Friday, August 30, 2013

Canasta




Loved this one!

And I was excited to finish it yesterday!

We have a big weekend ahead of visiting and watching plenty of soccer games too, so my Canasta had to be done by today.

I knew we had lots going on this weekend and I knew I wanted to finish this up, but somehow I didn't put the two together until earlier in the week. 

 So it was full speed ahead and here is the final result!









I used two charm packs from the fabric line Grace that I won in a giveaway from my friend Linda awhile back.


The Grace fabric has a Christmas look to it, but I'm not sure you'd think that when you look at it now.  

It just doesn't say Christmas to me like I thought it would.











I found some amazing fabrics that I love for the background and the sashing too.

Originally, I was planning on making the sashing the same color as the background, but once I got some of the blocks made, I just didn't like that idea so much anymore.

It seemed like it was going to be too much grey fabric with the baskets just lying on top of it. 

The grey just wasn't working for me with the tan in the center of the baskets.  Hmm...

  










Then I remembered a beige fabric I saw at my LQS.  It had postcards on it with some writing on it too, which I really like right now.

I had auditioned one of my baskets with it, but I had decided it would be too busy as a background, so I put it back.  I went with the grey text fabric that has a more subtle print, and I loved it.

Later, after making more baskets, I realized that the grey just wasn't cutting it with the tan basket centers and the beige in the postcard fabric popped back into my head.

If I used that for the sashing, it would pull in the tan, go well with the grey and add a bit of interest too.  I was just hoping it was still there!

  











When I was able to go back to my LQS, there it was! Yeah!

I had my doubts about it a bit later when I was getting ready to put it all together.

I thought I was either really going to love this combination, or I was really going to be disappointed with it.












Woo hoo!  I love it!

I'm so glad I went out of my box, a bit and changed my plan in the middle of the game.....game of Canasta that is! 

.......Sorry, couldn't resist using it!......

I put in a few close up shots of the fabric so you could see the details of the text. 

You really can't see it much from far away, which is something I really like. 

And now I have plenty fabric to use on something else. 

You know I'm happy about that!










I can't wait to see the beautiful Canasta quilts in the parade and read about them too!

 You can find the Schnibbles parade on the blogs of Sherri and Sinta very soon. I've seen a few of the quilts already and they are wonderful.

Canasta is a brand new pattern designed by Carrie Nelson.  It was fun to make one that wasn't even available in paper form, it was that new!

I wonder what Sherri, Sinta, and Carrie have in store for us next? 




24 comments:

Linda said...

Love LOVE your version!!!! BEAUTIFUL!!! It can be used year around too because it doesn't scream Christmas. Awesome finish.

JoAnne said...

This is wonderful! It has a bit of a Christmas feel, even if the fabric isn't. I love the text background fabric. As for the postcards, isn't it funny how something will pop into our head but then we talk ourselves out of it, only to have it be perfect? We should trust our own first instincts more.

Nicole said...

That is just lovely! I would keep it out all year long--those colors are gorgeous. That post card fabric is adorable.

Gerri said...

I love your Canasta. Grace was one of my favorite fabric lines.

Candace said...

Totally gorgeous, Michele! I find I do my best work when I go out of the box. You can use it during the holidays and the rest of the year. Have a great weekend!
Cheers!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I don't like overly 'Christmas' fabric, so I find this delightful and just love the postcard print.

Jackie at Adirondack Urban said...

That postcard print is perfect as the sashing! Your Canasta is beautiful!

PunkiePie (Jen) said...

It all came together very nicely!! I love your choice of background fabric. It is super!

Lynn said...

I love this quilt and the way you've used the postcard fabric is inspired!

Joyful Quilter said...

I would have never thought to use either fabric, but it works! As always I really like your fabric choices. Very unique...and not Christmasy as all.

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

This is a gorgeous quilt!

Béa said...

LOVE your version and fabrics choice.
Very successful pattern.

Carol said...

Oh it is soooooooooo wonderful! LOVE!

Rebecca said...

Great job with the Canasta quilt. I love those fabrics. Great selection. Thanks for sharing.

Needled Mom said...

I LOVE it! You did a great job on it. The colors and fabrics work so well with the pattern.

Barb in Mi said...

Fabulous Canasta!
Would you mind sharing the name/ collection/ designer of the postcard fabric? It would work perfectly for a quilt of mine... Thanks!

Thelma said...

I love your Canasta, that sashing fabric is a smashing success! That's what I love about this sew along , it's fun to get the opportunity to try things outside our comfort zone. Great job, as always!!

Izzy said...

Gorgeous Canasta Michele. The background fabric is beautiful and absolutely perfect for this quilt.

Wendy said...

It turned out fantastic! You can use it all year.

Abby said...

LOVE THIS quilt! This quilt is so cute - I'm loving each and everyone I see - but the fabrics you chose are to die for! Thanks for sharing.

Judy said...

Your Canasta is beautiful. Love the postcard fabric!

Satu said...

I totally agree with the other comments: YOUR Canasta is gorgeous! I LOVE your fabrics!!!

Unknown said...

Absolutely gorgeous, love the colours!!!!

Sherry said...

I love your Canasta. I am still working on mine and think this is one of my favorites. The fabric you used are beautiful and you did a great job with the sashing and background.