"Finished is way better than perfect!" ~Anonymous Quilter

Just a little over 4 weeks to go, dear readers! Until the due date that is. ;) Who knows when she'll actually arrive. She's been fairly stubborn so far for many of her exams and ultrasounds so I wouldn't be surprised if she either decides to arrive early or clings to the inside of my uterus for extra days on end. I thoroughly expect a very stubborn child!

Last month, right before my very own baby shower, I finally finished the quilted gift that I started LAST year for a friend's baby shower. At least her son didn't need it yet, right? ;) I thought I would share the finished product with you all since I *did* share teasers when I first started it. It was my first attempt at a quilt and while it didn't turn out perfectly, I am hooked! I can't wait to make more--though I might start with little small swatches now to get some of the techniques perfected. A crib-size quilt was a perfect size to start with. My friend's nursery is Super Mario Brothers themed, so I wanted to go along with that. A green mushroom seemed perfect!

Looking at it from far away, I like how the mushroom looks ultimately. While I worked on it up close, I wished I had gone with fewer colors.

A wee bit more of a close-up so you can see the tiny squares. 30x30, all hand-sewn. It was a bit of a pain and part of the reason it took so long.

I don't have any pictures of the back, but the green front and brown back were both a soft plain flannel. Much of the quilt is hand-sewn, particularly because I had trouble with my sewing machines until I finally bought a new one in January/February. The quilted designs on top were done with the sewing machine, but the rest of it, including the finished edging, was done by hand. It was just easier that way. I don't think it would have turned out as nicely if I had attempted all of it on the sewing machine.

It was a lot of fun and I can't wait to start something new. Perhaps a small wall hanging for the nursery (which is pretty much done so I should stop adding things). Pictures of that to come soon!