At the school where I teach we have many foreign teachers. They come for two years and then return to their countries. However, one Canadian couple have been with us for six years and have become very special to many of us. They have decided to retire this year and return to Canada.

I thought it would be nice to do something special for them as a surprise. I chose the maple leaf block and added an autograph patch to it. Then I made 90 of them and went around to all the teachers our Canadian couple have worked with these last six years and asked them to sign a block. There were more than 90 teachers to sign, so I made autograph blocks for the border of the quilt as well. I ended up with 140 signed blocks! I added the school's emblem on the corners in green, the school's colors. By then, the quilt had grown to a queen sized quilt. The quilt label on the back reads, "May our best wishes keep you warm on cold Canadian winter nights."

When we gave the quilt to them, our Canadian couple were completely surprised and delighted with their unique going-away gift.

Connie

The autograph quilt is not the only thing I have been working on. Below are two wall quilts that I have recently completed. They are called "Pansies and Tea" from Debbie Mumm's Floral Inspirations. The blue one now hangs in a friend's dining room. The pink one is still looking for a home but probably not for long.

Connie

And the final reason why I haven't been chatting with everyone too much lately. This Mariner's Compass was completed just yesterday. I paper pieced this but hand quilted it.

Connie

Those are really beautiful. It was very thoughtful of you to make the quilt for your visiting teacher. I'm sure that they will charish if for ever. If the pink one does not have a home yet I'd be more than happy to send you my address. I have just the perfect place to display it. Keep up the great work.

You are amazing! Each and everyone is just so beautiful. I know everyone that receives a quilt from you will cherish it forever. My sister made me a quilt almost 4 years ago and it sits very proudly on a chair in the livingroom that is almost the exact color of the quilt. She sent blocks off to all my siblings to sign and once she completed it sent it to me when I was having radiation for breast cancer. I will treasure it forever and so will the recipients of your quilts. You do beautiful work :!:

Beautiful, Very kind and thoughtful of you. Wonderful

Your work is really nice and enjoyed looking at it. It inspired me, I love tea, am thinking a wall hanging for the kitchen would look good :-)

Thanks for sharing. Your quilts are beautiful and how touching that you made the maple leaf quilt for your collegues. What special memories they will have because of you.

Thank you for the complements everyone, and the support. I would not have tried the panseys and tea if we were not asked to do the primitave rose for a BOM. It really wasn't as difficult as I had imagined.

For me, the fun is in the making; so I love to give away my projects.

Thanks again.

Connie

Connie,
I just can't get over the 3D effect of your Mariner's Compass. It's awesome!
Love all of your quilts. You do great work. The Maple Leaf quilt will give the retired teachers many years of warmth and warm memories. Lovely!