BLOG HOP

PHD in 2020: October 1 Report

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UFOs

I haven’t finished any UFOs this month … Scrappy Repro is close … but it’s still a UFO and it’s still NOT finished.

Here’s a recap of the UFOs I’ve completed this year! There’s a total of 15, but some of them turned into 2 or 3 quilts (Dog/cat and Florabunda) … but they counted as 1.

New Starts

  1. I’m hosting a mystery quilt for our guild … so of course, I can’t show you that until they have all the clues.
  2. A couple more Island Batik projects … which I will show you when the time is right!
  3. “From the Heart” blog hop is later this month, and that project is still a WHIMM (Work Hidden in My Mind)
  4. Meadow Mist Designs Morewood Mystery

Linky Party

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party! Show your PHD progress.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
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Favourite Finish of the Month

I was going to link up to Cheryl at Meadow Mist Designs for my Favourite Finish for September. At the time this is going live, I don’t see her link … I’m going to post it anyways and will link up when it’s available!

This purse, pattern byAnnie, is my favourite!!! I also think this is my favourite purse EVER!!! I’ve been using it a lot! It has tons of pockets and I’m able to keep everything organized! You can read about it HERE. This purse was made for the Island Batik blog hop “It’s in the Bag.”

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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Linking to:

Last Monday in September!

/ quiltinggail / 9 Comments

I just feel like I haven’t gotten a lot done this month … but that is probably because I was away for almost 2 weeks!

3 Housekeeping / Updating things

First

Did you see my post about when we were visiting friends who live off-grid in the wilds of British Columbia? I showed a picture of a quilt being made by one of the girls. I thought she was at least 14 or 15 … and it turns out she’s actually 13!!!! WOW!! Oh to be able to quilt at that level, using scissors (no rotary cutter) is amazing. You can see the post HERE.

Continue reading →

Holidays: Part 3: Alpacas

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That’s right! Alpacas! We visited a dear friend, Carmen, I’ve known her for ages and ages … she has an alpaca farm … just a few alpacas! It was a ton of fun! Her farm is called Prairie Spirit Alpacas,

Every single alpaca has a name! I can remember a few of the names, but Georgia is the only one I can identify! She’s the one with the spots on her. We were in the barn and it was feeding time for the gals and young gents that need extra food.

Each one has a different face and expression! I don’t think they liked me very much – many of their ears were back. And some of them looked at me as if to say, “who are you?”

I hope you enjoy the slide show … and can you pick out Georgia??? And to make this about quilting … look at all the various neutrals in their fleece!

The alpaca fleece is very soft – especially from the young. One thing I love about alpaca fleece is that it is hypoallergenic. AND, it’s warmer than sheep’s wool. Now if you’re interested in trying any alpaca products, from Prairie Spirit Alpacas, put “Gail” in the purchase code and you will receive a 10% discount! I’ll be putting in an order for some socks for my cold feet!

Continue reading →

Holidays Part 2: Shopping

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Ah yes, shopping. While we were visiting my sister in Edmonton, we just happened to visit a couple of quilt stores!

Our first stop was Quincy’s Quilting in Leduc (just south of Edmonton). I bought a couple of rulers and no fabric. And yes, there was a lovely sleepy dachshund in the store!

At Lori’s Country Cottage I bought a few Studio 180 rulers and my husband bought some fabric … I didn’t buy any fabric. Do you remember in August, for the Island Batik challenge, I used the “Four Patch Square Up” ruler and how much I LOVED it? (see HERE) Well, I bought 4 more Studio 180 rulers. I can’t wait until I’m able to play with them!!!

Design Wall

Piecing:

I finished all the blocks that I need for the Scrappy Repro quilt. And here’s some of the blocks – ready to be organized into groups to start sewing them together.

Quilting: 

I’m working on October’s Island Batik challenge (sorry, no pictures, yet)!

Stash Report

SS yellow

No finishes, but my husband bought fabric from the sale area at one of the quilt stores. He rationalized it all. The red might be enough for a backing, the bug fabric will go in the quilt he’s planning (for me to make) and the green is to add to my stash because he thinks I need more green). I think he is an enable-er.

  • Fabric Used this week      0 yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        261 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      35 yards
  • Net Fabric used                    237.5  yards
  • Husband’s purchases: 11.5 yards

Stitchin’ Time

On Sept. 6, I stated that I had stitched 13 out of 13 days in September … that was SEW incorrect! Impossible to stitch for 13 days when only 6 days had passed … it should have read “6 / 6“!!!

I only sewed one day while we were away.

  • January – July: 239 / 243
  • 30 min days/  Sept:   10 / 20
  • Total days in 2020: 249 / 263
  • Percentage = 94% 

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

TO DO 

I’m linking up to Roseanne & Sue’s “TO DO” Tuesday. Their blog is “Home Sewn by Us.”

2 week’s ago list:

  1. Work on Scrappy Repro √   done
  2. Welcome Fall project √   done
  3. Work on Oct. Island Batik project √   done
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.  √   done

This week’s list:

  1. Work on Scrappy Repro
  2. Work on Oct. Island Batik project
  3. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.  

No changes from the last report …

BLOG HOP

This is Week 3 of a delightful blog hop. So many projects that are not quilts, but are using Island Batik’s wonderful amazing fabrics! Make sure you visit the other Island Batik Ambassadors that are showing their byAnnie creations! 

