Friday’s

The Quilt Keeper

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I was contacted by Ellen this summer. She sent me a Quilt Keeper and asked me to blog about my experience with it.

So, who’s Ellen? Ellen Taurins is a quilter who originally designed the Quilt Keeper for hanging her own quilts. She’s obviously a very clever lady!

The first thing I noticed when I opened the box was the quality of the product! It is superb! It is extremely well build and very professional looking! I hung a variety of my favourite Island Batik quilts and took pictures. Don’t they look lovely hanging on the back of the door?

There is a video HERE that will explain how easy it is to use.

The Quilt Keeper will fit any regular door! It comes with foam inserts should you need to adjust it at the top (I didn’t). It’s very easy to hang and switch out the quilts. It actually took me longer to fold each quilt than it did to hang it! So simple to use! If you’re looking for a way to store some of your quilts and show off some of your quilts – this might just be what you’re looking for!

Ellen has a facebook page where you can see many more pictures of the Quilt Keeper! There’s even one with a Christmas quilt and a red bow … makes me think it might make a wonderful Christmas gift for a quilter in your life! Or for yourself!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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PHD in 2022: August Report

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Seen on Creations, Quilts, Art, Whatever by Nina Marie.

I saw this and immediately thought about PHD in 2022! For those of you that have joined me in this, I think we all know how many UFOs we have (or don’t know) and can feel overwhelmed. Well, as this meme says, Get Started! … and the rest will come!

August’s Accomplishments!

I finished one UFO this month. It was a UFO that was hiding in a closet where quilty things are not stored! Anyhow, it got quilted and it is a finish for August! Only 2 more UFOs to go … and a few starts in 2022 to finish and I’ll have my PHD in 2022!

The Tally Sheets

Here is an Excel File for you to use (if you want).

PHD Tally 2022- with formulas

And here is the link where you can find the colourful Task Sheet at Ms P Designs.

The Linky Party

Show us your PHD in 2022 Progress!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=c0efdbe6b4add43dd7ef

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

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Barn Quilt Painting

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A bunch of us got together to paint some barn quilts. Our host’s husband (George) very kindly prepped all of the 2′ x 2′ squares for us. He even primed them and sanded them!!

Each of us picked a different pattern! It was fun to see the variety! We started out, using a pencil and marking our boards in grids. Then the painter’s tape was applied and the painting began!

Robin had taken a class, but the rest of us relied on Youtube! (grin!)

I forgot to take my phone, so the credit for these pictures goes to Robin, Judy and Linda!

Linda, Robin, Judy, Gail & Amy

Most of us used acrylic paints. I bought mine at Michaels. My husband coated it with a varathane.

Here it is outside, waiting to be hung up …

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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Friday Finishes

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I don’t have anything new that is finished … but I have had a couple of finishes in the last week or so.

The first finish was my July Island Batik project that used the Accuquilt Tree of Life Block on Board. The 73 pieces of the block can be cut in one run through of the die. But of course, I had to do it differently and make it scrappy. You can read more about the quilt at this BLOG POST.

I must admit that I am very pleased with how this quilt turned out.

Yes, this quilt used Island Batik fabrics, Hobbs batting and Aurifil thread for the quilting.

Oh, and Cheryl at Meadow Mist Designs hosts a favourite quilt of the month linky party, and this happens to be mine!

My 2nd finish is my post for the UFO blog hop. This kit had been languishing in my “To Do” box and was on my UFO list both last year and this! You can read about it HERE. Here’s a picture:

Monthly Colour Challenge

Jen, of Patterns by Jen holds a monthly colour challenge. This month’s challenge is purple.

Here is my purple block, made with the rich colours of Island Batik fabrics!

And all of my 7 blocks so far for this year … I think it will be a very pretty quilt when it’s finished!

I don’t have a lot of purple quilts … but these are a few that I’ve done in the past couple of years.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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No finishes today … just quilting

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I’m still quilting my July Island Batik project … just working on the border with Silly Moon “Rocket” ruler and “dude” to ensure its lined up properly! I’m using Aurifil thread (2600 – Dove) and you can see Hobbs 80/20 batting poking out!

