Monday, June 3, 2013

An ABC Quilt : :

bridge

Last week I had shared my big plans to finish up my ABC Quilt by this past Friday night, since I was leaving early Saturday to attend the baby shower in Philadelphia. I wasn't sure if it was possible then, but I was willing to do just about anything to make it happen! I can't believe my quilt plans were shared here just a little more than two weeks ago! My brother and his wife, who are expecting in September, had come for a weekend visit in early May and had mentioned that they thought an Alphabet quilt would be nice for the baby, but that they hadn't found any they really liked enough to register for. I was excited right away about the idea of an ABC quilt and so we decided it would be my gift. That week I was super busy will lots of Birthday Crown orders, so I hadn't gotten the chance until several days later to pull the fabrics and draw up my rough sketch. I took lots of pictures to share here that day, and then the next day I was surprised with little Miss Penelope! Who, in all sorts of wonderful and exhausting ways, has completely taken over any pre-Penelope plans I had. So, up until last Tuesday I had just fifteen blocks for this quilt finished! This meant that from last Tuesday-Friday, I would need to make fifteen more blocks (the first fifteen took me two weeks), quilt them all, make all my letter appliques, applique them all, piece my quilt top, make the backing, baste, finish the quilting, make the binding, and bind! All with time to spare to take my photos for sharing here today and as a tutorial I'm really excited to put together later this month!

I can't even tell you how thrilled I am to have finished!!

ABC Quilt for Baby Hensel

Having such limited time nudged me into doing some things that I otherwise would have never done that turned out to be so wonderful! Like quilting outside while the kids played in the sprinkler!! Something I plan to do as often as I possibly can this Summer!

Quilting Outside

And rather than piecing together an extra large, wonky log cabin block for my backing like I had originally planned to do, I decided to make my life easy and chose to go with this large piece of Loulouthi Stockings print that I had on hand instead. I love it!!

Backing

Here's a close up of that colorful print, along with the Dark Citron Pure Element binding I chose!

Back & Binding

While I was piecing together my quilt blocks, of mostly Riley Blake fabrics & my Little Apples by Aneela Hoey stash, I had already decided that I would take the finished quilt photos at this pretty red barn right outside of town.

Finished Top

I thought the red applique letters, made up of a Riley Blake Little Red Riding Hood print, would really pop!

ABC Quilt for Baby Hensel

Once we were there we started walking around and everywhere we turned there was a new place to take a pretty photo! This one is one of my favorites, I had to share it on Instagram right away!

ABC Quilt for Baby Hensel

David & Anne love the quilt, thank goodness!! Actually they've decided to plan the rest of the nursery around the quilt, which completely overwhelms me with joy! And, also means a pillow or two might have to be made by September!! This is definitely one quilt I plan to make again. It was really fun and I'm so excited to share the how-to soon!

ABC Quilt for Baby Hensel

A few project notes, since I'm always too excited when I share a finished quilt post to usually remember! -- Finished quilt measures 50"x60," it's made in the quilt-as-you-go method I share a tutorial for here, I used the iron-on fabric adhesive Heat n Bond Feather Lite for easy applique, and Aurifil 50wt for all my piecing quilting, and binding, the fabric notes can be found in this post. I hope to have the tutorial finished this month, so stay tuned!!

I have so much to blog about this week, I've really gotten behind with the new puppy, and so much to do today, including a little chat with the amazing Pat Sloan on her radio show!!

I'm going to be chatting with Pat today!

Happy quilting & Happy Monday, friends!!  Maureen

87 comments:

  1. Wow, your quilt turned out super cute. What a lucky baby to have such a talented and generous aunt.

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  2. WOW! That's AWESOME! Great job! It really is gorgeous!

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  3. Maureen you did a wonderful job on the quilt. I cannot wait for the tutorial. Thank you so much for shring.

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  4. I am absolutely in love with that quilt!

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  5. Stunning! Your pictures turned out awesome too! And sewing in the sunshine... nothing better :)

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  6. HI! Thanks so for the great photos!
    Didn't this quilt turn out charming! Love it!

    msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

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  7. Hello Maureen, guess what SF came through with the Jelly Roll of 'Happy Go Lucky'! Thanks!

    msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

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    Replies
    1. That makes me SO happy! I was worried there for a while!

