Vanishing Hunter’s Star

/ quiltinggail / 8 Comments

In July, my Island Batik box contained a surprise package of Celtic Fields by Kathy Engle. It came with Doughnut (the neutral, on the left) and Celtic Mini Knot Red-B (from the Celtic Fields collection, on the right). I used some of the fabrics from this collection to make the 2 Take a Stand bags (see HERE) (I was given extra for this) and I still had the 1/2 yard cut of the collection. It was the perfect collection for a Turkey Trot Blog Hop where I chose to feature fall fabrics.

I used the Hunter’s Star Accuquilt die to cut out all the pieces for this quilt. There wasn’t enough of the ‘Doughnut’ neutral for this, so I added several other Island Batik neutrals to the mix. Some were unlabelled small pieces, but larger pieces of Snow and Egg White were added in.

My intent WAS to make a scrappy Hunter’s Star quilt. Then, when I was dividing the blocks up by colour, it emerged into this:

I decided to border 2 sides of the quilt with “Large Netting Pineneedle” (dark green) and the other 2 sides with Celtic Mini Knot Red-B (from the collection).

My quilting friends decided that I should call it “Disappearing Hunter’s Star.” But, since the Hunter’s star block wasn’t actually cut (like most disappearing blocks), it has morphed into “Vanishing Hunter’s Star.” That’s it’s official name now. 

Quilt Stats:

  • Size: 65″ x 75″
  • Fabric collection: Island Batik Celtic Fields, Doughnut and various neutrals
  • Binding: Island Batik “Doughnut”
  • Pieced with Aurifil #2600 (Dove)
  • Quilted with Glide Shell using Silly Moon Rulers: Drop & Rocket for the blocks and 6″ Beanie on the border. 
  • Batting: Hobbs 80/20

Stitching Stuff

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

  • January –November:  316 / 333
  • December:  24 / 24
  • Total:  335 / 357
  • Percentage: 93%

Stash Report

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

The Vanishing Hunter’s Star used 14 yards of fabric.

Yearly Total:

  • Fabric Used since the last report: 14 yards
  • Fabric Used in 2023:    254 yards  from non-IB: 105
  • Fabric Bought this week: 0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:    37 yards 
  • Net Fabric used:             218 yards 

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

To Do Tuesday

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

To Do List from Last Week

  1. Finish Quilting and Binding “Not a Hunter’s Star“ ”Vanishing Hunter’s Star“. √   DONE
  2. Sandwich, Quilt and Bind “2023 Fall Mystery Quilt” not done
  3. Piece “SS 24 Catalogue Quilt” quilt partially done … piecing in progress
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √   DONE
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes. √   DONE. 

This Week’s To Do List:

  1. Sandwich, Quilt and Bind “2023 Fall Mystery Quilt”
  2. Finishing Piecing & adding borders “SS 24 Catalogue Quilt”
  3. Work on SAHRR ’24
  4. Finish Quilting “Gardenia“
  5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.

Design Wall

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

Piecing projects:

  1. Island Batik “SS 24 Catalogue Quilt”
  2. SAHRR ’24 (yes, I’ve started!)
  3. Plan White Rabbit Blog Hop Quilt

Quilting:

  • “2023 Fall Mystery Quilt”
  • Finish Quilting “Gardenia“

Here’s a picture of Gardenia prior to being a flimsy and partially quilted. This was started in February. It’s hard to say if it will be totally done before the end of the year.

Upcoming Blog Hops

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

Moose Stash Quilting: It Moose be Love (February 20, 2024)

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Announcing the 2024 SAHRR

/ quiltinggail / 38 Comments

Earlier this year, as we had a parade for the 2023 SAHRR (pronounced Stay At Home Round Robin), we announced that we would be doing it again in 2024.

For the past 4 years, I have done a SAHRR and have made different quilts. The first year I did it on my own and then for the next 3 years, I had some fantastic blogging/quilting friends join in the fun!

Here’s the quilts from previous SAHRRs. The last 2 on the bottom right are ones I did on my own. It’s so much MORE fun with others! Here’s the LINK where you can see all the quilts made last year.

As you can tell, except for the 2 I did on my own, the rounds are all different. This year promises to be different as well!

What is a Round Robin?

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

So, I stay at home?

That’s correct! You and your centre block and the borders all stay home. You have to make the decisions as to what to add when given directions. How big, how many … it’s up to you. We will let you know what each of us does and there may be short tutorials on some of our blogs.

How do I join?

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

How often does this happen?

On January 15, we will show you our centre blocks … We got together once and I’ve seen plans of a few of the centre blocks: all of them totally different! This will give you some ideas of what you can make or use (do you have orphan blocks?)

Then on January 22 (and each Monday following) we will give you instructions as to what the next border/round is to be. Again, we will all show you our centre blocks with the first border to give you some ideas.

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

  • January 15: I will host the first linky party … for you to show your centre block … but you’ll have to visit each of the SAHRR co-host bloggers to see their centre blocks
  • January 22: 1st Round:   Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
  • January 29: 2nd Round:   Anja @ Anja Quilts
  • February 5: 3rd Round:  Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
  • February 12: 4th Round:  Brenda @ Songbird Designs
  • February 19: 5th Round: ME!!! @ Quilting Gail 
  • February 26: 6th Round:  Kathleen @ Kathleen McMusing
  • March 18: Parade: showing all of your finished SAHRRs!

We have Sponsors!