I was Featured

Jennifer featured this sweet panel from last week. You can read about it HERE.

Andrée / Free Motion Mavericks featured my Pop Star Quilt. For more details read this POST.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

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A Friday Finish

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This was a super fun, easy panel to finish. I quilted this sweet panel for Essem Textiles. It was a fun panel to quilt! I love how soft and cuddly it is.

If you would like this panel, Essem offers fantastic online service. They are quick and efficient! (They can also send you the darker blue binding fabric and the fabric I used on the back! If you request it!)

Continue reading →

Fons & Porter: Love of Quilting

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Have you seen the latest issue of Fons & Porter, Love of Quilting? I am super excited about this issue!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’ve been looking high and low for it, with little luck. Until today! YEAH!!!

Why? you ask … Because, I have a quilt in the issue. They did a fabulous job photographing it. I absolutely LOVE the table in front of it.

I was so excited to see this in the magazine! A few people emailed me saying that they had seen it – but I hadn’t! It was pretty cool to see it in the magazine!

Quilt Stats:

  • Designed, pieced and quilted by ME!
  • 42.5″ x 42.5″
  • Island Batik fabrics: Contempo and
  • Hobbs 80/20 Batting
  • Aurifil thread (yellow)
  • Free motion quilting on my domestic machine
  • Backing is Fireside

The directions for the quilt are in the magazine. If you make it, I’d love to see a picture!

Here’s a picture of my quilt where you can see all the quilting!

I was Featured!

Jennifer from Inquiring Quilter and Kelly from My Quilt Infatuation both featured my quilts from last week! You can read about it HERE.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

Jewel Carvings and TGIFF

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I’m hosting TGIFF this week … see the Linky party below ….

A long time ago, in my quilting studio, I had the opportunity to use the fantastic Island Batik collection “Jewel Carvings” by Kathy Engle. It was for a quilt for the Island Batik catalogue. You can check it out HERE – on p.99. I absolutely LOVED working with this collection. It is SEW pretty with the teals, greens and soft yellows and purples …

Here is the quilt I made using Island Batik’s solid black fabric for the background.

My friend, Amy, tested my pattern and made the quilt with a light background. This quilt used the exact same fabrics with “Milkshake” as the background.

Here’s the 2 quilts together … which one would you make?

You have an opportunity to win!

If you’re loving the fabrics in these quilts, Island Batik is giving away a fat-quarter bundle of Jewel Carvings and Nightshade! Both lucious collections! (But you better hurry, the offer ends on Friday night)

Follow the rafflecopter instructions below!

a Rafflecopter giveawayhttps://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

These quilts were made with Hobbs Batting and  Aurifil Thread

TGIFF

Join the Linky Party and show us your Friday Finish!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=a8b40ada7693d64e5923

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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Monthly Colour Challenge

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This month the colour is based on African Blue Basil. I’ve never heard of it … but it is a basal with a blue interior. Very pretty.

Image from: https://outofmyshed.co.uk/tag/african-blue-basil/

Here is my block! I used Island Batik fabrics. The light blue is from my scraps and the dark blue is Raven.

Here are the first 5 blocks of the year.

The pattern for this month’s block is FREE until June 1 – so hop over to Jen’s blog and get it right away! Click HERE.

Blue Quilts / Projects

Blue is my FAVOURITE colour. Here’s a bunch of pictures of the quilts with mostly blue in them that I have made in the past year!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

I was Featured!

Jen at Inquiring Quilter featured my May Island Batik challenge quilts: Triangle Tricks. You can see them HERE.

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Friday … the end of the week …

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It has been a busy week … yesterday, I zoom quilted with several guild members … it’s always a LOT of fun and I managed to get 2 tops to flimsy stage. One is next month’s Island Batik challenge and the other is my Squirrel Attack quilt! Both are now waiting to be sandwiched.

I do have a finish to show … one of my blog followers suggested that I finish the baby panel with the kitty on it. I listened to her … and here it is! It was a LOT of fun to quilt … and miraculously the green for the binding was just the right amount! This UFO has Hobbs batting and was quilted with Glide thread.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

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Teddy Bear Class #1

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A few weeks ago, I taught a Teddy Bear class at Essem Textiles. It was very popular and there was a wait list! The class will be repeated on April 21 and 28th! Contact Essem to sign up … there isn’t many spots left!

