Happy Valentines all! Â Enjoy a day off of cooking and have a box of chocolates!
Well, Baskets of Scraps and I are almost through having so much fun together!  In the last 2 weeks since my last post I almost  gave this project away to anyone but me.  I decided to bite the bullet and really do a push and finish it because I already have so much invested and I am glad I did.
Yesterday I completed all baskets except for sewing the top and bottom together of each block (the top part is for the handle). Â Then I will have to hand applique the handles. Â So today is sewing the two pieces together (20 blocks) and cutting out the bias strips for handles. Â Then this project will go into the “evening applique” stack. Â I was going to do some flowers in the baskets because I am changing the patter a bit. Â But now have decided to just use some of the vines and leaves in each basket – trying to cut down the work. Â I would have enjoyed this project so much more if I had not had issues with the wrong cutting sizes but this happens.
I have 2 blocks completed. Â When I put them on the design wall I realized that without flowers in the basket, or vines and leaves, or something to make it pop, that the quilt would be boring. Â I like the deep purple batik that I have chosen for the border. Â It should tone down the glaring background fabric. Â This is the fun part in working with a quilt –Â adding design changes. Â It means that creativity is working! Â This quilt may have a new name when I am through with it.



I was so happy when I finished the baskets yesterday afternoon. Â But was so shocked and saddened by the death of Supreme Court Justice Scalia. Â What a sad day for our Country and for his family. Â We may never see one as brilliant as he. Â He was loved by all – even those who did not agree with his decisions.
I have completed all the hexagons I needed to start working on Brinton Hall Medallion.  I will also start preparing my blocks for Civil War Bride which a few of us will work on 2 blocks each month (boy what a dreamer I am!)  I am thinking that it is time to get with the long arm program and quilt some of my quilt tops that have been ignored for the last 2 years.  It should give me a nice break from what I have been doing.  I must now decide on whether or not to start Dear Jane, or go forward with preparation work for Sweet Surrender.  If I am not careful I will be swimming in applique work and probably drown.  I told Clay yesterday that I am so happy that we left Arizona early – my 2016 has been very productive!
Have a wonderful day!