What comes next?

2012 Free Motion Challenge - January

2012-01-29T18:10:00.000-08:00

I like Free motion quilting, and I like to practice as much as I can, which, unfortunately, isn't always as much as I would like! The first month of SewCalGal's 2012 Free Motion Quilting Challenge is done. Frances Moore provided a couple of tutorials as well as some tips - it was a great first month, and I am looking forward to the next 11 months with great anticipation.
Here are my practice pieces for the month of January:

first practice piece

I get really bored, really fast just working on quilt sandwiches, so I always try to have a donation quilt handy to do my practicing on.

in progress

quilting done

Frances showed us a variation on this leafy design which incorporated a swirl - I really liked the look of this one as well, and just happened to have another baby quilt needing something in a border - perfect!

swirly leaf - fancy heart!

Thank you Frances! Now, to get all set for Diane Gaudynski and her feather plumes!

Today, taking a cue from Leah Day's Free Motion quilt a long, I decided to practice my straight line free motion quilting - no matter how many swirls and feathers you do, you still need to be able to follow a line, and Stitch in the Ditch (SID), so I finished SID the squares on the loooooong runner, and did some straight line quilting, all FMQ. Definitely a slower go than quilting leaves and feathers, but I'm very happy with how it has come out. I used my hera marker to mark a guide line, and then used the side of the hopping foot to space my lines.

SID & Straight line FMQ

I think it still needs more quilting if it's going to be used as a table runner. Maybe next month will provide some more inspiration!

Happy quilting!

where has the time gone?

2012-01-24T19:41:00.000-08:00

Did you realize that it is going to be February next week? I better get moving - so far I've only had one finish this year, that was my Tangled Textiles challenge posted about here and here. I do have several projects in the works, one that I talked about last post that I can't show, but I'm still busy hand appliqueing away.
Still have to do the binding on this one, but maybe I'll get that on later tonight. But for some new pictures, here are two other projects I've been working on - thanks to the VMQG sew in on Sunday, I made progress on both of them.

pieced and ready to sandwich and quilt

progress on my charm square runner - sandwiched and have started to quilt it

Nothing fancy or flashy this week, but good steady progress. Linking up to The Needle and Thread Network this week.

Happy quilting!

A quiet week

2012-01-22T09:26:00.000-08:00

I'm still having some problems keeping the mojo going, but it is improving. Maybe the weather this time of year has something to do with it? The cold and snow has now been replaced by wind, rain and grey, grey and more grey. Definitely not inspiring.
I was busy this week, but unfortunately, I can't show you what took up most of my time. Hand applique on a round robin quilt. Took me forever to figure out what I was going to do, and even longer to now applique it. My usual raw edge method just wasn't appropriate this time round. Sorry no peeks as the owner of this quilt just might pop in, and she is not to see it yet! (Hi Brigitte!)
But, yesterday I finally said enough handwork, and setup to practice some FMQ on a donation quilt. Some more practice of the January tutorial for Sew Cal Gal's 2012 Free Motion quilting challenge design - this time the leaves with a swirl, compliments of Frances Moore, done in the border.

Today, I'm off for an afternoon of sewing with my pal's from the Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

Happy quilting!

Up Up and Away!

2012-01-15T09:14:00.000-08:00

Today is reveal day for our fourth challenge pieces over at the Tangled Textiles blog. Our theme was "look up" - this is another theme that can result in a lot of different interpretations, so our results should be fun. Check in regularly so you don't miss anything.
Several years ago we were vacationing in New Brunswick. We arrived late at night to our hotel in Moncton - about 1:30 am. My DH had heard that there was a hot air balloon festival going on in Sussex, with the final day being the next day. So, after very little sleep, we were up and on the road far too early. As DH wanted to catch the balloons on lift off, he wasn't even letting me stop at Tim's for a coffee!
Luckily, it turned into a beautiful clear sunny day, and we made it in time. One of the pictures my DH took was this one, which I have always wanted to try to capture in cloth.

photograph by K Griffiths, used with permission

This challenge gave me the opportunity to do just that, as we were definitely looking up!
Here is my progress, in photographs (my photos aren't nearly as interesting as my husband's!)
The plan:

Main piecing complete

progress shots

piecing and applique complete

trimming away the excess batting

doing the quilting

the basket

and here it is,

Up Up and Away

Don't forget to check out the other reveals!

(I'm also linking up to Amy's One Thing, One Week Challenge this week - go check out some other finishes here)

Happy quilting!

a little late

2012-01-09T23:02:00.000-08:00

but I just had to pass on that my Sunny Days 2 quilt was shown on Sew, Mama, Sew a couple of days ago! I was thrilled!
Click here for the post. Deborah Moebes of Whipstitch and the author of "Stitch by Stitch: Learning to Sew One Project at a Time" included it as one of her loves - thank you Deborah!

(check here and here for the making of this quilt)

Sew, Mama,Sew has been running a series on Reflections + Predictions, and there has been lots of inspiration appearing daily, as well as interviews with some very well known folks! Go check it out!

Happy quilting!

let the fun begin!

2012-01-02T11:11:00.000-08:00

January 1, 2012 - I can't believe how quickly it arrived! I do hope that 2012 doesn't fly past as quickly as 2011 did - I still am looking over my shoulder and going "huh? - how'd that happen?"
Let's see - one day down, and I can say I've not added anything to my stash! In fact I used a bit of it it!

Currently on my design wall - This is a leaders and enders project - eventually, it will become a quilt of some sort - still in the planning stages as to what it will actually look like and how big it will become. The beauty of this piecing is it just happens while you are working on something else, and before you know it, you've pieced together enough blocks to create another top! For those of you unfamiliar with leaders and enders, it is a method you can use when chain piecing to limit the amount of thread wastage between piecing sections, and to keep your threads all nice and neat at the beginning of each section. I went through my scraps and cut a pile of 2 1/2" squares, roughly sorted dark, medium and light. I match a dark with a medium or light, and start my stitching on those to control the threads (leaders). After stitching my project pieces, I finish off by stitching onto another pair of squares (enders). (I try to always go for some contrast with my blocks, but don't put too much thought into it. After all, it is all just scraps!) Then just snip my threads and take my project to the pressing table. The enders then become the leaders for the next set. I keep my needle in the down position, and I always have fabric under the needle and my threads controlled. While I am currently doing it with squares, you can do hsts or anything that you want as a leaders and enders, although some will require more prep and planning!

Also on the design wall is this bit of play - one of my goals this year is to do a few more preemie donation quilts. I could just cut up big blocks and stitch them together and create a quilt a little faster, but I like to use these small pieces (36" square) quilts to do some experimenting, and definitely as practice pieces for my FMQ. The extra time it takes to create something a little different isn't that much, and it is fun to play! This one is currently measuring about 30" square, so I am planning a couple more borders, but then look at the space where I can quilt the heck out of it!

Speaking of quilting - the first tutorial was posted in SewCalGal's 2012 Freemotion Quilting challenge yesterday. It was the perfect design to use on another little quilt I had made a couple of days ago. After a little bit of play on a practice sandwich, I switched to the preemie quilt and off I went! I love the way it has turned out!

This quilt was made using a charm pack and a Candy Bar - quick and easy and uses up a bit more of my stash! Binding is on, just a bit of hand sewing tonight to finish it off.

Still waiting to be quilted - the pinwheel quilt I showed yesterday- I think I'll be practicing some feathers on it. I will also be pulling out some of my UFOs and working them into the mix, too. Some of them might be cut down and become multiple projects - we'll see.

Other projects that are really starting to get pushy - my Tangled Textiles challenge that is due January 15 - better get busy on that one! And we're doing a Mentors workshop at the BMQG - I've got to get my sample done for this Friday's meeting, so it looks like the FMQ fun will have to wait a few days!

Happy quilting!
Janet

Welcome 2012!

2012-01-01T08:53:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone! We ushered the new year in nice and quietly around here - just they way I like it! Hope you got to enjoy it in your favourite way, too!

Even though I had high hopes yesterday of actually getting another 2011 finish done before the clock ran out, it was not to be.

Drop in was a good time chatting and visiting, with not so much sewing taking place! Today, well maybe I'll start the year off with a first finish? We'll see!

My focus in 2011 was to work on my FMQ - I think I had a successful year, and look forward to doing even more practice this year, and with SewCalGal's 2012 FMQ Challenge to keep me going, I am already anticipating a good year! A big goal for me this year is to do a wholecloth quilt - and have it ready for the Blue Mountain Quilter's Guild quilt show this October. I have also committed (should be committed?) to working out of my stash and trying to whittle it down a little. Hopefully, there will be some string quilts and scrap quilts making an appearance this year! I joined a Stashbusters group over on the MQResource site to keep me going on this one!

Here's just a little of what I accomplished in 2011 - see my sidebar for a more complete listing, if you are interested!

A few of my favourite 2011 finishes

Not included in this mosaic are any of my Tangled Textiles Challenge pieces, or any postcards for the 4x6er's group, as well as a variety of smaller projects completed for swaps or just because!

I am looking forward to a productive and fun 2012 - I hope you are too!

Happy quilting!

Linking up to Fresh Sewing Day over at Lily's Quilts!

The Christmas rush is over

2011-12-29T23:42:00.000-08:00

- it's now time to get back to some sewing! I hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas - ours was a pretty quiet one, which was nice!
I haven't been doing a lot of sewing - although I was working on this on Christmas Eve - always have to have one last minute rush project - right?

This fabulous stocking was designed by my friend from the VMQG, Berene, of Happy Sew Lucky fame. Berene has all kinds of super cute patterns and designs that she does on Spoonflower - go take a peek!

I ordered it through Spoonflower in the periwinkle colour way. It finally made its way to my house on December 23 - (I love my postal system, I love my postal system) - and then I had to paint it, quilt it and turn it into a stocking. This was to be a stocking for my SIL, and it had to be in his team colours. I loved the idea of the converse sneaker, and it just seemed to fit him perfectly.
It all worked out beautifully, and I got it made, stuffed with stocking goodies and delivered on Christmas Day. Yay!

I did get back into my sewing room today - boy do I need to do a major cleanup in there! I've finished off a virtual bee block, and have finished a top for a donation preemie quilt, and am 2/3rds of the way done a second one. My goal for the coming year is to use my stash and to finish off a few of my WIPs. Doesn't that sound like a familiar goal? Hmmm - check out this post last December! I had a really busy 2011, but I didn't make a dent in my WIP list! That has got to change! I am really going to try and finish off a WIP between every couple of new starts. Wish me luck!
2011 was a good year - I'll put together a photo collage in a couple of days of what I did get done - I still have some time to finish off a few things, and I do have a drop in day coming up on Saturday! Lets see if I can get A WIP or two off my list!

