The mini that didn't get sent...

The Doll Quilt Swap was a wonderful experience- I must show you the amazing mini I got from my dear swap Mama!  It was such a great surprise and totally me!! That's for the next post... But the mini that my partner was not too hot about (Try #1) is something that I LOVE and IS totally me!  So I had to finish it :).  It measures 20 1/2" across and is circular!  I was brave and went for it- and am very pleased with how it turned out!  I was so stressed about the binding coming out wacky, but it is absolutely perfect- hip hip hooray!

 The design came completely from my brain and I didn't have any idea how I would make it come to life, but I did, and surprised myself. :)  It makes me happy on days like that. So here it is all done and ready to hang.  I call it Crazy Love!  It was my crazy idea and I love that I got it to happen!  And what's not to love about a spiraling rainbow??!!  

 I hand embroidered the rainbow spiral in the center hexie, and then quilted a billion pebbles all over it! It took for-ev-eh, but I love the look and texture of it and how it just blends into the quilt.  Just to give an idea of size, the small squares are 3/4". It was so fun to piece and get all the text going the right way in each section.  I'd love to make tons of these in all sorts of colors and designs- that is now on the never ending list of projects :)  For right now, I just look at this one and smile!

DQS13 Complete and sent...

It's ready and off in the mail.  My secret partner should receive it today- oh, how I hope she like it!!  After trying two other things, this one stuck and I so hope that it's her style!!  She has some grandkiddos that I thought would love this too.  It's called the Balloon Tree.  The balloons were for sale until the peddler realized there was a tree with balloons growing on them.  Then he made them all free to share the love and joy!  What an awesome guy!  How I wish we could all be so kind and generous :)  The 1" flower, standing proud and strong next to his balloon tree, is one of my favorite parts.

 The balloon cart and escaping balloon- it's yellow to represent the sun that's shining in the sky. Who knows what adventure it will be going on :)

 The awesome tree- complete with squirrel and acorns even!

 The entire mini quilt- measuring 17x20".

 Some fun views...

 The quilting- 12 hours worth... enough said.  I really stretched myself and tried new things.  I love how it turned out!

So I'm crossing my fingers that it is well loved.  It was made with a lot of love and hard work!  And now, whenever I see a tree or a balloon, I will think of the whimsical Balloon Tree and smile :)

DQS13 Coming Along

Since my last post, my design has had to totally shift.  After watching things my secret partner liked and commented on, I realized that my modern spirals (that I loved) was not quite her thing.  So sad, but very glad I realized it.  She seemed to be more into "sweet and cute" ideas so I had to come up with something new. I thought and thought and stressed and stressed!  I finally came up with a carousel.  

 As much as I loved it, it just wasn't hitting me :)  But a little part, in the corner of the drawing, was!  The balloon cart- I loved it and so that became the center point of the new quilt!  It took lots of appliqué and piecing hours to get it to this point.  Here it is at the almost quilting stage.

The mini measures 17x20 inches.  There is a run away balloon in the top corner, and a tiny flower by the "special" tree.  The cart is still my favorite part.  Got the back made and then on to quilting...

 I spent almost a full 12 hours on quilting alone.  I so hope the recipient loves it!  Here is the breeze that's carrying off the balloon and one of the clouds quilted.

 And the grass and tree in progress of quilting!

And then the back (with label) once the quilting was done in the wee hours last night. It's the most intricate quilting I've ever done.  It was full of new tries and techniques, and I am very happy with how it turned out.  Now to get a binding on, and off to it's new home!  Now I am so stressed waiting to see if my secret partner likes it :)  Crossing fingers...