STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week 0 yards

Fabric used year to date  147.5 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  35.5 yards

Net used 2013  114 yards  

I just have two more borders to add and my scrappy split 9-patch quilt top will be complete!  The bad news is that DH and are on a road trip until Wednesday!

 

DH won an ebay auction for a new guitar.  The owner didn't want to ship to Canada, so we called one of our US friends and shipped it to him.  We've been promising to come for a visit, so this is a great excuse.  We planned to visit the Ford Museum in the Detroit area, but they had a special makers faire running, and there was no parking!  We're hoping to stop in on our way home (a weekday), but if not, maybe on our way south in the fall!

 

I'll try to get this posted before we check out of the hotel in the morning.  I don't have any pictures for DesignWall Monday, but will be back at the computer Thursday.....

 

Check out what everyone is doing at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

HEXAGON FRIDAY +

I have 33 small flower units completed.  30 were from the extra units that I have un-stitched, and remade.  I need 32 for the next two rows, but one set of 10 is set aside for the final two rows!  It probably won't make a difference in the layout, but it might!

I've been working on my scrap split 9-patch quilt - the centre is completed.  I decided to use up some block units that have been piling up for a long time, to make the outer borders.  After rootling around, all I have to say is that I need to make more leftover block quilts!

Today DH and I went to Coburg ON to visit a long lost cousin.  We had lost touch due to our moving, his moving, other family issues, but DH did some serious hunting and was able to reconnect.  We had lunch, talked over old times, got caught up on basic family news, talked about retirement etc.  The time just flew!  We are hoping that he'll be visiting us in Florida this winter too!



 

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

This is the time I wish I had a large design wall!  I finished all 80 scrappy split 9-patch blocks, so I decided to play with layouts.

First I placed the blocks in a symmetrical layout.  It looks good, but is a bit boring!

 Then I rearranged them into a more asymmetrical design, but it still doesn't feel right to me.
I tried playing with different layouts in Electric Quilt, but it wasn't as satisfying as playing with the actual blocks!

I guess I'll have to continue to twist and turn.  I had to stand on a step-stool to take a picture that would show most of the design!

Maybe this one will be the winner.
Let me know which one you would choose.


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  147.5 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  35.5 yards

Net used 2013  114 yards  

No yardage to claim this week, but I have made 58 of the 80 scrappy split 9-patch blocks!   Using blocks that are split diagonally between light and dark are fun to play with.  DH will help with the twisting and turning.  My 2 1/2 inch leftover strip stash is shrinking.  (Most were from leftover binding, which I press flat and save.)

Since this is our least expensive time for electricity, yesterday I baked bread, gingersnap cookies and simmered the turkey carcass to make the broth.  I picked the meat off the bones and refrigerated it overnight, then skimmed off the fat this morning before adding all the veggies and herbs.  I have containers that hold 2 servings, so most of it will end up in the freezer.

 

We woke up this morning to find cool air!  We were fortunate to miss most of the thunderstorms, hail and high winds that took out electricity to many areas, and the high heat and humidity is gone for a day or two, we hope.  DH and I took advantage of the cool air to do some maintenance on our gardens.  Our green bin will be pretty full this week!

 

This morning, I also chopped some onions, and shredded some carrots to add to the green split pea soup that I'm also making today.  I had two ham bones in the freezer, just waiting for their turn to make delicious soup, and since it is cooler today, it is a perfect day for making soup.  I also used a dry rub on some ribs last night and they are waiting in the refrigerator.  I'll make my sauce and put them in the oven for 2 or 3 hours this afternoon.  This will also make several meals that can go in the freezer, after we sample them for dinner tonight.

 

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

HEXAGON FRIDAY

I managed to get the next two rows completed.  Due to my mis-reading the pattern, I made 26 of the lozenge units instead of 16!  I decided to salvage them for use in the next blocks.

First, I carefully removed the light blue background units, most of which were used to fill in when attaching the last rows to the quilt top.

 The I reassembled the pieces, using the centre for one small flower, with two leftover hexagons, and using the outer ring to make two more small flowers, adding 2 more centres, and having two more leftover hexagons.

 I've been making two piles of small flower units.  I need 4 more rows of 16 to complete the top, along with two large flower rows. 
I'm saving the duplicate flowers for the final two rows.  I'll have 30 of the 64 small flower units complete when I finally re-make the 10 extra blocks.  I hate un-sewing as much as everyone, but since this is supposed to be a longer term project, it just adds one more step.  Hopefully, I'll be able to use the leftover hexagons before the quilt is completed!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

My sewing room is a mess!  So, to help tidy up, I decided to use my pile of 2 1/2 inch strips to make some split 9-patch blocks.  I've made a quilt from this pattern before, but was reminded of it by Bonnie at Quiltville.  My block is slightly different, as it only has 2 half-square triangle units in each block, and uses a consistant fabric in the centre position of each.

This was also a "no-brainer" idea for my next project!  I'm still contemplating what to make next.... but this will fill in until I decide.

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week 2 yards

Fabric used year to date  147.5 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  35.5 yards

Net used 2013  114 yards

 

I managed to get a table runner finished this week, but with family visiting, my sewing/quilting time was limited!  (Picture is found here!) 

Yesterday, my daughter-in-law was on Skype with her sister in Russia (they have a weekly Skype date to keep in touch).  I asked if she wanted a quilt, so we took the computer to my sewing room and showed her several quilts - she chose this my quilt called "Patches & Pinwheels"  (near the bottom of the page).  We also chose a quilt to give to her Mother, and one for her other sister!  I really have to find good homes for more quilts!  My storage area is overflowing......

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

PICTURES, FINALLY!

While my two tall sons are visiting, I took advantage of their help to get pictures of 3 large quilts - 2 completed in 2012 and one in 2013.  I think I need to invest in a quilt stand!  I have added the pictures to the appropriate pages as well!

 This hexagon quilt was inspired by Bonnie Hunter.  The top was English paper pieced by hand, then appliqued onto the green border.  I used the leftover cut squares to make a prairie point edging - my first!

 Oriental Kaleidoscope was inspired by Bethany Reynolds of "Stack n Whack" fame.  The centre was completed, then I make it larger by adding pieced borders, using the original fabric.

 Dawn and Dusk was just completed last month.  The pattern is by Judy Laquidara, and was found in Quiltmaker magazine.  I pieced the top and basted it while in the south, then completed the machine quilting recently.

It is always a challenge to photograph large quilts, and my sons were standing on two step-stools, and battling a breeze.  Someday, it would be nice to be able to take the pictures in a more controlled  environment!

HEXAGON FRIDAY

This is my progress as of this morning.  The good news is that the units are getting attached quickly - the bad news is that I mis-read the pattern, and made 26 units instead of 16!  I un-stitched the light blue hexies, and have used them as fillers while adding the current two rows.  I will also partly un-stitch the remaining centres and use them to make small "flower" units required for the next two rows.  The next rows switch to another background fabric as well!

This morning my first daylily opened!  I live this peach flower with the rose ring and yellow centre and rippled edges!

As you can see, it is only one of MANY to come!



 
My two sons and one daughter-in-law are visiting this weekend - they took Thursday afternoon and Friday off work, and are enjoying the Buskers Festival that is in Kingston this weekend.

ANOTHER CHRISTMAS PROJECT COMPLETED!

I completed the final quilting on the double wedding ring runner today.  I used sparkly green Glitter hologram mylar thread by Superior Threads to stitch the motifs in the centres and the melons.  It is super shiny in person, but doesn't photograph well......

 Now I just have to decide which project to begin next.  I think I'll have to find one that needs 1 1/2 inch strips as my strip bin is really overflowing!!!!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

In the spring I saw a double wedding ring template set demo'd on a TV show - it seemed to be the simplest I had seen, so I ordered one.  It is from ez-Quilting and is found here or here.

I had some gradated solid fabric left over from a previous project, and so thought I'd give it a try.  The templates worked wonderfully for cutting the pieces, and the whole project went together easily!  Since I had chosen the red and green gradations, I decided to go with a Christmas theme.  The ends of the arcs are made with a gold fabric with holly and berries, and the squares are dark red with Christmas light bulbs and green with more holly and sparkles.  I used a narrow red stripe that has been in my stash more years than I want to remember to make the bias binding.  I have all the basic quilting done, but still have to quilt in the centres and the melons!  My friend saw it last night and hinted that it would make a great Christmas gift!

Today we left early and drove to Whitby to start our passport renewal process.  They finally have 10 year passports as of 1 July.  We only had to wait about 15 minutes, but by the time we were done, the waiting room was filling up!  

After taking care of  business we drove up to my brother's "shop".  He has been a custom car/ custom motorcycle enthusiast his whole life.  He found a shop building at an old mill in a small town north of Pickering ON.  He has the use of the building in exchange for odd jobs for the owner.  He was a welder by trade, so did all the iron work on a huge gazebo on the property.  The owner lives in a small part of the mill, and there are currently a quilt shop, tea room and small restaurant on the ground floor (all closed on Monday!)  There are still more changes occurring all the time.  The owner has some small burros - two were from a rescue group, and one arrived expecting.  My brother helped to deliver the baby, who is now larger than his mother!  He and his better half feed them carrots and apples for treats!  His friends are always dropping by, getting help with small projects.  He built the motorcycle himself, with parts donated from all his riding buddies and it is beautiful. Of course, I forgot to take the camera!!!!!!

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  147.5 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  35.5 yards

Net used 2013  112 yards

 

I don't know where this past week has gone!  I've been busy all week, and did get some sewing done on a table runner, but nothing finished yet!

We had several outings visiting friends, and I'm always surprised at how much the time seems to fly by.  Tomorrow we're heading towards Toronto - taking our passports in for renewal, and visiting my oldest brother - we don't see enough of family!

 

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

 

HEXAGON FRIDAY

Sometimes I don't know where the days have gone!  I missed last Friday's report, but managed to remember this Friday!

 I have 25 of the 26 units completed to make the next two rows!  When I first started making these, I just put two colours together that I liked.  After a while, I decided to try to make more by reversing the colour position - if it had been on the inside smaller area, I used it for the outside larger area of another unit.  I also tried to mix the colours differently.  Some of the fabric I'm using I bought at my favourite Florida shop's fat quarter sale, but I'm also using 1 1/2 inch strips from my scrap strip bin, so I don't have as many pieces to use.  It is a fun process, and I'm enjoying myself!

Yesterday was my birthday, and although we told our family "no gifts", my older son and his wife gave me a "Kobo Mini" ebook reader.  It is only 4 by 5 inches and really light weight.  I spent yesterday morning charging it, setting up an account, and choosing some free books to try it out.  I still have to learn how to download  ebooks from my public library.  They use a new type of PDF format called "Adobe Digital Editions", and are protected and have a time limit before they expire. 

Our good friends invited us over for dinner, and their 2 new charges helped make a chocolate birthday cake with tons of sprinkles!  It has been horribly hot for the past few days, but after dinner we took our tea outside and sat under the shade of their apple tree.  There was a nice breeze and we were entertained by 2 little nymphs frolicking in the giant wading pool. 

Today, DH and his good friend packed up all their guitars, amps microphones etc., and headed up north to Coe Hill (where his sister lives).  They have formed a group, called 3 for a Quarter and have been entertaining at seniors' residences, playing oldies, pop and sing-a-long numbers.  Today they are playing at the Canadian Legion in Coe Hill to entertain for the seniors' BBQ.  I'm sure they'll have a good time!