Sunday Summary: June 5

/ quiltinggail / 4 Comments

I’m wondering if I’m Going Crazy?

Last week, on Monday, I was teaching at Essem and we were looking at walking foot quilting. My machine wouldn’t work with the walking foot on it. Dang! I couldn’t figure out what was wrong. The class participants were stellar and so I didn’t need to demonstrate on my machine. When I came home, I pulled the machine out and it worked like a charm. I was relieved that it wouldn’t need to go to the machine doctor or have a spa appointment!

Fast forward to Friday. I went to a Quilt-as-you-Go workshop. When I got there, I set up my machine. I put the extension table in place, with the slip slide thing taped in place. Turned on my machine. The walking foot wouldn’t work! WHAT???? Knowing that I needed it, or at the very least, I wanted to use it, I sat and stared (maybe GLARED) at it. I did not swear – promise! 🤪

The feed dogs were not working. WHY? The feed dogs were not lowered. I checked that! What is wrong???

I stared glared some more … and then it hit me! DUH!!! DUH!!! DUH!!! The slip slide thingy is good for free motion, but it does cover up the feed dogs. As soon as I removed it, the walking foot worked like a charm!

Yup, sometimes I think I’m going crazy!

Classic Cars: Monthly Colour Challenge

May’s Classic Car colour is Grey …. Visit Patterns by Jen HERE for your free download of this month’s block …

Here’s my May block, followed by the January, February, March, April and May blocks … I know that I ‘stretched’ the grey colour a bit, but I’m trying to use up my bits and pieces of Island Batik scraps and this seemed to fit the bill!

One Gift a Month

May’s gift is Soup Bowl Cozies. You can go to Days Filled With Joy for information and links to several different on-line tutorials.

So far for the One Gift a Month, I have made January’s, February’s, and April’s gifts.

Yes, I will be making Soup Bowl Cozies … soon, it obviously won’t be in May! Here is the fabric for my bowl cozy … These are 10″ squares from a stack of Island Batik “Pumpkin Spice” that I had. Now to get some cotton batting that doesn’t have scrim on it! …

Stitching Stuff

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!

  • January – May:  147 /150
  • June:  4/ 4
  • Total: 151 / 154
  • Percentage: 98%

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 saw this meme on a friends blog (Brenda) and it just cracked me up! “I’m not a Hoarder … I’m the Curator of an Extensive Private Fabric collection.” And with the chicken holding all the extra fabric, it’s perfect. You can see this at Songbird Designs HERE.

This meme is very appropriate for me!

So, as I mentioned, I took a workshop making a Quilt-as-you-Go quilt. It was a LOT of fun!!! Thanks to Dawn and Nora for organizing and teaching. This quilt used 3 yards of fabric from my extensive stash collection, plus about 1/2 yard for binding and Hobbs 80/20 batting from left-over pieces. It will be donated to the guild’s baby quilt charity!

No shopping. No fabric added!

Yearly Tally:

  • Fabric Used the last week: 3.5 yards
  • Fabric Used in 2023:    111 yards  from non-IB: 50
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:    12.5 yards 
  • Net Fabric used:             98.5 yards 

Just an FYI: I do not count any fabric that is given to me (Island Batik), but this year, I am going to count it as fabric used.

To Do Tuesday

Carol from Quilt Schmilt is hosting “To Do” every week.

The To Do list from last week: 

  1. Finish Mystery Quilt (making and writing). Partially done. I have the quilt quilted and just need to bind it. The border portion needs to be written.
  2. X’s & O’s #1 & #2: bind √   DONE #2 is bound, but I need to do a photo shoot and then I can show it to you.
  3. Finish “When Pigs Fly” project √   DONE … you’ll see this on June 19!
  4. Finish the Secret Project for Kelly Young’s new book – I’ll be telling you all about it in June! Partially done. It’s still a work in progress
  5. Lone Star Left-overs – get it to a flimsy stage. … Partially done. I’m still webbing the top
  6. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √   DONE
  7. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes. √   DONE

This week’s list:

  1. Finish Mystery Quilt (making and writing).
  2. Make the Crazy quilt with Decorative stitches for Essem … I’m teaching this class in a few weeks.
  3. Finish the Secret Project #1 for Kelly Young’s new book – I’ll be telling you all about it later this month!
  4. Finish the Secret Project #2 for Kelly Young’s new book
  5. Lone Star Left-overs – get it to a flimsy stage
  6. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  7. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.

Design Wall

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

Piecing projects:

  1. #1 Secret Project for Kelly Young’s new book (mostly the purples and greens from the Island Batik Napa Valley collection)
  2. #2 Secret Project for Kelly Young’s new book. (Island Batik, “Wild Blooms”)
  3. Crazy Quilt for Essem using Grunge and other fabric
  4. Some blocks ready for webbing from Lone-Star Left-overs (Island Batik “Naturescape”)

Yup … it’s official, I am crazy … working on 4 projects at once!!! I know I often work on at least 2, along with a leader and ender … but 4??? Actually 6 … I don’t have a picture of the back for Secret Project #1 … it’s also in progress, as is the back for the Lone-Star Left-overs. YIKES!!!!

Quilting: These are all sandwiched and ready to quilt …

  • Nutcracker
  • Bird Panel

Upcoming Blog Hops

Moose Stash Quilting: Sew It – Show It: When Pigs Fly (My day is June 19)

Just Let Me Quilt: Sew It – Show It: Picnic Party. (My day is July 20)

Moose Stash Quilting: Sew It – Show It: Call Me Crazy

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

PHD in 2023: May Report

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Did you decide to join us with PHD in 2023???

Are you determined to finish a bunch of UFOs and to NOT increase the number of quilts or projects on your UFO list???

Congratulations on making that choice!!!

Did you?

Last month, I talked about getting at least ONE UFO done before the end of May! How did you do??? Did you get started on one?? Did you even pull one out to start on it? Did you work on it for at least 15 minutes? Hmmm … so many “Did you” questions!

I did … but I can’t show you because I’m keeping it a secret until the “When Pigs Fly” blog hop! The project is done and the blog post is almost all written!! Woohoo!!

Shall we try for another UFO for June?

My Tally Sheets

I finished 3 New Starts this month. You can read about them here: Wedge Star, Retreat Bag, and Hugs & Kisses #1. The Wedge Star and Hugs & Kisses #1 were made with Island Batik fabrics, Hobbs 80/20 batting in the middle and pieced and quilted with Aurifil thread.

