DESIGN WALL MONDAY

This is a disappearing 9-patch quilt.  The group finished the top, made of lots of scrap 5 inch squares, and sewn, cut and pressed by many hands at our last quilt day before Christmas.  I brought it home, made the binding and finished it with simple quilting.  I even completed the binding by machine - not my usual method, but since this will be a baby quilt, and hopefully see many washings, I think it is the most secure way to finish the quilt.

 This is the stack of 4 baby quilts that I'll be finishing.  The bottom of the stack is a panel, and has racoons on flannel for the backing.  The mauve one was shown last week, and the yellow backed quilt has a large star layout.  These two quilts were made from donated stash.  I've done the "stitch in the ditch" quilting on them all, and tomorrow I hope to get all the free motion quilting complete as well.

Check out others' creativity at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.








 

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  184.25 yards

Fabric added this week  10.5 yards

Fabric added year to date  110.875 yards

Net used 2013  73.375 yards

 

I'm pleased with the amount of fabric I used this year, although I've been doing lots of sewing but no finishing since heading south in late October!  I also gave in to some of the wonderful end of the year sales, including one on Saturday at Quilts on Plum Lane in Dade City.  Most of the yardage bought this week was for backing fabric for my brown, pink and white quilt top - so hopefully I'll get it basted soon so I can begin quilting.  I also have 4 baby quilts ready to be basted/quilted, so my "used" numbers will look good to begin 2014!

 

Making stash reports each week keeps me aware of how much I am using, and encourages me to "shop my stash" before I head to the fabric store.

Check out Judy's blog, Patchwork Times, to see how everyone's reports.

HAPPY BOXING DAY!

DH and I are spending a quiet day at home.  We had a lovely Christmas day, delivering treats to our neighbours and enjoying our friends who joined us for dinner.  (DH and I forgot to serve the dressing!)  We talked and laughed, remembered Christmases past, and had a wonderful time.
Our son in Toronto had his electricity restored at 2am, so he and his wife got their Christmas wish!  Our other son was heading over to his wife's family home to spend the day.
We talked to several friends on Christmas day as well.  It was lovely to hear everyones' voices.

This morning, DH carved the rest of the turkey, and we are making turkey soup.  Our friends mentioned that their only regret about eating out for Christmas was no leftovers, so DH delivered several containers filled with turkey, dressing, gravy, cranberry sauce, and a plate of goodies too!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

 I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a peaceful new year.

DH and I are spending a quiet day with friends. 

 My thoughts are with all those affected by the winter storms.  My DS1 and his wife have been without power and heat for the past 3 days.  My thanks goes to all the linesmen who are working day and night to restore power - their work is under-appreciated!

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  184.25 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  100.375 yards

Net used 2013  83.875 yards

 

Nothing new and nothing used from MY stash!  I finished 3 baby quilt tops, but all from fabric donated to our group!  I've been doing lots of holiday baking, and I delivered 2 loaves of cinnamon fruit bread to our neighbours, who are expecting lots of family coming to visit over the next week or so! 

 

Hopefully, I can get busy sewing between Christmas and New Years, so I'll have something to count as finished!!!!!

 

Check out all the reports at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

HEXAGON FRIDAY

It looks like I'll finish the top of my hexagon quilt before Christmas!  I just checked my file of photos, and my first picture, showing the beginning of the middle row, was on April 16th.  I began cutting squares for basting just before heading north, at the beginning of April, so I'll have completed the top in 9 months of "spare" time!

All the pieces for the next motif are basted, and partly sewn together, so with luck, I'll finish tonight!  Now what will I do next?

I took my camera to my Wednesday quilt group, but discovered both sets of batteries were dead, so no pictures of the flurry of quilting worker bees making disappearing 9-patch blocks!  Some cut 5 inch squares, others placed them into blocks, 3 were sewing, others pressed the seams, 2 of us cut the blocks apart, and then they were placed into their new blocks to be sewn.  By the end of the 4 hours (with a short break for lunch), we had 3 quilt tops assembled, and enough pieces to make 1 more.  Two of the tops went home with others to be finished.  One came home with me, and I cut and prepared the binding for it - hopefully someone will volunteer to quilt it!
Now I have to get serious about my Christmas baking.  I'm making mincemeat tarts, large and small today, and a coco-krispie roll - chocolate and peanut butter - a favourite with our neighbours' grandchildren, who begin to arrive on Sunday!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I've been sidetracked by Christmas baking and baby quilt making!  A member of my group donated fabric, so I thought I'd make a couple of baby quilts to donate.

