Scrappy But Special...to me!

I retired recently after a long retail career, and decided it was time to enjoy my free time and try quilting again after an absence of 30+ years.  I've been gathering my STASH (mighty expensive but such fun!), pondering the many new tools and buying what I could, reading, studying and delving through Pinterest for ideas.  So...today...I completed my first machine-quilted project!  I didn't even know about machine-quilting 30 years ago!  

This is just a small 20x20 project...it's a beginning...and I decided it would be best to just stretch it over a wood frame and hang it.  I love the colors, and the machine-quilting was really quite simple to master.  I "stitched in the ditch" in some areas and just used masking tape to mark the other straight lines in a simple diamond pattern.  I'm sure something much more wonderful could be done with this by an expert but, for a first effort, I'm pleased as punch!

I have two other quilt tops pieced...a Christmas Lap Quilt and a twin-sized top for one of my granddaughter's...and I'll need to tackle them next.  Of course, the amount of fabric to navigate is a bit daunting, but I've gained confidence with my first effort and plan to start at least one of these THIS week!  Wish me luck!