Really. I really really really really LOVE this quilt. I haven't had so much fun making a quilt in years. It took the fun level up to previously unexplored levels. If you have had an idea that you might want to make this quilt, just go for it. You will love it too. Just make sure you make all your half square triangles the right size so you don't have to do them twice. Just saying.
As you see, I got the blocks all sewn together. This quilt is E.N.O.R.M.O.U.S. Actually, it may be too large to live in a house. Maybe a circus tent or a humongous office building with 50 foot ceilings?
You may notice that my quilt is missing its piano key border. Yes, well, I did my best. Grandpa fell over the weekend, and I have been checking in on him two or three times a day, and then I had my student over for a sewing lesson, and I just didn't finish that border. Grandpa is ok, and my student is terrific, but there are just so many hours in the day, and I decided I was done at this point yesterday.
Now, my friend Thelma at Cupcakes 'n' Daisies had no such issues with last minute deadlines. Her Halloween 1904 quilt has been done for a week or more. No waiting about for the eleventh hour for that girl. Go check out her post today to see her version. With borders. Thanks Thelma for the experience of sewing along with you. Always a treat!
As several of my dear readers have pointed out, I now have a heck of a good start on a quilt for NEXT Halloween.
This little sweetie is all pieced and ready to be quilted. I considered briefly staying up through the wee hours and finishing it, but I just ran out of steam. Another one for next year, for sure. Don't you love that lime green? This is Darcy by Miss Rosie's Quilt Co.
Tonight is the big night around here. Grandpa and I have a full day, with doctor appointments, a lunch date, and an afternoon of soup making and then our evening of passing out candy. I will be so wiped out by the time Thursday gets here that chasing after Eva will seem like a rest on the chaise lounge. Happy Halloween everyone!
YEAH! Congratulations Nicole, your 1904 looks great! I don't know when you found the time to connect those blocks. Don't you dare put that quilt in a box without its borders, you're almost there. Then it can be quilted and ready to be enjoyed for Hallowe'en 2013, how perfect is that.
It was nothing but fun sewing along with you, except for the pain of those hsts, can we laugh about that yet?
Happy Halloween!
Posted by: Thelma | October 31, 2012 at 04:47 AM
Your 1904 is gorgeous! What a great job despite the 'set back!' I love the outdoor quilt show at your house! Happy Trick or Treat!
Posted by: Jan | October 31, 2012 at 05:45 AM
Love 1904 and the glorious sashing that jazzes up the charming blocks! It will cover your bed to the floor, won't it? If so, what fun it will be to have a Halloween quilt for your bedroom. Won't Eva think she has the coolest Grandma?!
Sorry to hear that Grandpa fell but am glad he's okay. AMIL and I are off to a medical appt today, too. Soup sounds like a wonderful idea as it's cold her - but sunny after 3 days of clouds, rain, and wind! Our street hasn't had trick-or-treaters in the ten years we've been here.
Happy Halloween to you!
Hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | October 31, 2012 at 06:07 AM
I really really really really love this quilt too! And Thelma's is excellent too. I loved this pattern before but now I love it even more! I really need to work on my orange stash so I can get started on this x
Posted by: Gertie Pye | October 31, 2012 at 06:09 AM
Love your quilt top too!
Posted by: Laurie in Iowa | October 31, 2012 at 06:22 AM
Love your 1904 quilt. How you persevered is a story we will all remember. Loved the invite to your Halloween party, how cool! You and Eva need to hang out and rest up, maybe stitch on your tabletop, to gain some equilibrium. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Stephani in TX | October 31, 2012 at 06:28 AM
Well done! Kudos to you for persevering through many challenges, especially the "little" cutting error. May you enjoy your new quilt for many Halloweens to come!
Posted by: Wendy | October 31, 2012 at 06:42 AM
your quilt is awesome just the way it is! wishing Grandpa all the best. Falls in the elderly are very concerning. Have fun tonight with all your ghosts and goblins! What kind of soup you making?
