STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  56 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  33.25 yards 

Net used 2013  22.75 yards

Still no progress to speak of this week!  This is getting boring......

I did finish the tops for both versions of my quilt guild's BOM for this season.  I have the backing for one, and I made the binding for both.  I even pieced the batting for one from the trimmings from the 4 quilts already pin-basted. 

I spent some time cleaning my Pfaff and then I installed the Juki in my sewing table, oiled, threaded, ready to quilt at least one of the 4 waiting in the wings.  I want to baste one of my guild quilts, but I don't think I have enough pins remaining until I get the basic quilting done on #1 of 4.

I spent some time sorting leftover fabrics, and stashing them in the appropriate container.  I also cut some of my 1 1/2 inch strips into squares so I can prep some 1/2 inch hexagons on the trip north.

We had company this week, went to a friends' home for dinner on Thursday, and an end of season potluck party for the "band" members.  DH had lots of practice  time this past week, and the band, the jam session crew, and even DH and I performed at a patio party, poolside Saturday afternoon from 1-3.  Lots of people came out to listen and enjoy.  It always amazes me that adding a few small activities to the week makes it fly by.

Head over to Judy's blog, Patchwork Times, to check on all the progress this week. 

GOOD NEWS THURSDAY

We just had a great 2 day visit with our cousins.  We were able to get up to date news on them and their family, watched a couple of movies together and shared lots of laughter.

Yesterday, DH and his "band" (friends who enjoy making music together), played an afternoon concert at a local nursing home.  They had fun, and the residents really enjoyed the musical interlude!

My quilt group had its first "show and tell" day, and lots of wonderful projects came in.  There were cameras at work all over the room, and very little sewing was accomplished.  Some of the items had been made at home and it was the first time we'd all seen them.  Lots of fun, and a special day that will be repeated each year! 
These are some of the "Pick a Pinwheel" projects that were created this winter, using Judy's great pattern at Patchwork Times!  Thanks to Judy for her wonderful sharing nature....  The participants made variations from the full quilt to table runners that just used 3 blocks.

  

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I've been working on my guild's BOM projects for the last few days.  I finished the top of version 1 - picture to come later.

The final border for version 2 is supposed to be paper pieced.  This required 40 sheets of paper to print all the parts.  Instead, I made templates, after printing one copy.  There were some funky angles in the design, but I taped the template to the back of a ruler to cut the angle and it worked perfectly.
 This is the two different colours for part one of the border block.  Part two will get sewn tomorrow.

Our final company of the season is arriving tomorrow, for a two day visit.  Yesterday I baked 4 loaves of fruit bread, and a sour cream coffee cake and some whole wheat bread today.  That will be the final bread baking before we re-locate.

Every year we have the difficulty of trying to use up all the perishable groceries.  We've been working away at it, but dinner invitations have caused some set-backs.  Most of our full-time neighbours do very little cooking (breakfast and the odd lunch).  They seem to prefer eating out with friends, so they have little requirement for extras.  Everyone is having "must go" parties, but I found that even when taking a dish to a pot luck, it doesn't seem to help. 

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  56 yards

Fabric added this week  9.5 yards

Fabric added year to date  33.25 yards 

Net used 2013  22.75 yards

My numbers are heading in the wrong direction......but only temporarily!  My favourite local quilt shop, Quilts on Plum Lane in Dade City Florida had their 30% off sale today, so I had to have a look, just in case some fabric needed to come and live with me!

Before I headed out, I looked at a quilt pattern in a recent "Australian Homespun" magazine - another hexie quilt, so I chose fabric for one of the "backgrounds", knowing that I'll have the other two shades of "backgrounds" in my stash up north.  I also picked up some fat quarters so I can begin preparing the 1/2 inch hexagons!  (I know, I must be crazy).  

I picked up a yard of a rich turquoise batik - DH pointed it out to me, so its all his fault.  I also found a fabric that I think will make a wonderful "stack n whack", although DH asked what I was thinking when I chose it!

I took my friend along, and she picked up some cute fabrics as well.  Met another member of my quilt group, who was buying brights and starting her black and white collection so she could make a quilt like mine!  

Now I really have to get my sewing room tidied up, so I can start quilting one of the 4 quilts that are basted and ready.  That will also help take my numbers in the right direction!!!!

