DAY 2 - READY, SET GO!

Our second set-up day was busier than the first one!  The kitchen crew arrived with the first load of groceries to feed all the hungry visitors when the show opens on Friday.  The dining room tables were cleaned and decorated with table runners.


The quilts arrived, and were hung in place in the morning.  The afternoon was spent making sure all the quilts were hung at the correct height,  and level as well.  The judges arrived just before 5 pm, and were making their rounds of all the quilts, taking notes etc.

I'm looking forward to see the ribbons on the winning quilts tomorrow!

 
The boutique crew had a busy time, sorting through all the lovely items that will be for sale over the next 3 days.  The tables are full, and there are quilts hung around the perimeter of the room as well.

The vendors started arriving and were busy setting up their booths with lots of lovely items too!

It looks like Friday will be a beautiful day, so come out to Quilts Kingston 2018, at the Royal Kingston Curling Club on Days Road!

DAY 1 - SHOW SET UP

Today we started setting up our quilt show.

A crew headed to the storage lockers, to load up the quilt stands.

The dining room where the boutique will be located looked pretty lonely.....

Our show is held in the local curling rink, and this will be our show floor area - just a few stands in place....

Another load of stands arrives...

By 4pm, there were items waiting to be displayed in the boutique.

 

The quilt stands were all in place, some with cloth backdrops waiting for the quilts to arrive.

And the first quilt is hung!

By tomorrow night, all the quilts will be in place, and the boutique will be ready for customers.

Our lunchroom crew will have the kitchen stocked with food to make lovely lunches, and over 250 quilts and quilted items will be on display!

Kingston Ontario!

 

THE MAKING OF A QUILT SHOW - INTAKE DAY

Yesterday was the deadline to bring our quilts into "registration", for our upcoming quilt show.  Each quilt had to be folded "correctly", have a label, and a temporary label with the owner's name, address and phone number, as well as a cloth bag (or pillowcase) to hold the quilt, with another label, with quilt name, owner's name etc.

Upon arrival with your quilt, it was removed from the bag, and a temporary entry number was attached.  After it was returned to the bag, another entry number was attached, and it was place with other quilt that will be displayed in the same area.

During the day, loads of quilts were taken to be stored at a member's home (complete with an alarm system to keep all the masterpieces safe). 

While all this was going on, DH and I were set up to photograph the remaining quilts that were not brought in on either of the scheduled days.  Some people were away, and others live a distance away and didn't want to make the trip twice.  Our final day of photos was not as busy as the previous two, but we managed to capture almost all the quilts.  Now I have to get busy editing all the remaining pictures, and get all the files ready to burn the CDs for the quilt show.

 ONE WEEK FROM TODAY, WE'LL BE SETTING UP THE QUILT STANDS IN PREPARATION FOR

NO SEWING FOR ME TODAY

Yesterday morning DH and I packed our van with all the photography equipment, quilt stands, lint brushes, etc. that we would need later.  Then I headed over to my friend's place to help her with a sewing project.  I pinned, and she stitched.  Then we inserted elastic in several casings.  By that time, it was time to stop for a quick cup of tea before I had to leave.

DH and I ate dinner early, then headed over to the church where we are doing the quilt photography for the upcoming quilt show.

We arrived at 5:15, and got busy setting up all the equipment, while several quilters arrived, with their loads of quilts.  Some were bringing some for friends as well.  Once we got started, things ran quite smoothly.  We had a steady flow of quilts going up on the stand, having one or two pictures snapped, and then back down again.  DH showed some of the ladies a quick way to fold their quilts using the church pews.  Our quilt show registrars want all the quilts folded a particular way when they are handed in next Tuesday.  Things began to slow down by 8pm, and we were able to take time to chat with the last few arrivals.  We thought everyone had arrived, so DH began taking the first stand down, when one final quilter arrived with one quilt.  Of course, we stopped and took the picture, then packed everything back up and loaded it back in the van.  My final job was to assure that the sanctuary door was locked, along with the front inner and outer door, and then I was able to leave through the church hall - the door there locks behind you, so everything was left secure.  
We were back home by 9:30pm, having a final cup of tea, and watching something mindless on RV before bed.
I took the luxury of sleeping in a bit this morning, then we began to do some of the chores on our lists.  This afternoon, I made copies of the camera files ( I'm storing all the information on my computer, in a cloud account, and on a portable hard drive, just in case!)  Then I spent time changing the file names on all the photos taken to match the official quilt number in the show, but just on my working file.  I think I'm ready for an afternoon cup of tea!

