STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  8.625 yards

Fabric used year to date  102.375 yards

Fabric added this week 1 yard

Fabric added year to date   63.75 yards

Net used 2015  38.625

I can't believe how tired I've been after the quilt show!  My age is showing, as 6 days of odd hours, physical labour, meals at odd times, etc., has made its mark.  I'm still running at half speed!

I finished stitching the binding on my latest project today - picture to come. 
Nann suggested calling my pink, black and white quilt "Good n Plenty"!  I like the name - they don't sell the candy in Canada, but I've had it when I'm in the US.  Love licorice!  
I was going to take a picture of the finished quilt outside, but the sky turned really dark, and we were having huge raindrops falling, so I guess the photo session will have to wait.

I made pink "piano key" borders, and I've finished it with black binding.

I even added some pieced blocks to the back, choosing ones from my orphan basket that had pink.

I was good and only picked up 1 yard of fabric at the vendors over the past weekend.

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

OUR QUILT SHOW IS OVER.....

Our two local guilds just finished our joint quilt show yesterday.  In some ways it seemed like a long week, and in others, I can't believe it is over!
Things began last Wednesday, with all the quilt stands and poles, along with tons of other gear had to be transported to our local curling club.  We spent the remainder of the day, getting all the stands in place, making sure that the correct height pole was in each location, and that the bars for hanging quilts were ready in place.  We also hung backdrops according to the plan, and several steamers were there to help with wrinkles.  Supplies were delivered for our lunch room crew, and boutique as well.
Thursday morning, we were waiting for the doors to be unlocked at 8am.  The serious work of hanging the quilts began.  DH and I helped the hanging crews for a while, then began finding the 80 or so quilts that needed to be photographed.  We held 4 photo sessions during May, and were able to get almost 200 entries photographed with professional lighting - much easier that at the show venue.  We continued to help with hanging quilts, but our part was finally finished by 3:30, so we headed to home so I could edit the final pictures, compile the file, so that we could begin burning CD's that would be sold at the show all three days.  The rest of the crew continued to hang signs, add labels, set up small vignettes in various areas around the show, and tons of other small jobs that needed to be done.  Our kitchen crew were making sandwich fillings so they'd be ready to serve.  The boutique ladies spent lots of time making the shop area inviting, and finding ways to display the piles of books and magazines that arrived to be sold as well.
Friday morning DH and I arrived by 9am.  We set up the CD sales table, with a tablecloth, sign and our rack full of CDs.  I also provided 2 copies of the CD to the curling club manager, and he set them to run as a slide show on 2 overhead monitors in different areas of the venue.  It was remarkable to see the change that had happened overnight.  We had various volunteers selling CDs throughout the show - it was a good "sit down" job for those who wanted to help, but couldn't stand for long periods.
For the next 3 days, I was a "white glove" person, patrolling the quilt display areas, talking to our guests, answering questions, giving directions to our various show areas, all while being surrounded by wonderful quilts!  I ended up organizing the "white glove" teams at every change-over as well, and even sold lunch tickets for a shift.
Once the final draws were made on Sunday afternoon, and the final 2 quilting awards were announced, the show was declared over for this year.  All the helpers for "take-down" met in the lunch room four our final instructions.  Amazingly, it only took 1 1/4 hours to take the whole show down!  The quilts were carefully folded and returned to their bags or pillowcases, being organized on tables alphabetically by last name of quilter.  Poles and stands were taken apart, and stacked near the loading door, and various tables, chairs, accessories, plants and too many things to mention, were packed and loaded into cars.  Finally, at 5:30 the doors were opened so that quilters could pick up their quilts.  Everyone had been given a receipt when they handed their quilts in, so they were very careful returning the quilts.  DH helped to fold and stack the rented tables, and we finally arrived home by 6:30.
This morning we were back at the venue at 9am.  A parade of trucks, trailers, vans and cars arrived with volunteers to load all the gear and transport it to the storage lockers.  My guild had rented a larger locker, as we had outgrown our former one.  Everything was divided up and returned to its storage home.  The old locker was cleaned out, and it was a great time to sort the remaining contents.  Some went home with our guild president for further sorting, and a whole lot went for garbage or recycling.
We managed to sell 170 photo CDs, and I'll be selling a few more over the next week or so.
I'm anxious to hear how we did financially, but our treasurer is taking a few days off, as are we all!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I've been sewing in "fits and starts", as my grandmother would say.  Preparing for the quilt show has been taking most of my time.
I did manage to get the top this far, adding sashing and cornerstones, and then 2 borders.  
I discovered that I had cut all the sashing strips the wrong size, so I used them in the second border, adding a cornerstone in between each.

