So.....

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New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Welcome to my world where I try to figure out what I'm going to do next! These days, it is mostly quilting, but you never know what it might be... come find out with me!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Catching up

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.
Flickr friends on Retreat  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.
embroidered blocks
Okay, so I only have 4 blocks done, but I'm still liking it!
embroidered on silk

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!

8 comments:

Joan said...

Yes :) Surprised too at all you have been doing - it all looks wonderful and it seems you had a great time speeding by. Nice to see you again Janet!!

Renate said...

Hey! There you are. I was wondering what time you were going to show up but then time has a way of slipping by at light speed. Love the Goose Tracks!

Melissa ;-) said...

I didn't know there were machine embroidery BOM's! I will have to check that out. And I think that pattern was made for that silk. I also love the 3d blocks. Gonna have to try that, too!

Poppyprint said...

Janet, those silk embroidery blocks are incredible!!! I love the 3-D blocks, too, very cool.

The retreat seems like ages ago - I'm with you, global speeding, it is!

Beth said...

Looks like you are working at a sped up pace!! Love the Hoopsisters blocks. We do a BOM with Hoopsisters patterns in the shop where I work. We are ready to start year #3 next month. So far they are all just fantastic.
Love all the 3-D blocks. They look way to hard for me. LOL

felicity said...

WOW! Janet, those embroidered blocks are incredible! You've been up to lots of beautiful work.

Maggi said...

Glad you too have decided that the earth is spinning faster, it can be the only explanation for the lack of time available to do everything. You've still managed to get an amazing amount done though. The silk blocks are stunning and the 60 degree angle work is fascinating. Beautiful quilting on the rainbow.

Iceni UK said...

terrific picture, it's lovely to see you again.
Your work is wonderful, the peacock embroidery colours remind me of a it's tail feather, truly lovely stitched blocks.

And the news is Janet........ Michelle and Jim are hoping to visit in August......