Monday Moments

/ quiltinggail / 4 Comments

This little bag is made with 2 pieces of fabric that I got from the Trend-tex tour I took. It is a DrEAMI project. A Drop Everything And Make It. Sandra, from MMM Quilts hosts a DrEAMI linky party each month. You can see all of the DrEAMI projects HERE.

A Meme

I can relate to this! I’m sure you can as well! (From All Free Sewing) Although I would change the word “sewing” to “quilting!”

Fun in the Sewing Room

My cousin Connie had never used an Accuquilt. When we were at Quilt Canada, she bought fabric just for this quilt. I gave her a 30 second tutorial and she proceeded to quickly cut it out, using the Glorified Nine Patch die. Then the sewing began. She was amazed at how easily the curves went together with perfectly cut pieces. Before she headed home, she had borders on (but I didn’t get a picture of it at that stage.) Didn’t she do a marvelous job?

Stitching Time

‘

Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!

This week I’ve been doing more “unsewing” than sewing … but it still counts, right? And, I’ve been gallivanting around with my cousin, so that has cut into sewing time.

  • January – May:  119 / 150
  • June 1 – 27:  22 / 27
  • Total: 141 / 177
  • Percentage = 79% 

Stash Report

Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash numbers. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks!

The fabric for the zipper pouch was not added into my “Fabric Added this Year,” so I’m not going to count it as “Fabric Used this Year.”

  • Fabric Used since the last report      0  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       53.5 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:    11.75 yards 
  • Net Fabric used                 41.75 yards 

To Do

Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is hosting “To Do” every week.

The To Do list from last week:

  1. Finish both Island Batik Catalogue quilts and Hanging Sleeves added √   DONE
  2. Make something … but I’m not sure what! √   DONE (made the little zipper pouch)
  3. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!  √   DONE
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes √   DONE

This week’s list:

  1. Mail Island Batik Catalogue quilts to California.
  2. Work on 3 Yard Quilt
  3. Quilt Squirrel Quilt
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

Design Wall

Donna, at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, host a linky party for “What’s on your Design Wall” every week.

The 2 Island Batik catalogue quilts (that I can’t show you for MONTHS!) are finally done! Picking out stitching from one of them took several days! Connie and my husband helped a LOT!!! Once it was out, I was able to quickly quilt it with non-rayon Aurifil thread and the results are amazing.

Piecing:

  1. 3 Yard Quilt. Connie kept talking about 3 yard quilts that her guild did. I looked at one of her patterns, cut it out and started sewing … Here are the fabrics I’m using (from my stash)

2. Summer Mystery Quilt: I will be hosting a mystery quilt here on the blog … I’m in the process of writing the pattern and sewing it. When it’s almost ready, I’ll announce the dates and all the details.

Quilting:

  1. Squirrel is sandwiched and I have a plan for the quilting!

Island Batik Blog Hop

Have you been following the latest Island Batik Blog Hop? With quilts featuring the New York Beauty pattern? It’s been quite a variety of wonderful quilts!

I posted mine on June 6 … you can read about it HERE. Here’s links to the blogs that will be posting this week:

June 27:

Jane Hauprich, Stitch by Stitch Custom Quilting
Brenda Alburl, Songbird Designs

Opportunity to win!

You can win a fat quarter bundle of Winter Wonders or Woodcut Blossoms … both wonderful collections! Just follow the prompts in the Rafflecopter giveaway below.

By the way – one of my blog followers from Saskatchewan one a fat quarter bundle on the first draw of this hop – so it IS possible for YOU to win, too!

a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Some of my followers tell me that the Rafflecopter doesn’t work for them … if that’s you, go to Island Batik’s blog and enter there.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

Continue reading →

Here Comes the Sun Blog Hop

/ quiltinggail / 60 Comments

Carol, from Just Let Me Quilt is hosting this blog hop. Here comes the Sun is a great title for a June blog hop. However, I live in Western Canada … on the WET coast! We haven’t seen much sun and it has been cool! On the news, they are calling it “June-uary.”

What is the challenge for “Here Comes The Sun”?

Sew something that has a summer theme like: sunglasses, beach items, sunny skies, and/or yellow colors. It can be a quilt, a bag, a toy, or whatever you want it to be.

So, I took a class from Elizabeth at Epida Studio and made this great window hanging with the sun inside the flower! (She has several different classes and is a fantastic teacher! I highly advise that you look into taking a class from her)

The technique to make this was totally new to me. It’s called Pojagi. It’s a technique that Elizabeth learned in Korea. The seams make it look like stained glass.

And here’s a picture of it in the window!

The fabrics are Island Batik … The yellow is Ogee Petal Sunshine, the flower petals are Floral Wonders and the background is Butterfly Blooms.

Once this was stitched together, it was a bit flimsy, so I sprayed it with Terial Magic and it was perfect!

Here’s the list of all of the blogs that are participating! Enjoy the sunny eye candy!

