Welcoming 2016

We had a quiet News Year's Eve.
Dinner out and a little bubbly at home.

So what's planned for 2016?
No resolutions - just fun plans.

Still collecting - watch for big news here!

We have new patterns planned as well.  All very exciting!  But no stress - so no firm dates.  That's part of the magic of working with family.

There are travel plans too - as I share parts of the collection across the country.  There may even be plans outside the US!

Shenandoah Valley Botanical Album Sew Along Month 4
Star In The East

I will also be enjoying my Shenandoah Valley Botanical Album Quilt project with the Virginia Quilt Museum.  Working with Doreen has been a joy.
This month the block is "Star In The East".  You can get all the details HERE.
If you have not already, please jump in and join us.  I found one block a month very manageable.  Some days it is hard to stop stitching!  My applique area is about 8", and I will probably trim down the finished blocks to 9".  You have unlimited options for your block size.   I am still amazed with Esther Blair Matthews skill every time I look at the pattern.

So much to be thankful for - I am wishing you peace love and joy in 2016!  Oh, and a little extra stitching time would be nice...Dawn

Seasons Greetings

Merry Christmas 
    &    Happy New Year


We had snow last week, it was the wet kind that clings to the windows.  Pretty, when you aren't clearing walk and driveways.

Makes for nice stitching days, sitting by a warm fireplace.

We have a few runs to the airport, baking and other holiday preparations to complete.  

The snow brought with it - quiet, reflective time to stitch and reflect on the past year.

Thank you for support and friendship.  

Wishing you and yours all the best this season of holidays!   May the new year be filled with joy, peace and stitching goodness.

Kind Regards,

Dawn

Swapping Then and Now

Over the years I have had great fun meeting quilters and bloggers around the country.

I was speechless when I met Maureen from Pursuit of Quilts and she gifted me with this beautiful quilt.

I have it on my desk and enjoy it daily.  The variety of fabrics is amazing, as is her hand quilting.  How can I not start each day with a smile looking at this treasure?

Maureen has generous heart and is just as wonderful in person as she is 'online'.  That has been true of all of you I've had the pleasure of meeting in person!





This is the backing fabric Maureen used.
Look at all of that wonderful quilty texture.


Who doesn't love an orange label?
She has both our names on the label - since I know this quilt will be treasured forever, it's well documented.


Beautiful Maureen!  I still cannot thank you enough Maureen.  I hope we meet again and can share some hand sewing time.

Since this post is about swapping and sharing, I thought I would include an old top I finally had long arm quilted.



Last year I found a long arm quilter who does a nice all over fan that is subtle.  The thread color is neutral and worked on the light and dark fabrics.

For years I thought I might hand quilt this collection of swap blocks.  Some participants had inked their names on the back of the blocks so I even considered NOT quilting it.





The very outer edge is the binding I don't have stitched down.  It is the same print I used in the setting triangles.

I wanted you to see the border print.
I love this print!  It is a stripe that looks like a double border.

Maybe after the holidays I will get the binding stitched down.  The label is another matter - I have to figure out the year of the swap.  I am guessing it could be 10 years ago??









The blocks are from the ReproFabricLovers Yahoo Group many, many years ago.

The scrappy setting is suitable for the variety of prints in the stars.  I did opt for one print in the setting triangles and a consistent border.

It turned out quite nice.  I've been doing so much applique lately it's fun to consider some piecing for 2016.

Have a great week - and thank you quilting friends near and far!

Dawn