Dahlia Quilting Finished

I love this wallhanging. I worked very hard to hand piece the Dahlia. Several people I know have indicated "Hand piecing deserves hand quilting". I have never hand quilted a thing in my life. I thought I would give it a try. The ladies on the about.com quilting forum gave me great directions on how to do this. I sandwiched, I basted with pins, I bought the right needles and thread. I tried, I really did, but It looked horrible! And..... I kept thinking to myself, hand piecing deserves pretty quilting, something I knew wouldn't happen if I quilted this by hand. My son saw me trying and said, "Why are you riding a bike when you own a cadillac?" LOL He was right. I took apart the basting with pins and the quilting I had attempted and put it on the handiquilter, and machine quilted it. I like how it turned out and that is what matters truly.




Here is the full picture



I finished the center Dahlia of a second Dahlia Thursday night. I had used the scraps from this one to make the second one, but they are in a different placement.
I haven't taken a picture of that one yet.

Advent Calendar Fun?

A while back (18 months or so) I received an Advent Calendar panel from a quilting pals swap. It is cute with cats all over and lots of gold glittery looking threads. My dd saw it and asked me to make it for her. Of course, I said sure! That was a while back (17 months or so) LOL. I have looked at it several times, and read the instructions, and then procrastinated making it. Until today! Each day I read Kate's blog and see her advent calendar item for the day, and think, I really should get to that Advent calendar for Nellie. Anyway, it is done! PITA but done! And..... I went to the dread Walmart and bought a gold curtain rod hanger thing, and some pretty gold wire cord to hang on the curtain rod, and lots of candy to put in each day, including a marshmallow Santa for the last day. Enough chatter, here it is, and I like it! Amazing!
(now for the rest of the bag of goodies.... teehee)

Catching Up

Here is a top I made using some of those men's shirts from the Goodwill store. I used the shirts in the star blocks. I am thinking this may need a border out of the alternate square fabrics.



These are the segments I have done so far for Bonnie's mystery quilt, Carolina Crossroads. I haven't done the 3rd step of 100 more 9 patches, minus the red squares. Maybe tomorrow, I will get going on those. She said we have 2 weeks, so I am procrastinating. Yes, I do procrastinate...... sometimes.....

Four Seasons Quilt Swap

I have almost finished my quilt for this swap. I need to sew the binding down by hand, otherwise this little quilt is finished. Honestly, I'm not sure I love this quilt, maybe it will grow on me, as right now I am tired of looking at it. It looks very simple, but it took me a long time. I don't know why though. If I still don't like it in January, I can make something different for the swap.

What Holiday are You?

I saw this on Sophie's blog and although I don't always do these things, I thought I would this time. Here are my results.

You Are Easter

You are an optimistic, hopeful, and genuinely sweet person. Sensitive and affectionate, you are easily touched. You love nature, animals, and anything cute or cuddly. For you, every day is a new chance - no matter what happened yesterday. What makes you celebrate: Almost anything. You love most holidays and celebrations. At holiday get togethers, you do best as: The peacemaker. You can prevent any squabbles that might break out. On a holiday, you're the one most likely to: Remember to include everyone

What Holiday Are You?

Mystery Quilt Started

Bonnie has started a mystery quilt VIA her blog. I have finished the first step. Making (100)
3 1/2" square 3 rail fence blocks out of red and blues. Red is in the center, and blues on the outside. I'm hoping to make a bit bigger quilt than she has planned, so I made 120 of these units. I hope that is enough.