Friday, January 30, 2009

Snow for the Aussies





This morning in my email, there was a request to send some snow to Australia as they endure their heatwave right now (and have been for some time).

So, how about some photos of Niagara Falls with its' display of snow and ice? Will that help cool some of you down a tad? The water spray is freezing cold!

Enjoy and stay cool!

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Cozy Afternoons

Hank decided to join Ashes and I for quilting and both girls have settled in for cozy afternoons of sewing …... well, they sort of settled in …. after a ‘staring off’ contest each time. Usually, there is just one girl at a time on my lap, but I was away for a few days and suddenly they are both on my chair now at the same time. In the first photo, I’m just finishing the binding on my embroidered flower quilt and then it will be ready for blocking.

I really, really need some hand work while the girls are snoozing with me. Gosh, there is just barely room for me in that chair, so my projects have to be small to work on. When they are both with me, I’m warm as can be on these very cold winter days. Just my feet get cold sometimes and I have my sunny lap quilt handy to throw over my feet.
Now .... doesn't Ashes look blissful spaced out on her back? What characters these two girls are and how lucky we were to inherit them! :o)
And now, I’m working on something new …. hexagons. I’ve joined The Great Hexagon Quilt-Along and you can go here to see my first post.

Have a great day!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Enjoying my Winter quilt

This quilt has been stored away since it was finished back in April of last year. I have been waiting patiently to display this quilt and it sure is living up to its’ name as the weather here is very cold these days.

To read more about this quilt and why I chose the wording and what each block means to me, go here and scroll down to the posts that are for this quilt.

Have a great day!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Have to find a name

Usually, I don’t have a problem coming up with names for my quilts; but this one has drawn a blank. I refer to it as ‘embroidered flowers’ for now. Not very inventive, for sure! :o)

Anyway, it is being hand quilted and another week or so and it can be revealed for all to see. Perhaps by then, there will be a proper name for this wee quilt. If any of you have a suggestion, please leave me a comment.
Recently, I won a giveaway from Kathy and this is what she sent to me. The beaded scissor protector is already put to use with my scissors and I just love that candy cane fabric. Thank you, Kathy! :o)
Have a great day!

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Request dealings

Recently, I have had requests for the following:

a) Give instructions and photos for making a quilt ladder like the one shown here.

b) Show the quilts (full size) that are displayed on the quilt ladder.

c) Show those that do hand quilting, how to wax thread.

So, for those who are interested, please stay tuned for the next few weeks.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Ice Tag



I’ve been tagged by Marilyn to go to my picture file and pick the 4th picture in the 4th folder and publish it.
Well ….. in this case, I’m breaking the rules of the game and posting more photos. There is a story to tell and just one photo would not do it justice.
Is it not amazing what nature and sun and wind can do? We enjoyed watching this patch of snow on our deck railing for a few days and were totally amazed at the strength and endurance this sculpture went through until …. suddenly …. PLOP …
Enjoy and if you have a photo you would like to publish, play along too.
Have a great day!

Friday, January 9, 2009

Ladder of quilts



It has been a while since I last showed you the ladder that my DH made for me.

It has been painted and a few quilts thrown on it just to give you an idea of how it turned out. This is not the space it will eventually find a home ….. I just wanted you to see it finished.
Now, this ladder was easy to make. No nails or staples or glue! Just primed and painted and that is what is holding this whole piece together …. just primer and paint in the grooves to keep the rungs in place! It is possible down the road that I may have to do some repairs; but we’ll see how long it lasts like this.
Enjoy!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Round Robin Participation

On previous posts, you have already seen my first two rounds (here and here) and the finished quilts that went to lucky owners.

Round ThreeThis block was sent to me for the addition of the third border. You have no idea how long I stared at this piece trying to come up with an idea to complement the block. I tried appliqué …. nope, too busy.
In the end, the block won out and told me to stop and all I added were corner triangles and on it went to the next person for finishing (quilting, etc.)

Here it is all finished up. I love the simplicity of the piece and how my pink corners framed the fabulous center block and border. I hope the lady that now owns this quilt loves it!
Round Four

My job for this round was to sandwich the quilt, quilt it and put on binding and label and then send it on to the last person on the list.
This quilt was hard to hand quilt. The batik fabric and LOTS of piecing was hard to needle through; but I got there in the end.
Round Five

My quilt! While glancing through the sneak peeks that the four ladies had worked on, I had no idea this beauty was mine.

Go here to read more and see all the quilts being revealed.

When I signed up for this round robin, I gave an idea of colours to use and my quilt was to be asymmetrical. Top scores to the ladies for coming up with a design that matched me perfectly!

Will I participate again in a round robin ….. yes (except I’m taking 2009 off and will be working only on things for me)! RR forces me to be creative and to think outside the box. Will I become better at it? I hope so.
Have a great day!