We reached out to several companies that we all LOVE and many of them agreed to sponsor the SAHRR 2024!!! We will keep track of all of the participants that link to our Linky parties each week. We will make a list and use a random number generator to choose the winners for each prize! So, if you link up to 3 Linky parties, you will have 3 opportunities to win! If you don’t have a blog or Instagram account, contact me, or one of the other co-hosts and we will post your SAHRR on our blog. This way you still have an opportunity to win!

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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

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

Will you cut my fabric for me? No

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

What do I do now?

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

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

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

I Was Featured

A Quiltery (put your foot down), Inquiring Quilter (Wednesday Wait Loss) and Quilting & Learning (Free Motion Mavericks) all Featured my Classic Car Colour Challenge Quilt. You can read about it HERE.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

Sunday Summary

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First, I want to show you a secret quilt I was working on earlier this summer and it no longer needs to be a secret. In my July Island Batik box, I received a 2 1/2” strip set of “Pin Dot Floral,” a signature collection by Kathy Engle for Megan Best of Bestquilter. It was paired with a 2 yard piece of Azure (from Brilliant Blues) and a 2 yard piece of Icicle (from Tantalizing Teals). How lucky was I???? So VERY VERY lucky! I immediately knew what I would make with this strip pack!

It’s a lone star that is loosely based on a Youtube video by Jordan’s Fabrics, but of course, I did my own thing. You can watch the video HERE. This quilt takes a LONG time for me to piece because Every. Single. Intersection. needs to be measured and pinned. But, it is worth it in the end!

Here’s a couple of photos of me using “Charming” a Silly Moon ruler to make arcs on all of the pieces.

The large flowers in the corners, and the smaller ones in the ‘v’s were quilted using 2 different “Drop” rulers (Silly Moon). I used “Kite” in the Azure border. Then a flange binding finished the quilt!! I’m in LOVE with this quilt. And I’m keeping it!

It is 62″ x 62″. I used Aurifil #5007 (light grey blue) for the piecing and quilting. Hobbs 80/20 is in the middle.

Here’s a list of a few of the places you can get Pin Dot Floral:

  • Creekside Quilts – OR
  • Hancocks of Paducah, KY
  • Quilter’s Cove, OR

Stitching Stuff

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

  • January –November:  316 / 333
  • December:  12 / 17
  • Total:  328 / 350
  • Percentage: 93%

Stash Report

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

Last week, I told you that I might buy some fabric when I was in California. On the left is 4 yards of Porcelain fireside that I bought at Essem Fabrics (here at home) to back a few quilts. Rosie’s Calico Cupboard was dangerous! The fun sewing machine fabric was too fun to resist (1/2 yard) and same with the cardinals (3 yards)! On the right is Island Batik fabrics: 4 yards of “Egg Shell” and below that is 4 yards of “Flour.”

Yearly Total:

  • Fabric Used since the last report: 8 yards
  • Fabric Used in 2023:    241 yards  from non-IB: 101
  • Fabric Bought this week: 15.5
  • Fabric Added this year:    37 yards 
  • Net Fabric used:             204 yards 

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

To Do Tuesday

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

I was away for several days, so not a lot got done.

The To Do List from last week:

  1. Finish Quilting and Binding “Not a Hunter’s Star“ not done – in progress
  2. Sandwich, Quilt and Bind “2023 Fall Mystery Quilt”  not done
  3. Piece “SS 24 Catalogue Quilt” quilt. not done – in progress
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √   DONE
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes. √   DONE. 

This week’s To Do List (same as last week)

  1. Finish Quilting and Binding “Not a Hunter’s Star“
  2. Sandwich, Quilt and Bind “2023 Fall Mystery Quilt”
  3. Piece “SS 24 Catalogue Quilt” quilt
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.

Design Wall

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

Piecing projects:

  1. Island Batik “SS 24 Catalogue Quilt”
  2. SAHRR (yes, it’s happening again in ’24 – I’ll be posting about it in a couple of days!)

Quilting:

  • “Not a Hunter’s Star”
  • “2023 Fall Mystery Quilt”

Here’s a couple of pictures of me quilting the “Not a Hunter’s Star” on my domestic machine.

Upcoming Blog Hops

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

Moose Stash Quilting: (February 20, 2024)

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

My Quick Trip to California

/ quiltinggail / 18 Comments

My sister had a meeting to go to in San Diego … so I went along. We flew into Palm Springs and then headed to Del Mar on the coast. It was a winding road and so different from the roads in BC and Alberta!

We went to Quilt in a Day. It was a fun shop to visit. Absolutely NOTHING said “buy me.” But I certainly helped my sister buy fabric for baby quilts, gifts and a Christmas fat quarter bundle! We were driving the black-top white convertible Mustang that is under the red & white barn quilt!

We went to a few beaches … watched some surfers, walked on the sand, saw 5 whales …

I had a fun stop at the Island Batik warehouse. No pictures were taken, but if you want an idea of what the warehouse looks like, you can watch this Youtube video.

Rosie’s Calico Cupboard in San Diego was fun!! And dangerous (in a good way!) These photos are from their website as I was too busy drooling to take any pictures. I bought some Island Batik fabric, a Christmas fabric and something ‘just for fun!’ I’ll show you my fabric on Sunday!

And you see quilt inspiration everywhere … even on a high end car! Hexies on a Lamborghini!

