mill house inn by fig tree jelly roll quilt.

I bought this lovely Mill House Inn jelly roll by Fig Tree Quilts from pink panda fabrics (free shipping in Canada!!) last summer during a period of manic quilting (which seems to have recommenced).  I talked my mom into buying the exact same one, with the intention of having us make different quilts with the same fabrics to compare results.  She is currently knitting up a storm for Christmas, so I think that project will have to wait.  In the meantime, I'm getting started on a new quilt called "hugs and kisses" from the Moda Bake Shop.

This material is far more traditional than what I usually choose, but I'm making it for a friend who would likely prefer this to something more current.  The pattern I've selected is fairly modern, so it will be a good compromise (old meets new type deal).  This quilt is forcing me to learn a new skill - appliqué!  Turns out it isn't so hard.  I used fusible web to cut the letters out and stick them on the fabric blocks.  The only brain twister was having to do everything backwards. 

As you can see, I am switching up the words I use on my quilt (from "love hugs & kisses" to "live laugh & love").  Now that the letters are stuck in place, I am securing them by hand stitching around the edges using a blanket stitch.  It's taking a while, but it will be worth it in the end!

Stay tuned for the piecing of this quilt top - probably later this week if I can get a few minutes to finish these blocks up!  There is also the matter of those tree skirts...ahem.