Quilting

What’s Happening?

/ quiltinggail / 10 Comments

What’s happening?

I’ve been madly sewing on things I can’t show you and writing patterns to go with the quilts I’m making. But, this post is about what I CAN show you!
Design Wall

Design Wall

Piecing:

#1 Scrappy Improv Quilting …

I’m working on another quilt from Kelly Young’s book “Scrappy Improv Quilting”. I’m doing it as a leader and ender with all the Secret Sewing I’m doing

#2. Secret Sewing: Island Batik

#3. Meadow Mist’s Macaroon Mystery.

I’m a bit behind on this mystery. I have the pieces all cut. Yes, it’s all reproduction blues with an off white for the background. If you LOVE mystery quilts … Cheryl’s quilts are a dream to make! You can see all the clues HERE.

Quilting: 

#1 November Island Batik project is being quilted

Stash Report

No shopping, no finishes that used stash!

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

Stitchin’ Time

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

  • January – August –  261 / 272
  • Oct –  10 / 10
  • Total: 265 / 278
  • Percentage = 95 % 

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

TO DO 

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

The last To Do list: (from weeks ago)

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

  1. Finish quilting Island Batik’s November project sort-of done
  2. Work on 3rd Project from Scrappy Improv in progress
  3. Work on Island Batik’s December project in progress
  4. Quilt Secret Sewing BBQG mystery quilt #1  Sandwiched
  5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!   √   done 
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes      √   done  

This week’s list:

  1. Continue working on Island Batik’s November project
  2. Work on 3rd Project from Scrappy Improv
  3. Work on Island Batik’s December project
  4. Complete top for Secret Sewing BBQG mystery quilt #2
  5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

Even though I’ve been working like a mad woman in the sewing room, there is no change to my UFO list.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

Announcing Flutterfly Stars: for Island Batik

/ quiltinggail / 24 Comments
Photo credit: Jerry Khiev, Island Batik

Please contact me if you would like to purchase the pattern. This quilt uses a Tri-Recs or a Deb Tucker V-block ruler. There is an option of using a pre-cut Stack (10″ squares) to make this quilt.

Flutterfly Stars appeared in Island Batik’s Spring/Summer catalogue. You can see it HERE. Check out page 9 for a close-up and page 56 for the whole quilt. And there are tons of other beautiful quilts in the catalogue … lots of quilty eye candy!

This quilt used the awesome collection, Flutter Fly, by Kathy Engle and is available at select stores now.

Quilt Stats:

  • Size: 65” x 83”
  • Hobbs 80/20 batting
  • Pieced and Quilted with Aurifil thread

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

  • Midweek Makers @  QuiltFabrication

  • TGIFF @ Rebecca Grace Quilting

  • Wednesday Wait Loss @  Inquiring Quilter

  • Happy Needle  and Thread @  My Quilt Infatuation

  • Andrée / Free Motion Mavericks @ Quilting & Learning – What a combo!

  • Put your Foot Down @ For the Love of Geese

  • Can I get a Whoop Whoop? @  Confessions of a Fabric Addict

  • Finished or Not Friday  @ Alycia Quilts

  • Sherry @  Powered by Quilting

  • Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty

  • Peacock Party @ Wendy’s Quilts and More 

    • Island Batik: Endangered Species

    / quiltinggail / 33 Comments

    This year, Aurifil Thread has a Color Builder program. It is a total of 12 different mini-collections that, for 2021, are based on Endangered Animals. Aurifil’s goal is to “Increase sustainability and positive environmental impact.” (source: Island Batik).

    For the October challenge, Aurifil is asking you to create a piece inspired by the endangered animal featured on your assigned Color Builder box. Use each one of the 3 provided colors somewhere in the challenge piece, how the thread is used is up to you! (source: Island Batik)

    I received the Pangolin bundle. The 3 threads in this collection are: #2312 – Ermine, #6010 – Toast, #2360 – Chocolate. They are all 40 weight.

