Thursday 24 July 2008

Can't believe it !


I just can't - really !!!!


I'll start at the beginning. This year I have a big birthday. I will be 40 !! My best friend Jacqui who I met in primary school when I was 4 years old will obviously be 40 too . So I decided quite some time ago that this momentous occasion calls for a quilt - what else - lol ! She lives far away from me just now but we are still as close as we ever were. You know when you can just pick up a conversation months later as if you were just speaking that same day.


Anyway Jacqui is a Television producer and her husband is Chief Harbour master for one of the Scottish rivers so they are very well-off financially and thus I never quite know what to buy for them for Christmas etc as they have everything. Aha - except a quilt !!!



It struck me last week that if I don't want to be busting a gut a day before I need to post this quilt I should really get started . Just a few minor decisions of what fabrics to use, patterns and such - you know little details like that - lol. I have in my stash a small collection of beautiful batiks which are so lovely they come into the " too nice to cut " category. These were bought gradually over time and have been sitting patiently folded nicely and looking gorgeous. BUT seeing as she is my very best friend and I knew they are just her type of thing ( at least I sincerely hope so ) I actually cut them ! ! That's the bit I can't believe. Not quite as painful as I thought but a bit of a wrench nevertheless.. Only a quilter could understand this.


Because they are so luscious I didn't do anything too complicated to let the fabrics do the talking. What do you think ?









I have worked my socks off on this one and even when distracted by thoughts of other quilts and bags etc I carried on - ignoring the dust and other trivial matters - lol ! I have about 4 weeks to get this quilted, bound and labelled before it needs to be posted. Whats the betting I am still hand stitching the binding down the day before ? It has come out well I think. In real life the colours are much richer and vibrant. Should suit Jacqui down to the ground ! You see that fabric I used for the setting triangles - that was my most expensive fabric - it cost £11 ( $22 ) a metre.





Also this week I learned my pincushions had reached my partner. I was getting a bit concerned as I had not heard if they had arrived but there was some mix up over emails I think. I made 2 - Mr and Mrs. I hope Janell liked them.




Here also is the little gift bag I made for Patricks teacher. Patrick chose the fabrics. With a pair of gold earrings and a bit of wrapping paper it made a nice gift and Patrick said she loved it.






It's hot here today and I'm flagging with the heat. Summer is NOT my favourite time of year. If I have a spurt of energy later I may get my batik quilt basted and ready to quilt. Then again I may start something else - lol ! I'm thinking baskets........












42 comments:

Mar said...

The quilt is wonderful! It will be a treasured gift.

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh girl that is just gorgeous. Have you still not received that TY email?

Dionne said...

Your quilt is absolutely gorgeous! I LOVE batiks and know exactly how you feel about cutting... It's that first cut really. A bit bitter sweet.

On another note, the earrings your Patrick picked out for his teacher (bag was Wonderful by the way) they are exactly the same as a pair my husband bought me when we were just married. They matched the celtic design on our bands. He bought them whilst visiting his family in Falkirk.

I lost them in Arizona, US last year and have been devastated ever since. Could you direct me to where you purchased them. I can't replace the meaning behind those earrings, but I can purchase a new pair. I just haven't found any out here in the states.

Pat said...

What a beautiful gift you have made. I am sure that your friendwill treasure it always. She is very lucky.

May Kristin said...

That quilt is absolutely gorgeous!
I'm sure your friend will treasure it!

Doodlebug Gail said...

OMG - that's one beautiful quilt! Your friend will love it.

floribunda said...

I agree with everyone else -- it's a beautiful quilt!

Wendy said...

The batik quilt is stunning! It's going to be loved and treasured by your friend, with fond memories sewn in.

Ruth said...

That quilt is absolutely wonderful! It's MY colors! She will really treasure it. I love the chickens and the gift bag too. Is the bag made from 2 fat quarters?

sewkalico said...

Andrea! You are amazing and so productive. Oh, what a happy friend you'll have too with such a quilt!
Love the gift bag too.

Unknown said...

Oh Andrea - your batik quilt is just beautiful - you were absolutely right to let those fabrics do the talking - they don't just talk they sing in perfect harmony - simply luscious, I'm sure she'll love it and you'll get it finished no problems, for goodness sake you've still gt four weeks - that's an age!

Paula said...

I understand not wanting to cut into "special fabric". But, I know your friend will love it! It's really, really pretty. I just admire batik quilts, so beautiful. You did an outstanding job. Can't wait to see it quilted and bound!

Carolyn said...

What a beautiful quilt, I'm sure your friend will treasure it always!

andsewtosleep said...

Please can I be your best friend and 40 this year (in my dreams). What a lovely present and so beautifully made.
Well done
Mary

Unknown said...

I am sure she will be thrilled, the quilt is so beautiful, I think the pattern is just right for the fabric as you said not to complicated but yet great.

Teresa said...

The quilt is gorgeous! The pattern is one I had not seen before, but seems to perfectly suit those lovely fabrics. Nice job on the pin cushions and bag too. You sure do make super gifts!