WEEK 3

September 21

Carolina Asmussen

Sandra Walker

September 22

Jennifer Fulton

Pamela Boatright

Jennifer Strauser

September 23

Denise Looney

Maryellen McAuliffe

September 24

Megan Best

Jennifer Thomas

For your opportunity to win some AWESOME fabrics – a fat quarter pack of Urbanization or Nouveau Soul check out the Rafflecoper at Island Batik’s blog.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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Linking to:

Holidays … Part 1: off grid

/ quiltinggail / 29 Comments

Yes, HOLIDAYS! We loaded up the camper and went to northern BC and then over to Alberta … I’ll tell you more about a few of the visits in future blog posts, but this is about our first stop …

Off Grid

We visited some friends that live in the wilds of northern British Columbia and they are off-grid. We had a wonderful time. They have a parcel of land and have homesteaded and … well, it’s just great. If you want to know more, visit their website or youtube channel and watch some of their videos …

An exciting part for me was Christina and her quilt. (I forgot to ask, but I think she’s about 14 or 15). She has an electric sewing machine (they have power from solar panels) and she is making a quilt for one of her sisters. This is the first quilt she has made. No rotary cutter … totally cut with scissors … What a LOT of work!!!

The pictures were taken with natural light from outside … Here’s a closeup of the piecing … I was in awe!!! Where the pieces are suppose to meet up – they are PERFECT!

Here is a picture of Christina – about to measure the width of the quilt because she wants to add borders to make it bigger.

I can’t wait to see the finished quilt!

It’s in the Bag Blog Hop

Week 2 of the blog hop is finished! What an awesome week with many wonderful bags! To see all the bags, go to this POST and follow all the links.

Go HERE to have an opportunity to win some AWESOME Island Batik Fabric!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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Linking to:

It’s in the Bag Blog Hop

/ quiltinggail / 44 Comments
 

This month’s Island Batik challenge is to make a ByAnnie bag. There are SEW many bags to choose from and I choose the “Bowl Me Over 2.0” bag.

When I did my unboxing video from Island Batik in July, the kit to make this bag was in the box. (You can see the video HERE.) Annie had picked out the Island Batik fabric from the Deco Revival fabric collection. Everything to make the bag was included: Soft and Stable batting, the hardware, zippers, mesh, elastic and webbing … Everything I needed to make the bag. There was also a coupon with the pattern to access the videos to assist in making the bag. Here are the fabrics from the Deco Revival collection that I was to use:

Deco Revival is shipping to stores now!!! It’s a wonderful line of fabric … can’t you just imagine all the wonderful bags and quilts you could make with it?

The Bag

Here’s a picture of the kit that was in my box!

UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_38c0 When I make bags, I usually end up doing my own thing … but I needed to follow directions with this one.

Making the Bag

The instructions first told us to print out a sheet with labels on it to keep all of our cut fabrics organized.  WOW!! Am I glad I did that!  It helped a LOT!

Before I cut the coordinating fabric, I needed to decide what I wanted for handles.  I choose Option 1 which gives me an over the shoulder strap along with short handles.  It was fantastic to be able to choose how I would carry the bag!  We all carry our bags differently and have our favourite ways!

I quilted the fabric with Soft and Stable (byAnnie) between 2 batik fabrics. The pattern suggested either straight lines or quilt as desired.  Of course, I chose to do my own thing and quilted lines that sort-of followed the fabric. Aurifil #4225, a purple that came in my July box, was used for the quilting.

As I followed the cutting directions, I carefully labeled each piece, using hair clips to hold each label on.  There are a LOT of pieces and the labelling was both a life saver and a time saver!  A life saver because I didn’t become frustrated with which piece was which! And a time saver because I could identify each piece easily as I followed the pattern.

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One of the inside pockets gave me the choice of using fabric or mesh.  Well, since I had never sewn with mesh fabric before and I like the idea of seeing what’s in the pocket, I chose the mesh. For that pocket, I used Aurifil #2625 – Grey – to match the grey zipper.

As I followed the pattern, each of the components were made as directed.

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Finally, I was able to put the bag together.  Using clips was a great way to go.  As you can see in the photo below, I used a couple of hair clips (on the right) because I had run out of the “cool” clips.  The hair clips easily popped off.   I obviously need to get some more “cool” clips!

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Schmetz Super Nonstick 80/12 was used.  It was the perfect needle, especially at the end when I was sewing through 6 layers of batik and 3 layers of Soft & Stable.

Then the bag was done!

The Front View … the flap at the front has a magnet closure and it’s nice and strong!

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The Back View … there is a nice roomy pocket with a zipper.

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The mesh pocket inside  is large enough to hold my iPad!

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The pocket with fold-over elastic is in 3 sections … will be perfect for my phone, reading glasses and a small notepad …

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I LOVE it!

I had some fabric left over … SEW … I made a couple of coordinating masks using by Annie’s free mask pattern.  The mask on the left was made with the alternate fabric for the inside pocket (where I used mesh).  Annie’s mask pattern is a different from the usual pleated masks … there is a small pleat at the bottom which helps the mask fit better.