    I had to look it up …

    Photo “Borrowed” from Aurifil: https://www.aurifil.com/pangolin

    The Pangolin is sometimes used for it’s meat, but mostly the scales are used in traditional Chinese medicine. There is a huge amount of illegal trafficking and the pangolin is considered Critically Endangered. Source.

    I literally spent a few months thinking about what I would do.

    I finally decided that I would go to the Internet and search for royalty free colouring book pages and pangolin. Bingo! I found one at THIS SITE.

    Below is the pangolin print out and fabric (Buttermilk) on my light board. My light board happens to be a window. You can see where the pages are overlapping and taped together. The Buttermilk fabric is taped on top.Then a picture of me tracing it out with a brown sharpie. (Inspired by Helen Godden and the Flower Power Quilt-a-long)

    I used Hobbs Polydown batting and Odif 505 temporary adhesive spray and got to work. First I stitched over the brown sharpie lines with #2360 – Chocolate.

    I quickly realized that I needed to have a fabric on the back: the polydown was catching on the lowered feed dogs. Previously, when I used this technique, I was able to use Hobbs 80/20 with no difficulty.

    Then, I was not pleased with how it was stitching out! So, I cleaned my machine (it needed it) and changed to a Schmetz needle. That helped a bit, but then I took off my ruler quilting foot and put on the regular free-motion quilting foot. I’m not sure why, but my quilting was WAY better.

    The pangolin is outlined with Aurifil #2360 – ChocolateI. The Zendoodling is Aurifil #2312 – Ermine. Aurifil #6010 – Toast, was used for the organic echoing around the pangolin. It took 3 full days of zendoodling to get to this point. Then I needed a break!

    For the spikes around the border, I used several pieces from the Autumn Wings collection, along with Large Netting-Sand (a blender) and Citrine (Marvelous Multis). The spikes were all fused with steam-a-seam light. And appliqued in place with #6010 – Toast. Then the feet were “coloured” in using Aurifil #2360 Chocolate. It is bound with Wavy Dots – Cappuccino.

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

    One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

    Happy Quilting! 
    Gail 

    PHD in 2021: September Report

    / quiltinggail / 15 Comments
    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is phd-in-2021.png

    How are you doing with your PHD in 2021?

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

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

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

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

    Linky Party

    Link up and show us your PHD in 2021 Progress.

    You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

    Click here to enter
    https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=a8b40ada7693d64e5923

    My Favourite Quilt this month!

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

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

    So Scrappy

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

    One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE

    Happy Quilting! 
    Gail 

    ******************

    Linking to:

    Favourite Quilt of the Month @  Meadow Mist Designs

    So Scrappy @ Scrap Happy

    Sunday Stash @  quiltpaintcreate

    Oh Scrap @  Quilting is More Fun than Housework

    15 minutes to Stitch @ Life in Pieces

    Frédérique  @ Quilting Patchwork Applique

    Monday Making @  Love, Laugh, Quilt

    Design Wall Monday @  Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

    To-Do Tuesday @ Texas Quilt Gal

    TGIFF … Oct 1.

    / quiltinggail / 14 Comments

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

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

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

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

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

    TGIFF Link Up

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

    You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

    Click here to enter
    https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=a8b40ada7693d64e5923

    One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

    Happy Quilting! 
    Gail 

    Catching up …

    / quiltinggail / 11 Comments

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

    Design Wall

    Piecing:

    #1. Secret Sewing: Island Batik

    #2 Secret Sewing: BBQG mystery quilt

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

    Quilting: 

    #1 November Island Batik project is being quilted

    Stash Report

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

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

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

    Stitchin’ Time

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

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

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

    TO DO 

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

    The last To Do list: (from weeks ago)

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

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

    This week’s list:

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

    PHD in 2021

    Table Scraps

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

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

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

    One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

    Happy Quilting! 
    Gail 

    Linking to:

