Thursday, December 27, 2012

2012 Free Motion Quilting Challenge - Recap

I am delighted to have completed all 12 monthly challenge pieces in their respective months.  Perhaps, I will tackle the bonus tutorials in 2013. When I signed up for this challenge, I had no idea how quickly my quilting skills would improve.  I feel so privileged to have learned so much from our excellent teachers and the other participants.  Here is the recap:
 August - Jesters' Hats.
In November, I used the Jesters' Hats and Heart-Shaped Leaves on Seth's zoo animal quilt.
The year is almost over, this challege is complete and I had a blast.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Christmas 2012


Current Weather 13:45 CST

A few clouds
-24
°C
A few clouds
 Just got back from dog walk Christmas eve.
 Carmel pecan cinnamon buns, photo shot with Iphone 4s through the oven window.
This decadent treat is loaded with brown sugar, butter and pecans, which is why I only make it once a year on Christmas day.
 Lily's winter attire.
 Merry Christmas from sunny, cold Brandon, Manitoba, Canada!
 One of several failed attempts to get the dog to look at the cell phone.
I give up! No photo of Lily looking at cell phone.  Every time I take a photo, I have to remove my gloves and it is freezing out here.
 Hunting for rabbit turds.
 Snow covered evergreens.
 
Thank you mother nature for the balmy Christmas weather.  No worries of the snow melting today.  
Now I'm off to play on my treadmill, then shower and make crafts with my daughter-in-law.  Life is most excellent.  From my home to yours, I wish you Peace, Joy and Much Love at Christmas and always.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

December FMQ Challenge - Feathered Borders

It is hard to believe how quickly this year has passed. December's teacher is Patsy Thompson.  Her tutorial, complete with utube video is most excellent! Patsy provides clear instructions and wonderful illustrations. Her quilts are awesome!  Without further preamble...drum roll  please....
My quilt is finished and I learned so much from all the wonderful teachers, as well as the other participants.
I started drawing the feathers, paying close attention to the take off and kissing zones.
 I marked my quilt border, exactly as Pasty instructed.
The only flexible rulers available locally were 18 inches long.  My attempt to join them together did not work because the rulers are not flexible enough on the ends.  I did order a 40 inch ruler on-line which should arrive before the end of the month.
The markings were made with a Sewline ceramic pencil.
The take off zone.                            
 The kissing zone. 
 I used Marathon trilobal 100% polyester embroidery thread, with a Schmetz 90/14 embroidery needle.
The thread colours were bright to make the border really stand out.
  Backside views.
Thank you so very much Darlene for hosting the 2012 Free Motion Quilting Challenge. I really appreciate all your hard work to organize this wonderful learning opportunity for your cyber quilting friends. Thanks tons to all the fantastic teachers who provided the tutorials.

I'm delighted to have completed all twelve monthly challenges in their respective months. What comes next? Perhaps in 2013, I'll complete the bonus tutorials.