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Questions:

  • Would I make this bag again?  Absolutely!  Even though I’m not a great bag maker, it was made and I’m very happy with it!
  • Was it hard?  It was challenging for me.  However, the videos that Annie provides for the difficult, or more challenging steps, made those sections a lot easier.
  • Did I like “Soft and Stable?”  Yes.  It was easy to use and it gives the bag fantastic body!
  • Was the mesh hard to put in?  Absolutely not … Annie has a unique way (to me) of inserting zippers and it was easy peasy!
  • Do I have any suggestions for someone who is thinking of making this bag?  Yes … go to ByAnnie’s website and make the free pattern, “Easy Does It.”  I watched a lot of the videos for this bag as I was making my Bowl Me Over 2.0 and it helped tremendously.
  • Would I make another byAnnie pattern?  YES!!  I already have the patterns for “Running with Scissors,” “Take a Stand,”  “Easy Does It,” and “Clam Up.”   Obviously, ByAnnie’s patterns appealed to me prior to making the “Bowl Me Over 2.0” bag!

Disclaimer:  All products used for this bag were provided by Island Batik and the industry partners: byannie, Aurifil and Schmetz needles.

BLOG HOP

Make sure you visit the other Island Batik Ambassadors that are showing their byAnnie creations!  It’s a wonderful blog hop!

WEEK 1

September 8:  Buttercup

 

Suzy Webster  

 

Janet Yamamoto

 

 

September 9Deco Revival

 

Michelle Roberts  

 

Gail Sheppard   YOU are HERE

 

 

September 10Floralicious

 

Sharon Riley

 

Alison Vermilya

 

 

 

September 11

Visit Island Batik’s blog for a Round-up of the projects and your opportunity to win a giveaway!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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Family Zoom Quilting!

/ quiltinggail / 14 Comments

Yes! We Zoomed again … although it was only Terry and I quilting. Cousin Connie felt she needed to be outside in her garden and at the lake (can you blame her?) and my sister, Lynn was not feeling well, but she did visit with us from time to time.

I finished my “Hello Fall” project! So you’ll see that during the “Hello Fall” Blog Hop … my day is Sept 22. And if you ask me, it’s just stinking cute!

The other project I worked on was the “Scrappy Repro” UFO … I managed to finish up all the blocks and decided on a layout where I won’t have to match seams. Yup, I know that’s being lazy – but I’m not totally in love with this project any more, so it’s just got to be DONE.

Here’s a picture of my blocks in progress today!

Continue reading →

Christmas in July Then & Now Blog Hop

/ quiltinggail / 54 Comments

The Blog Hop

Carol from Just Let Me Quilt has organized this blog hop.  It is to feature quilts from “Then” or from “Now” or both.  Make sure you wander through the blogs and see how things have changed (or not) from Then and Now.

THEN

Years ago, I took a paper piecing class to do this quilt.  There was NOTHING said about needing prior paper piecing experience.    It’s not a large quilt, so I had hoped that it would be done in a couple of days.  The teacher laughed at me and said that even she couldn’t finish it in a couple of days.   It is a pretty complex pattern for a beginner!

And she was right – it took me several years (working on it in short bursts of time) to finish it.   The fabrics were in a kit and there was not enough of the background fabric, so I had to take out some of the piecing and replace it with a different fabric.  But it got done & I LOVE it!IMG_1256

NOW

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The snowman table runner was a free pattern from Vicki’s Crafts and Quilting.  and the towels were embroidered with free patterns from Little Santa and Redwork Snowman from Kreative Kiwi.

IMG_5841And yes, I did make the snowman previously with Island Batik fabrics and you can see it HERE.

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And I’ve already shown you my Island Batik “Christmas in July” project.  You can read more about it HERE.

Make sure you check out the other blogs that are participating in this blog hop!  There is LOTS of Christmas eye candy!  You will see mice, Santas, Christmas trees, stockings, quilts, FREE patterns, perhaps a give-away or two and more …. much much more!  Perhaps you’ll be inspired to start on something for Christmas.

July 27

July 28

July 29

July 30

July 31

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!   
Gail 

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Stitching Sunshine

/ quiltinggail / 70 Comments
A while ago, Carla from Creatin’ in the Sticks mentioned a Stitching Sunshine Blog Hop.
She said, “It’s time for some sunshine in many ways.”  I agreed and emailed her that I’d like to participate.  This Blog Hop starts today!
Here is my “Sunshine Quilt”
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This was a pattern from an OLD Quiltmaker magazine, March/April 2007.  The designer is Robin Applegarth.
A friend of mine (Diane) made 2 or 3 of these quilts and was working on them at a retreat YEARS ago.  I fell in love with the quilts and knew I needed to make one in the future.  This blog hop was the PERFECT time to make this quilt.
I changed the pattern a little … but I basically followed the directions.
STATS:
  • This quilt was made from a variety of Island Batik fabrics …
    • “Coconut” is the background fabric.
    • The yellow sun is “Butter”
    • the orange part of the sun is “Nasturtium basics.”
    • the squares were from a variety of different Island Batik fabric collections.
  • Several different Aurifil threads were used.
  • Hobbs 80/20 batting.
  • I used the 2½” strip die for the Accuquilt Go! cutter to cut most of the 2½” squares.

Blog Hop

Make sure you visit my fellow “Stitching Sunshine” Blog Hopper … I know you’ll see some beautiful sunshine quilts!
Thank you Carla for organizing the blog hop!
And Thank you to the following for providing materials to make this quilt.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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The Start of a New Week

/ quiltinggail / 19 Comments

Island Batik “Ultimate Home Decor Blog Hop”

This is the last week!

Visit  Gail Renna ~ Quilt Haven Threads to see what she’s made for the final day!

