Just a Quick Note

Two more finishes this week, a bit of a rush on with these ones which have been lying around as WIP's for a while.  Its been hectic again this week but I find if I manage to snatch an hour or so in the evening just to sew it helps me switch my mind off and relax and wind down after a busy day.

I am meeting up with a lady from the Linus Project this week so I was trying to get these two finished off and labels on in plenty of time.  Pleased to report they are all done!

Zig and Zag 36 x40

Row by Row 44 x 52"

These will going together with another eight quilts off to the Borders Region to be given to vulnerable and less fortunate children.  I really don't mind which region my quilts go to as long as they are wanted and loved.  I am meeting up with the lady in Peebles next week and I am looking forward to a wee day out and spending some down time just for myself.  Perhaps I might even do some Christmas Shopping!

I hope you are all finding a little time to sew, until next time Happy stitching.

Sewing When I Can

I am happy to say I can post about two of my projects and what has had to be Secret Sewing over the last wee while.  Normally I can post as I go about my current project however not to spoil the surprise element sometimes you just have to keep things under wraps.  

The first is an ongoing project which we have been doing at class since last September.  Members wanted to do a Block of the Month project.  We decided to choose a block each month, go home and stitch it up and return with it the next month for Show and Tell.  Well there were a few surprises over the months, each time the blocks were so different and I don't think there were ever any two the same.  The colours, sizes and indeed the number of blocks was left up to the individual member and as usual at the end of the year I can honestly say there are a lot of talented ladies in our group who should think outside their comfort zone more often.  The blocks chosen were, Dresden plate, Maple leaf, Kite, Star, Square in a Square, A Block with 9 pieces, Triangle, Curve and Mariners Compass.  I of course decided to do something a bit 'off the wall'.  Green, Pink, Grey and Multi combination of fabrics and each block had a 'modern twist'  The binding has a scrappy feel to it and it is certainly different!!  The quilting is not traditional either - I started quilting a spiral  with the intention of covering the whole quilt with the one spiral................but I got bored and had to change thread so ended up doing lots of spirals which is certainly different but I wouldn't say was a great success.

My other secret project I can now fully reveal was a HST triangle quilt you saw me start a few months ago while I was on holiday in Canada.  This was supposed to be finished while I was there and stay in Canada as a wedding gift.  Sadly that didn't happen - I ran out of time again - and I brought it back home here to finish off.  It has now returned to Canada and the recipients I am pleased to say are delighted with their gift.

So in-between finishing these two I am still working on two more 'secrets' which will eventually be posted here.  In the meantime I have been knitting, and tidying my sewing space, tidying up fabrics and hopefully using them up soon for more charity quilts.

So this week I have lots of labels to be sewn on some of the quilts which I have been stockpiling so that all takes up time.  Enjoy your quilting journey.

Normal Posts Should Resume Soon

Once again I am chasing my tail.  Not enough hours in the day for me and of course its always sewing time which has to be forfeited.  Not to worry next week is looking a bit quieter so fingers crossed for some down time. 

November already, where has the year gone?  When I looked back over the last month's photos I appear to have done quite a lot including having a weekend break with all the family to Keswick.  This was a throughly enjoyable break for us all, we all had great fun!

This is a selection of my October projects

Willa the Walrus, one of the secret projects which unfortunately I can't show any more.  

More modern triangles, 

The Chevrons and Charms quilt which I surprised myself with the back view.  

Apple and Rowan Jelly made with windfall apples.  

A black and White project, just because I fancied starting something new.........as if I really needed that.  

The other secret BOM project which will hopefully be completed by Tuesday night for Show and Tell at class.  

Busy bags for the youngest member of the family 

Using up some scraps 6.5" railfence blocks for Quilts for Christmas Dinners Project.  

All in all not a bad month.  I hope this month will be as productive, happy quilting folks! 

