Back in class...

I was always one of those kids who loved the start of the new school year.  I not only looked forward to seeing my friends, but I just really enjoyed learning.  One of the things I like most about quilting is that I'll never know it all.  There will always be something new to it - a new technique, a new notion, loads of new fabric, new patterns, new quilts, and on and on.  I can be a perpetual kid.

My latest learning curve is a small crazy quilt I'm working on.  It has to be 10-12 inches square and depict a nature theme.  This is my first ever crazy quilt and I can already see how a person could dedicate years (and lots of $) to this art.  I spent an inordinate amount time just deciding on a layout.  But last night, I finally finished putting the background together...

Crazy Quilt background

Thanks to a very generous friend for supplying me with the fabrics for this!  They're a combination of silks and damasks and velvets and other 'difficult' to work with fabrics.  She also gave me a selection of beads, charms and laces to use to embellish the patches.  (FYI - She has an online store where she sells some of these items.  It's http://coveryourlittlepiggies.com/.  Check it out!)

Now I've got to get started on embellishing it.  The deadline is coming more quickly than I'd like.  But this will be a great chance to finally do some silk ribbon embroidery.  I've been wanting to try it for years.  I'll share some progress pictures as I work on it.

On a different note, I won a giveaway from Spun Sugar Quilts when they were doing the blog tour for Barbara Cline's new book, Star Struck Quilts.  I didn't win the book (which I wanted) but I did win this little prize pack...

Prize pack

I so love getting packages in the mail!

Until later...

"My God shall supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." 

Philippians 4:19 (NIV)