June 20

June 21

June 22

June 23

July 24

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

Sunday’s Thoughts

/ quiltinggail / 12 Comments

My cousin, Connie, is visiting from Ontario and we’re having a blast! We spent one day at Quilt Canada, with my husband enjoying it as well! (I’ll talk about Quilt Canada in a future post). Then we did a tour of Trend-tex (a fabric distributor). Today, we went to a fabric sale in a home and to a fabric store. Such fun! There’s a few more days before she heads home … who knows how much trouble we can get into?

Pop Star

Pop Star is finished … and I will be linking to the Pop Star QAL Final Parade. If you want the pattern you can find it HERE. MMM Quilts has some fantastic designs! I LOVE making her patterns!

This quilt was made with Island Batik fabrics: the background is linen, the light blue is pool, and the dark blue is raven. It was sandwiched with Hobbs 80/20. I backed it with a light yellow flannel.

Here’s a closeup of the quilting in the corner … the star used Silly Moon’s Twinkle ruler.

Stitching Time

‘

Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!

This week I’ve been doing more “unsewing” than sewing … but it still counts, right? And, I’ve been gallivanting around with my cousin, so that has cut into sewing time.

  • January – May:  119 / 150
  • June 1 – 20:  15 / 20
  • Total: 134 / 170
  • Percentage = 79% 

Stash Report

Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash numbers. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks!

I was at Quilt Canada last week … and I absolutely fell in love with this beautiful fat quarter bundle. I’m not sure what I’m going to do with it … but I do LOVE it. It’s called Bluebird, by Edyta Sitar and I bought it at the Chitterchatter booth. There is a total of 5.5 yards.

When Connie and I went on the Trend-tex tour, we did get a lot of swag … but I’m not counting it because it’s too hard to calculate different sizes of fabric and I didn’t buy it. Also included was a water bottle, a scone and a delicious treat! I have no idea what I’ll do with the fabric, but it’ll be used or it’ll go to the guild’s free table.

The Pop Star quilt used 1.25 yards of background …

  • Fabric Used since the last report      10.5  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       53.5 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   5.5 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:    11.75 yards 
  • Net Fabric used                 41.75 yards 

To Do

Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is hosting “To Do” every week.

The To Do list from last week:

  1. Work on Here Comes the Sun  blog hop project √   DONE
  2. Finish 2 quilts for an upcoming Island Batik Catalogue … I’ll show you once the catalogue is out.Quilt  not completed
  3. Pop Star Quilt √   DONE 
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!  √   DONE
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes √   DONE

This week’s list:

  1. Finish both Island Batik Catalogue quilts
  2. Make something … but I’m not sure what!
  3. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

Design Wall

Donna, at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, host a linky party for “What’s on your Design Wall” every week.

Piecing:

  1. Even I’m surprised that I don’t have anything being pieced at the moment!

Quilting:

  1. Squirrel is sandwiched and I have a plan for the quilting!

2. The Island Batik Catalogue quilt tops are done – one is quilted and needs the hanging sleeve and the other is in the process of having all of the quilting removed and will be re-quilted … I used an OLD Aurifil Variegated Rayon thread that looked great on the top … and the back was HORRID!!!! Of course, I did not check the back until I was done! Call me dumb, call me stupid, but it serves me right for not checking the back!

Here comes the Sun Blog Hop

This blog hop starts this week! My day is on Tuesday!

Island Batik Blog Hop

Have you been following the latest Island Batik Blog Hop? With quilts featuring the New York Beauty pattern? It’s been quite a variety of wonderful quilts!

I posted mine on June 6 … you can read about it HERE. Here’s links to the blogs that will be posting this week:

June 20:

Claudia Porter, Create with Claudia
Brianna Roberts, Sew Cute and Quirky

June 21:

Gail Renna, Quilt Haven Threads
Preeti Harris, Sew Preeti Quilts

June 22:

Megan Best, Bestquilter
Leah Malasky, Quilted Delights

June 23:

Suzy Webster, Websterquilt
Emily Leachman, The Darling Dogwood

Opportunity to win!

You can win a fat quarter bundle of Tranquility or Woodblock Bouquets … both wonderful collections! Just follow the prompts in the Rafflecopper giveaway below

a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Some of my followers tell me that the Rafflecopter doesn’t work for them … if that’s you, go to Island Batik’s blog and enter there.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

Fons & Porter: Love of Quilting

/ quiltinggail / 35 Comments

Have you seen the latest issue of Fons & Porter, Love of Quilting? I am super excited about this issue!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’ve been looking high and low for it, with little luck. Until today! YEAH!!!

Why? you ask … Because, I have a quilt in the issue. They did a fabulous job photographing it. I absolutely LOVE the table in front of it.

I was so excited to see this in the magazine! A few people emailed me saying that they had seen it – but I hadn’t! It was pretty cool to see it in the magazine!

