big reveal

Here it is. All finished.

Usually when I make a quilt it is an emotional process. I get substantial highs when I think of a great idea and I get frustrating lows when my inner critic gets mean and merciless. This happens with quilting more than any of my other creative endeavors. And I think it is because quilts are such a big deal. They cost more. They take more time. They are a more substantial product, than say, a loaf of bread, or a scrapbook page. And so that just makes the process more. More difficult. More fun. More frustrating. More rewarding.

This little guy though, did not inspire the emotional roller coaster that others have before it. I think this is because it came together quickly (I finished it in a week) and I allowed myself to break some rules.

My highs were: breaking the rules. Letting that batting show. Allowing some fraying of the fabric for the added texture. Putting on the big yellow border.

My lows were: worrying that it would be too busy. worrying that the pieced squares were competing too much with the appliqued squares. worrying that breaking the rules makes the final piece less practical. I mean, this quilt is not really one that can be thrown in the ol' washer dryer. And, I think that's okay.

Anyway, my overall opinion is: love it. Loved the process. Love how bright and sunny and friendly it is. Love the cows. Love the cows. It's a cute one.

This quilt is for my friend Loralee and her baby Patrick. The squares each represent something in their lives. Their dogs, their garden, their chicken coop, their clothesline, their home. And, although they do not own any cows, they plenty of bovine neighbors that are near and dear to their hearts (and by that I mean they live around several dairy farms...).

Ok. That's it. I am still in Vermont and am heading back to Brooklyn today. Have a great weekend!