I got the binding sewed on this quilt just in time for the Festival of Trees in Salt Lake City this week. It’s part of our auction grouping for my brother-in-law, an Air Force pilot killed in the line of duty in 1995. This is the 25th year we’ve had something for auction at the Festival. It used to be a large tree, but as my mother-in-law aged, it got too hard. Since 2016, I make a quilt & Paul’s widow & daughter pick the theme & get books & toys to go with the quilt. This year we had 11 bids & it went for $750, so we were pleased. All the money raised goes for charity care at Primary Children’s Medical Center.
The big project this week was the gifts for Monday’s quilt group luncheon. I had to pivot after the broken hand as it became obvious I wouldn’t get the wool ornaments done, so I fell back on an old standard that I could actually make in my present condition, which is these Amy Smart tree ornaments. She has a free tutorial. They are quick & easy, plus cute. Win!
Squee! I finally started a bucket list quilt this week. It’s a hand-applique orange peel that I’ve wanted to do forever. I decided 2024 was the year & watched tutorials, decided on my method, & bought some background fabric to match another blue I already owned. I prepped the first blocks to start sewing the weekend I fell & broke my hand. But I took them to quilt group on Monday & was able to sew the first three while I was there & this is going to be my weekly project as we chat while doing handwork. The petals are all going to be low-volumes I have on hand. I’m loving these! In case you’re wondering, my technique is a combo of Amy Smart & Jill Finley.
I’m just slowly fussing around with these Ocean Waves blocks as another L&E project. I’ve finished four, but the first was my test block & I don’t know where I put it in my studio. (eye roll) I’m sure I’ll find it, but it will go in that empty spot to complete the bigger pattern. This is an attempt to use up all the little cut off triangles I’ve been saving for forever.
Congrats on the success of the airplane auction quilt and books/toys. That is a wonderful project your family is involved in! Great pivot ont he ornaments and thanks for the linky. 🙂
What a great to honor your brother-in-law! That’s great that it raised so much money for the charity. Your tree ornaments are cute, and love the orange peel blocks, too. Good for you for making such pretty blocks out of your leftover triangles!
Congrats on the auction quilt success. Great way to honor your BIL, and money for the charity. The tree ornaments are really cute. Orange Peel blocks are on my bucket list too (don’t ask me for how long!). Great way using those HST. After two years RSC sewing, I have lots of them.
That was a very generous bid for the quilt. So many times we donate our beautiful quilts for auction and they don’t bring in as much money as they are worth. You did a great job on the airplanes. I’ll have to check out your recommended tutorials for orange peels. I’ve been wanting to tackle some of them too!