  • So Scrappy @ Scrap Happy

  • Sunday Stash @  quiltpaintcreate

  • Oh Scrap @  Quilting is More Fun than Housework

  • 15 minutes to Stitch @ Life in Pieces

  • Frédérique  @ Quilting Patchwork Applique

  • Monday Making @  Love, Laugh, Quilt

  • Design Wall Monday @  Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

  • To-Do Tuesday @ Texas Quilt Gal

  • Table Scraps @ Joyful Quilter

    • A Secret Sewing Showing #1

    / quiltinggail / 29 Comments

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

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

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

    Quilt Stats:

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

    One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

    Happy Quilting! 
    Gail 

    Linking to:

    Oh yes, I’m spoiled rotten!

    / quiltinggail / 10 Comments

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

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

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

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

    Do you have some great ideas of what to make?

    One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

    Happy Quilting! 
    Gail 

    I’m Falling for You Blog Hop

    / quiltinggail / 52 Comments

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

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

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

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

    Table runner stats:

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

    Here is the Full Schedule for the blog hop:

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

    Monday September 20

    Creatin’ in the Sticks

    Samelias Mum

    Quilting Gail

    Vroomans Quilts

    Quilt Schmilt

    Tuesday September 21

    Just Let Me Quilt

    Just Sew Quilter

    Days filled with Joy

    Kathy’s Kwilts and More

    The Morning Latte

    Wednesday September 22

    Elizabeth Coughlin Designs

    Beaquilter

    Inflorescence

    Selina Quilts

    Sew Many Yarns

    Thursday September 23

    Karrins Crazy World

    Words and Stitches

    Patchouli Moon Studio

    Karen’s Korner

    That Fabric Feeling

    Scrapdash

    Friday September 24

    QuiltFabrication

    Mrs P Designs USA

    Lianne Makes Stuff

    Quilted Delights

    MooseStashQuilting

    One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

    Happy Quilting! 
    Gail 

    Scrappy Improv Blog Hop is happening!

    / quiltinggail / 5 Comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Here is the full Schedule for the Blog Hop:

    One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

    Happy Quilting!    
    Gail 

    byAnnie Challenge

    / quiltinggail / 23 Comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

    Happy Quilting! 
    Gail 

    School supply and Dollar Store shopping

    / quiltinggail / 21 Comments

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

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

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

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

    • Notebook with grid lines … for planning that next quilt and Pencil crayons to colour your quilt
    • Mechanical pencils for fine lines (on the back of HST or to mark the centre of a block
    • Elmer’s School Glue … I use this a LOT … dilute it 4 parts water to 1 part glue and it’s perfect for gluing down binding or whatever needs to stay in place.

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

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

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

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

    Design Wall

    Piecing:

    #1. The project for the “Falling for You” Blog Hop. My day is Sept. 20.

    #2. Third project from Scrappy Improv … which I can’t show you until after the blog hop

    Quilting: 

    #1 November Island Batik project is being quilted

    Stash Report

    No finishes this week … no stash yardage used.

    • Fabric Used this week     10 yards
    • Fabric Used this year:       99 yards
    • Fabric Bought this week:  0  yards
    • Fabric Added this year:      27.75 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
    • Net Fabric used                  70.25 yards 
    • Husband’s purchases:  0 yards (which are added into my total amount of Fabric added this year). For those of you who don’t know … my husband often buys more fabric than I do … so, I’m keeping track! Unfortunately, he doesn’t sew!

    Stitchin’ Time

    I’m aiming for at least 30 minutes a day. Many days there are more than a few hours spent in my studio. We were away this past weekend, so there was 2 days that I did not sew.

    • January – August –  235 / 242
    • Sept – 5 / 5
    • Total: 240 / 247
    • Percentage = 97 % 

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

    TO DO 

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

    The last To Do list: (from weeks ago)

    OK … so I had 2 weeks to accomplish my To Do list. I kept the list light because I want some more time to enjoy the summer! Consequently, it was easy to get it done. I’m keeping this week’s list light as well!

