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!

Glowing Hearts - Winners!

Wow! Seventeen quilts made this year, and what absolute beauties. I am truly grateful that each of you took time out to make this quilt. I love seeing all the various spins you put on it as well. To me, a quilt pattern can be made as is, or can be a jumping-off point for your own personal touch.

I am also truly grateful that once again, I have generous sponsors who offer some pretty sweet prizes. Let's see who won!

Garden-Themed Totebag

Last week I mentioned that I'd had another commissioned totebag. Well, it has now been delivered to a very happy customer. She gave me a bit of an idea of what colours based on two makeup bags she'd seen on my Instagram feed, the navy one that was a gift and the black and white one in my shop. So here is where we ended up:

Quite the departure! 

Glowing Hearts QAL - The Parade!

Welcome to the ninth annual Parade of Quilts for my Quilt Along! First of all, I want to pause, as I always do, and think of you, Dad, on this day. You always thought it extra-special when your birthday happened to fall on Father's Day. I miss you still. I know you would love that my Quilt Alongs always end with a parade on your birthday.

I am so excited, as always, to see the lineup! It's such a thrill, and it never gets old, seeing what people do with a design of mine.