If you want to keep track of your own progress, please feel free to download the 2023 Template.

template-2023Download

Here’s my Task Sheet of my UFOs. This helps me keep track of what I’ve accomplished and what I need to do.

You can download your own Task list from Ms P Designs HERE.

Linky Party

Show us your progress with your PHD in 2023!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=c0efdbe6b4add43dd7ef

FavouriteFinish of the Month

Cheryl, from Meadow Mist Designs hosts a monthly linky party where you post your favourite quilt of the month. This Wedge Star, using Studio 180 designs is my favourite for May!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

Monday’s Moments: May 29

/ quiltinggail / 16 Comments

One Gift a Month

This month’s gift is Soup Bowl Cozies. You can go to Days Filled With Joy for information and links to several different on-line tutorials.

So far for the One Gift a Month, I have made January’s, February’s, and April’s gifts.

I need to pick out my fabric for my Soup Bowl Cozies … and to find some 100% cotton batting. Cotton fabric and cotton thread (Aurifil) I have.

Stitching Stuff

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!

  • January – April:  117 /120
  • May: 28/ 28
  • Total: 145 / 148
  • Percentage: 98%

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 past week’s finishes is this blue & green Hugs and Kisses quilt. It used 6.5 yards. You can read more about this quilt HERE.

Yearly Tally:

  • Fabric Used the last week: 6.5 yards
  • Fabric Used in 2023:    107.5 yards  from non-IB: 46.5
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:    12.5 yards 
  • Net Fabric used:             95 yards 

Just an FYI: I do not count any fabric that is given to me (Island Batik), but this year, I am going to count it as fabric used.

To Do Tuesday

Carol from Quilt Schmilt is hosting “To Do” every week.

My To Do list from last week: 

  1. Finish Mystery Quilt (making and writing). Partially done. I have someone who agreed to test it – so I need to get the pattern to her soon! And, I am starting to quilt it!
  2. Finish June IB challenge √   DONE just need to finish writing the blog post and I’ll be posting in June, sometime.
  3. X’s & O’s #1 & #2: bind Partially done. #1 was bound and I blogged about it on Friday see HERE. #2 still needs binding! The binding is cut and ready to go on …
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √   DONE
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes. √   DONE I actually spent over an hour vacuuming and tidying … but I’m thinking that perhaps I need to spend more time each day!

This week’s list:

  1. Finish Mystery Quilt (making and writing).
  2. Finish “When Pigs Fly” project
  3. Finish the Secret Project for Kelly Young’s new book – I’ll be telling you all about it in June!
  4. Lone Star Left-overs – get it to a flimsy stage.
  5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.

Design Wall

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

Piecing projects:

  1. Secret Project for Kelly Young’s new book (mostly the purples and greens from the Island Batik Napa Valley collection – 1st picture)
  2. Using Left-overs from a Lone Star that I made earlier this year. (Blocks being made from the left-overs)
  3. Project for When Pigs Fly

Quilting: These are sandwiched and ready to quilt …

  • Nutcracker
  • Bird Panel

Upcoming Blog Hops

Moose Stash Quilting: Sew It – Show It: When Pigs Fly (My day is June 19)

Just Let Me Quilt: Sew It – Show It: Picnic Party. (My day is July 20)

Moose Stash Quilting: Sew It – Show It: Call Me Crazy

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

A Fun Friday Finish! May 26

/ quiltinggail / 31 Comments

I LOVE having quilty finishes!

This was a Hugs and Kisses quilt that used various Island Batik blues and greens. I used the Accuquilt Go! to cut the pieces: Die #10 from the ‘Corners’ 8″ Qube collection paired with Die #5 from the 8″ Qube set. It made piecing the Hugs and Kisses very simple. Each Hugs or Kisses block uses 4 mini blocks composed of 1 Die #10 and 2 Die #5. Then the blocks are arranged to form a Hug or a Kiss. I added sashing and borders and the quilt was a flimsy!

Unfortunately, I didn’t count very well and I had too many green blocks … so I cut some pinks and purples and I’ll show you that quilt next week (if it’s finished!)

One person that saw this quilt called it my “Sea Hawks” quilt. I’m not a sports fan … but I know lots of people that are and I get that it’s the colours of the team!

Hobbs 80/20 is in the middle and I used Odif 505 spray baste to hold the layers together.

I was zoom quilting with my sister and cousins at the beginning of the month. I wasn’t sure how to quilt it, but I knew I wanted an all-over pattern. My cousin, Terry (machine quilter extraordinaire! ) suggested these curly c’s that go every which way and back-track on themselves. I gave it a try, I must admit, the back-tracking was not fun, but it was well worth it in the end and I LOVE the look! I’ll be using that random pattern again! Thanks, Terry for your fabulous suggestion!!!

I was Featured

Andree from Free Motion Quilters featured my Studio 180 Wedge Star Quilt with Island Batik Sandalwood fabric collection. You can read about it HERE.

I hope you all have a great weekend!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

Monday Moments: May 22

/ quiltinggail / 24 Comments

One Gift a Month

This month’s gift is Soup Bowl Cozies. You can go to Days Filled With Joy for information and links to several different on-line tutorials.

So far for the One Gift a Month, I have made January’s, February’s, and April’s gifts.

Yes, I will be making Soup Bowl Cozies … soon. But I need to warn you, somewhere – a while ago, I read that one lady made a Soup Bowl Cozy and her biggest complaint was that it leaked! Yes, you read correctly! She was complaining that the bowl leaked! I guess she didn’t understand that the Cozy was intended for the bowl to be placed in the cozy, not for the soup to be placed in it! I know that none of my readers will make that mistake! Right?

Classic Cars: Monthly Colour Challenge

May’s Classic Car colour is Baby Blue …. ooohhhh … a favourite colour of mine! Visit Patterns by Jen HERE for your free download of this month’s block …

Here’s my May block and the January, February, March, April and May blocks … all made with Island Batik scraps …

Stitching Stuff

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!

  • January – April:  117 /120
  • May: 21 / 21
  • Total: 138 / 141
  • 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!

When I was at the retreat a few weeks ago, a group of us went to Overseas Fabrics. As we left the retreat room, I insisted that I was NOT going to buy any fabric!!! Well, that lasted until I saw the following fabric. Really, how could I resist? I purchased 2 yards of each.

