My ironing board cover was a disaster! So many dark marks … I was going to change it before I took it to the retreat a few weeks ago … I’m glad I didn’t, because it gained an iron imprint!
So, I took 2 layers of Hobbs 80/20 batting and some fabric from my stash and made a new cover! It’s so nice and clean, I almost hate to use it!
These are pumpkins that my niece, Ashley and Rob carved! They have a new puppy – so the dog fit in quite well! LOL!
Well, I didn’t finish ANY UFOs this month. None, Nada, not a one … hmmm … I think I said that last month!
I did finish 3 new starts …
I have 2 more UFOs to finish before the end of the year and 2 new starts … for me, I think it’s doable! I hope!
Here is an Excel File for you to use (if you want). PHD Tally 2022- with formulas
My Task sheet has not changed … And here is the link where you can find the colourful Task Sheet at Ms P Designs.
Show us your PHD in 2022 Progress!
It’s hard for me to choose my favourite finish of the month. There is the byAnnie “A Place for Everything” bag and the Heart quilt made for the Breast Cancer Awareness Blog Hop. Both are made with Island Batik fabrics! For more info on these projects see HERE and HERE. Check out Meadow Mist Designs for more “Favourite Finishes”.
DrEAMI stands for Drop Everything And Make It. I dropped everything to make these baskets … I needed a gift for the retreat … but I made 3 baskets … They were fun to make and I used up fabric that I had bought to make them!
OK … WAY back in September, when I posted my Island Batik project, (using Studio 180 rulers), I offered fabric to a Canadian reader … The fabric was set aside … as was the list … I had a lot going on at the time, emergency eye surgery plus other stuff (that’s my excuse & I’m sticking to it!)
Today, I remembered and the number generator chose #5. Sandra K. has been sent and email and the fabric will soon be on it’s way to her house! Congratulations, Sandra!
Today is Thanksgiving Day in Canada. Both of our kids have gone to the US to see a football game. So, for me, it’s a great excuse to NOT cook a turkey dinner! PLUS, we are going into Vancouver to have lunch with our nephew, niece and great nephew! Looking forward to this special time!
My cousins, Connie and Paul have been visiting for the last few days. It’s been a LOT of fun. Last week when we were on Vancouver Island, we had an unexpected meeting with them. They were coming out of the Coombs store with ice cream cones and we were just heading to the store to buy some! It was such fun!
The fun continued once they made it to the mainland. We went to the Granville Island and of course Connie and I had to visit the Cloth Shop! I was good and only bought some stabilizer. (you don’t need to see a picture of stabilizer!) Then we took the Aqua bus and toured False Creek. Then, we just happened to drive by “Dress Sew” and we gals popped in for a few minutes to have a look! We couldn’t resist the sale items!
The next day was a trip to Dinkydoo fabrics and I did 2 yards worth of damage. This fabric was on sale … and who can resist the sewing themed fabrics? I obviously couldn’t!
This was followed by a walk at Redwood Park and at Crescent Beach to watch the sunset. (Photo credit to Connie!)
I will be teaching several classes at Essem in November. You can register for them HERE.
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!
With company here, very little stitching happened!
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!
Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is hosting “To Do” every week.
Donna, at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, hosts a linky party for “What’s on your Design Wall” every week.
Secret Quilt …
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
Here are the links to the various PINKtober blogs:
| Date | Who | Collection | Where to find them |
| Monday, October 3 | Jennifer Thomas | Positively Pink | https://curlicuecreations.blogspot.com/ |
| Tuesday, October 4 | Lisa Pickering | Hope and Heart | lisascompassion.wordpress.com |
| Thursday, October 6th | Maryellen McAuliffe | Positively Pink | https://www.marymackmademine.com |
| Monday, October 10 | Emily Leachman | Positively Pink | http://thedarlingdogwood.blogspot.com |
| Tuesday, October 11 | Jane Hauprich | Positively Pink | www.stitchbystitchcustomquilting.com |
| Wednesday, October 12 | Marlene Oddie | Positively Pink | www.kissedquilts.com |
| Thursday, October 13 | Gail Sheppard | Positively Pink | https://quiltinggail.com |
Friday , October 14 | Jerry Stube | Hope and Heart | https://www.facebook.com/TheQuiltersQuarter |
| Monday, October 17 | Brianna Roberts | Hope And Heart | https://www.quirkyb.com/blog |
| Tuesday, October 18 | Terri Vanden-Bosch | Hope And Heart | https://lizardcreekquilting.com/ |
| Wednesday, October 19 | Mania Hatziioannidi | Hope And Heart | www.maniaforquilts.com |
| Thursday, October 20 | Laura Piland | Hope And Heart | https://www.sliceofpiquilts.com/ |
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!
Disclosure: The fabrics, batting, thread and needles were generously supplied by the following companies: Thank you, Island Batik Aurifil Thread ByAnnie & Schmetz Needles !!
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!
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.
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.
I will be teaching several classes at Essem in November. You can register for them HERE.
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!
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!
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).
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.
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!
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!
Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is hosting “To Do” every week.
Donna, at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, hosts a linky party for “What’s on your Design Wall” every week.
Winter Branches Table Runner
Secret Quilt …
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
The Spicy Colour Challenge is from Patterns by Jen. Each month she has a unique block based on the Spice of the month. The pattern is free for the month … after the month is over, you can purchase the month’s block for a small fee … OR you can purchase the entire pattern from Jen!
October’s spice is SAGE.
Sage is a plant that I have grown in my garden for years! Here in the Pacific Wet Coast (south western British Columbia) it grows easily. I use it mostly for poultry dishes … especially stuffing for chicken and turkey. YUM!!! I don’t need to dry or freeze it, because even in the winter it’s ready for picking!
