Tuesday, November 29, 2011

That Cruise Quilt.....Finally!

I've been working on the borders for the cruise quilt since the minute I finished the wedding quilt.....October 4!  Sheesh!  I guess it's kindof been kicking my butt.....but I'd never done a border like this before.

When we were on the cruise, I managed to finish the inside portion of the quilt.....I was totally jazzed by the colors.....they are so NOT me!  But I just fell in love with all the tropical in-your-face splash of colors!  We were in the Caribbean, so why not?  Right?

Here's what I did on the cruise.....


Bonnie's pattern was really fun to work with......I never do partial seams, and I was surprised at how fast they went together!  I've even dismissed patterns with them, thinking I was 'not gonna go there'.....but they really are easier than I thought.

So, the cruise was really inspiring......the colors of the ocean, gorgeous scenery on the islands.....bright colors everywhere.  It was really a paradise, so what else could I do but.......


And, of course, because Bonnie had given us a lesson on wonky stars during the cruise....it was only fitting to add a few to the quilt!

And I think it's totally funny that I have this quilt on the porch with a bit of snow in the scene!  The best of both worlds to me!


I didn't have a clue how to do the lettering, but after looking at a few blogs showing Tonya Ricucci's Word Play Quilts, I was willing to try it!  I really need to get her book, cuz I'm sure I took the long way to get there!  Just looking at my piecing on the back, makes me think there might be an easier way!  lol


Of course, I was going for the wonkiness factor on the lettering, and I had a very limited amount of the blue ocean with fish fabric (can you see the fish!?!).....so I guess it's not so bad.

I don't even know where that blue fabric came from, but when I was looking for a patterned blue piece to use, I saw this in my stash, and couldn't believe my luck!  And there was about 4 yards of it, too, so I thought 'no problem....this is plenty!'

Wrong!

I have a pile of sliver scraps, and 1 piece that is about 12" square left of it!  Yikes!  I'm hoping I can cut enough hst's to make the outside border with the diamond chain of colors......but if not, then it will just get bound in black.  We'll see what happens!  Cuz this is definitely unplanned all the way!

But I love quilting like that!  Make-do quilting......yep, that's me!  lol

And now I can finally start on Bonnie's mystery......it's been killing me not to get going on it!

Have a great day!

regan

23 comments:

  1. Love how your quilt came out! I always feel like I am going the long way around when I make Ton's letters...my feeling is as long as you can read them then you did them right!

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  2. Oh my golly! I'm in awe of your amazing quilt! I really is like a festive fun sunny party! Bonnies pattern looks so tricky and your border is out of this world! Love love love this quilt!!

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  3. The Cruise Quilt colors against the snow piles is the perfect juxtaposition! It's amazing, Regan, very fun and happy to look at. You have the most perfect of all cruise souvenirs by far!

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  4. Regan!!! Amazing job!! It looks fabulous! Yay for having it out of your UFO pile... hehehe
    and welcome now to the Orca Bay Mystery! *hugs*

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  5. Wow! I love what you did, and the colors are really great. Like you, they aren't "my colors" but I love them! Since living in Hawaii, I'm discovering that my normal color palette is changing. I really love the quilt with the snow on your porch. That is the best!

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  6. I just love this quilt - absolutely gorgeous! What a wonderful way to remember a fabulous holiday. Love it love it love it!

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  7. Hi Regan, Love your quilt-it will bring memories to you long after the memories of the cruise passes. I understand about working out of our comfort level with colors but it is a great way to grow your craft & skill.
    Thanks for sharing, such a lot of hard work-it is so striking.
    Hugs, Noreen

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  8. Your quilt is so HAPPY and fun! Great job and you got to cruise! Not to shabby!!!

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  9. What a fabulous quilt!!! The colors, the border, it all makes me smile. I cannot believe you got the whole interior done on the cruise. Love it!

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  10. Wow! Your quilt is spectacular. You did an amazing job.

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  11. It's stunning, Regan! What a fun and unique border! Love it! :o)

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  12. Regan, this is a perfect Caribbean cruise quilt! Not the colors I usually use either, but you couldn't have made a better choice for this quilt. I think your lettering is excellent. Good job!
    I'm a design-as-you-go quilter, too. I like the challenge to "make do", but I admit that sometimes I drive myself crazy.

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  13. Such a fun quilt and what a wonderful keepsake from your cruise. You got the border size just right. The wonky stars and letters really make this quilt. Great job! Looking forward to seeing how you quilt it. It will be fab!

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  14. FABULOUS and fun quilt.! I love your lettering and it's joyful mood!

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  15. KA-POW girlfriend!!! I'm swooning over this wonderful quilt!! I was sooo admiring the first photo of the quilt and thinking how much I liked it and THEN....I scrolled down to the next photo and your lettering just blew me away!!
    Great quilt!!!!!

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  16. What an awesome border, Regan! No wonder it took a while to make! It's very impressive.
    Donna

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  17. Great quilt! I love your words and letters. Do get the book, because it's great, but you did just fine on your own. I'll be interested in seeing how you quilt it. (Aside, my son's name is Regan, too.)

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  18. Your quilt is wonderful. I agree about your method of 'make-do' quilting. That's the fun thing about scrap quilts, most of the time if you run out of something, you just find something else that works and keep on going.

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  19. WOW! The colors are perfect, and love your letters. This quilt will be great memories for you.
    Wonderful!

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  20. Hi Regan -- Oh I so loved seeing that colorful quilt with the backdrop of your house in the snow! Dreams of warm and exotic places for sure. Great job and I love the twists and turns of using up what you have to make a fabulous yet unexpected look! ~Lili

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  21. you did a great job with those letters and the whole quilt is sooo much fun. congrats!

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  22. Your quilt is wonderful - great job!
    Sherry D

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  23. Hi Regan, I just love, love, love your quilt. It is a pattern I hope to use in the future. I too have Tonya's book and would like to have a go at wonky letters. I so envy you being able to take a cruise with Bonnie. Maybe I will be able to work in one of her trips sometime.

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