HOME SAFE AND SOUND

We had a delay on our trip north to Canada.  My DH had a stroke as we were stopping for the night on our first travel day.  Fortunately, I was 1 block from the hospital and he received help right away.
We use travel insurance from Medipac, which is sponsored by the Canadian Snowbird Association.  They were wonderful to work with throughout this trying time.
The hospital in Charlotte NC was wonderful.  DH spent 2 days in the Neuroscience ICU, and then had progressed well enough to move to a regular hospital room, and was released from the hospital on March 23.  We took our time driving home and were in our home by March 25.
We are settling into our 14 day quarantine at home, and will continue to self-isolate after that time.   Family and friends have been extremely supportive during this time.  We have someone to shop for us, and they had our home ready for us, with heat turned up, water heater turned on, and groceries in the refrigerator on our arrival.
We have been unpacking slowly, sorting through mail, paperwork, etc., contacting our family doctor, and finalizing our medical insurance claim.  I still have items to unpack in my sewing room, but this will be completed gradually.

My thanks extend to all who contacted us and sent prayers, and my thoughts and prayers go out to all who are caught in this terrible pandemic.  Let's follow all the rules, and see if we can slow down the spread, so more don't have to suffer.

HEADING HOME EARLY

DH and I have decided to head north earlier than we had planned.   With potential worsening conditions, and much encouragement from our adult kids, we have decided to play it safe and head home.
 I have my sewing room 1/2 packed, and keep finding things that need to be taken care of, and we have to contact places at home, to get our phone and internet connected again! 

Rules regarding the virus are changing daily, so we may be ordered to self-isolate after entering Canada.  Our northern home caretaker will be picking up some milk and a few other things before we arrive, just in case.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week  16.125 yards

Used year to date  39.125 yards

Fabric added in the past 2 weeks 20.5 yards

Fabric added year to date  45.625 yards

Net used 2020  -6.5 yards

I completed the Hallowe'en quilt for my granddaughter, but haven't taken a picture of it yet.    One of my favourite local shops, Quilts on Plum Lane, is having a wonderful sale  35% off for the month of March!  I also made a stop at the Quilted Twins to pick up a few goodies, mostly headed for planned projects.

My quilting group didn't gift me with tons of fabric this year, just a gift certificate that can be used at a later date!  The good news is that I can use it at either home!

I hope everyone stays healthy, and gets tons of quilting accomplished during this trying time!   

  

 

OUR ANNUAL PILLOWCASE DAY

For the past several years, my southern quilt group has sponsored a sewing day for Ryan's Case for Smiles.  The Tampa Bay group is very active, with many scheduled sew days at various quilt shops, and with private groups.

Last Wednesday, three coordinators arrived, loaded down with sergers, fabric, and sewing machine kits.  We began at 11 am, and with the help of many friends and neighbours to tackle the non-sewing jobs, such as pinning, turning, pick up and delivery to the various machines, and folding the completed pillowcases.

We completed 290 pillowcases by 2:45, and another 200 almost completed ones are heading off to the next sewing group!

On Thursday, DH and I headed to the Atlantic side of Florida.  Our first stop was in Rockledge to visit The Quilt Place - what an incredible quilt shop!  I picked up 2 yards of Hallowe'en fabric for my grandson's quilt.  Then we continued to Cocoa Beach, to visit friends who were visiting while on holiday.  After a great lunch and a short tour of the area, we headed north to Ormand Beach.  Then on Friday morning, we attended the AQS Daytona Beach quilt show!  What inspiration!  We took our time, looking at all the quilts that were exhibited, and the only shopping I did was choosing 4 large spools of a variety of orange shades for my Hallowe'en quilts' quilting.

Fabric used this week  4.5 yards

Fabric used year to date  23 yards

Fabric added this week  9.5 yards

Fabric year to date  25.125

Net used 2020  -2.125

STASH REPORT

Fabric used this week 7 yards

Fabric used year to date  18.5 yards

Fabric added this week  11 yards

 Fabric added year to date  15.625 yards

Net used 2020  2.875 yards

My southern quilting group is having a pillowcase sewing day for Ryan's Cases for Smiles.  I picked up fabric for them last week and used it right away.  We have 2 members of the local branch coming on Wednesday, and lots of non-sewing volunteers to help pin, turn, press, fold, pick up and deliver pillowcase parts to keep the stitchers busy.  I'm taking my serger to provide a clean finish to the final L seam.

I have finished the quilt top for my granddaughter - Hallowe'en all the way, but have to find a backing so I can start quilting. 

