Stitchin’ Time

Moving through Monday …

/ quiltinggail / 14 Comments

Island Batik Blog Hop

Screen Shot 2020-05-01 at 10.45.00 PM… is in it’s 2nd week, starting tomorrow!  Did you check out last week’s hoppers?

This week Island Batik is giving away 2, yes, 2!  Fat Quarter bundles of “River Valley.”  There is a link below for you to click on for your entry for a chance to win.

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here is the list of Ambassadors that are Hopping this week:

May 11
Pamela Boatright ~ Pamela Quilts
Michelle Roberts ~ Creative Blonde
May 12
Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights
Sandra Walker ~ mmm! quilts
May 13
Gail Sheppard ~ Quilting Gail   YES this is ME
Maryellen McAuliffe ~ Mary Mack’s Blog
May 14
Vasudha Govindan ~ Storied Quilts
Carla Henton ~ Create in the Sticks

Design Wall

Piecing:

I’m still working on an Island Batik challenge –I’ll show you the results on Wednesday! In the meantime … the pictures below relate to the challenge: Can you guess what it will be?

Make sure you come back on Wednesday because I will also be offering a give-away!

UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_37ea.jpgUgly fabric quilt Guild challenge: We are to use the quilt pattern in this video:  Here is the fabric that I’ve pulled from my fat quarter bin.  Some of them aren’t even a full fat quarter … and that’s perfect.  They only need to be at least 14″ square.  This is suppose to be done on Tuesday!  Ha! Ha!  Somehow I don’t think it’ll be completely done … maybe, just maybe a top.

IMG_6288Florabunda:  The blocks are now sewn into 3 tops … They need to be sandwiched and quilted … in due time.

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Quilting:

This scrappy squares quilt in progress … I’m having fun coming up with different motifs for each of the white squares!

TO DO 

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

Last week’s list:

I easily managed to get everything on my list done … and more!

  1. Finish Island Batik May project  – almost done
  2. Finish Flower Power –  √   done  You can see it HERE.
  3. Scrappy Squares: Quilt  partially done
  4. Florabunda:  lay out & piece at least one top – 3 pieced!

This week’s list:

  1. Finish quilting Scrappy Squares
  2. Finish Island Batik May project
  3. Sandwich Florabunda quilts
  4. Start June Island Batik project – maybe …

Stash Report

SS yellow

The Flower Power quilt was all Island Batik.  However, I did buy the Island Batik fabric that I used for the back and sashing … so, I’ll count that as 1 yard.  No other finishes this week.

  • Fabric Used this week       1  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        139.5  yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      9.5
  • Net Fabric used                    130  yards

Stitchin’ Time

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

  • 15 minute days:  January – Apr. 120 / 121
  • 30 min days/  May – 10/10
  • Total days in 2020:  130 / 131
  • Percentage = 99% 

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

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Flower Power was finished … and I haven’t cut the fabric for the Ugly Challenge … so it’s not considered a new start – yet.  No UFOs were finished this week.

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One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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Linking to:

 

 

Monday in the Studio

/ quiltinggail / 23 Comments

Sew … what’s been happening around here?

Well, Helen Godden (on Facebook Helen Godden Quilts) had a Flower Power Quilt-a-long.  I was thinking of doing it for a future Island Batik challenge, but all of the specifics for the challenge are not available, yet.  SEW … I thought I’d share it with you.  If you are on Facebook, you can go to her page and download all of the pictures.  She has directions on how to do each of the blocks with a Youtube video for each block.  It’s fantastic for practicing free motion quilting!

These were done on an Island Batik neutral fabric … with Hobbs 80/20 batting, Aurifil black thread and Schmetz microtex needle.  (All of the supplies were given to me via Island Batik).

I have done 8 of the 9 blocks … They are SEW fun to do.  I LOVE the zen doodling!  And I’ve learned a few new-to-me patterns.

The other thing, is that I ventured into the world of colouring fabric.  Helen talks about “Inktense” pencils and how you colour your fabric with them.  From another Youtube video, I learned that you colour, spray with water and then press with an iron to stop the spread of colour or bleeding.  That’s how my blocks got their colour!  I was able to get a set of Inktense pencils at a near-by store that does curb-side service!  (Opus, in Langley).

