High Flying Baby Crib Quilt

High Flying Baby Crib Quilt has primary colors that will last longer over time and wear.

High Flying Baby Crib Quilt

A customer recently asked why some of our baby crib quilts are so bright. She was looking for an airplane baby quilt but wasn't sure non-pastel options would work.

It's a wonderful question because we used to only carry soft, pastel-colored baby quilts and crib quilts. Then a distraught aunt called us to say her nephew's birthday was coming up and she needed to replace his favorite blanket because one couldn't see the pattern. The baby quilt was only 2 years old.

That's when we started to carry brighter baby quilts, such as High Flying Baby Crib Quilt, knowing that their colors would last longer so the baby quilt did not need to be replaced. The strategy worked because since then, we have heard from customers who have noted their baby quilt gifts have held their colors and lasted a lot longer when they started out with bright, primary colors.

High Flying Baby Crib Quilt has a navy blue strip for custom embroidery to personalize.

We also look for a good place to personalize the baby crib quilt. In the case of High Flying Baby Crib Quilt, there is a nice navy blue strip at the bottom where custom embroidery can easily be added.

Which baby quilt would you choose, a pastel or a primary color?

Charlotte

Custom Yellow Rag Baby Crib Quilt Gift Set

Packing a quilt gift set for shipping including a complimentary toy.

Custom Yellow Rag Baby Crib Quilt Gift Set

There are several steps to making our quilts and baby quilts. There are also several steps to packing the quilts for shipping, in this case a yellow rag baby crib quilt going east to welcome a new nephew or niece.

Our baby quilts are offered both alone and as gift sets, which include a complimentary toy. For this gift set, I found a blue green bunny toy to keep the baby quilt company on its voyage. Besides keeping the baby quilt company, the toy is responsible for the blank gift card I usually tie in a ribbon around its neck.

Rabbit toy has gift tag and we also include a certified quilt care card with quilt information.

Humm, that doesn't look quite right. Although light blue ribbon is our company ribbon, it looked too "boyish." This was supposed to be a gender-neutral gift.

Back to the ribbon bin to try something else.

Now the rabbit toy is modeling a new ribbon option, a yellow ribbon to match the baby quilt.

Much better, this ribbon pops against the blue green toy color and nicely matches the yellow rag baby quilt, I like the yellow ribbon, don't you? 

One additional benefit, this ribbon is wired at the edges so it can be easily fluffed up once it is removed from the box.

Ok, time to tuck the toy into the baby rag quilt and get it ready for shipping.

Our baby quilt gift sets include not only a toy but a complimentary lightweight fleece baby blanket, perfect to bring the baby home from the hospital.

How to Store Quilts Reminder

We ship our quilts in plastic just in case something happens to a box corner. Quilts should not be stored in plastic. A good alternative is to store quilts in cotton pillow cases rolled up like a sleeping bag so no creases establish themselves. It's all in the enclosed free custom quilt guide.

Finished packed quilt, ready to be boxed up and shipped!

One last check before the baby crib quilt gift set gets tucked into a box and off it goes to welcome a new baby into the world. I love that thought!

Charlotte

Custom Printed Wedding Quilt Block

A customer's wedding invitation he needed printed onto our custom fabric blocks.

Custom Printed Wedding Quilt Block

This Bluebird Gardens customer was making a quilt as a wedding gift and needed this "Eternal Love" wedding invitation design printed on fabric.

We have tried a number of printable fabrics and this one is the best one we have found on the market, an especially-treated white muslin that peels off the paper backing so that it can be cut to size.

These custom fabric blocks are washable in cold water; dry on cool, just as our custom quilts should be washed.

The wedding invitation now printed on our custom fabric block.

Anything that can be printed can be scanned and placed on these muslin fabric blocks. Photos, original art, mementos such as tickets, invitations, cards - whatever is special that can be scanned can be printed.

We use these same photo fabric blocks when making our custom photo memory quilts, custom children's art quilts and quilts out of clothing with photos incorporated.

