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Monday, August 17

The Pets on Quilts Show with "Serenity Now!" (Free Block Pattern too)

Today is the beginning of one of my favorite Blogland events...
the Pets on Quilts Show over at Lily Pad Quilting.  The show runs all this week and into the next: the 17th to the 27th.  Many thanks to Jacque, she works hard to line up some wonderful sponsors and prizes!  This is one of the most social and fun linky parties out there, so be sure not to miss it.  There are categories that include every kind of pet.  Hamsters, hedgehogs, and horses - Oh My!  There is even a category for pet themed quilts too.  So cuddle Buckbeak and Norbert up on your favorite quilts and snap a few photos!  

Penny & Pip hope you come and join in the fun!  Here they are for their Pups on Quilts photo shoot:


Penny & Pip with Serenity Now! They somehow look American Gothic

Pip with the Serenity Now! flimsy. 
She thought the process of ripping off the paper backing was thrilling.

Pip and Penny were both adopted from rescues.  We adopted Pip in April of 2010, on the same weekend we adopted Kaitie's dog, Olive, who was my star for last year's Pets on Quilts Show.  Then a year later, we adopted Penny, and she and Pip became instant buddies.  We found all our dogs through Petfinder.com, an organization that showcases pets in shelters and rescue groups.  All three of these dogs had tragic pasts.  It took a bit of understanding to work through their troubles, but now you could not wish for more loving and devoted companions.  I really can identify with the question "Who rescued who?" 


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Serenity Now! A Modern Quilt for Sam

A lot of you have been asking slowpoke me how Sam's "Serenity Now!" quilt was going.  Well... It is finally finished and just in time for Sam to take it back to New Hampshire after his visit last week.  The quilt turned out pretty nice and Sam was happy with it!

It looks different in every kind of lighting, I suspect this is more so than usual because all the fabrics are shimmery shot cottons from the Oakshott and Pepper Cory collections. The photo below is the one I think looks closest to the true colors.


Sam & Gonzo, holding up Serenity Now!
This is the only photo I have of Sam with his quilt; shame on me.  I wish so much I had thought to catch Sam and Gonzo peeking out from behind, which they did a lot.  The camera was on a tripod, set with a timer, and somehow I didn't get one shot of them.  To give you an idea of size: the quilt flimsy measured 80"h x 60"w, but by the time it was quilted and washed, it had shrunk to 76"h x 57"w.  Even though I had prewashed the fabric before sewing, it shrank a bit more while washing the finished quilt.  I am super glad that I did not skip the prewashing.    

Awhile back, I showed you all the painting, by Emma Biggs and Matthew Collings, that inspired this quilt.  Sam found the painting on Pinterest and asked me to make a quilt like it, much to my delight
If you'd like, you can read about the start of that here:
A Change of Plans & Prewashing Shot Cottons
and here:
Halfway to Serenity Now!
  
You might remember that I decided to paper piece these blocks.  I found that the long, narrow shape of the 2.5" x 10" half rectangle triangles (HRT) made it quite difficult for me to sew accurate 5" x 20" blocks.  Paper piecing solved that problem nicely.  With this pattern, pulling off the paper afterwards was not too bad.  Pip thought it was a lot of fun and did a lot of pouncing.

In case anyone would like it, I'm sharing the HRT Half Diamond paper-piecing pattern that I made, along with the HRT fabric pre-cutting templates, and an EQ7 mock up of the quilt in pdf files.  Print them in auto portrait/landscape setting at actual size. (they will be oriented to portrait)  I have not written a paper piecing tutorial, but did write some brief instructions on the pattern.  And don't forget; you can print this pattern on the other side of the paper too, which makes paper piecing so much easier.

Serenity Now! - EQ7 Mockup
HRT Half Diamond 5 x 10 inch paper-piecing pattern
HRT Fabric pre-cutting templates

I'm going to just jump right into showing you more photos, at various stages.   


The flimsy phase of Serenity Now! on the design wall

Serenity Now! Finished - At the barn (I eventually pinned it to the door)

Quilting diagram
View of the Quilting from the back of Serenity Now

I was happy with how the piecing turned out, but not so much with my quilting.   I machine quilted it with my walking foot, following the great suggestion a few of you made about echoing offset diamonds.  It was a good plan, but my execution of it was so-so.  It is minimally quilted, but will hold up fine because of the batting I used: Quilter's Dream Orient - a rayon / bamboo / cotton / silk batting that has wonderful drape and that can be quilted as far as 8 inches apart.  Basically my problem was that a person should not try to accomplish nice straight lines when having problems with vertigo... you can see I was a bit wobbly.  Sam loved it anyway.  He said it made it all the more valuable to him!  Squishy Mom Moment...Awwwww.   

