Aurifil Thread

Sunday Summation: December 11 ’23

/ quiltinggail / 23 Comments

My Finished Branches Table Runner

I taught the “Winter Branches” Table runner at Essem and I worked on my own table runner, but didn’t get it finished in class. But, it’s finished now!  I used an Island Batik fabric from the Napa Valley collection along with Custard. There is Hobbs 80/20 on the inside and I quilted the straight lines with a walking foot and Aurifil #2311 (Muslin).

A UFO Finish

I finally finished this wallet! The outside is Cork and the inside is Island Batik fabric from the Napa Valley collection. The pattern is “The Necessary Clutch” by Emmaline Bags. For the twist clasp, the pattern said to follow manufacture’s directions. HUH!!! There were none!!! A friend of mine, Irene, told me to look at Spenser Ogg’s tutorial, How to Apply a Twist Lock. Spenser is brilliant. Her tutorial is great! This wallet would have been thrown in the trash if I hadn’t been able to do the twist lock. Thanks, Irene!!!

Now I can finally use this wallet! The cork on my current Necessary Clutch is falling apart. I’ve sprayed the new wallet’s cork with leather conditioner, so hopefully it will last longer than the first one. But really, 5 years isn’t too bad!

This is the wallet I made in 2018 … almost 5 years ago! And how it looks today. You can see how the cork is wearing at the edges and some of it is peeling off.

The Mystery Quilt is done!!!

This is a super simple mystery quilt! It is my own design. I designed it for the Boundary Bay Quilt Guild, but I’ve shared it with YOU as well!

The Parade is on Tuesday, Dec. 13, so be sure to come and see the wonderful quilts!

Here are 8 clues.

  • Oct 18: Clue #1: Fabric Requirements and Cutting HERE
  • Oct 25: Clue #2: HERE
  • Nov 1: Clue #3 HERE
  • Nov 8: Clue #4 HERE
  • Nov 15: Clue #5 This Post
  • Nov 22: Clue #6 HERE
  • Nov 29: Clue #7 this post
  • Dec 6: Clue #8. – HERE
  • Dec 13: Mystery Quilt Parade

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!

Lots of stitching in the past week!

  • January – November: 288 / 333
  • Dec:  11 / 11
  • Total:  299 / 344
  • Percentage = 86% 

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!

  • Back of Lone Star Quilt – 4 yards
  • Back of Fall Mystery Quilt – 3.5 yards
  • Back of Left-over from Lone Star 3.5 yards
  • Back of Branches Table Runner – 1 yard
  • Fabric Used since the last report   12  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       102.5 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:    29.5 yards 
  • Net Fabric used:                73 yards 

To Do

Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is hosting “To Do” every week.

The To Do list from last week:

  1. Finish my Winter Branches Table runner. √   DONE,
  2. Work on and Finish a UFO (a wallet). √   DONE,
  3. Work on Melodic Mystery Quilt finish fixing all the mistakes! √   DONE,
  4. Finish Clue #2 Chilhowie  √   DONE
  5. Write blog post : Spicy BOM in progress
  6. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!  √   DONE
  7. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes √   DONE

This week’s list:

  1. Start colouring the Nutcracker
  2. Finish Clue #3 Chilhowie
  3. Write blog post : Spicy BOM
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  5. 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.

Piecing:

  1. Chilhowie – Clue #3 in progress … and they are on my Prairie Spirit Alpaca/wool pressing mat!!! LOVE the mat!

Quilting:

Once I do some colouring with Inktense pencils, I’ll start quilting the Nutcracker. Here he is on my window for tracing.

Upcoming & Current Blog Hops

Island Batik‘s December’s Lone Star Blog Hop. Week #1 is done! What a fabulous collection of Lone Stars. Week #2’s schedule is below.

Creatin’ in the Sticks: Sew It – Show It: Shades of Blue (January)

Moose Stash Quilting: Sew It – Show It: Sweet on You (February)

Shades of Blue

December 12:

Reed Johnson

Suzy Webster

December 13:

Jennifer Fulton

Gail Renna

December 14:

Denise Looney

Claudia Porter

December 15:

Leah Malasky

Andi Stanfield

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

December Left-overs

/ quiltinggail / 29 Comments

When I made the Lone Star quilt with Island Batik’s Baby Bloomers collection (see HERE) … I had left-overs. The tutorial suggested using them for a border, top and bottom, but I didn’t want to do that on my lone star. And, since I’m on a mission to use up left-overs asap, I HAD to do something!

So, I paired up the left-overs, sewed them into squares, put them on-point with Lime Green (Island Batik solid basic) and voila! A baby quilt is born!

It was sandwiched with Hobbs 80/20 and quilted with Aurifil 2520 (violet).

The binding is Small Check-Multi Pink (part of the Baby Bloomers collection).

