Stash Report

Weekly update

/ quiltinggail / 11 Comments

Are you following along with the Summer Mystery Quilt? You can see the latest clue HERE.

Design Wall

Piecing

#1. Country Panels: No work on it this week!

#2 It’s A Secret: you’ll see it in October! (And yes, I HAD to start something NEW to give myself a break!)

Quilting: 

#1 Amish panels: I finished the quilting and when I went to put the binding on I discovered that the rows of swirls in the border were HORRID!!! So bad that I’ve spent more than a couple of days taking it out. That’s why it’s not finished, the quilt above isn’t finished piecing.

Quilting #2: Island Batik August is ready to quilt – but I have to fix the other one first!!!

Stash Report

I didn’t need any more fabric this week and I only finished my Island Batik project which used 1 yard of fabric for the backing.

  • Fabric Used this week     0 yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       70 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      27.75 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                  42.25 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.

I have stitched for over 30 minutes all days this past week. And, I’m including “unsewing” as part of my 30 minutes / day!

  • January – May–  180 / 180
  • July – 18 / 18
  • Percentage = 99 % 

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.

Last week:

This week it was hard to get everything done. Like most people, I highly dislike unsewing. OK … if I’m honest, I HATE it!!! Its taken me ages to get all the horrid quilting out … and I’m not finished yet! GROAN!!!. I do have a personal policy of taking out the mistakes before quitting for the day … but more than a couple of days of unsewing is discouraging! It’s OK … it’s almost all done … and then I can start moving forward again!

  1.  Add sashing to  Country Panels: not done
  2. Finish IB August top   √   done 
  3. Finish quilting Amish Panel not  done 
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!   sort-of …
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes     √   done    

This week’s list:

  1. Add sashing to Country Panels
  2. Fix Amish Panel , finish quilting, bind
  3. Start quilting IB August
  4. Finish Secret project (listed at KY book in my UFO tally)
  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:

Summer Days

/ quiltinggail / 16 Comments

I’m really enjoying our lovely summer days! It’s cooling off at night – so I think the weather is lovely! However, it’s so tempting to spend a LOT of time outside! The garden needs weeding, the tomatoes are ready for picking – almost every day!

I finished my latest project for Island Batik! You can read more about it HERE. This wall hanging used Hobbs 80/20 batting, Aurifil thread, Schmetz needles and of course, Island Batik fabric!

Are you following along with the Summer Mystery Quilt? You can see the latest clue HERE.

Design Wall

Piecing

#1. August Island Batik project: Moving right along!

#2. Country Panels: No work on it this week!

Quilting: 

#1 Amish panels: Lots of quilting done … not quite finished.

Stash Report

I didn’t need any more fabric this week and I only finished my Island Batik project which used 1 yard of fabric for the backing.

  • Fabric Used this week     1  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       70 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      27.75 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                  42.25 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.

I have stitched for over 30 minutes all days this past week.

  • January – May–  180 / 180
  • July – 11 / 11
  • Percentage = 99 % 

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.

Last week:

I did work on a few projects and was not distracted by squirrels! And the studio got a cleaning for 30 minutes! However, I think that I need to spend more than 30 minutes this week – but I’m going to leave my To Do list at 30 minutes! ~grin~

  1.   Work on Country Panels: not done
  2. Work on IB August project   √   done 
  3. Start quilting Amish Panel √   done 
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!   √   done
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes     √   done    

This week’s list:

  1. Add sashing to Country Panels
  2. Finish IB August top
  3. Finish quilting Amish Panel
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

No further finishes. I started my August Island Batik project.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

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

Linking to:

Heat wave is over

/ quiltinggail / 19 Comments

Thank you to all that offered your sympathy and concern for us surviving the heat wave. It is over and the temps are way more comfortable … around 30C (86 F). And it is cooling down at night! So sleep is possible!!! YEAH!!!

Although, in the wake of the heat wave, there are a LOT of fires burning in British Columbia, lots of lightening strikes … one town was burnt totally to the ground … the residents had less than 15 minutes to flee the town. Lots of sad stories …

But this blog is about quilting … so here goes …

The Summer 2021 Mystery Quilt fabric amounts and cutting directions have been posted. You can see them HERE and HERE.

I still don’t have a lot of energy, but Zoom sewing with Island Batik Ambassadors on Friday helped! I got a start on my August project … using a BEAUTIFUL line of fabric (Autumn Wings) and Studio 180 rulers. It’s a secret, so no pictures … sorry!

Design Wall

Piecing

#1. August Island Batik project: a bit of progress

#2. Country Panels:

I started working on another UFO … 2 different country panels that I’m putting together. I’m using the burgandy grunge fabric for sashing and a first border. But I don’t have enough … so I had to go shopping … More about that further down …

Quilting: 

#1 Amish panels: 2 panels, put into one quilt top, sandwiched and ready to quilt. No progress on this. But the machine is threaded with the thread I want to use, bobbins are wound … just need to start.

