My Big Gift Finish

I'm so happy to finally share my big finish.

I'm usually a one- or two-projects-at-a-time person

but this year, my first in an empty nest, I thought

it might be kind of fun to tackle a little more. 

I started this quilt back in January but somehow

other projects kept pushing it to the side.

Isn't that what happens to these ahead-of-schedule

 Christmas gifts?

Then I dragged my feet about some decisions

(to add or not to add applique, thread color etc).

And when I finally tackled the quilting, I ran into

thread/tension issues.  Thankfully, I cleared those

up and learned a new thing or two along the way.

The current world events have been distracting by

themselves but now our two college boys are home.

I started wondering if I would get this thing done

in time for Christmas!

The actual quilt top went together in just

a few days--the Irish chain is easy pattern

and also one of my favorites.

The quilt that has been riddled with interruptions is

finally complete, ready to be put under the tree.

Nine months early!

I wasn't able to get a good full pic of it due

to the insane wind we're getting.

(The wind is really a blessing--it's drying the garden up

so that I might actually get something planted!)

Instead I took a few with it draped over our bed but here

is one coming off of the frame, minus the binding:

Happy quilting and gift-making!