SYLVIA'S BRIDAL SAMPLER

For the first time in forever, I worked on Sylvia's Bridal Sampler. I completed two blocks, B-5, Grandmother's Flower Garden (which I started long ago when it was the BOW), and N-3 Clay's Choice (the current BOW).

DEAR JANE BLOCKS

Yesterday I made two Dear Jane blocks. These are little 4" finished-size blocks. The quarter is for reference to view the size. The one on the right is L-1, Window's Pane, and has 22 pieces. On the left is A-8, Florence Nightingale, with 11 pieces. These two will be in the mail today, off to a collective effort to make a DJ quilt for a special someone.

VINTAGE VALENTINE BLOCK 5

I finished Vintage Valentine Block 5 last night. Now I'm all caught up with the group. Block 5 was the February Challenge. I changed the rose buds to make them dimensional. This quilt is so addicting that I'd love to keep going on it, but other projects call. I will wait until the March BOM is announced.

AND AFTER PRESSING

It's amazine what a good pressing will do!

VIINTAGE VALENTINE BLOCK 1

While away from home, I try to take hand-work with me. This past week-end I hand-appliqued Block 1 of the Vintage Valentine Quilt. I'm doing this with a Verna Mosquera designs on-line Yahoo group. This was the block for Jan., so I'm already behind! My block could use a good pressing, but I don't have an iron with me. I love the wool petals with the buttonhole stitch, and the covered buttons accents. What better time to get started than Valentine's week-end?

HEART BLOCKS

These 6" blocks are all set to send in for a heart swap in our Friendship Swap group. Four are pieced the same as the 40-some I made for the DJ H2H swap, and on the other six I experimented with various ways to applique. Three are done in back-baste, my first try at that method. I used a charm pack for the applique ones, so each is different focus fabric. I think they all turned out well.

VALENTINE SWAP

Yesterday my package from the Valentine Box Swap arrived from Shelley. I just love the mini-quilt and other things she sent!

This is the quilted Valentine card and envelope that I made for Cindy.

RETURN FROM HONEYBEE

It's very hard to get back to normal after 4 days of nothing but quilting and laughter at the Honeybee Retreat, Quilt Stampede!

A young Clint Eastwood was at the retreat!

Here I am with Billie Lauder in her "Beyond the Battlefield" class. She is a very sweet person and so creative!!!

Here I am posing with Gwen Marston in her "Liberated Stars" class. She is such a neat person and great teacher.

I also took an applique class with Yvonne Porcella. It was a very fun weekend!

QUILT STAMPEDE

Today I'm packing for "Quilt Stampede," the Honeybee Guild annual retreat in Jacksonville. This year it's a cowgirl theme. I have my bandanna fabric star block for the drawing (bandanna fabric as background or star), my cowgirl hat (from 1975 'ish!), and of course my challenge quilt. Besides being required to use the 3 fabrics (bandanna, check, & blue denim), buttons and ribbon in the kit you were given, you also had to include at least 6" of couching (I couched DMC floss for the rope), and so many inches of free-motion quilting. I added a few extra fabrics -- the fussy-cut cowgirls and the tan print. It's my first challenge quilt ever, but my 3rd Honeybee retreat.