Sunday, May 19, 2013

Needing Some Encouragement . . .

I'm sure you have heard the saying "If it weren't for the last minute, nothing would ever get done" . . . Well, that pretty much describes me and how I work!
I was asked a few weeks ago to make a baby quilt for my boss's new grandbaby. I thought, and I thought, and I thought. I looked, and I looked, and I looked (at quilting web sites for ideas). I finally decided on what to make. THEN, I got it in my head that I just HAD to make this quilt out of the Lilly and Will green and brown collection by Moda.
I just hate it when I HAVE TO HAVE A CERTAIN THING!!!! So, my search began. I checked out quiltshops.com to look for this fabric that is at least 2 years old. I found a fat quarter bundle at a shop in Oregon, so I ordered it.
I absolutely LOVE these fabrics! I have purchased them in the past as charm squares, layer cakes, and yardage. Now I have a fat quarter bundle!!!

Here are some of them. Aren't they just so Wonderful?!!!!


These are green, brown, and cream colored fabrics.
Soooo, next was what I wanted to create!
Half-square triangles are pretty easy! Let's cut some 5 inch squares and make some HSTs! But then, let's arrange them in pinwheels for added interest!
I started with the middle of my quilt (not sure how many people like to do it that way)


The pinwheel row is the center of the quilt. The row underneath has some baseball applique motifs I downloaded from a place called SWAK.  Not the best photo but the end will be worth it!
I want to but the baby's name on it so ABOVE the pinwheels will be another row with appliqued letters.
I love my sister! She listened to what I wanted and digitized letters for me. This was the first attempt:

 Cute, right?!!! BUT, I thought the satin stitching was too dense and not quite wide enough. After MANY phone calls back and forth, she re-did it and I stitched out this one:


It might be hard to see a difference in the photo, but the look and FEEL of it is far better!
The internet is wonderful, I must say! Sister Diane lives in Vermont and I am in Arizona - without the internet, it would take forever to get those files from her. 

So, the encouragement I need is. . .cheering and checking in to get me to finish this. I hope to be able to post again tomorrow evening and show a completed quilt top so that I can quilt it next weekend. BUT, work I must for I do have a job. I just need to be organized like Madame Samm from Sew We Quilt so that I can get it done!

Oh, the REAL encouragement will be needed when I pull out this project I started EIGHT years ago! I need to make this the year I complete it!  I will post photos of that project later in the week.
Well, when I get back from my next trip (I travel with my job. This week, it is off to Utah).
Hoping to hear from you soon. . .