A March Finish and TGIFF

TGIFF

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

You can link up your FINISHED project here. The link opens at 2 PM (PST) and will remain until midnight (PST) on Saturday, March 18. I can’t wait to see your finishes!!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=c0efdbe6b4add43dd7ef

My TGIFF this week

Earlier this week, I showed you a picture of my finished SAHRR ’23!

I’m in LOVE with this quilt! It was so fun to host the SAHRR with 5 blogging friends! I couldn’t have done it without them!

My blog post with the Parade of all of the finished (or almost finished) SAHRR can be found HERE. I started this quilt in the fall, and with the recent finish, it counts as one of my completed UFOs! YAY!!!

Quilt Stats

  • Size: 48″ x 58″
  • Pieced and Quilted with Aurifil Thread #2311 – Muslin
  • Hobbs 80/20 batting inside
  • All pieced blocks and appliques were cut with Accuquilt dies
    • Go! Birds (BBQG guild)
    • Rose of Sharon. (BBQG guild)
    • Qube 8″ dies (my collection)
  • Fabric used: Baby Bloomers collection (by Kathy Engle for Karen Overton) along with solid white

I was Featured!

Jennifer from Inquiring Quilter featured my Baby Stars quilt!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

SAHRR the Parade!

If you need more information on the SAHRR … you can go to THIS POST.

My Finished 2023 SAHRR

I used the Island Batik fabrics from the Baby Bloomers collection (by Kathy Engle for Karen Overton) along with solid white.

When I had the guild’s Accuquilt, I originally cut out the birds and flowers for the centre block. I then proceeded to cut out more shapes. When I put in the coping strips, I purposely made them wide enough for the small appliqued shapes. Once the shapes were added, I then quilted the quilt, ensuring that the appliqued shapes were quilted into place. It was actually fun to do!

Here’s a close up of some of the quilting! It was so fun to quilt!!!

Now, you Need to go to the co-hosts blogs and see their quilts! Their links are in the schedule below.

Linky Party

Here’s the Linky party so you can see everyone’s Finished Quilts … or partially finished quilts! The Link party is open until midnight on March 20. A few days following, the SAHRR hosts are zoom meeting to choose the winners of the wonderful prizes provided by our sponsors.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=c0efdbe6b4add43dd7ef

Non-blogger’s Quilts

This is what Jacomina had to say (she didn’t make it in time for the Round 6 blog post): “The squares within squares are made. The round is not yet fully ready. I used up the braid from the scrap bags first to add some filler rounds. Now I am very curious what you will make us do this week as that scrap bag has lots of strips already sewn together and it would be fun to use them too. By now it has become a triple challenge: the assigned blocks; the retirement ladies scrap bags; and my own green orange improv crumb blocks

Here’s what she said when she sent in the final picture: “Top done. Almost all from donated fabric or cuttings on my table so I will pass it on for donation. Hopefully someone will enjoy this mix of fabrics, blocks and focus on finding little gems in the scrappy blocks or the Thanksgiving border. I will also use donated fabric for the back and binding. Thanks for a fun challenge.”

And then she sent a picture of her back! So fun!

Ioleen’s has definitely a ‘heart-felt’ theme! She says “I will be adding a small border.” And the 2nd picture has the borders added!

Charlene is loving hers! (Can you blame her? LOL)

Here’s what Kathy P has to say, “have attached my row of pinwheels for this week.  It is always a fun block to do, versatile and has a lot of movement,  just digging thru my “grab” bag contents to find more colorful fabrics to put in my baby quilt top.  Now to tie them all together by next week.

Enclosed is a near final photo of my baby quilt that becoming a very large “baby” quilt.  Need to get the  upper section larger so it goes with the center panel.  I had set the hourglass block before the square in a square row info came out so that row works for both weeks.   I  substituted the “attic window” for a challenge instead, now to get the upper portion to fit the center panel.  Note to self:  “Chasing fabric when working from the grab bags makes the project  a lot harder.

Here’s what Heather has to say, “Thanks for a fun round Robin. Top is finished. Hope to quilt it in the next week or so “

Here’s Chere’s! She says “Just enough fabric to finish!”

Sarah says, “It’s a flimsy.  I really like how this came together.  The hourglass blocks have been exiled to the parts department, and I skipped the pinwheels.  This is supposed to be for my daughter for Christmas, but we’ll see.”

Quilt Stats

  • Size: 48″ x 58″
  • Pieced and Quilted with Aurifil Thread #2311 – Muslin
  • Hobbs 80/20 batting inside
  • All pieced blocks and appliques were cut with Accuquilt dies
    • Go! Birds (BBQG guild)
    • Rose of Sharon. (BBQG guild)
    • Qube 8″ dies
  • Fabric used: Baby Bloomers collection (by Kathy Engle for Karen Overton) along with solid white

Our Wonderful Sponsors

Here’s a list of the sponsors and their generous gifts!

