STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week 21.625 yards

Fabric used year to date  147.5 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  35.5 yards

Net used 2013  112 yards

I finished quilting my latest large project - Dawn and Dusk - pattern by Judy Laquidara of Patchwork Times.  Pattern from Quiltmaker magazine - picture to follow.

I also quickly made a tea cosy for my daughter-in-law - of course forgot to take a picture....  I had a yellow/blue print with tea cups and flowers, so I cut a 5-sided shape from that and placed it in the centre of the Insul-bright and cotton batting sandwich, then stitched various yellow and blue print strips, using a stitch and flip technique.  

We had a great visit with everyone for our early summer birthday get-together.  It was a bit damp at times, but we had a nice lunch out, with much talking and laughter.  My newest daughter-in-law brought her older sister along as well, so we had fun catching up on everyone's news.  The birthday boy and his wife had taken the day off work on Friday and toured all the tall ships that had arrived in Toronto.  They had some wonderful pictures of their day, but said they were both exhausted after walking all day in the sun.  I received some cards and a gift for my birthday, but I like to follow tradition, and brought them home to open on "the day".

Check out Judy's blog, Patchwork Times, to see how everyone's stash grew or shrunk this week.

  

HEXAGON FRIDAY

Progress!  I've made 15 of the 26 needed to complete the next two rows of my quilt!

I hand stitch these in the evenings watching TV or a movie with DH.  I also do a bit of stitching at lunch time, and I have to put heat followed by ice on my knee after doing my stretches and exercises to help my bad knee, so I stitch while waiting for the timer!  It always surprises me how much I can get done!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

Still nothing on my design wall......I'm still quilting my large Dawn and Dusk quilt.  I'm on the final stretch, if I can finally decide what I want to quilt in one area!  I'm sure it will come to me soon.

I have to get a tea cosy made for DDIL1 by next weekend, and she also asked me to make a quick cover for her guitar on a stand, so she doesn't have to dust it!  Now if I can only find the measurements......

Head over to Judy's blog, to check on all the creativity....

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  125.875 yards

Fabric added this week 0 yards

Fabric added year to date  35.5 yards

Net used 2013  90.375 yards 

Nothing to report this week.   I'm slowly making progress quilting my version of Dawn and Dusk -  pattern by Judy Laquidara found in Quiltmaker Jan/Feb 2013 edition.  Since I'm quilting it on my Juki, it takes lots of muscle power to manipulate this large quilt, so I'm working at it in short sessions.

My physiotherapist added more exercises to my list this week, and each session takes at least an hour -twice a day!  This is also cutting into my quilting time, as I find that my knee is tired by the end of the day, so I do the sets first thing in the morning, and before dinner.  The first set seemed to help, but, so far, the second set have not, and I've been having more knee pain overnight.  I'm keeping up with it and hope to see a change by the time I go for my next appointment.

More rain today, after 2 days of sunshine.  It is so unusual to have so much rain this late in June.  I hope the strawberries are going to be OK this year - we look forward to attending the strawberry social at our friends' church each June.  My oldest son's birthday is on the 21st, and when my parents were alive, we used to head there, pick strawberries and make fresh strawberry ice cream to have with his cake each year.  My in-laws used to come as well, and we'd have a great time at the local strawberry pick-your-own patch!

Check out all the stash report news at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

HEXAGON FRIDAY

These "lozenge" shaped blocks are the next to be added to my hexagon quilt.  I've managed to complete 9 of the 26 needed for the next two rows.  They seem to be taking much longer to make, but then they are much larger units!  Larger is a relative term as these are 1/2 inch hexagons 

This is also the last of the pale blue background hexagons required, so when this is completed, I'll be able to move on to the next background fabrics.

The pattern called for just 16 different fabrics to make the blocks, but I've added many more.  I went hunting through my 1 1/2 inch strip bin to find suitable prints and to expand the colour palette as well.

Check out some others working on hexies here!

COMMUNITY QUILTS DAY

Tuesday was community quilts work day for my guild.  Almost a dozen quilters attended, some for the full day, and some only to drop off and pick up!
I went for the morning, as we were having an out-of-town guest in the afternoon.  The goal this time was to finish as many of the older projects as possible.  Three of us tackled a basket of finished quilt tops - finding backing fabric, and often binding to coordinate with each one.  This is challenging, as we work with donations, and although the larger pieces were sorted by colour, there was lots of unfolding and refolding done to find just the "right" piece.  Some of the others were making binding and pressing it, and at least 2 quilts were pin-basted before I left at 1p.m.  There were also 5 sewing machines at work, and a line-up at the iron.  I missed the always delicious pot luck lunch, but I enjoyed getting caught up with our visiting friend!