This Teddy Bear pattern is in the Book “Fat Quarter Baby.” In the class, I offer 2 sizes, along with speedier cutting and piecing directions. The pattern in the book is 33:=”x 37″ and the larger size is 41″ x 46.”

Here are pictures from the class:

Some are busy cutting their fabrics!

This is Madeline’s. She’s started to quilt it with a serpentine stitch.

Linda almost has her top completed … so cute with all the dotted fabric!

Nancy claims she’s not a quilter! I beg to differ with her! She’s done an awesome job with this teddy bear.

I love Lorraine’s with the honey bees! Perfect!

This was Anne’s first Teddy Bear and she didn’t quite have enough fabric for the back … so she learned how to do the diagonal stripe … super simple and very effective!

Anne’s 2nd Teddy Bear

And this is Simina’s first quilt! I think she’s hooked!

And here is the one I made: I used Hobbs 80/20 batting. It is quilted with a thread that is new to me “Seracycle.” It is made by Mettler out of recycled 100% PET bottles. SEW – what did I think? The thread quilted very nicely. The small spool did not contain enough thread to sew this quilt and I had to substitute a white thread to finish the quilt. It’s a great idea, but the spools need to be bigger. If you are interested in using Seracycle, Essem Textiles carries it. I think it would be great for garment sewing.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

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Saturday 

Macaron Mystery is Complete

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This is a mystery quilt that was offered by Cheryl of Meadow Mist Designs. This is the 2nd mystery I’ve done of hers and I have LOVED doing each one. I know that some of you highly dislike doing mystery quilts, but she offers to give you a sneak peak – so you’re not totally doing a mystery. However, since I LOVE mystery quilts, I do it as a mystery! No peeking for me.

Cheryl’s directions are very clear and easy to follow! Here’s a few of the progress pictures of this mystery:

The fabric all came from my stash. As did the backing fabric. It has Hobbs 80/20 batting and I used Glide thread (Mercury) to quilt it. The binding is the medium blue print.

And the completed quilt! (And yes, I did alter some of the setting triangles to make the quilt symmetrical. The quilt insisted on it!)

And some quilting close-ups! Some free motion and some ruler work.

And … Cheryl has announced that there will be another mystery quilt starting in July! I already know that I’m going to join in! It’s called the Melodic Mystery! Are you going to join?

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

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Retreats are fun!

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Two weeks ago, I went to the guild’s January retreat. That’s right – January’s retreat happened in March. It was postponed due to Covid. But it was a LOT of fun!

There are a LOT of pictures …

First meal of the retreat …

Games: Secret Sister Gifts

Strip Poker: 50 shades of grey & Blue/ Green batiks

A Lots of projects being worked on

And the dresden craze: Candyce Grisham was a guild speaker earlier this year. She had a fabulous presentation and her book Dresden Reimagined is now in several guild member’s hands. (If you’re looking for a speaker – she’s great!) 2 of the ladies were working on many of the different dresden patterns in the book and soon, there were others in the room that also became addicted! And, one lady used the dresden for her sunflower for Ukraine and later used smaller petals for her leaves (sorry, no picture).

I know that I missed taking pictures of some of the projects … sorry about that!

My Finish for the Week

My SAHRR for 2022 is finished. You can read more about it HERE. (Made with Island Batik fabrics, Hobbs batting and Aurifil Thread).

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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3 Little Bitty Finishes and a new quilt shop!

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Yup, I have not ONE, not TWO but 3 little finishes.

I had some signature blocks left over from my SAHRR. Here they are added to my quilt. I used the Flutterfly fabric collection for my SAHRR. You can read more about the SAHRR HERE.

I was dusting the shelf above my ironing station and realized that the spray bottles of water and Terial magic were sticking to the shelf – as was the lint brush! I NEEDED a few small coasters.

I took 6 of the extra signature blocks and 3 small squares of Hobbs 80/20 batting. I layered the signature blocks right sides together with the batting and sewed around the outside, leaving a 2″ unsewn edge on one side. The corners were clipped and the coaster was turned right-side out. A quick press, pinning the open sections in place and I sewed around the coaster with an 1/8″ and a 1/4″ seam. No hand sewing! In short order I had 3 coasters placed under my spray bottles and lint brush!

