Footballs of Destiny

The oval quilt is finally finished and delivered.  Little James, the recipient, is only 2 months old now. And it wasn't for lack of excitement for the project, I loved making this quilt.  I was just slow.  The little guy with the biggest, juiciest cheeks ever now has it so I can share it here.

I made this quilt using the 6 minute circle technique courtesy of Dale Fleming. Sure, I've got my circle technique down and I'm pleased with it, but when I decided that I wanted to try ovals with this quilt I also decided that I didn't want them to be appliqued. Then I came across this quilt and knew I'd found the solution to my dilemma. I made a test block for an oval with great success.  In truth, the hardest part of this quilt was figured out how to make the two ovals.

The internet is a wonderful source of information.  One evening I searched and searched on how to draw an oval.  Hubby and I conferred and his woodworking knowledge paid off.  Then I remembered that I could simply draw a shape in Word. Two evenings of research and discussion, and five minutes on the laptop.

Each block really does take less than 10 minutes, so I was easily able to bang out a few blocks an evening.

The quilting on this is quite simple.  At first I had some grand plans, but they never seemed right with. Hubby pointed out (he really did contribute a lot of this quilt) that the ovals already popped and it probably wasn't necessary to quilt them so the stood out more. Again, the internet saved me.  Thanks to Wanda and Exuberant Color I saw this technique and found my solution.  I didn't make my lines as wavy as hers, but I love the outcome. And it was fast!

Usually I put a hanging sleeve on the back of my baby quilts.  Not everyone wants the quilt to be used on a daily basis, but they still want to see it. My girlfriend's husband did this with the last quilt I gave them. I assumed that would happen again, but my girlfriend is hoping that her little man adopts the quilt as his lovey.  I wish her luck, even my girls have chosen crocheted blankets over the quilts Mama made.

Don't you love that Mingle fabric on the back?

Another Hubby contribution to this quilt is the name.  Yes, it is called Footballs of Destiny. So, so cheesy, but we love it. The label is printed on Printed Treasures sheets and I tried to double layer the oval.  Not as good as the ovals on the front, but it still works.

The binding is a lovely Lecien.

I am so happy to share this quit with James and his family. They are dear friends and I'm looking forward to seeing the little guy grow.

Progress, lots of it

The end of a crazy week is coming.  A few more things to do, like find some time to kiss a brand new baby, make some caramel apples for a TV appearance tomorrow morning on Breakfast Television, and visit with an old friend from Toronto.  Somewhere in there I've also got to make Halloween costumes.

I have, however, been surprisingly productive this past week. I finally got my scraps cut for the Values Quilt Along.  I launched my own Quilt Along.  I made my way through about half the ovals I need for this baby quilt.  Oh, and I went out of town for the drive-through visits with family.  So, all in all, a pretty normal week.

A New Project!

Okay, back to the usual process of sharing thing with you all along.  I've got another project on the go and these are the fabrics.  This is for a soon-to-be-needed baby quilt.  I haven't heard from my girlfriend this week so I'm assuming that baby is still incubating, despite his Mama's desires.  Phew, I've still got time.

And Tanya, I know you're reading so I hope you like the fabrics!

Fall Quilt Festival

This is the first time I've shared a finished quilt with you that you didn't see anything of the process. I hope you aren't angry with me. I know, more than a little contradictory with the Workshop in Progress ideals. But I was testing the idea for a quilt along and wanted to be able to unveil it during the Blogger's Quilt Festival.

This is Gratitude (63 inches square).

Gratitude is for our neighbours. The neighbours who have saved our damn black dog during more than one thunderstorm - indeed, this is how we met them. The neighbours who always stop to say hi when they are out for an evening stroll. The neighbours who drew the plans for our basement and then refused payment for their work. And so we are giving them Gratitude.

Said neighbours, B and M, live in a renovated house in our 50 year old neighbourhood. They've added on and opened up and it really is an homage to late 70s design. Parts of it may be dated, but I love their house. So the colours in this quilt are inspired by their house. They have rich red carpet, beige walls, and terra cotta and brick. It is a warm house that inspires creativity and friendship. They are lovely neighbours after all, and an architect and designer to boot.

Victoria once asked her readers if there was any fabric that you wanted to buy on the bolt. I tend to get bored of a fabric, no matter how much I love it, after I've used it a few times. This red Kaffe, however, could change that. I did still see some at a LQS the other day and was tempted the buy the remaining yardage. I used it on the front as the red (along with another Kaffe in purple) and showcased it on the back.

You can also see the quilting on this photo. I did an all over swirl design, done free-motion. It was actually doodled from the scrollwork when I was in Banff. More hotel inspiration. I used my favourite thread, Presencia, in a cream colour. I actually wanted the quilting to be relatively subtle here, so as not to take away from the bold design of the top. I tried, but I couldn't just stipple it. I know there isn't anything wrong with stippling, but I wanted more. And more I got. As usual, it is heavily quilted. I swear, I don't mean to, but it seems I am unable to lightly quilt anything!

The binding was a lovely purple and red combo that matched so, so perfectly. I debated using a light brown so the red and purple on the top design popped a bit more, but when I found this fabric I knew it was meant to be. Funny, the LQS had it sitting right next to the Kaffe fabrics!

And finally, over a year after we received the plans from our neighbours and started the work to get the basement finished, here we are. Piles of concrete and wood. We've got the permits (renewed once already), picked the plumbing fixtures, and daydreamed about the master bath and quilt studio. But still it sits. (I took this photo today.) We're like the cobbler's kids with no shoes. Hubby works hard, the last thing he wants to do at the end of the day is put on the tools again. Sigh. At least I know that however overdue, Gratitude will be well-received.

Thanks for visiting, old and new friends. I am indeed going to launch this design as a quilt along. It is very easy, trust me. Stay tuned, I will launch the quilt along with a discussion about sizing and fabric choices on October 21.