I can't bear to part with even one....

is what you would have heard if you had been a mouse in Elaine's sewing room. She had decided to look through her collection of orphans, and 'first beguns' to see what she could donate. You

need to scoot over to Elaine's blog at http://elaineadairpieces.blogspot.com/ and read her version of the WHOLE story, and why she couldn't part with a single one...*VBS* The result was this orphan block quilt top, which is nearly, but not quite, finished.

She has chosen a 'framing style' of setting them all together. The possibilities are quite amazing with these unloved type blocks. We've already seen a wide variety of approaches to their way of coming together. And what fun it is deciding what will go where and why. Who will live next to, or run from? Will they play nicely together, or cause endless trouble? Now, if only we could carry some of "that" approach over to all the quilts me make. If we would just explore the "what if" a little longer or deeper.
Like Patti just said in her comment at my blog, she wouldn't have thought to stick redwork orphans in my Yuletide Orphans, but they'll work fine in there....*VBS* And they are out where they can be enjoyed.

I also came across a little counted cross stitch chickadee yesterday, made by my youngest DD. Don't see or hear much from or about her here. That pretty much sums up the role we play in each others lives. But if I interface the little bird, which is maybe 3.5" square, and put it in my quilt....well, you get the picture.....right?