I've completed all the applique for Ladies of the Sea and trimmed the blocks and borders to size. I'm very thrilled to have this quilt nearing completion. Many thanks to Linda for letting me borrow these gorgeous patterns for the 5 years it's taken me to get this far. If she had not loaned me the patterns, I would have never made the quilt. The patterns are now on the way back to her and I hope she enjoys the process as much as I have. I have just started cutting out the fabric and putting together the 300+ half-square triangle blocks that will make the borders. I was hoping to have the top completed before the end of the year, but I'm not sure if that will happen.
I've gotten a few other smaller projects done. I completed these socks. I've been playing with lace knitting patterns. I've never really done lace before, and socks are a great project to try new stitches. It took me a while to get the rhythm of knitting lace, but I did get the hang of it.
I started a sweater in a lace pattern, but after ripping it out 4 times, I decided I needed more lace practice before I tackled something larger. This cowl was another quick project for lace practice. There a still a few small mistakes at the start of the project, but I can live with that. I will probably tackle a few more small lacy items before I start that sweater again.
This wool table mat was a gift exchange at the quilt guild last year. I got it done in time for Thanksgiving. I thought I would really enjoy the process of wool applique given my love of needle turn. But, that was not so. There are too many tiny pieces in this pattern and I don't like that the iron-on adhesive takes away the dimensionality of the applique. I think I'll stay away from this technique.
The cat quilt is done!!! This quilt started in 1993 as two Internet block exchanges. One of them was black and white cats and the other was browns (I think). They have been languishing in my closet for a very long time. Once I finally decided to put it together, I needed a few extra cats to make the quilt the size I wanted. I think I made 3 or 4. This quilt went with me to a couple of machine quilting classes until I decided on the quilting I wanted on each of the cats and the borders. I'm really happy with how it turned out. When I posted it on Facebook, a friend offered to buy it, so it will be going to her home soon.
This little bunny quilt was a baby shower gift for DH's niece who is expecting her first child in January. It went together quicker than I expected and was well received by the parents and the rest of the guests at the shower. I hope it is loved to tatters.Enough for now. I'm still stitching and keeping busy. The next project I picked up is complex hand piecing of M. C. Escher's tessellating lizards. But, I'm contemplating starting a sweater or a new pair of socks or another cowl. And, since my daughter just got engaged, my plan is to make her a full-sized Hawaiian applique quilt, so perhaps I should get started on that since I have the fabric and the pattern. For me, deciding on the next project and starting are always the hardest part.
Until next time...