Quilt Stats:

  • Designed, pieced and quilted by ME!
  • 42.5″ x 42.5″
  • Island Batik fabrics: Contempo and
  • Hobbs 80/20 Batting
  • Aurifil thread (yellow)
  • Free motion quilting on my domestic machine
  • Backing is Fireside

The directions for the quilt are in the magazine. If you make it, I’d love to see a picture!

Here’s a picture of my quilt where you can see all the quilting!

I was Featured!

Jennifer from Inquiring Quilter and Kelly from My Quilt Infatuation both featured my quilts from last week! You can read about it HERE.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

Monday Moments: June 13

/ quiltinggail / 22 Comments

I have a finish to show you. I finished this quite a while ago, but couldn’t show you. It was the latest mystery quilt that the guild did! The pattern is from a book, but I re-wrote the instructions to use strip piecing. It makes it so much easier to construct the quilt. And because the original directions were from a “Mystery Quilt” book, I cannot share them with you! Sorry!

This quilt was made with fabrics from my stash. And I only put on the one border … the original directions called for 3 borders.

Here’s a close-up of the quilting … it sort-of looks like feathers, but in reality, it’s just an elongated swirl – way easier than feathers to do!

Stitching Time

‘

Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!

Not many days of sewing this week.

  • January – May:  119 / 150
  • June 1 – 13:  9 / 12
  • Total: 128 / 162
  • Percentage = 79% 

Stash Report

Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash numbers. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks!

The guild mystery quilt used 9.25 yards

  • Fabric Used since the last report      9.25  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       52.25 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:    6.25 yards 
  • Net Fabric used                 43. yards 

To Do

Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is hosting “To Do” every week.

The To Do list from 3 weeks ago:

  1. Quilt Pop Star Quilt √   DONE (you’ll see this on the 15th!) access the steps at MMM Quilts HERE.
  2. Work on Here Comes the Sun Pop Star Quilt blog hop project √   DONE
  3. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!  √   DONE
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes √   DONE

This week’s list:

  1. Work on Here Comes the Sun Pop Star Quilt blog hop project
  2. Finish 2 quilts for an upcoming Island Batik Catalogue … I’ll show you once the catalogue is out.
  3. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

Design Wall

Donna, at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, host a linky party for “What’s on your Design Wall” every week.

Piecing:

  1. Here Comes the Sun project

2. Island Batik Catalogue quilts (2)

Quilting:

  1. Squirrel is sandwiched and I have a plan for the quilting!

2. Once the Island Batik Catalogue quilt tops are done – they need to be quilted.

Island Batik Blog Hop

Have you been following the latest Island Batik Blog Hop? With quilts featuring the New York Beauty pattern? It’s been quite a variety of wonderful quilts!

I posted mine on June 6 … you can read about it HERE.

June 13:

Jennifer Thomas, Curlicue Creations
Maryellen McAuliffe, Mary Mack Made Mine

June 14:

Pamela Boatright, Pamela Quilts
Anorina Morris, Samelia’s Mum

June 15:

Michelle Roberts, Creative Blonde Gifts
Lisa Pickering, Lisa’s Quilting Passion

June 16:

Denise Looney, For the Love of Geese
Connie Kauffman, Kauffman Designs

Opportunity to win!

You can win a fat quarter bundle of Savannah or Santorini … both wonderful collections! Just follow the prompts in the Rafflecopper giveaway below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Some of my followers tell me that the Rafflecopter doesn’t work for them … if that’s you, go to Island Batik’s blog and enter there.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

Saturday 

Jewel Carvings and TGIFF

/ quiltinggail / 35 Comments

I’m hosting TGIFF this week … see the Linky party below ….

A long time ago, in my quilting studio, I had the opportunity to use the fantastic Island Batik collection “Jewel Carvings” by Kathy Engle. It was for a quilt for the Island Batik catalogue. You can check it out HERE – on p.99. I absolutely LOVED working with this collection. It is SEW pretty with the teals, greens and soft yellows and purples …

Here is the quilt I made using Island Batik’s solid black fabric for the background.

My friend, Amy, tested my pattern and made the quilt with a light background. This quilt used the exact same fabrics with “Milkshake” as the background.

Here’s the 2 quilts together … which one would you make?

You have an opportunity to win!

If you’re loving the fabrics in these quilts, Island Batik is giving away a fat-quarter bundle of Jewel Carvings and Nightshade! Both lucious collections! (But you better hurry, the offer ends on Friday night)

Follow the rafflecopter instructions below!

a Rafflecopter giveawayhttps://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

These quilts were made with Hobbs Batting and  Aurifil Thread

TGIFF

Join the Linky Party and show us your Friday Finish!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=a8b40ada7693d64e5923

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

New York Beauty

/ quiltinggail / 58 Comments

Way back in December, I received this “Surprise” package in one of my Island Batik boxes. I didn’t know which line of fabric it contained.

Along with the 1/2 yard cuts of Harvest Night, I received 2 yards of Wheat Leaves Latte and 2 yards of Midnight Blue.

We were instructed to make a “New York Beauty” quilt.

P.A.N.I.C.