Posted by: Lee | October 31, 2012 at 06:46 AM
My DH's grandpa lived with us for 4 years while in his early 90's. Drove his truck and fished off our dock every day in the summer. It wasn't always easy but looking back I'm so glad we made it work! Both of your quilts are fabulous.
Posted by: Deb@asimplelifequilts | October 31, 2012 at 07:41 AM
Beautiful finish on 1904. And your Darcy quilt is really cute and fun. It must be so fun to introduce a young person to the world of quilting. She couldn't have a better teacher!
Posted by: Lisa D. | October 31, 2012 at 08:01 AM
Wow. That is just wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing this quilt with us. I know that I had seen the quilt in the past but never thought much of it until I saw your first post showing the sample @ the Buggy Barn shop. That picture made me fall in love. I have added a few oranges to my kit and I am excited to start mine. I'll be tackling it on my January retreat. By next Halloween I'll have it quilted and ready for the bed! I mentioned to Thelma that the thing I love most about these quilts (yours and hers) is how you took those pumpkins and made them your own. It makes them uniquely yours.
BTW: I saw Paula Barnes at market and you and Thelma came up in conversation. She told me to tell you Hi! Said you were both so lovely... I already knew that! :)
Posted by: Sandy M | October 31, 2012 at 08:06 AM
Your 1904 quilt is gorgeous, even without the piano-key border. And yes, I love the lime green in the Darcy quilt. Happy Halloween. Seems like you might need a day off tomorrow, so double that soup recipe.
Posted by: Heartsdesire | October 31, 2012 at 08:16 AM
Halloween 1904 is just super, Nicole! All your hard work and endless seaming has paid off in your joy :) Love the second Halloween quilt too, all those fun prints. Hope Grandpa says on his feet so you can get off yours for a little while!
Posted by: AnnieO | October 31, 2012 at 08:55 AM
I love this quilt too. I saw Thelma's and both of you did a fantastic job. I really like how both of you changed the pumpkins a bit and got rid of that awkward moon block. I am jealous.
Posted by: Chris | October 31, 2012 at 09:03 AM
Beautiful!!
Posted by: Diane | October 31, 2012 at 09:26 AM
I have been collecting some fabric for this quilt, and can now really plan to start it since I have seen the experts do theirs! I found some really perfect fabric in the Seasonal Little Gatherings collection, in both orange (they call it rust) and black with tiny pumpkins! Love your quilts and enjoy the day!
Posted by: Jennifer G | October 31, 2012 at 10:09 AM
Congratulations Nicole!~ your quilt looks wonderful! As busy as you have been, I'm just smiling at how much you did accomplish! Have a Happy Halloween!
Posted by: Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts | October 31, 2012 at 10:43 AM
Your Halloween quilt is beautiful. Totally stunning. With all that's on your plate, you outdid yourself to get so much done. The piano key borders don't count. You get A for effort, and A for results!
Question: if you were going to make this quilt in a non-Halloween colourway, what colours would it look good in?
Happy Halloween. Hopefully you'll get a little rest and a few laughs while sitting and handing out candy.
Posted by: Debbie R. | October 31, 2012 at 02:14 PM
What a fun quilt and I think it was perfect timing!!
Posted by: LoriD | October 31, 2012 at 04:58 PM
So glad Grandpa is ok! And can I just say you accomplish so much - I have no idea how you do it - you rock! Your quilt is amazing and just think you are way ahead of the game for next Halloween! :O) Hope you and grandpa are having fun giving out candy and hope Ozzie is not going crazy like Cody is!
Posted by: Bari Jo | October 31, 2012 at 07:19 PM
Love, love, love how your quilt came out, especially the white pumpkin! Hope poor grandpa is feeling better...he's had a rough year, I'm sure you're taking good care of him though :) Hope you had a great Halloween!
Posted by: Anita | October 31, 2012 at 09:55 PM
I love both the quilts!! ;p
Posted by: ina | November 02, 2012 at 11:41 AM