I just realized I haven't taken any pictures yet of my new and improved living room - its too dark right now, but I'll try and get some in the daylight tomorrow - if we have any - it has been so grey and dreary lately, really depressing. Maybe I better go play with some bright fabrics...

Happy quilting!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T22:30:00.000-08:00

The very best of the holiday season to you and yours - may all your wishes come true!

Happy quilting!
Janet

Pretty exciting!

2011-12-10T10:31:00.000-08:00

At least for me!

The Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild has just started doing a series on Member Spotlights, and I am the first to be spotlighted! I was picked randomly, and was given a series of 10 questions, 6 of which I was to answer. To find out how I answered, and in the process, learn a little more about me, head over here! Can't wait to learn more about my fellow members at VMQG - we have some amazing talent in the guild!

Happy quilting!

distractions and progress

2011-12-04T12:46:00.000-08:00

I hope you all had the chance to go check out some of the beautiful Winter and Christmas quilts over at SewCalGal's 2011 Christmas quilt show! There are some fabulous distractions over there!

Warning - here follows a long post - that's what happens when I don't post regularly, but then blast you with it all at once!

First up, I need to report on some finishes! Way back in October I actually finished this one, but because we weren't revealing them until our November VMQG meeting, I only gave you a sneak peek at my Habitat challenge. Here's the full picture.

Sorry, I need to take a better picture!

I kept the quilting really simple on this one - some SID and then some simple echo quilting.

And, I am very happy to say that my African Collage quilt is done - this must be a record for me - taking a workshop and within a month of finishing said workshop actually having finished the project! I am thrilled with how it has turned out, especially since it was such a stretch for me.

Unfortunately, it was my only finish in the entire month of November - I can not believe how November has already flown past Sheeesh! I do think that December will be picking up the pace a little - I still have a ton of ideas of things I want to make as gifts. Ha!

Now for some of my in progress projects - we had our sew-in day at VMQG, and I wanted to work on something different - I mentioned it back here, but I never showed it to you. Last year I finished up my "Figgy Duff" quilt made from a charm pack of Figgy Pudding, and I had a few of the brown and blue charms left. I thought they would make a nice table runner - possibly as a Christmas present. I decided to border and then place the squares on point, and started with this

Then it grew to this

and it will finish off like this! Who would have thought that 9 - 5" charms would grow to a runner that is 84" long! That's right, it will be 7' long! Know anyone with a Harvest table than needs a long runner for it???

At work, I share an office with another lady, and I always have a quilt up between our desks. It is time to put a Christmas quilt up, and I didn't want to put the same one up as last year, my Cranberry Salsa. This summer, while on vacation we stopped into the Quilt Patch in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Fun fun fun! I didn't have a lot of time as my DH was itching to hit the road again, but I did manage to pick up a bit of fabric and this book

What a fabulous book full of all kinds of wonderful projects - and did you know the authors of the book, Jeanne Large and Shelley Wicks are the owners of the Quilt Patch and are just the nicest folks, and they are fabric designers to boot?

I love the cover quilt on this book, but didn't have room for the full size version, so I scaled it down a bit and came up with this.

I am doing some really simple quilting on this one, and hope to be able to take it to work with me tomorrow and get it up on the wall.

But, what is keeping me from a lot of quilting this weekend is this:

We replaced our old fireplace - oh about a year ago, and I've decided that that wall has to be patched and all painted before Christmas this year. (see my WIP list is much bigger than just my quilting!) We replaced some window trim as well, and in the spirit of keeping things fresh, I've also decided that I am changing the wall colour, so that means I have the living room, dining room and front entry to paint, oh my. I may get a little sewing in while waiting for paint to dry?! Wish me luck!

Happy quilting!

Winter Glory

2011-11-28T22:43:00.000-08:00

Hi there! Welcome to anyone who has arrived from SewCalGal's Christmas Quilt Show. I've been trying to decide what quilt to show, and the ones I think of first are ones that I made for swaps, and don't have any more. They are still some of my fave's so I'm going to share one of them. I hope you enjoy it, and please don't forget to go check out the Christmas and Winter quilts that are linked up over at SewCalGal's!
I've gone back a few years for this one (see earlier post here), but it is still one of my favourite little winter quilts that I've made.

Winter Glory

It was made for a swap hosted by Michelle at the Quilting Gallery. The theme was Winter Time Minis. I used my own hand dyed fabric and had fun playing with free-form curved piecing and sparkly free motion quilting.

Sparkly Snowflake

I still intend on making something similar for us - maybe this year???
Happy quilting!

There was a blip

2011-11-25T15:29:00.000-08:00

My apologies to anyone who came looking for my site and was greeted by a page saying, to the effect, that I wasn't here anymore! Yes I am! Hopefully that was just a temporary glitch and we'll have smooth viewing from now on!

Happy quilting!

Making slow progress

2011-11-23T21:27:00.000-08:00

Work has been really busy this last little while, and I've not had a lot of energy to get much done in the evenings, but I am making some progress, albeit, slow!
I have finished the feathers on my Coin quilt (see earlier blog here) and am working on the big scale cross hatching of the coins themselves, and some filler quilting around the feathers. I started working on this at the VMQG Sew-in on Sunday, but it just didn't want to happen - broke a needle, had my smaller sewing bed with me and it has sharper edges, so I kept catching the quilt so it wasn't flowing smoothly, and then I ran out of bobbin thread. I just took it as a sign to put it away and work on something else! Here's what it looks like so far - I'm loving the textures on this!

(I did piece a table runner after that, but will post about it later, after I've taken some photographs, as well as my Habitat challenge reveal).

Last night I did get some quilting done and managed to finish all the quilting on my African Collage. After keeping pretty much to just outline stitching and stitch in the ditch in the centre, I wanted to do something more interesting in the borders. See the frame that surrounds each of the animals?

I used that as my inspiration and had a lot of fun with it, doing a whole slew of different free motion quilted designs. It doesn't show much from the front, as the black on black print pretty much hides it all,

but I do like how it looks from the back!

Here's what all the quilting looks like from the back

I just need to bury a few more threads, bind it and add the beads down the side, and then I can call it done!

Linking up to WIP Wednesday @ The Needle & Thread Network

Happy quilting!

African Collage

2011-11-12T23:26:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I spent at a workshop with Pippa Moore. This is one great woman! Go check out Pippa's website to read all about her quilting and the work she is doing in Africa - What a great weekend!

I started with a kit that Pippa provided - 3 screen prints , and a whole pile of other African and commercial prints and batiks.

We made a variety of borders:

checkerboard

Seminole type squares

I couldn't just make mountains, they had to be wonky mountains!

flying geese

saw tooth triangles (again a little wonky!)_

Then we worked on adding these borders, strips and strings to the starting blocks. I found a couple of white print panels that I liked, but they were too stark, so I tea dyed them. Eventually, I added more colour to one of them - quite like how it has turned out - subtle colour, but more fitting now.

I played with my layout, and added a few more bits here and there, and this is where I am now

Borders on, beads will be added when quilting is done

I've started the quilting tonight - won't be anything too fancy - with all the colours and patterns it is already pretty busy, and the quilting would just get lost. I've free motion outlined the animals, and stitched in the ditch around the feature blocks. I think it will be mostly in the ditch stitching, although I may have some fun in the borders!

We shall see!
Happy quilting!

Fresh Sewing Day!

2011-11-01T19:30:00.000-07:00

Can't believe that October is gone already! At least I had a pretty busy productive month! Here's a sampling of what I got done - yeehaw! I had fun -thoroughly enjoyed some thread sketching and quite a bit FMQ - gotta love that FMQ!

but then I realized there was more!

mug rug for DH finished

Boo Blocks for VMQG

Habitat Challenge, VMQG

Just click on the mosaic to go to my Flickr stream for more info, or wander back through my posts!

Make sure you select the blog button at the beginning of the post to go check out what everyone else has been doing!
Happy quilting!

Another happy day of sewing!

2011-10-30T15:14:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a Blue Mountain Quilters Guild drop in day, and I had another productive day of sewing and chatting!
My goal for the day was to get a backing pieced for a quilt I started about a year ago, get it sandwiched and the quilting started.

Success on all counts!

The back

the quilting is started

going round the bend

Loving it so far!

Happy quilting!
Janet

Bloggers Quilt Festival Time!

2011-10-28T22:37:00.000-07:00

It's that wonderful time of the year again when those of us not lucky enough to be able to go to Houston for the big show, get to partake in a big show of our own!
Welcome to anyone who has popped over from the links at Amy's Creative Side. As I write this post, there are already over 220 quilters who have linked up. It is going to be an intense weekend - for starters! - of blog hopping!
I've decided to share the quilt I made for the Robert Kaufman Kona Solids Challenge as part of the Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild. We were challenged to create something using all the colours in the charm pack, we could add other fabrics, but the charm pack had to remain the focus of the quilt. I added Kona Ash and Coal to my dark colour range charm pack.

This was a fun one to do, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself, even though it involved taking those 5" charm squares and cutting them into 6 pieces and sewing them back together.
I started the cutting for this quilt at a weekend retreat held by the Blue Mountain Quilter's Guild in April 2011. When one of the ladies asked what I was doing and I described my project, her first comments were " You know, there's medication for that?" The name stuck - here's my "There's Medication For That" quilt.

I designed this quilt in EQ6. The little colour squares on this quilt finish at 1/2", each block at 3.5".

There were miles of sashing strips to be cut in a variety of sizes - thank goodness one of the retreat attendees had a June Taylor Shape cutter - this reduced my cutting time down to a mere fraction of the time, and sold me on getting one of these - if you haven't had the chance to use one, and you do a lot of strip work, it is well worth picking one up! Check out this video!

figuring out the layout

The top is pieced,
I strip pieced the leftovers - the strip on the right, and used it on the back of the quilt

I quilted it with an all-over zig-zag, following the shape of the blocks. I don't normally, but for this quilt, I did use my walking foot. (I most often Free motion quilt, in a very organic (read as unplanned!) manner)

the quilting in progress

quilting finished

Here's how it looks from the back ( to read about what happens when you are watching playoff hockey, and piecing a quilt back, see this post!):

and the view from the front:

I love my "There's Medication for That" quilt and it resides in our living room, where I can enjoy it everyday.

