HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVE

 

 

 I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy, and is looking forward to a new adventure in 2021!   DH and I are having a quiet night at home.We rarely celebrated the new years, as he worked shift-work for our first few years of marriage, and we chose to have Christmas to spend with family, as most of his fellow workers wanted to celebrate the new year in style.

 

I managed to complete a final quilt before the end of the year.  I used a 3 yard quilt pattern called "Harmony" from the "Easy Does It" book by Fabric Cafe.  I found 2 cute farm fabrics, one with pigs and one with chickens, and added a bright orange fabric.

 

This will find a home in the new year, adding to the donation quilts from our guild.
  

My final stash report is finished, and I am in the black, but my New Year's resolution is to try to use more of my stash in 2021!

 

 FINAL STASH REPORT 2020

Fabric used this week  17.625 yard
Fabric used to date   119.875
Fabric added this week  0 yards
Fabric added year to date  78 yards

Net fabric used 2020   41.875 yards!

HAPPY BOXING DAY

 We had a wonderful Christmas day.  We started by spending 2+ hours on Skype, watching the excitement of the morning at our younger son's home.  Our grandson, who will be 6 next month was practically bouncing off the walls with excitement.  He read all the tags on the gifts, and then helped everyone unwrap them!  He loved everything, from the smallest item to the clothing.  His little sister, who turned 2 in September, finally figured out how to unwrap her gifts.  She has been playing with baby dolls, both at home and at daycare, so we gave her a doll crib, with an attached highchair on one end.  I made a foam mattress for it, covered in flannel, and crocheted a blanket for her doll.  She was a busy girl, tucking the baby in, singing a song, then waking her up and feeding her in the high chair.  Apparently, when it was time for her to go to bed, she had to have the doll crib moved into her room before she would go to sleep!

We spent the rest of the day watching Christmas movies, and talking to friends and family.  We miss seeing our southern friends, but we are happy they are keeping safe and healthy.

I made roast beef, with roasted potatoes, brussel sprouts and a small version of my turnip (rutabaga) and apple casserole.  It was a lazy day.

We had a green Christmas, as we have had rain for a few days, but during the night, the temperature dropped and we have a lovely white covering of snow everywhere this morning!

I started another quilt, using a 3 yard quilt pattern.  I have the blocks completed, and hope to get the top sewn together today.  

DH decided that today was a good day to defrost our small chest freezer, so we took the time to make a good inventory of all the items as we returned them.  They are also a bit more organized, so it should be easier to find things, I hope!

Pictures to follow later.......

TRYING TO COMPLETE ONE MORE......

 I have been stitching Easy Breezy scrappy blocks, following Bonnie Hunter's annual scrap challenge block for 2020-21.

These are a few leftover blocks, so I guess I'll make some more!  I'm still not seeing much of a reduction in my 2 inch leftover strip bin!

I have been doing some simple free-motion quilting.  I started by stitching a curve in each rectangular piece, using white thread.  Then I stitched leaf shapes in the light and dark rows of squares, using two different variegated threads, with the same thread in all the light squares, and the second colour in all the dark ones.  Both threads were from Superior Threads, one Rainbow, and the other was Fantastico, both shiny trilobal poly thread!

This is one of the sets of four blocks, with the dark squares forming an X, and the light squares forming a square.

The first narrow light green border was quilted with a leaf motif, using Superior Thread Twist thread in a light green and light neutral twist.  I like the way it adds a little sparkle to the motif.

 I have the binding prepared, so as soon as I figure out how I'd like to quilt the final border, I'll get it added, so I can have some evening TV stitching.

I was busy in the kitchen yesterday.  I made a huge pop of Pasta Fagioli soup, and DH baked biscuits to go with it for dinner.  I have 5 containers of soup, chilling in the refrigerator, to be stored in the freezer later today.  I had made a large batch of pastry, as I had promised a pan of "Marzipan Bars", using DH's grandmother's recipe, and it starts with a layer of pastry in an 8 inch pan.  Since I had the pastry ready to roll out, DH found a jar or mincemeat, and I made some mini tarts as well.  Since it will only be 2 for the holidays, I thought that was enough, as we are getting less excercise as the cold weather sets in.  We have had a bit of snow, but it has melted after each dusting, and we had rain most of yesterday.  But we are guaranteed snow in the near future.

