Chores Done

We have had a mixed week, the maintenance chores are all done and we have managed some days out allowing us some rest and relaxation, even some retail therapy - what more can one ask for.  The house is looking much brighter, fresher and cleaner. The sun has been shining and the smoke seems to be thinning out. We did have a thunderstorm the other night with a heavy downpour which has cleared the air.

The sewing machine has been humming and although I can’t post pictures here check out the Instagram tab to see what I’ve been doing.  My ‘class challenge’ is almost complete, just one side of the binding to be stitched down.  I’m not sure when we are showing off our challenge items but I am happy I’ve almost finished mine.  This was not what I originally planned, nor was it my second choice but limits on my time this summer has beaten me.  I know everyone’s time is precious but when you belong to a group and a challenge is set I think it’s important we all take part.  I’m looking forward to seeing everyone’s take on a mini quilt with a ‘Modern’ look at the start of the new session. 

Maybe no Photos

I am back to writing blog posts from my tablet so this may or not work.  There may not be any photos either but you can follow the sewing progress by hitting the Instagram tab at the top of the home page.

We are on a short break which we are both in desperate need of.  It’s been a hectic time for us over the last few months so we hope to have some chill out time relaxing and enjoying the slower pace on the other side of the Atlantic in the Rockies.  

Sadly North America is suffering from lots of forrest fires as the smoke is drifting up to Alberta from British Columbia, causing all sorts of problems. The air quality which is normally clear and fresh giving us clear blue skies and sunny days is thick and hazy and yesterday the sun was shining through a grey veil turning it orange/red.  This may of course be a good colour combination for a quilt.

We have lots to do this time while we are here so I may not manage to get the sewing machine out this week.  Perhaps I might manage some knitting or hand sewing while I sit on the deck or the den with my coffee.   We may of course have to try and travel a bit further afield to find clearer sunny days where the smoke has not yet reached but that may be just too far to travel.

I hope you are all managing a bit of sewing and planning ahead for projects for the winter months ahead.   It won’t be long before the trees start to change their colours - I imagine that might be sooner than normal due to the dry summer we had this year.  Start planning now, clear your decks, sort your stash and choose a nice pattern which will stretch your quilting ability that wee bit further and give you a bit of a challenge this winter. I will post the progress I made with the Modern Triangles on instagram.  

Relax and enjoy - what ever you are doing.  

Satisfaction

There is something quite satisfying when you manage to clear the decks before starting a new project.  Threads all hoovered up from the carpet, scraps sorted and put in the scrap bin, scissors, cutters, threads etc all in there proper storage space and last but not least your machine all cleaned of fluff and a new needle in place.

A sewing space never stays tidy for long and before you know it fabrics will be scattered everywhere, blocks hung on the design wall and threads strewn on the floor - but oh what a happy place to work!

My new project is from the Modern Triangle Quilt Book by Rebecca Ryan 

and I will be using some really funky fabrics which I bought when K and I had a road trip to Jedburgh a couple of months ago to visit Stitchin @ No 1.

So featured on the design wall this week

These are fun blocks to make and just totally different from making squares.

So the finish for this week is Bee-Charmed, have I mentioned this one before?  Half a charm pack of black and white fabrics lurking in a basket, combined with a bright sunny yellow spot produced this 40 x 40 lap quilt.  Its bright and cheery and quick and easy to put together.  I quilted it on the frame using another of my glide threads a nice buttery yellow.  I think it looks a bit like a bumblebee although it has flowers and butterflies in the border and not a bee in sight.

                                                                                                         

I have had very little sewing time since my last post but at least I have a finish and a new start to show you.  Happy Stitching!