WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE????????

I can't believe that I haven't posted since the end of July!

We've been busy, with family, DH has been entertaining at nursing homes and senior residences in our area, along with his friend and bass player, I've been machine quilting more quilts for my guilds community quilts program, and we have been on the road frequently.

Here is the picture of the finished "Autumn Orphan" quilt.  I've also added some close-ups of the quilting.

In early August, our son and family came for a visit, and our grandson, age 2 1/2, stayed with us for a week after his parents returned home.  This is the longest that they had been separated, and the adults didn't do as well as the little one.

He loves construction vehicles, and we picked up 6 small ones for him to play with.  Lucky for us, just a block away, the city was replacing a storm drain, and every day for the length of his visit, he and Grandpa walked over to watch the excavators and dump trucks at work.

We had a great visit!  

When we returned him home, we went to see my middle brother, who was in the hospital.  He was supposed to have a 2 1/2 hour surgery, but it lasted 8 1/2 hours after they detected cancer.

There was a complication on the day after his operation, and he ended up staying in the hospital for four weeks.  He lost almost 40 pounds by the time he returned home.  He is recovering slowly, and still has to undergo radiation and chemo, but has a positive attitude, and a wonderful wife and family to provide him with the support that he needs.

In early September, we had our grandson for another week!  His parents managed better the second time, and discovered that they could get lots done when he was away.  They even had time for a dinner out!   We seem to be constantly packing and unpacking, as our family lives 4 1/2 hours away, and requires us to drive across the city of Toronto each time!  Not for the faint of heart.
We also attended our good friends' daughter's wedding, and we gifted them the double Irish chain quilt.

Since then, I've been busy catching up on my quilting projects, including working on my guild's block of the month project.  Our guild is having a quilt show in June, and I found a few items, and made some more to donate to the boutique.

I made this quick table topper for my guild's Christmas dinner, even though I won't be attending.  I have a large stash of Christmas fabric, and I'm trying to use more of it.  Unfortunately, this only used  1.75 yards.

By the way, I've used 60.25 yards of fabric this year, after deducting the 52 yards that I've added to my stash.

Today I looked through the quilts that I have made since the last show, trying to decide which ones to enter.  Since the entry pictures need to be in by February, (when I'll be south for the winter), I need to select a few now.

Suddenly, it is time to pack for our winter in the south.  I've already sent a notice to be published in our community newsletter, letting everyone know the start date for our weekly quilt group.  Now I just have to plan some projects to take along!

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  14.75 yards

Fabric used year to date  83 yards

Fabric added this week   0 yards

Fabric added year to date  35.5 yards

Net used 2013  47.5 yards

As I reported earlier this week, I finished a quilt (finally) that I made totally from my stash!  Pattern was in an older Quiltmaker magazine, and was called Daisy Pops.  Mine, due to fabric choices, looks nothing like the original!  You can find the post, with pictures of the quilt here! 

My other sewing this week was finishing tote bags for "Every Child Counts", but the only thing I contributed was thread and sewing time!

I gave my daughter-in-law a sewing machine this weekend, so we spent most of this morning giving her a "tour", trying all the features etc.  Her previous experience sewing was done on a hand crank machine.  Her family came from Russia when she was a young teen, and these were common for home sewing.  Her mother ordered a new one, made by Singer shortly after they arrived  in Canada.  It has a beautiful wood case, and lovely gold decals, but she finds it hard to coordinate the right and left hands.

She tried many of the stitches, made 3 different buttonholes and even sewed on a button, just to see how the different jobs were accomplished.  The machine came with a walking and free motion quilting feet, and although she isn't a quilter, you never know.........

Since she wanted to try all the different feet, she tried both.  She managed to stitch a petalled flower, a leaf with veins, and a bee on her first try at free motion!  She reallly has to be a quilter!!!!

DH and I have enjoyed having her and our two sons for the weekend.  My guys like to play lots of different board games - the more complex the rules, the better they like it!  Its great to hear them laugh, and tease each other while they enjoy their time together.

Head over to Judy's blog, Patchwork Times, to see how other's have fared on their stash reports for this week.   

JUDY'S QUILTATHON WEEKEND DAY 1

I had planned to start sewing right after breakfast, but DH had other plans!  We started by checking on the availibility of an item that DS2 wants us to bring north in the spring.  Then a stop at the local fruit and vegetable stand, then off to the grocery store to pick up the other items on our list.  By the time we returned home and put everything away, it was lunch time!

I had fun this afternoon, sewing the block units together for my Godson's quilt.   Then I laid them on the living-room rug to play with the arrangement.  DH helped hunt for blocks that needed to be turned so I wouldn't have two of the same coloured accent strip touching.  

