Project Simplify - Day 49
August 2, 2011 Another one done. And she is a beauty, for sure. I think the most "traditional" looking quilt of Project Simplify to date.
A name didn't come very easily though, so we "brainstormed" a bit. I was trying to get my little helper to go for "Christmas Bows" (because the fabric is Christmasy and the basic block in this quilt is called "Bowtie") but she didn't like it.
To her, the strongest visual elements in the quilt are the cream circles. In fact, she was very excited as we were laying out the quilt when she discovered that as the blocks were placed together, secondary circles were formed. She just got such a kick out of that!
So we ended up calling it "Christmas Shortbread". 'Cause the color of the circles kinda remind us of the color of shortbread cookies. Love it.
Shortbread is the only Christmas baking I can do that's a tradition from my mom because my little one was diagnosed with Celiac Disease when she was just two years old and must follow a very strict gluten-free diet. Shortbread cookies - it just so happens - are wicked awesome melt-in-your-mouth when made with rice flour.
Next week ... the very last chapter!
Project Simplify 
Reader Comments (15)
Wow your quilt turned out very nice (not that I'm surpised by this) and I'M still laughing about your name! This could come from me beause I'm definitly a sweet chick;-) or should I say tease!?! I promise that next week I'll help you out of your project problem just give me a few days! And give your little helper a big huge, tell her that she does a great job and make her a whole lot of cookies!
Hildy
Wow! I'm afraid I'm going to start gushing about this one! This quilt design wasn't my favorite from the book, but your quilt has turned out to be my favorite of Project Simplify! Isn't it funny how that works? It's absolutely gorgeous! And I love the name that you and your helper came up with. So warm and cozy! Shortbread, hot chocolate or tea, a lit Christmas tree, a Christmas movie or some Christmas music, and a fire in the fireplace. *sigh* Hey, you dream of tea parties with spiders, and I dream of Christmas, esp. considering we can't get a break from the heat down here in Texas! That's MY therapy for the moment! ;)
Kristyne, this is my favorite project out the book and your quilt is beautiful. Can you share the recipe for the cookies? I have two friends recently diagnosed with Celiac and I know they would love to have a cookie once in a while. :)
I have to agree with A Little Blue Dragonfly - this quilt wasn't my favorite in the book, but yours turned out awesome. It may inspire me to do it also! I think your little helper deserves some cookies after this Project Simplify is all over and we need to see pictures of them and the recipe! HAHA! I can include my address if you ship them also LOL!
Ooh! My favorite to date! I believe that I will have to make this one, as my daughter complained last night that we have no "blankets" in the family room to roll up in and watch movies (she is 22:) I love your fabric selection and especially love the cream shortbread cookies... they really make this quilt. I just hope I can find some fabric that is as beautiful as yours:) Thank you for quilting this book- I have seriously enjoyed you and your helper as you worked to finish each quilt.
Another beauty!!! Yay!! And, your daughter saw the secondary pattern take shape....she's inching closer to the darkside! ;0
The quilt is lovely!! At least your little one was diagnosed very early, before her health was damaged, and these days gluten free products are widely available ...... unlike back in the 60s, when I knew someone who had to get gluten free bread on a doctor's prescription.
I think your daughter is defintely going to be a quilter!
Vivienne x
What a coincidence, I'm making my first bow-tie block right now! I really love the way this quilt looks - the white reminds me of snowballs. Would be fantastic with Christmas fabric :)
Soooo when the last one is done will you be take orders? I like this one and can even see the boys curl up under it!
I look forward to seeing your next quilt, it is my favourite one in her book and one of the reasons that I bought the book. I am nervous to start it so I look to your wisdom as you put it together.
Looks gorgeous...but I knew it would :) I'm making mine from Bliss,and it's taking WAAAY longer than I anticipated. Perhaps I should actually sew some stitches on it...that usually helps :)
Wow! You're so speedy. And she's BEAUTIFUL!!!
This one is my favorite too! It makes me love this fabric all the more. I like that the pattern colors are the same for each block. The yellow and blue are my favorites in this line. The name is special and that makes it just wonderful! Congratulations to both of you on this awesome quilt.
Hello! I LOVE your blog! I just stumbled upon it and have enjoyed reading it! This post caught my eye, besides the beautiful quilt, you menioned some shortbread cookies made with rice flour.... would you by any chance sometime share that recipe? We are having to go gluten free over here and I have not started baking with different flours... would love to try a recipe that is a GOOD one! Love all the inspiration on your blog - your work is gorgeous! Also - the bag you made for Camille... is that a pattern or did you make up the bag pattern yourself? I love it! Have a great day! (oh also - one more question... I wanted to know about the crosshatch quilting... I haven't machine quilted and that seems the safest for me to start with. I didn't see on the blog yet, but do you have a tutorial on how you do that? How you measure and mark for those perfect lines? Thanks! B