Falling Leaves Makes Me Smile!

Awhile back I had the opportunity to quilt up this little wall hanging. This was the first quilt my client had ever made, and it was for her daughter's Baby Shower. What a fun gift!

I took one look at this and immediately thought I could have a lot of fun with all that negative space.

The entire motif is appliqued, including the tree trunk. I decided to use a double layer of batting (Hobbs 80/20) so that when I quilted around the leaves, they would puff up. And puff they did!

The free-motion quilting I used on seemed to create motion. The backside is almost as pretty as the front!

If anyone is interested, the pattern - Falling Leaves - is from The Modern Applique Workbook by Jenifer Dick.

Wouldn't this be a fun little quilt to give someone?  I fell in love with it, and may just have to make one for myself one day.

Remember to quilt with a smile,
Barb


Linking up to Linky Tuesday, Fabric Tuesday, Needle and Thread Thursday. and Thursday Favorite Things.

I'm Ready For Christmas - Nine Months Early!

Thank you to Shanna and Melissa for hosting the Lovely Year of Finishes.  It has caused me to pull this wall hanging out of my UFO pile and finish it up. And I'm thrilled I did!

This was one of the first quilts I pieced, and the very first I ever tried any applique techniques. After I got it finished, I decided it would be great to cozy up in and use it as a lap quilt, but with the applique I don't think that's such a good idea. Once I decided to use it as a wall hanging, as was the original intent of the pattern, I sewed fun red buttons on the holly leaves to make it a wee bit more festive.

The fabric squares appear to be very shiny, but that's probably a result of using the flash on my camera.

I had fun quilting all sections of this quilt. I especially like the curved floral motif I made  for each square in the body of the quilt.

And the texture on the backside is fun, too!

All in all, this will make a nice decoration for a big wall that we have and add to the festivity of Christmas for years to come. And maybe, one day if I have grandchildren, they will like the Christmas stockings and enjoy it, too!

This was also one of my finishes for the first quarter of the 2014 Finish Along - yes!  I got 2 out of 3 goals done, and got some things finished that weren't even on the list. So I'm a happy quitler!

Always quilt with a smile,
Barb

Linking up with:
A Lovely Year of Finishes
Linky Tuesday
Quilt Story's Fabric Tuesday
Can I Get a Whoop Whoop?
Link-A-Finish Friday 
Needle And Thread Thursday
2014 Finish Along