Of course I forgot to take a picture of the block layout, but here is one of the stack of blocks ready to sew together!

I  plan to get an earlier start tomorrow, before my quilting room gets too hot to concentrate.  I have to cut the coloured strips for the first border, then see how I want the final border to look!  DH thought the quilt will be too large, but I want this quilt to grow with him, and since all his family is extremely tall, I figured that the quilt should be large enough to last until he moves away from home!

Check out what others have accomplished today at Judy's blog.
 

A FUN QUILTY DAY

I took the basket of fabric pieces and scraps along to my quilting group, and at the end of the afternoon, there was only a tiny pile of unchosen fabrics!  We also discussed plans to make a couple of baby quilts for the local Pregnancy Care Center. (I'll probably see some of the selected fabric used in these quilts!)

I managed to get my Pick a Pinwheel quilt top finishes, as did one other ambitious quilter.  I helped her to get her top basted before we left for the day.  There were also a couple of table runners nearing completion, as well.

 This picture shows the borders......

This one gives an idea of the whole top - laying on top of my bed.  Next step is to get it basted, ready for quilting.  I'll have to book some time with DH - he is my assistant baster! 

NEW PROJECT

I've always admired the "triangle twist" quilt design.  I found a lesson on drawing the block in Electric Quilt a few years ago and put it in my "to do" list.  After finding the perfect gradated fabrics, I knew that it was time.
I drew the two different blocks last winter, but wanted to wait until we returned north to print all the sheets for paper piecing (I prefer to print these on the laser printer).  One block is for paper piecing, and the other is used to design the layout.
Since all my other projects were caught up, I decided that now is the time!

 These are the first few blocks.  I pre-measured all the sections and made a list of the size strips that are required in each position.  I'm cutting the colours as I go.  I just cut the red pieces, as the next block has brown, gold and red.  Once I figure which colour goes where in the block, I write the colour on the printed side of the paper, to make sure that I don't have to do much "unsewing", always a challenge when paper piecing.  I'm not looking forward to removing the paper, but hopefully that will be TV watching work.
I've been finishing 2-3 blocks each day.  My next challenge will be to figure out how to use the leftover fabric to make an equally fabulous border.  Maybe I'll come up with an idea or two while making the drive the the Kitchener area and back this weekend......

Samples for Bargello Jacket

I made one addition to the jacket pattern - after sewing the strip sets in order, and pressing the seams in one direction, I sewed the bottom strip to the top strip to make a tube.  I have done this on other bargello projects, and it makes it easier to cut the strips, and also to decide which colour should be at the top of each strip, as it changes with each new strip.

The strips are sewn to the inside of the sweatshirt.  This is the beginning of a sleeve.  A line was drawn vertically in the centre of the sleeve, and another drawn at right angles about 3-4 inches from the cuff.  The bargello strips grow by 1/4 inch, beginning with the first cut at 1 1/4 inch wide.  A 3/4 inch accent strip is stitched in between each bargello strip.  I don't usually use many pins, but as you can see, I used lots in this project.

The accent strip adds interest, and makes it less obvious if the seams are not perfectly matched, but I still tried my best.

The design is beginning to emerge.

 Here is one completed sleeve, except for the cuff, which will be covered in the "accent" fabric, matching the narrow strips.  The rest of the pieces look like this:

 They all start with a strip in the centre except the front.  This begins with a narrowest strip sewn to the highest point of the shoulder seam.  It builds in two directions - toward the centre and toward the sides.  This allows a perfect match in the centre.  It is cut into two pieces after all the sewing is complete.  Some of the longer strips require an additional piece sewn to the bottom.
Unfortunately, my jacket won't be making any progress until the rest of the class catches up - our group is very flexible.  When you spend the winter in Florida, you expect the occasional visitor or outing to conflict with quilting!  Now I'm back to working on my scrappy pineapple block project......

New Project with my Wednesday group

 This year, one of the requests was to make a quilted jacket.  I had seen a fractured bargello jacket, made with a sweatshirt on a TV show, so I hunted down the pattern.  It is by Nanette Weaver and is found here.
We began today by cutting up our sweatshirts, and marking the centre of each piece.  The front is left as one piece until all the strips are sewn, so the front edge matches.
I think that the hardest part of this jacket for most of the quilters, was picking out the fabrics.  11 or 12 fabrics are required, plus an accent fabric. 