I will show you the finished wall hanging … hopefully it’ll be done soon!

BLOG HOP 

Screen Shot 2020-05-01 at 10.45.00 PMDon’t forget to visit the Island Batik Blog Hop that is featuring all the NEW fabric!!!  And visit the Island Batik blog for a chance to win Cascadia Precuts!  Screen Shot 2020-05-01 at 10.43.01 PM

 

 

 

This week is the following Blogs:

May 4
Janet Yamamoto ~ Whispers of Yore
Carol Moellers ~ Carol Moellers Designs
May 5
Carolina Asmussen ~ Carolina Asmussen
Suzy Webster ~ Websterquilt
May 6
Megan Best ~ Best Quilter
Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood
May 7
Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs
Denise Looney ~ For the Love of Geese

Design Wall

Piecing:

I’m working on an Island Batik challenge – so no photos yet!

IMG_6288Florabunda:  Do you remember when I was working on these blocks? Well, they are all done and I have way more than enough for one quilt … so there are at least 2 quilts to be made.  I need to lay them out and decide on which ones will go into which quilt.

IMG_6409

Quilting:  

This scrappy squares quilt is sandwiched and ready to quilt!

TO DO 

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

Last week’s list:

I easily managed to get everything on my list done … and more!

  1. Quilt Blue Round Robin  √  done    
  2. Bind Purple Round Robin √  done
  3. Finish 7 masks  √  done
  4. Finish 7 pillow cases  √  done

You can see the Blue & Purple Round Robin quilts HERE.

I completed 18 masks and 12 pillow cases.  When I went to originally take a picture of the 7 pillow cases that were started, I realized they were mostly all “girl” types.  Sew … back to the stash and I made 5 that are more suited for the male gender.

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UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_37d8

This week’s list:

  1. Finish Island Batik May project
  2. Finish Flower Power
  3. Scrappy Squares: Quilt and possibly get the binding on.
  4. Florabunda: lay out & piece at least one top

Stash Report

SS yellow

The fronts of the Round Robins were Island Batik – so I don’t count that.  But the backs took 3 yards.  The pillow cases used up 12 yards.  The masks used up 3.5 yards … for a total of 18.5 yards!

  • Fabric Used this week       18.5  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        138.5  yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      9.5
  • Net Fabric used                    129  yards

Stitchin’ Time 

I am aiming for 30 minutes/day – at least!

  • 15 minute days:  January – Apr. 120 / 121
  • 30 min days/  May – 3 / 3
  • Total days in 2020:  123 / 124
  • Percentage = 99% 

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

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One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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Linking to: 

 

UFOs … just keep getting done!

/ quiltinggail / 27 Comments

Yes, Another UFO Finish!

Frolic is finished!  Borders on, label on, quilted and binding!  Done Done DONE!!!   It usually takes me 4-5 days to quilt a full sized Bonnie Hunter quilt, but with my new machine (Janome M7), the quilting was done in less than 2 days!  Those extra stiches / minute really do make a HUGE difference!!!

I’m loving how using mostly whites for the neutrals, along with the colours make for a nice cheery summer quilt!  This will be on a bed as soon as it’s washed!

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The batting is Hobbs 80/20.  For quilting, I did a large swirl, with echoed flower petals around it.  I was amazed at how this pattern caught all of the 1″ squares quite nicely! A light grey CanSew thread was used for the quilting.

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Design Wall

Piecing:

Stay at Home Round Robin:  squares … were added this week.  I’m loving the Island Batik fabrics!

Masks: More made, but no picture …

Quilting:  

Just finished Frolic – as above!

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. Finish up a UFO …  Actually finished 2!!!  Frolic (above) and Fr.Gen #2  √  done
  2. Round Robin: add the next borders  √  done
  3. Masks:  Make some more  √  done

This week’s list:

  1. Round Robin: add the last borders: maybe finish the purple one since it’s a quilt-as-you-go.
  2. Masks: being made as leaders & enders … pull out the serger and serge the ties.
  3. Scrappy 4 patch 2″: Quilt

Stash Report

SS yellow

Frolic used 17½ yards (12 ½ for the top & 5 for the backing)

French General #2 used  10 yards

I didn’t include the fabric used for masks …  I figure about 6 masks / yard … with ties … so 3 yards of fabric .

