Sometimes it’s a lot of fun! Sometimes, it just gets you into trouble!!!
Four of us met in the park on a sunny afternoon to visit and show our latest projects. Part of the conversation went like this:
One: Did you know there’s a new store in town … a fabric store?
All of us: NO! Where???
One: gives us the address (downtown Cloverdale, across from where the liquor store used to be) Edit: 5625 176 St Cloverdale (Surrey) BC.
The rest of us: What do they have?
One: I’m not sure, the sign said fashion and quilting
The rest of us: We’ll have to check it out.
Yesterday, one of the gals checked it out … Today I checked it out.
It’s bright, cheerful and the owners were VERY welcoming!!! It’s called Essem Textiles. On a rack outside the store, she has some cute little tops that must fit a size 0-4 adult … um, not for me! But inside … See what I mean about bright and cheerful? (and yes, I ‘borrowed’ this picture from Essem’s Intstagram) AND, I LOVE all the notions on the back wall!
In March, I took an Improv class, hoping that I would learn something that I could use to make the quilt for this month’s challenge! And I did. (You can see information about that class and what I learned HERE. I decided to use the freehand curved piecing technique (more pictures below).
The fabric I was given for this blog hop is Napa Valley, designed by Kathy Engle. I LOVE the colours! They are so rich! The motif’s on the fabric are so fun! There are grapes, wheat, pumpkins, corn, leaves and dots! Such a fun collection! And of course, the fabric is fantastic!
I started by pairing an 8″ square of Napa Valley with an 8″ square of Island Batik grey solid. Then I free-hand cut the quarter circles.
I sewed the print and the grey together without using pins. In the picture below, you can see the print of the inner circle with the grey on the outer circle. The reverse is just below it. The blocks were then trimmed to 6 ¾”.
The blocks were arranged on the design wall. And, I forgot to take a picture! The quilt was webbed together, sandwiched and then the quilting began. I used Hobbs Heirloom Natural Cotton batting.
I used Schmetz Quilting Needle 90/40 for both the piecing and the quilting.
All of the quilting happened on my domestic machine: Janome M7 Continental. Aurifil #2600 (Dove) was used. I love how is contrasts slightly with the grey solid fabric!
And, a close up of the quilting
And a picture with the last of the pink “snow” (cherry blossoms)
You have 2 chances to win fabric!
Island Batik is giving away precuts of Glacier Bay: Click on the Raftercopter link
2. From Me! If you want to win fabric from me you have to be from Canada (and sorry, not Quebec). In the comments, answer the following questions: (they won’t be published)
where in Canada do you live?
have you made a modern quilt?
For those of you that have difficulty leaving comments, you can email me with your answers (quiltinggail@yahoo.ca)
Each entry will be given a number and I’ll use a random number generator to pick the winner.
I’m giving away 19 pieces of Napa Valley that are 8″ x 9.5″
Next:
Be sure to visit Emily at the Darling Dogwood. She used the same collection of fabric and her quilt is stunning! And totally different than mine!
Disclosure: The fabrics, thread, batting and needles were generously supplied by the following companies:
You know what? Years after you have gifted a baby quilt, it’s lovely to see it actually being used! This was a quilt made with left-over blocks from watching an Eleanor Burns video around 2017. This quilt was gifted to my daughter’s co-worker and they recently sent her this picture! I don’t know about you, but knowing that my quilts are being used makes my heart smile!
The word “May” means “is it possible?” As in “May I ____”. However the month, MAY, comes from a Greek goddess of fertility and spring. It made me wonder if I’m going to have a lot of new projects spring forward this month, or if my UFO completion list will increase in numbers? I know, it’s a stretch either way! If you’re curious, you can read more about May HERE.
Island Batik Blog Hop
This week starts the wonderful Quilt Modern Blog Hop. I’ve had a sneak peak of some of quilts and all I can say is “Be prepared to be Amazed!!!”
This baby panel is now completed and the binding on.
YOUR opinion …
Last week I had a couple of polls asking your opinion on wool mats. Thank you to everyone that completed the polls … The results were very clear. Definitely a 12″ x 18″ mat with rounded corners.
I will let you know when these Canadian made mats are ready.
Design Wall
Piecing
#1 Follow your own path: I have made the first 4 left facing arrows and the first 4 right facing arrows. I reversed them since I want the shadow (the grey) under the arrows. I’m now double guessing my chose of “Moonstone” as the background. Yes, it’s very pretty, but when cut into small pieces surrounding the arrows, it loses something. Oh well … I shall carry on …
#2 Thailand Batiks Well, I didn’t receive much help from you all as for suggestions as to what to do. I pulled out a bunch of different Island Batiks and decided on the light purple “Lavender” to use to border the blocks. A bit of fudging here and there and the blocks are ready to sew together. I decided to not use the 5th block. You can see more about these hankies HERE.
Quilting:
#1 Speed Dating still needs a facing. “Story-less Improv.”
#2 Born to Be Wild (blog hop later this month) is ready for quilting.
Stash Report
The baby panel (above) used 2 yards of fabrics
Fabric Used this week 2 yards
Fabric Used this year: 42 yards
Fabric Bought this week: 0 yards
Fabric Added this year: 9 yards (my husbands amounts as well)
Net Fabric used 33 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
I’m aiming for at least 30 minutes a day.
I have stitched for over 30 minutes each day
January – April– 120 / 120
May: 2 / 2
Percentage = 100 %
For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces
TO DO
Chris from ChrisKnits is hosting it “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.
Last week:
Again, I did not focus on my “To Do” list … but a couple of things got done.
Focus on the TO DO list not done
Follow Your Own Path: first arrows √ done
Healthcare Hero’s Mystery: Make backing not done
Speed Dating: Add facing not done
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! √ done
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes√ done
This week’s list:
Follow Your Own Path: work on next step
Thailand Batiks: finish top
Healthcare Hero’s Mystery: Make backing
Speed Dating: Add facing
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!
Sometimes, people will ask me how I get so much done. I ALWAYS end up telling them the same thing: One stitch at a time. I was quilting yesterday as I thought about this. When I was doing the free motion, the stitches were fast a furious, and when I switched to doing the ruler quilting, the stitches were WAY slower and more methodical. But, in both cases, it was one stitch at a time.
I remember last year, when I was learning to piece curved seams, it was like an epiphany when I realized that curved seams take care and take time. However, when I’m putting binding on a quilt, I’m full speed ahead. But still, it’s one stitch at a time.
When I was working full time, sometimes doing 12 plus hours, plus the commute, I would come home and sew for 15 minutes. That’s all. Just 15 minutes. It’s amazing how much you can accomplish with little bits of time! And yes, it was still one stitch at a time.
SEW … if you are struggling at getting something done: Remember, it’ll get done One Stitch At a Time.
As for me? I’m steadily moving right along! My one UFO finish for April was the “Open House” wall hanging.
Was my Island Batik “It’s All Up to You” challenge. You can read more about the challenge quilt HERE.
NEW BLOG HOP
That’s correct, Island Batik ambassadors are bringing you a new blog hop starting Monday! I’ll let you know where to go to see the awesome new fabric collections and the amazing quilts that my fellow ambassadors have made! AND there will be an opportunity to WIN some fabulous fabric!
Emily, from the Darling Dogwood, nominated me! I must confess, someone nominated me a few weeks ago, and I couldn’t find the blog post … sigh … so I didn’t follow up. (Sorry, whoever you are! …) The purpose of the Outstanding Blogger Award is to applaud our fellow bloggers and learn more about them by answering questions that are asked.
Here are the questions that Emily asked:
Do you still have your first quilt? No. I made my first quilt when I was 17. I designed it with scraps in my mother’s scrap drawer and used gingham in part of the blocks. It was backed with the ugliest fabric (translate into cheapest) that we could find. It was tied. I had no idea what I was doing. No one showed me what to do. I used the quilt throughout my years in nursing school. I remember it became the dogs blanket at one point and was either buried with her or destroyed.
2. What is something on your Quilty Bucket List? I’ve always wanted to make a Storm at Sea! And, I hope to make one later this year.
3. Is there a color or fabric style that you really dislike working with? I used to hate working with orange. But orange goes nicely with so many other colours … and when I’m using Island Batik fabrics … well, what can I say … it’s growing on me.
4. Do you have a favorite traditional quilt block? The quick answer to this question is no. I don’t have ONE favourite block. I have several … Log Cabin, Pinwheels, Friendship Star, 8 point star … and the list goes on.
5. What one non-quilting thing about you that your readers might not know? I was a swimming instructor and lifeguard prior to going into nursing school. I also scuba dived at that time. I played the oboe and bassoon when I was in middle and high school.
Who to nominate? I have a zillion blogs that I follow … and I honestly couldn’t say that I know who has or has not been nominated …
Anja @ Anja Quilts
Velda @ Freckled Fox Quiltery
Karen Neary @ Sew Karenly Created
Michelle Roberts @ Creative Blonde
Jennifer Eurbank @ Jennifersewing.wordpress.com
If you choose to accept the nomination, here are your questions:
What inspired you to make your first quilt?
What inspires you to make your quilts today?
Do you use software to pencil to design your quilts? (or patterns)
Which quilt is your favourite?
Tell us something about where you live that is fantastic!
Scrappy Table Runner is Completed!
Light blue was the chosen colour for this month’s Table Runner. The pattern is from QUILTsocial and you can find it HERE. I also talked about this runner HERE.
After I had this quilt top done, I saw my Studio 180 “Split Recs” ruler. It’s still in the package. I’ll have to pull it out and try it. I suspect that I will prefer the Studio 180 method, but I do need to try it to be sure!
I used Scraps from my Island Batik box with Coconut as the neutral. The batting is Hobbs Poly Down and it is quilted with Aurifil #1148 (light jade). I didn’t have a light blue Aurifil, but the Light Jade was a perfect fit!
Carla, from “Creatin in the Sticks” is the wonderful organizer for this week’s blog hop: Stitchin in the Kitchen.
I had several ideas of what to make … but none of them felt just right. Then I remembered this apron that was cut-out. It just needed to be sewn together. Nice and simple, right? And for once, it was a simple finish!!!
Here’s the front:
And the back:
The other bloggers in the blog hop:
Make sure that you visit them! Lots of ideas … (and you know that the holiday in December will arrive before you’re ready … you could get started now! )
A blogging friend of mine, Sandra, from MMM Quilts is having a quilt-a-long. For a couple of weeks, I’ve been telling myself, “NO … don’t start this quilt.”
Sandra hosts a quilt-a-long every year. And every year, I regret that I didn’t do it! And for awhile, I was pretending that I didn’t want to do it. But who was I kidding?
SEW … this year is different and I’m going to do it!!! Follow Your Own Path! Yup, I’m going to follow my own path and sew along with Sandra!
There are 2 sizes … but I thought the small one would be perfect for a baby quilt! The cutting directions are out. I have pulled my fabric, but haven’t started cutting! The fabrics are all Island Batik. The background is “Moonstone,” an Island Batik basic. The top left and bottom right are from “Primo” by Ebony Love. The top right is a basic called “Lavender” and the bottom left is a nameless fabric, likely a basic. I’m using the solid grey as the shadows of the arrows.
Are you going to join me in this Quilt-A-Long?
Design Wall
Piecing
#1 Blue Table Runner It is started … this is for the monthly Rainbow Scrap Challenge. As you can tell, the first couple of rows are sewn together … the rest is webbed.
One of our guild members posted a link to a website on “Learn to make Half Rectangles with this Easy Technique.” Well, since I didn’t want to be distracted by a squirrel project, and the technique was for a table runner – to me it was an easy decision to try the technique. You can visit QUILTsocial for all of the steps.
I tried to follow the directions, honestly, I did. But I messed up with the marking of 8 of the rectangles, so basically the table runner is backwards. And, I only used 4 fabrics instead of 6 … so I had to play a bit – but it was fun! I always enjoy playing!
And yes, The fabrics are all Island Batik, with Coconut as the background!
#2 June Island Batik Challenge: is in progress and being used as my leaders and enders. (Sorry no pictures).
#3 Follow your own path: As stated above … I have the cutting to do.
Quilting:
#1 House Wall hanging. This UFO is now pieced and sandwiched. It needs to be quilted.
#2 Speed Dating still needs a facing. “Story-less Improv.”
May Island Batik challenge is quilted and I will give you a sneak peak of it … That’s the only peak you’ll get until my day on the Blog Hop.
Stash Report
May’s Island Batik challenge is completed and I used 4 yards of fabric from my stash for the backing.
Fabric Used this week 4 yards
Fabric Used this year: 39 yards
Fabric Bought this week: 0 yards
Fabric Added this year: 9 yards (my husbands amounts as well)
Net Fabric used 30 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
I’m aiming for at least 30 minutes a day.
I have stitched for over 30 minutes each day
January – March – 80 / 80
April – 18 / 18
Percentage = 100 %
For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces
TO DO
Chris from ChrisKnits is hosting it “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.
Last week:
Again, I did not focus on my “To Do” list … but a couple of things got done.
House Wall Hanging: finish putting together √ done
Healthcare Hero’s Mystery: Make backing not done
Speed Dating: Add facing not done
MayIsland Batik: sandwich and start quilting √ doneand bound!
A & A’s quilt: Make extra blocks if decision has been made! not done
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! not done
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes√ done
This week’s list:
Focus on the TO DO list
Cut out Follow Your Own Path
Quilt and finish House Wall Hanging
Healthcare Hero’s Mystery: Make backing
Speed Dating: Add facing
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes
Later this week:
I’m participating in the “In the Kitchen blog hop” … My project is done. Photo is taken and I just need to write the blog post. My day is April 22 … Thursday!
SAHRR is the Stay at Home Round Robin that happened on this and several other blogs. 7 bloggers got together and each one decided what the next round would be! SEW fun!
When you do a Round Robin, you are actually the designer. You are given a theme for the round and it’s up to you to decide HOW the round is done. The following quilts will show you the fantastic variety of what each quilter decided to do.
I’ve been busy in the studio!!! Not a day goes by that I’m not working on something!
Design Wall
Piecing
#1House Wall hanging. I started working on a UFO. It was a little kit in a bag: A cute little house wall hanging. I must admit, that when I opened the bag, I was a bit disappointed with the “green” house colour. See the pale, olivy grunge … well it didn’t do anything for me. I substituted the darker green in the picture on the right. Much better, I think! Unfortunately, I do not remember where I bought this kit.
I have a LOT of finishes to show you. In January, I hosted a mystery quilt for our guild (Boundary Bay Quilt Guild). It’s a lot of fun for me!!! This mystery was written by Sue P … a member of the Peace Arch Quilt Guild. I did it as a mystery several years ago. I repeated it again this year. Thank you, Sue, for permitting me to share this quilt pattern with the guild! This post is dedicated to YOU!!!
I absolutely LOVE how the same design looks SEW very different with different fabrics and different layouts! And THANK YOU to all the guild members that sent me their pictures!
Yes, it’s TGIFF … I LOVE this linky party and host it every so often. It’s a great way to see other bloggers and what they are working on!
I know … I know … some of you are thinking “Wait, is it Friday? I thought it was Thursday!” And you’d be correct. I am posting this on Thursday – so that others around the globe can see it on Friday. Does that make sense?
Unfortunately, I do not have a NEW finish for today, but I have had several finishes this month! Don’t you just love finishes?
My favourite for this month is … well, I have 2. Both of them are made with Island Batik fabrics! The one on the left is my scrappy Starry Irish Chain that was made for March’s Island Batik challenge and the one on the right is my version of the SAHRR. You can read more about them HERE and HERE.
I had a fun day today, sewing and chatting with other Island Batik Ambassadors. It’s certainly fun getting to know each other! To discuss what we’re working on, what concerns us, and what’s new!
Design Wall
Piecing
Last week, I said that I had nothing on my design wall. Well, that wasn’t exactly the truth … I just had nothing NEW on the design wall … I did have the pieces from the class “Speed Dating with Improv.”
And, they have changed a bit … they are now sewn into a block and need borders.
As we were taking the course, Krista (the instructor) told us to think of a story to help with the assembly. Some of the ladies had fabulous stories and you could see it in their quilt layout. Me? I couldn’t think of a story. On a Zoom chat, (as this was being assembled, someone suggested that I had an apple in the middle. OK … I guess so, if you use your imagination … So, the final title of this little sampler might just be, “Maybe it’s an apple?” OR … what do you see in this sampler? PLEASE tell me …
Quilting:
My April Island Batik challenge is being quilted. (Sorry – no pictures until April
Stash Report
The SAHRR is finished and although the top is all Island Batik, the back was from my stash … so that used 4.5 yards of fabric. You can read about it on tomorrow’s post!
Fabric Used this week 4.5 yards
Fabric Used this year: 35 yards
Fabric Bought this week: 0 yards
Fabric Added this year: 9 yards (my husbands amounts as well)
Net Fabric used 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
I’m aiming for at least 30 minutes a day.
I have stitched for over 30 minutes each day
January – February – 59 / 59
March – 28 / 28
Percentage = 100 %
For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces
TO DO
Chris from ChrisKnits is hosting it “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.
Last week:
I accomplished everything on my To Do List!!!
Finish SAHRR√ done
Borders on Healthcare Hero’s Mystery (this is for the guild …) √ done
Start putting Speed Dating top together √ done
Make Table Runner for the Scrap Challenge – green this month √ done and posted about HERE.
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! √ done
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes√ done
This week’s list:
Finish quilting and binding April Island Batik Project
Start A&A’s quilt
Sandwich Healthcare Hero’s Mystery (this is for the guild …)
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes
I will post more about PHD in 2021 on Wednesday with a linky party for YOU!
What’s coming up on the blog in March and April and May?
Tomorrow!!!!! March 29 – SAHRR parade … there will be a linky party for all the SAHRR quilts
And … I’m waiting to find out what colour April will be! Then I’ll think about a table runner!
In April, there’s the “In the Kitchen” blog hop happening!!
Doesn’t this sound like a fun fun, FUN blog hop??? And … I just might have an idea of what I’m going to do!
In January, Carol, from Just Let Me Quilt, announced that she’d be hosting this blog hop in March. Of course, I signed up immediately! And, even though I knew that I could change my mind (happens often), I actually had an idea of what I would make for this blog hop! And, surprise, surprise, I didn’t change my mind.
I made this cute little Zipper Bag … It is an Anita Goodesign called “Shadow Work Design.” I altered the design a bit, because I didn’t have any sheer fabric. All of the fabric is from Island Batik (are you surprised???) Most of the bag is made with Coconut – one of their wonderful basics – available all the time. The applique is a small piece from Nautilus Floral-Baja from the Mystery Collection. This is the same collection that I used in February for my “Create for a Cause” challenge. You can view that quilt HERE.
Since I wasn’t about to go to a wet, soggy beach, I took this picture in the front yard. If you use your imagination, the lava rock can represent beach rock and the side of the raised bed could be a log, right?
And, since we have a few flowers blooming, I had to take a picture of it with the flowers! And trust me, those hyacinths smell heavenly!
BLOG HOP
Here’s a list of today’s blog hoppers … Lots of eye candy for you!!!
I had a lot of fun making my March green table runner. I thought I’d try some of the improv blocks I learned from my “Speed Dating” class (see HERE). Using the techniques I learned, it was pretty quick, easy and fun to put together!!! And, no, the quilt I started in the Speed Dating class is not finished … YET!
This used Island Batik fabrics: light and dark grey solids, and the greens were: Marble Frog – BE, Celery, Bubbles: sprout, and 2 other greens that were in my IB scrap bag. The backing is a combination of Celery and Light grey solid. You can see the back HERE. Hobbs 80/20 Cotton batting was used and it was quilted with Aurifil #2600 (Dove).
I must admit that I had a super fun time making this!!! Improv is fun! I like the freedom – anything goes – within my own limits!
On Saturday, it was International Quilt Day. Time to hang out a few quilts … It was a bit windy and rainy, but all of the quilts are washable!! And they actually didn’t get too wet!
Sunday
Zoom quilting with my sister and one cousin dropped in for a chat! Both my sister and I worked on quilting our quilts. In the afternoon, I played with green fabric. I have a green table topper / runner challenge to meet this month. On the right is a picture of the back … Amazingly, I managed to finish it this evening!
Design Wall
Piecing
Would you believe that I’m NOT piecing anything at the moment? What is wrong??? I guess I’m just concentrating on getting some UFOs done. However, I have plans for an Island Batik project and haven’t even pulled fabric for it yet … and I can’t tell you what it’s going to be, because it’s a secret!
Quilting:
SAHRR is in the process of being quilted!!!
Stash Report
I finished the T-shirt quilt. Between the backing, the hanging sleeve and the binding, I used over 12 yards of fabric!
Fabric Added this year: 9 yards (my husbands amounts as well)
Net Fabric used 21.5 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
I’m aiming for at least 30 minutes a day.
I have stitched for over 30 minutes each day
January – February – 59 / 59
March – 21 / 21
Percentage = 100 %
For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces
TO DO
Chris from ChrisKnits is hosting it “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.
Last week:
I accomplished everything on my To Do List!!!
Get Echo Lake T-shirt quilt finished. √ done
Sandwich SAHRR√ done
Borders on Healthcare Hero’s Mystery (this is for the guild …) NOTdone
Arrange Speed Dating top ? in progress ….
Work on Salt and Sand project! √ done
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! √ done
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes√ done I did a major clean up and vacuum!!! There were little pieces and bits of T-shirts everywhere! And I trimmed up all the left-over t-shirts into squares or retangles for cleaning rags or whatever … they are being sent up to the camp with the T-shirt quilt.
This week’s list:
Finish SAHRR
Borders on Healthcare Hero’s Mystery (this is for the guild …)
Start putting Speed Dating top together
Make Table Runner for the Scrap Challenge – green this month
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes
Another UFO completed … but there are a few new Starts that need to be completed.
What’s coming up on the blog in March and April?
Salt and Sand Blog Hop … This project is done and ready for the hop. My day is Friday, March 26 ! Visit THIS BLOG to see a list of this week’s participants.
March 29 – SAHRR parade … there will be a linky party for all the SAHRR quilts
And … I’m ready for the March challenge!
In April, there’s the “In the Kitchen” blog hop happening!!
Quilting Gail 