Secret Santa at IllustratedATC's

Now that my person has opened her present from me, I can post what I made. The wallhanging is made from patterns in the book, Spellbinding Quilts, by Maaike Bakker, using a paper piecing technique. It's embellished with various beads, sequins, cotton & metallic threads, and Swarovski crystals. I also made a 4-way ATC that makes a tree... Then a package with silk cocoons & rods, & other silk fibers. I'm still waiting for my present to arrive.... I have a suspicion it is tied up in customs somewhere.... This was such a fun thing to do.... everybody has been posting their presents as they arrive and it is fun to see people's art in larger sizes. Alot of awesome stuff! The most exciting thing, however, is Dana & I are going to do another trade of larger art so I can have some of her art... she creates the most awesome trees.... Links to her website: http://www.artistic-journey.com/ and http://artisticjourneys.blogspot.com/ Scroll down on her blog to see some of her trees... she has also designed a set of Tree Tarot Cards.

Quilt Group Christmas Party

I just love my quilt group!! There are 30 of us and 18 made it to the party. I must say I was happy to pass on the Presidental duties to Judie... I have never liked being the one in charge of things.... or as Ken says it... I would much rather be in charge of the one who's in charge. I guess he doesn't like it when I can think of ways to do what he wants to do so much better. I guess he also thinks he's in charge.

Next year is starting out smashing... we all picked secret pals to give some kind of gift to each month at our luncheon. Jacque is also going to teach a series of applique classes which I'm really excited about. The collective creativity of our group is electric.... it would be best not to stand under any trees each Thurs. of the week.

We do a gift exchange and I just love my present. It is a holder with 36 different thread colors. It is handy to have when you are doing handwork.... instead of trying to gather all different, bigger spools of thread.... it's all right there ready to throw in a bag... and you're good to go. Kathie always makes hot pad holders which are just perfect for taking things out of the microwave and holding the hot dishes while you eat... watching TV. My dining table is for my many varied projects.

Bugs In A Jar

I have still been quilting up a storm. I have mostly done displays for the store from panels and then I put some kind of border around it. I used to dislike doing these, as it didn't seem like real quilting, but the fabric out now is so cute. I have been working on bug quilts for "the boys" for Christmas... and one for Aunt Kathy's new grandson (he is 7) and I'm giving the ladybug one to her new granddaughter (she is 1) Kim did the machine quilting on it.... she is just amazing and turns any quilt, no matter how poorly sewn, into a work of art. Click on the picture to see her echo quilting around the daisy's and ladybugs.