Pattern Testing

I recently had the pleasure to pattern test for Pitchers Boutique. 

 I chose the Spartan Helmet.  

I thought I could make it into a cushion cover for my son. 

 The pattern was awesome and went together very well.  

I love to paperpiece and this pattern was an easy one.  

I finished the whole block and realized only after taking a photo that I had actually missed a piece.  

I ripped out the parts I needed to and fixed it.  

SO much happier with how it came out!

You can see in the photo on the left that the right eye is not right.  

The photo on the right has the corrected helmet.

 Yes it was a pain to rip it out but I like it so much better!

This is the front of the pillow cover after I quilted it.

I used Snow White Grunge for the background.

It has bits of green in it and it was the perfect color.

I used Spartan fabric (of course) for the back.

I put in a covered zipper too using the same fabric I made the helmet with.

Isn't that so cool?  My friend, Pam Gavin taught me how to do that!

Speaking of Spartans, I was finally able to gift the graduation quilt to one of my favorite Spartans

She loved it and is going to decorate her dorm room around it!

It always makes me so happy when my quilts are so loved!

~XOP~

Go GREEN!!!

We received a HUGE box in the mail the other day.  

It was from my daughter's In-laws, Rick and Julie.  

I could not imagine what they would be sending in such a big box. 

 Imagine my surprise when I opened the box and found THIS!

Rick makes these for friends.  We are such big Spartan fans.  It was an amazing gift!  

A full size football helmet with our last name and the year we were married, on it.

Just look at that Spartan head on this side!!

I forgot to take a photo of the back but it has our year and an American flag on it.

I am not certain how our family lucked out in the in-law department but Rick and Julie are fabulous!

Thank you so much from the bottom of our heart for such a thoughtful and unique gift!!!  

You guys certainly surprised us with this beautiful helmet!  

I think I am going to have to try to keep it away from our son though, LOL.  

~XOP~

Sparty On

I wanted to make a Sparty quilt for our camper. 

 I thought it would be so cool to have one for fall camping when we are watching the games. 

 I had a vision of making a patchwork background with a giant Sparty head on the top of it. 

That's where it stalled out.  

I needed a giant Spartan helmet.  

My friend, Carol, supplied the pattern for one she traced off her flag/banner. 

PERFECT.  

I set to work making my patchwork blocks while we were camping this year

 then put the helmet on later. 

 I gave it to my friend Liz, to quilt for me.  

I found an amazing quilting pattern that said 

"Sparty On" and on the O was the crest of the Spartan helmet! 

I wanted the helmet outlined though and guess what?  

She did that for me too!!!

I am so very happy with how it turned out. 

 I backed it in Spartan flannel that has a dark gray background and it is perfect!

Look at that helmet quilting!  Amazing!!!

You can see the Sparty On quilting in this one.

I can't wait to use this quilt in the fall.  

Just another way to add to the Spartan theme we have going in our camper! 

 My SIL had an amazing floor mat for outside that she gifted me that looks a lot like this quilt, 

without the patchwork, that we put out when we camp (when it's allowed).

Have a great weekend everyone! 

 I will be finishing putting away the last of my Christmas decorations and cleaning the house.  

Woo hoo!!

~XOP~