Design Wall Monday

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I seem to be jumping from project to project lately.  I began stitching these appliqued blocks so I would have some hand work to do in the evenings.  Block one is completed, doing needleturn applique, and block two has the centre stitched.
The pattern is a free BOM that has been offered for the past two years at Fat Cat Patterns, called Baltimore Bliss.  Her sample is shown in pink and green, but I am pulling colours from a lovely oriental border print for mine.
Check out what others have on their design wall at Judy's blog.

Snowman Top Complete

I managed to get the borders on before my DS1 arrived for a long weekend visit.  Lots of baking and cooking going on now, including a turkey roasting in the oven.
Here's a closeup of the border.....

And here is the finished top.....

 I added some white highlights to the snowmen and snowy areas in each block.  I also added a couple of buttons as well.

Slow Progress

I don't seem to be making my usual progress lately.  I have been preparing some pieces for hand applique.  I picked up some wonderful fabric two winters ago in Arizona, and finally began the quilt.  More about that later.....
I have the blocks of the snowman quilt stitched together.

Last two Snowman blocks

I think that my only problem with these blocks is that the white thread doesn't show up well enough on the light beige background.  The pattern suggested using pink paint on the cheeks, so I think I might add some white to the snow areas.  I'll probably use stencil paint, as it is permanent and washable once it has dried, and gives a soft finished feel.  Just hope my stencil paint hasn't dried up - can't remember the last time I used it - probably a few years ago.  Who has time for crafts when quilting takes over your life?

Two more snowman blocks finished

Each block was fun to embroider by hand.   I transferred the images to my fabric using a lightbox and a brown Micron Pigma pen.  I used a wash out marker to outline each stitching area and marked the centre to make sure the pattern was in the right position.  When I was finished the embroidery, I rinsed the whole piece of fabric in cold water to remove the marker.  When it was dry, I pressed the whole piece, using some spray starch.  Then I cut the blocks the size shown in the pattern and continued on from there.  I found it easier to hoop the pieces when working with a whole width of fabric than by cutting each one separately before stitching.

Design Wall Monday

This is one of the two star bands in the Snowman Collector quilt.  The stars are appliqued using fusible web and machine blanket stitched with dark thread.

 Here is the first finished block.  I had fun selecting the fabrics for the log cabin like blocks.  This block has three extra bands to bring it to the proper finished size.

I tried to find fabrics with snowmen and trees, bit I think the little angels are great too.  Now onto the rest of the blocks (there are only six, so I shouldn't take too long.)
Join the rest of the design wall Monday gang at Judy's blog.

Black Creek Pioneer Village Toronto ON

Yesterday, as part of our August birthday outing we spent the afternoon at Black Creek.  We had taken our kids there when they were young, but hadn't visited for many years.  It is now completely surrounded by city, but the small village area is lovely, with wonderful trees and gardens.  The farm is original, but the rest of the buildings were moved to the village.  It is based on life in the area around the 1860's.  We had lunch here at the Half-way Inn.  It was originally on Kingston Road.

 DH took some pictures of quilts in some of the bedrooms just for me!

We did get a bit damp in an afternoon shower, but had a very interesting visit.  They run lots of special programs at the village, which is open from May 1 until Dec 23 each year.  There was even a wedding there on Saturday.
We ended our afternoon by sharing some birthday cake at my son's apartment to celebrate my daughter-in-law, my younger son and my husband's August birthdays.

Embroidered Snowman Blocks

I was looking for some hand-work TV watching stitching to do, and remembered a cute Christmas quilt in an older Quiltmaker magazine.  The pattern is called Snowfriends by Lynda Howell and was found in issue 130.   I used my bag of leftover embroidery threads from finished cross stitch kits, so the colours are similar to the magazine picture, but usually chosen by lengths that were long enough for the area.
The quilt in the magazine was finished with darker country colours, but I have decided to use some of my many Christmas prints, especially those with snowmen on them......trying to use up some of the stash.  I have a love for Christmas fabric, but rarely use any, so I have put myself on a "no buy" diet for holiday fabric only!

Too Many Distractions...

I've been trying to get back to quilting this week, but haven't been very successful.  My cutting table is piled high with things that need to be finished.  My pinwheel quilt needs a backing so it can be pin-basted, my son's new trousers need to be hemmed, which requires the serger (which is stored in a cupboard), projects that need to be done for my guild meeting in two weeks.  The list goes on and on.....
Of course, I needed some hand sewing to do in the evenings, so I embroidered blocks for a Christmas quilt, and I also began preparing the applique units for another quilt ( fabrics purchased on a trip to Arizona two years ago......

I did get my fabric postcards completed for the ovarian cancer project! 

Design Wall Monday

I managed to get the green block borders stitched to the quilt centre.  I didn't have enough of the background fabric, so found a pretty flower and butterfly fabric to use as a spacer to make the blocks fit the centre.  I like a more rectangular shaped quilt, so I stitched another strip of butterfly fabric on top and bottom, followed by a row of small pinwheel blocks, made from the cut-offs of all the blocks.  Then I added more butterfly fabric all around the outside.

 Join the rest of the design wall Monday quilters at Judy's blog.

I baked this wonderful fresh peach cake on Friday morning, and this is what is left!  Thanks to Judy for the great recipe.  Our friends that helped in the indulging asked for the recipe!  You can find it here.

 I've been scanning our large collection of slides into the computer, and ran across this picture today.  I made this smocked peasant blouse for my niece in 1977!  Hopefully, I'll find a picture of her wearing it!  I have been trying to scan a group of about 20 slides  every day, before I get busy with other things.  The slides were not in any order, as DH culled them before I began two years ago.  We are trying to reduce the amount of "stuff" in our home.  When I finish with the slides, I'll begin on all the old photos.  That should take another 3 or 4 years!

Design Wall Monday

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I managed to get the large size green blocks complete, and have started on the smaller size framed ones.  These will alternate around the quilt centre.  All of the strips came from my two "2 inch strip bins", leftovers from other projects.  The background white has a faint green botanical print, which I thought went well with the theme of the quilt.  I still haven't decided what colour to make the remaining borders, and I have been making pinwheel blocks from the corner cut-offs as well, so they may show themselves as well.  This quilt is being planned as I go.....
See the rest of the participants at Judy's blog!

My son made his favourite dessert!

It is called "Chocolate Exquisite Pain" from the cookbook "Desserts to Die For".  It has a cocoa flavoured crust, a heavy chocolate custard-like filling, a layer of chocolate ganache, and topped with chocolate mousse!  We have eaten 3 small servings, as it is too rich to eat more at one time, and it is wonderful!  We have many more desserts in store.....
He spent time all day, doing each step - lots of chilling, etc.  He even cleaned up after himself, and DH has given him the dish stacking crown....

The rest of the dishes, etc., ended up in the dishwasher.

Centre of the pinwheel flower quilt

I managed to get the blocks sewn together, along with the setting triangles.  I really like this pattern, but have decided to make a larger quilt.  
 Instead of making more of the same, I'm planning to make the remaining blocks in shades of green.  I think it will look like leaves surrounding the flowers (I hope).  These are some of  my pre-cut left-over 2 inch strips.  I keep using scraps, but the containers don't seem to become any more empty - must be quilt magic!

Making a sewing project for the road

I've been trying to decide what to take for handwork when we are off to Toronto for my mother-in-law's funeral.  I have a large applique quilt project planned, but it isn't ready to hand stitch yet.  I'm thinking about doing another redwork project, but haven't decided which one to start next...
I also forgot that I have a cousin coming to stay this week, so she is going to have to fend for herself for the two days we are away - can't account for these kind of plan changes - we'll be here for most of her visit, and I'm sure she'll enjoy a break from my chatting!
Off to search for a project......

Finished A Tisket A Tasket

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 I managed to take a fair picture of the whole quilt with DH's assistance.  Now back to the quilting on my last "for fun" quilt.
I'll be away for a few days, travelling for my Mother-in-law's funeral.  I'll miss Design Wall Monday this week......

A Tisket A Tasket Quilt

I finally finished the quilting!  I had fun doing the fill in around the applique in each of the blocks.  I did a stitch in the ditch around the appliques first.

Then I continued by stitching the sashing with a variegated blue thread.  The fabric has a bit of shading in it, and I wanted it to blend in, but show a bit....

I finished by doing feathered hooks in the background of the final border.  I also added a small feathered wreath in each of the corners, and finished by adding a yellow button to each of the bows.  I wanted to continue the embellishment of buttons that was in most of the blocks.

Now all I need to do is take a final picture of the whole quilt, as soon as one of my photo assistants arrives home!

Sad News Today

My sweet Mother-in-law passed away at 2 this morning.  We spent most of Tuesday with her, and my DH's sister was with her.  She had heart surgery almost 7 years ago, and had complications.  After many months in ICU, she was moved to a nursing home and we were told that she might have 3 months.  Up until the last two years, her quality of life has been pretty good, going on outings, enjoying visits from her great-grandchildren etc.  The past two years we have watched her mind and body suffer, so we are happy that she is finally at peace.

Design Wall Monday

I was quietly quilting along, minding my own business when as suggestion was made to check out a blog.  I loved the free pattern offered there, and had to stop everything and start making some blocks!
Jamie's blog offers a free pattern called Kristy's Dream to download.  I discovered that it is made with 2 inch strips, so I had to immediately check out my bin.  Next thing I knew I was making new blocks!   In today's post she has a picture of a scrappy batik version, with links to two others.  Thanks Jamie.
Check out what everyone else is making at Judy's blog.

Garden run-in

Spent some time cleaning up the garden after lunch today.  Suddenly, I could feel something stinging my arm!  By the time I ran out of the garden, I had 4 wasp or hornet stings - two on my right arm, one on the back of my right leg and one on my right eyebrow!  Fortunately, I'm not allergic, but they still hurt, and my right eyelid is a bit swollen.  No pictures......
DH found a next under some landscape timbers, and I guess I just bumped it enough for they to defend their home!  He's off picking up some spray, as it is in our front garden, next to the driveway, and I don't want anyone else to be stung.
This is the first time I've ever had a serious sting while gardening, so I guess I can't complain too much.  The ice took the swelling down, and now it is only a dull ache...
Back to quilting.....