Friday, May 30, 2014

Malena's quilt top

Welcome to finish it up Friday!

I'm not sure how I manage to block it out of my memory each year, but I am always so surprised by how CraZy this time of the year is. There is gardening and yard work to do, field trips to attend and lots of other work to do besides. My house is perpetually dirty and my sewing machines have been neglected! All that to say, I'm glad that I was able to sew at all this week....and I'm super happy that I was able to finish this quilt top.
A few years ago I started this quilt for my niece with my niece. She helped me design it and she also helped select the fabrics. I never blogged about it, but I figured out it was the summer of 2012 because we saw the movie Brave at the drive in theater during her visit here. It's good to have a reference point! :) We only had time to make a few circle blocks back when we started it, but I finally found time to work on it again. (I have TOO many irons in the fire!)
The circles were cut out on my GO! baby. I don't use this cutter nearly enough...but it makes QUICK work of cutting circles. I love that it is fast, easy and accurate, too. My kids love to help crank the fabric through, which is a bonus. (It's fun for kids AND adults. :) )
I used a blanket stitch on my Janome to attach the circles to the background fabric. I did not use any kind of fusible web beneath because I didn't want to deal with the bulk (or the stiffness) of the fusible web. I plan to quilt the circles well and the quilt will be so nice and soft when it is finished. The edges of the circles will fray slightly when washed, but I think that's all part of the charm.
The quilt top measures about 60" x 75".
 
Now it's your turn! Please link up your finishes for the week! Thanks for joining me for finish it up Friday! :)
 