    1. Complete Island Batik’s November project Partially done!
    2. Complete 2nd Project from Scrappy Improv √   done
    3. Prepare more fabric for Island Batik’s December project √   done
    4. Write the directions for the guild’s Fall Mystery quiltDo NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!   √   done 
    5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes      √   done  

    This week’s list:

    1. Finish quilting Island Batik’s November project
    2. Finish 3rd Project from Scrappy Improv
    3. Work on Island Batik’s December project
    4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
    5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

    One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

    Happy Quilting! 
    Gail 

    ******************

    Linking to:

    PHD in 2021: August Report

    / quiltinggail / 24 Comments
    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is phd-in-2021.png

    How are you doing with your PHD in 2021?

    Are you feeling overwhelmed with the number of UFOs? Try just taking one UFO and focus on it. Perhaps write down all the steps you need to do to complete it. Even if the list is LONG … tackle the first step. I promise that you will feel much better about it! Then later, or tomorrow, tackle the next step. Pretty soon it will be done!

    My PHD tally hasn’t changed a lot. Well, no UFOs are finished, but quite a few of the Starts in 2021 are completed. I’ve been working a LOT of my November Island Batik challenge. I am SEW glad that I started early! It’s taking a LOT of time and a LOT of concentration. You’ll see why in November.

    Linky Party

    Link up and show us your PHD in 2021 Progress.

    You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

    Click here to enter
    https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=a8b40ada7693d64e5923

    My Favourite Quilt this month!

    GROAN …. How do I choose which quilt is my favourite when I think I made 3 fantastic quilts? I know I’m biased … but I LOVE each one of these quilts!

    DrEAMi

    This month, I had a DrEAMi … (Drop Everything And Make it) This was a pattern from Sandra Walker (from Musings of a Menopausal Melon) and after seeing that several people made it … I just HAD to. The pattern is “Let Your Star Shine.” You can get the pattern from Sandra’s Etsy shop: HERE. It is a pretty quick quilt to make!

    A NEW Blog Hop

    Kelly Young has a AWESOME new book that has just been published. She is having a blog hop starting later in September. This book is fantastic! There are 22 mini quilts and they are SEW easy to make.

    If you check out Kelly’s blog, My Quilt Infatuation she has an overview of the book HERE.

    I have made one mini quilt for the blog hop and am in the process of making another for myself. I will show it to you after the blog hop is over. I don’t want to ruin the surprise of all the mini quilts that you will see during the blog hop.

    I must say that this book is really well written! (I have my own copy!) The directions are easy to follow and there are a ton of fun projects to make!

    If you live locally, Essem Textiles has the book in their store.

    I will be teaching classes of projects from this book in October at Essem Textiles. Dates are TBA.

    Rainbow Scrap Table Topper

    The monthly table topper is run by So Srappy. The colour for August was aqua. I wanted to try a paper pieced Storm at Sea block … so that’s what I made! It’s 15″ square. Made with Island Batik fabrics, Hobbs fusible batting and Aurifil Dove thread.

    Design Wall

    Piecing:

    #1. November Island Batik project

    It’s being paper pieced, and the project is a secret … but I can show you this …

    #2. Second project from Scrappy Improv … which I can’t show you until after the blog hop

    Quilting: 

    Nothing at the moment!

    Stash Report

    The backings from the 3 “favourite” quilts this month, plus the aqua table topper were all from my stash and totalled 11 yards.

    • Fabric Used this week     11 yards
    • Fabric Used this year:       99 yards
    • Fabric Bought this week:  0  yards
    • Fabric Added this year:      27.75 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
    • Net Fabric used                  70.25 yards 
    • Husband’s purchases:  0 yards (which are added into my total amount of Fabric added this year). For those of you who don’t know … my husband often buys more fabric than I do … so, I’m keeping track! Unfortunately, he doesn’t sew!

