Christmas Quilt from a Kit

I bought this kit about three years ago when I found this quilt shop in Wilsonville and decided I wanted to construct one of these lovely quilts but I didn't think I could coordinate all the fabrics.

It's a pattern called French Quarter, by Figg Tree Quilts

Then I did nothing with it until the dreary January 2013 weather hit and I was cold and blah and just started cutting.   It was again, very therapeutic to mindlessly cut squares and shapes after constructing garments.  I didn't take any photos of the cut pieces or construction.

In January and February I constructed the entire top except for one row.  Weird, that I just left one row unassembled and there it sat till November when I realized if I wanted to use it or give it away for Christmas I better get my butt in gear and get it finished.

I found this nice long arm quilter Elizabeth Originals Custom Quilts in North East Portland.

Quilt back from the quilters, raw edge.

I dropped off my quilt, picked a pattern and thread and Beth had it finished a week later!  Thanks Beth, it looks amazing.  You can see some better photos of the whole quilt on Beth's blog here.  And you can see all the amzing work she has done for other people.

It's hard to choose what pattern you want, there are so many that would look great. 

I also had enough squares to do a pillow sham. No idea how to finish this yet but it's quilted/backed.

Hand stitched the red binding Sunday night.

 

Finished!

Parting Shot............

Decorated for Christmas with little vintage trees.

You thought the parting shot would be Mochi, didn't you?   He's in there, see his stocking.
Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving.   I know I did.  I even cut out and half assembled another quilt. What is happenning?  Inspiration in the form of dreery cold "inside days"?

Baby Girl Pink Scrap Quilt

Just some quick photos of the little scrap quilt that I put together as a girl baby gift to have on hand.

There is most certainly a better way to do these little squares I have learned since this photo.

I had lots and lots of pink with dots

All these squares are scraps from other projects....
Many are from this baby quilt project-
http://behindthescenesatthecircus.blogspot.com/2012/02/color-wheel-complete.html

Several are from this project of poufs-
http://behindthescenesatthecircus.blogspot.com/2010/10/gumdrops-for-birthdays.html

Assembled by rows trying to not put too many of the same near each other.

 I never thought that sewing little squares could make me happy but it's quite therapeutic.
And I love the way this turned out.  

The whole thing finished.  Not washed yet

I just machine quilted it 1/4" from the seam one direction and then the other along each row.

Here is the whole thing, bound in pink with white polka dots. 

oops, look, two identical ones, made it by each other and you know what, it's fine!

There's something so great about making something out of the parts that are leftover from something else.  I guess that's what I like about this quilting world.  You can make cool stuff out of the tiniest leftovers.  I even used leftover pieces of batting basted together, probably a no no but once quilted, I don't think it will matter.

Speaking of leftovers, who's still full from Thanksgiving......... me!

Parting Shot-

Mochi got his picture taken with Santa Paws for the Humane Society.