Stash Report

I needed some more burgundy grunge for the 2 country panels that I’m putting together … so I went to Essem Textiles … and they just happened to have a skinny bolt sale on a “black dress” grunge and a “grey” grunge. I might or might not have bought them. Well, I can’t lie, of course I bought them … Sew … that adds 3 yards to my total of fabric bought!

  • Fabric Used this week      0  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       69 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  3  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      27.75 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                  41.25 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.

I have stitched for over 30 minutes all days this past week.

  • January – May–  180 / 180
  • July – 4 / 4
  • Percentage = 99 % 

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.

Last week:

  1.  Finish July Island Batik project. √   done   and blog post is almost ready!
  2. Quilt and bind:  Town Table Topper √   done   
  3. Start quilting Amish Panel not started.
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!   √   done
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes    √   done    

This week’s list:

  1.  Work on Country Panels
  2. Work on IB August project  
  3. Start quilting Amish Panel
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

No further finishes. I started my August Island Batik project.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

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

Linking to:

We’re having a heat wave

/ quiltinggail / 31 Comments

A serious heat wave. This is so unusual for Canada’s west coast! But our temperatures are over 41 C (translates to 106 F) and it’s not cooling off at night. No fun!!! It’s hard to have any energy to do anything … oh … and did I mention that our air conditioning is called a fan?

I have been working to get the Summer 2021 Mystery Quilt ready to roll. It takes time, but I was able to post the introduction on Saturday! You can read about it HERE.

Sew, even though not a lot is happening … here’s this week’s report:

Design Wall

Piecing

#1 Town Table Topper: This table topper is not finished, yet … On Friday, I showed the “unstitching that I needed to do … It’s now unstitched and the 2 offending blocks are switched around … but that’s as far as it’s gotten!

Quilting: 

#1 Island Batik July’s project: Still in progress … 2 days of ripping out did not help my progress or my mood with this project!

#2 Amish panels: put into one quilt top, sandwiched and ready to quilt. No progress on this.

Stash Report

No shopping, no buying … nothing finished …

  • Fabric Used this week      0  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       69 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      24.75 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                  44.25 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.

I have stitched for over 30 minutes most days this past week.

  • January – May–  150 / 150
  • June – 25 / 27
  • Percentage = 99 % 

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.

Last week:

  1. Finish July Island Batik project. not quite done
  2. Finish piecing Town Table Topper √   done
  3. Start quilting Amish Panel: Not started
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!   √   done
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes    √   done    

This week’s list:

  1.  Finish July Island Batik project.
  2. Quilt and bind:  Town Table Topper
  3. Start quilting Amish Panel
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

No changes from last week!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

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

Linking to:

Progress ? Well yes … a bit …

/ quiltinggail / 18 Comments

I have almost finished my July Island Batik challenge and here is a close-up of the progress. I’m using Aurifil #2600 (Dove) quilted on Island Batik Coconut and using Silly Moon’s “Twinkle” ruler. There are 2 layers of Hobbs 80/20 to make those stars pop!

Design Wall

Piecing

#1 Town Table Topper: This panel will be a table runner … and yes, it is that curved! One of the main reasons that I highly dislike panels … they are NOT straight! And fudging is the main focus of putting them together! It is a UFO that is headed to the Finish line!

Quilting: 

#1 Island Batik July’s project: in progress

#2 Amish panels: put into one quilt top, sandwiched and ready to quilt. (I decided that this is it … no more borders …)

Stash Report

No shopping, no buying … nothing finished … well, I did finish this panel, but I didn’t buy the fabric and I didn’t use any of my stash … so it doesn’t count.

  • Fabric Used this week      0  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       69 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      24.75 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                  44.25 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.

I have stitched for over 30 minutes each day

  • January – May–  150 / 150
  • June – 20 / 20
  • Percentage = 100 % 

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.

Last week:

  1. Summer Mystery Quilt: still waiting for the testing to be completed and double check fabric amounts
  2. Amish Panels: sandwich and prepare for quilting √   done
  3. Essem Panel: finish quilting and deliver it √   done
  4. July IB project: work on it √   done
  5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!   √   done
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes    √   done    

This week’s list:

  1.  Finish July Island Batik project.
  2. Finish piecing Town Table Topper
  3. Start quilting Amish Panel
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

I was Featured

Tish, the Madd Quilter from Tish’s Adventures in Wonderland featured this quilt … Thank you, Tish for the feature!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

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

Linking to:

Moving Along with Projects

/ quiltinggail / 20 Comments

Design Wall

Piecing

#1 Amish panels: 

I think I have the top pieced … just deciding if I need to add another border … The centre square, the star block is what I bought extra fabric for. I’m sort of wishing I hadn’t bordered the rest of the small blocks and I could have done all of them like the star. But, since I’m not a fan of taking a lot of things apart … it’s not going to happen.

