and...it's finished (one of them, anyway)
Turns out that the silver lining to catching an awful achy fever the last full weekend before the first of the two upcoming auctions is that I had no choice but to spend an entire day on the couch, binding the Auction Quilt. Binding the quilt & watching Wolf, Witches of Eastwick, the fourth Omen, & part of Sky High, ahem.
I was thinking, as much as you can think when you're sleepy, feverish, trying to keep your stitches even, & also half-watching an exciting wolfman wrestling match between Jack Nicholson & James Spader, about how much I always dread the time commitment that hand-binding a quilt brings with it, but how much I always fundamentally enjoy the process of wrapping a neat tight edge around a quilt with a gazillion snug little stitches. It gives me a sense of tidy closure, which lasts approximately until it's time to put the quilt in the machine & then I stand around anxiously for the entire wash cycle, wondering if my quilting & or binding & or basic idea for a quilt is going to hold together.
Look at me, waxing philosophical about this thing now that it's done.
Done! Hurrah! (Lots more detail pictures in my flickr set.)
Not that I have been all quilt all the time, lo these many silent weeks.
Or not just the ONE quilt This one is lap sized, destined for the second of the auctions. I have to finish binding it approximately immediately. Next year: two kids, one school, one auction, can't wait.
This little one is on the bind too, but has to wait until next week. When I'm totally going to feel like picking up a little quilt-binding project just to relax.
I mock, & yet...it's probably true.
They all look so beautiful. Too bad you didn't have full reprieve to relax. But you were productive and made something very beautiful.
Posted by: AJ | March 17, 2008 at 11:13 PM
Your school(s) are so lucky to have you.
The quilts are awesome!
Posted by: jodie | March 17, 2008 at 11:14 PM
Hope you are making a speedy recovery. Love the auction quilts - I hope the schools and other parents realise how lucky they are to have you!
Posted by: Lisa | March 18, 2008 at 03:32 AM
they are all gorgeous, daria.
i hear you on the binding. my teeny tiny quilt was enough binding for me this week!
Posted by: erin | March 18, 2008 at 04:22 AM
I love them all. So much.
Posted by: sarah | March 18, 2008 at 06:43 AM
Wow! Gorgeous quilts! Those schools are lucky to have you!
Posted by: Julie | March 18, 2008 at 07:10 AM
Simply spectacular...all of them. I wish I could be a bidder!
Posted by: Jacquie | March 18, 2008 at 07:29 AM
Oh, I love the red-and-white swirly one with all my heart. I hope its winning bid brought in enough for a full class field trip!
Posted by: kristina | March 18, 2008 at 07:33 AM
Lovely quilts! I'm really impressed! Especially with your ability to quilt them on the machine, I'm way too much of a wuss to try that one...
I agree with your love for binding, it is really theraputic and so satisfying to see all those perfect little stitches holding it together.
Posted by: Margot | March 18, 2008 at 07:36 AM
these are beautiful! I hope the lucky recipient knows how much work and love goes into a project like this. beautiful work!!! (love your blog too, btw!)
Posted by: melissa s. | March 18, 2008 at 08:45 AM
I also have two auction quilts for my kids school in the works or should I say "due" in Mid April. One is about 1/3 of the way done and the other ~ well, I have most of the fabric for it ~ does that count as "in the works?". Seriously love your quilts ~ great job. Hope they make lots of $$ for the school.
Posted by: Barb | March 18, 2008 at 12:45 PM
I love love love these quilts! The colors and simplicity of all three designs are just wonderful. I especially love the blue/gold/orange. So lovely!
Posted by: Liz Harvatine | March 18, 2008 at 01:41 PM
I hope you're feeling better and I'm so sorry you were sick but it looks FABULOUS. Also, do you really bind before quilting it? I'm a newbie but I just assumed you quilt before binding. Hmm...
Posted by: Julie @ Letter9 | March 18, 2008 at 02:31 PM
these are all incredibly beautiful and inspiring! Your blog always has me itching to start another quilt!
Posted by: Rebekah | March 18, 2008 at 06:07 PM
Absolutely inspiring and beautiful--all three of them. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Melissa H | March 18, 2008 at 06:28 PM
So so good. Nine out of ten doctors recommend hand sewing as a treatment for fever.
Posted by: Mama Urchin | March 18, 2008 at 07:13 PM
They look great, good job D (photos look fine to me). Your work is wonderful, I can't wait to see the bidding war begin.
Posted by: Kirsten | March 18, 2008 at 09:01 PM
All the quilts turned out great. I especially love the red and white one. I have a friend in boston that might need one just like it...
Posted by: carolyn | March 19, 2008 at 09:53 PM
They are so beautiful! I bet it is difficult to part with them..........
Posted by: tricia | March 20, 2008 at 05:42 AM
Just incredible. You have such a distinct style. Love it. The red one is going to look so great. Can't get enough of your loopy quilting!
Anna
Posted by: Lasso the Moon | March 20, 2008 at 07:13 PM
The finished quilt looks AMAZING! I am very impressed, it's lovely how all the quilting makes the whole thing so cuddly looking...Your smaller quilts are gorgeous too. I love coming to your blog because it makes me feel guilty in the best possible way to be more productive in my own life, hahaha
Posted by: TACE | March 20, 2008 at 09:55 PM
They are all so gorgeous. Seeing your finished quilts is so inspiring!
Posted by: Alex | March 22, 2008 at 12:41 AM
your quilts are incredible.
Posted by: amandajean | March 25, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Oh man. You are my new idol - I am in love with the red & gray quilts.
Posted by: Sara | March 27, 2008 at 08:57 PM
You have made me look at red a little differently. Thanks for the inspiration!
Tracey
Posted by: Paper Dolls for Boys | March 28, 2008 at 12:59 PM