This is my last post for 2018, and it is fitting that I first of all, I finished this little quilt this year, and second, that I get the post published before the end of 2018! The fabrics, batting and some of the thread were provided to me by Island Batik, Hobbs Batting and Aurifil respectively. I am just so happy to have had the opportunity to work with these fibres this past year, top quality products all. This month's challenge was to create something whimsical and/or wonky. I did a little of both with mine.
You may remember the flimsy and the story from this post.
Monday, December 31, 2018
Sunday, December 30, 2018
Best of 2018
With hours left in 2018, I am scrambling to squeeze in a few more things, one of which is this post.
I've participated in all three of Cheryl's previous Best Of linky parties, so I did not want to miss 2018! It's good that I'm doing this, because it made me update my Quilts of 2018 page, which has been sadly neglected since, oh, the last make in August! Gulp. Cheryl of Meadow Mist Designs hosts this linky party on her blog, one of my favourite blogs, I might add. This is the fourth year she's done this. I've always done mine by stats, but this year I'm simply picking my favourite makes. At least that's my intent as I start writing this post! You never know where I may go, if you've read me for any length of time. Heck, I never know where my own post may go, LOL.
I've participated in all three of Cheryl's previous Best Of linky parties, so I did not want to miss 2018! It's good that I'm doing this, because it made me update my Quilts of 2018 page, which has been sadly neglected since, oh, the last make in August! Gulp. Cheryl of Meadow Mist Designs hosts this linky party on her blog, one of my favourite blogs, I might add. This is the fourth year she's done this. I've always done mine by stats, but this year I'm simply picking my favourite makes. At least that's my intent as I start writing this post! You never know where I may go, if you've read me for any length of time. Heck, I never know where my own post may go, LOL.
Saturday, December 29, 2018
DrEAMi! #23 Cushions
Well in this shiny baubles and twinkling lights season, what has attracted your attention quilt-wise? For me, it was a trip into JoAnn's where, instead of heading straight for the Christmas decorations task at hand, I meandered through the sports teams fleece and cottons and just at the end of the section were a couple shelves of... no way! Harry Potter fabric. And Game of Thrones!
According to the Sorting Hat at his daycare when they had a Harry Potter-themed month a couple of years ago, Brady is in Gryffindor. However, he likes Slytherin and Draco, he said to me. So I picked up a yard of fabric for him, and since Brianne is a huge lover of Game of Thrones, a yard of that for her. Oh I didn't forget Dayna either, but that's another story...
According to the Sorting Hat at his daycare when they had a Harry Potter-themed month a couple of years ago, Brady is in Gryffindor. However, he likes Slytherin and Draco, he said to me. So I picked up a yard of fabric for him, and since Brianne is a huge lover of Game of Thrones, a yard of that for her. Oh I didn't forget Dayna either, but that's another story...
Friday, December 28, 2018
Opal Silk Placemats
This was one of a few secret sewing projects for Christmas. My eldest daughter, Brianne, who does not like quilts (I know right?!) requested (again...just sayin') that I make her some placemats to match her dining/kitchen décor.
"Not all quilty."
Translation: minimalist, modern aesthetic. I think I've got this:
"Not all quilty."
Translation: minimalist, modern aesthetic. I think I've got this:
Wednesday, December 26, 2018
I Like/Love #23
Welcome to the final list for 2018 of things for which I'm grateful. I will be linking this up with LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color where there are many more peeps linking up their gratitude posts.
1. I love this decoration which I made in 2015. I saw the idea on Pinterest.2. I love my grand-cat, Harper. I cat-sat for a couple of days while Dayna and Tyler were on their honeymoon. She is the softest of cats, softer even than Bella.
Saturday, December 22, 2018
Wonky and Whimsical
The top for the December challenge is complete! I will have to wait to quilt it until next week, however, as I am not at home until after Christmas.
I knew I wanted to do something Christmassy for the challenge, but there weren't any Christmas-themed batiks in Box 2. I let my thoughts of wonky trees percolate.... As has been the case all this wonderful year of being an Island Batik ambassador, percolating on the back burner of my brain has never let me down.
I knew I wanted to do something Christmassy for the challenge, but there weren't any Christmas-themed batiks in Box 2. I let my thoughts of wonky trees percolate.... As has been the case all this wonderful year of being an Island Batik ambassador, percolating on the back burner of my brain has never let me down.
Sunday, December 16, 2018
Happenings
Things have been rather quiet here for me, and I do apologize to my regular readers. I've not had a lot to write about, and not felt like writing either even when I do...very odd for me! I have been picking away at a few projects, spent a lovely week in Florida with a dear friend where I soaked up some sunshine and visited several other dear friends, even got to go on the water, cruising around the Sarasota Intracoastal waters, soaking up more rays and more information about nature around there.
Here's a bit of what I've been doing in the quilting department...
Yes, that's a real palm tree, on our boat! They let them get to a certain height and then plant them on solid ground and start some more on the boat. |
Here's a bit of what I've been doing in the quilting department...
Thursday, December 6, 2018
Yup I'm Here
**If you're looking for TBT aka Throwback Thursday, thank goodness for Andrée, who is hosting this month at Quilting and Learning - What a Combo! while I am still in a bit of recuperating mode...
