Friday Finish: Use Your Scraps

Today's Friday Finish was actually finished a week or so ago for our Gruber's swap.  As I mentioned in the previous swap post, I retreat with some awesomely talented quilters so I knew I was going to be nervous about making a gift for one of these ladies.  The good news is these gals are also super sweet not to mention supportive and encouraging, so I took comfort in knowing that my gift would be appreciated no matter what.

Swap made

After drawing my own name a couple of times, I drew Amanda Jean's name.  Mmmm....can I have my own name back?!  Just kidding.  Remember, I said super talented AND super supportive.

Closeup of tiny scraps

In contemplating a handmade gift for Amanda Jean, I remembered how encouraging she was when I brought what would eventually become my Liberated quilt to the second retreat asking for suggestions, and how complimentary she was when I brought it back completed to our third retreat.

WIP - on the design wall

I decided to make her a small version using my scraps.  In addition to the much smaller size, I made a few other changes.  For one, the background is white instead of gray, and I used a print fabric for the backing instead of a solid.  The colorful bars are also staggered rather than side by side.

Finished - still on the design wall

I don't know how I managed to send this off without taking a proper picture, but that's what happened.  All my pictures were taken on the design wall with poor lighting.  Ugh.

Another angle

 This quilt was the first one I finished off with a facing rather than binding, and I used this facing method.  (Since then I have made several more but using this technique.)

Use Your Scraps

The quilting on this mini is different than the bigger, original version.  I quilted organic lines around the bars, and (taking a deep breath) I free motion quilted the phrase "Use Your Scraps" which is how she signed my copy of her book.

The label

Here's the back.  I wasn't planning on attaching a Rene' Creates label, but I goofed when writing the label in permanent ink and needed to cover it up.  Shhh, don't tell Amanda, but under the Rene' Creates label it says Save Your Scraps rather than Use Your Scraps.  Oops!

All rolled up

Again no pictures, but I included some sewing notions as well.  When Amanda received her package, she sent me the sweetest email.  When I saw the subject line read "oh mylanta!" (search the phrase on her blog if you don't know what I'm talking about), I had to smile!

I sure hope Amanda Jean likes the quilt I made her.  She really is a special person, and I am happy I drew her name.  

So, how funny is it that I am linking up to Crazy Mom Quilt's finish it up Friday with the quilt I made her?!  Do you have any finishes to share this Friday?

Happy stitching!