Sunday, February 22, 2015

Life is Beautiful

Ever since I finished my Journey of a Quilter project, I have been wanting to start a new embroidery project. I've decided to start stitching a pattern called "Life Is Beautiful" (not to be confused with a wonderful movie by the same name Life Is Beautiful, which I highly recommend!)


This is a quilt pattern by Helen Stubbings which was released in 2009.  I got the pattern from Peg a couple of years ago when she was finished making her blocks. 
The delay since then has been because I couldn't settle on a colour scheme that I was willing to commit to for a l-o-n-g time! You can see some possible colour combinations here. Perhaps the reason I haven't decided is because I haven't found the right colour combination yet? 
But I did go ahead and pick out some variegated DMC floss and jump in with the first stitchery. The pattern book includes iron-on transfers, which I've never used before. It was quick to do, and was much easier than tracing by hand with a light box. 
I cut the muslin just big enough to fit in my 8" hoop and I am using 2 strands of the floss and an embroidery needle.


What are you hand stitching today? Link up your blog post below and share your project and your progress, or lack thereof :)




26 comments:

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

I went over and took a look at some of the other quilts; what a beautiful pattern!

Dasha said...

What a beautiful project you have begun. I went and had a look at the others on the link you shared. All pretty.

Kathy ... aka Nana said...

I'd never seen nor heard of that pattern before and fell in love with it. Since I can't justify spending the $75 for the pattern/transfers with so many quilts already of my "must-make" list, I'll just quilt this one vicariously through you. ;-) I can't wait to see your progress on this.

Carla A Few Of My Favorite Things said...

I went to check out the pattern as I had never heard of it. What a neat project, I look forward to your progress!

The Cozy Quilter said...

What a great pattern! This should keep you in stitches for a long while!

Quilting Stories said...

Beautiful embroidery project Kathy! Have a great Sunday!

Deb A said...

Thanks for the link. What a beautiful project you are starting on. Love the circles in the alternate blocks. This will be so fun to watch you make.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I will finish tracing out my last embroidery block for my winter quilt, sit down and hand quilt a little more and possibly a 3rd or 4th project - hexies and Lemoyne stars

Needled Mom said...

It's alway fun to have a good stitching project.

Chantal said...

It's the first time I hear about this quilt. It is so beautiful and so many different way of doing it. Thanks the links. You didn't exactly say which colour you've picked! Keeping us in suspense! Can't wait to see more of this one. ;)

Karen in Breezy Point said...

This looks like such a fun project and having the iron on transfers is a big bonus!

Cathy said...

Oh, that's cute! I always try to use iron on patterns if I can!

Lisa J. said...

I love the name of this project. I'm going to have to check it out as well.

Michelle said...

That's going to be a great project to work on. I like Helen's work, she a great embroiderer and designer.

Kaja said...

This looks like a great project, it should keep you busy on Sundays for a while.

Angie said...

I can see why this pattern called to you - it's very appealing! I will enjoy watching it unfold over the next several months!

Janet O. said...

So many pretty color combos--it would be tough to decide, but you are starting with a really nice floss.

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

Woo hoo enjoy your journey .,,,,they have gone to a good home x

Kate said...

Enjoy your new project!

Stephie said...

Jump right in! Looks like this is going to be an engaging project Kathy, hope you have lots of fun :)

Vivian said...

What a great project! I love all the different ways the stitcheries can be set and see what you mean about committing to a color scheme. After you get a couple done, the finishing scheme will start to develop. Go for it!

grann616 said...

Since someone passed it to you, would you consider passing it along to a fellow stitcher? ME!! Ive loved this pattern, but too expensive for Social Security!!! Sharon K. Lozano slozano5@earthlink.net

Julierose said...

Just a lovely project--can't believe that it's $60 though!! Seems really expensive to me ;--000; I agree with Gran616--SS doesn't leave a lot to play with....
...that being said, I do love how it's progressing. Hugs julierose

Joyce said...

I so want ot try this pattern, where can I find it? I tried Amazon but its not there. Any help you can give me? Thanks,

Nita said...

I'm about ready to start a new multi-year project, and this quilt is definitely in the running. I love that you got it from a friend who enjoyed making it and then passed it along to you. There's something so...I dont know...full circle about it. I'm nearly finished with a scrappy hand appliqued pumpkin seed quilt which I started maybe three years ago. I'm also working slowly away at a Grandmother's flower garden, with no plans to finish any time in particular, but its at the point where I'm sewing large rosettes together, so its gone past the easy work in my hands stage and become large and bulky. I know that you will understand what I mean. Anyway, the time has come to start looking around for the next multi-year slow-in-my-hands project.

Tamma said...

It would be really awesome to do the "Life is Beautiful" pattern as a sew-along! Hope you'll consider guiding us through the embroidery and then creation of the blocks using your quilt-as-you-go method ☺