I finally got around to finishing my Trivet!!! It’s not a hard project at all, but when I put it on the back burner and leave it there – it takes FOREVER to get it done!!! I’m sure if I had put my mind to it, it could have been made in an afternoon!
My Trivet was made with fabric from the Island Batik collection “Winter Sky.” The inside has a layer of insul-brite and a layer of Hobbs 80/20. It was finished using a variegated blue Aurifil thread on the top and Aurifil #2000 on the bottom.
This trivet is for Joy’s One gift a Month! You can go to Days Filled With Joyfor information and the link to the tutorial.
This made me Smile
As I was out walking my daughter’s dog this morning, I saw this … and I had to stop and take a picture. I know I’ve seen it before, but sometimes I forget to take my phone with me. Today I had it!! Can’t you just imagine the fun thoughts that someone has about this fairy door and the variety of painted rocks next to it?
I was Featured
Andrée, from Free Motion Mavericks, Susan from Midweek Makers, and Jennifer from Inquiring Quilter all featured my picnic bag!
July’s gift is a Trivet. You can go to Days Filled With Joyfor information and the link to her tutorial (when you go to Raewyn’s blog, click on the Patterns & Techniques tab.) Or, you can visit Kaye Wood’s youtube video HERE. (That’s where Raewyn originally got the instructions).
So, I’ve made progress. I just need to sew the binding down … hopefully it will be done by next week. Why is it that sometime changing your thread is such a huge task??? sigh …
So far for the One Gift a Month, I have made gifts for January, February, April and May.
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 – June: 178 / 181
July: 23/ 23
Total: 201 / 204
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 had to buy backing … 3 yards to be exact … I’ll be using it soon … well, maybe soon, I still need to make the top, but I knew the company had gone out of business, so I had to buy it soon! YUP, that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it!
Yearly Tally:
Fabric Used the last week: 0 yards
Fabric Used in 2023: 131.5 yards from non-IB: 52
Fabric Bought this week: 0 yards
Fabric Added this year: 15.5 yards
Net Fabric used: 116 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 Dolist from last week:
Finish Mystery Quilt (making and writing). √ DONE And one of my pattern testers is working on it now!
Continue working on August IB challenge.√ DONEIn Progress
Quilt and Bind “Pin Dot Blossoms” #1 √ DONE
Quilt and Bind “Pin Dot Blossoms” #2 √ DONE
Quilt and Bind Island Batik October challenge √ DONE
Finish binding “Test” quilt … come on, Gail! It’s almost done! √ DONE
Continue piecing “Splendor” Quilt In Progress
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √ DONE
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.√ DONE
This week’s list:
Finish August IB challenge
Get “Splendor” Quilt to flimsy stage
Work on September’s IB challenge
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!
This picture shows “Splendor” blocks and part of the August Island Batik challenge (using left-overs from the “Prairie Dreams” bargello quilt (you can see it HERE.). And no, it’s not another bargello quilt.
This is a surprise pack … sorry I can’t show it to you, yet!
A 2 1/2 ” strip pack Of Pin Dot Floral by Kathy Engle, a signature collection for Megan Best. It is paired with a 2 yard piece of Azure (from Brilliant Blues) and a 2 yard piece of Icicle (from Tantalizing Teals).
6 Yards of Fondant! Awesome! I have purchased several yards of this fabric from Castles and have LOVED it … and used it!
A 10″ stack of Precious Pinks … luscious! MMMM … what will I make with this?
Cool! A 2 1/2 ” strip pack of Glorious Greens!
1/2 cuts of
Blenders
GradationBasics
Solids
Round Petal Floral – Can …
Cactus (Glorious Green)
Red
Large Netting – Pineneedle (blender)
Bronze (Breathtaking Browns)
Pink
Cherio – Bermuda (blender)
Acorn (Opulent Oranges)
Lime Green
Bubbles – Raspberry (blender)
Lagoon (Tantalizing Teals)
Orange
This is a yard bundle of “Copper Patina,” designed by Kathy Engle. Paired with 2 yards of “Egg White” and 2 yards of “Swirl Teal Jade” from the collection.
12 wt: 8079: Lana Wool Blend: soft blend of 50% Acrylic and 50% Wool: Linen Heather
Cotton Floss: 6 strand: #2225: Salmon
Monofilament
80 wt: 2000: Light Sand
50 wt: 6723: Fairy Floss
Fantastic Hobbs batting:
Thermore: great for wall hangings, placemats, table runners etc.
Heirloom Premium Wool Batting: Queen Size: nice and cozy. Also shows the quilting beautifully!
Heirloom Natural Cotton Batting: Queen Size
Tuscany Cotton Wool Blend: Throw size (60″ x 60″)
Everything I need to make by Annie’s Take a Stand: both the Small and Large size. Fabric is from Island Batik and ALL the other supplies are from byAnnie’s!
My thanks go to Carol from “Just Let Me Quilt” for organizing thePicnic Party Blog Hop!
This is the instructions we were given :
Show us your favorite picnic projects!
Something to use for a picnic (example – basket, tote, etc.) and/ora square quilt (example – 50″ x 50″ or any square measurement)
I didn’t want to make a quilt … but a tote for our picnics! Perfect! Most of our lunch totes are not tall enough for a thermos when it’s cool out and you want to pack a warm beverage! I searched high and low for a pattern I wanted to make … but alas, I just made it up as I went along!
It’s big enough for a thermos, containers of sandwiches and snacks! Just perfect for our picnics when we travel in the fall or early spring!
It’s made with Island Batik scraps of “Wild Blooms” and Island Batik solid black.
As you can see from the picture on the right, the camper isn’t on the truck, so we won’t be heading out any time soon!
This weekend, I received an email from the local coordinator of Quilts of Valour. The quilt I made was given to the longest serving combat doctor in Canadian History! How cool is that? And now I wonder if he’s aware that the quilt was designed and made by a former nurse educator?
I’ve given a few Quilts of Valour over the years, but never knew what happened to them. It’s truly an honour to know where this quilt went! Dr. W, I’m glad you were the recipient!
The quilt was made with Accuquilt “Maple Leaf” die and dies from the 8 ” Qube. I used Island Batik fabrics, Hobbs batting and Aurifil thread. You can read more about it HERE.
One Gift a Month
July’s gift is a Trivet. You can go to Days Filled With Joyfor information and the link to her tutorial (when you go to Raewyn’s blog, click on the Patterns & Techniques tab.) Or, you can visit Kaye Wood’s youtube video HERE. (That’s where Raewyn originally got the instructions).
I found my Insul-Brite!!! (remember last week I asked if anyone knew where I had put it?) It was in the space under my ironing board, tucked behind my bolts of fabric. Not exactly where I would expect it to be! But I found it when I was searching for something else! Hopefully next week I can show you my finished trivet!
So far for the One Gift a Month, I have made gifts for January, February, April and May.
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 – June: 178 / 181
July: 16 / 16
Total: 194 / 197
Percentage: 98%
Stash Report
Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly link 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 had to buy backing … 3 yards to be exact … I’ll be using it soon … well, maybe soon, I still need to make the top, but I knew the company had gone out of business, so I had to buy it soon! YUP, that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it!
Yearly Tally:
Fabric Used the last week: 0 yards
Fabric Used in 2023: 131.5 yards from non-IB: 52
Fabric Bought this week: 3 yards
Fabric Added this year: 15.5 yards
Net Fabric used: 116 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 Dolist from last week:
Finish Mystery Quilt (making and writing) In Progress I figured out what I need to do.
Start August IB challenge.√ DONE. it’s started!!!
Sandwich, Quilt and Bind “Pin Dot Blossoms” #1 In Progress it’s sandwiched
Sandwich, Quilt and Bind “Pin Dot Blossoms” #2 to flimsy stage In Progress it’s sandwiched
Sandwich, Quilt and Bind Island Batik October challenge In Progress it’s sandwiched
Finish binding “Test” quilt In Progress no change from last week
Continue piecing “Splendor” Quilt. √ DONE. still more to be done, but it’s being worked on
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √ DONE
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.√ DONE
This week’s list:
Finish Mystery Quilt (making and writing)
Continue working on August IB challenge
Quilt and Bind “Pin Dot Blossoms” #1
Quilt and Bind “Pin Dot Blossoms” #2 to flimsy stage
Quilt and Bind Island Batik October challenge
Start working on September IB challenge
Finish binding “Test” quilt … come on, Gail! It’s almost done!
