Merry Christmas to Everyone

'What a wonderful day we had yesterday spending the morning with the newest member of the family and spending the afternoon and evening with the eldest.  Almost 86 years of a difference in ages but both have brought such delight to me.  Of course every one else is important too and each in their own ways have added to a lovely Christmas and filled me full of pride and joy.

I am now able to show you some of the things I have been making over the last few months. I am not going to show them all today but these are just a couple of pieces I made for my Grandson.  Of course the Santa Sack has been made for some time however the last minute name tag was only completed at the beginning of this week!

Inside were a few handmades, a red christmas cardigan knitted in the newborn size, really cute but a little large for him, I may re knit it if his Mum will let me ( I wasn't happy with the pattern).  My pentagon ball was a big success, I used bright colours and patterns (I know babies  don't see colour just yet but the patterns were bold) and of course the jingle made a lovely sound.  

I know the burp/washcloths will come in handy for mopping sticky face and hands.  I made up a changing bag His and Her style for Mummy and Daddy, enclosed in each a changing mat, wipes, muslin and burp cloth which can mutate into a bandana bib there is room too in these little pouches for nappies and a babygro!  Each was made with little significant icons, Mummy's have her favourite elephants and Daddy's has fishes and trees!

These are only a few of my finishes but unfortunately when I look back through my photos I seem to have forgotten to take a record of some in all the rush to get things finished and wrapped up and gone off to recipients. Ho hum!  That's life.

I hope you have all had a lovely Christmas Day and haven't indulged too much.  Now we start to get back to normal routines but today will be a relaxing one I hope for everyone and I for one am hoping to sit down and do a bit of hand stitching of my third block of my Night Before Christmas Quilt for next year!  Enjoy whatever you are planning.  

 

A Baby Boy

Struan Ian Paterson Mackie arrived on Sunday morning 14.12.14 at 05.35am weighing in at 6lb10oz. Parents and baby are all well and now home from hospital.  What an exciting weekend - is there any wonder I missed posting on my blog?  We are delighted, over the moon, overjoyed, and thankful to welcome our first grandchild into the family. This little bundle is a real cutie, just like his parents he has long legs, long fingers, long feet and just perfect!  I can see a few problems in the future when coming to buy school shoes just as I did with his Dad.  What a wonderful Christmas present we have been given - the most precious gift of a beautiful Grandson.



Maybe now you will understand why I have not been showing off any of my finishes over the last few months.

I asked throughout the pregnancy if there were any specific items I should knit or sew and was given a blank canvas and free rein. There was only one specific request -  just last month, to knit little black and yellow bootees to match the baby's coming home outfit - a strange request I thought at the time, but in true Grannie fashion I did what I was asked.  I did make a couple of other pairs just in case Mummy changed her mind on the day, however all became apparent when I was sent a photo of him in his bumble bee coming home outfit. So cute!

Well here are a few of the finishes I've had to resist showing you over the last few months

..........The big knitting project - hours and hours of concentration, and worth every single minute.

..........The first of many quilts, this fabric you have seen before, I bought it some time ago in Canada and have been saving it for a special event.  This quilt was made earlier this summer as was a quilt for a girl just to be on the safe side.  The little girly quilt will head off to Project Linus to give a hug to a less fortunate family.

.......... And all the little knitted cardis, mitts and hats, carry bag etc I've produced. I am so glad I'm a knitter  - it's so nice to have some traditional handmade items to pass on to the next generation but it's good to try out the more modern styles too.  Many of the patterns I have used were knitted 30 years ago and looking back through photographs I see my own two boys wearing similar garments knitted by my Mum.  Old traditions are lovely but it's also nice to make new ones for the next generation.

........... Last night was our class Christmas Dinner, what a lovely evening we had, enjoying the chat and a lovely meal.  I can now reveal what I made with the fabric I showed you last time.  These two little items were really fun to make.  What a variety of lovely projects appeared for our lucky dip, all sporting a piece of this fabric.  there was a cushion, a little bag and purse, scissor keepers, book covers and a glasses case, a table topper, mats and runner.  What good fun we had sharing our projects.

Hopefully you will have another update soon but I may not have time to sit and blog - I will be too busy cooing over Struan and doing what Grannies do! So forgive me if I miss a few instalments. 

