A Surprise

Friday's mail brought me a most pleasant surprise! I was and still am flabbergasted at someone's exceptional kindness.

Sue Abrey, my UK friend and fellow Lone Star quilt-alonger, sent me the most adorable Christmas-tree table runner. And it will totally be used this Christmas! I have just the spot for it.

Unusual mailing label - that should have been my first clue, but I hardly paid it any attention.

It was wrapped in the prettiest polka-dot tissue paper. Lovingly sent from England!!

Isn't it wonderful? I absolutely love it! Sue, you are so sneaky!! I had no clue, and I have no return gift, I hate to admit. I do believe that I will be looking for an occasion to send something your way. Hmmm, I wonder what I can do??

Thanks for brightening my day, Sue! We had over an inch of rain and extreme cloudiness. We may have significant snow before I am back with my next post! Winter has arrived!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

My Lone Star Is Finished!

It is with great relief and a dose of pride that I introduce you to my completed quilt top, Broken Star. It is a variation of the Lone Star, and is the quilt I worked on in the Lone Star Quilt Along with Sue at Quilt Times.

I resewed 7 of the 8 the green points by hand, and for the most part, I am satisfied with the results. I still have some puffiiness and excess, but when it is sandwiched with batting and quilted, I think it will all look okay. Then, a washing will just make it look crinkly and wonderful, as a freshly washed quilt is supposed to look.

Here's a closeup of one of the redone points. The easing is very evident on this particular point.

As I said, I don't think this will be too bad of a finish when quilted. Given that I began this quilt about 20 years ago, when I was so inexperienced with bias edges, I think this is just how it's going to have to finish.

I am so grateful that Sue wanted to do the quilt along. It did keep me focused on finishing this thing!! It sat in a tub in the sewing room for so long, and I would not have tackled this without her cheering me on along the way.

If you want to read about the long, long journey toward this quilt's eventual finish, just type 'lone star' or 'quilt along' in the search box at the top of the right sidebar. There should be plenty of back story that can be pieced together.

Yeah, it's gonna be just fine. Here's one more look at it. Whew! It's my last finish on the goals list for 2012.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

 

Someone Will Be Surprised

I am late with a post today because I have been stitching away to finish this quilt top! Had to get the borders attached.

It is from the book Pick Four by my friend Sue Abrey.

Surprise, QuiltSue!

My version looks vastly different from the one Sue has in her book. Instead of using the highly contrasting fabrics that she chose, I used that low contrast set of fabrics I've been fussing about since August.

The quilt is called Antique Nine Patches in Sue's book. I have had my eye on it from the very beginning, as I seem to be partial to what I call "strippy quilts."

My sciatic is still giving me fits. I sit on ice and down regular doses of Ibuprofin. Doctor's appointment is Thursday. Hope I can last that long!


My thanks for November 5:
For my dear husband of over 33 years. He's been a wonderful husband and father.  Lately, since his retiring, he has been supportive in my efforts to exercise regularly. He does amazing things in our yard and around our property. And he supports my quilting habit. :) Love you, Honey!



Happy Quilting, Friends!

 

Lone Star Day

Yesterday was Lone Star Saturday for November. Quilt Sue was our able hostess. I was mostly absent from the festivities; I did leave some comments, but I really didn't have anything to blog about. I had a really good laugh, though, in an email exchange with Sue.

I will share the script, but first, you have to know that Sue is a British lady, so when you read her lines, imagine them with an accent.

Jayne: (this is the comment I left on her blog) I can't wait to see what you've done this past month! I still have undone parts to resew. :-(

Sue: LOL, I read that as you had undone pants at first. Made me stop and stare I can tell you.

Jayne: I am laughing so hard I can barely type!! That is about the funniest thing I've read in a long time!! Nope -- pants are done up nicely, thank you!

Sue: I must admit, I can't stop laughing either. Now I must get back to my Friendship stars. I'm very bored with them.

Jayne: We had a bit of levity in the midst of endless Friendship stars. Fun, fun!

Sue: Actually, due to the difference in language, it's even funnier than you may have realised. What you call pants, are trousers to me, and pants are what we wear under our trousers!

Blogging has given me a lot of pleasure, but one of the best parts - and one I never expected - is meeting other quilters from all over the world. Sue and I have been blogging friends for quite a long time now. I doubt very seriously had it not been for blogging, I would not have "met" her otherwise. I dream of a trip to the UK and an afternoon of quilting with Sue someday!! What do you say, Sue??

This is Sue's book. I won this copy of it in a giveaway she sponsored on her blog.

 

My thanks for November 4:
I am thankful that all 3 of my children have made it home this weekend. Adam lives in Hillsboro, so he pops in often; Erin lives in Columbus and gets home every month or so; Emma is in college at OU (in Athens), and she has not been home in 10 weeks!  It's been a lot of fun here this weekend!

 Happy Quilting, Friends!