FO: Amanda's Pyrex Mini

My pal Amanda's birthday was last week. Her package from me (and also from Amy arrived just one day late.

Along with some yarn, I made her this mini. The Melody Miller pyrex print is one of Amanda's favorites, and she plans to make cafe curtains for her new kitchen with it. I thought she could use a table topper (or wall hanging) that coordinates with her future curtains.

I backed the mini with Essex Linen and quilted with random vertical lines.

I tried to cut the pyrex fabric so that the blocks wouldn't be perfectly fussy-cut, but instead, they would appear as a background to the wonky star.

The mark of a good gift is not wanting to give it, and that definitely applies here.

I also sent Amanda one of these, and kept one for myself. We (along with Jeni) are planning to make the Blossom Pincushion, from I Heart Patchwork, by Rashida Coleman-Hale.

That's all for today! I wish you a happy Monday!

FOs: Divided Baskets

Thanks for all your kind words on the Postage Stamp quilt!

Have you tried Noodlehead's Divided Basket pattern?

Sometimes, when I purchase a pattern, I don't make it for months.
Then, other times, I make three right out of the gate.
Like this time.

First I made one for me (the back one!). Then, my cousin saw it on Instagram, and said she wished for one. I can't turn her down. She is the sweetest.

Tamiko also commented on how much she loved mine.

Since I think she is seriously awesome, I asked her about her favorite colors in a not-so-subtle way, and made her one of her very own.

Luckily, the pattern is easy to follow and fast to finish. Plus, I got to use some of my favorite home decor prints that have just been sitting around.

I felt strange in making the first one, as the construction is a little unusual. But, then the second two were easy.

These make such great gifts, so I know I will make more in the future.

FO: To Grandmother with Love

I always wanted to make a postage stamp quilt. A scrappy one, of course. I made a mini and a pillow last year, but dabbling wasn't enough for me.

Months ago, I started cutting 4" squares from scraps. I did this gradually, as I was cutting for other things. I cut many from two partially used charm packs (Circa 1934 and dark solids).
I sat down to count about six weeks ago, and calculated what I needed.
For this 70" x 80" quilt, I needed 400 squares.

I was way short with my gradual cutting, so I started working through scraps. There are a few duplicates, but this is a nice representation of scraps. I randomly started assembling them into 16-patch blocks, and then into a top.

To tame the gorgeous color a bit, I backed it with the ever-popular IKEA Britten print, as well as a half yard of an Avalon print.

It is quilted in a meander free-motion stitch, but a few blocks were used for experimenting with other FMQ techniques. It was fun!

As I was finishing it up with some scrappy binding last week, Elliott suggested that I gift it to my grandmother.

We visited my family this weekend, and she is recovering from surgery. This was the perfect chance to give her something special.

My grandmother is, without a doubt, one of the most influential people in my life, crafty or otherwise.

And I didn't even think about it at the time, but my grandmother has collected stamps throughout her life, so really, how could I not give it to her?

She wrapped up in it immediately, so I know it will be loved.

P.S. Whenever I think of postage stamp quilts, I think of Molly.