Negativity

I am sorry to say I have no news for you this week - so rather than witter on I am just going to say sorry, no news, no photos (ok I've managed one), no inspiration. Unfortunately I have not been feeling 100% this week.  I have had a horrible head cold which I  am pleased to say is now getting a bit better.  So to everyone out here who is feeling a little sorry for themselves and has a cold my sympathies are with you.  Keep cosy, drink lots of fluids and do nothing. Relax and listen to your body until it mends itself. (Maybe someday I will take my own advice).  I think we are needing a good frost to kill all the germs out there at the moment, lots of folks with colds and tummy bugs.  Having seen the weather forecast though maybe the wind will blow the germs away - I think we are set for a stormy week.

Here I am, doing just what I said I wouldn't do - wittering.  My stitching last night was a little project for our Secret Santa for our Christmas night out a week on Tuesday.  All our class members were given a fat eighth of this fabric which was used in one of our colour tutorials earlier in the year and each gift must include at least a small  piece of this fabric.   It will be fun to see what ideas everyone has managed to come up with.

 

Keep cosy this week and perhaps by next week I will have something finished I can show you - or then again .......maybe not.

Chaos!

The country has gone mad!  What was traditionally the start of the holiday season shopping after Thanksgiving day in the US - Black Friday and Cyber Monday has arrived here in the UK only to cause all sorts of problems and issues over people trying to pick up a bargain.  I understand why human nature is such that reduced prices and sale items will always attract interest like bees to a honeypot, but why oh why does there need to be violence and angry scenes.  The roads were so busy on Friday and shopping centres and supermarkets filled to capacity.  My original plans for Friday, while waiting for Dad on his hospital visit, was to have a  pleasant wander around the shops - that all changed when I saw the local news and realised the centre I had proposed visiting had called in police to curb angry and exuberant crowds.  Plans changed.  Well I hope some folks out there got the bargains they were looking for without being hurt in the rush.

Sadly once again I cannot show you what I've been working on this week - all soon to be Christmas pressies!  I don't want to spoil the surprise.

Today I've had a lot on my to do list and I have managed to get through some of it also having time to sit and enjoy my coffee and my knitting.  I cannot believe how quickly this year has passed.  December tomorrow - I hope you have all got your Advent Calendar at the ready.  Techie will be looking for his but I have bad news - I forgot to pick one up for him!!

Have fun this week whatever you do.

 

Project Linus ......

.........Providing security and comfort to sick and traumatised children and young adults through quilts.

I am delighted to report that 11 little quilts were handed over to E,  the Regional Co-ordinator of Project Linus for Lanarkshire and Glasgow East, this week. As you will remember our Exploding Block tutorial produced quite a few blocks which we then pieced together and produced four quilts.  A few of our ladies made their own contributions too.  I was so pleased with the results and am sure these will provide a hug and some comfort to a few more children coming up to Christmas.   E gave a very interesting talk on her work with Project Linus and would be delighted to receive any donations if there are more quilters out there wanting to help this very worthwhile cause and can be contacted via the Project Linus website.  She even brought along some lovely pieces of fabrics and fleece - these were given out to some of our ladies who have kindly agreed to make them into quilts for PL.  There are so many youngsters out in the community needing a little extra comfort.  We often think of little quilts being needed for babies but in actual fact PL help all ages, tots to teens.  She demonstrated an easy and quick way of how her group make 'whole cloth' quilts using novelty fabrics and fleece from fat quarters, a quick and easy way to produce a warm and cosy neonatal blanket.  However, I am a quilter first and foremost and I just love cutting and piecing, so I won't be using her 'quick fix' method.   I will continue to cut and piece and layer and quilt as that's how I get my buzz and it will be a pleasure to hand them over to her to distribute.  I am also continuing to support Marie Curie and have a few more ready to deliver next month for their fundraising.  

This week there is a display of our quilting projects in the local library.  We have been asked again by the staff to set up a Christmas display.  Although a little early it was felt we all needed our projects returned by the beginning of December as some will be gifted and used to brighten up our own homes during the festive period.



Those Carol Singers are so Cute



Such a variety of techniques



Once again thank you to all our ladies who have contributed and help set up the display.

The sun is shining this morning and I seem to have lots to get done.  Housework seems to have been ignored this week, so I will try and rush through the chores so that I can get some sewing time later.  I have a number of little projects which need some finishing stitches - these are all destined for Christmas gifts and shouldn't take too long to complete.  I also need to get a baby quilt started, I've found a pattern and some fabric arrived in the post yesterday which I didn't expect to receive until next week.  Plush Addict is a good online site I use, they have always had a quick, efficient and well packaged system which works for me.

