Month: May 2026

Sunday Summary: May 24

/ quiltinggail / 6 Comments

A Challenge Quilt

On THIS POST, I told you all the details of the “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” challenge quilt. It won both 1st and 2nd place! WOW! That really surprised me!

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!

Back to sewing 7 days a week!!! And I LOVE it! ♥️

  • January – April: 108 / 119
  • May: 22 / 24
  • Total: 130 / 143: 90%

Design Wall Mondays

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

Piecing projects:

Quilting Projects:

Sunday Stash

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 baby quilt challenge used 4.5 yards of fabric. I did buy 4 meters of fabric for curtains, but since it’s not quilting cotton and not going in my stash, I’m not counting it.

  • Fabric used this week: 4.5 yards
  • Fabric Used in 2026:     76 yards (49.5 yards from non-Island Batik)
  • Fabric Added in the last week: 0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:   4 yards 
  • Net Fabric used:            71.5 yards

Heather’s Fabric Quilts

Last fall, I quilted a quilt that a friend had made. You can read about it HERE. She had LOTs of fabric left over, and since none of the kids quilt, I offered to make quilt(s) with the left-overs. Two of the tops are complete. I’m working on binding the other 2. Pictures soon!

Rainbow Scrap Challenge

Rainbow Scrap Challenge: March’s colour is ORANGE. I have 1 – 9 patch block done. Nothing more yet!

Monthly Colour Challenge

I have participated in the monthly colour challenge with Patterns by Jen in past years. There was a break last year, but Jen is back with the monthly blocks this year. The theme is frogs … here is what Jen says about the theme: This year our color inspiration is coming from the amazing frog. I was a little concerned as I started researching frog colors that there wouldn’t be enough colors for the year, I mean, they are all green, right? 😉 Imagine my delight when I found frogs of (almost) every color of the rainbow, as well as a black frog that makes me want to take him home and love him.

Each month, the patterns are free, but when the month is over, there is a $1 fee to pay for the pattern. I am using scraps of Island Batik (Lumin Fabrics). May’s frog is the Blue Poison Dart Frog. It’s a pretty blue frog. You can see it on Jen’s blog post HERE.

My fabrics are chosen … but where did I put them? I’m still looking!

Here are the January – April blocks:

This is a Sew-a-long by Red Boot Quilt Company. Here are the first 5 blocks. Using scraps of Island Batik (Lumin Fabrics). Each of the blocks have trapunto and the appliqué is adhered with a small zig-zag stitch.

Here are the first 5 blocks together. I left a bit of space on the design wall because this quilt will need sashing and it looks better than with them all crunched next to each other!

Block #5:

A Canadian Sew-a-Long

This one is by Sandra Walker of mmmquilts!

I picked out my fabrics from my Island Batik stash and had them cut out before attending a retreat. Even though all the directions are not out, I did piece together the top. And as usual, when I see the final picture, I can see what I could have done to improve it. The corner stones in the border should have been one of the purples or else the very light purple. But the top is together and I’m not changing it!

To Do

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

To Do from a few weeks ago:

  1. Finish quilting Heather’s Fabric Quilts #2. √   DONE.
  2. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √   DONE.
  3. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes. √   DONE. 

To Do for this week:

  1. Finish binding Heather’s Fabric Quilts
  2. Sandwich and Quilt Lyra
  3. Find the fabrics that I pulled for the 2026 Monthly Colour Challenge and make the block.
  4. Make Block #6 of Toni’s Garden
  5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.

Don’t Forget

I am now a Silly Moon affiliate! So what does that mean? When you use my affiliate code Quiltinggail2024 at Silly Moon, you will receive 10% off your order and I will receive a small commission.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:  

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

/ quiltinggail / 31 Comments

At the Boundary Bay Quilt show, there is always a baby quilt challenge. This year the challenge was “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” I pondered this theme for several weeks. My sister saw this quilt on Facebook, but neither of us could find the original designer or pattern.

Update: It appears that it might have been designed by Cozy Quilt Patterns.

Obviously to fit in the theme of the quilt, I changed the moon to a star.

I used many fabrics from different Island Batik (Lumin Fabrics) collections. The main border and binding were “Midnight Blue.” The 2 1/2” strips were cut and sewn in an order that I liked. My thoughts were that stars often appear in the night sky before it’s totally dark on the horizon.

The 8 point star was drawn and the puppy was printed out and traced. After the strips and borders were sewn, the star and puppy were appliquéd on using a small zig-zag stitch.

It was a fun quilt to quilt!! Clouds and stars in the sky, grass on the ground. And here are some close ups of the quilting.

Surprise!

I was extremely surprised when it won both 1st and 2nd place in the challenge. The comments I heard was “it was the puppy dog!”

Quilt Stats:

  • Size: 39.5″ x 44″
  • Fabric: Island Batik: Strips from various collections plus a 10″ yellow square from “Opulent Oranges” (for the star) and “Midnight Blue” for border and binding.
  • Hobbs Batting: Heirloom 80/20
  • Aurifil Thread: 50 weight
    • Piecing: #2600 (Dove Grey)
    • Quilting: #2710 (Light Robin’s Egg) for sky and #2890 (very dark Grass Green) for the grass.
  • Silly Moon Rulers: Twinkle, Rocket, Charming.
  • Schmetz Needles: Universal 80/12
  • Oliso Iron

Don’t Forget!

I am now a Silly Moon affiliate! So what does that mean? When you use my affiliate code Quiltinggail2024 at Silly Moon, you will receive 10% off your order and I will receive a small commission.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

Sunday Summary: May 17

/ quiltinggail / 24 Comments

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 did not sew at all on the 2 days of the quilt show. Talking with people, shopping and having a good time all while surrounded by quilts are an appropriate substitute for not sewing!

  • January – April: 108 / 119
  • May: 15 / 17
  • Total: 123 / 136: 90%

Design Wall Mondays

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

Piecing projects:

Quilting Projects:

Sunday Stash

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 fell off my “no buy” wagon!

While at our quilt show … I was really, really, really good … I resisted lots of temptation!!! That was the first day! Then on the 2nd day, Carola‘s booth had some beautiful teal fat quarters … which will make a super lovely quilt … and I caved and bought them, along with a coordinating meter of fabric!! THEN, the next weekend, I attended the Langley Quilt Show … and Cozy Cottons had a bundle of 7 Canadian Fat quarters … I had seen them the previous week at our quilt show … but couldn’t resist!

  • Fabric used this week: 1.5 yards
  • Fabric Used in 2026:     71.5 yards (49.5 yards from non-Island Batik)
  • Fabric Added in the last week: 4 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:   4 yards 
  • Net Fabric used:            67.5 yards

Heather’s Fabric Quilts

Last fall, I quilted a quilt that a friend had made. You can read about it HERE. She had LOTs of fabric left over, and since none of the kids quilt, I offered to make quilt(s) with the left-overs. Two of the tops are complete. I’m working on binding the other 2. Pictures soon!

Rainbow Scrap Challenge

Rainbow Scrap Challenge: March’s colour is ORANGE. I have 1 – 9 patch block done.

Monthly Colour Challenge

I have participated in the monthly colour challenge with Patterns by Jen in past years. There was a break last year, but Jen is back with the monthly blocks this year. The theme is frogs … here is what Jen says about the theme: This year our color inspiration is coming from the amazing frog. I was a little concerned as I started researching frog colors that there wouldn’t be enough colors for the year, I mean, they are all green, right? 😉 Imagine my delight when I found frogs of (almost) every color of the rainbow, as well as a black frog that makes me want to take him home and love him.

Each month, the patterns are free, but when the month is over, there is a $1 fee to pay for the pattern. I am using scraps of Island Batik (Lumin Fabrics). May’s frog is the Blue Poison Dart Frog. It’s a pretty blue frog. You can see it on Jen’s blog post HERE.

My fabrics are chosen … but where did I put them?

Here are the January – April blocks:

This is a Sew-a-long by Red Boot Quilt Company. Here are the first 5 blocks. Using scraps of Island Batik (Lumin Fabrics). Each of the blocks have trapunto and the appliqué is adhered with a small zig-zag stitch.

Here are the first 5 blocks together. I left a bit of space on the design wall because this quilt will need sashing and it looks better than with them all crunched next to each other!

