Mon Amour is what Carrie Nelson, the creator of this pattern told me I should name my little project. (Photo above is before binding was attached). Carrie's Schnibbles pattern is called Mon Ami, and is seriously one of the best Schnibbles designs ever. Since my recent discovery of a stash of Valentine's fabrics led me to make this little quilt, Mon Amour does seem an appropriate name. She urged me to get coordinating candles and something bubbly to sip while I enjoyed it. Good idea.
If you like this pattern, please go check out Kim at Kim's Big Quilting Adventure, to see her patriotic version. It is so adorable, you are really going to want to get this pattern and make one for yourself.
Let me tell you how I altered Carrie's Schnibbles pattern to create my version.
Her pattern calls for 25 blocks, and the resulting quilt is 30 some inches square. I have a smallish round kitchen table, and I like to use place mats, so a table topper around 18 inches square suits my purpose. I decided to do just nine blocks for my little mat. These blocks are small (around 5 inches) and each unit needs to be trimmed, so at about the fourth block I was happy that I had decided to condense the project somewhat! Not that the 25 block project would be too labor intensive, it was just that I wanted to crack something out in a day. Oh, and by the way (Nicole pats herself on the back here), I quilted it myself! Woo hoo. My Stitch In the Ditch method should more appropriately be called Stitch In and Mostly In the Area of the Ditch, but never mind. It looks ok.
See how perfectly my little mat fits in the middle of my table? I am so pleased with it. Love my red crystal wine glasses too. Now, I could really enjoy a bit of something bubbly in those.
Give me your opinion, if you will. I had bought some pink dishes last summer and had in mind that they would be just perfect for Valentine's Day. Look at the picture below. I don't think they are exactly the right thing with my new little Mon Amour table mat, do you?
The pink isn't quite meshing with the colors in my mat. I think dishes that emphasize the red would be better. lol Don't worry, I am not going shopping for more dishes. Although, any tips where I might find just the perfect thing would not be ignored.....
Today I am back to working on Belle Meade, the project Thelma and I are doing in conjunction. I have FOUR (!!!!!!!!!!!!) days off this week, so expect me to make some progress there.
Hope you all had a wonderful weekend, and I really do mean that. I think of so many of you regular commenters and wonder what you are up to. Did Linda get her new glasses? And how did the twins' birthday party go? Did Carol buy another Rowenta or go with a cheaper iron? How is Susan's fibromialgia? Will Karen Dianne ever make another Pickle Dish block? How in the world can Helen declutter her house with that back injury? What is Diane reading now? What amazing new applique project has Lynn got going? You all add so much to my life and I am so grateful we are friends.
I LOVE your little quilt with the white dishes and the red wine glasses! You've got me heading to my machine to make my own little Valentines quilt. I don't have read wine glasses, but I've got pink.
Posted by: Taryn | January 24, 2011 at 04:11 AM
Perhaps in person, your rooster plates don't look as great as you had hoped, but in the picture posted it all looks fantastic! Enjoy a lovely Valentine's Day dinner at your romantic table.
Posted by: Jennifer | January 24, 2011 at 04:17 AM
What a great little quilt! In the pictures the colors look great together, but sometimes the computer monitor lies. By the way, a great photo (still working on that here).
I'm just starting to read Queen of Attolia, the sequel to The Thief by Megan Whelan Turner. Should be good.
Posted by: Diane | January 24, 2011 at 04:30 AM
Lovely little quilt - I agree it looks best with the white china - if you want an extra dash of colour perhaps red napkins might do the trick. I'm still working away on my "Purple Passion" quilt - had two borders on but they puckered so took them off again and will try to do better today.
Enjoy your quilty days off.
Posted by: CarlaHR | January 24, 2011 at 04:39 AM
Oh it's lovely Nicole! I think it actually looks nicest with the plain white plates - the pink ones distract from it. You've motivated me to make something that size too! But first I have to finish the pinwheels and the socks and.... Thanks also for the mention in the blog - my back is healing nicely actually. Just can't carry anything heavy and I haven't tried any sport yet - but I'm getting there!
Enjoy your four free days. I can't wait to see what you do with them!