My friend Helen, of Midget Gem Quilts told me to take care of myself after the wedding, that she found it "a bit flat". She was right. I was unprepared for how much of an emotional rollercoaster it would be, all rooted in supreme happiness for my 'baby', but poignancy and joy had a tug-of-war in my heart. There was some stress as well, with out of town family in town, some in our house, some not, but the entire wedding weekend went off without a glitch. It was perfection. Magical. Beautiful. Splendour abounded, and a splendid event from the rehearsal to the final goodbyes on Tuesday to departing family.
See what I mean about the Cinderella marries her Prince, Beauty and the Beast, "Tale as old as time; true as it can be..." ambiance? Ahhh....
My friend Helen, of Midget Gem Quilts told me to take care of myself after the wedding, that she found it "a bit flat". She was right. I was unprepared for how much of an emotional rollercoaster it would be, all rooted in supreme happiness for my 'baby', but poignancy and joy had a tug-of-war in my heart. There was some stress as well, with out of town family in town, some in our house, some not, but the entire wedding weekend went off without a glitch. It was perfection. Magical. Beautiful. Splendour abounded, and a splendid event from the rehearsal to the final goodbyes on Tuesday to departing family.
Saturday, November 24, 2018
DrEAMi! #22
This month was another squirrel month! How about you?
This green bird feeder is the best deterrent to squirrels stealing all the bird food. Kind of like Island Batik challenges and their deadlines making me put on blinders and NOT follow the squirrels!! Do you see how she puts her paw on the step where the birds perch? That closes the little window to getting at the bird seed inside the house. Amazing, and the only one that has effectively prevented squirrels from pigging out.
I need to tell you a white squirrel invaded my sewing room this past month...
This green bird feeder is the best deterrent to squirrels stealing all the bird food. Kind of like Island Batik challenges and their deadlines making me put on blinders and NOT follow the squirrels!! Do you see how she puts her paw on the step where the birds perch? That closes the little window to getting at the bird seed inside the house. Amazing, and the only one that has effectively prevented squirrels from pigging out.
I need to tell you a white squirrel invaded my sewing room this past month...
Thursday, November 22, 2018
I Like/Love #22
Here is my list of likes/loves/gratitude for November.
1. I like Traverse City.
It's one of those eclectic smaller cities with a personality all its own. I took Dayna up there, as you know, for a mama/daughter weekend before her wedding. It is located in prime cherry-growing country so I treated myself to tasting some cherry wines, and bringing home some dark chocolate-covered cherries and cherry turtles - yum! MacGyver got some cherry BBQ sauce.
1. I like Traverse City.
The big fat fluffy flakes of snow falling DID show up! |
It's one of those eclectic smaller cities with a personality all its own. I took Dayna up there, as you know, for a mama/daughter weekend before her wedding. It is located in prime cherry-growing country so I treated myself to tasting some cherry wines, and bringing home some dark chocolate-covered cherries and cherry turtles - yum! MacGyver got some cherry BBQ sauce.
Ah Lake Michigan...but this is just a dot of its grandeur, Grand Traverse Bay looking northeast |
Friday, November 16, 2018
Bijoux et Bisous Finish
Yay me! This was my November OMG and it is done and dusted...with snow!
This is my RSC2018 quilt. That little cutie with her Detroit Lions toque and Canada Olympic mittens behind the quilt is the recipient of the quilt, my daughter Dayna. I took her up to Traverse City, Michigan, for a mama/daughter weekend away. We had fun. This little lake was the view from our Air BnB suite.
Can you spot the butterfly I FMQ-ed in the approximate centre? More as to its significance later. |
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
November Blogger Bundle & Giveaway
Yes! A big secret I've held onto (see Dayna? I can...) for most of this year can finally be let out of ....
the bag!😝
Welcome to everyone, new readers and regular ones.
Many months ago Bernie of Needle & Foot emailed me asking if I'd like to be the November Blogger Bundle chooser-upper. Pinch me? I was and am excited and so honoured that she asked me! It's another one of those things I've seen other bloggers do; the first one was Alyssa at Pile o' Fabric, and I thought, wow, I want to be her one day...well, I guess that day is today!
Without further ado, here are the fabrics I put together. It was such a fun process.
This last Blogger Bundle for Needle & Foot for 2018 is extra-special: Bernie, in her generosity and inclusive nature, had the idea to have two giveaways, and asked if I'd be willing to send a bundle to one of my Canadian readers, while she would hold a giveaway for American readers. Anyone who's hung around my blog for any length of time knows how much I value inclusiveness, so I absolutely love this aspect of this month's Blogger Bundle. Would you like to open up that bundle?
the bag!😝
Welcome to everyone, new readers and regular ones.
Many months ago Bernie of Needle & Foot emailed me asking if I'd like to be the November Blogger Bundle chooser-upper. Pinch me? I was and am excited and so honoured that she asked me! It's another one of those things I've seen other bloggers do; the first one was Alyssa at Pile o' Fabric, and I thought, wow, I want to be her one day...well, I guess that day is today!
