Blogger's Quilt Festival Baby Quilt

WOW!  Blogger's Quilt Festival time already?  I missed being able to participate last fall and am so happy that I will be able to join in the fun this time!  Thank you Amy so much for hosting this fantastic event again.  I cannot imagine how much it takes to coordinate all this twice a year.

The quilt I wanted to share last Oct and was not able to is the Pineapple Princess.  This quilt was made when my Doctor from San Diego ( he was our doc for about 12 years before we moved) posted a photo of the sweetest baby and when I asked whose baby it was he told me he and his wife had just added to the family.  I have to say, he was the best care giver to me and my family.  He was always there for questions and concerns and even though he would tell me I was crazy at times ( this may actually be a bit true) he is the bestest doc ever.  I had to do something for him since he did put up with me for so many years.  He also added bonus points when he told me her name and mentioned she was named after my girlie ( true or not he got the points).

The stars are from the fab Solstice Stars Series by Fresh Lemons Quilts.  I added the scrappy lines when I was playing with layout and they really work.  The STUNNING quilting is by the overly talented Laurie Tigner.  Laurie saw the quilt top on facebook and sent me a message asking if she could please quilt it...I have never said YES so fast IN MY LIFE!  

The stars are made with Amy Butler fabrics from different lines.  It was fun to see how they all complimented each other.  I loved the combo so much I am reusing this idea with the Lucky Stars BOM  from  Don't Call Me Betsy.  I used was two layers of Pellon batting.  Laurie suggested it and I can see how that second layer makes the gorgeous quilting POP!   I used Aurifil 50wt for all the piecing and sent my Aurifil cone to Laurie to do her magic. Laurie also used same cone for the Irish chain comfort quilt for my son's teacher and I have done numerous projects in between. This cone has been more places then I have been!

One of the most special things about this quilt is that it has been seen by and touched by each of the people that have had input into it's making. Laurie brought it to KC Market last year and I took it around to all the wonderful people that had made this quilt possible.  Amy Butler, Faith Jones, Alex Veronelli, Cris Haskell, Laurie Tigner  I do not know that all of these fine people get to see all the creations that are made with their inspirational vision and excellent products.  It was very cool to be able to share this with them and I thank them for their contribution :o)  Could not have done it without them!

This is one of my most favorite pics EVER ( Sara is so dang cute)...

I am submitting this to the Baby Quilts category.  Now I just want to sit back and drool over all the other fab entries!

A very HAPPY FINISH!

This special quilt is for my son's teacher that was recently diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing chemo. The children participated in the making of the quilt for their teacher and I cannot wait for the children to see their quilt that will give Ms.V so much comfort. I will be taking it  into the class to show them and I know they will love it!

I used a Lori Holt Riley Blake Polka Dot Stitches jelly roll and Moda Bella White.  The piecing and quilting were all done with Aurifil 50wt. The batting used was Pellon Nature's Touch.

See the sweet handprints?   I could NOT have done this without the help of the a very lovely and talented lady, who I happen to adore!  Laurie Tigner!  She volunteered to quilt this quilt before it was even a real design, that is pretty incredible in my book and I ADORE and LOVE her to BITS!!!!  She brought this quilt ( all quilts in fact) to life!  THANK YOU LAURIE!

I asked Laurie if it was possible to include the children's names in the blocks with the prints and she DID IT!  I sent a listing of the names and a diagram of where each print was and she wrote each of the names with the print that goes with it.

The MOST IMPORTANT one!

I am sure this will be loved for many many years!

Little Helping Hands mean so much!

Right before Spring Break, I was in my usual rush of trying to get everything done or at least 25% of it. I was dropping my youngest off at school and he forgot his backpack at home but had his binder.  He did not wish to carry it, as usual,  and that is what I am for anyway... right?   A piece of paper kept being blown by the breeze and finally I opened up his binder to see what it was and my eyes went directly  to two words... BREAST CANCER!  My mouth dropped open and I had to stop to read what this paper actually said.  My little guy's teacher was diagnosed with breast cancer!  She was going to try to finish out the year but it was just not possible.  I could not imagine having to deal with breast cancer or any cancer for that matter. My father-in-law passed away from small cell lung cancer almost eleven years ago.  Over the years we have had too many people we know diagnosed with cancer.  CANCER SUCKS!

