Wow! It's been awhile!

The past summer and fall went by in a blur due a number of personal challenges but we seem to be back in a good place again which has allowed me to pick up some quilting time again.  I have completed a few projects and would love to share them   I fell in love with the Hedgehog quilt pattern by Elizabeth Hartman and made a small version of it.  Lots of pieces to this so it did take some time but I figured out how to do all the blocks at once instead of just one at a time.  My thought, not yet a plan, is to use a specific space in the hallway for wall hangings that I can change regularly.  I am hoping the Hedgehog will be part of that plan but I still need to baste and quilt it and have been muddling over designs for the quilting.

I did do some free motion quilting on a top I had completed some time ago.  In theory it was intended to be a form of McTavishing, at least my version of it!  I really enjoyed the process but it did take longer to complete than I had anticipated but when I stood back I was so pleased with the texture.  This photo does not do it justice.

I have been eager to use the contents of my scrap bin that was growing and overflowing out of the bin.  Having seen a number of beautiful strip quilts I decided to try my hand at one.  I choose to use a solid dark gray in the centre of each 6 inch square.  Pages from an old phone book were used as a stabilizer, a decision I came to dislike by the time I completed all the blocks.  The ink on the pages gave off a smell each time I ironed a piece of fabric which ultimately gave me a headache.  Additionally, ripping the paper off became a long task resulting in bits of paper everywhere.  I have since read that a very light interfacing is equally as effective for strip quilts and does not need to be removed.  I am still working on piecing all the blocks together but so far so good.

And I wanted to practice some more free motion quilting and made a couple of simple table runners for Christmas.  Here are the results of that effort.  I am growing more confident in my free motion abilities and know that when I stand back and look at the results the slight wobbles and errors I have made don't show.  This has been such a great accomplishment.  

I have so many quilt projects on my wish list to complete and am grateful the time and opportunity to work on my re-found passion.  

Hoping you have a wonderful day!