Pajama Scrap Quilt

Good friends, Brehan and Jocela, had a baby girl in late November-- the day after Thanksgiving.  I was still working on their quilt, but didn't actually finish it until December 2nd. Here are photos of a blanket and a pillow with a pocket.  The bird fabric and (all the other square fabric) was set aside by Brehan's mom who passed away in 2013.  She had cut out all the pieces to make pajamas. Her husband was kind enough to let me browse her fabric collection, choose this pj fabric and cut it up to create the blanket and pillow.

Pillow on the bottom, Blanket rolled up on top

Pillow with a Rabbit book peeking out

Quilt, of simple design and the pillow

A glimpse inside the book

I included a book, Rabbits, to stuff inside the pocket of the pillow. The text is simple and charming. This page reads, "Rabbits like to get all dressed up if they are going to be in a storybook."

Funky Apples

A new record time for a quilt start to finish 4 weeks!

I used a couple fabrics from Aneela Hooey's "Little Apples."  Because it's scrappy and oddball, I'm calling it funky. PLUS, it's for a fun and funky couple - John and Jenny (mine and Zack's bosses) who are getting married in two weeks.  Congratulations to them! Not a large quilt, but enough to cover two pairs of feet on the couch, or it'll be great for an intimate picnic blanket.

Top, Posing with the gift before the wedding
Bottom, Back detail

Front

Back

Summertime baby quilt

It's December and I'm only now recapturing the quilts that I've finished in the past months.
 In August, I finished a quilt for the grandmother who ordered Primary Alphabet.  It turns out that she wanted her own baby blanket to keep at her house. I used the exact same pattern, but varied the fabrics. What I enjoy most about this photo is how summery it is. (The background, really. Zack has his bicycle out, there are lush green leaves on the tree. Ah, summer.)

Front

Look at the quilting!

Oh my gosh, the funnest thing on this quilt was that I switched up the quilting. I quilted the two halves differently. Look at the above photo, and you can see how I changed directions.

Back

Elephant Alphabet

Fourth of July weekend a friend asked me to make a baby quilt for clients who just welcomed a grandbaby into their family. I was excited, accepted the project and then as life seems to go, things got busy. Zack and I went on vacation, got engaged and then were married a short two months later.

So I am absolutely thrilled to finally be done with this project... in late November... a good five months later...

 I've been holding on to this bright elephant fabric, just waiting for the right idea. I knew I wanted to use it, but didn't know how to. There are so many "novelty prints" that I love! But it's difficult for me to place them in a quilt. I suppose, that it's the idea of cutting through the fabric that holds me back.

But I had the adorable elephants, I chose some equally bright orange and teal alphabet prints and then just pieced as I saw fit.  I didn't use a pattern, like I normally do. I just chose matching green/blue and orange and "went for it."

Instead of quilting on the machine, I chose the more peaceful option of hand tying. Traditionally I think I would have kept the knots on the front side, but I wasn't sure if the little ties would be bothersome to the baby lying on it. So all the knots and loose ends are on the back, which leaves a refreshingly clean front amidst the chaos of color and print. ; )

Back

Front

Barely see the light blue thread from the ties, right?

Ready to be shipped!

On the Clothesline- Deer Crossing

Deer Crossing

A scrappy baby quilt

44 in. x 44 in.

This is the second quilt of four to come from my stash of Sarah Watts Timber & Leaf fabric collection.

The middle horizontal and middle vertical sections are quilted with very close lines. They intersect in the center square. The four corners are quilted with intersecting lines that do not cross one another.

(Sorry about the harsh creases from keeping the blanket folded. Photos aren't the best.)

Front

Back

Waffle/Grid effect in the center square

Some baby is ready to relax and picnic on this quilt!

Another baby is ready for story time in their favorite reading chair!

A quick anectdote-- The quilt has some quirks, like, lots of rumples and frustrating ruffles. During the whole process I felt like I wouldn't be able to sell it.  "Who would want to buy this?" I kept on asking myself.  So I quickly reasoned that I should give it away, rather than have someone buy it as a gift for someone. 
The other night Zack and I went to hear Anais Mitchell in concert. I am head over heels in love with her voice. To our surprise, we learned that she's pregnant! I immediately thought, "I can give Anais this baby quilt!" But then, I thought about how odd it might be and the whole interaction and exchange mightn't  be worth it.
Imagine me, post concert: "Um, Anais. I love you! I mean, I love your music. I made a baby quilt for your baby."
Anais: "You knew I was pregnant before you came to the concert?"
Me: "I know everything about you. I mean, I just finished the quilt and I have to give it someone so I thought I'd give it to you. Even though it's small.  And I didn't know you were pregnant actually. I just wanted to give you some token of affection."

And she'd laugh pleasantly and awkwardly and thank me. And send me on my merry way. And I'd leave and pretend I didn't think the whole exchange was awkward too.