Floss said...

I also have a collection of batiks that I think are too nice to cut, but after seeing your wonderful quilt think I might be brave enough to give it a go.

jovaliquilts said...

Wow, wow, wow! Your friend will love it, both because it's gorgeous and because you made it.

I do understand how hard it is to cut some fabric. I think it was worth it this time. :)

Joyce said...

I absolutely love the fabrics you have chosen. What a beautiful quilt. I'm sure she'll love it. Great chickens too.
Happy Birthday to you both.

Anonymous said...

The quilt is stunning! What a lovely gift, who wouldn't treasure it! Happy Birthday!!!

Calidore said...

Now if your friend doesn't like that quilt - I sure do...vbg. Seriously it is stunning and I'm sure she will love it. Those fabrics were just waiting for the right person and occasion to come along before they prompted you to cut them up.

So the big "4 0" is coming up. Been there, done that in January. Seriously it isn't all that scary. Now fifty - that might be another matter...vbg.

Frogdancer said...

I am so glad you posted those quilt photos. I have had a lovely blog-friend send me a whole heap of fabric (http://www.dancingwithfrogs.com/2008/07/16/the-skiting-post-thanks-laura/) when I was having a hard time, and I had no idea how I was going to use them to make a fabulous looking quilt. (I'm in the throes of making a quilt for my oldest son, and then I'll be onto the Laura fabrics.) This pattern looks so lovely, and extremely do-able.
By the way, the quilt I'm making for Jack was inspired by one of yours as well. Thanks so much for being so inventive and helping a new quilter to find her feet.

Kieny The Dutchlady said...

What a wonderful gift to make for your friend. I love the colours I think it's a beautiful quilt.

quiltmom anna said...

Andrea,
Your quilt is absolutely beautiful- I am sure your friend will love it- Batiks are my favorite fabrics to collect- the colors are always so rich and sumptious.'
what a lovely gift for your son's teacher- It is a thoughtful present that you made for her.
Regards from a Western Canadian Quilter,
Anna

Lynda said...

The batiks really sing, and the setting fabric was worth every penny!

Faith said...

Oh this is awesome I just typed in for UK bloggers and up you came lol.
This is so pretty your freind will be absolutely thrilled with this.

Deb A said...

Beautiful quilt! She is going to love it.

Ali Honey said...

A master piece in colour! Just think now those beauties are out of your cupboard and the world starts admiring them. They will now enjoy being admired by MANY. Lovely fabric - lovely quilt - lucky friend.

Be very proud that you did those treasured fabrics justice - enjoy being forty - I can almost remember what that was like LOL.

( PS almost all my fabric costs that much! _ $NZ of course may make it different )

Kim said...

I WANT this quilt! Truly, I do, but I know your friend would be very sad to miss out on it. Beautiful. Batiks really do speak up in the color department, don't they? I feel like I am cutting into a work of art each time I use Batiks and would really not care to make the wrong cut! The quilt design that you used is one of my favorites too.

The bag and earrings is a lovely gift and so well done as are those little chicken pincushions. I am happy to hear that they arrived safely.

Libby said...

The b-day quilt is beautiful - lucious! I bet she will love it.

Rose Marie said...

The quilt is stunning ..... so simple, yet what a beauty!

Quilter Kathy said...

Oh my goodness Andrea, I LOVE this quilt! I had a great time tonight looking at it as big as I could make it on my screen to see which fabrics I have. I have some of the setting triangle fabric and it is one of my favorites too!
I'm going to try and make one but in a miniature size.
Thanks for the inspiration (again!).
I'm sure your friend will think she's died and gone to heaven!

Made By Claire said...

The quilt is fabulous Andrea, I am sure she will love it. The bag looks great as well.

Anonymous said...

The quilt is beautiful! She will love it!

Chocolate Cat said...

That quilt is magnificant. What a wonderful present for a special friend. I am positive she will love it.

black bear cabin said...

that must of been some stash.....wow! the quilt is gorgeous! i just turned 40 last month, and plan to make my own quilt instead of waiting patiently for someone else to make it :)
your friend is very lucky!
cheers~
lisajo
p.s. and happy birthday early :)

Helen in the UK said...

Those batiks are gorgeous, I can see why you were reluctant to cut into them. But now you have, they have come together into a STUNNING quilt for your friend :)

Cheryl said...

What a wonderful quilt!!!! A very lucky friend and a great way to celebrate both your 40th birthdays. Beautiful earrings and "wrapping" for Patricks teacher.

meggie said...

Gasping at the lovliness of that quilt! It is better than jewels!
Lucky teacher too, nice gift.

meggie said...

Gasping at the lovliness of that quilt! It is better than jewels!
Lucky teacher too, nice gift.

Narelle said...

Your quilt is georgous and I adore your little chooks.

If you'd like to pay me a visit, I have something for you.

Kate North said...

Hey, me too (40 this year) - not til November, though - how about you?

Quilt looks gorgeous, by the way - wanna make me one for my 40th, LOL...