XOXO Quilt - 100 Quilts for Kids

Finally.  A Finish.  It feels really great to have finished something and even better knowing that it is for a good cause too!

Meet the XOXO Quilt.  So named for the obvious X's and the little "O's" in the white blocks between them.

I kept the back simple and really love how the quilting shows off so well on the back.  I have been fascinated by broadcloth quilting recently and after I finished my quilting I turned this over and thought it has a modern broadcloth look to it.  How cool!

Front Closeup

Back Quilting Detail

For the wide border I decided to practice my FMQ and just did a few wavy lines and loops.  I think it adds some fun to the otherwise linear quilting and I had a lot of fun playing around with it.

Love this shot of the XOXO Chillin.

quilt stats [<-- I've wanted to do that since I started blogging!!!]
size = 46" x 46"
fabric = Soul Blossom by Amy Butler, Nicey Jane by Heather Bailey, Garden Party by Anna Maria Horner
pattern = x layout inspired by Tula Pink's Kiss Kiss, I saw one image of it and then improv'd the rest
binding = fold-over, a first for me!, if I do it again will fold from front to back as opposed to back to front as I did this time
quilting = by yours truly an off the top of my head design


100 Quilts for Kids Donation
Having just recently moved here from Brooklyn I had no idea where I was going to donate this quilt.  As a former juvenile delinquency prosecutor in NYC I know of a ton of charities where this quilt would be happily received in Brooklyn...but in some  my new home is in even more need of charitable TLC because there is so much less attention focused on the less fortunate in these back woods areas.  So, I was really hoping to find someone to help me locate a family to give the quilt to.


Fortunately, last weekend I was at the annual Apple Festival in neighboring Busti, NY where I noticed a stall with a handwritten sign stating that all proceeds would go to the Children in our County.  Being the big mouth that I am I walked right up and asked if they would be interested in a quilt donation and be able to find a local home that would need a quilt for a child.  They were so thrilled in my interest in their dedication to local children that they asked me to come to a meeting and speak about the quilt donation!  It was only later when I looked up the group online, Kiwanis International, that I learned that it is an international organization that works on behalf of children...what luck is that?!  I feel a bit silly being a "guest speaker" but it could be an amazing opportunity to find other people who might want to contribute to the quilt drive in the coming year!

Linking up to Swim, Bike, Quilt!  If you have a quilt you are contributing to 100 Quilts for Kids don't forget to link up between Sept 28-30 to be considered for the special prizes!  Go check it out...

- rebecca lynne

Winner!

Hahahhaaa...for a second there I bet some of you thought you missed a giveaway didn't you.  Psych!

No, actually I am the winner.  I am ashamed that it has taken me so long to write this post so my apologies to Keera at Live Love Sew!  Keera (and it sounds like her peanut gallery weighed in as well...) chose my name Candy Wheels for her new and FIRST pattern!

As the winner I will be receiving a free copy of the pattern from Keera.  I am completely flattered that they liked my name!  How cool is that?

Congrats on the new pattern again Keera and Thanks!  Candy Wheels will be available soon but please take a moment to visit her site and check out the photos of it in anticipation of its official release!

And for a little candy of my own...eye candy that is...  Here is my finished Quilt Top for 100 Quilts for Kids!  I also finished the back tonight and hope to be quilting this up as soon as possible!

What are you up to this weekend?

- rebecca lynne

Progress Makes Me... [WIP Wednesday September 21, 2011]

...do a little dance, make a little love...  I am so thrilled that I've made some significant progress on my Sunday Sewing Goals!  Pat this sistah on the back!  And I've finished some other non-sewing projects as well.

Unfortunately, a direct result of my being so busy sewing is that I don't have lots of photos to share.  Plus, it was raining so no outdoor shots of quilt tops.  Boo.  But I did manage to snap a few!

