I wanted to try a method of making cards where I didn’t have to bind them. I cut the front two inches larger than the backing and batting. Then I turned under the front and top stitched all around the card to make a self-binding. Our Guild demo this month had a session on binding so I tried a couple of those methods on some of the cards. I still struggle with the binding on these small pieces, but I’m getting lots of practice!

Gavin’s card was very simple. I used some novelty fabric and highlighted one of the mighty machines with a quilted frame. If you recognize the fabric I used it for curtains for Dylan Atkinson.

Emma got stars and rainbows. I had a freezer paper template of a star left from another project. I’ve been reading about using freezer paper for paper piecing and I thought I’d try using it as a template to guide my stitching around the star. It worked really well and was easy to remove when the stitching was done.

I struggled to find material for Madison’s card. She’s too old for some of the cutesy fabric I had but she still needed something fun. I used a free-motion quilting stitch on her card using one of the templates that I will use on my Mystery Quilt.

I wanted something special for Pat and I contemplated making an appliqué card. The large appliqué project I’m working on is for him so I decided to go simple and get it finished quicker. The inspiration was from my book for making paper cards.

I wanted a gift card for Rick, but the one I tried just didn’t work out and it ended up in the garbage. I started over and came up with this design. I got my inspiration from a card book that Christy gave me when I was still making paper cards. In looking through it I think that many of the patterns can be made using fabric.

Diane and I celebrated 40 years of friendship in April (and she has the letter to prove it) so I wanted to make something in honor of the occasion. This quilt-as-you-go technique is wonderful.

My friend Dayle and I attended many theatrical productions over the years I lived in Port Coquitlam. Those events usually included a dinner beforehand and we often celebrated her birthday along with Pat’s.