Friday 24 August 2012

TGIFF is here

Welcome to Friday - not just any Friday but "TGIFF"!  I am so happy to be the host of the party this week and to be able to share my most recent finish with you!  But first - HELLO!  If this is your first time visiting my blog, WELCOME!  I hope you have a look around and come back soon [tomorrow there will be a giveaway announced]!

My finish this week is my completed Brit Quilt Swap 3 "Mini Quilt"!  Whoop whoop, it's done!


My secret partner stated that she like red and aqua, bright colours and also loved the work of Camille Roskelley (of Simplify).  So what did I do?  I went and bought the Thimble Blossoms Spool pattern and got to work!


I chose to use some Laura Gunn fabric and fussy cut a bird for one of the thread sections.  I also used some of my absolute favourite Joel Dewberry fabrics in the thread section too!  The wood plank fabric is Deb Strain 'Coming Home' and I think it works perfectly for the spool!  I decided to add a border of triangles because my secret partner had a lot of triangles in her inspiration mosaic.  I attempted something new - equilateral triangles - which were harder than I thought so only one strip was 'artistcially' added to the side!


Kona red borders were added and then I did some hand stitching and machine quilting to give the mini some visual detail. 
I made the needle to look like a gold eye embroidery needle!
Hanging corner
I enjoyed doing the hand stitching - it was a first for me.  I used some Perle cotton and embroidery floss that I had on hand along with some shiny blue thread used on the triangles in the 'artistic' border section.  This was my first time sewing 'in the ditch' (I stitched around the spool), so I actually managed to try lots of new techniques in the making of this 16" mini!  To finish it off I added hanging corners and Monaluna 'Sew Happy' pins as binding and despite the photo, the mini is actually nice and square.  I am so pleased it is now DONE and can be put in the mail!   

Fingers crossed my secret partner likes it - I've had a lot of fun making this for her as we seem to share the same taste in fabric and patterns!

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Now it is your turn to link up your own fabulous finishes!  Please remember to link back here to the TGIFF party so that your readers can join in the fun as well!  Be kind and visit the other linked-up finishes and spread some comment love!!   Thank you for coming along and sharing!




And guess what? This is one of my goals that I had listed for the 3rd Quarter Finish Along with Quilter in the Gap! This means I have completed one of my five - yay!

2012 Finish-A-Long

18 comments:

Beth said...

I love it Amy! The "artistically" added blue triangles were a great idea! And the hand stitching really adds something special.

Janice @ Better off Thread said...

It looks great and I bet your partner will be really happy! I love the fabric for the wood spool. I really like doing mini swaps, because it's such a great way to try new techniques!

Kristy QP said...

Love it! Bet your swap partner will be thrilled. The fussy cut bird is the perfect touch!

Laura said...

That's very very nice! I love the wooden fabric - really makes it look brilliant! Thanks for hosting!

Nic said...

Love the wood fabric - just perfect for the spool ends. I'm sure your partner will love it, it's lovely

Canadian Abroad said...

Amy, you did an amazing job on the mini. Love the hand stitched finish to it.

Charlotte said...

Amy, that is FANTASTIC!!!! I love the stitching detail - so clever! I am sure your partner will like it - how could they not?

Sarah Lou said...

It looks brilliant, I love the embroidery thread, it's a lovely touch. Well done! x

Gertie Pye said...

Ooooo especially love the hand stitching to look like needle & thread, and the extra row of triangles to offset it. I'm sure your swap partner will love it x

Di said...

Amy it is really beautiful. Your partner will love it. I'm so impressed you met your deadline too. Di x

Lucy | Charm About You said...

It's gorgeous! The hand stitching looks fab :)

MetroQuilter said...

I love all the details you've added on this. Lucky partner I say.

Cherie said...

Wow you sure know how to make a fun quilt! Awesome job, the stitching is so cool!
Yay I can actually link up today =D

MarneyMay said...

Lucky partner gorgeous block. I love the fussy cut Bird.

Pauline

Jeanette said...

Love the fussy cut blue bird-it looks like it's resting on a window ledge.

Liz DandeliondD said...

I really love your mini. Lucky partner (wish it was me but as I didn't say any of those things I don't think it is).

Kati from Kati's Quilting said...

Wow, your hand quilting really added to this block. I remember seeing it a few days back and I liked it a lot already. Now I just love it! Thanks for sharing, I linked up my finish to your linky party :)

Mrs A said...

Thats really lovely! I just popped over from the blog hop, nice to meet you and thanks for the linky party !