Slipping in a card!

I'll be posting my next quilting project for the "Lovely Year of Finishes" tomorrow, but I did want to post this card before I get into all that quilting stuff.
I recently got an order from Stampin' Up - every year they have an event that they call Sale-a-bration, and you can get free stuff if your order exceeds a certain amount.  Mine did, and I got a package of Designer Paper - and when I get new "stuff", I just have to try it out!
I've already posted 1 card that I made with that paper, but it's kind of bold and "in your face", which really isn't my thing.  I saw this card idea on Pinterest (where else?  LOL), and loved how soft and gentle it looked; I didn't get it exactly like the original, but that makes it MY card - and here it is:

I didn't have the same colour for the ribbon, but it's close enough for me.  I have a few friends that are facing difficult days, and I needed a card to say Hello, and to let them know that they are in my thoughts and prayers.  Now that I've posted the card, I can send it out - I hope that my friends are encouraged by it!

...and it's finished!

It's time to show you my completed "Charming Chevrons" quilt!  I managed to get the binding on, and stitched it down by hand.  I originally planned to machine-stitch the binding down, but it started stretching a bit, so I undid the few inches that I'd put in, and threaded a needle (cue the "Do-Re-Me" song from The Sound of Music - So, a needle pulling thread...) .  It took me 3 days, but the stitching is done!  I love this quilt!  Now I have to find someone that loves it as much as I do - I'll consider all offers!
And here's the proof:

The original quilt was made by Christa Watson (http://christaquiltsblog.com/2012/10/18/diy-quilts-3-1-charming-chevrons-supply-list/), using Kona Cottons, and it looks great, but I love this one even more (sorry Christa!).

Now I've got a mystery quilt to finish - the final clue was released a few hours ago.  After I get the top pieced, I'll post a picture;  I'll be sharing my May "Lovely Year of Finishes" project around May 1st.

Updating...

So, we're already at the half-point of the month (how can that be?) - and I'm going to update you with my April "Lovely Year of Finishes" project.  I'm on the home stretch - the quilting is finished, and the binding is completely sewn on.  Now I have to sew the binding down on the back- I started to do that with the machine, but there were issues, so I'm working on it by hand.  That's not the most fun - I have arthritis in my hands, and handwork like hand-stitching and crocheting irritate my hands, so we'll see how this is going to work out...
Anyway, here's the picture to show my progress:

Some of the binding is stitched down in this pic - and I really like how well I managed to miter my corners!  You can see the quilting on the back side - I basically echoed the chevrons, varying the width of the spaces between the quilted lines.  I used a great variegated thread on the quilt top - and it looks like most of the colours in the quilt top also show up in the thread, so that's a bonus!  Now I'm off to link up my pic on Melissa's website...

Cards, cards, and more cards!

After making only 4 cards in the past 2 months, I went on a card-making spree last night and this afternoon!  I had seen a number of great cards on various blogs and photo-sharing sites, and just got an order of stamps and cardstock and punches, so I did what every sensible card-maker would do - I made cards!  Lots of cards!  I'll probably share a few every other day or so - don't want you to get cross-eyed from trying to take them all in at once!
The first one is probably my favourite!  I love the colours, and the fact that each of the panel strips has a different embossed pattern.   I found out this afternoon that the Just Us Girls blog (http://justusgirlschallenge.blogspot.ca/) has a challenge to create a project using the "ombre" technique - which is exactly what this card shows!

 I have a few friends and family members celebrating birthdays this week, so this one will be going into the mail in the morning.

The second card uses some of my newest designer paper - it goes with a variety of Stampin' Up colours, including this one (Summer Starfruit) - it makes a really bright card, which is really great for one of those "just because..." occasions.  I also just received my "Mixed Bunch" stamps and punch, so I put them to work as well.

I've had enough fun for the day, so I'm heading off to bed - I'll probably dream up some new card ideas!  I'm hoping to have a quilt project close to completion, and I just might share a sneak peak of it soon!

A card and a quilt project...

It's been quite a while since I've posted a card - mostly because it's been a long time since I've made a card.  I still really enjoy card-making, but I seem to go in spurts of card-making lately, and it just hasn't happened in a while.
So, to break that "famine" - I made a few cards this morning, pretty much exactly the same, except that the colours that I used changed from one card to the other.  I found this idea on Pinterest (honestly, where did I find inspiration before Pinterest?), and decided to give it a try.  It's a very easy, basic card, but I hope it has a big impact on someone's day.  I have 3 friends that are going through assorted medical crises; I found that getting a card in the mail made my day when I was having health issues - so, hopefully this card will help each of them get through another day.

The card

itself is really easy, just (8) 1 1/4" circles arranged in rows, with a coordinating butterfly at the end of the 3rd row.  A sentiment at the bottom finished it off (although I had some issues with this particular stamp - I had to restamp the sentiment at least twice to get the whole thing).   This card uses up a bit of the Groovy Guava paper that I still have - and even a tiny bit of GG cardstock to make the butterfly!  The other cards use Soft Sky and Old Olive - yes, I still have some Soft Sky paper and cardstock too!

...and now for the quilt...  I'm still trying to finish at least one "pre-started" project per month, and link it up to  "A Lovely Year of Finishes".  This month, I'm going to try to finish this whole quilt - piecing, quilting and binding:  

The quilt pattern is "Charming Chevrons" from the "Christa Quilts" website.  I bookmarked it a few months ago, when Christa offered it as a quilt-along, but, apart from cutting the triangles and stitching a few blocks for it then, I really haven't had time to work on it - until now.  Christa's quilt was made using Kona Cotton's Classic palette, but I chose to use "Simply Color" by V. and Co.  I LOVE the bright colours and the patterns are interesting - but it's a bit more difficult to put together than I was thinking it would be - I'm trying to not use the same colour in any row, but trying to keep the same pattern repeats to just one or two is a lot more challenging!  So, in case you see me soon, and there's a large-ish bare spot on my head, you'll know what I've been working on!  I'm off now to link up to the "Lovely Finishes" site - and then the sewing machine and I will hopefully have a very productive afternoon!