Have a good and productive week.

It's Getting Busy

A shopping trip was necessary yesterday to replenish Dad's freezer of ready meals.  It was not a very nice morning when I headed off to do the shopping.  Where did everyone come from?  I reckon everyone must have had the same thought as I did when I opened the curtains - miserable day I'll head to the shopping centre!  I guess we are now on the run up to the festive season and perhaps everyone is preparing early this year - or is it normally like this?  Oh well I got everything I needed and had a good wander round the shops spending a little here and there.  It was a typical November day wet windy and dark but although the Christmas lights are not yet switched on everyone seemed cheery and bright - no shopping frenzy yet for the masses, everyone seemed quite relaxed.

What have I managed this week - sadly not a lot really.  A lady from Project Linus is coming to visit our group this week and I have working on a few quilts to get them finished off so that she can distribute them to the children.  I think she will be pleasantly surprised by our little bundle of quilts. Here are just three of them. I will tell you next week how many we actually give her.

The Exploding Block Again!

 

I have been hand stitching small things this week, I have finished my 2nd BOM. Here's part of it.

One Little Stocking

I am trying to empty some of my baskets and complete some WIPs.  I did manage a few more Farmer's Wifey Blocks this week. No more new starts this week until I get something finished.

Four More

 

I haven't made my list of things to do yet for next week so again I will fly by the seat of my pants and see how my progress goes.

Have fun and this week whatever you are doing. 

   

Activities This Week

I've had a good week this week, achieving most of my goals and a few more.  It's been bright most days, which helps get the chores done.  Tuesday was my day for the housework as I had to stay at home as some parcels were being delivered.  Fortunately they all arrived in good time and I could have headed out but I had got myself engrossed in sorting again - this time family photos.  Well I am happy to say that exercise for this week is done - lots more to do but I have run out of photo sleeves for the moment.  I guess that will be another delivery next week!  

Sorting Photos

 

I have also sorted all the embroidery threads, saving most other than a few which I had managed to get in a proper tangle.  I thought at one point I was going to have to buy another storage box but I managed to fit them all in. Strangely there doesn't seem to be two shades the same, how awesome it that?  I also told you I was doing some rearranging in my sewing area here is my new storage for my quilts.



Tidy for a wee while

 

I managed a bit more of my BOM.  I didn't however make any progress with the Farmers Wifey blocks. My Mini Mosaics book arrived with my fabrics so the half moon modern quilt which I am calling 'Charmed' is now finished. I like this one bright and cheery and the inky black gives definition and makes the charms pop.  I love the spotty binding.

Charmed

 

The huge knitting project is finished too and it's gorgeous, even although I say it myself.  I loved doing it although at times I didn't think I was ever going to get it finished.  At one stage there were over 700 stitches in the round, or did I miss count, I did say it was a large project - it just needs to be blocked now, I will show you it soon. 

Today is my day for technology - I have just updated my operating system on my iPad and now need to do the same for my phone.  Then I will reorganise some files on my PC. It is so easy to forget to back up your system.  I lost everything from my PC a number of years ago, photos, patterns,  documents - all gone.  I try now every couple of months to back up my computer to an external hard drive.  Doesn't cost a lot other than a few hours preparation, I would be very upset if I lost all my stuff again.  If you don't do it perhaps you should consider it.  Although with the 'cloud' some things are stored there anyway.

The sun is shining this morning and as I sit here drinking my cuppa I see that I should really clean my windows, perhaps I will get that done too.

I hope you have a busy and productive week.  

A Little Dissapointed

My Mini Mosaic book didn't arrive as expected this week with my little order of fabric.  There has been a bit of a mix up.  When I ordered my book I ordered some Dashwood Studio 'flurry' fabric for the binding of the little charm pack quilt but the order has been delayed.  However these things happen and I will just have to be patient.  

I have managed to complete most of the goals I set myself last week, apart from reading my lost book.  The charm pack half moon modern quilt has been sandwiched and quilted and is now just waiting for the fabric to arrive and I will get the binding done.  Yes I probably could use something else from my stash but I have my mind made up on this one so I'll wait.  

The third exploding quilt 'All Square' is complete.  A bit windy again this morning so you will have to make do with it draped over the acer, and its taken with my phone so not ideal.  You get the idea though don't you.



Exploding Block Quilt No 3 - All Squared

Exploding Block Quilt No 2 - Sweet Memories

Exploding Block No 1 - Autumn Rays

It is amazing how, when put into different settings and colour ways the exploding block can look completely different.  We are putting some of these little blocks together at class this week for Linus Quilts and that will be the last time I will be doing them for a while.  Time to move on. 
 

The large knitting project is coming along nicely and the second stocking on the second BOM is almost complete too.  I am pleased with what I have achieved.  I have decided that listing a small set of goals is a good idea so I will continue trying this out over the next few weeks.

My plans for this week?  A little reorganising of my Sewing Space, finish the large knitting project, add the binding to the half moon modern linus quilt. (If my fabric gets delivered). Stitch down the third stocking on the second BOM and make a few more blocks of the Farmers Wifey quilt which is an ongoing long term project.  I also bought a few more bobbins this week so I will continue to sort out Mum's embroidery threads. I could go on but I better not be too adventurous.

Have a good weekend whatever you are doing - I can't believe it's November already!

Learning Another New Technique

I am always keen to learn.  This week it was another new technique, whew! Brain overload this month but it's all good.  At class on Tuesday M demonstrated Mini Mosaics by Paula Doyle.  There was an excited buzz around the room. Everyone eager to try something new.  A lot of preparation had been put into this evening by M.  Little envelopes were passed around giving each of us the basics for this little block.  Would we manage to get it finished within the allocated time? - well thanks to expert instructions and a look through the Mini Mosaic book, happy sewing machines and steaming irons I think most of us managed to complete our block.

Some of the instructions

 

I was so pleased with mine I think I will make it into a little coaster for my desk.  

What do you think?  Not perfect the purple block on the right is a bit off, not worth trying to fix this time but I know I was perhaps in too much of a hurry as usual.  I should have been more accurate in placing my squares on the grid and pressing them on to the fine adhesive interfacing backing, before sewing them in place - I will do better next time.  I have placed my order for the Mini Mosaic Quilts book and it should hopefully arrive early next week.  I am looking forward to reading it from cover to cover while I drink my morning coffee and trying out some of the other little designs.  I have also has a look at Paula's tutorials on YouTube which are fun to watch too.

The binding has not been sewn down yet on the third exploding block so I'll show you that next time.  I have however started on my second block of the Night Before Christmas quilt. The holly garland is done, and the first little stocking complete.  I did have a mad turn early this week and ran up a very quick and easy quilt top from a rather bright and cheery charm pack called Half Moon Modern by Moda.  It's been lying around for a while and it was calling me to do something with it.  I pieced it together using a wee piece of inky black mottled fabric which makes all the bright colours pop.  So......another Linus quilt in the making.  It is sandwiched together with a bright orange fleece and sitting ready to be quilted.

So this weeks list is: to continue with the rather large knitting project, sew down that binding, a little bit of quilting on the charm pack quilt and perhaps another stocking added to the garland, and of course coffee time reading of my new quilting book when it arrives - maybe a bit adventurous but I'll just see how it goes.

Donation to Charities

Tuesday at class was exciting - the reveal of our first block of the month for this session from Bunny Hill's Night Before Christmas sampler quilt.  This is what it is supposed to looks like in outline, and as usual mine is not exactly like this, in fact I don't think it's anything like this at all  to be totally honest - but I won't be revealing mine until December 2015 so you will just have to wait to see.  

Mine doesn't look exactly like this wee moosey!

Trials and tribulations, moans and groans, humphs and sighs, but I think we all did exceptionally well, especially as most of us have not attempted appliqué before especially with teeny tiny paws and ears!  We spent a lot of time discussing the different  techniques we had used - there are so many ways to appliqué thank goodness for Youtube and the internet blogs and tutorials.  We had come across a few pitfalls but I think we all enjoyed sharing tips and equipment ideas for the next block.  I am excited to continue with this project it will be a long road to travel and a long time in the making but I'm up for the challenge and it might just become an heirloom - or end up in a box unfinished!

On Thursday some of our members gave a demonstration and display at the local library.  I think it went down well and we had a good turn out of ladies keen to hear what we had to say about patchwork and quilting.  

Display of some of my quilts

I did sell a couple of my quilts the money being sent off to The Linus Project and Marie Curie Cancer Care.  I think our talk sparked some enthusiasm but regrettably our class is full and we cannot accommodate any more stitchers at the moment.

