viva la deutschland? [[some obesity in the pic department, here]]

[k8thagr8]

hi all!  so this is it...my first embroidery post.  i can't truthfully say this is my first attempt at embroidery, but basically, my second.  i am embroidering the obligatory onesies for my girlfriend's first born but since i haven't finished making them yet, i'll hold off until that happens to post. 

anyway, my family (my sister-in-law, to be precise) makes a family quilt every year.  the s.i.l sends everyone a plain cotton square and gives us a theme and tells us to get to work.  i always procrastinate (i'm in school full time and work full time, and have a full time boyfriend, so my free time is usually spent sleeping) and this year was no different.  fortunately, i lit a fire under myself and busted this puppy out in time and according to her, i'm not last.  woohoo for the procrastination gene!!  i'm sure there are goofs in there and i know there are a couple obvious ones, but i was strapped for time and hell...no one else in my family embroiders, so they'll probably never notice.  the bottom line is i'm proud and wanted to share. 

background on this quilt:
the theme this year is "places".  i was an exchange student in germany, specifically bayreuth, so while i really wanted to do "heaven" as my quilt square, it was easier for me to just be very obvious about my choice and pick something off a map (i am a geography major, after all).  sooo, here it is...

[Terracruz]

WOW!!! Nice work! So, who gets the finished quit each year? That's an awesome idea. I would love to have a crafty/creative family!

[bratygrl1]

Awesome! I love your stitches - very neat and clean. You did a great job! I need to make a pillow of where I live and the places I've been. Thanks for the inspiration.

Yeah, who does gets the quilt every year?   

[k8thagr8]

thanks gals!  i totally love it and i hope i get the quilt this year.  speaking of which....we have a raffle each year and the lucky recipient gets to keep the quilt forever.  my cousin won last year so he gets to draw the name this year.  i'm gonna slip him a 20. 

it's really fun and even the family members who aren't artistic get into it

i'm glad my stitches are neat and clean.  i know i'm a beginner but i'm pretty anal about things, so i tried to make it as nice as possible.

bratygrl1, i'm impressed that i inspired you.  i'd love to see what you end up making.  i think a quilt (though i don't know how to quilt) of all the places i've been would be awesome and so personal.  i just think of all the trips i have taken as a kid with my family and up until now at 30 years old.  it would be a beautiful quilt and a lot of fun to recall all those memories.    so now i return the favor...thank YOU for the inspiration.  (when i get out of school.)

[MandyLikesPie]

Excellent job on the stitches and the overall design! Very nice. 

[kittykill]

Your stitches look great. Good job.

[k8thagr8]

thank you thank you!    i designed the layout and freehanded everything but the map...sorta.  i couldn't find one the right size, so in one of my atlases, i just traced the outline and then kept drawing around that outline until it was the size i was after.  i hope it's remotely accurate.  ha!  so glad you all think my stitches are good.  yay!  thanks again!!

[Lilyvanilli]

This is awesome! Great job! I can't believe this is your 2nd attempt at embroidery. I especially like the flag and the cup. What a fun idea for a family Xmas present!

[k8thagr8]

wow, thanks lily...!  i'm totally digging the positive feedback on this.  it's not the most beautiful design (some of the stuff i see you all posting is just gorgeous and sooooo creative!) and obviously personal, but hearing back from you guys that i just might have some skills is making me want to come up with more projects. 

[tattooed_lady]

This is amazing! I'm trying to learn to embroider, my first attempt was crap, I can't imagine that my second would be as wonderful as yours!
I also liked your idea of doing heaven as a square... Great work!