We have one more photography session planned for next Tuesday, which is the day all the quilts have to be handed in, so that they can be stored, and sorted into the various hanging areas in the show.  On day two of set-up, they will be delivered to the venue, and placed in each area, ready to be hung.  It certainly saves time on the final day!

Wish me luck.   I'll be back to editing all the pictures after my tea!

ONE MORE BASKET

Making baskets is addictive.  I had a bit more time before dinner, and began wrapping selvedges again.  After dinner, and the clean-up, we were heading out to help a friend pick up some book cases, but they were not available until 8pm, so I continued to wrap.
This morning, I prepared dough for 2 loaves of bread, and then stitched the basket.

 This one finished 5 1/2 inches across the bottom, and 9 1/2 inches across the top.  It is a bit taller than the turqoise one I showed yesterday.  I just wrapped until I covered all the remaining clothesline in the hank.

I used a variegated thread with light gray-purple and green colours for the stitching.  This time, I stopped and stitched a coil with the last few inches of the piece, then continued to stitch, reinforcing the final area.  I also like to stitch once around the upper edge, as I like the finished look it provides.

This afternoon I have to get all my items organized for the boutique at the upcoming quilt show.  Somewhere I have to find the time to get them to the appropriate people!

 

EDITING AND MAKING A FEW SMALL ITEMS

Last Thursday was our first photography day for the quilts that will be displayed at Quilts Kingston 2018 in June.  DH and I set up 2 quilt stands in the sanctuary of St John's Portsmouth Anglican Church, one with a black backdrop fabric, and one to hang quilts.  We had a steady procession of quilters arriving with their quilts.  The Kingston Heiroom Quilters Guild was having a day-time meeting, and pot luck lunch in the church hall, so many of their members brought their quilts along, but as usual, there are many sewing madly to get things completed in time for the show!

I've spent most of the weekend, editing the 150 or so pictures that were taken, to show each quilt to its best advantage.  I also received the files with the quilt "artist statements" that will be displayed on, or next to each quilt in the show.  These all had to be re-formatted so that they could be loaded onto the CD. 

I was feeling stitching deprived, so I pulled out a bag with some cotton cord, wrapped with selvedge edges, and stitched a couple of baskets - I didn't want my machine to feel neglected!

This small basket was made with mostly black and gray fabric selvedges.  I added some buttons to hide the end of the join.  It is 8 inches across, and 4 inches high.

 I used a heavy "jeans" thread in the bobbin, to add a colourful surprise to the outside.

The second basket was made from blues to white selvedge edges.  I like taking advantage of the colour along a white edge to create stripes.  This basket also has a selvedge that had a fuzzy thread edge, making the final edge of the basket more interesting.

I decided to roll the top edge of this basket.  This one also finished at 8 inches across, but is only 3 inches tall.  I used Superior Twist thread, in a light turquoise colour in both the bobbin and needle.

 This basket is 9 1/2 inches across, and 4 1/2 inches tall.  Most of the selvedges used in this basket, came from a quilt that I made for my son and daughter-in-law.

When I was nearing the end of the stitching, I stopped and made a small disc from the remaining wrapped cord.  Then I returned and stitched the final row, reinforcing the stitching where the curl began.  It makes a neat finish (just visible on the picture above).

I don't keep track of how much fabric goes into these, as the selvedges would have ended up in the trash.  I sit and wrap the cords while watching TV with DH in the evenings, and then it only takes a few minutes to stitch each basket.

STASH REPORT

Fabric used this week  6 yards

Fabric used year to date  61.25 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  62.125 yards

Net used 2018  -0.875 yards

I'm so close to being in the black!  I'm counting the fabric that I used for the Christmas table topper, the runner, and the 2 quilt bags that I needed for my quilt entries in our upcoming show.

I have 6 quilts entered, and need a cloth bag for each, but I save them, and reuse the ones that fit.  I also re-use my hanging sleeves that are stitched on bed quilts.  I've made them from muslin, and hand stitch them to the large quilts, adding or removing length as required.  Over the years, I have sold some of my quilts in the show, and the new owner receives the quilt in the bag, so I have to make new ones from time to time.

  If you are interested in seeing my entries, they are on the annual quilts tab on the top of the blog page. 
2016 -  Limestone Quilters' Guild BOM 2015-16
         -  Breaking Out!
         -  Red Radiance
         -  Shades of Autumn
2017 - Oma's Blues
2018 - Use It or Lose It!  Limestone Quilters' Guild BOM 2017-18

DESIGN WALL WEDNESDAY

I'm late with my report this week.  I've been busy making labels for my quilts, and preparing cloth bags with labels for each as well.  My guild's quilts show is approaching quickly.  Tomorrow I'll be running a photography session all day, to take pictures of the entries for our CD, that will be for sale at the show.  DH is my able assistant, helping with setting up stands, backdrops, lighting, etc., and he is skilled at handling quilts as well!  I think he's a keeper.

