DESIGN WALL MONDAY

Yesterday I rummaged in my closet and found a panel that I wanted to quilt.  I found backing fabric and pin-basted the layers together.
This morning, I felt inspired and began quilting, and by lunch-time I had the binding made and stitched on one side.  Before I knew it, I had another small quilt to donate to my guild's community quilts program.  We donate baby quilts to be used as part of a layette, but they also need funds to purchase many of the items included.  It seems that "panel" quilts sell well at the hospital gift shop - so well, that they can't keep them in stock!  We had a request for more, so I thought I could add one....

I didn't have any cheddar fabric for the binding, but found a bright gold to use instead.  I find machine quilting panel quilts is a good warm-up practice for my free motion quilting skills!

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

BUSY WEEK

We had a busy week, with some members of DH's musical group visiting, and joining in on the concerts at local nursing homes and seniors' residences that DH and his friend perform.  He calls his group "3 for a Quarter" because they play oldies music, that remind people of the old juke boxes that charged 1 song for 10 cents or 3 for a quarter.  Usually they perform in our home area as a duet, but when we head south for the winter, the group grows from 2 up to 5 or 6, depending on availability.  DH and 2 of the group headed to the Syracuse NY area on the long weekend, and met a 4th member to play as 5 different places in 2 days.  They all headed north to our home area, and continued with 4 more performances here.  Our US member stayed at our home, along with his wife, and we had fun getting to know each other better, and showing off our town!  My first guild meeting was this week, so we took the non-quilter to the meeting, where she really enjoyed the trunk show by our guest of the month.  She even was asking me how hard it is to make a project,  so I might convince her to join our group when we all arrive at our southern location.
We ended the week on a down-turn after hearing of the death of a long-time friend.  DH returned to university in 1978 as a mature student.  His friend carpooled with him for 4 years, and they were room mates on basic officer training, and French language training for 10 weeks each time.  We attended his funeral on Friday morning, along with his family and many friends.  He will be missed.
I did managed some knitting while our company was visiting, and now I'm catching up on laundry (I'm sure it reproduces in the basket when the lights are out!)  We seem to have tons of laundry for just 2 people!!!!

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  4.5 yards

Fabric used year to date  161.5 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  36 yards

Net used 2014  125.5 yards

I found some fabric that was leftover from a "stack n whack" project - stilled with 4 layers pinned together.  I quickly cut squares, stitched them together and added triangles on all sides.  Before I knew it, I had another quilt ready to donate to my guild's community quilt project!

I don't often sew with pale pastel colours, but I'm sure someone will appreciate it!

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

ON THE NEEDLES

I'm still knitting for our cousins.  This is another dyed 70% alpaca 30% merino yarn.  I couldn't seem to get the colour right in the photo - it is a green/gray colour.

I picture this scarf on a man, but who knows where it will end up?  We had a busy week with company staying for a few days, but I did manage to fit in a few minutes of knitting from time to time!

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

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

The large floral heart is completed.  Now I just have to figure out what to do next.  I am thinking about making a small wall hanging, with just some simple borders.  It looks very traditional to me!

 I also completed a small quilt, to be donated to my guild's community quilts program.  The 4-patch centres were made from some leftover pinned fabric from a "stack n whack" type project from a few years ago.  There were 4 layers of matched fabric, enough to make 20 blocks.  I used two different fabrics to add triangle corners, then sashed with blue and used white with pink windowpane fabric for cornerstones.  I found the cute "cat" flannel in my stash, with colours that echo the colours of the top...

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week 0 yards

Used year to date  157 yards

Added this week 0 yards

Added year to date 36 yards

Net used 2014    121 yards

No change to my stash numbers this week.  Sometimes I wonder where the time goes each day.....

DH's friend arrived on Friday afternoon, and they had a practice with DH's regular music partner.  I fed them an early dinner, and then they were off to entertain at a "Drive - In"  on Friday evening.  Lots of collector cars gather to visit and show off their latest projects.  This morning the 3 of them headed to the Syracuse area to meet up with another member of their group, who is visiting relatives there.  They are entertaining at a nursing home this evening, and then at 3 different places tomorrow before heading home on Tuesday morning.

