I finally finished something crafty. I actually finished this tree pillow yesterday morning but didn't have the chance to get the pillow form until just now.
Yesterday, I spent most of the day clothes shopping with my 15 year old son. My 12 year old daughter would have been totally into it, but my son is the one who really needed clothes. It was painful for both of us, but we did manage to come back with three pairs of pants, three shirts, a pair of shoes, a sweatshirt, and a jacket. (He really needed clothes. He's been wearing his summer camp uniform every day he can get away with it. If I never see a royal blue t-shirt on him again, I'll be happy.) Enough about that.
The tree form is something that I started doodling one day in a meeting at work. I liked it so much that I ended up making it into a full-fledged picture.
Then I simplified it a bit to make it into a quilt block for my tree-themed month in the Fresh Comfort Virtual Quilting bee. (That was over a year ago, and I still haven't sewn my blocks together into a quilt. Yikes.)
Then for Valentine's Day, I decided it would be fun to make the same tree with heart-shaped leaves into a pillow. I wish I'd gotten it done in time for a Valentine's Day post, but I don't think it's overly Valentine's Day-ish. I'm planning to use it year round. (Or maybe put it in my Etsy shop - still trying to decide.) I've done a lot of raw edge applique before but always before I did any quilting. This time, I decided that I would use the raw edge applique as the quilting. I think this might be called "appliquilting". I quite like how it came out. It makes the tree and heart-shaped leaves just the slightest bit puffy. I did go ahead and quilt the rest of the pillow with stippling.
I didn't have quite enough red polka-dot fabric for the back, so I ended up doing a little bit of piecing on the back. I think it worked out fine.
I would LOVE to share the tree pattern if anyone is interested in making on of their own, however, I can't seem to get my scanner to work. I'll figure it out and post it here soon.
Oh and I'm entering this in the Sew Mama Sew Pillow Contest, so keep your fingers crossed for me.
Ooh - I just came across another pillow contest, so I'm going to enter it there, too.
I love it! Good luck in the contests :-)
Posted by: Kristie at OCD | 02/20/2011 at 01:33 PM
I love all the hearts in the tree and it was fascinating seeing the design evolve. Good luck!
Posted by: Gwen | 02/21/2011 at 02:04 AM
This is gorgeous, I love the tree with its heart shaped leaves!
Posted by: Wendy | 02/21/2011 at 05:50 AM
I adore your pillow, the heart shaped leaves are great!
Posted by: Katie | 02/21/2011 at 06:58 AM
Good luck in the contests! You absolutely should win with an entry like this! I am so impressed and in awe. The colors are so striking and the way you put the back together is as gorgeous and vibrant as the front. Really beautiful!
Posted by: Kate at Which Craft | 02/21/2011 at 11:24 AM
Your pillow is wonderful and I just love your tree shape! Off to explore your blog!
Posted by: Jo The Crafty Nomad | 02/23/2011 at 07:10 AM
the heart leaves are a wonderful touch. I love your original drawing too!
Posted by: Rachel at Stitched in Color | 02/24/2011 at 12:00 PM
Beautiful, I love both pillows and your drawing is great too, I would love a copy of the pattern so I can have a go at making my own.
Posted by: SAM | 02/28/2011 at 10:27 PM
This is a super cute pillow! Love your quilting on it. I would love the pattern if you are sharing, but if it won't work, I can just copy the idea and draw it myself if you don't mind! I entered my pillow this month! Stop by and see it if you would like.
Posted by: Tami | 03/05/2011 at 02:23 PM
Congratulations on your win at sewmamasew...it lead me to your blog, which fantatic! I really love your tree design - it's both beatiful and so fun! I love that it is organic and artistic. Great work =)
Posted by: Tanis | 03/05/2011 at 06:24 PM
I love your tree design--did you ever make a pdf? I'm making a tree pillow for my son's teacher tomorrow and thought yours was great!
Posted by: kate @swimbikequilt | 05/22/2011 at 10:03 PM
Hi Kate,
Thanks for asking. Yes, I did make a pdf - and a tutorial. You can get to the tutorial and the pdf through this post: http://adelaidelemonade.typepad.com/adelaide-lemonade/2011/03/tree-pillow-tutorial-finally.html. Let me know if you have any trouble. Enjoy.
Thanks,
Katie
p.s. Im actually giving away one of my tree pillows as part of Sew Mama Sews Giveaway Day - if youd rather try to win one than make one. Im just about to write the post now.
Posted by: Katie | 05/23/2011 at 06:06 AM