You have an opportunity to win some fabulous fabric!  This is a FQ pack of Wonderland, designed by the talented Kathy Engle!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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Winnie the Pooh Sew-a-long

Are you interested in a Winnie the Pooh Sew-a-long?  Want to join me as I make this quilt?  I emailed Lorna (the designer) about hosting a Sew-a-long and she said, “Sounds fine with me Gail! I would love to have you host a quilt along featuring them.”

SEW … I’m thinking of starting on Monday, June 8.  That will give you (and me) 2 weeks to pull fabric or go shopping.  I’m thinking that if we do one character a day or every 2 days … we’ll be finished in just over a week.    I’m not 100% sure, because I haven’t made any of them yet … But I plan to start on June 8.

Lorna emailed me today to say that the pattern has been updated … so, if you downloaded it before, you may want to download it again as there is an update.    You can access the pattern HERE. (scroll down the page).  There are 3 sizes to choose from.  Your choice as to which size you choose.

If you haven’t visited “Sew Fresh Quilts,” you are in for a pleasant surprise of LOTS of cute, cute quilts!

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Finishes

I finished 2 quilts today … Florabunda #2 & #3.  These count as one UFO finish.  I know … with all 3 Florabunda quilts completed, it should count as 3 UFOs … but it’s only May and that leaves me with one more UFO to finish to accomplish my UFO goal for PHD in 2020!

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Florabunda #2 and #3 were quilted with swirls … lots of swirls … large swirls, medium swirls and small swirls … they were both pretty quick to quilt!  Hobbs 80/20 is the batting and Aurifil #2309 was the thread.

I don’t know what I was thinking when I started this quilt.  Yes, I wanted to use up floral fabric, but … I ended up with 140 blocks … enough to make 2 quilts that are 6 x 8 blocks and one that is 6 x 7 blocks.

Here are all 3 Florabunda on the clothesline …  fullsizeoutput_cd9

Florabunda is a free pattern from Bonnie Hunter and you can access it HERE.

Design Wall

Piecing:

I’m still working on the baby quilt and the big brother quilt.  I changed my mind and the baby quilt is a UFO that needs to be finished.  Big brother quilt is in progress with these fabrics.
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Can you guess what this will be?  It’s part of my June Island Batik challenge.  I’m using the “Kismet” fabric collection, designed by Tammy Silvers of Tamarinis.  Doesn’t the black make the colours pop?

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Quilting:

I hope to sandwich the UFO baby quilt and Big Brother quilt and get them quilted SOON!

TO DO 

I’m linking up to Roseanne & Sue’s “TO DO” Tuesday. Their blog is “Home Sewn by Us.”

Last week’s list:

  1. Finish the 2 new quilts!      not done … in progress
  2. Finish Quilting Florabunda #2    √   done:  #3 is done as well You can see them above
  3. Piece June’s Island Batik project    not done … in progress

This week’s list:

  1. Finish the Baby UFO
  2. Finish Big Brother
  3. Finish piecing June’s Island Batik project

Stash Report

SS yellow

Florabunda – all 3 quilts used approximately 24 yards!!!

  • Fabric Used this week       24  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        169 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      9.5
  • Net Fabric used                    159.5  yards

Stitchin’ Time

I am aiming for 30 minutes/day – at least!  I switched from 15 minutes / day to 30 minutes/day in April!

  • 15 minute days:  January – Apr. 120 / 121
  • 30 min days/  May – 24 / 24
  • Total days in 2020:  144 / 145
  • Percentage = 99% 

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

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With the finish of Florabunda … that leaves 1 UFO to finish for my PHD in 2020.   Somehow, I think I will finish more than 12 UFOs this year!

Screen Shot 2020-05-24 at 9.50.22 PMOne who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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Linking to:

 

Monday’s Studio Update …

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Ultimate Home Decor Blog Hop

Is still happening!!  Lots of beautiful projects coming from wonderful fabric collections!

Two people have an opportunity to win fabric … either a FQ pack of Smooch or Sundance.  Both are pretty awesome!!!  Click on the Rafflecopter giveaway link below.

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here’s the links for this week’s blogs:

May 18
Joanne Hart ~ Unicorn Harts
Jennifer Thomas ~ Curlicue Creations
May 19
Mania Hatziioannidi ~ Mania for Quilts
Sally Manke ~ Sally Manke
May 20
Jennifer Fulton ~ Inquiring Quilter
Jennifer Strauser ~ Dizzy Quilter
May 21
Sharon Riley ~ Sew Riley Designs
Alison Vermilya ~ Little Bunny Quilts
May 25
Gail Renna ~ Quilt Haven Threads

Finishes

I have 2 finishes this week!!!

Florabunda #1 is quilted, label on and binding complete! This is the one with blue floral fabrics.

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The 2nd finish is the Guild’s Ugly Fabric where I used the fabric on the left,  following this YouTube Video.

It was a fun and fast quilt to make!

The hardest part was laying out the blocks so that the same fabric didn’t touch!

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Design Wall

Piecing:

I need to make 2 quilts. One for a baby born about 2 weeks ago and another for the baby’s big brother.  I’m using these fabrics … one of the quilts will have half square triangles.  Hopefully, I can show you the quilts next week!UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_380a

Quilting:

Florabunda Quilt # 2 is in progress …

TO DO 

I’m linking up to Roseanne & Sue’s “TO DO” Tuesday. Their blog is “Home Sewn by Us.”

Last week’s list:

I feel like I got a lot done!

  1. Finish quilting Scrappy Squares     √   done:  You can see it HERE.
  2. Finish Island Batik May project      √   done:  You can see it HERE.
  3. Sandwich Florabunda quilts            √   done:  One is even quilted!
  4. Start June Island Batik project – maybe …

This week’s list:

  1. Finish the 2 new quilts!
  2. Finish Quilting Florabunda #2
  3. Piece June’s Island Batik project

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One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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Linking to:

 

Cool to Be Square Blog Hop

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Carol, from Just Let Me Quilt is hosting “It’s Cool to be Square” Blog Hop!

Yes, another blog Hop.  This one is fun … all about Squares!

When I was thinking about this blog hop, I was thinking about quilts with squares … what can be more square than a Disappearing 9 Patch? And I need a baby quilt for a baby to be born in the future!

UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_37feSo …  I looked through my “kids” box and came up with this fabric.  I think I had a Disappearing 9 patch in mind when I bought it.

When I started cutting the squares, I got cross with myself!  First, when I bought the fabric, I obviously wasn’t thinking about how these panels are rarely square.  This one proved it.  Second, as I cut the squares, they came out at “stupid” size.  Who in their right mind wants to cut squares that are 4 3/8″ … no one.  Certainly not me!

However, I wanted to use this fabric and so I persevered, cutting each little block at 4 3/8″.   The green became the centre block, the animals were in the 4 corners and the yellow was the middle blocks.  (Sorry, I forgot to take a picture.)  When the blocks were all made, they were cut in half, horizontally and vertically.  Then arranged on the design wall, webbed together and sewn into a top.LBGxAUQRSt6gvOa5ORDJTg_thumb_3805

I know that some eagle eyes will notice that the binding is not completed on the lower right corner of the quilt … I like to sew the label into the binding, but I can’t make the label until the baby is born … it’ll be a quick finish once I have the baby’s details!

It was a fun quilt to quilt!  Each animal was outlined and then micro-stippled around it.  The blocks were all stitched in the ditch.  The green blocks had orange peels around them.  Swirls were stitched in all the yellow areas.

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Here is the schedule of the blogs involved in the “Cool to be Square” blog hop!

May 18

Creatin’ in the Sticks

Life in the Scrapatch

Day Brook Designs

Songbird Designs

The Darling Dogwood

Kathleen McMusing

Quilting Gail   This is me!!!   You are already here!

May 19

MooseStashQuilting

Beaquilter

Quilt In A Not-Shell

Elizabeth Coughlin Designs

Seams To Be Sew

Daughters of Dorinda

Kathy’s Kwilts and More

May 20

Ms P Designs USA

Selina Quilts

Karen’s Korner

Just Because Quilts

Becky’s Adventures in Quilting and Travel

Sew Many Yarns

May 21

Scrapdash

Websterquilt

Quilt Schmilt

Vicki’s Crafts and Quilting

May 22

Just Let Me Quilt

Vroomans Quilts

Patchouli Moon Studio

Den syende himmel

Quilt Fabrication

Samelia’s Mum

Stash Report

SS yellow

Cool to be Square used 4.5 yards of fabric.

  • Fabric Used this week       4.5  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        145 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      9.5
  • Net Fabric used                    134.5  yards

Stitchin’ Time

I am aiming for 30 minutes/day – at least!  I switched to 30 minutes/day from 15 in April!

  • 15 minute days:  January – Apr. 120 / 121
  • 30 min days/  May – 17/17
  • Total days in 2020:  137 / 138
  • Percentage = 99% 

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

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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Linking to:

PHD in 2020 Mid May Report

/ quiltinggail / 29 Comments

I have another UFO finish!  This is the Scrappy 2″ 4 patch that I blogged about HERE.  for the Scrap Happy Blog Hop.  It got quilted and bound.  I had a TON of fun trying to come up with different motif’s for each square … some are definite “who knows” motifs (scribbles or motifs gone wrong) and others are recognizable! I even put a few words in as well. It’ll be fun to see if the recipient notices the words!

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This is my 10th UFO for the year!! WooHoo!!!  I think staying at home has helped!  Although I do miss sewing with friends, visiting friends and just browsing and shopping for things I don’t need (and often don’t buy!)

UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_37eaI did start the Ugly Fabric quilt following THIS VIDEO!  Once I decided that I WAS going to make it … it was quick to cut the squares and start sewing.  The hardest part was arranging the blocks so that similar fabrics did not touch.  It is waiting to be sandwiched and quilted.

I also started the “Cool to be Square” quilt … and I’m hoping it’ll be finished by Monday, when it’s my turn to participate in the blog hop!  You’ll just have to wait until then to see what I’m making!

The projects for the Island Batik “Ultimate Home Decor” blog hop were posted on Wednesday! You can read about them HERE.   If you go to the blog post – there is an opportunity for you to win some of the fabric that was used for the rug and valances!

PHD in 2020 – Linky party!

How are you doing with your UFOs?
Post a picture of your latest UFO finish.  And if you’re attempting your PHD in 2020, tell us about your progress!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

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It’s Cool to Be Square

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This blog hop is starting on Monday … make sure you come back to see what I’ve made.  (And yes, there is a square or 2 in it!

 

I was Featured

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Wednesday Wait Loss featured this quilt/  You can read about it HERE.

