Tuesday, August 18, 2015

I was up early this morning because I needed to get a card ready for the mail. I finished up the hand stitching on it when I was at the bee and, although I had several compliments, people laughed when I said it was a card.

When I started making cards I was trying to improve my piecing techniques – and yes, I still need the practice. At the time I started making cards I received daily mailings of small paper-pieced cards. For the past year I have lost interest in those patterns although I still use some of them from time to time. The coaster-sized cards were gradually replaced with five- and six-inch cards but those patterns weren’t as interesting.

This year I have been moving to larger cards; when a birthday is coming up I find a pattern that, to me, suits the recipient. In some cases the card might be the block of a quilt, or a block pattern I’ve found for free online. I still make some of the smaller cards when a pattern catches my eye or I want to try a new technique.

Recently, while carrying out my Guild library duties, I came across a book that is full of patterns that are just the right size. They will challenge my piecing techniques and yet the patterns are fun. I’m debating getting my own copy of the book; no one really checks up on the library loans though so until I’m caught I’ll just keep this one at home.

If you receive a small card I want you to know it isn’t because you have a smaller place in my heart!