PHD in 2021: September Report

October 2, 2021October 4, 2021 / quiltinggail / 15 Comments

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How are you doing with your PHD in 2021?

I was reading a post from Bustle: “Ways To Get Things Done When You Don’t Wanna” The title certainly caught my eye! There were lots of tips on “How To.”

Here’s my comments on some of the points as it relates to me and quilting

Think of the end goal. Remember that wonderful feeling when a quilt project is finished? It feels pretty good, right?
Focus on what you can control. OK … so you might not be able to finish your project today, but you can sew a few seams, cut out some of the fabric … That’s doable, right?
Start With The Most Loathed Bits First. You might as well get it out of the way and then the rest will be easy. (Well, this won’t work if binding is what you loath, but I’m sure you can find something!
Work Out What You’re Afraid Of. Cut out the excuses and just get started.
Bribe Yourself Shamelessly. I’m on a serious fabric diet, but maybe I could go shopping. At least I need thread, right?
Do It For Just 10 Minutes. We can all work on a project for 10 minutes … set your timer if you need to!

Here’s my tally sheet. You’ll notice that I have 3 Island Batik Secret projects to work on. I actually had 4, but one is completed. These include writing patterns, organizing pattern testers and making the quilts. I’m going to be busy for the next while!

Linky Party

Link up and show us your PHD in 2021 Progress.

My Favourite Quilt this month!

Meadow Mist Designs hosts a link up for a Favourite Quilt each month. My favourite is from a new book “Scrappy Improv Quilting” by Kelly Young. You can read about it HERE. I will be teaching this quilt (and others) at Essem Textiles later this month. Contact Simina at Essem to book your spot!

This quilt used Island Batik fabrics, Aurifil thread and Hobbs batting!

So Scrappy

My Scrappy Table Topper for September was 2 – both featuring orange … you can read about them HERE. October’s colour is Lime Green. Hmmm … wonder what I’ll make?

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE

Happy Quilting!
Gail

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Linking to:

Favourite Quilt of the Month @ Meadow Mist Designs

So Scrappy @ Scrap Happy

Sunday Stash @ quiltpaintcreate

Oh Scrap @ Quilting is More Fun than Housework

15 minutes to Stitch @ Life in Pieces

Frédérique @ Quilting Patchwork Applique

Monday Making @ Love, Laugh, Quilt

Design Wall Monday @ Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

To-Do Tuesday @ Texas Quilt Gal

TGIFF … Oct 1.

September 30, 2021September 27, 2021 / quiltinggail / 14 Comments

How did it get to be October already???? I know they say that time goes faster as you get older – but this is ridiculous! The leaves are turning colour, it’s getting colder and … yes, fall is definitely here! But … sigh …

So my finish for this week is to show you another of my secret sewing from last fall. Yes, it was finished last fall, but I couldn’t show you then! You can see all of the catalogues HERE. This quilt is in the Spring/Summer 2021 catalogue and the fabrics are available now.

This quilt uses the wonderful Island Batik fabric collection “Midnight Dazzle” along with a solid grey and solid white. Midnight Dazzle is a fantastic collection designed by Kathy Engle. It is 63.5″ x 63.5.”

Size: 63.5″ x 63.5″
Batting: Hobbs 80/20
Thread: Aurifil
Quilting: Free Motion Quilted on my domestic Janome sewing machine.

Please contact me if you would like to buy the pattern.

TGIFF Link Up

Here’s your opportunity to show us your finish for this week:

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!
Gail

Catching up …

September 27, 2021September 27, 2021 / quiltinggail / 11 Comments

I was away on holidays … did a bit of sewing then, but most of it is secret sewing … so no pictures.

Design Wall

Piecing:

#1. Secret Sewing: Island Batik

#2 Secret Sewing: BBQG mystery quilt

#2. Scrappy Improv … another variation of the hot air balloon quilt

Quilting:

#1 November Island Batik project is being quilted

Stash Report

I was in Edmonton while I was away … Lori’s Country Cottage had a 40% sale on selected fabrics … I did not behave myself … It was fun to be in a fabric store … it was fun to shop … here’s a picture of the damage ….

