Retreats

Sunday Summary: March 30

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That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!

A Finish!

Here are my Blue Blocks … all quilted and finished. It’s been raining so much, that I haven’t taken a picture outside, so all you get is a picture of it on my design wall. It’s made totally of 2 1/2” squares of Island Batik blue scraps … including aqua, light & dark blue and any scrap IB fabric with blue in it. Along with Island Batik solid white. Quilted on my domestic sewing machine (Janome M7) using a rounded swirl motif (that’s my name for the motif).

Quilt Stats:

Retreat!

I’m off to a retreat tomorrow at Over the Rainbow Lodge. It’s an excellent place to retreat and I’m really looking forward to spending time with my quilting friends!! Of course, I’m taking more projects than I can possibly finish in a week, but I’m OK with that! The last 2 black & white photos are my May and June Island Batik challenges. I hope to get the May one pieced and we’ll see about June’s!

Stitching Stuff

Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!

  • January – February: 58 / 59 days
  • March: 30 / 30 days
  • Total: 88 / 89 98 %

Design Wall Mondays

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

Piecing projects:

  • Yellow – The sashing has been added and I’ve started to web the top!
  • Yellow – I’m making some Dresden flowers … no picture yet.
  • Canuck Quilter Colour Value Mystery. I’m loving the colours I’ve chosen. It’s all cut out! I’m doing the traditional one.

Quilting projects:

  • 2 Blue Charm Star quilts – the borders are from Stash Builder rolls! No yardage cut for either of these quilts … well, except for the solid white background fabric!

Sunday Stash

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!

Nope, I still haven’t bought any fabric yet this year!!! However, since I’m going to a retreat at Over the Rainbow, that might change in the next week!

I used about 6 yards of fabric in this quilt.

  • Fabric used in the last week: 6 yards
  • Fabric Used in 2025:     53 yards. {10 yards of non Island Batik fabric}
  • Fabric Added in the last week: 0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:    0 yards 
  • Net Fabric used:              53 yards

To Do

Carol from Quilt Schmilt is hosting “To Do” every week.

To Do from the last week:

  1. Finish Binding IB April Project. √   DONE. I’ll be posting about this after I return from the retreat.
  2. Sandwich & Quilt 2nd Blue charm star quilt. in progress
  3. Quilt Blue 2 1/2” squares. √   DONE
  4. Finish webbing Yellow rectangle squares. in progress
  5. Start to get projects ready to take to a retreat: (no pictures yet)
    • Swan – cut all the squares. √   DONE
    • Train – cut all the pieces. √   DONE
  6. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √   DONE. 
  7. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes. √   DONE. 

To Do for next week:

  1. Pack for the retreat!
  2. Work on projects at the retreat
    • Butterfly
    • Swan
    • Train
    • misc. projects
    • Island Batik: May
    • Island Batik: June
  3. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.

Leaving Comments on my Blog

I appreciate each of you that leaves comments on my blog!! It’s fun to read about YOU!!

However, I know that many of you have difficulty leaving comments and I honestly do not know what to do about it. I moderate each of the comments (that’s why they don’t show up right away) so that you don’t have to read about the ugly stuff / junk that some try to slip in!

Anyhow, I notice that the vast majority of comments are “anonymous” and I have no idea who you are. If you could simply put your name after the comment, I’d appreciate it! Thank you! And Thank you to those that leave your name!

Don’t Forget

I am now a Silly Moon affiliate! So what does that mean? When you use my affiliate code Quiltinggail2024 at Silly Moon, you will receive 10% off your order and I will receive a small commission.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:  

Retreat Fun!

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I’ve been busy, busy, busy!!!

A week-long retreat keeps one very busy!! There’s the prep to get to the retreat … and then there’s all the fun and sewing that happens at the retreat! So much fun!!! Twelve of us went to “Over The Rainbow Lodge” on Camano Island in Washington State. With all that time sewing, a LOT was accomplished!

Here’s a Slide Show of some of what was accomplished. I know that I also missed a lot of pictures. Judy sent me some of her pictures and they are included here! She even got the peacock at the store strutting his stuff!

The Seam Ripper board got passed around the room from time to time!!! LOL!!!

I did complete a secret top … but I’ll show you that when the time is right. I also managed to finish a wallet that I had started before when I was helping to teach a class. It’s the Necessary Clutch from Emmaline Bags. The outside of the wallet is from an upholstery sample that I’ve had for YEARS and the inside is batik fabric.

