I’m still quilting my July Island Batik project … just working on the border with Silly Moon “Rocket” ruler and “dude” to ensure its lined up properly! I’m using Aurifil thread (2600 – Dove) and you can see Hobbs 80/20 batting poking out!
I was Featured
Jennifer featured this sweet panel from last week. You can read about it HERE.
Andrée / Free Motion Mavericks featured my Pop Star Quilt. For more details read this POST.
Dianne emailed me in May asking for the pattern for 3D Pinwheels. She made the quilt and said, “All piecing and quilting were accomplished on my workhorse 1952 Singer 15-91. She’s a joy. I like the looks of this quilt, which will be donated to Firehouse Quilts of Colorado.”
I think Dianne did a fantastic job making 3D Pinwheels! Isn’t it great that she pieced AND quilted this on an antique Singer? Just shows that you don’t need the latest and greatest newest machine with all the bells and whistles!
Thank you, Dianne for sharing q picture of your quilt with me and giving me permission to post it on my blog! I’m sure the Firehouse Quilts of Colorado will love receiving this beauty!
This was a super fun, easy panel to finish. I quilted this sweet panel for Essem Textiles. It was a fun panel to quilt! I love how soft and cuddly it is.
If you would like this panel, Essem offers fantastic online service. They are quick and efficient! (They can also send you the darker blue binding fabric and the fabric I used on the back! If you request it!)
Last month my husband and I made a quick trip to Edmonton to visit my sister. Of course, it included going to a few stores. We went to Lori’s Country Cottage where my sister picked out what she wanted to buy at their longest day of the year sale. And she also picked out fabric for the Flower Window Hanging Class that we did together. (The class was by Epida Studio and I highly recommend it!)
Then we went to Winfield, a small town SW of Edmonton. The quilting store is Country Stitches Quilting and Fabrics. They had a LOT of Island Batik fabrics and I bought the “flower” and “background” fabric that you see in my Flower Window Hanging. My sister fell in love with a panel and bought enough fabric to make a decent sized quilt. (See picture below!) I resisted and only bought the 2 Island Batik fabrics! And, since it’s IB fabric and already used, I’m not adding it to the stash report.
Here’s some pictures of the store! It’s packed with lots of fabrics, IB fabrics, panels and more! They also sell online.
Lots of panels
Stitching Time
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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!
This week I’ve been doing more “unsewing” than sewing … but it still counts, right? And, I’ve been gallivanting around with my cousin, so that has cut into sewing time.
January – June: 149 / 180
July 1 – 5: 5 / 5
Total: 154 / 185
Percentage = 83%
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!
3 Yard Quilt. My cousin, Connie, kept talking about 3 yard quilts that her guild did. I looked at one of her patterns, cut it out and started sewing … Here are the fabrics I’m using (from my stash)
2. Summer Mystery Quilt: I will be hosting a mystery quilt here on the blog … I’m in the process of writing the pattern and sewing it. When it’s almost ready, I’ll announce the dates and all the details.
3. Island Batik Christmas in July quilt … I’m using an Accuquilt die and am loving how all of the pieces are cut perfectly!
Quilting:
Squirrel is sandwiched and I have a plan for the quilting!
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your UFOs or New Starts? That’s OK! The feeling is real and you can’t deny it! However, if you arise from your computer chair and go forth to your sewing machine, you WILL conquer a little bit and that will decrease your overwhelmed feeling!
June’s Accomplishments!
I did not finish any UFOs this month. I did finish 2 Island Batik catalogue quilts and they are on their way to California – but I can’t show you for many moons. However, I can show you my “Here Comes the Sun” project and my Pop Star quilt. Both finishes for this month! You can read about them by clicking on the links. I also finished a little zipper pouch and you can read about it HERE.
A Christmas panel was quilted and I took it to Essem before I remembered to take a picture of it! However, Simina sent me a picture of it and some of the quilting this morning. If you’d like the panel, contact Essem Textiles. It’s such a cute panel with Santas, reindeer, bears and snowmen!
The Tally Sheets
Here is an Excel File for you to use (if you want).
This little bag is made with 2 pieces of fabric that I got from the Trend-tex tour I took. It is a DrEAMI project. A Drop Everything And MakeIt. Sandra, from MMM Quilts hosts a DrEAMI linky party each month. You can see all of the DrEAMI projects HERE.
Carol, from Just Let Me Quilt is hosting this blog hop. Here comes the Sun is a great title for a June blog hop. However, I live in Western Canada … on the WET coast! We haven’t seen much sun and it has been cool! On the news, they are calling it “June-uary.”