Without further ado, here are the fabrics I put together. It was such a fun process.
Beauties, right?! |
Saturday, November 3, 2018
November OMG and RSC Flimsy
Well, I didn't wait to hear from anyone in the post where I showed this possible layout on the design wall to be honest, and I sewed up the proposed layout for my RSC2018 quilt top!
I love it, and am glad I did this little-bit-unconventional layout.
I love it, and am glad I did this little-bit-unconventional layout.
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Throwback Thursday #11 Falling Leaves
Welcome to the eleventh edition of TBT here at mmm! quilts, where we document and talk about our pre-blogging days quilty makes. A big thank you to Andrée of Quilting & Learning - What a Combo, who hosted October's linky and who will also host December's, giving me a break from all the celebrating going on at the end of this month when Dayna gets married, eeek!!
Remember to hashtag on Instagram #throwbackthursdayquilts
This month's quilt is one I named Falling Leaves. Very original. LOL However the design is original.
It actually began my fascination with layers, or superimposed images, in quilting. I made it 15 years ago for a challenge with the guild I was in at the time. Spoiler: I didn't win.
Remember to hashtag on Instagram #throwbackthursdayquilts
This month's quilt is one I named Falling Leaves. Very original. LOL However the design is original.
It actually began my fascination with layers, or superimposed images, in quilting. I made it 15 years ago for a challenge with the guild I was in at the time. Spoiler: I didn't win.
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Fallen Sky
If I were a James Bond aficionado, I guess I would have changed the name of my quilt to Skyfall. But I'm not, and he doesn't put me in mind of a piece of sky, which this quilt, along with the gemstone turquoise, both do. Funnily enough, when searching the gemstone for quilt name ideas, I came across a few references to a piece of the sky fallen to earth, but this one, "carved from an azure heaven and slipped to earth," I particularly love, as it's so eloquent.
This is the October challenge for us ambassadors for Island Batik. We were to make a quilt using a paper-piecing technique, either English paper-piecing or foundation paper-piecing. This one is made using the latter. All the fabrics (except the backing) were supplied by Island Batik. All of the threads except the purple was supplied by Aurifil, and the batting is Hobbs Batting, though I purchased it myself!
This is the October challenge for us ambassadors for Island Batik. We were to make a quilt using a paper-piecing technique, either English paper-piecing or foundation paper-piecing. This one is made using the latter. All the fabrics (except the backing) were supplied by Island Batik. All of the threads except the purple was supplied by Aurifil, and the batting is Hobbs Batting, though I purchased it myself!
Saturday, October 27, 2018
DrEAMi! #21
I know it sounds cliché but where did this month go? And do not, I repeat, do NOT tell me how many, or should I type few, days there are before Christmas! While I should be focusing on my Island Batik project of the month (super excited to reveal this) and various Christmas gifts, I of course got waylaid by a pesky idea that scrabbled around, and kept popping up, nut in its mouth, willing me to come play. Yep, I got sucked in by a squirrel this month.
Actually a few...
Actually a few...
Thursday, October 25, 2018
I Like/Love #21
This month's I Like/Love post kind of sneaked up on me. October doesn't end until next week, but next Thursday is November 1, so here we are, and here are my 10+ likes for the month.
1. I got to see this in the piecing stage and it was breathtaking then. I got to see it in the finished stage, and she quilted it to life! No surprise; Judy is an incredibly talented quilter.
She entered this into the quilt show in Payson, AZ, and won an Honourable Mention ribbon.🙌 Well-done my friend!
1. I got to see this in the piecing stage and it was breathtaking then. I got to see it in the finished stage, and she quilted it to life! No surprise; Judy is an incredibly talented quilter.
She entered this into the quilt show in Payson, AZ, and won an Honourable Mention ribbon.🙌 Well-done my friend!
Saturday, October 20, 2018
It's Easy Being Green!
Forest or sage green is the RSC colour of the month for Angela's soscrappy challenge. I do love forest green, such an intense colour with depths of mystery and beauty both. I have quite a bit of scraps of it too; didn't have to cut any 2.5" squares to get 32 for my two blocks. I did have to cut 3" squares for the HSTs.
Both forest and sage feature in these. It's looking like that around me now, the grass is an incredible emerald green, the English oak and another mystery tree, maybe a beech, a rich forest green, the original mystery tree I asked about turning a yellow-green and yellow, and the black walnuts a medium green. Lots of green shades for sure! I laid all 20 blocks out on the design wall and played around a little to see if I need to add more or how to set them...
Both forest and sage feature in these. It's looking like that around me now, the grass is an incredible emerald green, the English oak and another mystery tree, maybe a beech, a rich forest green, the original mystery tree I asked about turning a yellow-green and yellow, and the black walnuts a medium green. Lots of green shades for sure! I laid all 20 blocks out on the design wall and played around a little to see if I need to add more or how to set them...
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
Q4FAL - My List
It never ceases to amaze me how fast a quarter goes by... (and don't tell me, although someone did but I've forgotten; menopause foggy brain can be good at times) how many or rather, how few, weeks there are until Christmas.