It is still a fairly small quilt top, measuring 36 x 46 inches, and I'm not sure what I want to do with it.....I guess I'll just have to look at it and see what it wants next.  My supply of bright pinks is pretty low after making Grand Illusion.

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

QUILT SHOW IS GETTING CLOSER!

Tuesday was the day to hand in all the quilts for the show.  The registrars were busy pinning number and location cards on each quilt and bag, and handing receipts to each quilter.  They had others collecting the quilts, and organizing them by location code, and then they were loaded into waiting vans, and taken to be stored until the set-up day.  By the end of the day, they had MOST of the quilts.  Some of the out-of-town quilters were coming for my guild's annual spring dinner on Wednesday, so they were set up early to do more intakes.  Now they are trying to locate the remainder of the quilts.  A few had been in other shows, and won't be arriving until set-up day.
I spent Wednesday editing the "artist statements" (printed labels), turning them into a format that can be used on the photo CD.  I've also been making changes to all the lists, etc., as a couple of the quilts were withdrawn from the show.
Wednesday night I headed to our meeting hall early to help set up for the spring dinner.  The executive members do the catering, and my job was to make bean salad for 100!  We had a huge selection of salads, cheeses, ham and roast beef, homemade pickles, and wonderful pumpkin rolls.  The social committee for June provided a great selection of desserts as well. 
Our guest speaker arrived, and presented a slide and trunk show about the Modern Quilt movement.  She is a member of the new Modern Quilt Guild of Ottawa.  There will be pictures on our website in a few days.  There weren't too many show and tell quilts, but community quilts had a large display.  
Next Wednesday the work begins - we'll be picking up stands and other items from the storage locker and setting them up.  Then Thursday all the quilts will be hung, the boutique set up and the kitchen loaded with supplies for the show.  We'll be photographing the rest of the quilts (about 80), and I'll spend the day editing and compiling everything for the CD. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I'll be at the show working, and DH is helping to take down the show on Sunday evening.  Monday we'll return to transport everything back to the storage locker.  Lots of fun!!!!
I guess I'd better get busy!!!!!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I just needed to work on something "newish" - I've done little sewing, with all the quilt show preparations.
I took out some small blocks that I pieced before heading north.  The were made from the bonus half-square triangle units from my version of Grand Illusion, all in pink, black and white.

I placed them in an on point layout, then rotated them until I found a design that I liked.  I plan to stitch them together, using white sashing with black cornerstones.  I made pieced side-setting triangles, pink on the long sides and black on the short ones.  I'm not sure where I'll go from here, but I do want to make it a bit larger.

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  3.875 yards

Fabric used year to date  93.75 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  62.75 yards

Net used 2015  31 yards

I finally made all the quilt storage bags that I need for my entries into Quilts Kingston 2015.  They have to be turned in on Tuesday.

Wednesday night is our final guild meeting of the season.  We always end with a dinner, and for the past few years, the catering has been done by the executive.  I have to make bean salad for 100!  The amounts were given to me by the person who made it last time, but I'll make my own dressing from my Mom's bean salad recipe.
I dug out some orphan blocks to work on, and have finally started something new.  I'll show more tomorrow.  Now back to checking my email, and other computer chores!

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

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

Although my machine has been idle lately, I've still been doing some stitching.
  I still had basted 1/2 inch hexagons remaining from a previous project, so I just had to stitch them together!

I used Thermore batting - super low loft, and great for table items.  I turned the backing edges in, and hand stitched the edges.
  I machine stitched the hexagons, with matching, and variegated King Tut thread, colour #918.  
It is now sitting on my small dining table, with a small vase of lily-of-the-valley, adding lovely scent to the room.

The whole project is just 16 inches across!

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY WEEK 21

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  89.875 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  62.75 yards

Net used 2015  27.125 yards

DH and I had two photography sessions this week, and we have hit the half-way mark of the quilts entered in the show in June.  Our final session is Wednesday evening, and I'm hoping we'll be overwhelmed with quilts!  Quilters are just like everyone - leaving things to the last minute!  There are also quilts out at other shows, so they won't be available until set-up day.