Thank you for stopping by, and don't forget the visit all the other beautiful quilts that have been linked up!

Happy quilting!

What can I say?

2011-10-24T18:59:00.000-07:00

I like a challenge! The VMQG is participating in another Modern Quilt Guild challenge, and our reveal is set for our November meeting. This challenge involves the HABITAT line, by Jay McCarroll, for FreeSpirit Fabrics.
Last night, I finished my piece - yaay! But, for now, all you're going to get is this little tease.

Now, on to the next project - maybe even a Christmas present? Now that would be a real challenge!

Happy quilting!

Tools Theme revealed!

2011-10-21T07:53:00.000-07:00

Today is reveal day over at Tangled Textiles!
Here's my contribution to the Tools theme

The Words Remain

My take on the theme involves how tools have changed - we no longer use a quill pen and an inkwell, but a sewing machine can be a tool for writing!

Hop on over and see what everyone has created! What an amazing, inspiring group I have the privilege of being associated with!

Happy quilting!

13 hours of sewing!

2011-10-18T18:13:00.000-07:00

(okay, so I wrote this post on Sunday, but didn't get my pictures sorted out until today, so forgive the yesterday references!)

Yup! ~~Yesterday~~ Saturday was a Vancouver modern Quilt Guild 1 day retreat, hosted by the fabulous Krista of Poppyprint. That girl knows how to host - and spoil rotten - a bunch of quilters for the day! We were a very happy and well fed crew, let me tell you! I had a very productive day - managed to work on three different projects, moving them all right along. Check out some of the fabulous pictures that Sonja (Artisania) has posted on her blog of some of the amazing projects and fun that was had.

I started the morning with our October block for our VMQG meeting this week.

The idea here is if you make a Halloween themed block, you get a ticket for each block you make, and then are entered to win a bunch of the blocks - kind of a raffle, with spooktacular results! (haha - couldn't resist!) I made two blocks, so I'll get two chances to win.

After finishing two ghost blocks, I moved on to the next project, but unfortunately, I can't quite show you that one yet, as it is in the works for my 4x6ers postcard swap. yeah, I am really late! These postcards were supposed to be mailed September 15, but I'm still messing around with them! I can tell you that they involved some thread painting, and then today I added a bit of colour to them. I'm pretty happy with how they've turned out so far, and, I'm really hoping I'm going to get them in the mail before our November theme comes around. sheeeesh!

By then it was lunch time, and I had to stop, enjoy the gorgeous sunshine coming through the window, and get some sustenance. After lunch, I merrily started cutting sashings for my final project of the day. I had a set of charm squares that's been kicking around my sewing space for years - I'd say at least 6? I was so totally inspired by Krista's (yup - same Krista as above!) VMQG Robert Kaufman charm squares quilt - see it here, that I had to try it using this set of charms, to make a baby quilt.
Well, did you know that not all charm squares are 5" squares, and that you should always measure them first before you cut your sashings? I learnt the hard way!

Instead of being able to dive right into sewing my blocks, I had to trim them all down to 5" first. But, it did make a pretty little pile of scraps, don't ya think?
This pattern, which is a Malka Dubrawsky pattern, and can be found in her book "Fresh Quilting", is a really quick and easy pattern to sew up. Very conducive to chain piecing. Before long, I had all my blocks done, and was trying various layouts.

Got it all sorted out and had my top together, sandwiched, and quilting started before supper time! My kind of project! I quilted all over loose feathers, and by the time the day was over, only had a corner left to quilt.

Sunday at home I finished the quilting, machine bound it, and tossed it in the washing machine and this little quilt is done!

Lemon Sherbet

Now, I'm working away on my Tangled Textiles "Tools" theme challenge - reveal for that one is this Friday, but can you tell what tool this is?

Happy quilting!

ps - I'm linking up!

on to new projects

2011-10-09T16:00:00.000-07:00

I can finally say this one is done, and going out the door today!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends and happy quilting to all!

We have our winners!

2011-10-03T23:23:00.000-07:00

with the help of Mr. Random # Generator, we have our two winners!

sorry, I can't seem to get the widget to print out here, but it was all legit - promise!

First number selected was #16 - and that would be ...

Erin, who gets the FQs and linen package.

And the second number up was 21 ...

which is Moosestash Quilting, who wins the Fresh Flowers table topper kit.

Who knows? there maybe a few other items that make their way into the packages to provide a little more packing material!

The winners have been notified by email, and the packages will go out once I receive mailing addresses.

Thank you so much everyone for participating and for following along with my ramblings! I appreciate each and everyone of you, and all my other readers who may not follow, but pop in regularly to see what is going on! You're the best!

Happy quilting!

Janet

The deadline is approaching

2011-10-02T22:27:00.000-07:00

for the giveaway that is! Midnight tonight - that's just a smidge over 1.5 hours away! Click here for the post to leave your comment.

I had a busy sewing weekend - yaaaay! My DH was a way, so I got to sew uninterrupted by having to cook and converse - don't you just love those weekends? Miss you honey, but boy was I busy! Good times!

The wedding quilt - pretty soon I'll be saying that for the last time - just has to be bound - I finished the quilting today, and instead of putting a label on the back, I quilted the details in to the quilt.

The bindings all ready to go, and since I'm going to machine it completely, my aim is it will be done on Wednesday. Can't get to it sooner as I have meetings this week - my Little Group meets tomorrow night - I think we've got ourselves a new challenge, but I missed the last meeting so I'll find out tomorrow, and I've got a quilt show committee meeting for the Blue Mountain Quilters Guild. The show is October 2012, but we're just getting started with the planning.

After seeing all those cute little zipper pouches around blogland, I decided I had to try - here are my attempts, using this tutorial.

Silk pouch

Line pouch

I think these two qualify for Canoe Ridge Creations Sew Modern Monday, so I'm linking up!

and after making these two, I decided to make a bigger one with the thought of taking my knitting back and forth to work, I played around and came up with a different design.

Linen Knitting bag

And then today I really wanted to do something different so I decided to try the 3 Creative Studios Technique of the Month, thread sketching,the tutorial compliments of Monika of My Sweet Prairie

Thread sketching

I also got started on my Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild Habitat Challenge, but can't show you that yet!

It was such a fun weekend! I hope your's was productive, too!
Happy quilting!

Well thanks for being so patient!

2011-09-25T12:57:00.000-07:00

I really didn't think it was going to take me a week to get back here, but here I am!

I promised a giveaway to thank you all for sticking with me, and for following me - I'm now over a 100 followers. Hey, let me tell you I am thrilled!

I'm going to do two giveaways - these are just the beginnings of the packages - I'll be adding extras before they get sent out, maybe patterns, maybe books, notions, thread, who knows???

5 FQs + some Linen

A fun and fresh kit to make a table topper

I'm going to make this really easy. All you need to do is leave me a comment, telling me what kind of project you like to work on most - it doesn't even have to be quilting related - I've been known to dabble in all kinds of different things, and I'm curious about you.

One comment per person, please make sure I have a way to contact you if you are a "noreply" blogger. The giveaway is open to everyone.

The giveaway will be open until next Sunday, October 2, 12 midnight, PST. Mr Random Number will be helping me with the selection. Good luck!
Comments are closed, thank you

Happy quilting!

I've hit a milestone!

2011-09-19T19:44:00.000-07:00

Just last Thursday, I was taking a look at my blogger stats, and noticed that I had hit 100 followers! Thank you all so much for hanging around for my random posts and bits of nonsense! I appreciate each and everyone of you. I started this blog a few years ago now, when I had taken a "sabbatical" from work. (Okay, I had thought I was finished with working, I was burnt out, ready for a change of pace, maybe even retirement, but in fact I just needed a breather and about a year later I did go back to work. Same organization, different position. But I digress.) The blog was a way for me to document what I was doing and try to get an idea of the types of things I liked doing, and exploring different ideas and techniques. When I started, I was quite heavily into making Irish Dance costumes. Those days are over, and now it is quilting that is absorbing my time and interest. I am so happy that you have followed along with me as I've tried to sort out What Comes Next? It has been incredibly fun and has been so lovely to have met so many of you along the way! Thank you all!

The thing with milestones is they should be celebrated, so please keep checking in as I do want to celebrate with all of you, and I should have everything all sorted out in a day or two! You know what that means don't you? No? Keep checking in and you'll find out!

Last week at my Little Group get together, a friend of mine, Sandi, who is a hooker (now now, not that kind of hooker, silly!) had made a lovely piece that she decided she didn't want to turn into another mat. She asked if anyone could turn it into a pillow for her. I told her I would, so I got to bring this lovely piece home with me -

Sandi hand dyed the wool she used in this piece - beautiful fall colours, wouldn't you say?

I just love the look and feel of this - it is fabulous!

Anyway, on Sunday I was looking for something to do, and knowing that Sandi was going off for a Hookers retreat this coming weekend, I turned it into a pillow.

I think it turned out really well, and Sandi picked it up tonight and loves it!

You gotta love it when everything works out!

Happy quilting!

WIP Wednesday

2011-09-07T21:12:00.000-07:00

34 of 88 done!

Making progress, on at least 1 of my WIPS, grabbing 30 minutes here and there!

Happy quilting!

It was another beautiful day today

2011-09-04T21:20:00.000-07:00

We went out for lunch and had a great visit with a friend visiting from out of town, and I managed to fit a bit of work in on "The Quilt". I've decided I do like the interlocking boxes - and I am getting a little neater with them, but they still have "character"!

and I now have 15 of the 88 blocks done.

;

Let's see, at 10 minutes a block, that's 730 minutes or about 12 hours of quilting still to go! Yikes! Breathe deep, and just think about doing it in little chunks. Just 10 minutes and another block is done - easy, right? I'll be done in no time!

Linking up to

this week!

(If you're new here, or just want to refresh your memory about "The Quilt", please see this and this and this earlier post about this quilt. The pattern I used is Color Cues by Amy Walsh of Blue Underground, from the April 2010, Issue #103, of American Patchwork and Quilting, enlarged to ~95"x97")

Happy quilting!

I shouldn't have

2011-09-03T20:35:00.000-07:00

but I did anyway! Last night at the Blue Mountain Quilters Guild meeting I decided to join in the fun of a Round Robin. I've done a Row robin before, but not a "Round". Naturally, I have just tons of time to do this (can't you just hear the sarcasm dripping off my words?), but that's not stopped me before, nor did it stop me this time!

