Paint Chip Challenge Quilt

Seattle MQG is organizing a Paint Chip Mini Quilt Challenge where each one of us was given a paint chip and we had to come up with an 18" x 18" mini quilt. I was fortunate to get two paint chips and this was my fabric pull. I could not believe it that I had all these fabrics in my stash. #sewmystash2015 for the win.

Then using a nifty new iPad app, that I have been extensively using lately, I drew up an initial design. 

And this is what it looked like once I was done.

I found the back far more interesting than the front.

Since the front was very busy I decided to use a simple wavy stitch on my Bernina (stitch #4) for the quilting. It's barely visible on the lighter fabric.

I am looking forward to turning this in next month and seeing what the collective display of all the quilts looks like. Will post a pic when that exhibit goes up at Drygoods Design in June.

Linking up to: Crazy Mom Quilts, TGIFF, Fabric Tuesday

Pink, Pink aaaannnnnddd Purple!!!

I last made a quilt for my niece when she was just a few months old. One of my early works, that too a rag quilt. What was I thinking! I decided it was time I make a real quilt for her fourth birthday. Yes, she is an April Fool's baby! Anyway now that it's been gifted I can blog about it. Not that she would read this but nevertheless, I waited.

To start with I wanted to pick colors of her choice so I asked her: 'Anya, what are your favorite colors?', to which her response was: (loudly) Pink.....(run in a circle)...(softly) pink...(run in a circle again, this time with hands waving in the air) ......aaaannnnnddddd Purple!!!!(stamp feet and come to a halt). So pink and purple it was! :)

I scoured my stash for all sorts of pinks and purples and paired them with some low volume fabrics. I picked this great pattern called 'Cloud Song' from Little Bits Quilting Bee by Kathreen Ricketson. I adore all her books and always wanted to make something from them. I picked the pattern because I thought it was apt considering she is a Seattle baby.

The raindrops and cloud applique add an adorable whimsy to the quilt. I especially like the little fox faces in the raindrops. This is the only piece of Tula Pink fabric I own and love how it matches both the green and pink in the quilt. It was meant to be! Small details like this make me happy. :)

Since the top is quite busy, I wanted the quilting to blend with the background and quilted it with a simple meandering stitch. 

For the back I used Amy Butler flannel which I had bought a while back. It will provide some added warmth on chilly Seattle nights. It is extremely soft and snuggly. The roses make the quilt even more girly.

The binding is one of my favorite fabrics from Hope Valley by Denyse Schmidt. I don't have much of it left, but I am sure there will be others. I try not to get too attached to fabric. There always will be new fabric to fill it's place.

Overall I love how the quilt turned out.  I know it will be loved and used for years to come. Perfect for a little girl and can't beat the fact that all of the fabrics are from my stash. #sewmystash2015 for the win!!!

Linking up to: Crazy Mom Quilts, TGIFF, Fabric Frenzy Friday, Fabric Tuesday