Also, do you think it's time to take a break from finish it up Friday for the summer or should we keep on going? I'd love to hear what you think.
finish it up Friday, 5/30/14
1. ABC Quilt Top  79. Beth@lovelaughquilt  
2. Kat and Cat Quilts  80. Jennie @ Porch Swing Quilts  
3. Caryl W @cinnamon holiday workshop  81. Maja  
4. Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation  82. sewlittletime  
5. Never Just Jennifer: Umbrella Prints  83. Deborah @ squaregrannie  
6. Pattern and Giveaway!  84. Afton @ Quilting Mod  
7. Eva-Bambi-Johansson  85. Cindy @ Live a Colorful Life  
8. Kim @ TiesThatBindQuilting  86. Wendys Quilts and more  
9. Dresden Neighborhood Persimon Dreams  87. Becky @ itssewimmaterial  
10. Rachel @ Farm Gal Designs  88. Quiltmama jb  
11. Spring Sampler @ Cora's Quilts  89. Sarah@Confessions of a Fabric Addict  
12. Sarah @Smiles Too Loudly  90. Wendi @ prsd4tim2  
13. Our Busy Little Bunch  91. Becca @ bryanhousequilts  
14. Scrappy Quilt @LilyPatchQuilts  92. Trish@ Love, Laughter, Insanity  
15. re•engineered :: starry Christmas quilt  93. Vera @ Negligent style  
16. Amanda @ Material Girl Quilts  94. Paula@TheSassyQuilter  
17. Pieces of Cotton  95. Liz @ Shush I'm Quilting  
18. B & W hourglass quilt : Beth  96. All I Want to do is Sew  
19. Lindasquiltmania  97. Megan @ Crooked Tail Crafts  
20. Summer Sewing  98. Caroline @ CarolinesCraftiness  
21. Jules @ Juna  99. Rachel@liketosew.blogspot.com  
22. cargo duffle sew along  100. Melissa @ Scrappy Stitches  
23. Blindigo  101. Nesta @ Ella and Nesta's Little Room  
24. Quilting is more fun than Housework  102. Patch the Giraffe  
25. Lorna @ Sew Fresh Quilts  103. Lori @ Craftication  
26. Sara @ knottygnome crafts  104. Tricia - Handmade Whimzy  
27. Lotus Pond Tote @ From Bolt to Beauty  105. Baby Quilt Finish @ LoGoQuilts  
28. Janeen@Quilt Art Designs  106. Bower Bird Patch: Butterflies and Bees  
29. Janeen@Quilt Art Designs 2  107. Sue@Tulips&Rainbows  
30. Quilting Nonnie: A Big Finish  108. SewMeSomethingGood  
31. Brenda's birthday quilt  109. String Quilt & SewTogether Bags  
32. Nancy@PugMomQuilts  110. Echo Beach  
33. Kerstin@sunset sewing  111. Valerie @ Evening in the Garden  
34. Baby Girl Diaper Bag and more (Paula)  112. Janet @ Simply Pieced  
35. Green Cheese Quilting  113. Airplanes!  
36. Julia in Mississippi  114. amyinuk  
37. Debbie @ A Quilter's Table  115. Crazy top@ Augustsnow  
38. Heidi @ Buttons and Butterflies  116. Alissa @ Hmm, well here I am.  
39. Julie @ That's Sew Julie  117. JHNickodemus@Just Jessica  
40. Rugrat rodeos- Let It Go  118. Terry@Quilt Crazie  
41. Brenna @ Quilting in the Heartland  119. One Wee Bird  
42. alidiza  120. Darci  
43. Mario Quilt Along @ Cora's Quilts  121. Pauline @ Quilt n Queen  
44. Sam @ diary of a madfabriholic  122. Leah Kabaker  
45. Jennifer @ Glinda Quilts  123. Adrienne @ Chezzetcook Quilts  
46. Quilts on toast  124. Christy @ Mama Said Sew  
47. Jess @ Life Under Quilts  125. Kathy@KayakQuilting  
48. Heather @ Winding Bobbins  126. Julianne  
49. Fort Firefly baby quilt @ goldshoegirl  127. Cara: Storybook Hexagon  
50. Pattern Testers Wanted  128. Watermelon Topper  
51. Snowcatcher  129. Sunshine Travels @Creatin' in the Sticks  
52. karin @ leigh laurel studios  130. Beteth @ Hello Quilty Ladyh  
53. Shauna of Shauna's World  131. Jeneta@PlumJam  
54. Gina @ Party of 8  132. Lovely & Enough: Buckwheat Variation  
55. Tanya Quilts in CO  133. Julie @ Quilty Sewing  
56. the quilt barn  134. Maria Shell @ Tales of a Stitcher  
57. Jeanette-16 patch quilt finish  135. Michelle @ Squeek Crafts  
58. Mari at The Academic Quilter  136. Dona@grateful4quilting  
59. greg @ grey dogwood studio  137. Jennifer @ Cut and Baste  
60. CapitolaQuilter: Pop Pups  138. Napping Time Quilter  
61. The Inside Stori - Mary Stori  139. A Quilting Chick  
62. Ruth in Canada  140. Joanna @ Penny's Purls  
63. Kymberly@Peas in a Pod Creations  141. Janeen van Niekierk @ Quilt Art Designs  
64. Kelly @ Blue Bird Sews  142. Summer set  
65. Jess @ Everything Is Coming Up Rosie  143. Princess  
66. Zippered Pouch and Massdrop offerings  144. Taryn (forkandneedle)  
67. A Charity Quilt  145. Linda  
68. Michelle's Romantic Tangle  146. Leanne @ Crystalbrook Cottage  
69. We're in QUILTMAKER!  147. Lori @ Sewfrench  
70. Amy @ 13 Spools  148. Val's Layer Cake Flimsy  
71. Alison @ LBQ -- Periodic Table Mini  149. Barb N at Mountain Quiltworks  
72. crazydutchbirdquilts  150. Rainbow Helix  
73. Little Island Quilting  151. Clair  
74. Julie  152. kris@SewSunshine  
75. Rachel @ The Life of Riley  153. Jeni B Quilts  
76. Jasmine @ Quilt Kisses  154. Kristin @ Gooba Designs  
77. Debbie  155. Patricia @ Quilting Lines  
78. Cathy@Sane,Crazy,Crumby  

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

54 comments:

Melissa Corry said...

Oh, I love this!!! The colors you put together are just fabulous, and I love the purple!!! I love making quilts with circles, they are so fun. I made a similar one way back when and now I am inspired to make another one ;)

Unknown said...

No. Don't take a break. I really look forward to viewing all the posts!

PersimonDreams said...

This is gorgeous! How did you keep the circles to stay flat as you stitched around them? I always have a problem with that which is why I fuse...but would love not to!

Jennifer said...

Very pretty! I'd love to get a cutting machine like this to make some more challenging quilt patterns.