In fact, I got up today and after perusing a few ideas on line and a trip to my LQS, The Needle and I, inspiration! (Yes, yes, I know, I've got a honking big quilt to get finished, but I needed a break, okay?) Now, I didn't buy any new fabric at the store, as I have lots of that and I'm challenging myself to use what I've got for this one, but I did buy a new book on scrap quilts. "All-Time Favorite Scrap Quilts from That Patchwork Place". Lots of ideas churning around!

I started pulling fabrics.

I decided to go blues and greens

And, because I had nothing else to do today, I made my block! Yup, I am officially way ahead for this Round Robin - lets see how long that will last!

hmmm - could have done with more value contrast

Then, just because I still needed something to do today, I decided to try some sun-printing, after being thoroughly impressed and inspired by Gina's blog about it the other day. Really easy to do, and I'm please with this first attempt - I will be doing this again - I already have a few ideas brewing, maybe tomorrow will see some more fabric printed. Just have to find more"resist" items.

I used coins and a magnet for my resist items

Oh, and the wedding quilt? It wasn't completely ignored - I did finish all my straight line quilting in the sashing and I'm starting to play with some FMQ in the blocks - here's my first thought - haven't decided if this is the way I'll go yet or not - any thoughts?

interlocking boxes. 1 almost done, 87 more to go!

Happy quilting!

I actually did get some things done in August!

2011-09-01T23:02:00.000-07:00

Between feeling like I was running all over the place, and not accomplishing a lot, I did manage to work on a few things!

The wedding quilt is still a work in progress - will someone remind me why i thought it was a good idea to quilt a 95"sq quilt on my domestic machine?

And why I decided it should be straight lines?

Well I am, and they aren't, and I am getting so tired of pushing it around that it may be a while yet before I have the strength to finish it!

But, on a little bit brighter note, I did get a challenge quilt finished for a local quilt shop, but I don't seem to have taken any pictures of it, so I'll blog about it after I pick it up on Saturday; and I did get my Tangled Textiles Celebration challenge done, so I guess August wasn't a complete write-off!

Linking up to Lily's Quilts - Fresh Sewing Day

Happy quilting!

Where I've been

2011-08-28T20:12:00.000-07:00

presenting Mr & Mrs C! It's Party Time!

It was a wonderful day and a gorgeous couple - now to just get their quilt finished before they get back from their honeymoon!
(my beautiful step daughter and her handsome new husband)

Happy quilting!

It's reveal day

2011-08-18T12:36:00.000-07:00

take a quick hop over to the Tangled Textiles blog and see what we've all been working on! Some fabulous representations of our theme "Celebrate".
Here's mine:

Happy quilting!

Back again!

2011-08-15T09:43:00.000-07:00

Had a wonderful quick visit home. It was so good to see friends and family, even for a very short visit. Some of the little ones just grow so fast!

Managed to, with some very last minute planning, connect with some old high school friends. Amazing - after nearly 35 years, still able to slip back into the old conversations!

I also re-connected with a few other friends and had a fabulous time. It was race week in Chester, and we just happened to be able to grab a ride out to where the races were taking place. So lovely to be out on the water, with the sun and the wind in our faces!

Now that I'm back, I've got a few projects that still need to get finished - the reveal date for the second Tangled Textiles challenge is this Thursday - I've made some progress, but a lot more work is in order. I've had some fun creating some painted, stamped and photo transferred fabric around the theme Celebrate, and we'll have to wait and see how much of it makes it's way into the finished piece.

Before I left, I quickly added two borders to "The Wedding Quilt". Unfortunately, I don't like them, so now they have to come off and be re-worked. Drats! That means that present is probably going to be even later than first thought. Off to get some work done!

Happy quilting!

I owe you one

2011-08-03T19:54:00.000-07:00

no, more like 3 or 5 posts by this time, but we'll start with 1!

Have I been doing a lot of sewing in my absence from blogging? No, not really - in fact I've got some deadlines appearing very quickly that may have to undergo some modifications - one of them for sure. (don't you love the sound those deadlines make as they going flying past???)

See, my step daughter is getting married at the end of the month, and I've got this wedding quilt on the go - at the moment, it is on my design wall and looking like this:

Okay, it's not really crooked!

Not bad, if I really had the three weeks that the calendar would appear to say I have to get it finished. In reality, I have 1 week - one week! eeeek! I am going home to Nova Scotia for a week starting on Friday, back here for a week, and then we head to WA state - do a little touring around, visiting and what not the week before the wedding. So really, I've got that little bit of a short week stuck in the middle there to decide on and put the borders on, sandwich it, quilt it and bind it. Hmmm. I do not do all nighters well, and I don't think work will let me have some time off just to quilt it, so it will be late. Upside is that they are going on a honeymoon and won't really need it until a little later, and of course, we've finally got summer, so it's too warm for a quilt... Give me half a second, and I can justify anything. Really!

I am happy with how it is looking, and am trying to figure out exactly how I will be quilting it. I suspect this will be another one done with straight (or fairly straight!) quilting, although I may decide to make it even later still and go crazy with the quilting. We'll see!

I've also got a Tangled Textiles Challenge reveal coming up on August 18 - yes, that is right in the middle of that short little week of the wedding quilt. I've got my idea, I've even got a few of the components all sorted out. I just need to find time to do something with this

and this.

and my embroidery machine and then I'll be able to celebrate!

and because I didn't show them to you in July, here are the July 4x6ers postcards that I sent - the theme on this one was Free Choice - so I choose to celebrate our friendship.

These were fun to make - I created some paper fabric, and then used brown paper bags and stamping. Our next theme is "naked". Ohh la la! That is going to be an interesting one! The idea was to send them naked - i.e. with no envelopes, but it has since been expanded, if we so choose! Not sure where I'm going to end up on that one...

and to really inspire you, I think you should take a look at this quilt - I love it - it is so amazing and the detail is out of this world! Cynthia is an amazing local artist - please go check out her website and blog and her fabrics on Spoonflower, I can bet you won't be disappointed!

Happy quilting!

5,402.7

2011-07-16T17:39:00.000-07:00

That's how many kilometers we traveled in the last 2 weeks! We're back, we did find some sun and heat (and I found a few quilt shops!) It was a great vacation! More to come as I get sorted out,
Happy quilting!

One last time

2011-07-01T18:17:00.000-07:00

I'm sure you're all getting tired of my Kona Challenge, but I did get it all finished a few days ago, and this morning I managed to get a few pictures taken.

I am very happy with how it has turned out, and am very pleased that I'm keeping this one. I like the back as much as the front, too!

The quilting is decidedly different from what I've been doing lately - all done with my walking foot, and in a somewhat overlapping pattern - not a curve, curl, or feather to be seen!

Somehow, none of these seemed to fit this design. It was a bit of a challenge given the size and all the turning, and being so used to FMQing, but I think it was well worth it. I've also got plans in the works for another version of it, but that will wait until later in the summer, once I've finished a wedding quilt that is due at the end of August.

The Challenge:

Robert Kaufman challenge done through the Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild
Challenge = use all colours in the Kona Dark charm pack in a quilt. Other fabrics could be added, but the charm pack had to remain the focus

The particulars:

my original design
all 43 colours of the Kona Dark charm pack appear in both the front and back of the quilt
Background = Kona Ash
finished size = 54"x64"
finished squares = 3.5"
number of squares = 238 (plain = 39 pieced = 199
number of pieces in pieced squares = 5
total # of pieces (excluding border, binding and backing) = 1034
Finished size of coloured squares = 2.5", 1.5" and 0.5"
Would I do it again? YES!
Name = "There's Medication for That! (The Little Pill of Insanity)"

Happy quilting!

Happy Canada Day!

2011-07-01T08:55:00.000-07:00

We are starting our vacation so I may be missing for the next few weeks!
Happy quilting!

we started the same

2011-06-30T21:15:00.000-07:00

- we all had 120 2-1/2" squares to use, but boy did we come up with some different ideas!
Back in this post I talked about my Little Group challenge . Well here are some pictures of all that we created! (edited - thank you to Helen H for providing me with pictures of everyone's quilts)
I never cease to be amazed at the creativity of my fellow quilters! Enjoy!

Brenda's

Colleen's

Debbie's

Evie's

Helen D's

Helen H's

Louise's

Sandi A's

Sandi H's

Wendey's

Wendy's

Mine is shown here
My apologies to Karen - I missed posting her's initially!

Happy quilting!

Trip for 2 to Boston

2011-06-26T22:15:00.000-07:00

(although I am forever calling it Tea for Two!) is done except for the label and handsewing the binding down! That will happen as a hand project while we are on vacation.

You might remember, I first spoke of this one back here. It was a Blue Mountain Quilter's Guild workshop where we worked on this quilt, designed by Prairie Pieces. A really fun partner project, where both of you end up with quilt tops. Now that mine is nearly finished (and I think this might almost be a record for me actually getting a workshop quilt finished within the same year! It is just over a month since I did that workshop. Sometimes I amaze myself!), it is going to be a present for a friend we are going to visit while on vacation. Shhhh! she doesn't know, but I think we're safe, as I don't think she reads this blog!

I had great fun quilting this using a Leafy Meander from Kim Stotsenberg's book, "Just Leaf It". You should pop over and check out Kim's blog as she does some beautiful quilting.

I also had a lot of fun piecing the back from leftover strips - I think I like the back even better than the front! (I love the quilting and the quilting is so much easier to see back there!)

I haven't made up the label yet as I'm waiting for inspiration to strike in terms of a name - any suggestions?

Happy quilting!

What, another challenge?

2011-06-23T18:50:00.000-07:00

or two!

I'm in a local group called "The Little Group" we meet a couple of times a month and always have a blast! A few months ago Colleen, one of our very well organized and creative members decided we should do a "Cooperation" project. Each of us was to cut 120 2.5" squares, keep 60 for ourselves and bring the rest to a meeting where we would put them in the pot, and take turns pulling some out, until we were each back at 120 squares in total.

We were then to put all the squares into a bag and then pull them out and stitch them together in the order that we pulled them. The original idea was to piece them all together into one big unit that you could then border as you wanted and end up with a small quilt. Most of us decided to do some type of variation on that. Oh we ended up with some amazing quilts - but of course, I didn't get any pictures of the others. I will see if I can get some from the ladies who were snapping them and show you! We ended up with 9 patches and snowballs and applique and yoyos - some dimensional HSTs, wonderful settings and borders, and even a bag! It was great fun!

