It's a finish! This UFO is at least a year old, and I don't think I ever blogged about it.
It's made with big triangles of science and math-themed fabrics, plus some greens, blues, and black and white polka dots. After my goddaughter was accepted into UCLA for their engineering PhD program, I decided this top must be for her. This week, she happened to be visiting Boston while we are here, so I pulled it out and finished it so I could give it to her in person.
Here is The Secret Life of Juice in front of the historic lightship "Nantucket," as seen from our back deck.
The backing is bright lime green with fun atom symbols, plus a few scrappy chunks to bring it up to size.
The binding is a metallic silver polka dot on black, and the quilting is a big stipple for softness and a fast finish.
You can see one of the extra fabrics on the back, and the line of stitching from using my machine to sew down the binding from the front. It blends quite well on the green, but shows a bit on the black. That's fine with me.
And why is this quilt called The Secret Life of Juice? My goddaughter has a orange tabby cat named Juice (like orange juice, get it?) and Juice is...slow. On the scale of cat IQs, Juice is not the brightest bulb in the string. Not the sharpest knife in the block. Dumb as a box of rocks. Or so we all thought, until I found this fabric:
Turns out Juice has been a mad scientist all along! He's hiding on the back of this quilt, dreaming up new inventions and conducting groundbreaking research. Who knew??
I'm so glad this UFO was far enough along that I was able to pull it out and finish it in a day and present it to her. UFOs get a bad rap, but they can be so convenient when you need a fast finish! I'll actually be mailing it to her in California, since she's traveling through the Northeast with just a backpack right now. No need to schlep a quilt around on your summer vacation when the USPS can handle all the transport.
I LOVE the name of the quilt! So glad you got his UFO done just in time to in person give it away. That always makes quilt giving even better.
ReplyDeleteHow priceless! The story is such a wonderful part of the quilt and the name is perfect. Know it will be loved...and not being a UFO anymore is great!
ReplyDeleteThis a great quilt and I love how everything in it relates to your goddaughter and her cat. That cat fabric was a brilliant find :)
ReplyDeleteThat's such a pretty & fun quilt that sounds just perfect for your goddaughter & her cat Juice. I like all the thought that goes into the making of your quilts. I'm happy that you were able to present it to her personally. I know she was excited & pleased at how it turned out.
ReplyDeleteI love hearing the story of this quilt and the mad scientist cat fabric is a hoot. Its a great design and I am sure she will treasure it. Love the atomic fabric. It reminds me of the years I worked at Oak Ridge National Lab.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great quilt and a great story!
ReplyDeleteWhat perfect whacky fabrics! You must be enormously proud of her. So nice that you could see her in Boston. Happy sailing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely and very personal quilt. I bet she loves it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to look at UFOs--a quick finish when it's needed. Even so, it seems like this UFO was tailored right to your niece and her life. The perfect ending to a UFO story.
ReplyDeleteI love thte name of this quilt Louise! It's so fun. It's a very pretty quilt with the green alll over it. I thought the name of the quilt was going to be something abut lime juice! You get some really good light out on the water for taking pictures don't you.
ReplyDeleteFun quilt. So nice that you can stop in to give it to you goddaughter in person.
ReplyDeleteYou have the BEST names for quilts! I think you should put out a nice long list of them for inspiration, just sayin'. Love this quilt, and love what you said about UFOs getting a not-so-fair bad rap, wise words. The scientist cat fabric?? Like who'd-a-thunk-it? Purr-fection for your goddaughter (wow great accomplishment!) and for Juice to snuggle upon. (btw snickered at the 'dumb as' phrases...) You've reminded me that I need to make an equilateral triangles quilt....
ReplyDeleteHow fortunate that you had just the right UFO and just the right prints to finish it up. I'm sure she'll love it.
ReplyDeleteLike the other commenters, I love the name of this quilt, and the story behind it. The idea of Juice and his two lives cracks me up. You never know what those cats are up to at night, right?! Great finish, Louise, and I'm sure she will enjoy this quilt after she returns from her trip!
ReplyDeleteThat cat fabric is really perfect and the quilt looks so pretty - especially with that backdrop.
ReplyDeleteThe colors caught my eye right away! You always manage to make me smile or giggle:) this time it was Juice who did!
ReplyDeleteSuch a pretty quilt, Louise! I love the colors and the fabric is perfect for your goddaughter! I always think it is so much fun when you've made a quilt, not realizing who it was for at first, and then the person who should have it becomes clear.
ReplyDeleteLove the back story for the quilt and the name. Love those backing fabrics.
ReplyDeleteJuice is going to get his PhD, along with your Goddaughter. Who knew?
ReplyDeleteAlfie says Juice can come over and hang with him any time. His dad has a great laBORatory that they can play in when he’s at work...
ReplyDeleteAs for me, I just love you quilt finish! The colors and pattern are striking, and the fabrics on back are hilariously perfect!! Congrats on the perfect gift.
Such a great story to go with the quilt! The mad scientist cat fabric is a delight, wonder who thought of the design for this.
ReplyDeleteOh, my gosh, I used that exact scientist cat fabric as the backing for a quilt for my grandson. Math on the front. Science on the back. Thanks for bringing that memory forward. Yours is adorable. I'm so glad you were able to give it to your daughter in person.
ReplyDeleteHaha!! I love the story of the very fun name for this one. It sure is pretty, and that Dr. Juice fabric is great on the back. :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for still visiting me, Louise - I was MIA for a long time. I'm having a good time catching up.