Call It What You Want...

As the package containing this has been received, I can now reveal what the fabulous batik was for...

This is a friendship star quilt for my friend Angela, a college acquaintance who has grown to be a dear friend since. Her favorite colors are green and purple, and after a second surprise box of goodies from her (she has now learned that I get giddy -- and a little teary -- over presents), I wanted to do something...

I've been reading a series of books about quilters and I do like to make a little quilt now and then, though I'm far from talented at it. I had a little bundle of fat quarters I've been hanging on to for a while (read: hoarding) and decided that this was a way to use some!

(By the way, it really isn't as hourglass-shaped as the picture. I had it hanging from the cabinet doors and it ended up draping over the edge of the counter top.)

The quilt was inspired by one in a book by another quilter, but the book it was in has the tiniest little quilts and I didn't want to go that small, so I made my own pattern based on hers. I ended up hand-quilting it because I don't have a walking foot, which would make both the top and bottom of the piece go through the machine at the same rate (Christmas list), and I even got some fancy thread for the binding and some of the quilting. It was a fun project, and I called it "Surprise! Friendship".