YIKES!!!! Google “New York Beauty” and you’ll see why I was in a panic!

EQ to the rescue! They have plenty of blocks to choose from. I chose to do a Checked Arc Beauty. Then, in order to have enough fabric for the design I chose, I foolishly chose a 9″ block. If I had been wise at the time, I would have chosen a 12″ block. But, I might have run out of fabric making those 9 blocks that run down the centre.

I printed out the pattern, taped the necessary parts together and started to sew. It took me over 3 hours to sew my first block. Oh my … what had I gotten myself into?

When I paper piece, I do NOT sew on the paper. This way, I can chain piece my pieces and use a regular sized stitch … and the bonus – I don’t have to remove paper!!! AND it’s easier to “unsew!”

When I was doing the curved seams … I pinned, pinned, pinned. I wanted those points to match up. And for the most part, they did! That was a LOT of pins for me to use – especially since I rarely use pins!

Here’s an assortment of pieces of one block …

I went to a retreat in March. I took my project with me … I only got 4 blocks completed on the weekend! Sigh!!! But, I must admit, I was busy visiting, taking pictures, eating, visiting, eating, taking pictures, visiting and only sewing in between!

Once I got home from the retreat, it was pedal to the medal and the quilt top was done.

This quilt told me it needed a simple, fairly skinny border which finishes at 1 1/2″. The dark border is “Midnight Blue” and the light border is “Wheat Leaves Latte.” Both of these fabrics are foundations that are available at any time.

To sandwich the quilt, I used 505 Spray baste and Hobbs Batting 80/ 20. It hung on the design wall for several days while I decided how to quilt it. There is a LOT of stitch in the ditch and some 1/4″ outlining … it took awhile to quilt! Aurifil Thread #2370 (Sandstone) was used. Schmetz Needle microtex chrome 70/10 was used for the quilting. The scrappy binding used each of the 20 fabrics.

Here is a close-up of the quilting. And yes, I like this thread so much, I’ve almost used a cone and a lot of a large spool! (Not all on this quilt!) I hate having to unthread my machine to wind a bobbin – that’s why I like to have the extra spool – just for bobbins!

I didn’t have enough of the Wheat Leaves Latte for the backing … SEW … I cut what I had in half diagonally, put it up on the design wall and measured what the distance was between the 2 pieces. I took some of the left-over pieces and made the center strip. Then I had a backing that was big enough – and pretty as well!

Here is a closeup of the quilting on the back:

There is a give-away!

Island Batik has a give-away! You have the opportunity to win a fat-quarter bundle of Jewel Carvings or Nightshade! Both lucious collections! Follow the rafflecopter instructions below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Visit Elizabeth

Visit Elizabeth at Epida Studio. She received the same surprise bundle of Harvest Night as me. I can’t wait to see her New York Beauty!!! I bet they look totally different. But I need to wait until she posts to see it!

Thank you!

Disclosure: The fabrics, batting, thread and needles were generously supplied by the following companies: Thank you, Island Batik  Aurifil Thread  Hobbs Batting & Schmetz Needles !!

Blog Hop Schedule

Everyone is making New York Beauties this month! Be sure to visit each of them. You are in for a lot of fantastic eye candy! Here is the schedule:

June 6:

Gail Sheppard, Quilting Gail
Elizabeth DeCroos, Epida Studio

June 7:

Reed Johnson, Blue Bear Quilts
Andi Stanfield, True Blue Quilts

June 8:

Sandra Starley, Textile Time Travels

June 9:

Jennifer Fulton, Inquiring Quilter
Mania Hatziioannidi, Mania for Quilts

June 10:

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 1 and Giveaway

June 13:

Jennifer Thomas, Curlicue Creations
Maryellen McAuliffe, Mary Mack Made Mine

June 14:

Pamela Boatright, Pamela Quilts
Anorina Morris, Samelia’s Mum

June 15:

Michelle Roberts, Creative Blonde Gifts
Lisa Pickering, Lisa’s Quilting Passion

June 16:

Denise Looney, For the Love of Geese
Connie Kauffman, Kauffman Designs

June 17:

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 2 and Giveaway

June 20:

Claudia Porter, Create with Claudia
Brianna Roberts, Sew Cute and Quirky

June 21:

Gail Renna, Quilt Haven Threads
Preeti Harris, Sew Preeti Quilts

June 22:

Megan Best, Bestquilter
Leah Malasky, Quilted Delights

June 23:

Suzy Webster, Websterquilt
Emily Leachman, The Darling Dogwood

June 24:

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 3 and Giveaway

June 27:

Jane Hauprich, Stitch by Stitch Custom Quilting
Brenda Alburl, Songbird Designs

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Routine Maintenance

/ quiltinggail / 13 Comments

I decided that I needed to do some routine chores. Yes, you know the ones … the ones you put off until “next time!”

First, it was my rotary cutter. I keep 2 on my cutting table … one has a duller blade and the other, theoretically, has a fresher blade. Why a dull blade? you ask? Cutting batting DULLS blades. I don’t want a fresh blade to become dull quickly.

My blue cutter will get a new blade, the blue cutter’s blade will go in my yellow cutter and it’s blade will go into the “used” blade container. I KNOW that cutting with my blue cutter will be a joy! And I’ll ask myself, “Why didn’t I change the blade sooner?” (And I know that most of you are the same way! ~grin~)

My next chore was to clean out the bobbin area. I didn’t think there would be much lint in there – but I was surprised! I use a paint brush to get the easy to reach areas and I use a folded pipe cleaner to reach down into harder to reach areas. (make sure you fold the pipe cleaner, you don’t want the end to scratch anything!)

And, I change my needle. I didn’t take a picture – but I know that the next time I sew, I won’t hear that tell-tale “pop” that indicates a new needle is necessary!

SEW … are you thinking that you need to do some routine maintenance? Well – as soon as you finish reading this – go and do it!

You’ll be glad that you did!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

PHD in 2022: May Report

/ quiltinggail

So, how are YOU doing with your PHD in 2022? You’ve got this … just take it one step at a time!

May’s Accomplishments!

The baby quilts were counted as 1 UFO finish. The other quilts were new starts in 2022.

The Tally Sheets

I have a few new starts to finish and only 4 UFOs … I’m OK with them all! For me, it’s do-able!

Here is an Excel File for you to use (if you want).

PHD Tally 2022- with formulasDownload

And here is the link where you can find the colourful Task Sheet at Ms P Designs.

The Linky Party

Show us your PHD in 2022 Progress!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=a8b40ada7693d64e5923

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Monday Moments … May 30

/ quiltinggail

Stitching Time

‘

Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!

I’ve missed 2 days of sewing in the past 2 weeks … that’s what happens when you spend full days helping someone move!

  • January – April:  117 / 120
  • May 1 – 29:  17 / 29
  • Total: 134 / 159
  • Percentage = 84% 

Stash Report

Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash numbers. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks!

The apron used 1.25 yards and the 2 small quilts used a yard each for backing … for a total of 3.25 yards used since my last report. No shopping, so nothing added!

  • Fabric Used since the last report      3.25  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       43 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:    6.25 yards 
  • Net Fabric used                 36.75 yards 

To Do

Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is hosting “To Do” every week.

The To Do list from 2 weeks ago:

  1. Finish May Island Batik challenge. √   DONE you can see it HERE
  2. Work on Pop Star Quilt √   DONE flimsy completed
  3. Sandwich Squirrel Attack Quilt (see below). √   DONE
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!  √   DONE
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes √   DONE

This week’s list:

  1. Quilt Pop Star Quilt
  2. Work on Here Comes the Sun Pop Star Quilt blog hop project
  3. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

Design Wall

Donna, at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, host a linky party for “What’s on your Design Wall” every week.

Piecing:

  1. Here Comes the Sun project

2. A Squirrel Attack: The flimsy is done – but I forgot to take a picture …

Quilting:

  1. Squirrel is sandwiched and I have a plan for the quilting!

2. Quilting is in progress. I have been working on Sandra Walker’s Pop Star Quilt … Yesterday, the instructions for adding the border were posted. You can access the steps at MMM Quilts HERE.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Monthly Colour Challenge

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This month the colour is based on African Blue Basil. I’ve never heard of it … but it is a basal with a blue interior. Very pretty.

Image from: https://outofmyshed.co.uk/tag/african-blue-basil/

Here is my block! I used Island Batik fabrics. The light blue is from my scraps and the dark blue is Raven.

Here are the first 5 blocks of the year.

The pattern for this month’s block is FREE until June 1 – so hop over to Jen’s blog and get it right away! Click HERE.

Blue Quilts / Projects

Blue is my FAVOURITE colour. Here’s a bunch of pictures of the quilts with mostly blue in them that I have made in the past year!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

I was Featured!

Jen at Inquiring Quilter featured my May Island Batik challenge quilts: Triangle Tricks. You can see them HERE.

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Foodie: Blog Hop

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Carla, from Creatin’ in the Sticks announced this blog hop in March and I immediately thought of 2 projects I could make!

Here is the challenge:

Create something to do with food. It could be anything from a quilt with a food fabric, to a tea cozy. A mug rug for coffee to an apron. A Corn and Beans Quilt Block to a drying rack for the kitchen. Maybe you are trying to raise money for a charity that supplies food. You decide!  The theme is really your own interpretation, surprise us!

I knew I was going to use this fabric – left over from a recent finish. I’ve always loved the blueberry fabric and was positive it would be perfect for this blog hop!

I ended up with a list of about 10 projects I could potentially make. However, lack of time and lack of fabric prevented me from making more than 1. In the end, I chose to to make an apron. The pattern is “Super Simple Apron” by Valley Girl designs. When I googled their website, it said “This site cannot be reached.”

Here is the apron. I’m not a frilly girly person, so I left off the bottom ruffle. I like this apron because the ties cross in the back and it fits a multitude of sizes!