And to show you a finished quilt … Here is the monthly Classic Car Colour Challenge hosted by Jen @ Patterns by Jen. HERE. And … shhhh … I have it on good authority that she will be hosting another Colour Challenge in 2024. Check out her blog in the near future for details! You can read more about my quilt HERE.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

Monday Moments

/ quiltinggail / 10 Comments

I’m writing this blog post ahead of time. I’ll be in Southern California when this goes live.

Christmas Countdown

I told you about this project a few weeks ago. I have downloaded the pattern and that’s as far as it’s gone. I will likely work on it between Christmas and New Years. If you want to join, you can access the free pattern HERE. All of quilting directions are on Helen’s Youtube videos.

Stitching Stuff

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

  • January –November:  316 / 333
  • December: 7 / 10
  • Total:  323 / 343
  • Percentage: 94%

Stash Report

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

As I write this, I have not bought any fabric, but I am in California with my sister and visiting a few quilt stores, so I might be changing some numbers next week!

I’ve finished some projects in the last few weeks: (Placemats & napkins: 9 yards, Tree Skirt: 7 yards, Classic Car Colour Challenge: 9 yards)

Yearly Tally:

  • Fabric Used since the last report: 0 yards
  • Fabric Used in 2023:    233 yards  from non-IB: 101
  • Fabric Bought this week: 0
  • Fabric Added this year:    21.5 yards 
  • Net Fabric used:             211.5 yards 

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

To Do Tuesday

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

After looking at my list, I realized that I STILL had NOT cut out my Malted Mystery fabrics … and the cutting directions came out in July, I decided to put the fabrics back in my stash. It obviously is not a priority for me at the moment and hasn’t been for several months. I had good intentions, but I have enough on my plate for the time being. Thus Malted Mystery is now striked off my list.

The To Do list from a few weeks ago: 

  1. Quilt and Bind “Turkey Trot” project … now renamed “Not a Hunter’s Star“ partially done. Quilting in progress.
  2. Sandwich, Quilt and Bind “2023 Fall Mystery Quilt”. Not done
  3. Finish IB December Challenge. √   DONE.
  4. Start Christmas blog hop challenge. √   DONE.
  5. Sandwich, Quilt and Bind “2023 Classic Car Monthly Colour Challenge.” √   DONE.
  6. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √   DONE
  7. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes. √   DONE. 

This week’s list:

  1. Finish Quilting and Binding “Not a Hunter’s Star“
  2. Sandwich, Quilt and Bind “2023 Fall Mystery Quilt”
  3. Piece “SS 24 Catalogue Quilt” quilt
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.

Design Wall

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

Piecing projects:

  1. Island Batik “SS 24 Catalogue Quilt”

Quilting:

  • “Not a Hunter’s Star”
  • “2023 Fall Mystery Quilt”

Upcoming Blog Hops

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

Moose Stash Quilting: (February 20, 2024)

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

Classic Cars: Monthly Colour Challenge: The Finale!

/ quiltinggail / 16 Comments

This was all of my 12 Classic Car colour blocks. They were so fun to make!

When you see the finished quilt, below, you will see that I obviously moved the blocks around.

Jen designed the borders and you can find the pattern on her website HERE. The border used Island Batik’s solid grey and solid black. Aurifil #2600 (Dove Grey) was the thread I used for the quilting. I did “Wild” or “Graffiti” quilting in the centre. The outside was quilted using Silly Moon’s Rocket ruler. Jen will be having a parade of all the finished quilts on January 15th.

And here is the finished quilt:

Jen will be announcing the 2024 Monthly Color Challenge on December 15!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

December: Celebrations Challenge

/ quiltinggail / 18 Comments

December’s Island Batik challenge is to “Select a holiday that holds special meaning for you, such as Halloween, Christmas, Diwali, Thanksgiving, Easter  etc. and make a project of any kind.”

Here’s my story:

When we went to Newfoundland in August, my niece and her fiancé graciously took us to the East Coast Quilt Company in St. John’s. As they waited for me, sitting on this fabulous sofa, I told them to look through the book I was buying (The Quilted Stash) to see if there was anything they wanted.

They chose the dark blue tree skirt (photo on the right) … and the pattern was not in the book! No fear, it was early in our trip and I knew I’d be visiting a few more quilt stores. I looked for the pattern, but with no luck. After I got home, I looked on-line and the stores I searched were sold out.

That’s no problem!!! I figured I could use some of the appliqué designs in the book, add a few others and the tree skirt could happen. (As it turned out, I used none of the designs in the book!)

The extra bonus (for me) was that Island Batik’s December challenge was to create something inspired by my chosen holiday!!! The inspiration was Christmas and the dark blue tree skirt.

Elements of the Tree Skirt

The reindeer and the sleigh were cut with the Accuquilt die “Go Sleigh & Snowflakes. ” The trees were cut with the Go! Holiday Medley.

A simple zigzag outlined the sleigh and reindeer, while a stitch with intermittent stars outlined the trees.

I found a free colouring book page of some Jellybean Row Houses (famous in St. John’s) here. I simplified the page and made a row of 5 houses. Here is a couple of pictures of some of the actual Jellybean Row Houses, followed by my 5 houses.

Some of the family ancestors were fishermen. My husband fondly remembers many fishing days in a small dory.

The dory was from a Row by Row from Fibre Lily in 2017. I finished the Row by Row in July ’22 and you can read about it HERE.

Many older houses in Newfoundland are called “Salt Box Houses.” I found a colouring picture of one HERE.

The rugged coast of Newfoundland has many lighthouses! The lighthouse is a simplified and smaller version of one I designed in 2019.

Here is the tree skirt, prior to the applique, with snowflakes I decided to not use. The skirt was spray basted onto black 80/20 Hobbs Batting … and then the appliqué began.

The first picture shows a tree mid-appliqué. The garland was stitched first, and then the outline. The stars were quilted using the smallest “Twinkle” ruler from Silly Moon Quilt Company.

The Tree Skirt

Here it is on the design wall, before we took it for a photo shoot.

The photo shoot was a bit of a bust. We went to a nursery that has tons of trees, but it was hard to get pictures with the trees squashed together. Then we went to a hardware store, and again, it wasn’t easy. Most of the trees had huge cones around them. I have a geranium still blooming and it worked for the centre, as well as the shrub. I refuse to dig out my own Christmas tree until later in the month, so, it will have to wait until it travels across the country and arrives at it’s destination!

Tree Skirt Stats:

Size: 52″ diameter

Fabrics:

All Fabrics were from Island Batik: The tree skirt body was cut out with 18o wedges and was made with “Ravine.” I love the mottled dark blue/navy. The reindeer and trees were from “Celtic Fields.” The sleigh was from a 10″ square from the “Cheers” collection. The rest of the elements were from my Island Batik scrap box. The binding is “Ice” … I had to chuckle at the name of the fabric as it was perfect for the binding and very typical of Newfoundland winters!

Thread: I used a large number of Aurifil Threads

  • #2325 (linen): outline reindeer
  • #2250 (red): outline sleigh, interior of tree garland, lighthouse door
  • #5007 (light grey blue): garland, reindeer harness, stars
  • #2840 (loden green): tree outline
  • #2692 (black): house and lighthouse definition, lighthouse window
  • #2134 (spun gold): lighthouse light
  • #2000 (light sand): lighthouse outline
  • #5004 (grey smoke): outline houses and windows
  • #2309 (silver white): snow
  • #6724 (40 wt) (moonshine): binding
  • monofilament: quilting

Thank You!

Disclosure: The fabrics, batting, thread and needles were generously supplied by the following companies: Thank you, Island Batik,  Aurifil Thread,  Hobbs Batting,  Schmetz Needles,   Accuquilt

Island Batik Ambassadors

Visit the rest of the Ambassadors to see what they are celebrating and their chosen projects!

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

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

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

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

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

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Virtual Cookie Exchange and Blog Hop

/ quiltinggail / 38 Comments

December brings us to Carol’s yearly “Virtual Christmas Cookie Exchange” challenge. Carol, of Just Let Me Quilt, hosts many blog hops throughout the year. I do have some Christmas to show you, but Carol had said that cookies are optional, so since I haven’t done any baking, you don’t get any cookies! 🤣

The guild I belong to donates placemats to Meals on Wheels. They have requested that one side be Christmas and the other be something else.

Throughout this year, I have made 4 placemats, using left-overs from various quilts. They are around 12-13″ x 18-20.” I enjoy using up left-over blocks, squares and whatever to make them!

These 2 pictures show you the Christmas side and the “Left-over” side of the 4 placemats. Since they are going to a variety of different people, no two need to be alike!

When I was at a retreat in October, a couple of ladies were making self-binding napkins. I thought I’d make a set of placemats, but I couldn’t remember all the steps. Google to the rescue! I found a Youtube video by Shabby Fabrics (HERE). I went through my box of Christmas fabric and my box of green fabric and was happy to be using up my stash. No shopping needed!

The only thing about the placemats that I didn’t care for was the lack of batting or filler. I didn’t really want placemats that were just 2 pieces of fabric. Sew, I cut out batting the same size as the top fabric and treated the batting and fabric as one. To adjust for the extra width of the batting, I cut the backing/self-binding fabric 1/2” bigger than in the directions. It worked like a charm. Yes, there is no batting under the self-binding portion that frames the placemat, but I can live with that!

And, 6 reversible napkins to go with the placemats. I’ll be using this set on Christmas day!

Other Bloggers

Visit each of the following bloggers to see their Christmas projects and maybe even a cookie or two!

DECEMBER 4

DECEMBER 5

DECEMBER 6

DECEMBER 7

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

Classic Cars: Monthly Colour Challenge: The Last Block!

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Classic Cars: Monthly Colour Challenge

December’s Classic Car colour is Orange. Visit Patterns by Jen HERE for your free download of this month’s block …

Again, I used Island Batik scraps …

As you look at the above pictures, you’ll see SNOW on the last 2. I did these blocks last winter as I knew that I was assigned December! We, thankfully, do not have any snow yet!

Come back on Dec. 7 to see the finished quilt and the awesome borders Jen designed!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

PHD in 2023: November Report

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Creativity

The Cambridge Dictionary defines Creativity as :

the ability to produce or use original and unusual ideas

This certainly applies to quilting. I see this a lot with some of my classes or original patterns. Different people will choose different fabrics or place them in alternative ways. It always fascinates me and I am in awe of what people do!

I remember years ago, I was teaching a class at the guild and one participant approached me and asked, “Is it OK if I make the quilt bigger?” of course, YES! Then, “Is it OK if I have it off centre?” of course, YES! I love that people can view my classes as a starting point for creating something new!

As I was looking up the official definition of creativity, this statement caught my eye, “Too many rules might deaden creativity.“ Well, “duh” I thought:” “That’s why the quilt police have no business being anywhere around anyone who is quilting!”