When using others' fabric, it is fun to see what you can make - there was "just enough" with a bit of piecing to make this two colour style of quilt.  Easy snowball blocks and framed squares - I've added a white border, and plan to add a darker mauve border as well.

 The white fabric seems to have taken on a bit of colour from the mauve, but I think it was because I was taking the picture late in the day.....

I also cut strips and blocks for a friend to work with.  I machine appliqued butterflies on each of the blocks before I passed it along.  She is busy sewing the top today, so we'll be cutting borders for it soon!  More pictures to come.

Check out what others are stitching at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  184.25 yards

Fabric added this week  15 yards

Fabric added year to date  100.375 yards

Net used 2013  83.875 yards

My Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping finally caught up with me! A large parcel arrived, as well as a visit to my favourite local shop, Quilts on Plum Lane in Dade City FL. (We had to visit after renewing our tags.)  I had already reported the Christmas and Mickey prints, as well as the flannels.

I finally dragged my serger out, and serged all the raw edges, and have been putting loads through the washer and dryer.  I was waiting until I had enough fabric to make the job worthwhile!

I also baked a batch of holiday cookies.  A newer addition to my annual list is a chocolate, chocolate chip cookie with crushed candy cane added into the batter.  These need to be baked on parchment paper, and allowed to cool a bit before removing to a rack to cool completely.  DH's job is to shatter the small candy canes, and to taste test the resultant cookies.

Check out everyones' progress at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

HEXAGON FRIDAY

I missed posting last Friday, as I was busy removing hexagons from my third border!  I discovered that I didn't have enough fabric to complete the 4th border, so I carefully unstitched the final row of hexagons, and added the swirled fabric to the final row.

I finally got back to stitching the 4th and final border, and I've completed 8 of the 17 units so far!  You can see that I'm reusing the row that I took from border number 3, and it saves time by 4 hexagons each unit.....

I'm getting anxious to complete this project, but I'll also be sad that it is done.  Then the next stage is to figure out how I'll quilt it!!!!

FUN WITH MY QUILTING GROUP

My southern quilting group shrinks this time of year - people get busy with holidays, visitors, travel etc.  Yesterday, one member of the group brought a gift to share.  She sorted through her stash, and filled a bin with fabrics that she decided she wouldn't use.  There were many pieces of a couple of yards or more, down to some strips and squares leftover from previous projects.
The ladies had fun, sorting through all the treasures.  We saved some to make baby quilts for a local charity - a group is having a luncheon for them on January 19th, so we plan to spend the next few weeks working on baby quilts!
The old saying "One person's trash is another's treasure", is certainly true when in reference to fabric!  I'll be posting pictures of some of the finished projects over the next month!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I don't have a design wall while I am south, so I use my living-room floor instead.  DH helped me move some of the furniture (we have a small home), and I placed all the blocks for my version of Smith Mountain Morning (Quiltville.com).  I've been making mine in scraps of browns, pinks and white.  I also made it larger than the pattern, making it 8 x 9 blocks.  It was certainly fun seeing them placed in the layout, and seeing the overall pattern emerge, after several weeks of making blocks!  Now I'm in the process of sewing them all together.
Last week I made a set of Christmas coasters and some luggage tags for demo's, so I have to get them completed eventually.  Once I get this top completed, I have to get the new Christmas wall hanging done for the front of our house.  The old one hung outside for over 10 years, but was finally too faded to use.....

We're dog-sitting this week.  Our neighbours are off on a cruise, so Miss Sophie is my quilt assistant for the week.  She comes often enough, that she feels at home with us, but she does listen for the sound of their car or motorcycle!
Check out all the creativity shared at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  184.25 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  85.375 yards

Net used 2013  98.875 yards 

 

I can't believe that another week has passed without having finished a project!  I've been making teaching samples for my quilt group, so I have used fabric, but all the parts are in varying stages of completion!

 

My pink, white and brown quilt, using the Smith Mountain Morning pattern from Quiltville, is getting closer to completion.  I stitched the blocks together in rows, so now just have to sew the rows together.  I have all the parts stitched together for the pieced border as well.

It has been so hot and humid in Florida, that by 11:30 am, it is just too hot to work in my sewing room!  That has been adding to the time I've been stitching hexagons, and I'm working on the final border of half-inch hexagons.  I am hoping to get some projects completed before the end of the year, so I can send my perimeter measurements to my guild to be added to the CQA "Walk to Brock" project. (They are adding all the perimeter measurements of participating guilds' finishes, to cross Canada from Victoria BC, up to Inuvik, and ending in St. Catherines ON for the annual CQA conference and show.)

