What I'm working on

 It's been a while since I posted pictures of the project I've been working on.  There's a reason for that.  I've decided it might be my entry for a challenge.  So I can't do a reveal for a while yet.  But I can tease you with some of the quilting I've done.    I am having a great time with this piece- and with the "excellence". 

(By the way, I recently realized I posted the pictures of it twice.  I sort of got the machine twice, so I guess that was why I did it.  It's a cute story- maybe I'll tell it in a later post)

I also finally finished a scrap quilt I started last
summer! I was still teaching Scrap Therapy then, and this was a new pattern I couldn't wait to try.  Since we never taught this one, I made it my "leaders and enders" project.  It finally got to the point where I had to stop and put the blocks all together.  I love this pattern!!  It's called "Square Deal".

My new Leaders and enders project is also from Scrap Therapy- called Star Light, Star Bright.  I loved this pattern, so i decided I'd use up some of the Christmas scraps on  another version of it.









At my Guild meeting this month we had a presentation on Portrait quilts, from my BFF Mary.  You may remember the quilts she made of the two of us last year from this post.  She loves doing this kind of quilt.  She even won a 3rd place ribbon last spring for her life sized quilt of her son!  After the presentation some of us were lucky enough to have her teach us how to do it ourselves! 

I used this old picture of my husband and son.  This hung over my work space back then, so it was a special picture!  I haven't gotten very far yet, but the process isn't hard and it's kind of like doing a puzzle because you can't wait to see how it looks when it's done!

Hopefully next time I'll have at least all the pieces fused down to show.

My Green Tip for this time is a reminder that green is part of everything we do. Are you a "fashionista"??  You happily trade in last year's wardrobe for the new colors and freshest styles??  
The textile industry also causes environmental damage.  The chemicals used to grow natural fibers, the dyes for our favorite colors, the power used at the manufacturing plants...It all causes more environmental damage.
So think about what you buy.  Make smart choices, find ways to make the old work. Buy something that won't go out of style, then add accents in this year's hot color. Shopin the second hand stores and save money as well!

I am grateful for:
A visit from a dear "old" friend.
Fresh apples, so crisp and juicy the pop when you bite them.
Baking weather!
Creative people who inspire and encourage me.
Second chances.