A Finish of Sorts = FMQ!

It came to me yesterday what a lot of prep there is to getting a  top ready for quilting.  You ready the top and back making sure they are squared up (sort of), then you get the batting, find your pins and see if your basting space is clear to use.  I usually use the carpet in my guest bedroom, but I'm getting less agile at getting down on the floor to do this.  My dining table's edge is not conducive to  using for sandwiching using clips, and I didn't want to use tape. So after tea and a cookie or two, I had a eureka moment:

Out from long storage from my sewing clothes day, I pulled out my cardboard cutting board!

Partially opened it on my kitchen table and it was more than enough for this quilt top.

I laid out the three layers and started to pin the back to the board.  This cutting board is constructed of two pieces with an air space in between.  If I push the pins into the space, I anchor the quilt and don't scratch my table.  I pin a top edge and a side edge.  Then I start pinning the opposites by pulling the backing lightly taut as I pin. each of the remaining sides.  Then I pin baste the top to the two other layers.  Once that's done, and I check the back for no wrinkles, I make a small sandwich and check my machine settings and which thread to use for the quilting.

Phew! Ready at last. I'm off to quilt as soon as I finish the post.  I'm linking to Leah's FMQ Project and Amanda Jean's Finish it Up Friday because this quilt will be finished by the end of the day.

Hexie Friday

I found my template pack!  I made my 7 hexie min for the week!  I'm on a roll!

How did you do?  Any and all hexie projects welcome - hey, even if it's not hexie - we love to see eye candy.  Linky below:

Giveaway News

Hi, first I'd like to thank you all who participated and hopped during Michele's Giving Thanks Blog Hop. It was so much fun. I met a lot of wonderful new bloggers, now follow more blogs, won a giveaway! - just had a wonderful time. I hope you had a great time likewise. I was thrilled I had 146 comments to my post, 20 new followers and many new followers via email and Bloglovin'. Welcome!  Now for my giveaway. I use Random.org to pick the winners.



The winner of the Karen McTavish book is Valerie in OR: Valerie wrote: "Hi I'm from Oregon. Would love the quilting book...thanks for the chance to win it!"

Cathy in Canada won the pattern pack. Cathy said: "I'm A Canadian, living in Southern Ontario. I love Karen K. Buckley's work, so her book would be my choice. Also, I love applique, even if I don't seem to have the time for it, at the moment."

Congratulations to you both!  Emails have been sent...

And I won, too! Benita at Victoriana Quilters offered a lovely pattern for a hearts quilt and my name was picked.  Go here to see it.

Again, thanks so much, Michele at the Quilting Gallery for putting on this Blog Hop.