Making something special

I am always amazed at how time goes by. Everyday, I think to myself- what did I really accomplish today? I have taken my new found initiative to finish things up with my quilting and applied it to my life overall. I have cleaned out boxes and stacks of paper work from all over. In the midst of all of it I have finished three quilts and started six more! I even took apart my quilt that I featured earlier and re-quilted it (It's one of the three that I finished). I spend a lot of time at my sewing machine, though I am not always quilting, I find that it is a comforting place to think and ponder.

I made a commitment at the beginning of the year to clean out all my projects and fabric stash. I have been very busy since my last post (almost two months ago). Here is what I finished, worked on, and started (even re-started!)

I finished up one of my favorite things I have ever done. I started with something pretty basic, that I started almost three years ago. I found it in my stash, and decided to see what I could make of it. I quilted it pretty simply, but it turned out pretty sweet! The top was simple, but I didn't really know what would make this special. Then I came across a great idea and I had to try! It was a semi-applique flower pattern. I cut out the petals and 'applique'd' them to a darker fabric.

I then took the petals and quilted them on to the top -->
I quilted a pattern that looked like the way the petals creased. I added a yellow center for contrast, but used the same idea with the layering two fabrics.




<--This is what the top looked like after I had all the petals placed. It took a pretty plain basic top and turned it dynamic. I added the binding (I used the same dark fabric from behind the pink petals.


I used a white fabric on the back-->
After the quilting of the squares and the placement of the flowers, the back is just as interesting as the top.

It was such an easy fix and super easy way to jazz it up. I ended up hanging it up in my kitchen (where my work space is) and it looks great!

I started a T-Shirt quilt for my sister. She is going to college in the fall, and I am going to make a 'scrapy' T-Shirt quilt and use this technique with a couple of the shirt screens. I am really excited about this quilt, but I am having a hard time starting it. I have all the shirts cut, fused, and trimmed.  I just don't know where to go next. I tried a couple patterns today to go around the logos, but I couldn't commit to anything. I still have time, but that's all I have for now. Have a great weekend!