FIRST FINISH OF 2016

For at least the first quarter of 2016, I am committed to finishing previously started projects.  Personally, I don't think they should be called UFO's until they are one year old, at MINIMUM.  Therefore, this is a finish.

Started at Great Lakes Heritage Quilters (GLHQ) Mystery Quilt Day in February 2015, this was our mystery quilt.  My color choices were navy and pink, with 'low volume' white background prints.  I absolutely LOVE every piece of fabric in this quilt!  The top was done not too long after quilt day ended, but then the top sat a little while.  For a brief period of time, I hoped it would be quilted and in the mail for a Christmas 2015 gift, but in the last frantic days prior to Christmas, that was not to happen.

BUT.  I knew exactly how it would be quilted.  Swirls.  After I saw this video of Melanie Ham doing some beautiful swirls for Alex Anderson & Ricky Tim's 'The Quilt Show', I knew that was what I wanted.  Alas, my swirls weren't as pretty as hers.  But they're mine.

I used Winline's 100% Bamboo Batting in it, and I absolutely love it.  From the first time you wash it, it gets very soft & drapeable , a truly beautiful batting.  This quilt is definitely meant to be a soft, cuddly lap quilt.  I washed it as soon as it was quilted, but before adding the binding.

For the pieced backing, I used some fabric left from the front and some beautiful Tula Pink Elizabeth, specifially, "16th Century Selfie", and how funny is that!

This weather, and a full design wall, are really cramping my photograph style!  I keep using my living room chair instead, oh well---quilts look pretty draped, right?

Finally, wrapped up pretty, ready to go.  Except it needs a label.  Which I don't want anyone to see just yet, as the quilt is a surprise.

A few days after my first finish of the year was done, we toasted our son's birthday.  He lives more than 2,000 miles away, so we had to toast him in absentia.  We had martinis using gin we purchased  when he & his sisters were home for Christmas, and we all went together to tour Two James Spirits in Corktown, Detroit.  Delicious.  Ahhhhh!  Happy Birthday, Eric!  Love you!