The picture shows my choices.  The fabric on the far right is my accent fabric, used for the fracture strips, as well as the sleeve cuffs and the binding on all the edges.  So far, 3 have chosen batiks, and one in black and white prints with red accents.  The rest didn't bring their fabric today.  Those who did, managed to get the strips cut, so will probably have their strip sets together to begin sewing onto the sweatshirt parts next week.  I did play a bit to reorganize the order of their fabrics.  Everyone had placed them in dark to light order, but with this project, I think it looks better if you have 2 different areas of dark to light, or change from one colour to the next. 
My jacket parts have to stay as samples until everyone gets started, so I won't be able to show very much progress.  

Baltimore Bliss - past the half-way mark!

Finished block 7 out of 12.  I won't be doing any more for a while, as I plan to pin-baste 3 quilts this afternoon, and I'll be busy machine quilting for a while.  I am also working on some redwork blocks, as they are easy to prepare and provide me with my evening hand-work.  I also need to get my hand-outs ready for my quilting group, as we begin again in January with longer sessions (4 hours with short lunch break).

Design Wall Monday

I finished Raggedy and Friends block 5 just in time for block 6 to be available.  Thanks to Kaaren at the Painted Quilt!
Check out what everyone else is working on at Judy's blog.

Fruit Salad - Top Completed

After stitching the top together, I added a 1 inch finished border in the darker green colour, so the points would float away from the next border.  The purple border is only 1/2 inch wide, finished, then I completed the top with a 3 inch border of the fruit fabric.  I like to use the original fabric in the border to show what it looked like before it was stacked and whacked!

Unfortunately, I'll be putting this away for a while, as we are having company for the next few days.  DH's cousins always stay for a short visit whenever they are passing by.  They are heading north for Christmas with family, back to the land of snow.  I baked pumpernickel bread yesterday, to be used in sandwiches, and this morning I'm making Pasta Fagioli Soup with Spinach.  I soaked the beans overnight, and rinsed them this morning, then let them cook while we were having breakfast and reading the paper.  The soup is simple and has just a few ingredients; Italian sausage meat, tomatoes, onions, garlic, chicken broth, pasta, red wine, Parmesan and spinach.  I plan to serve it for dinner tomorrow, as they called and are bringing steaks for tonight. (They always empty their refrigerator and bring all the leftovers to us!)  I also made a batch of pastry yesterday, so plan to make some tiny mincemeat tarts for dessert.  DH baked some ginger cookies, and I still have some rolled oats shortbread left, so we should have enough goodies to eat.
My quilt group meets this afternoon,  so I have to get my "stuff" together.  I take my mat, extra cutters, rulers, as most only have the basics, an iron (when the group gets bigger, we have an extra couple of irons and ironing boards set up.), books, patterns, etc.

More "Fruit Salad"

That is the name I've chosen for this colourful "Stack n Whack" project.
DH has a great eye for colour, so he helped me audition the blocks on many bolts of fabric.  Colours that I thought would work looked boring or flat, so I finally chose these

These are all the parts ready to lay out the quilt centre.  The "points" fabric is a very pale lime green.  Two were sewn to opposite sides of each hexagon.  The background green 60 degree diamonds were stitched to form the "fill in" pieces.  Larger 60 degree diamonds were cut in half to make straight edges.

 After some rearranging, this is the layout I chose.  The next step is to stitch together the diagonal rows, then the final seams, matching everywhere!  I still left the little "dog ears" that were formed when pressing all the seams open, as they help in matching.
FYI - Bethany Reynolds wrote the original book called "Magic Stack n Whack Quilts", and she has also written several others, found here.  They are lots of fun to make, and I have made several over the years.

Another project begun before the others are finished........

 I spotted this beautiful fruit fabric while making a quick visit to Quilts on Plum Lane in Dade City FL.  Just knew it would make a lovely "Stack n Whack" wallhanging.  Brought it home and cut 6 repeats from half the width of the fabric.

Here are the layers all carefully pinned with my flat flower head pins.  This is the most important and time consuming part of the whole project.  Since the fabric has a small repeat (around 12 inches), I decided to cut the strips 3 1/2 inches wide, through all 6 layers.  I cut a 60 degree angle on one end, then carefully cut 3 1/2 inch wide diamonds, making sure that the 60 degree line is along the bottom of the strip.  Then each diamond was cut in half across the narrow width from point to point, creating 60 degree triangles.  I made sure to mark the edge that was on the straight of grain, so I will keep this edge on the outside when sewing the triangles together.  Each stack of 6 makes a block.  All the seams were pressed open, and the little "dog ears" were left on to aid in lining up the next piece while assembling the blocks.  Here's what I had done in about 2 hours.

