April projects

I finished off the crib quilt in time for my visiting niece to take with her when she travels to Ontario in time for the baby's arrival (it is for her brother & sister-in-law). Because the last few crib quilts I have made have ended up on walls instead of on babies, I added a sleeve to the back so it can be hung. I think I may need to go back to some traditional quilting styles in order for my quilts to be used to wrap up the intended recipients!!
     The original inspiration:

The final product:

I also completed a cushion cover depicting the canals of Amsterdam. I am traveling to Europe soon and this will be a gift for my sister-in-law; in the lower right quadrant there is a small canal off the Amstel River ... she lives on the corner of the Amstel and Achtergracht Canal.

     I found an old map, enlarged it and traced it onto the fabric. I backed the fabric with fusible interfacing before following / sewing the lines the first time; the 2nd time around, I added batting and a backing. Originally I was going to add the main streets as well, but when I had enlarged the original coloured map to a black and white copy, a lot of the colours were the same value and did not photocopy well .... with all the starts and stops following the canal routes with the sewing machine, I figured this was a good place to finish up!  I lightly penciled in the word "Amsterdam" and followed that with the sewing machine needle as well.