Aurora

Meet Aurora. She is my entry to this year's Bloggers Quilt Festival.

Aurora - Finished at 80" by 96"

The story of this quilt follows below.

We work in the same company but in two different offices. Her bridal shower was at 3:00 PM. 

I was busy trying to wrap up work for a meeting on Monday. I got there just after 5:00 PM.

The party was over and people had returned to their cubes.  Some had already left for the weekend. There was still some leftover cake in the office kitchen.

I congratulated the bride-to-be and gave her the little gift I had put together - something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.

Me: When is the wedding?

Bride to be (BTB): In two weeks.

Me: Wow!!!

BTB: It is all happening so quickly.

Me: I understand.

BTB: We feel so rushed.

Me: You know, Paul and I got married in a hurry. His parents were visiting for his graduation and we decided to save them a trip. We were married by the justice of peace at Paul's friend's house. With just eight guests, it was a very small ceremony.
BTB: Oh so you understand.
Me: Don't worry about the wedding. The marriage is more important. 

BTB: Would you like to come to the wedding?

Me (speechless for a moment): We'd be honored.

BTB: I will send you the invitation. Make sure you get some cake on the way out.

Me: We will be there.
BTB: Make sure you get some cake on the way out.
Me: Oh yes. In fact, I am taking a piece for Paul as well.

10" squares

Back at home, I told Paul about the wedding invitation.
Me: I want to make a quilt.  

Paul: Do you have enough time to make a wedding quilt? 

Me: Not sure.

Paul: You can give one of the many quilts that you already have.

Me: I have only one queen-size quilt - Esmeralda. I cannot part with her. 

Paul: Why not give one of the other quilts?

Me: Fire Pit is twin size. Most everything else is lap size. Cannot give a lap size quilt to newly weds.

Paul (eyes twinkling): So you want to give them a baby-maker? 
Me: Yes.

Paul: What if you start but cannot finish it in time for the wedding?
Me: In that case, I will give it to her when I finish it.

(Paul was making reference to the movie Proposal, wherein Betty White gives the quilt, she calls baby-maker, to the couple played by Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock.

Selecting fabrics

Work in Progress

Pinned

I had a Kate Spain Layer Cake - Latitude.  But I did not like all the squares in the layer cake.  So I cut up some fat quarters.

I chose turquoise, blue, green, orange and pink, trying to match the colors in the layer cake but picking out brighter fabrics.

The fact that Monday was a holiday, resulting in a long weekend, was an absolute godsend.

My nose to the machine (cutting mat, ruler, cutter) I ignored everything (and everyone) else.

Numbered Blocks

I numbered every block. I was scared that any mistake would cost me dearly.

Finished Flimsy

The flimsy was finished. I took it out for a few pictures.

Looking good

Big Blocks

I chose Carrie Bloomston's newspaper print for the backing. I used black strips for binding. The black would match the piecing, frame the quilt and would be speedy too. 

Basting the beast

The large blocks ensured a speedy finish.  The quilting of a queen size quilt is a whole another matter. As I quilted long wavy lines using my walking foot, I had began to think of a name. Little did I know that I had started speaking aloud.

Walking foot quilting

Me: I love how the bright batiks glow against the black solids but cannot call it Midnight Garden. Already taken.

Finished!!!

Wide backing by Windham Fabrics

Paul: Call it Afterglow.
Me: What???
Paul: It is a wedding quilt. Afterglow is fitting.
Me: You sound snappy. Are you feeling neglected?
Paul: Maybe. I could use some afterglow myself.

Black Binding

Wisdom

Brightness = Happiness

I had been ignoring him.  I must spend some quality time with Paul.

Labelled

Me: What is that phenomenon called when the night sky lights up?
Paul: Meteor Shower?
Me: No. You have to go to one of those Scandinavian countries to see it.
Paul: Northern Lights?
Me: Yes, I think. Doesn't it have a more scientific name?
Paul: Aurora Borealis.
Me: AURORA. Yes, that it is.

You are my sunshine

The wedding was beautiful. The bride glowed and the groom was handsome and confident. No nervousness, just excitement and smiles.

At the wedding

I am glad that Paul and I could be there for the celebration.  We wish them all the love and happiness.

Love & Happiness to the new couple

I will be linking with all my favorite linky parties, see full list on the sidebar.  Do check out other quilts at the Bloggers Quilt Festival.

I'd love to hear from you, as always.