  • Fabric Used this week       30.5  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        120  yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      9.5
  • Net Fabric used                    110.5 yards
  • –
  • Husband’s Purchases           0

Stitchin’ Time

I am aiming for 30 minutes/day – at least!

  • 15 minute days:  January – Mar. 90/91
  • 15 min days/  April= 19/19
  • Total days in 2020:  119/120
  • Percentage = 99% 

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

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2 UFOs completed this week!!  WHOO HOO!!!

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One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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Linking to: 

Easter 2020

/ quiltinggail / 19 Comments

Easter Ecards | Send Easter Greetings Online | American Greetings

Design Wall

Piecing:

Stay at Home Round Robin:  Arrows … were added this week.  I’m loving the Island Batik fabrics!

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Guild Challenge: This week’s challenge is to finish a UFO …. hmmm … which one will I choose?

Masks: IMG_6429

My daughter has a beagle, my son has a motor cycle and loves cats and his girlfriend loves cats …

I have very little elastic, but I have some OLD bias tape that I know I’ll never use … a quick stitch down the length, cut to 16″ and I had lots of ties!  The yellow bias tape came from a store in Vanderhoof in the 70’s or 80’s.  Not sure where the iron on seam binding came from!

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There are literally a zillion mask patterns out there – with more being published as I speak!  If you must know, I used the pattern from Leah Day … HERE.  For the filter, I gave each of the kids a roll of blue shop paper towels.  Cut each paper towel into four 5″ squares and you have lots of filters!

PLEASE NOTE:  These masks will NOT prevent you from getting the virus – it will help to prevent you from spreading it!

Quilting:

I quilted 3, yes 3 quilts this week!!! 2 Elvira quilts and a heart quilt!  The heart quilt was quilted with hearts!

On one Elvira quilt, I did a large swirl followed by flower petals that I echoed.

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The other Elvira quilt was lines up and down the quilt with “leaves” here and there … IMG_6439.jpeg

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. Round Robin: add the next borders   √  done
  2. Guild Heart Quilt: Sandwich & Quilt    √  done
  3. Masks:  Several made …    √  done

This week’s list:

  1. Finish up a UFO …
  2. Round Robin: add the next borders
  3. Masks:  Make some more

Stash Report

SS yellow

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Each Elvira Quilt used 7 yards of fabric – for a total of 14 yards …

IMG_6427The heart quilt used 4½ yards of fabric.  SEW … for all 3 quilts, it comes to 18½ yards!  

  • Fabric Used this week       18.5  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        89.5  yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      9.5
  • Net Fabric used                    80 yards!!!!
  • –
  • Husband’s Purchases           0

Stitchin’ Time

I am aiming for 30 minutes/day – at least!

  • 15 minute days:  January – Mar. 90/91
  • 15 min days/  April= 12/12
  • Total days in 2020:  102/103
  • Percentage = 99% 

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

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Still no UFOs finished this month.  However, 3 new 2020 starts were completed!

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One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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Linking to: 

First Monday in April Report

/ quiltinggail / 11 Comments

Curved Piecing

I did a quilt with curved piecing for my April Island Batik Challenge.  I’m LOVING, yes, LOVING sewing curves now!!!  Isn’t it amazing how, once you are competent at something you loathed, the relationship becomes a good one?  You can read about this quilt in THIS POST.

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Design Wall

Piecing:

Stay at Home Round Robin:  The 2nd row, Pinwheels was put on last week.  I’m currently working on “Arrows” for this week.

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Guild Challenge: This week’s challenge is to make a heart quilt.  People here are putting hearts in their windows … so I’m making a heart baby quilt … later, it can be donated … The top is done, but I’m having to be creative to piece the back!

Quilting:

I have a few quilts to quilt … All but the guild heart quilt are sandwiched.

  • Guild heart quilt
  • Elvira (2)
  • Scrappy

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. Round Robin: add the next borders     √  done
  2. Donation Quilt:      √  done
  3. Sandwich Elvira #1  & #2    √  done
  4. Frolic: get the borders on!!!!  NOT done

This week’s list:

  1. Round Robin: add the next borders
  2. Guild Heart Quilt: Sandwich & Quilt
  3. Masks:  The Canadian health officials are now suggesting that people wear masks when out shopping or taking transit.  Therefore, I will be making a few masks. At this time, I do not know which pattern I will be using.  I do know that the mask will have 2 layers and the ability to insert a filter of some sort.

Stash Report

SS yellowIMG_6413

I completed the above quilt …  3.25 yards for the top and binding & 1.25 yards for the back … for a total of 4.5 yards

  • Fabric Used this week       4.5  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        71  yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      9.5
  • Net Fabric used                    61.5
  • –
  • Husband’s Purchases           0

Stitchin’ Time

When I started this in January, I was aiming for at least 15 minutes /day.  With social isolating, I am aiming for at least 30 minutes a day.  And yes, on most days, it’s usually at least a few hours.  But, I don’t want to put myself under pressure saying that I will do a few hours each day!

  • 15 minute days:  January – Mar. 90/91
  • 15 min days/  April= 5/5
  • Total days in 2020:  95/96
  • Percentage = 98% 

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

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No UFOs finished since March.  I did finish the Donation challenge quilt.

The Heart Quilt challenge is a new start.  It will be done by Friday when I need to post a picture on Facebook.

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One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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Linking to: 

Dust bunnies?

/ quiltinggail / 15 Comments

Nothing too exciting this week.  I did finish my April Island Batik challenge … but of course, I can’t show you until April.

How am I?

I’m feeling a bit unfocused!  The other day, I sewed for about 10 minutes and then I HAD to organize my zippers [i don’t know why – i’ve never done so before]…  Then I sewed for about 5 minutes and then I HAD to tidy up a box of fabic [OK … it was a huge mess and needed to be cleaned up] … Then I sewed for about 3 minutes and then HAD to sweep the floor and gather the dust bunnies … Then, it was time for a break … Sigh … but the zippers are still organized, as is the box I tidied … but the dust bunnies escaped and multiplied and are taking over!!!!  Thankfully, this is from the floor and not from inside a sewing machine!!!  And this is just today’s bounty … and I did sweep yesterday as well!  fullsizeoutput_c9e

ANYHOW … enough of my First World Problem!   On to quilting!

Design Wall

Piecing:

Donation Quilt:  On Facebook, I challenged the guild members to make a donation quilt by next Friday … the inspiration for this came from the cancelled Baby Quilt Kit Making day that had been scheduled for Saturday.  There are a few that have taken up the challenge, and some are almost finished!  Me?  Well, I haven’t even started.  Do I make a quick baby quilt? Finish a flimsy for donation?  I’m un-decided … but I better make up my mind soon, eh?

Frolic:  One border is done on 1 side … 

IMG_6321.jpegFlorabunda:
10 blocks completed this week … the picture on the left is not from this week … I have a sneaking suspicion that I will be making more than one quilt from these blocks.

Stay at Home Round Robin:  The 2nd row (piano keys) is on and you can read about it / watch the video about it HERE.   And, below is a picture of the 2 quilts with their piano key borders on.

Quilting:

No quilting happening right now.

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. Round Robin: add the next borders    √  done
  2. (Maybe) finish quilting April Island Batik    √  done
  3. Make Elvira into a flimsy    √  done
  4. Summer Solstice: Complete next step  NOT DONE
  5. Frolic: get the borders on!!!!   only side of one border on

This week’s list:

  1. Round Robin: add the next borders
  2. Donation Quilt: ???
  3. Sandwich Elvira #1  & #2  (need to piece the backing)
  4. Frolic: get the borders on!!!!

Stash Report

SS yellowAn Island Batik project was completed … but that’s not counted in my stash.

  • Fabric Used this week       0  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        66.5  yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      9.5
  • Net Fabric used                    57.75
  • –
  • Husband’s Purchases           0

Stitchin’ Time

I’m aiming for at least 15 minutes / day.   Even with a sore back, I’m managing 15 minutes a day …

  • 15 minute days:  January – Feb  59 / 60
  • 15 min days/ March = 29/29
  • Total days in 2020:  88/89
  • Percentage = 98% 

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

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To be honest, I had hoped that with self-isolation, I’d get more UFOs done.  But I guess, I’m just too busy chasing dust bunnies!Screen Shot 2020-03-29 at 2.39.23 PM

 

Another Blog Hop this week!

Scrap Everything

 

I’ll be posting on April 2 … so stay tuned!

 

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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Linking to:

Did you see it?

/ quiltinggail / 20 Comments

All the posts on Facebook for International Quilt Day!!  It was a lot of fun!

I think I’m the only one in the neighbourhood that had quilts out … but that’s OK …

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I just grabbed a few small quilts that were handy and made in the last year … no digging through the camper to find more … and yes, I have more, LOTS more!

It was a BEAUTIFUL spring day!  Sunny (although not very warm) … you can see purple hyacinths blooming and the magnolia tree on the left is just starting to bloom!

I have a finish!!

Yes, my “Circles” quilt is finished.  The quilting is finished, the binding is finished AND the label is on!

This quilt was started at a guild workshop on curves.  The circles were all cut with a large and a small Accuquilt die. (The guild owns them).  The instructor was fabulous and the die-cut pieces made for almost perfect piecing.   I say almost, because nothing I do is perfect!IMG_6336.jpeg

And here’s a close-up of the quilting: A biggish swirl with smaller swirls on the outside of the biggish swirl …

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And, it seams like flange binding is all I do these days!  But, I do like the look.IMG_6340.jpeg

Design Wall

Piecing:

Summer Solstice:   The next step is completedIMG_6322.jpeg

Frolic: didn’t work on it this week …

IMG_6321.jpegFlorabunda:
Only one block completed this week

 

Stay at Home Round Robin:  I started 2 … you can read about them HERE.  You can still join in, if you want … there will be a linky party on Friday for you to post pictures.

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Elvira: This as a “Quarantine Quilt Along”  with GE Quilt Designs.  The temptation to spend the day quilting with others was too much …  SEW, I dug into my stash of Reproduction fabrics and cut the amounts I needed.  For some reason, the bins are still just as full!!!

Quilting:

April’s Island Batik is being quilted … sorry no pictures until April!

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. (Maybe) Finish quilting “Circles“  √  done
  2. Summer Solstice: Complete next step  √  done
  3. Round Robin: Make block  √  done
  4. Make “Making us Laugh”   —  almost there
  5. Sandwich April Island Batik    √  done
  6. Get bordrers on Frolic!  Not done

This week’s list:

  1. Round Robin: add the next borders
  2. (Maybe) finish quilting April Island Batik
  3. Make Elvira into a flimsy
  4. Summer Solstice: Complete next step
  5. Frolic: get the borders on!!!!

Stash Report

Circles used up 14.25 yards … and since I didn’t leave the house and didn’t shop on-line, there were no fabric purchases.

  • Fabric Used this week       14.25  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        66.5  yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      9.5
  • Net Fabric used                    57.75
  • –
  • Husband’s Purchases           0

Stitchin’ Time

I’m aiming for at least 15 minutes / day. 

  • 15 minute days:  January – Feb  59 / 60
  • 15 min days/ March = 22/22
  • Total days in 2020:  81/82
  • Percentage = 98% 

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

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Quilt Qwazy Queens Blog Hop

It stated on Wednesday … and here are the participants for this week.  These are FUN!!!  I will be sharing mine on Tuesday!

Qwazy Monday, March 23

Qwazy Tuesday, March 24

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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Linking to:

Yeah! Daylight Savings!

/ quiltinggail / 11 Comments

What a joy it is to have daylight later in the day!!!  I LOVE it!

Design Wall

Piecing:

IMG_6139.jpegCircles – borders on and it is sandwiched ….

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Frolic: All the rows are joined and trimming is the next step.  I do need to do the trimming Continue reading →

Progress

/ quiltinggail / 6 Comments

First:  Week 3 Island Batik Blog HOP!!!

If you want to see a recap of Week 1, click HERE.  Week 2, click HERE.  If you haven’t seen the fabulous Log Cabin quilts, it will be well worth your time to visit the 2 Island Batik blog posts … beautiful eye candy!!! Here’s who’s in line for this week!  I can’t wait to see what they create! Continue reading →

Island Batik “Log Cabin Blog Hop”

/ quiltinggail / 17 Comments

Island Batik Blog HOP!!!

Island Batik “Log Cabin Blog Hop” Starts Today!   Be sure to visit Island Batik Blog each week to enter to win a pre-cut of one of the fabric collections highlighted that week.   These fabric collections are from the Fall 2019 line-up and should be available in quilt stores shortly.

I have seen a few of the quilts finished and a few in progress … oh my!!!  Fantastic eye candy for sure!!! Be sure to visit each of the blogs!

Here is the schedule for this week: Continue reading →

Keeping Records

/ quiltinggail / 11 Comments

Every Sunday, or Monday, I post a bit about what I’m working on.  It’s my way of keeping records, keeping on track and getting a LOT of quilting done!

Here’s an explanation of all the blogs that I regularly link up to have a category for them every Sunday or Monday.

  • Judy’s “Design Wall Monday” to show you what I’m piecing and quilting.  I think it’s fun to show you progress …
  • Roseanne & Sue’s “To Do” Tuesday“, to publicly say what I hope to do in the coming week.  I find it’s OK to have a list and it’s perfectly OK to not get everything on the list done.  It’s all progress and that’s what counts!
  • Donna’s “Stash Report” has really helped me to cut down on my fabric buying binges.  Very seldom do I ever buy “just because,” or “it’s on sale,” or “it’s pretty”  or whatever reason I can dream up at the time!!!  I’m not saying that I never make these types of purchases, but knowing that I need to report what I buy, makes me think twice … and those that follow my blog, know very well that I make frivolous purchases sometimes.
  • Kate’s “Stitchin’ Time” helps pull me to the sewing machine on those days that I’ve been too busy to sew, or just don’t feel like it.  Sometimes, I even set an alarm for 15 minutes and actually get up to turn the alarm off and also turn off my machine.  Other times, I get up and turn off the alarm and sit back down to sew … I never know which will happen!

And of course, I alway have my own PHD in 2020 report!

Design Wall

Piecing:

Summer Solstice:    I’ve started piecing the lone star.  Row 1 – 4 are completed.  Now to sew each of the 8 star points.   I think it’s going to be a pretty quilt! Continue reading →

What do you do when you hate …??

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 I Hate sewing curves.

I Hate sewing circles.  

Last year, I got a Block on Board die from Accuquilt … Cleopatra’s Fan … it had curves.  I perservered, and made several blocks.  I was not happy.  I liked the block in the end, but I was not happy sewing it!

This year, I received another Block on Board die … it has CURVES.  (Can you hear the loud groan??? !!!)

The guild was offering a one day workshop on sewing circles.  SIGH!!!   I figured that I better take the workshop.  Here’s a sample of what happened at the workshop.  Lots of curved piecing.

Continue reading →

Monday, Monday …

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Yesterday, I showed what I got done at the retreat and I just knew you’d want to see more details!  

Ode to 30’s

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When I started this quilt … a long time ago … I wasn’t aware that there was a quilt genre called “30s.”  I just picked the pink fabric (1st border) and picked out complementary colours.

I did a diagonal backing on Ode to 30’s.  I love how some of the blocks really shine through with the sun shining!  When I made the back, I was tired of putting a stripe vertical or horizontal … I’d worry about it looking crooked.  SEW,  I made sure that the diagonal did not reach the corners … this way, if the diagonal was off a degree or 2 (or 10!), it wouldn’t matter.  I think it worked!

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Some custom quilting in Ode to 30’s … and some blocks just had an all-over motif in each block.

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My husband loved the birds in the tree!IMG_2219.jpg

Details:

  • 58″ x 66″
  • Hobbs 80/20 batting
  • Pieced with Aurifil thread
  • Quilted with Glide thread
  • Binding is 2 colour/flange binding (1¼” dark & 1½” light)

Design Wall

Piecing:

Summer Solstice:  I did not work on this at the retreat.  Pat, one of the other retreaters, helped me get my head around the lone star piecing, so I hope to make some progress on that this week!

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Frolic: Bonnie Hunter’s Mystery:   The reveal came out on Friday … I have some cutting to do before I can start putting the blocks together.  I think I will like it when it’s done!

52 Blocks in 52 weeks:  Need to make the last 4 blocks.

Quilting:

Hope to sandwich and start quilting Bento Box  “Rag Log Cabin.”

TO DO

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

A Gladys Taber quote  “Contentment is a list with half of it crossed off.”

This week my list is ALL crossed off!

Last week’s list:

  1. Finish Ode to 30’s    √  done  
  2. Work on Bento Box  Rag Log Cabin  UFO  √  done  
  3. Make Maple leaf block for Australia   √  done  

This week’s list:

  1. Sandwhich Rag Log Cabin
  2. Start Quilting Rag Log Cabin
  3. Make at least 2 “Frolic” blocks
  4. Make the last 4 “52 blocks in 52 weeks”
  5. Put “52 blocks in 52 weeks” on design wall and arrange
  6. Start the lone star portion of Summer Solstice.

Stash Report

The 2 finished quilts used 21 yards of fabric, plus ½ yard for the maple-leaf blocks for Australia.  I did go shopping at the retreat but only bought zippers and a thingy-ma-jig to hold stuff at my machine.  No fabric added.

  • Fabric Used this week        21.5 yards
  • Fabric Used this year:         21.5  yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      0
  • Net Fabric used                    21.5
  • –
  • Husband’s Purchases           0

Stitchin’ Time

  • January 1-19  : 12 out of 19   100% 

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

 

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I finished 2 UFOs.  And I’ve finished 2 of my 2020 starts.  There’s another 2020 start for Island Batik that I’ve put in the sheet, but I actually haven’t started it yet.

If you are working on your PHD in 2020, be sure to link up to the mid-January linky party and show us your progress! (HERE)

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One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

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Linking to:

Monday … and I’m off to a retreat!

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

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

Design Wall

Piecing:

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

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

First Monday of the Roaring 20s

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OK … so things are NOT roaring around here … they are plodding along … slowly …

Screen Shot 2019-12-06 at 11.47.00 AMIf you want to decrease your UFOs … and not make your UFO list any bigger, Join me for your PHD in 2020!  Check out this blog post for details … and scroll WAY down for the linky party so that you can join in!  You can join in on the PHD in 2020 until Jan. 14.  Then on the 1st and 15th of each month, there will be a linky party for you to show your progress. Continue reading →

Last Monday of 2019! Plans for 2020!

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Plans for 2020

I don’t make resolutions … they never work for me.  However, I do make PLANS.  Plans can be changed … in my mind, resolutions are sort-of set in stone and unchangeable.

My plans for 2020 include:

  • Obtaining my PHD in 2020 (obviously, eh?)
  • Learn how to sew curves!!! I’ve signed up for a class in January!  I want to master, or at least feel more comfortable sewing curves!
  • Use up my stash!!!  Dare I aim for using at least 100 yards?  Can I avoid purchasing fabric???  Lofty plans … but I’ll try!
  • Having a Baby Quilt Marathon on the blog … likely in July – but subject to change.  And, same as last year, if participants want to work on specific projects and not baby quilts- that’s fine!  All that is required is a concentrated effort to work on a project for 26 hours during the time from ?? date to ?? date.   See HERE, HERE and HERE for some posts about the 2019 Baby Quilt Marathon.
  • Have a Baby Quilt Sew-a-long … the EQ picture is done, just need to write out the pattern and figure out the details.  This may happen during the marathon, I haven’t decided yet.

OK … OK … I know you’re wondering, why so many Baby Quilts?  The quilt guild I belong to makes baby quilts for several different charities.  I have TONS of fabric and it’s fun to make small quilts.  Usually they are pretty quick to make.  Occasionally, I practice a different free motion motif on them, sometimes it’s just straight stitching.  Anything goes.

PHD in 2019: Quilting UFOs and Finishing New Projects

YES!!!  I have completed my PHD in 2019!!!!

Emily, from The Darling Dogwood, also completed her PHD in 2019.  YAY, Emily!!!

I haven’t heard from the others, so am not sure if anyone else has completed their PHD in 2019. Continue reading →

PHD in 2019! DONE!!!

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These are the 3 baby quilts that were started this fall.  They were all donated to the guild.  And they were fun to do.  The one in the middle and the one on the right had flannel on both sides.  I learned that it is difficult to FMQ a 2-sided flannel quilt.   When I tackled the pink one, I just did straight lines with my walking foot.  The quilt didn’t stretch as much and it was way easier to do!  The one on the left had quilting cotton on the top with flannel on the back.  It was very easy to free-motion quilt the wavy lines. Continue reading →