…and I’m so far behind on the Block of the Month, work, quilting, cleaning and everything. My apologies. But, here is the January BOM and Tootie has been gracious enough to pose with the block.

In other news, I was able to take some time earlier in the week to visit the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. Here are a few pics from the orchid conservatory. If you have the time it is definitely worth the visit.

I’ve gotten several requests for more applique blocks. I guess pieced blocks are not everyone’s favorite. So, as holiday gift I did an additional block. Download and have fun.

The holidays will be here very soon but we can’t forget our sisters with breast cancer and the blocks we are doing. This month is the final pieced house block. I’ve gotten wonderful feedback from many ladies who have enjoyed making the blocks. I must say how rewarding it is to see my designs come to life. Thank you to everyone for participating.

Here is the lovely Tootie with the November house block. Again it’s a “wonky” pieced block. This is perfect for me since nothing in my world is ever perfect. I had several people last month say the block looked like a cupcake so I made this one more of a “typical” house block. You will see I added window and a more regular chimney. I hope everyone enjoys it.

Let me know how you did this last month’s block. I’d love to see them.

Daffodil Quilt Update: After doing a bit of free-motion quilting with a black back and seeing all the lumps and bumps and puckers I hated it. So, I did a lot of “un-sewing” last week, purchased new backing fabric and started again. I’m much happier with this. So, now I’m on my way.

Happy Stitchin’

I finished fusing this daffodil project last week. It’s been hanging on my design wall for months. I did well at the Cabarrus Quilt Show and thought it’s really time to start. I began in the center as I usually do. I did a bit of work on the center area and then I did this….

How the heck I did this I’ll never know.
Honestly, I really dislike starting the free motion quilting on a project this size. It’s so tough. The quilt is really thick and fluffy with the wool batting, it’s pretty large-44×60 and VERY cumbersome. It will flatten out very soon and get a lot easier to manage. I just have to keep plugging away.

Pretty Little Poppy is finally finished and on it’s way to Greenville, SC to Studio E. I created it for as an art challenge for a new line of fabrics by Studio E. If it is chosen it will be displayed at their booth at the Houston show next month. I was thrilled to be included in this art challenge.

Here is a detail shot.

And, here is the back view.

And, in other news…..
I won “Best Machine Quilting” at the Cabarrus Quilt Show this past weekend for Passionate Pink Tulips. I was stunned when my friend Susan called to give me the news. WOW! Darn it, I was out of town and missed the show. Susan said it was a really good show. I hate that I missed it. I’ll have to make sure to go to next years show.

For those of you who are tired of applique flowers, here is a pieced block. It is one of three pieced blocks.
After a lot of thought and some research I came up with this funky little house. There are so many variations you can create with a house block, it’s endless. Happy stitching!

I’m glad to report that the poppy is coming along very nicely. This poppy looks red-orange because of the fabrics. The actual photo is really red-pink. It’s really more pink than red. These are the only fabrics I had to work with so I took a lot of “artistic liberty.”

Here are a couple detail shots. I did a lot of thread painting, trying to give it more depth. I find free motion quilting meditative…it’s like doing yoga. I loose myself in the stitching and then it’s midnight….where did the time go?

Here is my latest project, the poppy. I worked most of the weekend cutting out the pieces to be fused. I still have a few other pieces to add to the petals but that should be easy to do. Last night I took a break from the piece. I hope to start thread painting later this week.

It’s so much fun to see everyones blocks and how different they look.

Things are pretty hectic at work and there are lots of deadlines and headaches. This daffodil is what I work on late in the evening as a stress reliever. I REALLY look forward to working on it every night. I actually can’t wait to get to it each evening.
Actually, I’ve just recently come back to it. I stopped working on it for several months. Personally, I usually don’t work on just one project at a time. I work on several at a time. The daffodil has been up on my studio wall for many months percolating. I think I’ve just about completed the applique’. Next is the fun part. Bringing it to life with thread painting.

Do you work on several projects at a time or do you work on one until it’s complete?

Kitty cat pic of the day….my pretty Daphne.