I hope to have some fabric usage to report next week, as I have to make fabric bags for all my quilts, along with a label for each.  I was hoping to begin my next hand-work project, an applique one, but haven't found the time yet.  I also have 2 more quilts to machine quilt for my guild - the remainder of the BOM blocks from a few months ago, (disappearing 9-patches with novelty fabric squares).

I still have to collect my consignment items for the boutique.  The guild earns a 20% commission on all items sold, although the majority of the items are donated.  There are also quite a few quilts in the show that are for sale.  The purchasers have to wait until Sunday evening to pick up the show quilts.

 

Then there is our neglected garden - small, but still needs work.  We haven't picked out any plants yet, although DH has planted pole beans to cover the arbor.  I have a few irises blooming, with more to come, the lily-of-the-valley by the front door is lovely, and the day lilies and clematis are growing quickly too.  We had frost on Friday night - quite a shock after having some warm, humid days, so I guess waiting until May 24 to plant is still wise!

Check out Judy's blog, Patchwork Times, to see how other quilters are progressing during gardening season!

I'M STILL HERE!

I just realized that it is over 10 days since my last post.  We were at our son's home for 5 of the days....(4 1/2 hours away).  More gardening, grandson time, and his sister-in-law's wedding on Saturday!  It was a small wedding, and we all had a lovely time.  Our 4 month old grandson was on his best behaviour, and his parents even got to eat their whole meal in relative peace.

Here he is in his wedding attire, watching his aunt's wedding ceremony!

The rest of my time has been taken up with meetings.  Quilt show meeting, guild executive meeting, etc.  

DH and I have had 1 of the 4 days scheduled to take pictures of quilts entered in the show.  Those pictures are edited and ready to be organized for the photo CD that will be for sale at the show.
At previous shows, we took the pictures on set-up day, in not always favourable conditions.  I edited pictures all day, swapping memory cards, and continued until 3:30am.  Then DH got up and began burning the CD's so they were ready for show opening!

This year, the show has 282 quilts and quilted items, and we are trying to get as many quilts photographed before set-up.  As is normal for quilters, many are still stitching madly, trying to get their quilts completed.  We have a photo session this evening from 6-10 and tomorrow from 10-4.  I'll be calling more of the entrants today to see if I can book more appointments.
I still have to make bags, with labels, for each of my quilts, and sort out my consignment items for the boutique.  I've already donated several bags full of items. 
DH has also been practicing for the first couple of performances that are scheduled for next week.  He and his partner just spent an hour or so, making a "set list". 
Good thing we're retired!!!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

My mother has been gone for almost 20 years, but she is with me every day.  She was one of the most positive people I've ever met, taking on each challenge with a "can - do" attitude.

When I took dancing lessons as a child, she made costumes each year for the annual recital.  She would move her sewing machine upstairs, and take over the dining room.  Dad hung a clothesline to hang all the costumes in progress.  The year the picture was taken, she made 125 costumes in 2 1/2 weeks!

 I'm checking on her progress!  The hats to my left were for toy soldiers, and one was mine.  My mother even took a millinery course to make her own hats, as well as many of the headpieces needed for each recital.  

She is responsible for my lifelong love of sewing and other needlearts. 

When I was eleven, my mother got her first pair of ice skates, and learned to skate.  She even knit our matching sweaters!

She was my best friend, and I miss her every day.......

BUSY FEW DAYS

Busy, but no sewing!  Mama Mallard is still sitting on her nest.  We try to be quiet when coming and going, but she is getting used to us.  We check on her, but we're anxious to see how she'll get those babies to water when they hatch.

Monday was dental check-up day.  Tuesday I spent some time packing my quilts and other items that I needed for our guild meeting on Wednesday.  Then I wrote the message about our quilt photography days, and sent copies to both guild reps to send to all the members.

Wednesday morning DH and I had our annual check-ups.  Still have to find time to see the local vampires for blood-work!  My brother and his wife are visiting Canada from China, so Wednesday afternoon they arrived to spend a couple of days with us!

Since Wednesday was my guild meeting I took her along.  She had fun talking to many of the members, and took lots of pictures of quilts too!  As soon as we returned home, she sent pictures to all her friends in China, and spent the rest of the evening and part of the next morning answering questions.  It was our second last meeting before the big show - so there was lots of quilt show info shared.  We also had a great guest speaker with lots of quilts in her trunk show.

