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???

Complete Broken Dishes

Well..........I decided not to hand-quilt this one.   After all, "done" is better than "perfect."  Right??   I did some basic stippling on the main part of the quilt, some loops in the inner border and flowers in the outer border.  I think it turned out real cute and I know that Baby will love it.  

I used up just about all the leftover fabric to piece the backing.  It didn't turn out as cute as I had hoped, but I still like it better than a plain muslin back.  Did you know that when you piece the backing, quilt appraisers call it "Back Art"?  That must mean it's better than plain muslin.   Even if it isn't better, at least it is a good way to use up some of that stash!

I used Quilter's Dream polyester batting for this quilt since it will probably be washed a lot.  For some reason, you can see the front of the quilt through the back.  Ummm, wait a minute.  I planned it that way.  Yah, that's right.  Really........