Mine has become a baby quilt that will be going to a work colleague expecting her second child

Oh, and the second challenge? Well one of the members of our group is the owner of my LQS The Needle & I quilt Shop and Sewing Centre, and she thought it sounded like a great idea, so she's doing a similar challenge through the store - more 2 1/2" squares in my future!

Happy quilting!

But I'm not done yet!

2011-06-22T18:50:00.000-07:00

Well along with celebrating our first birthday, the Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild had our reveal for our Robert Kaufman Kona Charm Challenge. Wow - were there ever a lot of wonderful creative quilts shown off! - just check them out here.
Unfortunately, I didn't manage to get the quilting finished, delayed in part as described in my last blog, but just plain ran out of time and energy, but I did reveal the in progress quilt

on the design wall

I am really pleased with how it is turning out! Our challenge was to use all of the charms in a quilt. We could add any other fabrics we wanted, but the charms had to remain the focus of the quilt. Being me, and loving a challenge, I immediately took the 5" squares and cut them in 6 pieces, and then sewed them back together. (Edit: I cut 1 3"square, 2 2" squares, 2 1" squares and had a 2x3" rectangle left which I pieced into the back. The small squares finish at just 1/2") In describing what I was going to do at a retreat, I was immediately greeted with "There's medication for that, you know", and that became the name of the quilt.

partially quilted

All of the colours appear on both the front and back of the quilt

the back

I'm just doing a simple zigzag for the quilting, which hopefully, I'll get finished before we go on vacation, at which time I will take much better pictures. Wish me luck!

the quilting

.
The summer is shaping up to be a busy one!
Happy quilting!

whoops!

2011-06-17T10:56:00.000-07:00

A few guidelines for me to keep in mind NEXT time!

If watching the Stanley Cup final game:

do not run between the computer and the TV when making and printing your label on to TAP
do not try to quickly fuse that label to your quilt back in the second intermission so that you can start quilting said quilt, so that you can show it at the guild meeting the next night
always check that label before putting the iron to it

The above image is what appeared on my quilt back the second I put the iron to the TAP - wouldn't you know it, it transferred immediately this time!

Otherwise you will spend the rest of the second intermission getting to this point

the quilt back with a hole where the label used to be

and then having to create a new label - mirrored this time before printing, and then piecing in a new patch for said label to adhere to.

Perhaps this was indicative of the disastrous end to an exciting series...

Happy quilting!

It`s reveal day!

2011-06-15T07:40:00.000-07:00

Today is the day the Tangled Textiles first challenge projects are going to be revealed. Make sure you pop over here a few times to see what everyone has created!

Our first challenge was `Games`. Very early on I had an idea of doing a childhood game that we played a lot as kids - Hide and Go Seek. Living in the country, throughout the summer we often played outdoors in the evening until it was too dark to find anyone anymore. What fun memories this challenge evoked!

Without further ado, here`s Ready or Not!

I had a lot of fun trying some new techniques - stamping and painting, and did some thread painting and yarn couching, raw edge applique. Some things I would definitely do differently, but all in all I am very happy with how it turned out.

Fabrics include commercial, batiks and some hand dyes, and I managed to find everything I needed in either my scrap basket or my stash, being very happy with how the free woven piece I had created some time ago for a mug rug swap fit so perfectly in the area in the upper left where I wanted the impression of sky and fir tree.

I can`t wait to hear what the next challenge will be!

Happy quilting!

We found some sun!

2011-06-13T19:05:00.000-07:00

don't you just want to go running down there and jump in the lake?

Yaay! It has been in short supply around here this year, but we went to the Okanagan for the weekend, and while they threatened some showers and clouds, we had mostly sunshine.

Calm morning

Okanagan Lake

Summerland Orchards

The temperature was a little lower than normal, but it still reached about 23C, and that was fine by me! We did a little wine tasting, a little wandering and a little more wine tasting, and naturally, we also did a little purchasing. We've come home with a dozen new bottles of wine to sit and enjoy.

isn't this just a fabulous pinecone?

Not a lot to show on the sewing front, as everything I've been working on is for challenges that can't yet be revealed, but I will give you this little tease of my first challenge piece for the Tangled Textiles, an international cyber fibre journey. Our first theme was "Games" and our big reveal is going to be June 15 - that's coming up this week, and I can't wait to see how everyone has interpreted it!

Daisy, daisy give me your answer do....

Happy quilting!

It was definitely a good mail week!

2011-06-02T18:19:00.000-07:00

Just this past Monday I wrote that I was sending my parcel to my QT Swap partner, and guess what? It arrived today! That means I can now show you what I made. I teased you before like this

But here's the whole mini for you to see now

I had so much fun making this! I had thought about it for ~~days~~ okay, weeks, but it wasn't until last Friday that I actually started! By the end of Friday, it was complete except for the binding and buttons, and now here it is less than a week later and it's already on Tina's wall! Go see it on Tina's blog - needles-n-notions - as well,. Tina has got some really great closeups of areas that I didn't think to take pictures of - duh!

Edit: I was asked what my inspiration was for this piece, and I have to say there was no one single thing. I've been greatly admiring some of Melody Johnson's work for a while, and that had a strong influence on the idea I wanted to communicate. As well, I took a workshop with Judy Farrow a couple of years back and just love the freeform curved piecing that she taught us. Add to that a class with Bonnie Hwang, doing free form leaves - which is what I just recently used to make my leaf place mats - put them together, along with my love of red and neutrals, and there you have it! Lucky for me that in the making of this piece, I still have two of the red on white backgrounds and 4 white on red background curved pieces, and I'll be having more fun soon!

Well, if that wasn't enough excitement, I received my quilt from Tina today, too! Check it out!

The lovely mini qt received from needles-n-notions

the back, showcasing the fabulous quilting

the goodies that came with

Isn't that all just wonderful?

But wait, the fun does'ot stop there! Yesterday was also a fabulous mail day as I finally received my DQS10 Swap quilt. Now this little beauty took the long road to get here from Bulgaria, but it was worth the wait! Look!

(that's disappointing - blogger is insisting on putting it on its side!) This little quiltie has fabulous hand embroidery and quilting on it

Go here to see it upright in all it's glory! Thank you Domoshar for creating this and sending it to me!

the pile of goodies that I got - wow! tons of stuff!

What a good week it has been! Now, if only the sun would appear.....

Happy quilting!

It's a secret

2011-05-31T22:30:00.000-07:00

I can't show the whole thing just yet, but I can give you a little tease.

The Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild has been participating in the Robert Kaufman Kona challenge. (click here to see other wonderfully creative quilts!) We all received charm packs of the Kona darks - a real challenge! And were told to make a quilt - we could add any fabric we liked as long as the charms remained the focus of the quilt. I had an idea right from the start, and got going on it
at a Blue Mountain Quilters Guild retreat. When I described what I was planning on doing, the first comment I heard was "There's drugs for that you know" and the second was "Insanity" So my working title on this piece is "There's Drugs for That - the Little Pill of Insanity".
Well, I'm happy to report that the quilt top is finished (we don't actually have to have it quilted by the June meeting) and that I'm still here and not safely ensconced in a nicely padded room some where.

It was a lot of fun, and I have to say I am very happy with how it turned out. The full reveal will happen after the meeting on June 16, so stay tuned!

Happy quilting!

Things to post

2011-05-27T23:07:00.000-07:00

as in mail! A few weeks ago my mother mentioned she'd like some new placemats to match a wall hanging I made for her back in 2008. They've just moved in to a new place and she has it hanging in the dining room, and would like 6 placemats, please.
I don't seem to have a copy of the one I gave her, but it was the mirror image of this one, with coloured leaves and pale backgrounds:

Seeing as it was so long ago, I doubted if I had enough of the fabrics left to create anything. let alone 6 placemats, but I dug through my scrap bags, and lo and behold, I was able to piece together 6! They are scrappy, the fabrics aren't quite the same ones as used originally, but I think they should do the trick!

I had fun playing with some FMQ

Randomly quilted some leaves here and there

and machine applied the binding

Now, just have to pack them up and get them in the mail!

Also going in the mail by Monday is my Mini QT Swap - Circles and Curves was the theme for this quilt, for needles-n-notions. Just a peak, as while Tina knows its's coming from me, she hasn't seen the whole thing yet!

Happy quilting!

Inspiration abounds!

2011-05-26T22:09:00.000-07:00

We had a great time on our camping trip - the weather cooperated for the most part - a sprinkling of rain on Friday night, but then dry - but oh it was windy and cold! Did someone forget to tell Mother Nature that it's the end of May now? She was happy to provide us with boundless beauty and inspiration. The west coast of Vancouver Island is a magical place - so much to see! So inspiring! Here is just a sampling of what caught my eye. Somehow, sometime, somewhere, some of these will work their way into my quilts I'm sure!
(For some reason, Blogger is not permitting me to link directly to my Flickr account. To see these and a few other shots, please click here)

Back to quilting next post, 'til then,
Happy quilting!

Slow week

2011-05-19T18:05:00.000-07:00

I've not been very productive this week - just can't hang on to the inspiration - it come and goes, and just doesn't want to stay.
Last weekend was a great sewing weekend, though. I went to a Blue Mountain Quilters Guild workshop and came home with a completed top. We were working on a Trip for Two to Boston. Here's the recipe for that:
Take two quilters, 15 FQ and approximately 2 meters of fabric. Cut cut cut, sew sew sew, cut some more, sew some more and lo and behold you both go home with a quilt top!

the end of the first day

What a blast we had! Here are the completed tops we went home with

Mine

My partner in crime - Brigitte's

Today I managed to finish off my 4X6ers postcards for this month. Our theme was Buildings, and I tried something new - TAP and my coloured pencils. Just a little peek for you now, as I don't want to ruin anyone's surprise!

now what could it be?

We're heading out for the weekend to do some camping on the west coast of Vancouver Island - today is lovely - sunny and warm - I do hope it stays that way, 'coz I really don't like camping in the rain and cold. Wish us good weather!

Happy quilting!

It's BQF Time!

2011-05-13T17:07:00.000-07:00

that's Bloggers Quilt Festival - Spring 2011!

