Love to Quilt

Just foolin' around

2012-02-07T15:45:00.000-04:00

The memory card in my old camera was 128 mb and every time I tried to capture my minions on video it overloaded the card and I had to clear it ...not a biggie but I am sooo spoiled so today I bought a 4gig memory card and just had to try it out. This picture is of the reversible quilt I made ages ago that I lay over the back of a leather sofa to keep the dogs from leaving scratches in the leather...hmmmph! what a waste of time that is. This shows it on the floor behind the sofa...where I usually find it after leaving them in the house by themselves...they do get excited when a car turns in the driveway...and here's proof...

I'm ready for Valentine's ...are you???

Finally it's done!

2012-02-03T21:03:00.000-04:00

It seemed like forever to finally get this top appliqued. ....sooo many leaves but at last it is done. I've given this a lot of thought while sewing all those darned leaves... these particular patterns were perhaps not meant for bed sized quilts. Nonetheless, I managed to do that anyway , along with a space for some fancy quilting in an 89" X 89" square quilt. Yeah it just squeaks under my favourite size 90" X 90". I'll probably never put this on my bed...not with two Shelties that are determined to sleep on the same bed .

Here it is in the frame...my good old Hinterberg that has been sitting idle for way too long. It took forever to mark this afternoon...all that crosshatching, in both the outside border and the centre squares. The inside border will be twisted rope with a feather pattern intertwined. Hopefully, it will look as nice as I imagined it. If not, looks like one of our daughters gets herself another quilt. Story of my life...

Guess what this is!

2012-02-01T16:07:00.000-04:00

If you see the threads inside it you will know the answer. It is a triangle thread catcher and it was a fun little project. One of the ladies at quilt guild brought one in yesterday to show and tell....with the story of how we are now "sewing geeks" . It should be "computer sewing geeks" since the pattern came from a source on the internet..Here scroll down and on the right side you will see the little suckers... It was very simple and the tutorial is well written with good pictures. I wish I was more of a traveller so I could make a whole bunch and take them to my quilting buds in St. George......

struggling along

2012-01-26T12:12:00.000-04:00

It seems like I've been appliquing forever. This is the last portion to be done...excluding the curves on the corners...I just can't seem to think of how to finish this off. I was going to make ruched flowers and some more leaves...some embroidered vines...all that stuff but I just can't work up the enthusiasm. I've run out of colour choices..as well. Maybe I'm just burned out. I am determined to finish it and put it in the quilt frame...that part of quilting has always been my favourite part of the craft. Once it is all ready to be put in the frame , the first thing I will have to do is have it either dry cleaned or carefully vacuumed....it is totally covered in Sheltie hair...I do love my doggies but I hate all the fur that collects on things.

On that note...doggie note, that is....take a look at this video...it's my girlies doing their howling thing. Only got a little of it since they start up at the oddest times and by the time I grab the camera they're usually winding down. It always make me laugh.

It's been Ages!

2012-01-18T14:33:00.001-04:00

It's been a long time since I last posted and I feel guilty...I really do. Since I've just been puttering around I really have no excuse. Hubby gave me a great camera for Christmas...among other wonderful things...he likes to ensure there are surprises under the tree...what a guy!
These pictures were supposed to be in the opposite order...I'll work on that. this is my favourite picture of Tigger. Quietly waiting for me to stop all that silly stuff and play with her...ever hopeful, my Tigger.

I tried to catch the "girls" mid howl but as usual the second I grabbed the camera they stopped...someday.

This is the project I did today. I needed to see how long it would take and whether or not some of the beginners in our guild would be able to do it in a project day. The instructions are well written( I missed only one step and was able to fix easily), Pictures helped and voila...my organizer. Will sit beside my machine and keep my necessities (seam ripper and scissors) close by.

This is another little project...a folded star ornament. That white blur at the top right corner is Faith's ruff...she decided she needed a close up view...silly dog. This particular project was really simple to do..that is if you ever did any box chain bracelets as a kid. I used to do stuff like that all the time...great for making your own keychains and what nots...should be interesting how many grumble about it...Take care for now...I'll try not to take so long between posts.

Post Holidays Pinks

2012-01-05T11:53:00.000-04:00

With the holidays over, it gets kind of quiet in the house....all the decorations are put away...wahhh!...one must cut out all the goodies to eat...jeans are too tight....wahhhh! So, it's time to buckle down and have some fun with the sewing machine. Towit....here are a couple of bookmarks I made yesterday...Yeah, you read right...bookmarks(e-reader owner, here) that would make fun little Valentine's gifts...not expensive and fun to do

Here you can see how they work. The small pocket on the back is for tucking the pages in to hold your place(actually on the other side...the heart does the work...kind of like life, no???)

I also got bitten by the postcard bug. They are easy to do...cut 5" X 7" to give yourself an allowance and create whatever you want inside a 4" X 6" area. You are limited only by your imagination....mine is limited for sure, but what the hey, I had fun. I used TimTex to give the postcard substance and then a fabric on the back. Got out my coloured Sharpies and went to it. These are reverse appliqued...something I've been playing with for awhile. To finish , I zigzagged the four by six edges and trimmed down....easy-peasy...

I made a half dozen of these cones before Christmas...I can't remember if I posted them or not...but just in case, I'm posting again. I gave them all, except this one, away for gifts to friends and hostesses. Before doing that, I sabotaged everyone's willpower by adding a package of Hershey almond or caramel chocolate kisses. I try to be a good friend...teehee.

Here are the puppies waiting for their ice cubes. On the left is Faith...she's the 'small'..in the middle is Tigger ..she's the 'medium' and then there is Walker...he's the 'large' and not finished growing. They were a joy to watch ...two cuddlers..Faith and Walker and the hellraiser 'Tigger'...that's my girl !

Happy Christmas

2011-12-26T15:00:00.000-04:00

Meet Walker, our daughter's dog, he is just a year old and absolutely gorgeous. He's going to be a big boy compared to our dainty little Shelties. Walker is a blue merle and because he grew too big his breeder was willing to let him go despite the fact he has wonderful points and you should feel that coat. He's very polite , although our girls have taught him some bad manners and best of all, he is a cuddler...puts Faith to shame.

This is our youngest...Meghan with her buddy. Once Meghan comes home Tigger is no longer my dog. She shadows Meghan, sleeps on her bed and won't let anyone near Meghan's things....lets them know in no uncertain terms that Meghan is "hers". She will even condescend to more than a couple of minutes of cuddling as pictured here....only for Meghan.

They finally accepted each other on the same blanket...see there are little miracles every day, especially on Christmas day. I hope your special day was as wonderful as ours and that the New Year brings you peace, joy and good health.

Postcarding Again...

2011-12-21T19:59:00.000-04:00

This could become addictive. I made this one this afternoon and just finished it up tonight. It's paper pieced, of course. The local Artists' Co-op is having an Art by Mail exhibition this winter and even though it is not original art , I don't think they will mind my sending it in. I am not looking for anything other than some fun to make. They have their current offerings on their blog spot...sorry, can't remember the url...I'll look it up and you can see the amazing art work that has been done postcard size. Excuse me, I just noticed that my stove top needs a good cleaning. tata for now....

My Postcard

2011-12-21T10:58:00.000-04:00

I tried to crop this picture so that all you could see was the postcard but blogger would not accept my cropped attempt....bugger it.!...ah well., here it is in all it's "on the floor to take a picture" glory. I found the pattern on EQ6 and resized it for a 4" X 6" postcard, then I reverse appliqued it. I wish I had made my 'Merry Christmas' a little larger and perhaps a little more formal.. one cannot be perfect , after all. Regardless of the imperfections, I like it and I had fun making it....'nuff said. It goes in the mail today.

This is 'Miss Priss', as usual , she is relaxing on what the dogs consider the best spot in the house...they can watch everything goin' on without too much effort. I swear I can get umpteen pictures of Faith, she's so relaxed and amiable, but the Tigger is just too busy to hold still. Out daughter is here for the holidays and has commandeered my dog. Tigger won't even come near me for a cuddle. Fickle little @#$$....oh well, she'll come back when Meghan goes home. Our firstborn arrives today with her year old pup...it too is a Sheltie...should be an interesting time. I'll keep you posted.

Having some fun.

2011-12-03T20:19:00.000-04:00

I made the green scarfed one first...it was so much fun I just had to make another one ..so there's the one with red mittens. Now I have two...THEN I just couldn't resist the rabbit. It was a blast to do.

Here's a closer look at the rabbit. I love the small eyes and little nose...so comical.

Now this thing ...it is a cone with an angel on it . I intend to purchase some wrapped candies and fill this thing. Damn I love Christmas decorations and lights and outside lights and old feel good movies and carols and baking and turkey and all that stuff.....and to top it all off , our two daughters are coming home for the holidays.....isn't life grand???

Time just flies!

2011-12-01T17:01:00.001-04:00

I've kind of overwhelmed myself with the amount of applique that I decided to do on the borders of my quilt. This is a little less than one quarter of the border done....actually, even that part is not finished since I have to do some embroidery on the pansy yet.. I like to applique, I really do but I think I wasn't really paying attention to how much I was putting on the borders...I've been making so many leaves I think I could do it in my sleep.

This part is near the mitered corners...you can see the bluebells better. I'll probably be at this until the spring and then it will finally make the frame for hand quilting. The problem with this quilt....no matter how much I like it, it will never get to go on my bed...not with two dogs deciding they should sleep there, whether we are in it or not.

Today I took some time for another kind of applique...fusible with top stitching. I love the Art to Heart patterns. They are so cute and so easy to do using the fusible web. This one worked up so quickly, I think I'll do another pattern tonight. As it is here, it needs two eyes, two legs for the bird and of course, the seam needs to be hand stitched closed. Wonder if I will keep this one.

My two Shelties are gluttons and absolute pigs for their food. It's getting close to their dinner time and you'd believe I was starving them if you saw how anxious they get right around feeding time. This is one of the rituals ...running around the kitchen island like they're being chased by ogres. Then there's the whining and the barking and the pawing at me....so frantic. Once they're fed they are absolute angels...wanting to play or cuddle ...depends on the weather.....nice day...play outside, miserable day...cuddle close. They are such creatures of habit.

Occupational Therapy

2011-11-04T11:01:00.000-03:00

Here are the latest 4.5 inch squares for my "Dutch Treat". I forget how many squares that I have to do each time I get back to this. One hundred and Ninety-six is what the book tells me but geez these are so tiny and just a tad tedious. When I have patience they work up quickly, but when I'm fractious I find them frustrating...so very tiny. But I will persevere and finish this if it kills me...what's that saying...'what doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger'..let's hope it's true.

I put together my Baltimore Bouquet top this far. This is only about 67 inches square..I want to add another 20 inches of background and do some vines, flowers, yoyos, embroidery and such. When I think about it, this quilt is not really practical...too many bumps and fragile flowers for every day use., especially with two rambunctious dogs around that look upon our bed as their stomping ground. It will probably end up stored in a closet somewhere but what the heck, I do love to hand applique.

I Really liked doing this square with the weaving in the basked and although you can't see it very clearly the handle is folded bias twisted and sewn in place...gives it more texture. It was funny ...when I finished it, without the embroidery it seemed kind of bland...then with the French knots it seemed to come to life...fun to do and little bit of a challenge.

Here are the girlies...on a quiet time...doesn't happen all that often but they sure are sweet when they lay down and relax a bit. Faith is the lady...much too prissy to chase a ball but look out if she wants to play, you play NOW. And then, there is Tigger, my foxy girl. She has eyes like a doe and a face like a sly fox...she's demanding as all get out. She will play nonstop if anyone will accommodate her. That's my girl.

I kind of got a kick out of this picture. Usually it is Tigger looking out the window in this position but this time Faith took over. You'll notice the lap quilt slowly falling off the back of the couch. I think I pick that thing up at least a dozen times in a day. They are such nosy girls...loud , too.

Applique Fanatic Here!!

2011-10-19T15:15:00.000-03:00

This is what I've been plugging away at for the last few weeks. DH went away for a few days and I got six of them done...yahoo! It's that back basting applique technique that got me motivated. I've always loved applique but wasn't overly proud of my work...it could be better...back basting helps me with that...my points are sharper and the curves are curvier. Someday I'll be pleased with the finished product...and before you say it....it really boils down to MY expectations of my work. If I feel it is not good enough then I have to work on improving it.....nuff said.

This is the one that I like the most....so far. I like the ones that combine one or more techniques. I have nine squares done and seven more to do. I plan on having 16 squares...cornerstones, sashing , an outside border with swags and some dimensional flowers....may scallop the edges ...who knows....I don't, until I get it all together and then I decide...really depends on my mood of the day...a little changeable , like the weather.

I've had this book by (Mimi Dietrich) for ages. I've made the occasional square and demonstrated a lot of the techniques over the years but never got the ambition to put a quilt together.....about time, wouldn't you say. I have to give thanks to Judy Steeves...AGAIN...here, she's the one who started me on my latest obsession.

Backbasting Applique Tutorial

2011-10-02T17:02:00.000-03:00

If you have a lightbox the first thing that you do is lay the pattern on it, if not, tape it to a window. Place your background fabric , right side down on the pattern, aligning the pattern where you want it on your fabric. Using a pencil or whatever you prefer to use , trace the complete pattern on the BACK of your background fabric. Identify the order that you will put the pieces of your pattern and beginning with the first piece...in this case, it was the body of the cardinal.. make sure the piece of fabric you will be using for the body is larger than the pattern , pin the fabric, wrong side down on the RIGHT side of the background fabric....pin in place. Using an embroidery needle and embroidery thread or a contrast thread and following the lines of the body design, baste....using a stitch larger than a quilt stitch and smaller than a large baste stitch...approximately 1/8th in length....baste the body design.
I found if I basted larger stitches where the patterns overlapped,
I was able to distinguish where I needed to make smaller stitches when attaching.

