Susan: Top Finished!

Yesterday, I put the final border on A Holly Cottage Christmas. I auditioned several fabrics, but I kept coming back to this yellow one with gold leafy vines on it. I bought it recently from someone's eBay shop for very little, and it seemed perfect for this top. I noticed that different colors gave the top different looks, and I liked this look. I'll be binding with the rest of the red/green/gold plaid that is around the hearts and stars and a few other blocks.

Once this goes off to the quilter, later in the summer, I'll be ready for another something!

Down to the Final Borders!

Bordering is all that's left. The green cross borders that I used in lengthening the quilt slightly will be the first one, and an unknown red will be the final one.

Susan-Dezertsuz: Progress on Cottage Block

I'm not quite finished, but here's my progress. I have the embroidery left to do, but the appliqué is finished.
 

Susan-Dezertsuz: January Block Progress

Lest you think I have fallen off the earth, or quit, I wanted to show you that I did finish the ornament block embroidery. The rest won't take too long, it's just finding time. And then the cottage. I can't believe we're almost finished with this quilt!
 

Is there an idea for the next SAL? If no one has one, then please look at Val Laird's post here and see what you think. I would LOVE doing this one as an SAL. The pattern is in the magazine, and she will put it up in her Craftsy shop sometime in the next couple of months. Please forgive me if I've stepped on anyone's toes! I was so excited when I saw this quilt, and realized it would make a great SAL.

Dezertsuz: December Block

Finished it today!
 

Susan: October Block

I'm not yet finished, but I have the stitching part ready!
 

  I actually have now sewn the large squares on each side of this, but don't have a picture yet.

November Finish

My turn to post a finish! I had great fun making this block, and a hard time remembering to photograph it! Yes, you're right. It's backwards. Why break a winning streak?
 

  The vine was done with a lovely variegated Sassa Lynne Serendipity color that I've had since about 2008 or 9. The lettering is DMC perle 8 in turkey red 498.

Susan: First Row

Hello, Everyone! I've missed you all the last week. My computer died and it took a week's mail to get another one. It's used and I almost thought I was going to have to send it back, but when I downloaded the latest iOS, it's been working fine. So, here's a pic! I finished the October block last week and couldn't upload to IG after they updated on Wednesday, so I hope they update again soon and fix that! I sewed the top row all together and I just love it!
 

I have beads to add, but will probably put those in after quilting.

Susan- Dezertsuz: On the Last Day of September ...

I finished my Holly Cottage Christmas block!
 

  Here it is with the other blocks - can you see my mistake, other than doing everything backwards on each block? If not, I'm not telling you!
 

  And sewn together with the corner block:
 

 

Susan: August Block Finished

I finally got the last of the embroidery done, and the blocks sewn together, yesterday. I did, in fact, do most of the remaining stitching on my road trip. Fiona, you asked about the trip. I went about 205 miles south of me, to Atlanta, Georgia, (which is going to have lots more of the wind and rain from Hurricane Irma than I will get!) for a special purpose, and didn't get to play in the local quilt shop in Marietta, where we stayed, because the hours they were open interfered with why I was there. Still, I stitched! Yay, me! Now I'm not behind ... for at least a few weeks. LOL
 

Susan (dezertsuz): Not Quite There

I have everything stitched down, but I still need to do the hand stitching and the squares around. Here's my picture as of tonight:
 

  Yep, backwards, and yes, I do know what causes that. LOL It'll be fine. I'm going on a two-day temple trip to Atlanta and plan to stitch on the 4 hours there and the 4 hours home. Maybe Thursday night in the motel, if I have any energy left, too. Might finish it, who knows!

Susan: July Block

It was finished, but I was staying where I couldn't access wifi - first vacation in 7 years! So, here it is in all its glory.

Susan: Also a Finish

I finished my block last week and forgot to post it! *face palm* Here it is:

Dezertsuz

BTW, I didn't know if there was an instagram tag, so I used #hollycottagechristmas
 
Finally, I have something accomplished, though I'm not finished. First, here are some of my fabric choices:
 

  Am I going to be the only one who will do everything backwards?
 

Introduction: Susan at DesertSky Quilts

I'll plunge in with an intro. I live in Tennessee in the USA, and that means I'm a state away from the Atlantic, and about halfway up the coast. Alas, we have many rivers, and the Great Smoky Mountains, but no ocean beaches! Here's a picture that shows why they are called the Smokies - that's early morning fog coming up.
 

  I'm a widow (7 years), a retired teacher, and a quilter for more years than some of you have lived. LOL I piece, applique, embroider, crazy quilt, and mix them all together, sometimes. I can't pick a favorite. I have several of Michelle's patterns, but I didn't have this book, so I ordered it and it just arrived at the beginning of the week. I have enjoyed looking over it. I doubt I get anything made before we start the stocking, though.

Here's a picture of me with my younger son (see mention below photo) at his work Christmas Party in 2015.

I haven't yet chosen fabrics. I have to find the box with the Christmas fabrics in it. My stash has been displaced by my younger son moving in. The older one already lived here. Both of them are dealing with life issues, and no, not here to take care of me. LOL

Many things are crammed in the last small room I have, so finding them may be problematic. I might be FORCED to go out and buy new ones! The shop hop here in East Tennessee is coming up the first week of June. Very timely, if I have to buy fabric!

Since there are already several varieties of Susan in the labels, I'm using dezertsuz, which is my e-mail addy. I'm looking forward to getting to know you all through your stitching and blogging here. Thanks for letting me join!