I completed a Christmas table topper - I had made one to donate to my guild's dinner in  December, and made a second top at the same time.  I quilted it, and adding binding, so it will be ready for the boutique.  I used Superior Thread's Glitter hologram mylar thread to quilt the centre, but unfortunately it doesn't photograph well.

I made a Stack n Whack quilt a while ago, and had a narrow strip, with 6 matched layers remaining.  I decided to cut it into as many 60 degree triangles as I could, and managed to make 18 blocks that measure 2 1/2 inches across.  I added a dark blue border, and pinned it to my design wall.  Last week, when I went searching for an additional border fabric, I discovered a floral stripe that had been in my stash for a long time.  It looks like it might have been from the same line of fabric......  Another item for the boutique at the quilt show in June.

I'm linking with  Small Quilts and Doll Quilts .

 

QUILT SHOW IS APPROACHING

I am and member of the Limestone Quilters Guild in Kingston Ontario.  Along with the Kingston Heirloom Quilts Guild, we are having a quilt show in June.

I've been busy with meetings, and all the jobs leading up to a successful quilt show.  DH and I are photographing all the quilts  and producing a CD for sale during the show.  We have three photography sessions scheduled - one during the day, one evening, and one on "intake day", when all the quilts have to be handed in to the show organizers.
At home, I've been adding hanging sleeves on all my entries, and have to make a cloth bag for each, labelled with my name, address, phone number, name of quilt and entry number.  I also have to make an additional label for each quilt.
DH and I signed up for several various jobs during the show set-up, the show, and the final day when all the stands and other gear heads back to our guild's storage locker.
I took some time today to make more tablecloths for my son - he works in a mental health department, and they have a lounge area for their clients.  The tables look more welcoming with a cloth on them.  I picked up a 15 yard bolt of fabric, so I can replace them when needed.
I hope to be back to a more normal blogging schedule soon!

HOME SAFE AND SOUND

We had a pretty uneventful trip north.  Clear blue skies for the first 2 days, but strong cross winds and lots of traffic on the interstates.  There were dogwoods peeking out between the trees along the highways in South Carolina, and the redbuds joined in as we continued north.  There were a few banks of bright yellow forsythia to add to the beauty.
It was much colder on day 3!  We had grey clouds for the first half of the day, and when we got into New York state, there was snow on the fields and under the trees.   There were 3 deer and a fawn feeding on some green grass in a meadow. We had a lovely lunch before crossing the border toward home.  There was still some ice on the St. Lawrence river, but the sun began to shine as we crossed the Ivy Lee Bridge into Canada.

We turned up the heat in the house as soon as we arrived, and began emptying our van.  There were tubs, boxes, bags and various items everywhere.  We still have lots of unpacking to do, but made a quick trip to the grocery store, and then ate dinner at home!

Tomorrow I'll have to get the bins unpacked, but my sewing room will take a bit longer to get set up.  Good thing I made some blocks to embroider for the trip! 

I hope to be back to my sewing in a day or so.  I also found out that my guild meeting scheduled for the  4th was cancelled due to a serious storm, causing power outages and is rescheduled for April 13th, so I'm looking forward to seeing everyone!

PACKING DAY ONE!

I'm off to a slow start this morning.  Yesterday I unplugged my machine, cleaned all the lint out of it, and added a few drops of oil where required.  I polished it with a microfibre cloth, and I even gave the foot a clean before packing.
This morning, my machine was the first think to be packed, along with all the accessories.  I found a few more "orphan blocks and parts" and I'll be taking them north to join the others on my design wall.  I plan to use as many as I can over the summer.

I had cut up some scraps while sorting things, so they are now residing in their tubs to head north.  I have to find my list to see which rulers travel north and which stay in Florida.  I've packed my extra irons and small boards away until next fall, along with all my batting pieces, ready to make "Frankenbatts" for small projects.

I took a break after lunch to check my mail, but I have to get back at it!  Wish me luck!

NEARING TIME TO PACK

I've been cleaning up my sewing room, as it will soon be time to pack it all up for another season in the south.  I still had one more baby panel, and some coordinating fabric to use, so I spent the past two days making hourglass blocks to add to this pretty panel by Jacqueline Steves.  I can't remember the name of the panel, but I'm calling it Hourglass Farm!