Also, I thought you would like to see the quilting lines closer.  I used King Tut variegated threads in two colors.  For the binding I sewed it onto the front and stitched in the ditch to secure it to the back, then added another line of stitching to make sure I got it all. It gave it kind of a neat, piped effect. 


Close up of my wobbly job of echo quilting and binding
The finished quilt, after washing.  The left side in the photo has not been ironed yet.  The whole quilt needed a good pressing again, but it was not so difficult to get the wrinkles out this time.  That was good, because I was not going to use starch and stiffen up the softness of these fabrics.  In fact, ironing it made it feel even softer.  
Serenity Now! viewed in incandescent light at night, quilted and bound.

Sam sent me this photo in a text message the first night he was back home.  He told me today that he uses his quilt every night.  :)  I kind of wish I made it bigger then.  When we started this he said he didn't want a bed sized quilt, but more like couch napping size.

Serenity Now! in Sam's room

And where were Pip & Penny during our photographic expedition at the park?
Right alongside us and having a happy doggy day!


Pip, watching all the goings on
Pip is a fairly tidy dog, which is good, considering that she loves to press her cheeks to your lips so you will give her kisses.

Penny, may look adorable, but that little bugger is often quite disgusting.  If she finds a nasty, odiferous thing, she will rub her body all over it and she does this in the blink of an eye.  She did it again that day at the park.  To borrow a phrase from Dana: "Deja-Poo".  


Penny is not too happy here, because Sam washed off her "Eau de Colon".

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Just one more thing I want to share today, about another great upcoming event.  




On September 18th - 20th, Cyndy, of Quilting is More Fun Than Housework, is holding another Quilty Orphan Adoption Event.  This event is a linky party, where you link up a post about a project you would like to give away.  Basically you offer a quilt, blocks, or fabrics (at any stage of non-completion) that you no longer want to finish.  It's a wonderful way to pass along that Quilt that only brings you Guilt.  The relief of releasing yourself from a burden and at the same time making someone else quite happy is a heady combination!  So prowl through your bins and bags and UFOs and see if you have anything you would like to give away! The last time Cyndy held this event it was a lot of fun!    

Thanks for visiting, because...




Click on the pup to leave a comment...
If you are also a blogger, she is highly likely to follow you home!

63 comments:

  1. What a great quilt for Sam! I'm sure he enjoys it. Such lovely fabrics and wonderful design. Congratulations.

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  2. Serenity Now is a gorgeous quilt! I do love how Oakshott and other similar fabrics look different at different angles and lighting conditions; it gives a quilt such a nice depth in person. And your quilting looks great to me - that looks like something I would be proud of! :) I am excited about the Pets on Quilts Show and will try to get something up to share later in the week, too. Rescue pets are the best; the love they have to give is unequaled.

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  3. Hi Lara! I really love this quilt! your colours and pattern are fantastic! I have wip with oakshott solids and made also some hrt blocks. Penny and Pip look so sweet! I'm happy for them to find a good home at yours. x Teje
    www.nerospost.wordpress.com

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  4. oh my word - I love Sam's Serenity Now quilt - its just fantastic !!! thanks so much for sharing the patterns too cause as soon as I saw it I was planning one !!! love your beautiful girls - they do look American Gothic with the quilt :) of course all I can hear in my head now is George's dad yelling Serenity Now - hehehe thanks :)

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  5. What a great spot you found to take pictures, I just love the contrast of Sam's quilt against the old creamy barn door. Your quilt looks fabulous, what a great job!! Love the colors you picked!

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  6. Oh my goodness! Those adorable little faces, I would give them anything they wanted especially little cheek kisses. I'm a big believer in the rescuer becomes the rescued, what would we do without our little buddies? The quilt turned out wonderful, I really like the look and it's plenty big for the bed although, I bet he pulls it off to watch TV too. Thanks so much for sharing the pattern, it's in my future now.

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  7. Beautiful quilt that I'm sure Sam will treasure for years!

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  8. Lara, "Serenity Now" turned out beautifully! The colors you used and the way you placed them in the quilt just make is sparkle. I love your quilting, too. It's perfect for this design. And the binding idea is great! I've never seen that before and you are right... it does look like there is piping along the binding edge. I agree with Maryse... the barn is a perfect background to show off your beauty.

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  9. Beautiful quilt! I've not worked with shot cottons and appreciate all your tips. I read your earlier posts, too, and enjoyed hearing about the process. I had a bout of vertigo about a year ago and know full well the nauseated feeling that makes every activity a chore. The "RIT" on Sam's shirt -- is it for Rensselaer?

