Friday, February 26, 2021

Another String X Finish

Another string X quilt top has been finished. The centers of these blocks were pieced while working on other quilts. They piece fast! I used old muslin instead of paper for stability.

The white specks and smears are snow flakes. It was snowing hard when I took this picture several weeks ago and it was cold!

I quickly shoved the quilt in the tree for the tree picture, my hands were starting to turn numb.

I was just trying to take some interesting photos.

I'm trying to use up a box of 1.25" strips but all the brighter strips have been used leaving the dark dreary strips. I cut up smaller pieces of bright fabrics to help alleviate the dreariness but now the box doesn't go down very fast. Oh well, there are probably at least 2 string x quilts left in the box.

I pulled various smaller cuts of blue yardage from the solids box then used larger pieces as needed. I also used various strips for the borders.

This flimsy measures 60" by 86". I  don't need to quilt it because it will be knotted at the MCC  Comforter Bash in November. I'll be counting this as a quilt for Hands 2 Help 2021.

String X is a Bonnie Hunter pattern found on her website.

Are you tired of me talking about my Amaryllis yet? I'm still thrilled to have them blooming so well this winter. At one time I had 7 different plants with flowers!

I don't buy all new bulbs new every fall. I admit I did buy the red & white ruffled one but the others are bulbs I've had for years. The old bulbs develop baby bulbs. When the babies come unattached from the mother, I simply pot them and keep them growing until they start blooming. That is one reason I have so many. I have noticed the salmon/pink ones are the most productive in producing baby bulbs. 

Unfortunately the apple blossom Amaryllis and the white Amaryllis bulbs aren't multiplying this way.

Linking to Peacock PartyPut Your Foot  Down, Whoop Whoop PartyTGIFF!, Finished Or Not Friday, Off the Wall Friday, Brag About Your Beauties, UFO Busting, Oh Scrap

30 comments:

Kathy S. said...

Your string quilt is gorgeous! Great finish, Gretchen. Your flowers are gorgeous.

Elizabeth V Kelbaugh said...

I love all the strings with the blue background fabrics. Gorgeous variety of Amaryllis

maggie fellow said...

I really like the blue background, it makes the "dull" strings pop

Created by Kathi said...

I don't think your string X looks dreary at all! congrats on a cute flimsy that in the future once tied will keep some special someone warm and secure feeling too! All from some stash you had :D
I love your amaryllis updates too btw... keep the pics coming!!!! Kathi

Rose Marie said...

The navy gives a lovely zing to all those x blocks. It will definitely bring comfort to anyone receiving it. I did not know about your bulbs producing baby bulbs. Thanks for another tip!

Marly said...

Lovely string quilt: a very interesting layout.

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

such a nice quilt and the flowers! one of mine only has two flowers on the stem for the second blossom and the other still hasn't opened - it is very slow - I don't know which color it will be

Rebecca Grace said...

I am just in love with your String X quilt, seriously! An idea for those darker strips -- have you tried pairing them with a significantly darker background fabric? I've found that not having enough value contrast can make darker colors seem drab, but if your background fabric is a deep, inky midnight blue or purple, a very dark charcoal or black, or even a nearly-black green, those drab looking scraps will appear to glow against the background. Traditional Amish quilts are a great example of this phenomenon, because all of their colors are pretty drab by themselves but with their solid black backgrounds, the muted colors create spectacular quilts. Just an idea. I think there is going to be a String X quilt or two in MY future, because my scrap bins are busting at the seams! Thanks for sharing the pattern source!

grammajudyb said...

I really need to do this with my scraps too! My older scraps are more muted and “drab”. I’m trying to brighten my stash, but it’s a slow process. Thank for the inspiration to use them up! I’ll never tire of your amaryllis photos! Mine aren’t blooming this year, so I love yours!

Bonnie said...

Great job using those excess strings. I have a String X quilt and I love it. Maybe I should follow your example and start using up some strips! Do you plan another soon or will you wait a while?

Nann said...

The blue background is great with the scrappy strings. Your amaryllis farm is glorious! We had one plant that bloomed profusely.

Florida Farm Girl said...

I love amaryllis and when I lived in Florida I potted them up outside and after a bit split the babies. I then planted them in the yard. Such loveliness all from one bulb. I like that string quilt, too.

Snowcatcher said...

I love your string quilt and I really love your collection of amaryllises! They are beautiful, and very difficult to tire of!

Gretchen Weaver said...

I will probably make another one this year but not right away. I've started another project as my leader/ender.

Gretchen Weaver said...

My flowers have bought me so much joy this winter, I enjoy watching them grow and bloom.

Lynne Croswell said...

I have never had success getting my amaryllis to bloom a second time? How do you treat them after they are done blooming?

Lynne Croswell said...

I have never had success getting my amaryllis bulbs to flower a second time. Do you have a secret? How do you treat them after they have bloomed?

Ivani said...

It is a pretty quilt, Gretchen, and what a beautiful white amaryllis.

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

it is a beautiful quilt - I really like seeing it in the snow and am glad you didn't stay out there long!

sue s said...

I really have to get an amaryllis next year! My mom used to have them and they always bloomed for her. Time I tried it. I am doing a string quilt right now too and it's so relaxing! Love your blue.

Gretchen Weaver said...

Once the chance of frost is past, I'll plant them all outside in a flowerbed. I'll mulch them then water them well. Then I'll forget about them until October when I'll dig them up and let them dry in the garage until the first of November. Then I'll pot them and start the cycle all over again.

The Joyful Quilter said...

Lovely scrappy quilt top, Gretchen!!

Melisa- pinkernpunkinquilting said...

What a beautiful scrappy quilt, Gretchen and such a pretty blue you used in it .Have a wonderful weekend.

Katie said...

I will NEVER tire of pictures of flowers. I'm fascinated by winter flowers and am not sure how successful I'd be with them. Maybe I'll try some next year??!

Your string quilt is gorgeous and looks like so much fun.

Sherrie said...

Hi
Stunning quilt...so pretty. Your flowers are
awesome. Have a great day!

Jayne said...

This is a fabulous way to use scraps and the blue scrappy background is the perfect touch!

Kathleen said...

Your string quilt is gorgeous! After a second downsize move, I realize I had a bit more quilting stuff here than I remembered - due to spending almost an entire year in our other residence. I need to get on the scrap busting here so this is a great motivator, seeing your gorgeous quilt! Now, those bulbs are gorgeous. I have no green thumb but sure do admire others that do and can imagine all those blooms being so wonderful to be around. Thanks for linking up to TGIFF!

TerryKnott.blogspot.com said...

What a beautiful string quilt. I like your blue scrappy background very much. As for drab strings. . .are they so drab that they could be used as a neutral? Best wishes in using it all UP!

gayle said...

I'm always happy to look at photos of pretty quilts and flowers!

QuiltGranma said...

Love the String X, and your amaryllis blooms.