Shannon's First Quilt!

I have to show you the fabulous quilt my friend Shannon finished today. Shannon is not a quilter, or at least she wasn't, but I'd say she is now! She wanted to make a quilt for her little boy and asked if I would help. Shannon is the kind of person that wants to do it herself and learn along the way, and wouldn't expect me to do it for her, and I love that kind of person, so of course I said yes!

Shannon knew exactly what she wanted and didn't even buy a pattern. She is a trained architect, so she got on her computer and drew up her own picture of how she wanted the quilt to look, then bought it to me and said, "This is what I want"! It was simple enough...except for all the applique. She wanted to applique all different modes of transportation onto the blocks - eg a train, firetruck, plane etc. Shannon's parents ride Harleys so of course there had to be a Hog like Grandma's in the quilt...Now remember, Shannon was an absolute beginner, but eager to learn, so I showed her how to needleturn. The next time I saw her, perhaps a week later, she had done about half the blocks already! She was amazing and took to the needleturn like a duck to water. And I only showed her how to do it once. She finished up her applique blocks and got the whole top put together, then it was time to quilt. Now what do you think a beginner quilter would do? Straight lines? In the ditch? Simple, simple, right? Oh no, not Shannon. I knew from her natural ability to applique that she would do great with free motion, so I set her up at my machine and showed her how to do free-motion words and squiggles, and well, you can see the results:) Isn't it amazing for a first quilt??? I think anything she tries next will be easy. She has already done the hard parts - hand applique and free-motion quilting!

Doesn't it look awesome on her son's bed?!And look, she even made a matching pillowcase that says, "Vroom"

The best part of these past few weeks though has been that Shannon has been at my house quite often - usually 3 hours once or twice a week for the last month or so, and we've had a great time talking, gossiping (oh no surely we wouldn't do that??!!) and just having fun. She has to start another project just so we can keep up with our weekly girl time:)

Shannon also has her own jewellery making business and makes gorgeous stuff. I am totally promoting her on my own here, (she didn't ask me to) because I honestly love her things. She made me a necklace and 2 pairs of earrings to thank me for helping her with her quilt, and they are just perfect for me! She also took some of the little purses I made for the craft fair back here, and embellished them and is selling them. It's just amazing how great she made them look. From this...to this...She also has different ones over on her site.

Anyway, I am off tomorrow to visit my quilting friend Anna in Maryland, just out of DC, and I am beside myself with excitement! A whole week + of quilting and doing the whole touristy thing. I've never been there, so it's very exciting! The kids, hers and mine, are beside themselves!! If you don't all hear from me for a wee while then you'll know why;) I'm sure I'll return with some great stories and photos to share!