Beach quilts finished

I love the beach any time of the year, but when it's winter in Kansas, day dreaming of the beach can keep me sane.  Spring has been slow arriving this year.  We've been warm the past couple days, but there is snow in the forecast for tonight. Yes, really. :( So I pulled out a couple beachy projects to cheer me up with warm thoughts.

First up is Beach Walk:

The patterns are by McKenna Ryan.  This was a BOM at the shop a few years ago and I made the sample blocks then.  I had the middle put together, but lost the border fabrics (twice! lol) and was afraid to quilt it anyway.  Last week I decided enough was enough...I had to quilt it and get it back to the shop. So with borders found (again!), I got the top finished.  I was nervous about the quilting because there are millions of tiny pieces just fused down.  The quilting needs to catch everything well enough for it to hold up as a wallhanging.  I decided to use clear thread, which can be tricky.  But I faced my fears and got it done!  I finished the binding and most of the embellishments yesterday, and got the last of the embellishments done this afternoon at the shop.  Now it's hanging at the shop DONE!!! :)

Here are a couple close-ups that show some of the embellishments...seed beads for the birds' eyes and rope for the boat and buoys.

I also pulled out a little kit from the shop that had been sitting on my shelf for a couple years.  The pattern is Sea Breeze Pillow by Chitter Chatter Designs. I decided I'd rather do mine as a wallhanging and am happy with how it turned out.  This one also has some embellishment: embroidery in the hair, scarf, jeans, grass and the sun's rays.  I finished it up last weekend.

I've got my fingers crossed that spring will get here and stay for good SOON. Has spring arrived where you are?

Thanks for stopping by,
Nan