My new quilt is a “keeper”. I tried it out last night and I got a great night’s sleep. I live in a historical home, so my new quilt is a perfect match on my old fashioned bed, too. —Suzanne Beecher

Gwenette's Quilting Challenge

It all started when I wrote a column about how the beginnings of a quilt had been sitting in my closet for over a year. Gwenette, a book club reader, commiserated, and challenged me to finish my quilt by May 31st–and I did!

Here is Gwenette’s original email:

"Hi Suzanne, I know exactly what you mean about not finishing a sewing project. I have MANY of them. I'm making a baby blanket for my friend whose child is now 3 years old. She's even had another baby since then, and I bought more fabric to make a second blanket. They'll be in college before I get them finished. My biggest sewing sin, though, is the afghan I've been crocheting since I was 15. I'm 45.

I've decided that I need a challenge to finish these projects. If someone (other than me) gives me a deadline, I can be finished with anything. So I challenge you to be finished with your quilt by the end of May, and I'll be finished with the afghan and both baby blankets by then. What do you say?" — Gwenette

"Gwenette and you have inspired me. I've started a project last year of stain glassing an antique mirror. I visualized the beautiful, completed mirror hanging in my guest bedroom. I purchased all my products, set-up shop on the kitchen table. Worked for hours that evening.

Today it sits in the corner, untouched since that night. I use to walk by it and tell myself that I would start working on it soon. I now walk by my project and don't even see it. It's become a piece of the decor in my kitchen. The only time I notice the mirror is when my husband sucks in his tummy and checks out his profile in the unfinished mirror.

So today......I'm taking your challenge and pledge to complete my project by midnight May 31, 2006!!!! Thanks for the encouragement and I love your columns. It's a nice to start the day with a smile." — Daphne Koehler-Seymour

(A follow up email report from Daphne May 25, 2006)

Thanks for the challenge. It's amazing what a little paint and stain glassing can do for an old mirror. The mirror is finally completed and out of my kitchen. My husband misses having breakfast and watching himself pose in the mirror. Maybe I'll stain glass another mirror just for him? Thank you again for the kick in the pants to finish up this project. Now I need to tackle a few more projects around the house and garden. Let me know when the next challenge occurs.

5 years now. And I'll organize my sewing supplies to see what else I have left undone. Oh, just thought of the Christmas tree skirt that I have had since 1994, ummm...two and a half months WE CAN DO IT!
Thanks for the motivational challenge!" — Twila

(follow up report on Twila —May 25, 2006)

Suzanne I am still working on the scarf, I didn't quite buy enough yarn. I won't be making the deadline though. I got side tracked with my daughters graduation, (tonight, woo hoo!) and theatre practices and performances. However, my roof has been fixed, my patio painted and my vacation scheduled so not all is lost. Your inspiration and positive influence is greatly appreciated." — Twila

She supplied the materials & some embroidered squares and I was supposed to put it together and quilt it. Well I couldn't get myself motivated till I read the challenge & deadline, between you and another reader. May 31st....Okay I can do that too.. So I got myself together I finished the quilt on Mother's Day. That's appropriate, eh? My Sister lives in Philly & I in Ontario — so we are going to deliver it, in person, to our Mom in New Brunswick, next month.

Generally it is her making things for us - I think she will be surprised. I can't believed that I finished it." — Debbie