Scrappy Tulip Bed Quilt

After writing yesterday's Tuesday Archive post about Machine Applique, I was reminded of this quilt I made before I started blogging (Oct. 2012). This wonderful assortment of 56 scrappy tulips were inspired by Kim Schaefer's Flower Festival book (it includes 50 Applique Blocks to "grow your garden").I took her Tulip Lap Quilt pattern and grew it into this queen size quilt. After having been displayed in the local quilt store for a bit...

...it found it's way to my parent's geust room. My mom was so kind to actually text me most of these pictures yesterday and flattered me when she replied:
"I only let special guest actually use the quilt." LOL!! 

The Applique Process:

I really did have alot of fun creating these little appliqued flowers... 

...and watching them grow on my design wall.

I used a button stitch to machine applique each flower to it's neutral back.


Here's a few close-ups of my our favorite tulips:

We love our dogs!

We enjoy our wine.

Quilting Trick:

Here's a great way to "try out" some designs without having to use a seam ripper later! Save your dry cleaning plastic or use any other thin plastic and lay it over your quilt. Then, using a black sharpie, doodle your FMQ patterns.
 As you can see, we kept this quilting simple.

The Back:

And don't ya love when you have enough fabric leftover from another project to create a back...it's like the BEST freebie isn't it! I had enough scraps from the tulips and fabric from my Underground Railroad Quilt to create a scrappy back:

With a special label:

Thanks for the pictures mom and for taking such good care of this quilty hug!
With smiles!
Val:)