Wednesday 31 December 2008

Onto plan C




A few months ago my Mum asked if I would make her a lap-sized quilt for her living room to throw on the back of the sofa. I have already made her one which she loves but she has changed her colour scheme slightly and thought a new one would go better. She asked for green and cream - that's it - no other colours. Now as I am a scrappy quilter at heart I thought it may be a challenge. So that was her Christmas present sorted I thought.
Anyway as I had been feeling so rough with this wretched flu I was very behind on lots of things ( after 4 weeks the bloody bug is still lingering around - I can't seem to shake it off completely ). Time was moving on and so I needed a simple pattern if I had any chance of getting this done in time to give my Mum for Christmas. I decided a simple chequerboard may be just the job and so cut loads of 2 inch strips in lots of different greens. Lots of soft florals - nothing too bright. Off I went. After a few blocks I knew this was going to be possibly the most boring quilt in living history - bland, bland, bland. See what I mean. . . .This photo actually makes it look better than it really is - lol !



So onto plan B. Which was ? erm no plan B. So I made a few 9 patches hoping for inspiration.



Then added a bit more






then a bit more. This is actually a nice forest green but is showing up very dark here.





Things were starting to come together. I remembered a nice piece of green in my stash that went from light to dark across the width. Yes I liked it.





I didn't have a lot of anything suitable for borders and a quick trip tp my fabric shop came up with nothing. I had a green which would have gone but it just was too much dark and I went with the lighter option. Once borders were on the quilt just started crying out for some applique to zaz it up a bit.







Here's where I ran out of time and admitted to myself that there was no way this was going to get done it time. I decided to finish this after Christmas without rushing and making a bad job of it and so I moved onto plan C. This involved me frantically hand quilting a cushion ( pillow ) on Christmas Eve so my Mum would have something hand-made to go along with the other gifts I bought her. In my rush I forgot to take a photo but the cushion was lovely - pretty green hearts in a circle and hand quilted background. Mum liked it and is waiting patiently for her quilt to be finished.


On Monday I will be putting my swap packages in the post. These too are a bit late but as they are private swaps and Fiona and Carolyn have been so nice about it - it's not the end of the world. Something to look forward to in January at least.


In between other stuff I managed to make this little Santa from a pattern from a friend.





All my decorations have gone away now but I'll leave him out a while longer. Once Christmas is gone ( which was great despite us all feeling rubbish ) I can't bear the decorations out for too long gathering dust. My Mum always tells me I should wait til 12th night to take them down or I'll have bad luck for the coming year. So Santa will hopefully ward off any heading my way - lol !


To try and get my sewing motivation back in I am planning Bonnies new mystery quilt. She is hopefully posting the first clue today so I am off to check if it's there yet. With the time difference I may not get very far today but I am very excited about this.


Just remains to wish you all a wonderful 2009 and to thank you all for continuing to visit my blog and being such all-round lovely people.

Happy New Year !!!!!!

27 comments:

Rhonda said...

For a rush job....you did a great job! You sound like me...Plan A, B, C, D....I usually get going around Plan O....LOL....Take care and have a great New Year!

Gene Black said...

I love the new version of the quilt. Mum should be very happy with it.

Gail said...

The quilt will be lovely when finished! I hope you feel better soon, I was beginning to worry about You!

sewkalico said...

Happy New year to you and yours- do hope it's healthier!! (BTW, hope you don't mind, but I called you a cheeky name on my blog LOL)

Rose Marie said...

I like what you've done with Plan B and it just proves that if your first thought isn't right, change it around a bit. I wonder, though, what your original idea would have been like with applique in the borders? Hope that you feel better soon.

Anonymous said...

Hi Andrea and Happy New Year to you. Your plan B quilt is looking very nice. Your Mum will be pleased I'm sure.
Glad you are feeling better after the bout of flu. It's a bad strain, I picked it up at the end of August and was still coughing up til a month ago. It's a worldwide thing. It will get better. Cheers for now
Jenny

Lynda said...

I felt your pain at being asked for a green and cream quilt. Earlier this year I was asked for a yellow and green quilt, which took some making. I didn't make it as good as yours though. You've made a fabulous job of it, and so wise to leave well alone rather than rush it. Happy New Year to you!

Boyett-Brinkley said...

I think your quilt is lovely and you were right to wait until after Christmas to finish -- that way you will feel better and you will do a proper job of it. I am sure your mother will be absolutely thrilled -- I would be! Hope that bug lets go of you soon! Happy New Year!

Unknown said...

Happy New Year to you. The quilt will be wonderful.

Anonymous said...

I think you have done a great job, as with all your quilts. Have a great 2009.

Red Geranium Cottage said...

Great quilt! I hope the nasty flu is gone and your feeling well again.
Happy New Year

Quilts And Pieces said...

Sorry to hear you are having such a terrible time shaking that flu. That really stinks. But your lap quilt for your mom is turning out really nice!

dot said...

A very nice quilt. I am sure your mom will love it.

Libby said...

I like plan B a lot, but plan A doesn't seem so bad either, although as you said maybe it's just the picture ;) Will plan A go on the back?

Good luck at finally getting healthy!

Quilter Kathy said...

Happy New Year!
Are you starting the Double Delight mystery!??!
It's just what the Doctor ordered!

Ozjane said...

Clever lady...love plan C
Fortunate Mother.

Teresa said...

I am so impressed with out that quilt evolved and am looking forward to seeing the applique you chose to finish it off. You did great in getting a hand quilted pillow done in one evening!

Floss said...

I think your plan C is looking great and that your mum will love it. I was planning on putting up my Christmas decoration, but only got as far as moving them from the storage room to the hallways, so putting them away was quick :)

julieQ said...

It is very pretty! I have a few projects that I have had to wait on until after the holidays. I am also doing Bonnie's mystery quilt! Lots of square in a squares, huh??

julieQ said...

It is very pretty! I have a few projects that I have had to wait on until after the holidays. I am also doing Bonnie's mystery quilt! Lots of square in a squares, huh??

meggie said...

Hope you are feeling much better Andrea.
Hope 2009 will hold wonderful things for you, & good health.
Hugs XX

Love your mother's quilt!

Colleen formerly of South Africa said...

The quilt is wonderful. I love what you added.

Anonymous said...

mums lap quilt is great, hope you feel better soon

have a great 2009

jovaliquilts said...

Your new quilt is so nice -- love that green that changes color. So much fun to watch your ideas develop!

Kieny The Dutchlady said...

I think you came up with the right solution for that quilt.

Angela said...

I hope you feel better soon, your Mum's quilt is very pretty!

Kate North said...

The whole 12th night thing is a purely English (or perhaps British!) tradition - we never did that in the US - my mother's tradition was to undecorate (dedecorate?) on New Year's Day - a tradition I am glad to carry on, as I am so tired of all the extra stuff by then - and isn't it nice to get your living room back and have it seem larger for the next 3 weeks!