Friday, November 22, 2013

scrap vortex

Welcome to finish it up Friday!

Today I've have a finished quilt top to share. Again. Last October I thought it was finished when it was a lap size, as you can see in this post. Then, in February, it grew to be a twin size, as you can see here. Last night, about 8:30 or so, I declared that the top is done for the third and final time.
It's a KING size, measuring approximately 105" x 95". It's not a perfect rectangle, but I decided that was OK. This quilt is not about precision. It's about improvisation....or we could all it what it REALLY is....insanity. Ha!
Taking quilt photos isn't my favorite, but this time of year it is especially tough. We have very little day light and it's darn cold out there. (12 degrees this morning. No wonder my hands froze!) But! This weather justifies my crazy quilting habits, so I'll try to stop complaining!
I tried it on my bed for size, then added a few inches for shrinkage. My last king quilt that I made barely fits my bed, for reasons other than shrinkage, but still, it's a total bummer after all that work. Better a few inches too big than a few inches too small!
I can't begin to estimate how many hours, how many miles of thread, and how much time has gone into this quilt. But it was SO worth it! I also can't begin to count how many of my friends contributed scraps to this project. So, if you've shared scraps with me in the past, thank you! This quilt is better, larger and more interesting than it would have been had I just used my own scraps. It would have been pretty boring with 82 different kinds of red and white polka dots. :)
 
Now it's your turn! Please link up your finishes for the week! Thanks, as always, for joining me for finish it up Friday!

finish it up Friday, 11/22/13

1. Michelle's Romantic Tangle  74. Washington Tornado Help  
2. Jo's Country Junction  75. Janeen@QuiltArtDesigns  
3. Megan @ Tales of Ineptitude  76. Deborah @ squaregrannie  
4. Vera @ Negligent style  77. Jennifer @ Glinda Quilts - butterflies  
5. Eva-Bambi-Johansson  78. Blue Crazy Quilt  
6. Kate @katiemaequilts  79. Holiday bag  
7. Kat @ Kat and Cat Quilts  80. Cathy@Sane,Crazy,Crumby Quilts  
8. Carin @ Margarets Hope Chest  81. Cynthia Brunz Designs  
9. Amanda @ Everyday Fray  82. Melissa @ my fabric relish  
10. Rachel @ Quilt Or Dare  83. pinwheels by marianne  
11. Valerie @ Evening in the Garden  84. Brenda @ wieldingwildwisps  
12. Geta  85. Julie @ Julie's Quilts  
13. Eliza  86. Jules  
14. svetlana@sotakhandmade  87. Mihaela @ abeeautifulday  
15. Charlotte's gRACE for a Cure  88. Jen @ lea + lars  
16. Mary @ SeeMaryQuilt  89. Charlotte@GrammieQs  
17. alidiza  90. Day Of The Dead Craftivism  
18. Cristina @ All The Pretty Things  91. Andy @ A Bright Corner  
19. Modern Handcraft  92. Sew & Sew's Scrappy Christmas Stockings  
20. Sara  93. Jasmine@quiltkisses  
21. Christmas clamshells @ Good Golly Ginger  94. Marie @ Quilts with Personality  
22. Leigh Anne @ Ella's Cottage  95. Jess @ Quilty Habit  
23. Triangles & Squares  96. Deb @ asimplelife Quilts  
24. Christen @ Love By Hand  97. Jennie @ Porch Swing Quilts  
25. Vicki@A Quilter's Mission  98. Francesca @ Swink Girls Quilts  
26. Cristina @ Crafty Resolutions  99. Erica @ kitchen table quilting  
27. Melissa @ Happy Quilting  100. Molli Sparkles  
28. Beth  101. Aunt Marti @ 52 Quilts  
29. Rachel @ The Life of Riley  102. tubakk, Norway  
30. Lee @ Lala's Lovelys Quilting  103. Quilt it out  
31. Audrey @ Hot Pink Quilts  104. Nat @ Made in Home  
32. Sara @ this little life  105. Liz @ Shush- baby quilt finish  
33. The Inside Stori/Mary Stori  106. Dresden Quilter  
34. Kerstin@sunset sewing  107. Mack and Mabel  
35. Fabadashery  108. Pauline  
36. Giveaway Day @ Sew Fresh Quilts  109. jennifer@yellowhouse72  
37. Joan@Quilting times  110. Audrey at Piecing it all together  
38. Shanna  111. Rebecca  
39. Lucy @ Charm About You  112. Kelly @ Blue Bird Sews  
40. Selina  113. Alissa  
41. Rugrat Rodeos: Making Tantrum Busters  114. Katherine  
42. Angela A @ betterndogbiscuits  115. Nancy@PugMomQuilts  
43. Celtic Thistle Stitches  116. Kathy@KayakQuilting  
44. Brenda@Scraps and Strings  117. Cabin Coolaid @ Creatin' in the Sticks  
45. QAL Part 4--All Done!  118. Jenny-star value quilt for DGS  
46. Santa's Gift Tag @TBZ  119. Angie in SoCal  
47. Pillow Talk  120. Jasmine @ Quilt Kisses  
48. Sarah from mila+cuatro  121. rag quilts @snug harbor quilts  
49. lisa@hilltophouse  122. Ann  
50. Emily's Scrappy Bowtie Quilt  123. Karee  
51. Julia in Mississippi  124. Nesta  
52. Heather @ Winding Bobbins  125. Barbara Galloway  
53. Jen - Peas & carrots pattern  126. Karisma  
54. Alycia @ Quiltygirl Batik Quilt  127. KatyQuilts  
55. Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation  128. Rachel@liketosew.blogspot.com  
56. Cathy Tomm AB Canada  129. Refashion for a wedding - Karen NZ  
57. Amish Dreams  130. michelle @ sewnhenge  
58. Jan @ The Colorful Fabriholic  131. Sarah C.  
59. Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs  132. grateful Dona  
60. Samantha @ Making Life Prettier  133. Minty Featherweight  
61. Amber @ Two Peas Quilting  134. Susie at ProsperityStuff  
62. Aoife @ thREDhead  135. Pam @ Quilting Fun  
63. Maja  136. Kristin @ Gooba Designs  
64. Esther @ipatchandquilt  137. Jeneta@PlumJam  
65. Stephanie @ Quarter Incher  138. Karen Made in Cherry Quilt  
66. Val's Quilting Studio  139. Nancy@PugMomQuilts -- I need your vote  
67. Laura  140. cathy@blueberrypatch  
68. Paula@SewyStuff: Little Things  141. Michelle @ Squeek Crafts  
69. Chevron Quilt  142. Maggie  
70. My Life in Binding: Two Quilts!  143. Kris@SewSunshine  
71. cath@wombatquilts  144. Sarah @ Georgia Girl Quilts  
72. beth@lovelaughquilt  145. Jade @ Stitch Mischief  
73. Adrianne @ On the Windy Side  