What is the challenge for “Here Comes The Sun”?
Sew something that has a summer theme like: sunglasses, beach items, sunny skies, and/or yellow colors. It can be a quilt, a bag, a toy, or whatever you want it to be.
So, I took a class from Elizabeth at Epida Studio and made this great window hanging with the sun inside the flower! (She has several different classes and is a fantastic teacher! I highly advise that you look into taking a class from her)
The technique to make this was totally new to me. It’s called Pojagi. It’s a technique that Elizabeth learned in Korea. The seams make it look like stained glass.
And here’s a picture of it in the window!
The fabrics are Island Batik … The yellow is Ogee Petal Sunshine, the flower petals are Floral Wonders and the background is Butterfly Blooms.
Once this was stitched together, it was a bit flimsy, so I sprayed it with Terial Magic and it was perfect!
Here’s the list of all of the blogs that are participating! Enjoy the sunny eye candy!
My cousin, Connie, is visiting from Ontario and we’re having a blast! We spent one day at Quilt Canada, with my husband enjoying it as well! (I’ll talk about Quilt Canada in a future post). Then we did a tour of Trend-tex (a fabric distributor). Today, we went to a fabric sale in a home and to a fabric store. Such fun! There’s a few more days before she heads home … who knows how much trouble we can get into?
Pop Star
Pop Star is finished … and I will be linking to the Pop Star QAL Final Parade. If you want the pattern you can find it HERE. MMM Quilts has some fantastic designs! I LOVE making her patterns!
This quilt was made with Island Batik fabrics: the background is linen, the light blue is pool, and the dark blue is raven. It was sandwiched with Hobbs 80/20. I backed it with a light yellow flannel.
Here’s a closeup of the quilting in the corner … the star used Silly Moon’s Twinkle ruler.
Stitching Time
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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!
This week I’ve been doing more “unsewing” than sewing … but it still counts, right? And, I’ve been gallivanting around with my cousin, so that has cut into sewing time.
January – May: 119 / 150
June 1 – 20: 15 / 20
Total: 134 / 170
Percentage = 79%
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 was at Quilt Canada last week … and I absolutely fell in love with this beautiful fat quarter bundle. I’m not sure what I’m going to do with it … but I do LOVE it. It’s called Bluebird, by Edyta Sitar and I bought it at the Chitterchatter booth. There is a total of 5.5 yards.
When Connie and I went on the Trend-tex tour, we did get a lot of swag … but I’m not counting it because it’s too hard to calculate different sizes of fabric and I didn’t buy it. Also included was a water bottle, a scone and a delicious treat! I have no idea what I’ll do with the fabric, but it’ll be used or it’ll go to the guild’s free table.
The Pop Star quilt used 1.25 yards of background …
Even I’m surprised that I don’t have anything being pieced at the moment!
Quilting:
Squirrel is sandwiched and I have a plan for the quilting!
2. The Island Batik Catalogue quilt tops are done – one is quilted and needs the hanging sleeve and the other is in the process of having all of the quilting removed and will be re-quilted … I used an OLD Aurifil Variegated Rayon thread that looked great on the top … and the back was HORRID!!!! Of course, I did not check the back until I was done! Call me dumb, call me stupid, but it serves me right for not checking the back!
Here comes the Sun Blog Hop
This blog hop starts this week! My day is on Tuesday!
Island Batik Blog Hop
Have you been following the latest Island Batik Blog Hop? With quilts featuring the New York Beauty pattern? It’s been quite a variety of wonderful quilts!
I posted mine on June 6 … you can read about it HERE. Here’s links to the blogs that will be posting this week:
You can win a fat quarter bundle of Tranquility or Woodblock Bouquets … both wonderful collections! Just follow the prompts in the Rafflecopper giveaway below
Have you seen the latest issue of Fons & Porter, Love of Quilting? I am super excited about this issue!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’ve been looking high and low for it, with little luck. Until today! YEAH!!!
Why? you ask … Because, I have a quilt in the issue. They did a fabulous job photographing it. I absolutely LOVE the table in front of it.
I was so excited to see this in the magazine! A few people emailed me saying that they had seen it – but I hadn’t! It was pretty cool to see it in the magazine!
Quilt Stats:
Designed, pieced and quilted by ME!
42.5″ x 42.5″
Island Batik fabrics: Contempo and
Hobbs 80/20 Batting
Aurifil thread (yellow)
Free motion quilting on my domestic machine
Backing is Fireside
The directions for the quilt are in the magazine. If you make it, I’d love to see a picture!
