We Interrupt This Program...

Rather, my to-do list.

It occurred to me last Thursday that I did not have a Mother's Day gift for my very special Aunt/Godmother Bev.  I guess it's because 2 of my sisters and I gave me Mum her Mother's day gift early...must have thought I was done, hey?

I was in a bit of a panic, because I usually make gifts.  Right?  What could I make with fabric I already have here on time to get into the mail on Tuesday?  That gave me 4 full days...plenty of time to do most anything, right?  Still.  

You know, of all the people I've made quilts for, Aunt Bev isn't one of them.  Okay, I'll make her a quilt!  Then, it dawned on me that I had this... 

 

I made this quilt top in 2011 and it has been waiting for just the perfect time...the perfect person.  Why not finish that...now is the perfect time and it is perfect for Aunt Bev!  She has myeloma - a blood cancer - and is in a nursing home.   

I pin-basted it on Friday.  On Saturday, I quilted it.  I quilted a minimalist design of 7 squares, starting in the center 4 blocks and working my way out...each one 4" larger all around than the one before.  The binding took a few hours on Saturday night and Sunday morning.  And, it is done!  YAY!  This morning it went into the washer and dryer and was photographed. 

Details:
*Pattern - Postage Stamp.
*Measures 57" square (after laundering).
*Fabric collection is Aviary by 3 Sisters for Moda.
*Backing is Kona Cotton Solid in Bone (with a small piece of a floral from the Aviary collection in  one corner, which is also what I used for the binding).

I need to add a label and pack (stuff) it into a large flat-rate box so that I can ship it out tomorrow.  I think she'll be happy with it.

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Speaking of mail...sister Joyce sent me a dishcloth...

 I totally got it...green yarn...a granny smith apple design!  I love it!  Thank you, Joyce!

So.  We now return you to your regularly scheduled program.  Rather, my to-do list.  No more interruptions (yeah, right)! 





"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Is That Your Final Answer?

YES!  

Remember, back in January when I was having difficulty deciding on a quilt pattern to make me Mum a quilt for her bed?  Well, I thought I had it all figured out.  I wrote about it here.  I even made a practice block to make sure I could get out of that jelly roll all the blocks I would need.  Yet, here the fabric strips sit...

Aren't they pretty?  

I haven't done anything else.  Why?  Well, I had no clue.  Until now.  Lately, me Mum has been talking about getting a twin bed.  Though the quilt I was going to make would look okay on a twin bed, I had designed the top to fit a double bed.  It would look okay on a twin.  In my opinion, just not as good as the size it was designed for.  Know what I mean?

So.  I am going back to one of my original ideas.  I am going to make a postage stamp quilt.  

Remember this one I finished in September of 2011?

I love this quilt...it is so comfy and old-fashioned looking.  My sister, Jill, took one look at it and had to have it.    

I also made this one, though it's not finished...

I think a postage stamp quilt will be perfect for me Mum...and it won't matter what size bed she has.  

Though I have a few other things I need to work on right now, I am going to try to get this started this weekend!   

Stay tuned!


"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Back to Back...

I just finished the backing for the filmstrip quilt...YAY!  (more on it later).  While working on it, I thought about the backings I've put together for my other quilts.  Some quilters prefer to use a single fabric on the back...nothing fancy.  Why?  I suppose because it's meant to be 'the back'.  Ya know?  Who looks at the back when all the gorgeous piecework and fabrics are on the front!  I get that.  I really do.  

However.  I must say, I actually prefer pieced backings.  I almost always opt to put together my backing with fabrics left from piecing the front of the quilt .  I think it's just more interesting to have a fun back.  As I gazed with love and admiration upon the quilt backing I finished this morning {grin}, I thought that it might just be easier for me to make backings.  Only backings.  And, then, ya know...use them for fronts!  {grin} 

Here are some of my fave backings...with links to the original post so that you can see what the fronts look like, for more information on the quilt and, perhaps, additional photos of the backs.

Whirlygig - I love this big floral fabric!  I pieced two pieces together almost perfectly...follow the link to see a photo of that. 

Carole's Quilt  - This is a single fabric backing, too.  I made this quilt in a hurry, so opted for simple.  This is one of my all-time fave quilts.

 

Postage Stamp Quilt - Another single fabric quilt backing...so many fabrics used in the squares (1296), that simple seemed better.  Plus, I suppose the hours and hours put into making the front did me in.  Well, probably not, but it could have been that I just wanted to be done with it, couldn't it have? 

Okay, so that's enough of that!  Now on to the pieced backings...the ones that are more fun to look at...more interesting...

 My First Quilt - Piecing my backings started with my very first quilt.  I'm not sure how much reading of quilter blogs I had read by that point...probably not many.  But, apparently, pieced vs single fabric was an early decision.  Actually, though, for this one, I think I only had a small bit of fabric left.  I know I don't have scraps of it anywhere.  (And, by the way, this is the only quilt with the brown dog label...I really should do something with that idea.)

Iced Mocha - This blue, chocolate and cream colored quilt was made for me Mum's birthday.  I used to get a bit perturbed because she liked this back so much.  I kept asking her if she knew how much time was put into making the front...but she didn't care.  She thought this looked awesome.  Or something.  {grin}

 

Ashley's Blush Quilt - This backing is so simple...just 4 rectangles put together.  What makes this one special to me is how the rectangular spiral done with brown thread looks on these solid colored pieces. 

  

Ashley's doll quilt - Usually, the smaller quilts are backed very simply.  But, I couldn't resist playing around with this one (and a few others done at the same time). 

Tag's Blanket - Joanne of Snippets & Scraps of My Mind sent fabrics for this little quilt for Tag.  I couldn't resist fancying up the back (a piece of muslin) with the little blocks in the center.  Case you're wondering...yes, he does lay on this blanket.

Sherbet Pips Wonky Charms Quilt - I think this backing is quite fun! 

Summer Sampler Quilt -  This, though.  One of my very most favorite backings.  I wanted to keep some of the Hope Valley fabric for another quilt, so had only so much that I was willing to use for the backing...but it worked out perfectly!  I love it.  LOVE.  

Kashmir Filmstrip (no link...first time shown) - I think that this may become my all-time fave of the faves.  I cannot wait...can. not. wait. to put this quilt together!  To quilt, bind, and finish it!

So.  What about you?  Which do you prefer...single fabric backings or pieced backings?  Do you have a fave?  Of mine...or of yours?  


Inquiring mind and all that.







"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Pinterest?

What is Pinterest?

As they, themselves, explain..."Pinterest is a virtual pinboard.  Pinterest allows you to organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. You can browse pinboards created by other people to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests."  If that caught your attention, be sure to go here for more information.

I first became aware of Pinterest when Laurie of Minick & Simpson mentioned it in this post dated April 23, 2011.  I joined and started some boards and looked around and 'pinned' a few photos.  Then, I mostly forgot about it.  Until lately.  Now, I remember to pin photos that I really like.  To remember them...and where they came from.  

So.  What brings Pinterest to my mind enough to blog about it?

Remember my postage stamp quilt?  Here it is...

I pinned it on my Pinterest 'Finished' board sometime in October.  Since then, it  has been repinned 275+ times!  How does that happen?  I mean, I know how it happens.  People see it on my board, repin it to their boards...people who follow them see it and repin it...etc., etc.. But, WOW! 
That is 'my' quilt...getting around Pinterest like that!   That amazes me.  {grin}

Have you joined Pinterest?  If not, you might want to.  Just sayin'.  If you'd like to follow me, click on the red tab in my sidebar.  Have fun!  But, watch out, it can be addicting.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."   Jeremiah 29:11

Postage Stamp Quilt Finished!

At last, this quilt is finished.

The quilt top was finished 15 months ago...
and it's been waiting to be quilted.
I am so happy that I got it done!
Cuz, I LOVE it.

I know.

I say that about them all.

But this one just looks so comfy.

Don't you think???

 

And, yes...

Tag has given it his endorsement.  
(I knew you were wondering.)

The details:

Started: April 8, 2010

Finished: September 28, 2011

Fabric:  all from stash

Backing:  fabric from Kelley

Quilted:  free motion circles in each square.

1296 (2") squares = approx. 68 x 68 inches 

(after laundering). 



Now to finish another one of my wip's.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11

Round and Round...

pssst...If you're looking for the

giveaway, it's the next post down.

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Remember this quilt top? 

From June of last year...

It is now quilted...

and will soon have the binding on.

I'll give you the stats when it's finished.

 

Oh, and I've been working on this...

 'sit!'
{grin}

Have a good evening!

Dancing With The Stars
& Hawaii 5-O for me!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11

Postage Stamp Quilt...

Yes, another one.

No, I have not finished the first one.

(quilt top & backing are done...

need to baste/quilt/bind it)

I am working with a jelly roll...

Aviary by 3 Sisters for Moda.

Having fun, fun, fun!

Making strip sets and cutting them apart,

then putting cut-apart strip sets back together!

Tutorial that I am loosely following can be found here.

Hope you're having a great Saturday!

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10