Olivia's quilt - a finish Friday

I just finished up Olivia's quilt for Christmas!

It was about this time last year that I started making these machine appliqued blocks with the intention of making matching quilts for both my niece and my daughter, Olivia, who are only 3 1/2 months apart in age.  It was also about this time last year that my niece was diagnosed with AML Leukemia.  The family quickly circled the wagons and helped out with whatever was needed while Nina spent the next 6 months in the hospital.  I was not able to be at the hospital for the first few months because, living in the petri dish that is having 3 small kids in daycare or elementary school, I had a continuous cold.  While Nina was receiving chemotherapy, no one that was sick was allowed to be near her.  I felt useless, so I sewed.  

(In case you are wondering, Nina is doing great.  She has been in remission since being released and is one of the most adorable little tikes I know.)

With little time to spare, I finished Nina's quilt on Christmas Eve last year.  I then put Olivia's blocks aside for another time when I wasn't so stressed, and wasn't so rushed.  They sat in a box until a few weeks ago when I FINALLY pieced them together.  It took another week for me to get around to basting it, and I finally started the quilting on Tuesday.  Once I get a quilt going, I can focus enough to get it done, but actually getting it under the machine is a struggle sometimes.  (For example, have you seen my Vintage Holiday quilt lately?  No, because it is still sitting there basted and waiting.)

closer up

I am so happy this one is done.  I felt a little guilty having my 3rd child, quiltless!

backing fabric - cheater!

I will be wrapping this one up and putting it under the tree.  

I even had a little fun with the binding.  After trying out the spirals on November's FMQ Challenge, I checked out some other designs my machine has.  There was this "Sweet" stitch.

Sweet binding

And this "love" stitch.

Love binding

Olivia is very "Sweet" and I "love" her very much, so it seemed a cute idea.

I am linking this up with TGIFF, Can I Get a Whoop Whoop, and Leah Day's UFO Sunday.  Since this one sat, languishing, for a year, I think it qualifies to be included in UFO Sunday.  Since it is still not labeled, it is still not completely finished - I hope the TGIFF people won't mind too much.

Thanks for reading,

Jen