Monday, August 31, 2020

My Corona Flowers

 Finally, "My Corona Flowers" is done but Covid-19 is not done with us yet.



Quilt Details:
Pattern Source:  an original designed by Rose Marie Castonguay (me!) and those who may ask, there is no written pattern at this time to purchase.
Started:  April 6, 2020
Top Finished:  July 16, 2020
Quilt Finished:  August 31, 2020
Size:  71-3/4" x 92" (top size before quilting, washing and drying:  73-1/4" x 94")
Hexagon size:  1-1/8" on one edge
Number of hexagons:  792
Number of half hexagons:  90
Number of side half diamonds:  48
Number of corners:  12
Number of hexie flowers:  24
Normally, I don't count the number of pieces when doing EPP, but this time, I kept track.
Batting:  Hobbs 80/20 polyster/cotton
Machine quilted by:  Kathy at Kat's Quilts
E2E quilt design:  Joyful (with Pearls) by Christy Dillon from My Creative Stitches.  I would have this one again on another quilt. 

It was pure joy to work on this quilt during troubling times.  Now, if only I can get rid of those extra pounds that were put on during the same time ....

A lot of tiny scraps were used during the making of this quilt.  

My arms ached a number of nights working on basting those hexagons and sewing them all together.  Why?   Because I was so obsessed in getting this quilt done.  Worth it?  Oh yes.

Now that this quilt is done, I can focus on ufo's ..... again!  LOL

Cherish your day, cherish your life!

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Binding away!

Yesterday, I got "My Corona Flowers" back from my lovely LAer.  Last night, binding got started until my eyes were just too tired to sew anymore.  Today, the rest of the binding is now on.  Nights are starting to cool so sewing binding is what I will be doing soon.

So ...... how many more quilts need binding?  See the top shelf on my quilt cabinet?  There are six quilts that need binding!  Better get cracking and get them moving closer to the finish stage.  Every time I look at my cabinet, I start to drool.  Do you blame me?  LOL

Binding, binding, binding .....

Cherish your day, cherish your life!

Monday, August 17, 2020

Another top .... another UFO

When my sister is feeling better after her chemo IV treatment, we go to the cottage. Fresh air, no stress, limited connection to the outside world .... what better place to be than at the cottage during our hot sunny days, especially when there is a lovely breeze off the lake!  That is where I've been a lot lately. Total bliss. 

Since we are in the middle of nowhere with no urban lighting, the stars at night are unbelievable.  We got to see the 2020 Perseid meteor shower two nights.  That was awesome!  Some of the meteors were quite short in length, but some were quite streaky.  Fast moving.  Blink and you missed them.

During the day, we found a new entertainment out there. Watching the hummingbirds fight over the feeder we put up. We haven't had one up in years, but last week one hummingbird hovered on the other side of the screen on our front porch and looked at both of us just sitting there looking back at it. Did it see the red hexies I was working on? We will never know.  Since I knew the formula for feeding them, a batch of sugar water was made and up went the feeder. What joy that has been! 

Baby birds.  Above our back door, a bird has had a nest there for years and has raised umpteen number of baby birds despite our coming and going through that door.  Sadly, this time when we arrived I looked up to see if there were still some baby birds in the nest.  Out of four eggs, there were two baby birds left, but they were dead.  What happened?   I removed the nest and wiped the top of the door frame of mud and straw and twigs.  Next year, the mama bird will start all over again.

On another note, one side of our old shed out back got wet and was showing off it's beautiful colours of wood. My sister took photos of the wood, but I had to set up one of my quilts for a photo.  Look at that tin roof and the colours of the wood.  What a great spot for taking photos of my quilts!  Soon, I will set up a pole to hang my quilts.  There is grass so my quilts will not sit on any soil/mud.  Another perfect spot!  Yeah!
It's funny, but we have never noticed the colours of the wood like this before.  It is usually the worn grey that you see at the bottom of the shed.  Could it be due to wasps that have a nest inside the shed and they have been removing some of the outer layers of the wood to build their nest?

Once back home, this ufo finally got addressed.  Gone are the pieced blocks and in their place is just a plain blue border.  It only took 14 years to figure this one out!  LOL  Now to get the backing done and another top will be on it's way to my lovely LAer.
Cherish your day!  Cherish your life!

Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Hexie is a top

I know, I know ..... I've been missing from my blog.

I've been busy helping my sister, who is going through cancer treatments right now and I have been too busy to do much posting.

Handwork has been coming with me when I do go out and a few stitches here and there have been done.

My hexie panel project is finally a top.   A backing is in the works so this beauty can go to my lovely LAer.
A new hexie project did get started ..... Lordy, but I just couldn't resist.
Here is a closeup of some of the blocks.  The redwork pieces were from a cheater panel that got cut into squares.  They look like they are embroidered but are printed and that is how they will stay.
My sister and I did enjoy a few days out at the cottage last week.  It was hot, but a nice constant breeze from the lake kept us comfortable.

We were enjoying a pleasant evening on the porch.  The lake was calm and silent.  The moon was just starting to shine.  Suddenly .... on the other side of the lake came howling.  A pack of wolves!  Oooooh ..... too close!
Cherish your day ..... cherish your life!