The past 2 week’s finishes include:

  • Studio 180 Island Batik challenge (May) 7 yards
  • Baby Stars 6 yards
  • Retreat Bag 1 yard

Yearly Tally:

  • Fabric Used the past 2 weeks: 14 yards
  • Fabric Used in 2023:     101 yards  from non-IB: 43.5
  • Fabric Bought this week:   4 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:    12.5 yards 
  • Net Fabric used:             88.5 yards 

Just an FYI: I do not count any fabric that is given to me (Island Batik), but this year, I am going to count it as fabric used.

To Do Tuesday

Carol from Quilt Schmilt is hosting “To Do” every week.

The To Do list from last week: I didn’t get a lot ticked off on my list … maybe this next week!

  1. Pack for the retreat: Wallets, test quilt for Brenda, June IB challenge, Retreat bag. All was packed!!! Partially done: The only thing finished was the Retreat bag … Test Quilt is still in progress, as is the June IB challenge. Wallets were not touched.
  2. X’s & O’s #1 & #2: quilt and bind Partially done: Both are quilted, neither are bound
  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. Finish Mystery Quilt (making and writing).
  2. Finish June IB challenge
  3. X’s & O’s #1 & #2: bind
  4. Quilt for Kelly Young’s new book
  5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.

Design Wall

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

Piecing projects:

  1. June IB challenge (The luscious teal and green 10″ stack – 1st picture)
  2. Secret Project for Kelly Young’s new book (mostly the purples and greens from the Island Batik Napa Valley collection – 2nd picture)
  3. Project for When Pigs Fly

Quilting: These are all sandwiched and ready to quilt …

  • Nutcracker
  • Bird Panel

Upcoming Blog Hops

Moose Stash Quilting: Sew It – Show It: When Pigs Fly (My day is June 9)

Just Let Me Quilt: Sew It – Show It: Picnic Party. (My day is July 20)

Moose Stash Quilting: Sew It – Show It: Call Me Crazy

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

You Never Know

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A few years ago, Patti participated in a Stay at Home Round Robin … she diligently sent me photos of her progress … then decided she was DONE. She can’t remember if she put it on the “Free” table or put it somewhere else … but it was out of her hands … she was done with it!

Fast forward to the present day …

Patti is on the “Comfort Quilt Committee” for our guild (Boundary Bay Quilter’s Guild). She was given a quilt that was donated for the cancer centre. She absolutely HAD to show it to me … Can you see why????

And here you can really see Patti’s started SAHRR …

The lady that picked up the discarded SAHRR added lots of her own fabrics and made a super beautiful quilt …

Sew, You Never Know!

IB Blog Hop is Over

Island Batik has had a blog hop over the last 3 weeks. Did you see it? It featured Studio 180 Tools and new fabric lines.

I was given the “Sandalwood” collection, designed by Kathy Engle for Kari Nichols of Quilting Renditions and the Wedge Star Tool. You can read more about this quilt, the fabric and the tool HERE. It was a lot of fun to make! I was especially thrilled when I had PERFECTLY pieced star centres (well, on most of them!)

And here’s the back and a close up of the quilting.

If you would like to see a recap of all of the quilts from the hop, (without visiting each blog) visit Island Batik’s blog HERE.

I Was Featured

Jennifer, from  Inquiring Quilter and Andree from Quilting and Learning – what a combo … featured my 2nd Baby Stars quilt on her blog.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

Sew It – Show It: Rose Coloured Glasses

/ quiltinggail / 35 Comments

Carol, from Just Let Me Quilt, organized this blog hop.

This is what she said,

Are you a “Rose Colored Glasses” kind of person? 
Do you think things are better than they really are? 
Do you think positive most of the time? 
What’s the challenge?
Your sewn project must have one or more of the following:
Rose/pink fabric
Eyeglasses
Roses
Positive Words

I thought of a LOT of things … and some friends came up with other options:

  • wine glasses with re wine in the glass
  • wine coasters
  • eye glass cases

Well, when I was packing for my guild’s retreat last week, I had this “Retreat Bag” from Emmaline Bags that I wanted to finish. When I saw the lining fabric and some of the fabric for the outside of the bag, I just KNEW that finishing this bag would fit the project! Rosebuds and roses …

By the way, the pattern for the Retreat bag comes in 2 sizes from Emmaline Bags .

This is the small size:

Rosy Participants

MAY 15TH

MAY 16TH

MAY 17TH

MAY 18TH

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

SEW, another retreat is over …

/ quiltinggail / 11 Comments

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms, grandmas, aunts, cousins, friends and significant females in your lives!

Retreat!

This was a small retreat … only 11 of us attended … but I’m not surprised with lots of quilt shows happening … sunshine and other events!

But for the 11 of us that went, we had a blast!

Strip Poker, anyone? … always a fun game!

It was fun to see one of my mystery quilts all quilted and just needing binding! Totally made from her stash!

2 Blog Hops this week!

#1 Island Batik: Tool Craze

Lots of Beautiful Quilts, all using a Studio 180 tool and one of the fabric collections below!

May 15

Victoria Johnson, Forever Quilting for You

Leah Malasky, Quilted Delights

Maryellen McAuliffe, Mary Mack Made Mine

May 16

Renee Atkinson, Pink Tulip Quilting

Sarah Pitcher, Pitcher’s Boutique

May 17

Suzy Webster, Websterquilt

Preeti Harris, Sew Preeti Quilts

Lisa Pickering, Lisa’s Quilting Passion

Blog Hop #2: Rose Coloured Glasses

MAY 15TH

MAY 16TH

MAY 17TH

MAY 18TH

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

An Alberta Quilt Show and a Friday Finish!

/ quiltinggail / 16 Comments

Central Alberta Quilt Show

Are you going??? This Quilt Show is known to be one of the best!!! It’s in Red Deer. On Friday, May 12 & Saturday, May 13.

Exhibition Hall, Westerner Park

4847 – 19 St. Red Deer Alberta T4R 2N7

I’m super excited about this show. My friend, Carmen, who owns Prairie Spirit Alpacas, will be there with her Alpaca/wool pressing mats …. If you see her … say “hi” and tell her that you “know” me! 😀.

PLUS: she will be selling a lot of my patterns!