How did I do from Q3? Like a quilt retreat, I never get as much done as I plan to! Here's the collage of projects on the list that were completed; note that the Twinkle Sprinkles, the stars quilt, got finished a few days after the Q3 deadline, drat, but I'm including it in the collage because it's kind of in no-man's-land, between the two quarters.
Not bad. 70% if you count the stars one that was a few days past the deadline.
So a few of the Q3 projects are being moved to Q4 list and I'm adding in a couple more. I'm trying to leave room to play as well, to allow myself to chase a few squirrels, especially the green and red ones of the Christmas kind!
How did I do from Q3? Like a quilt retreat, I never get as much done as I plan to! Here's the collage of projects on the list that were completed; note that the Twinkle Sprinkles, the stars quilt, got finished a few days after the Q3 deadline, drat, but I'm including it in the collage because it's kind of in no-man's-land, between the two quarters.
Not bad. 70% if you count the stars one that was a few days past the deadline.
So a few of the Q3 projects are being moved to Q4 list and I'm adding in a couple more. I'm trying to leave room to play as well, to allow myself to chase a few squirrels, especially the green and red ones of the Christmas kind!
Sunday, October 14, 2018
Twinkle Sprinkles September Starstruck Challenge
Nearly two weeks late, my quilt for the Island Batik Starstruck Challenge is finally done! Island Batik provided me with these luscious fabrics, Aurifil provided the white thread, and Hobbs Batting the cotton/wool batting. I am a lucky girl indeed.
The September challenge asked us to make a quilt using stars of any kind. My favourite block! The hard part of the challenge for me was narrowing it down to which star block, and what setting, and then, of course, which fabrics to use. Oh the woes of being an Island Batik ambassador.
Isn't that monthly logo just so perfect? I could have happily made a quilt exactly like that. But no, I had bought Cindy's pattern (Stitchin' at Home) which is a wonderful stars pattern, so off I went.
The September challenge asked us to make a quilt using stars of any kind. My favourite block! The hard part of the challenge for me was narrowing it down to which star block, and what setting, and then, of course, which fabrics to use. Oh the woes of being an Island Batik ambassador.
Isn't that monthly logo just so perfect? I could have happily made a quilt exactly like that. But no, I had bought Cindy's pattern (Stitchin' at Home) which is a wonderful stars pattern, so off I went.
Saturday, October 13, 2018
UFO Busting #33.5
Welcome to Tish's UFO Busting party! While she is busting up UFOs and stompin' all over them, eating pie, and doing some shopping with blogger friends in Ohio, I am hosting the party for her this week.
Welcome! Tish and I go a ways back... to a certain New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop 2015, during which we further bonded over books and pibbles. We've gotten up to all kinds of quilty fun over the past 3.5 years, some of it finished, some not. One of our sew-together projects that we both have not finished is the Sewcial Bee Sampler Quilt Along, though she is further along now than I am. Anja joined us, and since she has been in India, I haven't bothered to even try to catch up with Tish...Anja's my excuse ha! Let's take a look at what has been occupying 99% of my quilting time this week...
Welcome! Tish and I go a ways back... to a certain New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop 2015, during which we further bonded over books and pibbles. We've gotten up to all kinds of quilty fun over the past 3.5 years, some of it finished, some not. One of our sew-together projects that we both have not finished is the Sewcial Bee Sampler Quilt Along, though she is further along now than I am. Anja joined us, and since she has been in India, I haven't bothered to even try to catch up with Tish...Anja's my excuse ha! Let's take a look at what has been occupying 99% of my quilting time this week...
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
Free Motion Motif Tutorial
As promised, here is a quick tutorial for a fast, fun and easy all-over meander. It's easy to do on either a domestic or a longarm. I first saw it in a long-ago issue of American Patchwork & Quilting on a quilt, back when "Quilt as desired" was all you'd get for quilting suggestions, and maybe, just maybe, you could figure out some of the motif from photos.
As Angela says, "Let's get started!" (btw did you see her new QAL, 'Glorious Dawn'? So pretty in any one of the three colourways... on bluprint? (affiliate link) You can watch for free during their 'Get Started With Bluprint' Event, on now through Oct. 12. I'm finding I watch more because I signed up for the year subscription, and I'm not worrying so much if I'm sewing while 'watching', something I never do because I can't do both of those things well at the same time. However, now I listen and look up once in awhile, and if it's something I'm really interested in, right within the app it remembers where you'd left off, just like Netflix, so, when I am not sewing, I can go back, rewind a bit and pay proper attention!
Okay, tutorial for this FMQ meander which I used on my Throwback Thursday quilt post, Sunny Days:
As Angela says, "Let's get started!" (btw did you see her new QAL, 'Glorious Dawn'? So pretty in any one of the three colourways... on bluprint? (affiliate link) You can watch for free during their 'Get Started With Bluprint' Event, on now through Oct. 12. I'm finding I watch more because I signed up for the year subscription, and I'm not worrying so much if I'm sewing while 'watching', something I never do because I can't do both of those things well at the same time. However, now I listen and look up once in awhile, and if it's something I'm really interested in, right within the app it remembers where you'd left off, just like Netflix, so, when I am not sewing, I can go back, rewind a bit and pay proper attention!
