Wednesday, May 12, 2010

It is Finished!

Wow. Nothing like starting your first big project with a deadline...right? And boy is my deadline close!

But I'm Done!

Now, I'm 100% certain I'm safe posting now instead of waiting as those involved are not reading my blog. But, let me just say....if you know someone that is getting married rather soon....do NOT share this post with them. Got it?

So for the unveil of Caribbean Honeymoon....

Pre-quilted. The top is called Brick Path. I used some modern colors which remind me of tropical islands. It didn't start out that way. I took some fabrics I had ordered that turned out to be the wrong blue when they arrived...took them to the fabric store to find complements and this is what it morphed into. Quite pleased with it. And it turns out to be big enough to fit on my queen bed. Wow. Up to this point I had only done lap quilts and baby quilts. I'm feeling pretty intimidated at this point.
I found a cool piece of aqua fabric and bought it as the center of the back. Then I took the scraps from the front and just made up a design. Used the rest of my sashing material as borders and made a brick path around the center piece. There is also a "signature block" at the top. I have to admit I don't really like just a solid back. For one, it takes alot of material. Second...I like to use as much of my leftover's from the front as possible.
The signature block on the back. It reads: Marriage is not a noun, it is a verb. It isn't something you get, its something you do. It's the way you love your partner every day. Wishing you a lifetime of love in action.
So I just used my regular stitch-in-the-ditch to quilt it together. Although I have now taken a class on machine quilting, this was not the project for the first time actually doing it. I threw the quilt on my bed to check size...since I kept adding borders and such because I didn't like the original size....and it does fine on a queen. Not bedspread fine...but blanket fine.
The back. I like the way the brick path comes through on the center piece of fabric. The lines on the back are not really straight with the design, but when you have different fronts and backs that is pretty much what happens. As it is the back, I'm not stressing it. (This is where my lack of the perfectionism gene pays off.)
A closer look.
Folded with the signature block being the first thing to see when opened. This is another big thing with me....the reusable boxes. I started using them instead of paper/bags a few years ago. Its a fun way to make it more like two gifts and looks great. I found this butterfly box at Marshall's.
All packed up and ready to deliver.

So I'm all kinds of patting myself on the back because it really turned out even better than I imagined. So much so it was hard to package up to give away! LOL!

And now back to the sewing room as I'm working on three other gifts! Will reveal two in about a month!

10 comments:

  1. Wow! I am impressed! It is beautiful! And congratulations! You are done with a week to spare! See you soon!

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  2. What a gorgeous gift! You are a quilting master, lady!

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  3. That is incredible! I am speechless. You did such great work. Amazing.

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  4. Keep on patting! You earned it. And I noticed the box b/c I've always thought this was such a great way to give gifts (that is, after you introduced the idea to me! :) )

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  5. Wow! Look at those colors... it DOES look like the Caribbean.

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  6. very nicely done!! what an awesome gift; I am sure it will be much appreciated and used often :)

    betty

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  7. That is fabulous!! The signature block quote is perfect. I also just love how you started with a "wrong color" and built around it. That is how quilting started, with leftover pieces, and it just seems right when it continues that way - adaptation.
    Beautiful.

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  8. I would LOVE to receive a quilt like this one - you did a fantastic job! Very personal, and the colors are amazing!

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  9. Great job! It looks wonderful, I love all the fun bright tropical colors!

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  10. You are SO good with quilts. My word.

    That is a beautiful quilt and I think they will absolutely love it.

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