I could justify each purchase … the fabrics on the left were for one of the guild’s mystery quilts and the fabrics on the right were all flannels … necessary for backings …

Fabric Used this week 0 yards
Fabric Used this year: 99 yards
Fabric Bought this week: 12 yards
Fabric Added this year: 39.75 yards (my husbands amounts as well)
Net Fabric used 58.25 yards
Husband’s purchases: 0 yards (which are added into my total amount of Fabric added this year). For those of you who don’t know … my husband often buys more fabric than I do … so, I’m keeping track! Unfortunately, he doesn’t sew!

Stitchin’ Time

While away, I managed to sew for 5 days … and for 6 days, I did not sew.

January – August – 235 / 242
Sept – 20 / 26
Total: 255 / 268
Percentage = 95 %

For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces

TO DO

Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is now hosting “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.

The last To Do list: (from weeks ago)

OK … so I had over 2 weeks to accomplish my To Do list – a little bit of everything got done!

Finish quilting Island Batik’s November project Partially done!
Finish 3rd Project from Scrappy Improv Partially done!
Work on Island Batik’s December project Partially done!
Write the directions for the guild’s Fall Mystery quilt √ done
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! √ done
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes √ done

This week’s list:

Finish quilting Island Batik’s November project
Work on 3rd Project from Scrappy Improv
Work on Island Batik’s December project
Quilt Secret Sewing BBQG mystery quilt #1
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

PHD in 2021

Table Scraps

I have 2 Table Scraps for this month … First is my table runner and 2nd is the coaster.

This Table runner was made with scraps of Island Batik fabric … mostly from the Autumn Wings collection. Quilted with Aurifil thread, Hobbs Batting and Schmetz needles.

This coaster was made with a free pattern from Kreative Kiwi … Island Batik fabrics, Hobbs Batting and made in the hoop on my embroidery machine.

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

15 minutes to Stitch @ Life in Pieces

Frédérique @ Quilting Patchwork Applique

Monday Making @ Love, Laugh, Quilt

Design Wall Monday @ Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

To-Do Tuesday @ Texas Quilt Gal

Table Scraps @ Joyful Quilter

A Secret Sewing Showing #1

September 24, 2021 / quiltinggail / 29 Comments

Last fall, I did some secret sewing and I couldn’t show you. The quilts were all made for the latest Island Batik catalogue. You can see all of the catalogues HERE. This quilt is in the Spring/Summer 2021 catalogue and the fabrics are available now.

This first quilt is made with the Fancy Feathers collection, by Kathy Engle along with the basic, Rice. Aren’t these fabrics absolutely wonderful?????

This quilt is called “Feather’s Chain.” Please contact me if you would like to buy the pattern. You could use a strip set (jelly roll) to make this quilt. The pattern also includes instructions on how to make the flange binding.

Quilt Stats:

Size: 68″ x 68″
Batting: Hobbs 80/20
Thread: Aurifil
Quilting: Free Motion Quilted on my domestic Janome sewing machine.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!
Gail

Linking to:

Midweek Makers @ QuiltFabrication
Wednesday Wait Loss @ Inquiring Quilter
Happy Needle and Thread @ My Quilt Infatuation
Put your Foot Down @ For the Love of Geese
Can I get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Finished or Not Friday @ Alycia Quilts
Sherry @ Powered by Quilting
Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty
Off the Wall Friday @ Creations – Quilts, Art, Whatever
Peacock Party @ Wendy’s Quilts and More
TGIFF @ Kathleen McMusing

Oh yes, I’m spoiled rotten!

September 22, 2021 / quiltinggail / 10 Comments

As an Island Batik Ambassador, I feel spoiled every time a box comes. In July, we received a ton of awesomeness (you can see that post HERE) and Island Batik informed us that the precuts would come at a later date. While I was away on holidays … a package arrived! Oh, it was extremely hard waiting until I got home!!! I know the neighbour wouldn’t have minded opening it for me and sending me a picture, but it was more fun to wait and open it myself! And here are the precuts I received:

The strip pack is “Midnight Dazzle” along with coordinating fabrics, Backberry and Begonia. The package of 10″ squares on the right is “Constellations” and the coordinating fabrics are Ice and Harbour. The coordinating fabrics are 2 yard cuts.

