Sunday, March 15, 2015

Elephant Parade Finish & H2H

 My Elephant Parade is finished! The white backgrounds don't seem to match exactly--somehow another plain white got mixed in with the Kona white I was using, but you can really only tell in the bright sunlight.
 I made my elephants scrappy using all my small stash of gray fabrics. I quilted it horizontally about every 1.25 inches using my wavy stitch on my Pfaff. It has been washed, so it got very crinkly because of the cotton batting and its finished size is 43.5 x 50 inches.
 Here is the froggy and
 one of the birds. I just used a close zigzag stitch for the eyes.
 My turtle has the perfect shell--a green with squares on it. I thought I used the last of it, but I found an eighth more in my green tub and then used it as the leaves on the flowers. Lorna's Elephant Parade Quilt was made with all solids, but I mixed in some prints for mine.
 The tulip in turquoise with a sweet baby elephant next to it--precious!
 Here is one of the proud mama elephants.
I have so enjoyed participating in the Elephant Parade Quilt Along! I was so excited when the flower blocks posted on Sunday. I whipped up my flower blocks immediately, pieced the whole quilt, pin basted it, and quilted it. I chose to use a wavy quilt stitch with my walking foot on my Pfaff just like the sample quilt. I also attached the binding and then spent a few evenings this week hand sewing the binding and hanger down. My hubby thinks I should embroider tails on the elephants with it look like they are being held in the trunks...What do you think?
The backing was purchased at my LQS from the sale bin and was $4.50 a yard. 
I just pieced the back with the same fabric instead of using an accent stripe because I had plenty of it. I did add a simple label prior to quilting.

I work at three elementary schools and there are usually a few babies born each school year, so I just make baby quilts whenever I see a design I like knowing it will be gifted eventually. Here is the link for info on the Elephant Parade and this free pattern 
Lorna is also working on a ZebraZ Quilt pattern and I am already collecting black and white prints for it. I have no idea who will be the recipient of this adorable quilt, but I will add it into my completed baby quilts and wait until it is the right match.
I am a WINNER, WINNER chicken dinner!!!
This week I received this Color Theory charm pack and mini jelly roll I won from Kansas Troubles Quilters' blog! 
I am looking forward to working with these cheery spring fabrics soon.
Late to the "Mystery" BOM Party! I usually do not participate in Mystery quilts--the one I made probably 15 years ago was a disappointment. Quilts are expensive and time consuming, so it is kind of risky to make something you are not sure how it is going to turn out. But, I bit the bullet and joined the "Mystery" BOM Quilt from Buttermilk Basin Design Studio. There are several reasons I decided to join:
1. it is free--this is huge!
2. it is made with wool felt and I am missing working with wool felt
3. I can make it from fabrics and wools I have on hand--anytime I can make something from my stash count me in.
There will be 11 designs posted on the 15th of each month. The pineapple block was from January and the flower pot was from February. The blocks are made on 6 x 10 inch pieces so far, so I don't think it is going to be a very big quilt. They are showing darker browns for the backgrounds, but I don't really have that many pieces in my stash--I have decided to use light browns/tans for my backgrounds as I have plenty on them. You can find more information about these designs here http://www.buttermilkbasin.com

I will be working on these blocks and the new one that will post today and of course my Journey of a Quilter for Slow Sunday Stitching http://kathysquilts.blogspot.com

Today is the first day of sign-ups for the Hands 2 Help Charity Quilt Challenge 2015. Here is the link http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/2015/03/hands2help-time-to-signup-and-giveaway.html
I already have this quilt made for Happy Chemo and will be finishing one of the Rainbow Medallion tops as well.

The new Snapshots block with the tea kettle is posted and I need to catch up on my Charm Square Sampler blocks--I have plenty to work on. What about you?

60 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  2. LOVE the elephant quilt finish and the other projects ...you've certainly been busy! :)

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  3. Your quilts are just gorgeous, Tanya, and I have no idea how you get through so much AND teach full time. I love the prints in your Elephant Parade quilt. I saw that you'd won a prize when I visited Kansas Troubles blog to see if that was the brand of fabric I'd seen on someone else's blog..AND...into the vortex she went... AGAIN...good for you! I will be joining in with H2H this year for the first time. Unlike you, I don't even have a quilt started!

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  4. I love your elephant parade quilt!

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  5. Love everything about the elephant parade quilt! You have been very busy for sure.

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  6. Tanya your elephants turned out adorable!! Thanks for the heads up on the zebras....I like the idea of making them from a bunch of black and white fabrics too!! Your H2H quilt looks fab. I need to get going on mine!

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  7. Your elephant quilt is adorable... I love it!
    Enjoy your stitching today :)

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  8. Cute elephant quilt Tanya! Love your other critters and flowers also.

    Your H2H quilt is lovely, can't wait to see your Zebras.

    I'm also doing the Buttermilk Basin mystery BOM...I'm using the same background for mine and felted wools for mine, I'm not keen on wool felt...hey I just remembered today is the 15th...time for a new block!

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  9. LOVE your elephants!! I really want to make one, too, but I've been to busy with other projects. Hopefully soon... =)

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  10. I have to say the same as the others, I just love your elephant quilt. I have to make the birds and some more baby elephants before I join all the blocks together. And I have to do as you did, find another white fabric, because I've not got enough to finish this quilt.

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  11. Awesome design for a scrappy quilt!

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  12. Your elephant quilt is amazing...well done...I am off to look at the pattern! Your woolie blocks look wonderful too...you are a very busy quilter!!