PLUS: she will have this quilt there … It’s made with the Baby Stars pattern in Island Batik fabrics and the batting is Alpaca fleece. It will be a super super warm quilt!!! It was quilted on my domestic Janome M7. The Alpaca fleece certainly gives the quilting great texture! The fleece was doubled for this quilt, but I think it would have been just as good, if not better, with a single layer!

And this is my Friday Finish!

This is the original Baby Stars, it’s the picture you’ll see on my pattern … photo credit: Jerry Khiev, Island Batik.

Let me know if you buy a pattern, a mat, or some wool … buy some alpaca batting if you want to try it!

Retreat

I just came back from a 4 day retreat! LOTS of fun!!! I’ll tell you all about it on Sunday!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

Tool Craze with Studio 180 Tools

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At the beginning of the year, when I got my first 2 Island Batik boxes for 2023, I had a “Surprise” package:

I didn’t know what fabric collection was hidden inside the wrapping!

This is what I found when I opened it: and yes, I ohhh and ahhh’d over it! I LOVE these beautiful fall colours!

The collection is “Sandalwood” designed by Kathy Engle for Kari Nichols of Quilting Renditions. And the collection is paired with 2 yards of Dijon (from Opulent Oranges) and 2 yards of Mocha (from Neutrals).

I also received the Wedge Star tool from Studio 180. So many options to play with!

And as an ambassador, I was also able to get the extra Technic Sheets that accompany the tool. Studio 180 also has a plethora of videos that go with all of the tools and several of the Technic Sheets! So, if you have a Studio 180 tool and are not sure how to proceed, visit the videos for clear instructions. HERE.

I followed the directions and started making the stars … sewing and trimming …

My first 3 blocks and then the start of the “Twisted Wedge Star” on my Prairie Spirit Alpaca/wool pressing mat.

One thing that I was totally amazed at was how, after all the sewing and trimming most of the blocks had PERFECT centres. If you know me at all … this is totally amazing! I was SOOOOOO excited!! It’s no wonder that I LOVE Studio 180 tools!

It was SEW much fun to make all these blocks that I didn’t take the time to photograph many progress pictues!

All in all, I made 6 Wedge Stars and 6 Twisted Wedge Stars. I used all 20 of the fabric skews in the top! The back used 3 of the skews and the Dijon yardage that was paired with the collection.

When the top was pieced together, I pulled out a batt of Hobbs Batting 80/20 (I buy this by the roll and I receive lots of Hobbs batting as an ambassador I LOVE Hobbs batting! and sandwiched the quilt using 505 spray baste!

And the quilting began … NOTE: many people think I have a long arm … I don’t !! I quilt on my Janome M7. I had my husband take pictures fo there is some proof! (grin)

Schmetz Needles, Microtex Chrome 70/10, was used for the quilting. I know that a LOT of people think that you need a larger needle when quilting batiks, but you don’t. These needles work great!

You can see the Aurifil Thread 2370 (Sandstone) that I used to quilt this quilt.

Here is the final quilt:

And with the fall colours, the only place to take a ‘fall-ish” picture was pinning the quilt to the wood pile. I didn’t think the rose coloured tulips or the ornamental cherry blossoms would look great with this quilt! This wood pile will be cut and split in the near future … all ready for next winter!

The back and close-up of the quilting:

Quilt Stats:

  • Size: 43″ x 57″
  • Fabric: Sandalwood Collection, with Moocha (sashing & borders) and Dijon (in some blocks & backing)
  • Backing fabrics: Dijon, Berries Gold Oc re, Pine Leaves Cone Gr, & Rock Yellow Amber
  • Binding: Various greens from the Sandalwood Collection for a scrappy binding.
  • Piecing thread: Aurifil 2600 (Dove Grey)
  • Quilting & Binding thread: Aurifil Thread 2370 (Sandstone)
  • Batting: Hobbs 80/20

Where can I find?

If you are interested in the Sandalwood fabric line, it can be found at the following stores. Many many other stores carry Island Batik and specifically Sandalwood fabrics, but I’ve kept my list to Washington State and Oregon – stores within my driving distance! The fabrics should be shipping soon!

  • Creative Union Fabric, Port Townsend, WA
  • Creekside Quilts, Gales, OR
  • Will-n-Bee’z, Salem, OR

To find stores that carry Island Batik fabrics, check the store locator HERE.

One Canadian Store that carries many of the collections seen in this blog hop is Lori’s Country Cottage. I visit it almost every time I visit my sister!

  • Lori’s Country Cottage, Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

Week 2 of the Blog Hop

May 8

Reed Johnson, Blue Bear Quilts

Sandra Starley, Textile Time Travels

May 9

Gail Sheppard, Quilting Gail

Lana Russel, Lana Quilts

May 10

Emily Leachman, The Darling Dogwood

Claudia Porter, Create with Claudia

Anorina Morris, Samelia’s Mum

May 11

Brenda Alburl, Songbird Designs

Jennifer Thomas, Curlicue Creations

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,   Studio 180 Designs

Island Batik Ambassadors

Brenda Alburl ~ Songbird Designs
Renee Atkinson ~ Pink Tulip Quilting
Pamela Boatright ~ PamelaQuilts
Susan Deshensky ~ Lady Blue Quilts
Brittany Fisher ~ Bobbin with Brittany

Preeti Harris ~ Sew Preeti Quilts
Mania Hatziioannidi ~ Mania for quilts
Reed Johnson ~ Blue Bear Quilts
Victoria Johnson ~ Forever Quilting for You
Randi Jones ~ Randi’s Roost

Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs
Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood
Denise Looney ~ Quiltery – For The Love Of Geese
Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights
Maryellen McAuliffe ~ Mary Mack Made Mine

Elita Sharpe ~ Busy Needle
Gail Sheppard ~ Quilting Gail
Sandra Starley ~ Textile Time Travels
Jennifer Thomas ~ Curlicue Creations
Suzy Webster ~ Websterquilt

Anorina Morris ~ sameliasmum.com
Lisa Pickering ~ Lisa’s Quilting Passion
Sarah Pitcher ~ Pitcher’s Boutique
Claudia Porter ~ Create with Claudia
Lana Russel ~ Lana Quilts

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Sunday’s Summary: May 7

/ quiltinggail / 15 Comments

I LOVE Mountain Views

I never get tired of looking at snow capped mountains, especially in the Rockies … this was from our recent trip to Edmonton.