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  8. beautiful quilt, Maureen, and how totally fun and wonderful to be chatting with Pat Sloan. Yay for you!!!!

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  9. It turned out so amazing! I can't wait to make my own when you put up the tutorial :)

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  10. Love, love, love this quilt! Can't wait for the tutorial! And how amazing that you did all that work in so little time... incredible!

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    1. Thank you Haley! I think that by sticking with my original idea really helped me get this quilt done on time! I have a tendency to experiment, which often takes a lot of extra time. I've also decided that deadlines are a blessing for me!! :)

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  11. I love that alphabet quilt! The fabrics are so cute, too. :O)

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  12. Amazing as usual! Isn't it great to make a special project like this for someone you love! Love the photo shoot! And what a great job your helper did holding up the quilt!

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  13. Your quilt turned out amazing! I love it! I love the idea of sewing outside! I just might give that a try.

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  14. This is beautiful. I'd want to plan a nursery around it too if I'd received it! Looked at your tutorial, I think that's how I need to get into FMQ. Thanks!

    Fawn

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  15. What a wonderful quilt! I have to remember it for my next shower gift. The red fabric really does help the letters to pop!

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  16. Oh my goodness, I am in love with this quilt!

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  17. I think this is my favorite quilt you've made yet! It really turned out great Maureen!!

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  18. Oh my goodness, this quilt is the most beautiful and sweetest quilt for a nursery I have ever seen. When you were talking about it, I sort of envisioned it but in my wildest dreams, I would have never imagined such a creative wonder. Thank you so very much for sharing with us!!!!

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  19. That turned out SO CUTE! You'll love Pat Sloan. She came to our quilt guild! Such a fun person.

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  20. I absolutely love this quilt! I have a thing for ABC quilts and look forward to making one of my own. It is so fun!

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  21. Beautiful quilt. I always work better with a deadline hanging over me. Can't wait for the tut.

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  22. Kudos on this fabulous quilt finish! Also, if I lived where you live I wouldn't get one lick of sewing done outdoors...so beautiful; I would be much too distracted by the scenery!

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  23. What a beautiful quilt! I love it!

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  24. It looks great, and I love the photo shoot location :o0

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  25. This is just wonderful, LOVE it!!

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  26. Oh my goodness, the quilt turned out beautifully! Happy to see that a tutorial is in the future!

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  27. Maureen you did a beautiful job with this quilt. What proud mama & papa wouldn't be happy with this gift? Gorge! The backing matches so nicely also. Sometimes a simple backing can be as nice as a pieced one. Can't wait for the tute.

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  28. What a wonderful quilt for baby - for sure to last forever and know your ABC's as well - good work #!}

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  29. Another great job! Love your quilt! The colors just pop and I really like that the letters are not in perfect rows but are a bit wonky. What a pretty place for photos also.

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    1. Thanks Kathleen! Yes, I wanted the letters staggered a bit throughout to quilt, to make it more fun, especially as a child's quilt. I can picture a child bouncing their little finger from letter to letter! :)

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  30. I was hoping for lots of pics of this quilt! I love it! Some day will you show us in detail pictures of how the back ends up looking on QAYG quilts? Thanks!

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    1. Thanks Karena! I do share a little more detail here one this quilt as you go quilt that was made of up of larger blocks -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/maureencracknellhandmade/8449634269/

      Does that help? When it comes to photographing a large quilt, it's hard to show the entire quilt and the details in the same shot.

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  31. It looks great! Wow, I cannot believe you pulled it off. I am crazy about the idea of quilting outside. Quilting can be an outdoor activity, huh -- maybe sometime we can figure out how to make it a sport.

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  32. What a great place to take photo's!! Love your ABC quilt. You were great on Pat Sloan Radio show today!! Enjoyed listening! I did not realize how "new" to the quilting arena you are. A newby like me! But, you have made a business out of something you enjoy; which makes going to work everyday a joy! I wish you many happy years quilting!
    Mary

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    1. Thank you Mary and an extra thank you for listening to the show and letting me know you enjoyed it! I was so nervous before hand, but it really was a fun experience, and of course Pat is so wonderful!!

      I wish the same for you, happy quilting!

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  33. Amazing photos! Wish I had a creek to take photos by! so Jealous! :)

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  34. That quilt is great and the alphabet is the star of the show. Well done.

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  35. What a great job!! Your Alphabet Quilt is awesome!! Such a lucky baby and such great photos!! Thanks for all you do to inspire us!

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    1. Thank you so much Sue! One of my sister's is newly expecting as well and she just put her request in today for one! It thrills me that this quilt is getting such a great response, I love to share projects like this one that are really fun to make and give!!

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  36. The quilt looks great. The backing fabric is beautiful and finishes the quilt of perfectly. The idea of quilting outside is an awesome one. Well done.

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    1. Thanks so much!! I hope that by quilting outside I can keep up with my projects a little better throughout this Summer than I did last year. I think it will work great, as long as the weather cooperates!

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  37. Your quilt is beautiful! I can't wait for a tutorial!!! Well done:-)
    tricia_shaver@msn.com

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  38. It is just fantastic!! I absolutely love the way it turned out!! SO cute!!!

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  39. Such a beautiful baby quilt and so excited that you're going to share a tutorial. I've just recently found your blog and I'm so glad I did. I'm enjoying reading about all your quilty adventures! AND I can't wait to try quilting outside! Who would have thought. Of course my little one is barely 3 so that might have to wait another year or so before he's a little more self-sufficient in the backyard.

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    1. Thank you and welcome!! I'm glad you found me Diana! Yes, I didn't even begin to start sewing until my youngest was almost 3 1/2 -- I don't know how you Mama's with such little one's do it!!

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  41. What a wonderful quilt, and I can't believe you could finish it so quickly!!! Beautiful job!!

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  42. Your quilt is seriously AMAZING!! Can't believe it's going to be a free tutorial?! That's really awesome of you!!

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  43. Wow you achieved a lot in a short time! Thank you for doing a tutorial for this quilt. I'm looking forward to making one for my daughter's Kindy class :)

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  44. Maureen! This is so bright and happy! And the back is perfect. Good choice making life easier. ;)

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  45. Rrilliant vibrant colours Maureen. Your taste in fabric is impeccable.

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  47. Your quilt is super super awesome! The colors are so pretty together too. (always my hardest part - picking fabrics). I love to stitch outside on my deck too....I need a study table otherwise the machine bounces.

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  48. The quilt looks wonderful. The prints you used are perfect for a little one. Awesome work.

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  49. You have outdone yourself! This turned out so cute!

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  50. You did wonderful of course!!!!!!

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  51. Whew! Great job and there's nothing like a deadline to get you in gear! I have a quilt I plan to put in a show in July....it's sitting here without the binding on and it must get done but I'll probably be hand stitching binding the night before I need to get it turned into the people having the show! Why do we do that to outselves?? Oh well, your puppy has you hopping these days...your photography is also very beautiful. Great job my dear!

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  52. Maureen this is wonderful! I love it - can't wait for the tutorial, lots of friends are having babies :)

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  54. Absolutely charming baby quilt! So bright and cute and full of details!

    Hugs,
    Tatyana

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  55. The quilt turned out lovely! Isn't it great to finish a project just in time!

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  56. Wow Maureen!!! I LOVE it! You must have lived at the sewing machine to get it done in time!

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  57. quilting outside looks amazing! and your quilt too ;)

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  58. I probably already commented on this lol, but had to say again that it's just awesome. Everything is just perfect, the colors, etc, etc. LOVE this! Can't wait for the tutorial. I will probably put everything on hold and make this quilt :) Thanks for all you share, it's so much appreciated. Hope you are feeling well Maureen!

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  59. What a perfectly wonderful quilt. I am putting this on my FB Quilt page with a link to your blog. I love it!

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  60. I know you're super busy but just wondering if you're still planning on putting together a tutorial for this quilt. I just love it!

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  61. I just love how you off set the letters. I am hoping to find your tutorial so I too can try this fabulous quilt. My grandchildren would love it!!

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  62. I love how you off set the letters. Am hoping to try this quilt soon. I too love to sew outside. So inspiring

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