I also worked on my version of Diamond Hill.  I decided to stop after completing the 4 applique blocks, as it will make a lovely large wall hanging.  I made some changes to the design, and added plain borders to the blocks before continuing on.
It has the binding complete, but needs quilting in the background areas.  I have stitched around all the small squares, as well as outlined all the flowers and leaves.  I think the remaining quilting will wait until it is back in my northern home, where I can concentrate of it.  It is currently pin-basted.

STASH REPORT AND MORE

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used  year to date  48.625 yards

Fabric added this week  22.5 yards!

Fabric added year to date  62.125 yards

Net used 2018  13.5 yards!

Since we are nearing the end of our time in the south, along with many of our friends, my quilting group went on an outing on Wednesday.  We visited Brandon FL, and made a stop at the big Joanns store there (I only replace a ruler!).  After our shopping, we headed to the Cheescake Factory for lunch.  None of us had room for cheescake!!!!!  While we were waiting to be served, I was presented a lovely card, and a bag of goodies!

They had each chosen a fat quarter or two or three, and after I had time to look at all the lovely bundles, I folded them to fit on my shelves, and counted 80 fat quarters!!!!!  It is their fault that I'm back in the red again.

Now to get sewing!

We then headed to Gigi's Fabric Shop, where we were greeted by Gigi and her lovely staff.  She  gave us a tour of the shop, and offered our group 10% off all the fabric etc., that we chose to take home!  Of course, I couldn't resist.

  I picked out 2 black and white prints to add to my collection, along with some vehicles and fish for future grandson items.  That accounted for the 2.5 yards in my report.

Next Wednesday will be our last week to get together and sew before I have to pack up all my quilting stuff, and get ready to close our house for a while.  We always feel sad to return north, but we are both looking forward to getting some real grandson hugs!

This past week I finished the top of my Diamond Hill project by Esther Aliu.  I decided to only complete the 4 blocks, and I changed the sashing etc., as I want to use it as a wall hanging.  I spent a couple of days piecing a backing for this project, and then DH and I pin-basted the quilt this morning, so I hope to begin quilting it soon.  The grey fabric is leftover backing from a previous project.  The green flowered print has been in my stash for 24 years - leftover from making 5 bridesmaid dresses for my niece's wedding.  They had full skirts, cut in gored panels, and the pattern of the fabric was directional, so there were many long triangle wedges of fabric remaining.  I've made items with some of the fabric over the years, but no matter how hard I try, I just can't seem to use it all up!

CORRECTION

Thanks to a blog reader, I now have the information on my Celestial Magic quilt!

The design was by Jan Douglas Designs and the original pattern is found here!   Check out her other awesome patterns and designs while you are there.

I see that I made a couple of small changes when drawing the quilt in Electric Quilt, so not a perfect copy.  I often draw quilts that I see, to challenge myself and learn to use the awesome software better.

I'M CAUGHT UP!

I finally got my two quilt holders over so I could take a picture of my latest large quilt. 

Some time in the past, I used Electric Quilt to draw this design, and called it Celestial Magic.  I can't remember where I saw the quilt, when, who the designer was, so I extend my apologies to all.  I often see a quilt and make a drawing of it in my software, so I can play with colour, switch blocks and easily re-size.

I made a receiving blanket for our next extended family member, using the tutorial from Missouri Star.  It makes a lovely, two layer flannel blanket!     


It is completely stitched by machine, which makes it a quick gift.

I used a serpentine stitch on my machine to topstitch the layers together.  I couldn't resist the cute fabric, and found the monkey print for the back and edge, that mimics the little money with the umbrella in the main fabric.

I went out to my sewing room to work on the sashing and borders for an applique project, and I hunted, but couldn't find the background fabric.  I didn't want to waste my stitching time, so I pulled this cute panel out of my bin, along with the backing flannel, and the fabric for the binding.  I pieced the batting, pin-basted, and had fun quilting this cute project.
When DH returned home, he discovered the bolt of fabric in our bedroom closet, tucked in behind the clothing.  I remember stashing it there when we were having overnight guests, and I was trying to tidy up the spare room!  Now back to the applique project!

TWO FINISHES AND STASH REPORT

Fabric used this week  25.5 yards

Fabric used year to date  48.625 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  39.625 yards

Net used 2018  9 yards

I finished two projects this week.  I made 12 thread catchers to donate to my guild's boutique at the June quilt show.  I saw a demo online, using rings cut from Pringles cans, and cardboard circles cut from a cereal box for the bottoms.  They are all hand stitched, and twist to fold to take along anywhere.  

