Golden Paradise is one of two quilts I sent to #quiltsforca to be donated to the survivors of the California wildfires. The quilt blocks are from my first quilt support group – the quilting forum at Houzz (formerly GardenWeb). These were my birthday blocks from 2011. A birthday block group is a group of 13 quilters. Each quilter specifies what kind of block she’d like and the other 12 quilters make and send her one during her birthday month. Each quilter in the group gets to make 12 different blocks and in return, she gets 12 blocks from others in her choice or colors or theme.
I had asked for Buckeye Beauty in greens and golds. For some reason, I got 16 blocks – some quilters in my group sent more than one. I made 4 more blocks and made the top. After adding three borders, the top finished at 60″x 72″ – a very respectable lap quilt/throw size.
I quilted an overall feathery design – a kind of hooked feathers that require no travel stitching, and therefore went very fast. I quilted the entire top in one stretch. It took me about 3 hours including loading the quilt on the frame and 4 bobbin changes.
The backing fabric is from a suitcase full of fabric I got from my aunt Jaya. See story in my Storied Dresden post. The selvage says Falling Leaves by Alexander Henry 1994. My aunt regularly volunteers at a consignment store for the American Cancer Society. They receive a great many donations and one of them was a huge collection of fabric that belonged to a quilter who passed away unexpectedly. Her family donated her entire stash to the store. My aunt picked out a large box full of fabric of different vintages, different sizes for me.
I’m blown away by the symbolism in the quilt. It’s going to someone who probably lost everything in the fire in California. My birthday blocks came from one Australian, one Canadian, and quilters from eight different states. The backing came from a quilter in Michigan. I hope it brings hope and warmth to someone.
The second #quiltsforca is Bisection – see top and tutorial. I quilted large feathers going up and down the quilt.
Also, this month I will be part of the Black & White Blog Hop organized by Carla of Creatin’ in the Sticks. The Blog hop runs Jan 21st-24th. Please come back to visit. This is a sneak peek of my finished quilt I will be sharing for the blog hop.The Blog hop runs Jan 21st-24th. Please come back to visit. This is a sneak peek of my finished quilt I will be sharing for the blog hop.
Linking to the following linky parties:
Main Crush Monday
Free motion by the river
Let’s Bee Social
Midweek Makers
Needle And Thread Thursday
Finished or not Friday @ BusyHands
Can I get a Whoop Whoop
TGIFF @ Anja Quilts
Good Morning Vasudha! Oh your quilts are beautiful and I am sure their final recipients will just love them, and bring them great comfort. I really love your sneak peek, too. That fabric with the equations on it – that was exactly what I was trying to find for the quilt we made for Luke who loves all things math. I can’t wait to see it later this month. Happy Happy Tuesday to you. ~smile~ Roseanne
Wonderful quilts! It will be fun getting to know you over the next year as a fellow Ambassador! Yipee for you.
Wonderful quilts. I participated in the birthday swap with the then garden web quilters too. My blue and yellow blocks went into a quilt for the previous fire victims. I also recognize the backing fabric as one I had in the past.
Beautiful quilts to donate. Whomever receives one of them will surely be delighted. Wouldn’t it be fun to tuck the story in with the quilt of the origin of the blocks and fabrics? Nicely done.
Beautiful quilt and such a great cause!
Both of your quilts are gorgeous!
Such beautiful quilts! Thank you for sharing them with those who lost their homes and community in the Camp Fire. I have one I’m just finishing to send. Did you send those to Honey Run? I’ll be checking to see if they are still distributing them.
Love the colors on Golden Paradise. Great pattern, too. Very pretty.
Great quilts, for a great cause. Quilters are so generous. Thanks for linking up with Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday.
I am with you Vasudha. The symbolism in these quilts is overwhelming. It is fitting that they go to someone in need of comforting. Beautiful quilts and beautifully quilted. I am sure they will be loved and appreciated for a long time. Hugs to you.