Poppies and the changing seasons...

Hello quilting friends.  It's been a couple of weeks since I shared anything new here, and I'll start today by showing off a new table runner that I recently finished (I actually made 2 of them).  I can't remember the name of the pattern, and I don't actually remember anything about the fabrics either.  The only thing I do recall is that the supplies came from The Quilt Company sometime last year, and I pieced them shortly after purchasing, but I finally finished quilting and binding them in May.

These poppies remind me of summer - almost here! - and Aunt Brenda because she loves poppies (and poppy fabric) and has them growing around her house.  These pretty table runners are now for sale on my Etsy shop here.

Another recent finish from my longarm for a client is this quilt featuring counted cross stitch blocks.  I did a lot of custom quilting on this one around the blocks.  I wish you could see the quilting better, but the important thing is that all of those hand-stitched blocks stand out and are the main attraction of the quilt top.  Below is a picture of the back where hopefully you can see the stitching a little better.

Along with the change in seasons and the arrival of my favorite season summer, there have been some big changes in my life over the last month.  I started back to work full time.  It was just necessary financially for us.  I really hoped and dreamed that quilting could become a viable income for me, but that just wasn't happening.  This also means I won't be accepting client quilts any longer, just some for friends and family.  That's okay because I am enjoying my new job, and my life is less crazy from not having to travel to meet clients and worry about quilting deadlines.  Now my hope and dream is to be able to quilt my own quilt tops that have been waiting patiently while I've been working on other people's projects.

I'm very grateful for all of the ladies that have entrusted their quilt tops to me to be quilted over the past 3 years.  I've met some wonderful people and have seen some amazing creativity.  I'm pretty sure we'll meet again in the fabric shop sometime!! :-)

I'll share this post over at Crazy Mom Quilts Finish It Up Friday.  I hope to see you back next week to show a fun quilt I'll be taking off my quilt frame tonight!