Pemberley - Slow Sunday Stitching

 I am drawing close to having all the blocks completed for the outer border of my Pemberley quilt. Here I have them all on my design wall.  The row on the bottom of the two ring flower blocks have not been appliqued to the background yet.  The background is just a light cream print, so blends right in with the white background of my design wall.  There will be a 2" strip between each block.

Notice the one ring without a center - well that is what I am doing today.  I hope to be able to start prepping these this afternoon for the applique to the background.  I am getting so close to having this quilt top completed!

My plan for today also includes a little hand quilting on my floral panel.  I am doing quilting around the flowers with gold metallic thread.  This is a little tricky, but still easier than I  anticipated it would be when I chose this thread.  I am using the Coats and Clark Metallic embroidery thread.     I have also discovered that stab quilting with a #8 Straw Needle works superbly.  Its a longer, stronger needle than the #7 Sharps I usually use and seems to handle the metallic thread a little better.   

I have a dear friend, Cheryl, who will be coming to my house for a week or so, recovering from knee replacement surgery.  So sometime today, I need to make a quick grocery run and get her room ready.  I am so blessed to have a husband that accepts my doing this, to have a home that I can welcome her to stay in during this time of need, and to have the good health to take care of her.     I hope you all have a blessed, relaxing Sunday.