Here is the quilt – all quilted and bound! I LOVE how bright and cheery it is!

There were still some scraps left-over … so I made these 4 pencil cases, following a tutorial byAnnie. The “A Pencil Case for Lola” pattern is free HERE and the Youtube tutorial is HERE. If you’ve never made a byAnnie bag, this is a fantastic way to start!

On one of the pencil cases, I used Soft and Stable, on 3 of them I used Hobbs 80/20 batting. Each of them is fine, but the one with Soft and Stable holds it’s shape better.

Lone Star Blog Hop

Have you been following the Lone Star Blog Hop? There have been some wonderful quilts!!! Tons of eye candy!!! Visit Island Batik’s blog to see a re-cap of Week 1! Plus an opportunity to win fabric!

Coming in 2023!

For the past several years, I’ve hosted PHD in ???? (year). The idea is to decrease the number of UFOs that you have and to NOT increase the number! This is accomplished by finishing ALL of your new starts. There are a few exceptions, but I’ll be posting about it in the near future!

Several blogging friends and I will be hosting the Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR). Typically, groups of quilters do round robins where the quilt is passed on to other quilters to add the next round. With the SAHRR YOU are in control of the fabrics that are used and how big the quilt is. We’ll be starting this in mid-January! It’s a lot of fun, with quilters joining from around the world. There will be a post with more details in the coming weeks.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

Island Batik’s December Lone Star Challenge

/ quiltinggail / 46 Comments

In July, I received an awesome Surprise package in my Island Batik,  box and this is what I got: 20 half yard cuts of fabric from the Baby Bloomers collection, a signature collection for Karen Overton. Also included was 2 yard of Dots-Pink Carnation and 2 yards of Cow Moon Clouds – purple.

The only Lone Star I’ve made was a Judy Niemeyer pattern and I didn’t really want to purchase one of her patterns. I knew that there must be other options!

So, what to do??? EQ8 to the rescue … I downloaded the Baby Bloomers fabric collection and started to play! I’m not sure when, but I must have followed a tutorial at one point, because I found a folder called “Lone Star Practice.” Bingo! I found exactly what I wanted to make. I substituted the original fabric with the Baby Bloomers fabric and came up with this:

When I searched the Internet for “How to make a Lone Star Quilt,” I came across a few tutorials by Donna at Jordan Fabrics. WONDERFUL!!! Here’s the tutorial I mostly followed: One Jelly Roll, Lone Star. However, in order to make the quilt I wanted to make, I needed to make some adjustments. Mainly with the purple going up each point of the star.

I needed to make a strip set of my fabrics, I used my 2 1/2” Accuquilt die and made perfect strips very quickly!

I laid out the strips and pinned them onto my design wall.

I sewed the strips together (picture above) and cut according to the directions. And forgot to take a picture of the cut pieces!

Then, I made sure to mark Every. Single. Intersection. to ensure almost perfect points … (hmmm, that didn’t always work according to plan!)

Yes, I used “Dude” from Silly Moon Rulers and a pencil to mark the intersections. Then I used the forked pins to hold the intersections in place. I’m usually not a pinner – but it was a MUST in this case!

My Prairie Spirit Alpaca/Wool pressing mat made for perfect points!

When I put the light pink from the collection up on the design wall with the star pieces I had assembled, my immediate thought was “what in the world were you thinking?” It did NOT look good. It looked washed out. I started digging through my stash! Many different fabrics were auditioned. I found this slightly darker and brighter pink tied up with one of my Island Batik precuts and BINGO, it was perfect for the quilt. It is called “Floral Carnation” and is from the Blenders collection (available at all times).

Hobbs Batting 80/20 was used as well as an assortment of Schmetz Needles for piecing and quilting.

I quilted it with Aurifil Thread,  #2515 (Light Orchid) on the top and Aurifil #2423 (Baby Pink) in the bobbin. When auditioning the threads, I felt that the Baby Pink was too light for the top but the Light Orchid was perfect. However, I didn’t know if I had enough Light Orchid to use for both the top and bobbin. I used Aurifil #4225 (Eggplant) to attach the binding.

Quilting Close-ups

The Finished Lone Star

Be sure to visit Maryellen at MaryMackMadeMine! She had the same fabric collection. I haven’t seen her quilt, but I just KNOW that it will be a totally different Lone Star!

Lone Star Blog Hop Schedule

Week 1:

December 5:

Maryellen McAuliffe

Gail Sheppard YOU ARE HERE!

December 6:

Megan Best

Brenda Alburl

December 7:

Preeti Harris

Emily Leachman

December 8:

Jennifer Thomas

December 9:

Visit Island Batik’s Blog for your opportunity to win!

