HEXAGON FRIDAY

I managed to get rows 4 and 5 added to the piece, along with the dark burgundy border.  I'm working from the centre out, making blocks for 2 rows at a time, so I can balance the colours.  

This is the next unit, and I need to make 26 to complete the next 2 rows.  This is also the last part of the quilt that uses the light blue background.  The next background is used in the rest of the quilt centre, and in the borders closest to the burgundy frame.  There will be a third colour for the background on the outside edges of the final pieced borders.
Check out other hexagon projects here!http://quiltingreadersgarden.blogspot.com/2013/06/its-hexie-friday-6713.html

ANOTHER CHRISTMAS PROJECT DONE!

I completed the quilting and the binding on my Christmas table topper.  The pattern was a bonus block of the month pattern from my guild, and comes in 3 sizes.  I decided to make the largest size, and mine finished at 33.5 inches at the widest points.

This is the type of project that doesn't photograph well.  The main fabric is white pointsettia flowers with dusty green leaves and lots of silver.  I quilted the green triangles and the main fabric areas with silver thread, and it really sparkles!

This one will probably be donated to the "Every Child Counts Abaco" project to use as a fund raising item.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I've had another busy week, working on "quick to finish" projects.

I found this cute alphabet panel hidden away, and decided it would make a cute kid's quilt.  I added a narrow black dotted border, then a bright jigsaw puzzle fabric for the final border.  I plan on more dots in the binding fabric.

  I then hunted through my dwindling pile of flannels to find a good backing, and found one with school supplies - pencils, scissors, glue, eraser, paper clips etc., but although the length was great, it was too narrow.
Off to my pile of finished 4-patches (leaders and enders while sewing other things).  I found a collection made with solids and prints, and pieced them together into a long strip, with the colours forming diagonal lines - lots of bright colours, just like the borders on the top of the quilt!

Then I realized that I hadn't tried the bonus block of the month table topper pattern from my guild that was available in April.  In my plan to use Christmas fabrics, I pulled out a soft silver, white and dusty green print with pointsettias for the focal fabric, with green star point, and a cream with evergreen design. (The green points are a much softer colour than in the photo).  I had to make bias binding for this one, also in the soft green.  It will be my main project for today, as I want to have it completed to take for "show and tell" at our final meeting of the season on Wednesday!

Head over to Judy's blog, Patchwork Times, to be inspired by all the creativity linked there.

 

 

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  6.125 yards

Fabric used year to date  117.25 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  35.75 yards

Net used 2013  81.75 yards

I had a productive week, finishing a set of 4 Christmas stockings and a large baby quilt.  I also have another bright kid's quilt top and backing made but not counted, as well as a Christmas table topper, using a pattern from my guild!

I'm off to have a sewing day with the group from "Every Child Counts", a charity that supports a special needs school in the Bahamas. 

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

FRIDAY HEXAGON REPORT

Lots of evening sewing this week!  I managed to complete 31 of 32 flower units.  Tonight I'll have to lay out the blocks to arranged them by colour - don't want to be close to a neighbour of the same colour!

I'll need 6 more blue background hexagons and 16 border hexagons to complete these two rows and attach them to the part that is already completed. 

EARLY CHRISTMAS SEWING

I wanted something quick and easy to stitch yesterday, so I went hunting through my collection of panels, and found one with 4 different angel stocking fronts.  I pulled out some leftover batting and pin basted them and did some quilting to highlight the designs.  Then I found a large enough piece of Christmas fabric, layered it with leftover flannel, and did a meander stitch over the whole piece.  Layered the two, added two layers of plain muslin, stitched around the edges and had 4 almost completed stockings.  
I used my special "pinking" rotary blade to trim the seam allowances and turned them right side out.  I found some red, white and green striped leftover binding and made hanging loops for each, and bound the tops.  A few minutes of hand sewing, and I had 4 completed Christmas stockings. 

