Tackling a UFO

I’ll be away for a few days …… but am not traveling empty handed. There are five Dresden plate blocks (hmmm … must be something about the number 5 …) that need to be appliquéd and then this top can be put together. This is my project to work on.

There is such a desire with me right now to finish up some of my UFO’s. That is due to Peg’s challenge that she issued and, by golly, I’m reviewing my projects to see what remains to be done. It is wonderful that 4 UFO’s were finished during the challenge. The boxes they were in are all cleaned out and just ready for a new project …. but not right now.

The bad news is that most of my UFO’s are all queen size quilts and since they will be hand quilted ….. you know the routine …. you won’t see any finishes from me in the near future …….. sigh!

Remember, just a few stitches a day makes all the difference to completing a project!

Have a great day!

Almost back to normal

Jeepers ….. that says a mouthful! My back is almost healed and I have started sewing on my machine over the weekend. Yeah!!!

I did accomplish some hand work …. actually …. a lot of handwork over the past week. My hands just can’t stay idle for some reason. :o)

So, one pair of socks was finished and a new pair started.




And embroidery on these blocks was finished for this UFO.

It is amazing what Peg’s challenge started for me. I’ve been pulling out my UFO’s to review what needs to be done and I am determined to finish whatever I can this year. Mind you, a lot of my UFO’s are queen size quilts and they will just take forever to complete. But, remember …. a stitch a day counts!

I still have my 5th finish to complete (a flannel jacket) for the challenge; but my lost week will not help me to make my deadline.
Have a great day!

Summer Flowers

With my back out of commission, I’m pulling a photo from my archives for you.
I never realized it before, but this was my first ‘free form’ quilt that I made years before my Winter quilt came to be.

On a summer visit to my Mom’s, my sister had an autumn display hanging on the door. What??? She couldn’t find anything summery to put on the door.

So, with absolutely no quilting supplies to work with (everything was at home in Toronto), I made this hanging out of a piece of fabric for the backing and the flowers are made out of felt. No pattern …. everything was just cut out free form and buttonhole stitched in place. The flowers were stuffed with batting and buttons were used for the flower centers.

Outside the entrance, is a small hosta garden that was put in during one of my visits. Don’t they look gorgeous all in bloom? I just thought this was an excellent spot for a shot .... the door looked kinda of boring. :o)

When the VON nurse visited that week, she wanted to know where the hanging came from as she had not seen anything like that in the stores. A lovely compliment.

Have a great day!

Shams & Pillowcases

Here are the pillow shams that were made to go along with my ‘Snow Blossoms’ quilt. The shams went with the quilt to the party. I just didn’t post about them before they were sent off. These shams and the pillowcases below are my 4th Finish. I love the overall stippling on these shams.
These pillowcases have been forever on my list to finish. Click onto the photo to look at the time (the date when the quilt these go with were finished) that the material has been in a box, just waiting to be completed. It is so sad, to hold onto these projects for so long and then to be finished ever so quickly.

Now, there is only 1 item to finish for Peg’s challenge. Problem is, I hurt my back this weekend and I’m not sure if the sewing machine and I will be able to operate together. We’ll see how the week goes. I really want to finish that flannel jacket for the challenge and just to have it done and ready to wear this autumn.

Have a great day!

... and the owners are ....

Sun Kissed has a new home with Ann. Please take a peek at Ann’s blog as my summer 4SSQ has found a new home.

And, from that same post, I was giving away the booklet that the pattern came from. The winner is: Bren.

Next week, I will be showing you my next finish for Peg's Challenge.

Enjoy your weekend!

Golden Wedding Anniversary

I couldn’t mention anything before about who was getting the Snow Blossoms quilt on this post, just in case somebody was reading about it and they should not be doing so first.

My DH’s sister and her husband are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary today. Here is a photo of them with their quilt. They would have preferred to have us visit with them out in northern B.C.; but this was the best we could do.

The celebratory party (held this past Sunday) was supposed to be outdoors in a garden; but it started to pour rain and it was cold. The party was moved indoors to a workshop where it was dry and warm.

This is the fourth of my DH’s siblings to celebrate 50 years of marriage. He was just a baby when his older siblings started to marry and have families of their own. We have only another 19 years to get there.

Happy 50th ….. you lovebirds!

Hearts Harvested

….. and another one bites the dust! Now, there are only 2 more to do for Peg’s challenge.

Here’s a photo of the back. Often, I find the back to be as interesting as the front of a quilt. My label was sewn on after this photo was taken (in case any of you were wondering). :o)
Have a great day!

Pattern Source: Kim Diehl’s book “Simple Traditions”

Sun Kissed and Giveaway

As well as my 2nd finish for the ‘Finish 5’ challenge …. this is also the last of the 4 Seasons Quilt Swap. Thank you, Margaret for doing a super job with the year long swap. Bravo, bravo!!!
This is the booklet that I took the pattern for my sun flowers. I’m finished with this booklet and am giving it away. If you are interested, please leave a comment and indicate that you would like to have it. If you don’t have a blog, then just email me. The draw will take place July 17th.

Have a great day!

Thimbles

Last week, I spent a week on a Caribbean beach relaxing on the sand and soaking up some sun. With me were my sister and her two lovely daughters. So, this week it is back to reality.
There were questions from my last post about my thimbles and how do I use them. Being right-handed, this is how I wear them. The yellow finger needle grab is a piece from a latex glove for washing dishes.
My thimbles are extra large and tape, etc. is used to line the inside so that the thimbles fit my finger. I had some thimbles that were an exact fit but the metal bothered my skin and a rash developed every time I used them.

The one on the left has a piece of the latex glove cut up and taped to the inside of the thimble. It acts as a cushion and relieves friction against the metal.

The middle thimble has black electrical tape inside for the same purpose.

The needle grabber shows two pieces together (they were too large to use separately). You don't want the grabber too loose that it flies off your finger.

On another post, I will talk about waxing my threads.

Have a good day!