More Proud Moments

Starting in September 2007, students hand-pieced two blocks per month to make the quilt I call Monthly Bliss 2. Eighteen hand-pieced blocks, sashing, cornerstones, borders--add hand or machine quilting and you have--something to be extremely proud of. Here are pictures of several of the quilts (some completely finished and others in top form).

First is Sue Y. with her completed quilt. It is absolutely fabulous in terms of both workmanship and fabric choices.

Here is Mary Ann C.'s quilt--finished except for the binding. She used a beautiful border stripe (not shown) to finish this piece. She also added a small inner border to make the entire center float.

Cathy M. originally started with a different border fabric, but after piecing the blocks, decided that she wanted something different. We found this multi-colored dragonfly print that picked up all the colors from the blocks. And the orange-y batik was perfect for setting triangles. She may use her original border fabric as part of the backing and is contemplating a dragonfly motif for the quilting.

Bettina K. is hand quilting her top with the Baptist Fan pattern. Done in cool shades of purple, lime and aqua, it makes one think of swaying in a hammock on the Caribbean--so tropical and sun-dappled.

Many others from the classes are still working. Several have the blocks done and are selecting sashing and borders. Some have the three layers basted and wanted me to wait to show their quilt until it was finished. These quilts are from the classes at O'Susannah's in Watkins Glen, NY. I'll post pictures of the quilts done at Calico Gals as they become available.

Ten months seems like a long time when you start a long-term class, but I think everyone will agree that it goes by in the blink of an eye! How can it be August 10, 2008, already? Remember when we were struggling with Y2K? How can it be eight years later? It's hard to remember that time is finite--and we don't know how much any one of us has. So try not to get too bogged down in the day-to-day stuff--do something fun--something just for you--or something that includes as many friends and family as you'd like. Make whatever it is something to remember when things are not going well. Life is a journey--and we all know what the end of the ride is--so whoop it up now! Laugh more--it's good for your health and the laugh lines look better than the frown ones. And, have you noticed, when you smile, others smile too. Spread it around!

Til next time--when the Sock Gone Bad rears its ugly head.

P.S. Even if you are not a knitting fan, check out this website. www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/. Stephanie Pearl-McPhee is currently on vacation in Newfoundland and the pictures are fabulous. Her blog is wonderfully funny at all times, so when you need a laugh, check it out!