They have a performance in our area on Tuesday evening, and then one more on Wednesday and two on Thursday.  The nursing home residents love to see them arrive, and enjoy listening to the music, singing along from time to time, and even get up to do a bit of dancing.

I had planned to get busy with some sewing and even do some baking this morning, but we had a power outage for a couple of hours, so I spent the time reading.

Check out the stash reports at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

ON THE NEEDLES

Or off, as the case may be. 

This is a small shawl, using the pattern "198 yds of Heaven".  More of the cousins' alpaca yarn, but this time blended with 30% merino, and dyed.

I'm looking forward to getting the scarf and shawl blocked, but right now my blocking boards are in the garage, behind a bunch of "stuff".  A friend moved recently, and the moving company underestimated the size of the load, and there were several bulky items that didn't make it on the truck.  We offered to store it, and I'm waiting for a call to have it picked up by the same movers. For now, our small garage is full!

I'm knitting a hat to match the brown scarf that I had finished.  It is hard knitting for others when they don't give any directions to how many of each type of item they want.  Oh, well - I'll just keep knitting!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I love doing applique, and I often wonder why I don't do more - until I look around my sewing room and see the piles of fabrics, chosen, discarded, rejected, etc.  It does reacquaint me with my stash, which is always a good thing!  I just have a few more small flowers, some buds and leaves to complete this block, and then I have to decide whether to make a small wall hanging, or continue on....

Unfortunately, I have some high priority items to work on, including arm protectors for my new chairs, and some baby things for my first grandchild, due in January!!!!!!!

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week 0 yards

Used year to date  157 yards

Added this week 0 yards

Added year to date 36 yards

Net used 2014    121 yards

 

No change again this week.....  I've been working on my applique project, and knitting, along with a trip to visit our 2 sons and their wives, for our August birthday lunch!  Driving sure takes up lots of time, but the good thing was that we were driving away from the big city on Sunday late afternoon, and all the bumper to bumper traffic was driving the other way!!!!

 

Check out others' stash reports at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

ON THE NEEDLES

I've completed 2 pairs of mitts. These were made with 70% alpaca 30% merino yarn, and the yarn was "tweeded" with 2 different shades.  I am making some various sizes of mitts this time - apparently they are big sellers for the cousins.

My next project is with 100% alpaca yarn. It is more of a fingering weight, so I decided to knit another lacy scarf.  This pattern has 16 rows, and I have to work slowly.  I can't wait so see it blocked so it can show its lovely pattern!

Visit Judy's blog, Patchwork Times to see what others are knitting today.....

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

A few more pieces prepared!  DH is out this afternoon, so I think I'll spend it watching a British mystery and stitching....

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week 0 yards

Used year to date  157 yards

Added this week 0 yards

Added year to date 36 yards

Net used 2014    121 yards

 

I feel like my quilting is at a standstill!  I have been spending more time knitting, but I am still working on some quilting.....

 

 I've been doing some work on my appliqued flowered heart WH.

These are the fabrics that I've pulled from my stash to make all the flowers, leaves, etc.

I have had this neutral print in my stash for quite a while, waiting for the right project.  I have two flowers, along with some buds and leaves ready to stitch.  

I've already stitched each motif together, so I'll only have to sew around the perimeter of each motif.  There will be some individual leaves to add here and there....

Check out the stash reports at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

ON THE NEEDLES

It seems odd to me that I'm doing more knitting than quilting lately!

Today we went to Tweed to visit the cousins who own the alpacas.  At our family reunion in late June, they had given me 9 skeins of lovely hand-spun alpaca yarn to make items for them to sell.  I delivered a whole bag-full of items, from scarfs and mitts to hats and mini-shawls.  They were surprised that they were completed so quickly.  They had been paying a local person to knit some items for the, but she took 20 months to return the few items.  DH is happy that I like knitting, especially with someone else's yarn - less money for us to spend!  When I do knit, it is usually to donate, so I'm happy to help the cousins with their business!

