STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week  0 yards

Used year to date  193.24 yards

Added this week  1 yard

Added year to date  122.875 yards

Net used 2012  70.375 yards

I was busy sewing this past week, but as nothing is finished, nothing is counted!  

DH and I decided to run away for a few days, so we headed across the border to the Rochester NY area.  We took our time and drove along many side roads, driving through small towns along the way.  We are staying in Victor NY, a small town southwest of Rochester.

To my surprise, the quilt shop in town was part of a shop hop this weekend,  mostly with shops between here and Syracuse!  I was very good, and only picked up 4 fat quarters of black and white prints for our Godson's 13th birthday quilt, due in February.

I did pick up some fabric for 2 friends - one looking for backing for 3 of her sets of placemats that will become Christmas gifts, and some "Cars" themed flannel to back a quilt for another friend.

I wasn't planning on quilt shop visits on Sunday, but the shop hop participants are open until 4 tomorrow, so I may have to check out one or two on the way home.

Saturday we visited Sonnenberg Mansion and Gardens in Canandaigua NY, next to one of the finger lakes.  The gardens were waning, but there were lovely annuals and a bit of fall colour.  

A few roses were still blooming too.  There was a short rain shower when we were inside, and everything smelled fresh during our visits to all the different gardens.
 
The mansion is open on the first and second floor, and was a grand summer home.  There were formal gardens and garden rooms throughout the estate.  There was even a Japanese tea room with special gardens surrounding the small structure.  The "Roman Bath house" swimming pool, is currently in disrepair, but they are receiving a grant to repair some of the structure.  At its height, there were 78 servants, from maids to groundskeepers.  Find a Smilebox album of the mansion here.
Check out all the stash reports at Judy's blog.

SECOND MEDALLION BLOCK COMPLETE

I mentioned the two options for my guild's BOM program here.

I posted the finished block for Option 1 on Monday.

Yesterday I finished the centre medallion block for Option 2.  It was paper pieced, and I'm pleased with the results.

 Once again, my palette was limited by my stash!  All these batiks came from my collection.  I'm hoping I have enough yardage of each, but if not, I'll have to go shopping!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

Even though my two sons and one daughter-in-law were visiting, I still managed to get some sewing done!
 My guild, the Limestone Quilt Guild of Kingston Ontario, has a block of the month program.  This year, it was decided to make a quilt top, beginning in September and finishing for the June meeting.  Two medallion styled quilts were designed, with option 1 being the easier and option 2 more difficult.  They also encourage you to use a different block design if you don't like the one provided, as long as it finishes the correct size!  Lots of flexibility.  I hope lots of members participate.....

I finished the option 1 medallion centre block on Sunday, and chose all the fabrics from my stash (there is one more fabric that didn't make it into the first block....

I believe that the finished quilt will be 66 x 66 inches.  If you are interested in joining in, you'll find the patterns on the website - click on the Block of the Month tab!
(Link provided above)

Check out all this week's creativity at Judy's blog.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week  5.5 yards

Used year to date  193.25 yards

Added this week  0 yards

Added year to date  121.875 yards

Net used 2012  71.375 yards

I finished two more "panel" quilts this week.  I needed something mindless to work on, and these fit the bill.

The first was this cute baby dinosaur panel.  The colours are very pastel, and I chose binding to match the pinky-mauve dino.

I used this flannel from my stash, although they really are dragons (tiny wings), but the colours went well with the top.

This panel had great bright colours, and I loved the red fish in the sea and the border.

I used a bright yellow fabric the coloured dots for binding. 

I had this cute flannel in my stash with bright coloured fish.  It made a great backing!

Head over to Judy's blog to see how others are doing on their weekly stash report.

CHRISTMAS WISH 5TH SECTION

Once again I had fun rummaging through my Christmas fabric collection to finish this section.

I took a couple of short cuts.  I used fusible web to attach the hearts and stars and made a machine blanket stitch around the edges.  The pattern called for "star pockets", but since I don't know the recipient of this quilt, I chose the simple route.  I used metallic gold variegated thread on the stars and some great 30 wt. Sulky cotton on the hearts.

Now I'm impatiently waiting for the next installment of Christmas Wish from Red Brolly

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

My design wall is empty, except for the Christmas Wish blocks from Red Brolly - waiting for the next installment!  I hate waiting, which is why I normally collect all the parts for the project before beginning.....

I'm still trying to decide whether to begin another project, or make my kits for the winter.  For the last two years, I've packed up fabric, along with patterns, to make some of the quilts on my wish list.  Of course, I start other projects while in Florida for the winter, but it is a great feeling to use some of my stash - I have little room for storing fabric in our southern home, so if I don't bring it along, I have to go shopping.

After completing the two "space" quilts, I took some time to straighten my sewing room.  Since my "kids" are coming on Thursday night for a 3 day stay, I spent the weekend baking bread, (whole wheat, white and cinnamon fruit varieties,) and making soup, so I don't spend all the hours in the kitchen while they are visiting.