OK … so what does this have to do with working on my PHD or getting those UFOs done and gone … or simply gone?

I want you to think 2 things about your UFOs … are they UFO’s because you don’t think they measure up to the ‘rules?’ Are they UFOs because they lack the creativity they once sparked?

Quilting is a journey. One where you are always learning. ALWAYS. So, if there is a ‘rule’ that is impossible to conquer … ignore it, and carry on, doing your best. Just to be honest here, I’ve been quilting for YEARS … and I’m still working on getting my points to match, getting those seams to nest nicely … I’m a work in progress. Those who have taken classes from me will be laughing … I’m sure they can hear me saying similar things!

Now, about that UFO that lacks creativity that it once sparked … Why? what’s gone wrong? Is it really that bad? If it is – give it away. OR … are you just bored with it? Will a few hours of work on it help get it done? If so … do that!

We have ONE month left to complete our PHD in 2023!

BIG Announcement

When I started the PHD in 2018, I had more than 56 UFOs. I know there was many more, because my original post (HERE) about this mentioned 29 more: which means there was at least 85. And I know I found even more as I moved into my sewing studio and open every single box, carton and container!

When I first started, the idea was to finish HALF of your UFOs in the year. I must have been crazy!!! The only way to do that is to not start a single new project and to work 24 hours a day. Impossible!

Later, I decided that 1 UFO a month was reasonable, along with finishing EVERY. SINGLE. START. I know that stopped me (sometimes) from starting every new project that caught my eye!

And this brings me to the current state of my UFOs … after this month, I will have 3 UFOs to complete. That’s not enough to carry on with the PHD in 2024.

PHD in 6 years has worked for me to get my projects under control! I know that I finished most of them, but I also put a few on the ‘free’ table at the guild.

So … is there someone in blog land that would like to do the PHD in 2024? Let me know!!! (quiltinggail@yahoo.ca)

Did you try this?

This is what I wrote before: Leanne, of Devoted Quilter is hosting a WIPS-B-Gone ’23 challenge. This runs from October 1 to November 30th. WIPS is Works in Progress. And, for my PHD in 2023, I want them Gone.

This has worked well for me as far as tidying/cleaning my sewing space! The only days I didn’t do the cleaning was when I was away at a retreat. Sewing each day was easy. And several WIPS were completed!

Now, if I can only keep tidying/cleaning every day, my room should remain half decent! Thanks Leanne for the motivation!

My Tally Sheets

This month, I finished the “It’s in the Bag” challenge with byAnnie (Take a Stand) (HERE). A retreat gift (see this POST). The Layer Cake mystery quilt first used a Kansas Troubles Layer Cake which was a UFO You can read about it HERE. And the Necessary Clutch wallets were a UFO finish! (see This Post)

I have finished 2 UFOs this month … the wallets and the Colour Challenge ’23 … However, I won’t be showing you the Colour Challenge until December. So, this leaves me with 1 UFO to finish before Dec. 31. And the “Panel Birds” is ready to quilt.

As for the Starts in 2023 … well, that is another story … I have 3 that need quilting and binding: Gardenia, Fall Mystery with IB fabric and the Not Hunter’s Star. It’s touch and go as to whether I will finish all 3 or not!

Here’s my tally sheet:

If you want to keep track of your own progress, please feel free to download the 2023 Template.

template-2023Download

Here’s my Task Sheet of my UFOs. This helps me keep track of what I’ve accomplished with my UFOs and what I need to do. I made a little progress on the wallet this month.

You can download your own Task list from Ms P Designs HERE.

Linky Party

Show us your progress with your PHD in 2023!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

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

Favourite Finish of the Month

Cheryl, from Meadow Mist Designs hosts a monthly linky party where you post your favourite quilt of the month.

I’m loving the byAnnie “Take a Stand” bags!!! They are so pretty and so useful!!

I was Featured

Free Motion Mavericks featured many of my “Wild Blooms” quilts. (HERE)

For the Love of Geese featured my tree skirt (HERE)

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

Sunday Synopsis: November

/ quiltinggail / 14 Comments

How do you feel about free motion quilting? Most of you know that I really enjoy free motion quilting on my domestic sewing machine. It’s taken a LOT of practice and I’m still learning. Helen Godden is an excellent teacher and her youtube tutorials are great!

I have completed 3 of her tutorials: 2 Christmas ones and the Flower Power sampler. I used Inktense pencils on each of them. They were fun to make!

Helen is having another Christmas Countdown. You can access the free pattern HERE. EDIT: Apparently the link isn’t working … Helen posted on her FB page that the site was “melting.” and to try again later. In the meantime, you can go to her FB page and see her video. HERE.

How it works: each day from Dec. 1 – 24, Helen has a youtube video showing you what to quilt. It doesn’t take long. She offers hints along the way. It’s easy! And it is a fantastic way for you to practice free motion quilting!

It was from following along in the you tube videos that helped me do the FMQ on the Pangolin and the Elephant quilts. These were done for an Island Batik challenge using Aurifil Thread. You can read more about the Pangolin HERE and the Elephant HERE.

SEW … are you going to join me in doing the Christmas Countdown?

Mystery Quilt is Done!

Links to all the clues can be found at the top of my blog HERE.

