Quilts for two 50th Birthdays!

Well, it's time to show pictures of the completed quilts! Yes, TWO of them! I've been quite busy at the machine for the past week and a half, and I had so much fun teasing my friends, Chris and Dorothy, by posting two sections of the quilt recently without letting on that it was for them! I think they were both surprised on Saturday at Chris's surprise party!

 

Here's the completed Wallflower pattern quilt. The front is composed of eight 2-1/2 inch jelly roll strips from Cotton Blossoms Daughter (along with various sized purchased fabric strips sewn to the jelly roll strips). The back is 31 strips sewn together and then split in half by a fabric panel (I used the darker orange fabric shown behind the monogram). The idea turned out great, but I can't believe I forgot to take a picture of the completed back before giving the quilts away!

However...here's a picture of all the back strips laid out on the floor before they were sewn together. You can see all the wonderful colors in the jelly roll--lots of teals and oranges.

Here is an upclose of the flower, which was fun to assemble. It was placed on top of the strips and fused on before zig-zagging around the edges. One of the round medallions from the final jelly roll strip worked great for the flower center.

 

Here's the second quilt I made that was for Dorothy. I cut some of the sections for her quilt at the same time that I cut Chris's--doing some of the work assembly line helped time-wise.  Since it was actually Chris's surprise party, I focused on sewing her quilt first; it had to be finished!  Thankfully, I was able to finish the second quilt and deliver Dorothy's also since I knew she would be at the party. Her 50th birthday was last month, and I don't think she was expecting anything!

Chris opened the gift bag and saw immediately that it was the quilt I had been working on. Here she is examining the 50 at the top center. I wanted to be sure she remembers she's an old lady now. :)

And my friend Dorothy is all smiles after I surprised her with her quilt as I was leaving the party.

Whew! It feels great to have a big project finished, delivered, and the recipients happy!

Now what do I sew? How about those 60 Siggy Swap Blocks that I haven't started yet which are due April 15?!!

Tomorrow: Pictures from the surprise 50th Birthday Luncheon with recipe links.

~Deb

Comments

[Wagner Family]

They are beautiful! Your friends should feel so special, Deb! Their faces say it all....

Remember, only five years away! ;-)

[Dorothy]

Deb, you totally amaze me! What a wonderful surprise to see Chris get hers; then, the trick to get me to your car to present me with mine! It is just so beautiful! I have it draped over the back of my sofa in my living room so I can look at it as I walk around the house all day. :) Your friendship has been such a source of encouragement and blessing to me over these past twelve years. Thank you, sweet friend. Love, Dorothy

[Victoria]

One of those lovely quilts would make turning 50 worth it.:) I can see by the delighted looks on your friends faces that they loved their gifts, and they are both pretty young-looking 50 year-olds at that.Thanks for letting us see their beautiful gifts all completed.

Victoria

[Tammy]

The quilts are gorgeous.I am sure they will be treasued by both for a long time.

2 months from day is the big 50 for me.OUCH

Today is Allison's 18th birthday.

[Tammy]

Those are gorgeous! You do such beautiful work!!!

[Susan Ramey Cleveland]

Lucky ladies to have a friend like you, Deb. The quilts are lovely.

[Bet]

Love them, Deb! I am disappointed too not to see the completed back! don't you hate it when you forget to take a picture?!

[Courtney, Jer.33:3]

Such a sweet idea! The quilts are soooooooo adorable!

P.S. I'll be 50 in 25 more years :)-

[Tanya]

What great quilts. I love all the details. I hope that you had a blessed Monday! And good look on the 60 blocks!

[Joanna Donahue]

Hi Deb! Love the fabric collection for the quilts! Did you machine quilt that yourself or did you have it done??

[Deb]

Hi Joanna, yes, I did it myself. First time I've ever really tried to "quilt" even though I've made quilts before. I've usually tied them. But this was a new experience (which is why I told everyone not to look too closely!).

Thank you everyone for the lovely comments.

[Chris]

Hey Deb! :)
I have been running like crazy all day. (school with the kids, running Granny to the store, Laura to violin lessons, grocery shopping, errands for returns, revival and talking with the older kids as they all gathered back home:)....) I have a few "seconds" before my eyes criss-cross and I'm asleep....:) Yes!! The quilt is absolutely wonderful! Words fail me that would express all my thougths and emotions at recieving my special 50th celebration quilt...truely precious!! I thought today that the verse in John 15:13 kinda puts it into the right words : "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man (woman...:)) lay down his life for his friends". I KNOW all the time it took you, all the laying down of your life, time, energy... and the labor of love that went into such a project. But your love for others goes far beyond that, I know you pray for me, you have always had a listening ear and encouraging words, not to mention lots of time to spend sharing, laughing and "crafting" together. Thanks so much my dear sweet friend, my kindred spirit!! (((HUGS))) Chris

[Connie W]

The quilts are luscious! Love, love, love them. :D

[Millie Kriel]

Deb, the quilt is great. I love the bars with applique on top of it. Just a gorgeous quilt.

[Sherrin]

Wow! Such very generous gifts! I can only imagine how many hours you must have put in. Beautiful.

[amy smart]

What beautiful quilts! I love that pattern and I love what you did with it! Thanks for posting the link. :)