Quilt #126 :: Peace, Love, and Intergalactic Donuts

For the second year in a row, I participated in the Project Linus mystery quilt. Last year's mystery quilt drew me in because it had an international theme. 

If you aren't familiar with the organization, Project Linus distributes homemade quilts and blankets to children facing long hospital stays. It's a wonderful way to brighten up a hospital room and bring a little love and cheer to someone who could use it. 

This year's mystery quilt was called Sweet Violet's Bakery and Confectionary. 

Because it was a mystery, I started making blocks without an idea of what the final design would be. Because of the name and main character, most of the quilts featured a lot of pinks and purples. As the mom of a boy, I decided pretty early on that I would make a more neutral quilt. My inspiration print was this tie-dye heart print that I used for the backing.

The designer of the annual mystery quilt, Mary, always challenges me to try something new. This year, I learned to make some 3D blocks. My cupcakes were filled with extra frosting. 

My candy wrappers stick out a little. If I were to do it again, I might have sewn some cereal box bags in the ends to make them crinkle.

When I got to the big Violet block, D suggested I make a rocket instead of a flower. Such a great idea!

One of the last sections was the awning, which is made of real flaps. I decided to practice my freemotion cursive by writing the name of the quilt under the flaps--Peace, love, and intergalactic donuts. 

For the last three flaps, I wrote, "You Are Loved."

When I showed D, he loved the secret message. He also really loved the rocket. First, he asked if he could have it. Then I explained why I made it. He agreed I should give it away. Then he asked me to make him another one!

I'm not sure if I'm going to make another one of these for D, but I did recruit him to help me take pictures of the quilt at our local donut shop, which inspired the name. The first time we came by, they were already closed, so I had to settle for this picture. 

When we came back the next day, to buy donuts and ask permission to take some pictures, the staff was wonderful, suggesting backdrops and even holding up the quilt!

In addition to delicious donuts, the shop is very retro and cool.

I didn't realize how much orange played into the theme until we came to take pictures. 

As I worked on this quilt, I thought of the little one who will eventually snuggle under it and prayed for his/her healing, for peace and strength for the parents, and an overwhelming sense of love for them all. Perhaps, like D, the new owner will be comforted by dreams of delicious donuts. 

This quilt was my One Monthly Goal for April, but I forgot to link it up to the update party. But, I did make my goal!

Linked to:

Monday:
Design Wall Monday @ Small Quilts & Doll Quilts
Modern Patch Monday @ Modern Cologne Quilters
Monday Making @ Love Laugh Quilt
What I Made Monday @ Pretty Piney

Tuesday:
To Do Tuesday @ Stitch All the Things
Colour & Inspiration Party @ The Clever Chameleon

Wednesday:
Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
Midweek Makers @ My Quilt Fabrication
Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter
WIPs on Wednesday @ Esther's Blog

Thursday:
Needle & Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

Friday:
Beauties Pageant @ From Bolt to Beauty
Finished Or Not Friday @ Busy Hands Quilts
Off the Wall Friday @ Nina Marie
Whoop Whoop Friday @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Saturday:
UFO Busting @ The Madd Quilter