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...

My entry and confusion...

I'm linking up with Lynne's small blog meet today!

Been busy working on the RV, getting it ready for the first journey :) Planning more curtains and bed coverings, etc!! Still looking for that perfect, thick fabric :) Here's hoping - and within the budget! hehe!

Made an entry for the Moda Sliced competition- only to realize that I think I was an hour late because I got my time zones messed up!!! I have cried and cried!! Horrors! I NEVER mess them up- that's my hubby's job, and I always correct him. Unfortunately, when it counted, I got it all skee-wam-pust! So I am praying that the quilt fairies smile down on me and a miracle happens and I can be evaluated for the contest. If nothing else, I am praying that someone will at least tell me what they thought of my entry. I created BOOK END FRIENDS :) Quilted, cute, wood 2x8 filled book ends, with an adjustable strap to expand or decrease with the books they hold. Batting, Moda fabric, and a buckle were the required items. I couldn't think of anything ingenious to enter until hours before the end. Inspiration hit and I worked like a mad woman to finish. So we'll see what happens- there are some amazing entries!!

A picture many be worth a thousand words, but a book is definitely worth a thousand pictures! Thus the "worth 1000" and the teensy pieced Polaroid pictures. Very me!! Here are my book end friends :)

Have a marvelous weekend, filled with SUNSHINE!!!

My Find of the YEAR!

It started off as a regular thriftin day for me- a few cardigans and then a couple of pretty yellow pillowcases :) I must say that these yellows were extra bright and I love daisies, so they were happy finds- but hang on...

Then I found a matching sheet and two others that were also very pretty. I tend to go more with the bright, happy colors, not the more dull or "browner" colors. It's just what I am drawn to naturally. They make for happy quilts though :)
But then, as I came down the last rack of sheets, I almost fell in the floor. I saw the brightest, happiest colors ever. I had to check the tag, just to verify that it was vintage- I could hardly believe my eyes! This is so ME!! And I would have never dreamed of a sheet so wonderful in a billion years! I can imagine the little girl who would have loved it years and years ago! It was just WOW!! As I was ouuuu-ing and ahhh-ing over it, my eyes glanced up and saw ANOTHER identical sheet a few down! OH MY GOODNESS! REALLY??!!?? What a day! I grabbed them both and almost ran to the checkout to make sure no one swiped them out of my cart! :) I played it cool and casually walked to the checkout, but as I left the store I was humming a happy tune :)!! Here's one of them haning on my deck (that's half of it).

Here's some close-ups so you can see all the amazing details! It's seriously incredible! Maybe it's just me, but I am soooooooooo excited to cut up the big "scenes" and make the most slendifierous quilt from these! Oh, I can hardly wait (they are washing right now)!

A darling red head and her sweet purple deer- bunny and butterfly on the sidelines :) And love the koala in the tree :)

Look at all these animals!! EEEPPPPPP!! And even a couple of mushrooms too :) I still can't believe how cool it is- oh, the story it will tell in a quilt :)

Then this precious little boy blue and little girl- more animals (a snail even!)! The cuteness is killing me :) So fun! Carrots for the bunny too- even a turtle! A bird, clowers, racoon, and more!!

The trees, plants, the big deer, oh wow! The bluebird- just everything is so darn cute!

And lastly, this sweet little girl- she almost reminds me of Holly Hobby :) Love the frog behind her- sitting on his toadstool- see, cuteness all around!

Maybe I'm nuts, and that's ok, but I think this is my find of the year! It made my day and I am so excited to tell such a fun story with this print! What fun!!