I am over the moon with these awesome fabrics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now … what do I make with them???? I only have about 2,000 ideas … I think I might need to narrow it down a bit! What a joyful dilemma!

Do you have some great ideas of what to make?

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!
Gail

I’m Falling for You Blog Hop

September 20, 2021September 19, 2021 / quiltinggail / 52 Comments

This blog hop is organized by Calico Joan of Moose Stash Quilting!

In January, my Island Batik box contained this fantastic maple leaf die from Accuquilt. I made 2 different quilts with it.

And now, I’m using it again to make a table runner for the I’m Falling For You blog hop. What is more FALL than Fall leaves??? As well, the scrap table runner challenge for this month is Orange … so I’m making a 2-fer.

We’ve been away for almost 2 weeks. I took this with me to finish while we were travelling. (Yes, I take my featherweight and sew when I can and when we have power.) Well, I definitely was NOT meant to finish this on our trip! I didn’t take enough of the background fabric AND … once I finished the top, earlier today, I realized that I did not take enough batting or backing … groan … Anyhow, thankfully I was able to find everything I needed and get this table runner done! I stippled the background and did straight lines on the coloured portions of the leaves.

Table runner stats:

Fabric: Island Batik – from the Autumn Wings collection, background is Custard
Batting: Hobbs fusible
Quilting & Piecing: Aurifil thread
Size: 19″ x 37″
Accuquilt die: Maple Leaf

Here is the Full Schedule for the blog hop:

Be sure to visit all of the bloggers and be inspired by their “I’m Falling for You” creations!

Monday September 20

Creatin’ in the Sticks

Tuesday September 21

Just Let Me Quilt

Just Sew Quilter

Days filled with Joy

Kathy’s Kwilts and More

The Morning Latte

Wednesday September 22

Elizabeth Coughlin Designs

Thursday September 23

Karrins Crazy World

Words and Stitches

Patchouli Moon Studio

Karen’s Korner

That Fabric Feeling

Scrapdash

Friday September 24

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!
Gail

Scrappy Improv Blog Hop is happening!

September 14, 2021September 6, 2021 / quiltinggail / 5 Comments

This is a Blog Hop that I’m super excited about!!! Kelly, of My Quilt Infatuation, has a wonderful book out and it is absolutely wonderful!!! My official day is Oct. 11. But, I am too excited to wait that long (well, I’ll wait for that day for my assigned mini quilt!

Yesterday, Sandra @ mmm…quilts! posted her Up, Up and Away Quilt! Isn’t it great???

So, I’m going to show you my Up, Up and Away quilt. Kelly has instructions in her book on how to make the mini quilts larger. So, I followed her instructions to make this into a baby quilt. However, I must confess, I had to fudge a bit because I didn’t have quite enough background fabric.

The fabrics are all from Island Batik. But for some reason, the scraps didn’t decrease at all!! (Ya, I know, scraps multiply when you have your back turned! )

I quilted wavy up and down lines on the balloon and wavy organic lines on the background (sky).

This is one of the quilts I’ll be teaching at Essem Textiles in Cloverdale in October! Make sure you sign up and join in the fun!

Here is the full Schedule for the Blog Hop:

Scrappy Improv Quilting Blog Tour Schedule-8/31- Intro, Single Block Beauties, and Simple Shapes
9/7- Seasonal Sensations, Standards With a Twist My Quilt Infatuation
9/13- Summer Blossom– Lori @ Crossquilt
- Up, Up, and Away– Sandra @ mmm…quilts!
9/15- Flutter– Rose @ Something Rosemade
- Botanics– Diann @ Little Penguin Quilts
9/20- Face the Sun– Laura @ Slice of Pi Quilts
- Full Spectrum– Jayne @ Twiggy and Opal
9/22- Prismatic– Anja @ Anja Quilts
- Downpour– Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting
9/27- Funkytown– Vasudha @ Storied Quilts
- Cherub Wings– Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty
9/29- Chapel Window– Kris @ Sew Sunshine
- Winter Frost– Leanne @ Devoted Quilter
10/4- Heartstruck– Rebecca Grace @ Rebecca Grace Quilting
- Star Spangled– Christine @ Triangles & Squares
10/6- Birds of a Feather– Preeti @ Sew Preeti Quilts
- Fall Foliage– Susan @ Quilt Fabrication
10/11- Ornamental– Gail @ Quilting Gail
- Churn, Churn, Churn– Cynthia @ Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework
10/13- Sunset Crossing– Kate @ Katie Mae Quilts
- Positivity– Sarah @ Sarah Goer Quilts
10/18- All Dressed Up– Linda @ Flourishing Palms
- Shockwave– Anne-Marie @ Stories From the Sewing Room