Foodie Bloggers

Monday, May 23rd

Tuesday, May 24th

Wednesday, May 25th

Thursday, May 26th

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Triangle Tricks

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Here’s what we were told, “The Triangle Tricks Challenge is designed to take you out of your comfort zone with square or rectangle blocks and have you work with triangles. Have fun!”

I’ve done oodles of triangle quilts, half-square triangles, tri-recs triangles, flying geese is all about triangles … Lots of different quilts … and I have a current leader and ender project that is also all about triangles, but I wanted something a bit different.

I spied Triangle Stars in our guild library … it looked great … it said “Deceptively Easy.” Time to try it out!

I chose to use the precut “Starry Night” that I received last year. Isn’t it a beautiful collection??? And with my favourite blues …

Here’s the first triangle I made …

Lots and lots of triangles … They are paired with Island Batik black solid with either white solid or rice. The black, white and rice are basics and available all the time.

Sew, I put all these triangles together and was thinking, “yeah, I’ve almost got this top done.” THEN, I went to iron it … oh my … I told a friend that it was a mess with multiple Double E sized bra cups all over it. Groan … I tried to press it into submission, but nothing worked … and I forgot to take a picture.

But, lots and lots of unstitching …

Then I realized that the triangles were off! They were SUPPOSED to be 60 degree triangles … so they all got squared (triangled?) up to be 60 degrees. I’m not sure that you can see much difference in the picture, but the one on the right is a 60 degree triangle and I have no idea what the one on the left is …

but there was a LOT of trimming! Depending on the triangle, there was anywhere from 1/2″ to 1/16″. That in my book is way to much variation. I checked my templates … yup – they were correct. I checked my seam allowance … yup – they were all the same 1/4″ … I have NO idea what happened! But I do know that IF I EVER make this quilt again, I will draw out a paper piecing pattern and there will be no templates used!

Here is the finished quilt! I must admit that it went together much easier once I made the triangles all the same size. And there were no Double E bra sized lumps … there was one “A” sized one, but that was easily quilted out!

I used Hobbs Batting BLACK 80/20 batting … it was perfect for this quilt! The stars and the shadow stars were quilted with Aurifil Thread #4644 (Smoke Blue) and the rest of the black was swirled with #2692 (Black). I used a microtex from Schmetz Needles.

Wait, there’s more!

As I was cutting up the left-over fabric to use for my leader and ender project, I thought “why not use it right away?” I do need 2 small table toppers for the newly painted and carpeted guest room – so I should make them now!

I used my 8″ Cube  Accuquilt #4 & #5 dies to cut out triangles with the left-over Starry Night fabrics. Then I cut tons of triangles with #5 die using Chevron – Iceberg … my plan was to make something cool with HST and flying geese. I made lots of HST and flying geese, but my plan did not come to be. That was OK … I decided I’d make one topper with HST turned into pinwheels and another with the flying geese.

To finish these, I used scraps of Hobbs Batting 80/20, a Schmetz Needle microtex and Aurifil Thread #2600 (Dove).

Thank you!

Disclosure: The fabrics, batting, thread and needles were generously supplied by the following companies: Thank you, Island Batik  Aurifil Thread  Hobbs Batting Accuquilt & Schmetz Needles !!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Celebrating “Contempo” fabric collection

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Have you seen Kate Colleran’s signature fabric line from Island Batik called Contempo? It is truly an awesome line of fabric. I designed a quilt for the Island Batik catalogue using Contempo, so I know what I’m talking about! I called it 3D Pinwheels. You can read more about this quilt HERE.

Look at all of the wonderful fabrics! So bright and beautiful!

To celebrate, Kate is offering 2 fat-quarter bundles of Contempo on her blog “Kate Colleran Designs” – so be sure to visit her blog for your opportunity to win this awesome collection!

Kate has organized an Instagram hop featuring many designers that have worked with the Contempo line. You can follow each of the links below to see the fantastic quilts that designers have made with Contempo! Here are each of the IG handles … be sure to visit each one!

@katecollerandesigns

@island_batik

@masterpiecequilting

@patchworkbreeze

@deb.quiltbox

@tamarinis

@swanamity

@poorhousequilts

@swirlygirlsdesign

@quiltinggail

@southwind_quilts

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Monday’s Moments

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Sorry, I have not been posting much lately! I’ve had Covid and it’s been a slow recovery. However, I am recovering. I know at one point, I told a friend, “I feel like sewing today.” I sat at the machine, sewed 2 stitches and turned the machine off. I knew I was sick! But, for the last few days, I’ve been sewing for more than 1/2 hour a day – so that is good.

Overhauling the Craft Room

Before I got sick, I did work on my studio overhaul and took some pictures.

Here’s a Before and After pictures of the same spaces!

I now have a full ironing board to iron on. Yes, those dark brown spots in the upper right and lower left definitely indicate that I need to recover the board. But not for now! I’ll live with it for a little while longer!

