Catching Up!

 I am quite behind on some posting but first of all I would like to share an extremely special quilt that was made for me by some of my friends from the Pieceful Hearts Quilt Guild. There is a group that makes a birthday quilt for others on special years, like 50, 60 and 70. Two years ago I turned 60, and because I live away from this group now, they did my quilt a little differently. They each made a self-portrait or possibly how they would like to be remembered by me, since I don't see them but a couple of times a year, even though I'm still a part of the group. Now as I view this awesome quilt, hung right outside my sewing room, I can see their faces and think of them!! So much work was put into this and many would say they were way out of their box making these fabulous blocks, but they did an outstanding job. I am thrilled with this quilt!!

 In mid January I went on an annual quilting retreat with this PHQGuild. We go to a state park that is very inexpensive in the winter and quilt for 3 or 4 days . . . and eat and visit, too! Above is the first block I began in my Flower Garden Quilt. It had been so long since I had done needle-turn appliqué that I was quite slow just getting the leaves done.

 Here is my dear friend, Ille, as she shows her block for the upcoming donation quilt that we make every year. Part of the proceeds go to Camp Rainbow - a camp for children with cancer. Her appliqué is incredible!!

 Ille and I! I hardly took any pictures this year.

Here is one of the wool blocks I completed while at the retreat. I only worked on my appliqué this time.

 I finished this block after I got home.

This block I did while there so I felt like I did get some stitching accomplished.

And now here is the snow from my window this morning. Pretty unusual in Georgia and unfortunately a nightmare for so many out on the interstates that literally were in their cars overnight.  Fortunately I was at home and able to work on some of my quilting, and pray for those who could not get home.