Block #5:

A Canadian Sew-a-Long

This one is by Sandra Walker of mmmquilts!

I picked out my fabrics from my Island Batik stash and had them cut out before attending a retreat. Even though all the directions are not out, I did piece together the top. And as usual, when I see the final picture, I can see what I could have done to improve it. The corner stones in the border should have been one of the purples or else the very light purple. But the top is together and I’m not changing it!

To Do

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

To Do from a few weeks ago:

  1. Finish quilting Heather’s Fabric Quilts #2. √   DONE.
  2. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √   DONE.
  3. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes. √   DONE. 

To Do for this week:

  1. Finish binding Heather’s Fabric Quilts
  2. Sandwich and Quilt Lyra
  3. Find the fabrics that I pulled for the 2026 Monthly Colour Challenge and make the block.
  4. Make Block #6 of Toni’s Garden
  5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.

Don’t Forget

I am now a Silly Moon affiliate! So what does that mean? When you use my affiliate code Quiltinggail2024 at Silly Moon, you will receive 10% off your order and I will receive a small commission.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:  

Quilts at the Boundary Bay Quilt Show

/ quiltinggail / 16 Comments

The Boundary Bay Quilt show has come and gone. I know that I’m very biased, but it was a really good show!

First, I’ll show you the video of pics I took at the show. My apologies to anyone if I missed your quilt! This video is about 10 minutes long, so grab a cup of tea and enjoy!

The following are the quilts that I submitted in the show. It’s not a juried show, so that take a LOT of pressure off!! In a future post, I’ll show you my “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” challenge quilt.

Here they are:

Dove

11″ x 15.5″ You can read more about it on THIS POST.

Drunkard’s Path Quilt

48″ x 57″. You can read more about it HERE.

The 2026 Stay at Home Round Robin

48.5″ x 58.5″ Read more about it on THIS POST

Bloomers, designed by Denise Looney at A Quiltery. 

48″ x 77″. See all about it HERE.

Timeless Treasures

62″ x 87″. THIS POST has all the details.

Starry Seas

49″ x 59″ You can read about it HERE.

I hope you enjoyed all the eye candy!! Next week, I’ll be back to my regular “Sunday Summary.” See you then!

Don’t Forget!

I am now a Silly Moon affiliate! So what does that mean? When you use my affiliate code Quiltinggail2024 at Silly Moon, you will receive 10% off your order and I will receive a small commission.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:  

A Quick Peek of part of the Boundary Bay Quilt Show

/ quiltinggail / 20 Comments

At the entrance to the show, there was the “Sliver of Silver” challenge. It’s the guild’s 25th anniversary. We each purchased a fat quarter of silver fabric. Then, the challenge was to have a 3″ piece of silver on each side of the panel (anywhere) with the silver going through the panel. I thought it was pretty impressive to see the panels all connected. Each one is so different from all of the others!

Then there was the Featured Quilter. Our dear friend, Amy passed away 2 years ago and she was the Featured Quilter. She taught a lot of us the finer points of Free Motion Quilting and Ruler Quilting. It was a joy to show off her awesome work!! Her lovely husband, Wim, came to help set up, spent 2 full days at the show talking with a zillion people. Danielle, the middle daughter also spent a day talking to people. She’s not a quilter, but she knows a LOT about quilting!

picture credit: Judy Blacker

And here’s a picture of Amy’s husband, their 3 daughters and a son-in-law. A HUGE thank you to all of them for allowing me to take possession of their quilts for several months!

We had an “In Memoriam” section, featuring 4 quilters from the guild. Amy Kraan (quilt: the Lion & the colourful Jacqueline de Jonge), Carol Semeniuk (quilts: rag quilt, table runner & the purple watercolour), Darcy Jackson (quilts: the blue & white Christmas and the pink on the table), and our oldest member, Dawna Orwick (the embroidered table runner and the tiny, tiny stitching of Santa).

picture credit: Judy Blacker

I will show more pictures of the show in the coming days.

Don’t Forget!

I am now a Silly Moon affiliate! So what does that mean? When you use my affiliate code Quiltinggail2024 at Silly Moon, you will receive 10% off your order and I will receive a small commission.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to: