NTT- A Gift For a Grad

Welcome to Needle and Thread Thursday, friends!  For the past few days, I've been working on a little gift for a special graduate.  Before quilting was my actual job, I taught elementary school for fifteen years (which is probably why teaching groups of quilters comes very naturally to me!), and I taught this young lady in both first AND third grade.  During those years at various school functions, my husband and I really hit it off with her parents, and a couple years later, they joined our Sunday School class.  We've remained close friends for all of this time.  

Teachers don't always get to follow their students as closely as I've been able to follow her, and I'm so proud of her!  It has been a privilege to watch her grow up.  I asked her mom if she had decided on dorm room decor/colors for next year, and she is planning to decorate with blush, coral, and light blue.  So, I decided to make a little monogram pillow for her dorm room bed to go with her graduation gift.  My foot still can't handle the cutting for a quilt, but a pillow was totally doable.

I'm not a huge fan of pink so I don't have a ton of that color in my stash or my scrap jars, especially not in the blush/coral family, so I made the most of the few bits I had with applique circles.  They look so sweet against the Bella Solids Ivory background.  Once I decided to use circles on the pillow, pebbling was really only one choice for the quilting, and they took forever.  I love the result though, almost like bubbles!  I left the applique pieces unquilted so they stand out and "float" agains the background.

This pillow is 18", and if you're interested in how I make my envelope closures and finish the edges, you can check out my tutorial HERE.  We're attending a graduation party for her on Saturday night, and I can't wait to give it to her then.

Before we get to the highlights from last week, I owe you a winner from last week's April sponsor post.  Lady Belle Fabrics is kindly offering a $25 gift certificate to a lucky winner, and that person is comment number 53, Barb!  Congratulations, Barb!  I've sent you an email so you can get your prize.

Okay then!  Let's check out some of my favorite links from last week!  Sew Preeti Quilts has her autumn vibes going with this quilt finish.  

I love this scrappy quilt top by Deb at A Scrappy Quilter-

And this fun, modern mini is by Leanne at Devoted Quilter-

Okay friends!  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 within your 

    post.  

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!  :)