Quilt-achusetts

When Aurifil announced a machine quilting mixed with hand stitching challenge for their artisans I knew I wanted to make a mini quilt for the challenge.   I love adding texture to a design with hand work.  I know a few embroidery stitches, I think I used all I know, except for french knots, on this mini.  My favorite thread weight for walking foot quilting is 28 wt Aurifil and for the hand working I used 12 wt Aurifil.       I had a collection of neutral colored threads from a previous project that went perfectly with the neutrals of my Mod Textures fabric line and the matching Painter's Palette Solids both by Paintbrush Studios.  In the picture below you can see the difference in the 28 wt walking foot stitches and the 12 wt chain stitch in side the rainbow.   The overall look the project is very soft and tranquil.  I used standard piecing to make the arches in the rainbow and I improv pieced the sky with the sun breaks in the clouds.  The printed fabrics were mixed with solid and