WIP-B-Gone

Leanne, of Devoted Quilter is hosting a WIPS-B-Gone ’23 challenge. I decided to not only sew every day, but to also clean/tidy each day!!! I’m managing to find things to tidy or clean each and every day!!! It’s never ending! But, what do I expect when I’m tearing my room apart to find specific fabric for another project? Or, when a project is finished, I need to put the excess fabric away …

Stitching Stuff

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

  • January –October:  287 / 304
  • November:  26 / 26
  • Total:  313 / 330
  • Percentage: 94%

Stash Report

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

I didn’t have the right colour for backing, so I ran over to Essem Textiles and bought 2 yards of flannel to back this quilt.

Yearly Tally:

  • Fabric Used since the last report: 0 yards
  • Fabric Used in 2023:    207 yards  from non-IB: 94
  • Fabric Bought this week:  2 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:    21.5 yards 
  • Net Fabric used:             185.5 yards 

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

To Do Tuesday

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

After looking at my list, I realized that I STILL had NOT cut out my Malted Mystery fabrics … and the cutting directions came out in July, I decided to put the fabrics back in my stash. It obviously is not a priority for me at the moment and hasn’t been for several months. I had good intentions, but I have enough on my plate for the time being. Thus Malted Mystery is now striked off my list.

The To Do list from last week: 

  1. Sandwich, Quilt and Bind “Turkey Trot” project … now renamed “Not a Hunter’s Star“. Partially done! It’s sandwiched
  2. Cut out Malted Mystery Fabrics Not done
  3. Sandwich, Quilt and Bind “2023 Fall Mystery Quilt” Not done
  4. Work on IB December Challenge. It was worked on, but I still need to quilt it! It’s a fun project and I can’t wait to show you! partially   DONE
  5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √   DONE
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes. √   DONE. With the WIP-B-Gone … I’m actually doing this for 15 minutes DAILY!!!!

This week’s list:

  1. Quilt and Bind “Turkey Trot” project … now renamed “Not a Hunter’s Star“
  2. Sandwich, Quilt and Bind “2023 Fall Mystery Quilt”
  3. Finish IB December Challenge
  4. Start Christmas blog hop challenge.
  5. Sandwich, Quilt and Bind “2023 Classic Car Monthly Colour Challenge.”
  6. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  7. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.

Design Wall

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

Piecing projects:

  1. Work on December Blog Hop Challenge / Cookie Exchange
  2. Start Island Batik “SS 24 Catalogue Quilt”

Quilting: 2 of these need sandwiching, all need quilting and binding!

  • “Not a Hunter’s Star”
  • “2023 Fall Mystery Quilt”
  • “2023 Classic Car Monthly Colour Challenge.”

Upcoming Blog Hops

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

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

Linking to:

Island Batik’s “Wild Blooms”

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Wild Blooms is an awesome fabric collection!

I made 2 quilts for the Island Batik ’22 Fall / Winter Catalog: “Stepping Out” with a black background and an light background (Sprinkles). I LOVE how the different backgrounds give the quilts a totally different look!

McCall’s Quilting: May / June issue

I was very excited to have another quilt in a magazine!!! The magazine put out a call for quilts that are “out of this world.” I immediately thought of this star quilt that’s been in the back of my mind! I submitted the draft (from EQ8) and it was accepted.

After, “talking” with Island Batik, the fabric collection, Wild Blooms, along with Ravine (a basic) was selected and they sent it on it’s way very quickly! It arrived and the top was completed before I went on holidays last year. I LOVE quarter square triangles and it was a fun quilt to put together!

After my holidays, there were a few very intense days of quilting (and shoulders complaining!) then Nova was on it’s way to the publisher!

The directions for making this quilt are in the magazine and digital copies are still available.

I also used Wild Blooms to make this crazy quilted composition book cover. You can read more about it HERE. (and find the links to the pattern).

And, I made this cute tote bag, using Wild Blooms …. using left-overs from the Nova (the star quilt above).

I made the following quilt as a Pattern Tester for Brenda at Songbird Designs. You can order the pattern from her HERE.

This Picnic Tote was made for a Sew It-Show It Blog Hop. See HERE.

And now, all I have left is a few scraps … but the joy I had in making all these projects is huge!

Can you tell I LOVE this fabric collection?

Where you can find Wild Blooms:

  • Hancocks of Paducah, KY
  • Threads That Bind, OR
  • Creekside Quilts, OR
  • Missouri Star, MO
  • plus many more … ask at your local quilt store.

I was Featured

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

Fall ’23: Layer Cake Mystery: Clue #9

/ quiltinggail / 6 Comments

Please note: Clues are removed. Please contact me if you wish to have a copy of this pattern.

A close up of the quilting:

Here’s the quilt my pattern tester made: She used the extra 4 patches for the back.

I’d LOVE to see your Mystery Quilt!!!

Please enter your quilt in the link party below. The link will stay open until Dec. 6. It doesn’t have to be finished, just show us the fabrics you’re using and your progress so far!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

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

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Sunday Synopsis: November 19

/ quiltinggail / 10 Comments

Classic Cars: Monthly Colour Challenge

November’s Classic Car colour is Green. Visit Patterns by Jen HERE for your free download of this month’s block …

Here’s my November block, followed by the rest of the monthly blocks. I’ve used scraps of Island Batik for all of my blocks.

Upcoming Class

I will be teaching the “Retreat Bag” at Essem Textiles on December 4. It is a free pattern from Emmaline Bags, but in this class, you will get lots of help and hints to making the bag easily! There is still room available!