Check out all the stash + and -'s at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I've been busy working on my brown, pink and white blocks.  I completed the 36 star blocks needed for my quilt, and I've been working on the 36 alternate blocks, to complete the quilt top.

I have one more round to add.  I have the white squares added to one end of the pink strips, but I'll start today by adding a square to the other end.  Then it will be easy to attach the brown strips, then the pinks ones, and give them all a good press.  I've been trying to use different strips in each position, but discovered one that has the same fabric next to each other.  I decided to leave it, and I'll see how many people ever notice!
We went to the Disney area last night to meet our daughter-in-law's sister, her boyfriend, and all his family!  We had a great time, getting to know a bit about everyone.  His mother works in stained glass, and had some pictures of a wonderful window she is making for their home in Maine.

Check out all the creativity at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  184.25 yards

Fabric added this week  13.75 yards

Fabric added year to date  85.375 yards

Net used 2013  98.875 yards

I had to go to Joann's on Friday, as the flannel that I use to back baby quilts was on sale - regularly $6.99/yard for $1.74/yard.  I brought some baby tops south to complete over the winter, so I just bought enough to complete those!

I'm still stitching away on my latest large pieced quilt - a pattern from Bonnie Hunter, so lots of pieces.  I just added the 3rd border to my 1/2 inch hexagon quilt, and I'm adding the final blocks to the corner unit.

My SDIL's sister is in Orlando today, so we're heading in to meet her, her boyfriend and his whole family.  They are leaving on Monday, so this is our only chance to meet everyone.

Check out the stash reports at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

HEXAGON FRIDAY

With all the hustle and bustle this week, I almost forgot to post my hexagon progress!

 I managed to get 14 of the 17 units required for border number 3 completed this week.  Now, I am hoping that I have enough of the outer edge fabric to finish....

We've had a busy week of shopping, helping friends with flooring, planning a community Christmas sing-along, etc.

I did do some Black Friday shopping this morning - a quick trip to JoAnn Fabrics for some bargain flannel, while DH headed to Guitar Center and Harbor Freight Tools.  We didn't get up early, and were back home shortly after 10am.  He headed back out to the car dealer, as we have a small leak in the car's radiator - it looks like a cracked tiny gasket, so I'm hoping they'll be able to repair it right away.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I hope all my American friends are enjoying a wonderful day with f
family and friends. 
Our Canadian thanksgiving in near the middle of October, and we spent a lovely long weekend with our 2 sons and their wives.  This was the first year that I didn't cook a turkey, but we had the best time!

I plan to spend today watching the Macy's parade, and sewing!  I may bake some cookies this afternoon too.

I don't usually shop on the Friday after, but there is one ad that is calling my name, so I'll let you know how much success I have tomorrow.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

My daily sewing habit took a hit during packing, traveling south, opening our house, company for 2 weeks, followed by a cold.  I've managed to do bits and pieces of sewing, and made all the units to make these blocks.

All the fabric came from my stash, as I pulled many pinks, browns and white on white fabrics.  I'm using the Smith Mountain Morning pattern from Quiltville, but I'm making a larger quilt, so I have to complete 20 pink star blocks and 16 brown star blocks.  All the pieces are made, so now I have to finished stitching the other 34 blocks!

Check out the creativity at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  184.25 yards

Fabric added this week  10.75 yards

Fabric added year to date  71.625 yards

Net used 2013  112.625 yards

I haven't made a report since the third week of October!  My fabric additions have accumulated over the past month,  but I haven't finished anything during that time.  I have been working on my hexagon quilt, and I hope to complete the top before the end of the year.

Most of the yardage claimed this time was from a collection of charm squares that were on clearance, as well as some Christmas fabric (I know I'm not supposed to buy any more!), that I want to use to make some small gift items.  I also picked up some fabric with classic Mickey and Minnie to use as borders on a wall hanging for my daughter-in-law.  She collected some pins while in Florida, and wants to display them, so I offered to make her a wall hanging, probably as a birthday gift.

My cold is hanging on - I feel OK as long as I don't do too much.  I spent Friday afternoon watching 2 episodes of Inspector Lewis and stitching hexagons.

Check out all the stash ups and downs at Judy's Patchwork Times.

