Stash Report

Moving Along in January

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Last week I said that the Winnie the Pooh quilt needed some more quilting, specifically Winnie, Eeyore and the moon. A loving friend told me that if I left it, they would pop. So, I’m going with her advice and am considering this a UFO finish! That made for a super quick finish!!! This will be another donation quilt for the guild. It was a fun quilt to quilt. There is Hobbs 80/20 batting in it. It was quilted with CanSew beige thread.

Another Holiday Seclusion Quilt

Somehow, I missed putting Valda’s quilt on my blog last week. It’s a beauty!!! You can see all the other ones from my guild HERE.

Design Wall

Piecing:

#1 I’m still working on the SAHRR but can’t show you any current pictures. Want to know more about the SAHRR? check it out HERE. We started the reveal of our centre blocks last week. See my centre block and the centre blocks that many others have made HERE! Tomorrow, we’re showing the 2nd round! Be sure to check out all of the bloggers that are co-hosting with me! We’re taking turns hosting and having a linky party. It’s Emily’s turn this week!… here’s the list:

#2 The fabric is stilled pulled for the RSC21 Table Scraps Challenge table runner. I have an idea of what I’m making, but I haven’t gotten any further than that!!

#3 The February Island Batik challenge is up on my design wall. I’m using some wonderful fabrics and they are all so pretty!!!

#4 Moorewood Mystery : Half of Block A are pieced. I’m doing them as leaders and enders … so they will be done before the next clue comes out on Feb 4.

Quilting: 

Nothing being quilted at the moment …

Stash Report

I

Winnie the Pooh was 2 yards of fabric

  • Fabric Used this week      2  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 –  24 / 24
  • 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:

Even with sewing a LOT this past week, I didn’t get much on my list completed. But I’m fine with what I DID get done!!

  1. Finish current round of Stay at Home Round Robin √   done
  2. Finish next round of Stay at Home Round Robin partially done
  3. Piece Moorewood Mystery Block A partially done
  4. Make the PINK table topper not done
  5. Start cutting for February’s Island Batik Challenge! √   done
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes   not done !!! I have been doing SEW well with this – except for this week!! And this week I was Zoom sewing with other Island Batik ambassadors and we showed our studios … mine was a total mess!

This week’s list:

  1. Finish piecing the current round of Stay at Home Round Robin
  2. Start on the next round of Stay at Home Round Robin
  3. Finish Piecing Moorewood Mystery Block A
  4. Make the PINK table topper
  5. Web the top for February’s Island Batik Challenge!
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

OK … the Winnie the Pooh quilt was a quick finish this week. All it took was a decision! (grin)

I KNOW that not all my UFOs will be finished this quickly. But it is nice to have 3 considered done!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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Linking to:

Grey and Dull Sunday

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The perfect day to stay inside and quilt … or write blog posts!

I have another UFO finish!

This is my Holiday Seclusion Mystery … scrappy Island Batik fabrics (from Stashbuilder bundles) and Island Batik solid grey. Graffiti or Wild quilting was done … lots of different motifs, swirls, feathers, flowers, vines, McTavishing, pebbles … It was SEW fun to quilt! Hobbs fusible batting was used. I LOVE it! No shifting at all. This will be a comfort quilt, so I backed it with a grey flannel … so cosy!

Yes … I made this bigger … However, I started planning the design with 9″ blocks and quickly realized that most people would not want to make a quilt with smallish pieces in such a short time frame. I then switched the pattern to a 12″ block for the mystery. But of course, I didn’t want the work I had done to go to waste, so I just continued piecing the smaller blocks. Same pattern, different size!

For Instructions on the Holiday Seclusion Mystery, see the Holiday Seclusion Mystery tab at the top of my blog HERE.

Continue reading →

January Stitchin’

/ quiltinggail / 19 Comments

I’ve been working on a few things … A few Zoom quilting days keep me focused! And steadily sewing away!


Design Wall

Piecing:

I’m still working on the SAHRR but can’t show you any pictures. Want to know more about the SAHRR check it out HERE. We start the reveal of our centre blocks tomorrow. So make sure you return and visit each of the SAHRR co-hosts!