A close up of the design of this charming wedding invitation we printed on muslin fabric.

So pretty, and the printed colors look just as bright as the original design!

Charlotte

Custom Personalized Memory Throw

A friend made this custom personalized memory throw for a family member.yM

Custom Personalized Memory Throw

Just in time for Christmas planning, here's how to easily make a custom personalized memory throw.

This is a quilt one of my friends made for a family member. She had never sewn, or quilted before so you know this is going to be an easy project. So simple, she used marbled solid fabrics so family members could write on them with an indelible ink pen.

Did they write on the quilt blocks before or after it was put together? Afterwards!

We printed some of the photos on fabric and she cut them into the same size as the fabric blocks.

She added a solid frame around the blocks and an prairie point quilt edging. 

The custom personalized memory throw was finished with prairie point quilt edges.

Turned out quite well, don't you think?

Charlotte

Here Kitty Kitties Quilt and Cat Pillows

Don't these hand embroidered cats just want to make you smile?

Here Kitty Kitties Quilt and Cat Pillows

I have to confess, I sometimes I am not disappointed when some of our quilts don't immediately sell. Here Kitty Kitties Twin quilt is one of those quilts!

There's something so charming about this little made in Missouri quilt. Every hand-embroidered block has a different cat in a variety of poses. I particularly smile at the eyebrows, they seem to give each cat a little extra "tude sitting in their white cotton quilt blocks between strips of brown floral patterned cotton. It's like they are playing in a garden!

Another view of this charming made in Missouri, USA cat quilt.

I took this posting down when I thought I was going to take the quilt apart to make it bigger to fit my queen size bed. Yes, that's how much I love this little collection of playful, embroidered cats!

That's not an easy thing to do, take a finished quilt apart so after much deliberation, I am listing it again.

Having grown up doing a lot of embroidery, I appreciate all of the work that went into this made in Missouri, USA twin-size quilt and complimentary pillows. The pillows are the perfect size for a young cat lover's room decor, a good size for napping and yet not too big for the proportion of the twin bed.

This is a one of a kind, lightweight quilt. All it needs now is a home with a real cat to complete the look!

Charlotte

Scottie Dog Mischief Baby Crib Quilt

Scottie Dog Mischief Baby Crib Quilt was hand embroidered and hand made in Missouri, USA.

Scottie Dog Mischief Baby Crib Quilt

If you have seen our hand-embroidered and handmade days of the week kitchen towels, you know we are fond of a mischief of the day theme. That's exactly what this charming 40x42-inch Scottie Dog Mischief baby crib quilt offers, hand-embroidered quilt blocks featuring a Scottie Terrier Dog getting into trouble.

Not in all of the blocks. Some show the hand-embroidered Scottie Terrier Dog sitting quietly wearing a hand-embroidered red ribbon as if mischief was far from the dog's mind. Other blocks have the Scottie Terrier Dog in soap suds, waiting to chase a ball and diving into a picnic basket with a partner in crime helping.

The red and white checkered cotton fabric is bordered with white fabric and includes a 3" border at the bottom where you can easily add custom embroidery.

Backing is a white cotton.

Wash in cold; dry on cool.

Charming baby gift for the Scottie Terrier dog lover on your gift list!

Charlotte

Pink Applique Tulips Quilt

Pink Applique Tulips Quilt from The Williamsburg Collection hints at the history of the pattern.

Pink Applique Tulips Quilt

If you have been to Williamsburg, Virginia, a re-enactment community that simulates the early European settlements along the East coast in the 1600s, you will appreciate the historic background of this brand new, Pink Applique Tulips Quilt.

Pink Applique Tulips Quilt pattern is based on a historic applique pattern, a design European settlers carefully packed with them when they travelled across the Atlantic Ocean with their bee hives and edible orange daylilies.

I can imagine how much beauty this design added to a spare bedroom, and how much time young women put into making these applique floral quilts by hand.

Lovely hand quilting adds another dimension to this brand new imported quilt.

