about it – a tale of two pelicans and a little bit more! I hope you are enjoying some fun sewing days in your neck of the woods!
Wendy
How Things Are Going
27 Comments
Sandra Healy
Busy as ever, Wendy! I love both pelicans and the improv piece. Thanks for testing the block for me!
Tracie
Cute pelicans and I love your fabric pull!
texasquiltgal
Your pelican is really neat! I like both versions. Does your pastor look at your phone often? 😉
Sandra’s Luminous Layers pattern is pretty – I like your fabric pull for it, and the Grunge is really perfect.
Barbara J Stanbro
Love those quilt show signs. The pelicans are very cute. I once made the same quilt for my son and DIL. Hers was done in butterflies, his in red hot peppers. The two quilts looked so different, and yet, they were the exact same pattern. I like your improv piece. The colors really pop.
The Morning Latte
The license plate sign is my absolute fave! I gotta remember that one!
Your pelicans look great and def good call on the quilting. (For some reason I thought you meant crosshatch over the entire pillow but giving the bird definition is certainly the way to go!). It’s great to see you get so much time in the sewing room–the happiness shows in your work!
karenfae
I had to laugh at the signs on the quilts. When I went to the Branson show last month I was amazed to see the security was loose and not enough “guards” watching the quilts – I saw quite a few being touched
Sara F
Adorable penguins! I love visiting New Ulm. A cousin and I usually meet there at some point every summer for a “girls weekend”.
Vicki in MN
Those signs at the quilt show are a hoot, someone was clever! When I first saw the pelican I thought it must be one of Sandra’s patterns, I really like your blue one best. Great choice of borders to add to your improv.
Sandi
I love your Pelican, he’s adorable. My mom was born in New Ulm, Mn. I have been there before. I have a lot of relatives still in that area. I live in Alabama. Hugs,
Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl
It is really amazing how much a few fabric or color choice changes can change a quilt. Have fun finishing up your Pelican pillows; it sounds like one will definitely be going to a home that will appreciate it. I really like where the improv piece is going, and I look forward to seeing where it takes you. Speaking of looking forward to where it takes you, your fabric pull for Sandra’s QAL is really bright and fun!
Kathleen McCormick
The quilt show signs are fun! I love the pelican pillows and yes, fabric changes really change the look of the quilt, even just a small pillow. Love your improv work. I do need to pull my fabric for Sandra’s QAL. I do think you can make the print work, but in the bigger pieces!
Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting
Fun quilty life, Wendy!!! Nice to see what’s going on in your studio! Fun pelicans! Yes, does your pastor look at your phone often?!! Copying Linda’s comment!?!
rmgsummers413a14ca5a
I think your quilt show trip must have been fun. The signs are so funny (and on the mark) but being with friends is the way to go. Those pelicans are really nice. The improv quilt will be finished in its time. And I’m looking forward to Sandra’s quilt along as well. I pulled a bunch of batiks from my stash (which will outlive me!!) and hope I can make a nice baby quilt.
Helen
I think the job of the background is to make the subject/image look better. If the first thing I notice in a painting is the background, then the background is wrong. Have you decided which pelican you like best? I started to ask which background you like best… but turn that around… 🙂
Diann@ Little Penguin Quilts
I always love the Sandra Healy blocks that you make – the pelicans are great! I might need that one. I’m hoping to join in with the mmmquilts QAL, but still need fabric – your choices look fun. A little shopping must be needed!
laura bruno lilly
New Ulm Quilters appear to have a great sense of humor! 🙂
Bernie
Hahaha – those signs are cute. Gets the message across and makes me smile.
Love the pelicans – I think both are great. Kind of like the white one best. Thinking on Sandra’s QAL. I haven’t done one with her yet…..
Janie
Fun quilt show; funny signs!
Love your pelicans!!
You are really keeping busy.
Blessings,
Janie, Isabella’s Whimsy
marissthequilter
Your improv piece is remarkable. It is so striking — love the design and the colour combination. As for the pair of pelicans — adorable, in both colour ways
Quilting is in my Blood
Those signs are hilarious, and I absolutely love your Pelican blocks! And your improv just makes me happy looking at it.
eva
We have the city “Ulm” and “New Ulm” here in good old Germany, so funny these same names. Guess there is some history behind. Lovely that you have this shows. On one side it is interesting to see the signs – on the other hand sad that it must be a sing! isn’t it clear that people do not tough? I know … there are a lot of no quilters .. and they only don’t know.
The pelicans are adorable. Echoing Jetgirl, yes it makes so much different a color change. Love both!!
may be doing a small bird and a book cover for the pastors book?
I love if pattern are in given in different sizes for different usage. Or a bag cover?
you will find a good idea for the pastor
Wendy – you motivate me … the star quilt along could be much fun… there are a lot of fabric in african style and I need a back for the SAHRR 2023 … so – why not try this .. and do a back that is matching the front of SAHRR 2023 . where I did stars as well.
tierneycreates: a fusion of textiles and smiles
First of all – I love the creativity of the warning labels on touching a quilt – especially the last one!
The pelicans look so fun! I love that improv piece you are working on – brilliant choice of palette 🙂
Kate
Very fun pelicans! Looking forward to seeing how your Luminous Layers comes together.
J Mur
Fun projects on the go, Wendy!
Danice G
Adorable pelican, and the lime green improv block.
Diane Harris
😂🤣
marissthequilter
Oops. Sent my comment to Janie 😐