I am pleased to say I have another finish but it's just another exploding block this one is Sweet Memories - I'm getting bored with this now and need to move on.  It is however quick and easy to do and has been a good stash buster. It is fun to see how different layouts change the look of the quilt though.

Oh dear!  this one needs a good press - no outdoor photos today its too windy and rainy

Today I have spent my time sorting.  Sorting and scanning old photos to catalogue, sorting some quilting that wasn't quite right, sorting and updating my computer and backing up my files and sorting my blog.  I have updated My Gallery with the quilts I have finished so far this year. I have completed more than I thought. It's good to see them altogether in one place.

Next week I will be working on my final exploding block quilt (I won't do this block again for a while) together with my next appliqué block (which involves Christmas stockings), and a rather large knitting project I really must get on with.  

Enjoy your week folks.

Home Straight

I have had lots of parcels delivered to my door this week, which obviously means I have had a bit of a spending spree.  All essential purchases - of course.  I didn't make many purchases this year at the  Ingliston Quilt Show so I thought I would make up for it by shopping online.  

I ordered some 'Superior Masterpiece' threads from Barnyarns to help me along on my BOM appliqué project.  Unfortunately they sent me the wrong package so I eagerly await the replacement.  

The Wrong Threads

 

Due to the big show at Alexandra Palace I need to wait until they return to base before they send out the correct ones. 

Next to arrive was a book Modern Neutrals  which I purchased from Kaleidoscope.  I saw this one at the Ingliston show but unfortunately it was sold out so I ordered it from their online shop instead.  There are some lovely quilts in this book and I have spent a good few coffee breaks this week browsing through the pages. Watch this space.  

Plush Addict have a superb range of fabrics and excellent quick service - my fabrics arrived within 48 hours nicely folded and securely packaged and with a wee extra tasty treat too!  Some of these fabrics I will use in my block of the month project so it will be a while before you see what was in this little package...........2015!

Finally the biggest package of the lot arrived when I was out yesterday.  Fortunately I had left a wee note on the door and this was in the porch when I arrived home.  No prizes for guessing what this one contains. 

A new roll of Warm and Natural

My Autumn Rays quilt is finished!  The Fall in the City leftovers and the Exploding Block Tutorial by Missouri Star Quilts came together to produce a nice wee quilt.  



Autumn Rays

Close up of the 'rays' - I may add more

 

Topped of by a quilting design courtesy of the Craftsy Class (all the classes are reduced in price this weekend so go check it out), Creative Quilting with your Walking Foot by Jacquie Gering.  This was a really informative class and  I would highly recommend it.  Jacquie's designs are a bit more complex than this one but hey,  give me a chance I think it's a good first effort and hopefully I will build up my skill a little at a time.  This is definitely something I found enjoyable and it has almost taken away the taboo of my dislike for stitching a quilting design.  Hurray for painters tape - a new tool in the box!

Ok this is a picture heavy blog this week - I'm on the home straight with this one.  The first quilt I started using the exploding blocks.  I've just got the binding to stitch down, the threads to bury and of course a label.   I'll show you the finished result next time.

Have a great week everyone.

Progress Report

While taking the photographs of the Candystripe and Pinwheel quilt for baby Emily last week in the garden I realised I had not taken a proper photograph of my Block of the Month Quilt for my album.   So while the sun was shining I pinned it on the line.  It was a bit breezy but between gusts I snapped this.



Class Block of the Month 2013 - 2014

This week has been a bit more productive thank goodness.  I was beginning to worry that my time management skills (the few I have) had deserted me completely. However the routine has returned and I managed a bit more sewing these last few nights.  More exploding blocks have been added to the bundle for the Linus Project Class Quilt or it might be quilts. 

Exploding Blocks for Linus

and I have done some additional knitting - a little knitted preemie baby blanket for project Linus.  

Knitting project

These little blankets are fun to make and can be picked up and a couple of rows knitted in no time at all, especially if you are catching up on TV you have missed.   A 100gm ball of baby wool 4mm knitting needles, 120 stitches, and knit until the ball is finished!  You can make up any pattern you like. I just like the basket weave look of knit 10 purl 10 with a 10 stitch stocking stitch border all around.

