But you cannot have a flock of sheep without a sheepdog!

I can do anything I want to.  Or haven't you heard there are NO quilt police?  

Bindings.. have 4 quilts that I'm doing the binding on today.  Had a quilt in a Progressive Drive Around quilt show this weekend, and one of the quilts I'm working on will hang in a local church on Mother's Day.  

Your box of gorgeous scraps arrived a day early.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Now I have to settle down and get busy.

You are very welcome.  Where is everyone?

I'm around.   working on the Christmas quilt.  I've done all the SID (black on black) and outlining of the applique & embroidery (clear thread).  I had to take a few places out that I wasn't happy with, but a spritz of water and some rubbing with my nail took care of the holes.  So all is good.  I am planning on making a practice sandwich tonight to try out some ideas in the sashing and for the fills.  I discovered while doing the SID that the red sashing does not do well when you remove stitching so I want to make sure I now what I want before I start on that part.

bragging on my SID.  it is black on black but the contrast between the red & black was helpful

Pretty happy with the leaves, I stitched the veins and around the leaves, and long the spines of the embroidery.  I like how they puffed up a bit, especially the berries.  I didn't worry as much about bobbles on the leaves as I did the frames, so you can see a few places that aren't perfect.  Some of the worse ones I have redone, but I think I'm satisfied now.

I didn't do much on the nutcracker, just outlined a bit to hold him in place and make sections puff up.  Looking at this picture I see one little stitch on the feather that isn't where I'd like.  I might go back, not sure.  I keep telling myself it's my quilt, I can do what I want.  I can bury the tails or not (and I've done both).  I can redo or leave mistakes.  And it depends on my mood.  And how tired I am - haha.  I think I'm going to make myself a wall hanging to remind me - My Quilt, My WAY.  I only have to make myself happy, and if it doesn't make me happy I can redo it.

Oh, my goodness, Dee! Your quilting is beyond amazing!  Your stitching is phenomenal, and if there is just one stitch out of place, for sure no one could possibly see it. You should be very proud of this beauty!  Not long ago I did some black on black quilting and thought I would go blind trying to see.  Does it make you tired trying to be so precise?  Are you close to being finished with it?

Speaking of amazing, the collection of scraps that you sent for me to play with as I work on the smallish  "Scrap Improv" pieces is downright dazzling.  Oodles and oodles.  Dozens and dozens. Gazillions.

You must have the biggest scrappy collection of fabrics in the state of Illinois. Thank you again.

I'm getting the feeling that you are really enjoying the work you are doing on this beautiful Christmas masterpiece.

Maybe you will be sad when it is finished.

Dee, your work is breathtaking.  Wow!