Thursday morning we decided to go on a Thousand Islands cruise.  They only have one boat running this early in the season, and only the 1 hour cruise, but the weather was awesome - warm, blue skies and light wind - a perfect day for a sail.

 






 
Part of our trip was through the smaller channel, used by pleasure boats.  The large channel is used for large ships travelling from the great lakes to the gulf of St. Lawrence and beyond.  We passed large homes, and tiny cottages.
 

We sailed under the northern span of the bridge to USA.  It connects Highway 401 in Canada to Interstate 81 in New York State.

We sailed around Heart Island so we could view Boldt Castle from all sides.  Our cruise lasted for an hour.  The longer cruises don't start until June.  If you wish to visit Boldt Castle, you have to take a boat from the US, usually at Alexandria Bay NY.


We went out for dinner to a local favourite that has been open for 50+years.  Both evenings the "guys" watched the hockey games - my brother's favouite pasttime.

All too soon, if was Friday morning, and they were heading off to Gatineau, Quebec, to visit friends there for a day or two.  As soon as they left, DH and I met another guild member at the guild's storage locker to get 2 quilt stands and one backdrop for use during our photography sessions.  I'm having pretty good response from quilters, and have quite a few sessions booked.  I've tried to remind them that they can bring as many quilts as they have ready, even if they are still stitching the hanging sleeve on some of them.  The more quilts we photograph early, the fewer last minute edits I have to make, and maybe I won't be one of the walking dead (from lack of sleep) during the whole show!

If you are in or around the Kingston ON area, please plan to attend "Quilts Kingston 2015" June 12, 13 and 14.  There will be over 280 quilts and other items on display!

SIGNS OF SPRING

This is a picture of the front of our townhome, with a few green sprouts in the garden area.  We live in close quarters with our neighbours too.

When we returned north, we noticed Mr. and Mrs. Mallard were strolling past our back garden area.  

A few days later, DH was raking the gardens, preparing to add new mulch, when he saw this peeking from under our Alberta Spruce.

Our next-door neighbours have 3 children, so there is lots of coming and going from their side.  At first, she would be frightened away, but now she watches cautiously, and has even added more eggs to the nest - there were 2 when DH was raking.  We're trying to keep from going past as much as possible.  Our only question is how she is going to get the little ones to water after they hatch.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  3.875 yards

Fabric used year to date  89.875 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  62.75 yards

Net used 2015  27.125 yards

I've been AWOL the past couple of weeks.   Life is always busy when we return to our northern home.  We've had 2 trips to our DS2's home (4 1/2 hours away), helping our family build raised beds for a small veggie garden, and reorganizing their shed, garage and under-stairs storage area.  Of course, there was lots of snuggle time with our grandson D.

On the home front, I've been catching up with cleaning and laundry, and getting ready for my guild's quilt show in mid-June.  DH and I look after photographing all the quilts in the show, and producing a CD for sale at the show.  In previous years, we've done all the photography while the quilts are being hung, and as everyone knows, it is difficult to get good pictures, due to placement, lighting, etc.  I've spent a while this week finding and arranging for places to do some of the photography before the quilts have to be handed in on June 2.  After many phone calls, I've finally arranged for 2 daytime and 2 evening sessions.

I've also been adding sleeves and labels to my quilts that will be in the show, and I made 8 more luggage tags for the boutique.

Our next guild meeting is Wednesday, and I'm in charge of the social committee for the month.  The group brings snacks for the break, and provides help during the meeting at registration, show and tell, community quilts, the library, and assisting the guest speaker.  Each group is named after a quilt block, and since May is the Bear Paw group, I made 3 inch blocks in spring flowers for each of the members to wear at the meeting.  Those items account for my fabric usage this week.

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  3.375 yards

Fabric used year to date  86.5 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  62.75 yards

Net used 2015  23.75 yards

I'm a bit late with my report - I was snuggling my new grandson for the past 4 days!

This week I completed one NICU quilt and 2 snap bags.  Now I have to get busy and add the hanging sleeves on all my entries for the upcoming Quilts Kingston 2015 show in June.  I also have to make cloth bags for transport and storage, along with labels on everything......

Our weekend visiting DS2 and his lovely family was fun.  I enjoyed getting acquainted with our 3 month old grandson, D.  On Monday, I stayed home and his Mom and Dad went with DH to run some final errands.  This is the first time my DDIL has been out without D since his birth!