Season of Mellow Fruitfulness

The days are getting shorter and the lights start going on a bit earlier.  I don't really like closing the curtains too early but it has been a bit stormy this week and the wind has been howling around this old house at times.  I have been working on the Chevron quilt this week.  You may remember I pieced it together while I was on holiday in Canada.  The continuing theme throughout the quilt seems to have been spots.  The Lotta Dots charm pack by Connecting Threads was combined with a bubbly white on white fabric and pulled together with my favourite fabric for the moment Moda Grunge in Patriot blue.  This was an easy pattern to put together but with a bit of concentration needed with the half square triangles with lots of trimming and squaring going on. I hope you agree the chevron pattern from Missouri Star is quite striking and has produced a good size lap quilt. I think Jenny calls it Spice Rack as she uses rustic spicy colours In her version.  I brought the completed top back home to sandwich and quilt.  It has literally been hanging on the frame ready for decisions to be made.  It took me a wee while to decide on the quilting.  

I thought I would like to quilt pebbles or circles to complete the ongoing theme.  I really need to see the quilt flat to decide and I have the luxury of either hanging a quilt on the front of a wardrobe or laying it out on the floor where I leave it for a few days, looking at it from time to time from all angles and imagining the quilting pattern superimposed on the top.  This is the stage I least like, I’m so indecisive and having spent ages piecing I don’t really want to ruin it just because I don’t take time to think it through.  Usually the quilt will speak to me, if it doesn’t it goes on a shelf after a few days, to remain there for some time usually. (I have 3 tops on the limbo shelf at the moment or maybe it’s  4)  However this quilt didn’t hang about for long and was loaded on to my frame.  

I used a plain navy backing fabric and warm and natural batting, the thread I used this time was Glide Sky.  The quilt was all free motion quilted, no pantograph, no stitch regulator, no marking just my not so perfect concentration, which produced the finished article.  I decided to take it slowly - as in only a portion at a time. I stopped frequently and didn’t get myself overly stressed. (hence the extra creases on the above photo because it was rolled on the frame for a bit)

 I only worked on it one or two passes at a time then changed tactics and moved on to a different project.  This seemed to work for me.  Sometimes you pick up a bad habit and lose concentration - other times you get into the zone and everything flows smoothly.  Here is the result.  I still have the binding to put on and then it will be complete.

My Chevron Quilt aka as Spice Rack on Missouri Star

I got quite a surprise when I removed the quilt from the frame and flipped it over - it almost looks like a secondary whole cloth quilt.  I think it looks quite striking.

Does it look like a whole cloth quilt?

I will be secret sewing again this week and I might try just get one of those limbo quilts off the shelf and have another look for inspiration. Oh and I do have my Block of the Month quilt to finish for class, I think it needs to be completed for early November! Better get a move on.

Autumn has definitely arrived here and we have been buffeted by a few storms already and some of the leaves have fallen without actually changing colours.  Autumn brings lots of fruits, windfall apples, brambles, rowans, hips and haws.  I was lucky enough to be given some apples from a neighbour and combined with some rowans this is what I have been making this morning.

A bountiful harvest of apples

and the resulting pots of Apple and Rowan Jelly

  Maybe I’ll make some autumnal leafy blocks this week? Until next time happy stitching. 

Secret Sewing

It seems to me I am doing a lot of Secret Sewing at the moment.  Not that I am sewing in secret its just I can't really show you what I am doing as they will be gifts.  However I will try and keep the blog as interesting as possible and in between these secret projects I will try and do something interesting with my time and produce some smaller, speedier projects on the go to keep you interested and keep me sane in-between these rather challenging bigger projects.

I am still making triangles from the Modern Triangle Quilts Book, I am hoping to get a few more of those done this week.  

I have finished two scrappy quilts one is a little linus quilt made up of leftovers from the Chevron Charm quilt.  I had a few Lotta Dots charms left over too many to go in the scrap bucket so I used them up with the little cute animal fabric which has been lying around for a while.  I do like the stars on the backing. I stitched an allover meander in Scarlet Glide thread for the quilting.

The second is made up of leftover strips of varying widths - I made them into rail fence and slab blocks but inevitably I ran out of blues and didn't really want to add another colour.  I asked at my quilt group and Chris came to the rescue with enough blocks for me to complete this quilt. This too was quilted on the frame with a loopy meander this time using Sky Glide Thread.

My extra pieces of batting were beginning to mount up again so I have spent the morning sorting and stitching pieces together to be frugal and a thriftier stitcher.  I now have a much tidier shelf and the pieces of batting have been measured and the sizes have been pinned on to each piece - but what can I do with all those pieces of fleece?  I have had a computer clean up too and updated my list of projects, photos and my journal.  I'm happier now I've got all that done and tidied.  