HEXAGON FRIDAY

I'm trying to get back on track, after heading south for the winter, getting the garden cleaned up, the pantry stocked, and family visiting for 2 weeks. (The time just flew and they were heading home much too soon!)

I managed to complete border number 2 and get it added to the hexagon quilt.  I used the star motif for the corners, and had to play around a bit to get them to fit.  DH says that it looks like Charlie Brown is holding the quilt!

I'm now working on border number 3, and have the first 4 of 17 units completed.  

My son returned north with a stuffy head and scratchy throat.  I came down with the symptoms on Tuesday, and my daughter-in-law's came on Wednesday night.  We are all thankful that it waited until after their visit.  We're all plodding along, and DH is hoping he doesn't catch it, as he and his friend have 5 concerts booked as senior residences in the area during December, and DH does most of the singing!

FIRST WEDNESDAY QUILTING TODAY

There was a larger than normal turn-out for our first week of quilting, and some even brought their machines!  Most of the time was spent greeting old friends, and getting caught up on everyone's summer happenings, family news, etc.
We did sit down and discuss some plans for the coming season, but as most are fairly experienced quilters, they'll be working on their own projects.  I do have a couple of small projects planned to teach how to use the 45 and 60 degree angle lines on the ruler.  We'll also share some small, gifty items, including luggage tags, mug rugs, mug carriers etc.  Everyone shares what they learned at their guilds and other sewing/quilting groups too.
I hope to be a bit more organized next week - I had to call DH to bring my iron!  I'm still catching up after having company for 2 weeks, and of course, I'm coming down with a cold, including a nasty tickle in the back of my throat.
I returned home to find my DH and his friend practicing their guitars, so I'm being serenaded while I type!  They played for several senior residences over the summer, and have lined up some here in Florida as well.  They enjoy playing, singing and having a good time, and volunteer their time to entertain - a win all around!

OUR FAMILY VISIT IS OVER....

DH and I were both sad to see our son and his wife head into the airport this afternoon.  We had a wonderful visit, and enjoyed spending some quality time with our newest daughter-in-law.  We had full, fun days, spending a few days at Disney World and the Space Center.  It was her first visit to Florida, and about half our days were unscheduled, so there was plenty of time for swimming, walks, feeding turtles, shopping, chatting, watching movies etc.
The weather was cooperative too - a few light showers Friday evening, and a light rain overnight and this morning, while the major packing was taking place.  The second leg of their trip will be in the air in about 5 minutes!  They'll have Sunday to unpack and get organized for work.  I'm sure their kitty will welcome them home (she's had the company of DDIL's sister for the past 2 weeks).

DH and I are taking it easy this evening.  Tomorrow I'll get caught up on laundry and cleaning, and may even find a bit of time to spend at my sewing machine.  I have managed to sew some hexagons this week, but only a few!  Once I get my paperwork caught up, I'll be back posting on Hexagon Friday, Stash Report Sunday, and Design Wall Monday.

JUST CHECKING IN

We've been on the run since our family arrived.  I've even been too tired to stitch more than one or two hexagons!  We're all having too much fun and too much good food.

I'm cooking dinner at home tonight, so I better get started while DH has them out doing a bit more shopping......

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  184.25 yards

Fabric added this week 0 yards

Fabric added year to date  60.875 yards

Net used 2013  123.375 yards

 

No more fabric added this week, although I did order some, but it hasn't arrived yet.

 

Our son and his wife arrived, safe and sound yesterday, but they were tired, as they had been picked up for the trip to the airport at  1:45 a.m.  They both had a shower and some food when they arrived, and were early to bed and slept for almost 12 hours!  They are getting ready to go shopping with DH soon - they had fun looking at all the sales ads in the Sunday paper this morning. 

 

I'm staying home to get some end of the month paper work completed, and we're having some friends over for dinner tonight as well.  I'm planning scalloped potatoes and ham, with veggies, salad and an apple crisp for dessert!  My refrigerator is so full right now, but we won't have to get more than milk, fruit and veggies for the next while!

 

I'm hoping to get some sewing done before they return from their shopping trip.

 

Check out the stash progress at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.  

HEXAGON FRIDAY

The second long border is progressing nicely.  I have 18 of the 24 units completed.

My sewing area is ready to use, and I started a new project yesterday, although we're still busy stocking the kitchen and freezer, so that we won't have to shop too often when our family arrives tomorrow!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I don't have any quilting to show yet, I still have to unpack all my sewing stuff - but - yesterday, DH altered my sewing table so my new machine will fit!