A sweet blue applique flowers finished a corner of Pink Applique Tulips Quilt

In those days, people re-used all fabrics, turning clothing into curtains, tablecloths into quilts. It was the lucky young woman who could buy fabrics specifically to make a specific quilt pattern. Young women who had time to applique also tended to be in more affluent families.

I love this Pink Applique Tulips Quilt because, in addition to the lovely colors, the detailed hand quilting adds a beautiful third dimension to this brand new, imported quilt. It would also make a beautiful wall hanging.

And even better yet, no deer will munch on the flowers!

Charlotte

Lovely Hibiscus Quilt

"Hello Hawaii" Hibiscus Quilt

It's summer in Missouri, a time when my potted tropical hibiscus keep me company on my outside deck. These are more than just potted plants. Tropical hibiscus also keep me company inside over winter, chasing away the winter blues with their lovely flowers and a promise of warmer weather to come.

So it was great delight that I spotted this lovely hand-pieced and hand quilted Hibiscus quilt at the Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild bi-yearly show in Rolla in 2015. I enjoy their quilt shows for the variety of entries, many by people I personally know.

This lovely floral quilt was easy to spot, as was this vintage floral quilt. The bright reds and yellows easily stood out against the darker, blue and green-toned fabrics. 

Here's the quilt maker's further explanation:

And is it any surprise that this lovely flower quilt won first prize? Look at the blue ribbon, don't you love the flower for the award rosette?

Congratulations, Ruth, beautiful quilt and quilted wall hanging, hope you are using this as a wall hanging so you can enjoy seeing it every day of the year, regardless of the weather! 

Charlotte

Rhapsody in Bloom Quilt and Wall Hanging

Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild 2015 second place winner in quilted wall hanging category.

It's hard to tell from the pictures because this could be a full size quilt but it is, indeed, a quilted wall hanging. Beautifully rendered in primary colors and finished with hand-quilting, almost any favorite pattern can be made in a smaller size for a wall hanging.

This reminds me of some of the tulip-designed quilts we offer, such as the vintage-inspired pink applique tulip quilts. 

Yes, it's time to start thinking about making gifts for holiday giving. This lovely work helps to get me in the mood. How about you?

Congratulations on your award, Cindy Felts!

Charlotte

Custom Sleeping Cats Quilt in Pink Fabrics

Choosing fabrics for a custom sleeping cats quilt in pinks.

Custom Sleeping Cats Quilt in Pink Fabrics

Making custom quilts are a lot of fun because we get to know our customers. In this custom sleeping cats quilt order,  the customer wanted a queen-size quilt in pink tones. Since pinks can range from cheek-soft to sunset deep pink, we start with a variety of pink fabrics so the customer can tell us which direction they want to go in with the fabric tones.

In addition, choosing fabrics is a treat since we can make all of them different or repeat fabrics and fabric color patterns. If in doubt about the colors, send us a paint chip card to make sure we are matching the colors you want.

In this custom order, the customer liked the five fabrics in pink and white tones so that is what we will be using.

Why pink? 

The customer has two rescue cats. From their descriptions, pink is their color!

Charlotte

Felt Flower Ribbons

Felt Flower Ribbons

Loved these handmade felt flower ribbons! 

The ribbons were awarded at Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild's 2015 annual show, a lovely tribute to the dozens of beautiful quilts and other quilted items guild members made.

Since it's now mid-July, time to start making holiday gifts - I know, it snuck up on me, too - I will be featuring some of my favorite quilted items including handmade quilts, bags, wall hangings and seating for gift inspiration. I know I review some of the photos for color combinations, textures, even quilt descriptions all give my creativity a boost.

And those felt flower ribbons? Well, wouldn't hurt to collect one of those someday, would it, such a lovely little personalized floral-themed gift, like our flowers day of the week dish towels. A flower a day makes the blues go away, or at least brings a smile!

Have you been awarded a ribbon for your quilt?

