Fabulously Branded

After my previous pathetic, whiney post I am happy to report that the Brand Quilt is D. O. N. E. DONE!

I did fuss and muddle my way through the border with the rope, and with all of the support and suggestions I got it done. Sarah's comment "Tell your husband to quilt it if he wants the #@$ $#*&! Rope." made laugh so hard.  It was a great release of tension!  But... at the same time, I made the decision to limit the rope design to only two sections of the borders.  It would never win any awards, other than one for "finished is better than perfect", and I learned a lot!  The fact that I switched the thread to a color to match to help "hide" the imperfections was a saving grace!

The braid fills the wider border nicely.  Kelvin may think that there is more quilting in that section than the wanted, but I felt it was important to secure the batting on the edges a little more than elsewhere.  The instructions on the package recommended quilting up to 3" apart and I think I am pretty close to that with the outline of the brands and the frames around them, and then the outer frame of each block.  And I was pleasantly surprised to see that the wool batting did actually offer a higher loft that the 80/20 batting that I typically use.  I think he will be pleased with it.  You'll notice that I returned to the corral area for this photo shoot... It was the perfect back drop. 😍

With this quilt D.O.N.E. I can return my attention to the Santa Fe Trail quilt which is ready to sandwich and quilt.  After reviewing some of my reference books for heirloom style quilting and vintage quilts, I know how it will be quilted.  Here's a sneak peek at the sashing strips, cornerstones and borders...

The backing is prepped and ready to go.  I went with a pieced backing...

Guess what I will be doing this weekend????  You know where to find me... 😉

What are YOUR plans for the weekend?  Do they involve any quilting?  Maybe some travel?  Time with family?

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear what you will be doing.  

And on this Memorial Day Weekend, keep the Gold Star Families in mind... All gave some, and some gave ALL.  I think some soldiers return from their time in the Military, and bring back ghosts and memories that haunt them and in the end, see no way out, so they choose what they feel is their only choice... Suicide.  So, even those soldiers end up giving ALL.  I wish there was a better answer for them... Won't you join me in prayer for these men and women?  And their families?

Blessings,
Melva

Linking with:

Put Your Foot Down at For the Love of Geese

Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

Can I Get A Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie

Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty

Peacock Party at Wendy’s Quilts and More

Friday Foto Fun at Powered by Quilting

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

Scrap Happy Saturday at Super Scrappy

UFO Busting at Tish’s Wonderland

Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate

Patchwork & Quilts at The Quilting Patch

Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

Favorite Finishes Monthly Linkup at Meadow Mist