I also completed the quilt top for my "52 blocks in 52 weeks" project with the block patterns provided during the past year from the Canadian Quilters Association.  I think this one will wait until we return north in April, as I have fabric available there for a backing.
Since I only claim yardage for finished projects, I can't take credit for the two quilts yet!

My Bernina is going into the shop for its annual spa day, and on Thursday DH and I are heading to Daytona to attend the AQS show again this year.  We are visiting friends as well - they are staying in the area for a couple of days.

 

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Hope you are spending the day with those you love.

 DH and his band were entertaining at a local seniors' residence, helping them to celebrate an afternoon full of love and music.

I spent some time on the final stages of a year-long quilt project!

 

STASH REPORT

Fabric used this week  6.375 yards

Fabric used year to date  11.5 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  4.625 yards

Net used 2020  6.875

I completed my quilt as your go, reversible table runner.

I had used this pattern before, but this was the first time I made two colour binding.  It went on like a dream!

All the strips were from my strip bins, and ranged from 2 1/2 inches to 1 inch.

I also completed the baby quilt that will be given to our community manager for her new baby boy.  I provided the constant blue in each of the blocks, as well as the border and binding fabric.  Another member donated the batting, and after I pieced the blocks together, a group member stitched the two borders on.  I machine quilted, and hand stitched the binding while watching TV with DH!

Now back to Hallowe'en!  I'm piecing the final border on quilt number one......  Then I'll have to start quilt number two!

WORKS IN PROGRESS

I've been busy stitching, but since I've been working on several projects at the same time, I don't see the progress.

I started making the hourglass blocks for the next border on my granddaughter's Hallowe'en quilt, with many more needed.

I'll have to get my rotary cutter working overtime, as I need lots of these blocks!

The manager of our community in the south is off on maternity leave.  My quilt group suggested making a baby quilt for the new arrival.    I sat down with Electric Quilt 8, and designed a quick rail fence quilt, with 2 borders.  I picked up most of the fabric required, and took 16 x 2.5 inch strips of fabric, and asked people to complete 1 or 2 blocks.  By the end of our session, all the strips had disappeared, and this week 16 blocks arrived!  We placed the blocks on a table, and tried different placements, and once everyone was happy, I stacked the vertical rows, ready for sewing.  My next job is cutting the borders and binding, and will get volunteers to add them to the top next week.  One of the members will be providing batting, so hopefully we'll get the quilt pin-basted, and maybe even start on the the quilting.

I received a request to work on a table runner that the group had shared in 2007.   Since we have many new members, I sent out the fabric requirements, and then dug into my stash to make some "stitch out" samples.  Everyone had fun making this quilt as you go, reversible runner, using Sharon Pederson's "Salted Peanut Table Runner" from her book, More Reversible Quilts.

This is side A, with spring-like colours, using my scrap strips.

This is side B, which looks more like autumn to me.  I do like brighter colours!

 A bit of a close-up.  When the strips are sewn on Side A, it quilts Side B.  I decided to try not to repeat any of the fabrics in my strips, as I like lots of variety!twp

The first time I made a runner from this pattern, I found a fabric that would go with both sides for sashing and binding, but with this quilt, I made the two colour binding, using the instructions in the book, and I'm just going to sit and start hand stitching the binding, so I'll have it finished to show the group next week.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week 0 yards

Fabric used year to date  5.125 yards

Fabric added this week 1.5 yards

Fabric added year to date  4.625 yards

Net used 2020  .5 yards!

I've been busy sewing this past week, working on the first of 2 Hallowe'en quilts for my grandchildren.  I don't count fabric used until it is donated, or I have a completed project !

The center of the quilt came from a panel for a Hallowe'en tote bag, so I used one side for this quilt, and I'm saving the other for the second one.  The checkerboard strips on the side are made from the handles provided on the panel, and then I added the cute kids out trick or treating on the top and bottom.

 The next border will be made of pumpkin blocks.  The design came from Bonnie Hunter's book, "String Frenzy".  I found some gradated fabric when I was shopping, and just bought enough to the stems.

I picked up two more Hallowe'en prints with a purple background to use in the next border that I have planned, but I'm putting this project on hold, as I am teaching a class in thread painting, and I have to get my sample piece started...... Wish me luck!

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  2.375 yards

Fabric used year to date  5.125 yards

Fabric added this week  3.125 yards

Fabric added year to date 3.125 yards

Net used 2020  2 yards

Even though I picked up some fabric this week, I'm still in the black.  I'm hoping to stay this way as much as possible.  I have lots of fabric available to use - I just have to keep on sewing!