Welcome to anyone who is arriving here from Amy Ellis' site, Amy's Creative Side.
For those of you new to Blogger's Quilt Festival, Amy has created this virtual quilt show to coincide with Quilt Market in the spring and fall of each year. For those of us unable to go to Quilt Market, it gives us a wonderful opportunity to share and be inspired by other's quilts. I encourage you to hop over to Amy's site and submit a quilt of your own, and then make sure you take a look all all the incredible quilts that are linked! Select this link, or the button in my sidebar, and be inspired!

My entry this time round is a little quilt that I've just recently finished. It is small - only about 14" square, but it allowed me to have fun and play with a lot of free motion stitching, texture, and some sparkly thread! It is the second in a series, which was inspired by some of the marvelous zentangles I've been seeing. I've decided that this type of freedom is what I really enjoy in my quilting, and you can expect to see more of this happening in my future!

Sunny Days 2

and a few progress shots!

Happy quilting!

Check it out!

2011-05-09T09:29:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it? My DQS10 quilt,
(you've seen it before, but here it is again!)

that I made for Quilting Barbie
has been featured on a Sew, Mama, Sew trends post!
See it here in the company of a lot of beautiful quilts!

Now that makes for a very happy Monday!

Happy quilting!

Sunny Days 2

2011-05-03T20:37:00.001-07:00

Sunny Days 2, a photo by What Comes Next on Flickr.

I finished sewing the binding on my second version of Sunny Days and like the way it has turned out, too! Now to see what comes next for this serial quilter!

Starting a series

2011-04-30T21:36:00.000-07:00

ooohhh - does this mean I'm becoming a "serious quilter"? lol!

After trying a new method to finish my little Sunny Days quilt - I faced it rather than putting a binding on, following this lovely little tutorial over at Serendipity Patchwork, I decided that I had so much fun, I wanted to do it again! I really like how it turned out but what if....????

...this time starting with some colour and raw edge applique.

I echo quilted the sun rays, which ended up with a little curved cross hatching, and then I decided I liked the look of the McTavishing I did on the original one, plus I loved the Sulky holoshimmer sliver that I used in the sun, so I combined them for one of the sun swirls.

I'm liking it so far!

I've still got my 4x6ers Building postcard theme and my Tangled Textiles Games theme on my mind, as well as my Mini QT swap that I'm still tossing around ideas on, but nothing is happening there yet, so I figure this has been a great way to fill my time, and keep the creative juices flowing!

Hope you weekend is a fun filled quilting good time!

Happy quilting!

FMQ Challenge and Kitchen Goodies swap

2011-04-27T21:05:00.000-07:00

So far I've been getting at least a little bit of quilting in everyday for the FMQ Challenge. I have to say my results are pretty up and down!
After a very successful day on Saturday, I've either not had a lot of time, or have just not been able to get it the grove to quilt, so I don;t have a lot to show for it. My practise piece is slowly progressing, but I've decided that it is best suited for continuous curve quilting, so it's kind of dull going at this point. I will try out a few fills once I get the main stars all donem so that should create some more interest. Here's some shots of my progress to date.

Day 1

Day 3 - tried some straight line fills and some curved cross hatching

Day 4 - variations on continuous curves

Day 5 - Was so not getting in the groove - so just played

Day 6 - felt better, but no time - a little more continuous curves

Day 2 was covered off in this post, and was my most successful day so far!

I did get my Kitchen Goodies swap sent and it has been received, here's what I put together for Paula - a set of potholders with matching tea towels.

and here's what I got from Anna - I really cute chicken tea cozy, some potholders, reuseable saran wrap and tea - I was spoiled!

Isn't this tea cozy cute?

Something that was really cool with this swap - I was making for someone that I knew from the VMQG, and unbeknowst to me, someone else at the guild was making for me! This was an international swap, hosted by another VMQG member Sonja Callaghan aka artisania - just what are the chances of that? You should pop over and visit Sonja - she designs some really cool paper piecing patterns, and has recently started to appear in several different publications! Way to go Sonja!

Happy quilting!

2011-04-24T08:30:00.000-07:00

Long Beach, BC
picture by Keith Griffiths

Happy quilting!

It was a beautiful day!

2011-04-23T22:06:00.000-07:00

The sun finally made an appearance today and it was warm! I was going to continue to work on my row robin quilt - quilting it for the FMQ Challenge, but the sun convinced me to do something else.

I've had this idea in the back of my head for quite some time - ever since I saw this quilt that Emma did, and have enjoyed watching various artists create zentangles,. Now I'm no doodler, but I find them really intriguing, so I thought I would try out this idea I've had.
It started with a sketch

sorry about the poor quality of the pic

which I transferred to my fabric, selected my threads, and got started.

Various threads later, the sun was still looking a little pale,

so I pulled out my holographic gold sliver.

That adds some nice sparkle!

Time to work on the sky!

While I wasn't having any issues as I was quilting the sun, even with the sliver, the sky thread keeps giving me grief! Several needles and re-threading later, this is where I've gotten too. Time to call it a day!

Not sure what the weather will bring tomorrow, but I'm going to a VMQG sew in, so I'll be quite content!

Happy quilting!

It's a Hoot baby quilt

2011-04-18T12:02:00.001-07:00

machine applied binding, a photo by What Comes Next on Flickr.

got it all finished up on Friday at the retreat, just need to add a label today, and it will be delivered to it's new owner Tuesday

got my
"lovely" toes in there!

these swirls went really quickly!

love the overall texture

Happy quilting!

Wow!

2011-04-15T07:50:00.000-07:00

Take a look at this!
My just finished, mailed and received DQS10 has been featured on Modern Day Quilts!

I feel honoured to be included in this group of quilts, thank you Heather!

Happy quilting!

Progress is being made!

2011-04-11T22:14:00.001-07:00

Cruiser quilt, a photo by What Comes Next on Flickr.

I can strike the donation quilt off my list - managed to get it quilted, bound and washed yesterday afternoon. FMQ continuous lines through the blocks - quick and effective for covering large ares quickly.

And then I got started on the baby quilt - a Disappearing 9 patch, made using the charm pack of It's a Hoot, I won from Kaelin over at The Plaid Scottie. Added a few extras from my stash, and got all the blocks done, and laid out. I'll look at them for a while, but will have it quilted and bound by the end of the weekend.

I love it when things come together! And a three day sewing retreat this weekend - wahoo!

And today I had my amazing friend Laurraine from Patchwork Pottery came over, and she was helping me re-organize my sewing space! I love it! Still sorting and organizing my fabrics, and no pictures right now, but I have floor - and room for my design wall! Yayyy!

Happy quilting!

DQS10 Finished and mailed

2011-04-09T09:42:00.001-07:00

DQS10 Finished and mailed, a photo by What Comes Next on Flickr.

It is on its way! While it changed from my original plan, I love how it turned out in the end, and do hope my partner enjoys it, too!

Now, on to my Kitchen Goodies swap - it is time to get serious about that one as time is running low!
Then I've got my 4x6ers postcard group - theme for the next round is buildings, and also my first Tangled Textiles, theme - Games - I've got a few ideas, nothing concrete yet, and last but not least, my QT Swap where the theme is Circles and Curves. I've got my sketch all done up for that one!

Oh, I guess I better not forget the donation quilt I'm working on, the baby quilt I need to start and finish by the 20th, and the wedding quilt! Yikes!

What comes next for you?

Happy quilting!

Goodbye dear friend

2011-04-05T18:09:00.000-07:00

Chico

Our Best Dog at our wedding

We miss you buddy!

Spring Cleanup!

2011-04-02T10:12:00.000-07:00

I've been doing a little spring spruce up to my blog - what do you think? Now off to tackle my sewing space!

Happy quilting!

Spring Is In The Air

2011-04-02T09:18:00.001-07:00

Spring IITA, a photo by What Comes Next on Flickr.

I finished the binding on this one two nights ago and handed it in last night at guild, It is a donation quilt for a local Hospice. The blocks all came from my scrap bag, and the cotton linen blend border fabric and gingham backing was from my stash. Very simple straight line quilting, with random spacing, but direction following the piecing in the blocks.

DQS10 quilting finished!

2011-03-31T07:53:00.001-07:00

DQS10 quilting finished!, a photo by What Comes Next on Flickr.

Just have to finish hand stitching the binding today!

Strike one!

2011-03-27T14:17:00.000-07:00

at least one off my UFO list! My Rainbow quilt is finally done! Yaaaaay!

Happy quilting!

More of the same

2011-03-25T22:44:00.000-07:00

Oh my! It has been a while now, hasn't it? I have been making progress on a few things - I'll start with the finishes - okay, just two, but that's better than none!

The challenge put to the guild members at the February Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild was to do some quilt as you go, or as you see all over blogland and Flickr QAYG. Anna even provided some batting for us to work with. I decided it would be a good use of some really fun fabric I got in a mug rug swap from Pam aka, uberstitich.

Isn't this fabric just perfect for placemats?

I also finished and mailed my 4X6ers postcards - the theme was monochromatic - here's what I created for that:

and I hear they are starting to arrive!

I've also been busy working away on my Rainbow quilt - pictures and a finish coming soon! and I pieced a new donation lap quilt, which is also partially quilted - nothing like getting everything going at once!
Hmmm, I guess I haven't taken a more recent progress shot. Here are the blocks before they were trimmed and joined and then bordered in a spring green linen. I am really liking it, but you'll have to wait to see it!

and last, but definitely not least (if I don't count my international kitchen goodies swap project, hosted by Sonjaartisania over at the Great Apron Extravaganza that I haven't actually cut into yet! Sonja is an amazingly talented paperpiecing designer, who I met through the VMQG - check out her blog here) is my DQS10 project. here is where I got to today on it.

It will be finished by the end of the weekend and ready to mail before the end of the month.
Off to drop in tomorrow, should get lots of sewing and socializing done! Hope you're having a good weekend, too!

Happy quilting!

There was a change of plans

2011-03-13T20:49:00.000-07:00

I just wasn't thrilled with my design for the DQS10 this time round, and so I wasn't making any head way on it. I originally thought I was going to do this

with some or all these fabrics

But I was kinda ho hum about it. Today I tried out what I thought would be my method and YUCK! I hated it! Not going that way for sure, and no, there are no pictures - it was a disaster!

Luckily, last weekend I had that fabulous workshop (see this post) where we did 60 degree angles, so I thought why not incorporate that technique? I still love the colours and fabrics I choose, so this is where it is headed now.

