Hi everyone! Has fall come to your house yet? Astoundingly, most of our trees are still green, though there do seem to be a lot of leaves on the ground. No really pretty colors, though. We're having some landscaping done, and the landscaper tells me there is still time this year to grow new grass. I'm quite skeptical, because it's almost November, for heaven's sake. How can it still be 80 degrees?
Ah, well. I suppose it will get here when it gets here, right? Kind of like quilts-- sometimes they have to age just right before they can be finished. I've been making really good progress on getting my older quilt tops quilted up and out of the closet, and some of them have been there for quite a while. Thankfully, this one aged a little bit faster, and I finished it off this week. Here she is:
Hurray, hurray! This is my version of a Bonnie Hunter quilt called En Provence (you can get the real pattern HERE.) I call mine Violettes because it's definitely not the quilt Bonnie designed, and because the greens and purples bring some pretty flowers to mind. I finished the top (after almost 3-1/2 years) back in May, and I quilted it a little bit ago.
I actually used this quilt top to learn to use pantos on the longarm, and I think I did okay with it. I had to use their teaching panto, which I really didn't like, but I used a dusty green thread so it blended really well. And now I can use my own choice of pantos, so it turned out well!
I love the backing on this quilt and would really like to use it again, I got it from Connecting Threads, which always has a load of wide backings, though this one seems to be sold out at the moment. I love how the green complements the front piecing. I intended to use the bright pink for a binding, but I didn't have enough of it, so I used an old green that has touches of bright pink. It's not what I intended, but I think it works just fine.
This quilt finished at about 60 by 70 and it already has a special destination. Two days before Christmas last year, my aunt Phyllis died in hospice, amd I'm donating this quilt to Mercyful quilts in her memory. She was 86, a cancer survivor, and quite ill. Hospice meant she didn't have to suffer more than necessary, and our whole family is grateful. The people at the quilt shop were amazed that this is a "donation quilt," but everyone deserves beauty and comfort, especially at the end.
So, that was a downer, but the quilt is not, and I hope it brings someone comfort. I hope you all have a lovely weekend with some comfort, too! Do you think it's too soon to break out the hot chocolate, or should I stick with some brownies until it's colder? Decisions, decisions!
Sharing at Confessions of a Fabric Addict, Brag About your Beauties, Finished or not Friday, and the Patchwork and Quilts party on Sunday.
18 comments:
Violettes is so pretty, Mari, and will definitely bring comfort to someone through Mercyful Quilts. It's a lovely way to honor your aunt! I love the purple pink, and green combination, and that is a great backing for it, too. You're definitely on a finishing roll!
That is a gorgeous quilt and the hospice family that receives it will be so grateful for your donation and the comfort it will bring to all. I am sorry for your loss.
It sure turned out beautifully!! Great job! And yes - it made me think of violets too. Or pansies.
Lovely Violets and very special comfort quilt.
It is a lovely quilt, Mari. Congrats! It will give confort to someone in need.
Happy weekend.
That is one beautiful comfort quilt and it imparts memories as well. All good!! (go with the hot chocolate!)
Doing a happy dance about this quilt finish, Mari!! Mine is still in pieces.
Wow, that is just beautiful! I have my En Provence almost ready to go to the quilter! But I have at least seven bazillion seams to press and equally as many threads to trim! It’s awful! It sat too long in th3 UFO closet!
Your quilt is lovely. I enjoy watching Bonnie's mysteries unfold but I haven't joined in yet. Maybe this year???
We had frost last night, and we are getting ready to put down grass seed and a shade mix of flower seed, which apparently needs to sit under the snow and will give me lovely flowers in the spring. We shall see. Your quilt is lovely, and will definitely bring comfort while celebrating the life of someone special. Love that backing fabric, it goes so well with the quilt top. Hot chocolate or brownies - hmm - how about iced hot chocolate (it's a thing) AND a brownie. :-)
Still warm and very humid for the first part of the week, then it may cool down here in South Texas for a few days before getting warm again. Hoping that we do not have a hot winter! I want some cold weather - 30's and 60's would be great!
Your quilt is pretty! Good job on doing the panotgram! Hugs
Oh Mari, it is gorgeous! Those purples are so bright and bold. I love the green backing also.
Oh, Mari, this is breathtaking. I love how the raspberry and purple stars stand out, and I really like your version of the pattern. Congrats on your first panto long-armed quilt. What a sweet way to honor the memory of your aunt by giving it to a hospice program. As for the weekend, hot about hot chocolate AND brownies?
Congratulations on finishing a UFO and a gorgeous one on top of that! Really love violet and green. Bravo! ;^)
Oh Mari, you have been a lean, mean quilting machine churning out tops and finishes so profusely. Of course purple and green is a winning combination. Gorgeous quilt and I love the fuchsia star centers - perfect focal points.
It is quite beautiful and I understand your sentiment - its heartwarming. Sorry about your aunt - glad she had love surrounding her
A beautiful finish. I personally don't love dark purple but you used it wisely and not too much. What a wonderful way to remember dear Auntie! Comfort for others in the the time of their ending of life.
Oh WOW!! This is gorgeous - I love the green and purple together. Thank you so much for choosing Mercyful Quilts as the recipient of this beauty. I am so excited Mari! Your aunt would so pleased.
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