The Linky party for the 2023 SAHRR is open until March 20. Following that, the co-hosts and I will zoom together, use a number generator and choose who wins the wonderful gifts from our sponsors. We will announce the winners on our blogs.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 


Sunday Summation: March 5 ’23

SAHRR

Have you been following the Stay At Home Round Robin? Last week was Round #6: Pinwheels. I’m using fabric collection “Baby Bloomers”  (by Kathy Engle for Karen Overton). I absolutely LOVE the fabrics in this collection! On March 13, we will have a parade of all the SAHRR quilts! It’ll be fun to see all the different ones!

One Gift a Month Challenge

Days Filled with Joy is hosting this challenge. March’s gift is a Round Quilted Pot Holders. See HERE for the tutorial.

Here’s my January and February gifts:

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: 59/ 59
  • March: 5 / 5
  • Percentage: 100%

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!

In the last 2 weeks, I’ve used 6 yards for the star quilt, 1/2 yard for the heart pouches and 2 yards for the bags …

I’d be lying if this meme was still true! I needed backing. I knew exactly what I needed an my husband went and picked it up … so (maybe) I could technically say I haven’t bought any fabric yet this year … but in reality, I did send my husband to the store for it!

  • Fabric Used this week:     8.5 yards
  • Fabric Used in 2023:        18.5 yards from non-IB: 14.5
  • Fabric Bought this week:   3 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:     3 yards 
  • Net Fabric used:              24 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 now hosting “To Do” every week.

The To Do list from last week:

  1. Finish Gardenia to flimsy stage. √   DONE
  2. Melodic Mystery: Finish top. √   DONE
  3. Chilhowie: start quilting. Not Done
  4. Quilt Bird Panels Not Done
  5. Quilt Nutcracker Not Done
  6. Start March Island Batik Challenge. √   DONE
  7. Start Dust off a Quilt Book project. √   DONE. and blog post written
  8. Work on Little Green Apples blog hop project. √   DONE
  9. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes √   DONE
  10. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!  √   DONE

This week’s list:

For me, this list is big … it’s what’s on my To Do list, but the ones with purple text are my priority. If I get beyond those, I’ll be extremely happy!

  1. Sandwhich Gardenia
  2. Melodic Mystery: Sandwhich
  3. Chilhowie: start quilting.
  4. Quilt Bird Panels
  5. Quilt Nutcracker
  6. Finish March Island Batik Challenge.
  7. Work on Little Green Apples blog hop project.
  8. Finish Mystery Quilt (making and writing)
  9. Bind SAHRR ’23
  10. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  11. 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.

Piecing:

  1. Little Green Apples blog hop project
  2. March Island Batik project.

Quilting:

  • Chilhowie
  • Nutcracker is ready to quilt
  • Bird Panel is ready to quilt

Upcoming Blog Hops

Beaquilter: Dust off a Quilt Book (Mar 7)

Just Let Me Quilt: Little Green Apples (March)

Moose Stash Quilting: Sew It – Show It: Say What? (my day is April 19)


One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

SAHRR Round #6

If you need more information on the SAHRR … you can go to THIS POST.

Round #6

Finally, the last prompt for Round #6. I know that many of you have been patiently (or impatiently) waiting for this round!

I chose Pinwheels for Round #6

I continued to use Island Batik fabrics from the Baby Bloomers collection (by Kathy Engle for Karen Overton) along with solid white.

I wanted this quilt to be more of a rectangle, so I just added the pinwheels to the top and bottom.

Now, you Need to go to the co-hosts blogs and see their rounds! Their links are in the schedule below.

How I made my Pinwheel blocks

I used the Accuquilt 8″ Qube die #5 to cut all the half-square triangles. They finished at 4 1/2” x 4 1/2” and when sewn into the quilt will finish at 4″ x 4″. And yes, I twirled the centre seam!

The previous round, Square in a Square, blocks were all 4″ (finished), so the top and bottom rows fit perfectly!

Linky Party

Here’s the Linky party so you can see everyone’s 6th Round!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=c0efdbe6b4add43dd7ef

Non-blogger’s Rounds

Here’s Kathy’s: She’s making a baby quilt with Dr. Seuss fabrics and says, “So I was pleased to see the flying geese suggestion and as I still have scraps of Dr Seuss fabric in the grab bag (even precut into triangles) I made a simple row of geese.    I may need more later,  but they will be different as all of those pieces are gone.

Charlene’s flying geese became trees! Love it! Such creativity!

Ioleen has been posting on Instagram, but I know several of you do not have access to IG. If you do, you can access her account @ioleen.kimmel She sent me these pictures. I see a heart theme happening here!

This is Chere’s. Here’s what she says, “These are my flying geese and my square in a square. It’s been fun trying to figure this out. Looking forward to the next round.”

Here’s Sarah’s and she says, “Not sure what I’ll do with the hour glass blocks, but the square in a square are just what I needed for the flying geese border. “

In 2 weeks

In 2 weeks we’ll have the SAHRR Parade. I would love it if you could post your finished top there (quilted or not) or whatever progress you have made on your SAHRR ’22! If you are not able to post to a linky party, please email me your picture by 5 pm on Mar 12 and I’ll post it on the blog! email: quiltinggail@yahoo.ca (Please note, it’s .ca. not .com!)

