Thanks again for all the compliments and good wishes!
FYI...I did the entire quilt by machine. The applique's are done with various widths of satin stitches. The quilting was done by a LAQ friend of mine in Shreveport and was was done with the monofiliment thread..and I must add that she did a marvelous job on "our" quilt....she gets some of the "kudos" as well for her wonderful work!
Thanks again and hugs