I’ve had and used a set of paper coasters for at least a couple of years. They were more of a winter motif but I used them all year, specifically at my chair while I had my morning coffee. When my grandchildren were here they used them for a few games so I thought it was time to replace them.

They couldn’t have been easier to make, and I love the bright colors (that don’t really match anything in my livingroom)!

At the beginning of the year I purchased a small paper bag that contained the Challenge for the year. The bag included a bright yellow fat quarter and this note:

“To help get through the long and dark days of winter, I want you to think of one of your favourite summer memories and create that memory using this fabric.”

It took me several months, but when I came across a pattern for a Christmas card holder I was reminded of the photo holder that Stacia and Deloise made for Aunt Jean. I thought I could modify and adapt the pattern I found into a photo holder.

The three pockets included photos of the Thomases visit, our day up Desolation Sound, and the edible garden tour.

This was such a fun project. At the beginning of the year we each brought a cookie tin filled with a block of our choice, and asked the people in our group to add to it. We included a small notebook that outlined our ideas for the project, and a bit of fabric if we wanted.

Since this was the 25^th anniversary of the Guild, and I’m one of the newest quilters, I asked for blocks that recreated either the first block they made, or a block from their first quilt. The pieces I received were all outstanding, and the stories that were included in my notebook are wonderful memories of some of the quilters I most admire in the Guild.

My biggest challenge was to put them all together. All of the blocks were different sizes, but I was able to trim and add borders to even them up. Since I’m new, I didn’t think to keep back enough matching fabric to put together the sashing so I had to dig into my stash to find something that “sort of” worked with the colors. I wasn’t sure I would like the piece when it was finished so I didn’t want to spend any money on it. I bought the backing at the Economy Shop and used it for the binding as well.

I made this Sudoku quilt for my friend Deb, who started the Pay It Forward challenge on Facebook. Deb (and her husband Paul) were among the first people we met when we moved to Powell River. Deb is very involved in the community and I see her at all sorts of events.

I enjoyed picking out a puzzle from the diabolical section of the book and then converting the puzzle into fabrics.

Do you do Sudoku Deb?