We went to our friends' place on Sunday and came home with some great green and red peppers, a bag of fresh beets and the beets tops from the rest of the beets that they were harvesting.  My family loves greens, and beet greens are no exception.  I cooked some and after draining well, I stored them in small freezer bags to have for future dinners.  I also made some pasta fagioli that calls for spinach, but tasted yummy with the sliced beet leaves.  It made a great dinner along with some fresh bread!

I hope everyone else has more interesting design walls than I do -  check it out at Judy's blog!

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  10.125 yards

Fabric used year to date  187.75 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  121.875 yards

Net used 2012  65.875

I finished the quilt using the new space themed panel that I picked up at my local quilt shop.  While hunting for fabrics to go with it, I found two more small panels that were from a line of fabric I found several years ago.  Since I had 3 choices of space themed flannel, I decided to make the second quilt as well.

According to my spreadsheet, this makes 31 projects of all sizes finished so far this year!  The projects range from blocks to donate to community quilts to queen-size bed quilts!

My additional yard is for a "Cars" panel that I gave to a friend.  Her little next-door-neighbour loves the movie, and has several of the toys.  She went looking for a panel, but mine was bought many years ago - thought it should go to a little one that would appreciate it!

Check out everyone's progress at Judy's blog!

MORE ALIENS!

I decided to tackle the more difficult panels today.  Both were of the narrow variety - one had two large rectangles, and the other had six squares with a border design on each edge.  I wanted to use as much of the fabric as possible.  I drew a rough plan using EQ7 to estimate the yardage.

 I added some lime green strips to the top and bottom and between the two large rectangles.

I used the border design to separate the centre of the squares, then added some more of the bright squares with space designs to make the side strips the same length.

I found some bright yellow with dots and triangles for the binding too!


Now I guess it is time to pin-baste both small quilts.  The purple alien in the top left square is holding a sign that reads "Galaxy Peace" so I think that will be a great name for this quilt.....

FUN WITH MY STASH

Although I'll be the first to agree that I have too much fabric, it certainly helps when you are in the mood to sew!

Today was community quilts day - a sewing day at the convener's home with a pot luck lunch.  Unfortunately, I had a dental appointment right in the middle of the day, and it wasn't going to be productive to attend for such a short time.  I decided to work at home instead.

One of the panels I found at the local quilt shop recently had a cartoonish spaceman theme.  Unfortunately, like more and more panels, this one wasn't a full yard.  I rummaged through my stash to find this....

I also checked my stash of flannel bought for backings and found this..

Then with the addition of some blue fabric for more borders and a red for the binding, along with a few minutes with EQ7, I designed this...

 
I managed to get all the border pieces cut to size before my dental appointment, and then finished the top when I returned home.

During my hunt I found two more "space" themed flannel pieces, along with another small panel - this one has two large square designs, and the coordinate has 6 squares @ 9 1/2 inches.  Now I have to come up with a good design and some coordinating fabric.

Time for tea......

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

My wall is a little sparse this week.  I've finished several projects and haven't really started anything new yet!

I do have the on-going Christmas Wish project from Red Brolly.  I finished the redwork embroidery section for part 5 and appliqued the curved top to the block.....

I have appliqued all the curved parts by machine.  I used a method taught by Sharon Schambers.  I started the same way, making a template and trimming the curve and cutting slits to allow the fabric to press to the back.  But then I pinned it into place and used some "school glue" with a tiny tip to add a fine line of glue to the exact edge.  This was pressed dry with a hot, dry iron.  Then I opened up the area and machine stitched on the pressed line.  The glue will come out with the first washing.  I've used this method many times, and I also use it when making a mitered corner on a border - very secure and very accurate!

Head over to Judy's blog to see what other awesome projects are on the design walls this week!

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week  17.5 yards

Used year to date  177.625 yards

Added this week  0 yards

Added year to date  121.875 yards

 Net used 2012  55.75 yards

Finishing my triangle twist quilt this week really helped with the numbers.  Paper piecing can be wasteful, but oh so accurate!  According to EQ7, and adding the backing and binding fabric, the quilt took 15 yards!

I also remembered to make the challenge blocks for my quilt guild this week (at the last minute!).  The blocks are donated to our community quilts program and used to make quilts to be donated to all sorts of worthy causes. The deadline for the blocks in the October meeting, and they are trying to collect 1000 blocks - there were just over 600 turned in last Wednesday! (I made 17)

Last week, when my DH insisted I visit the local quilt shop, I picked up a panel for a Hallowe'en wall hanging for DDIL2.  I managed to get the quilting done, using a bit of gold and irridescent mylar thread to add a bit of sparkle, and then get the border sewn on as well.  Just in time - DS1, DS2 and DDIL2 will be visiting later this month!

Check out everyone's progress this week at Judy's blog!

