Earthtones Girl

As defined by Merriam Webster…1 a : an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (as a religious practice or a social custom)…

An established or customary pattern…in this case a quilt pattern, a very traditional log cabin quilt.  And there is definitely something to be said for tradition.  Why can I hear Topol singing right now?

Here is my latest.  I started this quilt back in October of 2010.  The top was done by January or February of 2011 then is sat.  I finally sent it out to be quilted around June-ish.  I was not ready or experienced enough to handle something this big.  It just seemed way to daunting.  I got it back at the end of August (as promised).  All the quilting was done and all that remained was squaring it up and binding it.  So guess what? It sat some more.  But in adherence to one of my new year goals to finish up WIP/UFOs it’s done.  One big delay was trying to decide how to do the binding, cross-grain or bias.  My trusty friend Teri said just do the old reliable, cross-grain and don’t worry about it.  It set me free to hear that…and here’s the result.

It is the epitome of earth tones for me. 

I would have gotten more outside shots but there were two problems.  The cold and all the deer droppings in my back yard.  I wanted to lay in out on the lawn for greater effect but that wasn’t happening.

No matter…the effect is just as good here.

Can I toot my own horn for just a sec?  I freaking love it!!!  Not bad ETG…

The brown border was not supposed to happen but after initially finishing the patchwork  I realized it was not going to be wide or long enough for my queen size bed. 

So in the instructions to the quilter I asked that the cream border be added on and the original plan to miter the corners kept in place.  You can see above where the extra fabric was added.  I was told that would not be possible.  Ok, I”m flexible and new to the game…I trust you, surprise me!  Boy did she!!!

It’s incredible looking and perfectly frames the top portion of the bed.  That couldn’t have been planned.  Alright maybe, but not by me with my limited experience. 

So who is the genius behind the quilting and modifications?  Eileen Keane of Designing Quilts.  I love this woman!  When we discussed the type of quilting I wanted done I said nothing to fancy or busy (meaning not to heavily quilted).  I said just stipple it.  She said that’s was boring.  How about a leaf pattern since the colors are so “fallish”?  I said leaves??????  I don’t know.  She more or less said trust me and again I did.

All I could say when I opened the box was WOW!!!!!!! 

I could never have done that on my little Brother (the machine I used at the time on the patchwork).

The other thing I’m very happy with is the binding.  I tweeted the other day in response to a question that I had a queen size quilt to bind but dreaded (even though I enjoy it) the thought of hand binding something so large.   Pat Sloan tweeted back a link to her machine binding tutorial…..AWESOME AND EASY AND FAST!!!!  And perfect for this project.  Thank you Pat!

I’m so happy right now and with two of the 3 unfinished projects I started the year with complete, I’d say its high time to start something new!!!  (No I haven’t forgotten the other project….)

But first I’m going to crawl under this beauty with the entire family, roll around and enjoy it.