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  10. Serenity Now turned out beautifully! I like the quilting! Most of my straight lines are "straight-ish" even without any vertigo, so I think you did well! I love the ears of your pups on the quilt, standing straight up! So cute!

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  11. Penny and Pip are absolutely adorable, they look so excited about their new quilt, haha! I have never used shot cottons and have been tempted by the batting too - I'll bet this is a luxuriously soft finish. Beautiful colors - serene with a MOD pop. Lucky lucky Sam!

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  12. I am so glad I clicked over to your 2014 Pets on Quilts post - those pictures with Olive are precious!!

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  13. Oh my goodness Lara! Sam's quilt turned out fabulous. I fell in love with this design from the moment you first wrote about it. You did such an amazing job from interpreting the artwork into a pattern, fabric and color choice, construction, to quilting. On top of all of that to share your pattern and EQ work! Thank you. (I love your dogs - too cute.)

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  14. That is a beautiful quilt and the "pets" are so cute too.

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  15. This quilt is amazing! Your fabric choices are perfect. Thanks for the shout out on my upcoming event. Life is too short to spend time on uninspiring projects. Time to pass them on!

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  16. Beautiful quilt and the colors compliment your pups so well. Thanks for sharing about the Quilty Adoption event, too. That's a first for me so I can't wait to read up on it a bit more (I'm already thinking about a few things I could say bye to)

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  17. So much good stuff in this post, Lara! I am smiling away as I read and now as I type. How I love those two scruffy muffins. Pip lies just like Rocco (I remember you told me she does, and the pose just kills me), and Penny is a dead (phew) ringer for Rocco with her "eau de poop" obsessions..."eau de dead things" he loves too-yee-uck! How I love love love this quilt! I love King Tut threads too, the variegated colours are just fabulous. Great idea to double stitch that binding, what a cool effect it has. This is a good reminder for me as I have some peppered cottons in my nephew's Bento Box quilt and did not even think about pre-washing. And to think you ironed the quilt after the wash--I would have probably burst into tears to see it that crinkled, not even thinking of ironing it, but it comes out beautifully. Love the barn door setting for the photo shoot. "Squishy mom moments"---are the best. Thanks for sharing the pp pattern. I want to make one just like it. Need to figure out a way to live until I'm 200 to get all these quilts done!

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  18. It is a gorgeous quilt, Lara. I love the colours, so beautiful. The quilting also could not have been more perfect. Your pups definitely stole the show. The perked up ears! So cute!!!!

    -Soma

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  19. Your quilt is beautiful but be still my heart - Pip and Penny are just too much!

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  20. Sam's quilt is just stunning! ( And truly, I really did not notice any "wobbling" ! ) It is just perfect for him! I love the barn door shot!!! ( Award winning!!)
    And the Pet pictures of Penny and Pip on the quilt top are ADORABLE!!! They are so dog gone cute!!
    Your photos for this post are perfection... and show off your puppies and your Serenity Quilt to the max!!
    Susie

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  21. Your dogs always look so sweet! I really love how Sam's quilt turned out. Thanks so much for sharing with us! I've got to tackle paper piecing soon because I know I will love it! Your quilting looks great Lara. Signing off from Dallas, yep I made it! :)

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  22. Your quilt is wonderful and your pups are adorable. Meant to model on quilts.

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  23. This is a really pretty quilt! I can barely believe you ironed it after washing, one of my favorite parts of the quilting process is seeing how much it wrinkles, :) I guess it's another example of "to each their own". I'm glad your son is loving it, that is the best feeling. Thank you for sharing!
    ~Brandy

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  24. I always, always enjoy seeing Penny and Pip.....such cuties! Sam's quilt is really stunning too!

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  25. Your son's quilt looks amazing. And isn't it the greatest compliment to hear that he uses it every night?

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  26. Lots of wiggly puppy fun you have there. Its an awesome quilt. DOn't fret the flaws my dear - it is loved and that is why we quilt.

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  27. Your pups are so cute it almost made me wish we had a dog, though the rolling in poo story kind of fixed that! Serenity Now (which is still my favourite ever name for a quilt) is just beautiful. I can imagine how all the shot cottons will work to catch the light and make it different each time you look at it. Lucky Sam!!!

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  28. The serenity quilt is lovely in the shot cottons - they really do make it sparkle. Love the photos of Pip and Penny. Perfect models!

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  29. Congratulations on a very fine finish. Lara. Serenity Now is just gorgeous and the quilting is such a compliment to the design. Love the variegated thread. Penny and Pip are such sweet dogs. Look at those mugs! They are Dog Gone Cute!

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  30. This is a beautiful quilt, Lara! And a perfect name....the colors are so placid :) your pups are totally adorable, and look like such good company :)

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  31. Cuteness overload - they are adorable. Ben once rolled in cow dung when we were out on a training hour with him and had to drive home with all the windows in the car open! Your quilt turned out beautifully, very calm but still masculine and fun!

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  32. Lovely quilt. "Serenity Now"...I can't help think of that Seinfeld episode where George's father kept saying, "serenity now, LOL!!!!

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  33. Nice masculine quilt. Cute dogs. Thanks for the pattern/templates. senstrings (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  34. Beautifully simple quilt. I am glad your 'motivation' team helped you to get it done!

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  35. It is just the prettiest quilt. I can't tell you how much I love it. It's not something I would ever thought to make, but did it come together wonderfully. And it looks especially fine under your little doggies. (Which are the CUTEST!)

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  36. Serenity Now is just fabulous! I love it so much!

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  37. Oh Lara, you are a clever lady.......I just love your serenity quilt. And I do love the puppies.....they do an excellent job of showing off your great work on that quilt! Thank you so much for reminding me about this wonderful linky party.....I have entered Callie this year. She is #26

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  38. What a gorgeous quilt. Pip and Penny are so cute!

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    1. Thank you Dolores! For both you compliments!

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  39. Your quilt is stunning...and your pups are so cute. Thank you so much for joining our party!
    Love,
    Snoodles

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  40. I am so happy to see this one again! I love it! The colors are just gorgeous! I can only imagine what it looks like in person with the warp and weft that only shot cottons have! The quilting is wonderful too! You knocked it out of the park Lara!

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  41. I think the quilt looks more than "pretty nice"... it's stunning! Everything look sharp. The colors are beautifully placed. The quilting is beautiful and I like it minimalistic feel. The quilt seems quite at home next to your son's furniture. It complement the dark wood and lighten it at the same time. :-)

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  42. Your dog stories just make me laugh. So does the name of the Serenity Now quilt. but really, that is a gorgeous quilt, and it looks beautiful on your son's bed. How sweet of him to send you a picture of it there. Your straight line quilting (which looks very straight to me despite your challenges) complements the design so well. Do you recall what the color names are of the King Tut you used? I like to see how the threads look in "real life." It's so hard for me to guess what they will look like when I just see them on the cone. And thanks for sharing about pressing the quilt after washing it. I'm glad know that works so well with the shot cottons.

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  43. Penny and Pip are absolutely adorable!! :) Such good posers! And Serenity Now, OMG SO in love!!! I think it looks fabulous and your quilting looks great! Pat yourself on the back often for this one, Lara! It is just stunning!

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  44. What a wonderful lovely quilt! Your pups are adorable but, sometimes they are just disgusting!! I had a dog once that loved dirty diapers- EWWWW!! LOL

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  45. I will take Penny and Pip wrapped up in Serenity Now! Please and thank you! LOL Seriously adorable companions, and a stunning quilt!

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  46. Both your quilt and your doggies are adorable!

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  47. When I get a dog someday, it will be a rescue for sure. There are so many abandoned pets here in Japan, it is really very sad. Your guys are too cute, and they have quilt modeling down pat!

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  48. These dogs are adorable. And they must think that they are in doggie heaven, being allowed on that amazing quilt. I'm sure that they are well mannered and eat their dog biscuits on the rug.
    Amalia
    xo

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  49. That is a gorgeous quilt! And your pics are fantastic. Adorable dogs too!

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  50. I am thrilled to meet Penny & Pip and hear their story, as well as see your absolutely beautiful quilt. Thanks for sharing and inspiring in the Pets on Quilts Show. Totally inspirational and packed full of #CreativeGoodness.

    QuiltShopGal
    www.quiltshopgal.com

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  51. Your pooches, Penny and Pip, are adorable! Thanks for sharing a little bit about them AND for your quilt how-tos. That is a fantastic looking quilt, Lara. I really like how you quilted it too.

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  52. Look like a great little adventure was had by all!! THat little pip sure is adorable and penny looks so wise. I sure love this modern finish Lara!!

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  53. Adorable pups and gorgeous quilt!

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  54. Could those pups be any cuter? And how fantastic did that quilt turn out!!! What a treasure!

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  55. Penny and Pip are adorable :) Congrats on the finish of Serenity Now. It's really a beautiful quilt.

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  56. Penny and Pip are so cute. Your quilt is lovely.

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  57. Oooooh!!! I love your quilt and the quilt design is perfect!! I must say that Pip and Penny are darling😉

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  58. Penny and Pip are so darn cute! Your quilt is fabulous.

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  59. Lovely quilt! I like the color combo, pattern and simple quilting. Well done!

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