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy Christmas and looking forward to being vaccinated in the new year!

HUNTING FOR CHRISTMAS

 For several years, we have spent Christmas in Florida.  We have time to get together with friends, go carolling, make some extra Christmas goodies for some of our older neighbours etc.  Of course, most of my quilts and decorations are there.

This is our first year for a long time, we are spending Christmas in Canada.  We are getting re-aquainted with snow, but have only had a bit so far.  We had planned on spending the holidays with our son and his family, but due to rising Covid 19 numbers, we have been asked to stay home, which we totally agree to do!

Yesterday, I went searching the top shelf of my linen closet, and I found 2 Christmas quilts that I had forgotten.  Looking through my files, I discovered that they were made in 1993 and 1994.

The wreath was made from a pattern by Eleanor Burns, and was one of the first patterns that I tried!  The first two were made as gifts for family members, and this one was mine to keep!

It is currently hanging over our sofa in the living room.

I'm not sure what pattern I used to make the second wreath quilt.  Maybe someone will remember the maker.  It is hanging in our hall, making the main floor of our small house look really festive.

I wasn't as good at recording the information about the quilts I have made when I was first quilting.  I was always anxious to get to the next project.  At least I remembered to take pictures! 

I have a file on my computer for each year, and then number the projects as I complete them each year.  I have my final quilt for the year, (I think), in my sewing machine and have just begun the machine quilting!  The blocks were made using the "Easy Breezy" block designed by Bonnie Hunter for the annual leader and ender challenge.

Now I should hunt through my recipes, and find a holiday treat or two to make for just the two of us!

Yes, I'm Still Quilting

 I have been quilting from time to time, even though I have become a bad blogger!

My latest finish is called "Covid Queen", and was a 4 part mystery project from my quilt guild, Limestone Quilters Guild in Kingston ON.

I was given a package of fat quarter, and used almost the whole pack to make the quilt and backing.  The colours are a bit off, as we were unable to photograph the quilt outdoors.  The collection was various dark browns, barn red colours, some olive green, and some neutrals.  It looks much better in person, and someday I may be able to do a shoot outside in natural light!
 

I also just finished machine quilting 4 baby quilts that were prepared by members of our "Community Quilts Group".  Everyone enjoys all the parts of quilting, except the machine quilting, and hand stitching the bindings.  I am an exception, as I enjoy all aspects.  For me it was 4 1/2 days of stitching at my machine, and hand sewing in the evenings while I watch TV with DH (my "dear husband").

He has missed entertaining at local nursing homes and senior residences, as Covid 19 has limited the visitors, and also the number of residents that can gather at a time.  We are hoping that he can return to this favourite activity next year sometime, after vaccinations are completed, and life returns to the "new normal".

 My guild has been having Zoom meetings, and we have been enjoying this new way of getting together, with interesting presenters from all over North America.  We also had a Zoom sew-day, with a good turn-out of members.   We were asked to "mute" when our machines were running, but we had fun sharing all the  projects, chatting, asking for helpful opinions, and talking about our lives.  We hope to have an online workshop or two in the new year.  We have our next quilt show planned in 2022, so we can share items that can be made for the boutique.

STASH REPORT 2020

Fabric used year to date  119.875 yards

Fabric added year to date  60.375 yards

Net used   59.5 yards

We have decided to spend Christmas at home, as our province has asked us to stay in our own households.  We had hoped to go to our son's  home in Kitchener, but this is a safer option for all of us.  Our grandkids are used to seeing us using Skype, and they have done this each Christmas since they were born.  We have "dinner" with them every Wednesday, and another visit on Sunday morning.  Hopefully next winter we can all return to our normal holiday activities.

I'll try to get back in the blogging groove again......

QUILTING AND GARDEN

I finished the machine quilting on my "52 blocks 52 weeks" quilt.