We helped with some gardening and DH installed cabinets in their garage, and moved shelving to better locations for their use.  They also built 2 raised beds for veggie gardening.  Apparently, rabbits are populous in their area, so their new beds are 2 feet high x 4x6 feet in size.  (I'll remember to get pics next visit).  Now they have the fun of filling them.  There are 2 compost bins in their yard, so all of the contents will be placed in the bottom of the bins, then covered with layers of topsoil, peat moss, manure, etc. to make a good gardening mix.  DS2 will be working for a while on that task! 

 The last frost date in our area isn't until May 24th, so we hope to make another trip before then to help with more gardening.  There were little green sprouts showing in most of the flower beds, so it will be interesting to see what is already there.....  I have lots of iris and daylilys that need to be divided, so I'm sure we'll find some places to share them.  They are planning to start small, so if they only get one garden bed completed in time to plant, they can work on the second for next year.

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

 

SOME SMALL FINISHES

I couldn't wait to get my sewing machine set up again.  My guild's community quilts group had been asked for some premie quilts for our hospital's NICU , only 24 inches square.  I prepared 3 tops and backs, then I called our committee head, to ask what if any, batting was being used.  Since this is new for our group, they were making samples using different layer and battings, but needed one made with poly batting.  They will be sent to the NICU so that they can decide which type they prefer.  I quickly quilted one of the three tops, and stitched binding to the small quilt.  I delivered it to the committee head at our guild executive meeting last night, and they will be delivered to the hospital on Friday.

While organizing all my fabric returning to my sewing room, I found some extra block parts from my mystery quilt.  I was able to made 4 blocks, so I decided to make 2 snap bags for our upcoming quilt show.  I found the extra matching fabric to make the pull tabs and lining, and pulled out my serger to clean-finish the final seams, so they are ready to go!

Next on my agenda is to complete some chicken soup.  We picked up 4 whole chickens, and I cut them into parts for the freezer, saving most of the skin and remaining bones with meat attached.  On Tuesday I simmered the stock and then strained it into some containers, and picked the meat from the remains.  Yesterday, I removed the fat from the stock, so it is ready for all the extras - yummy vegetables and herbs.  DH and I enjoy homemade soup for lunch most days, and I like to control the fat and salt content, while making tasty soup!    

I also plan to pull out some of my novelty prints to make luggage tags - another requested item for the quilt show boutique.  While looking, I'll set aside any large enough pieces for pillow cases for my southern quilt group's pillow case day next February.  This should help with my stash numbers!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

My sewing room is almost back to normal, and I just had to sew today.  Recently, my guild's Community Quilts group received a request from the NICU unit at our local hospital, for some premie quilts 24 inches square.  I had taken 2 old 1/2 yard panels south a couple of years ago, and wasn't inspired, but when I was putting fabric away, inspiration hit!  Each panel had a small wallhanging piece and 2 parts to make a tiny pillow.  This will be my first NICU quilt - after adding sashing and borders, and I'll use the stripe for binding.  More to come.....

Also, while I was putting things away, I found some leftover block units from a winter project, and stitched them together to make 4 blocks.  I'll be using these to make small "snap bags".




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  83.125 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  67.75 yards

Fabric used year to date  20.375 yards

 

I've been AWOL for a while, relocating north for the summer.  We had a safe trip, although the final 2 days were gray and overcast.  We stopped at the Martin Guitar factory in Nazareth PA on the way home - great museum and free factory tour - well worth the stop!

I still have one more tub to unpack, as well as my sewing machine.  I'll also have to unpack fabric and find a place for the quilts I brought home, until they go to their new homes.  We picked up enough groceries to manage for a few days, and I hope to be back sewing tomorrow!

Our van was so loaded that I passed on visiting some fabric shops in the Lancaster area - I wasn't sure where we would put any additions!  We can always head that way next fall...... when I have a list!

Next weekend we are visiting DS2 and his wife, so I can hold my grandson for the first time!!!!!!

 

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

PACKING, PACKING, PACKING

That's what fills my days right now!  My sewing machine is in its case, and I've packed all my quilting tools, bits and pieces.  There is still tons to do, but I know, from past experience, that I have to take my time, or I forget things.