In fact they were so pleased that they asked if I'd like some more yarn to play with.  This is today's haul.  This time, most of the yarn has been blended with some merino wool.  It is hard to tell but the 3 skeins on the left end and the two on the right end of the bottom row are tweed, with 2 shades of tan and beige.  As you can see, the skeins vary in the number of yards, so I guess I'm heading back to Ravelry to look for some different patterns!

They were telling us that last fall they had people knocking on their front door looking for alpaca mitts, in any size!  I just finished winding the first skein into a ball, and the ribbing for the first mitten is started!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

 

This is the first motif for the floral heart wreath project.  I haven't done an applique project for a while, and this one has been waiting much to long!

I have pulled all the fabrics from my stash, so I can work on it at a leisurely pace, and even take the fabric south to complete the quilt.

I have been preparing the pieces using a "Floriani Stitch N Wash Fusible" stabilizer.  I cut the exact shape from the stabilizer, and iron it onto the back of the fabric.  Then I turn the trimmed edges of the fabric piece, using washable glue stick, and then glue the motif together, where it waits for hand stitching.  I still have a couple of leaves to add to this motif.   You may notice a couple of fabric pokies at the ends of the leaves, but this will get tucked under when the motif is stitched to the background fabric.

 Now that I have begun the project, I'm anxious to start stitching! 

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week 6.875 yards

Used year to date  157 yards

Added this week 0 yards

Added year to date 36 yards

Net used 2014    121 yards

I finished the second disappearing hourglass quilt, and finally started a new project - applique this time.

I found a lovely heart shaped flower wreath in a book many years ago.  I made a line drawing of the design, and even made one in reverse, but then I placed the whole thing in a binder.  The last few times that I looked at the design I was in the south, while my stash was in the north.  I finally decided it was time to pull fabrics from my stash to begin work on the project.  I have prepared one flower for stitching, but still have to work on the leaves.....

We had a busy week with eye exams, and DH had a procedure on his eye on Thursday.  He had a cataract removed a couple of years ago, but his vision has worsened again.  He finally saw the specialist on Thursday, who used a laser to remove some cells that had grown on the back of the tissue that holds the lens in place.  Happily, he is back to 20/20 vision in that eye!

We also visited both sets of "kids" over the weekend - lots of driving, but well worth it!

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

 

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

Finally - two finishes!

Both quilts are made from the same "disappearing hourglass" blocks, but have different borders.  The green version uses the pink butterfly fabric for piping.

 The blue bordered quilt uses some of the backing fabric for piping.  It is a blue and yellow print that has lived in my stash much too long, but made a great backing for this quilt.  
Now I have to get my creative juices flowing, and decide which project will be my next.

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week  6.875 yards

Used year to date  150.125 yards

Added this week  0 yards

Added year to date  36 yards

Net used 2014  114.125 yards

 

Finally a finish!  I finished one of the two "disappearing hourglass" quilts, and the second just has to have the binding stitched down.  I decided to do and unstuffed piped binding on these two quilts, so after stitching the binding to the back side, I machine stitch it in the ditch between the "piping" and the binding with monofilament thread.  I'll try to get a picture soon.

 

Friday night, DH and his friend entertained at a "drive-in" for antique and collector car owners.  There were lots of people walking down memory lane, looking a the cars, talking with their owners and enjoying the jukebox favourites.

 

Today we are off to a fund-raiser BBQ, sponsored by DH's music partner's service group.  The guys are entertaining again, and it looks like the weather will be cooperative.

 

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

ON (OR OFF) THE NEEDLES

I have finally used all 9 skeins of hand spun alpaca yarn, making items for our cousins.  The final two items are another scarf in the medium/dark brown, and a mini/shawl in the darkest colour.

I get bored doing plain knitting, so another scarf with lacy designs and cables.  It takes a little longer to make, but the constant changing pattern makes it more interesting.

 Here's a close-up of the stitches.

 For the final project, I dug out an oldie but a goodie.  This closes with 3 buttons, and is worn with the opening to the back.  It is wonderful to fill in an open neck winter coat.  I still have mine that I made many years ago, although I haven't worn it for a long time - not necessary in the south.  Some day we'll stop heading south for the winter, and then I'll enjoy wearing it again.
Check out all the knitted items shared at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

My design wall is so empty it almost has cobwebs on it!