Posted by: Helen in Switzerland | January 24, 2011 at 04:52 AM
I actually really like the pink dishes, but I really like the white ones too. That is a fun little valentine quilt. I have made two Schnibbles patterns lately. They are fun and turn out so cute.
Posted by: A Betty | January 24, 2011 at 05:11 AM
I love it! This is my opinion on the dishes: Get a small red dessert plate to put on top of the pink plates, this will bring some red color to your table and will match well with the other plates.
Posted by: Carol | January 24, 2011 at 05:16 AM
I love your little quilt with the white and red dishes. To me the rooster dishes are beautiful because I own them, LOL but something more red to match the wine glasses. But no matter what you use I love the table topper.
Posted by: Sue Bennett | January 24, 2011 at 05:19 AM
Your little Mon Amour quilt is too cute and is so perfect for Valentine's Day and for your table.
Seems to me the pinks and various reds in your cute table mat look great with both bubbly glasses and dishes.
Applause, applause for quilting it yourself, too!!
Happy 4 days off!
Hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | January 24, 2011 at 05:41 AM
wonderful little quilt and your table looks fantastic even with your new plates :)
Posted by: Marica | January 24, 2011 at 06:01 AM
It's adorable, Nicole. Can't give you an opinion on the dishes because I keep changing my mind. LOL
Posted by: Darlene | January 24, 2011 at 06:21 AM
Mon Amour is perfect on your table! Love the white plates with it. Get some bubbly and celebrate!!
Posted by: LoriD | January 24, 2011 at 06:25 AM
The dishes are perfect! I wouldn't change a thing.
Posted by: Lynn | January 24, 2011 at 06:32 AM
It's so cute!!!!!
Posted by: Amy | January 24, 2011 at 06:41 AM
Love it! Perfect size too! I love the look with the dishes in the photo! I would keep it like it is. I'm patting you on the back too! Wonderful job on the quilting!! AND it's completely finished!! :-)
Posted by: Linda | January 24, 2011 at 06:45 AM
I think it looks just fine. If you used a darker red dish it would compete with the table runner. Enjoy it as is!
Posted by: Jackie Hicks | January 24, 2011 at 06:53 AM
I think the plates look fabulous with the table mat. You have more than one colour of pink going on so it is just an extension of that colour. A lovely table setting. Go with it! Love your blog too by the way.
Posted by: Georges & Wendy Ouellette | January 24, 2011 at 07:07 AM
love it all. as someone else mentioned maybe some red napkins to bring it all together! off to work on my hearts!
Posted by: lee | January 24, 2011 at 07:07 AM
I think the plates look just fine with the table topper.
Posted by: Anita | January 24, 2011 at 07:23 AM
I think the plates work perfectly.
Modifying patterns to fit your needs is an excellent way to get exactly what you want.
Posted by: Sherry Vlcej | January 24, 2011 at 07:27 AM
I love both table settings, but maybe the pink one looks different in person. You remind me of Romper Room...when she looked in her magic mirror and said "I see Mary, and Susan, and Billy and Johnny and...." Did you get that show when you were a kid?
Posted by: Cathy Burk | January 24, 2011 at 08:24 AM
Well, actually, I think the red/pink chicken transferware looks more country than not and your tablescape seems a little more elegant than that. I think the coloring of the plates is fine, though. Very cute quiltlet.
Posted by: Christine Thomas | January 24, 2011 at 08:31 AM
Wish my daughter were here so I could ask her what "too adorable" is in French! It looks just wonderful, tres magnifique! Near the ditch stitching is de riguer around here as well....have fun with your days off.
Posted by: AnnieO | January 24, 2011 at 08:47 AM
I love both looks. The white seems somewhat more 'serious' than the pink which seems more 'fun' than the white. You are so inspirational! I can not wait for the next four days to see what you all accomplish!
Marsha
Posted by: Marsa | January 24, 2011 at 08:52 AM
Nicole, you inspire so many of us and after working today, I am going to pull out some of my valentine fabrics and make a sweet lil quilt. You made me realize that every quilt I make does not have to be big... also love the table set... Its perfect and I am going to run out later and see what is at our TJ maxx... gotta love those stores.. right next to quilt shops :)
Posted by: LeAnne Olson | January 24, 2011 at 09:00 AM