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

FUN QUILT OUTING TODAY

25 quilters headed to Plant City Florida today to have an "end of the season" lunch.  We ate at the Whistle Stop Gourmet Coffee & Eastery in historical downtown Plant City.  Great food, and we were serenaded by a lovely lady at the piano!
Then we headed to Inspire Quilting and Sewing which is just a few steps away.  We swarmed the place, and there were many discussions about colour, patterns, and almost everyone left with a bag!  (I was good, and I also spent time helping everyone else).
Next time I hope to explore the other shops in the area, but it was time to return home!

If you are ever in the Plant City area, I highly recommend the Whitsle Stop cafe and Inspire! quilt shop!   

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

Due to visitors, etc., I've been sewing regularly, but not finishing anything.  I've been trying to find time to pin-baste, but now have 4 quilts waiting!

 Here are the first 3 finished quilts.  The top one is a pattern from Quiltmaker, but made completely from my stash and looking totally different from the original!  The flowered fabric below it, is the pieced backing, which was also made from left-overs.  The second quilt it a Noah's ark quilt, with plain backing.  I picked up the panel, a wide border print and a coordinating stripe for binding at my local quilt shop up north in the fall.  The final quilt, also made from my stash, uses a yard of Paddington Bear fabric, with the blue and red fabric added.  This is made using the "disappearing 9-patch pattern, and I picked up the blue checked flannel for the backing.

This has been my final large project of the winter season.  I used the Dusk to Dawn pattern by Judy Laquidara from Quiltmaker magazine, but chose my own fabrics.  Most I managed to find on sale, but I did pay full price for two of them!  This quilt took lots of sewing, but I worked through the "units", and once they were done, the two blocks went together quickly.  It is draped over my ironing board, and is half-way through its final pressing before basting!  I probably won't get all these finished before we head north, but since I don't have a great place to pin-baste large projects there, I like to have some ready to quilt when I arrive home.  For me, quilting season is every season!
Check out all the creativity shared at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  56 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  23.75 yards 

Net used 2013  32.25 yards

My only quilty shopping lately has been rotary blades and a couple of books!  That may change this week coming, as my quilt group is going out for our "end of season" lunch, a block from a new-to-me quilt shop!

Everyone gets really busy this time of year in Florida, as some are preparing to head north (some sooner than others).  There are lots of dinners and BBQ's, get-togethers with friends and activity groups.  In the quilting group there is lots of finishing and pin-basting going on as well.  One person in my group sent a quilt to a long arm quilter, who is associated with my favourite quilt shop, and she did a wonderful job, and at a reasonable price.  I think she'll be getting more work from the ladies in my group!

I now have 4 quilt tops finished - everything from a large queen size to a baby quilt.  The backings are prepared as well, with 2 being diagonal pieced backings (as taught by John Flynn), and one has pieced batting - using all the left-overs from the past couple of years.  I hope to get them basted this week!

We're having a dinner party tonight.  One guest is trying to make the "perfect" key lime pie.  We had test #1 a week ago, and he's changed the recipe a bit, so test #2 will be coming to dinner.  I'm trying a new recipe, so I'll let you know how it turns out.

Monday night we're off to the pie maker's place for a belated St. Patrick's Day dinner of corned beef and cabbage!  Then we'll be back to planning to use the meat in the freezer before we head back north.  The meals get very creative near the end of the season, as we try to use up as much as possible.  Canned and package goods are fine left behind, but the freezer has to be emptied, and the refrigerator cleaned out of all the items that could spoil.  

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

A HAPPY/SAD DAY

Since DH retired, he has enjoyed his G-Scale garden railway in the front garden of our winter southern home.  It has provided hours of enjoyment for friends and neighbours and visiting kids.

This year, he hardly had the trains running, and has been spending more time with his other hobbies.  Thursday, he decided it was time to say farewell to the trains.  He sent a message to some members of a local garden railway club, and today 2 sets of enthusiasts arrived.

One group is building a small layout for a young man with MS, so they took a loop of track, some bridges, train and some accessories.
They also set up a layout at the Heritage Village in Largo, whenever there is a special celebration - about once a month.  They set up a train at the botanical gardens (part of the same complex off Ulmerton Road) for the Christmas season.