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One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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Linking to:

My Day: Ultimate Home Decor Blog Hop

/ quiltinggail / 16 Comments

Screen Shot 2020-05-01 at 10.45.00 PMI have made a couple of projects for this Blog Hop.  The collection I was given is Santa Fe designed by Kathy Engle.  It was love at first sight!  Look at those beautiful teals and browns, purples and neutrals!  Aren’t they rich and beautiful?  This collection is part of the Winter 2019 fabrics and should be available in your local stores pretty soon – if they’re not already there!

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Here are the instructions we were given:

What is home decor? It’s anything you would use to decorate your space: wall hangings, cushions, rugs, linens, and decorative craft projects like bowls, wreaths, lampshades and baskets. Big or small, dramatic or subtle, it’s up to you!

Project #1

My first project was a jelly roll rug.   I cut at least 2 strips of each fabric using the AccuQuilt 2½” strip die.  The batting was 2¼” strips cut from the edges of many quilts where I had used Hobbs 80/20.  I mostly followed the directions on the pattern and put the prepared strips into a bag. I didn’t roll it into a ball … just shoved them into the bag.  When I took a class, Dawn F., said to do this!  It works like a charm.

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I used Aurifil #2370 and Schmetz Microtex Chrome 70/10 to sew the rope together and also to do the zig-zag when sewing the rug.  I started out using Microtex 80/12 and my machine revolted.  It did not like it.  When I talked to my sewing machine technician, she said to try a smaller needle and make a bigger stitch.  I did and it worked like a charm.  She also said that sewing through that many layers with a close-weave batik, the smaller needle will work better.  She was right! My machine just purred as I finished sewing the rug!

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I LOVE my rug … it lies next to my ironing station in my studio!  Sew nice to have something a little softer to stand on!

As nice as this rug is … it doesn’t highlight the fabric in the collection very well.  Even though it does use every single fabric.  SEW … I decided to work on projects #2, #3 & #4.

Projects #2, #3, & #4

The back story:

I moved into my studio last summer.  It wasn’t quite finished, but my wonderful hubby promised that it would be completely finished soon.  I think his definition of “soon” and mine are completely different.  But that’s OK … he does all of the building type work around here.

I told him that I was going to make curtains for the 3 windows in the studio.  Now, I won’t say that he has selective hearing, but he swears that I said I was only going to make one curtain.  That’s weird, because why would I only make one, when there are 3 windows?

Anyhow … he got to work putting in the window frame and trim for the largest window.  He finished this the day before I need to post my projects!  We’ll have to wait to see how long it takes to get the frame and trim done for the remaining 2 windows.

The curtains:

The curtains are all backed with the same fabric that provides the background in each curtain:  Tossed Seeds – Desert Sand.  I love this fabric!  It has shades of grey & light brown and is a perfect background fabric.   These curtains are not quilted, but are stitched a ¼” from the 1″ border that is on the top and bottom of each.  Aurifil #2000 – a light beige, was used for the piecing and top-stitching.

The first curtain is a series of 6″ stars and measures 52″ long.   The stars were cut with the Accuquilt Go 8″ Qube dies.  I’m in LOVE with these dies and use them as often as possible.   I love piecing triangles without dog ears … and they are close to perfect (depending on my sewing).

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The 2nd curtain has a 6″ rope.  Again, I used the same Accuquilt die to cut all the triangles.  This curtain measures 39.5″ (the 2nd & 3rd windows are smaller).2sxwBE01Tu6ws99eaPyK8Q_thumb_37f5

The 3rd curtain was designed in EQ7, using 6″ tall flying geese blocks.  They are paper pieced without sewing on the paper.  I think I’ve been influenced by another Island Batik ambassador who blogs at “For the Love of Geese.”  At least, I decided on flying geese after visiting her blog!  This curtain measures 39.5″ long.

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Island Batik’s Give Away

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This week Island Batik is giving away 2, yes, 2!  Fat Quarter bundles of “River Valley.”  Click on the Rafflecopter link below for you to click on for your entry for a chance to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

My Give Away

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There are 14 pieces that are 6″ x 12″ and 1/3 yard of the purple (at the top).   In order to win, you have to answer the following questions:

  1. Have you made any home decor projects in the past year?  If yes, what was it?
  2. What would you make with these fabrics?

The give away is only open to Canadian residents, excluding Quebec.

 

 

 

My Fabric Blogging Partner

Make sure you visit Maryellen’s blog to see what she has made with this same fabric collection!  Maryellen McAuliffe ~ Mary Mack’s Blog

Thank you

to Island Batik, Accuquilt, Aurifil Hobbs batting and Schmetz Needles for supplying the fabric and supplies needed to complete my projects!

Screen Shot 2020-03-02 at 3.31.56 PMHobbs Logo

AurifilLogo3-Websiteschmetz logo

 

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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Moving through Monday …

/ quiltinggail / 14 Comments

Island Batik Blog Hop

Screen Shot 2020-05-01 at 10.45.00 PM… is in it’s 2nd week, starting tomorrow!  Did you check out last week’s hoppers?

This week Island Batik is giving away 2, yes, 2!  Fat Quarter bundles of “River Valley.”  There is a link below for you to click on for your entry for a chance to win.

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here is the list of Ambassadors that are Hopping this week:

May 11
Pamela Boatright ~ Pamela Quilts
Michelle Roberts ~ Creative Blonde
May 12
Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights
Sandra Walker ~ mmm! quilts
May 13
Gail Sheppard ~ Quilting Gail   YES this is ME
Maryellen McAuliffe ~ Mary Mack’s Blog
May 14
Vasudha Govindan ~ Storied Quilts
Carla Henton ~ Create in the Sticks

Design Wall

Piecing:

I’m still working on an Island Batik challenge –I’ll show you the results on Wednesday! In the meantime … the pictures below relate to the challenge: Can you guess what it will be?

