A few of you have inquired what project I worked on at my recent quilting retreat. I didn't have any dramatic project completions, such as my friends achieved, sorry to say. I continued to plug along on my Flowers For Clara quilt blocks. I need to make 64 of them in total, and was able to complete two dozen up at the retreat. Not a lot of progress! I suspect I was spending a good deal of time chit chatting, napping, and eating snacks!
I do now have a respectable stack of blocks to show for my time spent actually sewing. At last count there are 42 finished blocks, so the end is, if not in sight, at least imaginable! I am anxious to get the blocks finished and sewn together, so I can get to the business of making the machine appliqued border. I enjoy machine applique and love the look it gives to a quilt. I need to ask myself why I don't do it more regularly. Applique makes a pieced quilt really special--as if one has taken the time to honor a quilt and give it an extra embellishment, taking it from simple to spectacular.

That's a great pattern!
Posted by: Vicki W | November 17, 2008 at 06:56 AM
Very pretty - that's going to be a stunning quilt!
Posted by: Lisa D. | November 17, 2008 at 07:04 AM
I really love this quilt.
Posted by: Paula | November 17, 2008 at 07:24 AM
Very nice blocks!
Posted by: Colleen | November 17, 2008 at 08:21 AM
Nicole, I always love your choices of fabric, colors and design; this one is particularly beautiful.
I'm continually in awe of your talent. Thank you for sharing with us.
Please come see:
http://onceuponaplate.blogspot.com/2008/11/thank-you-jain.html
Posted by: Mari at Once Upon a Plate | November 17, 2008 at 09:19 AM
Nicole, I want to let you know that my replies to your comments on my blog are being returned to me. This has never happened before with your comments, so I thought you'd want to know. Although I'm not sure if you can do anything about it. I also think that quilt is going to be awesome.
Posted by: Susan Ramey Cleveland | November 17, 2008 at 10:18 AM
I bought that kit from the Bonnie Blue girls and you are inspiring me to pull it out. However, I have so many WIP's that I need to get them done first. Maybe I'll take that one on my retreat in March. Did you precut your pieces before you went? Love your blog.
Posted by: Anne | November 17, 2008 at 10:18 AM
OMG I love that quilt!
Posted by: Carol | November 17, 2008 at 03:07 PM
Yes, yes, yes, I agree with everyone else!!! Wonderful quilt! I think I might head on over to Bonnie Blue Quilts and look around.
Posted by: marianne | November 17, 2008 at 03:24 PM
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Posted by: Darren | November 17, 2008 at 08:55 PM
Gorgeous blocks! You're almost there!
Posted by: Kate | November 18, 2008 at 01:01 AM
I had no idea you did applique, too! Well now, you are a woman of so many more talents that I initially thought.
...I'm trying to get rid of the Rigid Quilter. Can I send her back your way? Not to be mean or anything but I can't take it and you're so much stronger than I am. hee!
Posted by: *karendianne | November 18, 2008 at 08:21 AM
Nicole, this is going to be a fantastic quilt! I too, love applique and don't do nearly enough of it.
Posted by: Julia | November 25, 2008 at 08:08 AM