I added a panel to make a wall hanging for my granddaughter's room, and 2 pieces of purple to include in the Hallowe'en quilts along with a piece of variegated green for pumpkin stems.  I started my foundation blocks for the pumpkins needed, and will continue to work on those.  I am still playing with layouts on Electric Quilt 8, but other than both quilts having a large centre block, I plan on having them a bit different, but using most of the same block elements.  Wish me luck!

MORE SMALL FINISHES

I wanted to use more of the Christmas fabric, so I pulled out an old pattern, and completed 4 more items for the guild Boutique at our next show.

This was a fun project because you make 2 different blocks from each set of fabric.  Double the fun!

The first pair are candle mats.  These were made from 2 different 2 inch strips of fabric, stitched together, then a third fabric 3 1/2 inches .  When cut apart, they form 6 of each set of 60 degree triangles. 


These finish 10 x 11.5 inches.

Then I used the same method, but started with wider strips and made 2 table toppers, featuring more of my gingerbread fabric.



These  two finished 
16.5 x 19.5  inches.

I finally took some time to clear up all the scraps on my cutting table.  I started to make 4 patches with leftover Christmas fabric, and began playing with a layout, but I talked myself into setting them aside to work on a quilt for my grandchildren.

Yesterday, DH and I headed to Plant City FL. to visit Inspire, a lovely quilt shop, of course.  I had a gift card, so I picked up a few pieces of fabric to add to the grandchildren's quilts project.  I also found a great panel, that I will make into a wall hanging for our granddaughter's room.  It is bright and cheery and features an octopus and his friends.

FINALLY - TOOK A PHOTO OF MY DECEMBER FINISH

This is my finished version of Jewel Box Stars.  I decided that I had made enough blocks, as I have other quilts waiting their turn, especially 2 for my grandchildren.  When I counted the completed blocks, I was short by 2, so I got out my phone book paper, and made the final two.
Since they were different from the rest, I decided to put a long strip of the border fabric in between.  

I had fun making this quilt, digging through my scraps and small chunks of fabric leftover from various projects.  It is a bright and cheery quilt, and I hope it will bring a smile to its new owner.  I'll donate it through my guild's Community Quilts project.

I was going to put my Christmas fabric back on the shelf, but then I remembered a project I worked on a couple of years ago, so before I knew it, I had 2 more table toppers, and 2 candle mats waiting to be quilted.  The fabric that I used for the backing was in my stash since the early 1990's, so it needed to go.  I have a few scraps remaining, but these will be cut into 2 inch squares for some holiday 4 or 9 patches!

OFF TO A GOOD START

Since I still had my small collection of Christmas fabric on the cutting table, I hunted through my saved patterns, and decided to try the "Gather 'Round Runner" pattern from Iowa Star Quilts, that was part of their year of runners in 2006.

 The background fabric is a poinsettia print with silver highlights, and I used the remainder of the piece!  This will go in my collection of items for the boutique at my guild's next quilt show.

I soaked the beans for 15 bean soup last night, so this morning, I drained the soaking water, and added fresh, along with a ham bone that I had saved in the freezer.  We are having soup for lunch!

FINAL FINISHES FOR 2019

Fabric used this week  18.25 yards

Fabric used year to date  121.75

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date 85.25 yards

Net used in 2019  36.5 yards

In the final week of 2019, I completed 2 table toppers, as well as Jewel Box Stars quilt, based on the leader and ender challenge from Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville.

I haven't taken a picture of the finished quilt, as one of my quilt holders is recovering from a serious cold.

The table toppers used some of my gingerbread holiday fabric collection, and will be added to my "boutique" collection for my guild's next quilt show.

I archived my stash report for 2019 yesterday, and started a new one for 2020.  I will continue to work on my "52 blocks in 52 weeks" project from the Canadian Quilters Association.  They have decided to add 2 additional blocks, to make it easier to complete a quilt, using all the blocks.  Then I have to decide how I will be setting all the blocks....   I also have an orphan project waiting for me to finish, when I return north in the spring.  I still have several quilt panels with coordinating fabric from my stash waiting in the wings to make their debut, as well as new quilts to make for our grandchildren.  Our youngest will be ready to have a big girl bed soon, and I want to have something new for her.......

Now, off to my happy place......my sewing room!

QUILTING PROGRESS

My Jewel Box Stars quilt is quilted, all but the final border!  I have been working on it for a couple of hours everyday since Christmas.
I am using Superior Thread for my quilting, with Bottom Line in the bobbin, and 2 colours of Twist in the needle.  I am planning on using a variegated thread on the plain yellow border.

 I work each day until my arms are tired, from moving this large quilt through my machine.

I machine quilt, using my Bernina B710.  It has a larger throat space, and wonderful tension for stitching free motion!

