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Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Cute Balls of Fluff


If you told me a week ago that running around somewhere inside my stash was four furry hamsters, I would have thought you were crazy.  But guess what?  I found four furry hamsters inside my stash...sneaky little devils.  Okay, maybe that's not exactly what happened, but it's close.

A few weeks ago one of my favorite pattern designers, Lorna at Sew Fresh Quilts gave us a sneak peak of a pattern and quilt she was working on called My Pet Hamster.  Adorable. Just simply adorable.  I had left a comment on her blog and we sparked up a conversation about the quilt.  I was super excited to see this pattern because I thought I could call them guinea pigs and give them to my niece as a present.  I've observed her guinea pig Ellie with a mouth full of timothy grass and it looked pretty similar to these little critters.

Last week I got one of the best gifts ever.  After Lorna finished up making her hamster blocks, she surprised me with a copy of her pattern.  I was completely floored and could not wait to cut up fabrics and make those blocks.

I ran to my stash to do a quick fabric pull.  Keeping in mind the first block I needed to make would be the Ellie block.  Ellie the guinea pig is albino.  Hmmm. This would take some thought.


An all white hamster is quite a bit of white, and my fear was creating a big white blob.  After digging through my white bin I had an idea.  I pulled a piece of solid white and what I think was Michael Miller Fairy Frost.  Of course I couldn't forget a dark pink for her eyes.


 It was hard to get good lighting, but I hope you can see the two different whites in the block.  I was on such a roll, I had to make one more before I went to bed.  (I didn't start the project until like 9 at night)


The next morning I was determine to find the other two little balls of fur lurking in my scraps and bits.  After hearing all the talk about hamsters, Princess Caroline of the Fuzzy Butts was also determine to find them.  She thought she had the upper hand hiding under my clear extension table.


As I cut and pieced she eventually tuckered out from all the excitement.


Caroline snoozed and Inky and Gray Goose were born.


Even before the first ears where sewn together, I knew that I wanted to quilt this wall hanging with Lorna's gentle wavy lines.  The only question was what thread to use.  I wanted my little albino baby to stay nice and white so I considered Aurifil #2021 Natural White.  Though the white thread would blend nicely with Miss Ellie, I was afraid it wouldn't play as nicely with Inky, Teddy and Gray Goose.  I even considered a light gray, but no!  Ellie must stay as albino white as possible.  Then I remembered one of my last Craftsy Purchases...Aurifil Monofilament Thread.


So the new plan was to quilt the wavy lines with the monofilament thread on the top and Aurifil #2310 Light Beige in the bobbin.


Instead of my walking foot, I opted to use my free motion foot for the quilting.  I could not be happier with the results.  The monofilament thread blended right into the quilt top and left a wonderful texture, leaving the little horde of hamsters the star of the show.  In the future I think I might even try actual free motion quilt motifs with this thread.  If flowed quite nicely.

For my binding I again chose Susie's Magic Binding Method...I just can't get enough of it.  The flange became this nice cream and circle print that has been in my stash forever.


Everything about making this quilt was a blast!




Including delivery to its new home.


A huge thank you to Lorna for allowing me to try out her pattern!  I absolutely love her style of pattern writing and of course all the creative designs she cooks up.  If you haven't stopped by her pattern store you must swing by and check it out.  There is all kinds of fun swimming, flying, floating and walking around over there.

Also, don't forget next Monday starts off the 2016 New Bloggers Blog Hop.  I am part of the Sewcial Network Hive and will be posting on Monday along with four other very talented quilter bloggers.  Don't forget to stop by and check out everyone's posts and also check in with the hop leaders Yvonne at Quilting Jetgirl, Cheryl at Meadow Mist Designs and Stephanie at Late Night Quilter to find out how you can enter to win prizes from our generous sponsors.



Today I'm linking up with Let's Bee Social and Pet's on Quilts entering in the Pet themed quilted project.

39 comments:

  1. The cutest ever, superb colour choices, and evidently a great success with all;

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  2. Ellie and her playmates are each one as cute as the next. Your wall hanging is so sweet and the flanged binding is the icing on the cake. Thanks so much for sharing about your process AND for sharing photos of the real Ellie enjoying her new "snack mat". Looking forward to reading your post in the New Blogger Hop!

