Here it is, the finished top to a baby quilt. I thought about keeping on going and making more of these 12" blocks, but I'm afraid I'll run out of that white fabric with yellow polka dots at an inopportune time.
I'm so excited that all the materials I used with the exception of the white polka dot material were all from my scrap pile. I love that as I look at each piece of fabric, it has a story of it's own. Some fabrics were from projects I gave away, sold, or that were given to me. Anyway, it's such a good feeling to whittle that monstrous pile down while making something useful. And since I have never made a quilt before, what's the next step? Probably making the back?
Next up, a first fruits salad (butter lettuce, banana peppers and red peppers) from my friend Becky's garden.
Some people may call me a freak of nature, but I practically begged Becky to let me come over and help her weed her garden yesterday morning. All you gardeners out there in blog land are making me freaking crazy with all your photos of gardens and fresh produce. I had to do something to work through the crazy thoughts I was having involving camouflage apparel, an alarm going off at midnight, and possible attack dog wounds! I was so excited to get over there yesterday that I woke up WAY early for our 7 am rendezvous and promptly walked out the door without my weed puller, gloves, or camera. Oh heck. Anyway, she greeted me with the best SAVORY breakfast (scrambled eggs topped with chunky bell peppers and tomatos, and seasoned baked home fries) I have had in a long time. After getting our bellies full, we weeded. Maybe I should say Becky weeded. She's a maniac. She worked circles around me. Forget the weed puller, she just got out her full size shovel! We weeded and talked and talked some more. When we were done and standing back admiring our work with the sprinkler going, it was a magical moment. Like that song that another friend brought to remembrance recently, "a peaceful, easy feeling". The birds started singing and a robin dropped down between the glistening plants and started hunting for worms. It's like he was just standing by waiting for us to finish so he could have his breakfast. Mmmmmm.
*EDIT*Hi All, I've had a couple people who have asked how I made the squares for this quilt top and here is the explanation I sent to them. To make the squares, I started out with the center trapezoid shaped fabric and added strips to each of the sides making sure to keep the edges of the strips at the same angle as the side it buts up to and just kept doing this with the fabric of choice until it was a little bigger than 12x12 and then squared it up. I don't know if I'm explaining this very well but since this is my first, I don't really know any quilting terminology except square up and bind. I'm quilt dumb! Anyway, hopefully that helps. You know, take a close up look at the first block I did and look at the seaming. Maybe having that visual and then my explanation will help.
Also, I could certainly do a quick tutorial with some photos if anyone is interested in that option, let me know!
Yummy post! Our garden needs weeding so badly. I love this quilt. It is so cute and your first quilt is a super success.
Posted by: Nanette | 29 June 2008 at 03:26 PM
i love how this quilt turned out! so light and fun. do you plan to quilt it yourself? how fun to finish your first quilt!
Posted by: erica | 29 June 2008 at 03:32 PM
Hi Penny,
LOVE love love your quilt!!! How did you make your squares? I love the look you did.
Lovely fruit salad, sounds like the best day ever!
Jenn
Posted by: jenn | 29 June 2008 at 06:27 PM
Pretty, pretty quilt!! I love it :)
Posted by: wendy | 29 June 2008 at 11:25 PM
yep...the quilt top looks gorgeous...I want to know how you did those squares too...I have a couple of quilts to make and am trying to decide how to do them...gorgeous
Posted by: annieb | 30 June 2008 at 07:38 AM
Love this quilt! Such fun and fresh colors and I love the square shapes. I have to get quilting again soon.
Posted by: Marie | 30 June 2008 at 09:12 AM
Penny...that quilt turned out amazing. I can't wait to see what you do with the back!
Oh...and butter lettuce...it is the BEST!!!!
Posted by: Stacey | 30 June 2008 at 09:37 AM
The quilt looks awesome! Like you, I am so "quilt dumb" but honestly, I've never been really interested in them as much as say clothes, hehehe! I like how the shape (trapezoids) is non-traditional, makes it sort of edgy, lol!
Posted by: alpa | 30 June 2008 at 11:58 AM
your quilt is just beautiful!
Posted by: jessica | 30 June 2008 at 12:25 PM
That salad look so refreshing.
I love the quilt blocks too. That's a fun pattern and it turned out beautifully.
Posted by: Lisa | 30 June 2008 at 04:36 PM
Love your quilt Penny, wanna come and weed my garden ??
Sarah x
Posted by: sarah | 01 July 2008 at 04:18 AM
Um. Ok. So your KILLING me with the cuteness of this quilt! I have been wanting to make a wonky log cabin for awhile but am intimidated by the process. Sew. Cut. Sew. Cut. . . This one is FABULOUS!
Posted by: dana | 02 July 2008 at 07:10 AM
That baby quilt top is cute as can be! Lucky you that you have a friend to weed with -- I'd love that!
Posted by: thimbleanna | 02 July 2008 at 12:31 PM
That is a beautiful quilt! (I read the post title too fast and thought the name of your quilt was "fruit salad" - which, actually, is a cute name for a quilt, dontcha think? ;))
for someone who is quilt dumb you certainly did a great job. I love it!
Posted by: Crystal | 02 July 2008 at 02:38 PM
Penny! The salad looks better than from a restaraunt!!! I will email you the pics from our gardening adventure. And your pie looks incredible! I think I might make it for the 4th tomorrow!! How fun! Love ya girl!
Posted by: Becky | 03 July 2008 at 02:31 PM