Now I have to look through some pictures of quilting to find an idea for the quilting on the final border.  I am determined to finish this quilt before 2020 arrive!

BOXING DAY

Our phone rang on Christmas morning, just before 7am.  I heard a little voice say "Santa came to my house!"  It was our signal to get to the computer and connect via Skype with our son and his family.

We sat for over an hour, being entertained by our grandkids, and sharing their joy at Christmas magic.  Our grandson was able to read the tags on the parcels under the tree this year, and helped everyone open their presents.  His sister is just 1, and was interested in the items in each package, but did not want to unwrap anything.  Her favourite items were books and toys with buttons to push.

We shared Christmas wishes with family members far away all day, and I was busy getting our feast ready.  Seven friends and family members shared a fun afternoon/evening, with good food, lots of stories, and 2 delicious pies for dessert, provided by one of our guests.

By the time the leftovers were put away, dishes done and kitchen tidied, it was time for a game and off to bed.

Today, I had a completely lazy day!  I can't remember when I last took this type of day.  Our overnight guests had breakfast and then headed home. We read the paper, watched a couple of shows on TV, had a small turkey sandwich for lunch, and just relaxed.  I didn't even turn on my sewing machine (2 days in a row!)  We'll be enjoying leftovers for dinner tonight.

Tomorrow things will be back to normal.  I have laundry to do, more quilting, check my important to-do list, and get back to a normal schedule.  I also need to go for a bike ride with DH!
My southern quilting group gets back together on January 8th, and I have a couple of things to prepare for them, and I don't want to get behind now the end of the CQA "52 blocks in 52 weeks" challenge is near the end.

CAROLING WAS RAINED OUT!

Goody bags were distributed, but we had heavy rain begin a 5pm, and continued most of the night.  We plan to head out tonight, so I hope the weather fairy keeps more rain at bay!

I baked dinner rolls and half of the batch of ribbon cookies (refrigerated dough).  I even got a bit more quilting done on my latest project.  Since I make my stuffing from dry bread cubes, I spread the bread slices on racks to dry overnight.

This morning I cubed the bread, and left it in a bowl on the counter to continue drying.  Then I made bread crumbs in my blender, using the crusts.  Next was making cranberry sauce, with orange zest and a bit of orange juice added.  It is almost cool enough to put in the refrigerator.   I rolled out the pastry I made to make mini mincemeat tarts. 

Tomorrow I plan to cook the giblets from the turkey, to use the broth in the gravy.  I'll also cook the turnip (rutabaga), and mix in the rest of the ingredients ready to bake on Wednesday.  I've been doing some major juggling of items in the refrigerator to fit everything in!

Now off to my machine to continue quilting my version of Jewel Box Stars....

I CAN'T BELIEVE ANOTHER MONTH HAS PASSSED!

We've been having fun!  DH and his friends have been busy bringing Christmas cheer to local nursing homes, rehab centers and senior residences, playing music, telling jokes and having fun interacting with the residents.
In our community, we've had a Christmas sing-a-long, and decorated golf cart parade, food and toy drives for the local community, and we have caroling planned for Sunday evening, with 22 homes to visit, to let our neighbors know that we are thinking about them too. 
My southern quilting group has been busy, with large and small finishes being shared each week.  We had a great potluck lunch last week - everyone brought delicious treats to share.
Along with our friends, we have had several visits to various parks at Disney World, enjoying the holiday entertainment, especially the annual Candlelight Processional - always wonderful!
Lately, holiday baking has been taking center stage.  I made 4 loaves of cinnamon raisin fruit bread - 2 were delivered to neighbors, baked chocolate mint cookies, ginger cookies, marizpan bars ( my Mother-in-law's recipe), peanut butter oatmeal cookies, I have pastry made for mincemeat tarts, and I'm baking a large batch of dinner rolls.
Now on to the important information - Quilting!
I have been staying up to date on the CQA's 52 blocks in 52 weeks, and of course I've been playing with different layouts for the future quilt.  
A person in my quilt group was giving away unfinished projects that she has lost interest in finishing.  I saw a cute pattern to make small table mats, so I used her already cut pieces, re-cutting to make the outer ring, and finished these 2 small projects, and gave one to the donor of the fabric!

I pulled out a panel that has been waiting a very long time in my stash.  I found some coordinating fabric prints, then headed to Electric Quilt 8, to play with various ideas for setting the panel.  I decided on hourglass blocks in bold colours to surround the panel, then 2 borders and scrappy binding.   I  pin-basted and machine quilted, using a variegated thread.  I enjoyed sitting and hand stitching the binding to the back while watching a Christmas move with DH.  This will be donated through my guild's community quilts program in the spring.

