Success!!

Remember that pattern I won from Australian quilter Kellie W.?  Her website is here and you have to check out her amazing quilts!

Anyway, I don't know if it was an accident or if she is incredibly wonderful, but I actually ended up getting 2 patterns and a kit in the mail!  I know, I need to send her something back.  Seriously!  Anyway, I decided to try my hand at the easier pattern -- easier because the shapes are simpler.  And I LOVE LOVE LOVE trees (have I said that before?  I'm pretty sure I have . . . ).  These are the results (drums please) . . . 

For my first attempt, I am very pleased!  Raw-edge applique is a lot harder than it looks to get a clean edge so that was just ok.  But then I quilted the background in a meandering pattern and I have to say, I'm getting better!  My forearms ache though, quilting is hard work!

Overall, if you're interested in this kind of quilting, I thought her pattern and directions were fantastic and easy to accomplish (except that it was hard work and tedious in the sense that you really have to watch and go slow).  The whole thing is about 17" square so it's going to go on Megan's wall (I have super secret exciting plans) and was a quick project -- relatively speaking.  And I will definitely be doing more!!