Mystery Quilt is almost done!

WIP-B-Gone

Leanne, of Devoted Quilter is hosting a WIPS-B-Gone ’23 challenge. I decided to not only sew every day, but to also clean/tidy each day!!! I’m managing to find things to tidy or clean each and every day!!! It’s never ending! But, what do I expect when I’m tearing my room apart to find specific fabric for another project? Or, when a project is finished, I need to put the excess fabric away … This morning, I vacuumed all the dust bunnies that reproduced in the past week … boy, they multiply quickly!

Stitching Stuff

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

  • January –October:  287 / 304
  • November:  19 / 19
  • Total: 306 / 323
  • Percentage: 94%

Stash Report

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

Except this week, I did buy 1 yards of fabric for a backing.

I finished a testing a quilt pattern for a friend. The quilting is done and it’s already been given away. I can show you the quilt when my friend can release the pattern. However, I can tell you that I used 13 yards of blue fabric from my stash to make the quilt. In my opinion, it’s one beautiful quilt!!! I’m sure that you’ll all be racing to get the pattern when it’s available. The pattern is called “Dashing through the Snow.” It’s the fabric line that lead to the quilt name, but it will be lovely in any colour way! I’ll show you the quilt and give you the link to the pattern at a later date!

The “Take a Stand” totes used 5 yards for the 2 totes. You can read about these byAnnie bags HERE.

The “Modern Squares 2” quilt used 7 yards. You can read about it HERE.

  • Size: 52″ x 52″
  • Batting: Hobbs 80/20
  • Quilting: Free Motion ruler quilting on my domestic Janome M7, Silly Moon’s 4″ Beanie ruler was used for the flowers and Rocket was used for all of the straight seams.
  • Thread:
    • Quilted with: Aurifil #2835 (Mediium Mint)
    • Binding attached with: Aurifil #2265 (Lobster Red)

Yearly Tally:

  • Fabric Used since the last report: 25 yards
  • Fabric Used in 2023:    207 yards  from non-IB: 94
  • Fabric Bought this week:  2 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:    19.5 yards 
  • Net Fabric used:             187.5 yards 

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

To Do Tuesday

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

The To Do list from a few weeks ago: 

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

This week’s list:

  1. Sandwich, Quilt and Bind “Turkey Trot” project … now renamed “Not a Hunter’s Star“
  2. Cut out Malted Mystery Fabrics
  3. Sandwich, Quilt and Bind “2023 Fall Mystery Quilt”
  4. Work on IB December Challenge
  5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.

Design Wall

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

Piecing projects:

  1. Work on IB December Challenge
  2. Cut out Malted Mystery Fabrics

Quilting: Both of these need sandwiching, quilting and binding!

  • “Not a Hunter’s Star”
  • “2023 Fall Mystery Quilt”

Upcoming Blog Hops

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

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

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

IB Catalog Quilt: Flutter Wings

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Yes, I had another quilt published in Island Batik’s catalog. You can see the catalogue HERE. It’s in the Fall / Winter ’23 catalog on page 33.

My quilt uses the fabric collection “Flutter Wings” by Kathy Engle with Almond (an Island Batik neutral) for the background. I wasn’t suppose to post this quilt until February because that’s when the yardage will arrive at the stores! However, I happened to see a couple of FB posts from a local quilt store and they had received many pre-cuts of the new fabric collections.

I spied some Flutter Wings strip packs. I immediately wrote to Island Batik asking permission to post my quilt since my quilt uses a 2 1/2” strip pack. They said yes.

Phoning Cozy Cottons Quilting was next on my ‘to do’ list and I talked with Angela. She’s the wonderful owner of Cozy Cottons and is so excited to be receiving Island Batik fabrics again! And she ordered patterns for my quilt. They are on their way to Chilliwack now!

Without making you read more, here is a picture of the quilt I made using Flutter Wings. This photo was taken by Jerry Khiev of Island Batik. He always does a fantastic job!!!

Simple quilting … 1/4″ around the coloured squares and a flower in the larger centre squares.

The back is Chameleon

Quilt Stats:

  • Size: 52″ x 52″
  • Batting: Hobbs 80/20
  • Quilting: Free Motion ruler quilting on my domestic Janome M7, Silly Moon’s 4″ Beanie ruler was used for the flowers and Rocket was used for all of the straight seams.
  • Thread:
    • Quilted with: Aurifil #2835 (Mediium Mint)
    • Binding attached with: Aurifil #2265 (Lobster Red)

So head over to Cozy Cottons Quilt shop in Chilliwack to get your strip pack of Flutter Wings and the pattern! Or, choose from one of the other wonderful strip packs!

Here are a few other places that you can buy Flutter Wings:

  • The Quilt Connection. Rapid City, SD. (They also have the pattern for this quilt. If they are sold out, you can contact me directly).
  • Cali Quilt Co – CA
  • Creekside Quilts – OR
  • Jambearies Quilt Co – FL

Here is a picture of the quilt, without the borders, that my pattern tester made. I forget which line of fabric she used, but I’m pretty sure it was an Island Batik 2 1/2” strip pack. (Thanks, Lynn!)

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

Turkey Trot

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Carol, from Moose Stash Quilting is our wonderful host for the Turkey Trot blog hop.

Here is the Challenge: Think turkeys, thankfulness or Thanksgiving fabric. November also means beautiful colors of fall, so sew something with oranges, golds, brown, greens or cranberry reds.

Well, I had the perfect fabric for this: Celtic Fields by Kathy Engle. It came with Doughnut (the neutral, on the left) and Celtic Mini Knot Red-B (from the Celtic Fields collection, on the right). It certainly looks like fall, doesn’t it?

When I was at a retreat a few weeks ago, I used the Accuquilt die “Hunter’s Star” to cut all my fabric. I knew I didn’t have enough of Doughnut for the quilt, so I went through my Island Batik stash and picked out all the neutrals I had. I had a scrappy Hunter’s Star cut out in a few hours.

Of course, I had plans to have the quilt totally finished by the blog hop. But alas, that didn’t happen! However, I did get the top (minus the borders) done … and I ended up with a variation, using the blocks, but not in the star pattern. I will show the finished top when it’s finished!

Where can I find Celtic Fields?

Here’s a list of a few of the stores, plus you can ask your Local Quilt Store:

  • Creekside Quilts – OR
  • Bird in Hand – PA
  • Laurals Fabrics and More – MN
  • Sew Ewe Quilt Shop – WY

Turkey Trot Blog Hops

I hope you enjoy visiting all of the Turkey Trot blog hoppers. I promise there will be lots of eye candy for you to see!

Monday November 13

Tuesday November 14

Wednesday November 15

Thursday November 16

It’s In the Bag Blog Hop

This is the start of Week 3 of Island Batik’s Blog Hop with by Annie bags. Also lots more eye candy and if you visit Island Batik’s blog, you have an opportunity to win some awesome fabric!

This week Island Batik is giving away a Fat Quarter bundle of Red, White and Blooms and a Fat Quarter bundle of Vintage Charm collection, both by Kathy Engle!

November 13:

November 14:

November 15:

November 16:

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

Tree Skirt Class

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Yesterday, I taught a Tree Skirt class at Essem Textiles. There were only 2 students in the class, but I needed to put together a Tree Skirt, I decided to teach the class and work on my own at the same time.

They used a 9 degree ruler and found out how to make 9o or 18o wedges. One participant decided to mix them up, the other decided to go with just 18o wedges.

They both got the skirts assembled and sandwiched. They are both going to be beautiful when finished.

The one on the left will be bound with a solid green and the one on the right will be bound with a satin white bias tape.

I will show you my tree skirt in December!

Here are 2 tree skirts I have made using the wedge ruler. The one on the left is 36″ round, made with fabrics from Essem. The one on the right is about 50″ round made with Island Batik’s Winter Sky fabric collection.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

Sunday Synopsis: Nov. 5

/ quiltinggail / 6 Comments

A UFO Finish … actually 2

Yes, I finished 2 UFOs. I had listed it as one in my chart … Upholstery wallets. I attempted to finish these when I was at the retreat, but I had neglected to take some extra lining fabric. Once home, I found the fabric I needed and cut out the pieces. then it was a matter of finishing them. The pattern is The Necessary Clutch from Emmaline Bags. I have made this wallet twice before out of cork. So far, it’s my favourite wallet!

The outside fabric is upholstery fabric from samples I had from … when I worked at a fabric store in Courtenay? That’s over 20 years ago. The stripy fabric on the inside of the left one is from my stash and the lining of the one on the right is from my Island Batik stash. I used the same Aurifil thread #2325 (Linen) on both of them.

Mystery Quilt is happening!

WIP-B-Gone

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

I’m not running out of things to tidy … it’s definitely an on-going job! However, it’s really nice to have several thread drawers tidy! Embroidery, Aurifil, CanSew, Glide, serger and miscellaneous thread (Metler / Gutterman) drawers are organized! Yes, I do have a stash of threads … but for some reason, I never have the exact colour of thread that I need! LOL

Stitching Stuff

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

  • January –October:  287 / 304
  • November:  5 / 5
  • Total: 292 / 309
  • Percentage: 94%

Stash Report

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

The Upholstery Wallets used a total of 1 yard each, for a total of 2 yards. The Boxy Zipper tote used 1 yard of fabric. No shopping, no buying.

I was gifted a stack of Shweshwe blue & white fat quarters and a yard of white at the retreat. It was a gift, I did not buy it. They are indigo blue and one white one! (in the pic, the white looks beige, but it is the same white in the prints below!!) LOVE 💙 them. Since they were a gift, I’m not adding them in … but I wanted to show you the beauties!

Yearly Tally:

  • Fabric Used since the last report: 3 yards
  • Fabric Used in 2023:    182 yards  from non-IB: 81
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:    17.5 yards 
  • Net Fabric used:             173.5 yards 

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

To Do Tuesday

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

The To Do list from last week: 

  1. Finish Upholstery Wallet. √   DONE
  2. Work on “Turkey Trot” project. progress, but not finished
  3. Cut out Malted Mystery Fabrics. Not done
  4. Quilt and bind “Dashing Through the Snow” started quilting, nowhere near finished
  5. Complete next “2023 Fall Mystery Quilt” clue. √   DONE and the post is ready for Wednesday!
  6. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √   DONE
  7. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes. √   DONE

This week’s list:

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

Design Wall

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

Piecing projects:

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

Quilting:

“Dashing Through the Snow”

Upcoming Blog Hops

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

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

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

It’s in the Bag Blog Hop

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

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

Here is the Schedule for Week 2 of the Blog Hop:

November 6:

November 7:

November 8:

November 9:

November 10:

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 2 and Giveaway

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to: