First finishes of 2012

It is unlike me to post more than once a week, but since I took a week off work to rest (ha!) and sew this week, I find myself here reporting on my progress.  And much progress has been made!

I had on my list to make a new table topper for my round table.  I made the first one out of Countdown to Christmas by Sweetwater.  I liked it so much, that it became my new go to pattern for this table.  I used all charm squares for both.  This is made with Fairy Tale Friends, by American Jane.  I like this because there is no hemming (the edges are pinked) and no batting.  I set my coffee cup or water glass on here and didn't want the bulk to cause instability.  Bonus is it whips up in less than an hour, including picking the fabric charms to use.

This is my first attempt at paper piecing.  I think I grasp the concept now, but this little square took me 2 hours to finish.

And this is the mess it made in two hours!  Hopefully I will get better at this.

This wasn't on the 2012 list, and I posted this the other day, but it is a 2012 finish so I include it.

 Here is the biggie!  My Birdie Stitches Quilt is done!!!  Yay!  I quilted in the ditch only.  I didn't want to mess up the embroidery work.

 I used the same fabric for the border that I included in the blocks.  I love the way it looks.

 It was kind of windy when I took these, and here is the sun shining through the back of the quilt.  I think it looks cool!

 Can you see the little birds on the yellow print?  I saw it and knew it was for this quilt.

 Love the contrast with the stark tree branches and the Carolina Blue sky!  Now the best part!  This little guy has been watching the progress of this quilt since the beginning.  When I first started it he asked if it was going to be for him.  I said no, I was just making it for me, and he was disappointed.  As the blocks were done, he ooo'd and aaahh'd over each one, and helped me choose colors for the birds and some of the elements of the blocks.  When I began to put it together, I knew it had to have a new home.  I just felt it.  So I bound it in purple, his favorite color.  I took it to him and showed him the binding and said "I think this quilt needs to live at your house."  And this was my reward:

And that my friends, is why I do what I do.