Modern Mini Challenge: Cheeseburger in Paradise Quilt

If you count all of my postcards, I've made more mini quilts these last few months than just about any other time.  I've also been able to finish quite a few big quilt tops that have been hiding in my closet for several months to 2 years.  Both of these sewing strategies come out of one big goal, to not spend very much money on fabric. 

I knew I wanted to enter one of these minis into Ellison Lane Quilt's Modern Mini Challenge, but couldn't decide which one.  I finally decided to enter my "Cheeseburger in Paradise" "mug rug".  It was designed both as a challenge to create a quilt based on a song title, and as a birthday present for my husband, a huge Jimmy Buffet fan.  I wanted something small that he could either use on his desk, or hang on his wall at work, so I made it very small, 7 1/2 inches by 10 inches.  I'm not exactly sure it fits the "modern" moniker, but it sure is fun!  I figure I'll let the judges decide.

For the construction, I sewed a few of the larger pieces together, but the majority of it was created by fusible applique,  My free-motion quilting on it really made it "pop".  I have loved batiks since I was a little girl, and am continually drawn back to them again and again, no matter how hard I try to break out of this mold.  I think for these fusible art quilts, it's the best fabric choice, as the colors are so rich and varied, plus the tighter weave keeps the edges nice and clean.  As a final detail, I hand stitched some sesame seeds to the bun using embroidery floss.

I hope you enjoy!