There he is, sanding the edges smooth.  I use an old folding table.  It weighs a ton, as it has a heavy plywood top.  DH built a box for my machine to sit in, and luckily, he only had to enlarge the opening to fit my new machine!

We were out shopping again this morning - a daily occurance for the first week at our home in the south.  DS2 and his wife are arriving on Saturday to share their 2 week vacation with us.  I've been looking forward to spending more time with my newest daughter-in-law!

Check out all the quilty creativity at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  184.25 yards

Fabric added this week 10.5 yards

Fabric added year to date  60.875 yards

Net used 2013  123.375 yards

I placed an order before we left and the parcel was delivered on Saturday' adding 4 yards of stripes.

Our stop to Mary Jo's Fabrics on the trip also added 6.5 yards. Since I'm trying to use my stash, I picked up some more "neutrals" and the fabric with chocolates and strawberries will be used for a brown/pink/white quilt I'm planning to start soon!

Check out everyones' progress at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

HEXAGON FRIDAY

I'm a little late posting, but better late than never!

 

I managed to get several units stitched while driving south, although it was slow going, with all the bumps along the way.  There was lots of construction on our travels!
We arrived "home" Friday afternoon, and were greeted by several of our southern neighbours.  We are early this year, so there are still many homes closed up, but people are arriving daily.  We unloaded the van, then made a grocery run, and ate dinner at home!  DH and I get tired of eating out very quickly, so we had a simple dinner of steamed green beans, sweet potato and roasted chicken (I did cheat and buy it already cooked!)
I've been unpacking all morning, while DH began the clean-up outside.  He likes to get all the siding washed, along with our screen room so we can get it all "livable".  Tomorrow I'll help clean the windows in the sunroom, aka my sewing room, then after a good vacuum and a floor wash, I'll be able to unpack the remainder of the sewing stuff.  DH does have to alter my sewing table - my new machine has a much bigger footprint, and I like the machine to be set into the table so I have a level surface for machine quilting - it makes such a big difference!
Now back to unpacking, dusting, rearranging etc.

TOUCHING BASE

DH and I are on the road.  We stopped in Gastonia NC this morning for a quick trip to Mary Jo's Fabrics - I-85 Exit 21!  Then off to Charleston where DH's new 12 string electric guitar was waiting to hitch a ride south!
We ended the evening in Savannah GA, and after dinner, headed over to the Savannah Historic Theatre on Bull St. where we enjoyed "Savannah Live!"  We'll be back on the road in the morning.....

HEXAGON FRIDAY

This will be my last report for a while - we're on the road next week!

I managed to finish the first side border this week.  I did some stitching in the car on our road trip to Niagara, and in between checking lists, packing, and making my sewing room more tidy!

I still have 5 more units to stitch to the main quilt top!  I'm beginning to wonder if I'll have enough of the fabric I've been using for the outer edge, so I found two pieces that are the same colour and hue, and I think I'll use them for the top and bottom outer edge.
I'm hoping I'll get some sewing time in on our trip south, but I'm usually too busy looking at scenery, and watching for signs of interesting places to stop along the way!

A WONDERFUL FAMILY WEEKEND

Unfortunately DH forgot the camera, so we'll have to wait for pictures from our family!
Saturday, DH and I celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary!