Make sure you come back on Wednesday because I will also be offering a give-away!

UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_37ea.jpgUgly fabric quilt Guild challenge: We are to use the quilt pattern in this video:  Here is the fabric that I’ve pulled from my fat quarter bin.  Some of them aren’t even a full fat quarter … and that’s perfect.  They only need to be at least 14″ square.  This is suppose to be done on Tuesday!  Ha! Ha!  Somehow I don’t think it’ll be completely done … maybe, just maybe a top.

IMG_6288Florabunda:  The blocks are now sewn into 3 tops … They need to be sandwiched and quilted … in due time.

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Quilting:

This scrappy squares quilt in progress … I’m having fun coming up with different motifs for each of the white squares!

TO DO 

I’m linking up to Roseanne & Sue’s “TO DO” Tuesday. Their blog is “Home Sewn by Us.”

Last week’s list:

I easily managed to get everything on my list done … and more!

  1. Finish Island Batik May project  – almost done
  2. Finish Flower Power –  √   done  You can see it HERE.
  3. Scrappy Squares: Quilt  partially done
  4. Florabunda:  lay out & piece at least one top – 3 pieced!

This week’s list:

  1. Finish quilting Scrappy Squares
  2. Finish Island Batik May project
  3. Sandwich Florabunda quilts
  4. Start June Island Batik project – maybe …

Stash Report

SS yellow

The Flower Power quilt was all Island Batik.  However, I did buy the Island Batik fabric that I used for the back and sashing … so, I’ll count that as 1 yard.  No other finishes this week.

  • Fabric Used this week       1  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        139.5  yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      9.5
  • Net Fabric used                    130  yards

Stitchin’ Time

I am aiming for 30 minutes/day – at least!  I switched to 30 minutes/day from 15 in April!

  • 15 minute days:  January – Apr. 120 / 121
  • 30 min days/  May – 10/10
  • Total days in 2020:  130 / 131
  • Percentage = 99% 

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

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Flower Power was finished … and I haven’t cut the fabric for the Ugly Challenge … so it’s not considered a new start – yet.  No UFOs were finished this week.

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One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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Linking to:

 

 

A Friday Finish

/ quiltinggail / 27 Comments

I have been having fun … and not working on what I should be working on … but that’s what makes it fun, right?  Sort of like skipping school and doing nothing – that’s fun, right?  Well, I actually wouldn’t know about that, because I never skipped classes in highschool –  except for one time … (That’s actually true, and it’s up to you if you believe me or not!)

I gave you a hint earlier this week when I posted a couple of photos of the Helen Godden Flower Power Quilt-a-long …  Here is the finished project:  Each block is about 7½” square.  Lots of quilting!

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This is a free project. Helen has a separate Youtube video for each block and shows you how to do the various techniques, with ease.  Well, with a measure of ease!  She does make it look super easy!  I still have a long way to go, but I’m happy with the end project!

The project was done on an Island Batik neutral, the sashing, binding and back was an Island Batik fabric that I bought locally at a store that is now closed. I used black Aurifil thread (4-5 bobbins) and scraps of Hobbs 80/20 batting.

Helen’s instructions for finishing the quilt made it super easy.  Each block was stitched individually (and coloured with Inktense pencils). Once the blocks were trimmed to size, I zig-zagged them together.  Simple, eh?    For the sashing, I took a 4″ piece of fabric and ironed some “Steam-a-seam” on it.  Then it was cut into 4 –  ½” strips and ironed in place.  SEW SEW EASY!   Then a co-ordinating Aurifil thread was used to stitch down the sashing.  The backing was cut 1″ larger than the piece, folded over and viola! the binding was ready for the same stitching that I did on the sashing.

Here’s a close up of each of the individual blocks  …

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What do these things have in common?

You’ll have to wait until May 13 for the answer …

Ultimate Home Decor Blog Hop

Did you visit the blogs this week?m  There is a LOT of amazing Home Dec projects!  Trust me, it’s well worth visiting them!  I have the direct link to each blog post so that you don’t have to go searching for them.  And some of the blogs are offering an opportunity for YOU to win fabric!

May 4
Janet Yamamoto ~ Whispers of Yore
Carol Moellers ~ Carol Moellers Designs
May 5
Carolina Asmussen ~ Carolina Asmussen
Suzy Webster ~ Websterquilt
May 6
Megan Best ~ Best Quilter
Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood
May 7
Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs
Denise Looney ~ For the Love of Geese

Screen Shot 2020-05-01 at 10.43.01 PMBe sure to enter Island Batik’s Rafflecopter to win Cascadia precuts! This collection was  designed by Claudia Pfeil of Claudia Pfeil Designs.  You could win both a 10″stack and 2½” strips.  Each pre-cut comes with 2 of the 20 fabrics in the collection.  It’s well worth entering – you never know if you will win!  Here’s the link:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

***************************** 

Linking to: 

Monday in the Studio

/ quiltinggail / 23 Comments

Sew … what’s been happening around here?

