Finishes, prizes, surprises

My friend Jan with one of the pillows she finished for daughters. She started these at the retreat in September. Well done Jan!

I received this wonderful mug rug from Cathy in Australia, in an exchange with an online group I belong to.

A finish for me!  I won this cute paper pieced pattern from Marsha Hodgkins in a blog hop. Last evening I finished putting my "dodads" on it.  I think it turned out very well.

I finished these two autumn themed mug rugs.  I have been practicing my straight line quilting.  I made these while I was visiting with my friend in Michigan last week. (That is another post!)

Working at the computer, and using my new mug rug.

I received these lovelies from my Dear Jane secret pal.  Love those fabrics. Aren't those stripes wonderful?

Check out the prize I won from Madame Samm. I received the new book by Jill Finley.  She is the author of the pattern we will be using in November for the Holiday Day Lane blog hop.

Progress on my Halloween table runner using the Schnibbles pattern, Full House.

New patterns.  I started a thimbles (tumblers) quilt while was gone.  Now if I could only find the plastic template! I seem to have lost it. I sure hope it is amongst my projects from last week!

You know me. If I use one pattern and like it, I made more then one!  Just could not resist one more bowls quilt!

I was gone again last week. This time to visit my friend Pat in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  I'll post about that wonderful trip,soon.  (We did a lot of sewing!)

Have a great weekend. Happy sewing!

Mary

Progress and 3 Wins

Look what I finished today.  It was Thursday sew, and I made it my mission to finish this quilt top.  This is the Prairie Flowers block that we made in the friendship swap group.  I like how it turned out.  Now to make the back, and another project is off my list.  Yea!!

Remember this from the other day.  It is now a little top to hand quilt.  I put this one, and the next together on Wednesday.  Both are now ready for the hand work.

Just before Christmas, I had a couple of "wins".  This first one is from Kris at Dandelion Quilts..  She had made an extra mug rug, and was going to share.  I won the share!!  I love this mug rug.  Such a clever idea.
Kris is having an accessory bag swap.  Check it out.  Who knows, maybe I will be your swap partner.

This little pile of goodies was from the Blog Hop Party that was held earlier in December.  There were 242 blogs included in this hop, sponsored by the Quilting Gallery.  This prize came from Sewhooked.  Shegave this cute paper pieced quilt pattern and the 30's fabrics. This was right up my alley.  I had ordered one of her patterns in early December to play with.  Now I have another great one to try.

This box of wonderful prizes came from Judy in North Carolina.  Her site isShade Tree Quilting. This was so neat.  I have the charm pack ready to use for another "Lil Twister" quilt.  Do not have much for Valentine's Day, and thought this would work out just right.  There was a copy of the 100 Blocks magazine,  which I love.  There are so many great ideas in it.

Just wanted to let you know I did get busy and work on my projects.  Let's hope I can keep it up.  So far so good.

Have a great rest of the week, and weekend.
Happy sewing.

Mary

Weekend sewing and Friendship blocks

Finally working on a couple of "Club" projects. This one is from Party with Patrick. I am doing raw edge applique. This is not something I have done before. I do have a blanket stitch on my machine. Think it is about time I found out how to use it! This is just the start of this project. More on it later. This is the "Summer Sun" project for the Party with Patrick Club. I did do a decorative stitch around the sun points and tried a circular pattern for the center. I am so pleased with out the binding went on flat. There is not a curl around that edge!!

I belong to a Friendship Swap group on yahoo and we are doing the annual signature swap right now. I made these blocks. We had to use flower fabric and a green on green for the "leaves". I used Kona ivory for my background fabric. I had to make 22 in all. I love how these came out. I have made a couple more that I will add for the overall size of the quilt. These aren't due until August. I have them done and put them in the mail on Friday!!!This is a 6 1/2 unfinished basket block that I am going to be making for the same group! So far I only have two of these done! As of today there are 13 ladies signed up for this swap. Everyone is to make a different basket. I think this will be a cool quilt too. I love basket blocks. This block that I am working on is paper pieced, which is one of my favorite ways of piecing. I think I have until October to finish.

My friend Wendy called to let me know that my latest quilt is done! I will get it picked up this week and get the binding on. It always feels good when you get a project finished!!!

June will be a bit slower on project finishes. My Dad, and sister Linda, and I are cruising to Bermuda. Dad and I fly to New York City on June 12. I am so excited. While we are there I am going to visit with the Bermuda Quilt Guild! They are having their last meeting for the summer on the 16th. I am so looking forward to meeting them. It is fun if you can find quilt related activities while on vacation! I have booked one tour that takes us on an overview of the island. I am also looking forward to feeling the warm of the sun!! Our weather has not been consistant in forever. Today it is dreary and gray and I think we will barbeque inside! Working on the potato salad as I write!

Have a great day!