AND … Hearts on Fire quilt just needs borders and the RSC21 Rainbow Scrap Challenge table runner needs to have a fabric pull!

Quilting: 

January Island Batik project is almost done! Pictures to follow later in the week!

A Winnie the Pooh panel is in the process of being quilted. I thought I was done with the quilting – but there’s a few areas that need something.

Holiday Seclusion #1 Mystery was finished this week:

Continue reading →

How were my 2020 stats?

/ quiltinggail / 17 Comments

Every Sunday or Monday, I give a recap of what’s on my Design Wall, a Stash Report, Stitchin’ Time, a “To Do” list and my PHD … SEW … here’s what’s happening in the studio and a summary of 2020.

Design Wall

Piecing:

First off, one person asked me how I was doing with Bonnie Hunter’s Mystery Quilt. The answer is simple. I’m not doing it this year. I felt that I had too much on my plate. I think this is the first time in 17 years that I’ve not done the mystery. In some ways I feel guilty for not doing it, but I also feel a great relief that I don’t have to sew like crazy to try to keep up! And, it’s also one quilt that isn’t on my 2021 UFO list!

I’m adding borders to the scrappy Holiday Seclusion Mystery. Borders are also being added to the guild mystery quilt. Sorry, no pictures. It’s a surprise for the guild mystery quilters.

Continue reading →

I Won!!!

/ quiltinggail / 28 Comments

I won fabric and a book! I donated several quilts last year to the Charity Baby Quilt program. Usually in June, they draw names for prizes. Of course, with Covid, and no in-person meetings, that did not happen. At the last Zoom guild meeting, my name was drawn. I received these in the mail. I love that the grey and pink fabrics are so “not me!” It’s going to be fun to play with them … and yes, there will likely be a baby quilt or two made from them. There’s a total of 4 yards – which I will add to my “bought” amount below. Thank you Nora and Carol for facilitating the Baby Quilt Program!

Design Wall

Piecing:

I showed you this last week … it’s still in the same state.

Hopefully, I can start on my SAHRR.

I did make a few Covid ornaments: They are approximately 2″ x 4″ with small pieces of elastic on each end and “2020” embroidered on them. I plan to stick them in a few Christmas cards.

Quilting: 

Scrappy 4 patches: Is still waiting to be quilted.

Stash Report

SS yellow

Nothing finished. No shopping and nothing added.

  • Fabric Used this week     0 yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       292.5 yards
  • Fabric Bought Gifted this week:   4  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      66.5 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                   226 yards
  • Husband’s purchases: 17 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.

  • January – Nov: 320 / 334
  • 30 min days/  Dec:   13/13
  • Total days in 2020: 333 / 347
  • Percentage = 95 % 

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

TO DO 

I’m linking up to Roseanne & Sue’s “TO DO” Tuesday. Their blog is “Home Sewn by Us.”

Last week’s list:

  1. Work on SECRET project √   done
  2. Work on Mystery (Dec 26-31) √   done
  3. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes √   done

This week’s list:

  1. Finish  SECRET project top
  2. Finish on Holiday Seclusion Mystery (Dec 26-31)
  3. Make a Christmas gift
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

I have ONE UFO to finish and I’ll have completed my PHD in 2020. YEAH!!! However, I have made no progress on it … So the chart below is exactly the same as last week.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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Linking to:

Some things are not meant to be.

/ quiltinggail / 14 Comments

Sometimes things don’t work out.

Last week I said I was going to work on an “After Quilt.” Well, I did, I was trying to turn a piece into a cute stuffed animal. It was a piece of fabric that I glued hearts and teardrops on. Then I free-motioned them down. My plan was to make a cute elephant stuffy. When I sewed a couple of pieces together, it became obvious that it wasn’t going to work. The hearts and teardrops were sticking up and looked ugly. It did not work out … it couldn’t be fixed … (and some of my virtual retreat buddies agreed with me) … so into the trash it went. GASP!!!! I don’t do that! But there was no saving this one! So it died. But have no fear, it’s not going to the landfill! The useless fabric was used in stuffing another stuffy – that I will show you soon.

What’s in the Future?

