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Friday, May 18, 2012

Bloggers' Quilt Festival:: Spring 2012

Right out of the dryer...all crinkly and fresh!
I debated about which quilt to enter....and decided on this one. It's quiltology is as follows:

Designed by: Me, Cindy Sharp
Started: approximately April 20, 2012
Finished: approximately March 5, 2012
Size: 85"x85"
Fabrics used: basically anything crazy orange, including but not limited to selections from Half Moon Modern, Pezzy Prints, Collegiate prints; and Bella solids white, and ash grey; and bouquet print from Flea Market Fancy.
Quilter by: computer guided long arm in Kim Diamond's Pinwheel Posies design by me
My inspiration was this beautiful girl and her successful completion of a four year degree in Ag Communications from Oklahoma State University, and the occasion of her moving into her very first, very own home.
Amanda - sporting her school spirit....on her feet.
During the quilt's construction I learned a few things about myself and quilting.

Revelation #1: I ask the wrong questions. When I decided to make Amanda a quilt I asked her if she still liked orange and what color would she pair with it. What I should have asked is "If I made you a quilt, what color would it be?". Although she loves orange, she has decided to decorate her new home in a calmer pallet of aqua, grey, and white. Oops.

Amanda's new decor goal
Revelation #2: I like hand work. Not a huge surprise...but I really enjoyed making the blocks for this quilt. I tried making the petals with one of the fancy Dresden rulers on the market. It worked, but I didn't like the look of so many petals...there were 20. I ended up making my own paper template and using the newly purchased ruler as a straight edge. I sewed the petals together by machine, then appliqued them and their centers to 14" squares for the blocks of the quilt.

One of 16, this block has 12 different fabrics in it's petals.
Revelation #3: I like scrappy. I had a ton of fun finding all sorts of oranges to include in the quilt. There are sock monkeys and Pistol Pete, and chevrons, tiny scissors, crazy plaids and stripes. I was afraid that the blocks were going to glow in the dark...but the grey subdued them. Using grey thread to quilt it helped a bit too.

Photo shoot with assistance from the wind...sans border
Revelation #4: The right border makes all the difference. ...
Flea Market Fancy making a border audition...perfect I'd say.
...as do the right tools. To make the center circles I used Karen Kay Buckley's "Bigger Perfect Circles" templates, and a circle rotary cutter. Holy smokes, who'd a thought that circles could be so easy?!

Revelation #5: Well, I don't have the right words to say this, so I will just blurt it out....I can make something beautiful.

Pre-washing, a finished quilt in the sunshine.
I am sincerely proud of this quilt...I've made many...and they are serviceable...my boys love them. But this one is a stunner.

A step back...the finished quilt before it's first bath.
I hope you enjoyed seeing it! Now off to another entrant. Happy browsing.


Amy's Creative Side
Click here to return to the festival

45 comments:

Little Island Quilting said...

Wow, wow, wow. Love everything about this quilt and the quilting is Incredible. I would whole heartedly agree with you that you make beautiful things.

Karen said...

I agree with WOW! Absolutely GORGEOUS!!! Love your colors and design. Totally awesome!

Charlotte said...

that's AMAZING! Really really lovely!

Kelsey said...

This quilt is incredible! You did an amazing job - amazing!

harleywife57/ Mickey White said...

It is absolutely awesome ! love oranges !! great job !

carol fun said...

Oh I'm so glad you showed this one -- it is fantastic! Those oranges are gorgeous and your quilting really enhances the quilt! Great quilt!

Poppyprint said...

Cindy, this is a stunner in every sense. Well done! Your lucky daughter (and she IS gorgeous!). I adore all of those orange scraps and you did pick the perfect border. The grey posy print gets a lot of well-deserved love. Congratulations on a beautiful quilt.

Zegi said...

Super pretty! I'm sure she appreciates it even if it doesn't fit the current decor.

Cynthia said...

Beautiful quilting! Love it!

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

This is a gorgeous quilt!! It is si vibrant...love your quilting.

charlotte said...

Wow! You make me love orange...something new for me. Just stunning.

Lynne said...

It is certainly a bright and happy quilt! Well done you!