Okay, tutorial for this FMQ meander which I used on my Throwback Thursday quilt post, Sunny Days:
Thursday, October 4, 2018
Throwback Thursday #10 Sunny Days
Since I am feeling a little down with the departure of sweet Brady and his mom, (ya she spells it that way) yesterday afternoon, I thought this would be an à propos post. First of all, please note that Andrée has graciously offered to host a couple of TBT's this last half of the year, and so October and December, the linky will be on her blog, Quilting & Learning - what a combo. Thanks so much, Andrée! If you are at all into the Fab Four, aka The Beatles, you might want to hop over and check out her post today. 😁
Here's my Sunny Days quilt, a quilt that was originally intended for Baby Brady, before we knew he'd be a he!
A couple of firsts happened with this quilt.
Here's my Sunny Days quilt, a quilt that was originally intended for Baby Brady, before we knew he'd be a he!
A couple of firsts happened with this quilt.
Saturday, September 29, 2018
DrEAMi! #20
Twenty parties. Twenty celebrations of chasing shiny baubles that distract us from our quilty path. Such fun we have had! And continue to have. In case this is your first time to the party, it's a DrEAMi! (Drop Everything And Make it!) party where we celebrate GETTING distracted, and show off what we've just had to make.
Have you stored some of the squirrelly nuts or nuggets away that we've seen over the past 20 posts for future chasing? I know I have. I know our squirrels have been doing it too...
What is a picture of our SUV doing as the lead photo? Look closely. At the wheel. Not the tire, the wheel. Notice anything odd? Something green? Looks a bit like a tennis ball? Yup. Not a tennis ball, though nearly as big. It's a black walnut. They're encased in those chartreuse, similar to a very thick orange peel, coverings, inside of which is the walnut. My daughter Brianne, who is here visiting us with her son, our grandson, Brady, noticed that our squirrels have been storing nuts (and even a small green tomato off my plant!) in rather ingenious places! This is one of the best ones yet.
Have you stored some of the squirrelly nuts or nuggets away that we've seen over the past 20 posts for future chasing? I know I have. I know our squirrels have been doing it too...
What is a picture of our SUV doing as the lead photo? Look closely. At the wheel. Not the tire, the wheel. Notice anything odd? Something green? Looks a bit like a tennis ball? Yup. Not a tennis ball, though nearly as big. It's a black walnut. They're encased in those chartreuse, similar to a very thick orange peel, coverings, inside of which is the walnut. My daughter Brianne, who is here visiting us with her son, our grandson, Brady, noticed that our squirrels have been storing nuts (and even a small green tomato off my plant!) in rather ingenious places! This is one of the best ones yet.
Thursday, September 27, 2018
I Like/Love #20 and Giveaway Winners
First of all, thank you to all who left such kind, thoughtful comments on my blog-iversary post for the giveaway. Here are the winners of the five prizes as chosen by Rafflecopter:
1. Five times 2 = 10 2.5" strips of Alpine Jingle by Island Batik: Nancy A. in America
2. Fifth published pattern of mine in Modern Patchwork magazine Sept/Oct issue: Miriam in America
3. 5-item bundle of Captiva plus pattern: Michele T. in Canada
4. Five fat quarters of Wonderlust by Benartex: Dione in Australia
5. 1.25 total yards of Acorn Park by Connecting Threads: Kathy E. in America
Winners have been emailed for addresses!
Second of all, I suddenly have become a no-reply-blogger on blogger blogs with embedded comments. I have spent a couple of hours trying to fix, using the link on my own blog, here, using more recent 'fixes', and even though my profile is blogger, not Google+, and I have checked the 'show my email' box in my profile, I am still a no-reply. If anyone out there know what has happened, and perhaps how to fix it, please let me know in the comments box. I seem to be okay on my phone however. So bizarre. All right grumpiness out, on with the good. I also tried the sign out on my iPhone, went on the laptop, signed out, then signed back in on the laptop. Nope. My comment disappears into the ether; the Google box stays grey.
1. I love dogs, big dogs especially. Pibbles and Rotties are two of the top big breeds I love. Ergo, I love this photo, taken by Lindsay who writes a terrific food blog, Pinch of Yum:
She actually saw that a few weeks ago, in St. Paul, MN. Bahaha! I like that she has recently become the mama of a baby girl.
1. Five times 2 = 10 2.5" strips of Alpine Jingle by Island Batik: Nancy A. in America
2. Fifth published pattern of mine in Modern Patchwork magazine Sept/Oct issue: Miriam in America
3. 5-item bundle of Captiva plus pattern: Michele T. in Canada
4. Five fat quarters of Wonderlust by Benartex: Dione in Australia
5. 1.25 total yards of Acorn Park by Connecting Threads: Kathy E. in America
Winners have been emailed for addresses!
Second of all, I suddenly have become a no-reply-blogger on blogger blogs with embedded comments. I have spent a couple of hours trying to fix, using the link on my own blog, here, using more recent 'fixes', and even though my profile is blogger, not Google+, and I have checked the 'show my email' box in my profile, I am still a no-reply. If anyone out there know what has happened, and perhaps how to fix it, please let me know in the comments box. I seem to be okay on my phone however. So bizarre. All right grumpiness out, on with the good. I also tried the sign out on my iPhone, went on the laptop, signed out, then signed back in on the laptop. Nope. My comment disappears into the ether; the Google box stays grey.
