That machine pinning technique really rocks.  There's no way I could have done that horse head without it.  I've used it for a bunch of different things and it always comes out better than if I had used traditional needle-turn.

All the applique (other than the skinny stems) is LouAnn's work.  She's gotten better and better at applique design.  Her stuff rocks.  She has a selection of flowers, leaves and birds that's she's gleaned from various magazines and patterns and she arranges them the way that suits her and voila, a piece of art is born.  Like this:

This is a quilt she made for her granddaughter.  She's making another similar one for Donna in Texas.

I don't know how many pieces I need.  I've got them all cut, just need to get them sewn together.  I think I dyed close to 30 pieces . . . ?  It's a total of 10 yards, but LouAnn and I want to do another pieced background for applique, so it will all get used.  A couple of the pieces were darker than I wanted.

Here's the last quilt we did with a pieced background.  It really adds texture.

Donna does zentangle workshops and she's always looking for new ideas.  I'll keep you in mind if she sends anything else.

Donna sent me two links for quilts on pinterest.  Some of them are beyond gorgeous.

http://pinterest.com/pamv248/quilts-and-quilting/

http://pinterest.com/kathleendesim/quilts-applique-embroidery-etc/

I was invited by a fellow guild member.  I'm not much on bragging on myself so I had to force myself to share all my quilty stuff.

Hi Deanna, Just letting you know I'm already to talk when you are.  Cam is all working and have sent you a message. My address is skype Julieannabell7 (julie714@adam.com.au).   I am rarely up at this time during the week except for Thursdays as it is my quilting day at my neighbours house.  So I am about to get organised and pack up my stuff and go to her house.  You have a nice day hopefully we will be able to talk face to face soon. By the way our time difference is 13.5 hours. Julie Beard.