Little Penguin Quilts Through the Year

Little Penguin Quilts Through the Year

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Seaglass Finish... and a Giveaway!

It's always a good feeling to pull out a UFO and finish it up!  Back in September, I stitched up a quilt top from a pattern called "Life is a Highway" by Cynthia Brunz of Quilting is More Fun than Housework. Cynthia had suggested that her pattern would work really well for a set of Bali Pops that I won last spring in a giveaway from Fresh Lemons Quilts, and she was so right!  Life is a Highway is the perfect pattern for a jelly roll, or anything similar like the Bali Pops strips I had.


This collection of Bali batiks is named Seaglass, and I think it is a lovely name for these beautiful colors.


For the contrasting squares, I used Kona Navy, and I used the same navy for the binding.  I think it frames the pastel Bali Pops beautifully!


I had a hard time deciding how to quilt this because I love the clean lines of it and didn't want anything to take away from them.  In the end, I went with a super simple "stretched out" zig zag that is the closest stitch I can come to the scallop-type quilting I've seen many other quilters using.  I just can't find that scallop stitch on my little Janome.  


It's very minimal quilting, and leaves the quilt with a soft and puffy kind of feel.  I have been very tempted to just wrap up in it and read the day away seeing as how we have had so much snow here recently!

The soft and sweet colors of the quilt top inspired me to choose a whimsical backing for it, so I found these birds - and they make me smile every time I see them!


While I would really like to keep this quilt for myself, I think it has someone else's name on it and is destined to become a gift for a special friend.  I hope she loves it as much as I do!

To find Cynthia's Life is a Highway pattern, you can go to her blog, Quilting is More Fun than Housework, and look for the Patterns for Sale tab or click here.  She has also generously offered a free copy of her pattern for me to give away to one lucky reader!  All you need to do is leave a comment on this post before next Wednesday, February 10th, and I will choose a commenter to receive the pattern.

I don't often have a perfectly timed Friday finish, but since I do this week, I'll be linking up to the Finish It Up Friday party at Crazy Mom Quilts!







37 comments:

Linda said...

Oh my gosh you did goooood! Those "pops" are gorgeous, and yes the navy is perfect for it. The birdie fabric is just perfect for the backing.
What kind of Janome do you have? Mine is a DC3050, and I can't get it to do that stretched out zig-zag that I love so much. I've tried every possible setting. :(

amy said...

The navy accent was perfect for these pops! Great job~

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

This turned out so very pretty! It is such an inviting quilt, I can see why you want to curl up with it. The backing makes me smile too! Your friend is going to love it!

Ivani said...

Beautiful quilt Diann, the navy squares and binding set all the color strips together. I bet the recipient will treasure it. Very well done!

Julie in GA said...

Beautiful fabric set + great pattern = fabulous quilt!

Heather said...

Turned out great!

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

Great finish. Navy was a good coordinating colour. Love the back.

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Chantal said...

Congrats on the finish. You did an awesome job. The little birds at the back made me smile too. Too cute.
;^)
scrap*and*quiltsat gmaildotcome

Robby said...

Your match of the Bali Pops and the design were great, and the simple quilting really enhances the clean lines.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Love the quilt - agree with the others, great fabrics with a great fabric make for a most delightful quilt. Very sweet backing fabric!

Anne D said...

Your quilt is gorgeous. I love batiks and they are perfect for it. Thanks for the chance to win the pattern.

Christine B said...

What a lovely quilt! Beautiful colours and lovely simple, clean design.... your quilting is just perfect! Have a lovely weekend! Christine x

Suegodfrey said...

Beautiful quilt, lovely colour choice. I would love to win the pattern, thanks for the chance. Xx

Betsy said...

I love the simplicity of it, makes it very modern

Jan @Cocoa Quilts said...

This is gorgeous. It looks like something me, a beginning quilter, could do. I need to give this one a try. Beautiful

Cathy said...

I love your quilt. Just looking at it brings a smile to my face. Hugs

babiesdoc said...

I have a balipop languishing in my stash (horde of fabric). This would be a perfect solution. Thank u for the giveaway

Donna W said...

Great quilt! And, the navy really brings out the colors of the quilt.

Susan L. said...

Lovely and simple. I like... ��

Susan L. said...

Lovely and simple. I like... ��

Anna @FreshDewDrops said...

Lovely quilt! The navy is perfect!

Havplenty said...

Such soft colors and they look great with the navy solid (a favorite color of mine). This quilt is a stunner and hopefully your friend will enjoy it.

valerie boudier said...

Lovely quilt made with beautiful fabrics valerie.boudier@ntlworld.com

Shawna said...

What a beautiful job! That really sells the fabric. It's one of the first modern quilts I've liked

Shawna said...

What a beautiful job! That really sells the fabric. It's one of the first modern quilts I've liked

stitchinpenny said...

I love the quilt, it is so ethereal in mood.

Lara B. said...

This is such a lovely jelly roll quilt Diann. The perfect combination of colors and pattern. The quilting is perfect and your friend is going to treasure it! Cute birdie backing too. :)

Sue said...

Love they quilt. It is such a great way to use the Bali Pops.

Cut&Alter said...

What a beautiful finish - you must be very happy! As you say Sea Glass is a perfect name for the fabrics - I love looking for bits of tumbled sea glass when I am at the coast!

Preeti said...

Seaglass is a lovely quilt. The backing is oh so adorable!!!
I know the feeling of getting a UFO finished. Just finished two this year. Congratulations to you on a beautiful finish.
http://sewpreetiquilts.blogspot.com

Judy Cooper Textile Artist said...

Lovely quilt!

Quiltsmiles said...

That pattern is so lovely with that sea glass jelly roll. Beautiful quilt, congratulations on the finish.

Cheryl said...

Beautiful finish, I really like the soft colors you used for the quilt.

Forks and Forest said...

The navy is a great contrast and frame. I like the stretched zigzag stitch for the quilting - nice soft accent. Great job.

Jenny said...

That is so nice. Love the colours and love the navy accents. Great job!!

Kelly said...

Oh how fun! Your quilt turned out beautifully!