Back to my guy's teacher, I knew I had to do something.  She is practically those children's second mom.  She has them every single day for six and a half hours and not only teaches them but loves them.  Kindergarten teachers are special that way.  I wanted to do something that would let her feeled loved by her kids and a way for the kids to feel like they are helping her somehow.  I started playing with ideas and before I even came up with a concrete idea my dear friend Laurie Tigner volunteered to quilt it!  I am so amazed at the love I get from my quilty friends!

I had the idea that I would have blocks that had the outline of the children's hands but it was not really quite right...have I mentioned how much I LOVE instagram and facebook?  I made a couple of horrible samples, posted and then had great responses to help guide me...

I talked to the most AWESOME lady in the front office at the school, a cute sassy gal that always has a smile and something nice to say.  She was a huge help in organizing my effort  to make this quilt a reality!

We needed to wait until after Spring Break to get it organized so in that time, I chose the fabric and had to come up with an idea of what I was going to do with the blocks when I had them.  It had to be something colorful, not over the top childlike ( that is just not her) and something special, just like her!

I came up with what I think is the perfect quilt and was able to get it together in a very short time ( for me).

On April 8th I decided to use a Riley Blake Polka Dot Stitches by Lori Holt jelly roll my mom had sent to me for Christmas. Thanks Mom!

On April 9th is when I actually came up with the idea for the quilt and made a sample Irish Chain to see if it would work! And it DID!

Then I was hoping that my LQS had a Moda Bella Jelly Roll in white.  Sadly they did not but I remembered that I have an Accuquilt Go at home and that I had just purchased 4 yds of white from Bloomerie in the last solids sale!

By that afternoon I was ready to go!

By the end of The Voice Monday night I had sets started!

April 10th I started the morning out with a cup of coffee and some sewing

I met up with this cute guy and brought him lunch

Then I was helped out at the school by the lovely Ms.F getting all the kids hands traced. No absences that day which worked out perfectly.  The kids asked if we were making turkeys,LOL!  I cannot wait to show them the finished quilt.

by yesterday evening I had it all up on the board

and today...I FINISHED the quilt top!!!! I am so happy everything fell into place and so I will be able to have this in the mail to Laurie TOMORROW!

Look at all those sweet hands!!!!

Shared on 

Finish It Up Friday

Pineapple Princess quilt top

My mojo has stayed with me through the weekend and I could not be more pleased! I was able to finish the baby quilt top which I have named Pineapple Princess! It is Katy's favorite song and since this will be going to a precious bundle in San Diego it seems more than appropriate.

These stars were made using the fabulous Solstice Stars Series tutorials from Faith at Fresh Lemons.

I shot a photo since I was not sure I would be able to get one with the sashing on, the rains were coming!

We had a bit of a wind issue but that seems to always be the case :o)

As the skies were turning dark I was able to get one last shot before the rain started. It measures 46x46, the perfect baby on the floor and cuddling size!

I had a HUGE surprise on Saturday night when I found out that the AMAZINGLY talented Laurie of Laurie Tigner Designs will be doing the quilting for this quilt!!!!!  I could not be more excited!!!!!

Now I just have to figure out the back ;o)

I also saw this and had to share! Sara at Sew Sweetness has done a tutorial for this SUPER cute bag.  How can there be room for SO MUCH talent in such a tiny little person? Fantastic job Sara! Perfect Spring bag!!!

{ photo stolen from Sara}

I redrew the winner  for the giveaway and it is Jo from Warm Fuzzys !!!!! Congratulations Jo! I will be emailing you today or tomorrow to get your information!!!!!


Finally, I was able to sit down with the in house engineer and Visio and after much discussion on the differences of real math vs sewing math {apparently there are some concept differences}we were able to get the pattern completed for the View Master block so I will have that tutorial up THIS WEEK!!!!

Linked to {sadly the last week of}

Finish It Up Friday