Here’s a picture of my quilt where you can see all the quilting!
I have a finish to show you. I finished this quite a while ago, but couldn’t show you. It was the latest mystery quilt that the guild did! The pattern is from a book, but I re-wrote the instructions to use strip piecing. It makes it so much easier to construct the quilt. And because the original directions were from a “Mystery Quilt” book, I cannot share them with you! Sorry!
This quilt was made with fabrics from my stash. And I only put on the one border … the original directions called for 3 borders.
Here’s a close-up of the quilting … it sort-of looks like feathers, but in reality, it’s just an elongated swirl – way easier than feathers to do!
Stitching Time
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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!
Not many days of sewing this week.
January – May: 119 / 150
June 1 – 13: 9 / 12
Total: 128 / 162
Percentage = 79%
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!
Squirrel is sandwiched and I have a plan for the quilting!
2. Once the Island Batik Catalogue quilt tops are done – they need to be quilted.
Island Batik Blog Hop
Have you been following the latest Island Batik Blog Hop? With quilts featuring the New York Beauty pattern? It’s been quite a variety of wonderful quilts!
I posted mine on June 6 … you can read about it HERE.
I’m hosting TGIFF this week … see the Linky party below ….
A long time ago, in my quilting studio, I had the opportunity to use the fantastic Island Batik collection “Jewel Carvings” by Kathy Engle. It was for a quilt for the Island Batik catalogue. You can check it out HERE – on p.99. I absolutely LOVED working with this collection. It is SEW pretty with the teals, greens and soft yellows and purples …
Here is the quilt I made using Island Batik’s solid black fabric for the background.
My friend, Amy, tested my pattern and made the quilt with a light background. This quilt used the exact same fabrics with “Milkshake” as the background.
Here’s the 2 quilts together … which one would you make?
You have an opportunity to win!
If you’re loving the fabrics in these quilts, Island Batik is giving away a fat-quarter bundle of Jewel Carvings and Nightshade! Both lucious collections! (But you better hurry, the offer ends on Friday night)
Way back in December, I received this “Surprise” package in one of my Island Batik boxes. I didn’t know which line of fabric it contained.
Along with the 1/2 yard cuts of Harvest Night, I received 2 yards of Wheat Leaves Latte and 2 yards of Midnight Blue.
We were instructed to make a “New York Beauty” quilt.
P.A.N.I.C.
YIKES!!!! Google “New York Beauty” and you’ll see why I was in a panic!
EQ to the rescue! They have plenty of blocks to choose from. I chose to do a Checked Arc Beauty. Then, in order to have enough fabric for the design I chose, I foolishly chose a 9″ block. If I had been wise at the time, I would have chosen a 12″ block. But, I might have run out of fabric making those 9 blocks that run down the centre.
I printed out the pattern, taped the necessary parts together and started to sew. It took me over 3 hours to sew my first block. Oh my … what had I gotten myself into?
When I paper piece, I do NOT sew on the paper. This way, I can chain piece my pieces and use a regular sized stitch … and the bonus – I don’t have to remove paper!!! AND it’s easier to “unsew!”
When I was doing the curved seams … I pinned, pinned, pinned. I wanted those points to match up. And for the most part, they did! That was a LOT of pins for me to use – especially since I rarely use pins!
Here’s an assortment of pieces of one block …
I went to a retreat in March. I took my project with me … I only got 4 blocks completed on the weekend! Sigh!!! But, I must admit, I was busy visiting, taking pictures, eating, visiting, eating, taking pictures, visiting and only sewing in between!
Once I got home from the retreat, it was pedal to the medal and the quilt top was done.
This quilt told me it needed a simple, fairly skinny border which finishes at 1 1/2″. The dark border is “Midnight Blue” and the light border is “Wheat Leaves Latte.” Both of these fabrics are foundations that are available at any time.
To sandwich the quilt, I used 505 Spray baste and Hobbs Batting 80/ 20. It hung on the design wall for several days while I decided how to quilt it. There is a LOT of stitch in the ditch and some 1/4″ outlining … it took awhile to quilt! Aurifil Thread #2370 (Sandstone) was used. Schmetz Needle microtex chrome 70/10 was used for the quilting. The scrappy binding used each of the 20 fabrics.
Here is a close-up of the quilting. And yes, I like this thread so much, I’ve almost used a cone and a lot of a large spool! (Not all on this quilt!) I hate having to unthread my machine to wind a bobbin – that’s why I like to have the extra spool – just for bobbins!
