A quilt for a kid

This weekend I quilted up a little quilt top that has been sitting in my cupboard for I-don't-know how long.

 

It's a cousin of the first finished quilt I ever blogged about.  I bought the fabric, a couple of charm packs of Moda's Oasis collection, before I really knew where to find modern fabric.  I wouldn't say it's exactly to my taste but I do like how soft and pretty the floral prints are. 

I took the opportunity of only having a small area to quilt to play around with a few different quilting designs.  I really wanted the quilting to emphasise the distinction between the cream background and the coloured chevrons.  Quilting the background more densely makes it recede, and this back and forwards wiggle adds some movement an directionality to the quilt.

 

The coloured sections are not only quilted less densely, with a reasonably loose stipple, but the much more curvy quilting also contrasts nicely with the quilting in the background.

You can see that I experimented with a different quilting design in one of the coloured sections - rather than the stipple I've quilted little flowers on a meandering path.  I wasn't very happy with this design when I quilted it, but looking at the photo it's growing on me.  I'd like to try this design again when I'm not so constrained for space - making the flowers that small was a bit tough.

I'm really pleased that this quilt top is now out of my cupboard and in a usable state.  I'll take it along to the quilt guild meeting this weekend and hand it over to the lady in charge of collecting quilts for donation to the neonatal ward of Wellington Hospital.  They are always in need of more quilts so I'm sure it will be useful.  

I'm linking up to 100 Quilts for Kids at swimbikequilt.  It's heartening to see over 100 quilts linked already.

Quilt Stats
Pattern: half square triangle chevron quilt

Finished Size: 28" by 32"

Fabric: Moda's Oasis collection, very subtle cream floral 

Backing: white on cream print from Spotlight

Binding: DS Quilts print from Spotlight

Pieced and quilted by: me.

Linking up with finish it up friday at crazy mom quilts.

Rain on the Roof

Is there anything better than being inside, snuggled up with a hot cup of tea and a good book and maybe even a cat, while the rain pours down on the roof outside?  I don't think so, and that's what Rachel's Washed Earth mosaic contest put me in mind of.

 

That, and the moment when the rain stops, and the clouds clear just enough so that you get that very crisp light, and everything is dripping wet, and it's just like a sigh of relief.

 

I can't resist a good mosaic contest and this was a fun one.  You should definitely head over and try your hand at making a bundle too. 



WIP Wednesday

I'm still working on my Garden for Birds Quilt.  It has changed a bit from the original plan - that's the fun thing about a quilt like this.  Here's where I'm up to at the moment.

I'm hoping to get this quilt top finished up this week.  Then I'll have to think about the quilting.  On one hand I think something super simple since there's already so much going on would be good - on the other hand I think different FMQ designs to complement the different blocks could be cool too.  I guess we'll see what kind of mood I'm in when I come to quilt this one!

Linking up with Lee at Freshly Pieced:

P.S. Don't forget to enter my giveaway - it's open until Friday.

My first sponsor (and a giveaway)

UPDATE - GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED - THANKS SO MUCH TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED

So after all that thinking about sponsorship (here and here, if you missed it), I eventually got my act together and approached a few potential sponsors.  Fat Quarter Shop had to be on the list and I'm now very pleased to introduce them as my first sponsor!

Here's why I like Fat Quarter Shop:

- they have a HUGE range of high quality quilting fabrics, and stock both modern and more traditional designs so there is something for everyone.  

- their sale section is brilliant, especially when I need lots of yardage for a quilt back - there's always a bargain to be had.  

- the presentation of their packages is outstanding - the fabric is always beautifully presented and it's almost a shame to unfold it!

- they are a massive supporter of the online quilting community and regularly provide prizes for quilt-alongs, challenges and other online events.

- they stock one of my favourite solid collections, Moda Bella Solids.

So Fat Quarter Shop has been generous enough to offer a $20 gift certificate to one of my readers.  What would you buy?  I think I might be tempted by one of the design rolls that are currently on sale.  Joel Dewberry's latest collection Bungalow definitely caught my eye.

As did Heather Bailey's latest collection, Lottie Da.  By the way, has anyone else noticed how many good purple fabrics are coming out just at the moment?  I have, and it's pleasing.  Good purples are hard to find!

To enter the giveaway, head over to Fat Quarter Shop and then leave a comment on this post letting me know what you would buy if you won.  If you want, you can get an extra entry for each of the following (just leave an extra comment for each that applies):

- following my blog through google friend connect or a feed reader like bloglovin' or feedly (new and existing followers both count);
- liking my facebook page; and
- sharing this giveaway via your favourite social media (you could blog about it, share it on facebook, tweet about it, whatever!).

This giveaway is open to everyone (including international participants), but if I can't contact you, you can't win. If you are a no-reply blogger, please leave your email address in the comment.

The giveaway will stay open until around 10 pm Friday 27 September 2013 (New Zealand Time), and I will use the random number generator at random.org to pick a winner then.

Good luck everyone!  By the way, I usually respond to all comments, but giveaways can be a little overwhelming, so I hope you don't mind if I don't respond to your comment on this post.  Also, please don't be concerned that my blog is going to be all about sponsored content from here on out.  It won't.  For the most part it will be exactly the same, with a couple of extra buttons in the sidebar.  But I think it's only fair to introduce my sponsors as they come on board, and let you know why I've picked them to partner with.  Also, I'm stoked to be able to offer you the chance to win free fabric!

UPDATE - GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED - THANKS SO MUCH TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED

Caturday Wisdom #37

Always floss. Ivy

It the weekend!  Spend time doing what you love.

As always, pet advice submissions are welcomed at adrianneonthewindyside at gmail dot com.