Monday, March 28, 2016

A March Finish!

First of all, the Scrap Quilt Secrets Giveaway is still open for comments! I have made an executive decision however, that I will not be responding to each comment individually as there are so, so many of them. Wowsers! Lots of great discussion as to what a scrap quilt is though! Very fun to read.
Flowers and Flying Geese
I finally finished up my Flowers and Flying Geese quilt, binding and all. I got that funky little crease in the middle from folding it up too quickly after it had been lying on the floor to finish drying. Just didn't seem like the best quilt to tell my kids, 'Hey! go ahead and walk across the quilt if you need to get across the room.' You know, like I do with some of my other quilts. When they are barefoot. And not carrying around iced tea, red Kool-aid, chocolate and/or a heaping plate of leftovers. There are limits. Not that my kids drink red Kool-Aid, but they could be. You just never know about these things.
It's {mostly} done!
I'm loving the stitching texture on this quilt, but am quite unhappy with the puffiness in the corners {due to uneven quilting, I'm sure}. I'm dragging my feet and whining about it in my head, but in actuality you and I both know they will have to be quilted a bit more in order for that puffiness to go away.*sigh  When a quilt is supposed to be done, it's supposed to be done.  But this quilt has been a journey right from the beginning, with me doing the creative thing using up leftover flying geese units and just basically having an applique play day. This quilt makes me want a larger design wall because all the initial work was done on the wall. What I could do with a larger design wall!!
A closer view of the stitching
So NOT complaining about that. Not in a real way. I feel blessed to have the space I have! And yes, three years later I get to see this hanging on my railing. Ta da! My quilting style is slowly solidifying and becoming a real thing. Who'd have ever thunk it? But I digress. What a pleasure to see a quilt top transformed with a little bit of diligent hand quilting! I never tire of that particular phase of quilting. And not to harp on an old, tired subject, but you have to know that this Perle Cotton type of quilting has completely changed my life.*wink  Because it's just plain fun!
And draped over the railing.
Don't you just love my bargain basement backing?
 I should probably mention that there are some mixed feelings about this quilt rattling around in my brain. It's such a 'me' quilt and yet, so, so white, pretty and kinda, maybe, too sweet. I'm leaning heavily toward gifting this quilt, but since I don't have anyone specific in mind yet, I'm just going to enjoy seeing it draped across a chair in my bedroom for now. Between my husbands family and mine, there are more relatives than I could ever hope to give a quilt to, so...., my thinking is, the right person will pop into my head eventually. I'm not even worried about it. I'll be thinking nice thoughts and wouldn't it be nice to give a quilt to this wonderful family person and wallah! What a wonderful  feeling to know there's going to be a quilt ready and waiting for once.....

**And something completely off the subject. Yesterday was Easter. Which happens to be our last name. Do you know how many times I've heard 'Happy Easter, Mrs. Easter' during this time of year? And 'All your dresses are Easter dresses' etc. People do love a good punny pun. And I've always known that my husband loves the Easter holiday, wants the big ham dinner, special family time etc. and gets kind of annoyed when things don't work out like he prefers. Well, this weekend made me finally realize that my kids also feel proprietary about the holiday--just like their dad. I'm raising a whole new generation of this Easter madness! Only, being teenagers, they think in terms of Easter candy and chocolate Easter bunnies. The special Easter traditions are definitely not a thing of the past. No! They just want more say of a say in all the goodies. I married into the name and so am left feeling somewhat bemused by their delight and possessiveness with everybody's holiday. Guess I'm partly to blame for always trying to make it a very fun, lighthearted holiday. Who wouldn't want to hold on to that?

35 comments:

  1. Beautiful quilt--so nice that your family wants to get together to celebrate your special holiday

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  2. Me ha gustado lo de Mrs Easter... Sorry!! El quilt es precioso, flores, vuelo de la oca y hasta Dresden!! No le falta de nada... Abrazos

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  3. Es un tr trabajo precioso, Me ha gustado mucho.

    saludos

    ana-ane

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  4. Well I hope the holiday was all they wanted it to be :) This is another lovely finish ; beautiful stitching! :)

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  5. Another whimsical charming pretty finish! And the backing is perfect for it!

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  6. It is a little beauty......who ever gets it will lobe it. Puffy corners you can solve in about 10 minutes with some stitching. Love the mix of geese and applique with the border.....very nice.

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  7. I can see why this one may be hard to gift...it's beautiful and I too love the look of your handquilting. :)

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  8. love the quilt!! I think it turned out great. I've never really gotten in to Easter as a holiday all that much but with a big family it has always been celebrated and has been more about easter egg hunts then much else.

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  9. Everything about this quilt is so beautiful - the wonderful colors, the flying geese, the applique, the border, and the hand quilting.

