Gift of Friends

Well, well ….. this week passed by with surprises for me. My brother and SIL are resting after their long vacation to the Yukon, Alaska and B.C. My SIL (she is a quilter, too) went shopping and she found this adorable ‘Blanket Toss’ pincushion and a poster (which is now hanging on my bulletin board in my studio) for me.

Then, Gudrun surprised me with a package. I have been expecting a bag/bucket to arrive and thought at first she was my secret partner. Nope …. she just sent me goodies for just being a friend. Gudrun has been having a few problems starting her big hand quilting project and she asked me for help. That is what friends are for and I was very happy to help her. Don’t you just love the wee hanging that she embroidered? It is now hanging on my bulletin board in my studio. Gudrun included a bag of chocolate covered raisins (the bag is half full now) and serviettes. 

 

Thank you, ladies …… you two have made my week.

A close-up look

Here is a close-up shot of Amy's echo machine quilting. The photo in my last post could not pick up the quilting ..... so this is a better view.

Like I said ..... Amy does wicked machine quilting!

Have a great day!

My treasure has arrived

Amy made this adorable hanging and it is the perfect companion for a quilt that has yet to be finished and which you all have not seen a peek of. She was my secret partner for the Miniature Booty Swap II. Goodness, but Amy does wicked machine quilting. I don’t know if you are able to see it or not but there are tons of echo quilting in the navy blue area. I love how she sets the appliqué off within a sassy block.

 

Along with my quilt, Amy sent a packet of batik charm squares. She knows how much I love to appliqué and these will be a delight to work with. Thank you, Amy, I love my treasures!

Have a great day!

Bag Away

Here is my bag for Linda’s Bag/Bucket exchange. It will be on its' way tomorrow to a far away land.

This bag was really hard to part with ….. now, I will just have to make one for myself.

Have a great day!

ABC's

Here is a baby quilt that I made a few years ago. During the process, one of the block fabrics is sewn upside down. Oh well …
Don’t you just love the ABC fabric that was used for the backing?

For this quilt, I did both machine and hand quilting.

Have a great day!

Bag Straps

I have been busy working on deadlines lately. Between the round robin, miniature Booty Swap and now the bucket/bag swap ….. whew, need to get a move on and get things done and out the door. As much as I would like to work on each and every one of these exchanges, I must concentrate working on the next deadline project.

These are the straps for the Bucket/Bag Swap and I am making a bag. Of course, you all know that there will be more to see later on. :o)

Have a great day!

Finish 5 by New Year's Eve

Finn is having a challenge and is calling for folks to join her. What can you finish by New Year’s Eve? What a timely challenge to finish up some more UFO’s. The weather has been cooling down and it will be nice to snuggle up under some quilting. I did really well with Peg’s Finish 5 Challenge and it was so nice of Finn to put out her challenge to work on our UFO’s. There is plenty of time to sign up. If you only finish one UFO ….. well, that is better than none …… right? And with four months to work on them, I know that I can finish at least one and I will be so happy with that outcome. Here are my projects:

# 1 Jacket This is my leftover challenge from Peg’s Finish 5. It would have been done by now, except life got in the way when I hurt my back. What is left to be done? Well ….. a collar, cuffs, pockets, binding and buttons.

# 2 - 25th (oops … 30th) Anniversary quilt for my sister and BIL. My plan is to assemble the remaining blocks into a completed top and then sandwich it ready for quilting. It will not be quilted by New Year’s Eve that is for sure. I have until June 30th, 2009 to complete this quilt. 

# 3 Dresden Plates - To be quilted, add some appliqué, binding and label to finish this quilt.

#4 Just Leaves - To be quilted, binding and label put on to finish this quilt.

# 5 Falling to Pieces - I’m not sure about this piece. I do have a vision and my goal will be to finish the top only and then if I really like what I’ve done, then I will finish it.

So, now you know what I will be busy working on for the next few months. What will you be doing? 

Have a great day!

P.S. A few stitches a day is all it takes! :o)