WHEN A BACK BECOMES A FRONT

A short time ago I was still agonizing over making these two pieces into a single quilt, or two individual quilts. These were the units from Desert Sky, a Judy Niemeyer quilt design. I used my own layout. 

The decision was made. Borders were added. Backing was chosen and loaded onto the longarm machine and away I went. 

This one got a multicolored Batik for it's border, and a dragonfly in flight edge to edge design used for the 'quilting of the sandwich'. 

Here I added borders of fabric used in the central area. I used an all over gentle meander for the quilting. Both of these quilts are trimmed and ready for binding. 

My client asked for meandering, even across the appliqués. It was her first appliqué quilt, finished it 10 years ago. She didn't feel it was some of her best work so didn't want the expense of custom. She gave me the ok to do whatever I wanted to, within her price range. I was a bit concerned with the appliqués. Some where relatively stiff from the type of fusible web. However, I was very pleased with few thread breaks, and how the quilting didn't detract from the appliqués. Neither picture shows the stitching, except on the very top corner in the golden square. 

 Wednesday's trip to the beach produced some interesting shell pieces and this picture. 

This came home with us in picture only. I love how red they are while they are in water. I believe they feed on the oyster beds close by. This little starfish will go back out with the next wave. 

I finally got my Dragonfly Book together! I've had this on my 'to do' list for over a year. These fabric book pages came from people around the world that I swapped with. It was great fun. Each person had chosen a theme. Monthly,  we had an assigned person to make an 8x8 inch page for.

The 8 pages all had interesting backs as well. I included one of them below, with the front, back, and a top view. I may still add pockets to the front and back inside covers. The dragonfly fabric I used was sent along with someone's page.  I received several embellishments also. 

Glad to have this off my list. 

I still have a group of ATCs and Fabric Postcards that I received during that same time period. Not sure what I will do with them, maybe fabric boxes. I could make by using fabric I received thru our Surface Design group on Stitchinfingers.ning 

Stitched a pair of pillowcases up to coordinate with the Tumbler quilt. This fabric was a gift from a client with a stipulation, I had to use it, not stash it. I started cutting it up that same month. And once the pieces were cut, I stayed focused with getting it off the design wall and into quilt form. I wish I was always so focused! 

Yesterday, we went to see my dear Mother-in-law. Here's the two of us from October 2014, a better time in her life. Alzeheimers has taken her away from us. We now wait on God's timing, to take her home. 

Mothers Day is about love. Love from them, and love of them. I have had wonderful "Mothers" in my life, Thank You, God. - Luann

Tumbler Quilt Progress and Nomination #1

I've been nominated by Terry Knott to take part in a blog challenge. You can find her, and all of her On Going  Projects at  www.terryknott.blogspot.com

The rules:

1) Thank the person who nominated you.  Terry, thanks for the opportunity. 

2) Post a quote each day for 3 days. 

3) Nominate a blogger each day. 

Day #1: 

To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong. -Joseph Chilton Pearce

I nominate Rachel over at www.stitchedincolor.com  

She has been an inspiration to me. I've taken 2 of her online classes that were awesome. She gives so much information to help you through any difficult step. She is very talented, her quilt designs are so interesting. Please stop over and check things out. 

During March I have intended to make progress on my projects. 

First up is my tumbler quilt, started in February. I love a gentle meandering stitch design.

And the backing was pieced. A few larger pieces and two rows of tumbler pieces. 

I need to attach the binding on this queen sized quilt.  Next time, my tumbler quilt is going to be scrappier and not have a  symmetrical  layout! As you can see below, I couldn't get the entire quilt up on my design wall, so I had to play the game of mirror images! Not something I want repeat any time soon. But then again, now would be the best time, because I can still remember how I did it. 

Above, left, are quilt pieces that I have cut from the remaining smaller pieces and scraps. I used my new Accuquilt Go, and some basic dies. They're on a shelf waiting for their turn under the needle! 

May God bless the work of your hands-Luann