A Quilt Finish and Eagles are back!

It's been a slow go, but so glad this old UFO is now a completed quilt and gifted to my BIL.

For some strange reason, there are few particulars about this quilt.  Like, I have no idea when this was first started and the pattern name.  I probably saw this on Pinterest and was able to figure out the block and drafted up the quilt pattern in EQ.  Usually, I'm much more organized than this with important details and give credit to the original designer.  Oh dear, I sure slipped on this one.

Block:  Blockbase pattern #2022 Light & Shadows and 4 patch

Block Size:  10" finished

Size:  96-1/2" x 97"

Batting:  Hobbs polyester

Machine quilted by:  Kathy Wareham

Cottage season has started and my sister and I made a day trip to the cottage to bring out more supplies and to do a few chores before the onset of black flies (which are not in full force and biting).  We got them done and were sitting on our porch to have our lunch when we heard a screech.  "That's an eagle", I said.  We both grabbed our phones to take photos.  This is the first time we have seen two Canadian Bald Eagles together.  This is the third year we have seen an eagle in our area and I'm guessing they are here to stay.

So beautiful and majestic.  Canadian Bald Eagles, indeed!  

Cherish your day, cherish your life and cherish your country!  My country will always be CANADA!  

Antique Circles

That is what I'm calling my quilt that I made for Grace for the Humble 2025 Doll Quilt Swap.  

It started with pieces of scraps and charms from my stash.  Only Civil War Reproduction fabrics could be used as well as using a traditional block pattern.  I decided to do the Chinese Coin look but with a twist by adding circles instead of plain fabric between the rows of strips.  You know, it just had to be different because that is me!

Once the strips and circle blocks were made, it was time to decide on border fabric.  I've had this poison green in my stash for a few years now and wish I had bought more of it.  It is just gorgeous.

Border strips cut and auditioned.  Yes, they will work just fine!

Hand quilting got started in fits and stops with the help of Ridley.  I used a blue variegated blue crochet cotton and it worked in nicely.

Finally, it is done and has been received by Grace.  Here is the story behind my getting Grace's name .... she made me a mini quilt in another swap many years ago and I wanted to send her one of my quilts.  I've been following Grace from way back when and when she posted that she had joined Lori from Humble Quilts for this year's swap, I contacted Lori and asked if Grace's name could be given to me and why.  Lori said "so sweet" and yes I could have Grace's name to send a quilt to.  Grace is also one of the ladies that I zoom with through Chookyblue and it is so nice to talk to her from time to time if we happen to join in at the same time.  

 

This is the quilt that I received from Nann for the Humble Quilts Doll Swap.  Nann and Grace are friends and I did mention to Nann my little secret.

So, there you have it, it is a small world and there are no borders (Canada and U.S.A.) when it comes to friendship!

Cherish your day, cherish your life and cherish your country and my country will always be CANADA!  Elbows up, Canada!

Tulip Time

Not up here where I live, but tulips in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.  My sister, her youngest daughter and I took a quick trip down (about 5 hour drive south) to see the tulips and the magnolia trees in bloom.  

We went to a tulip farm and what a pleasant time we had there.  We were each allowed to take 10 tulips from any row we wanted to and we did.  It was a beautiful day and the temps were not too hot for us to stroll along the rows of tulips.  We went at the right time as most of the tulips were in mid bloom.  Another week and the petals would be dropping.  Same with the magnolia trees as some were already dropping in places.

I took a selfie of myself among the rows of tulips.  I used to take selfie's of myself when I was in my 20's, but had to wait until the film was developed to see how they turned out.  Nowadays, it is instant.  How times and technology have changed how we live today.

From our hotel room, we had views of the falls.  This one is the American falls.

There was often mist shrouding the Canadian falls.

We had great meals throughout our stay.  We did a bit of shopping and donated money to the casino and then it was time to go home.

Back home, this little guy was happy to see me.  He snuggled in and slept like a baby in my arms.  

Fifteen minutes here and there on this project has progressed to a few rows sewn together.  This project has all Xmas fabrics and it looks like Xmas wrapping paper.  Love it.

Two quilts came back from the LAer and this quilt in being trimmed and soon binding will go on.  It will be gifted later this month.

I will be taking half an hour of time to clean in my studio before heading to bed each night.  So far, it has been working and I can see some progress in the scrap piles.  Scraps are getting sorted, cut down and ready to be sewn into blocks.  Happy about that.

Cherish your day, cherish your life and cherish your country!  My country will always be CANADA .... glorious and free and we stand on guard for thee!

April and May Goals

April for Chookshed Stitchers 2025 Challenge was a good month for me, except it just doesn't feel like it.

First off, this mini wall hanging/table mat got finished and is being mailed tomorrow.  Can't show any more right now, but soon there will be a post about this hanging/table mat.

For my Chevron Log Cabin, only 5 blocks got made.  This will be my goal for May to finish a few more and finally be done with this quilt.

Then, a darn squirrel came around and taunted me again and I succumbed and started pulling out Xmas fabrics and before I knew it, this is what happened.  This will be part of my May goal to finish sewing it together.

Borders need to be added to this top.

Binding will be sewn onto this quilt when it comes back from the LAer next week.  It will be gifted later this month.

Cottage season is starting up.  We have already made our first trip of the season out to check conditions and to bring out some stuff we need.   Once we start going out, not much quilting gets done.  If I still have energy and time, then backings will be made for all these three tops.  I would like to get them to the LAer soon to be able to work on the bindings this summer at the cottage.  

Squirrels are out in abundance right now looking for nuts.  Oh right, I fall right into that category!  LOL  We'll see if a new project gets started or if I stick with the goals shown above.

Cherish your day, cherish your life and cherish your country and CANADA will always be my country!