LOOKING FORWARD TO 2017

DH and I have had a great year.  Our family is happy, and we've enjoyed our time with our first grandson, watching him grow and explore.  We are fortunate to be healthy, and happy.

My goal again this year is to use more of my stash!  I've been making quilt tops from my pre-cut strips.  I have bins of 1 1/2", 2", and 2 1/2" strips, along with 2" and 5" squares.  I have completed 3 tops already, using 5" squares and 1 1/2 inch strips.
My latest is spinning spools, all made from 1 1/2 inch strips.  I'm currently working on another top made from strips - this one needed width of fabric strips in lights and darks, and my 1 1/2 " bin has almost no full width strips left!  Now I have to plan projects to use up all the short ends!

My southern quilt group starts our winter project this Wednesday.  They asked for a row quilt, so I found an interesting pattern to share with everyone.  

Hope everyone is looking forward to 2017!  Happy quilting.....

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Hope everyone is enjoying their day in their own special way.

We Skyped with our family early this morning, and watched our grandson open his presents.

We are delivering plates of holiday goodies to our neighbours, then

 heading out to spend Christmas and Boxing Day with our cousins in their new home!

 

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  217 yards

Fabric added this week 0 yards

Fabric added year to date  87.75 yards

Net used 2016  129.25 yards

 

 Nothing completed, but lots of sewing going on....

Machine quilting - densely stitched leaves inside each block around the leaves.

Swirls and leaves stitched in the sashing areas. 

I like open quilting on my quilts, especially in the open spaces.

The outer, dusty green border has feathered hooks, with a row of echo stitches on each outside edge.

 

This quilt was difficult to photograph - too much light and it looked washed out.

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  13.875 yards

Fabric used year to date  217 yards

Fabric added this week 7.5 yards

Fabric added year to date  87.75 yards

Net used 2016  129.25 yards

I just finished the final stitch of the binding on my Shades of Autumn quilt!  I had a mechanical problem with my free motion stitching, but after a quick call to the repair expert at my local dealer, we figured out what was wrong, and I was able to complete the quilting.  Pictures to follow - my quilt holder, DH, has been busy practicing for tonight's Christmas sing-a-long.  One of the members of the group has been away for 2 weeks, so they are busy, busy, busy.

We stopped into my favourite local shop, "Quilts on Plum Lane" in Dade City.  I picked up 3 pieces of fabric from the clearance area, and 7 fat quarters.  My plan of using pre-cuts all winter has one flaw - I forgot that I was teaching the group a row quilt, and needed larger pieces for some of the blocks.....  Don't you hate being forced to shop for fabric!

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week 0 yards

Used year to date  203.125 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  80.25 yards

Net used 2016  122.875 yards

Nothing completed this week.  DH and I finally pin-basted my autumn leaf quilt, but we had so many visitors and interruptions this week, I haven't made much progress.   We've also been hanging the Christmas decorations and lights outside.

Hopefully I'll be able to get at least one more project completed by the end of the year!

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

QUILT TOP COMPLETED

I just put the final border on my pinwheel quilt top.

Now I'll finally begin quilting my autumn leaf quilt.

My new threads are arriving tomorrow

while we are spending the afternoon at Epcot for

Christmas Candlelight Procession.

Saturday I'll be in the mood to decorate inside and out for the holidays! 

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

No design wall in my southern home, but I took a picture of my latest scrap project.  I had stitched the blocks together in one direction, and the seams are pressed, and it is pinned, ready to sew the remaining seams in the top together.

The pattern is called Pinwheels on Parade, and found in one of the Nickle Quilt books.  My plan was to sew from my bins of precuts.  The centre of this quilt was made from 5 inch squares.  I had separated all the batik squares, and had enough for the dark blocks, but not enough for the light ones.  I had packed lots of "neutral" prints to help use up the scraps, so I cut 5 inch squares, after I took all the neutral ones from my "light" stack of 5 inch squares.

My next decision will be what to use for the borders.....

DH and I finally made it to the clubhouse on Sunday afternoon and pin-basted my autumn leaf quilt!  I'm anxious to start quilting, but I ordered a few spools of thread from Superior Threads, and I plan on using one or two of them in this quilt.

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  7.75 yards

Fabric used year to date  203.125 yards

Fabric added this week  20.25 yards

Fabric added year to date  80.25 yards

Net used 2016  122.875 yards 

My numbers always change at this time of year - can't pass up on Black Friday sales.  I went to Joann's on Wednesday at dinner time - no line-ups at the cutting table.

  

Flannel for backing future baby quilts, 

fabric for two more pillowcases

and some "neutral" Christmas prints.  I'm always very selective when choosing fabric at Joann's - some is great while others are not!

My finish was the Calico Friends baby quilt that I shared earlier.

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

ANOTHER BABY QUILT FINISHED

Just another quilt made from a panel....the larger (yard by width of fabric) are almost impossible to find lately.  I've been working on the ones in my stash, as our hospital gift shop loves them - they sell better than the pieced and appliqued quilts, and the money goes to our Hugs program, to pay for other items provided in the layettes that they give away.

DH and I, along with a good friend, headed for the Disney Studios yesterday.  It was packed with families who had the whole week of Thanksgiving off!  Our goal was to see the Fantasmic show and the Christmas multi-media/ fireworks at night.  We managed to enjoy a couple of other favourites while we were there.  DH and I plan to return another evening just for the  Christmas show- the beauty of having an annual pass.  Next week we plan to go to Epcot for the Christmas Candlelight Processional.  It has become a part of our Christmas traditions, seeing the orchestra, massed choir, and hearing the story told - it lifts my heart......

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  7.75 yards

Fabric used year to date  199.25 yards

Fabric added this week  15.75 yards

Fabric added year to date  60 yards

Net used 2016  139.25 yards

My machine finally came home, all shiny and raring to go!  My first job was to complete the bicycle seat covers that I had cut out and serged.  DH and I ride our bikes everyday, so now I have 6 ready for use, so I won't be making more any time soon.

I have the machine quilting done on all three baby quilts that I pin-basted, and I stitched the binding on two of them.  The third should be completed later today, but I'll have to claim that yardage next week.

A dozen quilters showed up for our first day together - a great turn-out.  Several new quilters attended to see what we are planning for the winter season.  I have emailed a couple of small projects to the group, and we plan on making a row quilt.

I have to check the clubhouse schedule to find a good time to pin-baste my leaf quilt, now that my batting has arrived.

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  191.5 yards

Fabric added this week 0 yards

Fabric added year to date  44.25 yards

Net used 2016  147.25 yards 

My machine is still in the shop for its annual spa treatment.  I called late on Saturday, but it wasn't ready, and the mechanic won't be in until Tuesday!  I've resorted to cleaning the house to keep busy!!!!

I have pin-basted 3 baby quilts, so I hope to have something to show soon.  The bad/good news is that my fabric order should be delivered on Monday.  It includes the backing fabric for my autumn leaf quilt, so I'll have to get it washed and pressed, ready for basting.  The rest of the fabrics are neutrals for use in scrappy quilts.

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

NO SEWING FOR ME

I took my machine in for its annual "spa treatment" on Tuesday.  My sewing room looks so lonely without it!  I can't wait for the phone call to tell me I can pick her up.....

Since I can't sew, I've been preparing some baby quilt tops and backings, and pin-basted one this morning.  I thought I had lots of batting, but after a search, I discovered that I only have leftover pieces!  I just ordered some more, but I think I'll check out all the bags and see if I can hand stitch some together - at least it will feel like progress!

My southern quilting group begins its weekly get-togethers next Wednesday, so I took some time to organize my binder of "stuff" so I'll be prepared for the first week.  People are slowly arriving.  I think many waited until after the election, or are waiting until Thanksgiving.

Yesterday we had a visit from a cousin who was only south for 4 days, to visit us and his sister.  He plays a mean guitar, so DH and our northern friend played most of the afternoon.  I called and invited our friend's wife for dinner, so they could keep playing!  It was great to visit and listen to the music, even if it was only for a short time.

Off to hunt for batting pieces!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I just finished adding the final border on my "Shades of Autumn" quilt top.  The binding has been prepared, and I am just waiting on the delivery of the backing fabric.  The leaf blocks are ones that I printed at a workshop in September.  I'm looking forward to adding more detail and some dimension to the leaves when I work on the machine quilting

 It seems like such a long time since I stitched anything, even though it is just a couple of weeks.

I think I'll get out one of my collection of baby panels, and make a quick quilt.

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  191.5 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  44.25 yards

Net used 2016  147.25 yards

I ordered some fabric this week, but I'll add it when it arrives.  One of the pieces is backing for my autumn leaf quilt project.  I've been busy stitching the top together.  I decided on the placement of the blocks in the quilt top, and took a picture for reference when piecing the top.

We were able to skype with our grandson and his parents.  Two of the three have a cold, but they were heading outside this afternoon to finish clearing up their veggie garden.

We're still getting settled - it seems to take longer each year, but I guess that is because we're getting a bit older every year!

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

READY TO GET QUILTING!

With lots of help from DH, my southern sewing room is ready to go!  Since I sew in an attached sunroom, the first job is to sweep the floors, and unload all the items stored there over the summer.  Then DH washes all the walls and the ceiling fan, then removes the windows and washes the frames.  They get really dusty over the summer months.  I start cleaning the windows and put them back into the frames, then we wash all the tables and finally the floor.

I've decided to keep the fabric in our spare room dresser this year - we had lots of humidity last year, and it was difficult to work with.
I'll keep my bins of strips handy, and bring out fabric as needed.

My job this morning was to serge the cut edges of the new fabric that I picked up on the trip south, and it is in the washer.  I pre-wash all my fabrics with regular detergent and a colour catcher, adding vinegar to the rinse.  I've had problems with colours running and fabrics shrinking in the past, and lots of my quilts are donated, and I want them to survive whatever treatment they get during their usable life. 

A place to sit and hand stitch or visit with a friend.

My cutting table with rulers and templates (in the binder) at the ready.

Sewing machine ready to go.  I love my mesh chair - my room has no air conditioning, but a ceiling fan to keep my cool on hotter days.  The blue bins hold 2 inch squares ready for "leaders and enders" while I sew.  A variety of thread is stored in the containers under the table.

Drawers full of assorted tools and thread.  The container on the right has 1 1/2 inch strips, while the one on the left holds 2 1/2 inch strips and 5 inch squares, ready for my scrap projects.

White or off-white leftover strips are in the box with the blue edge, while the others hold light and dark 2 inch strips.
A box of patterns, when I get the urge to sew clothing, and a shoe box full of pre-cut pieces that was a garage sale find by a friend.  I also have 2 irons in cases that travel to our weekly quilting meet-up each Wednesday.

This is the cleanest and tidiest that the area will be until it is packed up for the trip north in the spring!

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  191.5 yards

Fabric added this week  10.5 yards

Fabric added year to date  44.25 yards

Net used 2016  147.25 yards

I did a little shopping on the trip south.  First stop was at Zook's Fabrics in Intercourse PA.  They had a large number of bolts marked 30% off, and I also got a discount after showing my guild card!  I chose fabrics to complete my "Autumn Leaves" quilt, that will use the remaining leaf print blocks.  I also picked up a cute baby quilt panel.  It is becoming difficult to find panels that are 36 inches x the width of fabric - most are barely 24 inches!

Next stop was in Richmond VA where we visited Quilting Adventures.  What a lovely shop, but as I'm trying not to buy fabric without a plan, I only picked up a yard of clearance fabric and two fat quarters - all neutrals to help with my plan of using lots of scrap strips and squares this winter!

Today I unpacked the 4 large totes, removing anything that wasn't quilting/sewing related.  That will have to wait until we do a "fall cleaning" of my sewing sunroom.  Everything that was unpacked is put away, and we made a grocery run this afternoon too.  DH spent time doing his usual outdoor chores too. He took a bit of time to visit with the neighbours - we always get a lovely welcome from everyone, and of course a chat to catch up on everyones' summer.  Of course, not everything goes smoothly, and we've been having internet problems since it was turned on yesterday.  Everything has been attempted at the "office end", and we have an appointment on Monday to have a new wireless router installed.  Until then, my portable notebook has to be hooked up with a cable to get on-again off-again connections.  We might have to cancel our Skype call with our grandson and family tomorrow.....

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY (OR MONDAY!)

Fabric used this week  3.875 yards

Fabric used year to date   191.5 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  33.75 yards

Net used 2016  157.75 yards

 

My final project before heading south was another snuggle quilt for my grandson.  I used a cloth book panel, cutting the pages apart and adding sashing and cornerstones.

I've spent the rest of the past week organizing my sewing room and looking for projects that I want to complete over the winter.

I think that I've decided to make some scrappy quilts, trying to reduce the number of scrap strips and squares that seem to grow when I'm not looking.  I have also packed two small duffle bags with neutral fabrics to help with my plan.    Now back to packing!

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

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

Here are some close-ups of the quilting on my redwork quilt.

I stitched in the ditch around all the triangles, and outlined all the embroidery.  Then echo quilting in the borders and setting triangles and squares.  I stitched curls and leaves around the embroidery in the centre block.

I plan on taking this quilt south, and it will decorate my living room in February.
Now back to stitching my grandson's next quilt!
Check out all the creativity shared at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  7.75 yards

Fabric used year to date   187.625 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  33.75 yards

Net used 2016  153.875 yards

I completed my redwork wall hanging last night, sewing the final stitch in the binding.  The pattern is called Red Radiance.

Now back to working on another quilt for my grandson.  He's decided to have a quilt with him everywhere he goes, so he needs an additional one.  I'm using a cloth book panel - they don't all work, but this one is about opposites and has no beginning, middle and end.

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

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I finally dusted off my camera and took some pictures of the baby quilt that I finished last week.
It began as a panel, called "A Beautiful Day", designed by Jacqueline Steves.  I decided to make it a bit larger, so I added two borders.  The small lime green border was made from a fat quarter - the only matching green that I could find in my stash.  The final border and binding was made from fabric that I bought from Connecting Threads - the colour was perfect, and the swirls in the fabric echoed the swirls in the panel design triangle border.

 I outlined the centre panel, using monofilament (invisible) thread.  I decided to outline all the designs, and not add any extra quilting, as the design is cute and busy.  I stitched flowers and leaves with curlicues in the plain pink area, wiggles in the lime green and curls in the final orange/gold border.
This quilt will be donated to our local hospital by my community quilts group at my guild.
Now back to my machine quilting.  I have to take advantage of the time I have today, as we have company arriving again tomorrow!

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  6 yards

Fabric used year to date  179.875 yards

Fabric added this week 0 yards

Fabric added year to date  33.75 yards

Net used 2016  146.125 yards

My "used" fabric was from my small autumn leaf wallhanging, and a baby quilt made from a panel.  The baby quilt will be heading to my community quilts group at my guild. (picture to follow later)

  I'm currently quilting my redwork quilt, making slow progress.  This time of year, DH and I are busy doing our Christmas shopping, as well as birthday shopping for our grandson.  It seems early to everyone, but we'll be relocating south in a few short weeks, and they get super busy this time of year.

DS1 spent the weekend with us - sort of.....  He arrived Thursday in time for dinner, but he really came for a game weekend with his friends.  Starting with lunch together on Friday, they played board and card games of all sorts for the weekend.  We had a good visit at breakfast each morning, and by 9:30 he was off for the day.  He returned home this afternoon, and we took him to the train station for his trip home today.

Next week, my brother and his wife will be in town for 3 days.  They visit from China a couple of times per year, and this time, 3 of his wife's school friends are coming for a tour of southern Ontario.  They've never seen the autumn leaves in person, and are looking forward to their visit.  They are staying in a hotel while they are here, as it would be difficult to accommodate 5 adults comfortably in our small townhouse.

Next weekend is Thanksgiving for all Canadians, and we are looking forward to a lovely dinner with friends.  Hopefully I'll get some quilting done too!  I'm starting to plan some projects for my winter in the south.

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

A SMALL FINISH

I seem to be out of synch lately!  I've been having difficulty with deadlines and appointments too!  
I decided to complete the small wall hanging made from my trial leaf prints.

I did  my usual "stitch in the ditch" to stabilize the quilt, then outlined all the leaves and stitched the veins.  Then I did some wavy stitching with white thread to fill in the blank areas on each block.

I quilted diagonal lines in silver through all the background borders, as the fabric had some metallic silver accents.
My next project is to complete a baby quilt for my community quilts group.  I found a cute panel in my stash, and added 2 borders to make it a bit larger.  Then I found some flannel, and added a strip of stripe flannel to make it wide enough.  I'm off to pin-baste......

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week 0 yards

Used year to date  173.875 yards

Added this week 0 yards

Added year to date  33.75 yards

Net used 2016   140.125 yards

No changes to my numbers this week! I spent time trimming the final 120 half-square triangle blocks, and stitched the final border of my redwork quilt top!  

Tuesday I spent all day with my community quilts group.  I baked some muffins before heading out, and we ate them with coffee as we stitched the labels on all the quilts completed since our last get-together.  Then we headed down to the workroom, and our fearless leader assigned some jobs.  My partner for the day and I were asked to add 3 borders onto a quilt top that had been rescued from a church sale - it was almost thrown out.  I also helped another person pin the borders onto her quilt top.  Lots of ironing of quilt backings, and quite a few quilts pin-basted, including the one I had worked on.  As members left, they chose a quilt to finish, and I brought home the large one that I had worked on.  My partner ended the day by making the binding, and several people helped with the basting.

Thursday, I decided to design the leaf quilt that I was making with my test blocks.  I used EQ7, with a custom set to place the blocks and figure out all the setting pieces.

I added pictures of the four blocks, but I just used contrasting fabric for the rest of the small wallhanging.

Below is my completed top.  I'll be using the dark framing fabric to make the binding.  (The dark around the edges is the carpet in my sewing room!)  The light fabric has silver sparkles, and looks much better in person.  I found both fabrics in my newly organized stash, so they'll be counted as soon as I get this little project completed.

Friday it is off the Kitchener to spend time with our grandson and his family.  We try to arrive mid-afternoon, and I make dinner for the worker bees so they can relax after a busy work week.  DH has a list of things he wants to help with around their home, so we'll have a busy fun weekend.

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week 0 yards

Used year to date  173.875 yards

Added this week 0 yards

Added year to date  33.75 yards

Net used 2016   140.125 yards 

It seems like all I did this week was work on new projects!  Our guild meeting on Wednesday evening was lots of fun, with many members attending.  The snack table was left with crumbs following the break!

I'm still working on my redwork quilt.  I'm taking my time so that I have lots of sharp points to show after taking such care to cut and stitch all the half-square triangle units!

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

ATTENDING A WORKSHOP

I spent Thursday at a workshop that was sponsored by my quilt guild.  We learned how to make prints from leaves, using a product called "Colour Vie", a water based pigment system.

Our instructor for the day was Beth Cameron of Manotick ON.

She provided containers of already mixed pigments, and showed us how to paint the colours onto the back of the leaves, and then print it onto prepared fabric.  I used some white PFD cotton, and each participant had to bring some    1 inch foam brushes, paper towels, etc.  We all collected fresh leaves, and there was a large variety to choose from.
We were a very busy group - I have never spent time with quilters with so little conversation!  By the end of the day, everyone had lots of printed pieces.  

These were my test sample pieces, and I think I'm going to use them in a small wall hanging.  




A pattern for a quilt was provided as well, so the rest of my pieces will be used for that, but I have to find the perfect fabric to coordinate with the prints that I made.

I started out using very little pigment, and I like the lacy look that it provided.  Some of the others used lots more than I did, and their prints were very bold. 

 Some used just one set of colours.  My table partner made all her blocks in a yellow to orange blend, and another made all hers in dark blues and teals.  I hope to see their finished projects some time in the future.

MAKING PROGRESS

Yesterday, I did some "assembly line piecing" and stitched all the half-square triangle units.  

This morning I pieced some of the units into large triangles.

Now I have to lay out the giant "9-patch" unit, and stitch the centre of the quilt together.  

Then I'm back to pressing and trimming the remaining 200 units needed to assemble the borders!
 I love it when I finally see visible progress!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I began my morning hunting through my recipes, deciding what I was going to bake for both our pleasure, and to take along to my guild meeting on Wednesday evening.  I'm in charge of this month's "social committee", and we are responsible for snacks for everyone, and generally helping where needed before, during and after the meeting.  Every member is assigned a month to do this, and it helps to get more involved in the goings on at our monthly meetings.

I spent the rest of the morning cutting squares - 140 white ones and 160 red ones.  Now I have to start up my assembly line to make half square triangles to complete my redwork quilt project.

It is difficult to photograph a quilt on my new design wall, especially when the fabric is white on the white flannel, the lighting in the area is fluorescent, and the design wall is in a narrow hallway!

I pressed all the units yesterday, and trimmed them to size. (The bottom border didn't make it into the picture!) The missing star points will be made of half square triangle units, as well as the inside and outside borders.  I can see lots of stitching and trimming in my future!

I usually make a redwork project each year, but all the others have been made for children.  I hadn't made one for the past couple of years, and this one struck a chord!  DH is always surprised at how much time I spend doing the hand embroidery, but I love to keep busy while watching TV with him in the evenings - a win-win!

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  5.25 yards

Fabric used year to date  173.875 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  33.75 yards

Net used 2016  140.125 yards

Thanks to the 3 sets of placemats, I can finally claim some fabric as "used" this week.  The fact that I made the tops of the placemats almost 2 years ago doesn't matter!  Now to get on with my redwork quilt.....

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

A QUICK FINISH

I delivered five quilts to my community quilts coordinator late Thursday afternoon, and also her quilt that she made for her granddaughter.  When I returned home, I cleaned up my sewing room and gave my sewing machine a spa treatment - new needle, oiling the places that need it and cleaning all the lint.  I even gave the table attachment a good wash, and rinsed the back of my "Supreme Slider" to remove lint and give it a better stick for the next time I use it.

Friday morning, I realized that I needed to get my placemats completed for next week's guild meeting, so I gave them each a good press, and pressed the backing fabric, then cut the backs and the Thermore batting that I like to use in placemats. 
The pattern I used is "Take Four"
I pinned all the layers together, then stitched around, leaving an opening to turn.
(These placemats do not have binding).  I top-stitched 1/8th inch around the perimeter of each, then quilted them lightly with a variegated thread.

Hopefully, they will cheer up the tables of local "Meals on Wheels" recipients.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

There is nothing on my design wall, but I have a redwork project waiting in the wings.

I have stitched the centre medallion, the four corner triangles, and the four border units.  They all need to be pressed, then trimmed to size before I can continue.  I also need to make approximately 289 red and white half square triangle units to complete the project.

Currently, I'm machine quilting for a friend.  Her quilt top is like a giant puzzle right now, with me trying to find designs to stitch in each area!  Lots of fun

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Nothing new to report this week!

We had a house full of company for 5 days - 4 extra adults and a 19 month old whirlwind!  We loved spending time with our grandson, but by the end of the visit we were nearing exhaustion!  We had trips to the playgrounds in the area, as well as an afternoon at the splash pad, playing with lots of water.  We all slept well every night.  DH also played tour guide for some of the time.  We were sad to see them leave.  My DIL is finding their home empty without her sister and nephew in residence.

After they left, I had to deal with the seeming mountain of sheets and towels, and we took advantage of the days to catch up on some sleep.

Wednesday was my guild executive meeting.  We have some new members, and lots to discuss about the upcoming season.  I returned home with items to update on our website.

Friday I finished the final quilt for community quilts.  I only provided binding for the first 3 - the final 2 came with  prepared binding.  Now they have to have labels stitched on each and have a picture taken before they'll be sent to their new homes.

Saturday morning we headed out to another family reunion.  This time it was DH's side of the family.  We all come from his grandmother's side and his great-aunt's family.  Our grandson was introduced to everyone, and was his charming self.  He had a cousin who was almost a year older, so he enjoyed his afternoon, playing in the sandbox and running around the yard.  The cousins who were graciously hosting, raise alpacas, so he got to feed carrots to one of them, and was able to pat both its nose and neck, but the fun ended when he wanted to grab the ears!  I came home with a bag of alpaca yarn to knit into some more items for them.  They especially asked for small shawls and hats and scarf sets.  I'll have to find my patterns, but I'll probably try some new ones this time - I like the variety!

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  1.125 yards

Fabric used year to date  168.625 yards

Fabric added this week 0 yards

Fabric added year to date  33.75 yards

Net used 2016  134.875 yards

I'm still not getting any of my projects completed, but I did provide the binding for 3 of the smaller "community quilts" that I machine quilted for my guild.  The 4th one is about 2/3 quilted, and then there is one more to complete.

Reorganizing my sewing room and family visits took a huge bite out of my month!  Our son, daughter-in-law and grandson, along with her sister and nephew from Russia arrived on Friday afternoon.  DH took them for a short driving tour of Kingston after we had dinner.  We've been taking care of our grandson this weekend, while the other four headed for a weekend in Ottawa.

We spent most of Saturday with our wee one, (just 19 months old), visiting a couple of parks to play on the slides and then to a water play area in the afternoon, so he could run and splash in the puddles and squirting water with all the other kids.  Today we've had showers off and on all day, so we've had a quiet day, playing with toys, and we watched the Winnie the Pooh movie before he headed upstairs for his afternoon nap.

A good friend from my guild asked me to quilt her latest quilt - not something I usually do, other than for community quilts, but I like a challenge, so she is bringing it over tomorrow morning, so I can get started as soon as the last two quilts are completed.  I'm sure I'll get around to my own projects soon enough, and I don't really have any deadline!

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

No Change!

 

No sewing going on in my world.  Once I finished the quilts for my community quilts group, I decided it was time to tackle my sewing space.  It has become very disorganized over the past few years, and there is lots of craft stuff, and miniature supplies from hobbies that are on the back burner for now.

Lots of sorting, cleaning, re-organizing, seeming to make more mess that I started with.  DH joined me yesterday and we pulled everything out of the old kitchen cabinets that fill one end of my room.  Sorting, tossing, donating, cleaning and labeling kept us busy.  DH sorted all the paints and tossed those that had become solid, and also checked out his collection of glues (I had already done mine).

Today, I'm finishing the laundry, and doing some kitchen chores.  My basil was calling, so I made pesto from my favourite recipe and it is stored in the freezer.  I just pulled some cookie bars from the oven.  I'm trying to stock up in preparation for my visit from DS2 and extended family.  His wife's sister and nephew will be visiting from Russia, and her middle sister is joining them from California.  They will only be with us for a few days, but they are planning on an Ottawa visit, and our grandson will be staying with us for 2 days.  My little townhouse will be packed with 7 adults and our little guy, but we always make room for family.

Next weekend we head back to Kitchener, to help them get their house ready for visitors.  Some furniture needs to be relocated, and a few organization chores that we'll assist with as well.  Hopefully I can get some stitching done soon.  I have placemats to complete for "Meals on Wheels".  Our guild donates some every year, and I made the pieced tops over a year ago.  They just need to be backed and quilted.   Sounds like a simple task to do when we have company, in between cooking, visiting, etc.

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  7.375 yards

Fabric used year to date  167.5 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  33.75 yards

Net used 2016  133.75 yards

I completed my one block wonder this week.  I had fun quilting with black thread on black fabric.  Boy, is it hard to photograph.  I finally lightened up the colour to show the quilting.....   The fabric is really a true black!

Now I just have to decided how and where I'll use this quilt!  The remaining piece of the original fabric is on the back.  When I began laying out the blocks, DH said it was giving him a headache - but now that it is completed, he loves it.

Now my time is being used to machine quilt 4 quilts for my guild's community quilts group.  Someone offered to add the binding, but I don't mind having some evening hand work to do.  I must say that I had to sew the black on black binding on during the day - no matter what combination of lighting I used, it was just too difficult to see in the evening.

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

 

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

Now that my community quilt projects are completed, waiting for the next workshop, I finally pulled out the stack of "one block wonder" blocks that were waiting.  I cut and stitched the half blocks while South last winter, but I don't have a big enough design wall to play with the layout.

I spent a couple of hours, arranging and re-arranging the blocks until I was happy with my choice, and yesterday I began stitching them into vertical rows.  Of course, DH took one look at the blocks and asked for his sunglasses!  I love bright, funky "what were they thinking of" prints for stack n whack blocks!

I managed to stitch a few of the rows before we headed out for dinner with friends and a concert in the park.  I began stitching on the darker side of the quilt....

Making stack n whack style quilts always puts a smile on my face.  Now back to stitching!

Check out all the creativity shared at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times , and  Monday Makings at Love Laugh Quilt.