Week 2:

December 12:

Reed Johnson

Suzy Webster

December 13:

Jennifer Fulton

Gail Renna

December 14:

Denise Looney

Claudia Porter

December 15:

Leah Malasky

Andi Stanfield

December 16:

Visit Island Batik’s Blog for your opportunity to win!

Week 3:

December 19:

Mania Hatziioannidi

Michelle Roberts

December 20:

Pamela Boatright

Connie Kauffman

Sandra Stanfield

December 21:

Jane Hauprich

Lisa Pickering

December 22:

Brianna Roberts

Elizabeth DeCroos

Anorina Morris

December 23:

Visit Island Batik’s Blog for your opportunity to win!

Hashtags for industry (only if you are actually using the products): #hobbsbatting #accuquilt #accuquiltgo #schmetzneedles #doyoueq #janome #bernina #juki #dritz #olfacreates #junetailor #brothersews #cloverusa #oliso #studio180design #omnigrid

Thank you!

Disclosure: The fabrics, batting, thread and needles were generously supplied by the following companies: Thank you, Island Batik,  Aurifil Thread,  Hobbs Batting,  Schmetz Needles,  Accuquilt & Prairie Spirit Alpacas!!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

What to make with a 2 1/2″ strip pack?

/ quiltinggail / 29 Comments

I received a 2.5″ strip pack from Island Batik awhile back … It’s such a beautiful collection … and I debated long and hard about what to make with it! It’s so pretty with the purples, oranges, golds, neutrals and blues!

I decided to go with a simple partial log cabin. The hardest part was deciding where each block should go!

Here are some close-ups of the graffiti quilting! I really enjoy quilting whatever I feel like! It’s so much fun! And, to be totally honest, it’s perfect when the quilt front is busy! And, it’s fast! I used Aurifil thread for the quilting and Hobbs 80/20 is in the middle!

This week’s class

This week, at Essem, I taught how to use an Easy Angle Ruler to make this quilt: (same block, different layouts.)

The ladies made a great start on their quilts! The quilts are going to be so different and each will be stunning!

A New Start #1

Have you ever made a Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt? I’ve made several in the past! But for the last few years, I haven’t made one. However, that is going to change this year! I’m going to make the Chilhowie mystery quilt! The first clue came out today and you can access it HERE.

I just might have enough Island Batik scraps to make this quilt! Are you going to join me in making this?

This quilt finishes at 78″ x 78″. If you don’t want to make one that big, just make half of the units that Bonnie suggests.

A New Start #2

Helen Godden, an excellent quilter and teacher is offering a FREE Christmas sew-a-long. If you want to improve your free motion quilting and only spend a few minutes each day – this is a project for YOU! You can access the pattern HERE. Then, starting Dec. 1, watch a daily youtube video on how to quilt it!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

A Trunk Show and Teaching

/ quiltinggail / 21 Comments

This week I taught “Travel Posts” to 2 lovely talented quilters! Travel Posts is in the book Color Block Quilt Making by Elizabeth Chappell. It’s a great book and if you’re looking for quick and easy patterns – this book is for you! Essem may have this book in stock.

This is the quilt I made for the class sample. Simina helped pick out the fabrics: the coloured portions are grunge.

Anyhow, the class participants came very prepared and had their fabric all cut and labelled and were ready to roll! They finished the tops in class! Aren’t they great?

Here’s the 2nd one I did using Island Batik fabrics from the “Mystery Collection” and Island Batik solid grey.

Continue reading →

Sunday Summation: Nov. 13 ’22

/ quiltinggail / 9 Comments

A New Project!

Oh ya!!! I started ANOTHER new project. When my cousin, Connie and I were shopping at the Cloth Shop, we saw these super nifty bowls. I fell in love!!! However, they did not have the pattern in stock. But a couple of weeks later, I was at Chitterchatter fabrics and they had the pattern. Of course I had to buy it! There are 7 different sizes included in the pattern. The pattern is “Goodness Bowl” by Jean Paccagnan. There is even a great youtube video to go with the pattern! And BONUS: Jean Paccagnan is a local designer!!!

I know it’s English Paper Piecing, but if I only sew for about 10 minutes a day, I’ll eventually get it done!

I decided to use some beautiful blue scraps of Island Batik fabric.

Continue reading →

Creative Christmas Stockings

/ quiltinggail / 22 Comments

The first thing I did for this stocking challenge was to find a stocking pattern. I printed it out and I didn’t like I. My husband adjusted it, making the toes larger and I liked it way better!

For my first stocking, I cut out 2 pieces of Hobbs Batting 80/20 and drew lines on it to guide me as I did the striped quilt as you go. I used 2″ strips of each fabric. Prairie Spirit Alpacas/Wool pressing mat made everything lie perfectly flat!

I needed to be careful to ensure that I covered the batting with the fabrics … Jack the ripper came out to play here …

The stockings needed to be trimmed. I used the 1/4” mark on my ruler and worked around my template. (Yes, I used the page from a large calendar for my pattern!)