I still have to scan in our wedding pictures, but this is one of me and my sister-in-law/maid of honour!
We spent a quiet day at home, then picked up dinner and wine to share with our good friends.
Sunday morning, we were on the road early, heading to our oldest son's home.  We dropped off their Christmas gifts, grabbed their overnight bags and headed toward Niagara Falls.  Our younger son and his wife met us at the hotel, and after checking in, we all piled in our van and headed out to explore the vineyards in the area.  That part of southern Ontario is at the same lattitude as northern California, and is a huge wine producing area.  We stopped at Jackson-Triggs Winery, and went on a guided tour of the vineyard, and the underground wine barrel storage area.  We were given 3 generous wine tastings along the way, then used our hotel coupon for 3 more at the wine bar after the tour.  Two of our family don't drink, but generously shared their wine with everyone.  We made it back to the hotel in time to take the shuttle to dinner, where we laughed and talked for several hours.  My two SDIL's were tired, so when we returned to the hotel, they enjoyed some good books while our two boys came to our room and played some fun card games with us.
It was difficult getting everyone up and going in the morning - DH and I are fairly early risers, so DH went for an early walk to the falls, while I sewed a few hexagons and watched the falls from the comfort of an armchair!  We finally got everyone up, and went for breakfast (really brunch), returned to check out of the hotel, then headed out for another adventure.  Monday we visited Iniskillin Winery, much older and larger than the first one.  We went on a tour here as well, but had our wine bar tastings before the tour. The weather was warm and sunny, and we were able to watch a truckload of grapes being delivered, sorted and de-stemmed before heading to the juicing tanks.  This winery has been a huge winner in the Ice Wine competitions for several years, and one of the samples after the tour was an ice wine made in 2011, that was aged in oak.  I don't usually like sweet wines, but this one was wonderful, but a bit above our budget!
We said farewell to our son and daughter-in-law, and they headed in one direction, while we returned our other pair to their home.  The traffic into Toronto was busy, but moving at normal speeds, and it was clear sailing all the way home.
This time of year is always a bit sad for us, as we don't usually see our family until spring, but his year, our younger son and wife will be spending 2 weeks with us in Florida!
Now I had better get back to checking lists and packing - my brother and his wife are visiting from China and will be staying with us for a day, so I have to be prepared early this year!
 

HEXAGON FRIDAY

I managed to finish 16 of the 24 units for the 1st of 4 borders.  I decided to stitch them together first, then I'll have a marathon sewing session to add them to the side of the quilt.

I finished all my gifts that need to be delivered before we hit the road.  I made some neat luggage tags for some friends and family members who will be travelling in the near future. 
(Pattern found here.)  I could have designed my own, but there are so many available on the internet, it was easier following someone else's directions.  I plan to make more, to donate to my guild's boutique at the next show (2015).

DH gets annoyed with me, as I hate to pack up all my sewing stuff until the last minute - I might need to stitch something!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

This will be my last design wall for a few weeks.  DH and I are in full "heading south mode".  

Last week, while looking for projects to take south, I found a panel with 8 teapot blocks.  I wanted to make a simple quilt with 9 blocks, so went hunting through my files and found the pattern for this great teapot and cup!  It was a mystery block pattern from Paper Panache!  The patterns are very complex, but lots of fun to try!

I used sashing strips to make the panel blocks fit the paper pieced one.  I have the outer border cut, along with the binding, and this project is packed and waiting to travel south.



Today DH made me write Christmas cards!  It has become our annual October job - we leave the cards, ready to mail, and our house-sitter puts them in the mail box December 1st!

Our next job is to wrap presents!  We have a trip planned to Niagara Falls with both sons and their wives next weekend, to help celebrate our 45th anniversary.  DH found a great package that includes falls view hotel rooms, dinner, breakfast, winery tours and vouchers to use at the casino.  We'll be delivering our gifts when we see them, and it is up to them to decide when to open them!



Check out all the creativity at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  5 yards

Fabric used year to date  184.25 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date   50.375 yards

Net used 2013  133.875 yards

I used 3 yards of denim and cotton to make 2 aprons, one for a "now" gift, and one for Christmas.  SDIL2 showed me the wear on her favourite apron, so I decided to dig into my long-hidden box of clothing fabric and use denim for the main part of the apron, with a cotton print for the ties and pockets.  They are already wrapped, ready to take along next weekend when we see our family again.

I haven't done much "crafting" for a while, but I wanted to make something special for my newest daughter-in-law.  I remembered seeing a pattern to make this jewelry box in a magazine in days gone by, but when I went hunting, it was nowhere to be found.  To say that it was frustrating was an understatement, but I won!

  I used around a yard of each of the fabrics, mostly because of errors on my part.  DH didn't think it would work, but he was surprised at the finished item.  Since SDIL2 loves dragonflies, I found this awesome print last winter, and paired it with a light lime green fairy frost for the interior.  I was looking for a colour that would allow gold and silver items to show well, and this seemed to work the best!  The finished box is just over 6 inches square and around 4 inches tall.  I used a  ponytail elastic as the closure.  The 3 interior trays are glued to different sides, so that they pull open when the box is opened.

It is really meant for earrings and small pins and necklaces.  I'm pleased with the end result, but I won't be making more any time soon!

Hope everyone used lots of fabric this week!  Check the results at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times!

HEXAGON FRIDAY

This is the completed centre of the quilt.  I could stop here, but I want to add the border units as well!

The border units use a different fabric for the centres, and have two different tones of cream/beige/fawn as the fill-in areas.  These units also touch - a first in this pattern.

