Pink an' Puppow Bowfies

Drum roll, please!

(Sorry if that's pretty self-congratulatory. I'm sorta thrilled!)

It's finished! Sixteen months (about five more than I thought it was going to take)!

 

When I began talking to Brenna about what she'd like, she was three years old.  Pink and purple.  Butterflies. We looked and looked at what was available in the way of butterflies, and Brenna's three year old self liked some of it, but I just couldn't see loving it in the long term. Then I came across this tutorial.  LOVED IT.  I had found exactly what I was looking for. Obviously, I altered it to fit my needs, but it still makes me so happy!

 

5 bugs

 

12 butterflies

 

12 birds

 83 flowers 

The center panel is called Wave Runner. I really like it, but I'm still not certain the two styles go together. Too late now! One thing that just made it so fun to work with is how groups of stripes would pop up in places I wasn't expecting.  This little spot is one of my favorites!

This is what the back looks like.  Brenna picked out the soft purple floral.  It was an interesting experience having a three and four year old as a style consultant; she has a clear vision!

This was my first experience with free motion quilting. It was hard, and frustrating at times, but something I'm really glad I figured out. I think it'll go better next time. 

As is usual with my work, there are a bajillion mistakes. I had constant problems with my tension, and nearly chucked the whole sewing machine out the door on a couple of occasions.  I think now that I'm not working on anything, I'm going to focus on getting that taken care of, so hopefully I can avoid this next time.

 This is what I got when I tried to encourage my sweet girl to pose.  I'm not sure modeling is in her future, but I think she's happy with her quilt!

 

I am so glad it's done!  And I'm so glad she loves it!

Miscellany 04.12.2011

This morning, Brenna caught her finger in her bike helmet buckle.  Then she cut through her shirt and her skin with her scissors.  Tonight, she somehow collided with out neighbor so that his teeth left a substantial gash in the side of her head.  It's been a rough day to be Brenna.

*****

We sleep with three pillows on our bed.   One for each of our heads (obviously) and one that we call my Boyfriend, or alternately, "Phil". Last night, Brian cuddled up to me, so that he was laying on Phil; I told him, "you're going to fall asleep on my boyfriend, so that I can't have him when I want him." 

My mind was going a million miles an hour, so by the time I was calm and ready to fall asleep, Brian was asleep and I was laying on Phil.  But clearly, somewhere in the back of his head, Brian remembered what I had said.  He rolled over, yanked the pillow out from under MY head and handed it to me. Then he apologized. For falling asleep on the pillow, NOT for yanking it out from under me. I could not. stop. giggling.

I have wished since the beginning of my marriage that I would get it together and keep a journal next to my bed for the sole purpose of writing down the things Brian has said and done in his sleep. So here's to a new tradition!

*****

Whenever I have to list hobbies, on Facebook, or whatever, I write "sewing".  I think I'm going to start writing "seam ripping" instead. I do a whole lot more of that.

*****


Speaking of sewing (or more precisely, seam ripping): Brenna's quilt.  Just shoot me now.  I don't think that thing is EVER GOING TO GET DONE.  And it has caused me to hate my sewing machine.