Thursday 22 September 2016

Long Road Home Row A Long



 Hello and Welcome everyone!

Today is my turn for the Row a Long that is hosted
by Seams to be Sew and Sew Incredibly Crazy

40 designers, from all over the world, creating quilt rows representing HOME to each of them. Thanks and more thanks to both of you. And a big thank you to the many sponsors who have supplied the giveaways for the duration of this Row Along.

The row that I have designed is an African Sunset with wild animals walking in the veld.

I live in Pretoria (South Africa) now which is a big city and although there are a lot of wide open spaces, we only see animals in the zoo or if we travel to the National Game Reserve (Kruger Park).

My husband and I both love the bushveld and the animals so much and we're always looking for time to go and spend at the Park. It brings such a sense of peace and always helps to unwind from the stress of work. I always call it my second home, so that is why I've made this row for all of you.


The row is Paper Pieced and measures 12" x 40" (31cm x 1029cm) and is on the Intermediate level.


My good friend Ulrike Brandl of Germany also tested the row for me and she let me use some of her photo's too. Thanks so much!! I really appreciate it.


Here you can see Ulrike made a Key for her fabrics. I really tried to keep it at a minimum because the bushveld is all really very plain and the sunsets are very vivid and sometimes looks as if the sky is on fire.



The row consists of 3 parts

The first is the Elephants moving off in the distance. Although I love to watch them and see their babies, Im really scared of being close to these amazing animals.

The yellowish-orange colour behind them is only the glow of the sun. The setting sun is on the second part behind the Giraffe.


This is a closer view of my elephants and the Thorn tree which is found in the bushveld too. As they get older they form a flat looking top, so they almost look like they're an umbrella.



The Giraffe is the second part of the row. The animal is walking towards the right but looking back at the sun.
I love to look at these gentle giants. They have the most unusual faces but are also still a strong favourite.







This is my Giraffe block. Once done, you can join the two blocks together.

I was going to only make the 2 blocks and the row would have been a lot shorter, but I felt it needed another part to really end it off a lot better.
You will notice that I designed the Meerkat family on the rock later and then just included it in the PDF pattern. They do fit together once they're sewn.





 Here you can see how Ulrike took the two images of the row and wrote onto it to show herself which fabic to use for the last block so that it would match.










This little Meerkat family is watching the sunset from their rock. In front of them is Baobab trees that are catching the last of the light.
These trees are the most interesting to see, because they always look as if they have been melting in the sun. When they are young trees they are tall and straight with the smoothest bark you ever saw.




The small group of Meerkat is a little tight and if you feel you won't be able to manage, then leave them out. You will see that they are in one section and you could easily just make that plain.


Here is my completed row of the African Sunset.




I must show you all Ulrike's blocks that she made - they are so beautiful!

I love the batiks she used for the sky





I really hope you enjoy sewing your rows and that this one will inspire you to try new things too.
The pattern prints to an A4 page and will be available until the end of the Row a Long.


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ALSO: Stop by at Seams to be Sew to enter the giveaways
 

Now, to our other Rowers for the day…



72 comments:

Sewgirl said...

Wow! That is such an incredible row. Thanks for taking the time to make and share it. Love it!

Unknown said...

Your row is absolutely amazing. Thank you.

Marian said...

Just like last year, another gorgeous row. You are so talented, I feel lucky to count you amongst my friends, but I'd like to take a moment and tell you of my intrigue... I've always been intrigued by the African jungle, safari, animals... I suppose what brought me into the intrigue of it all was a television show that was on back in the 70s that I absolutely loved. It was called Daktari. There was Judy the monkey, Clarence the lion... and the cool people who took care of the animals at the animal hospital. It was only on for two seasons, and when it came out on dvd, I was the first in line to buy it.. It's a show I just truly love and I watch it often.

This row just reminds me of that show, of that intrigue I have with the African scenery and the animals, everything that incorporates that culture. This is a beautiful row Janeen, I thank you for offering it another beautiful design in a Row Along.

Betsy said...

Omg this row is amazing. Thank you

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I like your row a lot!! Fabrics you used are perfection too.

Joyce Carter said...

Wow! Your row is amazing. I love the giraffe. Thank you so much for sharing.

Lisa England said...

Fabulous row! Your designs just amaze me!

Patty said...

This is an amazing row! Thanks for sharing it

Susan said...

Gorgeous row!

wendy said...

This is amazing,just beautiful! It really draws you right into the scene. Thank you!

rosemaryschild said...

Your block is beautiful! - the elephants & giraffe are exceptional. One day I'm hoping to visit my cousin who lives in Gauteng. Thank you, Susan

Diana said...

What a fantastic row!! Can't wait to start it! Thank you!

Quilting Tangent said...

Wonderful row, love the animals at sunset. 24Tangent@gmail.com

Kim said...

Beautiful row completed in lovely fabrics. Thank you for designing and sharing the pattern. Wow.
Kim

Lori said...

oh wow this is gorgeous. thanks so much for sharing this lovely row.

Carol Swift said...

Your row is so amazing and absolutely stunning! I love to paper piece, so this row is definitely on my list of to-do. Thanks for sharing!

Jewel said...

Just awe inspiring! I absolutely adore this row. My daughter and I have been counting down the days until it's release. I can't wait to get started! Thank you so much for all your hard work and beautiful designs.

works4me said...

Wow. Your row is stunning. It might be a bit beyond my skill level but I have never let that stop me before. :)

Calicojoan said...

Truly beautiful. This is going on my to do list. Thanks for the time you took designing this spectacular row for this hop.

Nancy said...

You design such beautiful patterns. Thank you for sharing this lovely scene with us. Also, thank you for visiting my row and your kind comment.

GranChris said...

Amazing design and beautiful fabric color.

Needled Mom said...

That is gorgeous. The colors are so subtle and realistic and the design is wonderful.

Elizabeth Coughlin said...

Absolutely stunning! You certainly brought the majesty of Africa to us all!

Myra @ Busy Hands Quilts said...

Your row is stunning! You put a lot of work into it, and it shows!

Laurie W. said...

I love your row! Thanks for sharing it with us!

ytsmom said...

I love this row! And very jealous of you for being able to see these things every day!! Great job

Sally said...

Janeen, what a stunning row! Thank you

Pam said...

I love your row. I watch WildEarth Live Safaris every evening which are filmed live in Kruger Park. I envy you being close enough to go there in person. Thank you for your beautiful pattern.

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Absolutely stunning!

Seacoast Quilter said...

Your row is just beautiful. I'm fascinated by the African wildlife. Thanks for sharing.

Sarah@123quilt said...

Your row is absolutely gorgeous!!!

@lutzcats said...

Love your row, already downloaded!

Jocelyn said...

Wow! What an amazing row block. Great job!

Monica said...

Beautiful paper pieced row.

mumbird3 said...

Fantastic row - I love your color choices - just beautiful!!!

Kathy E. said...

Wow! The batiks you used in your row are just perfect! The meerkats are adorable as well as the graceful giraffe. Great work!

Unknown said...

I love, love, love this row! I especially love the meerkats. Thank your sharing your time and creativity with us. I can't wait to start this row.

quilter said...

Great row, hello from NW Pennsylvania!
Thanks for sharing.
cork@pa.rr.com

Janarama said...

OMG, your row is freaking awesome! I watch the live safari's on WildEarth.tv which airs from Djuma/Cheetah Plains/Arathusa in Krueger National Park. Love that I'm able to watch the wild animals in their natural habitat. Thank you for the pattern!

DebraKay Neiman said...

WOW, this will be beautiful in my Cherrywood fabric. I want to do a Lion King wall quilt and this will fit in perfectly. crystalbluern at tds dot net

Anna brown said...

Very very cool road home tyty for sharing your idea.... happyness04431@yahoo.com

bdieges said...

This is a stunning row, hope I get to make it sometime soon!

Gabriele beck said...

Great row!

Laura said...

Wow! What a gorgeous row! Oh, how I'd love to visit and watch the sunset and see the animals! Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

I always admire your patterns, but this row is outstanding! It really has that sunset in Africa look. Thank you so much for sharing it!

Marti M said...

Thank you for the cute row by row block!

Anonymous said...

This is a wonderful row! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I love your patterns!! That giraffe silhouette is wonderful. Thanks so much.

apple blossom said...

Oh, I love this row. thanks for sharing it

Vicki H said...

Amazing!!! I love your row.

Beth said...

What a stunning row. As a young man my dad lived in South Africa for two years. I hope to make your row in his memory. Thank you for sharing your talents with us.

Susan said...

Absolutely beautiful row. My favorite so far.

teachpany said...

Awesome. Looks just like a photo, and my imagination of the veld. I would love to see it in person one day.

Pamela said...

This is an amazing row!

Mary said...

This is stunning and will be a great substitute until I visit for the real experience which I hope to see one day. Thank you!

Deonn said...

This amazing row really takes us to your Road Home! Each element is so beautiful. It takes a real talent to create these paper-pieced patterns. I especially love the little Meerkat family! And that sky, wow. Thanks for sharing!

WYO Di said...

Amazing!

lefuntz said...

My favorite row! I have loved elephants my whole life. They are such fascinating animals And against an African sunset? Perfect! Thank you.

JANET said...

Wow! You make my head spin, eyes roll, ... Wow! I kept putting PP far down on my list, but I definitely am going to try it now. Very inspiring!

beaquilter said...

awesome row, whenever anyone mentions Africa I bet anyone else would picture this, but not that you actually live in a city!

Lee said...

I love your row the most! Awesome!

KaHolly said...

Wow! Your row really blows me away!

sewlost said...

Your row is beautiful. It makes me want too run done to our wonderful Zoo and walk around. Thank you so much. Love it!
Swoot@att.net

Lynne Stucke said...

I love, love, love your row!!!! But then, that's not surprising, because I find I love all the things you design. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the things you share on the internet! You are a blessing to all of us!
lynnstck@yahoo.com

LJ said...

What a gorgeous row. You have made Africa come alive in your row. Thank you. My husband is known in our family as the Meerkat guy; he loves meerkats. :)

Anonymous said...

Your row is outstanding! I love the giraffe.
nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com

Unknown said...

Your row is amazing!! I love all the wild life and colors.

legato1958 said...

What an amazingly beautiful row block, Janeen! That sunset scene is stunning!!
And how gorgeous is Ulrike's finished row!
I feel like I have seen a peak of your beautiful country!
Thanks,
Susie

Jodi - usairdoll said...

WoW! Such a wonderful row! I can just imagine standing in South Africa and looking out and seeing everything your row shows. Thanks for sharing this with us, Awesome job!

Thanks for a chance to win.

usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

cookie said...

My daughter-in-law will love this. She loves giraffes and the colors in your row are just right for her as well. Thank you so very much!

gpc said...

What a great row!

Michelle said...

I absolutely love this row, so beautiful!