Wee Wander Finish & A Little Deep & Meaningful

It's taken me a couple of weeks to get around to binding this baby, but today was the day!  I ended up getting some blue Robert Kaufman dots that co-ordinated perfectly with Wee Wander and frames this little quilt beautifully.

I got very motivated this afternoon after finishing it, and raided Chloe's bedroom for some baby-ish props for my little photo shoot!  Although this quilt started out as "just a quilt", after I had quilted it - my feathers/leaves/whatever they are - I thought it would be a good idea to add a hanging sleeve on the back, so that when the owner had finished using it for their baby, they could hang it on the nursery wall.  I was SOOO thrilled with how it looks on a wall!

If you had of told me a month ago I'd have a quilt with this sort of quilting on it, I would have laughed at you!  I'm really, really proud of myself for giving that feather business a crack, and will do it again!

I used my trusty Ikea numbers fabric for the backing, which shows the quilting beautifully.   Aurifil #2024 50wt was used to piece and free motion quilt.  This little 32" square quilt is the perfect size for a bassinet or pram quilt.  Or even as a little play mat - oh so versatile!

The idea for this little piece of loveliness came when The Handmade Library announced they were holding a Collaboration market.  The lovely Melisa from "Melisa Jane" joined up with me and after much indecision, we finally agreed on making a Wee Wander baby set.  Melisa has made THE MOST awesome nappy bag (Diaper bag for those in the US) I have ever seen!  Looky looky......

Both of these items will be available to purchase as a set on the 7th of May over at The Handmade Library.  Pricing and further information will be available soon!

Now, whilst I have your attention - I told Gemma from Pretty Bobbins that if I got off my lazy bum this evening and made it upstairs I would try and post a little reply to link up with her discussion over at I Quilt tonight.  So, here goes.....

Gemma asked us to share our successes related to our passions.  I'm taking a big gulp and going for it.....

1.  Being able to spend a couple of days each week to do whatever I please, which inevitably means sewing.  I had kids here at home with me for 15 years, so now they're all at school, I quite happily utilise the time for things I want to do.

2.  Learning to quilt mostly through online means.  I have asked hundreds of questions online, whether it be in FB sewing groups or direct chatting to my quilt friends - I have been so very grateful for each answer I have been given!

3.  I have sold a number of quilts to customers now!  I'm able to name my price and know that they are worth it.  And when customers say they want to buy something I've made, I'm ALWAYS thrilled to think they appreciate the time I've put in to my work.

4.  I've slowly but surely changed the direction of my little business over the past year.  Ms Midge started off making children's wear and now I've incorporated cushions, quilts and bags in to my repertoire - and my customers are still there!  Some of the same customers who have bought their children's clothing from me are now purchasing quilts.  I love that!

5.  Opening my inbox every day and finding emails from you guys - the fact that you take the time to comment on my blog posts and encourage me on a regular basis is fabulous!

6.  Friends.  I have met soooo many wonderful human beings through this quilty gig, and I wouldn't be without them.  I have always valued friendship very highly in terms of my success as a human being - so I feel pretty damn successful these days!

So there you have it.  It's now 11pm and my eyes are hanging out of my head - but a promise is a promise Gem!  Every now and then, when I'm rambling excitedly to my husband about how I got an email from this famous quilter, or I received a gift from another famous quilter he'll say "that's great, now you have to work out how to make money from this blogging business".  I always laugh at him, and tell him it's not about the money.  And it's not.  I agree whole heartedly with Gemma on that one.  Success is a feeling - not a bank balance.

Peace out.

I'm linking up - You can too!

T.G.I.F.F. - Pink Posy

It's a late night edition of T.G.I.F.F. tonight! I finished my gorgeous little Pink Posy quilt yesterday and I am hopelessly in love with it!  This darling little quilt will be up for sale at The Handmade Library's Pretty in Pink Showcase on 11th of September.  I'm feeling incredibly efficient having it finished now!

 

Isn't she lovely?  As I mentioned previously, I have never used this much pink in a quilt before, but am thoroughly pleased with the end result!  I basically went through my stash, after adding another half a dozen pink prints from a quick trip to Spotlight, and pulled out every single pink fabric I could find!  From each print, I cut 4.5" squares.  There are a few duplicates in there, but overall, there are 57 (if i counted correctly!) different pink prints here.  The white fabric is a Kona charm pack I bought ages ago, trimmed down.

 

I stuck with a really simple quilting design.  Lots of straight lines on the diagonals, and then around the border, I got my free motion on!  Gorgeous little flowers and meandering paths between them.  All the piecing and quilting has been done in a very pretty baby pink Gutermann thread.  I have almost completely run out of Aurifil and am waiting on my friends (YOU know who you are lol) to decide which ones they would like before I put my next bulk order in - so the Gutermann was called upon!  What I like about piecing with the pink, is that on the fabrics with a white background or just plain white, the pink almost shimmers through.  It's a lovely effect, and totally unplanned!

 

 I managed to fussy cut quite a few of them, which almost makes it like a little "I spy" quilt!

 

Pretty little pinwheels in the corners, that unfortunately lost some of their points in the process!

 

And one of the prettiest views of a quilt - all rolled up and yummy.

I'm linking up with T.G.I.F.F. being hosted over at Bedtime Quilting this week - You can too!