Continue piecing “Splendor” Quilt
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!
This was a Hugs and Kisses quilt that used various Island Batik pinks, purples, and greens. If you recall, I made a blue & green Hugs & Kisses quilt and cut out too many greens (you can read about it HERE). So not wanting to waste those blocks, I cut out the pinks and purples and joined them up to make the following quilt.
I used the Accuquilt Go! to cut the pieces: Die #10 from the 8″ Qube ‘Corners’ 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!
Hobbs 80/20 is in the middle and I used Odif 505 spray baste to hold the layers together.
It was quilted with both the 3″ and 4″ Cupid ruler from Silly Moon.
This quilt was donated to the “Comfort Quilts” committee at the guild and will be given to the B.C. Cancer Agency at Surrey Memorial Hospital. Here I am giving the quilt to Dawn, one of the volunteers of the “Comfort Quilts” committee.
Why did I choose “Comfort Quilts” as my charity? I don’t know anyone that hasn’t been touched by cancer. We all know family members and friends that have dealt with cancer. When I was working as a nurse in the hospital, we cared for cancer patients daily: it didn’t matter what department I was working in. It’s a heart-breaking disease and the treatments can often be grueling and harsh as one fights an uphill battle. If providing a quilt can give someone comfort, I’ll all for it!
July’s gift is a Trivet. You can go to Days Filled With Joyfor information and the link to her tutorial (when you go to Raewyn’s blog, click on the Patterns & Techniques tab.) Or, you can visit Kaye Wood’s youtube video HERE. (That’s where Raewyn originally got the instructions).
Now, I have started this … I went to Google and searched for Hexagon … I printed it out on a piece of paper and then added inches to each side until it was about 8″ big. I also added 1″ around the sides for the binding … I refuse to fuss with 7/8” measurements. My fabric is from Island Batik’s “Winter Sky” fabric collection.
This is all I’ve done so far … I need to dig out my Insul-Brite. Does anyone know the safe place that I put it??? If you know, please let me know and you’ll save me hours searching through containers! 🤪
So far for the One Gift a Month, I have made gifts for January, February, April and May.
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 – June: 178 / 181
July: 9 / 9
Total: 187 / 190
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 didn’t buy any fabric this week and I didn’t finish anything this week! Well, actually I did finish something, but it’s for a future blog hop, so when I can’t show you, I don’t count it until I show you.
Yearly Tally:
Fabric Used the last week: 0 yards
Fabric Used in 2023: 131.5 yards from non-IB: 52
Fabric Bought this week: 0 yards
Fabric Added this year: 12.5 yards
Net Fabric used: 119 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 Dolist from last week:
Finish Mystery Quilt (making and writing) In Progress
Complete “Pin Dot Blossoms” #1 to flimsy stage√ DONE
Complete “Pin Dot Blossoms” #2 to flimsy stage√ DONE
Island Batik October challenge to flimsy stage√ DONE
Finish quilting “Test” quilt and bind it In Progress binding is half on …
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √ DONE
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.√ DONE
This week’s list:
Finish Trivet (one gift a month)
Finish Mystery Quilt (making and writing)
Start August Island Batik challenge
Sandwich, Quilt and Bind “Pin Dot Blossoms” #1
Sandwich, Quilt and Bind “Pin Dot Blossoms” #2 to flimsy stage
Sandwich, Quilt and Bind Island Batik October challenge
Finish binding “Test” quilt
Continue piecing “Splendor” Quilt
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!
Island Batik August challenge (I finally decided what I was going to do!)
Quilting:
“Pin Dot Blossoms“ #1
“Pin Dot Blossoms“ #2
Island Batik October challenge (A secret … obviously until October)
Finish Binding Secret Project (Test quilt)
New Mystery Quilt
Cheryl, from Meadow Mist Designs is offering another FREE mystery quilt. I have done a few of them in the last few years.
The clues come out once a month and are easy to do. This month is the fabric selection. You can access the clues HERE. And, if you loath mystery quilts, she has a link where you can take a sneak pre-view.