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!
Gail

byAnnie Challenge

September 10, 2021September 6, 2021 / quiltinggail / 23 Comments

This month, the Island Batik challenge is to make a bag. I choose to make the “Round Trip Duffle.” It is a pattern byAnnie. Island Batik and byAnnie made a kit with everything I need to make the Round Trip Duffle … I mean EVERYTHING!

The Island Batik fabrics that I chose for the bag – from top to bottom are:

Peacock Feather – Teal (from the Proud Peacock collection)
Whip Cream (from the Neutral collection)
Peacock Mardigras (from the Proud Peacock collection)
Paisley Dot Celery (from the Proud Peacock collection)

The key to making byAnnie bags is organization. A list of everything you need to cut is included in the pattern. I copied the list and attached it to each item as it was cut. Then I put it all up on my design wall so that it would be handy and easily found. The quilted pieces were on my ironing board.

The next step involved making all the bag components … the straps, the pockets, and so on … I’m using Aurifil thread #1148 – Light Jade with Schmetz Needles.

It’s getting exciting to see all the parts coming together!

Once it was completed, my daughter had to put her dog, Daphne, in it … believe me, that didn’t last long! (The dog in the bag … the bag was not harmed!)

I am very very happy with how this bag turned out! A friend of mine said, “It looks so professional.” That’s because byAnnie patterns are so well written! I hope to use this bag when I go on my next quilt retreat!

Disclosure: The fabrics, thread, batting and needles were generously supplied by the following companies:

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!
Gail

School supply and Dollar Store shopping

September 6, 2021 / quiltinggail / 21 Comments

It’s September and most kids are back to school … or not. At any rate, the stores have all their “back to school” sales on. Do you take advantage of these sales for your sewing room?

I do. Here are some of the products I use in my sewing room and some are suggestions from other bloggers and quilters.

A flannel back tablecloth is great for a design wall … especially if I’m going sewing somewhere besides in my home.
Hair clips are great for clipping labels onto fabric
Spray bottle for water (I always use a dry iron … and I spray the fabric if I want steam)
Shelf liner … will hold your sewing machine foot in place, add it to the back of pincushions to prevent them from slipping around, and in a pinch, you can use a couple of pieces (3″x 3″) to place under your hands when you free motion quilt
Put a small square between your small rulers and your fabric – it’ll prevent the ruller from shifting
Hair ties – place them around the thread and the bobbin and you know which bobbin goes with which thread … plus it keeps the thread from unwinding

These are the small hair ties … they are cloth covered elastics. You can see in the picture how small they are. When my thread and bobbins are in the drawer, it’s super easy to figure out which bobbin goes with which spool of thread. Plus there isn’t miles of thread all over!

Notebook with grid lines … for planning that next quilt and Pencil crayons to colour your quilt

Mechanical pencils for fine lines (on the back of HST or to mark the centre of a block

Elmer’s School Glue … I use this a LOT … dilute it 4 parts water to 1 part glue and it’s perfect for gluing down binding or whatever needs to stay in place.

Binder clips – they are perfect to supplement your smaller clips … great when you have a large number of pieces or ???

Flag post-its, or just plain post-it notes are perfect for short-term labels.

Disappearing Elmer’s Glue Stick. These have MANY uses. I often use it to pre-baste my binding. Then when I get to the sewing machine, binding is done in a flash.

Coloured Sharpies … OK … confession here … these are great for colouring that white thread that is showing, or for outlining shapes (as per Helen Godden).