"My Basket is full of the Pleasures of Life"

WOW, do I dare telling you I celebrated my... 60th birthday, last December ?  HeeHee...
However, Lori's idea was SO inviting!  See, I've been quilting for more than 16 years and have always looked at my projects with someone in mind - either one of my kids, or grandkids, or close friends... Now, can you imagine, making one just for "me, myself mwâ " ?  ;>)

It's feeling like that Loreal advertisement : "Because I'm worth it!"  LOL LOL

And so I'm here, very grateful and excited.

I really thought that my choice would be made in a snap (sooo many beautiful patterns!), yet I soon realized things were not so easy.  What to do?  What to do ?  What to do ?
- something handpieced, for sure (I only use my machine for piecing borders, and things like that)
- something traditional (my favourite)
- something representing what I am, or feel
- with maybe some applique (love that!)
- not too long to finish (I want that quilt before celebrating my 70's ! ;>) - besides I'm such a good starter, yet not so good at finishing - AaaHem!)

Looking back... What is my "harvest" ?

My life was not so happy in the beginning, but then I met the love of my life 45 years ago, we married 5 years later and were blessed with 4 beautiful children + 2 grandkids (up to now). Bliss.....
Of course, we sometimes struggled, counted our pennies, or felt discouraged, but we sticked all together with love and respect, working hard,  counting our daily blessings and simple joys.  Bliss...

(stay tuned, I'm not gonna tell you the story of my life, HeeHee...)

So I'm full of gratitudes for this simple life, and I truly can say that :

"My Basket is full of the Pleasures of Life"

I got it !  THIS was the idea !  Happy dance !

So, I ran into my stash, remembering those cute 4 inches little basket blocks I started long ago (to everything, there is a reason)... There they were, sleeping in a lovely tin box. So I started an inventory...

 30 are done

(I told you I'm a good starter!)

another 30 are cut and ready to be pieced...

(always optimistic)

Now I can estimate to approx. 200, the total (set on point) blocks I need... 140 more to go !

Step 2 would then be to square the top with 4 big triangles, on which I could add some lovely applique... 

What do you think about all this ???

 I'm now sitting with head into my stash, in order to find some more bits and pieces of reproduction fabrics (these are SO difficult to find here, in our country village).  Just in case any quilter friend among you would feel ready to share some small pieces with me, I'd be thrilled and ready for an exchange.

I only need 5" 1/2 squares to make one basket  - by the way, would anyone know about repro fabrics charm squares on the Web ?

Dear friends,

I'm sorry for this long post (I'm such a chatter),

I promise I'll post shorter messages in the future.

ENJOY YOUR SEWING !

Nadine, in Belgium

;>)