Olympics over, maybe a bit more quilting now?

I have so enjoyed watching the amazing athletes this year, regardless of nationality, and regardless of whether they won medals or not - they are all winners in my eyes for getting to the top of their sports simply by being selected to represent their country in their given sport.  As I am a committed couch potato, I can only admire their stamina, sacrifice, and endurance - well done to all of them, and thanks for the spectacle their performances gave me [and millions of other viewers].

Of course, many nights watching TV has meant little patchwork and quilting has been achieved for a few weeks, but I hope to rectify this 'sad' situation soon.  I have finally finished the 3rd oven mitt that was started in 2010 and mentioned a couple of posts ago, as it only needed  a bit of hand binding this month to complete.

   

The big achievement over the past few months has been my beautiful "Geisha Girl" panel called 'Tea ceremony', which I completed yesterday.  It's all machine appliqued on to the original outlined design, using fabrics from my stash, apart from one new purchase, for the obi .  I bought the panel from the Adelaide Craft Show in November 2009 or 2010, and thought it would be relatively straightforward.  Having sorted out some fabrics and pinned them in place then,  I was too daunted by the prospect of machine applique to continue, so it's been waiting a long time for completion.  I was encouraged by friends to try again after Easter this year, and with some slight modifications to the original design, here is my version.  She will be given a special place in our bedroom.

      
   Next on the project list is trying my hand at simple machine quilting of a lap quilt which is now pinned and ready - just need some courage and confidence, so here goes ....