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Wednesday, June 7, 2017

The Big 4-0 (and NTT)

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, y'all!  This week has been a whirlwind of birthday activities and vacation preparations.  Today is my 40th birthday, and so far it has been fabulous.  That alone would be big, but my wild thing's birthday is tomorrow, and he will be thirteen!  The fact that I am the mom of a teenager makes me feel older than my own age ever could.  I seriously don't even know how that happened; I know it was just a little while ago that he was toddling around.  Somebody make time slow down, please!  Needless to say, we have celebrated both birthdays in big ways all week long (which is as it should be when such milestones are hit).

Part of my birthday gift to myself includes some sewing time, and I've spent the last couple of days finishing up this quilt.  I actually just put the binding on this morning.


I decided to keep this finish relaxing, quilting with an allover, easy stipple.  You can't really tell in the photo, but the quilting thread is a whisper-soft lavender (Aurifil Iris, #2560), which adds just enough texture.  I wish you could see these fabrics in person.  They are designed with colors that are rich and vibrant, but not garish; and the prints are a mix of luscious, larger prints, with pretty smaller florals and geometrics.


For me, one of the tricky parts about working with a layer cake is deciding on the backing.  Usually, I make a pieced backing with several of the prints from the quilt, but precuts make that impossible.  This navy bubble chevron and aqua tonal fabric blend perfectly with the colors on the front though.  Both of these are Moda fabrics, but I'm not sure of the collections.  I wish I paid better attention to the names of fabrics when I purchase in person.  I'm good about remembering fabric names/designers when I buy online, but I rarely pay attention to the bolts or selvages.


I'm not a pink person (at all), but when I put this bright pink fabric next to the quilt, it just sang, and I love the little extra pop it adds to the quilt.  Sometimes, the quilt just wants what it wants.  I'm calling this quilt Butterfly Kisses, and the pattern will be coming soon.  It only takes ONE layer cake, plus background yardage, so get those precuts ready!

Last week's party was fantastic, with so many swoon-worthy quilts.  Check out this quilt, called Revitalized, by Jayne at Twiggy and Opal.  You know how much I love green, and this is such a great interpretation of the Pantone Color of the Year (Greenery).


This modern beauty is by Sophie at Luna Lovequilts.  If you missed it last week, be sure to hop over there and check out the amazing straight line quilting on this one.


And finally, this Pantone Quilt Challenge quilt is God's Green Earth by Maryse Makes Things, and I just couldn't help but share it.  What a gorgeous, fresh interpretation of a classic pattern!


Before we party, I need to let you know that NTT will be taking a vacation next week, soaking up the sun and enjoying the waves on the beach.  I'll be back the following week, June 21st, though, so be sure to join us then!

Without further ado, let's link up!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!
2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.
3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link.  
4. Spread the comment love far and wide!
5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)


30 comments:

  1. Happy birthday Kelly and happy birthday for tomorrow to the wild thing. 40 is the new 20 isn't it. Enjoy xxx

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  2. Kelly, Happy birthday!!! That is a great finish to help ring in the celebration. --Andrea

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  3. Happy birthday to you Kelly! The quilt is beautiful. I always love your pieced backs too :)

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  4. Happy birthday Kellie! I love your butterfly kisses quilt, there's something about the way it looks like it's got inset blocks that really appeals to me. Enjoy your break!

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  5. Happy Happy Birthday! Enjoy the celebration! Thank you for the Butterfly Kisses pattern...it's wonderful and looks like it'll be a fun one to make! :)

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  6. Thank you for featuring my quilt Kelly ! And welcome to the 40-something :-))

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  7. A very happy birthday Kelly, I hope you and your son celebrate in style, you've definitely started with this stunning finish! :)

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  8. Happy Birthday! What a way to celebrate...it's a beautiful finish! <3

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  9. Happy birthday to you both! Thank you for sharing such lovely quilts.

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  10. Happy birthday to you and your wild thing! Another great quilt finish!

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  11. Happy birthday and enjoy the break!

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  12. A HUGE Happy Birthday to you and your son!!! Such fun milestones!!!! Yes, time whizzes by for sure. My oldest son just graduated from high school and will be leaving for college in August and my Peanut will be a sophomore next year! Crazy to even imagine!!! Have a wonderful rest of the week and I hope y'all have a relaxing and fun time on vacay at the beach!!!!

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  13. Happy Birthday! yes the years fly by and you wonder how your child can be 13 already - but just wait until you are 50 or 60 time seems to fly even faster then!

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  14. Happy, happy birthday! And to the birthday boy too!

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  15. Happy Birthday to you!! And your son! Two big milestones!! I'm not gonna say it...okay I am...time goes by so fast with kids! Before you know it...their are 13!

    Thank you for the feature of my quilt too! I wasn't a huge fan of green when I started it, but came to like it much, much more!

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  16. Happy Birthday to you and your son. Hope you get some wonderful sewing time just for you this week. That pink binding is just right with your new quilt.

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  17. I'm a day late to wish you a happy 40th, Kelly, but I hope it was wonderful! Wishing a big happy 1-3 to your son today! Those teenage years can be tricky. May the good forces be on your side! Enjoy every day!

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  18. Happy birthday to you and your "wild one." Hope you celebrate in grand style. I am so delighted you decided to make a pattern for this quilt. It is absolutely gorgeous. I can't wait to get the pattern. I'm already trying to decide which of my stashed layer cakes to use. Getting excited!

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  19. Happy Belated Birthday to you! With so many birthdays, that means twice the cake! I wish you and your wild one the very best :)

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  20. Happy happy birthday to you both! What a milestone day! :D

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  21. Double Happy Birthday! What a great quilt!

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  22. Happy birthday, Kelly!! I'll be catching up to you in about five more months ; ) Except I sort of wish I was going to be a teen parent already... I'm ready to be past the diapers stage! lol Great finish - that pink edge really is the perfect pop.

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  23. Happy birthday. Have a wonderfully relaxing holiday.

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  24. Happy Birthday! Lovely quilt! So cheerful! Thank you for sharing!

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  26. WOW happy birthday! You share your birthday with my Mum but she is 25 years older than you :-)

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  28. Thank you Kelly for featuring my quilt!! Oh, and Happy Belated Birthday!!

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  29. Butterfly Kisses is such a beautiful quilt! I can hear the colors singing across the 'net. Happy [belated] birthday! Sandy at sewhigh.blogspot.com

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