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  10. This quilt is beautiful! Keep it for yourself for now. Someday the right person will come along to gift it to, until then, just enjoy her! Blessings, Gretchen

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  11. Twice when I was young my birthday was on Easter Sunday, so I am a big fan of the holiday too. Somehow it hasn't happened again since, which even as a quasi-grown up I find disappointing! So I understand your family's point of view.

    Anyway, this is a lovely springtime finish. I love the fresh look with all the red and white, and the little blackbirds -- and that perfect backing! It must be very satisfying. :D

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  12. I do love this quilt. Sweet, yes, but satisfying! I'm not sure I want a design wall. When I lay out a quilt it is the only time my floors get cleaned! What would I do without that excuse? And I'm happy that you had a nice Easter Mrs. Easter!

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  13. I especially like the way your geese 'float' on this quilt Audrey - it's a special one, for sure!

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  14. Everything about this quilt is fun, from the geese to flowers to the borders. I love it!
    (And while it had registered in my brain that your last name was Easter, for some reason I hadn't made the association to the holiday at all. Brain farts are my specialty!)

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  15. This is a pretty finish, and very springlike too! I feel your pain about adding the extra stitching when you want it done already!
    My 21 year old came home college and wanted to know where his Easter basket full of chocolate was. Sigh. Your last name does raise the expectations a bit eh? Hope you had a good weekend :)

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  16. I have to say, this is one of my faves. I love the half Dresden border and the whimsical appliqued flowers. The quilt is light and it makes the colors brighter. It's hard to go back and redo or add something more when in your mind the quilt is finished, but it won't take long to add a little more stitching to the corners. Your quilt is awondeful finish!

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  17. What an awesome quilt! It looks wonderful with the varied design elements going on and the hand quilting adds such a nice touch to it. There's something so relaxing about hand quilting and pearl cotton makes it fun :-)

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  18. Another beautiful finish! full of character and texture in your usual way!

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  19. What a delightful layout and finish, Audrey. I must be entering a sweet phase because I'm so attracted to these lovely colors. Congratulations on another good finish.

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  20. I love your quilts! I love the fun combination of piecing and applique. This is one of my favorites so far...love the flying geese, the flowers and the bird! Thank you for sharing!
    mbbaker35@yahoo.com

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  21. I just love this quilt! It is so happy! Wonderful colors and style! Sure wish I was in your family! :) Have a great day!

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  22. So pleased for you that this quilt is (nearly!!) done. Looks great. How funny that your Easter family are possessing Easter!!

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  23. Congratulations on this stunning finish. Wonderful quiltdesign and such delicate handquilting. Love it.
    Greetings,
    Sylvia

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  24. I love those Dresden borders. Even though I rarely make a quilt for an unspecified recipient, someone always pops into my head who could use one. The same will happen to you. I love your personal take on Easter!

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  25. Audrey Easter, queen of appliqué AND fabulous borders!!! I love, love, love it - and if I may be so bold, may well pinch it for the quilt I plan to make my sister! White and bright is just perfect for spring, and I bet whoever eventually receives it will be so over the moon. The backing is perfect too. You have the perfect spot for photographing you quilts Audrey, the light there is so soft and beautiful, just like your quilt :)

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  26. Love your flowers/flying geese quilt. Very, very pretty. I am trying to understand the basics of a scrappy quilt but I just can't seem to see the beauty of one. Maybe this is the book that will educate me on them. Thank you for a chance to win.

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  27. I just love this quilt. It is all me, from the flowers to the bird. That's pretty funny about your name lol.

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  28. When your kids grow up, Easter has a different feeling. More about food and treats. I just got to celebrate Easter with my toddler grandson. Hunting eggs with a new generation, brings back the fun!! My husband even bought the chocolate rabbit, like he used to get in his basket. It was fun to see it through little eyes!!
    So spring is here & you have a whimsical quilt finished. It is in fun colors and has a neat Dresden technique. Love it!!

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  29. Embrace every chance you have to solidify those Easter Family traditions with your kids, they will be cherished memories just as each hand stitched quilt you've made for them is a tangible reminder of the warmth of family and home and the love of their mom. No better gift you can give them. That said I'd sure love to be a long-lost cousin when the time comes for gifting this wonderful sweet quilt that is so You.

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  31. Congratulations on a beautiful finish! I've loved this quilt from the start - so pretty and whimsical. I love your applique amongst the geese and your border is inspired. Your hand quilting really makes the quilt shine.
    I hope you can get the last little bit of quilting done without stressing too much. It can be so hard when you thought you were Done. Good luck!

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  32. Such a lovely quilt! Love the design (also that the flying geese do not touch) and the colors. Not that worried about the corner, but being honest, if it were me, I would just try a little bit more quilting, it will not take long. This will make someone a beautiful gift some day.

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  33. Just love this quilt so much!! And I've celebrated this easter with my mum and enjoyed some easter traditions to do with food. Greetings Aurora aubphg (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  34. Honestly Audrey this may be one of my favorite quilts you have made! It is really quite pretty and put together. How I wish I could be but usually am not. Very, very good job cousin.

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