#2 July Island Batik project … it’s a secret for now!

Quilting: 

#1 Mystery Quilt … coming soon! I finished quilting it and am quite happy with the result!

#2 Essem Panel: Essem Textiles (the new store close to where I live) got a huge bunch of kids prints in. SEW cute!!! The owner is not a quilter (yet!!!) and I offered to quilt a panel for her. I’m having a LOT of fun … here’s a sneak peak! I hope she likes it when it’s completed.

Stash Report

The backing on the 2 maple leaf quilts used 9 yards of fabric. On the purchasing end of things, I bought some grunge fabric to use for the UFO, Amish Panels (see the star above!)

  • Fabric Used this week      9   yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       69 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0.75  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      24.75 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                  44.25 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!

Here’s the 2 maple leaf quilts I finished … you can read more about them HERE. Yes, the tops were were made with Island Batik fabric, using an Accuquilt cutter and dies. Hobbs batting, Aurifil thread and Schmetz needles were also used.

Stitchin’ Time

I’m aiming for at least 30 minutes a day.

I have stitched for over 30 minutes each day

  • January – May–  150 / 150
  • June – 13 / 13
  • Percentage = 100 % 

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.

Last week:

  1. Summer Mystery Quilt: Quilt & Finish writing pattern √   done
  2. Amish Panels: Finish cutting out and maybe get it assembled √   done
  3. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!   √   done
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes   √   done    

This week’s list:

  1.  Summer Mystery Quilt: waiting for the testing to be completed and double check fabric amounts
  2. Amish Panels: sandwich and prepare for quilting
  3. Essem Panel: finish quilting and deliver it
  4. July IB project: work on it
  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:

FINALLY: Story-less Improv gets a facing

/ quiltinggail / 25 Comments

Oh, I put off putting a facing on my improv piece. I haven’t faced a quilt before … so why not procrastinate and put it off? and wait a little longer? and put it off? and put it to the side so it’s not staring me in the face? Maybe it’ll just disappear and I’ll forget about it …

Oh … it’s on my PHD chart of “Starts in 2021” and so in order to get my PHD in 2021, it does need to be finished. And a lot of my followers have seen me say in my “To Do” list that it needs a facing … for several weeks. Sigh …

Last week in my PHD in 2021 May post, I talked about how one can easily be faced with procrastination. I wasn’t thinking about this project, but it fits!!!

SEW … with a renewed determination to get it done, I decided to Google “How to Add a Facing.” The first link that showed up was a Youtube video from American Patchwork and Quilting. I grabbed a drink of water and started to watch it. You can see it HERE. AND my immediate reaction was

HOW CAN IT BE THAT SIMPLE ????

I quickly cut the squares for the corners and the side strips. I LOVE the fact that there are hanging triangles on ALL 4 corners, so I can easily change how I want it hung! I cut the squares at 4.5″

Then I pinned the triangles and facings in place:

The facings were pinned in place and I sewed as directed …

Turned the facing and triangles to the backside.

Then, the directions said to HAND stitch the facings down. OH NO!!! I hate hand stitching. What to do? I took my trusty Elmer’s disappearing glue and glued the facings down. If it holds for a period of time, I’ll be happy! If it doesn’t, well then I’ll pull out the black thread and hand stitch it down. But I’m crossing my fingers and hope that it holds!

This little piece used Island Batik solids, Aurifil, dove for quilting and Hobbs batting.

Design Wall

Piecing

#1 Amish panel: I’ve cut some of the blocks apart … I’m just deciding if I want to cut them all apart … Then I need to add black sashing …

#2 July Island Batik project … it’s a secret for now!

Quilting: 

#1 Mystery Quilt … coming soon! This will be a mystery quilt that you can do over the summer. I’m still writing the pattern, but I think there will be around 10 clues. (This mystery was originally going to use fat quarters, but I’ve changed my mind and have gone in another direction … so it’s no longer called the “Bunny Fat Quarter Mystery.”

Stash Report

The backing of Story-less Improv used 1 yard as did the “Follow Your Own Path”

  • Fabric Used this week     2   yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       60 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      24 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                  36 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.

I have stitched for over 30 minutes each day

  • January – May–  150 / 150
  • June – 6 / 6
  • Percentage = 100 % 

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

TO DO 

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

Last week:

  1. Follow Your Own Path: bind √   done
  2. SPEED DATING: ADD FACING GAIL: QUIT PROCRASTINATING!!! √   done
  3. Bunny Fat Quarters: Summer Mystery Quilt: finish writing the pattern partially   done
  4. June IB project: finish √   done
  5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!   √   done
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes   √   done    

This week’s list:

  1.  Summer Mystery Quilt: Quilt & Finish writing pattern
  2. Amish Panels: Finish cutting out and maybe get it assembled
  3. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

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

Linking to:

Getting the UFOs done!