Trim the excess material off...leaving a tad less than 1/4 of an inch for a seam allowance. Clip any curves to the basting stitch...don't cut the thread. Once the curves are completely clipped you can start clipping the basting thread and begin turning the seam allowance under using the point of your needle to turn it under. Remove basting stitches as you work along and follow the line made by the basting stitches as your guide. Use thread the SAME colour as the piece you are attaching and using a small running stitch in the fold of the fabric, sew in place...you can baste along portions that will be under another attached piece of the pattern.

To add the next piece of fabric , cut a piece a bit larger than the pattern piece you wish to add. Hold the whole piece up to a window or on a lightbox to make sure you have covered the whole pattern, Pin in place and then baste the same as you did the body portion, using a contrast thread for ease in following.

Make sure you trim the pieces to within 1/4 or smaller depending on the size. Clip curves again and attach with smaller stitches.

In this picture you can barely see the black fabric showing through the background. It covers the area that needs to be covered and will be basted in place before stitching.

You can also see the stitching along the body. As you can see it follows the pencil marks that define the pattern. There is no need to cut to remove freezer paper or dryer sheets...It can be left as is and is easy to hand quilt through.

And here is the finished project. It amazed me how easy it is to applique and how accurate it can be. Much faster than freezer paper method and no need to create templates.

If any portion of this tutorial is unclear to you , please comment and I will try to answer any questions you have. Hope you can understand my instructions. I would like to acknowledge the lady that showed me how to do this,....Judy Steeves from Sussex Vale Quilt Guild taught me this technique last week and I am so thankful she did.

New tricks.

2011-10-01T22:13:00.000-03:00

It's been said that you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Well, I don't believe that anymore....this is a table topper that I just finished pinning in preparation for some machine quilting. That's not the new trick, I have done that before...not that well, but passable for me. I'm talking about the applique. I've always been a freezer paper appliquer...it was the way I was taught many eons ago and I liked the technique. Even if it was tedious and time consuming and a royal pain. Well, a lady in my guild is a "back basting" appliquer and she showed me how to applique this 'new' way (at least , new to me) and I am totally enthralled with the technique...no more freezer paper...no more cutting the back out to remove the paper and the accuracy...well I am completely impressed and awed with the sharp points and the easy curves...I am soooo pleased with the results of the hand applique on this table topper. Considering the fact that I merely started it to see how I would feel about this method. I am sold, I am a convert, I am tickled pink to learn a 'new' technique and now I have to crow about it. So guess what, I am an old dog(I have been called a 'bitch' before) and I have learned a new trick...ain't life grand???

No,it's not Christmas yet.

2011-09-25T18:51:00.000-03:00

But I do have to get ready for it.....right? Actually this is the prototype for a Christmas project for my guild. I figured I should have one done so they can see what it is they will be doing in November...that is, if the wish to do it. It was a fun project ...not at all difficult. I got it out of a current Christmas magazine ...can't remember the name and I'm too lazy to run down stairs and find it. I started it last night ...sort of slow going since I wasn't sure what fabrics I wanted to use . Then this afternoon I got down to it and finished it. Took about 5 hours in total which means that it won't get finished on project day but it will be almost done and they can do the finishing touches at home...there!!!

Tigger showed her usual approval...my faithful companion is always hovering close by...she follows everywhere and only rests when she figures I am sitting for a while....a bundle of energy this one.

This is probably the 5th picture I took of Faith. Each and every time I snapped the camera she turned her head...little witch. I swear she knew I wanted to take her picture and decided to play hard to get.. I don't know if you can tell or not, but her beautiful Sheltie coat is starting to come back in. She is actually a slim and trim little girl but we noticed today that all that fur coming in gives her a big butt and she has the cutest wiggle. Now Tigger's coat is a little slower coming in since she is much younger ...I doubt if Tigger will ever have the thick coat like Faith but it really doesn't matter to us...we love them both the same...

Still at it!

2011-09-19T20:27:00.000-03:00

Here are the latest "Dutch Treat" squares I've done. I actually have quite a few of these little buggers done.I would have taken pictures of more but I have been having a long involved discussion with my camera...it just won't listen to me...seems the internal image storage was acting up and I have been unable to access my pictures on the computer since the docking station went kaput. These pictures actually did go onto the memory card so luck was with me..I do these 6 at a time and then store them in a little storage container...you never know someday they might end up in a quilt.

Faith thought she might play with a toy for about two seconds...mainly because she thought Tigger wanted it....oh these fur kids of mine!!!

This is our latest acquisition. The treadmill refused to work anymore....no comments from the peanut gallery about overloading machinery please. We missed the exercise for a couple of weeks then DH made up his mind that he would like to try the elliptical machine...looks like Gail got her way again, even if it took her a few years...yahoo! I wanted one of these ages ago and now here it is...sure is quite a difference from the treadmill...a much harder workout but low impact on knees , hips and even the back. We're both appreciating that, I can tell you!!

And this is why we need an elliptical machine...too many pies. Got feeling domestic today and made a half dozen pies to freeze. We had visited the farmer's market last Friday and bought some apples and pears.....they looked so good. Have you ever had Pear pie...it is surprising delicious...I have DH's permission to make pear pie again...aren't I the lucky girl?

Double Dresden Done!

2011-09-12T21:00:00.000-03:00

Here's my Double Dresden single size quilt all quilted and bound...finished it tonight while watching Coronation Street(My fav...soap...so British,,you know) and then Jeopardy. Now my quilt frame looks so forlorn with nothing on it...hate to see it like that so I'd better get my act together and put another quilt in it...maybe a charity one this time. This is the one that will sit at the foot of our bed...just for me...DH likes only one quilt...furnace that he is, and me...well, I like to snuggle under a couple...solves my problem this single sample.

Thought you might like to see a close up of the quilting. Sure do like that twisted rope pattern, especially on solid fabric ...it really pops.

Faith had enough of waiting and decided it was time for her to go to bed. She tries this just about every night...trying to get us to go to bed early......mind you, this is not where she is supposed to sleep but she just has to give it the good ol' Sheltie try...stubborn little thing.

And here is my faithful companion...Tigger is more than willing to wait until I go to bed no matter what hour it is. She will curl up wherever she can keep an eye on me and when I decide to go , she comes right along with me...except when Meghan, our younger daughter is here..then she is entirely Meghan's ...fickle little ...s^*t. Oh well, luv her anyway.

Staycation Time!

2011-09-06T16:09:00.000-03:00

DH found this cemetery way out in the backwoods of Sussex (Londonderry area) and we've visited a couple of times. Our daughter Meghan, was home for a visit so we decided to spend the day in the woods and visit some old cemeteries.....I know, it takes all kinds. This one, however, is rather neat...it is right in the middle of the woods and I mean MIDDLE. You walk about a 1/4 of a kilometer along a narrow pathway and suddenly there it is. It must have been beautiful at one time because even with the trees all grown up around it, it is serene and a lovely place to visit. Just thinking about how much was involved in having this wrought iron brought in to place around the gravesight was mind boggling. I'd like to note here that it is for a man and a child...makes you wonder, hunh??

Then we took a day and visited Hopewell Cape and walked on the ocean floor. These are the Flower Pot Rocks. It was a small hike into the park and then down open stairs that are below sea level when the tide is in and there you are...walking on the ocean floor. It is awesome!!!. I had seen the rocks before...from lookoffs but had never taken the plunge(pardon my quibble) and followed the trail right down to the bottom. It was windy and cool and the waves were not too fearsome , the mud was icky and the rocks were amazing. It's one of those things everyone in New Brunswick should do at least once and proudly brag to anyone who will listen...

This is another of the many pictures that I took while walking on the ocean floor.......ahem!!!...it kind of fascinated me to see the spruce tree clinging for dear life on rocks that are steadily and slowly eroding away. There were a lot of places that were out of bounds due to the falling rocks...time will certainly create more but for now, it just hangs there.

On a side note, Tigger fell in love with our daughter Meghan last year at Xmas time. This time it was total obsession. Tigger went everywhere Meghan did, slept with her at night and wouldn't even get up for breakfast unless she did.This is just an example of how she behaved. Wherever and however, Tigger was Meghan's shadow. She's a sad little girl now that our DD has gone home....poor baby...

Courage where art thou???

2011-08-29T20:28:00.000-03:00

In an earlier post I mentioned how long it took to get this book and how much I wanted it. I ran out to the fabric store and bought fabric within days of receiving it. After diligently washing and pressing the fabric, it sat in my sewing room for weeks while I tried to screw up my courage to begin...I'm like that....if I feel intimidated by something, I stew on it for a time and then just get right down to it and do it. This one intrigued me...all those little squares and all reverse applique. I tried reverse applique a couple of times years ago and it really didn't bother me but those pieces were much larger than 4.5 inches square. Well , this weekend I decided it was time . Of course I never pay attention to instructions if I think I can do it differently and perhaps faster....naughty! naughty!. ....what is that expression?..."if all else fails, read the instructions"..It quite clearly states to cut your top fabric in six inch squares so that you can allow for some shrinkage after applique...what, me shrink fabric...never you say!!

These are the four that I managed to finish ...the one in the upper right corner this evening. I cut my top squares 5 inches...not wanting to waste...(a lot of Scot in me) and the back squares 4.5. I squeaked by with the 5 inch squares...think I'll follow the instructions and cut the 6 inch squares and cry in my beer about all the wastage. On the bright side, I loved doing the reverse applique...even the teeny little squares were fun...a little challenging at the beginning but I managed...I can only get better as time goes on...right?????

Gadget Geeks need carryalls..

2011-08-25T18:58:00.000-03:00

I believe I mentioned in an earlier post how much I am enjoying listening to books on my ipod. Well, I have dropped it a few times while walking on the treadmill.....horror of horrors, should I break it! I found this pattern in a magazine...God love 'em....and just had to make one. My daughter warned me that the ipod wasn't as convenient as the shuffle but the shuffle is not big enough to download books...so what are you gonna do? I compromised and made an ipod purse...aren't I smart!

Here are the instructions for the aforementioned ipod purse...so easy to follow...made my strap just a little longer since I am a long lanky thing.

Usually when I buy a magazine there is at least one thing in that interests me...this one was a winner. There are actually three things that I will be making...the ipod purse, a camera carrier and the coaster caddy with coasters...shown below.

This is the beginning of my sample caddy and coaster set....I don't plan on keeping this set...it was just to get a feel for how quickly it worked up....thought I might get some of the quilters interested in making some at our guild programme day...you never know.It's a little more intricate than I would like for a quick project but if we get the caddy made and one coaster that would get them started and maybe they could finish at home..

Faith is starting to get her "Sheltie " Coat back. She dropped it after having a section to save her one pup and then she was spayed so that was a second surgery. It'll take a while to come back in completely but she's a beauty anyway...she's our Princess Pudge...not really pudgy...just a very solid little girl compared to scrawny, skinny Tigger.

And here's the Tigger, checking out the activity outside. She's every watchful and those upright ears hear everything... great watch dog...not too good a guard dog...licking the trespassers does not come under the criteria for guard dog. Oh well, she's a lover not a fighter..

I'm a Name Dropper and proud of it!

2011-08-25T18:44:00.001-03:00

It took me a while to find this magazine. I searched all the 'usual' haunts that stock quilt magazines and no luck. I was getting a little annoyed that it was so difficult to find when I finally found the last copy in Shopper's Drug Mart. It is not often that I actively search for magazines..more likely to trust my luck to find the ones I want. This one, however, is special ...see that Bonus in the left hand bottom corner.

Well....that is because it is written by a friend of mine...a fellow quilter and blogger...Gail Mitchell...her blog is Quilt, Knit, Run, Sew. The article is very helpful for guilds, church groups or charity groups to maximize their return on their quilt.

Way to go, Gail....it helps that you and I have the same name...no doubt!!!!

Another quilt in the frame.

2011-08-13T16:55:00.000-03:00

I am never certain what I will quilt in the border of a quilt...it's usually a light colour and conducive to some fancy quilting...there's my traditionalism coming in.I debated long and hard on what to put on this border...not sure why, it's not a quilt that is going to anyone...just a bed warmer for me. But, it just called out for something different. My sister in law suggested I use a dark colour...which would mean I'd have to pay attention to my quilting and not just "whip" along. So here's what I chose. A 'twisted rope'...one of the first border stencils I ever quilted...oh so many years ago.

Because of the Dresden plates as cornerstones I had to use a smaller stencil than the actual width of the border...then I got brave...the rope is in a burgundy and the 'rays' out from the plates are in a variegated quilting thread that I have laying around not earning its keep....lazy bastard. Then in the actual squares I marked cross hatching around the larger Dresden Plates. A motley crew of designs.

Here are the colours of the threads...It's a darn good thing the back is a mottled fabric that will not show the colours of the quilting thread...see, there is a method to my madness.

And here is the quilt in the frame. It's a small quilt...single bed size so I won't get too frustrated...I just finished a queen size for a neighbour...her fabric was soft and the needle went through like butter...not the case here.

No pictures of the puppy dogs today, they're mad at me...it's suppertime and I'm at the computer...not too happy little girls...maybe next time.

Meet Quiloinka

2011-08-11T10:20:00.000-03:00

This ~~ugly,~~ er....passable looking lady is my Fairy Quilt Godmother. Since I am not a complete paper piecing convert it took me weeks...yes, I said it...weeks to finish. I kept putting it off...just couldn't see how it would work but there she is , in all her glory. My daughter's guild did theirs in a mystery project and she challenged me. Mind you, I have mine finished before her...I don't care if she is in the process of moving houses...I won!!..LOL

Part of the reason it took me weeks to finish Quiloinka was some gardening that just had to be done...we won't talk about that...it's not my favourite part of yardwork. However, I would like to say that I love Moonbeam Coreopsis..just saying it makes me smile. A lovely lady in St. George, who has since passed away, gave me a piece of her plant and I brought it with me to Sussex. It is so pretty....grows small bush high and is wispy...pretty accent plant.

This is an Annabelle hydrangea...I've wanted one for years but never knew what they were called until....duh.....I asked someone who had one. I'm happy to say, I planted one last fall...never expecting it to grow and boy it sure fooled me. They have such big, fat blossoms...wonder if they dry well like all the other hydrangeas. Guess I'll just have to try it to find out.

Here's Faith, anxiously watching the hummingbirds at the back feeders. They have been extremely active these days and emptying the feeders daily. I figure they are bulking(now that's a picture) up for the long trek south...although DH says they won't leave until the geese fly by. He claims they hitch hike a fly down. Silly man!

Tigger has been a little clingy of late. We left the two munchkins home for a day while we attended a wedding out of town. The neighbours watered them and fed them so they were well tended but Tigger rarely lets me out of her sight. Not too pleased we went somewhere without them. Dare we say, Spoiled!!

Another project

2011-07-29T17:30:00.000-03:00

Remember this pattern. It was produced a few years ago as a block of the month in gorgeous shades, not quite pastel but not jewel tones either. I loved it and ordered it right away. Got to number 13 and kind of burned myself out with applique...I wasn't pleased with my progress and just put it aside. My S-I-L was here for a bit and wanted to see how it was coming along, so I dug it out and put the squares up on my "design wall"....here it is....

Darn Blogger for not putting the picture in the right way.....I had turned the one above and this one and as you can see, this one did not turn....don't get a 'crick' in your neck....lol. As you can see, jewel tones...all the way. I've tried pastels...I absolutely love them when they are all done but everytime I try to make a quilt in light colours I stray. I guess I'm just a 'jewel' lover at heart....that can be said for the other jewels as well.

This blur of Sheltie fur is actually the two Shelties 'rasselin'...they have a wonderful time, pouncing on each other and chasing each other through the house. I especially love to see them full tilt outside. We have a big yard and they take full advantage of it. It is usually Faith chasing Tigger but occasionally Tigger chases Faith. When Faith manages to grab a hold on Tigger somewhere, it's down she goes and then Faith pounces.

This is after the pounce...no one gets hurt and they usually have a great time. I've never heard a yelp from either one of them....such a good thing.

Life in Reverse

2011-07-25T13:54:00.000-03:00

This is my Reverisble Quilt as you go....at last it is finished. I turned the corner up so that you could see that is really is reverisble. It was a neat project for summer ...a little time consuming at the first but once you have your bases done away you go.

Believe it or not, this is Tigger...relaxing on the sofa...a rare event. The quilt is there to protect the leather...she's a 'jump on anything' type of gal....cute when she wants to be.

This is one of Faith's paws. DH had mowed the grass and Faith decided she needed to run around and be frisky..must have been that freshly mown grass smell. Here's what she looked like after...four green paws.

I have no idea what kind of lily this is but I really like it....it has double petals...anyone know what it's called???

It's all finished!

2011-07-13T19:32:00.000-03:00

It's bound and ready for a label. Only one thing holding it up...I don't know what to call it. Something with 'chain' in it for sure but what. I have to say I'm not really happy about this one. When I started quilting it I made a stupid decision...that was to just quilt along the vines and the leaves...as a result it is too loose and really needs more quilting along the border. It's so annoying to make stupid decisions like that especially when I knew I would be sorry. Ah well...perfection is for machines.

I've been waiting for this book a long, long time. I tried to buy a copy last year but they were sold out. I put my name on a waiting list but never got notified and then , one night of random surfing and there is was on Amazon.ca....was I ever excited. I ordered it right away and guess what...there was a postal strike. I figured it was one of those Karma things and I was never going to get a copy. It showed up in the mail this week and from an American Company with no duty or customs charges.......awesome.I got interested in Dutch Treat after seeing some excellent blogging pictures and working on my "Dear Dorothy Jane". That was a hoot to do and I really liked doing the applique squares. This one is totally applique and reverse to boot. Am I lucky or what!!!

And here's another picture of my Dear Dorothy Jane hanging behind the headboard in our bedroom. I will probably move it somewhere else where you can see all the squares. That way I will be able to hang the "Dutch Treat" when it is finished.....stay tuned.

The end is nigh!

2011-07-11T19:48:00.000-03:00

I'm almost finished quilting this one. I have no idea what to name it. It's not a pattern I saw anywhere, just a picture and then an idea to add the applique and use up some scraps. No one told me they multiply when you're not looking. What would you name it?

Tigger is playing nice with DH. This is her idea of a hug. Just a quick sidle close then off she goes. She'd rather be playing ball. She has tremendous speed and is highly motivated to 'get that ball'...I guess you could say she is very competitive.

And here is the diva...watching whatever is going on outside. She is sooooo laid back. Quite content to watch..sometimes she'll chase Tigger but only once in the game then that's enough of that. The quilt (reversed) is mainly for Tigger who likes to bounce off the back when she's performing in the house....saves wear and tear on the leather.

small but mighty

2011-07-07T11:30:00.000-03:00

This is the Anglican Church in St. Andrews, NB., a beautiful Gothic old church that just happens to be a wonderful showcase for quilts. I had the privilege of being asked to co-judge this show and it was a treat for the eyes. Incredible architecture and fabulous quilts...how great is that!

This beauty was our choice for Best in Show. The piecing was superb, the quilting exceptional and the visual presentation was eye popping. It stood out and surprisingly the other judge and I immediately were drawn to it and agreed right away as to our choice. It is so nice when it happens that way.

This beauty won for Best Applique. This lady's work is exquisite. I wasn't surprised when I found out who made it, I saw her potential a few years back when she first started...some people are born appliquers and she is one.

The same lady that did the above quilt did this Double Wedding Ring which won for Best Quilting...she makes the tiniest stitches...makes me green with envy.

I'm not a big fan of strippys but this one was so well done we just had to give it a ribbon for best piecing. All those little squares are individually pieced and she didn't cut off any tips . This picture does not do it justice...the colours are deep and rich(they are Christmas prints, too)

Ohio Star, although it did not get a ribbon it was given great consideration....no tips cut off, great quilting and we both liked the colour combination....unusual but it worked.

Believe it or not, this quilt was not to be judged....I gave it my "judge's choice" because it blew me away. Those black trips are less than 1/4 inch wide and it is all pieced...no cheating or skimping here. It is a stunning quilt and the second ribbon was from a lady that is synonomous with quilting in Charlotte County...she is asked each quilt show to pick the one that she likes best of all...an honour the local quilters covet.

All in all, this is small quilt show by local quilt show standards but with the beautiful church as a backdrop and lovely quilts to see, it was worth every minute to see. Plus for all those 'wannabe' quilters there is a shop hop that will earn you a 12 inch square pattern with fabric to get you started.

I'm going for Sainthood!

2011-07-03T16:16:00.000-03:00

DH and I have been married for 41 years today...who would have thought! This is our present to each other...it is an Ivory Silk ...cousin to the lilac. They are beautiful trees and I have wanted one for a long time and today was a good day to get one. It's nice to have an occasion to purchase things you really would like to have...I only had to nag a couple of days...lol...

Faith is wondering why we are outside on such a hot day when she would rather spend the time inside...where it is cool and she doesn't have to run around...our Princess Pudge has slimmed down considerably but she still has only short spurts of activity...such a diva!!

Tigger is running to DH for safety. We had just hollered at Faith for eating too many sunflower seeds. We have bird feeders out and as you know they are not the neatest of eaters. Seeds everywhere and Faith likes them too much. The seeds do not like her...Tigger is not going to get in trouble doing the same thing...no sirree...she'll cosy up to DH and let him know she'd never do that....at least while we are looking. She's one smart cookie.

I never get bored!

2011-07-02T22:46:00.000-03:00

Add caption

How annoying that blogger will not accept this picture as I had rotated it in my album..bummer. Anyway...I think I've said before how much I like Quiltmaker magazine. This pattern is from their Spring 1998 issue. I made this lap quilt twice already. The first one I put in a quilt show with an exorbitant price on it , thinking no one will pay that much for a lap quilt...boy, was I wrong. Oh well, back to the drawing board and I made another. That one , my little pal Skeeter(my first Sheltie) commandeered for himself. He would lay on it on the sofa and heaven help anyone who sat on it...they got the beady eyed ..."get off my blankie" stare. When he passed away, we donated that one to the wonderful Vet that took such good care of him. I'm sure she will use it for other helpless doggies (and kitties).

Here is the beginning of my third one. The technique is a little time consuming to start but once you've got the pieces started it's a fun thing to hand quilt and piece together. This time I think I will make it just a tad bigger and keep this one for myself ...that is, unless Faith or Tigger decide they want it...then I guess I'll just have to make another one. Life is hard.

Plugging away

2011-07-01T17:32:00.000-03:00

Well, there it is, all the small Dresden plates are done...not in this picture, mind you. It is now sitting on my cutting table.(it is the only one with space to spread out, the other tables are full of "stuff") I cannot make up my mind either to applique vines and leaves or quilt lots of feathers. I've put it aside for now, since I haven't finished quilting the one in the frame. Only 3 more turns and it will be done...oh joy!

This is my latest toy...an ipod touch. I love it. It has all the capabilities of the iphone without the phone...don't need one of those. I got this mainly so that I could download books from the library and so far I have listened to two JD Robb murder books. They are so much more entertaining than simply reading. Whoever does the reading does different voices for the characters and puts emphasis where needed and I am enjoying them tremendously. I'm ...dare I say it....old enough to remember stories on the radio and how vivid my imagination was. Ahh...those were the days.

The 'girls' are looking a little scruffy these days...in between coats...Shelties can go "out of coat" after surgeries and both the girls had surgeries this past spring. Their coats are just starting to come in and I try to brush them every couple of days to keep them looking as good as possible. I have to do Tigger first because if she even thinks I am going to brush her she can disappear in a matter of nanoseconds...won't even come around for treats. Silly Puppy!...Faith just lays back and falls asleep.

I really have been quilting.

2011-06-17T10:43:00.000-03:00

I've been plugging away at my "single" sized quilt. The one that will give me that extra warmth that DH does not want in the winter time. I have two more plates to applique and thirteen more small plates to fill in the cornerstones. Plus a wide border with some appliqued vines and leaves....my favourite finish for any quilt.

I've also added to this quilt top. I usually make two squares at a time. I pick out a fabric that I haven't used for a while , cut a couple of squares and use the technique to make the pattern. It's really simple once you make a couple. Good thing, too. I want to get it down pat before quilt guild starts up again. Looks like myself and another lady are doing the programme again this coming year. Since I took it on last year without any preparation, I felt a little inadequate...don't want that to happen again this year.

And....this is the half way point of the quilt in the frame. I must say , I thought I would get really annoyed with the feather pattern I had traced in the blank squares since it was a bit fussy for quilting. But I am enjoying it...surprise, surprise! I'm not certain how I will bind this one. I usually use a scrappy border on scrappy quilts, but this one kind of lends itself to a single colour. It will be interesting to see what colour I decide on.

Here's Tigger waiting expectantly for me to start the treadmill for her. She's a very active little girl. She already had a half hour of intensive 'catch the ball' before my turn on the treadmill and still she wants more activity. I'd like to note here that Faith runs out the first toss to as far as the ball goes, stands there and watches Tigger chase the ball. No sirree, no catch for miss priss.

After Tigger calmed down from the catch game, she and Faith guarded me diligently while I walked the treadmill. After all, those vicious mourning doves might come inside and attack. And heaven help us if the blue jays ever revolt. ;)

A rainy day is a good day to quilt...

2011-06-06T14:00:00.001-03:00

Believe it, or not, I learned to sew on this machine. It was my great, great grandmother's. She brought it over to Newfoundland with her from Scotland...many, many years ago. My Mom inherited it and she had it just sitting there in the basement until I found it and decided that I wanted to learn how to sew. Being the ambitious twit I was at 14years of age...I wanted a granny gown(hippy days, remember). The dress had a Peter Pan collar, an empire waiste, long puffed sleeves and cuffs and a zipper in the back. I followed the pattern to the letter . Lo and behold the darn thing fit me perfectly. I was so proud and the best of all, I was the first girl in my town to wear a granny gown. I think I wore it only once and cast it aside...bell bottoms had come in. I still have the machine and it still works like a top...straight ahead and turn the wheel and it sews backwards...a marvel of machinery.

This is what is on my design wall. I can never remember the pattern name . I found it in Quiltmaker a while ago and decided it was the perfect pattern to use up some fabric that I bought way too many years ago and never used. I'll back it with fleece, machine quilt it and it will be a good quilt to donate to Transition House . Nice and bright and cheerful.

Here's the Double Dresden plate I've been working on. This is the one that I put together to work on while travelling and really didn't get any done. I put one square together in two evenings of watching movies or reruns on t.v. If you are wondering about the spaces in the corners of the squares , that is where I will be putting small plates. I plan on adding a wide border and do some appliquing(my passion) just to snazz it up. It will be a single quilt as I want one to cover me only when the nights get cold. DH is furnace hot and does not appreciate extra quilts in winter and I don't like the heaviness of a folded quilt...geez, do I sound fussy or what!

Faith wondered what the heck was going on outside . As you see in the next picture, Tigger is on high alert. A bird...A BIRD! and that's usually how it goes with Tigger. Anything that moves is worthy of excitement. We're hoping someday she will grow up and be as calm and placid as Faith but guess what is happening. Faith is taking on some of Tigger's silliness. We have so much fun watching these two behave like loons.

Wouldn't you Know It!!

2011-05-27T20:37:00.000-03:00

I was so pleased ...thinking I had made this quilt with no fabric repeats..even posted that very statement when lo and behold, after putting the darn thing in the frame and quilting away , I come to this spot. The same fabrics and not even separated by another.....arghhhh!!! How annoying is that. Shoulda, coulda checked it over before putting it in the frame. Damn, double damn!

This is what is on my design wall...sounds so much better than calling it "my piece of flannel stapled to the wall so I can get a better look at a pattern". Found the instructions in a Quiltmaker magazine and just had to give it a try. It will make a great programme pattern for my quilt guild. We're always looking for new things to do.

This pattern was also in a Quiltmaker...isn't that the neatest magazine. so many new ideas. The pattern called for rickrack between the squares but I think I will use sashing and put the smaller Dresden plates in the cornerstone spots. Did I mention that I am doing it completely by hand. It was the project I prepared to take with me while we travelled to Buffalo, NY and then on to Ottawa to visit my daughter. Needless to say, didn't sew a stitch...had too much fun.

This tea cart is an antique that my Godmother gave me. She and her hubby were the wonderful people we visited in Buffalo. She's more than a Godmother to me, she's more like my Mom since she used to claim me as her own when I was born. Anyway....this was a wedding gift to her and her DH 50 years ago. It came from a 90 year old lady that bought it with her first pay cheque...you do the math. It is in great shape except for one wheel, which my DH says he can fix. He's my hero, don't cha know...

Then it was off to Ottawa to visit our quilting daughter and the baby of the family flew in from Edmonton the next day so we had a great family time. We hoofed her down to the tulip festival and I got a few pics...here's my two lovelies with great grins for their mom. We had a wonderful trip. Left our two little girlies(Faith and Tigger) with their breeder...when we went to get them, I don't think they wanted to come back with us. They had as much fun as we did.

What a Great Day it Was

2011-05-08T16:49:00.000-03:00

We went on a bus, we had wonderful food, we got presents and then we went to a gorgeous quilt show. Now I ask you, what could be better than that?.....oh yeah, we bought fabric...there, now it was perfect.

This is my vote for best in show. A Bargello type of quilt with really well done applique....and stunning on black. It really needed to be opened completely but their racks were just a tad too small. Not a problem, it still showed beautifully.

This quilt is Buzz Saw and no matter how you look at it, it shows great. I love quilts with points that "buzz". Plus I liked the combination of colours...nicely done, wouldn't you say?

I think this is an Art to Heart quilt. There were three of them in the whole show. This one was in the bed sized quilts...the others were in the second part of the show. This show was in Woodstock, an historic town with lots of beautiful, old Victorian style homes. This part of the show was held in a Service Club across the street from the Connell House, where the second part of the show was held.. some of which is following...

This piece just hollered my name. I'm not sure if it is an antique, because there were lots of beautiful old quilts to see and this one is either quite old or treated to look old. Either way, I loved it and am now inspired to give it a try. I know how to spackle the background and DH can make me a shadow box frame. Miniature log cabin, here I come.

This crazy quilt tea cozy does not show as well in the picture as it actually does. The satins, velvets and brocades are so sumptious

and rich. Another one of those "Things I just have to do!"

This pillow was cute and very interesting... A pillow by itself and the cover was buttoned around it. I liked the saying on it plus the embroidery and applique.

I could certainly see it as a seasonal thing.Oh, I am soooo motivated.

This miniature was extremely well done. I couldn't get close enough to read the info about it. This beautiful old house was jam packed with quilters and quilty things. If you got a chance for a quick picture, you had to take it. Remember , I was time constricted as we were on a schedule. We were warned that the walk home was a long one. I honestly don't think they would have left without me, but I wasn't about to put it to the test.

This little table was in the dining room, there was also a huge table with a dozen chairs. The table was set, and it looked nice but what caught my eye was the painted ceiling and this table. Never had time to check out anything else. I would have liked to seen this

opened up completely to see how it was done. It's hard to see the painted picture with the angle of light on it but it is a picture of fiddleheads and great delicacy locally...a wonderful veggie. Well that's all the pictures of the show I managed to get. There was so much more to see...eye candy galore. A lot it was unable to be photographed since space was at a premium..however, it was wonderful....

I went to a Quilt Show!

2011-05-05T18:15:00.000-03:00

I was priveleged and honoured to judge at the Marco Polo Quilt Show in Saint John, NB yesterday. They are an incredibly talented group of quilters and fibre artists. Their committee was extremely well organized and facilitated the judging process for us. Myself, Judy Steeves from Sussex Vale Quilt Guild(an extraordinary quilter who is a font of tips and tricks that would amaze you) and Karen Henry from Dartmouth(it should be noted here that Karen was Canadian Quilting Teacher of year, I believe it was in 2008 I may be wrong on the year) were the overworked and highly taxed judges(wink, wink). We loved every minute of the whole day. It kind of startled us as to how much we were in sync when it came to picking the ribbon winners. We made a conscious decision to award our 'Judge's Choice' ribbons to non-ribbon winners since we had so many runners-up that were just as beautiful, we felt it was only fair that they get recognition too. We also would have liked to have had 'honourable mention' cards/ribbons...whatever they felt would be appropriate since a lot of the entrants had done exceptional work as well.

I didn't make note of the quilter's names and the title of their quilts, simply because I gave no thought to posting at all yesterday. I know, I know...ten lashes with a wet noodle. I think you can do close ups here...hope so.

This one should have had my name on it since it is SO much like the quilts that I like to do... lots of scraps and then add a little bit of WOW with the applique.

This one...a ribbon winner was very poignant.. It's a poppy and a poppy bud beside a head stone filled with smaller headstones and they each have the camo fabric...obviously in recognition of our soldiers at war. So beautifully done. If she had put names on it, I think she would have had us all sobbing. It certainly touched us all.

I fell in love with this one....a second place winner. So quirky and eye catching. Nothing 'lined up ' and yet it worked so extremely well. The technical aspect of it was very precise and yet the visual was so impressionistic...if that is a word??? I really like this one.

And here is another...a table runner, actually ...the quilter put a sleeve on the back so they could hang it in the wall hanging category and it was a smart move. The quilting is to die for. The tiniest little stitches. I remember that this one is called Tulips.

Well, that's enough for this post. I'll do more on Saturday. Tomorrow I am off on a bus trip for Quilters... could you ask for anything more???? We're going to two quilt shops, then lunch out, off to a quilt show and another quilt shop, Dinner out and then coming home. My idea of a heavenly day...what's yours?

Things do get done!

2011-05-02T18:18:00.000-03:00

in spite of the start of the warm weather. This is the quilting design I drafted to go into the plain squares and a little bit into the chain squares. I will probably curse a blue streak as time goes on. There are 90 odd squares that will need to be quilted. Ah well, 'tis worth doing well, if 'tis worth doing at all. I'll take my time with this one since there is no rush to display it or give it away or anything like that..just another quilt to poke into the closet and say"oh, yeah, I remember that one." years from now.

This is the colour we painted this past weekend. I have no idea what it is called but it is kind of like coffee with a dash of cream in it. We went around a couple of walls and have now decided that maybe we should go around a couple of more. It's a warm colour and that's what I wanted.

And this, people is the accent wall(s) in the living room. I found my courage and went with a bold colour. I love it. Makes the white woodworking stand out..even makes my Roman shades look better. Now all I have to do is convince DH that I should have a nice bulky, WHITE shelf in the middle of that big wall. The one where we can display all those expensive hand-carved duck decoys. How much you wanna bet, the weather will get really warm and he'll say , maybe this fall....

Ps...that quilt is for Tigger, she loves to pounce on the leather sofa and it leaves claw marks... the one on the chair is going to my favourite godmother...she likes lots of colour , too.

My latest project...

2011-04-25T17:59:00.000-03:00

This is what has kept me busy this last couple of weeks....ergo no post until now. I think I mentioned somewhere that I have an obsessive personality...when I am sparked by some project , I work my not so little butt off until I get it done to where I am happy. This is my latest. You will notice that it is scrappy...no repeats in the chain squares...yippee...means the stash is getting smaller...as if!!!

What has been keeping me occupied has been all the leaves. I would do them in batches of 50...I won't tell you how many are actually on this thing...I would probably have a fit coniption if I knew.

I don't know why dogs have to walk on anything you put on the floor but , they do. This is Faith....after I had shooed Tigger off the top. I guess she wanted her picture taken.

And , of course, a close up of the applique. Now I have to figure out a pattern to quilt in plain blocks. I figure stitch in the ditch around the small squares ...would make a nice chain in the back. I've been drafting a feathered cross that will over lap a little in the plain strips of the adjacent squres....hopefully , I 'll get it perfected (well, almost anyway) tonight and mark this puppy and get in the frame. I feel abandoned with no quilt in the frame to quilt...my fingers have healed...it's time.

I Caved!

2011-04-17T12:32:00.000-03:00

This is the before picture...as you can see...no colour on the walls whatsoever...kind of cold..right??? I really tried to be bold...I had the paint chips in my hand and even talked about having the colours blended and all that...but when it came down to the actual purchase time ....I caved!..

Yup, I really caved.....here is the after picture. As you can see that is NOT blue nor is it a deep , passionate red...nope there it is , coffee with milk in it...and I don't even like coffee. The actual colour's name is Morel..which is a mushroom just like me.....kept in the dark and fed fertilizer..(trying to be polite here).. It really is a little darker than this picture but it is a warm room...neutral and earth tone ...that's ok, isn't it??? I'm hoping to find my courage and put a deep wine colour in my living room...we shall see...

Here's Tigger, completely bored with the whole process . Mind you, this is where she usually sits when I am at the computer. It's about the only time she remains still.

And Faith...well, she is thoroughly disgusted with me. She investigated the whole paint process and I don't think she approves the colour...she was holding out for the blue.

I have a dilemma.

2011-04-10T17:36:00.000-03:00

This is what I finally decided what to do with "Dear Dorothy Jane"...DH installed the rod..perfectly centered , of course, and we hung "Dorothy Jane". she looks a little blah...yeah, I said it....but she does...really. The walls are too light and she looks like wallpaper and that was not my intent. I want it to warm the room and I know that if I put some colour on the walls it will be more appropriate.

To that end, this is the color that I absolutely love....dark blue. My sweet baboo said he will paint the room any colour I want and since I do not trust myself with color I am in a dilemma. Do I go bold or do I stick with my usual safe neutrals? If I go into a neutral zone I will probably go with a warm color like taupe or a green. Oh, what is a girl supposed to do....poor me.

I though you might get a kick out of seeing what my Tigger likes to do. She loves yogurt, especially fruited yogurt and will do a mighty fine jig if she gets some. She can stick that pointed nose right into the dish and lick til it is clean. Mind you, she has to have her face washed after...but I don't think she minds that at all.

Another Mini for me....

2011-04-04T16:33:00.000-03:00

Remember this.. they are the squares that I put together for our Guild quilt a while back. All the corners that I cut off I kept, put them in a bag and told myself that someday I would use them for a miniature...someday...

Well... Someday has arrived and here it is. I was determined to use all the corners that I had regardless of how it turned out...a bit of a challenge...not a big one since it was to suit myself, no one else.

The block of the month programme was all about half square triangles and was meant to be a row on row quilt. At first , I was going to do the patterns about 6 to 8 inches and make a lap quilt. Ligh bulb time...why not use the little corners...waste not, want not...right???

It is a little different but then that was the idea. I'll quilt it, bind it and then decide what to do with it.
Took me a morning to piece together and it was fun...so I guess it is a win-win.

There is a little story to this picture. A neighbour came over for coffee this am. and when he was leaving...DH and the gentleman were discussing world affairs(at least that's what they call it) on the front step. The 'girls' were eavesdropping. It was so cute, how they perked their ears when DH's voice could be heard. It almost looks as if Tigger is wondering if Faith agrees with what they are hearing. Dogs can be such fun..

Mini Me Done!

2011-04-03T12:10:00.000-03:00

It's 15 inches by 18 inches and all done. Quilted and bound with just a label to be added. I may also add a small sleeve just in case I actually do hang it somewhere. I must say that I really like miniatures when they are all finished but the process is more involved than I realized. Little tiny pieces and my hands are not a nimble as they used to be. I keep on trying since it is important to keep moving the fingers to stave off arthritis.....we won't discuss old age...yet!

Tigger was quite bored with the whole process. She likes this sofa a little too much...she also likes to bounce off the same when she and Faith are romping around and as a result there are the beginnings of scratches . I've since put a quilt there in the hopes of saving the leather some. Doesn't slow her down at all...

And here's my little Faith..she's a little more quiet in the house but when she's outside she's a silly girl. So cute to watch the two of them play.

I'm a gadget geek.

2011-03-29T15:26:00.000-03:00

Last year at Christmas, DH bought me a laptop...I love it and am on it everyday. That was the start of it. This year at Christmas, it was this Sony E Reader and now I am on that every day...so far, it has just been the classics...you know those ones you promised yourself you'd read some day. For some reason , they are easier to read on the reader...don't ask me why 'cuz I could not tell you.

Then...just last week I got it into my head(did I tell you that I am headstrong...well, I'm letting you in on the secret now) that I'd like to listen to books, so here's the MP3 player I bought. Not a Sony...just a cheapie, because I wasn't sure I would enjoy listening to books. Boy was I wrong. What a great thing to do while you quilt. AND I found that Jane Austen is so much easier to listen to than read. All those long sentences, you know...

In the meantime, here is the mini I started all ready for quilting. It's just 15" by 18"...should make a nice little wallhanging. Completely hand done so I think I will hand quilt it as well. Seems to me I have a hoop somewhere in my pile of "stuff" that would work . Give me something to do while I listen to books. I have assured my husband that I am NOT stealing from the blind....

Now here's a face worth kissing.. That is Faith, our Princess Pudge , or Princess Priss as we sometimes call her. She won't play ball...too strenuous for her and it gets dirty. Also she was a little pudgey when she came to us. She couldn't keep up with Tigger who is slim and trim. Now it's the opposite, Tigger cannot catch Faith. So ....I guess it's not fair to call her Pudge anymore.

Here's Tigger just having a hissy fit. Outside there a dangerous leaves blowing about and she does not like it. Let's us know in no uncertain terms that those leaves have to go and she's the girl to do it. My heroine...sigh!!!

I'M BACK!!

2011-03-27T18:56:00.001-03:00

It's been almost a month since my last post. ...a hectic month. I've actually been quilting but not that much. Between doing some work for my former boss for nearly a month and having very sore finger tips...I put this quilt on hold. I got at it again today and realized that one more roll and it will be finished..yea!!!

