Monday, August 4, 2014

An epic Fail...or maybe not! And Navajo Code Talkers!!

 Some time ago, I found a picture on Pinterest.  No credits, so I had no idea who designed the quilt.  But it was made from strings, and that appealed to me immediately, so I set about making my own version from pieces and parts in my block basket.  Since then, I have found that the quilt "Navajo Code Talkers" was designed by Norma Whaley.  Please see her website, HERE.  It is Timeless Traditions, and she has a wonderful blog as well.   It is also being sold by Primitive Gatherings, HERE.  But now, I have purchased her pattern!!!  In fact, I have bought two of them...so I am giving one away.  Please just comment, and I will select a random winner and send out the pattern for Norma Whaley's fantastic quilt.
 This is fun!!!  See the border on the Code Talker quilt?  It is made from this bunch of 1/2 square triangles...and I have enough for another border for a large quilt.  Yahoo!  I find lots of my time goes into prepping things like this that I have no idea what I am going to do with...so glad that this border found a home.  All scraps, here!!
 Now for my Epic fail!!  Above is a big (little) mess of a quilt. Many times, I make a second, tiny quilt from the idea of a bigger quilt, such as my Wagon Wheels from last post.   The hand applique was not going well, so I appliqued by machine.  FIRST MISTAKE!!  I have no idea what I am doing there.  Then machine quilted it...SECOND MISTAKE!  I am the world's worst machine quilter...hands down.  Nope...I win...!!  Then I decided just to sew the binding down on the machine too...THIRD MISTAKE!!  By then, I was pretty discouraged, and was going to toss the whole thing in the trash.  But....
 I washed it, and ROSIE liked it!!  In fact, she plopped down and just claimed it as hers.  so...That is how the fail became a win, for one little sweet poodle girl, who now owns a new quilt.
I have been working projects, and cleaning. That is my piano bench, and I have been storing some projects under it.  So very messy, and I could not get to the piano to play..so I sorted and found homes for these projects.  Yahoo!!! Feels good to clean and clean!!!






Hope you all have a great day...


Julie

58 comments:

Sherry said...

WOW! I love both of the quilts. The Navajo Code Talkers quilt is stunning. And it is funny that I came upon your post today since I just picked up the "Windtalkers" DVD from the library for DH & I to watch.

In case you did not know, it starred Nicholas Cage and was about the Navajo code that was used during the war. . . no one was able to break the code so our troops were able to get and send information without a problem.

Have a wonderful day!

JoyceLM said...

Would love to win the pattern - thanks.

nancy b. said...

This reminds me of the Navajo rugs from my home state of New Mexico, it's beautifully done. Glad the little "oops" quilt found someone to love it. Thanks for the giveaway, too!

Unknown said...

I had saved a pic of the Navajo Code Talkers quilt to make someday, and my daughter just ordered two books about the Navajo Code Talkers from the library - so when I saw your blog title I had to smile!

Mary Ann said...

Beautiful quilt! I am on a fabric diet (well at least trying) and have enough fabric to make too many of this quilt but it is a great pattern.

ana s. said...

I work with pretty much all scraps from all kinds of places. I even have a fabric saleswoman who gives me her sample fabrics for charity quilts. Pattern looks like a lot of fun.

I made a plaid quilt just like your cover photo. I had my quilter quilt recycling symbols all over it and gave it to a young couple really into the environment for a wedding present.

Randy D. said...

Looks good enough to me!!
Did you get your new toy yet??? Can't wait to hear how you like it!

Nancy said...

Rosie's no dummy, she knows a good thing when she sees it!

Love the Code Talkers quilt.

Carol said...

What a great pattern. It would look good with just about any fabrics.

scottylover said...

I just reorganized my fabrics and have a lot more scraps than I ever thought I would have. This would be a great quilt to practice being scrappy with!

And Rosie knows a good quilt when she sees it...as long as momma made it, it is good! :P

Sandy A

Vivian said...

I've become obsessed with getting my scraps under control, and this striking pattern would be a unique way to use strips and extra little pieces as well. Thanks for the generous giveaway, Julie.

carla said...

Hi!!! I love this one!!! Very pretty!!!! Thanks for the fun give away!!!!

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

How cool~ I was going to tell you about the movie with Nicholas Cage, but see Sherry has already done it. I love scrappy quilts and this one would be perfect for one of my guys. Thanks for the chance!

Robert said...

I think I got to get more color into my quilts - really like the Navajo Code Talker quilt. Also I am a terrible machine appliquer and binder. Much rather do it by hand. Tomorrow we are having an open/free sew at the Quilted Steeple, so will try to finish up a project or two, but someone also said they wanted help with a stack and wack tree skirt and my wife said I would help. Will see what I get done. Take care and keep on quilting. From northern Iowa. . . .

Deb said...

I would so make that quilt. Thanks for the giveaway.

Rebecca in AK said...

Oh! I really like the Navajo Code Talkers quilt!! A great way to use up some scraps!
From your photos your little wagon wheel quilt looked great! I guess Rosie thought it was! Your Rosie reminds me of the little poodle we had when I was growing up. We named her Daffodil and always called her Daffy!

Rebecca in AK said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Julie said...

I would love to win a copy of the pattern, thank you! I enjoyed the story of the little quilt.

Karen said...

I really like this quilt pattern! Thanks for buying 2 and giving one of us a chance to win one. And thanks for sharing it with us and the info for buying the pattern. Here's hoping!

Janet O. said...

I love the Navajo Code Talkers quilt! I had a Navajo foster brother for 5 years and my brother-in-law speaks Navajo and served as legal counsel at tribal headquarters years ago. Would love to win the pattern!
Rosie knew it was her quilt all along. : )
I didn't know you played piano--that is cool.

Leeanne said...

cool quilt, I will have to check out the blog you mentioned.
I like the midget wagon wheel quilt too. Happy tidy up time for you :-)

Marga (MarPie) said...

This one is really great.
So yes please I would love to have a chance on winning.

warm regards,
Marga♥

Chantal said...

It is easy to see why this quilt appealed to you. It is simply a la Julie!! Very well done. Would also look great with plaids, wouldn't you say? I love it. As for the mini wagon wheels, you would have to explain why you say it is an epic fail. I don't see what you see. Maybe the green wheel in the right bottom corner is not as good as the others but other than that, it looks good. For a skill-building quilt it is very well done. Congrats on a finish for Rosie.

PeggyB said...

I love the code talker quilt. You do such an excellent job on putting scrappy fabrics together. Thanks also for the link to Norma's website.

Roxanne said...

Wagon Wheels look good! I've had projects with less than stellar results but learned from them all and had fun--that's what it's all about. Right! I have lots of strips for the Navajo Code Talkers pattern so I'm in. Thanks!

Kristie said...

Little Rosie knows a nice quilt when she sees one! :) This is the first time that I have seen the Navajo Code Talkers pattern! I like it! It's so different from most other string quilts, I think that is what makes it special.
Kristie

Anita in Florida said...

The Navajo Code Talkers quilt is spectacular! Would love to tackle it...maybe I'll win. Thanks for the chance!

Joyce Carter said...

The quilt is really beautiful. I think it will look great in any fabrics. Thanks for the chance to win the pattern.
Rosie's quilt looks wonderful, too. She certainly knows a good thing when she sees it. I know she will enjoy it.

Helen in the UK said...

I like your brighter colour scheme better than the original! Great that Rosie likes your mini Wagon Wheels quilt. Don't worry about entering me in the draw for the pattern :)

Monica said...

I love that Navaho Code talkers design! I've seen it in the Keepsake Quilting catalog too. Please count me in the draw!

Monica said...

LOL, I thought that looked wrong! Navajo!

Nancy said...

Cute quilt. Rosie has good taste.

mayme said...