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

92 comments:

Vera said...

Oh wow, well done!

Svetlana said...

wow!!! absolutely stunning! I can't even imagine how much work it must have been.

SeeMaryQuilt said...

That's an amazing quilt! It's crazy with that many stops and starts that it still looks cohesive!

Sara said...

Incredible amount of scraps went into that baby!! I am in love with the bedroom shot!

Christine S said...

Love your quilt!

Good Golly Ginger - Katie Dold said...

Your quilt is spectacular! I love it!

Danih03 said...

It's really beautiful!!! Very worth the extra effort! I am in the midst of making one that keeps growing too,

Vicki said...

Absolutely gorgeous! I am in love with this quilt.

teaginny said...

It is insane. Insanely gorgeous!!

Tamara Hampton said...

Incredible quilt and my favorite, scrappy!

Kat said...

W.O.W!! I love your scrap crazy quilt! So inspiring :)

Anonymous said...

Amazing. Seriously. A lot of people are going to say that, but we really mean it.

The Inside Stori said...

What a fabulous way to use up scraps.....of course your piecing and color placement skills really MADE this quilt!

Lorna McMahon said...

That is the most humongous, scrappilicious, insanely gorgeous quilt top! Congrats on your 3rd and final finish, Amanda Jean! Way to milk it! Ha, ha!

KateKwiltz said...

Wow. Just wow.

Sonia B said...

This quilt is absolutely amazing. You are my quilting hero.

Lucy | Charm About You said...

Amazing!! That is a giant quilt of scrappy wonderfulness! Well done :)

tink's mom said...

I liked it as a Lap size and as a Twin size but I love it as a King.

