We Went Camping!
We went over to Vancouver Island for a week of camping! Except for one rainy day, the weather was perfect!
We enjoyed French Beach, Port Renfrew, Stoltz Pool, the Malahat Skywalk, Rathtrevor’s Beach and a quick drive up to Courtenay to see our old home. I found that the Malahat Skywalk was absolutely stunning! Of course, I’m biased because my daughter’s structural engineering firm designed it. But, I think I still would have enjoyed it!







Holiday Shopping
We only stopped at a few quilt stores. Unfortunately, I did not take any pictures of the stores. At Bib and Tucker in Victoria, I found some Island Batik neutrals (Almond and Egg white) and bought 2 yards of each, plus some Aurifil thread. Then at Sweet Pea in Parksville, I bought a pattern. Huckleberries in Courtenay had some spool bobbin thingies that I thought I’d try. I’ll let you know how they work out.

Favourite finish in September
Meadow Mist has a linky party each month for our favourite finishes … Mine was an Island Batik challenge using Deb Tucker tools and the “Flourish” fabric collection. You can read about it HERE.

New Classes
I will be teaching several classes at Essem in November. You can register for them HERE.
November 2 & 9: Puzzle Quilt
This is a 2 day class. From the book, Fat Quarter Baby. This looks like a super easy quilt, but when you deviate from the absolute directions in the book, there is a bit of a challenge. However, it is a very doable quilt to make – with my handy hints! This was made with a Fat Quarter Bundle that Semina put together!

November 16: Travel Posts
From the book, Color Block Quilt Making. This quilt is fairly easy to make. And you might get the top done in a day! It’s a nice lap sized quilt!

I made the top with Grunge fabrics … Semina will make you a kit if you want!
November 23: Scrappy 4 Patch and Easy Angle.
This quilt has many different layouts and sizes … All use the same basic block and use the Easy Angle Ruler. The class will have you making half square triangles with ease and you’ll be well on your way to finishing the top!
You can use your scraps … or choose to make a 2 colour quilt (like the blue one).





November 30: Winter Branches Table Runner
This is an easy table runner to make and you should finish the top in class. It’ll be perfect for Christmas gifts! Semina can make you a kit, or you can use your own fabrics.

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!
- January – September: 234 / 272
- Oct : 0 / 2
- Total: 234 / 274
- Percentage = 85%
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!
- Fabric Used since the last report 0 yards
- Fabric Used this year: 77 yards
- Fabric Bought this week: 4 yards
- Fabric Added this year: 18 yards
- Net Fabric used: 59 yards
To Do

Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is hosting “To Do” every week.
The To Do list from several weeks ago:
- Work on Secret Quilt (The deadline is soon … so it’s almost all I’m working on) √ top is DONE
- Winter Branches table runner … I’m making this as a leader & ender … will be teaching it at Essem in November √ top is DONE
- Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √ DONE
- Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes not DONE – I wasn’t home
This week’s list:
- Finish Secret Quilt
- Winter Branches table runner – if I finish Secret Quilt, I’ll work on this!
- Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!
- 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.
Need to Sandwich:
Winter Branches Table Runner

Quilting:
Secret Quilt …
Upcoming Blog Hops
Pinktober is hosted by Brianna of Sew Cute and Quirky and Island Batik … my day is October 13!
Creatin’ in the Sticks: Music Blog hop


One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!
Happy Quilting!
Gail
Linking to:
- So Scrappy @ Scrap Happy
- Sunday Stash @ quiltpaintcreate
- Oh Scrap @ Quilting is More Fun than Housework
- Frédérique @ Quilting Patchwork Applique
- 15 Minutes to Stitch @ Life in Pieces
- Sew and Tell @ Melva Loves Scraps
- Monday Making @ Love, Laugh, Quilt
- Design Wall Monday @ Small Quilts and Doll Quilts
- Monday This and That @ Days Filled With Joy
- To-Do Tuesday @ Texas Quilt Gal
Sounds like you had a great time!
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We really did!
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Looks like your week in Canada was a dream! How cool to get to be on a structure that your daughter’s company designed. Yay on the purchases. All your classes sound so interesting, I like that jigsaw quilt. Your Island Batik challenge quilt is beautiful. Thank you for joining To Do Tuesday!
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Thank you! It was a lot of fun to be on the skywalk after hearing SOOOO much about it!
Thanks for hosting “To Do” Tuesday!
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Looks like you had a wonderful week in Canada. Love your favorite finish, very bright and fun. Happy stitching this week.
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Thanks, Kate! We live in Canada and just had a 45 minute drive to catch the ferry over to Vancouver Island. LOL!!!
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Your camping pictures look wonderful. I hope it was as relaxing as the pictures look.
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Hi Sue,
It was very relaxing! Really enjoyed all the beaches!
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Love that skywalk….it looks quite challenging to walk up but I can see you say that it isn’t! Your classes look like fun….hope they fill will lovely students. Nice haul, too, from the shops you visited.
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No, the skywalk wasn’t challenging at all! It was surprisingly easy with a very gentle grade! Participants are already starting to sign up for classes! They are always fun to teach!
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That skywalk looks like so much fun! I enjoy roadtrips like that, seeing old places and new. You have some fun classes coming up!
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Thanks, Wendy! It was a fun trip!
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Good to see photos of Vancouver Island, I have such lovely memories from Victoria and around. Great quilt shop tour! Well done with the new finish 😉
Thank you for sharing this great post and linking up.
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We breezed through Victoria … just stopped at the quilt store and carried on. It is a beautiful area!
Thanks for hosting the linky party!
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Beautiful scenery on your trip, Gail. That sky walk is definitely impressive…but not something I would care to walk out over water on! I enjoy keeping my feet planted firmly on the ground! LOL Was the circular building a part of it also?
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Hi Brenda,
The skywalk was very easy to walk up. Nice slope and you don’t get short of breath! It’s not over water – but the views of Saanich Islet and the other islands were spectacular! The picture of it with the wood was from the ground and showed the “outside.” The metal looking circular part was the centre and you could even slide down if you wanted to. I choose to walk down!
I’m afraid of heights, but am ok looking off into the distance, not looking down!!!! 🙂
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