Owls at the Barn

My friends went on a bit of a baby spree last year - 4 of them born within a month! - and all but one* had received a quilt from me. Obviously this had to be remedied and once I came across Elizabeth Hartman's North Stars pattern, I knew what I would make for little Nate. All of the animals in this pattern are so adorably cute but I decided on the owl for this one.

North Stars blocks are 24" so not big enough for a baby quilt but I also didn't want to make 4 of them. I settled on 3 owls, doubled the borders (and turned them sideways), and added a bit of sashing. Voila! A baby quilt. Nevermind that he is now nearly 13 months old. At 40x48", it's a great size.

I used a cute Dear Stella fabric bundle along with some Kona solids and a gorgeous Windham cross-dyed aqua/white for the background. I'm pretty happy with the final quilt and I think Nate will be too.

Of course I had many options in my stash for a background but what could be more perfect than these houses? Not only are the owls right at home among them but they will do a fantastic job of hiding any stains that may come with the use of a baby quilt. Also, my 3 yr old nephew told me he likes this side better so.... I guess it's now a 2-sided quilt. Haha.

There's a little gathering spot near me called Country Village - they have shops (including a quilt shop), restaurants, a farmers market in the summer, wandering chickens and ducks, etc. It's all very quaint and unfortunately it's being torn down starting next month. I took this opportunity to take some pictures of the owl quilt around the village before it's gone. It was a nice little send-off I think. And now the owls have found a great home with their new friend.

* To my friends with older kids who do not have a quilt, I'm sorry. I just make more now than I did when yours were born!