And the area behind the machine where I quilt is now tidy. Hopefully, it will stay that way! It has so far!

Stitching Time

‘

Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!

I missed many days of sewing in the last few weeks … that’s OK. I’m just thankful that I only have one deadline at the moment!

  • January – April:  117 / 120
  • May 1 – 15:  5 / 15
  • Total: 122 / 135
  • Percentage = 90% 

Stash Report

Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash numbers. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks!

It was fun to free motion these quilts … all different and using different motifs!

Finishing these baby quilts used 7.5 yards of fabric.

  • Fabric Used since the last report      7.5  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       39.75 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:    6.25 yards 
  • Net Fabric used                 23.5 yards 

To Do

Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is hosting “To Do” every week.

The To Do list from several weeks ago:

  1. Quilt & Bind at least 2 more Baby Quilt Panels √   DONE
  2. Work on Foodie Blog Hop project not done
  3. Clear Cutting Table and Ironing Board for Craft Room Overhaul √   DONE
  4. Work on May Island Batik challenge. √   DONE
  5. Work on Pop Star Quilt √   DONE
  6. Work on Squirrel Attack Quilt. not done
  7. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!  √   DONE

This week’s list:

  1. Finish May Island Batik challenge.
  2. Work on Pop Star Quilt
  3. Sandwich Squirrel Attack Quilt (see below).
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

Design Wall

Donna, at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, host a linky party for “What’s on your Design Wall” every week.

Piecing:

1. Foodie Blog Hop: These fabrics are from my stash. You’ll just have to wait until May 24th to see what is happening with this fabric!

2. A Squirrel Attack: The flimsy is done – but I forgot to take a picture …

3. I have been working on Sandra Walker’s Pop Star Quilt … Yesterday, the instructions for adding the border were posted. You can access the steps at MMM Quilts HERE.

Quilting:

Need to sandwich the May Island Batik project and get them quilted! And also need to sandwich the Pop Star Quilt.

Again, I’m counting 2 baby quilt panels as 1 UFO that is finished. That means that I only have 4 more UFOs to finish this year! Sigh … I thought I had found ALL of the UFOs before, but alas … there are likely more hidden away! I was secretly hoping that this would be the last year for me to host PHD in 202? But, if I keep discovering more – I’ll be hosting PHD for many years to come!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

PHD in 2022: April Report

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Can you relate to this?

https://www.remote.tools/memes/inspirational-memes

Even making some small steps – will get you closer to your goals!

How are you doing with your PHD? Each step will take you closer to the goal!

April UFOs Completed

The baby quilts were quick to finish, so I’m counting 2 of them as 1 UFO.

My Tally Sheet

The Tally Sheet

Here is an Excel File for you to use if you want to join in

PHD Tally 2022- with formulasDownload

And here is the link where you can find the colourful Task Sheet at Ms P Designs.

The Linky Party

Show us your PHD in 2022 intentions!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=a8b40ada7693d64e5923

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Friday … the end of the week …

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It has been a busy week … yesterday, I zoom quilted with several guild members … it’s always a LOT of fun and I managed to get 2 tops to flimsy stage. One is next month’s Island Batik challenge and the other is my Squirrel Attack quilt! Both are now waiting to be sandwiched.

I do have a finish to show … one of my blog followers suggested that I finish the baby panel with the kitty on it. I listened to her … and here it is! It was a LOT of fun to quilt … and miraculously the green for the binding was just the right amount! This UFO has Hobbs batting and was quilted with Glide thread.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

Monday’s Manifesto

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Garage Sale

I believe the guild Garage Sale was a success. I got rid of a LOT of stuff! It was great! I was very happy to only bring a small amount home!

I also was able to donate about 10 quilts to the baby quilt and comfort quilt guild charities! That also freed up a bunch of space!

As my dear hubby was helping to load the car, he gently told me that perhaps I might not want to bring home as much stuff as I took! I had to laugh, as I had absolutely NO intention of shopping at the garage sale …

However, when things are staring you in the face, you HAVE to shop! The blue fleece was at the table next to me and after an hour, I broke down and bought it. It will back 2 baby donation quilts. And the ruler handle … oh yes, the ruler handle. Whenever I’m at a retreat with Patti, she always has a long ruler with a fantastic handle on it. I gravitate to that ruler and absolutely LOVE the extra stability the handle adds. So, of course, I HAD to have it!!!

Now … to get things back in order in my sewing studio!

Overhauling the Craft Room

For awhile this past week, my studio looked WAY worse than it did when I first posted pictures … but that’s OK … sometimes, you have to make a mess to clean up, right? Anyhow … here is the progress this week:

Here’s Before and After pictures of the same spaces!

It looks a little cluttered behind the sewing machine on the right … but that’s my leader & ender project … and it’s allowed to stay there – ready for sewing! Yes, several rulers hang behind this machine.

Another area … The bags on the floor were emptied and things put away. The sandwiched quilts and various other things are in appropriate spots. Finally, there is a permanent home for my Accuquilt … with the Island Batik scraps ready for cutting … much better than putting it away all the time!

