Friday, June 11, 2021

Sunshine in the rain

 Hi everyone! I don't know about you, but we have started to get out and about some more, but not quite normal yet, and this week we traveled to our nephew's high school graduation. They held it in person! In a cicada-free area of the country, too. It was a bit like a family reunion, and most of us spent some time sobbing over lost time. It was so great to see my sister and niece and nephew, and my parents were there, and some siblings, too. And J. got safely graduated and is off to college soon, which was our whole reason for getting together. A great time was had by all. And did I mention the absence of big ugly bugs?

On the home front, I have been making really good progress on the quilt tops that are hanging in the closet, and today there is another one finished. Hurray! I have four others in various stages, but here is today's:
 
 
I've tried taking pictures during what they call "the golden hour," but it is so, so not working for me. Too many weird shadows. Plus we have had rain, so it's quite damp and I have to run between the raindrops to get decent photos. Can you see those threatening clouds at the top of the picture? Here is the quilt with fewer shadows:

 
That's a bit better. If you look closely, you can see some of the different blues in the setting triangles. This quilt was made in 2018 and 2019 and is from the Community Sampler offered by Sharon Holland and Maureen Cracknell. The flimsy was done in February of 2019, so I think it has aged properly. I just checked and the patterns are all still available, and there are a few other free quilt alongs still listed, too, so you could make this quilt yourself.
 
 
The centerpiece of this quilt for me is the yellow fabric with roses, which is in several of the blocks. This might be my favorite fabric ever, and I only had a fat quarter of it, which was all used up in this quilt. There might be one tiny square left, but the rest of it was used up, which makes this a special quilt for me. I named it Hope for Spring, and I think the name still fits, even if it is summertime now.

 
As much as I love the front of the quilt, I also love the back! The backing is a bird print in a perfect blue color, which Diane the quilter was kind enough to run vertically. I know that sometimes this doesn't work, and I would have been okay if the birds had gone sideways, but this time it worked out. I auditioned several different colors for the binding, but went with this bright (but not too bright) green. I think it worked out, too.

 
The shadows make the quilting really apparent, but just for the record, this was quilted up in a pattern called loose leaf. I love this pattern because it's curvy and loose, which makes the quilt extra cuddly. This is important, because I am keeping this quilt for me. Yep, it's mine! I have plenty of other quilts, but this one is sure to become a favorite once the gray and cold makes its inevitable return.

 
So there is another bright and happy quilt, all done and out of the closet. Hurray! Speaking of getting quilts out of the closet. . .did you know that our friend Preeti has launched an Etsy shop with some real beauties for sale? You can find it HERE. Even if you aren't buying anything, it will certainly bring a smile to your face!

 
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. After the excitement of the last week, I think we're going to hang out here and do housekeeping-type things. That bathroom floor isn't going to scrub itself, after all. I went back and read my post about the flimsy, too, which mentions brownies, so I think I also feel inspired to make a pan of those. Maybe lemon ones! Perfect for a rainy weekend. Hope you enjoy your weekend, too!
 

Sharing at Finished or Not Friday, Brag about Your Beauties, and Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

17 comments:

Cathy said...

What a beautiful quilt, Mari! I don’t blame you for wanting to keep this one. Congrats on a super finish!

stitchinpenny said...

The quilt is beautiful. True color is virtually impossible in golden hour but you did well. Shadows and diffusion make golden hour photos full of depth and interest but I am not sure that I would try to capture quilt photos where color and line are essential in golden hour.

ButterZ said...

Omg… the backing fabric is absolutely so cute. I love it.
Preeti does so many beautiful quilts. Her work is amazing.
Your quilts are stunning and you deserve to keep one for yourself.

Sara said...

So pretty!! And that backing is wonderful.

I'm so glad you were able to get together with family for that graduation. We did that last weekend too, and it felt so normal. Later today I'm meeting a cousin for a "girls weekend" and that will seem nearly normal too.

Goofin' Off Around the Block said...

Such a cheery quilt finish. Sometimes, even during the golden hour, pictures just don't show the true colors of the fabrics. -Andrea

Sherrie said...

Hi,
Your quilt is Beautiful!! Love the backing
you used. Have a great day!

The Joyful Quilter said...

Leafy quilting... LOVE!!!

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

summer doesn't start until June 20th, so it's still a Spring quilt. Very pretty, too.

Quiltdivajulie said...

Those leaves in the quilting are something I'd love to learn how to FMQ without so much stress. What a beautiful finish - I'm so glad you are keeping it for yourself!

piecefulwendy said...

That is a pretty quilt, and I'm so glad you are keeping this one for yourself. I think it will pair well with a glass of wine and a good book. Enjoy!

sue s said...

Your quilt is beautiful! And it reminded me that I have the top done for this one and it needs a quilt job! Mine is very southwestern/aztec-like and I love it so I should find it and finish it!

Ivani said...

What a beautiful quilt Mari!
I am glad to hear you traveled for a cicada free area.
Last Sunday night I watched a TV report news about the cicadas there and immediately thought of you.
Hugs

celia ambrose said...

What a lovely quilt! I know you will enjoy it no matter what season. Lovely quilting design also. I haven't heard of lemon brownies. But, I can't have it since I'm on Keto for a while. Sounds yummy though.

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

What a fun time you all had!! I love the catching up! I bet everyone was so happy to hang out - bug free!!

QuiltGranma said...

What a sweet quilt, so pretty. Hey, do not hurry summer here yet (though the temperatures sure seem like it). Summer begins this year on June 20th, Father's Day. I appreciate the milder temperatures and really do not like the HOT.

Bernie Kringel said...

I am behind on blog reading - just took a long look at this quilt. It is gorgeous. I love the colors and the backing fabrics is so pretty. Good job Mari! Also, I love your theory on the aging of a quilt, prior to completion. Hahaha.

ButterZ said...

I new that fabric was cute. It is such a lovely colour and print. Thank you so much. I received my parcel and just love the fabrics.
I need to make a baby boy quilt so will use it in that. Not sure if I’ll put lemon with it or just add more blues.