Eternal UFO

Every year for the last nine or ten years (at least that many!), I've been invited to talk about quilting to the local second graders for their Colonial Days in November. I always bring this UFO to show what a quilt sandwich looks like and to demonstrate some hand quilting.

This was one of my very first finished quilt tops, probably about 14 years ago. I started hand quilting it, but gave up because the quilt just wasn't talking to me. Now that I look at it, I don't mind it so much. I think I did a pretty good job with the layout.

My hand-quilting stitches are pretty amateurish, but at least they're big enough so the students can see them!

This quilt will now be put away for another year -- unfinished. My excuse is that I'll need it for the demo next year!

Continuing

OK, now I have the second quilt top loaded and ready to be quilted. I'm still on track with my "sew one, quilt two" pledge.

Now if only I could decide on how to quilt this....

Off to a Good Home

Back in the spring, on Facebook, I gave away eight of my quilts to friends and family members who had never received a quilt from me (see my blog post about it here). But not all of the people I know who are deserving of a quilt are on Facebook, so I've been offering quilts to them as well (although my pile of available ones is getting quite small). The quilt in the photo recently went to one of these friends, and I hear she's quite pleased. That makes me feel good!

Moving Right Along

The quilting is finished and now it's time to sew on the binding. Oh, how I love striped bias binding!

Sew One, Quilt Two

Not too long ago, I came home from a fun quilters' day out with friends with a Moda Hubba, Hubba jelly roll. I didn't really need to buy more fabric, but this bright, cheery collection was calling my name, especially since it was at a great price. So I brought it home with me, with no real plans for what to make with it. Admit it, you do it, too.

Soon afterward, I quickly sewed a quilt top together. But that means I need to follow through with my commitment to quilt two tops for every one that I sew. Right now there are four more tops waiting to be quilted, and even though I'm itching to sew a few more tops, my focus right now is on quilting. Once this top is quilted, I will load another one that's waiting in the wings.

Coming Down From Cloud 9

I am just slowly recovering from my adventure at the International Quilt Festival in Houston. What a thrill to see my quilt on display there...and on my birthday!

What a fantastic show...I hope to post more photos in another post soon!