Charlotte

Play and Giggle Baby Quilt and Throw

Play and Giggle Baby Quilt and Throw works well as both a quilt and wall hanging.layP

Play and Giggle Baby Quilt and Throw

Where to list a standard-sized 50x60 inch throw that has a child's theme?

I decided to list Play and Giggle Baby Quilt and Throw in our baby quilts section, primarily because I can easily see this charming brand new imported baby quilt as a charming wall hanging.

The baby quilt features delightful blocks with a dog, a cat, a ladybug, an owl, a dragonfly, birds, and more, all very happy applique characters in strong baby pastel fabrics. A number of fabric blocks make perfect places to add custom embroidery, such as this yellow chenille rectangle:

Play and Giggle Baby Quilt and Throw has several fabric blocks that can be personalized.

This lightweight baby quilt is finished with hand-quilting and can easily be used as a wall hanging by adding loops on the back or using wooden quilt hangars.

Charlotte

Personalized Play to Win Throw

Play to Win Throw personalized with custom embroidery at the bottom.

Personalized Play to Win Throw

Sometimes it's hard to imagine how one of our quilts and throws will look with custom embroidery. Very understandable since with some quilts and throws there are several places where custom embroidery can be added.

One of the harder quilts to find is one with a sports theme, especially for a baby shower gift. We carry this all-cotton, standard 50x60-inch throw so that it can be used as a nursery quilted wall hanging. When baby is older, it can then become the baby's favorite blanket. Well, that's the plan in any event.

In the case of personalizing Play to Win throw, we recommended the custom embroidery in the solid navy blue fabric at the bottom in white letters. To make sure the lettering shows up, we used 1" letters in Zapf Chancery, our most popular font.

Play to Win Throw with custom embroidery at the bottom by Bluebird Gardens.

Even through there is a solid red fabric strip between, the lettering size brings the name and date to the forefront.

We also made sure the football nicely blended into the first name. We blurred out the last name to not divulge the name of the person who will be getting this gift.

Now who wants to play?

Charlotte

Vintage Blue Work Quilt

You have heard of redwork? I call this vintage child's quilt in blue and white blue work since all of the blocks were done in blue floss with a solid blue border. I found this quilt at the "Little Shop Around the Corner" in St. Louis.

Each of the 4x4-inch blocks had a theme or saying:

Vintage bluework child's quilt with "Home Sweet Home" embroidered in blue floss.

Besides favorite sayings, the 4x4-inch quilt blocks also featured favorite nursery rhymes, like Little Red Riding Hood:

Blue Work with Little Red Riding Hood as one of the 4x4 inch quilt blocks.

Look at the hand-quilting, those are teeny tiny hand stitches!

Another favorite saying "Home Sweet Home" in vintage blue work child's quilt.

I can't imagine how long it took to embroider these blocks, some were very detailed. There was some wear along the edges and backing but this vintage quilt would make a lovely wall hanging in someone's nursery.

This photo is not the best but gives you an overview of the blocks put together:

An overview of how the 4x4 inch embroidered blocks looked together.

Charlotte

Can You Guess How Many Hours to Make This Quilt?

This is a quilt my neighbor Diane had someone quilt for her, she did the piecing.

My neighbor Diane was very proud of her quilt and I can't blame her. The quilted wall hanging features curves and pointy end stars, two things that put fear in the heart of someone who is piecing a quilt. They can go so very wrong ever so quickly.

The corner of my neighbor Diane's finish quilt hanging at the entrance to her home.

Diane said the flying geese triangles gave her the most grief, probably from the curved design the triangles took throughout the quilt. 

Diane's quilt design features very detailed piecing work.

Besides the corners, the pointed design of the piecing work was very intricate. Here the center also showcases the lovely artistry of the local quilter. 

Any guesses of how many hours it took to make this quilt?

This is the center star of Diane's quilt and wall hanging.

Diane guestimated at least 240 hours, she lost track in some of the work. That's at least one month if you were working on this full-time.

As far as I'm concerned, it's priceless!

Charlotte

Girls Like Peter Rabbit, Too!

