A belated thank you and a finish

Hi everyone. I want to start off by saying Happy Veterans Day. Yes, I know I'm a day behind, but I wasn't able to get to the computer yesterday. But there is no way I wasn't going to make sure I made time to say thank you to all those who have served and are currently serving in our country's military. I have known many who have served. My grandfather is a Korean War veteran, I have several uncles who have served, some during war time. I have had several friends who have served. I have known one Navy SEAL, one who is a Green Beret, and one friend is a reservist with two young children who's unit was activated about a year ago. One of my managers at work is a former Marine. That's just a few. So many people are willing to give so much to defend my freedom and I can never thank them enough for what they do.

On to quilty things...I am happy to say I do have at least one finish to show for the year :) This is a fall themed quilt from a swap I did with a group I used to be a member of. I thought I would have some fun and play around with free motion quilting. I quilted a different motif in many of the blocks. I am particularly proud of the leaf and wave design I came up with :D (Not sure if its an original design, but I've not seen it before.) Kind of reminds me of a beaded curtain, just so fun. I also think it might make a good pantograph type quilting for a future quilt. I used it in 2 blocks as well as on the borders. It is especially noticeable in the bottom picture since I used plain muslin for the back and quilted with a dark thread. After I had thought about it it was rather bold on my part (boy does the quilting show!!) but I was pretty pleased with it. (Actually I think I was lucky I was "in the zone" while quilting cause if I know if I wouldn't have been any little flaw would have shown on this backing!)

It feels so good to have a finish under my belt. I am working towards another, but have to admit that I am so bad when it comes to buying backing. It is a purchase that I tend to put off, and I don't know why. I know I need to put a back on the tops, but why I don't buy up that fabric, I can't tell you. I am actually thinking of shrinking my stash by cutting up a bunch of 10 1/2 or 12 1/2 in squares and piecing some backs. I love the look of pieced backings. I have seen so many of them in blogs and get so inspired to do it. Actually, now that I'm thinking of it, that sounds like a good way to spend my afternoon ;) I'm off to raid my stash for backing fabric and hopefully will have wrangled with a quilt top and have it basted by my next post. Hope everyone has a great day and finds a little time to find some quilting bliss. Warm country wishes.

Country Mouse