FINAL STASH REPORT FOR 2018

Stash reports have been hit and miss for me this year.  

Since this is the final full week in December,

I decided to close the books on 2018.

 Fabric used this week 4.625 yards

Fabric used year to date  124.125 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  62.125 yards

Net used 2018  62 yards

This is not my best report since I have been keeping track, 

but it is also not my worst!
I have continued to use more than I have added,

which was my goal.

This is my final finish of 2018, called A Year in the Garden.  The embroidery patterns and the final quilt design was a BOM in 2018, by Jenny of ELEPHANTZ. 

I added a final small green border to the original design.  I stitched the quilting by machine, using So Fine thread by Superior Thread.

Below are some close-ups.

 














I stitched feathered hooks in the final border, and simple leaves surrounding each framed block.  My goal was to create texture, and highlight the blocks.  The embroidery was done by hand.

FINAL FINISH FOR 2018

During the past 12 months, I've been downloading and stitching some lovely patterns from Jenny of ELEPHANTZ

She offered a free BOM in 2018, with a new pattern each month.

I love hand embroidery, and had recently organized all my leftover threads from past projects and kits into zip bags, with one for each colour. 

It was fun to hunt through the bags each month to find some threads.

When I finished the December block, DH and I headed to my favourite local quilt shop to look for 2 fabrics to complete the project.

  I was having a difficult time choosing, as I didn't want the print to overwhelm my embroideries. 

(If you notice the pins in some of the pictures, I used them to mark registration points for the machine quilting.)

 DH asked me to give him some of the blocks, and a few minutes later he returned with the perfect bolt of fabric!

 











I'll share a picture of the completed quilt when DH is available as quilt holder!  The green frame was chosen to complement the print fabric.....

I've also been getting my fabric cut for a paper pieced mystery quilt that I'm doing with my winter quilt group.  I chose an autumn palette this time.

I'M STILL AROUND.......

I think I'm feeling my age more.  It certainly took longer to get settled, and back to my normal routine.  I discovered that I left my bins of strips behind when I packed, so that deleted some projects from my list for the winter months.

My quilting group is up and running, although we started a week late, as the management company decided to shampoo the carpets in the clubhouse - I still think this should be done during the summer months when the clubhouse is used much less.

I had not planned on a project for the group this year.  I always have simple projects for any beginners, and last spring, noone had ideas of what they would like.  Of course, the first week I was asked "what is our project for this winter?"

I dug through my designs, and decided on 2 mystery quilts.  One is small and is paper pieced.  Some of the new members haven't tried paper piecing before, and some others would like a refresher course.  We are also working on a lap sized quilt, traditionally pieced.  This project takes 9 different fabrics, so it will be interesting to see all the choices.  The instructions give directions for each fabric, by main colour, accent colour, and whether the fabric is a shade from dark to light.  

I have finished two baby quilts, made from panels.  When I found the panels, I picked up 2, and some of the coordinating fabrics from the same line.  Since many of the new panels are only 24 inches wide, I made 6 inch blocks to go on either side, and found flannel for the backs.  I called the quilts "Pond Friends" 

 I have one more nearly finished quilt project.  I have been embroidering 12 blocks, one per month, since January.  Since I had the December block almost complete, I went hunting for fabric to finish the quilt.  DH came along, and when I couldn't decide which one I liked best, he took some of the blocks and found a totally different fabric that was just perfect!
I plan on finishing the quilting on this one after Christmas, and I'll have some pictures to share then.

We have 3 couples to come and share our Christmas dinner this year, so I have been baking rolls, cookies, tarts, and other traditional foods in preparation.  Some parts of the meal are being made by others, but DH and I will be making the turkey, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce as well as a rutabaga apple casserole.  We're looking forward to our evening together with people we love.  We'll be visiting our grandchildren via Skype on Christmas morning, watching them open their gifts from Santa.  Our grandson will be 4 next month, and has been enjoying his Lego Advent calendar!  He had a long chat with Santa last week, but we are worried about the gift he asked for......  he wants an animal translator, so he knows what they are saying and can talk back to them!  

Merry Christmas to everyone, and I hope to be a better blogger in 2019!

GETTING SETTLED

 We had a good trip south with rain the first morning, but clear sailing for the rest of the trip.  We drive past Orangeburg SC every time and finally took advantage of a stop to visit the Edisto Memorial Gardens.  
There were lots of roses blooming, so we strolled around, looking at all the wonderful colours.  There are raised boardwalk paths along the river, and many other features.  We plan to stop on our way north in the spring, to see what else is blooming in the gardens.  There was a crew working to put up the Christmas displays, so it should be wonderful during the holidays.

We have shopped both days since our arrival, getting the pantry and refrigerator stocked, along with cleaning products and filling a few gaps in our normal inventory.  I unpacked my totes of fabric, and two Rub.bermaid totes of "stuff".  the remaining 2 totes have quilting items that will be placed in my sunroom/studio for the winter.  First we have to do some cleaning in the screen room and sunroom, and rearrange some outdoor furniture etc.  My machine is going in for its annual "spa treatment" on Tuesday, so that will also give me more time to get things organized.

I've been debating on  Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilt this year.  The colours are intriguing, but we were on the road when they were announced, and I wasn't able to pull from my enormous stash!  Maybe I'll save the pattern and make it when I return north in the spring.

I'M SUPPOSED TO BE PACKING!

I've been doing some sorting in my sewing room, in preparations for packing some projects to take south.  Of course, I've stopped and stitched along the way!

Several years ago, a member of my southern quilt group gave me a bag of fabric, and cut wedges.  I started to sew the wedges into rings a while ago, but the project was pushed aside.  The wedges were cut from voile, and had almost see-through areas in the print.  Instead of pushing them aside again, I stitched all the wedges and was able to make 3 rings.   Since one of the fabrics was white, and any background would have shaded the fabric, I cut 3 white on white fabric squares. Included in the bag was a large piece of a funky stripe, so I used that to make the setting triangles, and binding.

The runner is completed, but needs more quilting.  I hope to get that done today, and then maybe I can concentrate on packing.  I think the only way to get that done is to pack up my sewing machine!!!!!

A FINISH FEELS GOOD!

Even though it is a small finish......  My Fiesta Runner is completed.

If felt good to get the few remaining parts from a 2 year old "one block wonder" quilt off my design wall, and into a project!

I used Superior Thread's Monopoly to applique and outline stitch the coloured shapes, and then Rainbows variegated thread to machine quilt the background of the runner.  

I'm trying to squeeze in a bit more sewing before I have to pack everything up for our annual trip south, but the days get filled very quickly.  The most difficult job is to decide which projects I want to work on over the winter months, and to try to remember all the fabrics, patterns etc., that I think I might use!  DH says that one of these years, we'll overload our van and the tires will pop off! 

Back to sorting......

MAKING MY SEWING ROOM TIDY!

My version of this task is to make something with leftover blocks!

In 2016, I made a one block wonder quilt that I called "Breaking Out!"  

I had some half block pieces left over, and I also cut the remaining stacked fabric into smaller pieces to make smaller units.  They have been on the edge of my design wall, just begging to be used.

Yesterday, I pulled some bright yellow "Fairy Frost" fabric from my shelves, and used it for the background of the runner.  I stitched the half  blocks into a large hexagon, with an open centre, then spent time with the iron, to fold all the edges of the units under.  The two smaller hexagons were made from the narrow, leftover strips set of the fabric.  I machine appliqued the pieces to the background, using monofilament thread and a narrow zig-zag stitch.  I plan to call it "Fiesta"......
Now I'm off to find backing and binding fabrics, and get to machine quilting!!!!

FINALLY BACK HOME!

DH and I returned home on Thursday evening.  Our two weeks with our son and family were wonderful, enjoying both of our grandchildren, and taking care of the family so Mom and Dad could rest as much as possible.

The 90 year old mother of a good friend passed away, and we were home in time to attend the funeral.  We know all of her extended family members, and were honoured to spend this special time with all of them.

Friday, DH and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary!  We spent the evening enjoying a lovely meal and a bottle of wine.  We also had calls from family members, and met for lunch on Sunday with DH's sister and husband.

 We have a long list of jobs to take care of before we head south!  The garden needs to be tidied up before the really cold weather arrives, and we plan to shampoo all the carpets, and do a thorough cleaning, so it will be ready to greet us back in the spring!
I also have to decide on quilting projects for the winter.  I think I'll continue on with my plan of using my pre-cut strips and squares of leftovers to make more quilts for donation.  Love to try new patterns using my conglomeration of fabrics!  I also have to plan some projects for my quilting group in the south.

We have a few final appointments in the next 2 weeks, and hope to visit DS#1 and his wife before we go.  There are advantages and disadvantages of living 2 1/2 and 4 1/2 hours away from our sons!  We have a weekly Skype session with DS#2 and family, so we will be able to keep up with the changes in the children.  I'm missing my snuggle time with both our grandson and his new baby sister!

I'm off to work on a project to use up some leftover blocks - great to be back in my sewing room again!

WE HAVE A NEW GRANDDAUGHTER!

She was born at 11:33 this morning, and weighs 7 lb 5.5 ounces.
Her name is Yuriana Rose, named after her Russian great-grandfather, and her Canadian great-great aunt!  She will be called Ana.
We picked our grandson up from daycare, and took him to meet his new baby sister.   He was sad to leave Mom and Dad, but we'll be visiting each day until they return home.

Mother and daughter are doing well, and she is a pretty baby, the first girl born in our family in 48 years!

TWO FINISHES!

My first finish is another quilt for young miss, who is arriving on Friday!  This is quite a celebrations, as girls in DH's family are few and far between.  This will be her Christmas gift this year, along with a few other goodies.

This is made with yellow and green prints from my stash, along with a floral print stripe that has been hiding in my stash, just waiting for this quilt!
The pattern is "Fabric Gal" from Quilt in a Day.  The original is made with four colours, with a dark and medium shade of each in the pinwheels.
The quilt on the left is my first version, made in 2008!
 It uses brighter, 30's fabrics and striped border!


My second finish is one that has been waiting in the wings for a few years.  This is my version of Hip Bag Hybrid - pattern from Studio Kat Designs.  It can be worn around the waist, as a shoulder bag, or clipped to a walker or bicycle handlebars!


It has a zipper pouch in the back, a front pouch with magnetic catch under the flap, and a hidden storage area in between!

I chose to make the front flap pieced, rather from a single piece of fabric, (an option provided in the pattern!)  My lining is white with black, to make it easier to find things.  I used a black and white purse zipper and shiny silver findings for the rest of the bag.  I can't wait to use it!
I love the patterns from Studio Kats - extremely detailed, with lots of illustrations of each step, and helpful pictures and tutorials on line!!!!

ANOTHER WEEK WITH OUR GRANDSON!

We started out with a visit from our older son - he arrived by train on Thursday, just in time for dinner.  One of his friends picked him up and they headed out to spend the evening with the game club. 
Friday morning, I changed our bed and collected laundry.  DH and I packed a bag for the weekend.  We had a great visit with our son.  Both sons are in town for a gaming weekend - board games, that is.Our younger son arrived by train just before lunch, and we dropped him off at a local restaurant to meet friend.  Over 20 members of the game club joined him, including his brother.  After lunch they headed to the game site, and played various board games with the gang until late.  They were back at it all day and evening Saturday, and returned again on Sunday morning!
DH  and his friend had a performance at a nursing/senior home, and when he returned home, he unloaded his equipment, and we headed out to visit our daughter-in-law. We made exceptionally good time on our trip, and arrived before our grandson went to bed.
Saturday, while his Mom did some shopping, our grandson (3 1/2 years old), helped me to fill the firewood box that is just outside the garage.  We pulled loads of wood and kindling until it was full.
DH emptied both of their sheds, swept the floor, and put everything back neatly.
After lunch, the other 3 headed to a medieval fair, while I stayed home.  I got ribs ready for cooking, making a rub, and getting them ready to cook in the pressure cooker.  I did dishes, cleaning up the mess I made, and washed everything that wouldn't go in the dishwasher.  Dinner was yummy!  We packed our grandson's clothes for the week, and collected bits and pieces that we'll need for the week.
Sunday morning we were up early, had breakfast, packed the car, and headed home.  We called our sons when we arrived, and our grandson talked to his mom back home.  The "boys" arrived home about 1:30, almost gamed out!  Our younger son was taken to the train station about 2:15, and our older one at 4:15.
Our grandson has had fun playing with all the special toys that live at our house, and after dinner, headed up to bed.  Granddad reads him 3 story books every night, after a clean-up and brushing teeth!

We have a busy 5 days planned, and then we'll return him home next Saturday.  I hope to have a couple of minutes to do some sewing, and check my email, etc., but we'll see.  We love our grandson, but he never stops from morning until bedtime!
 

MY HOURGLASS QUILT PROJECT

This quilt has been on the back burner for quite a while.  I only worked on it as a "leader and ender" project, only at my northern home, and only when I had leftover 2 1/2 inch strips in the right colours!

As you can see, by the picture of the finished quilt "with feet", DH held the quilt so I could get a picture of the completed project.

I made a narrow binding for this quilt, that matches the backing fabric, and I managed to use all but a few inches.  It feels good when I use fabric from my stash!  
Sometimes I have to change my mind on colours, and the amount of scrappiness in a project, but my goal is to use my stash before I go, so my family doesn't have to deal with it!

MORE PLACEMATS

When I finished quilting my hourglass quilt, I decided to make another set of placemats.  They used 4 fat quarters that were gifted to me by my southern quilting group last spring.

I'll take the to my community quilts group on Tuesday, so they can also go with the collection of placemats for Meals on Wheels recipients.

MORE MACHINE QUILTING

For the past couple of years, I've been making scrap hourglass blocks.  I finally decided that I had enough fun, and called the top complete!  I  found a large enough piece of fabric to make the quilt back and binding, so spent part of a day pin-basting.
 
It is now under my needle, being machine quilted!  I am using an all over design, just to make this quilt comfortable for snuggling.

Tonight is my guild's first meeting of the season. I have several quilts to take along, as well as goodies for the snack table, and the remaining photo CD's from our June quilt show - I've had requests from some members who were away during the show.
I have 2 community quilts that I quilted and add binding, the Diamond Tiles quilt that I am donating, and two quilts for show and tell.  I'm looking forward to seeing lots of familiar faces tonight!

STASH REPORT AND QUILT PICTURE

Fabric used this week  7.875 yards

Fabric used year to date  83.5 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  62.125 yards

Net used 2018  21.375 yards

I seem to making headway - keeping the fabric used from my stash!

This is my version of Bonnie Hunter's Diamond Tiles block.  Block pattern was available in the May/June 2018 edition of Quiltmaker magazine.

All the blocks were made from leftover strips and squares.  Some of them should have had better contrast in the colours, but I used what was already cut - no exceptions!  I did use additional fabric for the sashing, setting triangles and binding, to brind it all together.  I am slowly working my way through years of leftover fabric strips!

 

ANOTHER FINISH!

I just put the last stitch in my Diamond Tile quilt.  The block pattern was found in the May/June edition of Quiltmaker magazine.
This has been a very popular pattern, by Bonnie Hunter, in her Addicted to Scraps column.  There have been many variations shared on the internet!

I decided to set mine on point, and used sashing between the blocks.

I quilted with Monopoly by Superior thread, stitching in the ditch for the sashing and also in the blocks.

I stitched a flower in the centre square of each block, using Rainbows by Superior thread, colour 801 - it has lots of bold colours!

  I then finished by quilting a similar flower in the setting triangles, and a wavy border, using So Fine thread by Superior, in a neutral shade.  I wanted the quilting to give dimension, but not detract from the colourful blocks.

This was a great way to play with scraps, as each block is different, although I used the same fabric in two of the centre squares!

I'll get some better pictures posted soon - DH, my quilt holder is out at the driving range, hitting a bucket of golf balls!

SOME QUICK PROJECTS

I made a few quick projects recently, just to get my quilting muscles exercised!

The first project was a baby quilt, made from a printed panel.  This will belong to my new grandchild, who will be making an appearance near the end of September.
I know this will get lots of wear, and washing, so I'll be making another for birthday #1.
Every year, my guild makes placemats for "Meals on Wheels" recipients.  They are distributed by the Victorian Order of Nurses in our community.  I use this quick pattern, that takes 4 fat quarters, and backing, with no binding.  I was gifted a stack of fat quarters, so I organized them in sets of 4, ready to make placemats whenever required.

 The final project is a dinosaur quilt for my grandson's new room.  The panel and coordinating print was made by Northcott several years ago.  DH insisted that we buy it to make "in the future".  I guess the time is now!
I stitched simple outlines of all the dinosaurs, and a bit of the landscape, as this will hang on his wall.

If you look closely, you can see the stitched dinosaur tracks in the border.  DH  provided the design, and and stitched them roaming around the border.  I used Superior's NiteLite thread, and it has a lovely glow in a dark room!  I can't wait to see his reaction......

MORE QUILTS, ETC.

I made some clothesline baskets to donate to the quilt show boutique.  I trim the selvedge edges from fabric as it is used and save it, and any 3/4 inch scrap strips for baskets, as well as crochet rag rugs.  


I sit and cover the clothesline while watching TV in the evening with DH, and then it seems to take no time to stitch the finished projects.
 I use a glue stick to help at the beginning, and also run a line of glue on the clothesline every foot or so, while I am wrapping.  I use a clothespeg to hold the wrapped end when I stop.

 Some are stitched with varigated thread in the bobbin, like this jeans weight thread in the first basket.

 The second basket has a folded cuff.  The selvedge had a rough thread edge, which can add interest.

 Some of my baskets are finished with a reverse curl.  I stop when there is still covered clothesline remaining, and begin a new coil with the end.  Then I continue stitching to the end, and reinforce the stitching on the curl.

 I find the selvedges that are white, but have a coloured edge, make interesting striped sections when used in baskets.

 Sometimes I plan the colours of the baskets, using selvedges from one project.
Other times I just use the next strip I pull from the bag!

In the past, I made a basket from a whole package of clothesline.  My grandson uses it to store his cars and assorted toys that are kept at my home, ready for his visits.

MISSING IN ACTION!

I can't believe that I have been "missing" for two months!  Where has the time gone......
Our quilt show was a huge success, thanks to all the tired volunteers who helped fill the many positions.
DH and I have been spending a lot of time with our f

amily.  DS2 and family had some important jobs to do to their home, so many hours were spent helping.  Also DDIL2 is expecting a new family addition soon, so we also helped keep our grandson busy.  He spent almost 2 weeks with us in July, and is returning for a week in September.  He has moved into his new "big brother" room, after DH painted it GREEN, his favourite colour.
We also had a visit from both of my brothers and their wives - a first for us.  We had fun sharing information about growing families, eating and relaxing.  We hope to repeat the visit at my middle brother's home later in the fall.
I have been quilting too!  I finished the machine quilting and added the binding on 5 quilts for my guild's community quilts program during the past 2 months.  I also finished my wall hanging that was started during the early months of 2018.
H This is my version of Diamond Hill by Esther Aliu.  I made some minor changes, and omitted the appliqued border.  The green print was leftover cotton from my neice's bridesmaid dresses from the 80's.  After making 5 dresses, I had lots of off-cuts from the gored skirts, and have been whittling away at it ever since!

 Here are some close-ups of the blocks to show the quilting.

I plan to update my 2018 page soon, and add all the additional projects that have been in the works while I have been MIA.

 DH and I have been attending many of the plays at the Thousand Island Playhouse in Gananoque ON.  We have friends who have season passes, so we usually tag along with them.  Our group ranges from 4 to 8 attending together.  Good thing our old van has seating for 8 adults!
DH and his friend have also been entertaining at local nursing homes, and senior residence around town, billed as Three for a Quarter.  The have fun playing a big variety of music from the 30's on to today, telling jokes, and visiting with the residents.  They love to see people singing along.  DH says they don't have to be really good, as many people remember the original music when it is being played/sung!  I think they do an awesome job!  I joined DH on July 4th as we entertained for a resident's 100th birthday.  She had many relatives and friends visiting to share her day.  I played my flute along with DH on the guitar, and even sang along on a couple of songs.  It was a great way to spend the afternoon!