The 2nd stocking was a crazy patch that I attempted to do as a quilt as you go – but I had drawn too many intersecting lines to make it work … so it became an improvised crazy patch stocking.

I used “Pinecone – Dark Teal” and the red is #121913380 from Season Splendor (Fall/Winter 2019 collection) for the stockings and “Coconut” for the snowflakes. The snowflakes were cut with Accuquilt dies that I borrowed from our guild’s die collection.

Appliqueing the snowflake and marking the stocking for the crazy quilting.

Aurifil Thread # 2021 (Natural White) was used for the applique process. #2692 (Black) was used for quilting, assembly and the hanging tabs.

I wanted a little flange on the cuff – so the red was cut at 1 1/4” and the green at 3.” This made it possible to fold it 3/4” of the green to the inside so that the lining didn’t show. I used Island Batik solid white fabric for the lining.

Here’s the first 2 stockings hanging on my design wall.

I think the stockings look a little more Christmasy pinned to the wood pile! The third stocking is for our grand-dog, Daphne! The larger stockings are 21″ long and Daphne’s is 17″ long.

Thank you!

Disclosure: The fabrics, batting, thread and needles were generously supplied by the following companies: Thank you, Island Batik,  Aurifil Thread,  Hobbs Batting,  Schmetz Needles, Prairie Spirit Alpacas & Accuquilt!!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

It’s in the Bag Challenge: byAnnie

/ quiltinggail / 12 Comments

 

 ByAnnie sent me EVERYTHING I need to make “A Place for Everything 2.0.” The Island Batik fabrics are Humming Bird Nectar, Dots-Multi Blue Green and Honeycomb – Purple, all from the “Bee Kind” fabric collection. (the Bee Kind fabric collection should be available in stores now. I’m loving the fabrics! (I should, I got to pick them out!)

The “A Place for Everything” pattern comes with a coupon for an Add-on Video. These videos were invaluable. They don’t replace the pattern, but they certainly make certain steps a LOT easier!

By Annie patterns come with a label chart on the back. I find that it is extremely important to photocopy this sheet and use it to label EVERYTHING as you cut it. When you do this, there is no second guessing if a piece of fabric is the correct one – it says it on the label!

Here is a picture of most things cut, labelled and pinned on my design wall for easy access. The clear vinyl is not on the design wall as I didn’t want to poke holes in it.

I started with quilting the Humming Bird Nectar fabric and the Dots-Multi Blue Green with Soft & Stable between. 505 spray does not adhere to the Soft & Stable and since I really dislike pins, I used Elmer’s Disappearing Purple glue stick and the fabric stuck like a charm. The fabric was quilted with my walking foot, using a serpentine line, alternating with a straight line. I used Aurifil Thread: #4225 (Eggplant).

Then, I started to assemble the various parts of the bag … following the directions.

Here’s the parts, prior to the bag construction: Most of the zippers are in, the pages, with vinyl and mesh are constructed. The straps are made … all ready for the bag assembly!

I used clips (as suggested in the instructions and videos) and it sure makes sewing the bag together much easier! The clips come off easily and they don’t poke my fingers! {grin}

I was pretty excited when the bag was finally put together! And I’m in LOVE with my “A Place for Everything” bag! I plan to use this bag to store all my ruler quilting rulers!

Things to think about when making ByAnnie bags

  • Read the instructions.
  • Read the instructions AGAIN!
  • Follow the cutting diagrams in the pattern – this is especially important when cutting the mesh fabric!
  • Take your time.
  • Do each step in the order written in the pattern.
  • Watch the add-on videos before starting the bag making process.
  • Watch any other appropriate byAnnie videos.
  • Take your time.
  • Enjoy the process and you will thoroughly enjoy the finished bag!

Thank you!

Disclosure: The fabrics, batting, thread and needles were generously supplied by the following companies: Thank you, Island Batik  Aurifil Thread  ByAnnie & Schmetz Needles !!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Monday Moments Oct. 3’22

/ quiltinggail / 16 Comments

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:

  1. Work on Secret Quilt (The deadline is soon … so it’s almost all I’m working on) √   top is DONE
  2. Winter Branches table runner … I’m making this as a leader & ender … will be teaching it at Essem in November √   top is DONE
  3. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!  √   DONE
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes  not DONE – I wasn’t home

This week’s list:

  1. Finish Secret Quilt
  2. Winter Branches table runner – if I finish Secret Quilt, I’ll work on this!
  3. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  4. 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:

Queen of Gadgets Blog Hop

/ quiltinggail / 76 Comments

Oh me, oh my! What a blog hop this promises to be!!! Gadgets, gadgets, gadgets … I have a few! Do I need to pick just one??? Carol, from Just Let me Quilt, organized this blog hop and I signed up right away!!!

But before I started, I decided that I needed to actually define what a “gadget” is. According to Mirriam-Webster a gadget is “an often small mechanical or electronic device with a practical use but often thought of as a novelty.”

Hmmm, to me, I have always considered a gadget something that makes my quilting easier. Sometimes the “gadget” is electronical, sometimes mechanical, but always is practical and useful. Hence, I’m going with my own definition of “gadget.”

I will show you the gadgets that I used for this project. I doubt this will make me the Queen of Gadgets, but even I was surprised at how many I actually used!

Gadget #1

EQ8

I used EQ8 to design this quilt using Island Batik’s “Pumpkin Spice,” a signature collection for Sarah Fabian, designed by Kathy Engle. I had received a 10″ stack, along with a 2 yard cut of “Celery” (which I used for the background) and a 2 yard cut of “Bluegrass” which I used for the binding.

And yes, just in case you were wondering, I recently upgraded from EQ7 to 8. A tiny learning curve, but lots of features I really really like! Well worth upgrading! Wish I’d done it sooner!

Continue reading →

Using Left-overs!

/ quiltinggail / 14 Comments

I made a quilt for the current Island Batik Blog Hop and I used Studio 180 rulers along with the “Flourish” fabric collection.. You can read about this quilt HERE.

It was a LOT of fun to use the Studio 180 Corner Pop ruler to make this quilt! However there were a LOT of little triangles that were cut off the corners. They were all exactly the same size!

I HAD to do something with them! With no concrete plan in place, I used them as leaders and enders while I finished a few blocks, webbed the quilt and put on the borders.

They became these little 3 3/4″ blocks, with 4 of them shown on my wonderful Prairie Spirit Alpacas Alpaca/Wool mat.

I set them on point with 3 3/4″ squares of Dots-Brown Brownie and used the same fabric for the setting triangles and the borders.

And they became 2 little table toppers that will be used on bedside tables.

Table Topper Stats:

  • Size: 12″ x 17″
  • Batting: Hobbs Batting Thermore
  • Needles: Schmetz Needles: Microtex Chrome: 70/10
  • Thread: Piecing & Quilting: Aurifil Thread #2000 (Light Stand), Binding Aurifil Thread #2372 (Dark Antique Gold)
  • Fabric: Island Batik, all from the Flourish collection. The light orange is Vertical Vine – Orange, the darker orange is Dots-Brown Brownie and the pinwheels are various fabrics from the collection. The binding is a combination of Vertical Vine-Multi Brown and Floral Leaves – Multi Brown.

Disclosure: The fabrics, batting, thread, pressing mat and needles were generously supplied by the following companies: Thank you, Island Batik  Aurifil Thread  Hobbs Batting  Prairie Spirit Alpacas & Schmetz Needles !!

It’s not to late!

Go to Island Batik’s blog to enter the Rafflecopter for your opportunity to win a fat quarter bundle of Honeycomb or Cheers! Click HERE. And, you can also see all of the quilts from this week’s hop!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

Island Batik Tool Talk with Studio 180 Design

/ quiltinggail / 26 Comments

I received this fantastic fabric collection: Flourish by Kathy Engle, along with 2 yards of Dots-Brown Brownie and 2 yards of Vertical Vine-Orange

And the collection of 20 half-yard cuts of Flourish s to be paired with Studio 180’s Corner Pop tool.

I browsed through the Studio 180 Blockbuster blocks for a block that used the Corner Pop ruler, plus some of the other Studio 180 rulers that I have. I found Blockbuster #52, Sparkler and Blockbuster #17, Salem Star. I drew the blocks in EQ, changing them slightly and came up with this quilt:

One requirement is that I use 30 units using the Corner Pop ruler! No problem!!! This quilt has WAY more Corner Pop units! The Salem Star has 160 Corner Pop units and the Sparkler Star has 80 Corner Pop units – for a total of 240 units!

And, of course, true to how I work, the colours in each block would change. This quilt used 18 of the 20 fabrics in this collection on the front. But, knowing how I work, I knew at this point, I would divide the blocks into 2 fabrics and go from there.

Before I started cutting, I visited online instructional videos at Deb Tucker’s Studio 180 Design YouTube channel to learn more about the corner pop ruler. I did not need to review the Tucker Trimmer video or the V-block video as I have used them several times!

I was so excited to get started making the 10 Salem Star blocks that I forgot to take any pictures! {groan} Let me tell you, there was a LOT of trimming, but I must admit, the points came together perfectly! And, if you know me at all – perfection is not my claim to fame!

I used a lot of the Vertical Vine-Orange in each block, with Dots-Brown Brownie in the corners and the border.

Here’s the 10 Salem Star blocks completed:

Here I am, using the Corner Pop ruler to cut the large corner of the Sparkler block. The Vertical Vine-Orange looks very faded in these to pictures.

Here is the Prairie Spirit Alpaca / Wool mat making pressing the blocks perfect! Using the mat and trimming the blocks makes for perfect blocks! I’m amazed!

This picture shows a truer colour of the Vertical Vine-Orange. As well, it shows the completed corner using the V-block ruler. And pressing on the Prairie Spirit Alpaca/Wool mat = crisp seams!

The 2nd trim on this block … looks like I need to adjust the ruler just a smidge!

More trimming! The first picture is using the Tucker Trimmer ruler and the second picture is using the Corner Pop ruler.

Swirling those centers of the pinwheel block. I love the look of the tiny pinwheels and I really LOVE the ease with quilting over that area without dealing with lumpy seams!

Here is a close-up of some of the quilting. All quilting is done on my domestic Janome M7.

Here is the completed quilt with Floral Leaves-Brown for the binding.

Quilt Stats:

When I make Island Batik Blog Hop quilts, I attempt to use ALL 20 fabrics in the quilt. Well, there were a couple of orange fabrics that blended in too much with the background and corner triangles, so I used them on the back, with a few other fabrics from the collection!

Here’s a close-up of the quilting from the back:

A Give-away!

I’m giving away this little bundle of fabric that is left-over from making the quilt. If you live in Canada and would like to receive this bundle, leave a comment or email me. In your comment (or email) tell me what you might make with the fabric … At the end of the Blog Hop, I will put all of the names in a hat and my husband will draw the winning name.

Visit the other Blog Hoppers!

Week 1:

September 6

Gail Renna, Quilt Haven Threads

Michelle Roberts, Creative Blonde Gifts

September 7

Sandra Starley, Textile Time Travels

Jennifer Thomas, Curlicue Creations

September 8

Brenda Alburl, Songbird Designs

Jennifer Fulton, Inquiring Quilter

WEEK 2

September 12

Lisa Pickering, Lisa’s Quilting Passion

Suzy Webster, Websterquilt

September 13

Denise Looney, For the Love of Geese

Gail Sheppard, Quilting Gail

September 14

Preeti Harris, Sew Preeti Quilts

Connie Kauffman, Kauffman Designs

September 15

Megan Best, Bestquilter

Maryellen McAuliffe, Mary Mack Made Mine

September 16

Visit Island Batik’s Blog Hop Round-Up Week 2 and Giveaway

WEEK 3

September 19

Elizabeth DeCroos, Epida Studio

Jane Hauprich, Stitch by Stitch Custom Quilting

September 20

Emily Leachman, The Darling Dogwood

Andi Stanfield, True Blue Quilts

September 21

Leah Malasky, Quilted Delights

Claudia Porter, Create with Claudia

September 22

Mania Hatziioannidi, Mania for Quilts

Reed Johnson, Blue Bear Quilts

September 23

Visit Island Batik’s Blog Hop Week 3 Round Up + giveaway

WEEK 4

September 26

Pamela Boatright, Pamela Quilts

September 27

Anorina Morris, Samelia’s Mum

Brianna Roberts, Sew Cute and Quirky

September 28

Visit Island Batik’s Blog Hop + Final Round Up

Thank you!

Disclosure: The fabrics, batting, thread, pressing mat and needles were generously supplied by the following companies: Thank you, Island Batik  Aurifil Thread  Hobbs Batting  Prairie Spirit Alpacas & Schmetz Needles !!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Monday Moments: Sept 5, 2022

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Look at this beautiful Naturescape pre-cut that I received from Island Batik! Along with 2 yards of Glacier and 2 yards of Large Netting-Pineneedle. PLUS, 4 spools of Aurifil Thread:

  • 50 wt: #4250: Variegated Flamingo
  • 50 wt: #2890: Very Dark Grass Green
  • 40 wt: # 2410: Pale Pink
  • 40 wt: # 2770: Very light Delft

I’m dreaming of what wonderful quilt I can design with these beauties!!!

And, I also received this stack of fabrics “Positively Pink,” Breast Cancer Awareness with coordinating yardage for the Pinktober Blog Hop.

Island Batik Tool Time Blog Hop

Here is this week’s fabric collections and blogs:

September 6

September 7

Sandra Starley, Textile Time Travels

Jennifer Thomas, Curlicue Creations

September 8

Brenda Alburl, Songbird Designs

Jennifer Fulton, Inquiring Quilter

September 9

Visit Island Batik’s blog to see all of this week’s projects in one place!

You could win!!

This week, you have an opportunity to win a fat-quarter bundle of “Bee Kind” or “Baroque.” Both collections are absolutely beautiful!

a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

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 – Aug: 209 / 242
  • Sept:  4 / 4
  • Total:  203 / 236
  • Percentage = 86% 

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!

No finishes since my last update! No shopping.