I have also been working on my Jewel Box Stars quilt, as part of the Quiltville leader and ender challenge for this year.  I cut block kits from my scraps and strips during the summer and fall, sewing the pieces into block quarters while working on various other projects.  When I finished the top, DH, my pin basting assistant on larger projects, prepared the quilt for machine quilting.  So far, I have completed the SITD, to stabilize the quilt top, and I am about 1/3 quilted with a green twist thread in the 4 patch areas.  I plan to complete the quilt before the end of the year so I can count the yardage in my annual stash report statistics!
Now back to baking dinner rolls, and the final batch of Christmas cookies!  Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season with family and friends.

STASH REPORT, A SMALL FINISH AND GROUP FUN

Used this week  3.75 yards

Used year to date  98.25 yards

Added this week  14.25 yards

Added year to date  82.75 yards

Net used 2019  15.5 yards

I gave in to a fabric sale at Quilts on Plum Lane in Dade City, and then placed an order at Connecting Threads that included 2 sets of fat quarters for 50% - I couldn't resist.  I chose ones that had colours that I was collecting for some planned winter projects.

My first finish is a small baby quilt.  The blocks were leftover from printed fabric that I used many years ago.  I set some of the small blocks on point, and added triangles, and the others have a small border.  I made piped binding to add a small green accent.

 

I have also been working on my 52 blocks in 52 weeks, but I'm already behind on the last two made available.  These are blocks 26 to 43.  The end is in sight, and then I'll have to play with a layout using 52 blocks!

My quilt group is back in full swing.  We had a dozen quilters on the first week, and a few more yesterday.  Everyone is working on their own projects, and we had fun checking out all the lovely fabrics, helping each other with layouts, suggestions for borders, and understanding written instructions.

DH and his group, Three for a Quarter, are off to entertain at a local nursing home this afternoon.  They volunteer their time, bring lively music, singing and a few silly jokes to brighten the day of the residents.

Yesterday, a member of our southern community came by to drop off some lovely quilting fabrics to share.  She is not doing as much sewing as she had in the past, and thought we could use the fabric to make pillowcases for the charity "Cases for Smiles" or other charity projects.  I plan to spend a few minutes sorting through the 5 bags of fabric, and organizing the smaller scrap pieces by colour.  I'll take them to the group next week to share with everyone.

UP TO DATE - ALMOST

I've been catching up on my "52 Blocks in 52 Weeks" project.  I cut out parts for 4 or 5 blocks, and then sew them together.    I finished up to block 43 last night, but then downloaded block 44 this morning.

I have been spending time with my Electric Quilt software, deciding how I am going to use the blocks in a layout.  Straight set, or on point, what kind of sashing, how many borders etc.  I'm sure I'll figure it out by the time the final block pattern is released.

I spent some time this morning unpacking my 2 small dufflebags of fabric.  Now I just have to decide which project to start first.  I really should work on the projects that I left here over the summer, but something new is always calling my name!

FINALLY - SOME MACHINE TIME!

This year, we have taken a different approach to getting organized at our southern location.  In the past, we have worked hard every day, doing our "fall cleaning", both inside and out, unpacking everything that travels with us, and restocking the refrigerator, pantry and freezer.  This year, we decided to take some time for ourselves - everything will happen eventually!

The past 2 mornings, I have been working on getting caught up with my blocks for the "52 Blocks, 52 Weeks" challenge from the Canadian Quilters Association.  I purchased 3 shades of batik fabric last February, and have been working away at the blocks in between all our other activities.  I cut the parts for a few blocks, and then work on them, using parts for the "next"  block as "leaders and enders".  This really speeds up production.

Next Wednesday is the first day to get together with my quilt group here.  I have a few small projects planned, and offered to show them how to do some machine thread painting later in the season.

DH's band, called 3 for a quarter, is back together again.  The final member arrived on Saturday, so they have a couple of practices scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, and are playing on Thursday afternoon at the pool patio, for a "happy hour" from 2-4pm.  They will soon be busy with their Christmas schedule, entertaining at nursing homes, senior residences and the local rehab center.  The try to visit each one in the area once per month. 

We Skyped with our family in Kitchener this morning.  Our grandson was happy to see us, and tell us all about his activities.  His Jr. Kindergarten report card will be sent home on Monday,  with the parent/teacher conference the following week.  Our granddaughter has had a fever that has kept her home from daycare for the past few days, but was back mid-week.  My son stayed home with her, and said that he was glad to return to work for a rest.  At 1 year old, she is a busy girl, crawling, climbing on everything, and  trying to take a few steps on her own.