Today is my Dad’s birthday. Our family lost him three years ago but we still celebrate his birthday. Next to Christmas, it was his favorite day. I tell you, he was like a little kid every year. He would be sure to let my siblings and I know weeks in advance that his special day was on its way and he couldn’t wait to eat cake and ice cream and open his presents.
So, in honor of Dad and how much he loved his birthday YOU are getting a present today!
**Cue the cheers and the band!**
I created an easy and fast quilt pattern, using 2-1/2″ strips and 5″ squares. It is perfect for a jelly roll* and charm pack. I made this several weeks ago because I had a package of Bali strips I wanted to use. I had the entire quilt finished in a weekend. The centers provide a place to show off your free motion quilting skills – I quilted a flower motif in the center of each block.
*To make the quilt as pictured, you will need an additional 6 strips (assuming jelly roll has 42 strips). You can use fat quarters for the extra strips, as they are cut in 9″ lengths. If you don’t want to use additional fabric, just eliminate the bottom row.
The name of the pattern is Joie de Vivre, which when translated from French means Joy of Living. The name is perfect for the quilt and its vivid colors, and accurately describes my Dad.
If you would like a digital (PDF) copy of the pattern, simply click here to download your copy. It’s my way of saying thanks for being a reader/follower of this blog, for all your support, and to say Happy Birthday, Dad!
Wasn’t that fun? 🙂
Now on to this weeks Main Crush Monday party. First, let’s check in with some of the great link ups from last week.
First up – Janice @ Color, Creating & Quilting. She’s making her version of the Pretzel Twist pattern. I like this pattern a lot and may add it to my “I want to do that” list.
Yvonne – Quilting JETgirl quilted this beautiful quilt that will be a Christmas gift. This was a collaborative effort with her Mother and is going to make a wonderful gift. Check out her wonderful quilting!
Finally, Sarah @ 123 Quilts has a lot of projects going on, and these curved pieces really caught my eye. I can’t wait to see what she does with them.
Now, what are you working on that you are excited about? I would love it if you would link up and share. You can link any blog post, Instagram or Flickr pic – here’s how:
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I’m so glad I came back to actually read your blog. Thanks for the cool pattern. I’ve always done that block with a novelty print in the middle. I like the dark (solid?) color with the bright prints. Thanks for sharing. Now to find time!
I am glad that you still celebrate your father and keep him so well loved. I hope you had a good celebration. 🙂 And thank you so much for sharing my project from last week! I was back home over the weekend and got to deliver the quilt to my mom in person; I don’t know how she is going to wait for Christmas to gift it!
I love the quilt, thank you. It sounds like it would be perfect for your dad. Happy birthday to Mr. Dad. I think it’s great you take the day to remember and honor his life.
Your dad was a man after my own heart! We call birthdays “special days” — and like the celebration to extend to a full week or longer!
Your quilt looks sharp. I’m loving the contrast between the black and the bold colors. It’s sweet that you think I may have FMQ skills to show off. If only!
I love your version of this pattern. It’s so colourful and a fitting testament to your father’s love of celebration.
Love your quilt. The brights with the dark background are awesome.
Awww, Beth. Thank you for sharing your beautiful pattern with us and continuing on the birthday fun.
Your couldn’t have picked a better name for this pattern! I think it’s absolutely wonderful that you keep on celebrating his birthday! A very very happy birthday to your dad!
-Soma
This is such a sweet way to honor your father’s birthday. I am sure you miss him daily but on his birthday even more so. Love the batiks with the black. Very striking!
love the quilt. Thanks for the pattern.
The old “square in a square” quilt is what I call it – it can be done in so many different color ways and so easy to make – and any size squares will do! I think I have made about 4 of these over the years. Looks pretty with the black center
Beautiful pattern. The black centers really show off all the bright colors. Hope the celebration of your Dad’s life was a good one.
What a beautiful pattern!! Your quilt has such great colors together with the black. Amazing. Thanks for the pattern.
Nice to celebrate your fathers birthday this way!