I'm trying to get back in the quilting groove, slowly.  I had two quilt tops almost finished, so I added borders to both, and I have one backing prepared, and I'm trying to find fabric for the second one...

I had made a pile of "disappearing hourglass" blocks, planning to make a large quilt, but since the blocks are so large, I decided to make two smaller quilts to donate instead.

Then I have to clean off my cutting table before I can pin-baste the quilts.  Early in the spring, I thought I'd be running out of batting, so ordered more, but I haven't touched any of it since!  My fingers are getting itchy to get back to some serious quilting.  My guild is having a show in June 2015, and I have to get some plans made for projects to show.  I usually enter items already completed before we head south - just easier to provide photos and finished sizes in early March when the entries are due....

Head over to Judy's blog, Patchwork Times for lots of creative inspiration that is shared there.
 

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week  0 yards

Used year to date  143.25 yards

Added this week  0 yards

Added year to date  36 yards

Net used 2014  107.25 yards

 

 Still no new numbers!  I'm the first one to admit that I don't like to give in to illness.  I usually work through just about anything that comes my way, BUT, the horrible cough with chest congestion has really kicked my behind this time.  I did manage to finish the machine quilting on the third quilt for community quilts, but I worked in half-hour segments, then had to rest.

I think I'm finally on the mend - managed to bake some bread and do a load of laundry yesterday.  Today is a damp Sunday, so I won't be able to work in the garden, so I'll work on some indoor tasks instead - maybe even some quilting!

Head over to Judy's blog, Patchwork Times to check on others' stash reports this week.

ON (OR OFF) THE NEEDLES

Another scarf blocked and ready to deliver.  I took the design from a hat pattern, and I love it in a scarf!
I just started another scarf in the medium brown colour yarn - my last skein of yarn being knit for our cousins!

My cold with cough is finally on the mend, but I still get tired easily.  I guess I can't expect to recuperate at the same rate I did when I was 30!

DH has been back entertaining at nursing homes and seniors' residences this week - he had to cancel several shows - didn't want to share his virus.

 

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

Nothing new on my design wall, but I'm trying to finish quilting a community quilt for my guild.  The top was pieced by a guild member who passed away last year.  Another member added the final border, and I get to quilt it.  What a lovely way to remember a fellow quilter.
Now if only I could stop coughing long enough to finish it!

Head over to Judy's blog, Patchwork Times for more quilting inspiration.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week  0 yards

Used year to date  143.25 yards

Added this week  0 yards

Added year to date  36 yards

Net used 2014  107.25 yards

Still no movement on the stash front!  I've been fighting a cold with a hacking cough all week, and I'm sleep deprived.

I've also been quilting 3 more community quilts for my guild.  It is times like this that I'd love to own a long-arm machine, but that is not in the cards.  I'd have to quilt for others to pay for it, and I find it very challenging to decide how to quilt all these quilts - often not my choice of fabric or pattern....

I did managed to block another scarf that I knitted from the cousins' alpaca yarn.  This one is in the darkest colour - brown but almost black!

Hopefully, I'll be feeling better soon, and have enough energy to return to a couple of projects that have been on the back burner.

Check out Judy's blog, Patchwork Times to see how others are doing this week. 

ON THE NEEDLES

This is actually off the needles already.

This is made with the brown shade of alpaca yarn from out cousins' herd.

I'm back knitting on the lightest colour - a caramel shade - making another scarf. 

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I managed to get half of the disappearing hourglass blocks sewn together, but not much else.  I had intended to make a large quilt, but decided to make 2 lap quilts instead.  The first one has the blocks in diagonal runs of colour, but the second will be more scrappy, just using the leftover blocks.

I took one quick picture while it was pinned to my design wall, but since it has bias edges, I didn't leave it hanging - I could already see the edges stretching!  I like this block, but next time I'll make on grain half square triangle blocks - much easier to control!

I took two close-up pictures of some of the blocks too.

