Isn't this fun?

This is the happy quilt Randy sent for my daughter's fundraiser this week to raise research money for Dravet Syndrome  In this photo it is stretched out and pinned over several layers of sheets. I mistakenly left it stored in the box Randy sent it in, and when I took it out this week the creases were pretty ingrained. So it has been through a cool rinse and blocked to restore its creaseless beauty.

I have been very touched by the selfless generosity of so many bloggers. This is the second quilt Randy has donated to the cause, Doniene sent a top that I quilted for the fundraiser last month, and several of you have donated to the cause on my daughter's blog. In an effort to thank those who have helped, I made this little fall wall hanging (which I hope to get quilted next week) and indicated that it would be given away in a drawing from the names of those who had donated $10 on my daughter's blog. This page also tells the story of my grandson's battle with this dreadful seizure disorder. Ben is such a precious little guy and we want to do all we can to improve his quality of life, and that of all others who share this debilitating syndrome. My sincerest thanks to all who have felt impressed to contribute in any way.
The drawing for "Fall"ing Stars will take place Saturday night (9 p.m. MDT).

Now I don't want to shock anyone with this next bit. After all, I have been the very last name on the link to SewCalGal's FMQ Challenge more times than not, but I am actually going to post my challenge effort by the middle of the month this time. I won't know what to do with myself come midnight the last day of September.
Paula Reid is our FMQ expert this month. She taught us her "Stuff and Fluff" technique to use in quilting large quilt, and shared a stencil pattern for us to try. I tried the "Stuff and Fluff" as I put an overall pattern on this baby blanket for my friend's great-granddaughter. I think the technique would be more useful with larger quilts, but I didn't have one to quilt at the moment.
The main part of the challenge was to quilt a feathered wreath using the stencil design she had acquired permission to share. It is not a continuous design, so there is overstitching involved. When I first started the FMQ Challenge I could not follow a line to save me. One of the benefits of following this monthly challenge is that I have actually reached the point that I feel like I can follow a line--but I still can't backtrack over my stitching very well. So I did this on a light fabric with a lighter weight, light-colored thread, so my backtracking flaws are not so obvious. : )

It is a very pretty wreath, but I don't know how often I would want to do the backtrack stitching. This is from The Stencil Company, and challenge participants receive a discount on orders placed this month. May I recommend that if you want a wreath stencil, but don't want the overstitching, check out this one and order it while you have a discount.

This is from The Stencil Company. I ordered it a few months ago. It is more of a Sally Terry style "hooked" feather, so there is no backtracking. I still struggle with feathers, but I think I could do this on a quilt.
As long as I am working ahead of deadlines for a change, I will show you my latest Barrister's Sow-Along blocks which are, amazingly, completed days before the next batch are posted. Oh, these plaid shirt blocks are addictive. I was in the thrift store again today and really scored some beautiful plaids and stripes! They will be in future blocks, I am sure.

Two more little items--you know me and little things--I quilted up my little labor of love" quilts from Cheri's Labor Day instructions. Just used clamshells and I think they turned out cute. Need to get them bound and find homes for them.

Finally, you may have noticed the button on my sidebar for the Mrs. Claus project over at Debbie's Stitchin' Therapy blog. I got my doll quilts finished and sent off to her this week. Another project completed well before deadline. This could be habit forming. It feels great to be finishing things without  the pressure of an imminent deadline.

This post got out of hand--again!! Should come as no surprise, I guess.

Until next time,

Janet O.