These are the four projects that I brought home to complete.  Two are finished tops with fabric to fabricate the backing and binding, one is a Christmas wallhanging kit that someone purchased and donated, and the last one is a whole bunch of flannel 3 1/2 inch squares, along with sashing strips and what I hope is the backing fabric.  These should keep me occupied for a while, although it doesn't improve my stash reports, as all I'll be using of my own is thread and batting!!!!  I'll just remember that they will bring comfort and happiness to someone in the future.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

My design wall is currently empty!  I decided that it was time to complete the quilting on a project that I pin basted while in the south.  It had been pushed aside, and I hate having UFO's hanging over my head - I'm known as a finisher, and have to keep up my reputation......

The pattern is "Dawn and Dusk", designed by Judy Laquidara of Patchwork Times.  It was in the January/February 2013 edition of Quiltmaker magazine.  I made my own fabric selections, but kept the feel of the original in the magazine.  I usually take my cue for quilting from the magazine, but since this was quilted on a longarm machine, I'll have to come up with my own plan.

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  8.325 yards

Fabric used year to date  125.875 yards

Fabric added this week 0 yards

Fabric added year to date  35.5 yards

Net used 2013  90.375 yards

I managed to have two finishes this week.....one was a small table topper made with Christmas fabric, and the other was a kid's quilt made from a panel.  I have to as DH to hold that one for a picture!

 The bright alphabet panel had 4 plain printed "blocks", so I used them to quilt the numbers one to four.

 I just stitched loops in the final border.  The jig saw fabric was so cute, I just wanted to quilt it, not detract from the great graphic shapes and colours.

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

HEXAGON FRIDAY

I managed to get rows 4 and 5 added to the piece, along with the dark burgundy border.  I'm working from the centre out, making blocks for 2 rows at a time, so I can balance the colours.  

This is the next unit, and I need to make 26 to complete the next 2 rows.  This is also the last part of the quilt that uses the light blue background.  The next background is used in the rest of the quilt centre, and in the borders closest to the burgundy frame.  There will be a third colour for the background on the outside edges of the final pieced borders.
Check out other hexagon projects here!http://quiltingreadersgarden.blogspot.com/2013/06/its-hexie-friday-6713.html

ANOTHER CHRISTMAS PROJECT DONE!

I completed the quilting and the binding on my Christmas table topper.  The pattern was a bonus block of the month pattern from my guild, and comes in 3 sizes.  I decided to make the largest size, and mine finished at 33.5 inches at the widest points.

This is the type of project that doesn't photograph well.  The main fabric is white pointsettia flowers with dusty green leaves and lots of silver.  I quilted the green triangles and the main fabric areas with silver thread, and it really sparkles!

This one will probably be donated to the "Every Child Counts Abaco" project to use as a fund raising item.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I've had another busy week, working on "quick to finish" projects.

I found this cute alphabet panel hidden away, and decided it would make a cute kid's quilt.  I added a narrow black dotted border, then a bright jigsaw puzzle fabric for the final border.  I plan on more dots in the binding fabric.

  I then hunted through my dwindling pile of flannels to find a good backing, and found one with school supplies - pencils, scissors, glue, eraser, paper clips etc., but although the length was great, it was too narrow.
Off to my pile of finished 4-patches (leaders and enders while sewing other things).  I found a collection made with solids and prints, and pieced them together into a long strip, with the colours forming diagonal lines - lots of bright colours, just like the borders on the top of the quilt!

Then I realized that I hadn't tried the bonus block of the month table topper pattern from my guild that was available in April.  In my plan to use Christmas fabrics, I pulled out a soft silver, white and dusty green print with pointsettias for the focal fabric, with green star point, and a cream with evergreen design. (The green points are a much softer colour than in the photo).  I had to make bias binding for this one, also in the soft green.  It will be my main project for today, as I want to have it completed to take for "show and tell" at our final meeting of the season on Wednesday!

Head over to Judy's blog, Patchwork Times, to be inspired by all the creativity linked there.

 

 

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  6.125 yards

Fabric used year to date  117.25 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  35.75 yards

Net used 2013  81.75 yards

I had a productive week, finishing a set of 4 Christmas stockings and a large baby quilt.  I also have another bright kid's quilt top and backing made but not counted, as well as a Christmas table topper, using a pattern from my guild!

I'm off to have a sewing day with the group from "Every Child Counts", a charity that supports a special needs school in the Bahamas. 

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

FRIDAY HEXAGON REPORT

Lots of evening sewing this week!  I managed to complete 31 of 32 flower units.  Tonight I'll have to lay out the blocks to arranged them by colour - don't want to be close to a neighbour of the same colour!

I'll need 6 more blue background hexagons and 16 border hexagons to complete these two rows and attach them to the part that is already completed. 

EARLY CHRISTMAS SEWING

I wanted something quick and easy to stitch yesterday, so I went hunting through my collection of panels, and found one with 4 different angel stocking fronts.  I pulled out some leftover batting and pin basted them and did some quilting to highlight the designs.  Then I found a large enough piece of Christmas fabric, layered it with leftover flannel, and did a meander stitch over the whole piece.  Layered the two, added two layers of plain muslin, stitched around the edges and had 4 almost completed stockings.  
I used my special "pinking" rotary blade to trim the seam allowances and turned them right side out.  I found some red, white and green striped leftover binding and made hanging loops for each, and bound the tops.  A few minutes of hand sewing, and I had 4 completed Christmas stockings. 

