Thursday, October 7, 2010

Sew & Tell Friday: Christmas Stuff!

I took two projects to the long arm quilter this week.  Normally she can finish my stuff in one week, but she said she'd need at least two weeks from now until she stops taking orders in the middle of November.  Ah!  It may already be too late for Christmas projects?!  Dude.

Good thing I had Conference weekend.  I had all the seeds sewn up for a crib size pumpkin seed quilt, ready to cut and turn and iron and blah blah blah.  (I need to get my scissors sharpened.  There is a nick in them and it's driving me bonkers.)  It's more of Sherry Berry's Christmas fabric from last year.  Even after this quilt, I still have enough of that stuff to line all my walls.

No dots this time, so you can really see both the flower and the pumpkin seed.  I'm putting a winter white minky on the back.  So cozy!
The background is white on white gingham.  I love that!.

Next is definitely a Christmas project - a Quiltsmart Love Ring with Kate Spain's "Twelve Days of Christmas" fabrics.  The store I bought the fabric in didn't have any of the blues, so I just used greens, reds, and cream - the back is blue minky.  When I took half of the quilt into Broadbent's to get border fabrics, the ladies who work there gushed and gushed about how wonderful this quilt is.  Then one of them offered to give me the back fabric for free if I'd let them display it in the store until December 1st.  Duh!  I've done a lot less for free fabric, suckas.
This block is not for the faint of heart.  So very very much cutting and organizing and ironing.  I spent an entire Conference session ironing quarter circles onto squares.
I put two borders on it, so the finished quilt will be about 57" x 57".  By a happy mistake (remember what I said about organizing...) my original plan to have the white be in the middle was foiled.  The green is much better - it doesn't look so much like a big snowball like the white would have.
I hope everyone else has their Christmas stuff worked out!  Go check out Sew & Tell Friday to end the suspense. :)

16 comments:

Cecily said...

Love the fabrics in the first and all I can say about the second is WOW! No kidding "not for the faint of heart!" I think I need to get over my fear of curves already.

Jessica Kelly said...

I love the pattern of your first quilt, thats on my to do list! As for the second quilt. WOW. thats all I can say! It's amazing and beautiful! Good for you for getting free backing fabric! Awesome finishes!

Leslie said...

these are both so pretty. i love the pink and green together

Michelle (LemonadeGal) said...

HOLY MOLY! Those are beautiful!! I was interestd to read that you put minky on the back. I've always wanted to, but wasn't sure how it would quilt. Now, I guess I will give it a try. Seriously, thanks for sharing your projects!!

Rene' said...

Great projects Nicole!!! I love all your pumpkin seed projects and this white on white gingham is so pretty! That Kate Spain Christmas quilt is UNBELIEVABLE!!!!! Is that for a Christmas gift or are you keeping it? Love it!

Kristie said...

You go girl! These look fantastic! Curves scare the heck out of me, so I am double impressed by what you have done here.

Haylee said...

I really want to try the pumpkin seed pattern. The second quilt has such beautiful colors. I also love the pattern of it too.

Ashley said...

Holy. Canole.

Lisa said...

That Drunkard's Path is STUNNING! I made one using this layout last winter with 30's repros, but I like yours way better!! I LOVE this line.

Do you not piece yours? Why did you have to iron the circles on? They don't look appliqued?

amylouwhosews said...

amazing as always!!! I love them both. Especially the second one. you are a fabric artiste!

Catherine said...

Both quilt tops are so pretty! That Kate Spain fabric is gorgeous. Is the pattern a drunkards path variation?

Miri said...

These are both just beautiful! Love the quiet of the two color top and then the explosion of color in the second!

Jamie Janow Elfert said...

I love both of the quilts! The white on white gingham is wonderful. I like what Miri said "explosion of color" ... it is a perfect description.

Kristen said...

These are great quilts! I am loving the Christmas quilt! What size square did you start with for it?

Carla said...

Nicole is doesn't surprise me you have another super, wonderful finish. Love, love, love the Christmas quilt!

Lappedamen said...

Wow,what gorgeous quilts! The Katy Spain fabrik looks great in your beuatiful Christmas Quilt, it is gorgeous.