Well, finally!

I know, I know...you've seen this more times than you care to.....

But I am thrilled to say that the first block of Kim McLean's Lollypop quilt is finished.  I've been at this journey for a year already and was sure that black was the background I wanted and I had all the blocks cut and marked -- and one made -- when I decided that a light background was a better decision for my taste.  Loved the black but decided I didn't want to do 16 of these beauties and then the sashing not do it justice.  I do love this fabric and I'm certain I'll be more satisfied in the long run.

And -- to change things a bit...here are a pair of mittens that I made two weeks ago when special friends were here for a long weekend.  Somehow (and I don't know how - I was just following directions from my "mitten coach") these were done with a pattern that was all one piece and you just flipped it over for the other hand.  You then do the same thing for a fleece liner.  Don't ask me how it works....

They are a tad big so I'm going to take a little bigger seam when I'm feeling brave....but I love using the cuff of the sweater for the mittens and how well the stripes matched.  Overpinning probably helped that.

And -- if you have time, you may want to check out Lily's Quilts for an incredible giveaway of Oakshott cottons.  Talk about color and texture and reflective light -- they are great!

I hope your life is full of color!  Jan