Virtual Bee Finish!

I have posted a couple of times about participating in the Virtual Quilting Bee (VQB) that Amy Smart had on her blog, Diary of a Quilter.  She began towards the beginning of the year with one block, every two weeks or so, thought up and "taught" by a different blogger.  In the end, there were 16 different blocks that were unfinished at 8.5 inches.  She then gave the instructions on how to finish up the quilt, with setting triangles, sashing, and borders.  Her last post was in the beginning of November.  Perfect for a Christmas finish.

When I began the the VQB I knew that I wanted to use my Oh, Deer! by Moda fat quarters.  But other than just wanting to participate in the Bee I didn't have any other plans for the quilt.  After making several of the blocks, my sister started telling me how much she liked them.  I knew then that I was making this for her.

I learned so much making each of the blocks and mixing my colors (I am much more of a cool color palette kind of girl) that I really wanted this quilt to be about learning - and I didn't think my sister would care if I messed it up.  So I decided to quilt this myself using different quilting designs for each aspect. Four total= 2 new to me and 2 that I had tried (and in my opinion failed at) before.  I was pleasantly surprised at how well I did and am not sure that I have ever been more proud of myself for accomplishing something - making something - so cool.

Not sure how well the IG photo shows the quilting...  I had the hardest time on the yellow border.  That design is way more difficult than it looks.

The back is a floral print (that does not match in the least) from JoAnn's.  I figured that it could just be turned over for a different look...

*sigh*  I LOVE crinkle!!

I use a Kona Brown from JoAnn's for the binding and machine bound it on to save time.... And I learned a new trick too: Glue Baste Binding.  You should try it.  I watched a YouTube video by Sharon Schamber.

I have always been scared of the quilting part of quilting.  That sounds dumb, right?  Or at least like I need to fix my grammar.  But, in truth, it terrified me.  I am ok at the piecing, but always felt like I screwed up my work by quilting it myself...and since I have no money to send things off.  I lived with it.  But now I really feel like I am getting somewhere with my quilting.  Finally figuring out that I can do it if I want, thanks to lots of mistakes and practice.  I can't wait to quilt my next project!

This was my 5th and very last 2013 quilt finish (last finish, period, actually).  Can't wait to see what finished 2014 brings!


*See my two previous posts about the Virtual Quilting Bee here and here. Also check out some of the other versions of the Virtual Quilting Bee quilts, made by some seriously talented ladies, on the flicker page.
Love,
    Katelyn