Ah yes, I can see you twirling the fabrics around you singing Matchmaker. You now have that picture of my singing telegram audition firmly in your head.

Well I don't know if my last piece will be my best piece, but I have chosen the best verses for it! So I hope I can do it justice.

Thank you Susan and Elizabeth. I have to say that this piece really gave me fits for a long time. I am thrilled that I finally finished all 12 months and I don't have an idea in my head for January yet. I just got my challenge fabric today in the mail.

Elizabeth, I thought to myself that I am truly the queen of anything variegated when I posted the pic. You know me and shiny bling bling things. I want you to know that I went through all 4 boxes of the fancy fabrics before I found the variegated chiffon. I started thinking of the matchmaker song as I pulled each one out to audition it.

And by the way, you know the saying...save the best for last--the last is always the best! So being last isn't the worst thing that could happen.

I guess in 2 days we start all over again.Until next year then...

Very lovely. You are the queen of glitz without making it look gaudy or cheap. Can't wait to see and touch.

And now with a very red face, I will be the last to finish.

Absolutely incredible, Linda. I am aching to see it in person!! All the elements work so well together and the detail is amazing. Congratulations for finishing- with a day to spare! It's really been fun to do the challenge this year and I look forward to next year's too. Susan

WINTER'S DANCE

Winter's Dance is made of 2 napkin designs. The base is a white napkin with silver swirls covered by a purple metallic net fabric. That is quilted in swirls with variegated metallic thread. The snowflakes are all kaleidoscoped from the same napkin pattern, fused onto Timtex, and embellished with glitter glue and crystals. The flakes are layered, which of course doesn't show in the picture.

I was stuck for days, wanting more dimension in the piece. I had the snowflakes figured out, but the background was flat until I found the variegated organza with the shiny dots on it. I kept thinking about an underlay of flakes, but finally realized last night that what the background really needed to be believable was whirling wind. As soon as I tried cutting a few wisps I knew I had solved my dilemma. I am now very pleased with the final piece. The only thing I think is a negative is the quality of the picture. My hands continue to shake when I take the pictures. I need a tripod.There is also no sunshine again today, and the natural lighting is very dreary.

Elizabeth, I am going to take your class to nail down how to use the lighting options in PSE's render for photos. Get ready for your biggest pain student:)

I'm getting a kick out of all the hits this blog is getting- I suspect it's because it's the default for my internet and comes up every time I log on! Susan

HIDDEN TREASURES

Here is my November piece, finally. It is made of 7 different napkins and only 2 fabrics. The binding is also a fabric. The challenge color for this month is gold and is hidden in the dark rows-hence the title of the piece. Fall is my favorite season and I just couldn't use only one napkin design this month I had to use them all. The bargello design was the only way to get to use all of them:)

Still working

Hi there,
I am still working on Nov. and Dec. for this year. I am doing the sewing on the Nov. piece and hope to have it finished today or tomorrow. I already know what I am doing for December and just have to print it out of the computer and sew it up.

I have had to help DH play with the snowblower the last 2 days.
Boy, I can't wait for spring!

Just saying....

It's December 1st -- November isn't done, though I do know what I want to do for both November and December -- but the Christmas season being busy.... I'm just saying -- I'll be late.

Two other items: Susan's new pieces -- great job! What a cohesive group you have -- they will look incredible together. Actually they do, since I have your pictures of the entire group already and they look great.

Also, a new post on next year's challenge -- let me know what you think.

Susan's December Piece

Musings about next year's challenge

I was thinking of next year's challenge and the "rules" and here's what I came up with. What do you two think?

Size: 20 x 11
Theme: Choose a theme and stick with it (making it as broad or as narrow as you like)
Fabric/Color: Choose one of two options: pick a color theme for the year (nature, seasonal, triadic, analogous, color wheel, muted, etc.) OR purchase a "nickel club" pack (40-5" charm squares) from Batiks Etc (about $11.00) and use some of two of them in each month's piece.

That's it.

What say you all?