Splash...

This is a last minute finish before I leave for a quilting retreat tomorrow (yeah for me!).  The pattern is from a Debbie Caffrey mystery that my quilt bee did 2 or 3 years ago.  I remember picking fabrics that were out of my comfort zone because I wanted to try something a little different.  And I loved how the top turned out when I was finished.

Splash - Formerly known as H2O

The quilting of this top though has been an exercise in frustration.  I picked a bubble pantograph for it that I thought would be perfect to go with the fabrics in the top.  However, I never considered how difficult it is to quilt a perfect circle - let alone 1,000 of them!

Double Bubble Pantograph by Urban Elementz

I had to force myself to quilt each row.  But I'd tell myself that if I made one pass, then I could work on something else for a while.  Little by little, it got quilted.  And with practice, my circles got a little less oval-like and more round, but they're by no means perfect. 

I'll also admit, now that it's off the frame and done, the quilting looks better than I was expecting.  From a galloping horse, it looks down right good!

I printed out a simple label for this one, fused it to the back and stitched around it with invisible thread.  I do believe it's important to label all your quilts, but I was just ready to be done with this one.

Label for the back of the quilt.

So, here are the stats for this quilt:

• Size: 59" x 73"
• Fabrics: all of them are from JoAnn's
• Batting: Warm &White
• Thread: Guterman (piecing), Superior Threads White for quilting
• Pattern: Debbie Caffrey mystery
• Quilting: Double Bubble  from Urban Elementz (13 passes, 5 bobbins)
• Started: 2008?
• Completed: October 9, 2011
• Recipient: Holding on to it for now 

So this is another of the long standing UFO's that I've finally finished.  Next to go on the frame will be a JoAnn's BOM that I finished making in June of 2009!

I'm off all this week on a quilting retreat in Williamsburg so I definitely won't be posting until I get back.  But I hope all of you out there have a wonderful and really blessed week!

Until later...

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  

Ephesians 3:16–17 (NIV)

Checking in...

Not a lot of quilting going on here right now.  Mr. Quilting Bug is on vacation and we're in the process of renovating the master bedroom and closet.

Installing a new closet system

Does anyone else out there use all of their vacations for home improvement projects?  I really can't remember the last time we actually went on vacation together.  Of course, we enjoy these types of projects and staycations in general.  Plus, with 5 pets, it's just easier all around to be at home.

The cats are really enjoying all of the activity. Especially the drawers full of clothes lying on the bed.  Jack is in the drawer and you can just see David sleeping in the background...

Our little helpers

I've managed to snatch a few moments here and there to work on some quilty things.  I loaded another quilt on the frame.  I'm tentatively calling this one H20.  It's a Debbie Caffrey mystery quilt from a couple/few years ago...

Current quilt in progress

And I finished all of the Dresden Plates for a Christmas Table Topper.  I'm calling this one Festvities...

Festivities Table Topper

Thanks to some good advice, I used invisible thread and a small blanket stitch to attach the Dresden Plates to the background...

Blanket Stitch around the edges

It's at this point (when the top is done) that I start debating myself concerning how to quilt it.  On one hand, I'd like to do something simple and move on to the next project.  On the other hand, I plan to use this for years and years and am considering something more elaborate (like trapunto and feathers).  It will take a lot longer, but once it's done, I'll probably be glad I spent the extra time on it.  What about you?  How do you decide how to quilt something?

In any case, I have some time to think about it.  I need to finish organizing the closet tomorrow and then we have to get started sanding the bedroom walls.  Yep, that's right, I said sanding.  About 8 or 9 years ago we put Venetian Plaster in the bedroom.  Now that we want to get rid of it, it means all of the walls have to be sanded smooth before we can paint.  And after 7 different paint samples, we've finally decided on the paint color.  Wish us luck!

Until later...

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. 

Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)