It is blowing a hoolie outside and the rain is battering on the windows, I am so pleased to be sitting inside and don't have to go out.  It is almost coffee time so I will sign off now, have my coffee and then decide how I will use some more fabrics from my stash to embark on another quick and easy project to spell me while I concentrate hard on the two secret challenges. This is a clue for one of them - and this is the second attempt to try and get it right so hence the need to concentrate hard!!!  

Keep cosy and enjoy your week

Catch up!

I'm a bit confused (not unusual tbh)  I haven't been posting here for a while and I wasn't entirely sure which photos I had posted here and which projects I had told you about so I had to go back and reread my previous posts - theres nothing worse than repeating yourself.

So for the month of September I have been taking part in The Great British Quilter Challenge over on Instagram.  This has been set in motion by @sarahashfordstudio and @kerryveryberry.  A fun challenge which requires you to put a photograph on instagram pertaining to the particular challenge of the day.  There have been all sorts of challenges ranging from favourite fabrics, to your sewing machine, current WIP, stash, quilt on location, favourite quilt block  all good fun and my photos can be viewed by clicking on the instagram tab above.  Ive managed to keep up and we have only 3 more days to go!  It has been very interesting seeing other peoples projects and ideas.

I have been managing to do a bit of sewing and can now let you see my finished mini quilt for our Group Challenge 'Modern' the block is from Nine Patch Revolution written by Angela Walters and Jenifer Dick.   It was fun to do and is reversible.  The ladies of the Group once more excelled themselves making a variety of very interesting quilts. 

       

        

The chevron quilt top has been completed and is, as I type hanging over the quilting frame ready for me to load it up, choose the thread and then the quilting will commence.

 

The Sparkle Plenty HST is almost complete - I have straight line quilted it but I am wondering if it needs something else?  It is hanging on the front of the wardrobe in the other room, I am hopeful it will 'speak' to me soon and let me know!

The Modern Triangles have been growing and I think I now need to start and put in some background squares I have 20 done so far.

And as if thats not enough I have started another longterm project - North Stars by Elizabeth Hartman 

I enjoyed doing the little hedgehog from Forrest Friends and some of the creatures from Awesome Ocean.  When I saw this new pattern which has only just been released this autumn I just had to give it a go.   I bought the special bundle of fabrics and Im using Grunge in Silver for the backgrounds.  It may take me some time...............there are so many little pieces

I think thats me all caught up again so until next time, happy sewing!

Back on Home Ground

There will be photos today!  We are back home and I'm back on my PC to write this post.  We had a lovely holiday and a well earned rest.  We are now back to a new routine and hopefully soon we will be over the jet lag.  Its is very strange, sometimes it can affect us quite badly, other times not.  I am afraid I am suffering a bit.  I have been awake very early since returning home and have not been able to get back to sleep, so I have had to have a nap in the afternoons.  I hope this does not last too long.

So some photos for you of what I have been doing while I was away.  I don't suppose you will want to see our nice clean air vents nor the clean carpets and sparkling windows...............so lets get to it

Project No 1 was just to get me started and again its HSTs, this is beginning to get a bit boring.  A kit from Connecting threads Sparkle Plenty.  Grey, teal, rust, yellows a good combination and not too much concentration needed. There is something quite satisfying when you see all the shreddies when the blocks are trimmed.  I did have to do some unpicking on the last leg - unfortunately a couple of the blocks had got flipped and one of the points had disappeared.  It was only noticeable in the photograph I took as a record.  It is always a good idea to take a quick snap to check the layout.  You can be working too close to the design sometimes to see any errors.  This top is now complete and ready to be loaded on to the frame for quilting.............or maybe I will just do straight line quilting with the walking foot, decisions decisions.

Project No 2 was my 'Modern Challenge' for our quilt group.  Sorry I can't show it yet as we have Show and Tell on Tuesday night.  I did enjoy doing it though and sat one afternoon sewing the binding on with my feet up.  Listening to music, drinking tea and eating a home made cookie with the view of the mountains was just bliss.

Project 3 - Chevrons and Charms.  On a visit to the LQS I bought some Grunge and some white on white, always good staples for your stash.  Jenny Doans Spice Rack was chosen to use up some CT lotta dots charms.  Oh oh! not more HSTs.  Just little ones this time and I was able to use the short cut to make 8 at a time.  Some maths was required - not my strong point, but I got there in the end 

The top now has its final 2 rows attached and is now waiting for the borders to go on.  I think you will agree I have been quite productive this holiday.