I’m not the only person to use some of their left-over blocks from the SAHRR … Check out Wendy’s super cute table runner HERE. She used left over signature and star blocks and other blocks …

Have you done anything with your leftover blocks, if you have any?

New Quilt Shop

There is a new quilt shop in Chilliwack. It is about an hours drive from my home. It’s a lovely shop with a delightful owner, Angela. It’s been open for just a few weeks. It’s called Cozy Cottons Quilting. Here’s a few pictures from the inside. She’s going to look into getting Island Batik fabrics! Whoot Whoot! And she’s got a few of my patterns to sell! YEAH!!! But in the meantime, she’s got a lot of lovely fabrics, flannels, fireside, Aurifil thread and rulers …. and so much more. Do you see the star quilt below? That’s made with Kansas Troubles … my hubby’s favourite fabric line! (He took the pictures!)

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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2 Different Classes

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Both of these classes took place at Essem Textiles in Cloverdale. There are 2 more classes planned and others coming in the future. The Fat-Quarter Teddy Bear starts later this month (in 2 different sizes) and the 3D Pinwheels will be in April. The Teddy Bear class is almost full – but Essem will start a wait list for a 2nd class if there is enough interest! If you haven’t sewn at Essem – you are in for a delightful surprise. The classroom is fantastic, lots of plug-ins, great lighting and the hosts are the BEST!!!

Quilt-as-you-go Table Runner

I taught this class a few weeks ago … the participants were amazing and the table runners so diverse! It was pretty awesome … Here’s a peak at them – finished or in progress

Here is Kathy’s … all finished – including the binding!

And here’s Tina’s … the flowers and dragonflies are so pretty!

I haven’t received pictures from any of the other, but here they all are in progress. They are all so very different!

This is my Quilt-as-you-Go Table Runner. I finished it today and it’s my TGIFF for this week! I used fabrics from Island Batik’s Vintage Lace collection. You can read about the quilt that I made with this collection HERE. For the table runner I used the following fabrics:

  • Center: Mini Floral Vine Fall
  • Yellow: Mini Floral Vine Corn
  • Green: Dots: Pineneedle
  • Border & Binding: Medallion- Lace Fall

The center was quilted with Silly Moon’s “Drop” ruler.

Today’s Machine Binding Class

I taught the group a ton of tricks for binding quilts totally by machine. I think they enjoyed learning my radical techniques!

Here they are – hard at work. On the le

2 of the participants brought their Quilt-as-you-Go table runners to learn how to do those tricky angled corners and the regular 90 degree corners. How did I miss getting pictures of 2 of the projects? (Sorry, ladies!) As you can see, the bindings turned out fantastic! I’m super impressed with the 2 that did the straight line final attachment. It took me a LONG time before I ventured from decorative stitches! All of the ladies did a fantastic job!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

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Teaching a Fabric Basket class and More

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Baskets using Batting!

So, last week, after having a root canal, I taught a Basket class at Essem. There was only one participant in the class, Wendy. She was super speedy and was able to finish up her basket very quickly! She’s used a variety and Kafe fabrics and her basket is stunning! Don’t you agree?

Here is my basket. I used fabric from my stash. I used 2 fabrics and like the effect! If you’d like to learn how to make this basket – let Simina or Rajan at Essem know and they’ll start a wait list.

Machine Binding Class

On March 10, I will be teaching a binding class at Essem. You will learn how to attach binding totally by machine! There will be lots of time-saving tricks and the results will be amazing! I’ll be demonstrating regular binding, scrappy binding, and flange binding. Bring projects ready for binding and you will leave with the binding completed! Contact Essem Textiles to sign up for the class. There are only a few spots left!

Did you see my Row by Row Quilt?

This week, it was my day to share my February Row by Row quilt on Island Batik’s Blog Hop! It was such a fun quilt to make, with beautiful fabrics from a collection called “Vintage Lace” by Kathy Engle. You can read more about it HERE.

