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!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

13 hours of sewing!

(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!
measure twice cut once
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.
playing with the layout
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.
all over quilting Lemon Sherbet 2
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
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!

14 comments:

Pat Merkle said...

Love your quilt and quilting!

Izzy said...

Wow that was quite the productive day! I really like your finished quilt and the quilting is beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing.

felicity said...

I had my head down and completely missed your block draw blocks - look forward to seeing them on Thursday!

Poppyprint said...

I missed those ghosties, too! I hope I win so I can choose a ghost. Later in the day I'm so preoccupied with dinner and getting tidied up that I completely missed your amazing quilting on the sherbet quilt...last I remember it was laid out on the floor. I can't believe you almost quilted the whole thing. I'd say you had a most productive day, Janet!

Poppyprint said...

Oh, and my guess is old fashioned potato peeler....

M-R Charbonneau said...

Those ghosts rock! Love your quilt and the quilting is stunning! Erin from Missy Mac Creations(http://missymaccreations.blogspot.com/) is hosting TGIFF! this Friday. Why don't you link up and share this?

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

cute ghosts!! and your quilting is lovely

Beth said...

Those ghosts are so cute.
Can't wait to see what else you are working on.

elle said...

I really like your baby quilt. Great quick block and the quilting is delicious!

Sheila said...

lovely quilt and quilting and the ghosts are just too cute .Also checked out your postcards and they are all really neat!

Cynthia F said...

Eee! Loooove your ghost blocks- so cool! And your Lemon Sherbet quilt is fabulous- so pretty & happy- it sounds like the retreat was super fun!

Mrsblocko said...

eeeek! Those ghosts are too too cute! I'd have a hard time giving them up. Although paper piecing scares me, so the thought of actually finishing something seems like a supernatural feat.

congrats on the finishes!

Heather said...

Wow... is that ever pretty! I can't believe you did all that in a day! And the ghost blocks are too cute. Good luck in the drawing! :o)

Amanda Jean said...

i love your lemon sherbet quilt! it turned out lovely!

thanks for linking up to finish it up Friday!