A Sampling

Last year I set my patchwork group Apple County Quilters a challenge. They are long suffering but real troupers. The challenge was to make 10 blocks with a fat quarter of a patterned fabric and half a metre of a moda marble fabric. They could add any fabrics of their choice so long as it co-ordinated with the given fabrics. They would keep one of their own blocks, 8 would be swapped and the 10th would be donated towards a charity quilt. As you can see, they did a great job. There are 20 blocks and I just have to add the final border. We will be raffling the quilt off at our exhibition in the summer and proceeds will go to Macmillan Cancer Support. The ladies in my group are brilliant, whatever I throw at them in the way of a challenge they always have a go. We have done postcards, quilts the size of their rulers on the theme of water and something patchwork using scraps of shirt fabrics. This was the biggest challenge and they may want a rest now. However.......



We went to Weymouth yesterday for a party and of course could not go without a visit to Pauline's Patchwork. I bought some fabric for the borders of this little quilt I have been working on over the last 12 months. It is from Bunnyhill Designs and the work of Anne Sutton who very generously gave it as a free block of the month. I dug deep into the box of scraps for most of the applique, just buying a small amount for the background and the odd basket or two. I love it.





July's block was just so apt for me. My birthday is July 4th and of course it was all about celebrating American independence day. It was also my 50th birthday. Thank you to Anne for suggesting the 50 on the flag.



I am also working on this quilt from Natalie Lymer at Cinderberry Stitches. I am doing this as a Block of the Month with Buttonberry. I am hopelessly behind with everything. I am still on block 4 and I should be on block 8. Never mind.



How gorgeous is this though?



Love Shirl.x