I didn’t have enough of the Wheat Leaves Latte for the backing … SEW … I cut what I had in half diagonally, put it up on the design wall and measured what the distance was between the 2 pieces. I took some of the left-over pieces and made the center strip. Then I had a backing that was big enough – and pretty as well!
Here is a closeup of the quilting on the back:
There is a give-away!
Island Batik has a give-away! You have the opportunity to win a fat-quarter bundle of Jewel Carvings or Nightshade! Both lucious collections! Follow the rafflecopter instructions below!
Visit Elizabeth at Epida Studio. She received the same surprise bundle of Harvest Night as me. I can’t wait to see her New York Beauty!!! I bet they look totally different. But I need to wait until she posts to see it!
I decided that I needed to do some routine chores. Yes, you know the ones … the ones you put off until “next time!”
First, it was my rotary cutter. I keep 2 on my cutting table … one has a duller blade and the other, theoretically, has a fresher blade. Why a dull blade? you ask? Cutting batting DULLS blades. I don’t want a fresh blade to become dull quickly.
My blue cutter will get a new blade, the blue cutter’s blade will go in my yellow cutter and it’s blade will go into the “used” blade container. I KNOW that cutting with my blue cutter will be a joy! And I’ll ask myself, “Why didn’t I change the blade sooner?” (And I know that most of you are the same way! ~grin~)
My next chore was to clean out the bobbin area. I didn’t think there would be much lint in there – but I was surprised! I use a paint brush to get the easy to reach areas and I use a folded pipe cleaner to reach down into harder to reach areas. (make sure you fold the pipe cleaner, you don’t want the end to scratch anything!)
And, I change my needle. I didn’t take a picture – but I know that the next time I sew, I won’t hear that tell-tale “pop” that indicates a new needle is necessary!
SEW … are you thinking that you need to do some routine maintenance? Well – as soon as you finish reading this – go and do it!
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!
I’ve missed 2 days of sewing in the past 2 weeks … that’s what happens when you spend full days helping someone move!
January – April: 117 / 120
May 1 – 29: 17 / 29
Total: 134 / 159
Percentage = 84%
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 apron used 1.25 yards and the 2 small quilts used a yard each for backing … for a total of 3.25 yards used since my last report. No shopping, so nothing added!
2. A Squirrel Attack: The flimsy is done – but I forgot to take a picture …
Quilting:
Squirrel is sandwiched and I have a plan for the quilting!
2. Quilting is in progress. I have been working on Sandra Walker’s Pop Star Quilt … Yesterday, the instructions for adding the border were posted. You can access the steps at MMM Quilts HERE.
Carla, from Creatin’ in the Sticks announced this blog hop in March and I immediately thought of 2 projects I could make!
Here is the challenge:
Create something to do with food. It could be anything from a quilt with a food fabric, to a tea cozy. A mug rug for coffee to an apron. A Corn and Beans Quilt Block to a drying rack for the kitchen. Maybe you are trying to raise money for a charity that supplies food. You decide! The theme is really your own interpretation, surprise us!
I knew I was going to use this fabric – left over from a recent finish. I’ve always loved the blueberry fabric and was positive it would be perfect for this blog hop!
I ended up with a list of about 10 projects I could potentially make. However, lack of time and lack of fabric prevented me from making more than 1. In the end, I chose to to make an apron. The pattern is “Super Simple Apron” by Valley Girl designs. When I googled their website, it said “This site cannot be reached.”
Here is the apron. I’m not a frilly girly person, so I left off the bottom ruffle. I like this apron because the ties cross in the back and it fits a multitude of sizes!
Here’s what we were told, “The Triangle Tricks Challenge is designed to take you out of your comfort zone with square or rectangle blocks and have you work with triangles. Have fun!”
I’ve done oodles of triangle quilts, half-square triangles, tri-recs triangles, flying geese is all about triangles … Lots of different quilts … and I have a current leader and ender project that is also all about triangles, but I wanted something a bit different.
I spied Triangle Stars in our guild library … it looked great … it said “Deceptively Easy.” Time to try it out!
I chose to use the precut “Starry Night” that I received last year. Isn’t it a beautiful collection??? And with my favourite blues …
Here’s the first triangle I made …
Lots and lots of triangles … They are paired with Island Batik black solid with either white solid or rice. The black, white and rice are basics and available all the time.
Sew, I put all these triangles together and was thinking, “yeah, I’ve almost got this top done.” THEN, I went to iron it … oh my … I told a friend that it was a mess with multiple Double E sized bra cups all over it. Groan … I tried to press it into submission, but nothing worked … and I forgot to take a picture.