This quilt is 50″ x 60″. I used Accuquilt dies to cut the whole quilt. It’s quilted with a Schmetz needle, Aurifil thread, using Silly Moon’s “Beanie” rulers, and has Hobbs 80/20 batting.

Same Quilt, Different Fabric

Last week I showed my finish “In the Woods” featuring Evergreen and Pine by Kathy Engle that is in the Island Batik Catalogue. You can read about it HERE.

This week, my pattern tester, Carol, posted a picture of her quilt … it has a totally different look using different fabrics! I love it. You can read what Carol has to say about the quilt pattern HERE. Thank you for testing the pattern, Carol!

I am always fascinated by how different quilts look when you use different fabrics!

Let me know if you would like to purchase the “In the Woods” pattern!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

Saturday 

TGIFF & a Friday Finish featuring Evergreen and Pine

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TGIFF stands for Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday and I’m hosting the linky party this week.

Here is my finish

This was a “secret” quilt that I was working on in the fall. It’s for the Island Batik catalogue. It was a fun quilt to make and I loved fussy cutting the animals … they are SEW cute! The Fabric collection is Evergreen and Pine by Kathy Engle. It should be in stores this month! And yes, I used Aurifil thread for piecing and quilting and Hobbs 80/20 batting. Let me know if you would like to purchase the pattern!

And here’s a picture of each of the fabrics that is in the quilt! I used all of them … can you find them in the quilt?

Linky Party

Show us your Finished Project for this week!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
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My other Finishes this week!

This was a super fun quilt to make. It’s made with Island Batik scraps. You can read more about it HERE. The pattern is from a great book that I highly recommend! “Scrappy Improv Quilting” written by Kelly, of My Quilt Infatuation.

I was Featured

Both Jennifer, from the Inquiring Quilter, and Kelly from My Quilt Infatuation featured the quilt I showed last Friday, 3 D Pinwheels. Please contact me if you would like to purchase the pattern.

Happy Quilting

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A Finish to Show you on Friday!

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Way back in the fall, I was madly working on some Secret Quilts. These were quilts for the Island Batik catalogue that came out a while ago. But, we’re not supposed to show you until the fabrics are available in the stores. Well, the fabrics are now available – so I can show you!

This quilt was made with “Contempo” a Signature collection, designed for Kate Colleran by Kathy Engle. Aren’t they BEAUTIFUL??? And I paired these beauties with Island Batik’s solid grey and solid black.

Believe it or not, this quilt is actually amazingly simple to make! Let me know if you would like to purchase the pattern! (quiltinggail@yahoo.ca)

This quilt used Aurifil 2600 (Dove) for the quilting and Hobbs 80/20 batting.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

 

A Friday Finish!

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I’ve been working on a LOT of quilting projects … and I’ve finished my Island Batik February challenge, but I can’t show you until later in February when it’s my day to be on the blog hop.

Row by Row Blog Hop

Have you been following along? There are some pretty awesome quilts being made with the new fabric (that should be in stores this month).

Here are direct links to the blog posts:

January 31:

Jennifer Thomas, Curlicue Creations
Denise Looney, For the Love of Geese 

February 1:

Pamela Boatright, Pamela Quilts
Andi Stanfield, True Blue Quilts

February 2:

Megan Best, Bestquilter

February 3:

Maryellen McAuliffe, Mary Mack Made Mine
Brenda Alburl, Songbird Designs

You could win some AWESOME fabric!

If you enter Rafflecopter, you have an opportunity to win either Ameriana or Chantilly fat quarter bundles!

https://drive.google.com/…/1FrypeCH… a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

My Friday Finish

It’s a simple finish, but one I can show you! This month’s the Colour Challenge is based on the Bay Leaf. It’s like a rail fence, but the measurements are not all the same. Visit Patterns by Jen for the free pattern. And, I did use Island Batik fabric …

And, Jen requested that we also show you our “green” quilts. And yes, all 4 of the following quilts used Island Batik fabric!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

I was Featured:

Jennifer, from Inquiring Quilter, featured my quilt finish from last week. You can read about it HERE.

Muv, from Lizzie Lenard Vintage Sewing, featured the mystery quilt that I hosted at the guild.

Happy Quilting! 
Gail