I chose colours from the black print with the multi-coloured squares.  Hopefully, I'll get the next set of blocks sewn together before the next set of community quilts arrives to be quilted.

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week  0 yards

Used year to date  143.25 yards

Added this week  0 yards

Added year to date  36 yards

Net used 2014  107.25 yards

Didn't accomplish much this week.  DH has a virus, with wracking coughs, fever, etc.  Our two sons and one daughter-in-law came for a visit for 3 days, so our time was spent catching up on all the news, chatting, eating, playing games, cooking, doing dishes, watching movies etc.  We had a good visit.

I received a call from the conveners of the community quilts program at my guild, and then have some more quilts for me to machine quilt - they should be delivered in a day or two!

After our "kids" left today, DH and I drove to Wellington to attend the Prince Edward County Guild's annual quilt show.  I didn't buy any fabric, but stocked up on some Superior Thread from a vendor.  I saw some cute panels, but the one I wanted was all sold - they only had the sample......

Check out the stash reports at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

 

ON THE NEEDLES

I've been trying to get another scarf completed, using the alpaca yarn that I'm knitting for our cousins.  I love the pattern I chose, but it has 12 rows to each pattern, and is so complex, I can't memorize it, so can only knit when there are no distractions - which is almost never!

You can see that I have lots more knitting to do....

Can't wait to see it blocked!

Join others at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times to see what's on the needles this week.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I can't believe it is Monday already - the days just seem to fly by....

DH and I attended the concert in the garden last night.  The local band was wonderful, and even better - one of the members was DS2's high school music teacher.  We had a quick chat with him after the concert, and he was happy to hear about our son - he always wonders how the kids turned out, and what they are doing.

 I've been working on a new project - possible a quilt for my next family reunion, or maybe a donation quilt....

It is another "disappearing" block, this one made from an hourglass block.  I can't wait to have more blocks completed, so I can play with the layout.

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  143.25 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  36 yards

Net used 2014  107.25 yards

Nothing has changed in the past two weeks - I have finished all my quilting duties for a while, and am slowly getting back to my own projects.

My hexagon hydrangea project is on hold until I find an appropriate backing in my stash.  I also began cutting and piecing a kid's project, but nothing to show so far....

Holidays and birthdays, mine included, have kept us busy for the past week.  DH and his friend had another guitarist join their group this week ( he plays with them while south during the winter).  He came for a few days, so lots of rehearsal time, and then a performance at a nursing home on Friday, then at a fundraiser for Military Families on Saturday.  Next time he comes to town, he'll stay with us.

I have to get some baking done this afternoon - DS2 and wife, and DS1 will be arriving on Thursday night for a few days.  It is the Buskers festival this week, and they love to come and watch all the entertainment.

Check out Judy's blog, Patchwork Times, to see how other stashes increased/decreased over the past week.....

SOME KNITTING FINISHES

I don't usually knit very often, but when we attended DH's family reunion in June, I volunteered to knit a few items for our cousins who raise alpacas.  I came home with 9 skeins of alpaca yarn, from 3 different alpacas.
I headed to Ravelry to look for some different patterns and started with "Pearl-barred Scallop Scarf"

I love the texture in this one, and I love that I can knit with alpaca yarn, as I am allergic to wool.

Next I worked with the medium colour yarn and made the "Off-Set Diamonds Scarf".  

I still had yarn left from the skein, so I made a pair of ladies mitts, using a basic pattern, and stitching them in a basketweave pattern - I love texture in mitts.

 Using the first skein of the darkest yarn, I decided to knit a hat.

I used the "Mimosa Slouchy Beanie" pattern that is free from the Caron yarn website.  I really like the texture in this hat, with its alternating cable and lacy stitch pattern.

I have a small "shawl" type scarf finished, but it is still drying after its quick wash and blocking.  I'm knitting another pair of mitts in the lightest yarn colour.  Then I'll see what other items I feel like making.

DH has been a great help, holding the skeins of yarn while I wind it into a ball.  I remember doing this with my Mother - she knit many sweaters over the years.  I love to knit, although I'm not as efficient a knitter as my Mother, but I don't often wear a sweater.  Since we head south for the winter, I don't need hats, scarves, mitts etc., so I take advantage of every excuse to knit.

