Working on Quilt Show Quilts

Last week was pretty productive.  I finished two quilts including the binding and labels and got two more closer to that point.  I have to take a break, though, to work on a baby quilt for my niece's baby shower.  She's expecting a boy in another five or so weeks, so I'd better get busy and get this one finished!

Bali Crossing

I finished this Celtic design.  The quilting on the border was a pain in the neck - I think I picked it out three times before I got it right.  If you look closely, you can see some remnants of white chalk that I haven't gotten out yet.  I got over anxious and quilted the center before I put the borders on, so I had to add them using the QAYG method.  

One of the other quilts I finished as our bee challenge quilt.  Each of the participants in my quilting bee got a yard of fabric and was to design a quilt to be entered in our 2013 quilt show to be judged. We had 18 months to come up with a design and get the quilt made.  The quilt was to be between 24" x 24" and 36" x 36".   The fabric was Le Petit Poulet by Moda fabrics and this is the fabric we got.  This was quite a challenge for me because it is nothing that I would have ever picked - doesn't go with anything in my house, etc.  

Le Petit Poulet by Moda

So, here is my interpretation.  What I didn't take into consideration in my very literal way was that I wasn't really locked into using the fabric as it came to me.  I might have done something different, but here is what I did come up with.

Red Hot and Blue

Introducing my Red Hot and Blue quilt with Reginald Rooster Applique Quilt Pattern by Florine Johnson Designs as the centerpiece. (I forgot to take a picture during the day, so this one is with my phone on the den floor at night.) After a long search, I found this rooster pattern that I absolutely love and could applique in the center.  I also got a charm pack of the fabric line and used it for the squares around the rooster and for some of his feathers.  I enjoyed doing the applique as I got to try a new technique that I had learned - raw edge applique.  

I've got to go work on the baby quilt now, so see you later.

Happy quilting.