ICE challenge quilt

Here's a few shots of the absolutely fabulous ICE quilt I received, made by Debbi. 

First, a reminder of what I sent in:

And the wonderfulness I received back:

Amazing!!

Happy bee buttons buzzing up to the flower, a way-cool tree (complete with appliquéd knots in the trunk), and red round and apple-shaped buttons in the tree:

The 3-D clothesline made of ribbons with the tiniest pins you've ever seen. Doesn't that sun just make you smile? Look at those awesome quilt squares!

A picnic bench with basket, felted mama ladybug and button babies, and my favorite (of course!) Bacon Then Eggs for lunch! How personalized and outrageous is that??

Thanks, Debbi, for all the thought, care, and creativity you put into this quilt!

It's a Beautiful Day!

I'll make along story short: I am ready for greatness. Here's the quote I found this morning; it came just as I was getting ready to hide my intelligence:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? -Marianne Williamson

(found at http://www.abeautifulrippleeffect.com  Thank you Carolyn! There are 20 more motivating quotes on today's blog so go check them out!)  

Quilting: so here's the front and back of a quilt that I might be making for me. My sister likes the front but only because "it doesn't look like a quilt," i.e., it's not traditional. I designed the back with leftover fabric--it's a real attempt at design, color, and liberated quilting. It will finish at 84 X 84 once I figure out how to quilt it. hope you like it!

Ah! The ICE challenge was fabulous! I finished it just in time. The small dots are turquoise blue, green, and clear crystal embellishments. I learned a lot by forcing myself to try these 5 things: quilting with clear thread, metallic thread, raw-edge appliqué, stamping, and embellishing. I figured out what was niggling me--the wording--so I changed the last line to Spread My Wings and FLY Tonight. Thanks to all who responded--it was a consensus for 'wonky' wording placement. two pics: one of my quilt and then the table where others' ICE projects are shown.

I received the one that is being handled--I'll post a closeup of its awesomeness soon!!

A giveaway of epic proportions!

You know, I try not to post too many other giveaways here, but this one's fab-u-lous! And, I get 10 extra entries for spreading the word about this awesome collection of Flower Sugar fat quarters that Marie-Madeline Studio is giving away. Yep, 21 of them. Get over there!!
Here's a picture with a link below!

Marie-Madeline Studio

GAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

Guess who won Quilt Dad's mini quilt as part of  A La Mode Fabric Heather's birthday bonanza? Yours truly! Isn't it just perfect? The stairs leading down to the basement are between the front door and the living room so I can swoon over this Castle Peep beauty all day!

Hope I didn't mess this up...

Working on the ICE project for another quilt guild member. Today I sewed on the stars and then outlined them in metallic turquoise. I cut them out after sewing them on to maintain a wonkiness--man, was that hard! I wanted to cut them out perfectly beforehand but forced myself to abstain. I stamped the words and then cut them out with a plan to outline in turquoise metallic or clear. I haven't sewn them on yet because I am not sure if I like how this is coming along. Feeling nervous. I am still going to embellish with some crystals. I can't decide if the words should be in straight lines or not. something's funky but I can't put my finger on it. are the words too big? I bought the smallest stamps the craft store had. yeesh. help!!  any ideas?

the star:

the words a little off center?

straight words?

words more off center and closer together?