Congrats on the finish.

Snowcatcher said...

Simply amazing! This is just gorgeous!

RugratRodeos said...

I think this is my favourite quilt of all time & I am amazed & awed that youve added to it to bring it up to king size. How lovely also that so many have contributed to the scraps that went into it. Well done it looks gorgeous :0)

Shanna said...

I am so excited that it done..again, lol! It really did turn out fabulous and fun. Take about an eye-spy quilt!!

Susan at TheBoredZombie.com said...

whoa! congratulations on that finish! It's lovely and certainly an accomplishment to be proud of!

Lisa said...

This quilt top looks amazing on your bed! What a beautiful finish - made even more lovely by scraps donated by friends, how perfect!!!

Shannon @ Modern Tradition Quilts said...

I love all of those tiny pieces!

Hollie @ Just a Mom who Sews said...

Wow! That is something to be proud of.

Lauren Deel said...

This is A-MA-ZING! I can hardly imagine the time, patience, and love that this quilt must have taken!

FlourishingPalms said...

Amanda, this is just marvelous! Such a wonderful way to use scraps. And you had to get donations from friends too? Oh, am I ever in trouble. I wouldn't need a one! Have I missed how you put this together?

Aoife said...

Love that quilt!! I'm dying to have one big enough to put on my bed, but so far the quilting or rather the purse strings, a small home machine, and fear have kept me from doing it. But yours looks so amazing on your bed! Totally worth the time and the crazy :)

katybee said...

wow. that is the ultimate in scrappy quilts. I LOVE it!

Tennjenny said...

Wow! That's one heck of a quilt, and the very best shot is actually the one on the bed -- it looks just perfect!

beth said...

Beautiful quilt Amanda Jean! Wowsers!

sonia said...

Amazing! Looks awesome on your bed

Adrianne @ On the Windy Side said...

Wow, this is an utterly beautiful quilt (of insanity)! Enjoy!!!

Andi said...

Unbelievably gorgeous!!

Terry Johnson said...

Your finish is stunning. I hope your scrap basket is empty? My link today is how to help the Tornado victims in Central Illinois. www.quiltcrazie.blogspot.com
I know quilters have been hearts. Thank you

Dresden Lane said...

I just adore this! What a show stopper. I am glad for you that you went the extra mile and just kept making it bigger and bigger. Bed quilts are so functional and you will enjoy it every time you use it.

Glinda ♥ said...

FAB-U-LOUS!! Love it, thanks for sharing and inspiring :)

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

Wow! That's a lot of scraps! Nice job.

excuseme23 said...

Well done, this is a work of art. My patience wouldn't allow me to make this king size, I'd have ended up with a twin at best. I love it.

Sharon said...

This quilt just makes me smile. What a great project!

junacreationsuk.blogspot.co.uk said...

What an absolutely fantastic quilt top, the colours are great... When I looked at it I imagined it as a jigsaw puzzle. It is gorgeous.

Anonymous said...

I love this quilt! Delicious scrapiness!

Little Island Quilting said...

Wow. One fantastic quilt top. How are you going to quilt it?!

Anonymous said...

Amazing!!!! A fabulous quilt and a work of art! Thank you for hosting the linky party! Have a great weekend Marie

Pickletoes Quilts said...

Third time really is a charm! Beautiful!!

Anne said...

Love it!!!

bilalpress said...
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bilalpress said...
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Unknown said...

AMAZING!!!

Turid said...

Oh, a stunning quilt I have to come back to and study more. Thank you!

Diane said...

that is wonderful! It looks fantastic on your bed too!

Katherine said...

It looks like a magnificent scrap celebration, Amanda Jean! I love it and am so glad you made it king-sized. Now it will fit my bed. ;o) You are so thoughtful.

Frog Quilter said...

Awesome!!!!

Carla said...

Wow. That is what comes to mind. That is a scap explosion and needs to happen at my house. WOW, it's great.

One Wee Bird said...

When I grow up I want to have your patience!
I loooooove it :)

Suzanne said...

A perfectly named quilt top! Happy Friday finish, my friend.

The Thimblemouse of Country Crossroads said...

Wowee!!! Love, LOve, LOVE it!!!!

Timtirim said...

Wow! Absolutely perfect quilt! You are amazing! I really-really love it! Hugs from Hungary!