I also finished a larger quilt, made with stash fabric, as well as some yardage that I bought at an end of the year sale.  The quilt is called "Celestial Magic", and I had drawn it using EQ7, and found the file when I was upgrading to version 8.  Of course, I didn't make a note of where I saw the quilt, so I can't give credit to the designer (bad quilter!)  I don't have a full picture of the quilt, but I did take some shots of some of the quilting.

The quilt is made of two different blocks, set on point.  The star block uses the Tri Rec ruler to make the points, and has 4-patches and a square in square centre.

The alternate block is a large 9-patch block with black sashing.  I stitched a square flower in the orange-red centre, using King Tut thread from Superior thread.

I purposely did not stitch on any of the black areas in the quilt, with the exception of the centre of the star.  All the gray areas were stitching with light grey thread.

All the small orange-red squares in the interior were stitched with swirls, and the green squares had a leaf stitched in each.

The border is simple 4-patch blocks.  The orange-red was stitched with a flower, and more leaves stitched in the green areas.  I stitched feather hooks in the gray areas, alternating right and left around the quilt.

All the quilting was stitched free motion, and I used the width of the foot to space the lines in the light gray areas - I don't have a ruler foot.

I'll have to wait until I can get our neighbour to come and help hold the quilt for a full picture.

I'm getting caught up!

I've finished a couple of items lately.  Two are upcoming baby gifts, so I can't show them.  I also put the final stitches in my guild's block of the month project for 2016-17.

  It finished at 76 x 92 inches, and I called it 
"Use It or Lose It!"  
I love making scrappy quilts, and years ago my DH said that to me about my huge bins of scraps.  I spent 2 summers pressing and cutting all the scraps into usable sizes, and have made many scrap quilts since!




I spent the afternoon today, filling out my entry forms, artist statements and labeling pictures to be sent to Quilts Kingston - the quilt show in Kingston ON, sponsored by the Limestone Quilters Guild, and the Kingston Heirloom Quilters June 8, 9, 10.

I've been spending my evenings hand stitching some small thread catchers for the boutique, and I've also begun quilting my second large winter quilt project.

Last week, my southern quilting group, along with some non-sewing neighbour volunteers used our Wednesday quilting time to make pillowcases for Cases for Smiles.  In four hours, we made 360 bright, colourful pillowcases for kids in local hospitals! 
 

CUTTING AND STITCHING

I've been busy during the past two days, cutting and sewing squares and half square triangles.  I've been using Bonnie Hunter's Essential Triangle Tool.

These are the ones I cut and stitched this morning.  We left early to go to lunch with our good neighbour, Roy.

These are all the coloured squares needed for the pieced border, and some of the half square triangle units that I made yesterday.  I had to stop, as I have to cut more neutral 2 1/2 inch strips so I can continue.

Our weather has turned from cold to hot and humid, with few dry days in between.  We're having showers that just started, so my room will be too noisy to think.  I'll press all the stitched blocks later today, and see how many more I need to make.
I ordered backing fabrics for this quilt and another that is also part-way complete, so I'll serge the cut ends, and get them washed, so I'll be ready to pin-baste soon!
My Wednesday quilting group is cancelled for next week - the clubhouse is in use for a Valentines Day renewing of vows for members of our community, so I'll have an extra full day to sew.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  1.75 yards

Fabric used year to date  1.75 yards

Fabric added this week  5 yards

Fabric added year to date  33.625 yards

Net used 2018  -31.875 yards

I'm still in the red, but at least I have a finish!

I had fun with these blocks, but decided that I wanted to get back to other projects, so I stopped at 3, and made a runner.

I got back to work on one project.   I had made both the blocks and the alternate blocks but had to make the pieced setting triangles.  When I checked my instructions, I found that all the edges would be on the bias, so I used EQ8 to draw the block, then I divided it in half, and printed out templates for the unusual shapes, then I divided it into 4 pieces, so I could get templates for the corner triangles as well.  I spent yesterday piecing the side and corner triangles, then used the living-room carpet to lay the blocks out, then pick them up in rows for sewing.  This morning I managed to sew the rows in one direction, and then pin them in the opposite way, but it began raining, and since my sewing room is a sunroom under the carport, the rain hitting the aluminum roof was just too loud, so I came inside and reconciled my back accounts - a job I always put off!

I also received the final instructions for the borders for my guild's scrappy BOM quilt, so when I get the first one done, I'll begin stitching the borders (all pieced!) 
I'm linking up with quiltpaintcreate today to share my stash report.