Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Patterns and flowers

I had a full day of teaching yesterday so I didn't get much else done.

I have been wanting to make a quilt for some very good friends of Leiya's and I sort of had in mind a Feathered Star wall hanging. And though I've been making my own Feathered Star bed quilt I can't really find a pattern for a wall hanging that I'm excited about. (How dumb is that! Just use the same pattern, Tanya!) I want this to be a special quilt and Leiya and I even bought some homey fabrics in a rust color scheme for it. I don't have any deadline so I could hand piece and hand quilt and spend a lot of time on this project... If I could get excited about a pattern...

Remember when I said I had ordered a pattern even after all my shopping in the States? Well, it came last week and I'm chomping at the bit to get started on it. But it strikes me as a batik sort of quilt rather than homey... Good for Leiya's friends or not? Hmmm. And it is supposed to be machine pieced and machine quilted so it will go fairly quickly (if I don't mess up). Is that okay for a special quilt? Or maybe I should just make it for myself (again!! I make too many quilts for myself!) and try it out and make it again for Leiya's friends if I like it...

This is the pattern. Isn't it a beauty?! It is called Mexican Stars and I find the curved lines very striking. So I sent away for it and it arrived with a second unexpected lovely pattern in the package! And a note from the designer!

"Hi, I know international postage is expensive so I have included the Azalea Gardens pattern free of charge. Thank you."

THANK YOU!!! Well, isn't that a lovely thing for this designer to do! Just made my day!

And another thing that made my day this week was a gift of silk flowers and earrings from some friends
"because your mother has been ill". I feel very loved!

6 comments:

Nancy said...

I totally agree, Tanya, that the Mexican Stars want batik. I'm thinking nice bright batiks on white, even though what I usually think is batiks on black.

Anonymous said...

What a lovely thing for your friends to do....showing love and care for you because Mom has been ill...what awesome friends...Pat

Quilt Pixie said...

I've seen several mexican stars at shows this year in Canada, and the batik ones are very striking -- the others are nice, but not nearly as eye catching for what that's worth...

Allie said...

Nothing wrong with making quilts for yourself, Tanya! After all that work, you'll appreciate it most, right? LOL. I too think the Mexican Stars should be batiks....wow. What a pretty quilt! And how nice of the designer to send you an extra pattern. If you want, you can make that one for ME. (just kidding!)
Your flowers are so pretty - what thoughtful friends.

Marilyn R said...

I am going to chime in too, I think batiks are needed for the Mexican Stars. The pattern is beautiful. What a generous designer too! You have very thoughtful friends who give beautiful gifts.

Meggie said...

I do love the Mexican stars. How nice to send an extra pattern too.
Love thouse flowers- they will still be pretty a month from now, unlike the real ones!