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!