Amanda Jean said...

PersimonDreams,

I use 4 pins to hold the circle in place. There is a little pucker in some of the blocks where I start and stop appliqueing, but it is pretty minor. I figure it will all quilt out in the end. :)

Hope that helps!

AJ

Kim said...

The quilt is so pretty with all those fun prints. Don't' you just love that circle die? I use mine quite a bit for making small accessories.

Barbara said...

I would love to keep going with Finish it up Friday! It's a motivator!

Beth said...

Love the colors!

Pieces of Cotton said...

I love the colors, and the simplicity of it.

PersimonDreams said...

Yes! Very helpful! Thanks!

junacreationsuk.blogspot.co.uk said...

This is beautiful, absolutely stunning colours.

PersimonDreams said...

oh - and I really hope you don't take a break - I know how crazy busy this week is - but I think it would be totally fine to show a finsih up friday as something you got planted in your garden or a picture of you with your kids on a field trip! We all get busy and distracted (especially with everything happening now) but I love reading your posts, others link ups and being able to link up too!

Lorna McMahon said...

What a fresh and fun looking quilt top! The colours are right up my alley. Your niece will be excited to see this! I could not say it any better than Kim of PersimonDreams. Friday just wouldn't be Friday without you!

Paula said...

Oh my goodness, all those circles! It's lovely!

LisaAnn said...

I know what it is to need a break from blogging just because life is so busy. On the other hand, if I did not have link-ups like this to participate in, well, I might never get anything done! This is such a motivator to get things finished! I hope you stay but that keeping this going would not be too much for you!

LisaAnn said...

And the circles are so pretty! Love the colors and simple pattern.

Knitwitsowls said...

beautiful! i love this idea and im sure the lityle girl will be very pleased
frankie
www.knitwits-owls.blogspot.com

Neese Family said...

I am a teacher, so I can just start joining finish it up Friday! Please don't quit! It is so inspiring! I check in every Friday and dream about joining, just don't have the time until summer.

Snowcatcher said...

As I've said before, I'm not sure how you are able to keep your blog going with the schedule you keep, but I enjoy each and every post, and like PersimonDreams, I, too, wouldn't mind seeing a garden finish or a kitchen finish or even a blog post finish... Hey, we all have too many sticks in the fire too often! This is a beautiful quilt, and I marveled at all the circles. I just tried 505 spray for the first time for my finish this week, and so far, I think it beats pinning...

tara said...

My daughter picked a circle quilt pattern and this is great inspiration for me to get started, thanks!

Gina said...

Pretty quilt! That must feel like a nice finish and how fun to have designed it with and for your niece!!

Shelia said...

I have just recently begun reading about Finish up Friday and I think it is GREAT! I love all the inspiration shown here. I do not have children at home anymore but DH and I are members of the local Farmers' Market and we plant a BIG garden and I'm very busy with that in the summer. I would love to see any finish you would choose to post.

I have a DGD due in July and I think I have quite possibly found a quilt to make for her! LOVE this one.

Thank you for all the time you spend with your readers. You are appreciated.

Kelly @ Vintage Fabric Studio said...

Thanks for hosting each week! I am a little concerned about school out and having to entertain the little one all summer :) So do what feels right to you with Finish it up Friday - we'll be here no matter what. It's really fun to participate because it's the most hits my pages gets all week! Enjoy the summer because they are only little once - as I keep reminding myself too!

Kymberly said...

What a fun happy quilt. I love all of those circles! Thanks for hosting Finish it up Friday. It always results in the most hits of my blog on the weeks I've got a finish to link.

Kymberly said...

What a fun happy quilt. I love all of those circles! Thanks for hosting Finish it up Friday. It always results in the most hits of my blog on the weeks I've got a finish to link.

Julie said...

I would love for you to keep going but understand if it is too crazy. Have you considered a guest poster on the Friday posts? I have seen a few other linkups do that to give themselves a break while keeping up with the linky. Also love the idea of showing other kinds of finishes too.

Jasmine said...

I love your linky on Fridays, but I understand the craziness of summer. Have you thought about simplifying rather than taking a complete break? For example, you could host every other Friday or the last Friday of the month.

Cathy said...

Cute quilt.

beth said...

Beautiful
:)

Unknown said...

OMG! Every post from you becomes my favourite quilt EVER and gets added to my to do list! I love this quilt SO much x

Live a Colorful Life said...

Did you backstitch on this, or pull all the threads through to the back by hand? It is super cute!

tink's mom said...

Fun quilt, it worked up so nicely. Regarding your question about the link up.. I love it but I don't know what's involved on your end in maintaining it. If you need a summer break by all means take one. We'll be here when you get back. Enjoy summer and the kids I understand they grow up way toooo fast.

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

I love the little pops of purple!

Vera said...

I love quilts with circles and this is such a lovely color combo. I enjoy your linky as others but will understand if you are not able to do it every Friday.

Cheryl said...

Please, please keep the linky party going for the summer, it is my favorite linky party.

sonia said...

Sucha a beautiful, beautiful quilt. I'm dying to see how you quilt it (not to put any pressure on you, though) I love your linky party, I always visit some blogs and sometimes I participate. But I fully understand it if you need a break.

Caroline said...

Fun finish!! I hope you carry on with finish it up Fridays, they help motivate me to get things done:)

Seamingly Sarah said...

I love the colors and how the background is a beige gray. Fun. I did a quilt similar to this, but with four quarter circles that came together to be circle. I did it when I was fairly new to this world of quilting, so it's a bit wonky and far from perfect. But I'd like to try your idea someday. I also love raw edges on quilts and almost everything else! If only my machine had a blanket stitch!

Leanne Parsons said...

I'm all for keeping the party on all summer if you are! I love celebrating my finishes here! And I agree with those who say a finish doesn't really have to be a quilting finish. Celebrate whatever you managed to get done in a week. We all have victories that aren't sewing related, right?

Jodi said...

Wow, that's quite a list of people linking up with finishes! I love yours! I am recovering from carpal tunnel surgery, no finish here :-(

Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty said...

I vote for no break! : )

Jess (a.k.a. Rosie) said...

Stunning quilt top!!! Love the colors she chose :-). Keep going with the Finish It Up Friday!! It's a great motivation to get stuff DONE!! Lol

Katherine said...

It's like you read my mind (I've been doodling circle designs for a quilt, too)! Love this pretty quilt for your niece and know she will delighted with it.

I would miss it if you took a break, but leave the decision in your hands... I know how crazy busy summer holidays can get.

Happy Friday!

Marion McClellan said...

I LOVE it! It really keeps me on target :) If you are feeling particularly sneaky, you can do what I do when life is nuts and schedule all of your Finish Friday's in advance ;) I love that BLOGGER trick ;D

Quilt n Queen said...

OMG...your circles are perfect. Love the color combinations!! Happy stitching, Pauline

Allison said...

I very much appreciate finish it up Fridays and would love to continue through the summer

Taryn said...

Love the circles. Just do what is best for you and your family. It is a great linky party but if there are other things you need to do, then we'll all understand. :-)

Daytona Damsel said...

I have been wanting to make a circle quilt but have hesitated because I have never appliqued before. I love circles and polka dots.

Unknown said...

Love the circle quilt! Beautiful! Summer can be craZy! I really enjoy your Friday linky. It does motivate me to get things DONE! That being said, it is your call as the one hosting it whether or not it will work for you and your schedule this summer.

Kathleen said...

I like this! It gives the appearance of being quick and simple, but I'm sure it was very tedious stitching all those circles so perfectly, and without fusing!!

Clair said...

I recognize a bit of the fabric from your stash.
Maybe you could have a modified finish it up Friday for the summer (every other week), as life gets busy and people are more important than projects.

Jo said...

looks fantastic, i love polka dots and this is a giant set of them :-)

Unknown said...

My girls were little once too and I remember the thousand happy chores of summer. That being said, I hope you manage to continue with finish it up Fridays. At the end of the week, it is so nice to have a happy place to go to and see all of the wonderful, inspiring works of quilt art here. I like to spread it out over the weekend, enjoying all the posts at leisure. So with purely selfish motives, if you can squeeze it in, that would be great:). Thanks!

Christals Creations said...

I love it. I am in the process of making 3 I spy quilts, a patch work from my childhood and have just taken on a christening blanket. :)