Don’t you love it when a plan works out.  I do.  Beloved and I have two nieces that are now attending college.  Natalie is and always has been interested in horses and Anna is incredibly talented in the water.  It just worked out that I had something special to create for each of them that reflected both their interests and mine.

Several years I had purchased a kit for a wall hanging that used a Laurel Burch bright horses panel.  For an assortment of reasons, I never got around to putting the kit together.  This would be the year.  It was pretty straight forward, and went together nicely.  I sent it up to Terry Burris and she did a phenomenal job quilting it, using the designs of the horses in the cornerstones of the piece.  I was thrilled.  Upon seeing it completed I knew this would be the perfect gift for Natalie.

Quilting detail

I knew I had seen a Laurel Burch mermaid, but they were pretty scarce.  When I found one, I had to let it sit for a while before I could figure out exactly what I was going to do with it, as it did not come as a kit.  Eventually I started making foundation pieced fish and stars.

Then I worked on placement so the piece wouldn’t end up too large.

And when it all came together, I sent it to Terry Burris Quilting to work her magic and bring it to life.

It made me smile to see this complete, as when left to my own creativity, I did alright!

I was rather pleased with the way each of the projects turned out.  Best thing of all, is I believe Natalie and Anna were both delighted with their gifts.  They truly seemed happy with them, which of course thrilled me to pieces.

Merry Christmas all.