Birds and Berries

Happy with the colors in this block.  Its a design from the Blackbird ladies.  Aren't their designs wonderful? The weather this Spring is amazing, and the lupine flowers are in bloom now.  Everytime I see them I am reminded of our trip to Alaska.  I got the seeds there when we visited three years ago.  Currently reading Mr. Shivers which is turning out to be a very scary book.  Going to make chicken enchiladas tomorrow - yum!

Primitive Birds & Baskets

More applique blocks finished - its fun to pull out old projects - they seem new again!  These blocks were so fun to applique and love looking at the older fabrics.

Had a fun day in San Francisco on Friday - visited with Holly, the world's best hair stylist!  Even if I wasn't her Mom, I would still say that!  The weather was beautiful and we had a delicious lunch afterward - turkey, cranberry and brie sandwiches.

Early Applique

This is the first block I made while learning to needleturn applique.  The pattern is a modification of one of Blackbird Design's blocks.  My wonderful applique teacher, Gretchen, explained that with all the time I was spending prepping blocks with freezer paper and basting the seam allowance under, I could be making two blocks!  I still like to trace the pattern with a trusty General's white chalk pencil though.  Don't we all rely on a safety net from time to time?

Cherry Tree Block

Ah, such a pretty Spring this year.  Just finished the first block from the Beyond the Cherry Trees quilt.  Changed the pattern a bit, and I like it, but think it lacks the whimsy of the original.  But isn't that what makes quilting fun - its a creative ride all the way. 

Great Grandmother's Rose

My great grandmother owned this quilt, and I am lucky to still have it. I shudder to think I once thought about cutting it up to make quilted bunnies (horrors!)  I decided to try to reproduce a block. Think I will use the block in a crib sized quilt instead. Its fun to feel the connection with my great grandmother when I see her quilt and wonder about the history behind it.

Basket Stitchery Quilt

This quilt (A Tisket, A Tasket by Cotton Pickin' Designs) was started a few years back, and just needs to be hand quilted.  There is no time like the present, and if one block gets done every day (or week) it will be done and ready for my wall by summer!  Doing big stitch with perle cotton, number 12 thread.  What are you working on to get ready for warm summer days?

Cherry Basket Block

Finished a cherry tree block for a friend this morning. Spring is bursting forth in the backyard, and soon the real cherry tree will be blooming. Hope for bowls of cherries this year, with plenty to share with the birds, of course.