That Gift You Can't Wait to Give

You know that one gift that turns out really well?

Well, I couldn't wait to give this one!

This quilt top was completed and basted

together back in October...and then 

set aside for other obligations.  

But, in the middle of the Christmas time-crunch, 

as I call it, I was to re-discover, 

for the ump-teenth time, 

how fun and relaxing machine quilting is.

(some lessons we have to keep learning over and over!)

Knowing time was a factor, I kept it simple.

(Of course, with my simple machine, I have to.)

Yet, I thought this touch of red, 

with its beautiful print of cardinals and holly,

really stood out so the quilting needed

to be kind of special.  

I've tried quilting holly before but

with no real luck.  Luckily, this time it clicked.

The greatest thing about leaves is that no two

are ever the same.  This takes a little

pressure off when quilting them.

This was not a Christmas gift but a birthday gift.  

Even though the birthday was a couple

weeks away, I had to give this one at Christmas.

I love the fabrics of this quilt so much that 

I found it hard to give away.

(WHY didn't I buy more?  It was on clearance!)

However, the recipient was so so so happy

with it so the separation wasn't so bad.

And it's now at my in-laws' house so I'll 

get to visit it every Christmas!

New Year's Resolution:  

Gift more quilts!