I challenge myself to shop from my stash … and this is what I have come up with … We’ll see if I stick to these fabrics when it’s time to cut them out! LOL!!!
Upcoming Blog Hops
Just Let Me Quilt: Sew It – Show It: Picnic Party. (My day is July 20)
Are you surprised that I don’t have a finish??? Don’t be … I’ve been busy and most of it is a secret … so I can’t show any pictures. Sorry! But at any rate, none of them are finished either!
However, I can show you a picture of a 3 yard quilt that I’m working on … and the link to the pattern: It’s called “Splendor” and is by Sew Can She, the link is HERE. She gives cutting directions for using Accuquilt 8″ Qube dies. I did find that the number for the small HST is different than on my die … but I was able to figure it out. Also, if you use the die to cut the larger HST, you need to sew them different than the directions to make the quarter square triangles … but other than that, the directions are clear and it’s easy going!
The fabrics are all from my stash. I bought the purple and coloured fabrics when I was at a retreat in May and the background fabric was hiding in a neutral container. I’ve no idea when or where I bought it! LOL!!!
A Trunk Show
On a fine summer morning (afternoon for the Ontario guild), I did a trunk show via zoom. They had a whirlwind tour of 75 of my quilts … from the early days to present time!
The Waterloo County Quilters’ Guild is a pretty active guild!! Covid forced them to use zoom (as it did force many guilds) and they adapted and have continued! They actual meet 3 times a month … twice by Zoom and once in person. When I did the trunk show, they had attendees from Canada (BC to Ontario), the USA and the Netherlands!
On their mini-retreat days, they share a video, break out into chat rooms to talk/discuss the video, sew and have a guest speaker … They are active with charity quilts and so much more!
They welcome guests, so if you are interested … here’s a link to this great guild. HERE.
I was Featured
Andree from Free Motion Mavericks featured my table topper. You can read about it HERE.
July’s Classic Car colour is Purple …. Visit Patterns by Jen HERE for your free download of this month’s block …
Here’s my July block, followed by the rest of the monthly blocks. I’ve used scraps of Island Batik for all of my blocks.
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 – June: 178 / 181
July: 2 / 2
Total: 180 / 183
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 didn’t buy any fabric this week and I didn’t finish anything this week! So, my yearly numbers will stay the same.
Yearly Tally:
Fabric Used the last week: 0 yards
Fabric Used in 2023: 131.5 yards from non-IB: 52
Fabric Bought this week: 0 yards
Fabric Added this year: 12.5 yards
Net Fabric used: 119 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 Dolist from last week:
Finish Mystery Quilt (making and writing) In Progress
Finish project for “Picnic Party” Blog Hop. √ DONE but I can’t show you until the blog hop!
“Pin Dot Blossoms” #1 In Progress
“Pin Dot Blossoms” #2 In Progress
Island Batik October challenge In Progress
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √ DONE
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.√ DONE
This week’s list:
Finish Mystery Quilt (making and writing)
Complete “Pin Dot Blossoms” #1 to flimsy stage
Complete “Pin Dot Blossoms” #2 to flimsy stage
Island Batik October challenge to flimsy stage
Finish quilting “Test” quilt and bind it
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!
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!!!
Is this you?
So … did you get a UFO worked on in June? Or did you spend the month eating cookies?
Me … well, I do like cookies … especially Oatmeal Chocolate Chip … and Snickerdoodles … and what our family calls “horse poop” cookies …
OK … so I didn’t get a UFO done this month. I posted about one on the “When Pigs Fly” blog hop, but that was finished in May (even though I counted it in June because of the blog hop).
I can’t be eating cookies all the time, so my goal for July is to get out a UFO and FINISH it!
As I was writing this … I decided to pull out the UFO I was thinking of … It’s this Amish panel that I cut apart and added sashing. I just need to add borders, sandwich it, quilt and bind it and I can call it done.
Now that I’ve shown my intention … it will motivate me to work on it and get ‘er DONE!!! (And the added bonus, I also discovered that I had the backing in the container – so that makes one less decision that is needed!).
My Tally Sheets
I finished lots this month. You can read about the Pieced Backs HERE and the Crazy Quilts HERE.
If you want to keep track of your own progress, please feel free to download the 2023 Template.
Quilting Gail 