[completed] dare to be different

Awhile ago, I finished another long-time work in progress. This one is my "dare to be different" quilt, made of several different yellow fabrics and one pop of a teal print fabric.

I quilted swirls and spirals. I was going to do something more angular, but decided that the quilt needed the addition of spiraling quilting to soften it.

I bound the quilt in two colors - a yellow and a light teal.

The back of this quilt is a light orange-on-yellow stripe. The white quilting shows up nicely on the back!

I am really pleased with how this quilt turned out. It's cheery and awesome.

Finished size: 45x60"

[completed] painted toy chest

Awhile ago, I bought (for $10) a toy chest that had been spray-painted a primary blue. Not my color. I recently (finally) repainted the chest. I went with Valspar's Notre Dame, which is a light silvery gray, for the exterior of the toy chest.

... And Valspar's Orange Slice for the inside!

When the chest is in the sun, the interior practically glows. Like a treasure chest in a cheesy movie. It's awesome.

I'll probably be taking this chest to the craft fairs I'm attending to help display some of my quilts and crafty things. And aside from that, it will be used to store all the quilts that don't sell!

[completed] burlap lamp housewarming gift

Remember this burlap that I hand-dyed a long time ago? I finally used it - somehow all my work-in-progress projects are getting attention now. I used the yards and yards of dyed burlap to make another burlap lampshade. This time, I made one for my younger sister and her husband as a housewarming gift (they are moving in November).

I did dye this burlap especially for them and for this project. She had requested a lampshade in a peachy orange color. Hopefully this won't disappoint! 

And of course, what good would a lampshade be without a coordinating lamp base? I found a hideous brass lamp at Goodwill awhile back, and after scuffing it up a bit with a block of sandpaper, I spray-painted it a metallic cappucino color. (It's gorgeous in person). 

Even Gandalf the Cat likes the result!