Quilt for Caroll

Springing into Fall

When my neighbour Caroll told me she was having a baby I said cautiously, "Is a congratulations in order?" 

She smiled widely and said, "Yes.  Very unexpected, but very much welcomed."   

 Colours of Fall

Caroll's favourite time of year is Halloween.  She plans for the magic of Samhain all year.   I designed this quilt to play with the colours of the season, to play on nature and complement Caroll's love of plants.

Back of quilt

Leaf it to me

Which witch is which?

When I first met Caroll Patten she told me she was a practicing witch.  I told her I was a professional bitch and we should get along just fine.  I found this fun "prim" fabric and immediately thought of Caroll.  One of the few times when I made my own binding.  I am pleased with how it turned out.

We spent many hours talking over the fence, under the pear tree. 

Our dogs were the best of friends.  Her little Shih Zsu, Wicket and my Xolo, Remus.  They would chase and sniff and water and chase and run and sniff all over each others yards.   

Sadly, that all ended when Caroll and her husband, Laramie moved away in the fall of 2012.  I am not sure where she is living now, or if she has had her son, Kelly Theodore, but I hope they are healthy, happy.  I hope Kelly likes his quilt, each stitch was made with love.

 



Vital Stats:

Approximately 46 x 37.5 inches finished.

Stitch Per Inch:  body 4, binding 4

Batting Type: Cotton (Warm and Natural)

Binding: Made by Morg
Fabric: Scraps from lots of different places, lots of different sources.
Completed: Late Summer 2012

I miss you Caroll and Remus misses Wick. 

Hugs. 

Shocking Pink and Skully

Detail of sashing and taste of pink.

Not much else to say about this one other than it's so shocking pink and gurlie it's really quite cute.  This quilt came together about the same time that I did my ex's quilt.  For some reason I keep coming back to this "stacked coin" pattern with sashing.  I dunno.  It seems to fulfill my need to be scrappy but have some semblence of organisation.  (And it's sinfully easy to assemble and sew.)

The whole quilt in all its garish glory.

"Shocking Pink and Skully" as I am calling it, was made from the scraps of my friend's pink braided quilt from previous entries.  I have a LOT of pink fabric left over and since I used most of the black on a previous baby quilt I thought I'd see what would happen when a pile of pinks get together and make a quilt. 

The sashing  - an odd ribbon print - was another serendipitous find in the many boxes and bags of fabrics I had received from my dear friend, Mary Johnson, when they moved to Lander, WY.  I remember briefly looking at this fabric and thinking, "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?"  But as with fine wine and diamonds, some things take time.  I knew immediately this was going to be the perfect material for the sashing, and as it turned out, it was.

Detail of backing fabric.

The backing fabric is a darling flannel I picked up at Joann's Fabrics (as I recall).  I am a complete sucker for pirate fabric of all kinds and this was no exception.  Purple skulls with pink bows and roses...yup, I'll take a yard of that, please. 

Binding is always such a hard choice, fortunately the person who bought the quilt decided on pink and I have to say it brought the whole scheme (or is that scream) together nicely.  What's another tone of pink when we have so many!  My other choice was going to be black binding with pink stitching.  Adorable either way!

Peach Out Apricots.
Morg

Summer Time Fun



Close up of quilt detail

Completed in later half of 2011, this quilt was an exploration in three colour:  Blue, Yellow and Green.  I wanted to work on clearing out my stash and playing with some colours.  I love the Stacked Coins pattern with its simplicity, style and flexibility. 


Full view of front

 A little smaller than my usual quilts approximately 44 x 36 finished, I was limited only by the backing fabric, which I could not resist when I saw it on the bolt.  I have learned my lesson about buying fabric and will now only purchase in two yard minimum cuts - unless it is a remnant or a last of the bolt one yard length. 

The smaller size makes it perfect for a baby seat, a stroller or a travel-all bag.  The summery colours are certain to raise a smile or brighten the darkest day. 

Full view of back

I can't say enough about how much I LOVE the backing fabric on this quilt.  I am reminded of tutti-fruitti ice cream, summer time, Woodstock posters, fourth of july fire works and psychedelic sea shells.  So much fun in one little quilt. 

...like a water colour in the rain...

An explosion of colour captured in a cotton hug.

Peach Out, Apricots.
Morg

Wagging the Quilt



Doggie Quilt


Life is built on best intentions...and so was this quilt.  My second attempt at scrap quilting I originally made this quilt at a prize for a model dog club championship.  Obviously it didn't turn out quite as planned, although I did learn a thing or two about strip quilitng and measurements.  Yeah, rulers are used for more than scratching your ass. 

This particular quilt was made with scraps from the soap bags my friends The Johnsons gave me and I backed it with a wild violet, cream and green floralish print I had gathered at the former Pamida in Vermillion, South Dakota.  I have since successfully created more quilts with this basic scrappy theme, but with greater success and non wagging corners...LOL!  Machine pieced, hand quilted, I drug this thing all over the place including the Sioux Falls Airport (I had to sit in the lobby because my pins and needles would have set off the metal detectors - Post 9/11 security measures).  One of the few "travel-alls" as I call them, I like to have a quilt in tow pretty much where ever I go because you never know when you are going to have a chance to quilt.

My friend, Melissa won this delightful prize and soon this quilt became the cotton hug for her dear little Chinese Crested, Bria.

When Bria crossed the Rainbow Bridge, this quilt was sent with her to comfort her until she is reunited with her mistress.   Bye Bye Bria....you were a legend in your own time.

Peach Out Apricots.
Morg

Success for an Ex

Normally I wouldn't be happy for an ex, but in this case, I am most pleased.  My ex texted me to let me know that he and his new bride were finally pregnant and were expecting their bundle of joy in November.  My ex and I have been friends for more than half our lives.  We bumped around for about nine and a half years before calling it quits (and a few other choice names) more than a decade ago.  He married soon after our split and I had the unique satisfaction of seeing how Karma (specifically: Kamma Niyama—Consequences of one's actions) works first hand.  The word on the street about Karma's nature is true, by the way...

After the karmic retribution he weathered, I could no longer hold bitterness in my heart and I forgave this man for breaking what was left of my heart and tearing what was then my already tumultuous world asunder.  Sometimes you need to be completely destroyed to rebuild stronger.

My ex's new bride is the woman who brings joy to his heart and makes him whole.  She is now bringing a babe to their hearth and they could not be happier.  He will make a wonderful father now that he has found himself and is at peace with who he has become as a person.  I am pleased for them and wish him and his new family all the happiness in the world.  I made this quilt for them:

What's black and white and red all over?

I saw this pattern in a friend's quilt book and decided I HAD to do it for my ex's new baby.  It's perfect. Spatially interesting, baby friendly colours, and a fun pattern that can be used for an educational tool (matching, counting, all kinds of fun games). I love the way it came out.  I will do more like this design in the future as it is just too much fun and too good a stash buster to only do once!  ;)   Not to mention it goes together super fast!

Back detail

 My ex is a cellist, or at least he was in High School.  He was amazing and had a real gift.  I hope he picks it up again once his little one is old enough to be encouraged to explore his/her musical talent.  I chose this backing fabric - parchment printed with musical notes as a nod to his beautiful gift of music.

detail of fabric and stitching

I went with a larger stitch to not only show off my stitching but to add to "that dorky handmade look" (see: http://lisaboyer.blogspot.com/) I love so much about hand stitched quilts.  The fabric is pretty busy, so the stitching gets to stand out or blend in as needed and I feel it just completes the whole picture.

Happiness and joy to you old friend, may you be blessed with long life that is full of love.

Peach Out, Apricots,
Morg