Yup, I have some plans …

Mystery Quilt: Between December 26 and 31, I plan to have a mystery quilt … right here on the blog. It’ll be a smallish quilt (43″ x 43″) and it’ll be easy to have at least the top done before 2021 becomes a reality! I’ll give the fabric requirements in the near future.

Stay at Home Round Robin: Some blogging friends and I will be doing this, starting in January. More information to come.

I can show you!

This is the mystery quilt that we did at the guild! I was the “lead” for the quilt, so I HAD to make it ahead of time. But, until the guild was given the solution, I couldn’t show you. All of the fabrics were from my stash.

This is not my pattern design: it is from a book. We have permission from the author to use the patterns for the guild. If you are interested in the name of the book – contact me and I’ll tell you. I won’t say the name of the book here because I plan to do more mystery quilts for the guild from the book. And I want it to be a mystery for them!!!

Continue reading →

Catching Up

/ quiltinggail / 15 Comments

Now that some self-imposed deadlines are met, I feel like I’m catching up.

Connected Project

I haven’t mentioned this project before. Our guild decided to do the “Connected Project.” A fun project where it connects various guild members together. We’re not suppose to know what the finished block is like and although I’ve seen a Youtube videos, I don’t know exactly what my block will look like. The idea is that we are divided into groups of 8. Each of us is given a paper pieced block (with various options from simple to complex) and we make the block in the colours that are chosen by my group mates. It was fun to go through my scraps and use some of them up! I can’t show you yet … but I will show you what I’ve done when I’m allowed to.

On the right is s a picture of the scraps of fabric left after I cut the blocks into their finished sizes.

Below is the 7 envelopes all ready for the mail. AND, they are nestled into a UFO that is NOT even on my list. It was just sitting there when I was looking for something to show off the envelopes. OH my … how many more UFOs will I find when I’m not even looking for them???

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If you look closely at my PHD list, you’ll see “connected” is not considered “Finished.” I have done my part for now. I’ve got 7 envelopes from other quilters that I get to open Dec. 1. Then I’ll be putting my block together.

Hanging Sleeve

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In my last post (HERE), I showed you a B&W photo of a hanging sleeve using a blind hem. One lovely person asked if either Kathleen or I had a tutorial on it. Well, Kathleen, the very smart quilter that she is, has a tutorial on it. You can check out her blog post HERE. While you’re visiting Kathleen, check out her tons of tutorials. Well worth the visit!

Morewood Mystery

You can find details of the mystery quilt HERE. I’m all caught up. This is November’s clue.

Inspired by Nature Blog Hop

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This week you have the opportunity to win a fat quarter bundle of Venetian Marble or Tiki Punch! Both are wonderful collections!

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Design Wall

Piecing:

After Quilt: This term is new to me … but I completely understood it when I heard it. It’s those bits and pieces that are left over when you finish a quilt. SEW … I’m going to be working on an After Quilt.

Scrappy 4 patches: This is in the same state that it was last week. It hasn’t moved off the design wall.

Quilting: 

Nothing happening … yet

Stash Report

A sad week in this department. A local quilt store was closing their doors … with some good sales. When I went, everything was 65% off. Can’t complain about that! One good thing: a quilting friend was right behind me in line … we chatted up a storm and the wait went quickly then!

Here’s a picture of the damage. My husband was with me when I bought the first pieces of John Deere fabric and he “ordered” me to buy more (6.5 yards). He has a plan for them … of course I’ll be doing the sewing! The blue with white polka dots is for backing baby quilts (4.5 yards). A total of 11 yards will be added into Fabric Added this year.

And yes, I bought some quilting rulers, glass head pins in a tin, and (2) 4 yard zippers by Annie (with zipper pulls).

SS yellow
  • Fabric Used this week    0 yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       279.5 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      61.5 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                    229.0 yards
  • Husband’s purchases: 17 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!

Stitchin’ Time

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

  • January – Sept: 290 / 304
  • 30 min days/  Nov:   22 / 22
  • Total days in 2020: 312 / 325
  • Percentage = 96% 

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

TO DO 

I’m linking up to Roseanne & Sue’s “TO DO” Tuesday. Their blog is “Home Sewn by Us.”