The second group sets up trains in the local hospital childrens wards, so we know that it will continue to bring joy for many years to come.

(I kept the "Proficient Needle Quilt and Social Club" building!)

     

I'VE BEEN AWOL

DH and I discovered that it is hard having company when you are recovering from a cold, and I have a "wonky" knee that acts up from time to time, and of course, it acted up the whole time they were visiting.  DH was great, and took them out a day or two, leaving me at home to catch up on mail, bills, a bit of cleaning and cooking, as well as a couple of minutes of sewing.  I was suffering from withdrawal!

I have been working away at the parts for my next project.  I managed to get the 4-patches stitched before our company arrived, and I cut the parts for the half square triangles, stealing a few minute now and again while our visitors were here.

One of our neighbours, who we dog-sit for, has a trip planned to the Florida Keys from Monday to Friday, so sweet Sophia will be staying with us for the week.  We also heard that our elderly neighbour has to go to South Carolina for 2 weeks for tests and treatment, and can't take his small dog.  He leaves on Saturday, and so we are organizing several neighbours to take the dog for a walk, and provide some play-time for it.  Since we have Sophia for the first week, we can't keep it here, and we are not sure how well trained it is.

The annual Variety Night in our community, is this Sunday, and DH had not planned to participate this year.  He got a call on Thursday, asking if he could MC the show.  The person who had planned to do it, as well as sing 2 numbers and various other things, had to head north after a death in her family!  He just returned from the dress rehearsal, so I'm anxious to hear how it went!

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

I can't believe is it Sunday again.  We've been really busy with our Florida company.  I've only been able to do a few minutes of sewing once or twice - I'm in withdrawal!!!!

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  56 yards

Fabric added this week  9.25 yards

Fabric added year to date  23.75 yards 

Net used 2013  32.25 yards

We had to go to Orlando on Monday to pick up visitor #2, so DH and visitor #1 were dropped off at the golf course, then I spent some time shopping.  A visit to Joann's to pick up flannel to back the Paddington Bear kid's quilt, and some cute prints to make a bag (which I haven't even looked at), added to the numbers.  I also received an email from a shop that had some of the stabilizers I like to use when doing applique and thread painting on half price, so of course I checked out the sale fabric there as well.  Found an interesting black and white print, as well as a beautiful neutral, so that made up my yardage this week.  

Hopefully, after our visitors are delivered to the airport on Tuesday, life will return to normal and I'll get the 3 quilt tops basted and ready to quilt.  I enjoy having company, but after a week of theme parks, beach trips, etc., I'm ready for some down time!

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  56 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  14.5 yards

Net used 2013  41.5 yards

This week seemed to fly by - lots of cleaning and tidying with guest coming.  I did get a quilt top finished today.  I was inspired by all the cute "disappearing 9 patch" quilts that my group made for donation baby quilts.

I brought a yard of Paddington Bear fabric south, along with 2 fabrics to coordinated, and it made a sweet, quick quilt top.  Now I have to find something for backing.

 I'm sorry that DH and I didn't find time to pin-baste a couple of quilts, so I'd have something to work on when I get a few spare minutes this week.  I guess I'll have to begin a new project instead.  I already have 2 quilt tops with backs in the line-up to be quilted, as soon as they get basted - since I like to finish all my projects in a timely manner, they are "staring" at me!

DH picked up our first guest this morning, and they played 18 holes of golf on the way home from the airport!  They have another round planned tomorrow too - more quilting time.

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

MY SECOND BOM FINISHED TO DATE

This is my "Version 2" BOM from my northern guild.  Pattern is found here!  Once again, I am using my stash for this project, with batiks being chosen for this one.  This is the quilt up to part 5.  Now I can send my photos of the two quilts to the organizer, as I want her to know that I'm keeping up, even though I can't attend the meetings!

When this project was announce, there were lots of different "Part 1" centre blocks brought in to the next meeting, and I'm hoping that everyone is keeping up with the parts.  I know how much work goes into organizing this type of project. 

ANOTHER FUN WEDNESDAY

Lots of fun, chatting and quilting going on today.  Another quilt arrived to be donated tomorrow to the Pregnancy Care Center - that makes 12 baby quilts from the group!



A few of the ladies were putting the finishing touches on their paper pieced block that will become a group name tag.

  Heather has only been quilting for a little over a year, and here is her first large quilt project.

The pattern is Judy' Laquidara's Pick a Pinwheel found here.

Heather did all the quilting on her regular sewing machine, trying different patterns to fit the areas of the quilt.  Congrats to Heather!

I've been trying to get caught up with my BOM from my northern guild.  The pattern can be found here.  It is a medallion style, and we are just finishing part 5.  The quilt tops will be shown at our June meeting - I'm anxious to see how many kept up each month.
 This is the regular pieced version, and I'm also making the version with a paper pieced centre block, as well as two paper pieced borders - the square in the square and a future one.
   

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I have nothing on the wall this week!

  I'm still recovering from the bug that attacked over a week ago, and DH is about half-way through the symptoms!  I did piece a back for a quilt, but I've been spending my energy doing some baking each day.  (I updated the recipe page...)

  Phase 1 of our company arrives next Saturday.  HS is arriving in Orlando on Friday, to attend a work related conference, but her company didn't want family or spouses along, so MS is coming to our place the following day instead.  He'll enjoy a couple of days of golf while she is "working".  Then, two days later, HS will be heading to our place for some R&R, and after a week in the sunshine, they'll be flying back home.

   I've been doing some basic meal planning, and baking bread and goodies so I don't have to do as much while they are here.  Meals will be simple - DH is great at the BBQ, and salads will be served in abundance, along with lots of fresh fruit.  Florida strawberries are in season now!

   I spent some time re-doing a basic quilt pattern to use some more fabrics that headed south in the fall.  I had to make sure that I would have enough fabric, using just what I have on hand.  I also have part 5 of my guild's BOM to complete.  Hopefully I'll be able to get some sewing done this week!

Check out Judy's blog, Patchwork Times for some inspiration!

   

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  2.875 yards

Fabric used year to date  56 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  14.5 yards

Net used 2013  41.5 yards

I finished my bluebirds and roses runner and 4 place mats early this past week.  I think I overdid it on Wednesday at my quilting group, and have been taking it easy the past few days.

We have company arriving next Saturday, so each day I try to bake something, so I can enjoy myself while they are visiting.  Today I baked peanut butter bars (my kids' favourite when they were little), and a mincemeat tea loaf.  I'll try to post the recipes soon - both are delicious!

I have 2 quilt tops ready to quilt, and I made a pieced back for one, using leftover fabric from the top plus a couple of extra pieces.  I even pieced the batting for one - I hate to waste anything!  Hopefully I'll find time in the next day or two to get these pin-basted.

Some of the members of my quilting group suggested name tags, so I found a small paper pieced block to use as a pin or lanyard.  I ended Wednesday with 5 ladies learning to paper piece - it was difficult to keep track of each of them.  I sewed my block this afternoon - I just have to decide what to use for a cord.  I'll be back teaching others next Wednesday too!

The quilt group is busy this time of year.  Lots of projects are nearing completion, and many new ones are starting - some like to start a couple of things before we all begin heading home.  This time of year brings visitors to the sunny south as well, so schedules get very busy, too.  How did we ever find time to work!

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

JUST BACK FROM MY WEDNESDAY QUILT GROUP

DH came for a visit and took a group picture with all the baby quilts that will be donated to the local pregnancy care center.  My congratulations and thanks goes out to each and every one of the great group!  There was a lot of learning about making scrappy quilts, with many hands making light work!

This time of year, there is lots of finishing of projects happening, and a few new ones before we end our season.  We'll be heading home mid-April, and although the group could continue, it shrinks every week, as people prepare to head north.  The few that stay here year-round get together in small groups over the summer.

Today some of them tried their first paper piecing project.  I found a small 3 inch paper piecing pattern that we are making into name tags.  As the group has been growing, it has been more difficult for everyone to remember all the names, especially as some are regular attendees and others come from time to time.  They will be able to turn the finished project into a pin or a pendant, but then I'm sure they'll be forgotten at home!  There were 5 working on the block today, with much supervision - most had not tried paper piecing before!