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  3. What an awesome quilt and I love getting to see it with your niece and her guinea pig, Ellie! :)

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  4. Adorable! I cannot wait to make this block myself. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  5. What a great post - lovely to read about how you made it. Also great to see it with its new owners!! Pets in posts is always cute!!!

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  6. Love these from when I first saw them, and you did a fabulous job (as always) of the quilting. Funny, a while back, Lorna tried to emulate Red Pepper Quilts' style (and did a super job), and now you are emulating Lorna's style! And did a super job! I love the photo of your niece with Ellie and the quilt! and the one of Caroline under the extended table and snoozing, resting her arm like Bella does, on a quilt!

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  7. Tish , that's what happens to me too when i make one of Lorna's patterns. Lorna's critters are so much fun you get carried away!
    Your all white guinea pig is perfect! Great idea to use the Fairy Frost! Your niece and Ellie look very happy with their surprise too.
    Caroline is way too cute!

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  8. What a great post. I love the photo of your niece and of Ella and her carrot.

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  9. Tish, So stinking cute!! love that binding.

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  10. So cute! Every time I see this pattern, I think I have to have it. My grand daughter has a hamster and she would so love this quilt. I love how you made it...adorable! And lucky you to get to try out the pattern!

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  11. Great pattern and a you've done a great job! all those photos were brilliant and made a great story. Good luck with your stop on the hop next week - I'll be visiting!

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  12. Great mini, and I love the story about making it. Thanks for highlighting the mono-filament, I have never tried it but it is on my list now!

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  13. Definitely cute balls of fluff! You did a great job and the flange binding really sets it off!

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  14. This turned out so cute and the photo with Ellie is just too sweet. You did a great job. Lorna has some terrific patterns. One of these days .... :-)

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  15. Oh my goodness! This might be the most adorable post of all time. Ellie clearly loves your work - and rightfully so! ;)

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  16. This is so cute! Having your niece and Ellie showing it off is sweet. The quilting is wonderful as always.

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  17. I too just love Lorna's patterns....this little G. Pig sampler is just adorable. My daughter had a pair when she was in 4-H and they are funny little critters. I so enjoyed your post. :) :) (PS>>>I've caught up on all your posts now...congrats on 17 years and congrats on your hubby taking to quilting. My guy does stained glass and we talk how both hobbies are so similar!)

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  18. Such cute critters! Princess Caroline is adorable and you made a great Ellie!

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  19. Super cute pet theme quilt and I love seeing the photos of your pets too! Of course, having had guinea pigs when I was young always makes them special. Although I don't remember ever getting any of mine to sit up on a quilt.

    QuiltShopGal
    www.quiltshopgal.com

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  20. Guinea Pig love......thanks!

    LuAnn in Oregon
    luannkessi.blogspot.com

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  21. Love, love, love your Guinea pigs!!! Each one is cuter than the last. And Princess Caroline was obviously a huge help :*)

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  22. What a cute quilt and a beautiful hamster too! So nice to see Caroline again =^..^=

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  23. Fantastic quilt and cute hamster.

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  24. So nice that Ellie seems to appreciate her alter ego. I love that you named the other "guinea pigs" in the quilt as well. Beautiful job.

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  25. Eeee! Guinea pig on the guinea pig quilt. Both are so cute!

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  26. Very cute. That is a big guinea pig in real life!!!

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  27. A special quilt to gift - that is the biggest guinea pig I've ever seen! I love Lorna's patterns, too.

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  28. That's the first hamster quilt I've ever seen, and I love it!

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  29. Your hamster quilt is very sweet!!!

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  30. Aww, guinea pigs are amazing! I'm glad she liked her little quilt, what a great idea.

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  31. That was perfect, they do look like guinea pigs. Lorna always has the most amazing patterns.

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  32. I know that I already commented, but this is a great addition to Pets on Quilts Tish!

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  33. Love this quilt. I really must get around to having a go at it. Hugs, Susie

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  34. Such a cute idea -- adorable! :)

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Thanks for joining me on my quilting adventures. I look forward to hearing from you.