Last week’s list:

  1. Secret project  #3 : finish quilting, bind and photos √   done
  2. Work on UFO (Scrappy 4 patches) (to flimsy stage) not done
  3. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.  √   done (did this when Secret Project #3 was complete and I could put all the stuff away!)

Even though I didn’t get my Scrappy 4 patches to flimsy stage, I did get a couple of things completed that weren’t on the list:

  • Connected Project
  • Morewood Mystery

This week’s list:

  1. Work on UFO (Scrappy 4 patches) (to flimsy stage)
  2. Work on an After Quilt
  3. Make Pillow Cases with John Deere fabric
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

No UFOs finished.

Eekes … I didn’t add the UFO that my envelopes are nestled in … perhaps it’ll be a finish next week!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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Linking to:

The Latest about Masks

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Did any of you see this article from CBC Marketplace about masks? Click HERE.

After reading this article, I asked Island Batik what the thread count is for their fabric. Here’s what Elizabeth Phillips (Marketing and Graphic Design) said, “Our greige goods are the highest quality we can purchase. The thread counts are stated a little differently when buying the prepared for dyeing cotton but It’s a little higher than 600.”

So there you have it! If you’ve been making masks with Island Batik fabrics … you’ve been doing the best you can.

And yes, I’ve made masks with Island Batik fabric … here’s a picture of my purse with the matching masks!

Design Wall

Piecing:

Scrappy 4 patches: The setting triangles are added as well as the first border. I need to dig out some fabric and audition it for the 2nd border. This needs to be bigger. At the moment, it’s 38″ x 44″ … if I add a 4″ border, that will make it 46″ x 52″. I’ll be happier with that size!

Quilting: 

About the secrets … Secret #1 & #2 are done … #3 is almost finished. Then I’ll add the hanging sleeves (with a blind hem and invisible thread) to #2 and #3.

Stash Report

No finished projects, no shopping …

SS yellow
  • Fabric Used this week    0 yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       279.5 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      50.5 yards (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                    229.0 yards
  • Husband’s purchases: 11.5 yards (which are added into my total amount of Fabric added this year).

Stitchin’ Time

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

  • January – Sept: 290 / 304
  • 30 min days/  Nov:   15 / 15
  • Total days in 2020: 305 / 318
  • Percentage = 95% 

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.”

Well, I got the priority quilting done: IB November will be showcased on Tuesday as part of Island Batik’s “Inspired by Nature” Blog Hop. I was privileged to work with a fantastic fabric collection! Come back on Tuesday to see the quilt!

Last week’s list:

  1. IB November: Quilt and Bind √   done
  2. Work on Secret projects: Finish #3 not done
  3. Work on UFO (Scrappy 4 patches) (to flimsy stage) not done
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes. √   done

This week’s list:

  1. Secret project  #3 : finish quilting, bind and photos
  2. Work on UFO (Scrappy 4 patches) (to flimsy stage)
  3. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes. √   

No UFOs finished. One Start in 2020 finished.

I did add the remaining UFOs to my list … just so that you KNOW I have more! (grin)

Inspired by Nature Blog Hop

Click HERE to see this week’s awesome Ambassador quilts!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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Linking to:

Busy week

/ quiltinggail / 18 Comments

Yes, I’ve had a busy week. Since Covid started, my calendar has been pretty blank. A couple of weekly Zoom things, daily walks and not much else, you tend to get use to it! Then BAM … all of a sudden, I had 2 dentist appointments (cleaning and fillings), a blood work appointment, a doctor’s appointment, a short guild Zoom meeting, a family Zoom quilting day, as well as the usual 3 weekly Zooms … Oh me, oh my … I felt almost overwhelmed. And to think, I used to have all those appointments, work full time and still managed to get a lot of quilting done! Sigh … Enough of my week … back to what’s important to me: Quilting!

Design Wall

Piecing:

Scrappy 4 patches: On point was the final decision on making this little quilt. I know it looks like a mess at the moment! I have some of the setting triangles sewn on … some are pinned and one row ready to be sewn together. I got most of this done at the family Zoom quilting day!

Continue reading →

What’s happening?

/ quiltinggail / 14 Comments

There’s a LOT happening in my studio … but most of it I can’t show you yet.

This month is an “Inspired by Nature” Blog Hop with Island Batik. That project is now sandwiched and needs quilting. This Blog Hop promises to be another amazing one! Everyone is making a project “Inspired by Nature” and is using awesome fabric that will be available in stores later this month!

Of the other secret projects:

  • Secret Project #1 is done.
  • Secret Project #2 is being quilted
  • Secret Project #3 is ready to begin …

Design Wall

Piecing:

Scrappy 4 Patches: I have a bunch of 4 patches … these were started from a charm pack at some unknown date in the past. I found them when going through my stash. They were tied up with 2 semi-coordinating fabrics and I don’t know what my plan was or is …

Do I make another bag similar to THIS one, only with smaller squares?

Continue reading →

Last Monday in October

/ quiltinggail / 7 Comments

How can this be? Sometimes it seems like the days take their sweet time … and I turn around and it’s close to the end of another month!

SEW – What’s happening?

Design Wall

Piecing:

I’ve been slowly working on my Charming Bag. The last picture I showed was of it pieced together. (HERE). If you go back to the last picture, you’ll notice that the ties are not in the picture. That’s because I forgot them. Thankfully, I remembered before it was quilted … it was a simple matter of taking about 3/4″ stitching out and inserting the ties.

It is now quilted. Nice simple 1/4″ lines. I like the look … and it’s what the pattern suggests. Aurifil # 2625 (grey) was used for the quilting and the edges of the ties.

Quilting: 

Quilted the above bag …

Stash Report

No finishes … no shopping …

SS yellow
  • Fabric Used this week      0 yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       277 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      50.5 yards (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                    260 yards
  • Husband’s purchases: 11.5 yards

Stitchin’ Time

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

  • January – Sept: 260 / 274
  • 30 min days/  Oct:   25 / 25
  • Total days in 2020: 286 / 299
  • Percentage = 95% 

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

TO DO 

I’m linking up to Roseanne & Sue’s “TO DO” Tuesday. Their blog is “Home Sewn by Us.”

Last week’s list:

  1. IB November: Sandwich not done
  2. Work on Secret projects √    done
  3. Work on Charming Bag √   done
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.  √   done

This week’s list:

  1. IB November: Sandwich
  2. Work on Secret projects
  3. Finish  Charming Bag
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.  

From the Heart Blog Hop

Did you see the post HERE? It’s a wonderful blog hop that’s happening now. Make sure you check it out. Plus … I want to know what YOU are going to make from all the inspiration!

Here’s what I made:

Are you interested?

If you’re interested in applying click HERE. You can read all about the program and what is involved. It’s a fun program to be in and one that has expanded my quilting abilities! I LOVE being an ambassador!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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Linking to:

Ruler dislike!

/ quiltinggail / 34 Comments

I have the cutest ruler by Omnigrid. It’s 4″ x 8″ and I’ve had it for simply AGES. I went to trim some squares, using the 45o angle to centre the half square triangle. It just wasn’t working for me. Then I looked at the ruler … the 45o line ends up 1/4″ from the corner. Now, if I were to use this ruler, I would have to move it 4 times to get it correct. Not happening.

I pulled out my 6″ x 12″ Olfa ruler and look where the 45o angle is … right in the corner. I’m a much happier quilter!

I’ve looked at my other rulers, including a 2.5″ and 6.5″ Omnigrid square rulers, and the 45o ends in the corners! Is it me, or is this weird?

Continue reading →

What’s Happening in the Studio? Monday, Oct. 5

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Design Wall

Piecing:

Scrappy Repro is now webbed together. (See How to Web a Quilt) And next up is borders … I’m thinking a burgundy for the 1st border and a neutral for the 2nd … or who knows … I need to audition some fabric before I make that decision!

Guild “Clue-Sew Fall 2020” Mystery Quilt: Sorry, no pictures … in the piecing stage …

Quilting: 

I finished October’s Island Batik Thread Painting Challenge and shared that HERE. I used the fabric collection “Deco Revival.”

Stash Report

SS yellow

No finishes. I needed backing fabric, so I bought 4 yards.

