"Fresh Fruit" Finished!

One of the reasons I really enjoy sewing and quilting is that when I finish something, it's finished for good, unlike so many other things I do every day (i.e., laundry, cleaning, paperwork, etc., etc.) But some finishes are even more rewarding than others, and this is one of them. I never expected to actually get it done. I didn't have a place for it, or any particular use for it in mind. I enjoy a little paper-piecing now and then, but I tend to lose momentum rather quickly once I start. For the past five years, this has never been made a priority to finish... but thanks to the UFO Challenge at Patchwork Times, it's done. I'm so pumped!

So, this is what I started out with, three finished blocks, a stack of patterns, and the overwhelming feeling that I would, once again, not be finishing my challenge project for the month...

But I gave it a go anyway, and found that these little blocks really aren't all that time-consuming...

Being rather challenge motivated, I decided to go for it and finished these blocks the first week...

... these blocks the second week...

... and embroidered a few embellishments...

I forgot to take any pictures when I set the top together. It was a bit of a challenge, because back in 2006, I managed to forget the last two downloads, the final "plum" block (I subbed an extra cherry and made the lime using the lemon pattern), and the instructions for final assembly. I had to use Claudia's photo of her finished quilt and wing it, and I think I managed fairly well, the biggest difference being the border. I loved the effect of Claudia's "point" border, but without her instructions, I was clueless on how they were done, so I decided on Prairie Points instead.

The quilting is stitch-in-the-ditch around each fruit, dense stippling on the background, and then a larger meander on the border behind the Prairie Points.

I wanted the fruits to "pop," and pop they did! But the watermelon popped a bit more than I liked, so I thought it needed a bit of quilting to keep it under control. You can barely see it, but I quilted the word "Fresh" across the watermelon. I purposely used green thread, because I didn't really trust my quilting, and wanted it to be not-so-obvious in case it looked awful. LoL

For the backing, I found this apple print in my stash, almost too cute to be hidden on the back, but it was just too perfect not to use.

And the fabric had a large apple border that worked perfectly for a hanging sleeve...

And here it is, the final product...

It makes me happy when I look at it. :o)

The finished measurement is approximately 31" x 35," a bit large for my limited kitchen wall space. Just as well, though, as my daughter has already staked a claim on it. (She's good at that!) Wherever it winds up hanging, I love it. And I'm so glad I finished it!

(This pattern is available for sale at Claudia's Quilts. Just click on "All Patterns" and scroll down to "Fresh Fruit." She also has an ongoing free block-of-the-month for her newsletter subscribers. I have loads of her patterns! Maybe I'll make another one someday!)

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(Added 11-1-11, for my fellow UFO Challengees)

October was an amazingly busy and productive month around here, and I hope that energy just keeps on flowing through November! I actually made some real progress in getting caught up with this challenge, finishing two more UFO projects I had failed to finish in June and August.

I'm holding a Fall Giveaway this week, to celebrate my 300th blog post! If you'd like to enter, just leave a comment on this post. And if you'd like another chance (or two!) to win, leave a comment on either or both of my other October finishes ("Curtains Up!" and "1930's Mini Quilt"). The drawing will be held this Friday, November 4th. Good luck!