Our Wonderful Sponsors

Here’s a list of the sponsors and their generous gifts!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

SAHRR Round #5

If you need more information on the SAHRR … you can go to THIS POST.

Round #5

Emily @ The Darling Dogwood has chosen Square-in-a-square blocks for the 5th round!

I continued to use Island Batik fabrics from the Baby Bloomers collection (by Kathy Engle for Karen Overton).

With using a huge variety of fabrics from the Baby Bloomers collection, I felt that it needed a bit of a break, so I added a 3″ border. I may fill it in with appliqué or quilting later. Anyhow, here is my quilt with the Square-in-a-square blocks added. The quilt now measures 48.5″ x 52″

Now, you Need to go to the co-hosts blogs and see their first rounds! Their links are in the schedule below.

How I made my Square-in-a-square blocks

I used the Accuquilt 8″ Qube die #6 and die #5 to make the Square-in-a-square blocks. They finished at 4 1/2” x 4 1/2” and when sewn into the quilt will finish at 4″ x 4″.

The math worked out perfectly as I added the coping border (plain white) so that both the sides and top were divisible by 4.

Linky Party

Emily @ The Darling Dogwood will have a linky party so you can see everyone’s 4th Round!

Non-blogger’s Rounds

Here’s Heather’s:  I like how her flying geese point into opposite corners!

Here’s what Jacomina has to say, “I thought I should repeat the improv piecing of the center block in the geese. Not so sure yet how or even whether they will end up in this quilt. Let’s see next round.” I love the scrappy Improv!

Here’s what Sarah has to say, “It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do with the flying geese, but now I’m well on my way. “

Next week?

I will tell us what to do. See you then for the last and final round!

Our Wonderful Sponsors

Here’s a list of the sponsors and their generous gifts!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

SAHRR Round #4

If you need more information on the SAHRR … you can go to THIS POST.

Round #4

Anja @ Anja Quilts has chosen Flying Geese blocks for the 4th round!

I continued to use Island Batik fabrics from the Baby Bloomers collection (by Kathy Engle for Karen Overton).

To be honest, I have NO IDEA how the math worked out on this!!! The hourglass blocks were 3″ finished and the flying geese are 2″ x 4″ … and it worked out on all sides! Boggles my mind!

Now, you Need to go to the co-hosts blogs and see their first rounds! Their links are in the schedule below.

How I made my Flying Geese blocks

I used the Accuquilt 8″ Qube die #4 and die #5 to make the Flying Geese blocks. They finished at 2 1/2” x 4 1/2” and when sewn into the quilt will finish at 2″ x 4″.

Linky Party

Anja @ Anja Quilts will have a linky party so you can see everyone’s 4th Round!

Non-blogger’s Rounds

Here’s Heather’s:

Jacomina said, “I found these braids in the bags received from quilters going into retirement homes.  A nice filler round. Now 23″ by 15.5”

This is what Chere has to say, “Playing catch up on this .  My centre block is a Japanese  Sashiko block which I did the running stitch in cream and red. Had purchased a few Japanese cotton fabrics to go with block, but not much. Hoping to keep it small so I’ll have enough fabric left .”

Great job catching up, Chere!

Next week?

Emily @ The Darling Dogwood will tell us what to do. Are you following her blog?

I hope you’re having fun!

Our Wonderful Sponsors

Here’s a list of the sponsors and their generous gifts!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

SAHRR Round #3

If you need more information on the SAHRR … you can go to THIS POST.

Round #3

Chris @ Chrisknitssews has chosen Hourglass blocks for the 3rd round!

I continued to use Island Batik fabrics from the Baby Bloomers collection (by Kathy Engle for Karen Overton).

Now, you Need to go to the co-hosts blogs and see their hourglass rounds! Their links are in the schedule below.

How I made my Hourglass blocks

I used the Accuquilt 8″ Qube die #4 to make the Hourglass blocks. I then trimmed them to 3 1/2.” They will finish at 3″ x 3″ in the quilt.

The math for this round was pretty easy. The star round ended at 21″ x 24.” With the hourglass blocks finishing at 3″ square – it meant that the 7 hourglasses across and 8 down were the way to go.

If I was having difficulty with the math, I likely would have put a few empty white blocks between some of the hourglass blocks to make it fit. Depending on what I needed, they might have been 1/4″ spaces or 1″ spaces … whatever I need to make up the difference.

Other’s Rounds

Here’s Heather’s:

Here’s Charlenes … Stars are done…called eccentric stars

Here’s Jacomina’s … She’s waiting to see what Round #3 is to fill in the borders …I found some very interesting orphan blocks and hope to incorporate those …

Sarah’s been ill and only has 1 of her 4 stars done … that’s OK … I hope she feels better soon!

Linky Party

Chris @ Chrisknitssews will have a linky party so you can see everyone’s 3rd Round!

Next week?

Anja @ Anja Quilts will tell us what to do. Are you following her blog?

Relax … this is easy … and it’s only one round each week!