I spent a couple of days hand stitching the binding, and then checking for threads on the back of the quilt.  I took a few pictures today, but don't have a picture of the complete quilt, as my quilt holder is grocery shopping!

This is the quilt on my bed, but it doesn't show the borders.

52 blocks in 52 weeks CQA 2019

I added feathers along each of the wide borders, using the bonus blocks to place one on the left and right side border in the center

I set the blocks alternately with blue and green triangles to set the blocks on point.

A few more pictures of my iris collection.

ONE SMALL FINISH

I completed the small panel quilt first, doing simple free-motion quilting using my Bernina.

I spent the evening hand stitching the binding, and this morning asked DH to hold the finished quilt so I could take a picture for my records.

My next quilt in line is my "52 Blocks 52 Weeks" project from the Canadian Quilters Association in 2019.
This is a much larger project, so I am taking my time, working on it between other chores.  
 I managed to plant 2 more herbs, 2 perennials and some annuals for summer colour in my tiny garden areas in front and back of our townhome, and Mother Nature provided an overnight soaking rain to water the plants in well!

A LITTLE PROGRESS

DH brought in my DIL's cutting table on Friday, and we set it up in the living room - the only place large enough!  He helped me pin baste 3 quilts - my 52 blocks 52 weeks quilt, my version of Unity from Bonnie Hunter, and a baby quilt.

We both suffered from tired backs and sore fingers, and my tin that holds my pins is more empty than I have ever seen it!   I use the grapefruit spoons to help close each pin as it is used.  It was a trick I saw on a very old "Quilt In A Day" program on PBS, well before any handy tools were available for this task.

I received an email from the local greenhouse, so yesterday afternoon, we took a drive and picked up my plant order.  We had a much cooler day, with scattered showers, so they are waiting on the patio to be planted.  Most were annuals to add some colour to my front garden when the irises are finished blooming, and I also have 2 more and 2 perennials for the small garden at the back of our townhouse.

Now I have to get my machine ready to quilt.....clean lint, oil, new needle, make sure the bobbins are all wound.  I did some mending yesterday for a friend's son, so I have to change the needle plate and foot on my machine as well.  I also have an audio book to finish soon, so this should be a very productive day!

FINALLY!

Yesterday, the first blooms opened on my iris plants.  It has been a cold spring, but finally had some sunny days......

And one day later.....

DH and I visited 2 garden centers this morning - what a disappointment.  Scant quantities of plants available, and little variety.  I still haven't found a rosemary plant anywhere.....
Yesterday, I placed an order at a local nursery, and I'm waiting for my notification to pick up my plants.  At least the few that I found will get naturally watered in tonight, as we are expecting showers around 4pm.

SPREADING KINDNESS

DH and his friend, along with a few others, formed a band that entertains at local nursing home, retirement centres etc., both at home and while we are down south.  Of course, they haven't been able to do this during the virus lockdown.
He has kept in touch with several of the local homes since our return home, and many are keeping the residents in their rooms, with the only visit by staff happening at meal times, etc.

Several years ago, the group met in Syracuse NY, at one of the member's brother's home.  They spent 3 days, entertaining 2-3 times each day at various locations, the the brother filmed a performance each year.  DH made copies of the discs, and we drove to one of the homes yesterday, to hand them to the activities coordinator.  She commented that the residents are so lonely, but they have not had any covid-19 at their facility.  They have been given permission to allow 5 residents to get together, while social distancing, so she is going to play the performances in their new "theater room".  They also discussed having a performance outdoors, where everyone can enjoy the music, and still keep distancing.  DH is looking forward to the day that will happen.  Apparently, our province hasn't met the requirements beyond the 1st stage of re-opening yet, but hopefully that will happen soon.

I just received a message from the "community quilts" group at my guild, asking for help completing some quilts, so I guess those will be added to my list soon! 

We are heading out this afternoon to pick up some rhubarb from a friend.  We may even share a cup of tea, staying 6 feet apart, of course!

BUSY DAY

DH has been car shopping!  Our current set of wheels is 16 years old, and has MANY miles of travel on its record.  It has only had one winter in Canada, so it looks brand new!   At first, before they opened up some of our shopping sites, he had to make an appointment, and after test driving the vehicle, it had to be totally disinfected before anyone else could see it - lots of extra work for everyone, but with good reason.
This week most shops are open, if they have an entrance directly onto the street ( shopping malls are closed).  Each step works for a couple of weeks before anything else is opened up.

We had to do some grocery shopping today, so off we went with our masks.  The store wasn't too busy, but had lots of items on the shelves, except for flour and baking mixes.  About 25% of the shoppers wore masks, and most of them were seniors or those with underlying health issues.  I wish more people would wear masks, as they protect both ways....... 

DH asked if I had any baby quilts finished so we could give one to our neighbours across the street.  I found one that I made over the winter while south, so we dropped it off for them to enjoy.

Back to work on Unity!  My quilt is draped over my ironing board!

WORKING ON UNITY

I completed all the part 7 blocks, and stitched them into border pieces.  When I was pinning them on the quilt top, I discovered that I had turned the top and bottom set of blocks 1/4 turn the wrong way!  Frog stitching to the rescue!

DH has been organizing our small garage with hopes to have room for the car!  We may be staying north this year instead of heading south for the winter, so we want the car to be in the garage instead of the driveway, collecting frost and snow.  He has redesigned his work bench, so that it can fold down flat on the wall, and has a huge pile of metal stuff and garbage!  We had some baby items from our grandkids for their stays here, but the youngest doesn't need some of the items any more.  We have a neighbour with a new baby across the street, so DH took the items over to see if she would like them.  They were all of the plastic variety, so easy to clean and disinfect before use.  DH and our friend are making a trip to the dump next week, so then we can test fit the vehicle in the garage.

Back to re-stitching the borders, so I can begin the final part tomorrow!

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used since last report  2 yards

Fabric used year to date  41.125 yards

Fabric added since last report  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  46.625

Net used 2020  - 4.5 yards

I'm still in the red, but almost caught up!  I have some quilt tops ready to pin baste, but since I don't report yardage until the quilt is finished, I just have to get going.......

Right now, my cutting table is covered in fabric pieces being used in the Unity sew-along from Quiltville, but I plan on asking DH to bring in my DIL's folding cutting table, just so I can pin baste in the living room.  (She inherited it from her Mom, and it is residing in my garage, along with some other items that don't fit in their city apartment.)  She is gradually working through some of her stuff to make room for more, and she has sold some of the items online, before the virus arrived.  Hopefully, she can get back to dealing with things again soon.

We just had our Sunday morning Skype with DS2 and family.   My grandson said that he wants to give us a "big squishy hug!"  He has really missed our visits, and his trips to our home.  His little sister is getting more vocal all the time, and loves to follow her big brother.  She tries to copy everything that he does, including playing with his toys.  He is pretty good at sharing, and getting better at it all the time.

I guess I'll have to settle for a big squishy hug from DH! 

 

TRYING TO FIND MY GROOVE!

I think I greatly underestimated my own well-being after being so focused on DH after his stroke.  We both had to adjust to staying at home, away from family and friends.  

During out 14 day isolation, we were both dealing with unpacking, finalizing health insurance stuff, doctor stuff,  etc.  I found it almost impossible to focus on sewing, as I couldn't even focus on getting my studio space back to normal.

As DH starting feeling more like his normal self, he became restless, and wanted to get out more.  I realized that our lives had been so different in the early years of our marriage.  He was out to work, taking courses, going away on temporary duty for weeks or months, while I was a stay-at-home Mom.  Later I did dressmaking and tailoring, and some custom drapery work from home, but my days were spent working on my own, while his were spent surrounded by people.

When he retired, it took him a year or so to get used to the new normal, and I guess that will happen again, following the covid-19 difficulties.  We both miss seeing our kids and grandchildren, but we have chosen to stay away as long as we can.  DH and I are both in the high risk category for the virus, and our grandkids are too young to understand that they can't have a hug from us!  My son works in a hospital, and has to deal with the issue of the virus every day.  He works in the locked mental health ward, and  has to deal with clients who are missing family visits, extra supplies, and unable to be accompanied outside to smoke. (2/3 of the clients are smokers)  This hospital is mostly used for outpatients, although they have opened a ward for covid-19 patients.  He also had a scare a week or so ago, when he showed up at work with a stuffy nose, (pollen related), and had reflux overnight, so his throat was sore - the screener at the hospital decided to test him for the virus, so he was sent home to wait for the results.  Fortunately, he tested negative, and was able to return to work a few days later, but he spent those day in the basement, by himself, with 2 kids who didn't understand why they couldn't have a hug from Dad, or have a bed-time story, etc.  It was difficult for the whole family.

Fortunately, after sewing some masks for us and friends, my sewing mojo has slowly returned!

 
I also started to make a version of Bonnie Hunter's Unity quilt.  I chose my colours, and gradually did more sewing each day.  My quilt top is folded loosely, so my picture is of 1/4 of the top, up to part 6.

 I also have the blocks completed for part 7, just waiting to be stitched together and added to the top.

During my spare time, I pulled out a quilt panel, that I had paired with some coordinating prints, and completed a quilt top too!

The border stripe was in my stash, and had all the colours in the panel!   I'll be adding red binding after I get this layered and quilted.

HOME SAFE AND SOUND

We had a delay on our trip north to Canada.  My DH had a stroke as we were stopping for the night on our first travel day.  Fortunately, I was 1 block from the hospital and he received help right away.
We use travel insurance from Medipac, which is sponsored by the Canadian Snowbird Association.  They were wonderful to work with throughout this trying time.
The hospital in Charlotte NC was wonderful.  DH spent 2 days in the Neuroscience ICU, and then had progressed well enough to move to a regular hospital room, and was released from the hospital on March 23.  We took our time driving home and were in our home by March 25.
We are settling into our 14 day quarantine at home, and will continue to self-isolate after that time.   Family and friends have been extremely supportive during this time.  We have someone to shop for us, and they had our home ready for us, with heat turned up, water heater turned on, and groceries in the refrigerator on our arrival.
We have been unpacking slowly, sorting through mail, paperwork, etc., contacting our family doctor, and finalizing our medical insurance claim.  I still have items to unpack in my sewing room, but this will be completed gradually.

My thanks extend to all who contacted us and sent prayers, and my thoughts and prayers go out to all who are caught in this terrible pandemic.  Let's follow all the rules, and see if we can slow down the spread, so more don't have to suffer.

HEADING HOME EARLY

DH and I have decided to head north earlier than we had planned.   With potential worsening conditions, and much encouragement from our adult kids, we have decided to play it safe and head home.
 I have my sewing room 1/2 packed, and keep finding things that need to be taken care of, and we have to contact places at home, to get our phone and internet connected again! 

Rules regarding the virus are changing daily, so we may be ordered to self-isolate after entering Canada.  Our northern home caretaker will be picking up some milk and a few other things before we arrive, just in case.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week  16.125 yards

Used year to date  39.125 yards

Fabric added in the past 2 weeks 20.5 yards

Fabric added year to date  45.625 yards

Net used 2020  -6.5 yards

I completed the Hallowe'en quilt for my granddaughter, but haven't taken a picture of it yet.    One of my favourite local shops, Quilts on Plum Lane, is having a wonderful sale  35% off for the month of March!  I also made a stop at the Quilted Twins to pick up a few goodies, mostly headed for planned projects.

My quilting group didn't gift me with tons of fabric this year, just a gift certificate that can be used at a later date!  The good news is that I can use it at either home!

I hope everyone stays healthy, and gets tons of quilting accomplished during this trying time!   

  

 

OUR ANNUAL PILLOWCASE DAY

For the past several years, my southern quilt group has sponsored a sewing day for Ryan's Case for Smiles.  The Tampa Bay group is very active, with many scheduled sew days at various quilt shops, and with private groups.

Last Wednesday, three coordinators arrived, loaded down with sergers, fabric, and sewing machine kits.  We began at 11 am, and with the help of many friends and neighbours to tackle the non-sewing jobs, such as pinning, turning, pick up and delivery to the various machines, and folding the completed pillowcases.

We completed 290 pillowcases by 2:45, and another 200 almost completed ones are heading off to the next sewing group!

On Thursday, DH and I headed to the Atlantic side of Florida.  Our first stop was in Rockledge to visit The Quilt Place - what an incredible quilt shop!  I picked up 2 yards of Hallowe'en fabric for my grandson's quilt.  Then we continued to Cocoa Beach, to visit friends who were visiting while on holiday.  After a great lunch and a short tour of the area, we headed north to Ormand Beach.  Then on Friday morning, we attended the AQS Daytona Beach quilt show!  What inspiration!  We took our time, looking at all the quilts that were exhibited, and the only shopping I did was choosing 4 large spools of a variety of orange shades for my Hallowe'en quilts' quilting.

Fabric used this week  4.5 yards

Fabric used year to date  23 yards

Fabric added this week  9.5 yards

Fabric year to date  25.125

Net used 2020  -2.125

STASH REPORT

Fabric used this week 7 yards

Fabric used year to date  18.5 yards

Fabric added this week  11 yards

 Fabric added year to date  15.625 yards

Net used 2020  2.875 yards

My southern quilting group is having a pillowcase sewing day for Ryan's Cases for Smiles.  I picked up fabric for them last week and used it right away.  We have 2 members of the local branch coming on Wednesday, and lots of non-sewing volunteers to help pin, turn, press, fold, pick up and deliver pillowcase parts to keep the stitchers busy.  I'm taking my serger to provide a clean finish to the final L seam.

I have finished the quilt top for my granddaughter - Hallowe'en all the way, but have to find a backing so I can start quilting. 

I also completed the quilt top for my "52 blocks in 52 weeks" project with the block patterns provided during the past year from the Canadian Quilters Association.  I think this one will wait until we return north in April, as I have fabric available there for a backing.
Since I only claim yardage for finished projects, I can't take credit for the two quilts yet!

My Bernina is going into the shop for its annual spa day, and on Thursday DH and I are heading to Daytona to attend the AQS show again this year.  We are visiting friends as well - they are staying in the area for a couple of days.

 

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Hope you are spending the day with those you love.

 DH and his band were entertaining at a local seniors' residence, helping them to celebrate an afternoon full of love and music.

I spent some time on the final stages of a year-long quilt project!

 

STASH REPORT

Fabric used this week  6.375 yards

Fabric used year to date  11.5 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  4.625 yards

Net used 2020  6.875

I completed my quilt as your go, reversible table runner.

I had used this pattern before, but this was the first time I made two colour binding.  It went on like a dream!

All the strips were from my strip bins, and ranged from 2 1/2 inches to 1 inch.

I also completed the baby quilt that will be given to our community manager for her new baby boy.  I provided the constant blue in each of the blocks, as well as the border and binding fabric.  Another member donated the batting, and after I pieced the blocks together, a group member stitched the two borders on.  I machine quilted, and hand stitched the binding while watching TV with DH!

Now back to Hallowe'en!  I'm piecing the final border on quilt number one......  Then I'll have to start quilt number two!

WORKS IN PROGRESS

I've been busy stitching, but since I've been working on several projects at the same time, I don't see the progress.

I started making the hourglass blocks for the next border on my granddaughter's Hallowe'en quilt, with many more needed.

I'll have to get my rotary cutter working overtime, as I need lots of these blocks!

The manager of our community in the south is off on maternity leave.  My quilt group suggested making a baby quilt for the new arrival.    I sat down with Electric Quilt 8, and designed a quick rail fence quilt, with 2 borders.  I picked up most of the fabric required, and took 16 x 2.5 inch strips of fabric, and asked people to complete 1 or 2 blocks.  By the end of our session, all the strips had disappeared, and this week 16 blocks arrived!  We placed the blocks on a table, and tried different placements, and once everyone was happy, I stacked the vertical rows, ready for sewing.  My next job is cutting the borders and binding, and will get volunteers to add them to the top next week.  One of the members will be providing batting, so hopefully we'll get the quilt pin-basted, and maybe even start on the the quilting.

I received a request to work on a table runner that the group had shared in 2007.   Since we have many new members, I sent out the fabric requirements, and then dug into my stash to make some "stitch out" samples.  Everyone had fun making this quilt as you go, reversible runner, using Sharon Pederson's "Salted Peanut Table Runner" from her book, More Reversible Quilts.

This is side A, with spring-like colours, using my scrap strips.

This is side B, which looks more like autumn to me.  I do like brighter colours!

 A bit of a close-up.  When the strips are sewn on Side A, it quilts Side B.  I decided to try not to repeat any of the fabrics in my strips, as I like lots of variety!twp

The first time I made a runner from this pattern, I found a fabric that would go with both sides for sashing and binding, but with this quilt, I made the two colour binding, using the instructions in the book, and I'm just going to sit and start hand stitching the binding, so I'll have it finished to show the group next week.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week 0 yards

Fabric used year to date  5.125 yards

Fabric added this week 1.5 yards

Fabric added year to date  4.625 yards

Net used 2020  .5 yards!

I've been busy sewing this past week, working on the first of 2 Hallowe'en quilts for my grandchildren.  I don't count fabric used until it is donated, or I have a completed project !

The center of the quilt came from a panel for a Hallowe'en tote bag, so I used one side for this quilt, and I'm saving the other for the second one.  The checkerboard strips on the side are made from the handles provided on the panel, and then I added the cute kids out trick or treating on the top and bottom.

 The next border will be made of pumpkin blocks.  The design came from Bonnie Hunter's book, "String Frenzy".  I found some gradated fabric when I was shopping, and just bought enough to the stems.

I picked up two more Hallowe'en prints with a purple background to use in the next border that I have planned, but I'm putting this project on hold, as I am teaching a class in thread painting, and I have to get my sample piece started...... Wish me luck!

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  2.375 yards

Fabric used year to date  5.125 yards

Fabric added this week  3.125 yards

Fabric added year to date 3.125 yards

Net used 2020  2 yards

Even though I picked up some fabric this week, I'm still in the black.  I'm hoping to stay this way as much as possible.  I have lots of fabric available to use - I just have to keep on sewing!

I added a panel to make a wall hanging for my granddaughter's room, and 2 pieces of purple to include in the Hallowe'en quilts along with a piece of variegated green for pumpkin stems.  I started my foundation blocks for the pumpkins needed, and will continue to work on those.  I am still playing with layouts on Electric Quilt 8, but other than both quilts having a large centre block, I plan on having them a bit different, but using most of the same block elements.  Wish me luck!

MORE SMALL FINISHES

I wanted to use more of the Christmas fabric, so I pulled out an old pattern, and completed 4 more items for the guild Boutique at our next show.

This was a fun project because you make 2 different blocks from each set of fabric.  Double the fun!

The first pair are candle mats.  These were made from 2 different 2 inch strips of fabric, stitched together, then a third fabric 3 1/2 inches .  When cut apart, they form 6 of each set of 60 degree triangles. 


These finish 10 x 11.5 inches.

Then I used the same method, but started with wider strips and made 2 table toppers, featuring more of my gingerbread fabric.



These  two finished 
16.5 x 19.5  inches.

I finally took some time to clear up all the scraps on my cutting table.  I started to make 4 patches with leftover Christmas fabric, and began playing with a layout, but I talked myself into setting them aside to work on a quilt for my grandchildren.

Yesterday, DH and I headed to Plant City FL. to visit Inspire, a lovely quilt shop, of course.  I had a gift card, so I picked up a few pieces of fabric to add to the grandchildren's quilts project.  I also found a great panel, that I will make into a wall hanging for our granddaughter's room.  It is bright and cheery and features an octopus and his friends.