 I may find a home for them, or just save them for the boutique at my guild's next quilt show!!!!

QUILTING FUN

After quilting all the stitch-in-the-ditch areas, and outlining all the lovely designs that were provided by the panel, I still had 4 larger areas of unquilted polka dots to consider.  Since this panel quilt had numerous animals, I decided to add a few more.

I began with a cat and a dog.

Just in case you think I'm artistic, I found the line drawings in a book called "250 Continuous-Line Quilting Designs" by Laura Lee Fritz 

Then came a long-horn steer and his companion, the horse.

They were joined by a pig and two goats!

And the final area hosted a sheep and a ram.

 Since my only remaining colour of polka dots was yellow, and I planned to use it for a final border and binding,  I decided to try the "unstuffed, piped binding", that I read about on the internet.  This is applied to the back of the quilt, then folded to the front and stitched in the ditch by machine.  It was only a little more work than regular binding, and saved time by machine vs hand sewing.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I didn't feel like machine quilting on a large project yesterday, so I went hunting in my closet of panels and projects.  I found a project that my friend had wanted to make, but had forgotten about.  I had spent some time several years ago, planning the quilt, and writing instructions.

 I had a panel that consisted of several small units, so I had cut them apart.  There is a polka dot theme in all the panel fabrics, so I pulled a collection of polka dot fabrics from my stash.  I followed my written instructions and the top went together quickly!
It is now pin-basted and ready to quilt! 

I'm not sure how I'll quilt it, but will start by "stitch in the ditch", then some free form outlining of all the animals.  I have also made some "unstuffed, piped binding" to try on this project.

Check out what others are doing at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week  12.125 yards

Used year to date  111.125 yards

Added this week  0 yards

Added year to date  35.5 yards

Net used 2013  75.625 yards

I love it when my numbers take a jump!  I completed my Christmas Wish quilt this week.  I had planned to finish it in time for the holidays last year, but forgot to pack a few small pieces of Christmas fabric when we headed south last fall!  Since I have decided not to buy any new Christmas fabric until my holiday stash has shrunk, I waited to complete it when we returned north.

This was a busy quilt, so most of the quilting is "in the ditch" with a few curvy lines in the 16-patch blocks.  I quilted a simple continuous line in the final border, and used a striped fabric for the binding.

There were a few small, wholecloth areas for some free form quilting fun!

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

HEXAGON FRIDAY REPORT

Pardon the creases and folds - I finished adding the final two blocks to the first three rows last weekend, so it is folded and put away for a while!  These are the centre three rows - I decided to work out from the centre, as the rows are the same above and below the centre small flower block row.

So far I have completed 14 of the 32 small flower blocks for the next two rows.  I will decided their placement in the rows before adding the left and right ends and the borders, and then add them to the main quilt!

Last night, DH and his friend entertained for an hour at a senior's residence.  Everyone enjoyed the music, but asked for more "sing along" on their next visit!  DH plays "our music", but will add some older songs next time, as the audience is 15 to 25 years older, and didn't recognize some of the songs!

QUILT PROJECT 17 FINISHED

DH became my quilt holder this morning so I could mark this quilt as truly finished.  It is the 17th project completed this year.  The quilts are due at our final guild meeting of the year on June 5th.  They are expecting around 20 finished quilts.  There were request from some to make the patterns queen-size, so there should be some larger projects as well.  This time I have to remember to take my camera!!!!!
Our end of the season dinner is being catered by the executive again this year.  Everyone brings their own table setting - placemat, napkin, dishes and silverware.  Our guest speaker at the meeting will be talking to us about Superior Threads, and will be holding a workshop (already full), the day after the dinner.  I have to check my thread supplies and take some $ to buy more thread - thread doesn't count as stash!

I managed to get the centre parts of my Christmas Wish quilt stitched yesterday, and cut strips for the final border and binding.  Now I'm off to sew.  I plan to make a pieced backing for this quilt, so I can use more Christmas fabric!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I'm almost caught up on the quilting for projects pieced over the winter.  Once more to go, but I think I'll put my Christmas Wish quilt together first.

I finished my guild BOM version 2 quilt yesterday, but as we've been planting annuals in the garden today, I haven't managed to take a picture of the finished quilt yet.

This is part of the middle border area of the quilt.  It has a block in the centre and one on each end as well.

This is the final border.  I quilted a rope design in the blue areas, and a continuous loop design in all the light areas.

All the star blocks are quilted the same way, with small feathered hooks in the purple pinwheels and boxy lines in the blue.

Once again, my problem is trying to finish up projects already started, while the siren call of new projects is drawing me away!


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