I was so happy that all of my little quilts sold for the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative, that it inspired me to make more. When I saw "The Happy Couple" that Brooke Nolan designed for the Attic Needlework annual breast cancer research auction, I fell in love with it. Just the sweetest celebration of the young, and albeit white-haired, George and Martha. Then when Brooke offered it for free on her site, I grabbed it and started stitching immediately, knowing this was a perfect piece for a little quilt. I loved stitching this on a 32 count hand-dyed evenweave fabric I had in my stash, just DMC, no beads. But there was a reluctance to do the finishing since I really wanted to preserve the circle and do some hand-embroidered seam treatment. I was afraid I would ruin it in trying that! Luckily, that part worked out reasonably well. I used a feather stitch and colonial knot combination for the seam treatment. Circle is a bit wonky, but I never expected perfection on that score.
I had also taken a chance on ordering a walking foot for my ancient Singer sewing machine. It was a third-party generic foot that was at a good price, so I figured I wouldn't be out much money if it didn't work. Turned out to work like a charm and did make the sewing a little easier. Not a perfect finish, but I am pretty happy with the result.
I used the same technique for the label as I did for the "Tortoise and Hare" quilt. Simple and effective. I love having a little touch of embroidery.
The World of Charity Stitching group decided to do an 'Encouraging Words" quilt for a Sandy Hook Survivor. I picked this ornament from the JCS 2011 ornament issue, changing the word from "Joy" to "Hugs". The designer is Little by Little Designs, Inc. I've become quite a fan of that choclate blueberry color combo.
A super surprise package arrived in the mail from Michelle. She spoiled me with an adorable snowman ornament, a sweet pin pillow, a beautiful piece of raspberry-colored fabric, a couple of nice picture-frame insert cards and the most beautiful counting pins ever! Thank you so much, Michelle. I love it all!
Best wishes for a safe, healthy and happy New Year everyone!
28 comments:
What a darling quilty finish! I love it! Perfection in color combos and that sweet seam adornment :)
What a sweet surprise from Michelle!
I love, love, LOVE your quilt finish! It turned out gorgeous. :)
So beautifful couple!!I love it!!
Wow, what a beautiful finish! I think it's pretty perfect myself. Love it!
What a beautiful quilt, George and Martha are so handsome! I like the ornament design, too, very nice!
Indeed a lovely design.
And you finished it off so lovely.
really great job.
You next piece also a wonderfull one
ou got a lovely gift!!
Enjoy it !!
Yes!! I have George and Martha printed off to make some day. Love, love, love it!! What a great idea "HUGS" is.
You did a great job on both the stitching and finishing.
I love George and Martha! Good job on the quilt, too. Doesn't a walking foot work like magic?
Wow your happy couple quilt is beautifully stitched and finished!!!!
Everything looks just fantastic!
Happy New Year!
I love the circle, the stitching is the perfect finishing detail.
Wow, that turned out amazing! I love they way you finished it.
oh! lovely stitching! I love those colors :)
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!!
hugs&smiles
Lovely finish on the Happy Couple. I must admit, I'm fond of the blueberry chocolate combo too! Such a sweet surprise package from Michelle as well.
Happy New Year!
Annie, that quilt is ADORABLE!! I just love it, and you finished it so nicely. Love the Hugs piece, too. Lovely gift from Michelle!
Wishing you a very happy new year!
Oh my goodness - love how you stitched and finished that Brooke's freebie! I've saved a copy, too. ;) Wonderful stitching and finishing all around. Best wishes for a wonderful New Year!!
The mini quilt is just perfect. Great job!
'The Happy Couple" is wonderful, and such a nice finish Annie! Love how you did the tag on the back. Your HUG piece for WOCS is very cute, and I like the colours too. Happy Stitching and Happy New Year too! :)
Happy Couple is such a cute piece and I love the way you finished it!
I'm so happy that you like the gift - it was a pleasure to send it :)
Happy New Year!
Your little quilt finish is so darling.
A happy new year to you, too.
The Happy Couple is lovely Annie, I really love the circular finishing. I have found the walking foot makes a big difference too. Your gifts are fantastic, especially that sweet little snowman. Happy New Year and all good wishes for 2013!
Your circle finishing makes the Happy Couple look even happier, Annie!! What a wonderful contribution to the AAQI!! I'm so impressed with your willingness to try "hard" finishing techniques like circles and such. I need to get braver and attempt something beyond a straight line :)
The contribution to the Sandy Hook quilt will surely be appreciated. And your gift from Michelle is just wonderful--love that little snowman :)
Wishing you a happy and healthy New Year, my friend!
Your Happy Couple quilt is lovely. Happy New Year to you.
It's such a lovely design and you're getting wonderfully creative in finishing these little quilts!!
Wishing you a Happy New Year!
Kirsten
Simply beautiful!
Happy New Year & best wishes for 2013!
SUPER darling little quilt! It's always amazing how many details you put in the finishing on a project. I think the change to the ornament design works well too. That sounds like it's going to be so amazing when it's all done!
Beautifully finished Annie! Love the colours you used for the quilt since it matches the design perfectly!! Such sweet gifts from Michelle!!
What a lovely way to finish the happy couple! It looks amazing! You say the circle is a little wonky, but it looks nice to me. I like circles, just that mine look more like octagons or similar figures lol I got a circle cutter, just have to wait for my little bro to mail it to me.
What a nice surprise from Michelle!!! Love the pins ;)
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