Sophie Belle Designs said...

It's amazing! and it looks so good on your bed.

Sarah @ FairyFace Designs said...

Such a gorgeous quilt, I love it!

P11otter said...

Beautiful ! Love it!

Barbara said...

Fabulous! The cold Colorado nights are here again...and after seeing this vortex...I am ready to jump I to my own! Have to collect more scraps!!!!!!

Tamie said...

Oh my goodness. Amazing! Do you have any scraps left?

Karen H said...

Wow, this is amazing! Can you tell me how you did it? Just random piecing? I love it - Love the colors. It is wonderfull!

Sue said...

Do you have a pattern for this? Is it in your Sunday Morning Quilts Book? I think this is just one of the most amazing quilts I have seen! Great job!!!!! s.ites@yahoo.com Thanks!!!

Debbie said...

I love it! It's just beautiful. Wish I was that smart.

Thanks for sharing.

Live a Colorful Life said...

That is just CRAZY!! 😉

Anne / Springleaf Studios said...

What a truly incredible quilt. So colorful and full of visual texture. How is it quilted?

Shauna said...

Insane is right, however, looks stunningly beautiful on your bed!! Well worth it!

Katherine McNeese said...

love it!
are you going to share your method for this madness?

LynneP said...

Love, love, love this quilt! It is fantastic.

Kris said...

Wow is really all I can say!! Love it.

Debbie said...

Just wow!

Nancy said...

This quilt is wonderful. I have been working on piecing scraps for a few years. Hope to get it done soon. And I know what you mean about a quilt not fitting the bed after washing or whatever.

Rachel said...

Love it! I couldn't tell, is it quilted yet? If not, will you quilt it yourself? I think it is fabulous!!

Betty said...

What a beauty this still is! Have you written some kind of tutorial for it? (Have I missed that?)

Cheryl Arkison said...

I can't believe how quickly you got the other half of that done after we spoke. Insane!

Charo said...

I absolutely love it!!!! So full of color, I'm keeping my scraps and I have just realized I want to do something like that!

Are you making a tutorial? Please
How did you do it? I would love to do it

Thanks for your help

car54 said...

genius! so glad it is big enough for you to sleep under it.

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Glad to read it's for your bed!

margaret said...

what a stunning quilt, wild be impossible to count how many scraps you have used here love it

Cathy said...

Your quilt is amazing. Did you sew scraps into squares then sew the squares together. It is one of my favorite quilts that I have seen. I love scrappy and it doesn't get anymore scrappy than this. LOVE

Jocelyn said...

Amanda Jean, how in the world do you machine quilt a quilt that large?? I have trouble just with a lap size. Keeping the back from puckering is my biggest challenge.

Katysboys said...

I don't know if this has happened to anyone else, and I need a little help. I found the beginnings of a quilt amongst my fabric stash. It consists of pre cut 3", 7" as well as 1 3/4" squares. I have no idea what type of quilt this was meant to be. I have extra uncut fabric as well. Any ideas?
Thanks:)

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

All the adjectives have been said, amazing, stunning, marvelous,WOW!!. I would like to add that you have inspired me. This will be my ever-growing quilt for 2014! Did you use a pattern or just go for it?
I cannot believe I am saying this but, must get more scraps!

Chris {frecklemama} said...

It is SO HEAVENLY!!!!

Coloradolady said...

Do you have a tutorial for this fantastic quilt? I know you said random sewing, but it looks to nice to be random. My random is not so pretty!!

mardigrasgirl said...

I love your crappy quit. and would pick Bonnie Hunter to take a workshop from.
pportanova@cox.net

janie said...

I would love to take a class from Patrick Lose or Carol Doak. thanks for the draw.

Unknown said...

What a fantastic quilt! You never cease to amaze me with all your scrappy creativeness.

Thimbleanna said...

OhEmGee CrazyMom -- you've finally gone over the edge! This quilt is AMAZING! Wow -- King Size. I LOVE it!!!

janequiltsslowly said...

I absolutely love this quilt! Even though it is quite random there is a color theme in there. I pulled out Sunday Morning Quilts and looked again at the slab construction technique. I am going to play with my scraps this weekend. First a big sort will happen so I can pick my colors! Thanks for the inspiration that you give every day.