Hello dear friends -- this week brings with it a few items that need to be finished in short order.  I hope you enjoy the journey with me while I share some Work in Progress.

* The Redbird and Berries Giveaway is open until Feb 15th  -- click here to enter *

I'm still humbled by the positive feedback on the Redbird and Berries Mini Quilt.  Not only on my blog but also on the Moda Bake Shop post -- thank you all so much.  I tried my best to keep up with replies on the comments but a few things got in the way -- Soo many of you were "No-Reply" Bloggers and did not provide your email address in your comment :(   Please, please, if you've never checked, be sure to check to see if you are a "No-Reply" blogger.  Click here to see one of the many great tutorials for "No Reply" blogger syndrome.  Thanks again for all of your fantastic feedback !!

On with the Work in Progress....

I'm working on completing a pair of wool appliqued, envelope backed, quilted pillows.  The last two nights I finished the pebble quilting on them.  I still debating on doing an outline or stem stitch around the wool pieces using Pearl cotton - not sure - what do you think ?
I had a blast quilting these pieces -- they were small and manageable.   I do, however, need to design a new quilting foot that works well with wool applique with a 1/4 inch (or more) rise on it.  Does anyone have any input or suggestions for this ?   Hoping to turn this project into my first pattern and share on Craftsy - very exciting!!
Next up -- I'm nearly done with the applique on "Teardrops of Love - a needle turn applique tutorial".  Sorry about all the wrinkles...  I haven't pressed it yet   :(
I think it needs a few more hearts appliqued before it's done.  That won't take long.  I just LOVE the French General charm pack that I used - have I mentioned that I'm addicted to birds ?
 
One thing I realized while stitching this piece is that with every new needle turn piece I learn something new or just feel more comfortable - this is why with needle turn applique as well as Free Motion quilting "practice, practice, practice" is always the motto...
 I had fun doing some fussy cutting of the fabric for these teardrops.
Once I get Teardrops of Love quilted I'll finish up the tutorial and post Part 5 - Wrapup.  At that point maybe starting an advanced Needle Turn Tutorial would be in order ?  What do you think  - more on layering, large pieces, etc ?

Finally...  Redbird and Berries in Wool is ready to be layered, basted and quilted...
This piece (above) looks a little wonky because I originally made bias (cotton) stems and machine appliqued them onto the background.  I did NOT like them but rather than ripping them out I decided to stitch the wool stems on top of the cotton stems.  I hope this does not come back to haunt me when I start quilting.  Keep your fingers crossed.
I used a hand blanket stitch on the wool Redbird using Valdani 12 Wt Cotton thread, an overhand or whip stitch on the wool stems with DMC Cotton and, to finish the berries, I put a stitch or two in the center of them and left the edges raw to add dimension.   What do you think ?
Amongst other ongoing projects like Benjamin Biggs Wedding Quilt and Quilting the Garden BOM, the "to-do" list includes writing a post for layering of the cotton Redbird (mask and beak) -- I haven't forgotten ;)  

One other thing I wanted to share -- for those of you that LOVE applique, please stop by and visit my friend Wilma from the Netherlands -- she blogs here at Quilting Willempje.  Her most recent post shows the lovely handwork she has done on Esther Aliu's Love Entwined 1790 Marriage Coverlet.  You have to see this -- oh it makes my heart skip a beat - just beautiful!! 

Lastly, here in the Northeast, we had a foot of snowfall overnight.  This is a view out to the barnyard.
I'm thankful that I can work from home most days -- no trekking into Campus for me (thank heavens).

Happy hump day all!
Hugs,
Karen