I have started and almost completed my first Block of my Night Before Christmas project.  I must say although it is very early days I have really enjoyed assembling this block.  Appliqué is a new skill for me and I have enjoyed researching the wide variety of different methods.  I must admit the thought of freezer paper, starch, needle turn and fusible web was all a bit daunting at first but when you take your time and take each step slowly and carefully it is such fun to see the small appliqué parts all coming together.  This first block also incorporates some embroidery stitches.  Over the years I have dabbled in many crafts and cross stitch and embroidery are not new to me.  It was fun finding all my threads again and making the right choice of threads from my boxes, remembering past projects with fondness.  I also took the opportunity to look through Mum's box of threads and incorporate some of them into mine, obviously the time is right.  I think they also need a tidy!

Messy Threads

It's another blustery wet morning here so perhaps I will find a few minutes now and then to go to my sewing table, the big question is which WIP will I choose?  

Have a great weekend folks.

Baby Quilt Finished

I see it's been over a week since I have updated this blog, my apologies. There is nothing worse than clicking on someone's blog to see that there has been no news, no update and no photos.  I will try and get back into my blogging routine soon.

I am delighted to say the jet lag has gone although it did linger for rather longer than usual this time for some reason.  I am blaming it on the Dreamliner - I had been told that it was supposed to help alleviate some of the symptoms of the jet lag but it certainly did not help me this time.  I am slowly beginning to get back into my routine at home and hopefully I will get back to the sewing machine very soon on a more regular basis.  First though I need to do a bit of tidying and some reorganisation of my sewing area. I am not very good at keeping things tidy when in the midst of projects.  I try and keep each project in separate baskets but in fact it would help greatly if I actually finished some of these projects in the baskets, especially the ones which have been around for a while. My scrap bucket is full and overflowing so I need to separate that out into the appropriate baskets too.  Can I have some more quilting time please?

Four of us had a trip to the Scottish Quilt Championships, at Ingliston this weekend.  We had a lovely day out and enjoyed the company, we decided it was a little disappointing this year.  It was not as busy as I have seen it in the past and we discovered that a number of the usual trade stands were missing as there was a clash of dates and some retailers were attending another show down south.  We still managed to spend a good few hours wanderering around and admiring the fantastic display quilts.  I only bought a few pieces of fabric and some needles and probably did not spend as much as usual. Not a bad thing really.

Purchases made at the quilt show

I have finished the little baby quilt I started in Canada and I am really quite pleased with it, and yes the pink does make it pop!  It will be delivered later this weekend and  I hope Emily enjoys rolling around on it.  It's been a lovely day again today and nice to be able to get a photograph in the garden although it is a bit breezy for photos.  The acers are beautiful and beginning to change to their autumn colours as you can probably see peeking out under the quilt.

Candystripes and Pinwheels
 

 

I hope you enjoy what's left of the holiday weekend.

Home Again

Well it's 4am and I am sitting drinking coffee and reading blogs wide awake and have been for the last hour!  Our holiday is over for another wee while and I am delighted to say we had a great time, it's sad to say goodbye to the mountains, it was such a stunning day yesterday I must admit it did bring a tear to my eye as we travelled along highway 1A for the last time this summer on our way to the Airport.  The sky was bright blue not a cloud to be seen and the mountains and rivers so crisp and clear.

Yesterday was a long day. We wondered why the British Airways check in desk was all decorated with balloons and flowers when we arrived at the airport to check in our bags.  We soon discovered we were flying home on the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner on it's first flight out of Calgary.  Well I for one was not terribly impressed however we must move with technology and I guess we don't have a choice of plane we fly in. I think I would rather have had more legroom and better food than all the gadgetry of games, films, tv shows etc on our little screens which in my opinion were too close to see clearly anyway. Ok so that's my rant over.  After the 8 hour flight and a change at Heathrow Techie was waiting to meet us and taxi us home,  it was so good to see him again.

I am hoping we have some good weather here for the next few days at least so I can get back in to the routine before having to look out my winter woollies and put away my summer clothes for another year.

My coffee is finished so I'm now going to head back to bed in the hope that I can have a few more hours shut eye and fit back into our new time zone again.

Quilting will resume as soon as I can get my unpacking done and my head sorted out.

The Sunshine Returns

Some of the ladies in our quilting class are embarking on a huge appliqué project.  I for one have not made great advances in appliqué over the years I have been quilting - in fact I think I have made one little table runner way back when using the fusible method.  Our project is a Christmas  block of the month and we plan to have it finished by December 2015.  The ladies made a start last week back home and to show willing I had a little practice and was reasonably pleased with the results.