My quilting area … the SAD light stays and the laptop gets moved so I can view whatever as I’m quilting or zoom quilting or ??? Another leader and ender project ready when I piece on this machine and the area is clear for quilting. So, hopefully, I won’t quilt spare pieces of fabric into the back of whatever I quilt!

All that is left is my ironing board, cutting table and computer desk! GROAN …. but I will work on them …

Stitching Time

‘

Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!

I missed 3 days of sewing this week. Two because I was getting ready for the garage sale and one on the day of the garage sale …

  • January – Mar:  90 / 90
  • Apr 1 – 24: 21/24
  • Total: 111 / 114
  • Percentage =97% 

Stash Report

Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash numbers. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks!

Finishing this baby quilt used 2.5 yards of fabric.

  • Fabric Used this week      2.5  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       32.25 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   2 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:    6.25 yards 
  • Net Fabric used                 26 yards 

To Do

Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is hosting “To Do” every week.

The To Do list a week ago:

  1. Quilt & Bind at least 2 more Baby Quilt Panels only 1 done
  2. Work on Foodie Blog Hop project not done
  3. Finish going through the Fabric and Project containers. √   DONE
  4. Work on May Island Batik challenge. not done
  5. Clear at least one more surface in the sewing studio. √   DONE
  6. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!  not done
  7. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes √   DONE

Here’s the UFO Baby Quilt I finished.

This week’s list:

  1. Quilt & Bind at least 2 more Baby Quilt Panels
  2. Work on Foodie Blog Hop project
  3. Clear Cutting Table and Ironing Board for Craft Room Overhaul
  4. Work on May Island Batik challenge.
  5. Work on Pop Star Quilt
  6. Work on Squirrel Attack Quilt (see below).
  7. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  8. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

Design Wall

Donna, at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, hosts a linky party for “What’s on your Design Wall” every week.

Piecing:

1. Foodie Blog Hop: These fabrics are from my stash. You’ll just have to wait until May 24th to see what is happening with this fabric!

2. A Squirrel Attack: As I was going through my containers … I found left-over strips from a jelly roll quilt … well, they spoke very loudly to me and said, “USE ME NOW.” Well, I have learned that it’s usually worth listening to fabric when it speaks to you. This is one half of them and there will be sashing added between the rows.

3. I have started Sandra Walker’s Pop Star Quilt … Sandra is a fabulous designer and I absolutely LOVE making her quilts. This one is a sew-a-long … Each week, there are directions on what to do. I have chosen some Island Batik fabrics and they are cut out and waiting. The first sewing directions are available … so I need to work on it. You can access the steps at MMM Quilts HERE.

Quilting:

I still have several baby quilts left to quilt!

Since I have several baby panels to quilt and last week I counted 2 as 1 UFO. I’m going to continue that. It’ll be at least another week or 2 before I get another one finished! So the only change is that I’ve added my new starts.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

A Finish for Friday

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Here’s a picture of the latest baby quilt panel. It was a fun quilt to quilt! Of course, I adore Winnie the Pooh – so that just made it even more fun! And yes, this is a finished UFO!

I’ve spent the last few days gathering and gathering and pricing things for our guild’s garage sale tomorrow! I even broke down and went through some of my fabric bins!!! I can’t believe I did that! But, I did find fabric that I have had for ages … and even though I know I would use them in some project in the future, I do have a a LOT more fabric that I love more. So, I figured that was the fabric to keep, right?

This is most of it … but there is a couple more boxes …

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

Wonderful World of Colour: Blog Hop

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Joan, from Moose Stash Quilting, is hosting this great blog hop! and she said, “The sky is the limit. Color, world, let’s face it anything fits this theme, don’t you think?”

I went to pack up some “stuff” to take to a class I was teaching and I wanted a small bag. But alas, I didn’t have one! I must have given it away. So, with this blog hop coming up, it was the perfect excuse to make one! Don’t you agree?

I don’t recall making anything with ROY-G-BIV (red/orange/yellow/green/blue/indigo/violet) before – so that made perfect sense for the challenge! I went through my Island Batik stash to see what I had … and voila! I had the perfect random sized strips/scraps for the bag!

The Retreat Bag is a free pattern from Emmaline Bags. You can access the bag pattern HERE. I decided to do a Quilt-as-you-go type of thing and cut out some Annie’s Soft & Stable and stitched the colours on it. If you do this, you don’t need to use the wires that the pattern calls for. The Soft & Stable was left-over from another project. Once the strips of random widths were sewn on, I took a strip of black and put it across – just ’cause. Then I cut the pieces to the size directed in the pattern and continued to make the bag as directed.

And here is a peak at the inside

Now I have the perfect sized bag to put all my junk stuff in!

Visit all the other bloggers that are participating: You’ll be in for a LOT of wonderful eye candy!

Monday April 18

Tuesday April 19

Wednesday April 20

Thursday April 21

Friday April 22

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail