Shelia's Sampler

I learned how to hand quilt from the most wonderful teacher.  She presented the history of quilting with examples, taught technique with guided practice, and allowed trials of all sorts of quilting tools available.  The class was wonderful.  As expected, the classmates were all joys to be with too.

When the class was over, the teacher had a sampler wonderfully prepared for each of us to continue our practice with.  She had drawn this entire pattern and had the sandwich prepared.  I took it home and started right away.  Then I worked on The Spider-Man Baby Quilt with my newly found hand quilting skill.  After a bit of a time lapse, I am thrilled to have this piece finished. It demonstrates my humble beginnings and progress to smaller stitches.

Made Feb 2010-Jan 2012!

My Crazy 2011-12

This piece was inspired by a challenge: Make a crazy quilt about Jan 2011-12, include some hand stitching, and the spider web element.  My past year definitely inspires craziness.

The top is made entirely from scraps mailed to my mom by a wonderful friend.  The back, binding and batting all from my Lady E.  I also had the joy of making most of it- including all the wonderful embroideries- at Lady E's!  I am always amazed by how much more fun I have and how much better my sewing is when in her Company.  I am a very lucky girl.

This is my first project started and finished in the year 2012!

Jan BOM from Raspberry Rabbits

OK so in the past I have not shown 'work in progress.' This is because I planned on using this blog as more of a catalog of my finished work, but I have decide to change that for this Rabbit BOM. My inspiring friend, Patty, encourages me to show more of my process- so I will take her advice.

Here is the The Raspberry Rabbits original post on the block. I really enjoy Michelle May's blog as she shows her work and her adorable employees and have been looking forward to this BOM.

However, I find I have the best success with finishing projects when I use colors I pick and personalize it a little bit more... Nutmeg and Wookie would be pretty upset if I did not make them the focus of my blocks.  In place of the lovelies Hannah and Harrington, you can see my little half lop and full lop in the block instead.   Also, I am using plain quilting cottons.   I am very excited to see the blocks to come and if I regret using a bright blue background...

Tea Pot Mat

The title does not have that ring that 'mug rug' has but oh well.

This sweet little mat was made from scraps given to me by a special lady at a retreat.  She has taught me so much about working with fabric and quilting.  I am very lucky to hear her voice in my head advising me on the best method as I stitch along.

I believe she would be please with the continuous binding used here, as this is just one small skill she taught me. 

Country Cool Napkins (Part 4)

These are the final two napkins of the set.  They have been finished for some time now, I just had not gotten around to photographing them until now.