Crochet updates and Becky's quilt

I finished the two wheelchair blankets last month so it was time to start a new blanket project. I usually start with the yarn and find a pattern after that. This yarn is a Herrschner's yarn and, honestly, I don't love it. I like how it looks but it's a little stiff. I'll probably give it a gentle wash when I finish it. I found a pattern on Yarnspirations that has an easy repeat. I think this one will come together pretty quickly as I alternate it with my other 2 projects.
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This is the experimental poncho. I had not worked on in since we got back from Tucson, until this weekend. I still need to add a lot of rows before I know if this will work. If you don't remember, the pattern is for a bulky yarn and I'm using a 3 weight. I've tried to adjust the pattern as best I can.  It's fun to crochet and I'll know in a few weeks if it will work.
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Finally, the shawl. I think I'm done with all the increase rows so from here it will be about 14 more rows until it's done. This cotton/acrylic yarn is a little hard on my hands but I think it's pretty in the shawl.
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Now, let me share the most fun thing I did this weekend. My friend Becky does the most beautiful hand applique and hand quilting. This is her most recent quilt and she brought it over Sunday to get it basted on the longarm. Basting it on the longarm makes it easier for her to load on her frame. It's a treat for me because I get to see the quilt up close before anyone else does!
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You can click on these photos to see more detail of her beautiful applique and creative fussy cutting.

This week is going to be devoted to veterans quilts. I have 8, maybe 10, to quilt by next Tuesday. The work on the house is continuing. These guys only take a break for rain, otherwise they haven't skipped a day! They are doing great work so we are happy tolerate the constant banging. Chris makes them coffee every morning and I buy or make them some sort of dessert for lunch. I think they have another week of work to do and then we have other people installing the porch railings and gutters. It should be like new once everyone is done.