  • Fabric Used since the last report    0  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       75 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:    14 yards 
  • Net Fabric used:                61 yards 

To Do

Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is hosting “To Do” every week.

The To Do list from a few weeks ago:

  1. Quilt Island Batik’s September project √   DONE
  2. Finish dealing with scraps from Island Batik’s September project   √   DONE
  3. Work on project for “Get on Board with Sewing” Blog Hop   √   DONE
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!  √   DONE
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes √   DONE

This week’s list:

  1. Complete Island Batik’s September Blog Hop post
  2. Write “Get on Board with Sewing” Blog Hop post
  3. Start Pinktober’s project
  4. Work on “Queen of Gadgets” blog hop project
  5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  6. 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.

Piecing:

  1. Working with 10″ squares from Pinktober’s project

Quilting:

Nothing being quilted at the moment.

Upcoming Blog Hops

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

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Monday Moments: Aug 29 ’22

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Monthly Colour Challenge

This month, it’s Cinnamon! I LOVE Cinnamon … And these luscious fabrics from Island Batik just sing Cinnamon!!!

This pattern is free until the end of the month … so hurry … you can get it HERE: Patterns by Jen.

Here are all 8 of my blocks:

I don’t have a lot of “Cinnamon” quilts, but this one, using the Island Batik Evergreen & Pine collection is one that was made for the Island Batik catalogue. You can see it HERE. It’s the Fall/Winter 2021 catalogue & the quilt is called “In the Woods.” It is free motion quilted on my domestic sewing machine with Aurifil Thread and Hobbs Batting 80/20.

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 – July: 185 / 218
  • August:  28 / 28
  • Total:  199 / 232
  • 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!

I finished these projects since the last update:

  • the 3 yard quilt … 3 yards for the front, 3 for the back & half a yard for binding …
  • the retreat bag (for the See ya Later Blog Hop) … used half a yard
  • The left-over Carolina Christmas blocks used 6 yards
  • Fabric Used since the last report    13  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       75 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:    14 yards 
  • Net Fabric used                 61 yards 

To Do

Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is hosting “To Do” every week.

The To Do list from a few weeks ago:

  1. Sandwich Island Batik’s September project √   DONE
  2. Quilt:  3 Yard Quilt √   DONE
  3. Work on project for “See Ya Later” Blog Hop √   DONE
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!  √   DONE
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes √   DONE

This week’s list:

  1. Quilt Island Batik’s September project
  2. Finish dealing with scraps from Island Batik’s September project (can’t let them go to waste!)
  3. Work on project for “Get on Board with Sewing” Blog Hop (I have a plan!)
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

Design Wall

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

Piecing:

  1. Work with scraps from Island Batik’s September project (Sorry, no pictures!)
  2. Work on project for “Get on Board with Sewing” Blog Hop (Sorry, no pictures!)

Quilting:

  1. Island Batik’s September project (sorry no picture!)

Upcoming Blog Hops

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

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Friday Finishes

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I don’t have anything new that is finished … but I have had a couple of finishes in the last week or so.

The first finish was my July Island Batik project that used the Accuquilt Tree of Life Block on Board. The 73 pieces of the block can be cut in one run through of the die. But of course, I had to do it differently and make it scrappy. You can read more about the quilt at this BLOG POST.

I must admit that I am very pleased with how this quilt turned out.

Yes, this quilt used Island Batik fabrics, Hobbs batting and Aurifil thread for the quilting.

Oh, and Cheryl at Meadow Mist Designs hosts a favourite quilt of the month linky party, and this happens to be mine!

My 2nd finish is my post for the UFO blog hop. This kit had been languishing in my “To Do” box and was on my UFO list both last year and this! You can read about it HERE. Here’s a picture:

Monthly Colour Challenge

Jen, of Patterns by Jen holds a monthly colour challenge. This month’s challenge is purple.

Here is my purple block, made with the rich colours of Island Batik fabrics!

And all of my 7 blocks so far for this year … I think it will be a very pretty quilt when it’s finished!

I don’t have a lot of purple quilts … but these are a few that I’ve done in the past couple of years.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

UFO Blog Hop

/ quiltinggail / 37 Comments

This blog hop came from the creative mind of Joan at Moose Stash Quilting!

Many of us have lots of UFOs ! These are known in the quilting world at UnFinished Objects. In the past I had over 100 UFOs. I thought I only had 80-something, but I kept finding more and more! On my blog, I run a PHD in (the year). PHD stands for Projects Half Done, but is a cute play on the academic PhD. The idea is to complete at least 12 UFOs and finish every project you start that year. This Blog Hop fits nicely into my PHD in 2022 and I managed to get another UFO finished!

One of my UFOs on the list was called “Kit – Narrows.” This was a Row by Row kit from Fiber Lilly in St. John’s, Newfoundland. I bought the kit 5 years ago when my husband and I were there. Fiber Lilly is a lovely quilt store, and one I would frequent if I lived nearby!