Carla said...

It is definitely a stunner! Love everything about it! Amazing!

CitricSugar said...

It's absolutely gorgeous! The quilting!! I like your revelations as well.

I chose major pieces in neutral colours and then use both orange and aqua as accents. This quilt would be perfect in my space - I'm sure it'd be perfect in hers too. :-)

♥Duff said...

I heartily agree--it's a stunner! BEst wishes for many, many more!!

Hope said...

This is gorgeous! The border is absolutely perfect and the quilting looks wonderful. Love it!

Rachaeldaisy said...

I think a room decorated in away and grey is perfect for a bright accessory, especially one as sunny and beautiful as your quilt!!

Canadian Abroad said...

Oh my goodness Cindy, I am working my way through the links at the quilt festival and yours stands out beautifully. This quilt is stunning in every last detail. You should be so proud and I would happily decorate a whole house round it!!

Janine @ Rainbow Hare said...

I think you found exactly the right words. You can make something beautiful - and you have! It's a fabulous quilt and I enjoyed reading about how you made it :)

Krista @ Sewwhatscooking.com said...

Beautiful quilt! Thank you for sharing!

Mom said...

Everyone is making these Dresden quilts (love your's in orange!) - makes me motivated to finish one I started last year.

Hope you visit my blog too,

margaret gunn
www.quiltsoflove.blogspot.com

Patti said...

This is a fantastic quilt, Cindy! It will give a nice pop of colour in a new home!

Janine said...

This caught my eye. Love the color & pattern.

Andrea said...

I love the colors! is a very beautiful quilt!

kelli said...

I LOVE the orange!! Great job! It is stunning!

Anonymous said...

Absolutely Stunning is right! So beautiful. Hopefully is will be a nice pop of bright against the cooler teals she's decorating with.

Shari said...

I can't tell you how much I love this quilt! So perfect - and that border fabric! Divine. I'm sure your daughter will love it forever, even if it doesn't 'match' her decor.

Spontaneous Threads said...

I love orange and this quilt is beautiful!

Sue Daurio said...

What a great quilt. Love the oragne and grey. The quilting is just amazing!!

Linda {Calling it Home} said...

I just pinned this. I am not a quilter...and am loving all the inspiration. You should be proud of your beautiful girl!! Mine is starting high school in September....HELP!

straythreads said...

That's a lot of orange but not too much orange it is Beautiful!!!!!!
ann

Eileen said...

You surely did make something beautiful! You can never have too much orange!

Stop by for a visit when you have a chance:

http://eileen-themissingpiece.blogspot.com

Martine Kuciel said...

je pense que ce quilt est le reflet de votre personnalité pétillant et gai , félicitation

Sarcastic Quilter said...

This one is a stunner... So gorgeous.

The Thompsons said...

It's gorgeous- so vibrant and beautiful! I love the quilting as well.

QuiltinGal said...

What a wonderful gift. Its hard to see our young ones live home but it is a part of life. Choice of color is great and modern. Quilting is an addiction.

Marci Girl said...

Oh wow, this quilt is stunning, and I think that even though her colors aren't orange, I bet it looks great anyway!

Lily said...

Ok, you had me at orange, but I also love the non-traditional take on the Dresdens!

A.J. Dub. (Amy) said...

This is amazing!

Eileen said...

that is just a stunning quilt!! orange goes really well with blue, so be sure to remind amanda that! thanks for sharing and have a great day

Allison said...

a beautiful quilt for such a special occasion! at least an orange & grey quilt should still look good with aqua & grey decor :)

Kati from Kati's Quilting said...

Fantastic looking quilt! Love Dresden plate, love orange and it looks perfect with the gray background! Really impressing! :))

Jenny said...

I finally have had a second to look through the BQF Quilts and have to say how fantastic this quilt is!!! The colors, design and of course the darling lady!!

Anonymous said...

I am a long arm quilter and would love to know the name of the quilt pattern you used to quilt the quilt. It is ago awesome.
Dscott20@msn.com

Anonymous said...

I am a long arm quilter and would love to know the name of the quilt pattern you used to quilt the quilt. It is ago awesome.
Dscott20@msn.com