Central Plateau, North Island

Central Plateau, North Island
View from a friend's farm

Monday 14 March 2016

Burning the Midnight Oil and daylight hours as well

 

There is nothing so motivating as a  deadline for a finish, to make you sew till all hours  of the night!!! The last day for our Midnight Mystery Quilt with Cheryl, over  at     Meadow Mist Designs  was  10th March, but I was determined to get it finished, with at least one border, and a decent photo posted. Well, first, make sure of the extra dark purple fabric, add the border, press, and do a photo shoot. It blew, there was lots of wet grass, wet branches, and it ruffled in the wind. A cat scan with Boris ensured all was OK.

Burning the midnight oil

The purple is the border, the paler blue is fabric under the quilt top, to prevent grass stains!!!

Outdoors #1 MMQ

I posted off the photo, there were 111 entries from all round the world, one wonderful marvelous lady has done hers while on a boat!!! Some great places for quilts to  hang  or lie, on snow, on  ladders,  in front of tall men with long arms ( hidden behind the quilt), trellis fences, balconies, railings,  and so much more. Prizes had been sponsored, but with so many entries, Cheryl was so generous and added from her own goodies, to make a total of 16.

In came all the quilts, one by one, stunning is nowhere near enough praise to say how  amazing  every one was, all different fabrics, some made larger, many were already finished and donated to family member or a charity.

Then…I had an email…I was one of the prize winners, random selection, and get to choose 2 digital  quilt patterns from Cheryl’s designs. Thrilled does not pass muster for my excitement.

Generosity in spades Cheryl, so many thanks from me,  and I’m sure we all send heaps  of thanks for this great quilt-along, encouragement, comments galore on the Facebook Group page, and  lots more.

Then, yesterday, Hugh’s cousin phoned to say another cousin was in Invercargill hospital. Daylight hours were  gobbled up as I made a bag, with  flowery fabric, rather than send an  unknown  selection of flowers from a florist so far away. The pocket was embroidered by Joyce, the flange binding from a tutorial.Side gusset with ties, to allow for more or less to be stashed inside.

Shirley's Bag #1

Two little kittens holding hands, and words…” Start each day with a smile”

I hope Jan continues to get better and go home soon.

Quotation of the day, author unknown

“ Be prepared, as you do not know 

what a day will bring to your doorstep”

Greetings from  Jean

26 comments:

The Furry Gnome said...

Congrats on getting that quilt finished - looks beautiful!

Susan Heather said...

Well done with the quilt - I love that bag as well and am sure it will be much appreciated - so much for taking it easy.

Leeanne said...

lovely quilt. And a big congratulations on the win! You have made a lovely gift that will last on much longer than a bunch of flowers.

Kate said...

Having spent more than my fair share of time in hospital, I can't imagine a more thoughtful gift than a beautiful tote. Flowers fade, but a bag to hold your book , magazine, phone, lip balm, etc. is a wonderful gift. I am sure she will appreciate it.

Mystic Quilter said...

Your quote for the day was spot on for the situation! Your quilt is lovely and congratulations on being a lucky winner of two patterns!

Razzle Dazzle Quilter said...

Love love your quilt. Great result!
Bag very cute. Stitchery perfect.

Julie Fukuda said...

It'd during those late hours that I would be making mistakes, then spending the next day undoing them.
Love the quilt and bag too.

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Jean! Congrats on your win! Your quilt is beautiful!
The tote will be a lovely gift for the cousin, I will them well. Great quote! Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

Allie-oops Designs said...

Oh your quilt is so gorgeous hon, and congrats on your wonderful win! The tote you made is perfect and will last ever so much longer than flowers...I'll pray for her to get well.

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Love your quilt and the colors you used. Congrats on being a winner.

I'm going to look up your post about the open source live writer program. I don't like using blogger for posting posts. Really loved the live writer program.

Have a wonderful week ~ FlowerLady

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

I love that quilt, such vibrancy in cloth. And the bag is very sweet. I'm sure it will be much much appreciated.

Jenn Jilks said...

What a beauitful gift, both to and from! You are amazing! Grandies are on the way (12 min.!) I am resting! xx

Carol Mattingly said...

That had to be a fantastic surprise to you to win such a thing. I know how much work goes into those quilts and it amazes me every time I think about it. I love the purple. It is beautiful. Carol

Jenny said...

What a wonderful quilt top, you have every right to be pleased with your efforts! And such a thrill to win a prize too.

Love the little bag you have made, it will mean the world to her to know the family is thinking of her while she is ill.

Barb said...

What a pretty and personalized get-well gift. Your quilt is so lovely. I love how Boris does a "cat scan"!

Georgia said...

You're a winner in so many ways Jean! Congratulations, your hard work paid off.

Hannah said...

You might be a night owl like me, if you stay up late doing sewing. Your quilt turned out just great, I'm chuckling over the "cat scan". It makes the work and late hours more worthwhile that you won a prize, I'm sure, great going, Jean. Too bad about the sick cousin, that seems to be a hazard of getting older. My husband lost a cousin last year. I hope she is getting better, the pretty bag would be much better than some flowers to cheer her up.

Our photos said...

That was a lot of work, but it looks great !! I love the color. Very nice !

KB said...

I adore the deep purples in your quilt. I'm thrilled that you won a prize!!!! Yipee!!!!

You have incredible talents for sewing. I cannot comprehend being able to "whip up" a beautiful bag in a single day. Heck, I can't even shorten my own pants (I'm embarrassed to admit - and my mother would be ashamed...).

I love your quote!

SRQ said...

Congratulations! What a beautiful looking quilt. You certainly are a gifted quilter. And, the flower bag is so charming and thoughtful -- very nice.

Angela Tucker said...

Your quilt is beautiful. The colors are wonderful! Your little bag is so sweet and thoughtful. Have a good evening!

Jim said...

Congratulations on your success and winning recognition for your beautifully created quilt, Jean! It is really a piece of art. Indeed it sounds like an astounding successful project.
That bag you 'whipped up' for your cousin is bound to help things along for her.
You are one talented lady.

Inger said...

Congrats and what a beautiful quilt you made. You are one talanted woman. I hope Jan has a good recovery and I know that bag would have cheered me up a lot. It is just lovely.

Sharon - IN said...

Congratulations on your win! What extra fun you will have! the quilt is lovely. btw. And what a thoughtful gift for your cousin, a useful bag instead of flowers! Beautiful!

camp and cottage living said...

Every time I pop in you have another quilt made!
And the colour combination on this one is beautiful.
Your bag is a thoughtful and sweet gift for Jan.

Fundy Blue said...

What a lovely quilt, Jean! The colors are gorgeous. But even more special is the bag you quickly made for your sick friend. You are such a kind and generous person!