I know that I’ve been frequently known to call applique “CR-APplique.” I have hated applique. But, I am determined to do more and hopefully, one day, I might even like it!

I used Hobbs Thermore for the batting. It is a thin polyester batting that is low loft and does not beard. I find it is perfect for small projects!

Here is the quilt, after the pieces were fused on and before the quilting.

Then, it needed quilting and the button houses attached. The land, and boat were all outlined with an applique stitch. I did a large meander for the clouds in the sky and waves in the water. The iceberg is easy to see, but can you spot the whale’s tale?

I took my time with the quilting and used the following Aurifil Threads:

  • # 5004 – Grey Smoke (land, whale & motor)
  • # 2311 – Muslin (Iceberg, boat, fisherman)
  • # 4655 – Storm @ Sea – variegated (sky)
  • # 4669 – Stonewash Blues – variegated (water and binding)

In my latest Island Batik box, I received a lovely pressing mat from Prairie Spirit Alpacas. I’ll talk more about it in a future post, but I LOVED using it !

Visit the other UFO bloggers:

Monday July 25

Tuesday July 26

Wednesday July 27

Thursday July 28

Friday July 29

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Christmas in July with Accuquilt

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Here’s what Island Batik told us about this challenge:

AccuQuilt just launched its exciting GO! Tree of Life Block on Board Die! This die assists quilters in quickly cutting the seventy-three pieces needed to create a 3-color, 14” traditional tree of life (also known as the tree of paradise) quilt block after one pass through a fabric cutter. The GO! Tree of Life Die was specially designed with no y-seams – making it accessible to quilters of all skill levels. There is no need to cut all the pieces by hand or use multiple dies to create this popular quilt block.

When you finish, AccuQuilt would like you to give the project you have made to someone you know who needs a little joy or donate it to a charity of your choosing to gift it to someone. When gifting the completed project, be sure to take photos, so this moment of kindness and love can be shared on social media!

Here is a picture of some of the purples cut with the Accuquilt Tree of Life die:

All of the Island Batik Ambassadors received an Pressing Mat from Prairie Spirit Alpacas. I used it to press everything as I made this quilt. The Alpaca/Wool mat made the seams crisp and perfect!

And here’s a couple of pictures of the quilting in progress. I used Silly Moon rulers for a lot of the quilting. The left hand picture shows me using the 8″ Beanie ruler and the right hand picture is some border quilting using “Rocket”. The burgundy “thing” is called “Dude” and is perfect for measuring exactly where the ruler needs to sit. Aurifil Thread #2600 (Dove) was used for the quilting.

For a unique photo shoot, we went to Redwood Park here in Surrey. Here’s what the City of Surrey says about the park:

The unique forest found at Redwood Park is a legacy of Peter and David Brown, twin brothers born to one of Surrey’s earliest pioneering families. In 1893, their father gifted them this large plot of land, logged and ripe for farming.
However, the brothers instead filled the vast space with their favourite trees from all around the world. Fully committed to their forest sanctuary, the eccentric duo built a treehouse where they lived in solitude until their deaths in 1949 and 1958.
Today, a replica of their treehouse stands in the centre of the park.

A picture of the quilt at the treehouse.

And under the Treehouse:

And in the Fairy Forest:

My finished quilt is being mailed to a dear friend of mine. I would LOVE to be able to hug her in person, but that is not possible at this time.

Quilt Stats:

  • Size: 49.5″ x 49.5″
  • Fabric: Scraps of Island Batik from many collections along with Solid White. The purple tree and the binding used Roast.
  • Hobbs Batting 80/20 Natural
  • Aurifil Thread #2600 – 50 wt – (Dove) was used for the quilting and piecing // #2360 – 40 wt: (Chocolate) was used for the binding
  • Piecing, Quilting and Binding done on my Janome M7

Too many HST!

Yes, I made too many half-square triangles … I did not figure out how many I needed for the borders and I certainly did not count how many I made!

So, I made this little zipper bag …

Thank you!

Disclosure: The items needed to make this quilt were generously supplied by the following companies: Thank you, Island Batik  Aurifil Thread  Hobbs Batting, Accuquilt, Schmetz Needles and Prairie Spirit Alpacas !!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

No finishes today … just quilting

/ quiltinggail / 8 Comments

I’m still quilting my July Island Batik project … just working on the border with Silly Moon “Rocket” ruler and “dude” to ensure its lined up properly! I’m using Aurifil thread (2600 – Dove) and you can see Hobbs 80/20 batting poking out!

I was Featured

Jennifer featured this sweet panel from last week. You can read about it HERE.

Andrée / Free Motion Mavericks featured my Pop Star Quilt. For more details read this POST.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

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