/ quiltinggail / 25 Comments

I finished another UFO.

These are the hankies I bought in Thailand 7 years ago. You can see this in progress HERE and HERE.

I used Island Batik “Lavender” for the sashings and border.

And here is the finished wall hanging. Yes, I did quilt it to death in the background, but I wanted the main elements to pop. I must admit, I thoroughly enjoyed quilting it!!!

I used 3 different Aurifil threads to quilt this: #2315 (light Orchid), #1148 (Light Jade), and #2220 (Light Salmon).

Hobbs 80/20 batting was also used.

Continue reading →

2 Blog Hops this week and more …

/ quiltinggail / 14 Comments

The 1st Blog Hop is …

Island Batik’s Quilt Modern … Just look at these beautiful fabrics!!!! I’ve had a sneak peak at some of the creations and believe me, you are in for a treat …

I believe there will be a draw for some fabric, but we haven’t received any information yet … so stay tuned!

and here are the participants …

May 17:

Continue reading →

Pleasant Surprise!

/ quiltinggail / 21 Comments

You know what? Years after you have gifted a baby quilt, it’s lovely to see it actually being used! This was a quilt made with left-over blocks from watching an Eleanor Burns video around 2017. This quilt was gifted to my daughter’s co-worker and they recently sent her this picture! I don’t know about you, but knowing that my quilts are being used makes my heart smile!

Continue reading →

Outstanding Blogger Post & Weekly Report

/ quiltinggail / 29 Comments

Emily, from the Darling Dogwood, nominated me! I must confess, someone nominated me a few weeks ago, and I couldn’t find the blog post … sigh … so I didn’t follow up. (Sorry, whoever you are! …) The purpose of the Outstanding Blogger Award is to applaud our fellow bloggers and learn more about them by answering questions that are asked.

Here are the questions that Emily asked:

  1. Do you still have your first quilt? No. I made my first quilt when I was 17. I designed it with scraps in my mother’s scrap drawer and used gingham in part of the blocks. It was backed with the ugliest fabric (translate into cheapest) that we could find. It was tied. I had no idea what I was doing. No one showed me what to do. I used the quilt throughout my years in nursing school. I remember it became the dogs blanket at one point and was either buried with her or destroyed.

2. What is something on your Quilty Bucket List? I’ve always wanted to make a Storm at Sea! And, I hope to make one later this year.

3. Is there a color or fabric style that you really dislike working with? I used to hate working with orange. But orange goes nicely with so many other colours … and when I’m using Island Batik fabrics … well, what can I say … it’s growing on me.

4. Do you have a favorite traditional quilt block? The quick answer to this question is no. I don’t have ONE favourite block. I have several … Log Cabin, Pinwheels, Friendship Star, 8 point star … and the list goes on.

5. What one non-quilting thing about you that your readers might not know? I was a swimming instructor and lifeguard prior to going into nursing school. I also scuba dived at that time. I played the oboe and bassoon when I was in middle and high school.

Who to nominate? I have a zillion blogs that I follow … and I honestly couldn’t say that I know who has or has not been nominated …

  • Anja @ Anja Quilts
  • Velda @ Freckled Fox Quiltery
  • Karen Neary @ Sew Karenly Created
  • Michelle Roberts @ Creative Blonde
  • Jennifer Eurbank @ Jennifersewing.wordpress.com

If you choose to accept the nomination, here are your questions:

  1. What inspired you to make your first quilt?
  2. What inspires you to make your quilts today?
  3. Do you use software to pencil to design your quilts? (or patterns)
  4. Which quilt is your favourite?
  5. Tell us something about where you live that is fantastic!

Scrappy Table Runner is Completed!

Light blue was the chosen colour for this month’s Table Runner. The pattern is from QUILTsocial and you can find it HERE. I also talked about this runner HERE.

After I had this quilt top done, I saw my Studio 180 “Split Recs” ruler. It’s still in the package. I’ll have to pull it out and try it. I suspect that I will prefer the Studio 180 method, but I do need to try it to be sure!

I used Scraps from my Island Batik box with Coconut as the neutral. The batting is Hobbs Poly Down and it is quilted with Aurifil #1148 (light jade). I didn’t have a light blue Aurifil, but the Light Jade was a perfect fit!

I will be linking to The Joyful Quilter.

Continue reading →

A SQUIRREL ?? !!!! oh no!!!

/ quiltinggail / 13 Comments

Oh yes!!!