And I did a few items for a craft sale: Some Kleenex holders and a jar opener. The fabrics are all Island Batik fabrics, along with the shelf liner.

Something NEW

I LOVE ♥️ Star ⭐️ quilts and I LOVE ♥️ Sandra’s Quilt A Longs! I’m going to join in with her Luminous Layers!

I know, I know, I have so many things on my plate, I don’t need to add another … but that’s besides the point! I’m going to do this anyways. It’s not a race and there are steps that will come out once a week until June 15. Nice and easy – right?

Click HERE to see the fabric requirements. AND she talks about the fabrics you need with suggestions. And … there are prizes … what’s not to like? Are you going to join me?

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:  

A Few Fun Things from the Retreat

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At the retreat that I was at last week, we had a ‘secret’ gift exchange. It’s a secret until the gift is open and then we found out who made it. Over the years, I have ALWAYS received awesome gifts … zipper bags, wall hangings … lots of different things. This year, I was pleasantly surprised to received a Sewing Gnome from Robin … Isn’t he cute? I love the details of the bobbins, thimbles and spools of thread. He has found his forever home on the ledge in my sewing studio.

For my gift, I made a boxy zipper pouch. It’s a pattern from Sew Can She. You can access the pattern HERE. The fabric was Island Batik’s “Jelly Bean” that I had left over from a backing. It wasn’t until I went to write this post that I realized that I hadn’t taken a picture of the front/back or inside.

It’s in the Bag Blog Hop

Are you following along with Island Batik’s November Blog Hop? This weeks hop was short, with 3 different bags shown. My bags were one of them. It’s a byAnnie pattern “Take a Stand.”

Next week’s giveaway is already live! Go to Island Batik’s blog (click HERE) and follow the Rafflecopter prompts. YOU could win a Fat Quarter Bundle of Limerick or Country Charm.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

Sunday Synopsis October 29th

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A Good News Story

Last week on my weekly Synopsis, I told you about driving to a local quilt store and was totally annoyed that it was closed when I arrived. I did email the store and complained. They said “sorry” and that they would correct their hours on Google. It took a few days before that happened. Then, while I was at the retreat, I got a lovely email with a $10 gift card from the store. Since the store was sort-of on my way home, I stopped in and spent the gift card on the thread I wanted! I was pleased that they appeared to value me as a customer!

Lots of Retreat Fun

This past week I was at a retreat with 20 other quilters. We tried out a new venue “Camp Luther” and it was great! There was lots of room, the food was too much, and having a bathroom in each bedroom is definitely a plus. Due to the potential of tripping a breaker, we had no ironing in the sewing room and we needed to walk down the hall to get our pressing done. Most people got their required steps in!

Here’s pictures from the retreat! Lots of creativity!

I always enjoying seeing my quilt designs completed! I LOVE the variations and how people do the pattern, change the pattern and use their own creativity. While at the retreat, I was delighted to see so many finishes!

Mystery Quilt is happening!

WIP-B-Gone

Leanne, of Devoted Quilter is hosting a WIPS-B-Gone ’23 challenge. This fun challenge started October 1, 2023! It’s not too late if you want to join! It’s totally up to YOU as to how you want to use the challenge.

Since my challenge is to tidy/clean AND sew every day, it’s obvious that I didn’t clean my sewing room while I was at the retreat! And my fellow retreaters would definitely say I was lying if I said I tidied my table each and every day!! Of course it got tidied on the day we packed up … but then my room at home was a mess until the next day when I got it all put away!

Stitching Stuff

Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!

  • January –September:  256 / 273
  • October:  29 / 29
  • Total: 285 / 302
  • Percentage: 94%

Stash Report

Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash numbers. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks!

This pumpkin Wall / Door hanging used 1 yard of fabric. And I didn’t buy any fabric when I was at the retreat.

Yearly Tally:

  • Fabric Used since the last report: 1 yards
  • Fabric Used in 2023:    181 yards  from non-IB: 79.5
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:    17.5 yards 
  • Net Fabric used:             170.5 yards 

Just an FYI: I do not count any fabric that is given to me (Island Batik), but this year, I am going to count it as fabric used.

To Do Tuesday

Carol from Quilt Schmilt is hosting “To Do” every week.

The To Do list from last week: 

  1. Finish UFO project: Upholstery Wallet progress, but not finished
  2. Start “Turkey Trot” project progress, but not finished
  3. Cut out Malted Mystery Fabrics Not done
  4. Quilt and bind “Dashing Through the Snow” progress, but not finished
  5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √   DONE
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes. √   DONE

This week’s list:

  1. Finish Upholstery Wallet
  2. Work on “Turkey Trot” project
  3. Cut out Malted Mystery Fabrics
  4. Quilt and bind “Dashing Through the Snow”
  5. Complete next “2023 Fall Mystery Quilt” clue.
  6. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  7. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.

Design Wall

Judy, at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, hosts a linky party for “What’s on your Design Wall” every week. Sorry, no pictures to share!

Piecing projects:

  1. Upholstery Wallet
  2. Work on “Turkey Trot” project
  3. Cut out Malted Mystery Fabrics

Quilting:

“Dashing Through the Snow”

Upcoming Blog Hops

Island Batik November Blog Hop: (November 1 is my day)

Moose Stash Quilting: Sew It – Show It: Turkey Trot (November 13 is my day)

Just Let Me Quilt: Virtual Christmas Cookie Exchange and Christmas Blog Hop (December 4)

Just Let Me Quilt: White Rabbit (January 23. 2024)

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

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SEW, another retreat is over …

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Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms, grandmas, aunts, cousins, friends and significant females in your lives!

Retreat!

This was a small retreat … only 11 of us attended … but I’m not surprised with lots of quilt shows happening … sunshine and other events!

But for the 11 of us that went, we had a blast!

Strip Poker, anyone? … always a fun game!

It was fun to see one of my mystery quilts all quilted and just needing binding! Totally made from her stash!

2 Blog Hops this week!

#1 Island Batik: Tool Craze

Lots of Beautiful Quilts, all using a Studio 180 tool and one of the fabric collections below!

May 15

Victoria Johnson, Forever Quilting for You

Leah Malasky, Quilted Delights

Maryellen McAuliffe, Mary Mack Made Mine

May 16

Renee Atkinson, Pink Tulip Quilting

Sarah Pitcher, Pitcher’s Boutique

May 17

Suzy Webster, Websterquilt

Preeti Harris, Sew Preeti Quilts

Lisa Pickering, Lisa’s Quilting Passion

Blog Hop #2: Rose Coloured Glasses

MAY 15TH

MAY 16TH

MAY 17TH

MAY 18TH

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

A Fun Retreat!

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We were at Over The Rainbow Lodge on Camano Island for almost a week. It’s a beautiful place to retreat! And, since we’re an established group, we’re booked in until 2030!!!! WOOHOO!!!

I think all 12 people that attended the retreat enjoyed themselves … lots and lots of sewing and laughter!

We took turns cooking supper and had fabulous gourmet meals!!! DELICIOUS!!!

As I was preparing this blog post, I realized that I didn’t get any pictures of the food, the snack counter (TONS!), or of the 12 people sewing in one room and having fun!

I didn’t get a picture of each of the projects that people were working on … there was a great variety and a LOT of creativity happening! Here’s a few pictures of what was happening:

Pillow cases, kits from quilts, jelly roll quilts, quilts using templates, hand sewn hexi quilt, tiny tiny pieces, 3 yard quilts, scrappy quilts, coordinated quilts …. so many different things happening!

I know someone is going to ask … the dog chart was found on Pinterest and Kandy used 5″ blocks to make the quilt.

What did I work on?

I attempted to quilt my Melodic Mystery, but it was difficult on a smaller machine, eventually I gave up. The Black & white photo is of an Island Batik catalogue quilt and the top is completed! The blocks for the X’s & O’s were completed and the top is almost done. I just need to add the border …

The Melodic Mystery is made with Kansas Troubles fabric. The other 2 quilts are Island Batik fabric. The X’s & O’s were cut with Accuquilt

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

Strip Poker and “Row, Row, Row the Boat”

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So, what does Strip Poker and “Row, Row, Row the Boat” have in common?

They were happenings at the retreat I attended this week. (and dang it … that silly song is still singing in my head!)

Yes, Strip Poker was played with different 2.5″ strips of fabric … lots of fun! And “Row, Row, Row the Boat” was sung by everyone that participated in the secret sister exchange!

Here’s a glimpse of what happened at the retreat … the first group of pictures were taken by Judy B.

And I took these pictures …

Unfortunately, I didn’t get pictures of what everyone was working on … but, believe me, there was a LOT of creativity happening!

So what did I get done?

I didn’t get a single thing finished … but I did get a few things done on a few things. Here is the list of what I took to work on and what I got done …

  • Birds panel (ufo). … to the flimsy stage
  • Wallet #1 (ufo) … a little bit of work on it … snaps are in
  • Wallet #2 (ufo). … a little bit of work on it
  • Colour BOM (ufo). … not even touched
  • MSQ wall hanging (Quilt More, Worry Less) … put together and quilted.
  • Chilhowie … one row of sashing on …
  • Shades of Blue project … not even touched
  • Nutcracker and Inktense pencils … a little colouring done

I could have easily finished the Quilt More, Worry Less wall hanging, but I didn’t have binding fabric with me and I did not want to buy any more fabric … but it may be finished soon!

Starting Monday …

Yes, the SAHRR (pronounced Stay At Home Round Robin) starts on Monday. You can read more about it HERE. Be sure to follow all of the bloggers and join in the fun!!!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

Retreats are fun!

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Two weeks ago, I went to the guild’s January retreat. That’s right – January’s retreat happened in March. It was postponed due to Covid. But it was a LOT of fun!

There are a LOT of pictures …

First meal of the retreat …

Games: Secret Sister Gifts

Strip Poker: 50 shades of grey & Blue/ Green batiks

A Lots of projects being worked on

And the dresden craze: Candyce Grisham was a guild speaker earlier this year. She had a fabulous presentation and her book Dresden Reimagined is now in several guild member’s hands. (If you’re looking for a speaker – she’s great!) 2 of the ladies were working on many of the different dresden patterns in the book and soon, there were others in the room that also became addicted! And, one lady used the dresden for her sunflower for Ukraine and later used smaller petals for her leaves (sorry, no picture).

I know that I missed taking pictures of some of the projects … sorry about that!

My Finish for the Week

My SAHRR for 2022 is finished. You can read more about it HERE. (Made with Island Batik fabrics, Hobbs batting and Aurifil Thread).

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

When the boss is away … and TGIFF

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If you’ve been following my blog, you’ve heard me mention Essem Textiles. Well, the lovely couple that own the store had their traditional Indian wedding last week. They’re already married, but had to keep it small because of Covid, but now with the restrictions lifted, they were able to celebrate in style! I got to run the store for them. I asked if I could have a Mini Retreat in the classroom … and they said “yes.”

There were 4 ladies that were able to come … and I heard lots of laughter and chatting coming from the back.

This is what the classroom looked like after everyone left on Day 1:

The machines all set up and projects in process. Unfortunately, I neglected to get a close up of some of the projects. Judy, (bottom left) is working on a beautiful Card Trick Quilt. Robin, (top left) made pillowcases for each of her grandkids. Nora, (bottom right) is working on a Postcard from Sweden quilt. She had everything labeled … talk about organization – oh my! Nora takes organization to an all new level! Amy, (top right) worked on a couple of different projects: binding a quilt and making a block for a new quilt or pillow …

Fun work for the store & TGIFF

TGIFF is Thank Goodness Its Finished Friday. There is a linky party every week.

I did work on a couple of quilts for Essem. I managed to piece the whale in between customers, but the quilting on both of these happened at home. They were fun to do!

The whale is from the book “Fat Quarter Baby.” It’s a very cute book. Each of the quilts is named after someone. The whale one is called “Andrew.” The directions were very clear and easy to follow. The book is available at Essem Textiles, if you want to purchase it.

Aren’t the whales adorable? And yes, the bubbles and eyes were appliqued on … and I survived the process! ( For those that don’t know me very well, I’ve been know to call applique CRAP-lique! )

Here is a super cute panel that Essem Textiles has in the store. It was fun to quilt! Mostly stippling, outlining the main portion and some snowflakes thrown in. See the part on the right hand side? The panel comes so that there is enough of those snowmen and snowflakes to have as the complete back.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

Virtual Retreat

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This week, a bunch of us were suppose to retreat at a lovely place about a 45 minute drive from my house. There are usually 18. Then, since Covid, the facility reduced the number to 12, then to 10 and then said “no” to overnight stays. But they offered us “Day” retreats where we could go out to sew, go to a restaurant to eat and go home at night. Uh, no thank you … I probably live the closest to the facility and many of the others have about 1.5 hr drive. And who wants to drive home in the dark on a stormy November night? None of us. And, in the end, we would have had to cancel anyhow because of further Covid restrictions.

SEW … since we’re lamenting that we can’t retreat in person … I bit the bullet and paid for 1 month of unlimited Zoom. Everyone that is part of our core group and a few others were sent the link and we Zoom and sewed away for 4 days.! That’s a LONG time for a Zoom quilting retreat!!!

However, it seems like everyone got a lot of sewing done. One lady said, “I got way more done staying home because I wasn’t up wandering from table to table to chat with everyone!”

It was a LOT of fun to “see” friends that I haven’t seen for a LONG time.

SEW … you’re probably wondering what I got done. Actually quite a bit. A lot of this and a lot of that. I did finish 2 pillowcases with the John Deere fabric I bought.

Continue reading →

Sewing with family by Zoom

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Quilt Canada was Cancelled

My sister (from Alberta), 2 cousins (from different areas of Ontario) and myself (from British Columbia) had planned to go together.   We were going to stay at my sister’s home in Edmonton.  Two days were planned for the show and classes (and shopping).  On the 3rd day, we planned to make the Retreat Bag from Emmeline bags as a project to work on together. Of course, with Covid – our plans changed.

About 1½ weeks ago, my sister set up an all day Zoom meeting for us all as we made the bag.  We had all gathered the supplies prior to the day.  It was a TON of fun!!!  It was great to visit with each other … sharing our love for fabric and the creations we were making!

Here’s Connie’s … made for when she goes on a real quilting retreat!

IMG_9945

And Terry … The speed demon, made 2, yes TWO bags during our Zoom time … she made both the small and the large bag!

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My sister, Lynn, made one bag during our time and the other right afterwards … both were kits from Emmeline bags …

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20200621_142742

My bag was made from Shweshwe fabric that I bought last September when in Africa.

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Obviously, we’re all quite different in our fabric choices, but we all agreed that it was fun to do and plan to have another Zoom quilting day in the future.

Cleaning and Tidying

My daughter came in the sewing room (studio) the other day and said, “Mom, have you cleaned up or something? It looks so much better!”  That made me smile and determined to keep this up!  Plus, it is actually easier to work when I don’t have to move something!

Design Wall

Piecing:

Summer Solstice: These pieces are now sewn together … ready for the set-in seams … do you think that might be why I’m procrastinating???  Oh, yes, I KNOW that’s why …

IMG_6097

Quilting: 

Nothing being quilted right now!

Stash Report

SS yellow

No shopping.  The zipper pouches that I made (you can see them HERE) were all made with Island Batik fabric, which I don’t count.  However, I did use about ½ yard of Shweshwe for the Retreat Bag, and ½ yard for the lining.

  • Fabric Used this week      1 yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        191.5 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      20
  • Net Fabric used                    171.5  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 – May:  151 / 152
  • 30 min days/  June:  28 / 28
  • Total days in 2020: 179/ 180
  • Percentage = 99% 

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.”

Last week’s list:

  1. Work on UFO, Summer Solstice     √   done 
  2. Finish watching a video on how to digitize an In the Hoop Zipper Pouch.  √   done 
  3. Make a Zipper pouch from my own digitized design.  √   done 
  4. Spend at least 30 minutes this week CLEANING/ TIDYING my sewing room.  √   done   

This week’s list:

  1. Work on  Summer Solstice:  get the top DONE
  2.  Quilt a baby quilt to practice some free motion feathers that I want to do when I’m ready to quilt Summer Solstice.
  3. Spend at least 30 minutes this week CLEANING/ TIDYING my sewing room.

Screen Shot 2019-12-06 at 11.47.00 AM

 

I did start # 27 in Starts in 2020 and I finished it.  I will show you in a future post!

No UFOs are finished …

Screen Shot 2020-06-28 at 3.15.38 PM

A great Laugh!

XIrc3ExcQ4qWhltQLymotQ_thumb_3883Tish, from “Tish’s Adventures in Wonderland” featured this quilt (see it HERE) … then she went to say that she enjoys visiting my blog because, and I quote: “I love visiting Gail’s blog because she really is one of the most organized quilters in knowing what status her projects are in.  Seeing her lists always reminds me to check mine. ”   OH Tish!!!   The only reason I have lists is that I NEED to decrease my UFO list and NOT make any more!!!  As for organization … well that is totally not very true! But, thank you for the high compliment!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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

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The Retreat – January 2020

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The retreat I went to earlier this week was fantastic!  (I know, aren’t they always?)

It was a lot of fun!

Here is a slide show of the people and the projects … and I’m sure that I missed some of them!  You will see several “52 blocks in 52 weeks” quilts,  bags, games of Left-Right-Centre, Secret gift exchange, Maple leaf and tree blocks for Australia, and lots and lots of eye candy!

Here’s pictures of what I got done!

2 quilts quilted and bound:  The photo shoot happened at home during a break in the snow!

French General Layer Cake – a UFO from 2012

This was quilted with a large meander following the back fabric.  It was fun to do, but I doubt if I’ll do it again.  As I quilted, when I hit a seam, it would sort-of startle me.  I think when I quilt from the front, I know where the seams are and can prepare myself for the bumps that may be coming.

75″ x  58″  IMG_2196.jpeg

Ode to 30’s – a UFO from 2009

IMG_2178.jpeg   58″ x 66″

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Maple Leaf Blocks

I made 3 maple-leaf blocks for the Australian wildfire relief.

Rag Log Cabin

Worked on what I was calling a rag bento box … but have since changed the name to a “Rag Log Cabin” quilt.  It’s definitely NOT a bento box!  Prior to the retreat, the centres were all fussy-cut at 6 ½” and the strips were cut at 3 ½”.  I had to cut more strips to finish the blocks.  Thankfully, I had taken the extra fabric with me.

It’s such a simple quilt design, but oh my … the ripping I had to do.  It was hard to wrap my head around “sew WRONG sides together.”  At least all the wrong sides together part is done!

Once I got home, I put the blocks up on the design wall and have webbed the top together.

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One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

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Linking to:

Monday … and I’m off to a retreat!

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YEAH, I LOVE retreats!!!  They are always lots of fun!  Lots of chatting and laughing and eating and sewing and laughing and eating and … oh ya, lots of fun!

I hope to work on a few UFOs … we’ll see how that goes!

Design Wall

Piecing:

Summer Solstice:  This section of 8 is done!  Spending 15 min / day worked!  Often it turned out to be closer to an hour … it takes a LOT of time when you need to take out the little tiny stitches that you can barely see!IMG_5960

Frolic: Bonnie Hunter’s Mystery:   All caught up .. and everything fits in this container. I suspect that the reveal may come soon … either this week or next … and I’ll be ready! Continue reading →

Retreat accomplishments – some …

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Oh my! The retreat was a great time.  They always are!  So many different projects, so many ideas, so much help … so much food … and 2 people brought halloween jellies and candy corn … groan!  … too much sugar …  click HERE to see the slide show of other people’s projects.

SEW … What did I get done? 

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The Retreat is Over

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Yes, the retreat is over.  It is done for another year!  It was a wonderful time of sharing, quilting, laughing and laughing!

We played games!  Instead of strip poker (See HERE) we used the LRC die and played with loonies (Canadian $1 coins).  It was fun to the end.   Then there was a scavenger hunt … looking for all sorts of things sewing and non-sewing related.  One thing that we needed was a selfie of the team, taken in a car.  Neither my partner or I had our own cars at the retreat. Much to the surprize of the owner, we hopped into the back of another car as she and her partner were getting out!  We have a gift exchange at the retreat and played a game with each of us ending up with a gift we didn’t make.

One of my secret projects in the recent weeks was a snappy bag and a roll of toilet paper.

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A Retreating I will go …

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Oh YEAH!! A retreat!!!

I love retreats!!!

There are a group of 18 17 of us going to Edenvale in Abbotsford. 17 because one lady is too ill to attend! 😦

What am I taking?   A zillion things … WAY more than I’ll get done!

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Back from a Retreat

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WOW!!!  That word describes the retreat I was just at!

And, I did get a few projects done!  One UFO that got finished is this “Retreat Bag.”  It’s a free pattern from Emmaline Bags.  The instructions are very easy to follow … but you need to follow them!

 

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Fun Times

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It’s a lot of fun when we have company come.  Especially a family with 4 kids that we LOVE!!!  The youngest son was asking me about my quilts and we scrolled through the pictures on my computer and he said, “that’s my quilt!”  As soon as they got home his younger sister and he had their pictures taken with their quilts … I made these several years ago – before I started blogging.  I LOVE that they are still LOVED~

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Quilter’s Strip Poker

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Strip Poker
S T R I P   P O K E R

Did the title get your attention?  In a previous post, I mentioned that we played strip poker at the quilting retreat.

OK >>> OK >>>  You keep your clothes ON!!!

Several people asked me how we play it. Here’s how:

First: you instruct everyone to bring anywhere between 5 and 8  WOF 2½” strips. Obviously, the less strips, the faster the game. Continue reading →

Retreat … FUN!!!

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Remembrance

If you haven’t done so,

before you read my blog

take a moment to be thankful …

 

The Retreat

Oh … what fun!  Here’s a slideshow of some of the creations … Enjoy! Unfortunately, I didn’t get pictures of what everyone was working on … but here’s a few …

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