This gorgeous block (its either 4 or 5 inches), was made by one of the new members to the group, but obviously not a novice quilter.  She has 3 more to go to finish her project!  We all love the colours..... Now that some of them have tried paper piecing, I'm sure they'll appreciate her skill and hard work even more! 

COOKING AGAIN

I think I'm on the mend - I'm feeling much better this morning.....

I began by mixing and kneading the dough for 4 loaves of whole wheat bread - its currently rising in the microwave.  I place a glass measuring cup of hot water in the microwave, then heat it on HI for 1 minute.  Then I place the bowl of covered dough inside and close the door.  The moist warm air in the microwave makes the dough rise quickly.

Next I decided to make some black-eye pea and ham soup.  I had packages of diced ham in the freezer, and I just had a fancy for this soup.  It is simmering and is almost ready to chill and package for later consumption. 
The link to the recipe is found on my recipe page!

ANOTHER PROJECT FROM THE STASH!

I am always on the lookout for interesting border prints.  They make great final borders when you can find the right fabric to make the centre.
Another piece that was languishing in my stash travelled south this fall - it was a pretty border print with bluebirds and roses.  Unfortunately, I had only picked up 1 yard, so it had limited uses.

Since I wanted a "no brainer" project while I'm fighting my cold, I cut the strips apart, lengthwise.  This fabric had fairly narrow designs, so there were 6 complete strips across the width of the fabric.

I used my ruler to cut two of the strips into a 60 degree table runner, cutting two 60 degree triangles from each end of the two strips.  Then with some careful pinning, the runner was made!

Since I still had four strips left, I was able to make a set of 4 placemats from the leftover strips.

I pulled out my new bag of Thermore batting - my favourite for place mats and runners, found a part bolt of tan muslin, and a few pins later I was quilting!  I stitched in the ditch on both sides of all the darker blue lines, then added the binding.  The tan swirl fabric was leftover from a previous project, and once again I used almost all of it!
I hand stitched the bindings in place while watching TV in the evening, and while getting caught up on Downton Abbey this afternoon.
I used a blue variegated thread to outline each of the bluebirds, and then outlined the flowers and leaves on each side of the floral wreath with monofilament thread. 
   

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

A nasty "bug" finally caught up with me this week.  It started with a sore throat on Wednesday, and by Sunday morning I was in full head cold mode, with coughing, stuffy head, fever etc.  Dh went to the pharmacy topick up some cold and sinus medication to make this more bearable.  I know that a cold has to run its course.  I've been keeping at my quilting each day - it helps to take my mind off how I feel.  I've been careful to work on "easy" projects, since my brain is a bit foggy!

This is the first of 3 Christmas quilts all from one panel.  St. Nicholas is the largest of the three.  I had fun quilting it, and added dark gold blanket stitching on the four stars in the corner blocks.

 Santa Jumps Over the Moon, was the next part of the panel.  I outlined the letters forming "Welcome" with black rayon thread, then added some metallic dark gold to the moon and stars to add some sparkle.  I found enough pieces of dark green plaid to form the binding, hiding in my 2 1/2 inch strip bin.

 The final part of the panel was just the row of houses with the dark red and green frame.  The words were printed on the panel, so I carefully cut the pieces the same width as the house panel, then made the red and green pieced strips to set them off.  I machine quilted the holly vine with berries in the open area below the saying.

Now I can put these away to use as Christmas presents, or to donate to my guild.  It only took 20 years, but I've finally made a yard panel into 3 nice wall hangings!

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  5.375 yards

Fabric used year to date  55.125 yards

Fabric added this week  2 yards

Fabric added year to date  14.5 yards

Net used 2013  38.625 yards

  I received my latest order from Connecting Threads.  Batting was on sale, so I ordered a new supply, and because I was a bit short for the free shipping, I ordered a yard of "background" fabric from the clearance page!

Then today, DH and I stopped at my local quilt shop on the way to pick up groceries, and I found some perfect fabric for a project that has been percolating in my brain for a couple of years.  I think I'll be ready to work on it when we return north in the spring - the draft of the design, along with the background fabric are waiting in my sewing room.

This week, I finished 4 small Christmas projects - made from panels that I've had for at least 20 years!  I managed to make them only using  stash - bonus!

I hope everyone had a busy week using their stash!  Check it out at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.