Thursday, December 5, 2013

My Inspiration

 This quilt was on my design wall for 2 months before I actually started putting these blocks together . I had asked your advice on how to set the blocks and what the border should look like. I do appreciate all your help.
 As I was contemplating how to do this quilt I got out the pattern that started it all. This was an e-pattern from Piece O' Cake designs. When I joined this block swap in 2010 we could pick a theme. I picked Christmas trees.

 This tree was my starting point. As you can see I did mine just a little bit differently.
 So the blocks sat in a baskets until I decided to work on UFOs this year. Next thought was how to do the borders. I was thinking about how I decorate my Christmas tree. When I was young our tree had the colored lights on it. So when I pulled out the pattern again I saw the lights and knew that it would be a border.
  I don't put colored lights on my tree. I use the tiny white lights. One thing I do put on the tree ever since my kids were little are candy canes. So I thought how can I do a candy cane border. I started looking through my quilting books. This is one of my favorite books.
 Check out the back cover. This was my inspriation. The candy cane border is made from half square triangles. Sometimes it is a good thing for blocks to stay on your design wall for a while so that the perfect idea comes to you in time.
 So that is how my little quilt has come to what it is today. Now to get the applique done! :0)

Be sure to link up your UFO finishes here and your new UFO goals here.

With Passion,
Carrie P.

18 comments:

Melody said...

So much beauty here

Nicole said...

That is so pretty. I love the personal touches you added, especially that adorable strand of Christmas lights!

Teresa in Music City said...

Oh how I love Christmas quilts!!! And yours is so fun and colorful :*) I have a friend who hates applique, but she loved that quilt in Quilting the Garden so she hand-appliqued the entire thing. It's gorgeous!!!!!

Michelle said...

Very cute quilt! Your border selections are perfect. Sets off the blocks wonderfully.

Karens Quilts, Crows and Cardinals said...

Beautiful job Carrie... And I'm having a blast with quilting the Garden now... Have you done it already?

Unknown said...

Love the outer borders. So cute!

Karen said...

Interesting reading how your quilt developed from ideas in so many sources.

Wendy said...

it looks wonderful. I love both the borders, they finish it off nicely

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

Lovely how it turned out. I love your process for your inspiration.

Sheila said...

Your quilt is beautiful , I love how you decided on the borders , great choices and a lovely finish !

GCamden said...

I love everything about this quilt. It is so adorable. Also, I had never seen this book. I might have to go out looking for it on the web!

Wendy said...

You found just the right borders for the quilt, I like the candy strips and lights.

Jeanna said...

We always had colored lights on our tree when I was kid too but my preference these days is white lights! I never understood why that was my preference until I read something that the Terry of Terry's Treasures wrote... white lights accentuates the ornaments.

Your quilt turned out so pretty! Love the border :)

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

Love the quilt. I love both kinds of lights. I've had white lights for a while, but the neighbors have colored lights. They have three little boys and I think it makes it extra magical for them.

Judy said...

That is a nifty little quilt! I like the lights in the border, such a great idea. You did a nice job blending all of it together. Congrats on your UFO finish!!

Raewyn said...

I love it Carrie - neat to see your thought processes and how you customised the quilt to make it your own.

Lynne said...

Love the coloured lights and candy cane stripes used as borders.

Rebecca Grace said...

Thanks for sharing a bit of your creative process. I do that, too -- go back to my favorite books for ideas when I'm feeling stumped for ideas. Pinterest is great for that, too -- but it's a black hole that can suck a whole day out of sight in a heartbeat if you're not careful!