Hand quilting course - more than I bargained for.

 Brit came to teach Nicola and I hand quilting. This was something I remember thinking that I might like to do when I retired but on watching Nic quilt, had decided quilting would drive me crazy (cutting little pieces, ironing, precision stitching, having to be exact/precise..). Nicola has always professed to hate the hand work involved, so I was surprised she was interested and she was surprised that I was interested and Brit was just excited at being able to teach and pick "happy colours".

Brit had bought a couple of examples of hand quilted spreads. What a lot of work! Of course Rasta had to also inspect them.

Ready to roll - Nic bought her sewing machine and Ott light, then there's the ironing board and iron, hoops (we didn't end up using them) and various paraphernalia. In the white bags; our kits. I hadn't really thought it through but we first had to create the pillow top, to quilt. This meant sewing little bits together, Oh my. I immediately had to make a trip to the bathroom.

With Nic's amazing machine and under Brit's gentle tutelage I was able to sew these little squares together and on to the white centre. Then sandwich with batting and backing. Then mark the lines and choose the thread.

Then on to the part I was looking forward to. Nicola and I both found it relaxing and rewarding, and the "happy colours" helped too.

That evening we toasted Nicola's retirement, in champagne.

The next day we finished the last of the hand quilting and Nicola finished the sewing on both her and my cushions.

Neither one of us like to get our pictures taken so, of course, we goof around.

My cushion, in its new home, in the sunroom.

The first day it was crazy blizzard and blowing snow but the second was beautiful and Brit took the opportunity to take

a couple of photos with her phone.

We talked quilting, rug hooking, combination pieces and knitting and now I have so many projects.

I deconstructed a floral rug that I had started on decades ago and knew I would never finish. Made these 3 little mats. They are now for sale in the gallery; Tea for Two.

Meanwhile Cigi was working on her own art project. Photo from Daycare.

Still more lake ice to reflect the sunset.