Well, Helen Godden (on Facebook Helen Godden Quilts) had a Flower Power Quilt-a-long.  I was thinking of doing it for a future Island Batik challenge, but all of the specifics for the challenge are not available, yet.  SEW … I thought I’d share it with you.  If you are on Facebook, you can go to her page and download all of the pictures.  She has directions on how to do each of the blocks with a Youtube video for each block.  It’s fantastic for practicing free motion quilting!

These were done on an Island Batik neutral fabric … with Hobbs 80/20 batting, Aurifil black thread and Schmetz microtex needle.  (All of the supplies were given to me via Island Batik).

I have done 8 of the 9 blocks … They are SEW fun to do.  I LOVE the zen doodling!  And I’ve learned a few new-to-me patterns.

The other thing, is that I ventured into the world of colouring fabric.  Helen talks about “Inktense” pencils and how you colour your fabric with them.  From another Youtube video, I learned that you colour, spray with water and then press with an iron to stop the spread of colour or bleeding.  That’s how my blocks got their colour!  I was able to get a set of Inktense pencils at a near-by store that does curb-side service!  (Opus, in Langley).

I will show you the finished wall hanging … hopefully it’ll be done soon!

BLOG HOP 

Screen Shot 2020-05-01 at 10.45.00 PMDon’t forget to visit the Island Batik Blog Hop that is featuring all the NEW fabric!!!  And visit the Island Batik blog for a chance to win Cascadia Precuts!  Screen Shot 2020-05-01 at 10.43.01 PM

 

 

 

This week is the following Blogs:

May 4
Janet Yamamoto ~ Whispers of Yore
Carol Moellers ~ Carol Moellers Designs
May 5
Carolina Asmussen ~ Carolina Asmussen
Suzy Webster ~ Websterquilt
May 6
Megan Best ~ Best Quilter
Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood
May 7
Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs
Denise Looney ~ For the Love of Geese

Design Wall

Piecing:

I’m working on an Island Batik challenge – so no photos yet!

IMG_6288Florabunda:  Do you remember when I was working on these blocks? Well, they are all done and I have way more than enough for one quilt … so there are at least 2 quilts to be made.  I need to lay them out and decide on which ones will go into which quilt.

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Quilting:  

This scrappy squares quilt is sandwiched and ready to quilt!

TO DO 

I’m linking up to Roseanne & Sue’s “TO DO” Tuesday. Their blog is “Home Sewn by Us.”

Last week’s list:

I easily managed to get everything on my list done … and more!

  1. Quilt Blue Round Robin  √  done    
  2. Bind Purple Round Robin √  done
  3. Finish 7 masks  √  done
  4. Finish 7 pillow cases  √  done

You can see the Blue & Purple Round Robin quilts HERE.

I completed 18 masks and 12 pillow cases.  When I went to originally take a picture of the 7 pillow cases that were started, I realized they were mostly all “girl” types.  Sew … back to the stash and I made 5 that are more suited for the male gender.

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This week’s list:

  1. Finish Island Batik May project
  2. Finish Flower Power
  3. Scrappy Squares: Quilt and possibly get the binding on.
  4. Florabunda: lay out & piece at least one top

Stash Report

SS yellow

The fronts of the Round Robins were Island Batik – so I don’t count that.  But the backs took 3 yards.  The pillow cases used up 12 yards.  The masks used up 3.5 yards … for a total of 18.5 yards!

  • Fabric Used this week       18.5  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        138.5  yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      9.5
  • Net Fabric used                    129  yards

Stitchin’ Time 

I am aiming for 30 minutes/day – at least!

  • 15 minute days:  January – Apr. 120 / 121
  • 30 min days/  May – 3 / 3
  • Total days in 2020:  123 / 124
  • Percentage = 99% 

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

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One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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Linking to: 

 

Island Batik: The Ultimate Home Decor Blog Hop

/ quiltinggail / 4 Comments

Starting  Monday, May 4

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You could WIN!

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Be sure to enter Island Batik’s Rafflecopter to win Cascadia precuts! This collection was  designed by Claudia Pfeil of Claudia Pfeil Designs.  You could win both a 10″stack and 2½” strips.  Each pre-cut comes with 2 of the 20 fabrics in the collection.  It’s well worth entering – you never know if you will win!  Here’s the link:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Participating Blogs:

May 4
Janet Yamamoto ~ Whispers of Yore
Carol Moellers ~ Carol Moellers Designs
May 5
Carolina Asmussen ~ Carolina Asmussen
Suzy Webster ~ Websterquilt
May 6
Megan Best ~ Best Quilter
Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood
May 7
Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs
Denise Looney ~ For the Love of Geese
May 11
Pamela Boatright ~ Pamela Quilts
Michelle Roberts ~ Creative Blonde
May 12
Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights
Sandra Walker ~ mmm! quilts
May 13
Gail Sheppard ~ Quilting Gail
Maryellen McAuliffe ~ Mary Mack’s Blog
May 14
Vasudha Govindan ~ Storied Quilts
Carla Henton ~ Create in the Sticks
May 18
Joanne Hart ~ Unicorn Harts
Jennifer Thomas ~ Curlicue Creations
May 19
Mania Hatziioannidi ~ Mania for Quilts
Sally Manke ~ Sally Manke
May 20
Jennifer Fulton ~ Inquiring Quilter
Jennifer Strauser ~ Dizzy Quilter
May 21
Sharon Riley ~ Sew Riley Designs
Alison Vermilya ~ Little Bunny Quilts
May 25
Gail Renna ~ Quilt Haven Threads

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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