Thursday, December 31, 2015

RSC16 week 1

A NEW YEAR FULL OF PROMISE

I feel a new lightness and excitement today, mainly because I accomplished two goals this week, so RSC15 came to a good finish.

First, I completed the balloon block flimsie, my first ever Rainbow Challenge.


My friend and I put our heads together and worked out a final design for the backing.  It's going to be fun, but that's all I'm saying for now.

The second finish was my secret gift for my daughter, the table runner made from a Connecting Threads kit. which I ended up binding on Christmas morning.  I had to give it to her when I arrived for dinner there so it could be the centerpiece of her table.


She was delighted and my SIL got some great photos of it on her big dining room table.  She was especially happy that I had used the African-style valance fabric on the back, which she had seen on the two other runners I made for friends at Thanksgiving.  


The backing also made a perfect binding.  I machine quilted all the outlines, using my walking foot.  For the center squares I did a simple four-petaled figure, using a pale olive thread along with maroon in the bobbin.


That's not the whole story.  I love the elegant kit fabric so much that I ordered a larger kit from the same line, naturally on a great sale deal.  I will not make the kit, but will have three yards of this precious stuff, three yards of black and many other fabrics.   What better way to start off the year!

For my first blogging year my total of finished quilt projects included three Project Linus kid quilts, an iPad carrying bag, a rainbow zigzag twin quilt,  a butterfly throw quilt, the balloon flimsie and three table runners for a total of ten projects.  Not a lot compared to most of you, but I feel a sense of accomplishment.  And I am one happy quilter looking forward to a new year of fun, fabric and friendships.  I wish the same for each one of you, dear friends.

15 comments:

  1. I love the balloon rainbow quilt top - it is bright and cheerful.
    Ooh that line from Connecting Threads is so dark, rich and gorgeous. Terrific job on the runner. Wishing you a happy and prosperous new year full of creativity.
    Preeti.
    http://sewpreetiquilts.blogspot.com

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  2. Such a cheerful and bright quilt! Your Balloon blocks certainly set up nicely.

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  3. The lime sashing is perfect. Looking forward to finding out what you have planned for the backing. Sounds like you had a great quilting year. Enjoy that new fabric!

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  4. I love your rainbow balloons flimsy! It is so happy and cheerful. Can’t wait to see what you have cooked up for the backing. Beautiful table runner! I love warm, rich African fabrics too. You really had a great first quilting year - congratulations. Lots more fun things to come, right???

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  5. What a busy year you had!! It was filled with finishes, friendship, and FUN. Quilty New Year!

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  6. That balloon quilt is just the happiest thing! I love a quilt that makes you smile just to look at.
    (I've got a few of those fabrics from Connecting Threads, though I didn't think to grab a kit during their sales. I'll be more careful next time!)

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  7. The balloon quilt turned out adorable - so bright and cheerful!

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  8. the balloon quilt is a great one :)

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  9. Congrats on the balloon top! Time to party!

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  10. Both are so pretty in different ways. Lovely.

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  11. You did a beautiful job with that table runner! And the balloon flimsy is going to be a darling quilt. Great progress for the year!

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  12. I LOVE your BALLOON Quilt! I enjoyed watching it grow last year. The green sashing was perfect. Congratulations on so many project finishes last year. You go girl!

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  13. The table runner is gorgeous. You have a way of putting the colors together. It matches the border fabric perfectly! What a great gift.

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