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In the Garden–a Quilt by Kim Lapacek

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I’ve been holding out posting this quilt for a bit now.  I had dreams of showing it at Quilt Festival but to be honest I have no idea how to get it in there and I think enough “peaks” have been shown already that if one of the requirements was it not being shown publicly first, it wouldn’t qualify.  So – today is the day that I’m revealing one of the coolest quilts I have made to this day. In The Garden a quilt by Kim Lapacek Introducing … “In the Garden” In the Garden a Quilt by Kim Lapacek I was also holding out for some decent pictures.  My first round of pictures were on an overcast day with a brown pre-spring background.  The photos today are on my deer fence with no editing necessary … the lighting was absolutely perfect!The Biggest Story by Kevin DeYoung I designed this quilt myself and it was inspired by the illustrations in the book “The Biggest Story” by Kevin DeYoung, Illustrated by Don Clark.  Illustrated by Don ClarkThis page in particular really caught my eye.  I love the saturated colors, the mixtures of shapes, and the whimsy in the design. In the Garden a Quilt by Kim Lapacek From this I just started to make blocks using gelato ombre fabrics with a print or two mixed in here and there.  large triangle blocks on In the Garden a Quilt by Kim Lapacek I created a large 8.5” x 11” triangle block and used ThermOWeb’s Stitch n Sew EZ Print Quilt Block Sheets to make these triangles accurately.  I chose the 8.5” x 11” size for an obvious reason – it was the largest sheet I could put in my printer.  appliqued circles on In the Garden a Quilt by Kim Lapacek After the triangles, I started to make strips of ombre circles.  ThermOWeb’s Heat N Bond lite was essential for the raw edge applique.  To cut my circles perfectly I used the OLFA Rotary Circle Cutter.  It worked like a charm!  Since I put the fusible on the strip before I cut out the circles I was left with the strips of fused fabric with perfect holes set in them.  Instead of throwing these strips away I put them over ombre strips creating a sort of raw edge reverse applique effect.  Mermaid Scales on In the Garden a Quilt by Kim Lapacek Color Girl Quilts asked me to edit and test her Mermaid Quilt Pattern.  As a mother of three girls, of course I love mermaids and said yes immediately!  Who am I kidding?  Even if I didn’t have three girls I would love mermaids … and fairies …  Anyway!  Back to the story.  I tested her pattern (which is great btw) and used her Classic Curves Ruler to make a few of the scales.  These blocks were a perfect addition to the quilt. I surrounded them by some Scrappy Trip Along blocks and of course a bit of improv blocks as well. original block in In the Garden a Quilt by Kim Lapacek When you make the curve blocks using the Classic Curves Ruler you have some fun left over orange peel blocks.  Of course I couldn’t throw those away so I created a fun new block using some of the orange peels.  I put two of these into my quilt. tri recs triangles and houses on In the Garden a Quilt by Kim Lapacek I also made some smaller scaled triangle blocks using the Tri-Recs ruler.  I do have a love of houses too so I had to throw a few houses into the quilt.  There is so much happening in this quilt that you have to stare at it awhile to take it all in.  In the Garden a Quilt by Kim LapacekIt’s classic “Kim” busy and I knew I needed the right quilter to quilt it for me. I love Frank Palmer’s quilting style so I sent “In the Garden” up to him in Duluth, MN, to work his magic. I gave him no instructions other than “Do what you want.”  He let the quilt talk to him and it told him what to do and it is absolutely perfect!  The random linear quilting is simple yet interesting.  It’s not too much and really helps sort of settle the quilt.  I could not be happier! I just finished adding the hanging sleeve and label to this quilt.  It’s heading up to Minnesota for the 2018 Annual Show on June 14th – 16th in St. Cloud, MN.  I won’t be able to attend the show so if you happen to see it hanging I would love it if you could send me pictures! In the Garden a Quilt by Kim Lapacek Well – there she is.  My baby is officially out in this world. I  would love to hear what you think!  I guess good or bad, but if you don’t like it try to say it in a kind way Winking smile !  In the Garden a Quilt by Kim LapacekIn the Garden a Quilt by Kim LapacekIn the Garden a Quilt by Kim Lapacek

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Comments

  4. Just amazing and so "Kim"! There is so much to look at and admire as my eye travels up and down, back and forth. I love the lines, curves, small and large blocks with all of the color…perfect!