  • Fabric Used this week      0 yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        261 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   4  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      50.5 yards (I added my husbands amounts in … )
  • Net Fabric used                    244  yards
  • Husband’s purchases: 11.5 yards

Stitchin’ Time

On Sept. 6, I stated that I had stitched 13 out of 13 days in September … that was SEW incorrect! Impossible to stitch for 13 days when only 6 days had passed … it should have read “6 / 6“!!!

I only sewed one day while we were away.

  • January – Sept: 260 / 274
  • 30 min days/  Oct:   4 / 4
  • Total days in 2020: 264 / 278
  • Percentage = 94% 

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

TO DO 

I’m linking up to Roseanne & Sue’s “TO DO” Tuesday. Their blog is “Home Sewn by Us.”

Last week’s list:

  1. Web Scrappy Repro √   done
  2. Work on the guild mystery quilt (I’m leading this challenge, so I can’t show you until the Mystery Sleuths have all the clues.) √   done
  3. Start November IB challenge √   done
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.   √   done

This week’s list:

  1. Scrappy Repro: Add Borders
  2. Work on the guild mystery quilt
  3. Start November IB challenge
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.  

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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Linking to:

Last Monday in September!

/ quiltinggail / 11 Comments

I just feel like I haven’t gotten a lot done this month … but that is probably because I was away for almost 2 weeks!

3 Housekeeping / Updating things

First

Did you see my post about when we were visiting friends who live off-grid in the wilds of British Columbia? I showed a picture of a quilt being made by one of the girls. I thought she was at least 14 or 15 … and it turns out she’s actually 13!!!! WOW!! Oh to be able to quilt at that level, using scissors (no rotary cutter) is amazing. You can see the post HERE.

Continue reading →

Holidays Part 2: Shopping

/ quiltinggail / 22 Comments

Ah yes, shopping. While we were visiting my sister in Edmonton, we just happened to visit a couple of quilt stores!

Our first stop was Quincy’s Quilting in Leduc (just south of Edmonton). I bought a couple of rulers and no fabric. And yes, there was a lovely sleepy dachshund in the store!

At Lori’s Country Cottage I bought a few Studio 180 rulers and my husband bought some fabric … I didn’t buy any fabric. Do you remember in August, for the Island Batik challenge, I used the “Four Patch Square Up” ruler and how much I LOVED it? (see HERE) Well, I bought 4 more Studio 180 rulers. I can’t wait until I’m able to play with them!!!

Design Wall

Piecing:

I finished all the blocks that I need for the Scrappy Repro quilt. And here’s some of the blocks – ready to be organized into groups to start sewing them together.

Quilting: 

I’m working on October’s Island Batik challenge (sorry, no pictures, yet)!

Stash Report

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No finishes, but my husband bought fabric from the sale area at one of the quilt stores. He rationalized it all. The red might be enough for a backing, the bug fabric will go in the quilt he’s planning (for me to make) and the green is to add to my stash because he thinks I need more green). I think he is an enable-er.

  • Fabric Used this week      0 yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        261 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      35 yards
  • Net Fabric used                    237.5  yards
  • Husband’s purchases: 11.5 yards

Stitchin’ Time

On Sept. 6, I stated that I had stitched 13 out of 13 days in September … that was SEW incorrect! Impossible to stitch for 13 days when only 6 days had passed … it should have read “6 / 6“!!!

I only sewed one day while we were away.

  • January – July: 239 / 243
  • 30 min days/  Sept:   10 / 20
  • Total days in 2020: 249 / 263
  • Percentage = 94% 

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.”

2 week’s ago list:

  1. Work on Scrappy Repro √   done
  2. Welcome Fall project √   done
  3. Work on Oct. Island Batik project √   done
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.  √   done

This week’s list:

  1. Work on Scrappy Repro
  2. Work on Oct. Island Batik project
  3. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.  

No changes from the last report …

BLOG HOP

This is Week 3 of a delightful blog hop. So many projects that are not quilts, but are using Island Batik’s wonderful amazing fabrics! Make sure you visit the other Island Batik Ambassadors that are showing their byAnnie creations! 

WEEK 3

September 21

Carolina Asmussen

Sandra Walker

September 22

Jennifer Fulton

Pamela Boatright

Jennifer Strauser

September 23

Denise Looney

Maryellen McAuliffe

September 24

Megan Best

Jennifer Thomas

For your opportunity to win some AWESOME fabrics – a fat quarter pack of Urbanization or Nouveau Soul check out the Rafflecoper at Island Batik’s blog.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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Family Zoom Quilting!