We added a pink border so little girls can have a Peter Rabbit crib quilt in their girly nursery.

One of our repeat customers reminded me a few years back that sometimes we assume some colors are only for a particular gender. Blue, for example, is only a "boy" color or pink is only a "girl" color. With this in mind, we made one of our Peter Rabbit crib quilts with a pink border so a little girl can have this charming Beatrix Potter crib quilt in her pink-colored nursery.

Pink is not just for girls. Many fashion-forward men wear pink shirts, and last year we made a quilt for a teenager who wanted pink as a border to fit into his avant guard room decor.

Not to assume only boys like blue, we added a cute pull toy to our unique baby crib quilt with Peter Rabbit himself still in his blue sweater.

Both girls and boys would love that pull toy, don't you think?

Charlotte

A Baby Quilt Gift That Keeps On Giving

Our custom Peter Rabbit Crib Quilt gift set ready to ship for a shower in New York.

This charming Peter Rabbit Crib Quilt Gift Set is headed to New York for a niece's baby shower. The couple is old-fashioned, according to the aunt, and don't want to know what the gender of the baby will be.

The printed Peter Rabbit baby crib quilt pattern has been outlined quilted with a lightweight bamboo fill so the crib quilt can easily be washed in cold, dried on cool. The baby quilt fill is also a renewable, sustainable product that is kind to the environment.

Our gift sets are shipped with a card designating what organizations benefit from proceeds.

To complete the gift set, I included a Peter Rabbit stuffed toy with a free gift tag and a book the aunt can personalize with a dedication so baby can read it when the baby is old enough.

And to make sure this baby gift keeps on giving in yet another way, there is a card noting proceeds from the sale of this gift set will benefit Phelps County Humane Society and Rolla Bee Club, two organizations sponsored by the Bluebird Gardens Charitable Foundation.

After notifying the customer the gift set was on its way with the additional book, the customer said the shower sponsor had suggested bringing a book they could personalize. We saved her a shopping step.

So many ways this is a gift that keeps on giving!

Charlotte

How to care for a custom baby quilt

One of the last steps in the process of making a custom baby quilt is adding a hand sewn care label on the back.

The label is made on the same printing fabric we use for printing photos, mementos and artwork for custom quilts. We can print some for you, too, if you want to incorporate photos and other mementos into your handmade gifts. It's time to get a start on those Christmas gifts!

I love this step of sewing on the label, it's the last one before packing the quilt to ship.

Charlotte

In Memory Of

I catch myself sometimes when I hear someone describe Bluebird Gardens as a quilt-making company. Considering the projects we complete, I think of us more as repurposing memories, especially on this Memorial Day weekend when we should take time out to remember loved ones who are no longer with us.

We do make a wide range of custom quilts; some traditional, most unique to the customer. What makes our custom quilts and associated projects different is that often we are making a memory catcher for someone who has died. It may be a quilt out of clothing from a departed husband; a wife who died of cancer, or a quilt a wife with cancer is having us make for each of her children so they will remember her when she's gone.

The quilts out of departed children's clothing with pictures are the hardest. Looking at those young faces, I think about the souls those faces represent who have left us much too soon.

To some, Memorial Day weekend is about the beginning of summer. To us at Bluebird Gardens, Memorial Day weekend is a time to remember all of our customers and the memories we were honored to help them capture.

Charlotte

"I Spy" in Garden Quilt

Easter is a time of renewal, especially in a garden. 

Every day there is something new growing, or returning, to my limestone hillside garden. The spirit of renewal has been nicely captured in this "I Spy" Garden Quilt made by 7 members of Rolla, Missouri's Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild.

The guild, by the way, is planning a fall 2015 show where they feature the work of their very talented members.

Whether its animals, or flowers, this teamwork applique and patchwork quilt is fun to see.

What all do you "spy"?

Pretty applique blue larkspur. What else?

No garden is complete without a hummingbird or two!

Or one, or two, rabbits.

Happy Easter!

Charlotte