1. I love dogs, big dogs especially. Pibbles and Rotties are two of the top big breeds I love. Ergo, I love this photo, taken by Lindsay who writes a terrific food blog, Pinch of Yum:
She actually saw that a few weeks ago, in St. Paul, MN. Bahaha! I like that she has recently become the mama of a baby girl.
Friday, September 21, 2018
Two Take-Along Bags
Check! Another one of this quarter's goals have been accomplished. My list is here.
First though, if you haven't visited my Happy 5th Blog-iversary post where there is not one but five giveaways up for grabs, be sure to do so. You have until midnight tomorrow night to enter.
Both daughters requested I make them another makeup bag using Lazy Girl Designs Take-Along bag. When I was finishing up Dayna's, I did a mental count and I do believe these two are number 7 and 8 using this pattern!
Here is Brianne's:
And here is Dayna's:
First though, if you haven't visited my Happy 5th Blog-iversary post where there is not one but five giveaways up for grabs, be sure to do so. You have until midnight tomorrow night to enter.
Both daughters requested I make them another makeup bag using Lazy Girl Designs Take-Along bag. When I was finishing up Dayna's, I did a mental count and I do believe these two are number 7 and 8 using this pattern!
Here is Brianne's:
And here is Dayna's:
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
Happy 5th Blog-iversary mmm! quilts
Five years ago today, after waffling for months, I finally wrote a blog post and published it. I still recall that vulnerable feeling of having sent something out into the world, where any and all eyes could see it... However, I have never yet not learned, not grown from facing a fear, so that was partly why I decided to just jump into the Quilting Blogland pool... and found the water warm and welcoming indeed. Here's the quilt I was working on at the time of that first post, still one of my all-time favourite makes:
I think five years is rather auspicious, so I decided to celebrate in fine form this year, with a blog post that has five sections of five points each:
Seaside Rose |
- Five Favourite Quilting Tips
- Five Favourite Blogging Tips
- Five most popular/favourite Blog Posts
- Five Favourite QBL Activities
- Five Prizes Giveaway
Sounds like fun? Come on in and let's party!
Friday, September 14, 2018
Knitted Selvages Rug - A Finish!
Yay for another item to cross off my Q3FAL List which is here. I started this exactly a year ago (knitters extraordinaire like Helen in Ireland and Sue in England may roll their eyes at my tortoise pace) and I've just picked away at it here and there, as my selvages stock grew, (that was my first excuse) and then as I accumulated lots and lots of them, my excuse was, well, nothing.
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
A Quilt for a Little Boy
This was a DrEAMi! project. For those of you who are not familiar with that term, it stands for those projects where you just have to Drop Everything And Make it! They are also known as squirrels. All squirrels are urgent; some are fun; others are desperately needed. This quilt falls into the latter category; it had to get made because of a tragic event...
Back in the first of my final 15 years of my teaching career, at a Junior High in Sherwood Park, I taught a beautiful girl named Shannon. I soon learned that her dad also taught at the school, but little did I know he and I would become very good friends. This quilt is for his grandson, Shannon's son, who is just 6 years old.
Back in the first of my final 15 years of my teaching career, at a Junior High in Sherwood Park, I taught a beautiful girl named Shannon. I soon learned that her dad also taught at the school, but little did I know he and I would become very good friends. This quilt is for his grandson, Shannon's son, who is just 6 years old.
The wind and the rain hung around all weekend; the quilt is not that friendly... 😄 |
Friday, September 7, 2018
Wildflower Pinwheel Placemats Published!
I am published again.😁 This makes five publications, (the number five is an auspicious number of late!) four digital and one print. Six if you count the Moda Bakeshop one I guess! A new edition of Modern By the Yard is out as of today, woot! woot! and I am super-excited to let you know of more secret sewing that was done a few months back, June to be exact.
You can click the ezine cover which will take you to Benartex Fabrics' blog, Sew in Love With Fabric. I hope you are on their email list so you never miss a post; there's always lots of new fabric lines information, designer interviews, blog hops, and giveaways from time to time too! Here is my project in this issue:
You can click the ezine cover which will take you to Benartex Fabrics' blog, Sew in Love With Fabric. I hope you are on their email list so you never miss a post; there's always lots of new fabric lines information, designer interviews, blog hops, and giveaways from time to time too! Here is my project in this issue:
See one's own work professionally photographed never ceases to thrill! |
Thursday, September 6, 2018
Throwback Thursday #9 Windy Day Fun
It's Thursday, right?! The first Thursday of the month...yikes! It's Throwback Thursday, aka TBT!
I did not forget about it, honestly I did not. I just didn't write the post ahead of time, and then, yeah, right about 8:15 am when I finished my Yin yoga practice, zing! When I did my Yin on Monday, I thought I'd do this month's post on this quilt, because I often use it when I do Yin through the summer months. This is called Windy Day Fun. I love all the secondary patterns you see from simple squares, triangles, and rectangles.
