Another Finish!

Earlier this month, I set as a goal for February, as part of A Lovely Year of Finishes, to complete a project I started in 2011.  I am happy to report that I did finish!!  Here is the finished project.

Rather than doing traditional quilting, I chose to attach small beads randomly to the background.  It's the first time I tried that technique, and for a small project I like it.  I wouldn't want to do it on something larger, though.

Do you like the eye?  Here is a close-up of it.

I cut the complete eye out of a piece of fabric with dots on it.  This portion of the fabric had a green circle with a red circle in the center and the green outline around the red center.  Makes adding an eye easier!

Not sure what I'll do with this little gem.  One of the ladies in my Wednesday night sewing group really likes it.  I may just give it to her!

A Gift of Appreciation

I recently finished a two-year term as president of the Greater Ann Arbor Quilt Guild.  Traditionally, the outgoing president is given a quilt made by the group as a whole.  

This is the quilt I was presented.  It measures 77" x 90".  

I just love it!

And a close-up view......

The back is mostly black, but a few more blocks and some black-and-white fabric appears 

in a stripe on the back.

The quilting is done with a multi-colored variegated thread.  Such fun!!

I just love all the bright colors!  It has made a home on my couch and has come in handy for snuggling under during the cold winter we are having this year, the winter that doesn't seem to want to end!   (Yep, more snow tonight and tomorrow.)

If you are a member of a guild, I encourage you to volunteer to fill some of those positions that always need filling.  It's a wonderful way to meet other guild members!  (And if it's not already written into your bylaws, suggest a two-year maximum term for any volunteer.  It's enough time that you still feel fresh but not so long that you start to feel burned out.)  

I will always cherish this quilt and the memories it recalls of my time 

as president of a really neat group of quilters!

February Goal

My goal for February for A Lovely Year of Finishes is to complete something started in July 2011.  

I took a class with Suzanne Marshall, A Wacky Bird Using Take-Away Applique.  

Her method of applique ensures that all the pieces fit together, without marking the background 

or using an overlay.  By starting with the pattern on plain notebook paper, 

you can also control the direction of the fabric grain.  She recommends outline stitching 

with embroidery floss after hand-appliqueing the pieces in place.  This further defines the image.  

My goal for February is to finish the applique on this small block, 

embroider around the applique pieces, put a border on it, quilt it and bind it.   

Whew!  That's a lot of steps.  Better get to work!