Update on Gavin's Quilt

I just looked back at the last time I posted anything about Gavin's quilt, and I was surprised that I've only posted one update since I first talked about it in this post.   I showed you the hippogrifs in this post.  Since I'm really close to finishing it, I thought I should give you a real update.   The castles were the next section that I worked on.  I really wanted to add a little color, but Gavin is making all the decisions on this quilt and he wanted brown or tan for the castle.  

I did manage to work in a little red and yellow with the roofs, doors and windows. He likes it.  

It stayed like this for a while.  I think I was a little over-whelmed at this point.  All that paper-piecing, you know.......Since most of the top was dark I had to order black batting, Quilter's Dream and wait for it to get here.   Then it sat there, basted, for a while. 

I finally realized that there was a slim chance Gavin might outgrow this one before I finish it.  That's all I needed to get quilting -- motivation!!

I started in the middle with the BIG Centaur and just stippled.  

And stippled. 

And stippled some more.

I always think a little embroidery helps, so I added a little to the windows.  The owls look better with eyes than without eyes, don't they?

Gavin is doing a great job with color selections, isn't he? 

At this point the entire thing is quilted except for the black background areas, so there is hope that it will be done soon.  Maybe even tomorrow???

I See Hippogrifs!

It's time for an update on Gavin's Quilt.  I thought that by now I would be showing you the completed top, but all I have done is the four Hippogrifs for the corners.  Well, considering the fact that each paper-pieced block has 70 pieces in it, I guess that is really something! 

I mean, just look at these tiny little talons!  And this pattern is enlarged by 150%.  I have a great admiration for people who do a lot of paper piecing.

The Hippogrifs look great, I have to admit.  Gavin is really happy with them.

He has given me direction for the colors to be used in the final section - the Towers.  The goal is to have them finished within the next week.

Now, if I could just figure out a way to paper-piece without making such an enormous mess!!