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  8. Awesome! From the colors to the different kinds of blocks, this quilt is a winner! Your imagination and creativity soared!

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  11. You are right when you say there is so much to take in here. This quilt is utterly amazing. I really loved reading how you took all the "leftovers" and used them in the quilt. You are so creative Kim. Incredible! This should be entered in any show – it is a winner. Also, the quilting was perfect in design because the piecing is the star of the show here.

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    • Thank you! Seriously – the quilting was absolutely the perfect finish touch. It's in the MN show in a few weeks and I plan on keep submitting it. While I do have high hopes for it I also realize it is far from "Perfect" so we shall just have to wait and see if the judges get that the lack of "Perfect" is part of what makes it amazing.

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  13. WOW that is an intense quilt – both color and pattern. I am rather new at quilting but would love to try my hand at something like this – just mix and match as much as I want, experimenting as I go.

    And as a side note, my father is named Frank Palmer, but it is certainly not THAT Frank Palmer!

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  15. LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! All of the different types of blocks and the wonderful ombre colors puts one in a happy and playful mood. Thanks for sharing some of the "hows".

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  17. Every time I see a photo of this quilt my heart goes Pitter Pat. This may be the most overall wonderful quilt I've seen in 20 years of quilting. I'm completely not exaggerating.

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  18. Kim this quilt is fantastic. I love all the elements and ombre fabric and the feel of the quilt with all those elements. Wonderful wonderful.

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  27. Your "In the Garden" quilt is a BEAUTIFUL work of art!!! I love it – especially all the gorgeous saturated colors! The different shapes and scale blocks are fascinating. Your LA quilter did an awesome job, too. Congratulations!

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  28. If "WHIMSY" were a quilt–it would be this one—-it's just drop-dead gorgeous. Looking at the quilt made me smile…I think I'll save a picture just to look at in "down" times. Thank you for sharing. Good luck in the quilt show. I'd give it a ribbon in a heartbeat!

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  30. Autant de formes qui se marient aussi bien grâce aux tissus ombrés est incroyable. Bravo pour cette pièce exceptionnelle. Je vous souhaite le meilleur pour le concours à venir !

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  31. Its whimsy, its colourful, its original, its unique, and you need to Show this to be awarded for your originality, it is gorgeous, absolutely and totally unique♥♥

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  32. Hello …. I just discovered your short tip "In the garden …" and explanations.
    She is fabulous! ! !
    I love and colors, and block associations. I also really like your idea of including your falls to make another block. That's what I do often, but I'm rather Country Patch. I have only been making patchwork for 4 years, but I have been looking forward to the works for over 30 years and one day I started ….
    I really like your idea of taking only degraded fabrics to give even more colors and softness in places and invigorating energy in other places.
    I live in the center of France, built and in the countryside …. The nearest neighbor is 3 km (6 miles)
    Thanks again for this fabulous quilt and for the humorous explanations too (the explanation does not prevent you from smiling …)
    Good health to your 3 girls
    Good day to you.
    Fran

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    • This is one of the prettiest quilts I’ve ever seen ❣️Love the colors and the shapes , absolutely Beautiful ❣️If anybody doesn’t like this quilt there just not Right , lol.

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  33. It’s now 2022 and I am marveling over your absolutely stunning quilt. I am hoping this pattern of yours is available to purchase. I love bright fabrics and this is perfect to use bright fabrics and possibly using Kaffe Fassett fabrics. Your talent is obvious. Would love to own this pattern. Thank You. **

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  35. Amazing, A true test of love and labor that paid off! You should be very proud of your creation. I never though using a book for inspiration, great idea.

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  36. I love this stunning quilt with it’s bright colors! And would love to make this! Will a pattern be available? If so, I want to be first on the list to buy this!!!❤️❤️❤️

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  37. This is one of my favorites! When I saw it at Quilt Expo in Madison I knew it was your quilt, Kim. Love your spirited colors and exuberant and varied shapes.

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  38. I’m absolutely blown away by your gorgeous quilt. It is stunning, a real piece of art. I could look at forever and never get tired. I can’t say enough good things about it. Well done, you.

    Reply

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