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Yes! We Zoomed again … although it was only Terry and I quilting. Cousin Connie felt she needed to be outside in her garden and at the lake (can you blame her?) and my sister, Lynn was not feeling well, but she did visit with us from time to time.

I finished my “Hello Fall” project! So you’ll see that during the “Hello Fall” Blog Hop … my day is Sept 22. And if you ask me, it’s just stinking cute!

The other project I worked on was the “Scrappy Repro” UFO … I managed to finish up all the blocks and decided on a layout where I won’t have to match seams. Yup, I know that’s being lazy – but I’m not totally in love with this project any more, so it’s just got to be DONE.

Here’s a picture of my blocks in progress today!

Continue reading →

Another UFO is …

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DONE!!!

The Bouquet Murder Mystery Quilt is finished! Quilted, label and binding … done, done, done. This is UFO #15 for this year!

The quilt is 90″ square. It was quilted on my domestic machine … a Janome M7 with a large harp area. I had no difficulty with this quilt – it fit easily in the space.

The batting is Hobbs 80/20 and it was quilted with Aurifil thread #2000.

Here’s some close-up pictures of the quilting … the centre of the quilt … The blue and green sections have loops and orange peels (or “C’s” as I think of them when quilting. The background has a vine with swirls …

The 1st border has little “bows” … a figure 8 with ribbon between them . The 2nd border repeats the vine with swirls.

And the back … I had a ton of the 6″ dark blue – cut and joined together. I’m not sure why there was so much … way more than I needed for the border – and with lots of the off-white with blueberries, I joined them all together for the back. The back used up most of what was left of the dark blue and a substantial amount of the off-white.

Clothesline Hints

Someone told me that they have trouble taking pictures of quilts on a clothesline … especially when they are larger quilts. My husband made up 2 long “sticks” with notches on the top and they support the clothesline so that larger quilts do not drag on the ground. To the right is a picture of the “stick” holding up the clothesline. There’s one on the other side of the quilt … but I figure that one picture is enough to give you the idea …

Design Wall

Piecing:

This UFO was going to come out to play … Scrappy Repro … but it didn’t play at all this week … hopefully something will happen in the next week!

Quilting: 

Nothing at the moment … I’ve been busy busy busy quilting the Bouquet Murder Mystery quilt …

Stash Report

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The Bouquet Murder Mystery used 20 yards for the top and backing.

  • Fabric Used this week      20 yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        261 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      23.5
  • Net Fabric used                    237.5  yards

Stitchin’ Time

I am aiming for 30 minutes/day – at least!  I switched from 15 minutes / day to 30 minutes/day in April!

  • 15 minute days:  January – July: 210 / 212
  • 30 min days/  Aug:   28 / 30
  • Total days in 2020: 238/ 242
  • Percentage = 98% 

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 weeks list:

  1. Make label and finish binding my niece’s baby’s quilt.     √   done
  2. Bouquet Murder Mystery :
    1. finish quilting  √   done
    2. make label  √   done
    3. bind  √   done
  3. Work on Scrappy Repro not done
  4. Welcome Fall project worked on in my mind!
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.  √   done

This weeks list:

  1. Work on Scrappy Repro
  2. Welcome Fall project
  3. Work on Oct. Island Batik project
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.  √   done

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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A Star is Done!

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The Carpenter’s Star … in all it’s starry glory! Is done! I’m in love with it! If it didn’t have a specific destination, I would be keeping this one!

There are swirls in all the background (whitish) pieces and mostly straight lines in the coloured areas. All of the quilting is free motion on my domestic sewing machine.

Design Wall

Piecing:

… This UFO is going to come out to play … Scrappy Repro

Quilting: 

The Bouquet Murder Mystery quilt is in the process of being quilted.

Stash Report

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The Carpenter’s Star is finished! It used 6.5 yards for the top and 4 yards for the back …

  • Fabric Used this week      10.5 yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        241 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      23.5
  • Net Fabric used                    217.5  yards

Stitchin’ Time

I am aiming for 30 minutes/day – at least!  I switched from 15 minutes / day to 30 minutes/day in April!

