Tuesday, October 26, 2010

It took me long enough



I made this cut-down version of Hearts and Flowers as a baby gift for a great-niece. I love the entire quilt and really wanted to make all the borders, but I just don't need anything that big. I plan to use the borders I skipped in another project some day.

I've been making applique quilts for a long time, but had not done anything this elaborate and structured before. Fellow blogger Marion had given me the Piece O' Cake quilting video (Becky Goldsmith and Linda Jenkins Teach you to Quilt the Piece O' Cake Way) last Christmas, and I decided to try their methods. The video is very easy to follow and Becky and Linda are both talented teachers. It worked well for me.

I had some Kaffe Fassett fabrics on hand and ordered a starter package from Glorious Color. I used a lot of other non-Kaffes in my stash as well. I wanted to personalize it just a little so added an S for Sophia Irene and a couple of extra hearts.


I relished every stitch of this quilt and fell asleep every night thinking of the next challenge, the next color, the next fabric, the next flower, the next leaf. Doesn't everyone?

The title of this posting refers both to the making of the quilt (March-October) and to the fact that I've been "lurking" since the very first days of Glorious Applique. Thanks for setting this up, Pam--it is endlessly entertaining and inspiring.

On to Flower Pots!

16 comments:

  1. Absolutely SMASHING, Lee!!! Wonderfully done. And, I positively LOVE personalizing a quilt for the recipient. The "S" for Sophia just adds to the magic of the quilt you've created. ; ) All your fabrics and colors work very nicely together. What a wonderful gift and family heirloom you've made. Thanks for sharing with us and welcome!!! I can hardly wait for what's next...?!

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  2. What a wonderful baby quilt! I especially like the bit of personalization. What are the final dimensions of this piece? (I could go dig out the book and figure it out, but maybe you'll humor me?)

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  3. Great baby quilt!!! Sophia will love the bright fabrics. Keep up the good work..

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  4. Gorgeous!! And I love the personalization!
    Like you, I didn't quilt the whole H&F but stopped after the tongues.
    I was too impatient to begin the Lollypop Trees;)

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  5. Bravo, dear friend! You have even mastered the mechanics of posting! I am thrilled to see this wonderful project all quilted and bound and ready to present to Sophia; I'm just sorry I won't get to see it in person.

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  6. What a gorgeous gift! I love how you personalized it with Sophia's initial.

    I look forward to seeing your version of Flower Pots. :)

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  7. I can't wait to see your flower pots, I love your baby quilt, what a beautiful way to personalize it. Can you imagine how much fun that little Sophia is going to have looking at all those beautiful fabrics.

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  8. The personalization is such a great idea; Sophia and her mom will love it!!! I know I do.

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  9. What a beautiful keepsake for great-niece! I love that you added your own touches!

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  10. Leland, this is wonderful - the additions that you made to make it super special are wonderful. On to the Flower Pots !! You go girl !!!

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  11. For Be*mused Jan: I meant to include the dimensions; I just forgot. It finished 34" square. I thought about adding a plain border but liked what I had, so I stopped. Glad you liked it.

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  12. Fantastic idea Leland, and a beautiful quilt you have made here. I love the seeing Kim's patterns made into smaller quilts, panels and cushions as well as the larger quilts. So versatile. Love the S in the circle. Fabulous! xo

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  13. Wow Leland - what a lucky baby to have such a personalized quilt! It is just divine - I'm looking forward to seeing the flower pots, I'm sure its going to be just as scrumptious. Kim McL

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  14. They just keep getting better Aunt Leland!

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  15. Sophia is one LUCKY girl to have such a talented and generous, loving Auntie...We are in love with the quilt and looking for just the right spot to appreciate it each day.

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