Please allow me to introduce myself!

Today's post is a special one.

I am pleased to be part of a Quilters' Meet and Greet hosted by Benita Skinner. You can find her HERE on her blog, Benita Skinner's Creative Space.

Benita has invited bloggers in the quilty world to introduce themselves and give you, the reader, a chance to win a nice, big prize. 

Every blog you visit and comment on gives you a chance at winning this prize.....easy-peasy!

Welcome to visitor's visiting my blog for the first time!

I have been a hand-quilter since 1980 and been hooked ever since...like many of you, I'm sure. My main interest for the past number of years has been needle-turn applique.

I have tried many methods of applique and now know that needle-turn is my preferred method.

I am also a longarm quilter, have been since 2004. I feel very lucky to have a "job" at something that I am passionate about, meeting other quilters and seeing their beautiful quilts. What a life!

I've been asked to share with you my favourite quilt.

Well, this is a toughie, as I have many quilts that are favourites for different reasons!

The first quilt that came to mind is one that I call Tomato Soup for obvious reasons....

(sorry, I just can't seem to get a good picture of this one on this dull day!)

I think it works because I used three different background fabrics which, in my opinion, adds interest. I did all the applique from a jelly-roll and a couple of charm packs from one fabric line. I think the blue in the border really pops against the reds. 

Also, this quilt is very high in what I call the "moosh" factor. It is hand-quilted using wool batting (which is like quilting thru' butter, by the way), and is probably the coziest quilt in my house. 

I like this quilt so much, that I am now working on a quilt that I will call Tomato Soup, The Sequel!

Now I'll tell you about my most recent favourite quilt.

This one is called Down the Rabbit Hole and is the BOM offered by Sarah Fielke in 2017. I recommend to anyone to do one of Sarah's BOM's. Very well done, and I am currently taking part in the 2018 BOM, which will be my third of hers.

Here is the quilt hanging in our recent quilt show and some detail shots...

I hand-quilted this one and I imagine spending that much time with a quilt day-to-day earns it a special place in my heart.

One of the #1 questions I get about my appliqued quilts is, "How long did it take you?". 

Well, as a lot of you know, I do my handwork early in the morning during the two cups of coffee that starts my day. So my answer is always that....that it takes me two cups of coffee a day. My poking away is all about the journey, not about getting it done quickly. I think that mentality comes from being an old hand-quilter at heart :)

Something new that I'm enjoying is not quilt-related at all, and something that continues to surprise me!...two years ago I took up running and quite enjoy trail-running, especially.

What's in store for me next, you may ask? Well, if I say it out loud maybe I'll actually attempt it!.....

I would like to try to do an applique piece that is entirely my own design. ( oh my goodness! )

I even have some special fabric picked out. I've always wanted to try applique with silk...

It's absolutely beautiful!

Well, this has become a rather long post! I hope you will enjoy visiting all the bloggers that Benita has lined up for us....I know I certainly will!

You can start by going to Benita's post today, which you can find HERE.

Thanks for stopping by!