Slow and Machine Stitching

First off, I'm giving away a quilt book - ends Thursday, the 7th, midnight.  You can see the details at my July 1 post.

Today I'm slow stitching my ancient WIP (started in 1988). I figure if I do a motif per day, I should actually get to the binding in another month and a half -lol.

 Here's what the current border looks like from the back - can see my big stitch quilting better from this side. I didn't know about this technique until about 5 years ago - much easier for me.

Newbie that I was, I didn't know one was suppose to mark the quilt before sandwiching.  Good thing I didn't because after 29 years it probably wouldn't still be there.  I use freezer paper and a water soluble pencil by Clover to mark the motifs now.

As for machine stitching - I whipped up this SS block - easy peasy.

So appropriate for the Fourth of July.  Have a good one - and safe, too.

"Gwennie Inspired" 2 and WIPs Be Gone

Cynthia at Wabi-Sabi Quilts hosted the first border link-up for the Gwennie Inspired Medallion Group.  The theme was childhood.  I chose to use my memories of summer days when we lived in South Houston, TX.

I remember those beautiful soft white clouds in the sky and the open fields across the street from our house.  My cousins and I would spend the daylight hours running around in them, playing pioneers finding our way through green bushes and berry brambles.  We competed with lots of bugs for the juicy fruit hanging on the vines and fly kites up toward the clouds. And in keeping with Gwen's liberated idea, I didn't mark the diagonals in the square in the square - just winged it.  Do visit Cynthia's for other Gwennie inspired links.

What are you working on?  I'd love to see. And there's a mystery quilt book for someone. Same guidelines apply:   Leave me a comment for one chance.  Link your eye candy for another. Follow me and let me know for a third. Remember if you don't have a blog, you can always post a photo from a photostream.  Please be sure there is some way for me to contact you. Ends next Thursday, midnight. I'll be linking to several parties. Tab above. Blessings!

An InLinkz Link-up

Another Winner/Update

The winner of last week's hexagon paper pieces giveaway was Chantel of At the Corner of Scraps and Quilts.  I've sent her a message.

An update:  I want to thank everyone so much for their kind wishes and prayers for my eye surgery.  It went great!  I know have 20/15 vision again. No more closing my right eye to sew at the machine - lol.

Here's what I'm working on now - Sunday's SS block:

Off to see what the block is for today.