Thursday, April 8, 2010

Working my way down the March list....

My latest finish happened just in the nick of time....on March 31st I put this little number in the mail to Lisa in Nelson, B.C. She is my March partner for the Mini QT Swap on Flickr.

Spring Fling mini QT for lmdesigns (March '10)

It is about 8" X 10". My inspiration came from the blossoms that fill my neighbourhood every March (the swap theme was "Spring Fling"....perfect!). I posted some blossom photos from a beach walk here and then used the close-ups for ideas on how to place the individual flowers on the branches, and how to do the flower centres. Luckily my Pfaff has a 9mm stitch that was perfect for representing the yellow stamens. All of the blossoms are free cut from the same pink print fabric and fused down with transweb.

Mini QT March swap made for lmdesigns

The nest is a bunch of thread snippets and frayed linen fibre that I couched on with a free motion zigzag and then fluffed up a bit. The eggs were the hardest part. I made an oval shaped yoyo and stuffed it, but achieving smooth curves was impossible (and, you know, the deadline was looming!). I love quilting small pieces with embroidery floss: the green area is seed-stitched with 2 strands of DMC variegated green floss.

A binding just didn't look right, so I self-faced the quilt by sewing the quilt right sides together to a rectangle of the same fabric that's on the back. Then I carefully poked my scissors in & cut out a large oval from that rectangle (leaving at least 1" of fabric all around), flipped the works right side out, pressed the seam allowance to the back and needle-turn-appliqued the facing fabric to the back. Sorry I forgot to photograph the back to show you what I mean (once again, deadline!! no time for extra pictures!).

It arrived safely and Lisa wrote last night to say she loved it and it was on her wall already. Nice! She's still working on my quilt in return (and said I will laugh when I see it...hmmm I wonder if blossoms are coming my way, too?). That would be funny.

Mini QT March swap made for lmdesigns

No hail yet today, the sun is shining, but it's blustery out there. Flynn's ears were flapping in the wind on our walk this morning.

Hope you're having a springy day!

14 comments:

Heidi said...

I love this little quilt! You did an amazing job.

Cyndi loves to stitch said...

That is one cute little quilt, Lisa is very lucky. It appears virtually all of it is by hand! very nice!

Janet said...

You are so creative! I envy your ability to design and carry through on something like this. I love the nest with eggs. Lovely blooms too. I would hang this with pride.

Dianne said...

So sweet Krista! Lisa is very lucky to have this little work of art. The stitching, both hand and machine, is fab. I can hardly wait to see what you do next!!

Always Sewing said...

This is adorable. Really great job love it!

Kim said...

That is the most darling little thing! What imagination and skill.

alobsiger said...

That's just adorable, Krista! A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E! Love all the details and the chipper colors. It shouts spring to me!

Jamie said...

Outstanding! This is so sweet!

paulette said...

Love the quilt-it's a work of art!! Hey I know a Lisa from Nelson, BC but I KNOW she doesn't sew! She just had a baby and is a photographer/hairdresser. BUT wouldn't that be wild if it were her!! ha ha
Paulette

Nina Lise@Mrs Moen said...

WOW, Krista! It's gorgeous! Do you always put so much work into your swaps?

Mette said...

Gorgeous, Krista.

Andrea C said...

I love it! You've been making all sorts of amazing things...

Ariane said...

Wow!!! I just love it! It is so artistic!!! Beautiful!!!!

karen @ badlandsquilts said...

Wow! I am just speechless...looks gorgeous!