This shows the placement on the side of the quilt.  There will be a dark border as well, although I haven't decided if I will make another row of hexagons, or applique the edge to a regular straight border strip.  I'll wait until I reach that point to decide.

This picture was taken without the flash - neither shows the true colours of the quilt!

I'm already wondering how I'll quilt this when it is completed.....

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I've been trying to work on some projects for my Florida group.  One of my goals is to teach them how to use some of the angle lines on their rulers.  The first project I thought of is a table runner.

The fabrics I used were leftover from a set called "Coffee & Teal", that was part of a Christmas gift from DH a few years ago.  I'll be taking this sample top south with me, along with some backing and binding so I can complete it after it is used for a teaching aid.
Now - back to the drawing board to come up with some other fast, easy but interesting projects.

Check out the creativity linked to Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.  

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  3 yards

Fabric used year to date  179.25 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date   50.375 yards

Net used 2013  128.875 yards

A good friend of my daughter-in-law is expecting a baby so I offered to make a few items.

I looked through my flannel stash and made a double layer receiving blanket, two burp cloths and a baby size bib.  She is busy knitting a lovely baby blanket.  She is a fairly novice knitter, and has chosen a great pattern, but had to watch some videos to learn how to follow the pattern stitches.  She is making good progress, and it should be done by the time the baby arrives.

Check out everyone's stash progress at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times. 

HEXAGON FRIDAY

One more row to add the the quilt centre will be complete!  Then I have to make the two different border shapes.  It seems impossible, but I like this quilt more and more as each row is added.

Since I made the units with the background hexagons already attached, adding them to the top goes quickly.  The only additional hexagons that were needed were the dark border colours for the blocks on each end, and a row of background hexagons for the left side, to complete the pattern.

I spent part of the morning helping my friend complete a set of Christmas stockings for her family.  Since she works, we squeeze in some sewing time whenever we can!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I had intended to work on this when we are south for the winter, but had to do a bit more.  I added the light gold satin body to the quilt top, then layered it with the wash-away stabilizer, held with dots of washable glue stick.  I stitched the outlines and markings, along with antennae and legs with a dark gold mylar thread.  The pink areas are the drawn lines in Frixion ink that will be stitched in a lighter gold mylar thread.  The background fabric size was just "eyeballed" with the dragonfly drawing placed on top, but after measuring it, it is 22 x 31 inches.  I haven't decided if I'll add any borders - that decision is down the line.  I really need to put this away and concentrate on projects to take south, but it keeps whispering my name........

Head over to Judy's blog, Patchwork Times, to see what is on other's design walls this week!

We had a lovely visit with our son and his wife - they are good cooks, and fed us well.  Saturday evening we went to see Whoopie Goldberg, and laughed along with a full house!  There was even a question and answer period following her monologue.  
They are saving for a down payment so they can buy a house.  Of course, they've been attending open house days and checking listings in the area they would like to live.  Unfortunately, they found the perfect home - just a 5 minute walk to work for my son, (he doesn't drive), but they are not ready to buy just yet.  Must be Murphy's Law!  They intend to tighten their belts again, and concentrate on saving, so they don't miss another opportunity.  They have already paid for their airfare to Florida, and we'll be treating for food and some entertainment while they are visiting.  Good thing that neither one of them likes to shop!

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  1.25 yards

Fabric used year to date  176.25 yards

Fabric added this week 0 yards

Fabric added year to date  50.375 yards

Net used 2013  125.825 yards

 

The only fabric I can claim this week is for my completed BOM project - Christmas Candle Stained Glass Wall Hanging.

 

Everything else I worked on was for my guild's community quilt program - just machine quilting and finishing others' quilt tops!

 

Check to see what progress everyone had this week, at Judy's blog,

Patchwork Times.

HEXAGON FRIDAY

I made some progress this week, with 27 of the 32 small flower units completed!

Now I'm getting anxious to begin attaching them to the ends of the quilt centre!
I attended the executive meeting for my quilt guild on Wednesday evening, and came home with another basted quilt to finish for community quilts.  I worked on it for a while yesterday afternoon, and came up with a quilting plan.  I hope to get it completed today!

Tomorrow morning DH and I will be on the road early, heading to Kitchener to spend some time with DS1 and his wife.  We are going to see Whoopie at the Centre in the Square.  Then back home on Sunday.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I finished my September BOM project from my guild - I chose to make the applique version, stitching the turned-edge appliques by machine.  I added some thread painting as accents to the flame and pointsettias, then did some simple quilting and added the binding.