I'm now looking forward to getting back to the Modern Triangles, it will soon be time to decide on the arrangement and where the plain blocks should go, although I think I have a few more blocks to make still

This post has certainly made up for the lack of photos in the last two posts!!

I hope you all have a lovely weekend and enjoy any spare minutes doing what you enjoy doing most.

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!

What Do You Do on a Wet Day?

Our weather seems to have broken for now and our really good spell of hot sunny weather has disappeared - for now.  I am not complaining, the garden really did need some water to keep the plants blooming for a bit longer.  As I am typing this the rain is rattling on the skylight window and it appears it couldn't come down any faster.  I do feel sorry for those hoping for a dry weekend to take part in outdoor activities.  Techie got wet on the Golf course this morning, but hopefully he had his waterproofs on!

Well what have you been doing today?  I have been tidying the sewing room and hoovering up all the stray threads.  I was quilting on the frame last night which was fun but always produces loads of snippings.  Photos are on instagram on the tab at the top of the page.

I have also had a chance to update my record book, print some photos of my completed quilts and update my computer files and photos.

After lunch my dear hubby brought me some rhubarb from the garden, I had asked for this a couple of days ago but was not really expecting it today.  A large crop to be made into Rhubarb and Ginger Jam.  I always enjoy making jam, its a bit like quilting there is something therapeutic making something for the store cupboard for the winter.

So to the finishes you haven't seen on the blog so far.  You will remember the Flow Charm Pack, the first quilt was completed using half of the HSTs and this is the other one.  They are both the same size and would be ideal for twins I suppose.  I am thinking of donating these to Siblings Together - but I will need to look into this charity further to see if they are suitable for their children in care.

and here they are both together measuring 40" x 50" each

Falling Pinwheels

Fractured Squares

                              

Another busy week ahead so I will leave now and go and serve up dinner, have a good week everyone.

Good Gracious

I can't believe I have been AWOL for such a long time.  As you will realise with the lack of posts its been a bit hectic here since the last time, way back in May.

I will spare you all the details because I know you really don't want to listen to my woes and rants.  Life has been tough for a bit and when things get tough sewing takes a back seat.  We all know sewing is therapy and helps when you are low but so much was happening I didn't even have the time or the concentration to sit and sew.

However it seems that I do have quite a bit for you to catch up on and show you.  So here are some projects I have managed to make progress with in between dealing with family matters.

You will remember as always I am trying to use up my stash and finish off projects in baskets which are not quite complete.  So the Flow Charm Pack was made into HSTs (see post of 20th May)  and these 4.5in blocks were then framed with 2.5in strips on two sides.  This made, what Missouri Star Quilt Co calls falling triangles. I worked out I would probably have enough blocks to make two lap size/childrens quilts.  So here is the first one finished.  

Falling Pinwheels 40 x 52 inches

and a close up of the quilting 

The second one is still a work in progress but here it is when it was still being quilted on the frame.  I've not got much left to do, just a little bit of the binding to stitch down. So I will post a photo next time or look out for it on my Instagram page.

They are both very modern looking cheery quilts, I made up the layouts on the design wall myself and  I am delighted with them both.

Way back in the very early days of my quilting journey I was given a book by my son and his wife for my birthday November 2012.  I have mentioned it a few times here in my blog pages.  This labour of love has been picked up and laid down so many time as it fell in and out of favour.  I was really enjoying making the blocks however through lack of knowledge then and inexperience I very quickly realised I had chosen the wrong fabric to make them.  I did want it to be a bit of a twist and used a fairly modern Layer cake with the idea of using the layer cake until it was finished to make as many blocks as possible.  unfortunately, i didn't think to use some plain fabrics with the result of course the blocks are very busy and there is nowhere to rest your eye!  You live and learn do you not, every day is a school day.

I think there is only a third of the blocks in this quilt

but I am pleased to say the Farmers Wifey Quilt as I call it has been finished, at last...........and not before time! 

Farmer's Wifey Quilt 64 x64 inches

I have a couple of other projects to show you but I think that will do for tonight.  Hopefully I wont be gone for so long before the next post!