Our Wonderful Sponsors

Here’s a list of the sponsors and their generous gifts!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

SAHRR Round #2

If you need more information on the SAHRR … you can go to THIS POST.

Round #2

Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life has chosen Stars for the 2nd round! I would usually piece stars for a round robin quilt, but since I had access to an accuquilt die with small stars, I opted to use them. I’m determined to get better at applique this year.

I continued to use Island Batik fabrics from the Baby Bloomers collection (by Kathy Engle for Karen Overton).

Now, you Need to go to the co-hosts blogs and see their star rounds! Their links are in the schedule below.

More Round #1

Here’s Jacomina’s. Aren’t her improv blocks great?

Here’s Heather’s: I watched her work on some of these at the guild sew day!

Here’s Sarah’s. She says, “Resized the spools and changed the proportions” … looks great, doesn’t it?

Here’s Charlene’s. She says, “Spools are done, think I’m doing row by row, still deciding on end blocks for my snowman row.” It’ll be fun to see what she decides to do!

If you’re not on social media, send me a photo of your progress (quiltinggail@yahoo.ca) by noon on Sunday and I’ll post your photo on next week’s blog.

How I made my stars

I used an Accuquilt die and cut out the stars … at the moment they are ironed in place, but will be appliquéd when it’s quilted.

Linky Party

Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life will have a linky party so you can see everyone’s 2nd Round!

Next week?

Chris @ Chrisknitssews will tell us what to do. Are you following her blog?

Relax … this is easy … and it’s only one round each week!

Our Wonderful Sponsors

Here’s a list of the sponsors and their generous gifts!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Sunday Summation: Jan 29 ’23

Island Batik Unboxing Videos

Island Batik ambassadors have been posting their Unboxing Videos on their blogs and social media! It’s a great way to “meet” the ambassador’s and see all the awesome fabric and goodies they have received from Island Batik and the industry partners. My day to post is tomorrow … so stay tuned!

Brenda Alburl ~ Songbird Designs
Renee Atkinson ~ Pink Tulip Quilting
Pamela Boatright ~ PamelaQuilts
Susan Deshensky ~ Lady Blue Quilts
Brittany Fisher ~ Bobbin with Brittany

Preeti Harris ~ Sew Preeti Quilts
Mania Hatziioannidi ~ Mania for quilts
Reed Johnson ~ Blue Bear Quilts
Victoria Johnson ~ Forever Quilting for You
Randi Jones ~ Randi’s Roost

Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs
Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood
Denise Looney ~ Quiltery – For The Love Of Geese
Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights
Maryellen McAuliffe ~ Mary Mack Made Mine

Anorina Morris ~ sameliasmum.com
Lisa Pickering ~ Lisa’s Quilting Passion
Sarah Pitcher ~ Pitcher’s Boutique
Claudia Porter ~ Create with Claudia
Lana Russel ~ Lana Quilts

Elita Sharpe ~ Busy Needle
Gail Sheppard ~ Quilting Gail
Sandra Starley ~ Textile Time Travels
Jennifer Thomas ~ Curlicue Creations
Suzy Webster ~ Websterquilt


Has started!!! Be sure to come back and see all the wonders that are happening!!! If you need some incentive to join in the fun, we have a lot of wonderful sponsors!!! and you could win some fantastic quilting goodies! You can see the beginning posts linked below.

Please note that I will be posting this week’s SAHRR on Tuesday!

One Gift a Month Challenge

Have you heard of this challenge? I’m a sucker for challenges and blog hops … they all keep my creative juices flowing and they also keep me busy in my quilting studio. OK, I admit it, sometimes they keep me TOO busy!

However, as quilters, we sometimes need to have small gifts on hand … those secret gift exchanges … something little to show someone they are loved … you get the idea.

Days Filled with Joy is hosting this challenge. This month it’s a little basket that Pink Penguin has a tutorial for (See HERE). Since I just found out about this challenge last week, I’m not sure I’ll get this basket done before the end of the month … but it might be done in February! However, I have started it! The fabric is cut out and I started sewing the little blocks together. The fabric is Island Batik from the Deco Revival collection.

Are you going to join me in this challenge????

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: 29 / 29
  • Percentage: 100%

Stash Report

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

I did finish 3 table toppers … They used Island Batik fabrics, Hobbs 80/20 batting and Aurifil thread #2600 (Dove Grey) for the piecing, quilting and binding.

I can still brag … !

  • Fabric Used this week:    yards
  • Fabric Used in 2023:       4 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:    0 yards 
  • Net Fabric used:               4 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 now hosting “To Do” every week.

The To Do list from a last week:

  1. Finish the sashing and borders Clue #7 Chilhowie √   DONE
  2. Classic Cars Colour Challenge BOM – Sept / Oct. in progress. (Just a note, I am working ahead on this so that the finished quilt is done in time for the final reveal. )
  3. More Nutcracker colouring. in progress
  4. Continue working on Island Batik February project in progress
  5. Sandwich Bird Panels not done
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes √   DONE
  7. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!  not done I started the One Gift a Month challenge.

This week’s list:

  1. Sandwich Bird Panels
  2. Sandwich Chilhowie
  3. Work on February Sweet on You Blog Hop project
  4. Bind Island Batik’s February project
  5. Finish colouring Nutcracker
  6. Finish “One Gift a Month” project
  7. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  8. 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.

Piecing:

  1. Classic Cars Colour Challenge BOM. (sorry no picture)
  2. February Sweet on You Blog Hop project
  3. One Gift a Month

Quilting:

Naturescape Lone Star is ready to quilt

Binding:

Island Batik’s February project … Sorry, just a glimpse of the fabric … you’ll have to wait until February 13 to see the whole quilt.

Upcoming Blog Hops

Island Batik: February Blog Hop! (My day is February 13)

Moose Stash Quilting: Sew It – Show It: Sweet on You (my day is February 22)

Beaquilter: Dust off a Quilt Book (Mar 7)

Just Let Me Quilt: Little Green Apples (March)

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

SAHRR – Round #1

If you need more information on the SAHRR … you can go to THIS POST.

For the Center Block see This post

Round #1

Roseanne & Sue @ Home Sewn by Us have chosen Spools for the first round! I must admit that I don’t think I’ve ever made a spool block before!

I continued to use Island Batik fabrics from the Baby Bloomers collection (by Kathy Engle for Karen Overton).

Now, you Need to go to the co-hosts blogs and see their first rounds! Their links are in the schedule below.

How I made my spool blocks

The half square triangles are tiny … they finish at 1″ …. so they are 1 1/2” unfinished … the blocks below the top HST are 1 1/2” square, unfinished and the center column is 1 1/2” x 3 1/2” unfinished … the whole block will finish at 3″ …

Linky Party

Roseanne & Sue @ Home Sewn by Us will have a linky party so you can see everyone’s 1st Round!

More Centre Blocks

Some people are participating in the SAHRR, but don’t do social media … so I and another hosting blogger are posting their blocks for them … It’ll be fun to see how these blocks grow into their own quilts!

This is Charlene’s … Winter Wonderland

Here’s Heather’s …

This is Sarah from  Franklin, TN.

Next week?

Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life will tell us what to do. Are you following her blog?

Relax … this is easy … and it’s only one round each week!

Our Wonderful Sponsors

Here’s a list of the sponsors and their generous gifts!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Sunday Summation Jan. 22 ’23

Has started!!! Be sure to come back and see all the wonders that are happening!!! If you need some incentive to join in the fun, we have a lot of wonderful sponsors!!! and you could win some fantastic quilting goodies!

Classic Car BOM

The colour for January is pink. I used scraps of Island Batik to make this beautiful block. Visit Patterns by Jen to download the pattern this month. It’s free until the end of the month. She also has a video to help you make the funky flying geese!

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: 22 / 22
  • Percentage: 100%

Stash Report

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

I did finish this little wall hanging … and used 1 yard of fabric!

Actually, I could brag … it was a bit hard to resist going shopping with other retreaters … but I resisted!

  • Fabric Used this week:    yards
  • Fabric Used in 2023:       1 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:    0 yards 
  • Net Fabric used:               1 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 now hosting “To Do” every week.

The To Do list from a last week:

  1. Finish the sashing and borders Clue #7 Chilhowie. in progress
  2. Classic Cars Colour Challenge BOM – Sept / Oct in progress – blocks are cut
  3. More Nutcracker colouring. in progress
  4. Sandwich Naturescape Lone Star. √   DONE
  5. Work on Shades of Blue Blog Hop project in progress
  6. Continue working on Island Batik February project in progress
  7. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes √   DONE
  8. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!  √   DONE

This week’s list:

  1. Finish the sashing and borders Clue #7 Chilhowie
  2. Classic Cars Colour Challenge BOM – Sept / Oct
  3. More Nutcracker colouring.
  4. Finish Shades of Blue Blog Hop project – I post on the 26th!
  5. Continue working on Island Batik February project
  6. Sandwich Bird Panels
  7. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  8. 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. Piecing:

  1. Classic Cars Colour Challenge BOM – Sept / Oct
  2. Chilhowie – Clue #7, sashing and borders picture shows most of the sashing blocks ready to sew … still in progress
  3. Island Batik February project – isn’t the fabric beautiful?
  4. Shades of Blue Blog Hop project – need to ‘get er done!’

Quilting:

Naturescape Lone Star is ready to quilt

The bird panels are ready for sandwiching.

Current Blog Hop

Shades of Blue

This blog hop starts Monday, hosted by Creatin’ in the Sticks: here are the links to all the participants:

Monday, January 23rd

Tuesday, January 24th

Wednesday, January 25th

Thursday, January 26th

Upcoming Blog Hops

Moose Stash Quilting: Sew It – Show It: Sweet on You (February 22)

Island Batik: February Blog Hop!

Beaquilter: Dust off a Quilt Book (Mar 7)

Just Let Me Quilt: Little Green Apples (March)

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

SAHRR Starts! Center Block!

If you need more information on the SAHRR … you can go to THIS POST.

Centre Block

Here is my centre block. The birds and the flowers were cut with Accuquilt dies that I borrowed from our guild’s die collection. (Go! Birds and Rose of Sharon). This piece is 9.5″ x 12.5″. I will do the applique stitching when I quilt it. I used Island Batik fabrics from the Baby Bloomers collection (by Kathy Engle for Karen Overton) and solid white. I initially used the Baby Bloomer fabrics for a Lone Star Quilt you can see HERE.

Now, you Need to go to the co-hosts blogs and see their center blocks! Their links are in the schedule below.

Show us your Center Block!

The link is open from now until Saturday night!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=c0efdbe6b4add43dd7ef

If you do not have a way to join the linky party, email me your photo by Sunday noon, and I’ll post it on my blog the following week. (quiltinggail@yahoo.ca)

Next week?

Roseanne & Sue will tell us what to do. Make sure you follow their blog, Home Sewn by Us .

Relax … this is easy … and it’s only one round each week!

Our Wonderful Sponsors

We will be drawing for prizes from our sponsors after the March 13 Parade.

Here’s a list of the sponsors and their generous gifts!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Sunday Summation – Jan 8 ’23

I’ve been busy, but don’t have much to show for it!

I’m going to a 4 day retreat tomorrow and hope to get a LOT done! Well … you know how that goes … I take a dozen projects to work on and finish one or 2! LOL!!!

Here’s my list of what I’m taking:

  • Birds panel (ufo)
  • Wallet #1 (ufo)
  • Wallet #2 (ufo)
  • Colour BOM (ufo)
  • MSQ wall hanging (Quilt More, Worry Less)
  • Chilhowie
  • Shades of Blue project
  • Nutcracker and Inktense pencils

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!

2022 Stitching!

  • Total:  318 / 365
  • Percentage = 87% 

2023 Stitching

  • January: 8 / 8
  • Percentage: 100%

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!

In 2022, I used a net total of 76.5 yards of fabric.

  • Fabric Used since the last report    yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       109.5 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:    33 yards 
  • Net Fabric used:                76.5 yards 

In 2023, I haven’t finished any projects, so haven’t used any fabric, but I haven’t bought any either!

To Do Tuesday

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

The To Do list from a last week:

  1. Start Clue #6 Chilhowie. √   DONE
  2. Classic Cars Colour Challenge BOM – May / June √   DONE
  3. Re-do Nutcracker. … when I went to start colouring the Nutcracker, I realized that many of the black lines had run … well, duh, Helen said to use UNWASHED calico … and Batik has been washed a zillion times … √   DONE
  4. Work on Naturescape Lone Star. √   DONE
  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. Start Clue #7 Chilhowie
  2. Classic Cars Colour Challenge BOM – July / Aug
  3. Start colouring Nutcracker.
  4. Work on Naturescape Lone Star
  5. Start Island Batik February project.
  6. Pack for retreat!
  7. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  8. 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. Piecing:

  1. Classic Cars Colour Challenge BOM
  2. Chilhowie – Clue #7, sashing and borders
  3. Naturescape Lone Star …. after making the Lone Star for the December Island Batik challenge, I fell in LOVE with Lone Stars!!! I just happened to have an Island Batik 2 1/2” strip pack of Naturescape with coordinating green and so I started sewing and cutting! Yes, there is a LOT of matching of seams … every. single. one. But the end result is great – even if I can’t sew at 100 miles an hour!

Quilting:

Nothing … I need to colour the Nutcracker before I can start quilting!

And maybe I’ll get the Naturescape Lone Star top ready for sandwhiching …

And maybe I’ll get Chilhowie to the flimsy stage!

Upcoming Blog Hops

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

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

Island Batik: February Blog Hop!

Just Let Me Quilt: Little Green Apples (March)

Plans for 2023

There are a few things I’m planning for 2023. More details in the coming weeks.

  • PHD in 2023 – come and join us! It’s a great way to decrease your UFOs!
  • 2023 SAHRR – starts January 16!!! In just over a week!! And we have some fantastic sponsors!
  • 2023 Appliqué  BOM (I bet this surprises a LOT of people!) – This will start later in January … I’m still working out the details!
  • Winter 2023 Mystery Quilt – probably start in February or early March

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

My 5th Year as an Island Batik Ambassador!

And, I’m SEW excited to join with this group of talented quilters! It promises to be a fun fun year!

Make sure that you are following each one so that you don’t miss out on the fantastic and diverse projects everyone creates!

From left to right:

Brenda Alburl ~ Songbird Designs
Renee Atkinson ~ Pink Tulip Quilting
Pamela Boatright ~ PamelaQuilts
Susan Deshensky ~ Lady Blue Quilts
Brittany Fisher ~ Bobbin with Brittany

Preeti Harris ~ Sew Preeti Quilts
Mania Hatziioannidi ~ Mania for quilts
Reed Johnson ~ Blue Bear Quilts
Victoria Johnson ~ Forever Quilting for You
Randi Jones ~ Randi’s Roost

Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs
Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood
Denise Looney ~ Quiltery – For The Love Of Geese
Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights
Maryellen McAuliffe ~ Mary Mack Made Mine

Anorina Morris ~ sameliasmum.com
Lisa Pickering ~ Lisa’s Quilting Passion
Sarah Pitcher ~ Pitcher’s Boutique
Claudia Porter ~ Create with Claudia
Lana Russel ~ Lana Quilts

Elita Sharpe ~ Busy Needle
Gail Sheppard ~ Quilting Gail
Sandra Starley ~ Textile Time Travels
Jennifer Thomas ~ Curlicue Creations
Suzy Webster ~ Websterquilt

Friday ??? no finishes

On this first Friday of 2023, I don’t have any finishes … however, I do have many things partially done …

My Stay at Home Round Robin is close to being finished … but of course, I can’t show you until March … but you can watch my progress, starting January 16!

Would you be interested to know that we have several awesome sponsors and will be giving away prizes when the SAHRR is over??? So make sure you join us for the fun!

Bonnie Hunter Mystery

This is her latest mystery quilt. Chilhowie with Island Batik fabrics! I’m all caught up except for the clue and reveal that came out today. If you’ve ever done a Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt, you know that it involves a LOT of little pieces and can be quite time consuming. The first picture is the blocks in progress and the 2nd picture is the blocks as they are today. Now, I just need to do the final steps!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

Announcing SAHRR 2023

Earlier this year, as we had a parade for the SAHRR (pronounced Stay At Home Round Robin), we announced that we would be doing it again in 2023.

For the past 3 years, I have done a SAHRR and have made different quilts. The first year I did it on my own and then for the next 2 years, I had some fantastic blogging/quilting friends join in the fun!

Here’s the quilts from previous SAHRRs. The two on the are from 2022 & 2021 and the two on the right are ones I did on my own. It’s so much MORE fun with others! Here’s the LINK where you can see all the quilts made last year.

What’s a Round Robin?

This is a common activity in many quilt guilds. A round robin (in quilting terms) is where each person makes a centre block. This block is put in a bag or container, maybe with extra fabric, perhaps with a notebook, and the bag is passed onto another quilter in the group. They are given instructions as to what kind of border (or round) they are to add on to the quilt. Sometimes the next person will make a border for each side, or one side or two sides of the block. It’s then passed on to another quilter and it continues on … when the quilt centre and all the borders are completed, it is returned to the original maker of the centre block.

So, I stay at home?

That’s correct! You and your centre block and the borders all stay home. You have to make the decisions as to what to add when given directions. How big, how many … it’s up to you.

How do I join?

There’s nothing to join, no sign up. All you need to do is follow our blogs.

How often does this happen?

On January 16, we will show you our centre blocks … I haven’t seen any of my friends blocks – so it’s going to be a surprise for each of us. This will give you some ideas of what you can make or use (do you have orphan blocks?)

Then on January 23 (and each Monday following) we will give you instructions as to what the next border/round is to be. Again, we will all show you our centre blocks with the first border to give you some ideas.

Here are my blogging co-leaders in the order of what we will be doing and the linky parties we will be holding each week. (There will only be one linky party each week … and we’ll direct you to it …)

  • January 16: I will host the first linky party … for you to show each of your centre blocks … but you’ll have to visit each of the SAHRR co-host bloggers to see their centre blocks
  • January 23: 1st Round: Roseanne & Sue @ Home Sewn by Us
  • January 30 :  2nd Round: Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
  • February 6: 3rd Round: Chris @ Chrisknitssews
  • February 134th Round: Anja @ Anja Quilts
  • February 205th Round: Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
  • February 27: 6th Round: ME!!! @ Quilting Gail 
  • March 13: Parade – showing all of your finished SAHRRs!

This Year we have Sponsors!

We reached out to several companies that we all LOVE and many of them agreed to sponsor the SAHRR 2023!!! We will keep track of all of the participants that link to our Linky parties each week. We will make a list and use a random number generator to choose the winners for each prize! So, it you link up to 3 Linky parties, you will have 3 opportunities to win!

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don’t want to make that round? It’s your quilt – you can leave it out

What size do I make it? That’s up to you … you are sort-of the designer here.

Are the rounds hard? No … each round is pretty simple … squares, rectangles, half-square triangles with perhaps a surprise.

What colours do I use? That’s up to you … you can follow what one of the SAHRR leader uses or have your own colour scheme.

What if I miss a round? You can leave it out, or go back to the blog where the directions are given.

Will you cut my fabric for me? No

How often will the quilt police check on me and my progress? There are NO quilt police!! None!!

What do I do now?

Make sure that you follow each of the SAHRR leaders so that you don’t miss their posts.

Start thinking about what you might do for a centre block.

Relax … this is easy … and it’s only one round each week!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

2022 Island Batik projects

I’ve made and posted all of these during the past year! Enjoy!

January

This was a UFO from the “Any Which Way” mystery that was hosted on the blog in ’21. See HERE for the finishing details!

The first Island Batik challenge of the year was to use a Fat 1/4 bundle of Tantalizing Teals. You can see details on this challenge HERE.

February

I used Kelly Young’s book “Scrappy Improve Quilting.” You can see details of it here.

This was a quilt I made for Island Batik’s catalogue featuring the “Evergreen and Pine” fabric collection. See the link HERE.

This quilt was made for Island Batik’s catalogue featuring the “Contempo” fabric collection.

The February Island Batik challenge was to create a quilt with the Row by Row theme. I used the “Vintage Lace” collection, designed by Kathy Engle. You can read more about it HERE.

I made this cute little basket using Deco Revival fabrics. You can read about it HERE.

March

Here is the Stay at Home Round Robin that I made using the Flutterfly collection and Island Batik’s solid white. You can read more details HERE.

We were challenged to create a piece based on the Italian thread that we received from Aurifil. I received “Pompeii Red” colour builder set. See HERE for more details.

This was a table runner that I made for the Quilt as You Go class that I taught. See HERE.

I made these little coasters with left-over fabric blocks from my SAHRR. See HERE for details.

This quilt was made for the Time in a Bottle Blog Hop. I used fabrics that were left-over from my gradation quilts (January). See HERE for more details.

April

April’s challenge was to make a Funky Friend. I chose Gregory Gorilla. He was a lot of fun to make!! See all the details HERE.

This little zipper pouch was made for the “World of Colour” Blog Hop. Details can be found HERE.

May

The following 3 projects were made for Island Batik’s challenge called “Triangle Tricks. I found the first one very difficult to make, but the last 2 were quite easy! See HERE for details.

June

June’s Challenge was to make a New York beauty and I was given the Harvest Night fabric collection. See HERE for details.

These 2 quilts were made with the “Jewel Carvings” fabric collection (designed by Kathy Engle) for the Island Batik catalogue. My friend, Amy, made the one with the light background and I made the one with the dark. See more details HERE.

This quilt was my very first magazine publication. It was in the Fons & Porter Love of Quilting July/August issue. See HERE for more pictures and details.

This quilt was designed by Sandra Walker at MMM Quilts. You can see more details of it HERE. If you want the pattern you can find it HERE

I made this window hanging in an on-line class with Epida Studio. Elizabeth is a great teacher! More details of my window hanging can be found HERE.

July

Island Batik’s challenge for July was “Christmas in July with Accuquilt.” We were all given the Tree of Life die. This was a super fun quilt to make and it was super fun to give it to a dear friend on mine! See more pictures HERE.

I had left-over HST from the Tree of life, so I made this little zipper pouch!

August

August’s challenge was to make a Marvelous Mini Quilt. I was inspired by a speaker we had at the guild, as well as many different Dresdens made with friends. This was my mini. Details HERE.

September

I received the “Corner Pop” tool from Studio 180 and was challenged to use it, along with a 1/2 yard bundle of “Flourish” by Kathy Engle It was a lot of fun to make this quilt using the tool, along with other Studio 180 tools! See HERE for details.

These were made using “Left-overs” from the above quilt. See HERE for details.

This was made for the Queen of Gadgets Blog Hop. You can read about all the gadgets I used to make this quilt HERE I used a 10″ stack of Pumpkin Spice and the background is “Celery”.

October

October’s challenge was a ByAnnie bag. I chose to make the “A Place for Everything 2.0” bag and paired it with fabrics from the “Bee Kind” collection. The pattern was easy to follow and with supplemental videos – it came together easily! See details HERE.

This tree skirt was made for Island Batik’s catalogue using the Winter Sky collection. I just LOVE the blues!

This quilt was made for Pinktober. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. My heart is all a flutter when I think of the story behind the gifting of this quilt. You can read about it HERE.

And little bags made from the left-overs from the Pinktober quilt.

November

Island Batik’s November challenge was to make a Christmas stocking. These were fun to make! You can read about how I made them and used an Accuquilt die for the snowflackes … HERE.

This quilt was made with a 2 1/2″ strip pack of “Citified.” It was fun to make and I had a blast quilting it! You can read about it HERE.

This was made for the class I was teaching called “Travel Posts.” You can see class participants’ quilts HERE.

These little baskets were made with left-over fabric from making the Winter Sky tree skirt (see above). You can read more about them HERE.

I did a trunk show for Boundary Bay Quilter’s Guild – with ONLY Island Batik quilts and projects that I have made in the past 4 years as an Island Batik ambassador. You can see a glimpse of some of the trunk show HERE.

December

Island Batik’s challenge for December was to make a Lone Star! It was SEW rewarding to have this quilt turn out so nice! You can read about it HERE.

Left-overs from the Lone Star quilt turned into this cute quilt! Read about it HERE.

Little Pencil cases made with the left-overs from the Lone Star and the Baby Quilt:

The Scrappy Fall Mystery Quilt, background is “Linen,” all scraps from my Island Batik scrap bin:

This was my Spicy BOM Colour challenge Quilt. You can read more about it HERE.

A Winter Branches Table Runner … made a bit bigger to fit on the top of my piano.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Retreats are fun!

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: