Friday, November 9, 2012

Wish Quilt Reveal!

"They" were waiting for me at the post office on Monday morning and I couldn't wait to get home to open the parcel.  

Ollie had a hard time waiting as well.


So are you going to open it?
My Wish and Comfort & Joy quilts had arrived back home!

I found myself doing what I do on Christmas morning...waiting just that little bit longer to open each gift in order to savour the anticipation of what lay inside.


It's nothing to eat, Ollie...see?
I literally ran up to my studio as soon as I unpacked the quilts.  The custom, free-motion quilting is drop dead gorgeous...thank you again, Alice...and I couldn't stop myself from running my hands over them.  They are ever so soft and pliable, even with all the wool appliqued elements and quilting.



I immediately cut and prepared the binding and went to work.  By 9:30 p.m. I had pulled the last stitch and my Wish quilt was finished.  All there was left to do was to add some embellishments but that would have to wait until the next day.

This is the first Christmas quilt I've made and I assure you that the photos do not do it justice.  It's been raining for a week now and the lighting is very poor.



And now...the REVEAL!

I made quite a few changes to Bronwyn's original layout but I didn't alter the stitching designs. What a gifted and generous artist she is!



A few close ups...











The back...

Can I lie on it now?
After that resounding, "NO!", I think I'll go and join Frankie in our bed then.

Move over, Frankie.
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed making this quilt.  I changed it somewhat to include the three things I love to do...piecing, stitching and wool-on-cotton applique.  It wasn't a difficult quilt to make but there is a lot of handwork involved.  

I didn't use any Christmas fabrics because I find them too predictable. I pulled various reds, creams and beiges from my stash and purchased a few fat quarters to add a variety of color to the mix.

If you would like to make one for yourself, you may find the free pattern on the Red Brolly blog.  The instructions start here and then you have to scroll forward to the next installment, typically a few posts ahead.  In all there are 30 pages to download and print.



My Comfort & Joy quilt is also finished but you're going to have to wait until next time for the reveal.  Oh happy day!

Stay tuned!

80 comments:

KaHolly said...

Your Wish Quilt came out just beautiful! The quilting that was done on it is a work of art!

Donna Keating said...

You have a Christmas jewel in that quilt, so lovingly made by your hands. Your quilter did a nice job as well.

Ariane said...

Wow!! Your quilt is beautiful!!!

moosecraft said...

Absolutely gorgeous! All the reds and creams and mix of wool and cotton play very together! And, the quilting compliments the design so well! Ollie and Frankie are always a cute as ever!

Bev said...

Oh so BEAUTIFUL! AMAZING quilting! FABULOUS embroidery! Great job! Thanks for sharing the inspiration!

Cheery wave!

Bev

Betsy said...

Gosh kaaren your quilt is exquisite. I have all my pattern s print ed just need to get it started

Kate said...

It's beautiful, Kaaren, and I'm quite sure Bronwyn will be delighted with your version of her design.

Teresa F. said...

Gorgeous quilt. I too tend to make some changes on patterns. It's almost impossible not to. I do the same with cooking recipes.
The quilting is amazing. I wish I lived nearer.
Ollie and Frankie are looking great,too.
Hugs,
Teresa

Anonymous said...

Wow, NICE!!! lizzie

Anonymous said...

HI KAREN! IT IS SNOWING HERE IN MONTANA+I'M QUILTING AWAY! JUST HAD TO TELL YOU HOW GORGEOUS YOUR QUILT IS-JUST SPECTACULAR! I LOVE IT+WISH TO DO ONE SIMILAR!
THANKS FOR SHARING THE PHOTOS! LOVE+GOOD HEALTH TO YOU!

P.S. I LOVED SEEING THOSE "OTHER TWO" LITTLE ONES TOO! THEY REALLY DO LIKE EACH OTHER!

msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

Cotton Blossom said...

Wow that is glorious! I love that you didn't use the cutesy, cutesy Christmas fabric. I agree whole heartedly. it's just to predictable. That Ollie has really grown a ton it seems. He is glorious too! Thank you for sharing. I would love to see your quilt again when you display it!

Abby and Stephanie said...

A very special and lovely quilt. Perhaps a mini version for Ollie and Frankie? :o)

Siobhán said...

Oh my goodness, Kaaren! You must be so thrilled with your quilt. It's really stunning.

sandy said...

Your Wish Quilt is beautiful and I see why you are thrilled with the quilting. Well Done.

Lesley said...

I am speechless...well, not really...I have many words, like awesome, stunning, spectacular, gorgeous and so forth. You and Bronwyn sure work well together! I love how you ombined her skills and talents with yours and created a Christmas masterpiece! Well done, and the quilting, as you say, is drop dead gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!

Mrs. Sew and Sew - Karen said...

Beautiful quilt! Beautiful quilting!

Sheila said...

It is gorgeous Kaaren , what a beautiful job you did as well as the quilter !

barcord said...

Absolutely gorgeous Kaaren.

Susannah said...

Fabulous! Just fabulous!!

WoolenSails said...

Your quilt came out beautifully and the quilting is stunning. Ollie is such a cutie. My guy loves packages, he thinks anything that is wrapped is a present for him.

Debbie

Gra said...

Amazing quilting! Beautiful quilt!!! I have downloaded all pdfs but this quilt will have to wait.
Ollie is such a cutie!!

Rebecca said...

Love the quilt and the way you laid it out with the raindeer jumping and moveing all over... I went to the site and down loaded the patterns and might even get it started by the first of the year.
Thank you for sharing

Ginette said...

Absolutely gorgeous!! A true work of art! Your stitching is amazing Kaaren, I stared at it for a long time while the quilt was on the quilting machine.

celkalee said...

As if Ollie and Frankie were not cute enough, this quilt is stunning. I thought it was beautiful and Christmas classic before it was quilted, now it is just perfect. Your quilter friend is extremely talented. Lucky You.

Jeanne said...

Love your Wish Quilt! It's so cute how Ollie and Frankie share.

Mary said...

It is absolutely beautiful!! You did such a wonderful job and the quilting is beautiful too. Congratulations!

Janet O. said...

The fun never ends on this quilt. I loved looking at each close-up, enlarged to show the detail. Beautiful work!

Darlene said...

Oh, Kaaren, it's stunning! I can imagine how good it feels to run your hands over your exquisite work of art.

B J Elder said...

Your quilt turned out fabulous, and oh my what exquisite quilting on it! What a treasure. I have the patterns, now to find/make time to do it. A few other embroidery projects are ahead of this one, but I do want to make it.

Colleen G said...

I was totally attracted to the pattern when it was posted because of the colour. I love how you made it your own and the quilting is exquisite.

Mimi said...

I can see why you are so excited about this quilt....it and the quilting is beautiful. Job well done!

Pam in IL said...

Oh how absolutely beautiful! What a great feeling it must be to have such a beautifully stitched quilt!

Your furbabies are adorable too.

Darlene D said...

Oh wow, it's just beautiful! Can't wait for the pleasure of seeing it at show and tell!

Verna G said...

Just beautiful! Like an early Christmas present!

Noela said...

A beautiful Christmas Quilt. Love the quilting closeups. Hugs...

Doniene said...

Kaaren, I love, love, love this quilt!! You did a wonderful job and the quilting is gorgeous!!! Thanks for sharing - can hardly wait for the next reveal!

Rita said...

Your quilt is beautiful, Kaaren. Ollie gets cuter every day!

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

You made your Wish quilt your own Kaaren and it turned out gorgeous. One day I'll make at least some of it.

Guusje, said...

What a beautifull quilt.

Stina Blomgren said...

W O N D E R F U L!!!!!!!:0))))

Karin på Ösäter said...

So beautiful!

Unknown said...

very nice working!and the quilting...wonderful!

Teatime Creations said...

What a beautiful quilt. Proof that Christmas Wishes do come true.

Heather said...

Just lovely and your quilter did a wonderful job.

JudyCinNC said...

With your designing/piecing and Alice's quilting it truly is a combination for a masterpiece. I am sure you will treasure it always. The fabric choices are so perfect. Hugs from Judy C

Kathryn said...

Both you and Alice did outstanding jobs. What a treasure!

Angie said...

Girl you are such a tease!!! I thought we would never get to see the quilt---LOL O.M.Goodness it is sooooo GORgeous!! Oh between you and your quilter you have a masterpiece. Now I can't wait to see Comfort and Joy. :)

Stitched With Prayer said...

Really beautiful Kaaren! I also love see the pictures and conversations with Ollie and Frankie...way cute! Hugs...

Lori said...

Wow! Your quilter did the best job to enhance your lovely top!!!
Ollie sure seems like a good boy:)

Needled Mom said...

OMGosh, Kaaren, that is stunning. The quilting is gorgeous too.

Marit Johanne said...

Wow, it is so beautiful! When I saw the link to the pattern and that it is free I WANT to make one too! But I am afraid it will never be done, I have quite a few other projects that I have not finished. Maybe...maybe....one day....

Quiltingmama said...

What an absolutely gorgeous quilt!

Gail said...

Karen, The quilt is even more beautiful than the sneak peaks you showed us before :). I've never tried wool applique on cotton. Do you need to use "felted" wool or can you use regular woven wool.

If you ever want to adopt out your quilt, just give me a hollar, LOL.

Love the fabrics, colors and everything about it. I did download the pattern to make one of my own--just need to find the time.

Hugs,
Gail :)

Apple Avenue Quilts said...

Wow, it fabulous! What a lovely accomplishment.

Maxine said...

Christmas arrived early. What joy. Beautiful work. I pray that you and yours will enjoy this quilt for a long time.

Radka said...

Beautiful, beautiful, Kaaren! You have done a fantastic job :-) Thank you for the link, I have a feeling this is going to be my project for next year's Christmas!
xx

Robin said...

Your Christmas quilt is stunning. I agree with you about the fabric choices. . . you have really made this quilt your own. Thank for sharing.

Radka said...

I forgot to say that I agree with you re Christmas fabrics :-)
I have put a link on my blog, so others can see this wonderful quilt.
And a request: can I please keep a picture of your quilt on my PC ( for a reference and no other purpose)?

sewprimitive karen said...

Ollie is too precious. The quilt and quilting are just wonderful!! Ah, how perfect for the season.

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

Kaaren, what a magnificent quilt - the design, the handwork and piecing and the quilting all go together to make a masterpiece! And how big Ollie is getting! He's quite a handsome lad, though Frankie doesn't look at all impressed with him. LOL

Sandy said...

That is one beautiful quilt...your stitching is gorgeous as is the quilting. BTW...Ollie is so darn cute....how do you keep your hands off of him? I would want to be squeezing him all day! ;o)

Terry said...

It looks fabulous! I hope to make one like it someday! :0)

Carrie P. said...

Kaaren, It is fabulous and all ready for Christmas. It is fun to look at each block and to see all the different fabrics you used. Your quilter did a fabulous job too. Congrats!

edyB said...

Wow and double Wow!!!
You did such a beautiful job on the Wish Quilt and the quilting has really showcased your work. I wish my Wish Quilt were even started ... after Christmas I hope to get to it!

ann said...

Kaaren. You are so talented. Beautiful Quilt. Love the piecing and stitching

QuiltNut Creations said...

Kaaren, it is beautiful! Congrats on the finish.

Elzaan said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous,gorgeous!!!!
You must be very happy to have the quilt back, and so skillfully quilted.

Ter'e said...

Now you know, I am no quilter. BUT, I do know beauty when I see it. This is, POSITIVELY, the most qorgeous thing I have ever seen in my life!!!!!!!!! Ev-er!

Oh yes................that little Ollie is precious too!!!!!!! Just precious!

xoxoxoxoxo

Marsha B said...

Congratulations on your finish! It is beautiful! I am just starting the embroidery on mine. I notice you skipped the satin stitches, I am thinking of skipping those on mine, too. Now I am anxious to finish mine.

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Kaaren, this is truly the loveliest version of Bronwyn's quilt I've seen! You have such a special way with fabric choice and final display...you go girl!! :-)
Hugs
Jenny
xxx

Alice said...

Beautiful!!

Anthea said...

Kaaren I have been following your progress with this Wish quilt, and I so thrilled to see it all finished!
KNOCK MY SOCKS OFF!!
Your stitching is just so perfect & even, & I love that you have put your own ideas to it. The quilting is at once very amazing in itself, but also shows off your wonderful work.
Congrats!!

Libby said...

Oh how beautiful ~ The quilting and Your handwork is so exceptional. Just Beautiful.

Wendy said...

Your Wish quilt is fantastic. You've inspired me to continue with mine but it won't be done this year. Does Alice quilt for others?

GerryART said...

Truly Fantastic ! ! !

hugs

Candace said...

Holy Moly, Kaaren! At first I thought you were going to make us wait some more then I read farther along and ohhh'd and ahhhh'd at each picture (yes, Ollie and Frankie that includes you two darlings as well)! You and Alice are an amazing team!
Cheers!

Lin said...

Beautiful Kaaren

Janet said...

The Wish Quilt is gorgeous. You really did finish it fast.
Do you mind me asking what embroidery
thread you used on the Wish Quilt?
Can't wait for the next Show n tell.
I fall in love with Ollie every time
I see a picture of him. What a cutie.
Janet

Jackie's Stitches said...

Kaaren, it's absolutely gorgeous! Very smart choice with going with Non-Christmas reds. They're just perfect and don't compete with the stitchery at all.

Ollie is so good at sitting for you to take pictures. My two are a disaster!

Anonymous said...

Hi Jackie-
What an absolutely gorgeous quilt!
It will look truly fantastic on display at Christmas- and you managed to get it finished and quilted just in time!
Fantastic sewing!
Bronwyn ...