    Stitchin’ Time

    I’m aiming for at least 30 minutes a day. Many days there are more than a few hours spent in my studio. We were away this past weekend, so there was 2 days that I did not sew.

    • January – July –  209/211
    • August – 26/29
    • Total: 235 / 240
    • Percentage = 98 % 

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

    TO DO 

    Chris from ChrisKnits is hosting “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.

    The last To Do list: (from weeks ago)

    OK … so I had 2 weeks to accomplish my To Do list. I kept the list light because I want some more time to enjoy the summer! Consequently, it was easy to get it done. I’m keeping this week’s list light as well!

    1. Piece and Quilt Let Your Star Shine √   done 
    2. Start Aqua Table Topper for the monthly Table Topper challenge √   done 
    3. Start “Orange you Glad” project! √   done 
    4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!   √   done 
    5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes      √   done  

    This week’s list:

    1. Complete Island Batik’s November project
    2. Complete 2nd Project from Scrappy Improv
    3. Prepare more fabric for Island Batik’s December project
    4. Write the directions for the guild’s Fall Mystery quilt
    5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
    6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

    One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

    Happy Quilting! 
    Gail 

    ******************

    Linking to:

    More Summer 2021 Mystery Quilts

    / quiltinggail / 14 Comments

    Hi! Apparently several people are unable to link up to the mystery quilt linky party. Here are their quilts:

    This one is Joyce’s … she used a black background. Pretty cool, eh? And check out that 2 coloured binding!

    This is my good friend, Betty’s. I’ve known Betty for a zillion years and have gone to many many retreats with her! I was thrilled when I found out that she had followed along and did the mystery! She still has to add the border, but what a pretty quilt!

    This one is from Chere, a member of the Chilliwack guild. What a fantastic use of stripes!

    And another member of the Chilliwack guild, Charlene, made this one. I love the use of red as the background!

    And Here is mine … again

    Don’t forget to …

    Click on this link for an opportunity to win the beautiful “Sticks ‘n Stones” precuts!

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

    Here’s the Schedule & Links to the Mystery Quilt

    June 26 Introduction

    July 3  Cutting Instructions

    July 6   Clue #1

    July 10 Clue #2

    July 13 Clue #3

    July 17 Clue #4

    July 20 Clue #5

    July 24 Clue #6

    July 27 Clue #7

    July 31 Clue #8

    August 3 Clue #9

    August 7 Clue #10

    One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

    Happy Quilting!    
    Gail 

    Linking to:

    Summer 2021 Mystery Quilt: Linky Party

    / quiltinggail / 14 Comments

    This was the tester’s (left) and mine (right):

    Here’s some pictures of quilts from people who are unable to link to the Linky Party:

    This is Robin’s – all quilted! The star points certainly pull out the pink in the focus squares. Lovely!

    And here’s the back of Robins … she made some extra stars … plus you can really see the quilting on the back!

    And here’s Deb R’s quilt … she says “I went with baby quilt size so there will be a total of five rows with one border around all. The border will be the flowered material (shown).  Won’t it be a lovely baby quilt?

    This is Donna H’s … the middle of the stars is from a Moda digital print. Donna says, “I didn’t fussy cut them so there are a wide range of hues. The 3 contrast fabrics are batiks that pulled some of the colours from the print.” I Love the variety of the star centres …

    Here’s what Alice C says about hers, “I have really enjoyed it and learned a new technique with the flying geese.  That was a cool way of doing it.” She has perfect flying geese!

    Here’s Judy’s … I love the contrast between the dark and light!

    Linky Party

    Link up and show us your mystery quilt! It doesn’t matter if it isn’t completely finished! It’s just fun to see all of the different looks that fabric choices make!

    You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

    Click here to enter
    https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=a8b40ada7693d64e5923

    Schedule

    June 26 Introduction

    July 3  Cutting Instructions

    July 6   Clue #1

    July 10 Clue #2

    July 13 Clue #3

    July 17 Clue #4

    July 20 Clue #5

    July 24 Clue #6

    July 27 Clue #7

    July 31 Clue #8

    August 3 Clue #9

    August 7 Clue #10

    Linky Party: August 24 – open until the 31st!

    One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

    Happy Quilting!    
    Gail 

    Week 3: Try a Tool Blog Hop

    / quiltinggail

    This Week’s Blog Hop Schedule

    Week 3:

    August 23:

    Jane @ Stitch by Stitch Custom Quilting

    Maryellen @ Mary Mack Made Mine

    August 24:

    Megan @ Best Quilter

    Janet @ Whispers of Yore

    August 25:

    Claudia @ Create with Claudia

    Michelle @ Creative Blonde

    August 26:

    Leah @ Quilted Delights

    Andi @ True Blue Quilts

    One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

    Happy Quilting! 
    Gail 

    Friday’s finish!

    / quiltinggail / 22 Comments

    Let Your Star Shine is finished!!! YEAH!!!

    You can read more about this quilt HERE.

    The fabrics were all Island Batik scraps … The purple and dark pink are all gone … there is a few scraps of the background and light pink. In some ways, I’m sad to see the end of these fabrics … but I’m also glad that I was able to use them! And, they make for a pretty quilt!

    If you are looking for a quilt pattern that is easy and fast. This might be just what you are looking for! Sandra Walker of MMMQuilts is the designer. You can purchase the pattern HERE. 

    Quilt Stats:

    • 42″ square
    • Hobbs fusible batting
    • Quilted with Glide “Cool Grey.”
    • Some free motion quilting / some ruler quilting.

    Week 2 of Island Batik’s Try a Tool Blog Hop

    You can see the schedule HERE.

    Be sure to visit Island Batik’s blog to see a re-cap of all the wonderful quilts and don’t forget to enter the draw for some awesome fabric!

    Did you see my quilt for the blog hop? You can read about it HERE. But here’s a picture!

    One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

    Happy Quilting! 
    Gail 

    ******************

    Linking to:

    Orange You Glad: Blog Hop

    / quiltinggail / 65 Comments

    Carla, from Creatin in the Sticks is hosting this ORANGE Blog Hop! How fun!

    I had these very pretty orange Island Batik fabrics that were sitting in my stash, calling for me to use them. Actually, they were shouting. What to do? What to make?

    EQ to the rescue … along with Accuquilt Cube 8 dies.

    Now, according to EQ, I did not have enough fabric … so I hit the stash builder rolls and pulled out some orange strips. I used them for the half-square triangles. SO EASY to cut with the Accuquilt!

    This is actually one of the first patterns that I wrote … it was for a class I taught using the Easy Angle ruler … but it is actually more accurate to use the Accuquilt dies!

    There’s a drizzly rain outside – not great for taking photos … and since I just finished quilting and binding this, I had to make do with a photo on my design wall.

    Quilt Stats:

    Enjoy the other Blog Hoppers

    Monday, August 16th

    Tuesday, August 17th

    Wednesday, August 18th

    Thursday, August 19th

    Thank you for stopping by my blog! I hope you enjoy the rest of the Orange you Glad blog hop!

    One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

    Happy Quilting! 
    Gail 

    ******************

    Linking to:

    Week 2: Try a Tool Blog Hop

    / quiltinggail / 6 Comments

    This Week’s Blog Hop Schedule

    This week’s blog hop promises to be extremely fantastic!!! There are some wonderful collections!

    August 16:

    Pamela @ Pamela Quilts

    Gail @ Quilt Haven Threads

    August 17:

    Denise @ For the Love of Geese

    Sally @ Sally Manke Fiber Artist

    August 18:

    Brianna @ Sew Cute and Quirky

    Suzy @ Webster Quilts

    August 19:

    Jennifer @ Archapegio Quilts

    Jennifer @ Inquiring Quilter

    You have a chance to win some Beautiful Fabric!

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

    One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

    Happy Quilting! 
    Gail