And the beat goes on........

I have finally completed the last block of the Wildberry Vine quilt. It's been a long haul but well worth it. Funny how a project gets put aside, often with the thought that there's so much more to do. Honestly, given the size of the quilt, there wasn't that many blocks left to hand applique.

I still have quite a bit to do on this quilt, as the border is a patchwork type with more hand applique. It is a sweet looking quilt and I can hardly wait to get down to the final stage.

When I joined Stashbusters, I felt quite ambitious and motivated to complete the projects I had listed. My "UFO to do list" consisted of quilts that had dragged on way too long and some that were recent starts. It has dawned on me that the race to finish has become quite stressful to me. Stress arose not from the penalty of fat quarters owed but from my need to achieve the goals I have set for myself, hence the panic at starting hand embroidery. This defeats the purpose of quilting don't you think? So a change had to be made.

I love all of the quilts listed on my "UFO to do list". However given that there are/were quite a few large projects, it is not realistic to think that I can get all of these projects done by the end of the year. I have therefore removed the Baltimore Cousin, which is a large hand applique quilt, and replaced it with a smaller project. This will alleviate the stress of starting a new project while allowing me the pleasure of working on UFOs.

Meet Winter Sentry! This is a pattern by Robyn Pandolph and is from her wonderful book Stitched with Love - A Mother's Quilting Legacy.

I just love this book. It comes with a stand alone cd that allows you to print the templates the size you would like your quilt. I don't understand why applique books do not all include a cd of the templates, eliminating the frustration of getting to a photocopy but I digress.

I started this wall hanging in 2005. It is part of my desire to have seasonal quilts hanging in my kitchen. I just love snow persons!

The snow person is done except for the rosy cheek. The leaves on the tree is the bulk of the hand work that is required to finish this project. Most of the leaves that you see need to be hand stitched and there are a few other pieces to add.

On the home life front, we are leaving for a camping vacation in Oquossoc, Maine. We'll be staying at the Black Brook Cove Campground. We've been there quite a few times and enjoy canoeing on the lake. Yes, I will be taking the time to connect with nature. There's really nothing for miles of the campground so no technology or quilt shops.

The weather doesn't look too favourable, but I'll manage. I am bringing some hand work with me. And yes, that includes hand embroidery! ;o) Perhaps I will feel relaxed enough to get back in touch with that artistic expression. There are so many patterns that I want to make. Oh how I love the work of Bronwyn Hayes and others but I digress again!

So I shall leave you for a few days. Thank you so much for your support and friendship.

Have a great week everyone!