I did not forget about it, honestly I did not. I just didn't write the post ahead of time, and then, yeah, right about 8:15 am when I finished my Yin yoga practice, zing! When I did my Yin on Monday, I thought I'd do this month's post on this quilt, because I often use it when I do Yin through the summer months. This is called Windy Day Fun. I love all the secondary patterns you see from simple squares, triangles, and rectangles.
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Update on Projects and OMG
As you know by now, I really enjoy sharing with you 'the process', and reading about that very thing on others' blogs. Here are some of my ongoing projects, as well as my OMG for September, which is this quilt in progress:
...which I hope to have the centre section complete (that's 156 6" blocks with sashing and cornerstones) by the end of the month. I'm putting them together in the order in which they were released, with my six blocks interspersed. I'll highlight those once the quilt centre is complete. Yes, there are borders! It may very well end up being my biggest quilt to date. I may have to do a final piece count...
This is my 150 Canadian Women quilt, a quilt along I did with Kat of Next Step Quilt Designs from December 2016 through October 2017. My first post is here, December 6, 2016, and my last is here, January 3, 2018. Canada celebrated her sesquicentennial July 1, 2017, and this was the project, three blocks per week for a total of 150. For this layout you needed to make six more, which I did, for a total of 156 (12 X 13 blocks layout). I have the first six rows sewn together, and row 7 is done as well, and pinned on the design wall. I found sewing the rows into groups of three worked well, and then I sewed the group of three rows to make the group of six. This is what I plan to do for the bottom half. Whether row 7 will get sewn to rows 1-6 or start the bottom section of rows 7-13, I haven't decided! The bulk of the quilt has been sewn on my Featherweights, 1951 Tillie, and 1947 Billie. I am in LOVE, mad crazy effervescing love with this quilt. It's huge. Can you see the tiny cornerstones that finish at 1"?! It's a plaid-type print from the 'With Glowing Hearts' line by Moda. Perfection!
Please note: these are all reds: shades, tints, hues, so they go from bright red, to burgundies to pinks, corals |
This is my 150 Canadian Women quilt, a quilt along I did with Kat of Next Step Quilt Designs from December 2016 through October 2017. My first post is here, December 6, 2016, and my last is here, January 3, 2018. Canada celebrated her sesquicentennial July 1, 2017, and this was the project, three blocks per week for a total of 150. For this layout you needed to make six more, which I did, for a total of 156 (12 X 13 blocks layout). I have the first six rows sewn together, and row 7 is done as well, and pinned on the design wall. I found sewing the rows into groups of three worked well, and then I sewed the group of three rows to make the group of six. This is what I plan to do for the bottom half. Whether row 7 will get sewn to rows 1-6 or start the bottom section of rows 7-13, I haven't decided! The bulk of the quilt has been sewn on my Featherweights, 1951 Tillie, and 1947 Billie. I am in LOVE, mad crazy effervescing love with this quilt. It's huge. Can you see the tiny cornerstones that finish at 1"?! It's a plaid-type print from the 'With Glowing Hearts' line by Moda. Perfection!
Friday, August 31, 2018
In the Shadow of the Plus in Modern Patchwork
I can finally write about my quilt which is in the current issue of Modern Patchwork! You can get your copy now in major stores and bookstores, or click the link in the sidebar to purchase online.
It started with my fifth design, back on February 10, that I drew in the second #30quiltdesignschallenge2018 I hosted on Instagram this past spring. The design got a ton of interest and likes, and I knew it was a good'un, so I removed it from Instagram. I played with it a bit and came up with the shadowed plus signs floating on a large background plus. I then decided to submit it to Modern Patchwork in early March, and it was accepted!
It started with my fifth design, back on February 10, that I drew in the second #30quiltdesignschallenge2018 I hosted on Instagram this past spring. The design got a ton of interest and likes, and I knew it was a good'un, so I removed it from Instagram. I played with it a bit and came up with the shadowed plus signs floating on a large background plus. I then decided to submit it to Modern Patchwork in early March, and it was accepted!
Thursday, August 30, 2018
I Like/Love #19
1. I like rainbows. I really like rainbow quilts; they never get old to me. Here are my blocks for January to August in order.
I can't wait to find out September's colour. These are split 9-patch, four put together. I got the idea from Ariane of Ariane Quilts.
I can't wait to find out September's colour. These are split 9-patch, four put together. I got the idea from Ariane of Ariane Quilts.
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Moovin' On Up
This is the second quilt I made for Sarah's Hands2Help charity quilt drive at Confessions of a Fabric Addict. It's also my finished quilt for Roseanne's No Stress Sew Along at Home Sewn By Us. It's also on my Q3FAL list which is here!
The pattern is a free one off Sew Mama Sew and was one of Roseanne's three choices you could do for her SAL. It's designed by Alyssa of Pile o' Fabric. I had the flimsy done back in July, and the quilt in the first few days of August during my blog-cation.
The pattern is a free one off Sew Mama Sew and was one of Roseanne's three choices you could do for her SAL. It's designed by Alyssa of Pile o' Fabric. I had the flimsy done back in July, and the quilt in the first few days of August during my blog-cation.