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  13. Congratulations on your win! I love your Elephant quilt.

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  14. So many great projects. Love the H2H quilt - so cheerful. Those elephants are wonderful. My son loves them... might have to make a few =)

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  15. Love your Elephant Parade quilt! I wish I had that wavy stitch on my machine. The closest I can get is a large zigzag. Still have the elephants on my list!

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  16. The Buttermilk Basin BOM looks like a fun project!

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  17. Hello Tanya! So many beautiful projects! I particularly love the elephants on parade quilt! Great piece of work! :) xx

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  18. Wow Tanya - your Elephant Parade has finished so well!n Love it!

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  19. Congrats on your fun win! Elephant Parade is adorable!

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  20. You really have a lot of quilty goodness going on Tanya. Elephant Parade is a fun quilt and will make a wonderful gift some day.

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  21. Such a gorgeous quilt! I really love the elephants. My mom told me years ago that elephants bring good luck, so I have elephants throughout my house, and I love elephant crafts.

    Navy Wifey Peters @ The Submarine Sunday Link Party

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  22. Your elephant quilt is just darling! I like the different white backgrounds - gives it a touch of whimsy. Congrats on your win!! :)

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  23. Sounds like you've been busy! I love that baby elephant :)

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  24. Great finish o your elephant quilt. It is so gorgeous! And good luck with your work on the charity quilts!! Lots of work ahead!

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  25. That elephant parade is super sweet, just love it. Congrats on you win, what a great prize. I'm joining in on H2H too, love this time of year!

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  26. As I was admiring your quilt, all I could hear in my head was the song from the "Dumbo" movie..."Pink Elephants on Parade"! I love your quilt...and I think the embroidered elephant tails would kick it over the top!

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  27. I love your elephant parade with your lovely fabrics.It is a beauty!!!

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  28. Thanks for the shout out, Tanya! Your quilts are beautiful - love the elephants!

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  29. Fabulous finishes and blocks. That Elephant Parade is just darling, and thanks for the links to it and the H2H sign up. I am behind on my blog reading and didn't realize it was already time for that drive.

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  30. Tanya, it's just wonderful! I'm not usually a fan of all that piecing, but I can really see a child loving this quilt, not to mention a mom!

    Julie

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  31. Look at all that crinkly, quilty goodness hanging fresh out on the line! Tanya your Elephant Parade quilt finish is so sweet. I love the quilting you used. So glad you have quilted along with me in the parade!

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  32. Hey, those mystery blocks are really kinda cool! Chances to use stash are good, too. YOUR ELEPHANT QUILT~! Sooo very adorable how it turned out. Great backing for it. You have lucky coworkers. :)

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  33. The elephant quilt is really adorable. The child who will receive it will love it.

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  34. Love the Elephant quilt! It turned out beautifully!

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  35. I love your elephant parade quilt, especially its wrinkly look. Lovely!

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  36. Your Elephant Parade quilt is so cute!

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  37. Your Elephant Parade quilt is so beautiful! It looks so nice and crinkly in the sunshine. I am still working on my blocks. I got sidetracked with another quiltalong.

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  38. That turned our gorgeous - love the frog! I've had that white/not white thing happen too and sometimes I think it really works and adds dimension to the quilt. I really like Lorna's zebras too and hope to find some time to make a few. Congrats on the win!

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  39. Your elephant parade turned out so cute! My got pushed to the back burner when I got sick, and thus behind. Hoping to catch up on it this weekend!

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  40. Your elephant parade came out beautifully! The tight zigzag is such a clever solution for the eyes. Thanks for sharing!

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  41. Lovely finish on your elephant parade quilt! I agree that it was a lot of fun to work on. I think that embroidering a few tails to trunks sounds like a cute idea!

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  42. Love seeing all the Elephant quilts popping up! A beautiful finish - love the crinkly cotton!

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  43. Love your elephant quilt with all the different grays. A beauty.

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  44. Congrats on a lovely finish! Very nice indeed.

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  45. Add me to the list of those who love your elephant quilt. It's really cute!

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  46. The elephant quilt has come up really well-- congratulations on a finish.

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  47. I am going to try making an elephant potholder for a friend who collects elephants. Thank you for the inspiration!

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  48. Your elephants are adorable. Thanks for showing close-up pics of some of the detail. I guess elephants do have tails, but I didn't miss them on yours. Thanks for pointing me to the Hands 2 Help Charity Quilts blog - I'm going to check it out.

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  49. The elephant parade is so cute! What a great gift! You are busy, thanx for sharing your projects are inspiring!

    Nini~

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  50. That is an adorable elephant quilt. I just love your projects.Thanks for linking to WIPs Be Gone. Now I wonder what you'll show this week?

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  51. Love your elephant quilt. The splashes of colour add the pop. Quilting adds a fabulous texture! A beautiful quilt!

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  52. Cute, cute elephant quilt...love your quilting on it!

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  53. This is a very adorable quilt. Your elephants are lovely. I was thinking I might do tails as well.

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  54. Very cute elephant quilt you made. I've been following along but didn't get started on mine yet. It might happen one of these days.

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  55. Your elephants finished up so cute. I love the tail idea!

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  56. The tail idea is great. I love the scrappy elephants and can not notice the difference in whites. It doesn't really matter if you do, it goes with the scrappy on the elephants - tell "them" it was planned that way.

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  57. I'm going to embroider tails onto my elephants, too. :)

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  58. How cute is this? Another post at Val's of this quilt and they are both adorable, your has so much personality.

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