I'm liking this! I started with 2.5" strips, but I think I'm going to see about throwing some little babies in there, maybe 1.5" strips, just to give it some more action!

I also got my 4x6ers postcards done, and they'll be going in the mail tomorrow. Theme this time round was monochromatic - here's a little tease!

So, what do you think?

Happy quilting!

Catching up

2011-03-09T21:47:00.000-08:00

or where has the time gone? I don't know about you, but I don't think we're just contending with global warming - what wild weather everyone has been experiencing! No, I think we're also facing Global Speeding. Time is just flying by, apparently unaccounted for, so the earth must be spinning faster, I can think of no other reasonable explanation for it!

Since my last post, way back in the middle of February, I've been plugging away at a few projects, but my energy level needs a boost - if I manage to get started on things, I oh so easily get distracted, and before you know it time has flown by (see Global Speeding), and I've accomplished very little.

I did have a wonderful time at the first VMQG all day retreat - and I do mean all day - it was scheduled from 9 am to 10 pm.

This picture by Sonjaartsania - see more on her Flickr page

It was fabulous, and again, so very well organized and hosted by Krista aka Poppyprint. There were a great group of folks there. Check Krista's, Felicity's and Sonja's blogs for just a small sampling of what we got up to. It was so much fun to get together for the day and sew our little hearts out! The biggest problem that day, which did cut things a bit short was we got a snowstorm, and seeing as we were about 45 minutes out of town, it meant a few of us left before 10. Laurraine (Patchwork Pottery) and I left about 9:15pm, and had a slow, but uneventful trip home. My apologies for the complete lack of pictures, but I'm a dufus when it comes to pictures and remembering to take them.

( I did manage to get the centre quilting done on my rainbow quilt - remember this one?

and had thought that I would get the border and binding done by now, but see above for explanation.)

Since that weekend, I've gotten started on a machine embroidery BOM - I figure it's about time I use this machine I've got, so I'm doing Goosetracks, by Hoopsisters. And, becasue I happen to have a lot of it in my stash, I'm doing it on silk and am very happy with how it's turning out so far.

Okay, so I only have 4 blocks done, but I'm still liking it!

This past weekend I went to an all weekend workshop put on by the Blue Mountain Quilter's Guild. Ya know, I didn't think I was going to like doing 60 degree angles, but guess what? They are sooooo much fun! I had a blast!
We started with this - take or make 6 small blocks, draft a hexagon to fit, figure out your fillers, then piece them altogether. Great start to the weekend!

We then went on to piecing 3D tumbling blocks - I love this one - see what happens when all you do is turn the block over?

And then there were the open sided boxes - too much fun these ones measure about 3.5"

and then to finish off the weekend - gift boxes! My big plan for a project coming out of this workshop is a Christmas tree skirt. maybe I'll get it done by next Christmas?

colour is really off on this one, and it really doesn't look quite so wonky! Really!

Coming up this weekend is getting my 4x6ers postcards done and in the mail - the theme this time round is monochromatic, and I have got an idea or two!

Here are the ones I sent out last time for the circles and triangles theme - wonky paper pieced flying geese - are you surprised?!

Happy quilting!

What a weekend!

2011-02-13T20:09:00.000-08:00

This was the weekend of our Mentor's workshop for the Blue Mountain Quilter's Guild - topic - Applique.
8 of us were showing 27 participants our methods for doing applique. We had 4 people demoing various hand applique methods and 4 or us doing machine applique methods.

My applique method of choice is raw edge, so I explained my process of developing a quilt from design concept through to finished quilt. As I don't like to waste time, doing raw edge applique leads to being able to stitch the applique down as some of my quilting. Of course, I love doing free motion quilting, these days, so I kinda got carried away, and my sample ended up being as much about the quilting as the applique!

My biggest surprise was that so many of the particiapnts in the sessions had thought of raw edge applique as being complex and difficult - I think I've made a few converts this weekend! Every report I heard was that the weekend was a great success.
It was a very interesting concept - each of the mentors designed either a flower or the vase, and then we worked round robin style with all of us working on the same sample top, each in our own technique, and then we each worked on a sample in our own preferred method, using each other's designs. This resulted in a great variety of samples showing everyone's technique, and the effect using different colours and layouts can have.

Here are the samples made up by some of the other mentors

Edna's

Joan's

Brigitte's

Bonnie's

Louise's

Joanne's

I missed getting one picture, so am missing Lyn's sample - not quite sure how that happened?!
It was a lot of fun, but boy am I tired now! Hope you had a great weekend!

Happy quilting!

Janet

not so much

2011-02-06T08:55:00.000-08:00

I was hoping to get a lot of quilting done this week, but that just didn't happen. I did get a few hours in yesterday, working on my workshop sample, and am really happy with how it's coming along.

I'll get some more done on it today, and if I'm really lucky, maybe even finish the quilting!

Hope you're having a productive weekend, too!

Happy quilting!

What a great sewing weekend!

2011-01-31T19:07:00.000-08:00

I had dropins at two of the guilds I belong to, so on Saturday, at the Blue Mountain Quilter's Guild, I sandwiched my Rainbow UFO that has been ~~sitting~~ languishing around for 3 years, waiting to be quilted! I started this quilt at my very first BMQG retreat - got the top pieced that weekend - along with a couple of other tops - one of which has long been finished, the other one is also still waiting for me to finish the border and get quilting - so it has been long over due.
It is bright! I love the vibrabcy in it! It will be so nice to finally get it done.

On Sunday, at the first ever Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild dropin, I got some more done on it. All told I'm probably about 3/4 finished the colourful middle, quilting it with, what else??? feathers! and just have to decide how I'm going to quilt the borders - any suggestions?

There are no good pictures of the border, but its a dark purply blue, 3 inch border.
I've used a varigated rainbow coloured thread on top, and a varigated purple, blue, pink thread in the bobbin.

Hopefully, I'll get a chance to get the quilting finished in the next week or so, and then I can go work on my DQS10 quilt!

Happy quilting!

Distracted!

2011-01-24T18:23:00.000-08:00

this happens quite easily for me! I should have been working on postcards and quilting my workshop sampler, but instead I started playing in my scraps and created this

It is based on Elizabeth Hartman's Mod Mosaic technique and was a result of working our next challenge for the Vancouver Modern Quilt guild. It's just the top, as I did manage to pull myself away and work on what I was supposed to be doing for little while!
How about you? Are you easily distracted too?

One good thing, if I'm sewing and quilting, I'm not fabric shopping, so I've got another week under my belt with no fabric bought!
Happy quilting!

Colour!

2011-01-19T22:02:00.000-08:00

I love colour - my kitchen is bright red, I love wearing bright jewel tones - my closet contains a lot of red and apple greens, with more turquoise blue sneaking in. I'm very drawn to bright and colourful quilts. But my stash, overall, it's not quite so bright. For some reason, over the years as I've bought fabric, I've not bought a lot of pure colour - it strikes me as very strange, as I don't really like the greyed out colours, (and I'm not a pastels person, so there aren't a lot of them in my stash). I do have a pretty broad selection of batiks, mostly FQ but bright, pure or solid colours? Not so much! I'm gonna have to do something about that when my Fabric diet is over! But I do have a few colourful pieces. And I dug them out to work on this sample for a guild workshop I'm doing. The workshop is on applique, eight of us are showing different applique methods, and I'm demonstrating how I do raw edge applique.

fused on

This is the basic sample that all 8 of us will be making, using our own technique. A vase with flowers - we each designed a flower and shared it with each other, and then its up to us how we combine them, embellish them etc. with the idea being to show how the same basic pattern can look very different, depending on technique, layout, colour selection and finishing, if we get that far! It also will let the participants see several different methods, get to try them all out, and see which one they like best.
I like raw edge as I can combine it with trapunto

trapunto layer added

and can also use the stitching down as being some of the quilting, although for this demo I'll be doing them separately. You can be subtle or bold with your applique thread - this time I picked black as I wanted that kind of look, but I could easily have picked colours that blended with each item.
So tonight I've finished stitching on and trimming away the excess batting for a trapunto layer. Next step will be t sandwich it and quilt - I'm thinking of doing some pretty dense quilting on it, incorporating a few colours around the flowers, but we'll see how I feel when I get there!

It will have to wait until the weekend now, as I have a different guild meeting tomorrow night - the Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild - where our January challenge was to make ourselves nametags. This is what I came up with

I used paperpiecing to do the curved flying geese this time - here's the nametag beside a bobbin so you can get an idea of the size of the geese

This was a lot of fun!

As far as my DQS10 quilt - I've got a of couple ideas perculating - hope to get some sketches done soon and some pictures posted. If my secret partner is here doing any stalking, please please have fun! - do not stress or worry - I have very eclectic tastes, and love to try out all kinds of new things - but I keep very little of what I make for myself! So please just enjoy the process and make something that you love making!
Happy quilting!

Back again!

2011-01-15T13:03:00.000-08:00

Silly me!
I forgot completely to post about how I was doing in my Cut to Pieces challenge - i.e. my fabric diet! (see my sidebar for the logo and link, or click here.) My plan for this year was to work from my stash, and avoid making fabric purchases. Angela over at Cut to Pieces is hosting a little challenge to not buy fabric for 2 months, and it just felt right to join in, as it was just the motiviator I would need.
So far, I'm holding good! Yesterday's win definitely takes the urge off to have to go buy something, and then at guild last night I was able to pick up a few bits from the Recycled Treasures (ie freebies from others) table, so I've still got fabric coming in wahoo! Now I just have to start using some of that stash up...
Happy quilting!

Cruising!

2011-01-15T10:11:00.000-08:00

It's been a good week!
I got picked in the DQS10 lottery, so I've got some doll quilt fun happening soon! Partner info will be coming out soon, and then the real stalking will begin! It's a secret swap, and oh there are some lovelies that appear! I end up drooling over all of them, trying to figure out which one might be coming my way.

See this button in my sidebar? (Isn't is cute? Amy designed this one! Look at the size of that little block and the detail in it!? Wow!) Just click on it over there and you'll see what I'm talking about - great little quilts, and man! What a fun bunch of sewers! You can also check out the Doll Quilt Swap blog here!
And then if that wasn't fun enough this week, Kaelin over at The Plaid Scottie hosted a 10,000 visits (can you imagine??!!! It'll be years before I get that many hits!) blog giveaway and I won! Wahoo!

picture from The Plaid Scottie

Can't wait to get hold of it! Thanks Kaelin!
Last night I had a guild meeting where I turned in this quick little donation quilt I completed this week. We have a quilt show coming up at the end of April, and our challenge is to have 100 of lap quilts done.