But, lots and lots of unstitching …
Then I realized that the triangles were off! They were SUPPOSED to be 60 degree triangles … so they all got squared (triangled?) up to be 60 degrees. I’m not sure that you can see much difference in the picture, but the one on the right is a 60 degree triangle and I have no idea what the one on the left is …
but there was a LOT of trimming! Depending on the triangle, there was anywhere from 1/2″ to 1/16″. That in my book is way to much variation. I checked my templates … yup – they were correct. I checked my seam allowance … yup – they were all the same 1/4″ … I have NO idea what happened! But I do know that IF I EVER make this quilt again, I will draw out a paper piecing pattern and there will be no templates used!
Here is the finished quilt! I must admit that it went together much easier once I made the triangles all the same size. And there were no Double E bra sized lumps … there was one “A” sized one, but that was easily quilted out!
I used Hobbs Batting BLACK 80/20 batting … it was perfect for this quilt! The stars and the shadow stars were quilted with Aurifil Thread #4644 (Smoke Blue) and the rest of the black was swirled with #2692 (Black). I used a microtex from Schmetz Needles.
Wait, there’s more!
As I was cutting up the left-over fabric to use for my leader and ender project, I thought “why not use it right away?” I do need 2 small table toppers for the newly painted and carpeted guest room – so I should make them now!
I used my 8″ Cube Accuquilt #4 & #5 dies to cut out triangles with the left-over Starry Night fabrics. Then I cut tons of triangles with #5 die using Chevron – Iceberg … my plan was to make something cool with HST and flying geese. I made lots of HST and flying geese, but my plan did not come to be. That was OK … I decided I’d make one topper with HST turned into pinwheels and another with the flying geese.
Have you seen Kate Colleran’s signature fabric line from Island Batik called Contempo? It is truly an awesome line of fabric. I designed a quilt for the Island Batik catalogue using Contempo, so I know what I’m talking about! I called it 3D Pinwheels. You can read more about this quilt HERE.
Look at all of the wonderful fabrics! So bright and beautiful!
To celebrate, Kate is offering 2 fat-quarter bundles of Contempo on her blog “Kate Colleran Designs” – so be sure to visit her blog for your opportunity to win this awesome collection!
Kate has organized an Instagram hop featuring many designers that have worked with the Contempo line. You can follow each of the links below to see the fantastic quilts that designers have made with Contempo! Here are each of the IG handles … be sure to visit each one!
Sorry, I have not been posting much lately! I’ve had Covid and it’s been a slow recovery. However, I am recovering. I know at one point, I told a friend, “I feel like sewing today.” I sat at the machine, sewed 2 stitches and turned the machine off. I knew I was sick! But, for the last few days, I’ve been sewing for more than 1/2 hour a day – so that is good.
Overhauling the Craft Room
Before I got sick, I did work on my studio overhaul and took some pictures.
Here’s a Before and After pictures of the same spaces!
I now have a full ironing board to iron on. Yes, those dark brown spots in the upper right and lower left definitely indicate that I need to recover the board. But not for now! I’ll live with it for a little while longer!
And the area behind the machine where I quilt is now tidy. Hopefully, it will stay that way! It has so far!
Stitching Time
‘
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!
I missed many days of sewing in the last few weeks … that’s OK. I’m just thankful that I only have one deadline at the moment!
January – April: 117 / 120
May 1 – 15: 5 / 15
Total: 122 / 135
Percentage = 90%
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!
It was fun to free motion these quilts … all different and using different motifs!
Finishing these baby quilts used 7.5 yards of fabric.
1. Foodie Blog Hop: These fabrics are from my stash. You’ll just have to wait until May 24th to see what is happening with this fabric!
2. A Squirrel Attack: The flimsy is done – but I forgot to take a picture …
3. I have been working on Sandra Walker’s Pop Star Quilt … Yesterday, the instructions for adding the border were posted. You can access the steps at MMM Quilts HERE.
Quilting:
Need to sandwich the May Island Batik project and get them quilted! And also need to sandwich the Pop Star Quilt.
Again, I’m counting 2 baby quilt panels as 1 UFO that is finished. That means that I only have 4 more UFOs to finish this year! Sigh … I thought I had found ALL of the UFOs before, but alas … there are likely more hidden away! I was secretly hoping that this would be the last year for me to host PHD in 202? But, if I keep discovering more – I’ll be hosting PHD for many years to come!
Quilting Gail 