We are planning to visit our DS2 and DDIL in a couple of weeks, so we plan on dropping off all the finished items to the cousins on our way.  They sell both the yarn and finished projects at local markets.  The final picture is "Casino", when he was a baby.

BACK TO QUILTING....

I finished quilting the fourth community quilt on Tuesday morning, and then tidied up before my brother and his sweet wife arrived.  My brother has lived in China for a while, and we enjoy his short visits when he comes to Canada.

I had dinner ready - one of his favourites - meatloaf, made with one of our Mom's recipes.  Then our friends' church was celebrating their annual strawberry social, so we headed out for strawberries, ice cream and plates full of home baked goodies, along with coffee or tea!  A great addition to our day.  My sister-in-law had never been inside a church, so after we ate, our friend took us upstairs to see the interior of the church.  She asked lots of questions, and took some pictures.  She was very impressed by the simplicity of the building, with its modern stained glass windows.  Another new experience in Canada.

This visit, my sister-in-law wanted to learn how to bake bread!  Wednesday morning, as soon as the breakfast dishes were tidied up, I set out all the ingredients and began the bread making process.  I had given her a printed recipe, with the steps listed, but she also took some additional notes, and took some photos of the various steps along the way.  She even took a short video of me kneading the dough.  She got her hands in the dough, too, and finished the last several minutes of kneading.  While the dough was rising, DH took them out to a local museum, and when they returned, it was time to punch down the dough.  After the next rise, she punched the dough again, and then we turned it out and I shaped the first loaf, and she shaped the second.  By that time, it was time for lunch - some homemade Pasta Fagioli Soup that I had made over the weekend.  Dessert was another of my brother's favourites - butter tarts, again made with my mother's recipe.
She took a pic of the bread before it headed into the oven, then another when it was baked.  We waited for it to cool a bit, then enjoyed slices of fresh warm bread with butter - yum!

I headed to my computer, and made copies of all my Dad's slides - I had spent 2 summers, scanning the slides into my computer, doing some almost every day.  Since I keep my computer in my sewing room, my sister-in-law came for a visit.  Last year when she visited, we made some simple coasters for her to take home.  She asked if she could make 2 more sets, to give to special friends in China.  She spent quite a while, choosing just the right fabrics from  my stash, then I put her to work pressing the fabric before we began cutting.  I cut the squares, along with squares of batting, and she pressed some of them in half.  I place a background layer of fabric on both sides of each square of batting, and she place the folded pieces on top, and pinned them in place.  I stitched around the edges, then showed her how to clip the bulk in the corners, and turn them to the right side.  Then I showed her how to use my sewing machine, and she stitched the final two herself!  Many things are new experiences to her - many things that we take for granted.  She is always so interested in everything, and asks lots of questions.  I love her visits, as she makes me appreciate all the normal things of our life in north America, and I look at everything through her eyes!

They packed up and headed out to visit friends who live near Ottawa, and the house seems very quiet.  DH is heading out to entertain at a nursing home this afternoon, so I'll have a chance to start the quilting on my friend's quilt.  Eventually, I'll get back to my own work, but that's the joy of being retired - lots of time to do things I love to do every day!

PROBLEM WITH BLOGGER!

When I try to read my blog list, it only shows one, and the "view more" bar doesn't work!!!

I've sent a message to Google, but haven't heard anything, and this is the beginning of the third day of missing everyones' posts!!!

I didn't change anything to make this happen, but I hope the problem is solved soon.
 

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

This is community quilt number 3 of 4.  There was a 
"stack n whack" workshop over the winter, and this is one of the quilts that was completed.

The purple backing is flannel, so this should be a cuddly quilt when completed.

My brother and his wife are visiting from China, and are coming to stay for a couple of days this week.  She wants to learn how to make bread, so that will be Wednesday's project.  We love to have them visit, and wish we could see them more often.  They are busy when they come to Canada, visiting lots of friends and relatives.  They arrived just in time for the family reunion a couple of weeks ago, too!  They have a 2-year old granddaughter that they also love to spend time with during their visit.  She was one of the few "little" girls at the reunion, trying to play with all the rowdy boys!

