waves in the water

I'm starting a new quilt that involves two streams coming together to form a river, ending in a small waterfall, with a pool / lake in the foreground. I am trying to decide whether to piece the streams and river or to make bias strips and applique them. I liked Penny's inset gentle curves, particularly the ones where she made small sections and then recut them into other larger pieces. However, I would like to make my river into a series of even more-curvy ripples. Any suggestions? gini

Dressing up my kitchen table

I have made cloth napkins for everyday meals for many years, but I've never used high-quality fabric for myself. On a recent trip to Pieceful Heart, armed with a generous gift certificate, I splurged on good fabric to replenish my currently tattered napkin supply. When I got home, I thought, "And those fat quarters I bought at the retreat from FunQuilts' 'Wild Bunch' line--they'd make great napkins too!" I didn't have a quilt in mind when I bought the fabric--just couldn't resist. And now I can see it on my kitchen table regularly.

Even though I love the look of the wide hem and mitered corner that Gini demo'd at the retreat, I don't think I can wean myself from the quick-and-dirty hemming on these napkins. I just eyeball a 1/4" turn under (turning under once and then again), and then I topstitch all around. Some corners are neater than others, but I never notice them once they're done. I don't bother ironing these either--just smoothe them out when they come out of the dryer. Here's a couple of good corners:
Size: I usually cut these 17-1/2" square, so I get two out of a half-yard. My sister, a regular recipient, likes hers larger, so I cut hers 21".

Hi this is Kathy. This is an old UFO. Nice to have it finished. If you click on the image, you may see more detail.