Monday, August 27, 2018
The Great Outdoors Island Batik Blog Hop Week 4 & Giveaway
Wow, it's week 4 of the Island Batik blog hop, and I know my mind is reeling seeing all of the creativity in our circle. There is so much creativity, period, in QBL, aka Quilting Blog Land, isn't there? I've said all my life, too many books, not enough time, and that's is still oh SO TRUE, but now it also applies to quilts! And here we have give whole weeks, two to three posts per day of quilty inspiration and beautiful batiks! It's almost too much....na, one can never have too much quilty eye candy.
You will find the giveaway on Island Batik's blog, and giveaways at each of the bloggers' stops. My own is here!
You will find the giveaway on Island Batik's blog, and giveaways at each of the bloggers' stops. My own is here!
Saturday, August 25, 2018
DrEAMi! #19
Yikes! Nearly forgot about DrEAMi!; how can August be nearly over? But next Saturday is September 1...
Welcome to the 19th linky for those squirrelly distractions in your quilty life. No guilt here, just pure celebration of our quilter ADD natures right? I was thinking just now of how my DrEAMi! came from a DrEAMi! of Anja's, and so squirrels breed more squirrels, just like rabbits....
Does that make my DrEAMi! this month a squabbit?! 😂
That's 'our' bunny, a gorgeous, huge, clearly used-to-be-domestic rabbit we see quite often who lives on the side of the road by where we park to walk the Greenway. And that's a hind end of a black squirrel, common here in southwestern Ontario. I need to brush up my melding skills, ha!
Update:
Yay for Rose of Something Rose Made! My new art department...
Funny caption forthcoming. OMG be sure to check out the graphic on her DrEAMi! post!
Welcome to the 19th linky for those squirrelly distractions in your quilty life. No guilt here, just pure celebration of our quilter ADD natures right? I was thinking just now of how my DrEAMi! came from a DrEAMi! of Anja's, and so squirrels breed more squirrels, just like rabbits....
Does that make my DrEAMi! this month a squabbit?! 😂
That's 'our' bunny, a gorgeous, huge, clearly used-to-be-domestic rabbit we see quite often who lives on the side of the road by where we park to walk the Greenway. And that's a hind end of a black squirrel, common here in southwestern Ontario. I need to brush up my melding skills, ha!
Update:
Yay for Rose of Something Rose Made! My new art department...
Funny caption forthcoming. OMG be sure to check out the graphic on her DrEAMi! post!
Thursday, August 23, 2018
Free Motion Fantasy Blog Hop and Giveaway
Welcome to my stop on the Free Motion Fantasy Blog Hop, showcasing Amanda Murphy's newly released line, Free Motion Fantasy. I was super-excited to be asked to participate in this hop; I love Amanda's style, her fabrics and her free-motion quilting prowess. Fabric that incorporates her beautiful FMQ? I'm in! Be sure to check out the link; betcha want 'em all! I know I did.
And just look at that fabric on the hop button.... Right?!!
I decided to sew up one of my designs I sketched while on an extended stay at my darling grandson Brady's house last summer. This fabric is perfection for this design, which I've made as a bed runner.
I decided to sew up one of my designs I sketched while on an extended stay at my darling grandson Brady's house last summer. This fabric is perfection for this design, which I've made as a bed runner.
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
The Great Outdoors Blog Hop: Maple Leaf Rag and Giveaway
Years ago I learned to play that song on the piano, along with 'The Entertainer'. Sorry for any earworms (I have one myself now, urk!) I loved the beat of ragtime, still do. Scott Joplin could write some great jaunty little tunes! And Joanne of Canuck Quilter, sure can design some great patterns! This is one of hers. I thought the tumbling maple leaves rather jaunty, and the name just popped into my head. This quilt is on my Q3FAL List which is here.
You've had several sneak peeks of this quilt under construction, but I'd bet you had no idea how those maples leaves, and HSTs à la Postcard from Sweden would end up. Well, drum roll.....
Ta da! The quilt in a tree shot I'm known for in QBL. Yup, that's in a maple tree, a silver maple, in our neighbours' front yard. This is my stop on the Great Outdoors Blog Hop for Island Batik, and I am so glad you've stopped by! My line is Dear William (that link will take you to it). Thank you so much to Island Batik for these lush fabrics, to Hobbs Batting for the batting, and to Aurifil for the beautiful threads, all supplied to me in my box back in February! Come on in, and see the quilt in its entirety!
You've had several sneak peeks of this quilt under construction, but I'd bet you had no idea how those maples leaves, and HSTs à la Postcard from Sweden would end up. Well, drum roll.....
Ta da! The quilt in a tree shot I'm known for in QBL. Yup, that's in a maple tree, a silver maple, in our neighbours' front yard. This is my stop on the Great Outdoors Blog Hop for Island Batik, and I am so glad you've stopped by! My line is Dear William (that link will take you to it). Thank you so much to Island Batik for these lush fabrics, to Hobbs Batting for the batting, and to Aurifil for the beautiful threads, all supplied to me in my box back in February! Come on in, and see the quilt in its entirety!
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