What a fun and scrappy quilt. Would love to win the pattern.

Me and My Stitches said...

I saw the Navajo quilt recently online - it is very cool - love your version. I also love that your "fail" quilt found such a great home!! It looks like you have lots of great projects in the wings.

marie said...

That pattern sure looks interesting to make, so would love to win it.
Thanks!

Gayle said...

I'm a huge fan of Norma's - she's a local gal who's gone far in the quilting world! Would love to win this pattern of hers!

Rebecca said...

Oh wow... this has so many ways to go in whole and part... I want to play with it thank you.

Linda C said...

I just love the internet and all the blogs I visit...all the ideas that we all get from each other...I love all your work...someone (can't remember who) said if you had never done it before how could you fail?
Please count me in your drawing.

Unknown said...

Endless love with the strings. All my quilty life I've been obsessed and find myself studying the various ways to use strings. Would put the pattern to instant use. Diann kyquiltymama@hotmail.com (use google just to comment..don't receive mail there)

nashook said...

Being Native American and a quilter, this quilt called to me...so far I have been successfully resisting...until now!!

Marina Brito de Campos said...

I think it's love at first sight with the Code talkers. Would love to win!
Happy quilting!

Rolyn said...

I have been lusting over this quilt for some time now! I really, really want to make one (or more). Such a beauty. Winning a pattern would be a boost!

Vic in NH said...

Hiya Julie!

A perfect little quilt for Miss Rosie! Our dogs are always teaching us unconditional love, aren't they?
Code talker looking good!

KaHolly said...

oh, I just love it!! Thanks for posting the link to the original pattern. How sweet that little Miss Rosie has a new quilt. Under. My favorite place to store all things quilt related.

Pam said...

Hi Julie! Navajo Code Talkers looks like a great pattern :) I love Norma Whaley's patterns - Just the right mix of prim and cozy.You are so generous to offer it to one of your readers! If I don't win can you send me Rosie instead? Ha ha -
Thanks for the chance to win.
Pam P

Margaret said...

Would love this pattern. Thanks for that link I love all their applique patterns.

Lori L said...

I have seen that quilt before and admired it. Never had found where to get the pattern. Would love to win a copy. Would make a great charity quilt.

Cyndi said...

When I saw the photo of your Navajo Code Talkers quilt on the sidebar of another blog, I recognized it instantly! Love that quilt....both the design and the expressed sentiment! Sadly, tho, I am only working on my third block but I do have the fabrics ready when I have the time. I am like you...spending time preparing for a future project....sometimes something specific and sometimes just to have the triangles at the ready!

Lori said...

I just saw this in Keepsake quilting catalog and thought of you. (I've read blogs lately, not too many comments left) You did a great job.
If Rosie likes it than it isn't a fail! too cute!
Ps, I do not need to be in the drawing.

Cathy said...

It truly is a beautiful quilt. I am a great fan or Norma's and have quite a few of her patterns. Thanks for the great giveaway. Hugs

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

No wonder you wanted to make the code talkers quilt. It's lovely! The dogs quilt is cute, too. Glad you didn't toss it.

Kim said...

Oh boy thanks for a chance to win that pattern, you did a fine job on yours. Congratulations on all the projects you have been getting done:0).
And Happy birthday too

Tspoon said...

I love it and I love you.

Rose Marie said...

I think Rosie has excellent taste!

Vernon said...

I've seen this pattern before and I though about buying it. I'll try my luck. I'm in.

hoff said...

Love the quilt and would love to win the pattern for making it. The story about your quilt is funny but hey, who says a dog knows best! Dianne\gdavidhoffman@yahoo.com

Shelia said...

Julie,
Glad you had a great trip to Alaska. This is a cool quilt pattern. I don't think I've heard of it before.
Thanks,
Shelia
Maybe I'll win and can try it too.

Jeener said...

I think that this is a genius pattern for scraps!

Also, thanks for your blog Julie, I really enjoy lurking here!

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