 I may find a home for them, or just save them for the boutique at my guild's next quilt show!!!!

QUILTING FUN

After quilting all the stitch-in-the-ditch areas, and outlining all the lovely designs that were provided by the panel, I still had 4 larger areas of unquilted polka dots to consider.  Since this panel quilt had numerous animals, I decided to add a few more.

I began with a cat and a dog.

Just in case you think I'm artistic, I found the line drawings in a book called "250 Continuous-Line Quilting Designs" by Laura Lee Fritz 

Then came a long-horn steer and his companion, the horse.

They were joined by a pig and two goats!

And the final area hosted a sheep and a ram.

 Since my only remaining colour of polka dots was yellow, and I planned to use it for a final border and binding,  I decided to try the "unstuffed, piped binding", that I read about on the internet.  This is applied to the back of the quilt, then folded to the front and stitched in the ditch by machine.  It was only a little more work than regular binding, and saved time by machine vs hand sewing.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I didn't feel like machine quilting on a large project yesterday, so I went hunting in my closet of panels and projects.  I found a project that my friend had wanted to make, but had forgotten about.  I had spent some time several years ago, planning the quilt, and writing instructions.

 I had a panel that consisted of several small units, so I had cut them apart.  There is a polka dot theme in all the panel fabrics, so I pulled a collection of polka dot fabrics from my stash.  I followed my written instructions and the top went together quickly!
It is now pin-basted and ready to quilt! 

I'm not sure how I'll quilt it, but will start by "stitch in the ditch", then some free form outlining of all the animals.  I have also made some "unstuffed, piped binding" to try on this project.

Check out what others are doing at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week  12.125 yards

Used year to date  111.125 yards

Added this week  0 yards

Added year to date  35.5 yards

Net used 2013  75.625 yards

I love it when my numbers take a jump!  I completed my Christmas Wish quilt this week.  I had planned to finish it in time for the holidays last year, but forgot to pack a few small pieces of Christmas fabric when we headed south last fall!  Since I have decided not to buy any new Christmas fabric until my holiday stash has shrunk, I waited to complete it when we returned north.

This was a busy quilt, so most of the quilting is "in the ditch" with a few curvy lines in the 16-patch blocks.  I quilted a simple continuous line in the final border, and used a striped fabric for the binding.

There were a few small, wholecloth areas for some free form quilting fun!

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

HEXAGON FRIDAY REPORT

Pardon the creases and folds - I finished adding the final two blocks to the first three rows last weekend, so it is folded and put away for a while!  These are the centre three rows - I decided to work out from the centre, as the rows are the same above and below the centre small flower block row.

So far I have completed 14 of the 32 small flower blocks for the next two rows.  I will decided their placement in the rows before adding the left and right ends and the borders, and then add them to the main quilt!

Last night, DH and his friend entertained for an hour at a senior's residence.  Everyone enjoyed the music, but asked for more "sing along" on their next visit!  DH plays "our music", but will add some older songs next time, as the audience is 15 to 25 years older, and didn't recognize some of the songs!

QUILT PROJECT 17 FINISHED

DH became my quilt holder this morning so I could mark this quilt as truly finished.  It is the 17th project completed this year.  The quilts are due at our final guild meeting of the year on June 5th.  They are expecting around 20 finished quilts.  There were request from some to make the patterns queen-size, so there should be some larger projects as well.  This time I have to remember to take my camera!!!!!
Our end of the season dinner is being catered by the executive again this year.  Everyone brings their own table setting - placemat, napkin, dishes and silverware.  Our guest speaker at the meeting will be talking to us about Superior Threads, and will be holding a workshop (already full), the day after the dinner.  I have to check my thread supplies and take some $ to buy more thread - thread doesn't count as stash!