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  143.25 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  36 yards

Net used 2014   107.25 yards

 

I'm only a day late posting this!  Another busy week, filled with medical and dental appointments - all time consuming.

 

I haven't made any progress with my hexagon hydrangea project - but I have been busy machine quilting for my community quilts group - a task that no one seems to want to do.  We have a backlog of pieced tops, waiting to be quilted.  This time I was asked not to spend time finishing them, with binding, as there are those who will stitch on the binding, and others who will hand stitch it down, and add the labels.  It is a challenge deciding how to quilt each one, to make it attractive and servicable, as many are given to sick children, babies, men and women in nursing homes.  I try to take as much care as I do my own projects, but this time, part of the challenge was to find threads in assorted colours - most beyond my normal usage!

DH and I went to Toronto on Saturday to celebrate my eldest son's 45th birthday!  We had a lovely lunch with both sons and daughters-in-law, and then picked out cupcakes at a local bakery for dessert.  Mine was double fudge with raspberry frosting - yum!

 

Check out the stash reports at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times. 

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I spent the day yesterday, glued to the computer.  I had banking to do, bills to pay, then I spent lots of time looking at potential patterns to use with the alpaca yarn from our cousins.  I also got caught up on laundry, and recuperated from 2 family reunions with too much good food!

Today I found fabric for the borders for my hydrangea project.  The narrow border has gold metallic, white and gray squares on black, and the outer border is black with a dark gray swirl.  I mitered the corners, and hope it will look like a picture frame when it is completed.  I decided to add a layer of thin batting behind the flowers and vase, to add a trapunto area to the wall hanging.  Now I have to dig through my thread bins to find as many shades of pink and green for the machine quilting/embellishment.

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  143.25 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  36 yards

Net used 2014   107.25 yards

I don't know where the past two weeks have gone!  Of course, preparing food and attending 2 family reunions does take its toll.

My family met in Brampton ON last weekend, and DH's family met in Tweed yesterday - both were great fun, meeting new family members, including some tiny ones, and getting caught up with everyone, plus the added bonus of 2 wonderful meals with tons of fantastic homemade food!

The cousins who hosted the Tweed reunion, raise alpacas.  The happened to mention that they have difficulty finding knitters to make up small projects using their yarn, so, of course, DH offered my services!  I came home with 9 hanks of wonderful alpaca yarn, so I'll be digging out my knitting needles and spending some time on Ravelry looking for interesting hat, shawl, and other patterns that use single hanks to make!  Now my next applique project will be postponed until the fall - but I don't mind.  I love to keep all the skills my Mother taught me in good practice, and knitting is one I don't often do - I seldom wear shawls, hats, sweaters, as I'm always to warm - I think my personal thermostat is always turned towards the "high" side!

My report is going to continue to have very little progress, (although I do intend to complete my latest paper pieced hexagon project soon), as I brought home 4 more community quilts to machine quilt.  Lots of my guild members donate their time to complete tops, but few enjoy the machine quilting challenge.  I was asked not to sew on the binding, as we do have some members who will do that, and some who love to hand sew the binding down, and add the label.  I think I'm going to be well practiced in machine quilting by the end of the summer!

Head over to Patchwork Times to see how others' stash is shrinking/growing.....

TOP COMPLETED....

Minus the borders! 

 Now I'm looking forward to some fun machine quilting, to add a bit more definition to the flowers and leaves!

I made some changes in the colour placements as I went along.  I spent much of this morning carefully removing 4 hexagons and replacing them with slightly different colours of fabric, mostly in the "table" area, due to a lack of choice in my stash.
The pattern is found at The Inbox Jaunt.  It was challenging, but fun to make!  Thanks Lori and Peggy - your great photography and interesting interpretation are much appreciated!

GETTING THERE.......

Good progress yesterday.  DH was out all day, so I just stitched!

When I first began this project, it just looked like blobs of colour, but now I can see the picture appearing.