DH took some time this morning to have a "band" practice.  They are down one man now, but the rest were feeling the loss of their time together.  They played for almost 2 hours, trying some new songs to practice for next fall when they all get together again.  DH likes to play a big variety of music, so they can fit their performances to their audience.  He as put together a few medleys - songs that everyone loves, but only know 1 verse or the chorus.  The seniors love to sing along!

Talked to my grandson this morning (although he slept through most of the conversation!)  He'll be almost 3 months old by the time I get to hold him!!!!  Can't wait!

I'm having fun packing fabric, from the new yardage that I added to leftovers that I brought to make projects (I never want to run out mid-project!)  Of course, I have a few projects that I didn't find time for - don't know where the days go!  I often with that I could sew in the evenings, but that is my time with DH!  I sometimes hand stitch, but I had very few projects requiring hand sewing this year.  I'll have to be better prepared in future.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I had a couple of "down days", but I'm feeling much better today, so I was able to get pictures of my latest project.  I used the remaining 4 pieces of the striped border from my Dragonfly Garden quilt to make blocks for this runner.  I lined up the prints and cut all 4 layers into 2 large squares, then cut them diagonally into 8 triangle stacks.

I took the picture in full sun so the the metallic thread would show.  Once again, I used Superior Metallic thread, and their size 14 topstitch needle to do most of the free motion quilting.  I also used some King Tut variegated thread thread to stitch the curvy lines in the sashing and yellow border.

I stitched dragonflies in each of the purple setting triangles, following the tutorial that I found on The Inbox Jaunt.

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  9.25 yards

Fabric used year to date  83.125 yards

Fabric added this week  1.25 yards

Fabric added year to date  67.75 yards

Fabric used year to date  20.375 yards

I completed 2 baby quilts made from printed panels, ready to donate to my guild's community quilts program.  

I was straightening up my sewing room, and found the leftover pieces of the border strips from the dragonfly quilt that I made recently.  Rather than put them away, I decided to use them, and made blocks for a table runner.  I added yellow sashing and green cornerstones, and used purple setting triangles.   It looks like a lovely Easter table runner now, instead of leftover fabric stored on a shelf!

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

 

TWO MORE BABY QUILTS

The weather has been hot and humid, and I don't feel like working for long periods - but I still want to quilt, so I pulled 2 more quilt panels from my stash and completed 2 more baby quilts.  I can work on these in short spurts, and I don't have to concentrate on cutting!

I even had some striped fabric to use for binding.....

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

Once again, I have nothing on my design wall!  I just stitched binding to two baby quilt panels, that I had quilted, and plan to stitch it down by hand during some TV watching with DH tonight!

Just for some more colour, here are 2 more pictures of flowers from the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival.

Now I have to figure out what other small projects I can complete before I have to start packing up to head north!

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  2 yards
Fabric used year to date  73.875 yards
Fabric added this week  0 yards  
Fabric added year to date  61.5 yards
Net used 12.375 yards

As our southern winter season comes to a close, I find it harder and harder to find time to quilt.  So many of the activities are coming to a close, and there are many pot luck dinners, and other get-togethers, before many of us head north for the summer.

Yesterday we joined a group in St. Cloud for a Canadian night dinner and dance.  The group was celebrating the 50th anniversary of our flag!  DH and friends entertained with music and a few jokes thrown in for good luck.  The food was wonderful, and the dance floor was full!  Donations were made to a local charity that provides food for children on the lunch program at school, sending home a tote bag with enough to last the weekend.  They also pay fees for school outings, so all the students can attend!

I managed to squeeze in 2 more cloth books for our grandson, but I do have 2 baby quilts basted, and one partially quilted too!

 The pictures are from a recent trip to Epcot to enjoy the flower and garden festival.

See others' progress shared at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times. 

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

Nothing new on my design wall today, but here are pictures of my finishes this week....

Two more cloth books

And here is Dragonfly Garden, soon to be residing with my son and daughter-in-law in their new home.


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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  10.375 yards
Fabric used year to date  71.875 yards
Fabric added this week  0 yards
Fabric added year to date  61.5 yards
Net used 10.375 yards

Only took 2 1/2 months, but I'm finally into the black!  Now to keep it there.....  I completed my Dragonfly Garden quilt this week, and also stitched 2 cloth books for our grandson - he'll be 2 months old this week!

I had fun on my quilt group outing, and amazingly, came home with no fabric!

