Pretty and Pink

When I started to collect my thoughts for this post, I realized that pink is a common theme with the projects I intend to share. This is strange because it isn’t one of my favorite colors. Hence the title to the post. Let’s see what I have been working on.

Another Mercyful Quilt!

Remember I shared about a quilt show and lavender festival I attended earlier this summer? While at the show, I picked up an almost finished quilt top because I knew it would be sweet as a Mercyful quilt. Then center was complete but smaller than I wanted so I added two borders.

Two borders made this just big enough.

Quilting this was a quick effort using a serpentine style straight stitch following the lines of the blocks.

Sweet pastel colors.
Super soft voile backing.

What makes this quilt for me is the backing. I have a few pieces of 60″ wide voile made by Frou Frou. It is so silky soft. It was a trick to make this work because the quilt is nearly 60″ wide. Using an excessive of pins when basting (to make sure it didn’t shift while quilting it) worked though. I used a sweet pink floral for the binding. It is ready to be sent off to Patty for Mercy Hospital.

Totally different feel with this project!

Before Julia went back to California in July, she asked me to make her another bag. She wanted the same pattern as the previous two I made for her. (When this girl finds something she likes, she sticks with it!) I have used this reversible bag tutorial at Very Purple Person. I believe this is the fourth bag I have made with this pattern. Julia shopped my fabrics and found this piece; a fantastic print designed by Ocllo Mason for QT Fabrics. I received it as a sample when I had my shop (I do miss those occasional freebies!). It looks like a galaxy and the colors are so rich.

The other side of the bag.

Julia helped me to center the pieces for the bag so she would have two distinct patterns, one for each side. She chose a pale white tone on tone fabric for the lining.

This girl loves simplicity so there is one medium size pocket inside with a velcro closure as well as a velcro closure for the main bag. Easy peasy. I just mailed off a few things to Julia the other day and this bag is included in the box.

Final project for this post! At the same quilt show I mentioned earlier, I also picked up a few books. This little pamphlet by Moda Fabrics was one of those. It contains super simple ideas for using up 2 1/2″ squares. I often cut my scraps this size and knew it would come in handy.

Bonus HST’s

I have several sets of those bonus HST’s from making flying geese blocks. If I can remember to just stitch them before trimming the corners, they are almost ready to go for use in a new project.

Set on point with a deep background.

OK – this project is only sort of pink. But the background (while it doesn’t photograph as such) is fuchsia and there is pink in some of the HST’s so I decided it still fits.

Hand quilting hearts on the solid squares.

The quilting is a lot of fun and nearly complete. The trick will be binding it and not catching any of the hearts in that process. I kind of wish I had added a small border to help with this but I didn’t have enough of the background fabric. I’ll just have to go slowly (not my forte!)

OK – those are the projects I have been working on – and two are even finished! Woot! Here is my closing picture of my girls. Little sister sure misses H during the day. Kindergarten is a full day program in their district and A is so excited when her big sister gets home!

In the ‘live’ version of this picture, A is running toward her big sister. It is adorable!

Hope everyone is looking toward a fun weekend. I know so many parts of the country are dealing with this horrible heat wave. Because it is super difficult to cool off in many parts of the US; I think staying inside and sewing is the only sensible solution. ๐Ÿ™‚

13 thoughts on “Pretty and Pink

  1. Wendy

    I hope by now your migraine has left. Your pink projects are all so fun. Julia’s bag is very cool, and definitely looks like something she will enjoy! I love the little hand quilted hearts! That photo – oh fer cute, as we say in Minnesota!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Oh fer cute – I haven’t heard that before Wendy. But sure, it seems perfect for these two sisters.
      Hope you have a wonderful weekend. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  2. Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl

    It is finally starting to cool off here, and we may even get some rain tonight / tomorrow (hopefully not so much that we have mudslide issues, though). All the pink projects are fantastic, and I really love the hearts you are quilting on the last project. Have a great weekend!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      I was just reading the weather info for the next couple of days. I am crossing my fingers the rain isn’t too much for southern CA. Scary times lately! Enjoy the cooler temps though. They are long overdue.

      Reply
  3. Diann@LittlePenguinQuilts

    You’ve been doing lots of fun things, Bernie! I love the quilt for Mercyful Quilts – what a great find. Great bag for Julia, and that’s a fun little piece that you’re hand quilting, too. I always enjoy the photos you share of your grand girls – they’re so sweet!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      I can’t believe how much fun I am having with my sewing machine! Between that, the garden and the girls, life is good. I hope the same is true for you!

      Reply
  4. Kathy

    I am so happy you are there to experience these grandkids moments. It will only get more fun and interesting! Juliaโ€™s bag looks very cool. Thanks for sharing what you have been up to.

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Hi Kathy, Julia texted me that her package arrived today and she is thrilled with the bag and the other things I sent. Hard to believe but this is her last year in college! How can that be???

      Reply
  5. Rebecca Grace

    I love how your rich, dark background fabric sets off those scrappy HSTs and the hand quilted hearts look wonderful! Goodness, that photo of the little girls with the school bus is absolutely PRICELESS! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Thank you Rebecca. I have soooo many tiny HST’s – this barely scratched the surface. It is nice having them around for a quick project tho. Hope all is well with you!

      Reply
  6. Kathleen McCormick

    It is funny about the colors we use and don’t really love. I imagine you have more pink because of the darling granddaughters. I love what Julia picked for her bag. I love bags, but realize I have too many and I hate changing things from one bag to another. Love the quilts – the rescued on for Mercyful and that fun quilt from your Moda candy with the quilted hearts. The adorable picture at the end is just heartwarming!

    Reply

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