WORKSHOP IN FEBRUARY

    In December, my guild had a show and tell presentation of all the quilts we had finished since the Covid 19 lockdown, all via Zoom.  One of the items I shared, was a quilt as you go, reversible table runner.  Several members asked if we could have a workshop, and I agreed!  This is the one I shared.  One side represents spring, and the other autumn.

    I have been spending time, writing the instructions, along with fabric requirements, etc.  I also had to find fabric to use in my step out samples.  Mine is going to represent Valentine's Day on one side, and Easter on the other.  I took pictures of each step to add to the instructions, as many people are "visual learners".  Every time I do this, I am surprised at how much time it takes, writing, taking photos, proofreading etc.! 

    This week was also a busy one, driving DH to appointments.  He had one with his Ear, Nose, Throat doctor on Monday, then off to drop off a prescription.  Tuesday and Wednesday he had the final tests that his cardiologist had ordered, filling in a cancellation instead of waiting for his appointments in March or April!  Tuesday was also my first driving experience in blowing snow when I went to pick  him up.  My last snowy drive was over 20 years ago!  Thank heavens for snow tires and few drivers on the road!!!!Thursday and Friday he wasn't feeling well, as he had severe vertigo, and needed help from time to time, so my time in my sewing room was very limited.  I'm hoping to get some stitching done today - probably more red string blocks!

MORE STRINGS

 I have completed 40 of my string blocks, with only 40 to go!

My string pile is slowly shrinking, but I'll wait to cut more until I no longer have long enough pieces for the centre strip.

I haven't removed the paper yet, but since we have a Zoom sew-day scheduled, I'll be able to sit and remove them, while chatting with other guild members!
 

 Our schedule is out of whack, as DH has to go to the hospital today and tomorrow for an afternoon of tests.  His cardiologist ordered them, and he had an appointment in April, but since we live close to the hospital, he called the department, as asked that he be put on the cancellation list.  He received a phone call yesterday, and was sent a list of requirements, and a schedule for both days.  Hopefully this will be the last big test as follow-up to his stroke last March.  He is doing great, with minor changes after the stroke.  We are so fortunate!

Our younger son and family are currently on a stay-at-home order, as their daughter was at daycare on Thursday, and might have been exposed to Covid, as another parent has been tested positive, along with her child, who is asymptimatic.  They have to stay home 24/7 until February 4th.  My DIL works at home right now, but my son has to stay off work, with no pay.  They are happy that my DIL went grocery shopping before they received their call from Public Health.

Off to string piecing........

STRINGING ALONG

 I had so many leftover red strips, I decided to make some red string blocks.  I have been saving leftover strips for many years, and hope that this will use up lots of them quickly!

Here are the first few blocks that I stitched and trimmed last night.

Back to work stringing again today.  I am still deciding which project to use them in first!

I found out recently that our city will be collecting fabric in our recycling.  They will be taking used clothing, not suitable for re-use, and fabric scraps.  They had planned to start before Covid 19 came along, but the roll-out has been delayed.  There are alternate sites to drop off your bags until things return to the new normal.  I know that quilters will be good recyclers!

KEEPING BUSY

 Monday evening was my quilt guild executive meeting.  We are having great success using zoom for meetings, especially since we are currently in a lock-down, due to rising Covid 19 numbers in our province.

Among other items discussed, I was asked to run a Zoom workshop for my guild.  I had showed a reversible, quilt-as-you-go table runner at the December meeting, that many members wanted to try.  I have been busy selecting fabric from my stash, and getting everything cut out and ready to go.  I chose Valentines Day for one side, and Easter for the other, using fabrics in my stash.  I have also prepared some step-out examples as I realize that many people are "visual learners".  DH and I are still figuring out the logistics of best computer locations for filming etc.

I already have 5 signed up for the workshop in February, and the official notice hasn't gone out to the members yet! Our newsletter will be out before the February meeting, and our local quilt shops are available for online shopping, and delivery and pick-up options are available for shopping.

Since I maintain the guild website, I am also receiving pictures from our members of the quilt project that was our "block of the month" from September to December 2020.  It is keeping me busy, downloading pictures of the quilts, and also some of the January BoM blocks, editing them with names and descriptions etc. and keeping track of participants for the Zoom workshop.  I have to send fabric requirements and initial cutting instructions out to each participant, so that on the workshop day, we'll be ready to get right to work."

Here are my January BoM blocks.  I made 10 of the "card trick" blocks, using leftover strips for the blocks, along with leftover white muslin.  I'm hoping to make a colourful donation quilt with all the remaining monthly blocks, with the bonus of using leftover  scraps wherever possible!

I am lucky that my DH doesn't mind preparing meals when I am super busy, and has turned into a pretty good cook over the years too!

Some Scrappy Blocks

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My guild is having a "block of the month", trying a different method to make a common block.  The January block was "Card Tricks", with the centre made with squares and rectangles, and then background corner "setting" triangles are added.  In the past, we have made as many as we like, and they are brought to the next meeting.  All the participants' names are entered into a draw, and that person receives all the blocks.  Since we are not meeting in person, this time you keep the blocks you make.

All the colour pieces were cut from leftover strips!
If you look closely, you will see that a couple of them "turn" in the opposite direction......oops!  I have decided that those are a creative decision, and the person who is gifted the future quilt, will probably never notice.  I made 10 blocks, and now I have to wait until the next Zoom meeting to see what the next block will be, and what size it will finish.....

Deciding which project to start next.......  Maybe it is time to work with red fabric for a while!

FIRST FINISH IN 2021

    Stash Report 2021

Fabric used this week  5.625 yards

Fabric used year to date 5.625 yards

Fabric added this week 0 yards

Fabric added year to date 0 yards

Net used 2021 5.625 yards

 

I had a collection of 9 orphan blocks the same size, leftover from some group projects, so I made a small lap quilt to be used by a person in a wheelchair.

I added a simple blue border, made from leftover strips, and then used a diagonal stripe print for the simple binding.

I used a neutral thread to machine quilt, stitching 2 sets of parallel lines in all the stars.

 The rail fence block was quilted with a hooked feather design in the blue and bright print areas, and leaves in the green strips.

The large split 9-patch block was quilted with a  flower design in the large squares, and more simple leaves in the strip areas.

I had a leftover piece of light blue flannel that was just the right size to make a backing too!

Our area had an additional lock-down, due to Covid 19 numbers.  Fortunately, all my family is fine, but in some of the larger cities, the number of cases is starting to overwhelm the hospitals.

My eldest brother has been fighting cancer for the past 1 1/2 years, and is quickly losing the battle.  With the rules of the current lockdown, we would still be allowed to attend a funeral with a limit of 10 people, but there was no allowance to visit a family member in palliative care.  We called our local member of parliament  on Tuesday, and the recommendation was to go to see him immediately, before the lock-down was official at midnight.

I called my other brother, and the 4 of us met for a final visit with him and his wife.  They have many friends locally, who have been helping with all that needs to be done during the pandemic, including taking him to radiation treatments, so his wife could continue working, bringing meals, helping with shopping, etc.  Several have stayed with him so his wife could have a sleep, or go out and run errands, and they have nurses, personal support workers and even a doctor that makes house calls, to help with his care.

Their decision was to not have a funeral when he passes, but to wait until all the family and friends can get together safely for a celebration of life sometime in the future.

He will be missed by many......

I have more quilts planned, so they ca be donated to people in our community,  including baby quilts, cancer shawls, quilts for project Linus, for seniors in wheelchairs and long term care homes.