Progress I've Made...
Across the Sea Quilt: Top Complete, Back mostly cut
Jennifer of Ellison Lane Quilts wrote that the scrappy border really pulled together this pattern's top.  I was skeptical and have avoided scrappy borders and bindings in the past, but, after putting this one together I have to say that she was right!  It really does pull it together.  The border really added something to my top and I'm very happy with it!

100 Quilts for Kids: Top Sewn, debating border on Top

Finished the top for this quilt minus the border.  I want to iron and measure it out and decide whether I want to add a border.  I think it would be a nice frame...but I would have the same result with a scrappy binding so it is all about the math now.  No photo of the finished top, but here is the layout pic to refresh your memory.

Autumn Tunic: Fabric Chosen, Pattern Printed

I saw this Autumn Tunic on Luvinthemommyhood earlier today and knew I had to make one for Miss E.  The orange just screams her!  Unfortunately the original pattern calls for 1 yard of fabric...and I don't have a solid yard of orange that is appropriate.  So I am going to improvise with the 4 FQs of the orange colorway I have from the Amy Butler's Soul Blossom Collection.  [Wow, this whole post is Soul Blossom isn't it...ha!]  Thinking of doing a border on the sleeves and shirt bottom to make up the missing yardage...

In Other News...

One Wedding Lush Cluster Order completed.  Another one in progress.  Lots and lots of earrings...I'll try to take some photos to share with you.  Great gifts for the holidays!

My Celebrate Color Hood was such a huge hit!  Thank you all for your compliments and encouragement.  To be completely honest, I was a bit nervous to post it because the first morning I wore it to walk Portia the Mr. bust out laughing.  Great support system I have going here...  

My Jedi is currently in bed but has loved all the attention he's gotten specifically via Facebook regarding his photo.  I'm also happy to report that my Hooded Scarf was so popular that I have been commissioned by two friends to create one for them.  Luckily, I can knit during the day with the girls and have already gotten started!  If anyone is interested in the measurements or a tute about the scarf please let me know - I'll happily share and intend to post on Ravelry when I have a moment.

There is no linky party today via Freshly Pieced...but I'd love to know what you are all doing anyway.  Leave me a message so I can pop on over and check it out!

- rebecca lynne

A Twofer Across the Sea QAL & 100 Quilts for Kids

It feels like eons ago that I announced that I was going to join the Across the Sea QAL.  Well, I have been coming along with the QAL pretty well! Am I completely caught up?  Nooooooooo...but close, oh so close.  Here is the layout for the top of my quilt, sans scrappy border...

I am very happy with how fresh and bright it turned out.  But, I am considering Helen's suggestion of switching up the last row a bit to break up the pink and blue there.  Of course, the whole thing has fallen off my design wall (which I had backwards?) so maybe it is going to end up random now!

I loved working with the Soul Blossoms Collection so much that it inspired me to start another quick quilt.  I have been intending to make a donation quilt for 100 Quilts for Kids but wasn't sure if I wanted to use  a project that has been lingering or whether to start something new.  When everyone started buying charm packs for donation I thought of doing that...but honestly I don't need more fabric.  Then it struck me that I had all of this beautiful fabric leftover and what bright vibrant fabric it is!  So I challenged myself to come up with a design limited to this palette.  

This is what I came up with:

Top Layout

Detail of X

Isn't it so cute?!???  Be honest, what do you think?  It is inspired by a photo of Tula Pink's pattern Kiss Kiss that I saw here.  I didn't buy the pattern [sorry Tula Pink] I just sort of winged it.  I intend to fill the gaps with white and once I finish the border on the Across the Sea Quilt I want to add a scrappy border for this one too...to give it a bit of width. It should be close to 42" x 42"all finished.

Are you working on any donation quilts?  If so did you set any challenges for yourself or are you just doing whatever inspires you in the moment?

Linking up to {Sew} Modern Monday at Canoe Ridge Creations!  Hope you all will stop in and visit the linky party...

- rebecca lynne