Suburbia

I am pleased to present another finish, one that's been on the stack of USOs for quite some time! USOs are what I call Un-Started Objects, those kits or chunks or bundles of fabrics one gathers with pattern for a quilt you intend to make almost right away...except that 'right away' doesn't happen because other projects, be they must-do's or squirrels or quilt alongs or guild activities, or quilt courses and so on and so forth, get in the way. I have rather a few USOs, ahem. This, however, is no longer one of them!

This was a bundle of fat quarters with accompanying pattern from I believe bluprint, who took over from Craftsy. These tone-on-tone boundless fabrics are beautiful: the hand is so soft, as is the look and texture with a quite floral that undulates through several tones of one colour, so they 'read' solid.

A Flimsy, a Fun Fabrication and a Flag

First of all the flimsy. This is a fat quarter bundle I picked up years ago from Bluprint or perhaps still Craftsy when I bought this. It came with the pattern which is called Suburbia by Cozy Quilts. Gorgeous fabrics and a design that showcases them so well. 

It’s big: 58.5" x 60". I took my time and used my design wall throughout the entire process, working across the quilt with the 17 fabrics to evenly distribute colours and lights and darks. I just need to settle on a backing and then get it loaded and quilted. I'm thinking large meander as I want the fabrics to take centre stage. I have two, make that three, (I just remembered the Gravity kit--why have I waited so long on that?) other Craftsy/Bluprint quilt kits and one tote bag kit to check off my UFO, or rather, USO, list. That's not counting various other USOs and a couple of UFOs, so don't think I only have four items!

Tinker Toys Pattern Release

Yay! Finally, after two long years, I can publish my Tinker Toys design that was in the August 2023 issue of Love of Quilting. I honestly do think that is an exorbitant amount of time to not own the rights to my own design, but, sniff! and hmph! I have not submitted another to them since! You may recall that last fall I did get permission to publish a throw size of the quilt, with my own instructions (they changed them slightly in the magazine) and in a completely different colour scheme. Well, now the baby quilt, throw, and even a cushion cover are all in one pattern. And oh yes, it's on sale all August long weekend!

This perfect spot for a photo, or even a sit😊, which many people do, is the front of The Grove Hotel on Main Street in Kingsville. It's a beautiful old hotel, totally renovated, built in 1854. I think they should have a couple of quilts on those rocking chairs! Might have to approach them...

Gratitude and Glimmers #97

Welcome to my post for the month of all things I like and for which I am grateful. You can find links to more posts like this one at LeeAnna's blog, Not Afraid of Color.

July has been a slow month for stitching and blogging. I have taken it off the past few years and, although I didn’t make it official this year, I did tend to step back a bit. Here we are though, the last Thursday in the month, so I thought I’d pop in with a few little glimmers that have brightened my day over the past month.

1. July 1, Canada Day, saw MacGyver and me at Seacliff amphitheatre for the first of the summer free concerts lineup put on by the town of Leamington and sponsored by a few businesses. This was Forever Seger, a Canadian tribute band out of Toronto who absolutely nailed the Bob Seger band’s sound; MacGyver commented that the female sax player was better than Bob’s! We saw the real Bob in Detroit a few years ago. 

Since that night we’ve seen another Canadian tribute band, Brass Transit, a tribute to the band Chicago. Excellent again. And the Windsor Symphony Orchestra gave an excellent concert this past weekend, playing so many of my favourites. What a venue. I love live music but getting this setting and this quality for free is incredible.

A Little Pick-me-up or Lay-me-down Cushion

This cushion is going to a dear friend who is going through a rough time this summer. Homemade cushions, in my humble opinion, are just the best: quick and satisfying makes, filled with meaning, simply trying out a cool block, and practical. This one ticked all the boxes.

It felt so good to dig through the two piles of Island Batik fabrics in my IKEA Kallax cabinet. Gosh, they were so generous, (I still have lots and lots of leftovers) and wow, their fabrics so divine!

Kismet

After I'd finished my Winter Blues quilt for Project Quilting 16.2. I always wondered if it would work with a jellyroll…and it sure did! It's taken me no less than five quilts (yep, this is number 5!) made in this pattern to finally answer that question! Here is Kismet, and she has quite the story to tell.

Yes, just one jellyroll, well, actually, half of one jellyroll!

Gratitude & Glimmers #96

The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.

--Oprah Winfrey

Welcome to my post for the month of all things I like and for which I am grateful. You can find links to more posts like this one at LeeAnna's blog, Not Afraid of Color. Glimmers are the little things that give me a frisson, if you will, of joy or happiness or excitement, or all three.

I like going for a walk at the marina in Leamington. This year they have put these life-like rubber statues at a few points. We aren't sure why unless it's a deterrent to the Canada geese, whose poop is, uh, rather large and prolific! Rufus was intrigued. I missed the original encounter where he went nose to nose to investigate this strange dog!