Here is my Sage block – made with Island Batik fabrics!
And a picture of all 11 blocks … waiting for the last 2 blocks to assemble into a beautiful quilt!
Visit the other quilters who are featuring a sage block!
Both of these are quilts made with Island Batik fabrics. The one on the left was made for a Storm at Sea challenge and you can read about it HERE. The one on the right was made recently for a Gadget Blog hop and you can read about it HERE. Both quilts use Hobbs batting and are pieced either on my Featherweight or my Janome M7 and are quilted on my domestic Janome M7.
I was contacted by Ellen this summer. She sent me a Quilt Keeper and asked me to blog about my experience with it.
So, who’s Ellen? Ellen Taurins is a quilter who originally designed the Quilt Keeper for hanging her own quilts. She’s obviously a very clever lady!
The first thing I noticed when I opened the box was the quality of the product! It is superb! It is extremely well build and very professional looking! I hung a variety of my favourite Island Batik quilts and took pictures. Don’t they look lovely hanging on the back of the door?
There is a video HERE that will explain how easy it is to use.
The Quilt Keeper will fit any regular door! It comes with foam inserts should you need to adjust it at the top (I didn’t). It’s very easy to hang and switch out the quilts. It actually took me longer to fold each quilt than it did to hang it! So simple to use! If you’re looking for a way to store some of your quilts and show off some of your quilts – this might just be what you’re looking for!
Ellen has a facebook page where you can see many more pictures of the Quilt Keeper! There’s even one with a Christmas quilt and a red bow … makes me think it might make a wonderful Christmas gift for a quilter in your life! Or for yourself!
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!
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!
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:
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 !!
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!
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:
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.
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
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
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
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
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 !!
This blog hop is to celebrate National Sewing Month. ?? National ?? the hosts are in the US and I live in Canada, so I’m declaring it International Sewing Month. Works for me!
My mother taught me to sew at a young age. By the time I was in Grade 8 and taking Home Ec, I was pretty bored with making an hair kerchief and an apron. My next project was a skirt with a zipper in it. The teacher put the zipper in to demonstrate the insertion. When I got the final marks for the project, she gave me 2/10 for zipper insertion. WHAT???? Unfortunately, I had NO assertiveness skills at that time and didn’t argue with her. When it was time to choose courses for Grade 9, I definitely knew that Home Ec was one course I wasn’t going to take! By the way, I had the same teacher for cooking and was not impressed with having to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for our first project! Can you blame me?
I made this V-neck top! It was a quick easy project! Even though I haven’t been sewing garments for a LONG time! It’s a nice cool top for the warm summer days!
That’s right! Lots of prizes that you could win! Click on the Rafflecopter and follow the prompts!
a Rafflecopter giveawaySometimes, the rafflecopter does not work on my blog … so click on THIS LINK and you will be taken to another site for the rafflecopter.
Thursday, September 1
Friday, September 2
Monday, September 5
Tuesday, September 6
Wednesday, September 7
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:
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.
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!
This week, you have an opportunity to win a fat-quarter bundle of “Bee Kind” or “Baroque.” Both collections are absolutely beautiful!
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!
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.
Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is hosting “To Do” every week.
Donna, at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, hosts a linky party for “What’s on your Design Wall” every week.
Nothing being quilted at the moment.
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.
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!
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:
Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is hosting “To Do” every week.
Donna, at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, host a linky party for “What’s on your Design Wall” every week.
I taught a class at Essem Textiles on how to paper piece WITHOUT sewing on the paper.
They all worked on a Storm at Sea block. This was the block they had for inspiration: (made with Island Batik fabric, Hobbs batting and Aurifil thread was used for the quilting.)
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:
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.
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:
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 …
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 !!
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!
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.
Last month my husband and I made a quick trip to Edmonton to visit my sister. Of course, it included going to a few stores. We went to Lori’s Country Cottage where my sister picked out what she wanted to buy at their longest day of the year sale. And she also picked out fabric for the Flower Window Hanging Class that we did together. (The class was by Epida Studio and I highly recommend it!)
Then we went to Winfield, a small town SW of Edmonton. The quilting store is Country Stitches Quilting and Fabrics. They had a LOT of Island Batik fabrics and I bought the “flower” and “background” fabric that you see in my Flower Window Hanging. My sister fell in love with a panel and bought enough fabric to make a decent sized quilt. (See picture below!) I resisted and only bought the 2 Island Batik fabrics! And, since it’s IB fabric and already used, I’m not adding it to the stash report.
Here’s some pictures of the store! It’s packed with lots of fabrics, IB fabrics, panels and more! They also sell online.
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!
This week I’ve been doing more “unsewing” than sewing … but it still counts, right? And, I’ve been gallivanting around with my cousin, so that has cut into sewing time.
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 shopping, no fabric added, no finishes …
Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is hosting “To Do” every week.
Donna, at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, host a linky party for “What’s on your Design Wall” every week.
2. Summer Mystery Quilt: I will be hosting a mystery quilt here on the blog … I’m in the process of writing the pattern and sewing it. When it’s almost ready, I’ll announce the dates and all the details.
3. Island Batik Christmas in July quilt … I’m using an Accuquilt die and am loving how all of the pieces are cut perfectly!
This little bag is made with 2 pieces of fabric that I got from the Trend-tex tour I took. It is a DrEAMI project. A Drop Everything And Make It. Sandra, from MMM Quilts hosts a DrEAMI linky party each month. You can see all of the DrEAMI projects HERE.
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Quilting Gail 