Today is provincial election day in Ontario, so I hope everyone takes time to vote.  DH and I headed to the polls this morning, followed by a trip to the bank, then the grocery store, and my morning is over already!

Hopefully I'll get back to stitching this afternoon!  Thanks to Lori at The Inbox Jaunt, the link to the pattern is here.  

A BIT MORE PROGRESS

I'm working on the machine pieced hexagon project today.  I can't believe how long it takes.....

(pattern available here )

These are my fabric choices.  The dark fabric at the bottom left is actually a dark green with pin dots, used in the wall area.  The left row also has the window and window frame fabric and all the floor fabric.  The middle row has the vase fabric (bottom 3), then the leaf fabrics, and of course, the rest are for use in the hydrangea petals.
I've been removing paper as I go, and usually only work on one hexagon at a time.  I considered piecing them all, but even though the pattern is very well labelled, I didn't want to make a mistake when piecing.  After looking at the original photo, I decided to mark all the "table" pieces with the wood grain going in the same direction.  I don't know if it will make a difference in the finished quilt, but I'm enjoying the challenge.  I also decided how I want to press the seam allowances so it will lay flat when completed.  I'll probably be adding some thread painting and of course machine quilting when it is complete, so I want the surface to be as smooth as possible.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

In mid-May, Lori Kennedy of The Inbox Jaunt, shared a paper piecing pattern.  Peggy Riemer had used one of Lori's wonderful photographs, and turned it into a paper piecing pattern to share.  The most intriguing thing, was that it was designed in hexagons!
I downloaded the pattern, and knew that I'd have to try this project right away.
I printed all the pages, cut out the hexagon units (some needed to be glued together, and pinned them on my design wall.
I am following the piecing sequence page carefully, and I decided to stitch all the hexagons together by machine.  Of course, I had to add each one as it is completed, and I've been removing the papers once each section is fully surrounded.
The biggest challenge was to choose fabrics.  I used the photo for colour cues, but since I have more "prints" than solids, hand-dyes or batiks in my stash, I'm anxious to see how it will look when it is finished.

This is a closer look at the back so far.  I realized very quickly, that I can't work on this at the end of the day - it needs lots of concentration to assure that the correct fabric is placed in each location, and to do the precision piecing required to sew the hexagons accurately by machine.  Good thing I love a challenge.   I decided that I won't share the front side until it is completed - right now it looks like coloured blotches!

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week 13.375 yards

Fabric used year to date  143.25 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  36 yards

Net used 2014  107.25 yards

 I can't believe I broke the 100 yard mark!  I've been forcing myself to use what I have and not shop....  Lots of internet sales lately, but shipping to Canada + tax + duty makes the attraction of the sale price much less appealing.

I finished the Log Cabin for Alex this week, and was able to take it to my guild meeting on Wednesday for show and tell. 

Our June meeting was wonderful - a lovely dinner, catered by the executive, and our guest speaker, Gail Garber was wonderful.  Her slide show of her home state of New Mexico made everyone want to visit, and her quilts were spectacular!  I'm sorry I wasn't able to attend the 2 day workshop, but I'm looking forward to seeing all the projects that she inspired in those who did attend.

We're off to my family's reunion today.  My Dad was one of 11 surviving children.  All I have to say is that it is good that all of the descendants didn't follow in their ancestors' footsteps, or we'd have too many to manage a get-together!

Check out the stash reports at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I'm trying to finish quilting my log cabin scrap quilt, but life keeps interrupting!

I'm using my go-to feathers, using the "Hooked on Feathers" method.  This time I filled in the wonky stem areas with circles.  Still a work in progress!

I still have to quilt the "light" areas, and the four different borders.  Have to get my thinking cap on and figure out my next steps....

Check out all the interesting projects shared at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  129.875 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  36 yards

Net used 2014  93.875 yards

 

Boring, boring, boring!  My numbers just aren't changing!

I've been spending my time machine quilting, mostly for others.  I have been working on my latest log cabin quilt, so hopefully, I'll get it completed by next week and be able to start a new project or two!

Head over to Judy's blog, Patchwork Times, to see all the reports this week.