This week has not been what we were hoping for during our holiday break.  I understand it is often the case around this time of year a few flakes fall,  but this year seems to have been the heaviest snowfall for some time.  I believe the snow in Alberta even made the news back home.  However we are fortunate that we had winter clothes to keep us cosy.  

Yesterday morning was very misty and the mountains were just shadows lurking behind the mist first thing.  As the morning progressed the mist burned off and we had a beautiful blue sky day.  I am sure I have shown you this view before but I never tire of it. A day for a drive!

We had a stunning afternoon travelling down the Kananaskis Highway.  Crisp clear sunlight catching the snow topped mountains, clear blue green lakes and very few cars on the road.  I have taken so many photos over the years in different seasons I'm afraid the camera stayed in it's case and I just soaked up the photo stream in my head - memories of a wonderful afternoon.  The trees and undergrowth colours are just beginning to change towards Highwood Pass the highest part of highway 40.  Our favourite spot at Mist Creek is no longer.

The floods of last year have washed away the banks of the creek where the little picnic tables stood, the once idyllic spot is strewn with trees and boulders where the creek has changed it's path - that's nature for you.  I think in time the area will be renewed and the banks will once again play host to the picnic tables and families enjoying an afternoon picnic.  Lots of work has already been done and continues, along the highway to replace the road which was washed away in a number of places during the floods of 2013. 

I have managed a bit of sewing in the evenings and I am really pleased to report I have only one more 'hardware' block to piece, thank goodness!   Then I can sew all the blocks together to make a reasonable sized quilt, it will not be the size stated in the pattern which asks for 30 blocks. I'm stopping at 16!  I am so fed up with this project, I seem to have been doing it for years.  Of course I'm going to have to look at these fabrics again as I've lots left over haven't I.  

Have a wonderful week whatever you are doing.

Snow in Summer

That little fellow last week knew exactly what he was doing.  Getting his fill and lining his larder before this arrived....



No this is not an old photo

......he had been watching the weather forecast!  Although we had been warned about some snow this week I really did not expect this. Just look at my little bench at the top of the garden there is almost 4 inches of snow on it, and where little Sammy was sitting on the BBQ.   Hubby even thought about building a snowman. Ah well we are in the mountains and it's a full moon what can we expect.

A day for the household chores today especially as I have been ignoring them in the good weather. The laundry is done and we have made a big pot of soup for dinner. I've done a bit of knitting, read some of my book, caught up with emails and hand stitched some of my little pentagonal soft ball.

I will be digging out my 'Hardware blocks' later this evening and making a few more to add to the bundle.  I have decided the little baby quilt and the exploding block will go no further while I'm here and they will return to Scotland with me to layer up and finish.

Pink Makes it Pop

We have had a very enjoyable week here.  Some lovely days out and couple of days sitting in the garden in the sun reading and watching this little fellow.  He and his partner have been busy scampering around gathering seeds and cones I think they know the weather forecast for next week!

....... and we had a superb meal out to celebrate M's birthday.  This weekend we are taxiing friends back to the airport.

The baby quilt top is coming along and I am really pleased with it. I can't decide whether or not to layer it up and quilt it here or leave it as it is and quilt it on my machine at home.  Decisions, decisions.

I was looking for something small to hand stitch and discovered somewhere on my journeys through the blogging universe a tutorial for a little pentagon paper pieced ball.  So I thought I'd give it a try.  Here is the link to the pentagonal soft ball 

Hope you all have a great week. 

Pastels for a Girl

Techie asked me to make a baby quilt as a gift for a friend's little daughter who arrived last week. What an excuse to visit the fabric shop.  When I went to look for the border fabric for the exploding block I bought this little bundle of pastels.

I wasn't sure what I was going to do, I wanted something fairly modern but with some traditional blocks.  K as usual came up with some inspiration. She uses Pinterest a lot for ideas but I have not quite got the hang of it yet.

This is what I have come up with so far.  Having decided on the pattern I realised I needed a little piece of fabric to make it pop so when we were out for lunch yesterday downtown I paid the quilt shop another visit and picked up this. Very girly!

Full steam ahead now - it's wet again this morning and there is a sprinkling of snow on the mountains so I will probably manage some more sewing time this afternoon.