  • 15 minute days:  January – July: 210 / 212
  • 30 min days/  Aug:   21 / 23
  • Total days in 2020: 231 / 235
  • Percentage = 98% 

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 weeks list:

  1.  Finish Quilting Carpenter’s Wheel   √   done
  2. Make label and bind Carpenter’s Wheel √   done
  3. Make backing for Bouquet Murder Mystery  √   done
  4. Make label and finish binding my niece’s baby’s quilt. not done
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes. √   done

This weeks list:

  1. Make label and finish binding my niece’s baby’s quilt.
  2. Bouquet Murder Mystery :
    1. finish quilting
    2. make label
    3. bind
  3. Work on Scrappy Repro
  4. Welcome Fall project
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.

Carpenter’s Star was started in July and finished this week! No new starts this week. No UFOs finished … but one is almost there … hopefully by next week!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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More Dollar Store Treasures

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In my last post HERE, I talked about back to school and dollar store items for your sewing room / studio. I had forgotten to mention that I also like black Sharpies. I used them when I made the wall hanging from Helen Godden’s Flower Power Quilt Along. I also use them when a light thread shows through on black fabric. The flowers in the wall hanging below were outlined with black sharpie prior to being coloured and sewn. All of this as per Helen Godden’s instructions.

Tips and Hints from Others

Norma, from “Notes from Norma,” said that she spent around $15 at Dollar Tree and here’s what she bought … “little plastic containers with lids for my embossing powders, a 2021 calendar for my studio, envelopes, plastic spoons for containers, cosmetic wedges to use with inks when stamping, index cards, glue tape, toothbrush for spattering ink, sponge brushes.” Now … you must go visit her blog to see her fantastic work!

Emily, from “The Darling Dogwood” said that she likes little post-it notes for labelling tiny pieces (which she’ll later pin) and kid’s glue sticks. She said this about them, “I like the Elmer’s Disappearing Purple glue sticks, but do have to warn you that the shade of purple when the glue goes on will freak you out that you ruined your project–you didn’t!” It’s good to know that the purple will not ruin your work!

One friend, Roseanne, from “Home Sewn by Us,” commented on how clean my gloves were … I was caught!!! I have a nearly new pair that I use for videos and pictures, but in real life … well, you decide … the ones on the left are what I usually wear. I’ve washed them, I’ve soaked them … they are still dirty looking. However, when quilting on white fabric, none of the “dirt” comes off. Do you have any hints on how to keep these quilting gloves looking clean?

Wendy, from “Pieceful Thoughts,” said that she has another tip for the shelf liner: “cut a small 2″ square and place it between your small square ruler and fabric. It will keep the ruler from shifting.” What a great idea!

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

Design Wall

Piecing:

Bouquet Murder Mystery: There is progress on this UFO!!! The borders are on! Now to piece the back!

Quilting: 

UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_38e3

The Carpenter’s Wheel (Star) is in the process of being quilted! I’m outlining all the star points with Stitch in the ditch and using my straight ruler to fill in the blue portions.

Stash Report

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No finishes, no shopping, no change in the numbers …

  • Fabric Used this week      0 yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        230.5 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      23.5
  • Net Fabric used                    207  yards

Stitchin’ Time

I am aiming for 30 minutes/day – at least!  I switched from 15 minutes / day to 30 minutes/day in April!

  • 15 minute days:  January – July: 210 / 212
  • 30 min days/  Aug:   14/ 16
  • Total days in 2020: 224 / 228
  • Percentage = 98% 

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 weeks list:

I kept my list short, because I knew I wouldn’t be available to sew every day … but I got it done!

  1.  Start Quilting Carpenter’s Wheel   √   done
  2. Add borders to Bouquet Murder Mystery  √   done

This weeks list:

  1.  Finish Quilting Carpenter’s Wheel  
  2. Make label and bind Carpenter’s Wheel
  3. Make backing for Bouquet Murder Mystery 
  4. Make label and finish binding my niece’s baby’s quilt.
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.

No new starts this week … no finishes … there is progress being made on the UFO I’m working on!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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