MJ's Quilt

So, I've had this quilt done for what seems like forever, but couldn't post pictures of it until I had given it to it's recipient.  I bought these gecko panels several years ago with the intention of making something for MJ's mom, but as we all know, life gets in the way.  And I wasn't quilting very much at that time.

So when she told me she was pregnant, I pulled the panels out and set to work, not know if she was having a boy or girl, but knowing her "style".  

I had a little trouble with the layout, since I haven't really used panels before, and had really only pieced regular quilts, but with colored pencils, settled on the above, even using them in the borders (a first for me, pieced borders)!

I did a simple "Quilt in the ditch" around all the borders, but did manage some freestyle quilting in the middle of the big panel.

And in another first for me, I did a pieced back.  I had one small panel left, and really wanted to include it!

Also, you can't tell from the pic, but the orange backing fabric is completely covered in small geckos with green eyes!  Totally cool and fit the theme of the front!

Then we finally got to meet her!  She is every bit as beautiful as I knew she'd be!  And check out that pin cushion she's totally rockin' on her wrist!  Ok, really it's a rattle, and a really cute one at that, but it looked enough like a pin cushion to give me hope!

Congrats to AHG and her hubby TG!  They are some lucky parents, for sure!   Can't wait to watch her grow up!  Hopefully, we'll get to see some pics of MJ playing on it!

AMW