WIP Wednesday #8 a new quilt for a special friend

Joe Sugamelli is my mother in law's neighbor.  He is the kind of neighbor anyone in America would kill for.  He is in his 70s and doesn't miss a beat.  He is kind and caring, always there to take in your trash bins before you get home and collect your mail when you are on vacation.  Jeff's mom has owned the house she now lives in for a decade, but rented it out for several years while living in a newer house across town.  With the bad economy and home depreciation she was forced to sell her new home and move back to the one down the street from Joe.  As a house warming gift he had all her palm trees trimmed.  He used to be a baker and not a week goes by without him bringing us his precious Italian delicacies.  Nobody makes a cannoli  like Joe.  He is a proud Sicilian- don't you dare call him Italian- and he loves Jeff and I like his own kids.  When I heard his daughter was having a baby recently I knew the perfect way to thank him.  Joe's wife LOVES puzzles- and that is the only hint I will give you all about how I will be quilting this quilt.  This jumbo log cabin quilt is a special thank you to a guy who makes our life better every day.  I know the world will be a colder and less friendly place without our beloved Joe.  To him and all the great neighbors that make our country special.

This quilt is made from a half of a Jelly roll and some solid strips.  I did a traditional log cabin quilt in an X pattern.  It came together quickly, which is good for me as I can't wait to quilt it.  I have had some sew wrong moments with this little baby snuggler though... the brown fabric I have used as a solid seems to have shrunken slightly when I ironed the seams- and I am not looking forward to basting it.  If anyone has any suggestions on how to remedy this problem it would be much appreciated.  Regardless I will make it work and spray baste if I need to to get it as flat as possible.  I don't like spray basting but in extreme cases like this one it might just be the only way to go.  I promise every seam is a perfect 1/4 inch and ironed open just as it should be- I think the brown fabric was just hexed- and decided to shrink on me under my hot iron.  Not cool.  C'est la vie- that is the great thing about baby quilts- it will be used and loved regardless of it's imperfections and once washed I doubt the wonkyness will be noticed.  I love it anyway and I know it is going to a very good home.  I can't wait to finish it and surprise Joe and his wife with my special gift.   This is my only progress this week and I don't have anything else in progress to report.  As always I am linking to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced

See my guest post at my good friends blog

One of the best things about blogging thus far for me has been the friends and connections I have made.  Angela is a fine example of this.  For any of you who aren't aware of this fabulous and quite famous long arm quilter please do stop by her blog and check out her fantastic work.  She quilts many quilts for fabric designers and pattern makers including one of my favorites- Tula Pink.   She even has a book about her quilting and her work has been featured in many other books as well as magazines.   She is a true inspiration to me- making a great career doing what she loves- which I soon hope to do too.  She has encouraged me to start quilting professionally which gave me the courage I needed to go for it.  Her advice has been priceless and her charming open and responsive nature has at times left me in awe.  I am sure we all have heros- but seldom do they measure up when we finally get the honor of meeting them- Angela is different- she is warmer and nicer then I ever could have dreamed.  That is a great feeling.  She spends a great deal of time on her blog helping others realize their dreams in free motion quilting- so if you are interested in learning or are already on that path then make sure you take some time to follow her blog and gain some great advice. 
With a little nudge from her last week I finally decided to go ahead and announce that I would now be quilting for hire- and she took it one step further.  She has allowed me to be a part of her Deciding What to Quilt series and linked to me on her blog, as well as announced my new venture to her large following.  I feel so fortunate for this amazing opportunity and you can see how I weighed in on the challenge over at http://quiltingismytherapy.com/2012/03/05/deciding-what-to-quilt-quilting-small-blocks/  Check it out and please don't laugh at my terrible sketches- at least it gives an idea of what I found was very hard to explain.  Also don't hesitate to reach out to your heros- and keep dreaming big- you never know what might come your way next!

A New Venture For Me

Hi Friends and Followers,
I have been encouraged and pushed to start a new venture in life... professional quilting.  It really makes sense for me as I am so in love with free motion quilting that I rush through quilt tops to get to the part I like best, the quilting.   I would like to stretch my creativity and challenge myself by quilting quilt tops from all of you.  If you are interested in having me quilt your quilt then please contact me at backcountrygrl.gmail.com.  I will give you all the info you need to get the process going.  I can assure you I will give you my very best effort to make your vision, or mine if you are lacking specific inspiration, a reality.