COOKING A TURKEY DINNER

Just because we felt like it!  
I made my stuffing with sausage meat, celery and onions, and the cranberry sauce is chilling in the refrigerator (made in the microwave).
DH peeled potatoes this morning, and prepared the turnip (rutabaga), by peeling and dicing.  This time we're just having it boiled and mashed with some butter and brown sugar.  We still have to prepare the green beans (from our little garden), that have been producing finally, since we've had some rain and some cooler nights.

I'm making a cherry cobbler for dessert - DH's favourite!  We found a pail of tart, pitted cherries at the market, so I froze them into containers that have enough for either a cobbler or a pie.  The topping for the cobbler is partly prepared ( dry ingredients mixed and butter cut in, and wet ingredients in the refrigerator).

I always make giblet gravy, so the giblets are simmering with water and an onion, and will be whirled in the blender later to add to the turkey drippings.

I've been using the "foil wrapped" method of roasting a turkey lately.  The bird is prepared as usual, then completely sealed in foil before being place in a shallow roasting pan.  It cooks in a 450F oven, but a 12 pound bird cooks in about 3 hours.  All the drippings stay in the foil, and I use them to make gravy.

Our new university student, Kim, will be joining us for dinner.  She's been enjoying "frosh week", but the weather is windy and rainy today, so some of the activities are cancelled.  I'll be sending her home with some leftovers for next week!

CHRISTMAS WISH

I finished the fourth section of the Christmas Wish quilt from Red Brolly, just in time to download the next one!

 I appliqued the stars, using fusible web, and stitched a machine blanket stitch around the edge with a variegated gold/bronze/silver metallic thread, to a dd a bit of shine!

Now onto the 5th section!

 

TRIANGLE TWIST IS FINISHED!

After finishing the "stitch in the ditch", I added swirls to each of the "melon" shapes in the border units.  

I also used the tiny piping accent between the quilt top and the binding.

 I decided to make a free-form fill design for the rest of the background areas.  

I stitched an undulating line first, completely circling the centre design.  I stitched into the outside area first (toward the border), as it seemed easier to figure out.  Once I began the inside space, I quickly decided how to fill all the unusual areas with quilting.  The centre twisted triangles are just stitched in the ditch. 



 I've enjoyed the challenges that this quilt has provided, but I'm ready for a simple project!!!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

We had more company again on Sunday, during my quilting time!
I have all the parts for the next segment of "Christmas Wish" from Red Brolly, but I didn't manage to get it sewn together, nor did I get the stars appliqued.  I decided to to a feather stitch for the vine instead of tons of lazy daisy stitches. 

I've been plugging away at the "stitch in the ditch" part of the machine quilting on my triangle twist quilt, but only managed to get a bit finished in the 2-3 minute snatches of time I've been able to grab!

Check out all the design walls on Judy's blog this week!

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

I have nothing to report - nothing used, nothing added!

Check out others' progress this week at Judy's blog!

DH and I had a super busy, but confusing week.  Every day something came up to change our plans.  I did manage to sew a bit - got my triangle twist quilt top layered and began quilting.  I also finished the next part of the Christmas Wish quilt from Red Brolly.

Friday, our Godson with his Dad and older sister arrived in Kingston.  She will be attending Queen's university to study engineering.  She had applied to Royal Military College, but wasn't selected this year.  Their first stop was at the local recruiting centre to have her file transferred to Kingston for another application for next year.  Then she stopped by the house where she will be living this year to pick up her key.  They spent the rest of the day with us.  DH took them on a tour of the campus, so she could find the buildings where her classes are scheduled.  Then they stopped at the Prison Museum on the way back.  Kingston has a long history of local prisons - there are many in the surrounding area.  They have used the "Warden's house" at the first prison to keep a collection of memorabilia - everything from weapons confiscated from prisoners, to early punishment items, and a replica cell.  The kids enjoyed the visit.

We had seafood etouffe (sp?) for dinner (recipe from DS2's friend), and spent the evening playing board games.

Saturday DH and I ran around town completing errands that weren't done during the week.  They managed to get the student items into her room and roughly unpacked, then out to pick up some groceries.  Then off to the campus book store so she could begin to pick up her books, while Dad was there to transport them in the car.  We received a call as they were heading to a local restaurant for dinner, so we joined them.  They mentioned wanting to go to a movie, so after a quick stop at our place to check on movie times, and so DH could print our 2 free movie vouchers (bonus from a hotel chain we frequent) we made it to the 8pm show of ParaNorman!   Enjoyed by all ages!

Our intrepid student is planning to complete her shopping today, and has her first assembly at the university at 4:30 this afternoon, and then she is on her own for her next great adventure!

It has been a tough summer for our Godson - they moved from Winnipeg to Ottawa, he'll be off to a new school with new kids, and his sister and good friend is off to university!  He's struggling a bit with all the changes, but I'm sure he'll settle down once school begins.  Its the lot of military families.......

Hopefully, I'll find time to do some more quilting this afternoon.......