Springtime determination

It is finally starting to feel like spring around here -- sometimes for just a few hours at a time -- but the sun is so welcome, and plants and trees are starting to bud and blossom.  

I'd love to start some new sewing projects, but I'm determined to keep up on my Yamtastic Quilting Bee and finish up some long neglected projects.  First.

 Yamtastic Quilting Bee block for Sally -- March.

Yamtastic Quilting Bee block for Gabrien -- February.

Growing wall of granny square blocks.

It's difficult to choose my favorite part of making a quilt.  I love the planning, choosing the colors and fabrics, playing around with pieces on the design wall, sewing the pieces together and watching the design take shape, taking those last few stitches to complete the top, and even hand stitching the binding to the back.  But I always, always, always put off making quilt backs.  

I'd even rather baste than make a quilt back.  

Sooooo-- I have a nice collection of quilt tops with no backs.  Sitting, just sitting, for a long, long time.

I have been working on them for the last two days, and I only have three finished.  Sigh.  

Here are some sneak peeks of my progress on two very old projects:

 City Park Quilt (Cherry House Quilts)

 Back for City Park Quilt

Wonky Cross Quilt

 Back of Wonky Cross Quilt

I want to thank you all so much for your congratulations on and interest in my new Juki.  I am still madly in love with the automatic foot-controlled thread cutter and the knee lift for the presser foot.  Several people asked about a special foot for 1/4" piecing.  

 I actually just use the foot the came on the machine.

 I noticed when I started using that machine that the seams appeared to be about 1/4"so I measured: a scant 1/4".

 I grabbed a charm square, cut it in 1/2, and then sewed it back together.  As you can see it measures exactly 4.5"

It doesn't get any better than that!

Happy Spring!

With wishes, true and kind -- Joan