I'm planning on keeping this little puppy busy the next little while!

I've got a pile of UFOs I want to get done this year, and oh so many new ideas!
What are you working on?
Happy quilting!

Singing the Blues

2011-01-10T18:49:00.000-08:00

no not really, but that's what I've decided to call my second finish of 2011! Boy am I on a roll or what???

I'm really happy with how this one turned out!

It used up a tiny bit of my blue stash, but that's better than nothing!

How are you doing with your 2011 projects?

Happy quilting!

Time to start fresh?

2011-01-07T10:33:00.000-08:00

A new year always seems to be a good time to try new things. With that in mind, bear with me as I experiment with a new look for my blog!
I did manage to get my scrappy stars quilt done exactly when I said I would, so in honour of that, it has become my new header!

I'll have to see if I can get used to it, there maybe more changes to come!
Happy quilting!

making some progress!

2011-01-03T15:21:00.000-08:00

having the house to myself yesterday I got started on some quilting on my blue and white quilt. Unfortunately, I didn't like my first choice in thread colour so 20 minutes of quilting resulted in close to three hours of ripping! Blech! But I persevered, and am quite happy with how it's going so far

and from the back

this design is from a Patsy Thompson quilting stencil and I thoroughly enjoyed using it. Definitely go check out her site. I love her DVDs and now I can add her stencils to my list as well!
I have finished the quilting on my scrappy stars, just need to trim and bind and dare I say it will be my first finish of 2011???!!!

Happy quilting!

Welcome to the bright new year!

2011-01-01T13:03:00.000-08:00

I love when the new year starts so clear and sunny - gives a wonderful expectation of things to come!
In putting together a Flickr mosaic of some of the things I accomplished - i.e. actually finished! in 2010, it was a good year!

most of what I did, but misses a few of the postcards

But, I have to admit, it was also somewhat stressful at times - I did over extend myself with the number of swaps I committed to last year - nothing got missed or sent off late, but at times it was a struggle to stay on top of it all. Add to that I joined a third quilt guild, and a small quilting group, and then all the committments that go along with that, and I went back to work. Geeez! My darling hubby was just asking if I remember him! Yup, sure do! He's in my calendar and contact list! We keep each other notified of what we're doing and where we're at by sending meeting requests to each other - coz he's just as busy as I am with photography groups and outings, hiking and snowshoeing.

Will anything change in this bright new year? Well, maybe a bit - I'm going to be more judicious re what swaps I sign up for. Hmmm - it's not quite noon yet on January 1, 2011, and I've already put my name in for the DQS10 (Doll Quilt Swap #10). Sign-ups go until January 10, so if you are interested, this is a great swap - 200 or so enthusiastic quilters with some amazing designs. It is so popular that a lottery is held for the spots available. This is a great group! But, this maybe one of the only swaps I jump into right off the bat in 2011. I've got the 4x6ers postcard group as well, and that one is always fun - an amazing group of women in that one as well!
Since I'm not going to be doing so many swaps, what am I going to be doing? Well, I'm going on a fabric diet - I am going to try and work entirely from my stash this year - with the exception of some thread and batting - my goal is to use up what I've got. I've joined a Flickr group for inspiration on this one. The Scrapbusters Challenge 2011. I see a lot of donation quilts in my future - I've already got a few started as you saw in my last post, but instead of actually finishing off either of these two in 2010, I kept digging into the scrap bag and made another top!

A few more strips to add, stitch it all together, and then the top will be finished

I have started quilting the scrappy stars quilt, and the blue checkerboard is all pieced and ready to have the quilting plan laid out on it - I've got some great new stencils I want to try, and I do have plans on finishing these ones before next Friday - ~~three~~ two and a half more days off - can I do it??!!
And then of course, there are still all those UFOs on my sidebar - I really didnot make a lot of progress on those last year. But, it's a bright new year, full of hope and promise!
What comes next for you?
Happy quilting!

Don't know about you,

2010-12-27T10:07:00.000-08:00

but I'm still stuffed with turkey!
Hope you've all had a fabulous Christmas and are getting through all the leftovers!
I managed to get a little bit of play time in yesterday and got these blocks put together:

Scrappy Stars

I'll be piecing together a scrappy border, and then this one will be ready for quilting. I'm making a committment, and I'm starting now, that I'm going to work really hard on using up my stash this year - there will be several scrappy quilts in the works! Next on the list - of course it's already started, 'cause you just gotta do it when the inspiration hits, is out of my blue bin. This is going to be a lap quilt and will be a donation quilt for one of the guilds I belong to.

Out of the Blue

This doesn't seem like it has made much of a dent in my scrap bin, so there will be more coming! Have you seen the latest Quilter's Connection magazine? It was my inspiration for this one!

Since I'm off this week, I'm hoping to get both of these finished off, as well as working on a little project that a group of us will be teaching at a guild workshop in February. It should be fun! I'll get some pictures up of my part of it in the next couple of days!
I'm looking forward to a great 2011 with lots of sewing and quilting - hope you are too!
Happy quilting!

My Saturday

2010-11-21T10:25:00.000-08:00

between getting the laundry done, dishes, packing my HV Lily up to take her in for some general maintenance and getting re-acquainted with my Mega Quilter - boy is it heavy! I managed to get these done:

and then something for a different season and different technique!

crayon technique

Hope you had a great Saturday, too!

Happy quilting!

I've been MIA

2010-11-14T20:10:00.000-08:00

more doodling

no really good excuse, had a cold for a few days, work is crazy, inspiration was taking a holiday - all the usual things! But, I did get some quilting done this week - I used some things I learnt in Carla Barrett's Quilt Whisper class, and finished off my Christmas quilt. Do you remember Figgy Duff?
I started it last February - got the top pieced in no time flat - I based it on a quilt made by Amanda Jean (Crazy Mom Quilts) last year for the Moda Bake Shop, but made it bigger, and then it sat.

Figgy Duff - pieced

And sat. And sat some more. I pulled it out and started working on it at the day long retreat I did with Krista (Poppyprint). I got half of the middle quilted before I got bored with straight lines, and switched over to the inner border's feathers. That was better. Got that border done, and then it sat - again!
Until this week, when I realized that Christmas will be here before you know it, and I wanted it done! I worked on it on Thursday and got the cross hatching finished in the middle, the pieced border outline quilted, and half of the outer border's feathers quilted. This was a feather design I got from Carla in the Quilt Whisper class. It was a good day!
Today I finished off the border, trimmed and bound it.

I wanted it done, so I did a machine applied binding, start to finish.

Feathers

It looks pretty good! and yaaaaaay!!!

Figgy Duff - Finished!

I have a Christmas quilt done! and I kept to my promise of having it done before this Christmas! an OPAM & Christmas Projects 2010 finish!

Good thing, as you wouldn't believe the number of new ideas I've had as I was finishing this one!

Happy quilting!

It's Blogger's Quilt Festival Time!

2010-10-29T21:12:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to Amy for hosting this fabulous opportunity to check out quilts from all over the world, in the comfort of our own homes!

I hummed and hawed about what quilt to enter, and I decided on this one - my Summer Sunset in Vancouver.

This quilt was made as a Guild Challenge and included a couple of firsts for me -

my first New York Beauty blocks, my first attempt at trapunto and my first original quilt designed in EQ6 that I actually made! It was also my first real attempt at free motion quilting a quilt, doing more than just stippling the whole thing! I had a lot of fun playing with different stitches in different areas.

Hey it was a challenge, right?

I also pulled the fabrics from my stash, based more on the thought that these are not colours I normally use, so challenge that as well!

This quilt always makes me feel happy and warm when I look at it, and as we are heading into our wet grey winter a little warmth and sunshine is warranted.

I hope you enjoy the Blogger's Quilt Festival, and take the time to visit as many of the other entries as you can - there are some fabulous quilts out there!

I love a challenge - do you?!

Happy quilting!

Doodling

2010-10-27T07:58:00.000-07:00

white gel pen on black paper - a very fun way to doodle!

did you know how much doodling can improve your quilting? I've never been much of a doodler, but I'm taking a class from Carla Barrett - Quilt Whisper - and our assignments include a lot of sketching, drawing and doodling. I've been an admirer of Carla's quilting for some time - I've been following her blog Feathered Fibers and when she announced she was offering a class, I jumped at it!
I've progressed from this:

sketching from inspiring fabric

to this:

combining doodles

to last night I doodled on fabric:

just letting go and letting the doodle emerge!!

closeup

Have you been doing any doodling?
Happy quilting!

It's Quilt Show Weekend!

2010-10-16T16:28:00.000-07:00

The Blue Mountain Quilter's Guild, of which I'm a member is having it's quilt show this weekend! We had a busy day yesterday hanging the quilts, and people waiting for the doors to open at 10 this morning - so much fun! and what a fabulous display of quilts! We have such a talented group of quilters in our guild. If you're in the Greater Vancouver area, please try and stop by before it closes at 4 pm on Sunday. Click here for more details. Maybe tomorrow I'll remember my camera and will be able to show you some pictures!
As mentioneed in my last post, I got my mug rug(s) for the Flickr Scrappy Mug Rug swap posted off and they have been received now. Liz seems very happy with them, and I'm so pleased. A picture-less post is boring, so I'm repeating them here!

I'm still waiting (and not so patiently any more!!!) for mine to arrive - I'm hoping this week's the charm!
Now that the Quilt Show setup is behind me, I'm going to be able to actually spend some time sewing and quilting. I'm looking forward to that! My big dream these days is to design and quilt a wholecloth quilt. I'm not going to start off big probably a 36" square, max, but I'm quite excited about spending some time doing this. I've not actually planned the quilting out on a quilt before - I usually just put it under the needle and then just go! This is going to be interesting for sure! I'll be sure to post some progress shots as I go along.
Of course, I still have my 4x6ers postcard swap - the next theme is crazy quilt, using luxurious fabrics (I do have a few velvets, silks and glittery bits from making those Irish Dance dresses hanging around!), another Winter/Christmas theme Flickr Fabric Postcard swap and a third Flickr group - the Mini QT Swap, which this time round, is a holiday house theme. Gotta get my thinking cap on!
Happy quilting everyone, and hopefully I'll be around here a little more frequently for a while!