It will be donated to the "Every Child Counts" group, to be sold to raise funds for the school the Bahamas.

 This is the start of a project that has been percolating in my brain for 3-4 years.
My son's new wife loves dragonflies.  He found some wonderful photos of them on the internet, and one spoke to me.  We expanded the picture, and printed it poster size to use as a pattern.  I got out my Golden Threads tracing paper, and made a line drawing of the dragonfly.  Then the problem was - how to transfer the image to the fabric.  Since I knew I wanted a dark background, and I also knew that I didn't want to spend time picking our all the tiny bits of tracing paper - I went back to the drawing board.  A while later, I discovered a package of wash-away "plastic" stabilizer.  I put it with the pattern and went on to other projects.  I had found the background fabric and some to make grass, and I also picked up some of the "Frixion" pens in pink, light blue and purple.  The pink was the perfect colour to trace my original drawing!  I used a close-up picture of grass as an inpiration for shapes and colours of the few foreground grasses.  I just have them temporarily glued into place, and still have to applique them to the background.  Of course, DH saw it and made a few suggestions for additional design, but I think I'll stitch it and let it percolate for a while before I decide on the next steps!

Check out all the wonderful design walls at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  154.125 yards

Fabric added this week 0 yards

Fabric added year to date  50.375 yards

Net used 2013  103.75 yards

 

Nothing used from my stash, but I did finish another quilt for my guild's community quilts project.  Everyone likes to piece the top of the quilt, but few like to quilt and add the binding!  That has become my goal - to finish quilts that others have started.  After working on a few, I see what a longarm quilter goes through in finding the right quilting design to enhance the quilt.

 

My week seemed to fly away - working on quilts for Calgary, a part day with the community quilts group, a physio appointment, making goodies to take for our get-together with relatives on Friday.  Yesterday was laundry, and finishing the quilt, so I hope to get some of my own projects started/worked on/finished today!

 

Check out others' stash progress at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

CUTE BABY ALPACA!

We had a great visit with our cousins in Tweed yesterday.  Wonderful catching up and sharing all the family news.
April & Melody raise alpacas on their farm.  This is the newest member of the herd, just 5 days old!

Here, its getting a hug! 

They show their animals and have won many ribbons.  DH took pictures of the "girls".  

They have the alpacas sheared in the spring, then have the fleeces spun into yarn - some mixed with wool.  Some is kept in its natural colour - they range from white to black, with many in-between brownish shades.  Some is dyed.  They have one Suri alpaca, and they keep the fleece separate from the rest - the yarn feels like silk!

I wish I was a better knitter - they are looking for people to knit for them - they don't have time!

HEXAGON FRIDAY

I managed  to finish 19 of the 32 small flower units to finish the centre of the quilt.  Most of my hand-sewing time was spent on bindings for the final 3 quilts heading to Calgary.  I also attended our community quilts workshop on Tuesday, and brought another finished top home, along with some backing fabric, so I've been busy finishing that one, as well.

Today DH and I are heading to Tweed to visit our cousins, who raise alpacas.  They hardly ever leave their small farm, and we decided to make it a good visit.  DH's sister and cousin, along with their husbands are also coming, along with his long-lost cousin, so it should be a great afternoon.

Yesterday, with DH's help, we baked a tomato soup spice cake, cherry brownies (with dried cherries), and onion French bread, along with an antipasto pasta salad.  We'll probably have enough food for 100 people, as everyone is bringing something!

Off to pack up the goodies, and hit the road to scenic Tweed!

DESIGN WALL (MONDAY) - OOPS - TUESDAY

I'm a day late posting, but I was busy finishing quilts to be sent to flood victims in Calgary!

This is the applique version of my guild's September BOM project.  The applique pieces were placed on a solid black background.  I used some water soluble applique foundation material, which was placed on the back of the coloured fabrics (I held mine with a dab of glue-stick).  After trimming the seam allowance, I used the glue stick to fold and stick the seam allowance to the back of the foundation material.  When I place the pieces on the background (using a light box), I held them in place with a bit more glue.
I used invisible (monofilament) thread and a narrow zig-zag stitch to attach the pieces to the background.  Then I did some stitching with some mylar hologram thread for the details on the pointsettias and the candle flame.
Now I have to trim the top, and layer it (I'll use some black batting that was leftover from a previous project), and I'll machine quilt it, add binding, and it will be ready for October's meeting!