Quilt of the Week

This is a close-up of the one of the center motifs I quilted into this weeks quilt of the week.  I had so much fun working on this quilt, I used almost every technique that I know.  This client loves my freehand quilting, in fact she thinks it would be a shame if I went computerized!
 I choose to go with many custom designs to compliment each of the sampler designs.
 Shown in the close-up is one of my original Celtic knotwork designs that I quilted using my laser followed by free motion fill-in.  I used the follow-the-laser then free motion fill in for a complex pinwheel block throughout the quilt as well.
In other areas, I did free motion pinwheels and feathers.  The border is all free motion using my Leaf & Scroll design.  For the gridwork in the checkered spot, I pulled out my acrylic rulers so I get them nice and straight.
It is great to know a lot of different quilting techniques and designs to employ in the quilts I do.
 I always try to do justice to the quilt.  That means listening to what it wants to look like and following through.  In this quilts case, I could easily have done an all over pattern.  Instead, I had to listen to the quilt tell me every block was special and worth the custom quilting and tucking of few thousand threads. (Yes, thousands!)

It was worth it though as I am proud of the quilting (difficult for this perfectionist).  It will be picked up soon and I hope the client likes it too.  That is always one of my heart-wrenching fears is that my client won't like what I've done.  The people that seek me out truly love my quilting, I fear it is my blood to be a worry-wort.
Okay, I have to go make cinnamon rolls now for the blacksmiths that will be showing soon!
Keep quilting and cooking!

Our Celebration Dinner

I managed to pull off the house cleaning and a fabulous feast for eight wonderful friends.  We had all the traditional Seder dishes that included 2 types of haroseth.  A guest made a delicious version using a 15 year-old Late Bottled Vintage Port and golden raisins, it tasted like apple pie.  The chicken soup Sid made was great but my matzo balls were tasty sinkers.  I continued a new tradition for us that began years ago when I couldn't get out to get Matzo crackers.  I grew up in New Mexico, so I made tortillas on the fly that wintry night years ago and it was so popular that people now demand them.  The main meal consisted of brisket, noodle kugal (both delicious recipes from my mother-in-law), roast asparagus and stewed prunes.  Dessert was my deadly Chocolate Oblivion Torte and home-made macaroons.
I must take a moment here to complain about what is happening to the foods in this nation.  Okay, I searched the grocery store for prunes.  I finally found them and grabbed a bag real quick because the boy stocking the shelves was in the way.  I didn't bother to read beyond prunes.  Sid ate one late at night and didn't want to tell me anything was strange.  I mentioned that I needed to get orange juice to simmer the prunes in and Sid started laughing-really hard.  When he caught his breath, he informed that I purchased orange flavored prunes.  Now, what is up with that?  Why do we do that?  When did foods stop being what they are - simple, natural, one ingredient?  I'm sorry, but it just drives me crazy.  I'm not saying I don't love my Hickory Smoked Almonds or other flavored foods, but sometimes I think it gets taken too far. 
Now, it is on to quilting today while the boys blacksmith.  Last weekend, along with everything else, I did the emergency quilt and a Pineneedle Block of the month.  Today's quilt is a beautiful sampler for a client.  We have a salmon party to go to this afternoon.  I love spring in the mountains when we all burst out of hibernation and start catching up on fun.

April Quilt Showers

At the beginning of the week, I thought I had a lot of free time coming.  It turns out that I don't like free time anymore.  I just don't know what to do with it.  So, instead of relaxing the past 4 days, I went on a marathon of getting stuff done.  Are you curious what is possible in a weekend?
Well, it started with whipping up a quilt top for my friend's baby that I just got to meet.  I was going to quilt it over the weekend, but the best laid plans.....     
On Friday, I got a call with an emergency quilt and a non-need-now quilt.  I received a huge package in the mail of quilts to do from a second client, and a third client called and said she's pulling together an order for me of I don't know how many quilts!  In one day, I think I got over a dozen quilts to do.  Wow!!!!
I did my taxes on Saturday-always so much fun for the math challenged.  Speaking of math challenged, I still feel I need to send my 9th grade geometry teacher an apology quilt for all the arguments we had over the applicable uses of geometry.  I'll never forget those heated discussions with Fruiti.
I should get off the computer now and do that emergency quilt.  It is best to stay on top of things these days I think.  That way my free time can turn into good times!!!!  I have to clean the house really good this week in preparation for Seder and a visit from my mother-in-law.  She has tried to visit a few times earlier this spring but had to cancel once for her own reasons and then we had to cancel because we were snowed in.  There is no snow now (or sadly, any sign of snow), so it safe for a visit.  My mother-in-law is wonderful, I really do love her dearly.  (I am writing this because it is the truth, not because I know she reads my blog!)  She is such a hoot, I can't wait for the visit.
I hope everyone has a lovely April.  Keep quilting, cooking, and crafting!