READY TO TRAVEL

My sewing room looks too tidy!  I've packed my bags of projects, threads, tools, sewing machine, and everything but the kitchen sink according to DH!

He blames the full van on me, but it also holds golf clubs, 2 guitars, speakers, monitors, music stand, microphone, etc., for his hobby too!

We Skyped yesterday with DS2 and family. The made their first Jack'o'lantern yesterday too!  We'll call DS1 and family tonight.

I picked up some yarn yesteday, so I could knit on the trip, in between enjoying the scenery, reading, and maybe even some shopping along the way.  I had a call from a guild member asking me to watch for some specific items for the Community Quilts group too - darn......more shopping!

We still have to do our final load of laundry and clean out the refrigerator after dinner tonight, then off to bed for an early start in the morning...... 

SORTING AND PACKING

Next week we'll be making our annual trek south to warmer weather.  This requires lots of packing - a quilter needs her stuff!

Of course, this requires a lot of guess-work, as I'm never quite sure what I want to work on for the next few months.  The pile of fabric at the back right consists of 20 pillowcase pieces, along with the coordinating border for each piece.  The heart print has been in my stash for a long time, and I think it needs to be made into a bright, happy kid's quilt.  The neutrals are for a project using scrap 9-patch blocks and a scrappy braid.

The right hand pile is made up of some panels for baby quilts, along with some flannel backing, and fabric for binding and scraps for extra blocks.  
The pastel pile is set aside to make some little girl quilts.  I usually make the bright quilts and "boy" prints to donate to my guild, but this fabric was calling my name.

Finally, there is my collection of blue fabrics.  I'm using them to use for my guild's BOM project for this season.

There are 2 different projects, one is a "modern quilt", but I'm doing the traditional one!

 This is the 3rd block that I have completed so far.  October there were 2 to complete, to leave time in the guild's year to make all the blocks.

I think it is time to pack up my machine, so I won't be doing any sewing for over a week!  I'm looking forward to seeing old friends, and new, including members of my southern quilt group.  The bad news is that I have to buy fabric for my son & daughter-in-law's king size quilt, ''Storm at Sea'', so my numbers will take a hit very soon!  I also have to get the publicity out about our pillowcase workshop day, once I confirm dates to use the clubhouse - my group often shares the space for part of each quilting day, but I'd like to have it reserved in the hope that more of the residents join us for the day.

Off to choose some books and patterns to pack.......

BUSY FEW DAYS......

Since we are quickly approaching our semi-annual relocation, we've been keeping busy, checking our lists and making preparations.

This week we completed our Christmas shopping for our immediate family members, and birthday shopping for our grandson.  We are visiting both households this weekend, for final hugs before heading south, and dropping off gifts!  I'm glad that we can skype with our grandson, and we'll be able to see his growth over the next few months!  Hopefully, he'll remember us when we return next spring.....

I've begun pulling fabric for winter projects.  I have a large collection of blue fabric, so I decided to make my guild's BOM quilt in all the various shades!

This is block number 1 from September.

Here is block number 2 from October.  There is another block to complete this month, but I'll see if I can fit it in next week!

This time, I'll have to remember to enter the finished quilt in the next quilt show.  We made one a few years ago, but I didn't even think to enter mine.  It was an interesting display, showing all the different fabric choices, and how different each quilt was - all beautiful!

Next week we have to get are Christmas cards organized, and complete the shopping for our "take south" list.  DH has been busy working through the list of jobs that need to be done before we close the house - thank heavens for good friends, who check on our place daily, and for good neighbours, who keep watch over the neighbourhood!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

After completing the top, using donated "stack n whack" blocks, I discovered one narrow strip of 8 repeats of the focal fabric in the bottom of the bag!  I straightened it into a 2 inch strip, then cut 60 degree triangles, each stack having 8 pieces.

Since 60 degree triangle only require 6 pieces to form a shape, I set the remaining 2 pieces of each design aside.  I also found  a couple of 2 inch strips of the background cream fabric, used in the original quilt blocks, so that was cut into 60 degree triangles also.

 I had to cheat and make two hexagon shapes with 3 different pairs of fabric, but I think the small runner turned out just fine.  It finishes at 20 1/4 inches x 12 inches.  I think I'll give the finished runner to the guild member that made the original blocks!

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  135 yards

Fabric added this week 0 yards

Fabric added year to date  63.75 yards

Net used 2015  71.25 yards

 

Another 4 days visiting our grandson and family was great, but takes away from my quilting productivity!

My only accomplishment was to piece a quilt top, using some completed blocks from a guild member.  They were donated to community quilts, as she is trying to reduce her UFO's!  I added 1/2 yard for sashing strips, and completed the top.  It will be delivered to the group's monthly work day on Tuesday.

This weekend in Thanksgiving, so I have a turkey in the oven, and a pumpkin pie cooling on the counter.  It is just DH and I for dinner, so we'll have lots of leftovers to enjoy in our final few weeks before the bi-annual relocation!

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