Berries and Cream

Ah, morning. . . . My favorite time of day. Especially early morning. The earlier the better, in my opinion.

It's been really lovely waking up under the new quilt this week, I must say. It's such a nice weight (thin) and it's all puckery and soft and floppy. The colors are sort of warm but still very fresh and clear — I don't much like muddy, earthy colors. I like different shades of pale pink together. There are so many shades of pink, and they all look beautiful together, to me.

I love little tiny flowers, little sprinkles of flowers like a Clover Meadow, like a field of Queen Anne's lace in the sunlight, like the fireflies that glittered above the pasture the time we were camping in Minnesota on the way to our wedding. I love flowers that fall like confetti in the grass. I love little puffball-pink clover flowers, scattered over the park. I love the meadow on the other side of the woods where we rode our horses every morning at horse camp, where the grass came up to the stirrups. I love sitting in a muslin dress on the lawn, eating ice cream from a latte bowl.

I love all those things.

I really enjoyed making this quilt, spending long afternoons in front of the central-air vent with Clover Meadow Pinkytoes Paulson, watching the Love Saga movies on the Hallmark Channel, making raspberry iced tea for Andy and eating blueberry cake. It was really nice to have that little collection of long, quiet weekend days right in the middle of a busy summer. Bliss.

As making quilts goes, it doesn't get any easier than this. Here is the pattern, sized from crib quilt to king-size. It's similar to the Lemoncello Quilt, but machine quilted instead of tied, and the patches are a bit smaller. The pattern is step-by-step and fully illustrated, so it'll walk you through everything, including binding (by machine-and-hand). (And by the way, when you print PDFs out at home? Be sure to choose your printer's "best" quality, because it will make quite a difference in how well the photos print, and these are all hi-res print-quality images.) When making quilts, I kind of do things my own way, and my pattern reflects that. But it works for me. A fabric-store lady once told me that the best quilts are Fast, Fun, and Finished, and man, did I take that to heart this time. The Ollalieberry Ice Cream Quilt was all of those things.

And a little bit more, I must say.

Comments

[SamLaTricoteuse]

Small question: noticed that your binding is not on bias - any reason other that it is easier !!! ha! ah!

[Natalie]

Scrumptious!

[Debbie M.]

This quilt is just too wonderful! *swoon*
I love everything about it!!

[shabby girl]

Love, love, love pink and flowers. I could just surround myself with nothing but that and be quite content. Your quilt turned out so cute. Love those pillowcases too!!!

[mary]

I wasn't planning to buy a quilt pattern this morning but I did (!)I bought it! You make it sound so easy, I think I might be able to do it, too. I've been wanting a new quilt for my kitchen wall. I have never made a quilt, so this will be my first.
Wish me luck!
mary

[Peanut]

Your quilt looks beautiful and so cozy. I love all the pinks (makes me think of my sister who loves pink). Thanks for making up a pattern; I never know how much fabric I'll need.

[MJ Smith]

Simply beautiful!

[Puanani]

Sweet. Sweet. Sweet.

[Pamela]

Your quilt is beautiful and inspiring. Do you think it would be ok for a first time quilter?

[Regina]

This was too much to resist. The pattern is printing as I type. I only wish I had fabric in those lovely colors... but I have been holding on to some that will be a good start.

[missyjayne]

Hi Alicia! I've followed your blog for awhile but this is my first time commenting... I'm not sure why it's taken me so long! I just looove your thoughts, and sewing and baking... I feel like we are kindred spirits even though we've never met! I just finished reading 'Little, big' and loved it, thank-you for posting your favorite books because I have loved them all! I plan to start my first quilt - I have all the materials, just am afraid to make the first cut! Thanks for all the inspiration!

[Diana]

I love the quilt--its color palette, its peaceful simplicity in design and construction, and the tiny flowered prints. Very nice creation!

[Colleen]

HELLO! Favourite header EVER.

And ohhh, the deliciousness of morning light. It's kind to everything. And I especially love the second photo. Just beautiful.

[mary]

I agree with your fabric store lady about quilts! I just made one out of my old T-shirts and it took only a few lazy hours a day... a nice lulling mode.

Say, I get up early BECAUSE~
our cat gently rubs his paw across my forehead or gently pats me on my shoulder!!LOL Any where from 4:30-5 A.M.

As a child I would eat the sweet pink clover in the fields around our home.

I love your quilt and Thank You for sharing so important tips on design.

With Kindness,
Mary

[Chris Howard]

I love your new quilt, but wow, you and I are polar opposites on the color spectrum. Here is a pic of mine made by the lovely and talented quilt designer Malka Dubrawsky (her blog is A Stitch In Dye)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/leshoward/3186308497/

Here's a bonus pic of the puppy with the quilt:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/leshoward/3186309153/

Some day I hope to get off my butt and learn to sew, but I know I will never be half as talented as you and Malka.

Ooo- I almost forgot! The hubby and I have made one of your lovely Jane Market Bags using a bit of a Sublime Stitching pattern. It's a secret gift for someone, but as soon as they get it, I'll post the pics on flickr and let you know.

[suzanne Christian]

Thank you for the pattern! I purchased it this morning and my "wheels are turning"!...can't wait to get started :-) Lovely blog, as well.

[Jill]

Its beautiful. Its making me want to skip out of work and go home and make a quilt.

[Sara]

It's so pretty, Alicia, it even makes me like pink!

[cindy]

i love all those things, too. your quilt is wonderful!

[Loralynn]

What a beautiful quilt! I agree with you on the colors of pinks! You have such a descriptive way about your post, I really enjoyed reading it!

[gina]

That is so beautiful! I LOVE tiny flower prints too!

[AJ]

I am in with your quilt! It's simple and beautiful.

[felicity]

what a gorgeous post, your quilt is so pretty and also so full of memories, of happy times and times with andy, i love the way you have written this post, im starting to collect fabric so hopefully i'll be able to make a quilt thanks for the pattern and instructions, fliss xx

[Anja]

Very beautiful quilt, I really must be brave and try to make one myself some time soon.

[Amy Kelly]

This is the most gorgeous quilt I have ever seen! The colors and prints are absolutely perfect. Would you mind sharing your source for the fabrics you used for the quilt top?