Faith was thoroughly disgusted with me when I took this picture. It was close to her supper time and I kept putting her off with "just one more thing".

Dogs are such creatures of habit...supper time is supper time and not five minutes later...doncha know!!!!

And of course, here's my Tigger....look at those yellow eyes...I've said all along there's a demon in there somewhere. Not to be indelicate but, notice the white spot in Tigger's nose...it's rawhide bone remnants. She chews so vigorously (you should see my sheets, my sneakers, my jeans, my former bathmats...) she gets the rawhide on everything, on her ruff, her snout and up her nose. She is without doubt the funniest dog we've ever had the fortune to adopt. We call her our 'wild child'.

This is the miniature that I've been playing with at night while I listen to the tv. I say listen because I cannot see to do this close hand work with my glasses on (I'm myopic) and I cannot see the tv without my glasses....Catch 22. I like making minis and will probably make some more since I have way too many bed quilts and actually no room to even store some more...what a complaint, hey???

Wristlet fun

2011-03-03T20:00:00.000-04:00

I found the neatest blog with really cute things to make. This is one of the things that is offered on a tutorial. It was well documented, loads of pictures and easy to make. this is a wristlet purse/wallet...whatever you wish to call it. It has a handle strap and a loop to attach keys or a charm if you wish. Inside , there are pockets so you can take along credit cards, debit card, cash, a lipstick or balm and still has room for some incidentals.

When my daughter was here at Christmas time we had talked about making something like this and lo and behold I found this tutorial...talk about tickled.

This picture is a little blurry but you get the picture(pardon my quibble..lol). Anyway, if you are interested in having a look at the tutorials available go to http://ayumills.blogspot.com/ and have a look, she has loads more neat things to make...

This one is great for that time when you don't want to take a big ol' purse with you but need to take a few things. You could always snazz it up with some pretties embellished...let your imagination take off...me, I like jeans too much to get snazzy...

Slap Happy

2011-02-20T22:14:00.000-04:00

I thought I would be teaching this project on our next month's quilt guild day and was in a bit of a panic because I got a call telling me it was the day after tomorrow and I had not made this bag before. I felt it behooved me to try the project ahead of the class so that I wouldn't come across as completely stupid about the project.

So, like an idiot , I grabbed the first pieces of fabric that looked sufficient and got down to work. It did not take long to make...not an overly intricate pattern. Matter of fact it makes a really nice tote bag. This top picture has the outside pocket with a disappearing nine patch (trimmed down to fit the pocket's proper size, of course) and the second picture has a disappearing four patch.

It closes on the sides with velcro...I just love all things velcroed....and then a flap folds over and is supposed to be closed with a button.

I will put a button on it...once I find my trusty button box...but I think I will cheat a little and add some more velcro..I've got lots and why not, eh???

The other thing I did, that the pattern did not call for was add batting to the sides. The actual pattern calls for heavier fabric than cotton and since I couldn't get to the store to buy some cordouroy, duck, canvas or denim...I wanted to have something a little more stable...sooo....batting works.

I took a picture of the inside of the bag so you could see all the neat pockets inside...all kinds of room for quilty gadgets, or water bottles or cell phones or whatever.

The pattern is called " A Bonny Bag" and the original pattern calls for a pieced house pattern for the outside pockets...that was a little more involved than I think a morning class would provide time for.

Now the interesting thing is, it actually is next month's project and I could have taken my sweet time and made a really pretty bag...even could have done the house thingy... Oh well, at least I am prepared...sort of.

In the meantime, I'm not really crazy about the bag...so we are having a Chinese Auction this week...a great way to get rid of UFO's you'll probably never get around to doing...guess what my contribution is going to be.

Paroled at last!

2011-02-14T12:18:00.000-04:00

Dear Dorothy Jane got paroled!She got time off for good behaviour...despite the fact my fingers got sore from quilting through so many seams...I knew there was another reason why I don't care for paper piecing, especially on itty bitty squares like the ones in this quilt.

On the up side, it was fun to quilt...I certainly did not get bored with it.

Faith and Tigger talked it over and decided that I had best make a really nice label for this one. I have a couple of pictures of my mom...it's a shame how few I do have ....I think I will scan one onto the computer and then print if off on fabric with a little write up about her.

I don't think this one will end up on a bed...at least not on my beds...maybe on her granddaughter's.

Happy Valentine's day to you all...

I've been Infected!

2011-02-09T18:26:00.001-04:00

This is my placemat...all scrappy as you can see. It came about because there is a new member in the Quilt Guild I belong to and she is so enthusiastic she has infected me!....I kid you not! It is such a treat to be around someone who absolutely loves what they are doing and this lady does. She did a whole quilt with this technique and called it "Done when you are done". It's a quilt as you go method and a lot of fun. I just had to find something I wanted to do with the technique and here it is .....my placemat.

Of course, when I get it dirty ....and, I will ( I also love my food) I can always turn it over and still have a nice scrappy placemat.

DH has decided he should have one too, so the next thing I have to do is sit right down and make him one...will it never end?....Let's hope not.

Love in Bloom

2011-02-08T18:18:00.001-04:00

You've seen this one before...it's my February table topper. I can't remember exactly when I made it , sometime last year for sure. Valentine's day...that's not why I made it...I just like to have monthly themed toppers plus I have way too many bed size quilts...time to take stock.

I posted it today because I entered it in a blogger contest and I would love it if you would consider voting for me. The voting starts on Friday and you can vote here at.. http://quiltinggallery.com/ Consider this a thank you in advance ...and keep your fingers crossed for me.....note: ONLY your fingers crossed...I'd hate to be the cause of marriage breakups...lol

I love Snowstorms!

2011-02-04T16:40:00.000-04:00

Not counting the havoc they create , I love to be hunkered down when there is a big snowstorm raging.I get a lot of UFO's done. This is one. If you are familiar with New Brunswick then you know that Bonny River is the area in Charlotte County that was overwhelmed with flooding before Christmas. I was fortunate to have quilted in the Second Falls Fire Hall with a great bunch of quilters when we lived near there. Some of us exchanged signature squares (actually that was about 3 years ago) and I finally(thanks to the snowstorm) got around to putting mine together. Some of the ladies were unable to make squares (no stash ladies, one had moved and sadly, one passed away) so I made some extras to make sure their names were included.

Since I love scrappy quilts it was a no-brainer to make this one all scrappy. Now I just have to quilt it. Once "Dear Dorothy Jane" is all done (only 3 rows left to quilt) I'll put this one in the frame. One UFO down...far too many to count, to go..!

This is my front window the day after the last snowstorm. Isn't that just wild. The girls are quite frustrated since they cannot see out but can hear activity.

Here they are in a moment of quiet. Doesn't happen very often.

I like this one better!

2011-01-29T20:36:00.000-04:00

If you read my last blog you will notice that this table topper is a much better selection of fabrics. I took my time and really played with the colours that I liked. Tis actually bigger than the table I had designated it for , but what the heck. It won't be there forever. I'll get bored with it and decide on making something else. After a whole year in this house I still have not tackled the upstairs. We finished the downstairs and it is quite comfortable now so I guess I'll have to make decisions as to colours and decor and "stuff" like that for upstairs.. Not my favourite thing to do. I'd rather be quilting..

Occupational Therapy..

2011-01-27T22:38:00.000-04:00

The storm predicted was nowhere near what they said we would get. It was a LOT more....plus DH went to the 'camp' a couple of days ago so I was abandoned and snowbound.this is what I did to keep from getting bored. I got the pattern from a tutorial on another blog. If you are interested, leave a comment and I will reply with the url. It was challenging but very interesting. My colour choices did not work the way I'd hoped so I will definitely make aother using lighter fabrics.

This picture shows the squares I made for the guild I belong to....I forget the name of the square but I do know it will be a gorgeous quilt when finished. 42 squares with a small border then a larger border with vines and lots and lots of leaves...hand appliqued. Guess who volunteered to help with the leaves. I will admit that I enjoy hand applique...I know...a brick short of a load but there you go.

I thought you might like to see how snowbound I really was today. That is my front window and that snowdrift goes all the way across. I had to dig a path for the pups in the early a.m., again around lunch time and then again after their supper. They didn't mind the deep snow a bit. Jumped right into snow over their withers. Had a great time while I froze my tush waiting for them.

This picture shows the deck...that

wonderful deck that we haven't had the opportunity to use yet. JUst you wait, deck, we'll get there yet.

Lookie, Lookie!!

2011-01-18T22:30:00.000-04:00

These little beauties are only a portion of the gorgeous HAND dyed fabrics that my generous daughter gave me for Christmas.And are the ones that I used in the class that I took this afternoon(Thanks to Gail M of Fredericton who taught the class and helped me choose).

We started in the morning...and I have to tell you I was not sure it was going to work....the pattern looked so complicated, but Gail M. explained it all so well and made us all feel confident that we could do THIS........

Spicy Spiral Table Runner. Isn't it just gorgeous and you should see all the others. It is so hard to believe how many different fabrics can look so beautiful. I'll try to get a picture of some more to brag about. All I have left to do with mine is some quilting to finish it off. I used to have a spool of variegated quilting thread that would be perfect but for the life of me, I cannot find it. I've been digging diligently and maybe tomorrow I'll be successful. If not, a trip to the quilt shop willl not go awry.

Faith likes to bury her nose in the deep snow...can you tell?

And just look at these two...cuddled together on the bed. Notice that Tigger is using Faith's rear end as a pillow...that's my girl...

Snowflakes

2011-01-11T21:40:00.000-04:00

I like table toppers...where have you heard that before??? and this one I just finished. I had nothing for January and I would like to have one for each month...I'm working on it. Any way...what personifies January like a snowflake...nothing, right? So I got out my paper and started snipping..just like we used to do in elementary school...guess what, it is still fun. Steam a Seam is wonderful stuff and blue and white is always cheerful. Did a crappy job of free motion quilting...maybe I'll just never be a good machine quilter ...... let's leave it at that.

This is Faith sitting on a very special chair. It was the one that Skeeter used to sit on by the hour watching all the activity in the neighbourhood and barking at anything that moved. Tigger has never bothered with what's happening outside, much too busy chasing anything that moves inside. Needless to say, seeing Faith in Skeeter's chair kind of gave me a little pang.....we still miss 'the boy'.

A new Year begins.

2011-01-04T20:23:00.000-04:00

Happy New Year to you, I hope it is one of good health and great joy. That said , DH gave me an e reader for Christmas (seeing as how I am a voracious reader, he couldn't lose) and I decided it needed a carry case. This is the second one I made and actually my favourite. However, I did not account for the space the zipper took up and my reader would not fit....words were said that need not be mentioned here.

This is the third one I made and it fits just fine , however, I handle it in the centre and accidentally turn off the bookmarks and have to search through to find the page I was reading.....doh!!!

DH and I did a lot of work to the basement before the holidays in preparation for the holidays and as you can see by the picture below, someone was a little put out. This is Faith and she does not handle change very well. She kept peeking out at me so I just had to take a picture...like the colour on the wall? It is nowhere near the actual shade...I'm learning to like it...

This is a typical Tigger pose. She is sitting behind our youngest daughter, quite sound asleep. She and Meghan became the best of buds during her visit. Slept with her at night and followed her around all day. She was mopey and sad when Meghan went home...all right now but is a little clingy with me. I don't mind..she's my baby and substitute grandchild...

Christmas is coming!!

2010-12-16T11:58:00.000-04:00

Don't get a sore neck turning sideways to see this little wallhanging I did from a kit a couple of years ago. It was fun to do and just the right size for a small space that begged for that 'something' to keep it from looking so bare.

This is called "crack the whip" ....remember playing that game when you were younger and not so full of aches and pains. It is a paper pieced pattern that I said bad words about and almost threw away in disgust(remember I hated pp'ing at one time). My friend Raye rescued me and finished it for me. It won a ribbon at our local show and we share custody of it. She is an amazing paper piecer.

There was a time when I absolutely loved tole painting but unlike quilting, I got tired of it after too many painted pieces around the house. This is one of my favourite projects...just love the colours, the whole concept and the cute little girl mailing her cards. It's been around a while.

Here's proof that the 'girlies' are finally getting along well. Tigger would not allow Faith on the bed for the longest time , now they share the space...albeit back to back, they will sleep in the same space. Tigger still steals the bones to chew.

We had a little snow this a.m. ....yippee!!...and we had to have a little taste. NOt sure why dogs like to eat snow but they both enjoy it. IN this picture you can see Tigger's short tail. It is the busiest little tail you'll every see...she is such a happy little dog...Poor Faith has a long and bushy tail and it requires a lot of effort to get it wagging...but she manages.

Dear Dorothy Jane got Framed!

2010-12-06T22:03:00.000-04:00

Here it is, finally in the frame and ready to quilt. I gave it long consideration and made up my mind (what mind, you say) and decided I really didn't want to add anything else to the borders. I was contemplating doing some applique but the quilt is sooooo busy. It's one of those quilts that makes me wonder just why I started it in the first place. It will be interesting to quilt...all those different fabrics and patterns. I won't get bored, that's for sure.

The very first quilt that I made had a six inch outer border ..in pale yellow poly cotton...that'll date me , won't it?....and I had no idea what to do with it. My mother-in-law leant me her stash of quilting patterns and the one that caught my eye was the twisted rope. Way back then,(1976) it was made of cardboard from a cereal box with no design for the corners. I guess you had to figure it out on your own...anyway, today there are wonderful plastic templates with great corners ...quite different. You can see here just a little of the quilting I did tonight after I finished framing Dear Dorothy Jane. I don't plan on finishing this one this year...I could if I didn't mind sore fingers and did nothing but quilt all day....how's that for bragging. I used to do that type of thing when I first started quilting...I loved it so much. Now carpal tunnel and arthritic hands have slowed me down some. It's a good thing, too...otherwise I'd completely ignore the fact that Christmas is coming..

Can't show you now.

2010-12-05T17:41:00.001-04:00

I have been busy...sewing Christmas gifts that I can't show you...some people actually read my blog...so instead I will show you my tree. This year I decided I wanted to 'theme' it...all silver and a little blue...the tree skirt has a lot of blue in it , hence the colour addition. I hate the wall behind it..absolutely nothing on it and I am having major difficulty deciding what I want to put on it. Maybe something will come to me over the holidays when my 'babies' are home.
I decided not to put any of the huge box of ornaments I have on this tree...not sure why .

However, I have some favourites so I put them
here on the railing leading to the downstairs. Kind of overloaded the poor railing but one must work with what one has.

This picture below is a funny story a bout Tigger. We get our gas at the Petrocan and they're dog lovers who give our Shelties dog bones. Since they fight about food we decided the best thing we could do is wait until we were home and separate the dogs while they ate their bones. . I folded the paper and stuck it in the holder on the door. We left the 'girls' in the car and ran into Timmies for coffee. Tigger could not wait... This is what was left when we returned. I'm not sure who laughed the longest ...needless to say we added a few hours onto our lives. And Faith...well, she just ignored the whole incident...so laid back our girlie. Oh the joy of owning a pet...

I love this magazine

2010-11-26T15:18:00.001-04:00

I bought this magazine when it came out on the stands mainly because it had Fons & Porter's name on it. So far, I have made three of the patterns I found in it and will probably make a fourth one(after Christmas). It was worth every penny that I paid for it. I made two table toppers and the next project will be another table topper. The one on the right hand bottom...neat , eh??

This is the third project from that magazine...waiting to have the binding sewn down. It's a cute little wall hanging...12 inches square so it doesn't take up a lot of room and will go just about anywhere. I love red work so it was a pleasure to do.

The picture to the left here is out my patio window. It shows something you don't see too often. Fog rolling in and , although you can't tell , it is also snowing. Weird weather these days.

This is my sewing room/studio/quilting room and basement today. DH is installing a suspended ceiling and moving some lights with the intention of adding more lighting for me....what a guy!! However, he can install lights and move them but they have to be connected to a separate circuit and that involves a licensed electrician. Do you have any idea how hard it is to get an electrician this time of year. Everybody is after them. So, here I work, in the dark. DH says I shouldn't have any problem since I've been "in the dark" all my life...nice guy, hunh???

My house smells so nice right now. I put this batch of bread in the oven and the aroma is wonderful....wanna come over for a cup of tea, some lassie cody and warm bread fresh from the oven? (in case you are wondering, "lassie cody" is a Newfy speciality...basically warm molasses)

Mug Rug fun.

2010-11-22T21:27:00.000-04:00

These are my mug rugs...The one on the left is my first attempt and the other two are the ones I made today. Tomorrow I am demonstrating this technique to a few of the ladies at my guild. Since I always whip things together and don't pay attention to the intricacies of how I did it, I had to make a couple more and write down how I put them together so I can teach the steps properly. Kind of fun to do. Haven't taught a class in a couple of years so it should be interesting how it works out.

This is Faith getting a hug from DH. She is a real cuddle bum. Just loves to hug right into you and will stay as long as she can. She has a heavy coat and gets quite warm but she will suffer it out as long as she can. Such a sweetie...

And, of course, sweet little Tigger. It's not often we catch her in a quiet moment but when we do, she shows her pretty side. She still has a light coat and prefers to sleep on the bed with us. She might continue to do that when she matures and then she may not. She will let me kiss her face for about 2 seconds and then she's off to play. Sure do love my Shelties.

Quilting my Broken Star

2010-11-17T20:57:00.000-04:00

I'm at the halfway point quilting my Broken star table topper. I'd like to get it finished before next Tuesday and have it for show and tell. If my fingers cooperate and don't get too sore , I may make it. If not, I'll certainly have it for our last meeting of the year which just happens to be the end of November as our Christmas get together.

This picture is of one of those moments you have to say "ahhh!" Faith was cuddling in DH's arms and fell asleep. She is such a cuddle bum...will stay in your arms snuggled in until she gets too warm.

And this one certainly fits Tigger..she's a playful creature..not given to hugs and kisses but will tolerate some if she has to. Our 'wild child' has calmed down quite a bit since Faith came along. Faith is calm and easy going and Tigger watches her all the time. They play well together...when Faith wants to, that is.

On a sidenote, my friend, Linda is having a giveaway and it is a gorgeous one. Just head on over to here and leave a comment, become a follower and you'll get a double shot at winning. Trust me, it is a wonderful giveaway. Of course, I expect to win too so don't be disappointed when I do...tee hee!!!

Out of my comfort Zone

2010-11-13T12:55:00.000-04:00

This is a Broken Star centre and this is where I am going to stop and quilt it. I'm thinking about using it for a table topper...boy, I am really getting into table toppers.The reason I labelled this post "out of my comfort zone" is because I have avoided working with diamonds...on the machine, that is, but this is one of those things that I always wanted to do but just never found the courage. It is so frustrating if points are cut off or squares to be inset don't fit. I followed instructions....duh!! and quess what, they work. Now I just have to put it in my quilting frame and get crackin'. The fun part...I do love to hand quilt.

This is a "breakthrough" moment. Since Faith arrived, Tigger has jealously guarded this old comforter I placed on the floor in our den for her. They would each use the blanket but only if the other was somewhere else. Tonight, they shared. We are so happy, it means they are accepting each other more and more. They play well together, play with each other's toys and even share bones, but this was a no-no. Now if we could only get them to relax around their food...one can always hope.

I got it together!

2010-11-09T22:26:00.000-04:00

First Tigger checked it out and gave her ok and then Faith took a good look and gave her seal of approval. I put together the 4.5 inch squares in the "Dear Dorothy Jane". I find it busy, busy, busy but I am committed to finishing it. I have to put on some borders to 'frame' it. Right now I am thinking of perhaps a 5 or 6 inch border and adding some applique...straight vines and lots of small leaves. I may do some corner squares of the leftover squares(always a few leftover in case they don't fit right).. Anyway, there it is, in part of its glory....whaddya think????

Still hexing!

2010-11-03T14:21:00.000-03:00

Got some more hexagons done ..I really like the effect the nine patch gives. I have no purpose in mind for these , I just wanted something to do and I had to prove to myself that Icould draft them and make them fit. I might put them into a table runner since I seem to be avoiding putting together a bed size quilt these days. I keep looking at the empty quilt frame and getting annoyed with myself because I haven't got a top ready to quilt. My daughter informed me that she has one she's bringing home at Christmas time for me to quilt. Maybe I'll end up being content with that for now.

I can't begin to tell you how many pictures I took to try and get these two looking up and standing beside each other. The one on the left is Faith, the latest addition to our family and Tigger is on the right. When I look down at them, I check their ears so I will know which is which....Tigger's did not take to the taping...ergo...pointed ears and Faith's are curled in true Sheltie fashion. They are beginning to look the same from above as Tigger's coat is coming in and it has some red in it like Faith's. They aren't real friends yet but so far neither has bitten the other so I guess that's a good thing.

Fools Rush In

2010-10-31T21:48:00.000-03:00

I've become interested in working with hexagons lately...small ones like the grandmother's flower garden are always fun, but the larger more intricate ones have caught my fancy. I drafted this one last night and made sure of my measurements this time so I wouldn't have to chuck it if it didn't work. Surprisingly , it worked. That's not always the case since I have a tendency to leap before I look...thus, the title "Fools rush in". If all else fails , I will read instructions but usually I just rush right in and tackle any project that interests me..it's made for some interesting oopsy's. The colours are not right on this pic...the blue is darker..much more of a contrast. Not sure how big this one will be but you can be sure I will be using more vibrant colours on the next ones.

The following picture is my excuse for not blogging lately. The Sheltie on the blankie is Faith...she looks a little sad right now. That's because she just came to us on Tuesday from the same kennel where we got Tigger ( And my little man..Skeeter) and she is feeling a little blue. She is 2 and 1/2 years old. She's a Champion and has been a mom. She had only one pup from her litter and it was an emergency CSection that saved that one. Her vet recommended that she not be bred again. The breeders were devestated because she is a beautiful dog and the only daughter of one of their best dogs. Anyway, Faith needed to go to a family home that would understand her and we were the lucky people that she came to. She's shy, quiet and a real sweetheart...a perfect foil for Tigger. We're already in love with her. I take the two of them for walks every day and it is a hoot. They walk very well together but the best part is that Tigger is long bodied, lean and lanky and runs everywhere...Faith is short, a bit of a porker and likes to amble. Can you tell I am enjoying being a two dog owner...what joy they bring to our home.

Intriqued again.

2010-10-19T20:58:00.000-03:00

I love the dimensional effect that can be achieved by colour placement. I drafted a wedge...after searching all my pattern books AND the internet and finding nada...just so I could try this design. I want to have something a little different to hang in our bedroom and since it will be behind the headboard it will be seen from a distance, ergo...a dimensional wall hanging would be just the ticket. I made a minor booboo on my first draft..that ended up in the trash and a lesson learned ...measure twice! Now I have to decide how big Iwant this wall hanging to be...

In between drafting errors and day to day interruptions(housework, meals, etc..) I made some more Dear Dorothy Jane squares. Not sure what number I am at right now...close to 180, I think.. I put together a stack of patterns that Iwant to do and I'm just working through the pile. I will probably end up with more than I need but that's ok...will give me some leeway when deciding what goes where. Next...after the squares are done will be the sashing and cornerstones. Good thing I don't mind the tedious aspect of putting together a top. This one will be mostly machine pieced however, it will be hand quilted so I can say it's mostly hand worked.

I tried to upload a picture of Tigger being her most silly but for some reason after I upload a couple of pictures the programme won't let me go back for more...maybe next time. We are counting down the days until our Sheltie Faith comes to live with us. It will be either the 25th or the 26th...either way, we are really excited.

Getting Ready for Christmas Now.

2010-10-14T21:02:00.000-03:00

Tigger approves. You can see her coat is starting to come back in . After two surgeries, one right after the other her beautiful Sheltie coat took a real kickin'. It will come back though...just takes a little time.

This is the table topper that I finished tonight...added buttons for the holly berries. It , too, is in the magazine I bought this week...Fons & Porter's Quilting Celebrations...it was a good purchase considering I see another pattern in there I am interested in.

I love reading blogs. Found this little basked pattern tutorial over at the Pink Penquin....if I knew how to post a link I would do that. However, I do not soooooo.....forgive me please. It's a cute little thing..perfect for adding a Christmas present in it and giving away OR maybe I'll just keep it and put some of my "stuff" in it. You just never know...

Thanksgiving was great..how about you?

2010-10-12T20:15:00.000-03:00

I bought a Fons & Porter's Quilting Celebrations and there was a table topper pattern (actually there are several) in it that I liked. This one is less structured than the pattern called for but I had a lot of fun doing it. All machine ,applique AND quilting. Yeah!!! As you know , if you follow this blog, I'm a hand piecing and quilting fan...it was totally out of my comfort zone. Sometimes that is a good thing to do.

Our neighbours invited us to an old-fashioned thanksgiving family dinner and it was wonderful. There were little children, parents,grand parents, great grandparents, cousins, brothers, in-laws and friends. It was noisy, lots of laughter, good conversation, gorgeous, well behaved AND mischievious children, a trio of dogs running around and the food...OMG, the food. We had a wonderful meal and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. DH and I are empty nesters with our daughters living "away". We felt so comfortable and had a ball. "Tom Turkey" here understands , I am sure.

This is Faith. The picture does not do her justice. She is two years old and on the 25 of October she becomes ours. We are so excited. We met her at the same time we met Tigger, but she was a new momma and not available . Since then it has been determined that she should not have another litter(Only one pup was saved after her temperature did not drop during whelping and they lost the other pups)soooo...Faith will now become ours. The breeders know us, and know how much we love and understand our Shelties so we have been blessed...Can hardly wait...it will be Christmas early at our house.

At last, back to quilting.

2010-10-07T20:26:00.000-03:00

I've had a lot of interruptions these days. DH decided we needed some colour in our basement...that is, his colours. I was happy with the neutral colours but he decided it was time to paint and to tell you the truth, when he wants to paint, I want him to paint. I'm getting used to the colours...don't ask.

These are the latest squares made for my Dear Dorothy Jane. Some of them are from the Dear Jane blocks but some of them I drafted because they appealed to me. It will be interesting to see them all put together. The squares on the left are pieced with the corner stones and sashing I am going to use. I plan on adding a 4.5 inch border with applique as well...just can't resist.

This is the other thing that has been on going around here for the last 3 weeks. We've been a whole year without a deck and although we didn't miss it during the winter, we would have loved to have it this past summer. Unfortunately, our builder was booked solid and could only get to us this past month. He does really good work and we are delighted with the construction. This is on the second story of our home and as a result required extra support. It is solid! We'll enjoy it next summer...

And this is the other reason I've been too busy to blog. Our quilt show was held last weekend. This show is not judged with the exception of People's Choice and here is my ribbon. I am sooo pleased. This is Sylvia's Stars. It's nice to really like your quilts yourself , after all, you wouldn't do them if you didn't, but it is a bonus when others do too.

Last but not lease, this is another reason I have been busy. With all the activity around here and my not being around as much, someone has been feeling a little separation anxiety. I've been spending more time with Tigger...she was fretful while the workers were here, upset that I was busy for 3 days and now DH is in the woods...hunting , he says...not that I see any critters when he comes home....and poor Tigger is (pardon my pun) dogging my footsteps. At the moment she is at my feet, chewing lustily on a rawhide bone.

Until next time......keep on keepin' on.

My Tea Cozy

2010-09-22T14:52:00.000-03:00

This is called "Cat Nap Tea Cozy" I made one for a friend for Christmas one year and really liked it. Since I don't have a tea cozy of my own I figured it was about time. I found the pattern at http://www.craftown.com/ in their patterns and projects section. I searched a lot of tea cozy patterns until I found this one. It did the trick since my friend is a cat lover. It can be done various ways...I just happen to like to embroider. Now I can keep my teapot warm..wanna come for tea?????

I'm Ready for the Quilt Show.

2010-09-19T20:40:00.000-03:00

This is Esther the Easter Chicken. She's ready for the quilt show in a couple of weeks time. I was a little concerned that I would not get all the pieces I wanted to put in the show ready. But, I made it! I have ten things to display, three bed size quilts...one I wish to sell....and the rest are wallhangings, a baby quilt...this table runner and a couple of Hallowe'en wallhangings. Some of the pieces I did when we were living in St.George and no one here has seen them...that's the up side of moving to an area where no one knows you...they haven't seen your "stuff".

I'm a little frustrated with Picasa tonight. I tried to find the command to cut this picture so that you see just the table runner minus the floors and I couldn't find it. I have done that before so I know there is a command somewhere but tonight it deludes me. Must be more tired than I thought after planting 17 hostas around the yard, three bunches of yellow flowers that I know not the name . I also have a large bunch of yellow lillies to plant but need to wait until the crew building our deck move their pieces of wood. Maybe tomorrow. It's time to clean up my flower beds...take all the annuals out and get the soil ready for next year when I plan on planting just perennials. At least that's the plan now...when all the annuals are looking so good, I'll probably change my mind....what mind , right??

Quilt Show Today

2010-09-16T22:30:00.000-03:00

This wallhanging is called The Boss. It was part of a challenge the Kennebecasis Quilt Guild had ..It tickled my funny bone. Her boxtop was for chicken fingers and the colours of the boxtop had to be used in her quilt...I just loved this guy...he suited his name.

This was another of the challenge quits. Another quilter with a sense of humour and definitely talented.

Dear Jane... of course, I had to take a picture of this one since , anyone that has checked out my latest posts will know why. I am motivated now , more than ever, to get my heinnie in gear and finish my Dear Dorothy Jane.....

This won Best in Show....and if the pictures did it justice you would understand why. It is Saint George slaying the dragon....and the quilting is phenomenal...absoultely amazing. Judy LeCleu is extraordinary...talented, funny and very, very creative.

I am an absolute sucker for Grandmother's flower garden in English paper piecing and this was no exception. I'm a hand piecer, hand quilter and was totally blown away by this quilt. I voted my People's Choice ballot with this one. I just loved it....I am sooooo traditional.

This is one of those quilts that makes you stop and take a second look. Black background and solids...not a combination I usually am drawn to, but this one was so very pretty, I stood, camera ready, for ages to get a photo without a white head in front of it or a couple of white heads discussing this quilt. It was worth it..extremely well done.

I took many more pictures but that will probably be all I will post...the rest of my pictures were of really interesting quilts that just may end up in my collection....after I make them myself. The KV show is always a great show but this year they out did themselves...lots of quilts, lots of interesting things to look at, challenges and such. They also have a Quilter's Walk that is a load of fun and raises funds for them. You buy a bunch of tickets and put them in containers in front of a baskets with goodies in them...lots of chances to win great prizes.

One Million Pillowcases

2010-09-14T17:21:00.000-03:00

Just about every quilt magazine I've picked up lately has a spread about One Million Pillowcases. Today at our quilt guild meeting it was brought up as a possible project. One of the ladies mentioned this web site to me ...a tutorial on making pillowcases a really, really quick way. WELL....!! nothing would do but I had to give it a try. Made these two in less than half an hour. So incredibly easy. I could not believe how easy they were. If you are wondering...it is Missouri Star Quilt Company...click on projects and search for the pillowcase tutorial. It is amazing.

Hollow Cubes Finished!

2010-09-12T22:47:00.000-03:00

You've seen this before, I know, but now it is bound and ready for a label. It is one of the "round-to-it's" I committed myself to finishing for our quilt show at the end of the month. I think when the show is over I will hang this in our small den...it's actually the third bedroom but because it is just DH and I(and Tigger) we use it as a combinatin computer room and spare bedroom .

Tigger drinks like a bird...she laps the water into her mouth, tilts her head back and smacks her lips until the water gets to the back of her throat. I tried to catch her so you could see this funny habit she has but she is too quick for me. This habit stems from a small cleft palette she was born with(it has since been repaired). She doesn't feel the water as it goes down her throat unless she tips her head back. She learned this adaptation to drinking as a little pup ...I don't think she will ever break the habit. She has forgotten herself on occasion, especially when we are travelling and she drinks out of a container that I bring for her, but the second she gets to her dish, up goes the head...she is a character. Her coat is starting to come back and you can see the black that is coming in on her sides...makes her look so slim....wonder if that would work for me????

Another UFO done!

2010-09-08T21:39:00.000-03:00

This is a crayon quilt that I put together about 5 years ago. I'm not sure what possessed me to make it, since we have no grandbabies and probably won't have any (never say never). Anyway, I saw a picture in , I think it was a Quiltmaker magazine and since I can draw a little bit, I proceeded ahead and put this one together. Crayon quilts, per se , are a lot of fun, much like kindergarten...draw what you want and colour it however you want.(The secret is to press the fabric....after colouring....with paper towel and a hot , dry iron.. it will take the wax out and leave the dye).I'm not sure how it will wash......if anyone knows , please let me know since I wish to sell this one at our quilt show at the end of the month. I'd hate for anyone to buy it and then have problems with it after.

I really had to get it out of the frame today...DH decided that he should paint the basement and everything had to be moved. I forget how much I have accumulated over the years...books, magazines and we won't even get into the amount of fabric I have...must be close to a hundred bucks.....lol. At least now that I have to re-organize I can put it all in order and maybe then I can find some of my notions and gadgets.

On a side note, Tigger now has a blue tail...she decided to help painting...

My Dear Jane

2010-09-06T22:10:00.000-03:00

I've been occupied helping DH do some more work on organizing my sewing room(feel a little pretentious calling it a studio) and I put one of my UFO's in the quilt frame in the hopes of selling it at our quilt show at the end of the month...I'll post a picture when I've got it bound. To get back on track I drafted a couple more Dear Jane squares and just to show that I finished the alphabet, since I did them all in order here's the Zee or Zed, depending on where you live.

I've given some thought to my Dear Jane...since I am drafting some of my favourite patterns to use and not really adhering strictly to the true Dear Jane patterns, I feel justified in changing the name of my quilt when it is finished. In honor of my Mom, whose name was Dorothy Jane, I intend to call it "My Dear Dorothy Jane". She saw only one of my quilts...it was a grandmother's fan that I gave her and my Dad for Christmas one year. She would never use it.."it was too good for everyday use." Our daughter now has it and I hope that she uses it regularly. She's a quilter and understands that quilts, like pearls, get better with age.

On a side note, paper piecing and I have come to terms. I am no longer afraid of it. I have learned a lot about it and can honestly say, I think I like it. Now I regret giving away all those paper piecing patterns. Darn!!

My design Wall

2010-08-30T20:34:00.000-03:00

I was going to wait until I had 50 more squares to show but working at night is not always the smartest thing to do especially on a hot, humid day. So here they are, all 49 of them..only 47 left to do and then I can start putting the top together.

Today I got to one of my favourite quilt shops and bought the fabric I want to use as cornerstones and sashing. The cornerstones will be a medium navy and the sashing will be a beige tone on tone...no adventurous spirit here....traditional and bland all the way.

Tigger is a high energy Sheltie...needing lots of exercise and on most days she gets it fetching a tennis ball , however, on days like today and since she hasn't got enough sense to know when to quit we won't take her out for her daily runs. As a result she demands a run on the treadmill. We set her pace at a pretty fast clip and away she goes...once she has found her rhythm, she loves it. I watched Cesar with his dog therapy and realized it was the perfect exercise for our little girl. Plus, we can say, without telling a lie, the treadmill gets lots of use...

UFO Done!

2010-08-28T21:06:00.000-03:00

It's bound! All that is left to do , of course, is to make a label.
DH wondered just what I was going to do with it since it is not a lap quilt, nor is it a bed quilt and he really doesn't see the sense in a wall hanging....not practical enough for him,I guess.

I will put it in the Quilt show being held here in Sussex , Sept 30th. Maybe someone will want to take it home...you just never know. AND then, I can make something else to replace it....right??

Tigger helped,..no really, she actually did, she didn't chew on the corners, didn't lay on it while I moved it around. Here's proof that she was her 'mom's' helper..

And now on to the next UFO...I can't begin to tell you how many are in my sewing room...

A "To do" gettin' done.

2010-08-16T21:02:00.000-03:00

This is my "Snowman Collector" that I made after Christmas and promised myself that I would have it finished for this coming Christmas. To make sure it got done , I committed to putting it in our Quilt Guild's show this coming fall. Shouldn't take me too long...good thing since the show is in September.

I've been working away on my Dear Jane blocks. I am slowly becoming a paper piecing fan...now that I caught on to the "tricks" of the trade. Precision is the word...make your points match and your sewing lines. Use a shorter tension and pay attention to the order of joining. It works. Taking the paper off is not as tiresome as it used to be....maybe I am getting some patience in my old age....lol.

I bound "Sylvia's Stars" tonight. It's been ready for some time to be bound but I just couldn't find the ambition(Dear Jane got in the way). You can't see the fabric I used very well in this photo but it is an orange/brownish batik and makes the quilt look very 'fallish'. It's one I will be keeping so it got put on our bed right away. Since Tigger decided she would rather sleep in her own bed at night now I can use some of my lighter quilts without consequence.

This is Tigger at her most relaxed.. She decided to help me bind the quilt. Love my doggy!!

Dear Jane obsessed!!!

2010-08-11T20:47:00.001-03:00

I've been steadily working along on my Dear Jane quilt. In this group there are only a couple that come from the actual Dear Jane patterns, the rest come from EQ6. I absolutely love the fact that I can pick a pattern , downsize it to 4.5 inches , print out the pattern; whether paper pieced, pieced or applique and work away. I have a stack of them all waiting to be put together. I am at 117 squares finished at the moment...have the alphabet (paper piecing) and of course, numbers to do...which will bring me up to 154...then I'll only have 42 left to do...nope, I won't have it finished before the summer. As our GPS voice says..".recalculating"...I hope to have it in the frame before Christmas.

Thought you might like to see a picture our daughter Kirstin, took at Fundy park...amazing how things will grow anywhere..just a little dirt, some rain and sun and voila...a tree on a rock...

Been Busy

2010-08-03T22:25:00.000-03:00

What a great long weekend I've had. My quilting daughter(Kirstin) from Ottawa has been here and she and I have had a great time sewing and shopping and doing things that mothers and daughters love to do.

We took a drive to the Fundy National Park...it is an incredible drive with tremendous views of the Bay of Fundy. This is only a small representation of the panoramas you can enjoy. That was a great day.

This is the bag that Kirstin made ...all in one day. The fabrics came from Africa and they are funky, young and fun. She added a two tone lining with lots of pockets. All she needs to do now is decide if she wants to embellish the outside and maybe add some kind of closure at the top. She does really good work...my number one daughter.

While Kirstin was sewing, I drafted more squares for my Dear Jane...up to 86 now and still eager to do more. I have some I downloaded from the internet, some I drafted on EQ6 and then a light bulb went off over the head....doh!!!...

I have a book "501 Quilt Blocks"...they are all 4 inches but I can redraft easily enough. So I sit down each day and draw up 3 or 4 squares...I try to do a couple of applique, a pieced one and maybe a paper pieced one ...just to round it out. Only 110 left to do. Think I'll get it done this summer??????

Finally..out of the frame

2010-07-22T15:22:00.001-03:00

Today I finished quilting "Sylvia's Stars" and took it out of my Hinterberg frame......at last. Seems like I have been quilting on it for an awfully long time.

Tigger is examining it very carefully ...I think she approves but when I caught her biting off some of the batt I had to reevaluate my thoughts...everything looks like food to Tigger...so far, the only thing I have seen her voluntarily spit out is green onion and onion skin...not very discriminating...my doggie.

I took a close up of the feather pattern I compiled out of a template and some cross hatching...turned out pretty well, even if I do say so myself...self praise is better than none, I guess.

Thought you might like to see our little "genius" in action. She crawled under the bed and then couldn't get out. I am captioning this picture " A little help here!!!" We had to turn her sideways and drag her out....makes for lots of laughter in this house.

If you are wondering what the steps are, those are for Tigger..the bed is high and she cannot jump it so DH made her stairs...must be love.

More Dear Jane Squares

2010-07-20T19:40:00.001-03:00

Well, I am really hooked. I just can't seem to get enough of these squares. I think it is the fact that I only have to do one of each pattern(excluding a few that are done using different techniques for the same design)

I'm forging ahead with the applique squares...not only because I like to applique but because my sewing room is a disaster area. We are in a new house with no finished basement and we are in the process of finishing rooms. The outside walls have been gyprocked, drywalled and painted but the furnace room, which unfortunately must be in the centre of the basement is now walled in , currently wet with dry wall and waiting to be sanded and painted. That may take a little longer than a week since we have been cursed with high humidity.

In the meantime, I run downstairs, prepare a couple of applique squares and come back up to the den to sit in front of the tv and sew to my heart's content. The eight in the left corner of the pic were done mostly last night and finished up this afternoon. I have a couple more ready so I'll watch Two and a Half Men and sew away.

Tigger has been fairly quiet for her today...I think she is minding the humidity...at least , I hope that's what it is...her appetite is good, bodily functions are good, eyes are bright...just a sleepy girl. She had a bad night last night, thunder and lightening...cuddled most of the night. Dare I say, I loved it, since she is usually not a cuddlebum.

A few more quilt show pictures.

2010-07-17T19:22:00.001-03:00

I love the simplicity of this church. They have a small but very active membership and they maintain it beautifully. With the quilts draped over the pews, it is even prettier.
This is the front entrance. If my brain had been in gear, I would have taken a picture outside so you could see how quaint it actually is. Very plain and sturdy, sitting atop a knoll right in the centre of the town.

If you're a Bonnie Hunter fan, you'll recognize this pattern...Jacque got hers all finished, mine is still sitting in my "To Do" box...someday.!!!!

A Quilt Show in St. George, NB

2010-07-17T19:17:00.001-03:00

I really wasn't thinking too well yesterday when I attended a quilt show in St. George, NB at the Presbyterian Kirk...it is oldest building in Canada continuously in use as a church. It's in marvelous shape , well maintained and a really nice place to hold a small quilt show. I should have taken a picture of the outside as well as these on the inside.

As you can see the quilts were draped over the pews(straight-backed and uncomfortable as all get out...makes you wonder how many people strained their backs over the centuries)

The two ladies here are Jacque and Louise, both members of the Quoddy Quilt Guild (my former quild) and, along with many other quilters in the St. George area , have some of their quilts on display.

.

Still not a PP fan!

2010-07-15T20:32:00.000-03:00

I'm sort of cheating here and nobody really cares so I guess it is okay. I've separated the patterns I have into three groups,....applique, pieced and (a pox on thee) paper piecing. As you can see, the applique patterns outnumber the rest combined...I guess you can tell I like to applique. Working with the small pieces has been a challenge, especially with these arthritic hands but I keep on truckin'. I have some squares that I downloaded and for some reason they did not come out at 4.5 inches square and I have had to draft them to fit. That has been an exercise in frustration. I gave up on one today completely...I think I'll turn it over to my EQ6 programme and see how that works.

I'm not as hateful about paper piecing as I was last week. Still don't like taking the paper off when done but the accuracy is slowly swaying me. It will be interesting to see how I feel about it when this project is finished. 28 done only 166 left to go....wonder how long it will take me.

And So it Grows

2010-07-08T21:52:00.000-03:00

I couldn't resist making some more Dear Jane squares. The four on the left I downsized from EQ6 patterns..I have 44 of them printed out and just waiting to be pieced or appliqued. That will make a total of 162 patterns accumulated. I calculated that in order to make an approximately 90 by 90 quilt(I do like them to be square and that size fits our beds the best)..I will need 196. That way I will put together 14 x 14 with one inch sashing and cornerstones plus a 6 or 5 inch border so that I can do some appliqueing of vines and flowers. At least that is the plan now....it is always subject to change.

I was in contact with a friend from the town we were living in last year and she is doing a Dear Jane as well...it was something she and I talked about doing for a while. It's motivating when you have a sewing buddy urging you on...keeps you working along.

As you can see I have two paper pieced squares done..it's still my least favourite thing to do. I went over the patterns again and decided instead of regimenting myself to making them in numerical order I will put the pp'd squares together and choose one in between the other patterns..maybe then I won't get too frustrated. Either way, It's going to take a while to finish.

Glutton For Punishment

2010-07-06T20:54:00.000-03:00

These squares are 5inches...4.5 when finished and they will be going into a Dear Jane quilt. It's something I have always wanted to do but just couldn't find the motivation, especially considering the fact that a lot of them will be paper pieced and I am not a fan of paper piecing.

Today, I bit the bullet and started. I would have started the first of the paper pieced squares(they are all numbered and in order...a bit retentive that way) but Tigger decided I had done enough sewing for today and started barking at me and nipping at my heels...Shelties do love to herd.

If you ever decide that you would like to do a Dear Jane quilt..you can find a host of 4.5 squares at www.sentimentalstitches.com under midget squares. There are 92 of them available for downloading...won't make a very big quilt but you can always add as many more as you want. It will probably take a few years before it will be anywhere near the size I would like it to be so don't hold your breath waiting to see the finished product. I'll post a few as I do them, in between all the other projects I have on the go.There are just not enough hours in the day.

Embroidery and Quilting

2010-07-02T16:05:00.000-03:00

I learned to embroider when I was a very young girl. It was one of the two crafts my Mom taught me(the other was to knit) and I still enjoy weilding the needle. I love embroidered things..pillowcases, tablecloths,tea towels..you name it. It's considered old fashioned these days but I guess it is the girly-girl part of me....not that there's much of that....but I do like the added touch.

This quilt is all nursery rhymes ...done a few years ago. I was deluding myself even then, that I might be a grandmother some day and this would be perfect for a grand daughter. I will probably hang on to it ...you just never know. A friend and I met several years ago , commisserating with each other about not having grand kids and maybe never having any. She now has five....damn her!!....and I am still waiting. ...see the cobwebs....

Tigger likes this quilt. She jumped on it right away, then burrowed under it...I'd like to say she understands my need for a grandchild and tries to compensate...truth is, she's as crazy as a bedbug but we love her anyway.

The next step.

2010-06-28T21:43:00.000-03:00

Tigger isn't sure either. I've added corners (for want of a better term) to my Hollow cubes . I have a hard time with the uneven edges so I decided to even it up and charcoal seemed most appropriate. I'm not sure if I will add any more borders to it. If I do it will probably be a jewel tone...maybe red. I'm still fascinated with the 3D effect. What would smaller cubes in the corners and borders of charcoal do to it?

I'd rather be quilting.

2010-06-21T15:48:00.000-03:00

I' ve been working away at the front flower beds...trying to get them finished the way I really would like them..After a morning of sweating, it's been hot and humid here, I got it halfway done...ran out of bricks so I quess that means a trip to the hardware store...again.

Saved by the rain!!

Since it got too muddy to continue I figured I'd get busy and put a sleeve on the back of this quilt(the one Tigger is examining)so that it is ready for the quilt show in September...I can be a "procrastinator extraordinarie" on occasion, but not having it ready would be ridiculous.

The quilt is called Star of the Orient. Two years ago several of us quilt show workers decided we should make it for our show the coming year. They all said, yup , they would work on it over the summer...HA! Guess how many quilts got done. You got it..... only one and this is it.

It is completely hand pieced and hand quilted as pretty well all of my quilts are now.I included a close up on one of the squares ..there are 36.... If you wish to count the number of pieces in each square , go ahead... but I can tell you ....there are 49 in each square.

I discovered something about my stash along the way, I really don't have enough light fabrics . I am a jewel tone lover and even my pastels lean toward the brilliant.

I'm thinking I might try to sell this one at our quilt show...It's one of those extras I have laying around....can't tell you how many of those there are, someone might be listening...

Lessons learned.

2010-06-16T15:50:00.001-03:00

This is what Tigger was doing while I was struggling with machine quilting..she didn't care that I learned a few very valuable lessons today. One.....don't be in such a hurry to finish things...just because machine quilting is supposed to be faster than hand quilting doesn't mean it can be done THAT fast.

Two: never forget your basics....measure the quilt properly before adding borders...regardless of how accurate you THINK your sewing is ,it doesn't hurt to double check.

Three:..If my needle is making a "puck, puck" sound, replace it.

Four: I need lots of practise...

Five: a hot iron can fix lots of "oopsies".

And lastly, take pictures far away so no one can see how badly you've machine quilted, even if they enlarge the pic.

Now it's time for a cup of tea and piece of Judy Laguardia's Creamsicle cake...it is fabulous. I wish I could learn how to include a link so you can all pop over and get her recipe. Made it a couple of days ago ...Fred and I are lovin' it.

Scrappy is as Scrappy does!

2010-06-15T20:15:00.000-03:00

I made a wall hanging with Klosjes...then decided it wasn't big enough. Made some more and got a small brainwave ( scared me for a minute, I was sure I've been brain dead this past week...crosswords took too long to do).
Anyway, I love table runners and table toppers ...sooo....I put the ones I was going to add to the wallhanging together as a table topper. Then went whole hog and added a really scrappy border and there it is in all its glory. Scrap, scrap and more scrappy. I think I like it. Now all I have to do is quilt it. I really don't do well in machine quilting but I would like to get better at it. I may try and do some free motion quilting seeing as how my daughter bought me a free motion foot for my Pfaff. She knows I love to hand quilt but can't keep up with all the projects I have on the go...her solution is that I machine quilt some of them. I won't be able to claim purism if I do...but then, change is good....right??????

A "Round TOIT"

2010-06-14T18:33:00.000-03:00

When my DH retired after 39 years with the RCMP, naturally a party was held in his honour.Being the quilter that I am, I came up with the , dare I brag... brilliant idea of a "guest" quilt. I had these squares tucked away from heaven knows how long ago. It was back in the day when I actually thought I liked paper piecing. I bought a bunch of Pigma pens and drafted my daughter to catch as many people that wanted to sign it as she could.

It's been six years. It's time to bite the "I hate paper piecing" bullet. I know the pieces go together well, I know it's not hard to match your points...I just hate tearing all the paper off. It's such a chore.

DH , being the great guy that he is has never asked about the "guest" quilt. When he saw me working at it today, he just said.."well, it's about time." If he only knew the great sacrifice I am making on his behalf...I have 3 quilts that need sleeves, 4 wall hangings that need to be quilted and a table runner that is begging to be finished in time for the quilt show in Sussex in September. Must be love that I would take the time just for him...or maybe it's that I need the container it's been hiding in. Either way, It's about time....

Halfway there!

2010-06-04T17:41:00.000-03:00

Theres's something about the halfway point on a quilt that manages to evoke a feeling of contentment in me. It seems that it takes forever to quilt the borders and then the squares take up some more time . Whenever I reach that mid point in a quilt I feel a certain satisfaction that I actually will get the darn thing finished. This row of stars is the mid point on "Sylvia's Stars"...my batik quilt. I'm excited now...I'm halfway there.

The second picture is of my klosjes..100 of them sewn together and 8 more that I finished last night. I decided that 100 is not enough...it's too small for a baby quilt and too wide for a table runner...I really wasn't thinking ahead there at all. Sooo....I'll just keep adding more until I get enough for a lap quilt and then I will decide what to do with it...

This last picture is of the baby quilt that I started a while ago. I initially thought I would make it square (5 X 5) with a border. My sister in law came to visit last weekend...she has been a source of great common sense for me for years...and she suggested I keep it as wide as the backing I had chosen rather than have to piece a backing...makes sense, right?.. Anyway....you can't see the border around it...it is the same width as the squares...I plan on doing a little applique and then scalloping the edges...always love to do some applique...keeps me out of trouble.

I normally would have more things to post but the dustpuppies (dustbunnies have been replaced) have been multiplying... sheltie "Tigger" is throwing her coat...to be expected after having two surgeries in the last 3 months. She keeps us on our toes...a very active little girl...I keep forgetting she is only 9 months old.

Potholder coices?

2010-05-31T15:01:00.001-03:00

Our guild is holding its annual dinner meeting tomorrow and the president challenged us to bring A potholder for exchange. No specifics...just a potholder. Now I am one of those quilters that needs direction...point me the right way and I'll do what needs to be done...don't give me too much freedom, I'll stumble. You should see all the "stumbles" I have floating around in boxes and totes in my sewing room.

To that end, I made two...now I have to choose which one I want to give away. The picture below consists of Japanese patterned fabric...never sure what to do with those. I like them but I have never utilized them properly.

The colours are pretty but it is unassuming and probably won't interest anyone...AND, the apple one has teflon coated heat resistant fabric on the back.

Who am I kidding, looks like it will be the apple...right.

Even Tigger agrees...caught her mid blink...looks like she's laughing at me.

Dresden and Baby!

2010-05-23T16:28:00.000-03:00

This is Tigger who is becoming quite a little companion. If you're wondering, I am sitting on a stool at the counter bar in my kitchen. This is where she will lay whenever I play at the computer. I grabbed the camera and got a candid shot of her...quickly, mind you, because she still isn't completely trusting of us yet. We've only had her for two and a half weeks.

The next pic is the project I am working on now...a baby quilt...did the Dresden plate by hand and the rest is being done by machine. As an aside, Tigger does not like the machine and pokes me with her Sheltie nose to try and get me to stop. So far it's not working...she will learn.

I have no end in mind for the baby quilt...no grandchildren and by the looks of things none in sight for a while. I may finish it up...add a wide border and do some applique just to give it a little pizzaz. Our guild is having a quilt show in late September...should have it finished by then so more than likely I will put it in the "for sale" table. A grandma might take a liking to it.

Klosjes and Tigger

2010-05-18T21:22:00.001-03:00

Tigger (formerly known as Rio)doesn't take too many naps in the daytime but she will rest some at night...at least a bit before she settles in for the night. And just like a small baby if you make too much noise or move around too much she's up and following. The light bulb went on ...time to do some more Klosjes. I could sit still and sew...something I like to do anyway. So here they are, my 100 klosjes...it's still not big enough so I will probably make more...They are fun to do and when they are all together they look pretty good...I guess you could say that about scrappy quilts anytime.

The picture of Tigger was supposed to come after the Klosjes..someday I will learn how to manipulate this computer the way I want, until then........

Chinese Checkers?

2010-05-14T09:08:00.000-03:00

A couple of you asked about this quilt...where I got it and if you could have the pattern. Here's the skinny. ..... I found a picture of a quilt among hundreds of pics taken at quilt shows over the years. The construction intriqued me so I decided to draft the pattern. I do have EQ6 but am not as proficient as I would like to be so I dug out the old 1/4 inch graph paper and started using those skills we were absolutely certain we would never use in high school and drew up my templates. The angle is 60 degrees...after all it is a hexagon, and the triangles are equilateral. You will notice that the triangles are added at the half way point (same colour) and continued on the other half of the colour to the right of it. The "checker " star is pieced together with a background hexagon. I ended up by adding two strips on the sides to widen the quilt as I found it too narrow, I prefer queen sized quilts around 90" x 90". The finished border is more triangles and of course, all scrappy. I like to make quilts by hand now. There was a time when I was machine piecing 8 to 10 quilts a year(hand quilting them, though) and I had way too many. So I tried hand piecing and found I really like it, now I am down to 2 - 3 a year and that works out just great. If you want more information leave your e-mail address and I will try to answer any question you have.