One Gift a Month

This month’s gift is a Drawstring Gift Bag with a Divider. You can go to Days Filled With Joy for information.

Once I had the fabric picked out (from my Island Batik stash), It was very quick to cut the bags out and make them. Would you believe that the hardest part was pulling out the bin with ribbon in it? That took me a week to ‘get a round to it.’ Once I had the ribbon cut, it was a simple matter to use my “Purple Thang” to pull the ribbon through the channels.

Why, oh WHY, does it take so long to do simple tasks?

I’m not sure what I’m going to do with these bags, but they are sure cute! And they will be ready for gifting!

A Finished Quilt

I absolutely LOVE it when participants from my classes send me pictures of their finished quilts! This was Marissa’s. Doesn’t it look fabulous? In this class, she learned how to use the easy angle ruler and strip piece.

Congratulations Marissa for finishing it!!!

Stitching Stuff

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!

  • January – April:  117 /120
  • May: 7 / 7
  • Total: 117 / 120
  • 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!

This week’s finishes include:

  • Gift Bags (1 yard) (see above)

Yearly Tally:

  • Fabric Used the past week:  1 yard
  • Fabric Used in 2023:        87 yards  from non-IB: 40
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:     8.5 yards 
  • Net Fabric used:              78.5 yards 

Just an FYI: I do not count any fabric that is given to me (Island Batik), but this year, I am going to count it as fabric used.

To Do Tuesday

Carol from Quilt Schmilt is hosting “To Do” every week.

The To Do list from last week: I didn’t get a lot ticked off on my list … maybe this next week!

  1. Finish May IB Challenge. √   DONE. including photo shoot and blog post!!! WooHoo!!!
  2. Finish Mystery Quilt (making and writing). not done
  3. X’s & O’s: Add Border, Sandwich, Quilt & Bind not done border’s added and one is sandwiched
  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. Pack for the retreat: Wallets, test quilt for Brenda, June IB challenge, Retreat bag.
  2. X’s & O’s #1 & #2: quilt and bind
  3. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.

Design Wall

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

I went to Edmonton to visit my sister and brother-in-law. While there, my sister and I pieced 2 tops. The pattern is Three & Change by GAIL SCHAFFLER and is available at Lori’s Country Cottage. There is a plethora of layout designs, but this was the one that was chosen for both quilts! They are intended as a “his & hers” wedding gift this summer.

It was tempting to bring these home with me to quilt, but I resisted. I really don’t have time to quilt them! But they would have been fun to quilt!

Piecing projects:

  1. June IB challenge (The luscious teal and green 10″ stack)
  2. Xs & Os. #1 & #2. – cut with Accuquilt dies. (misc pink is shown, blue & green not shown)

Quilting: These are all sandwiched and ready to quilt …

  • Nutcracker
  • Bird Panel

Current Blog Hop

Island Batik Blog Hop: Tool Craze: Week 2!!

My day is May 9

Each Ambassador was given a 1/2 yard of each fabric in a collection, along with coordinating fabric, as well as a Studio 180 tool … It’s going to be fun to see what each person creates! I received the beautiful Sandalwood collection and the Wedge Star tool.

If you visit Island Batik’s blog, HERE, you have an opportunity to win some awesome fabric. These fat quarter bundles are soooooo beautiful!!!

May 8

Reed Johnson, Blue Bear Quilts

Sandra Starley, Textile Time Travels

May 9

Gail Sheppard, Quilting Gail

Lana Russel, Lana Quilts

May 10

Emily Leachman, The Darling Dogwood

Claudia Porter, Create with Claudia

Anorina Morris, Samelia’s Mum

May 11

Brenda Alburl, Songbird Designs

Jennifer Thomas, Curlicue Creations

Upcoming Blog Hops

Island Batik Blog Hop: Tool Craze: week 2 & 3

Just Let Me Quilt: Sew It – Show It: Rose Colored Glasses (My day is May 16)

Moose Stash Quilting: Sew It – Show It: When Pigs Fly (My day is June 9)

Just Let Me Quilt: Sew It – Show It: Picnic Party

Moose Stash Quilting: Sew It – Show It: Call Me Crazy

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

More Friday Finishes!

/ quiltinggail / 11 Comments

Yes, I have another finish!!!

These little bags are April’s One Gift a month from Days Filled with Joy … I started them in April, finished in May. They both use Island Batik fabrics from different collections.

These are January and February’s gifts … since I made 2 in February, and March’s slipped away from me … That’s 5 gifts that I’ve made in 4 months … I figure that’s OK!

May’s gift of the Month won’t be posted until later this month as “days filled with Joy” has a lot on her plate.

Blog Hop

To see a recap of Week 1: visit Island Batik’s blog HERE.

Week 2 of Island Batik’s Blog Hop will start on Monday. My day is Tuesday!!!

May 8

Reed Johnson, Blue Bear Quilts

Sandra Starley, Textile Time Travels

May 9

Gail Sheppard, Quilting Gail

Lana Russel, Lana Quilts

May 10

Emily Leachman, The Darling Dogwood

Claudia Porter, Create with Claudia

Anorina Morris, Samelia’s Mum

May 11

Brenda Alburl, Songbird Designs

Jennifer Thomas, Curlicue Creations

More opportunity to win

If you would like the opportunity to win one of these fat quarter bundles, check out Island Batik’s Blog and follow the rafflecopper directions.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

I was Featured

Jennifer at Inquiring Quilter and Andree from Quilting & Learning – What a combo! featured my Meadow Mist Mystery Quilt. You can read about it HERE.

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

PHD in 2023: April Report & other stuff …

/ quiltinggail / 11 Comments

Did you decide to join us with PHD in 2023???

Are you determined to finish a bunch of UFOs and to NOT increase the number of quilts or projects on your UFO list???

Congratulations on making that choice!!!

Let’s Get ‘er Done!

So, we’ve all got this list of UFOs to do. And we have the list of “NEW Starts in ’23” … Are you feeling overwhelmed?

We’re a third of the way through the year! Do you have a third of your UFOs done? It’s OK if you don’t, this isn’t a challenge where you have to get one done each month, but it does help.

So, let’s take one of your UFOs. It won’t get done sitting in it’s box, or stashed under the bed, or in the back of the closet. Get it out!

Decide what do you need to do? Can you start where you left off? Do you need to figure out where you left off? Whatever it is, DO IT!!!

Your UFO will get finished the same as everything else … one stitch at a time. Take the time to do at least 15 minutes of stitching today … if you can stitch for 30 minutes, then that’s even better!

Let’s get at least ONE UFO done before the end of May! Sound good?

My Tally Sheets

I finished 2 UFOs this month. You can read about them here: Chilhowie // Meadow Mist Melodic Mystery Quilt.

Only 1 NEW starts was finished this month. It’s my April Island Batik challenge.

If you want to keep track of your own progress, please feel free to download the 2023 Template.

template-2023Download

Here’s my Task Sheet of my UFOs. This helps me keep track of what I’ve accomplished and what I need to do.

You can download your own Task list from Ms P Designs HERE.

Linky Party

Show us your progress with your PHD in 2023!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=c0efdbe6b4add43dd7ef

A Gifted Quilt

My Brother in Law, Dale, LOVES puffy quilts! He Loves bright and cheerful quilts. I gifted him the puff quilt that I made for the February Island Batik challenge. Obviously, their little dog, Brûlée, loves it as well! You can read more about this Puff quilt HERE.

Stitching Stuff

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 1 days this week because I was travelling, so that was a total of 3 days missed so far this year!

  • January – March:  90 / 90
  • April: 27 / 30
  • Total: 117 / 120
  • 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!

This week’s finishes include:

  • Meadow Mist’s Mystery Quilt: Melodic Mystery (12 yards)

  • Fabric Used the past week:  12 yards
  • Fabric Used in 2023:        86 yards  from non-IB: 40
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:     8.5 yards 
  • Net Fabric used:              77.5 yards 

Just an FYI: I do not count any fabric that is given to me (Island Batik), but this year, I am going to count it as fabric used.

To Do Tuesday

Carol from Quilt Schmilt is hosting “To Do” every week.

The To Do list from last week: I didn’t get a lot ticked off on my list … maybe this next week!

  1. Work on a couple of quilt tops for my sister. √   DONE
  2. Work on May IB Challenge. in progress √   DONE
  3. Finish Mystery Quilt (making and writing). Not done
  4. X’s & O’s: Add Border, Quilt & Bind Not done
  5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √   DONE
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes. √   DONE

This week’s list:

  1. Finish IB Catalogue Quilt
  2. Finish May IB Challenge.
  3. Finish Mystery Quilt (making and writing).
  4. X’s & O’s: Add Border, Sandwich, Quilt & Bind
  5. Work on “Rose Coloured Glasses” blog hop project
  6. Gather projects to take to the next retreat!
  7. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  8. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.

Design Wall

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

Piecing projects:

  1. May IB challenge : Sandelwood and the Wedge Star tool
  2. June IB challenge (The luscious teal and green 10″ stack)
  3. Xs & Os. #1 & #2. – cut with Accuquilt dies

Quilting: These are all sandwiched and ready to quilt …

  • IB Catalogue Quilt (not shown)
  • Nutcracker
  • Bird Panel

Current Blog Hop

Island Batik Blog Hop: Tool Craze: This Blog Hop starts TOMORROW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My day is May 9

Each Ambassador was given a 1/2 yard of each fabric in a collection, along with coordinating fabric, as well as a Studio 180 tool … It’s going to be fun to see what each person creates!

If you visit Island Batik’s blog, HERE, you have an opportunity to win some awesome fabric. These fat quarter bundles are soooooo beautiful!!!

Here’s the list of who’s participating in the blog hop this week:

May 1: Celebrate

May 2: Holiday at Home

May 3: Let It Snow

May 4: Make a Wish

Upcoming Blog Hops

Island Batik Blog Hop: Tool Craze: week 2 & 3. (my day is June 9)

Just Let Me Quilt: Sew It – Show It: Rose Colored Glasses (My day is May 16)

Moose Stash Quilting: Sew It – Show It: When Pigs Fly (My day is June 9)

Just Let Me Quilt: Sew It – Show It: Picnic Party

Moose Stash Quilting: Sew It – Show It: Call Me Crazy

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

Friday’s Finish: April 28

/ quiltinggail / 24 Comments

This is my Melodic Mystery. Meadow Mist designs has a mystery quilt each year! I LOVE her patterns and the variety of quilts is amazing! Although I had the top done in time for the parade, I didn’t have it quilted … so I didn’t enter it into the parade. You can see the post with the parade HERE.

It was totally made from my stash. I used to collect Kansas Troubles, so it was easy to pull out a few charm packs and coordinating fabrics.

Here’s a picture of the quilting on the back. I did use Silly Moon “beanie” for the orange peal quilting and “rocket” for the straight line quilting … the rest was FMQ. Hobbs 80/20 is in the middle.

Cheryl has 7 mystery quilts and the clues are still available on her blog. You can check them out HERE. She will be hosting another mystery quilt starting in July 6. It will be called “Malted Mystery.” I’m pretty sure I’ll be joining in!

Trunk Show

In my last post, I told you that I had done a trunk show in person, in Hope, BC. I also mentioned that because my husband was helping to hold up the quilts, I didn’t get any pictures. Well, Maureen saw the post and immediately sent me a bundle of pictures! Thank you Maureen for being so willing to share your photos!

I started with some of my older quilts (not shown), then what my husband calls the “Bonnie Hunter years” (first 3 quilts – although I showed more of them.) Then a collection of Island Batik quilts with an Irish chain thrown in (from a class I teach). And I finished with several mini quilts.

Here is a selection of them:

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

Monday Moments: April 24, 2023

/ quiltinggail / 13 Comments

Trunk Show

I did a trunk show in Hope B.C. It was a lovely group of ladies!!! It was fun to meet them! My husband helped hold up the quilts, so I didn’t get any pictures of the actual trunk show. Thank you HOPE for inviting me!

One of the ladies at the meeting had participated in the Stay at Home Round Robin and brought her quilt for me to see! So fun! It was fantastic to see it in person! And so much bigger than I had thought! I loved looking at all the different fabrics that she used! Thanks, Charlene!

One Gift a Month

This month’s gift is a Drawstring Gift Bag with a Divider. You can go to Days Filled With Joy for information and the link on this cute bag. I’ll definitely be making one!

I’ve picked out the fabric … just need to start cutting … I might make 2 … without the divider.

Stitching Stuff

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 2 days this week because I was travelling.

  • January – March:  90 / 90
  • April: 20 / 22
  • Total: 110 / 112
  • Percentage: 98%

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!

This week’s finishes include:

  • What Happens : 2.5 yards
  • Chilhowie: 13.5 yards. (Island Batik, Hobbs batting, Wild Quilting with Aurifil)

  • Fabric Used the past week:  16 yards
  • Fabric Used in 2023:        74 yards  from non-IB: 28
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:     8.5 yards 
  • Net Fabric used:              49.5 yards 

Just an FYI: I do not count any fabric that is given to me (Island Batik), but this year, I am going to count it as fabric used.

To Do Tuesday

Carol from Quilt Schmilt is hosting “To Do” every week.

The To Do list from last week: I didn’t get a lot ticked off on my list … maybe this next week!

  1. Sort through quilts and organize for the Hope in-person Trunk Show. √   DONE
  2. Sandwich, Quilt & Bind: IB Catalogue Quilt Not done
  3. Work on May IB Challenge. √   DONE
  4. Finish Mystery Quilt (making and writing). Not done
  5. X’s & O’s: Add Border, Quilt & Bind Not done
  6. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √   DONE
  7. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes. √   DONE

This week’s list:

  1. Work on a couple of quilt tops for my sister
  2. Work on May IB Challenge
  3. Finish Mystery Quilt (making and writing).
  4. X’s & O’s: Add Border, Quilt & Bind
  5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.

Design Wall

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

Piecing projects:

  1. May IB challenge : Sandelwood and the Wedge Star tool
  2. June IB challenge (The luscious teal and green 10″ stack)
  3. Xs & Os. #1 & #2. – cut with Accuquilt dies

Quilting: These are all sandwiched and ready to quilt …

  • IB Catalogue Quilt (not shown)
  • Nutcracker
  • Bird Panel

Upcoming Blog Hops

Island Batik Blog Hop: My day is May 9

Just Let Me Quilt: Sew It – Show It: Rose Colored Glasses (My day is May 16)

Moose Stash Quilting: Sew It – Show It: When Pigs Fly (My day is June 9)

Just Let Me Quilt: Sew It – Show It: Picnic Party

Moose Stash Quilting: Sew It – Show It: Call Me Crazy

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

Friday’s Finish: April 21

/ quiltinggail / 21 Comments

This is my finished Bonnie Hunter Mystery: Chilhowie. I used scraps of Island Batik to make this. Interestingly, I still have a LOT of scraps left!!!

Quilt Stats:

  • size: 78″ x 78″
  • fabrics: Island Batik scraps from many collections
  • batting: Hobbs 80/20
  • Quilted and Pieced with Aurifil thread #2600: Dove Grey
  • Wild Quilting: anything goes.

When you make a quilt as busy as this one, it’s a great quilt to do wild or graffiti quilting. It was a LOT of fun to quilt!!! I demonstrated wild quilting at a guild function … it was fun to have different people tell me what to quilt next. And yes, I did have a page full of motifs that are appropriate for wild quilting!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

Sew It – Show it: Say What? Blog Hop

/ quiltinggail / 35 Comments

Joan, from Moose Stash Quilting came up with this fun theme! She said, “We have all heard that our quilts speak to us, so just what are they saying?”

There are a zillion quilting memes out there, for example:

  • When life gives you scraps, make quilts
  • I only quilt on days that end in “y”

And here’s a few memes that I found on Google!

But, I didn’t choose any of the above!

I was at a retreat at Over The Rainbow Lodge (on Camano Island, Washington State) a couple of weeks ago and I saw this wall hanging. Of course, I had to buy the panel and quilt it up! I used some of my stash for the border, binding and backing.

“What happens at a Quilt Retreat … Stays at a Quilt Retreat”

While at the retreat, a dear friend of mine had 2 sewing machine covers: one for her computerized machine and one for her featherweight. I thought it was a fantastic idea and that this panel would be perfect for a machine cover.

I decided that it needed a label. I took the “Iron on Quilt Labels” book, found the sewing machine label and pressed the design directly onto the back of this little quilt. Using my “Stained” Sharpie markers, I traced the image and put the information in.

Here is a closeup of the quilting … Baptist fan using the 2″, 4″, 6″ and 8″ Silly Moon Beanie rulers and a free motion loop-d-loop in the border. Then a loop-d-loop decorative stitch on the binding!

I’m going to a another retreat in May and I’ll be taking this quilt to cover my machine at night!

Other Blog Hoppers

Here’s a list of all the bloggers that are participating in the blog hop!!! Be sure to visit each one – you’ll be amazed at what THEIR quilts say to them!

Monday April 17

Tuesday April 18

Wednesday April 19

Thursday April 20

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Monday Moments: April 17, 2023

/ quiltinggail / 18 Comments

This month’s gift is a Drawstring Gift Bag with a Divider. You can go to Days Filled With Joy for information and the link on this cute bag. I’ll definitely be making one! Just need to pick out the fabric and what I’ll use for the drawstring!

Monthly Colour Challenge

This month’s colour is Olive Green. You can access the free block pattern (until the end of the month) HERE.

Here is my block and the first 4 blocks of the month:

Stitching Stuff

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!

  • January – February: 59/ 59
  • March: 31 /31
  • April: 16 / 16
  • Percentage: 100%

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!

No shopping this week!!! So no fabric was bought! However, this Crazy Quilt was finished and used 6.5 yards of fabric!

  • Fabric Used the past week:  6.5 yards
  • Fabric Used in 2023:        58 yards  from non-IB: 23
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:     8.5 yards 
  • Net Fabric used:              49.5 yards 

Just an FYI: I do not count any fabric that is given to me (Island Batik), but this year, I am going to count it as fabric used.

To Do Tuesday

Carol from Quilt Schmilt is hosting “To Do” every week.

The To Do list from last week: I didn’t get a lot ticked off on my list … maybe this next week!

  1. Sandwich, Quilt & Bind: IB Catalogue Quilt: Not done
  2. Quilt Melodic Mystery. finish quilting and bind. √   DONE
  3. Quilt Gardenia: This will be finished after I teach the class. It’s now hanging at Essem. Not done
  4. Bind Chilhowie: √   DONE
  5. Finish Mystery Quilt (making and writing). Not done
  6. X’s & O’s: Add Border, Quilt & Bind Not done. Border added, but it’s not sandwiched or quilted
  7. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √   DONE
  8. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes. √   DONE

This week’s list:

  1. Sort through quilts and organize for the Hope in-person Trunk Show.
  2. Sandwich, Quilt & Bind: IB Catalogue Quilt
  3. Work on May IB Challenge
  4. Finish Mystery Quilt (making and writing).
  5. X’s & O’s: Add Border, Quilt & Bind
  6. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  7. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.

