First of all, thanks

Thanks to you who wrote to me about 'that quilt which shall not be named'. I appreciate the support. I am just glad it is finished, and I'm gonna' get that sucker quilted and use it.

I've really been working on this medallion quilt from Downhome Quilters. I love it the name, Follow Your Heart. You can see where it's going from here to finish the middle, but then there is more to go. Go here to see the pattern. You know how you fall in love with a fabric? Well, those friendship stars that are gold was the fabric I loved. And it's the one I'm least happy with in this quilt. Not enough contrast, but I still think the quilt is going to be beautiful when it's finished.

So my daughter from NC was here this weekend, and we had a wonderful visit. She has a friend who is expecting her 2nd baby (in about 18 months!), a son. Well, I said to Holly, "Well, I won't have to make a quilt this time, I don't think. I gave her one last time." So Holly tells me how A. has this quilt on the wall of her daughter's room and how she just loves it. So, you guessed it. I'm making a quilt. If she appreciates, I'll make it.

This is the pattern I chose. It's easy and fast. I found it on the McCalls site. I may change it up a little...I'm thinking about not doing the narrow verticle sashing between the rows of boats, but I'll decide later.

I was starting to despair in the fabric store when I found this great light blue with a design that looks like waves. And I had to have the fish. So here are the ones that are finished. I have all the sail HST made and am trimming them down this evening. I would like to get it done pretty quickly. I have less than 3 months!
I'm using only stash for the sails. I wanted a variety, but I know already that the solid look (tone on tone) really look best. But I'm going to use up some of my left over I Spy squares. I am dedicated to using what I have as much as possible.

So that's it for me. I would have posted much sooner, but Blogger has been really tempermental. Thanks again to those of you who emailed me. I love hearing from folks. I hope you all are sewing up a storm and staying out of this heat!

So, here it is.

This is the quilt with multiple problems. Oh, the poor color choices! Oh, the clipped off points! Oh, those blankety blank tri-recs! But I think the quilt needed them, badly done or not.

It's not the pattern...in fact I really, really like the pattern! I take full responsibility for this quilt turning out so badly! If you are interested, it's the BOM at Quiltaholics.
I like this view of the quilt much better!

Iternets, we will Never. Speak of this. Again.

I really have been working.....

honest! I am almost finished hand sewing the binding on a baby quilt. I can't post the picture cause I think it's going to my cousin whose son and wife are having a girl baby! She might come read this, and I don't want her to see it yet. I've also decided I have to redo part of the "oh just let me get this ($*& thing finished" quilt. I can't stand it. I'll take a picture of it when it's finished, maybe later today. Maybe!

So here are some pictures of my friend-like-a-sister and the quilt she and her sister-in-law made. They took the all of Granny's handmade pieces that nobody else wanted because they were worn, stained, or torn. They just started snipping and cutting, and using antique lace, and came out with two beautiful quilts. These pictures are of the first one. She loved doing it, and I think we may go through some of my mom's stuff and do the same thing. I think it's a great idea, and I'm thrilled she'll help me get it done.

Right now Linda is working on a Tennessee themed quilt. I looked at her book and decided there were way too many templets for me to want do it right now. Linda does the most beautiful applique. Makes mine look extremely shabby. I love her anyway!

Burning question....

Do other people make a mess of a project now and then or am I the only one? Nobody ever talks about it!!

This morning has really made me live by my motto of "Better finished than perfect." What a mess this quilt is. I can't even list all the things that are wrong with it. I even thought about just stopping and putting it away, but I figured they'd find it after I died and I would just be mortified if they took it to someone to finish!

I kept thinking about my mom's quilts. Now that I piece, I see she made lots of mistakes. But we never noticed them! And we cherish them all, no matter what.

So, a mess or not, it will soon be finished. I need to put on one more row of tri-recs, and then finish it up with another gold border. And boy will I be glad when it's done!!! And I'll take it back to the same ole' longarm quilter cause I'd be ashamed to show it to anyone else!!