Everything's coming up roses

My "La Vie en Rose" quilt top is finished.

As I said in a previous post, this quilt started with a bunch of fabrics pulled from a sale bin.  I thought it would be a fun challenge to use all of them in one project, but I wasn't sure what that project would be.   I usually tend toward jewel tone colors, but something about these soft neutrals was very appealing.

More than one of the fabrics had roses as part of the fabric design, so that became my inspiration.

I chose the block pattern of a square in a square because it always reminded me of a rose.

While still designing in my head, I had a conversation with my mother-in-law and she happened to mention that she loved the song "La Vie en Rose".   As a young woman in Montreal, my MIL was a fan of Edith Piaf who was the French singer who made the song famous.

My MIL was  fresh out of secretarial school and working at a law office when she learned that Edith Piaf was going to perform at a cabaret in Montreal.  She was not old enough to go to the cabaret because they served alcohol, but her boss pulled some strings and she was allowed to attend.   I could tell it was a lovely memory for her. I believe she used the word "mesmerizing".

Upon hearing this story, I just knew that I had to name this quilt "La Vie en Rose" in honor of my MIL.   What's more, my MIL is a big fan of neutrals in her decorating style so I knew these fabrics would suit her.

It seemed like the perfect fit.  Then a weird thing happened to make me feel that it was truly meant to be.   I was listening to an online radio station as I was sewing up the last few seams and what song did they play?  You guessed it...La Vie en Rose!    The station I was listening to usually plays show tunes and Broadway stuff, with the occasional Frank Sinatra thrown in, but never a French "chanteuse".  Until now.  I was just amazed at the timing.

You may recall from a previous post  that this fabric group included a Tasha Tudor print with woodland animals on it that I just loved.  I'm happy to say  those cute little critters made their way into the finished quilt.

And just in case you were wondering, the block I mentioned in my last post, made with the darker pinks, did not make the cut.

I plan on using it on the back as part of a label.