Giant Star Quilt

This quilt was a tough one to let go.

My only regret?  

Not getting a better photo of it!! 

 A good friend that I scrapbook with asked me if I would make her coming granddaughter a quilt as a gift.  I have decided that baby quilts are some of my favorites.  There is something very satisfying about making something for someone so tiny. 

My friend sent me this photo of the twin bedset that was going to go in the room with the crib.  

Source: Unknown

I have learned that mommas normally have plans for their nurseries, so I try to get something that matches the set, but the pattern can be a bit different so it can live in the room on a chair or on the floor for tummy time...unless of course, they DO want it in their crib.

 I started with the colors and grabbed up these two fat quarter bundles by Free Spirit.

Free Spirit Bundles:::: Left: Novella by Valori Wells,  Right: The Painted Garden by Dana Designs.

 The Painted Garden by Dana Designs for Free Spirit 

and Novella fat quarter by Valori Wells for Free Spirit

  I then fell in love with this Giant Vintage Star pattern by In Color Order.

 I hope you can tell how amazing the large motifs played out in my rendition!
One important note!  I DID not go with the 18 inch squares that she has in the tutorial.  I went much smaller and used 12 inch squares so my final size was 40 x 40 inches.

Most of the points are made up of fat quarters from The Painted Garden.   I used one Novella fat quarter that had the orange "seeds" because I needed one more softer blue to match the original bedroom set.  

I also went with the Madrona Road Memoirs text fabric instead of the gray fabrics from The Painted Garden.  It wasn't that they would have been awful, but I craved a bit of consistency for the background in order not to distract from the amazing star point prints! 

I mean, seriously?

  How can you resist the words "Sweet Dreams" or "Prince" or "gypsy" that are in it!

Madrona Road Memoirs Text in cream

I don't know if you can tell, but there is a faint beige/off white design in the background of the already amazing text.  It finalized my decision to choose a beige thread for quilting to blend in.

Pantograph Design: Lida on Handiquilter Avante

I'm also extremely happy with the pantograph design called Lida by Golden Threads.  The swirls are just the right density to make a nice overall pattern for a pattern that didn't need "help".

Rosebud Minky

I am in love with this rosebud minky.  It is super soft.  The one drawback is that it actually didn't enhance the quilting on the backside, but rather, hid it.  But, I didn't mind because I really did adore the pattern the swirls make!!

My friend wanted to have her granddaughter's name embroidered somewhere on the quilt.  By choosing the text fabric print for the background, I felt that no matter what font or color I chose, it would compete with the text.

 I admit, I haphazardly made a star block out of white with the remaining scraps from one of the star points from the front. But I am pretty happy with the results

Binding: Tula Pink Lazy Stripe

The binding is again...one of those things meant to be!  I really didn't want to go scrappy with the leftover fat quarters, so I hunted my own shelves for some choices.  This cool orange and pink striped fabric popped out at me and did not want to be ignored.  The oranges and pinks were an exact match and I just couldn't get over it.  

I didn't really realize how fate decided to help me out until I was typing up the post and checking my selvage edges.

  It is designed by none other than Birds and Bees by Tula Pink for Free Spirit.
Yup....Meant to be.

Quilt Stats:

Measures: 40 x 40 inches

Pattern:  Giant Vintage Star by Incoloroder.com

Quilt Top: The Painted Garden by Dana Designs for Free Spirit 

and Novella fat quarter by Valori Wells for Free Spirit
Backing: Rosebud in Pink (Hobby Lobby)
Binding:  Lazy Stripe in Orange and Pink from Birds and Bees by Tula Pink for Free Spirit
Pantograph Pattern: Lida by Golden Threads 
Quilted by: Heidi Grohs (me) on my Handiquilter Longarm Avante

I will miss this quilt dearly.

Stunned

 I honestly don't think I have ever made such progress in one week, like I have this past week!  I will try to be short and sweet with my comments because this is going to be a full post!

Finishes:

Teen Boy's Throw Pillows

His Marquette U. logo pillow that came with a big surprise on his birthday.

And the other boring *yawn* pillows.  

I have to admit...I like the four quadrant striped one!

Turtle Quilt

Finally done! 

The process took much longer than I wanted, but you can see all the details HERE finally made me happy.

In Progress:

Giant Vintage Star

Quilted it this weekend.

Binding is attached and on to hand sewing!

Rodeo Quilt

Cut my binding!

I opted for WOF cuts so that I could keep the diagonal stripe.  I just have to finish piecing the back and it is next on my list.

Primarily Sean's Quilt

Quilted swirls.

 However, a debacle.

Me.  Doubting my original measurements when I loaded it.

  Do you see that I am 4 inches short on my backing?!?!?  I now have to piece more backing to my already pieced backing.  I am a bit frustrated...so it sits and waits for me to gird my loins, as they say.

Spiders and Webs

On Ole Betsy as we speak.

Opted to make sure I remembered how to meander in case someone asks me to do it for them.  It isn't my favorite style, but it was a welcome and brainless after the debacle on the one above!

No Progress:

Who cares?!?! Did you see all that stuff up above??

Linking up

Move Over Quilts

This needed to be finished today!

I was asked to help with some needlepoint crosses for my son's high school auction this fall.  

 I actually had it almost completed before Christmas, but I ran out of some of the background blue.  I also did not get the white edge twisted silk in my kit!  I stopped by yesterday at the beautiful shop that our school had made arrangements. If I wasn't as in love with quilting as I am, I think I would have found my chapel to worship in (just kidding).  

The background filled quickly as I sat at my doctor's waiting room as I waited my alloted 20 min after my allergy shot. 

Last night, I started the t-stitch edge.   

By bedtime, the timer turned the lamp off over my head and I couldn't keep my eyes open! 

Luckily, Button was feeling a little off this morning and I finished it up while watching Mickey Mouse with him.

--------------------

I really wanted to finish my Giant Star today.  It is really shaping up!

But Button really wanted to take a spin on his new birthday toy.  

I couldn't say no!

There is always another day!

Linking up with Lee, last minute!

 

Busy, Busy, Busy

I knew this month would be busy, and it really shouldn't be too busy, but the boys seem to have a ton of things going on!

I have been squeezing some quilting here and there this week.

The Giant Vintage Star Quilt was cut
(loving these Free Spirit fabrics)

the night before his braces came off!

And I squeezed in cutting the background the night after!
Madrona Road text!!!

This is the VERY first time I have ever bought and used text and I am in love.
 I am still shocked that I was able to keep the text oriented in the right direction.

During naptime on Friday, I was able to piece it together and by night I was making backing and binding choices.

But I had to stop to get ready for

Button's Birthday!

I am trying to finish it, but explosive baked potatoes and clogged up washing machine pump filters are slowing me down!  I am still trying to figure out how Mr. Boss managed to create the perfect combination to make a baked potato explode in the oven!??!?! 

Normally, I really try to interact and reply back to comments, but I just have not had the time.
Here is my THANK YOU!!!!  Thank you for all the kind comments on Imagination.  I am in love with that quilt!  After I unclogged the laundry pump filter, I was able to wash and crinkle dry it!

 It is off to Threading Hope this afternoon!!

After the birthday "party", I did need some quilt therapy after the cake debacle
 (I promise you will be hearing about the cake debacle because it makes me giggle).

It is ready for some embroidery for the backing!

Now I have to get back to laundry, I burnt my hand on the iron last night and decided to call it quits for the night!!

The day can only get better, right? 
If not, I really don't want to know how awful it can get either...