Thursday, April 12, 2018

A Finally Finished: Postcards from Sweden

My Postcard from Sweden quilt is finally finished so I'm happy to post since it seems that finally finishes have been few and far between for me this year. I know the linky party hosted by Sandra of mmm! Quilts isn't until next week (April 18th) but I wanted to post about it today for several reasons but mainly because it is a big finish for me.
Hubby and I took advantage of the glorious sunshine today to take photos at the walking path by the neighborhood playground and it would have been perfect if Windy didn't decide to tag along.

So far in 2018, I have participated or am participating in five QAL and I'm pretty proud that I have stayed on schedule with them despite having a few squirrels and one blogger (clue: she's hosting the Postcard QAL) distracting me.  I have to say my participating in the Postcard from Sweden QAL was erratically consistent, I was either early starting with the sewing of the HSTS, really behind in sewing the rows together due to a visit to the Granddaughter and then finally pushing to getting the top and the quilting done (an extra week was added to the schedule) during the past few days only to be early.  
The making of the Postcard quilt was made possible by:
  • my stash of Kaffe Fassett shot cottons which have been waiting patiently for the right project to use them
  • my Sizzie die-cutter--thank you 4-1/2" HST die
  • my having a supply of 5" cardboard squares to make color cards and them little white labels to help keep the HSTs in order.  I only made one HST wrong but when you think about it, would anyone had noticed
  • my big display board to make sure the HSTs were positioned right
The machine quilting was a breeze; I did squiggly quilting lines, just like the original quilt, in a lilac thread.  Needless to say but this quilt is so squishy soft.
As for the backing and the binding, it had to be Kaffe Fassett fabric and it had to be from my stash so despite not having a lot of Kaffe yardage in my stash, I had this purple somewhat paisley print which had most of the colors in the top.  As for the stripe binding, it was not my first choice, I was going to mix two fat quarters of other stripes since I didn't have enough of one but wasn't really sold on using them. I decided to check in my binding drawer to see if there was any Kaffe fabric in there and lo and behold there was yardage of the pretty multi-stripe.  (The rule of my binding drawer is that right after a top is made, I set aside the binding fabric in the drawer which then is not to be used for any other project.  I cannot remember which quilt top  I set aside this stripe fabric for and I'm hoping that I didn't need all of it.)

I just had to include another photo of my Postcard from Sweden Quilt because I love it so much.  My quilt measures 48" x 60" and it just the perfect size to cover the legs especially for the road trips which we will be taking one next week to Myrtle Beach.  This quilt is so soft thanks to the Kaffe fabrics and the colors just make my heart sing.  I will say my quilt is not as bright as the original Postcard from Sweden quilt. I used whatever Kaffe fabric came closest to the ones specified from the original quilt based on what I saw online and even though I don't know if they were on the mark I just love the combinations.  As I mentioned before, would anyone notice if my colors are off.  

And lastly, two more things:

If you read my last Throwback Thursday post, hosted by guess who, Sandra of mmm! Quilts, (you can read about it here where I recounted my memory of receiving a gift of a doll pattern from Amy Butler which may have been prompted by the outfit I was wearing, here are the lime green socks I mentioned.  After I posted, I remember that I still had the socks, maybe a little faded, and I pressed them for the photo--are they not cute and the wearer deserving of a free pattern.  They're now hanging in my studio and maybe one day I'll make a really big doll so she can wear them or I'll save them for Micah who I think will have big feet like me since at one-year old, she's at the 99 percentile for height.
And speaking of Micah, here is a photo taken by her Godfather, Chad, of Kamerad Arts, reminding me of how long I've been her  Grandmother. Thanks for all of her birthday wishes which were posted. BTW, see what I mean about her having big feet; at least she has a smile to go with them.  Hee, Hee, I should be receiving a message from her mother soon.

Linking up with:  My Quilt Infatuation, Needle and Thread Thursday,  MMM Quilts, Crazy Mom Quilts, Finish It Up FridayConfessions of a Fabric Addict, Can I Get a Whoop Whoop FridayBusy Hands Quilts, Finish or Not Friday


23 comments :

  1. Rose it is a beautiful quilt. My favorite squiggly lines for the quilting.

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  2. Gorgeous finished quilt! It is so rich in color, and just looks stunning. Micah is adorable!

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  3. A wonderful quilt! I love the colours and all those little 'pops' of pale!

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  4. Your fabrics make this quilt so beautiful! I love the richness of them. Great job and a big accomplishment!

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  5. Oh, Rose, I *adore* your Postcards in shot cottons! It has a deep richness that just can't be beat. Kaffe shots are so much better in person than in a photo, too, so it must be absolutely luscious in real life. I can imagine how soft and drapey it is, too. Congrats on a wonderful finish! You should be proud :)

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  6. All of what Louise said, Rose! Your Postcard quilt is beautiful. Those deeper colors really make it look warm and rich. Kaffe shots are so soft, it will definitely make the quilt cuddly and inviting. Love those green socks; I'm sure Micah will love them some day! Enjoy Myrtle Beach!

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  7. Hi Rose,
    Your Postcard turned out fabulously! Those colors are so nice and rich looking, and it is just a stunning quilt. I love the ripple wavy quilting, and I can just close my eyes and imagine the quilty goodness. Micah is so sweet! Such a big girl - not really though. Just one! Enjoy Myrtle Beach! ~smile~ Roseanne

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  8. This is out of this world gorgeous ❤️❤️❤️❤️. Fantastic job!!!

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  9. Stunning Postcard from Sweden quilt you've made!! The colors are glorious..beautiful work.
    Micah looks to be a very happy child--(she'll grow into her feet for sure!!) hugs from one Grand-mere to another...Julierose

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  10. I LOVE the deep rich colors in your Postcards quilt. The Kaffe fabrics were a perfect choice in finishing it off. I can't believe how much Micha has grown! Where does the time go??

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  11. I love this quilt Rose! The colours are just so rich and opulent! Well done!

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  12. OH my goodness, she's already 1! Time flies! Beautiful postcards quilt, well done!

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  13. Ooh, this shot cotton version of PFS is gorgeous. I’ve always enjoyed the original version, but this is really rich. I love the idea of lilac thread for the quilting, too. I rather like quilts blowing around outside in photos. And if Windy hadn’t come with on your walk, Breezy probably would have anyway.The lime socks are a hoot—especially that lacey edge. I can see why they got you that pattern from Amy. Of course my favorite part of this post is that little Cutie Patootie! What a sweetheart! Doesn’t a year go by fast when measured in grandbaby days?

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  14. What a great post--starts out with a wonderful, cuddly quilt and ends with that big smile on your GD! Your PFS version is just so you, Rose! The perfect road trip quilt. And those socks! Too much fun going on here!!!

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  15. Micah Rose is so beautiful! I love the little finger up for her birthday. Those shot cottons are glorious and there is nothing like them. The quilt is just gorgeous and you should be proud of all your catching up.

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  16. Rose. I really love the Kafe version of Postcards. It's got a nice softer look to it. I can't believe you still have the socks. They are pretty fancy socks! And your grand daughter is so beautiful. I love that finger in the air. Is she trying to tell us something.
    Congratulations on getting the whole quilt done. I like the wavy line quilting and it may be what I do in the end.

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  17. Giggling away again most of the way through this! I LOVE seeing THE socks...was wondering (and imagining, nothing quite as elegant as those, which are fab!) so it's nice to see them and now imagine them hanging artfully in your sewing room. Your Postcard is richly vibrant, and it's warmth is apparent even looking at it on the laptop (and I clicked on the photos and enlarged them, ya baby), hope to see it in person one of these days. That backing! I've never seen that Kaffe print, and it's wonderful on the back, and then quilted with lavender thread? Yes! Great tips for organizing too; I think you should host one of these next year! Finally, Micah. WHAT a darling, with her pointer finger reminding everyone of... yeah, how long you've had the privilege of being her grandmama.

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  18. Hi Rose, your Kaffe shot cottons give the quilt a different look. It's great!

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  19. Beautiful quilt Rose! I love the shot cottons - they give a very different look!

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  20. A wonderful version of Postcards Rose. I love the shot cottons, they give such depth of colour and warmth. Congratulations on a wonderful finish.

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