Design Wall

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

Piecing projects:

  1. May IB challenge : Sandalwood and the Wedge Star tool (first picture is the fabric!
  2. June IB challenge (The luscious teal and green 10″ stack)
  3. Xs & Os. #1 & #2. – cut with Accuquilt dies

Quilting: These are all sandwiched and ready to quilt …

  • IB Catalogue Quilt
  • Nutcracker
  • Bird Panel

Upcoming Blog Hops

Moose Stash Quilting: Sew It – Show It: Say What? (my day is April 19)

Just Let Me Quilt: Sew It – Show It: Rose Colored Glasses (My day is May 16)

Moose Stash Quilting: Sew It – Show It: When Pigs Fly

Just Let Me Quilt: Sew It – Show It: Picnic Party

Moose Stash Quilting: Sew It – Show It: Call Me Crazy

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

Crazy Quilts Challenge with Aurifil

/ quiltinggail / 26 Comments

We were challenged to make a Crazy Quilt using the Colour Builder thread set that Aurifil provided us with! The project could be any size and anything! We were to use decorative stitches to highlight the thread.

I was given “Golden Shrimp Plant.” This plant is from Peru and is “also known as the Golden Candle Plant ...
It attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and is resistant to deer … it is a popular houseplant.”
This information and the pictures below are from Aurifil: https://www.aurifil.com/golden-shrimp-plant

I decided to use a 10″ stack of Island Batik‘s Opulent Orange. Aren’t they absolutely gorgeous? I paired it with “Marble Frog.” I originally was thinking grey or black, but I really liked Marble Frog much better!

First, I cut (20) 10″ squares of Hobbs Batting, 80/20 batting.

20 squares of Opulent Orange were divided into groups of 4.

I pressed all of the squares on my Prairie Spirit Alpacas mat. Then I chose a group of 4 squares and placed them on the cutting mat.

Then I randomly cut the stack of 4 squares. Then I arranged the fabrics so that each one was in a different location. The top left segment had the top fabric placed to the bottom of the pile. The top right segment had the top 2 fabrics placed to the bottom of the pile. The bottom right segment had the top 3 fabrics placed to the bottom of the pile. Each set of blocks (there are 4) was pinned to a 10″ square of batting

Then the Quilt-as-you-go started.

  • the first 2 pieces were sewn with right sides together
  • the seam was pressed
  • A decorative stitch was sewn from end to end

The next pieces were sewn into place. First the gold fabric, then the orange fabric

The block was then squared to 9 1/2” square. A 1/2” line was drawn around the cut block. The picture shows both the 3/4” line and the 1/2” line. You only need to mark the 1/2” line. Cut the sashing strip at 2″ wide. The sashing was lined up against this line and sewn on with a 1/4” seam. The last picture shows the sashing pressed into place.

I used my Stitch in the Ditch foot to guide the stitches and Schmetz Needles for the stitching.

A KID IN A CANDY SHOP!!!

I had a blast picking different decorative stitches to use! I used over 100 different stitches. I remember when I bought my Janome M7, they were emphasizing how many decorative stitches it had. I laughed! When would I ever use them?? Well, now the laugh is on me. I used almost every one!

I was telling my husband how much fun it was to use all the different stitches. He said I was behaving like a Kid in a Candy Shop! So that’s name of the quilt!

The picture below shows the variations of the different threads.

A photo shoot on the rocks in my neighbours front yard.

And, my usual clothes line picture!

Where can I buy Opulent Orange Stack?

The following places have it for sale:

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, & Prairie Spirit Alpacas!!

Island Batik Ambassadors

Make sure you visit all of the Island Batik Ambassadors to see the wonderful projects they are creating!

Brenda Alburl ~ Songbird Designs
Renee Atkinson ~ Pink Tulip Quilting
Pamela Boatright ~ PamelaQuilts
Susan Deshensky ~ Lady Blue Quilts
Brittany Fisher ~ Bobbin with Brittany

Preeti Harris ~ Sew Preeti Quilts
Mania Hatziioannidi ~ Mania for quilts
Reed Johnson ~ Blue Bear Quilts
Victoria Johnson ~ Forever Quilting for You
Randi Jones ~ Randi’s Roost

Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs
Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood
Denise Looney ~ Quiltery – For The Love Of Geese
Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights
Maryellen McAuliffe ~ Mary Mack Made Mine

Anorina Morris ~ sameliasmum.com
Lisa Pickering ~ Lisa’s Quilting Passion
Sarah Pitcher ~ Pitcher’s Boutique
Claudia Porter ~ Create with Claudia
Lana Russel ~ Lana Quilts

Elita Sharpe ~ Busy Needle
Gail Sheppard ~ Quilting Gail. You’re HERE!
Sandra Starley ~ Textile Time Travels
Jennifer Thomas ~ Curlicue Creations
Suzy Webster ~ Websterquilt

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

Monday Moments: April 9, 2023

/ quiltinggail / 17 Comments

More Retreat Pictures

Judy sent me her pictures from the retreat! The first ones are the view from the house, the house, and a garden down the road. The next is an example of the yummy food we had … and of course, pictures of quilts in the making!

Stitching Stuff

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!

  • January – February: 59/ 59
  • March: 31 /31
  • April: 9 / 9
  • Percentage: 100%

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!

Well, I was at a retreat at Over the Rainbow last week and that’s just plain dangerous as far as fabric purchases go. I bought 5 yards of Island Batik fabric … a solid white and that yummy fan fabric. Plus I bought a panel that I’ll quilt in the near future (you’ve got a peek view of it at the top of the picture).

Nothing was finished this week, but LOTS of things in progress!

  • Fabric Used the past week:  0 yards
  • Fabric Used in 2023:        51.5 yards from non-IB: 20
  • Fabric Bought this week:   5.5 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:     8.5 yards 
  • Net Fabric used:              43 yards 

Just an FYI: I do not count any fabric that is given to me (Island Batik), but this year, I am going to count it as fabric used.

To Do Tuesday