A blogging friend of mine, Sandra, from MMM Quilts is having a quilt-a-long. For a couple of weeks, I’ve been telling myself, “NO … don’t start this quilt.”

Sandra hosts a quilt-a-long every year. And every year, I regret that I didn’t do it! And for awhile, I was pretending that I didn’t want to do it. But who was I kidding?

SEW … this year is different and I’m going to do it!!! Follow Your Own Path! Yup, I’m going to follow my own path and sew along with Sandra!

There are 2 sizes … but I thought the small one would be perfect for a baby quilt! The cutting directions are out. I have pulled my fabric, but haven’t started cutting! The fabrics are all Island Batik. The background is “Moonstone,” an Island Batik basic. The top left and bottom right are from “Primo” by Ebony Love. The top right is a basic called “Lavender” and the bottom left is a nameless fabric, likely a basic. I’m using the solid grey as the shadows of the arrows.

Are you going to join me in this Quilt-A-Long?

Design Wall

Piecing

#1 Blue Table Runner It is started … this is for the monthly Rainbow Scrap Challenge. As you can tell, the first couple of rows are sewn together … the rest is webbed.

One of our guild members posted a link to a website on “Learn to make Half Rectangles with this Easy Technique.” Well, since I didn’t want to be distracted by a squirrel project, and the technique was for a table runner – to me it was an easy decision to try the technique. You can visit QUILTsocial for all of the steps.

I tried to follow the directions, honestly, I did. But I messed up with the marking of 8 of the rectangles, so basically the table runner is backwards. And, I only used 4 fabrics instead of 6 … so I had to play a bit – but it was fun! I always enjoy playing!

And yes, The fabrics are all Island Batik, with Coconut as the background!

#2 June Island Batik Challenge: is in progress and being used as my leaders and enders. (Sorry no pictures).

#3 Follow your own path: As stated above … I have the cutting to do.

Quilting: 

#1 House Wall hanging. This UFO is now pieced and sandwiched. It needs to be quilted.

#2 Speed Dating still needs a facing. “Story-less Improv.”

May Island Batik challenge is quilted and I will give you a sneak peak of it … That’s the only peak you’ll get until my day on the Blog Hop.

Stash Report

May’s Island Batik challenge is completed and I used 4 yards of fabric from my stash for the backing.

  • Fabric Used this week     4   yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       39 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      9 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                  30 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.

I have stitched for over 30 minutes each day

  • January – March –  80 / 80
  • April – 18 / 18
  • Percentage = 100 % 

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

TO DO 

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

Last week:

Again, I did not focus on my “To Do” list … but a couple of things got done.

  1. House Wall Hanging: finish putting together √   done
  2. Healthcare Hero’s Mystery: Make backing not   done
  3. Speed Dating: Add facing not   done
  4. May Island Batik: sandwich and start quilting √   done and bound!
  5. A & A’s quilt: Make extra blocks if decision has been made! not   done
  6. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!    not   done   
  7. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes  √   done    

This week’s list:

  1. Focus on the TO DO list
  2. Cut out Follow Your Own Path
  3. Quilt and finish House Wall Hanging
  4. Healthcare Hero’s Mystery: Make backing
  5. Speed Dating: Add facing
  6. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  7. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

Later this week:

I’m participating in the “In the Kitchen blog hop” … My project is done. Photo is taken and I just need to write the blog post. My day is April 22 … Thursday!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

Second Monday in April

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I’ve been busy in the studio!!! Not a day goes by that I’m not working on something!

Design Wall

Piecing

#1 House Wall hanging. I started working on a UFO. It was a little kit in a bag: A cute little house wall hanging. I must admit, that when I opened the bag, I was a bit disappointed with the “green” house colour. See the pale, olivy grunge … well it didn’t do anything for me. I substituted the darker green in the picture on the right. Much better, I think! Unfortunately, I do not remember where I bought this kit.

Continue reading →

The Past Few Days

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Saturday

On Saturday, it was International Quilt Day. Time to hang out a few quilts … It was a bit windy and rainy, but all of the quilts are washable!! And they actually didn’t get too wet!

Sunday

Zoom quilting with my sister and one cousin dropped in for a chat! Both my sister and I worked on quilting our quilts. In the afternoon, I played with green fabric. I have a green table topper / runner challenge to meet this month. On the right is a picture of the back … Amazingly, I managed to finish it this evening!

Design Wall

Piecing

Would you believe that I’m NOT piecing anything at the moment? What is wrong??? I guess I’m just concentrating on getting some UFOs done. However, I have plans for an Island Batik project and haven’t even pulled fabric for it yet … and I can’t tell you what it’s going to be, because it’s a secret!

Quilting: 

SAHRR is in the process of being quilted!!!

Stash Report

I finished the T-shirt quilt. Between the backing, the hanging sleeve and the binding, I used over 12 yards of fabric!

You can read more about this quilt HERE.

  • Fabric Used this week      12   yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       30.5 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      9 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                  21.5 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.

I have stitched for over 30 minutes each day

  • January – February –  59 / 59
  • March – 21 / 21
  • Percentage = 100 % 

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

TO DO 

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

Last week:

I accomplished everything on my To Do List!!!

  1. Get Echo Lake T-shirt  quilt finished. √   done   
  2. Sandwich SAHRR √   done
  3. Borders on Healthcare Hero’s Mystery (this is for the guild …) NOT done
  4. Arrange Speed Dating top ? in progress ….
  5. Work on Salt and Sand project! √   done
  6. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! √   done   
  7. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes √   done    I did a major clean up and vacuum!!! There were little pieces and bits of T-shirts everywhere! And I trimmed up all the left-over t-shirts into squares or retangles for cleaning rags or whatever … they are being sent up to the camp with the T-shirt quilt.

This week’s list:

  1. Finish SAHRR
  2. Borders on Healthcare Hero’s Mystery (this is for the guild …)
  3. Start putting Speed Dating top together
  4. Make Table Runner for the Scrap Challenge – green this month
  5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

Another UFO completed … but there are a few new Starts that need to be completed.

What’s coming up on the blog in March and April?

Salt and Sand Blog Hop … This project is done and ready for the hop. My day is Friday, March 26 ! Visit THIS BLOG to see a list of this week’s participants.

March 29 – SAHRR parade … there will be a linky party for all the SAHRR quilts

And … I’m ready for the March challenge!

In April, there’s the “In the Kitchen” blog hop happening!!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

Middle Monday in March

/ quiltinggail / 26 Comments

Lots of things happening here. All in my studio … no travelling …

Teaching

On Friday, I taught a Scrappy Irish Chain class. It’s the first class I’ve taught by Zoom. It was a lot of fun! And the ladies were wonderful!

There are 2 things that I did not like about teaching via Zoom and both of these help me in reducing my own stash!

  1. I couldn’t walk around the group with a bunch of my own 2″ or 2.5″ squares and give them to everyone to include in their own quilt.
  2. I couldn’t take a huge box of scraps and tell everyone that I wanted the box empty after the class.

I make 4 patches as leaders and enders … and occasionally, they work into a quilt. I have a lot of Irish Chain pieces and they were put back in the box until I teach this class again.

As I was demo-ing various parts, I managed to get some of the components sewn. This is 9 completed blocks.

Design Wall

Piecing

Then on Saturday, I took a class “Speed Dating with Improv” with Krista Hennebury @ Poppyprint. I don’t do Improv … I’ve not been too interested in Improv … but … it doesn’t hurt to learn something new, right? But, to be brutally honest: I was scared!!! Improv is so out of my box!!!

However, I certainly felt a LOT different after the class!!! We cut things free hand. Yes, straight lines and curves!!! With NO rulers!!!! The piecing doesn’t have to match!!! Woo Hoo!!! After years of attempting to get great points and to match corners … it didn’t matter!!! It was a LOT of fun!!!! If you’re interested in Improv, check out Krista’s classes @ Poppyprint.

I used Island Batik solids: black, white and turquoise.

Here’s a picture of what’s on my design wall. Now, to organize and arrange and put all the fillers in.

Quilting: 

The T-shirt quilt is now a pieced top … and is sandwiched. There is a TON of stretch with the T-shirts – even though they all have interfacing on the back. They still stretch! Sew, I thought I’d use Hobbs fusible batting with the hopes that it would decrease the stretch. However, there is the issue of using heat on top of the logos. Sew, I used a pressing cloth. It took 2 full days to press everything … and it didn’t always stick very well. Sew, a lot of pins were inserted!

I started out with a Schmetz 90/14 quilting needle. It didn’t like it. Then, once I re-thought what I was sewing through … T-shirt material, iron-on interfacing, fusible batting and cotton backing … a light bulb went off in my brain and I switched to a ball point needle (Janome blue-tip). Much better!

Then there was issues with the thread. I started off with Glide … it bunched up above the needle and broke a ton!! Then I switched to the same colour in a CanSew polyester thread … same problem. Finally, I switched to Aurifil and viola! It’s the perfect thread for this quilt.

Here’s some pictures of me quilting the quilt! It’s big … it’s over 6′ x 8′. It will be a wall hanging / banner.

Stash Report

The Moorewood Mystery is finished. It used 12 yards from my stash. You can read about it HERE.

  • Fabric Used this week      12   yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       18.5 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      9 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                  9.5 yards (YAY … no longer in the red!)
  • 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.

I have stitched for over 30 minutes each day

  • January – February –  59 / 59
  • March – 14 /1 4
  • Percentage = 100 % 

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

TO DO 

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

Last week:

I accomplished everything on my To Do List!!!

  1. Pick out a backing for  SAHRR √   done   
  2. Finish quilting Moorewood Mystery √   done
  3. Get the Echo Lake T-shirt top completed √   done
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!  √   done
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes      √   done

This week’s list:

  1. Get Echo Lake T-shirt  quilt finished.
  2. Sandwich SAHRR
  3. Borders on Healthcare Hero’s Mystery (this is for the guild …)
  4. Arrange Speed Dating top
  5. Work on Salt and Sand project!
  6. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  7. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

One UFO completed … but the list in Starts in 2021 is getting longer …

What’s coming up on the blog in March?

Salt and Sand Blog Hop … Just thinking of this blog hop makes me want to travel and visit someplace warm! But alas, I’ll be staying home for now. But, I’m positive when we get to travel, I will appreciate it much much more!

March 29 – SAHRR parade … there will be a linky party for all the SAHRR quilts

And … I need to think of my project for the Table Runner Scrap Challenge:

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

PHD in 2021: February Report

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

How are you doing with your PHD in 2021. So far I have 4 UFOs completed, but I still feel like I’m cheating. Three were started in December and were easy finishes. All of these were made with wonderful Island Batik fabrics. The 4th was a panel, so that was also a quick finish.

I have started working on the Echo Lake T-shirt quilt. The T-shirts are cut and interfacing is on each piece. Now, to decide the layout and how to piece it together!

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

Do You need Help?

A fellow candidate for PHD in 2021, Sheila from “So This is Kentucky” posted about using Trello. It’s free to start with and gives you a visual of what projects you have going. See Sheila’s post HERE. You may also find it helpful!

Rainbow Scrap Table Topper

February’s colour is Yellow. I made another coaster. Again, I used Island Batik fabrics. The yellow fabric is “butter” that is available year round. I’m not sure what the beige is (but it is Island Batik) and the green was in a stash buster bundle. The pattern is a free embroidery design from Kreative Kiwi – the Mother’s Day coaster. Obviously, I omitted the writing. On the rose, I used my yellow and oragne inktense pencils to add a little more colour.

A Book Review

The guild librarian, asked me to have a look at a new book they got in the library.

“The Big Book of Little Quilts” by Martindale.
This book is jam packed with a variety of small quilts.  They range from a fresh, modern look, to homespun and many can be scrappy or controlled scrappy. Some of the patterns are pieced, some are paper pieced, some have applique and some have hand embroidery.  There is something in this book that will appeal to you!  It is a book I will definitely take out from the library when I’m looking for something small and a little different. 

DrEAMI

This month I had a DrEAMI project. DRop Everything And Make It. I will be linking to Sandra @ MMMQuilts. These little baskets were quick and easy to make! You can read more about them HERE.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

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

Linking to:

SAHRR – Round #6

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Just to remind you … SAHRR is Stay At Home Round Robin. If you missed the previous posts about this year’s SAHRR – you can see them

Today is the day that Susan told us to add Log Cabin blocks. Again, I’m rebelling! I am not going to do the blocks all around the quilt. Just in the middle of the next round. This quilt is getting bigger than I had planned and this will keep the size down. The logs started out at 1.5″ wide strips and finished at 1″ wide. As you can see, I paired the colours with the white fabric.

Again, I continued to use a variety of fabrics from Island Batik’s Ohana collection.

Next week will be our final round!!! I’m loving the variety of quilts that are being made!!! Aren’t they wonderful? MARK you calendars for March 29th !!! I will have a linky party for everyone to show their final quilts or tops!

Make sure to visit all of the other co-leaders and link up to Susan’s linky party to show us your blocks! HERE

Here’s their links:

Island Batik’s blog hop “Create for a Cause” is over. I hope you enjoyed it!!! If you want a lot of wonderful eye candy – you can go HERE to see all of the quilts in one place!

As well, one of our ambassadors has put together a wonderful video that shows all of the beautiful quilts. You can view it HERE.

AND … just in case you forgot – I had a giveaway on my blog when I posted my “Create for a Cause” quilt (see HERE.) And the winner is …. drum roll … Donna H. She has sent me her address and I hope to get it in the mail soon!!!

Design Wall

Piecing:

I’ve started the Echo Lake t-shirt quilt that has been on my UFO list for … well, um … ah … yes … well … It’s about time I started on it!!!!

There’s a huge pile of t-shirts. I’ve cut some and I’ve learned 2 things.

  1. Use a pressing cloth when ironing the interfacing on. Fortunately, I realized that the interfacing would stick to my iron if I didn’t use a pressing cloth!!!
  2. It’s best to iron on the interfacing right after the shirt is cut. When I didn’t, the edges started to curl in. I’m cutting the shirts much larger than the logos so that when I lay it out, I can trim them down.

Quilting: 

I’m working on my March Island Batik project. Sorry, no pictures yet!

Stash Report

I finished the guild’s Jan / Feb mystery quilt. I used Island Batik fabrics for the top, but I did back it with flannel from my stash. So that fabric will be included as “used this week.”

You can read more about this quilt HERE.

  • Fabric Used this week      1.5  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       6.5 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      9 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                   – 2.5 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.

I have stitched for over 30 minutes each day

  • January –  31 / 31
  • February – 21 / 21
  • Percentage = 100 % 

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

TO DO 

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

Last week:

Well, I worked on everything that didn’t get done, but I was successful with a few things! And, even a little progress is moving forward!

  1. Work on final round of SAHRR   partially done
  2. Start quilting Moorewood Mystery  not done
  3. Work on March Island Batik challenge   √   done
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!  √   done
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes      √   done

This week’s list:

  1. Complete final round of SAHRR
  2. Finish  March’s Island Batik challenge
  3. Start quilting Moorewood Mystery
  4. Cut all the t-shirts and iron on interfacing for the Echo Lake t-shirt 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:

SAHRR – Round #5

/ quiltinggail / 38 Comments

Just to remind you … SAHRR is Stay At Home Round Robin. If you missed the previous posts about this year’s SAHRR – you can see them

Today is the day that Wendy told us to add wonky stars. I’m a rebel … and I did friendship stars instead! I used the Accuquilt to cut the half-square triangles. Do I ever enjoy using it for those!

However, I didn’t do the math very well and I have extra stars left over. I wanted to leave the cornerstone as a plain white block, so … who knows what will happen with those extra stars?

Again, I continued to use a variety of fabrics from Island Batik’s Ohana collection.

Make sure to visit all of the other co-leaders and link up toWendy’s linky party to show us your blocks! HERE

Here’s their links:

Design Wall

Piecing:

I’m working on my March Island Batik project. Sorry, no pictures yet!

Quilting: 

I took a Silly Moon Ruler Quilting class on Saturday by Zoom. It was fun and I learned some things. Believe it or not – the fabric is dark blue and the thread is light grey . Obviously, my phone did not pick up the true colours!

Stash Report

I

No change from last week!

  • Fabric Used this week      0  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        5 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      9 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                   – 4 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.

I have stitched for over 30 minutes each day

  • January –  31 / 31
  • February – 14 / 14
  • Percentage = 100 % 

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

TO DO 

Roseanne & Sue’s “TO DO” Tuesday is no longer. However, Chris from ChrisKnits is going to be hosting it from now on. Her blog is HERE.

Last week:

Total success this week!

  1. Work on next round of SAHRR  √   done
  2. Sandwich Moorewood Mystery  √   done
  3. Work on March Island Batik challenge  √   done
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!  √   done
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes      √   done

This week’s list:

  1. Work on final round of SAHRR  
  2. Start quilting Moorewood Mystery  
  3. Work on March Island Batik challenge  
  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:

SAHRR – Round #4

/ quiltinggail / 34 Comments

Just to remind you … SAHRR is Stay At Home Round Robin. If you missed the previous posts about this year’s SAHRR – you can see them

Today is the day that Roseanne & Sue instructed us to add checkerboards … These took me forever to make. I used scraps, 1.5″ squares, no strip piecing … uggg … it took forever! But I like it! Here it is … !

Again, I continued to use a variety of fabrics from Island Batik’s Ohana collection.

Make sure to visit all of the other co-leaders and link up to Roseanne’s linky party to show us your blocks!

Here’s their links:

Design Wall

Piecing:

#1 I’m working on my March Island Batik project. Sorry, no pictures yet!

#2  Moorewood Mystery: You can find out more about the mystery and all the clues HERE at Meadow Mist designs. I have the top pieced together. I like it!!! Now to decide how I’m going to quilt it!

Quilting: 

I finished quilting the current guild mystery quilt. Sorry, but until the guild members have the final clue, I can’t show it to you.

Stash Report

I

Nothing finished, nothing bought! No change from last week!

  • Fabric Used this week      0  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        5 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      9 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                   – 4 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.

I have stitched for over 30 minutes each day

  • January –  31 / 31
  • February – 7 / 7
  • Percentage = 100 % 

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:

Total success this week!

  1. Finish piecing the current round of Stay at Home Round Robin  √   done
  2. Start on the next round of Stay at Home Round Robin not done
  3. Work on the next Moorewood Mystery clue  √   done
  4. Work on March Island Batik challenge.  √   done
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes      √   done

This week’s list:

  1. Work on next round of SAHRR
  2. Sandwich Moorewood Mystery
  3. Work on March Island Batik challenge
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to: