Wednesday, December 28, 2011

little A's abstract

Well, there are only a few days left of 2011, which means I'm doing a final push to get as many projects done as possible before the new year arrives. Anyone else doing the same?
Yesterday I was happy to find the time to finish up this little quilt. It was a joint effort between myself and my 5 year old daughter. We started this last spring and we worked on it VERY intermittently since then.
She designed on my design wall using my strings and I sewed up the blocks. (She is soooooooo silly almost all the time!)
Here is the block that started it all. I just loved it, so we kept going.
This is the second block she designed. It looks a little rough, but...
here it is all sewn up. Pretty fun! Then we just kept adding to it until it was big enough for her to use. (And to grow into a bit.) 
We had a lot of fun working on this together. I tried my hardest to let go and run with her ideas. (Not always easy for me!) But overall, it was a good experience and I'm so glad I took the time to do this project with her.
She picked this backing from my stash. It is decor weight fabric that I got for super cheap at Mill End a few years ago. It's extra wide, so no piecing. (Hurray!) It gives the quilt a nice weight.
I did a simple stipple over the entire quilt in white thread. She wanted swirls, but I had to go with something easy because of all the strings and seams.
We pieced the binding from my scrap bin. She picked these colors....
and I suggested the orange to finish it off. I'm glad she agreed! :) I love a pieced binding, and I think it works especially well on a scrappy quilt.

She LOVES her new quilt!
I sure do, too!
It measures 43" x 54".

103 comments:

nettie said...

it's darling and so is your daughter! What a treasure this quilt is.

Tara said...

It is lovely, of course! She did a fantastic job! As did you, lol!

Anonymous said...

A treasure you both with always have! You the memories and her the quilt... Great job you two. Kim C

Anonymous said...

Oh what a great quilt and an even greater project! I really enjoyed reading this post and love that you got your little girl involved, making it a mother/daughter thing. FUN!

Diane said...

that's a great quilt and what wonderful memories she's always have of it and making it with you!
Beautiful post.
And yes I'm sewing like mad trying to get a few more finishes in-wouldn't it be nice to start the year with a clean slate/sewing room! Ain't happening here but I'm trying my best!

Jan said...

What a fabulous project - and what lovely memories you and your little treasure will share. Great job, you two! Happy New Year to you and your family from Down Under, Amanda Jean; it's always a pleasure to share your year.

Katie said...

She has a great eye already! So great of you to encourage her creativity.

I also am trying to finish up as many pending projects as I can before the end of the year. If I had it my way, I would have enough time for them all, but you know, life and all. :)

Heather said...

This is such a sweet quilt. I am sure she will love it forever.

carol said...

Looks to me like she has inherited some of her mama's talent!! Bravo, sweetie! Your quilt is beautiful!

Jacque. said...

What a fun experience for the both of you...something I am sure will be a cherished memory.

Debbie said...

This is really great - the experience AND the quilt!

Luisa said...

How lovely and awesome to work on a quilt with your daughter. She looks so happy!

Anonymous said...

What a cute quilt and an even cuter model! I like the idea of the scraps. It looks like it was fun to make! Happy New Year to everyone! May 2012 be better for all of us!

Alli said...

Your daughter's quilt is beautiful! I think it's wonderful that the two of you made it together! :)

✾Jamie Lee Cooley✾ said...

What a sweet post! My oldest is almost 6 and we spend a lot of time "sewing" together too.

Jen said...

I love this! How wide are some of the skinny strings? How do you sew them together if they are just over (or under) 1/4 in"? I'd love to make one of these someday. I really love how this turned out!

Sarah said...

It's gorgeous. Your daughter is too & it's made me think I must get a design wall up to let my little boy do this - he is 4 1/2 (a twin) & whilst his sister shows no interest, he loves to help, always wanting to press the foot of the machine or help handing me fabrics. Fun project and a true treasure to keep

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Such a fun quilt for you and your daughter to work on. She will love it forever! I'll be doing that with Audrey in a few years. I've given up on Amber ever quilting.

scraphappy said...

What a great quilt. It will be even more special for all the time you spent working on it together. Looks like she is enjoying it already.

Pinkadot Quilts said...

Fabulous job!! She is going to be following in your footsteps!

Leslie said...

this is an amazing little quilt. she has a future in quilting for sure.

Julia @ Blue-J Cottage said...

What a sup fun idea! I Love that you worked on it together!

Kim said...

more important to let her be creative then for you to in charge...
this is an excellent life lesson for all Moms to learn. I hope she has great memories of the time you spent together creating this quilt and that she loves telling everyone "I made it with Mom"

It is lovely
Happy sewing to you both :0)

Rebecca said...

Beautiful in so many ways!!! Love it!

Sally said...

so beautiful!!!

Everyday Quilter said...

I love everything about it but mostly that it was a joint effort between mother and daughter!

Caroline said...

I can't what for my kids to be old enough to do that with! This one is so cute, and when she's grown she's going to appreciate that time with you creating that quilt together more than anything else. What a wonderful treasure. :)

Annie said...

OMG...how fun!! Very inspiring indeed! Now for sure I want a design wall!

MariQuilts said...

It turned out beautiful...what a fabulous idea. I'll have to try something like that with my granddaughters when they get just a little bit older.

JG said...

Your daughter will always remember working with you on her beautiful quilt! :)
~Judy

Michele said...

The apple didn't fall far from that tree, did it? She did an amazing design job. I absolutely love the end result. Sure looked like a fun process.

Sue said...

What a great idea to teach your daughter about quilting & about how to be creative without having to follow a pattern. The quilt turned out so cute, too! Hope I can do this with my granddaughters someday.

Caty said...

What a GREAT project for a Mother and Daughter to share! I can't (and can at the same time haha) wait until my daughter is old enough to do something like this! She's only 19 months haha! Great quilt!

Linda said...

Way to go miss A! You both did a great job! I'll bet it was a lot of fun to just let her create and see what she came up with!

Liz Jimenez said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this so much. Now I want to try something similar with my kids!

Brittany said...

I love it.

Go-Go Kim said...

What a sweet girl and a wonderful mama to let her have her design!!!!! She will cherish that forever ;o) Just wonderful!!!! Can you send her over to design one for me!

Suzanne said...

You have the patience of a saint. I don't know if I would have had it in me to piece all those strips. I would have wanted to but I think I would have felt daunted by incorporating the negative space. That being said, it's a fantastic collaboration. I love how it came out and from the looks and sound of it, you both did too. Now, go snuggle!

Unknown said...

Something for her to always treasure...my daughter took the quilt we made together when she was six to college with her.
Love it!
Toni
www.lifeinapinkbunnysuit.com

Lynn said...

Brilliant, I love it.

Anonymous said...

Starting her off early, I see. Excellent idea!! Love the design. Tell your daughter I see a quilt designer in her future. Just like her mom.

Donna

mathea said...

This will truly be a quilt to treasure. Not only is it beautiful, but it will have wonderful memories stitched into it that your daughter will treasure for ever!

bethanndodd said...

This quilt is definately one of the best of the year for me! I just love the teamwork involved...to me, it makes the quilt even more beautiful. Maybe I can get one of my boys to design a quilt with me ;) Thank you for sharing. Smiles~Beth

Sonja Threadgill Nelson said...

wonderful story, and a great memory! The quilt is also very nice!

Svarta Malin said...

A very good idea to me and my four years daughter! Thankyou!

Manda said...

A fantastic project to do together! And it turned out amazing! You've got a little quilt maker in the making there!

Marthe said...

I looooove this quilt! I whish I could start right away making one like this! And making the project with your daughter is so sweet.

Michelle said...

Fabulous !!

diana said...

This is the most beautifull quilt I have ever seen. Cross my heart! And I'm not counting kid designed quilts!

I love love love it!

Montseta - Montsecosecose said...

Love it and your daughter's photos are so funny because of the faces she makes!

Josie McRazie said...

I love this idesa! She did a great job with creativity! Kudos to Mom for letting her be her! I LOVE a scrappy binding! It just adds so much charachter!!

Christine L said...

What a wonderful project that the two of you will remember always! FUN FUN FUN! Have a wonderful and Safe NEW YEAR!!

Kandra said...

I love this project and how you made it with your daughter!!! I'm sure this will be treasured and I adore how it came out!!!

denitza said...

Beautiful quilt and what a great little helper you had! Or should I say she had a great helper! :)
Happy New Year to you and your family!

Tennjenny said...

I love it! Wouldn't change a thing!

Cheryl Arkison said...

Oh! That girl is adorable! So is the quilt.

Esch House Quilts said...

What a treasure of memories that quilt will always be! Love the design too :)

Jane said...

What an incredible thing to do together!
Love it and the photos are precious!
Jane

Leanne said...

I love it, such a wonderful project and a great quilt!

goletagirlwendy said...

Your so lucky to have a daughter to sew with, she will remember that always.

Clair said...

It is cute! and so is little A.

Sew Create It - Jane said...

What a fabulous quilt! Such a great use of scraps and the finish is fab!

Anonymous said...

Love your blog as a new quiltmaker and still full time work outside the home...I'm inspired to finish up Fridays. Thank you for sharing with us. Question...how do I make a design wall? What do I use love the idea and I can see how it will help. Thanks.
Teresa

Jenny in Texas said...

I sometimes wonder when my 7 year old son picks out fabrics for a quilt, but I have to admit, I am always pleasantly surprised by the results!

I, too, am trying to finish up a few quilt tops that need quilting before 2011 ends. Can't wait to watch football playoffs while hand stitching tons of binding.

Anonymous said...

Quem sai aos seus não degenera.Já dizia a minha avó.....PARABÉNS!!! Você tem um talento em casa.E que lembrança linda ELA terá de vocês juntas.Obrigada por compartilhar.Dê a sua filha muitos beijinhos e cócegas de carinho por mim.FELIZ A NO NOVO!!!!!! FELIZ ANO TODO!!!!mariadocarmopezzuto do Brazil

Rachel said...

I LOVE that you did this with her and were able to "let her be her" (It would have driven me crazy, but I would have tried...LOL. Who are we kidding? I have trouble letting my 19 year old do her own design!) So, a major shout out from here. It will be an amazing treasure in years to come!! I also wanted to pop in and say THANK YOU. I just cracked open my Christmas gift to ME (SetS of Essential Threads!), in order to work on a gift (not late Christmas, just a gift...LOL) for my daughter and I SO love the threads, thanks so much for sharing about them!! Have a fantastic day!!

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh this is so cool! What a great memory for her as well!

Denice said...

It turned out so adorable! She will always remember the quilt the two of you made together. Sweet!

pratima said...

Very pretty!! Love the backing!
It is a fun and fabulous quilt :)

Lucy | Charm About You said...

How totally adorable!! I think the blocks look great - what a freeing experience :)

SarahZ said...

This whole endeavor has been just wonderful! Bravo to both of you, for beginning, and seeing it through to the finish! Well done!

Lyndsey said...

I LOVE it!!!!!

tusen said...

I just love it! You are a great team.

Eileen said...

It is wonderful ! What a treasure for your daughter.

Anonymous said...

What a great idea!! Really turned out beautiful.

Michele said...

I love this idea. I have yet to actually empty out my trash can in my studio and I think I will have to pull some scraps out of it before the rest goes away. Thanks for the idea.

Shanna said...

Another beautiful quilt! And your daughter is darling :o)

Heather said...

So cute! Love the idea have having a little one design. Might have to do that also. :)

LeeAnn said...

Your daughter did a wonderful job designing this quilt and she is going to be an inspiration to me! I'll add this quilt type to my scrap project list.

Fran said...

This is just gorgeous & so lovely that you made this together. I think your daughter shares your design talent, amazing at such a young age.

sewtakeahike said...

it's really cute, AJ! And it's so sweet that you worked on it together!

Heather said...

Adorable! What a fun memory that'll be for both of you. :o)

Mama Pea said...

That is truly awesome. It will be an heirloom for both of you. She is a good designer! I think it looks really great!

Marga (MarPie) said...

it is a beauty, the daugther, the quilt and th mom. Up to the next one.

Rebecca said...

what an amazing process!! it makes me wish i had little hands around to place my scraps :o) the quilt came out so beautifully, and your daughter looks just precious all rolled up like a taco!

TDJ said...

Love the quilt and how you and your DD worked on it together. I love all the white space.

suemac said...

That is great that you and your daughter could work on this together. She is very creative.

Maria said...

It 'amazing to see the involvement of a little girl in this work .The result is very fantastico.Complimenti Amanda, Amanda mom and quilter. ♥

Anonymous said...

Such a great idea! Kids have such a great and creative viewpoint with colors and shapes. I think I'll try this with my nephew who enjoyed making felt balls with me.

Aimee said...

OMGosh she is adorable! It came out so cute!! You are a great (and patient) mom to take on this project.

Candace said...

I love this! What a great project for you to do with your daughter, she is a very creative quilter. I hope to do this with my kids someday!

Thimbleanna said...

Oh so Cute CrazyMom! I love that last picture -- what a happy little girl.

Happy, Happy New Year to you! I can't wait to see what fun you'll create in 2012!

Sarah said...

LOVE how this turned out! How big are the strings that you typically keep in that stash?

quirky granola girl said...

this is at the top of my favorites from your sewing studio. the apple peel quilt and the scrappy triangle pillow and this quilt are all vying for the top spot but it is a toss up. your girl has quite a sense of style.

Karen said...

Looks like you and your daughter had a lot of fun quiltmaking! I love her design and can tell that she LOVES it! Oh the memories you two will have of this day!

Chara Michele said...

What an amazing quilt! I love how you let her design it... So amazing :)

BonnyD said...

Your daughter is super cute and creative. I think I can speak for many of us: we would like to see more quilts from her!
Thank you for sharing.

Karen Martin said...

Way COOL!! Wish I had seen this while I had my granddaughter, will save it for next time.

Katy Mc said...

Oh, that is so cute. I showed my daughter and she wants to make one NOW! I guess I need a design wall. My usual method is to spread it out on the carpet and get flustered when the dog (and kids) run circles through it! So happy I found your blog. Lovely colors and and lovely ideas.

Cas said...

wow what a beautiful keepsake that she will treasure in life, that she & mum made together :)gives me courage to 'let go' of the control freak in me & let my kids attempt the same idea :)

Heide L. said...

Love, love, love your daughter's quilt, Amandajean. It reminds' me of the designs in a quilting book by a Japanese author that I bought just recently. The Japanese style of design is more minimalist in it's approach; and I have always admired it. Your daughter's design and your sewing have inspired me to "play" with my scraps in yet another way...Thanks for sharing. Sooooo pretty!

linda said...

love, love, love this quilt!!!! what a memory! treasure it in your heart!

helena said...

This is the most beautiful idea ever, how wonderful for you two to do this together, I will be filing this in my memory to do this with my little girl when she is older (she is only two). I am desperately trying to encourage her to have my passion for crafting (my 13 and 12 year old do not) by letting her sit on my lap and help as much as she can, after all "babes learn in the laps of their mothers". Thanks for the wonderful inspiration!