Warm Cool Quilt Along DONE, Finally~

A year and a half later, the warm cool quilt along quilt I made for a kiddo is finally done :).  The top has been done for quite some time- over a year, but the child requested a minty backing and it honestly scared me.  I had read so many posts about what nightmare minky was to baste and quilt that I put it off as long as possible!  I LOVE how it turned out, and the child likes it even more, so everyone is happy!!  I love these colors myself so it was very fun to make too!

 The minky was not near as bad as I had dreaded!  The quilt is between a twin and queen so the size is what had me so worried!  When I sandwiched the quilt, I taped it down to the floor really well!  With duct tape :)  Then I used an entire can of 505 to spray baste it- told ya I was really scared it would wiggle or move.  :)  hehe!  Then I got the batting and top situated with spray, and then added pins to have an extra extra good hold of that minky.  

 Once it was all situated, I took it to the sewing machine and got to work!  I decided to quilt it to mirror the diamonds made by the colors.  I love the simplicity of it!  You can sort of (if you look really hard) see the design on the back a photo down.  

 The quilting...  The minky is the softest I have ever felt, and it gives the quilt a wonderful weight.  I love a quilt that's just a drop on the heavy side!

 All rolled up and ready to give to a sweet kiddo!!  So after so long, it is wonderful to have it done and to be able to see it being used!  Makes a quilter happy :)

My first Handmade Swap:)!!

My first handmade swap was so fun! I was soooo nervous about making something for someone else and wanting them to like it sooooo much! I don't know if she likes it yet- I'll be mailing it soon, but the experience for me was a great one. And I love the bag! I am so going to make one similar for me!

I knew the person loved bright happy colors, so I went with tangerine and aqua- I mean, really, how can you not love those colors together!?! Makes ya smile just to see it! I pieced the back with 2.5" squares and a few rectangles too in a fun pattern. Love the look!

The handle is two tone- aqua on one side and tangerine on the other. But my favorite part HAS to be the embroidery!!!!!! I am a sucker for embroidery and especially original designs. When I found out my partner likes it too, well that was all it took to figure out the perfect thing for her! I wound up going with a simple crown outline I found and then giving it my own spin to make it mine. I think we all like crowns :) At least I do :). I added some sewing "jewels" to the crown of scissors, a needle, and a spool of thread. There is even a ruler at the bottom of the crown. I really like how it turned out! Like I said, my favorite part of the bag! And I off-centered the embroidery to give the bag a wonky, more fun personality!

The inside: well, you must have a cell phone pocket or it wouldn't be good :) hehe! So there is a happy aqua pocket, right there ready for a cell phone!

And a magnetic snap- WOW! My first one ever, and now I am hooked! They are so stinkin' easy and so perfect for a bag! They will be my new go-to item of choice :). Love it!

So there ya have it- my embroidered bag, all ready to go! I am so anxious to hear how my partner likes it. I stressed over it so much and really hope it makes her smile :)

I love it so much that I am sharing this over at Celebrate Color too :) What a beautiful and functional way to celebrate :)!! Hip, hip, hurray! :)