Violet the Spy

Wow, has it really been that long since I posted here? Yes, I guess it has. Life's been kind of crazy...
But I have been sewing (helps keep down the crazy, for me), and last week I finished another project. Actually, I decided NOT to post about it, as the recipient's mom reads this, and I didn't want her to find out until I presented the quilt to her daughter.

Our friend Violet turned one this week.  At one kids don't lie on the quilt so much as carry it around, wrap themselves in it, use it on dolls/stuffed animals/mamma, etc. So I make toddler quilts a bit bigger than I do baby quilts. This way the kid can do more with them, and, hopefully, keep using the quilt as they get older (for forts and such). Another thing that is different is that toddler can discern pattern and color more easily and so the quilt can be with more complex fabric designs, in my opinion.

With all that in mind, and more, I made this-Violet the Spy:

  

And a close up:

This is an "I spy" quilt, which means that each square is a different fabric, and this one has no repeats. In this way the quilt can also be used to teach the kid, by having her/him identify different elements, colors, etc. So the quilt is colorful and useful for fun, AND educational. A fun bit about this particular one is that it was made with fabric from a fabric swap as well as from my stash, and when I got the swap fabric I was planning a different quilt, but the fabric worked so well here, I was glad to use it. One of the ladies I swapped with is also a friend of Violet's mom, which is also fun.

The backing fabric, I thought, should be more calm than the front, for quieter times. I also wanted it to be purple. Here's the fabric I chose:

As it turns out, this was quite fitting, I thought, as Violet's party included butterflies in its theme.
I haven't talked to Violet about it since I gave it to her, but I know her mom likes it, and that makes me happy.

Donation Quilts

For the past couple of years, I've been working with an organization called Quilts for Kids which deals with, can you guess? Quilts for children. This is a, now, international organization that distributes quilts for kids, mostly in hospitals.
This organization makes it really easy to contribute: They send you pre-cut fabric, and a pattern sheet. You sew the pieces, provide batting and make a quilt from the fabrics they give you. Then you ship it back. The work you do, plus paying for shipping, is your contribution. Also, if you want to include another quilt, from your own fabric, that meets the size specifications, they'll be glad to accept it.

I've done 5 or so quilts for them so far, and have included 3 "stash" quilts.

Here is the latest quilt I've made for them:

and a close up:

I love being able to do good, and help out, especially when I get to do it while doing something I love. Another part of the fun is getting to work with colors I would not necessarily choose myself. Some of their fabrics are REALLY bright! I really like the blue fabric in this one though...

I have a link to the organization's website on the bottom of the page you're reading. Check it out if you're interested.
Time for me to request another kit!