I managed to get the centre parts of my Christmas Wish quilt stitched yesterday, and cut strips for the final border and binding.  Now I'm off to sew.  I plan to make a pieced backing for this quilt, so I can use more Christmas fabric!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I'm almost caught up on the quilting for projects pieced over the winter.  Once more to go, but I think I'll put my Christmas Wish quilt together first.

I finished my guild BOM version 2 quilt yesterday, but as we've been planting annuals in the garden today, I haven't managed to take a picture of the finished quilt yet.

This is part of the middle border area of the quilt.  It has a block in the centre and one on each end as well.

This is the final border.  I quilted a rope design in the blue areas, and a continuous loop design in all the light areas.

All the star blocks are quilted the same way, with small feathered hooks in the purple pinwheels and boxy lines in the blue.

Once again, my problem is trying to finish up projects already started, while the siren call of new projects is drawing me away!


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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week  8.25 yards

Used year to date  99 yards

Added this week  0 yards

Added year to date  35.5 yards

Net used 2013  63.5 yards

I managed to make the final stitches in the binding just before bed last night!  Now my guild's BOM version 2 quilt is officially finished!!!!!

We had a nice visit with DSIL and husband on Thursday, went plant shopping on Friday, had tea with friends Friday evening, and visited with our Godson's family on Saturday, (they were bringing furniture for their daughter's room at University for next year.  She is renting a house, along with 4 friends).

My bread is doing its first rise, so I finally had time to catch up with all my email etc.  Today I plan to do some small sewing jobs that have been waiting.  DH wants some velcro wraps made for his guitar cords, and I have to make the patches that will be on his and his friend's shirts when they begin their volunteer entertaining venture this Friday.

Check out Judy's blog, Patchwork Times, to see everyone's progress this week.   

HEXAGON FRIDAY REPORT

I've been making steady progress on my project, stitching in the evenings while watching TV with DH.

 Two more stars to add to finish the 3rd row.  I'm working from the centre outwards toward the top and bottom.  The next two rows are the same as the first - 6 petal flowers - 16 per row.

We had a lovely drive north to deliver the quilt to my sister-in-law and had a wonderful lunch and visit.  She also does decorative painting, so I had to visit her studio to see all the projects that she had finished over the winter.

Tonight we're visiting with friends - DH plays guitar with his friend, and they are practicing to play at a senior's residence next week.  They both enjoy playing and singing, and thought they could volunteer to bring some live music for an evening's entertainment.  I'm taking along some hexies to baste while I visit!

I'm also trying to get my guild BOM version 2 quilted.  I had a problem coming up with an idea for one area, but the light bulb lit this morning, so I'm off and running,

DH and I picked up some tomato plants and herbs, along with a few annuals to tuck in between the perennials in our tiny garden area.  Hopefully we'll get everything planted in the next day or two.   

FINISHED QUILT!

That's the good news.  The bad news is that it doesn't count toward my stash usage, as it is my sister-in-law's project.

I was given some quilting templates a year or so ago, so I decided to use them on this disappearing 9 patch quilt top.  The first one is a feathered star with a cross-hatched centre.  There were so many fabrics in this scrappy quilt that it was difficult to choose a thread that would show.

The second stencil was a feathered wreath with a cross hatched centre.  I chose a bright yellow King Tut thread from Superior for the quilting.

 
I used a variegated green thread to stitched undulating feathered hooks around the final border.  This is my "go to" pattern for borders......

The quilting shows up well on the plain backing fabric.

We are heading north to Coe Hill on Thursday to deliver the quilt, and have a visit over lunch.  The quilt will be given as a wedding gift on Saturday!

Tonight I'm attending my quilt guild's executive meeting.  I have volunteered to take charge of our guild's website for the next while.  It is something I can do whether I'm home, or down south. 

 

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Nothing used and nothing added this week.

Net used 2013  55.25 yards

 
I was trying to get my guild BOM version 2 quilt finished, but had to set it aside to finish a quilt for my sister-in-law.  I have 2 more blocks to quilt, then the outer border, add binding and label and get it delivered this week. 
I had a quiet Mother's Day, quilting, but both of our sons called!
Today is also DS2 and DDIL's first anniversary.  They received our card on Friday, and decided to have a weekend in Toronto, spending time together.
Check out the stash reports at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.  

FRIDAY HEXAGON REPORT

I decided to report my hexie progress each Friday.  DH and I catch up on our TV watching in the evenings, and I stitch the whole time.  My friends and family know that if I'm sitting, I'm stitching.

I took one of my last remaining Canadian pennies out of my wallet to show the size of each hexie - the flash made it shine!  It almost covers one hexagon.  I'm glad I like the fairy frost fabric, as I've been making tons of light blue hexagons to assemble the blocks into rows!

 This is my progress as of the morning of May 10.  The top row was assembled, then had a long join.  This time, I'm joining each unit as it is completed, and taking the papers out as I go along.  It helps to break up the different tasks.  Today, I'll be sewing more light blue hexies!

A NEW CHALLENGE

DH's sister and her husband came for a short visit yesterday.  She brought along a quilt top, batting, backing fabric and some for the binding.   She had made this disappearing 9-patch quilt over the winter (she takes quilting classes at her local community centre), but needs it finished quickly to be gifted as a wedding present.

This morning I cut strips and prepared the binding, then stitched the backing fabric together and pressed it well.  Now I'm in the process of pin basting.  With my small table, I have to move the quilt to baste the whole thing, and then roll it up to do the next areas.  I've found that this is a 2 person job, and DH is off helping some friends paint their dining room, living room, kitchen and bathroom today.  He spent Tuesday there as well, so I'll have to wait until he gets home tonight to roll and move the quilt so I can finish the pin-basting.
I use the time while I'm pin-basting, to think of different ways to quilt each project.  Some take more thinking than others!  I have 2 stencils that I may use in alternate blocks.  The next problem will be to find a thread that shows well against all the different colours!
I must say I enjoy each challenge.....

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I've been busy beginning the quilting on my guild's BOM quilt, version 2.  I'm trying to get at much finished as possible, as I have a rush project arriving on Wednesday.

My sister-in-law called, asking me to machine quilt a top that she had finished.  She needs it for a wedding gift in a couple of weeks, and didn't feel that she could get it done in time.  They have to take their vehicle in for service nearby, so they are coming for lunch on Wednesday, and dropping off the quilt top, backing and batting.  We'll send her home with birthday gifts for 2 of her grandsons - a fair trade!

 You may remember that I was working on "A Christmas Wish", a free BOM quilt from Red Brolly last year.  I had the two main panels completed, and took the rest south to complete.  Unfortunately, I mis-read the instructions, and didn't cut enough pieces, and of course, the fabric was north in my sewing room.
I had a bit of spare time after finishing the other guild BOM quilt, and managed to finish the remaining sections.  Now all I have to do is stitch them together, add the final border and piece the backing.  This is another project to use my huge collection of Christmas fabrics.  I have banned myself from buying any more Christmas fabric until my stash is mostly used, and even then - only for a specific project!!!!!
Check out all the creativity linked to Judy's blog today! 

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  7.75 yards

Fabric used year to date  90.75 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  35.5 yards

Net used 2013  55.25 yards

I finished the quilting on my guild's BOM quilt project version 1 this week!!!  The projects are due at our next meeting on 5 June, and I've heard that there will be prizes!!

Of course, I used my favourite hooked feathers for the large final border.  The stitching was done with a Sulky cotton variegated thread called Pansy, with pinks, yellows, greens and light purple - soft colours that suited the quilt.

  Fortunately for me, DH has long arms and was able to hold this quilt by himself.  The light was coming in the patio door, but it does highlight the quilting!

Check out Judy's blog, Patchwork Times, to see how everyone's stash usage fared this week.

FINALLY MADE IT TO MY GUILD MEETING

I miss two things when we head south each winter.  First, I miss seeing my family.  Second, I miss all the fun at my quilt guild.

Last night our guest speaker was Susan Purney Mark.  She kept us entertained with tales of her many quilting adventures.  She also brought lovely quilts and fabric for everyone to see and feel.  I had already made a quilt from one of her books, Accent on Angles,  so I didn't sign up for the full day workshop today.  Of course, I forgot my camera again!!!!
There were many quilts displayed for show and tell, and a local Brownie group attended the meeting to show the quilts made from blocks that they had designed and made.  The finished quilts were donated to our guild's community quilts program, to be given to those in need.
I enjoyed seeing all the familiar faces, and hope to spend next Tuesday at the community quilts work day and pot luck lunch!

I am busy machine quilting BOM quilt version 1.

  I've done all the straight line quilting, and I'm working on the light background areas next.  I often quilt all the areas of one colour at the same time.  I guess I find it easier than changing threads and adjust tensions.  I usually begin with the area that I already have a quilting plan for, and it gives me time to think of a design for the rest of the quilt.  I need to get both of my BOM's quilted so I can show them at the June spring dinner meeting!
I've also been working on my hexie project.  I have the units finished for the next two rows, and now I am adding background hexies, (pale blue Fairy Frost fabric), to each, then sewing them to their neighbour.  These rows have larger units, so I only have to make 8 per row.  I'm also taking out the papers to recycle them into more basted hexies. 

 I'm getting more accomplished than I thought, but that is due to my sore knee - I've been doing less stair climbing, and more sitting! (not really a good thing).    

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  14.75 yards

Fabric used year to date  83 yards

Fabric added this week   0 yards

Fabric added year to date  35.5 yards

Net used 2013  47.5 yards

As I reported earlier this week, I finished a quilt (finally) that I made totally from my stash!  Pattern was in an older Quiltmaker magazine, and was called Daisy Pops.  Mine, due to fabric choices, looks nothing like the original!  You can find the post, with pictures of the quilt here! 

My other sewing this week was finishing tote bags for "Every Child Counts", but the only thing I contributed was thread and sewing time!

I gave my daughter-in-law a sewing machine this weekend, so we spent most of this morning giving her a "tour", trying all the features etc.  Her previous experience sewing was done on a hand crank machine.  Her family came from Russia when she was a young teen, and these were common for home sewing.  Her mother ordered a new one, made by Singer shortly after they arrived  in Canada.  It has a beautiful wood case, and lovely gold decals, but she finds it hard to coordinate the right and left hands.

She tried many of the stitches, made 3 different buttonholes and even sewed on a button, just to see how the different jobs were accomplished.  The machine came with a walking and free motion quilting feet, and although she isn't a quilter, you never know.........

Since she wanted to try all the different feet, she tried both.  She managed to stitch a petalled flower, a leaf with veins, and a bee on her first try at free motion!  She reallly has to be a quilter!!!!

DH and I have enjoyed having her and our two sons for the weekend.  My guys like to play lots of different board games - the more complex the rules, the better they like it!  Its great to hear them laugh, and tease each other while they enjoy their time together.

Head over to Judy's blog, Patchwork Times, to see how other's have fared on their stash reports for this week.   

GOOD NEWS THURSDAY

Our two sons and one daughter-in-law are arriving tonight, and staying until Sunday!
I love when they visit.  The guys put all the leaves in my table and set up board games, laughing, and teasing each other the whole time.  I love having time to get to know my newest daughter-in-law!

I've been cooking and baking - cooked ribs yesterday, and they'll be reheated tomorrow.  Tonight I'm making pizza - one traditional and one Alfredo with chicken, along with a salad.  I also made a large snack cake, as well as stocking up on fruit - apples, oranges, grapes, bananas and blueberries.  Have to have some healthy options!

I finished the 3 remaining tote bags for "Every Child Counts", and I'm making a small purse/wallet to test the pattern.  Probably won't get much done once the gang arrives....I can hardly wait.

Check out other good news at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.   

FINALLY.....A FINISH!

I put the final quilting stitches in one of the quilts that travelled north, pin-basted.

The pattern was from a Quiltmaker magazine at least 2 or 3 years old.  Two years ago, I made a kit from my stash but ran out of time to make it.  It finally arrived at the finished mark this winter. 

I found the technique for some of the units to be easy, but very wasteful, so if I made this pattern again, I'd find alternate methods.

I inherited some stencils a couple of years ago.  This one was too large for the block, but I just omitted the last feather on four of the swirl arms, and it fit just fine.  I stitched it in a variegated rose thread on the yellow blocks, and a variegated gold thread on the dark green ones.

 The border quilting is difficult to see, but there is a rose in each corner, and zig-zag leaves in the centre of each long border.

I made a pieced back for this quilt, using leftover fabrics, and managed to add 14.75 yards of fabric to my "used from stash" report for next Sunday! 
 

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

Yesterday I was assembling tote bags for ECC.  The coordinator of the group had quilted two decor fabrics together, and she wanted bags made with the yellow print on the outside.  There was extra blue print for binding, handles etc.  I managed to finish one, and cut out and began the assembly of 3 more.

I've also been adding the rest of the quilting on one of the quilts that came home partly finished.  More to come on that one....

This is the first row of my hexie quilt to be finished.  It still needs the burgundy border row added to each end, but I have to press the fabric after its time in the washer and dryer.

 Some of the fabrics that I'm using came from my 1 1/2 inch strip bin, so I have limited amounts.  These petal units needed 24 hexies the same, so I made some with the limited fabrics before heading on to smaller units.

The next row is made of these star units.  I need 8 for each of the 2 rows, so I'm gradually working my way through the already basted units.  All the units in the interior of the quilt use the same mauve print in the center, and although the background looks whitish, it is really a pale blue fairy frost fabric!  There are two more background fabrics used, with one only used on the outer edges of the borders.

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

 

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  68.25 yards

Fabric added this week  2.25 yards

Fabric added year to date  35.5 yards

Net used 2013  32.75 yards

I still haven't finished either of the pin-basted quilts that I brought north.  I'm working on one......but slowly.

I finished quilting my BFF's baby quilt.  She wanted simple quilting, mostly in the ditch, but I added a bow design in the final border, to mimic the bow fabric that is part of the quilt.   Most of the fabric in this quilt was donated by members of her church.

The fabric added was for my hexagon project.  I needed a large piece of a dark burgundy to form the border, and I knew that I wouldn't have any one piece that would fill the bill.  I also picked up two small prints, one in red and one in a rose colour to add to the project.  The original pattern called for 16 different coloured fabrics, along with 3 backgrounds, and one border.  I've finished assembling one row, and I'm working on the blocks for the next one.

Today I'm off to join a charity sewing group that meets once a month.  This is a new group to me,  and the local quilt shop offered their classroom, so more sewers could attend.  I'll report on the sewing and fun tomorrow! 

Check out the ups and downs of stash at Judy's blog here!

GOOD NEWS THURSDAY

My BFF came for a visit yesterday afternoon, and we basted two baby quilts!  She is finishing one, and I offered to quilt the second.   They will be gifts for a family at her church.  We finished our visit with a cup of tea, a cookie and some conversation.

I finally finished organizing my sewing room, finding homes for all the fabrics, some new and some returning, and I hope to get some sewing done today!

After months of struggling with a sore knee, I'll be seeing my doctor this afternoon.  DH called and the previous caller had cancelled their appointment, so I'll be seeing my doctor 2 weeks earlier.  My knee was manageable when we were south, as we live in a bungalow, with only 2 steps to worry about.  Our northern home is a townhouse with 3 levels, and I never realized how many times I go up and down the stairs in one day!