I made 18 hexagons, and now I have to shop for the "star points" and background fabrics.  I hope to find a fabric to match the plums for an accent strip.  I have enough hexagons to make some placemats and a table runner as well - but I'll do that later......

Check out what others are making at Judy's blog.

Last set of Pinwheel blocks

I used 4 different background fabrics in the 18 blocks, two lighter and two darker.  DH helped me play with the arrangement on the livingroom rug, (the only place big enough - I miss my design wall more and more each day!)  I found some neat fabric for sashing, and used the leftover teals as corner blocks.  Yesterday we visited my favourite quilt shop, Quilts on Plum Lane in Dade City FL, and DH spotted a great fabric for the backing in their sale/clearance area!
It is washed and pieced ready for basting.....

Finished the dragonfly wall hanging

This was a great kit by WHIMS, that included the pre-cut squares, fabric for the appliques and 2 dragonflies made from angelina fibres.  I used the fusible grid to line up the squares, then it was just a matter of sewing along the rows.  it does make it a bit stiff, but since is is a wall hanging, I don't think it matters.  I used leftover strips from my bins to make the borders and the binding, and even the backing fabric was a cut-off from the backing of another quilt!

 The dragonflies are dimensional.

 I stitched the waterlily and the rushes before layering and quilting.  I used monofilament (invisible) thread to outline the shapes and to do a large meandering in the "sky" area of the wall hanging, as well as to SITD (stitch in the ditch) of the narrow borders.   I stitched some ripples in the "water" area using a mylar type thread - a bit fussy through the fusible, but I persevered.  I just have to label the back before I send it to my son as a gift for his girlfriend.

More Pinwheel blocks

Six more pinwheels.  I'm also trying to finish my dragonfly quilt so I can get it shipped to Canada in time for Christmas.

Design Wall Monday

I have some catching up to do, now that I was able to download my pictures.......

These are the first 6 of 18 pinwheel blocks that I am making in browns and teals.  Last winter DH gave me a kit for a tablerunner in these colours, as well as a few extra fat quarters.  Then I ordered a set of 10 inch squares from Keepsake, called "Coffee and Teal".  I've been having fun matching the colours together.  My plan is to set the blocks on point with sashing, then add a couple of borders.  I've been dedicated to using my stash, but I think I'll still have some of these colours remaining, so I'll have to find another project to try to use them up.  Of course, we all know that in the attempt, I'll have to add more fabric - its just a vicious circle!

Design Wall Monday

I borrowed this picture from www.whims.cc.  DH bought this cute kit for me in Houston.  Our son's girlfriend loves dragonflies, so he thought it would make a great gift.  The kit included the watercolour squares, and the fabrics for fusible applique, along with two wonderful dragonflies made from some angelina fibre, ready to cut out and apply.  The centre is finished, and waiting for some thread painting details.  I also checked my tiny stash in Florida, and I'll have to pick up some fabrics for borders and backing!  (Darn! I have to go shopping....)
Head over to Judy's to see what's new

My computer comes home on Wednesday!

According to tracking info, it should be delivered on the 24th.  I hope the hard drive has been left alone, and only the faulty CD/DVD drive replaced.  I guess I'll find out on Wednesday.
I've been making some pinwheel blocks, using some leftover browns and teals.  I forgot to pack enough fabric for the sashing and border, so I picked up a couple of yards of sale fabric, including a lovely stripe.  I enjoy using stripes in the borders as they look wonderful in a miter!

  More quilts by my quilting group - these were made in 2008, using a "Quilt in a Day" pattern.

Design Wall Monday

I

I finished hand stitching the last applique shape on the third block last night.  I use silk thread and a size 11 needle, stitching about 1/8th of an inch apart.  I also use extra stitches at the points and the inward points, to make sure that they will be secure when washed.  The pattern is from Fat Cat Patterns.
Check out the other design walls at Judy's blog.

Design Wall Monday

I'm having the worst time getting the colours to show correctly when I take a digital picture.  I think it is a combination of my old digital camera and the fluorescent lighting in my sewing room.  The dark squares in the checkerboard area are a warm brown, and there is a darker red and a great purple fabric in these as well.  I guess I'll have to start taking pictures in natural light!
These lovely Raggedy Ann and Andy blocks are from a BOM from The Painted Quilt Blog.  Kaaren adds new blocks on the 20th of the month.  Can't wait for the next one!  I have made a kit of the fabrics I'm using in the quilt, so that I can take it with me to Florida this winter, and continue making the blocks each month.
Head over to Judy's blog to see what is on everyone else's design wall today.