 This is the centre block of the quilt.  Again, I had chosen a panel with 8 blocks, so had to add another.

I thought I had enough of the border stripe to make mitered corners, but the stripe was so wide, I ran short.

I add corner blocks instead, enlarging the corner of the centre block and matching the colours.  This gave me a bit more room for some interesting quilting.

I inserted strips of gradated fabric between the rows of blocks, and was able to use Superior King Tut variegated thread, colour 921 - Cleopatra, to add more colour.

The dragonflies were all outlined in Superior Metallic thread, colour #25, variegated gold.

Head over to Judy's blog, Patchwork Times, to see others' reports.

BACK TO QUILTING

Our annual outing with my quilt group was a great success.  We went out for lunch, then visited a large Joann's and 2 quilt shops while wending our way home!

A member of my first online quilting group, at Recreation, Crafts, Textiles, Quilting, called, and was able to come and join our group for the day.  We knew each other online, and had met twice before when she was in my area.  We spent most of our time catching up on our quilting adventures, as well as family news.  My group members asked if we were sisters?  We look quite a bit alike, and have sons around the same age!

There were quite a few parcels loaded into the 4 full vehicles, although I resisted this time.  I didn't want to go back into the red on my next stash report!  I'm surprised at how fast the winter has passed by - we only have 3 more quilting Wednesdays!  It is always bitter sweet to say good-bye to all my quilting friends, as I never know how many will return in the fall.....

I know I'll enjoy returning north, even if there is still a bit of snow.  I'll get to hold my new grandson for the first time, and there is tons of work to do to prepare for my guild's quilt show in June, including machine quilting a BOM quilt from blocks that have been handed in over the winter!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

Here are a couple of pictures of the quilting on my mystery quilt.  Still waiting for help to take pictures of a couple of my larger projects.

 I used thread colours that blended with the fabric this time.  I love the colours and the prints in this one.  Most of the fabric was  from Connecting Threads, using a collection that was available last summer.

I used more of Superior Threads Twist thread.  With the two shades twisted together, it seemed to blend better with my fabrics.

Now my dragonfly garden quilt is being quilted - just SITD so far.

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week  15.625 yards

Used year to date  61.5 yards

 Added this week  11.5 yards

Added year to date  61.5 yards

Net used 2015  0 yards

Looks like I'm back to neutral - now if I can just stop buying fabric!

I found a deal on 3 1/2 yard cuts of fabric - less than half price, and mostly in the blues I've been collecting for an upcoming project.

After claiming yardage for my spinning star candle mats last week (just a guess), I actually drafted the pattern in EQ7, then got their estimated yardage for the three sizes, so I added 2 more yards to my report this week.  I also finished my mystery quilt, and was able to claim 13 5/8 yards for that one, so I finally broke even.

This week, my southern quilting group is having a day out.  We're heading out for lunch, then a stop at a couple of not-so-local shops before heading home.  We still have 3 more weeks together before I leave for the "warming I hope" north!  Some of them will continue to get together until the end of April, but we're anxious to get home and hold our new grandson!!!!!

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

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I don't have a design wall - I usually use the floor or the living-room carpet!  I completed some candle mats, made from a pattern I found on the net (not in English).  I made the medium size first, (12 inches wide), then played with the strip sizes to maker the small and large sizes.

I use Superior Thread's Bottom Line in my bobbin when I machine quilt, using a light neutral shade that seems to blend with all my fabrics.  I used Glitter metallic thread on the top, in red, green and light gold.  It glistens in the light, but doesn't photograph well.

The small size, (8 3/4 inches), was made from some stray fat quarters, and I quilted in pink and green thread.

Then I tried these larger size mats, (15 1/2 inches), using some pieces of fabric donated to my group several years ago. 

I had fun playing with different fill-in designs in different scales.

Now I'm machine quilting my mystery quilt - pictures to come later.
Check out all the creativity shared at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  3.5 yards

Fabric used year to date  45.875 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

 Fabric added year to date  50 yards

Net used 2015  -4.25 yards

I finally completed some sample candle mats that I started in November.  I saw some instructions (not in English) on the internet and tried out the method, then played with strip sizes to see what the results would be.  I was limited by the fabric I have at our southern home - most was designated for upcoming projects.  I'll probably donate these to my guild's boutique for the quilt show in June.

I'm closing the gap!

Check out others' at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times