Chevron Legacy

Gosh ..... we are almost mid-August and here is another Xmas quilt ..... my "Chevron Legacy".    

My hubby wants to display this one now instead of waiting until December.  Patience, my dear, patience and he will enjoy it even more later.  Our old shed at the cottage is the perfect backdrop for taking quilt photos.

What about some by the lake?

Quilt Details:

Pattern source:  McCall's Quilting magazine Nov./Dec. 2013   Designer: Sheri Bain Driver.  My quilt is slightly different than the original pattern.

Started:  April 2017

Top Finished:  June 2017

Quilt Finished:  July 2022

Quilt Size:  65-1/2" x 87" (top size before quilting, washing & drying:  69" x 89-1/4")

Batting:  Hobbs poly on a roll

Machine quilted by:  Kathy Wareham

Quilting design:  Gothic Vine by Willow Leaf Studios

Another quilt to enjoy during the holiday season!  Happy, happy, happy!  Gosh, I may have to retire some of my older Xmas quilts to make room for these new ones.  

Cherish your day, cherish your life!

Christmas Stars

How about a Xmas in July ..... hmmm ..... August ..... quilt?   I meant to post this quilt in July, but time slipped away and here we are in August!

"Christmas Stars"

A close-up of the quilting design.

It's not often that the back of the quilt is shown, but here it is for this quilt.

Quilt Details:

Pattern Source:  Inspired by a quilt shown in Fons & Porter Love of Quilting, Nov/Dec 2021.  Their      pattern was all machine pieced using only a few fabrics, but I did my quilt using the EPP method and there is quite the variety of Xmas fabrics.

Diamond size:  1-1/2" edge

Started:  November 2021

Top Finished:  April 2022

Quilt Finished:  June 2022

Quilt Size:  59-1/4" x 81-1/2" (top size before quilting, washing and drying:  61" x 83-1/4")

Batting:  Hobbs 80/20

So, there we have it ..... another quilt to display come this Xmas.

This quilt was worked on during Chookyblue's (http://chookyblue.blogspot.com/) zoom meetings.  Many of the ladies (from around the world) who zoomed in at the same time as myself saw me working on this project.

Cherish your day ..... cherish your life!

Xmas in May!

Well, we had snow yesterday and it was still on the ground this morning!  

I finished my Xmas quilt this week and finally was able to go outside to take a photo.  Perfect timing.  A Xmas quilt and snow!  How perfect is that!

The ground was wet, so my quilt could not be unfolded and draped onto the ground for photos.  So, a swing will just have to do for now.  Snow had to be brushed off the swing so that my quilt did not get wet.  Snow in May!  We've seen snow in June ..... so stay tuned!   LOL

So, inside photos will have to do.  Here is it all unfolded.  I love it!  Come December, how lovely it will look hanging in our foyer.

A close-up of the quilting.

Quilt Details:

Pattern:  "Pressed Flowers" by The Rabbit Factory.  In case anyone asks me, when I'm done with a pattern, it gets passed to a friend as is the case with this pattern.

Started:  July 2009

Top finished:  Feb. 2019

Quilt finished:  April 2021 .... just shy of 12 years!  I'm killing myself laughing!

Quilt size:  103-1/2" x 104-3/4" (before quilting and washing:  104-3/4" x 105").  There was not much shrinkage because this quilt was dried (folded in half) on a clothes rack.  I find that when I use polyester as batting, my quilts look better when they are dried on a rack.

Hand Quilting:  I did stitch-in-the-ditch around all the applique.  Yes, I know it is extra work, but I'm so much happier with the look.

Machine Quilted by:  Kathy Wareham of Kat's Quilts.  It was quilted using "Stars at the Gate" design by Christy Dillon of My Creative Stitches.

Another UFO is done, done, done!  I'm so doing the happy dance!

I did have another April finish, but it was for the Humble Quilts Doll Quilt Swap 2021.  Photos will have to wait until the person receives it.  So, later on that!

Behind the scenes, batting pieces are getting sewn together for another quilt.  This will be #3 from my bins of batting scraps.  In a few weeks time, a friend and I are getting ready to take a drive (we wear masks in the car) to see our LAer.  I'm hoping to take at least two tops with me so I had best get busy, busy, busy making more batting and backing!

Tomorrow, we are doing a drive-by birthday party for a 9 yr. old niece.  This will be her second drive-by birthday.  Last year, we all thought that was a one and only occasion but how wrong we were.  A bunch of us have had at least one vaccine shot, but we are all taking things carefully and listening to the experts.  Our area currently has 16 active cases of covid-19 for a total of 351 cases since the start of the outbreak.  That is low compared to other areas, but still too high.

Wear a mask, wash your hands, keep your distance!

Cherish your day, cherish your life!

Humble Xmas Quilt

I've been promising photos of this quilt for a while now and finally got around to taking it outside looking for that perfect shot.  The day was dreary and my quilt sort of gleams against the brick wall and the wee bit of snow on the ground.

The backing on my quilt has deers on it.  So sweet!

Quilt Details:
Block size:  8" finished
No pattern name/source available.  Had the pattern, adjusted it to my taste and added the trees and then lost the pattern.  Oh well, that happens, eh!
Started:  April 2015
Top Finished:  January 2019
Quilt Finished:  September 2019
Quilt Size:  55-1/4" x 73-3/4" (before quilting, washing and drying:  58-1/2" x 74-3/4")
Quilt Batting:  Hobbs poly/cotton 80/20
Machine pieced by me.
Machine quilted by Kat's Quilts

This was a fun quilt to make.  It is amazing what one can make out of scraps from a lady who was moving to another city and wanted to have a purge of her quilting stuff.  With the help of her friends (Karin and Jeanne) they asked if I wanted some of her scraps.  YES!  Some of the fabric pieces in this quilt had to be sewn together to make the exact size strip/square needed.  To me, this is a humility or a very humble quilt.  Just make do with what you have and go from there and unless you look really close, no one will ever know.  Absolutely fun!

So, there you have it, my "Humble Xmas" quilt.

A few days after taking these photos outside, this is what it looks like now .... a Winter Wonderland.

 Oh look, a deer!

Have a great day!

Celestial Stars or Xmas Stars

Oh my, how I love this quilt.  EPP.  What more is there to say?

With all the snow in our backyard, it is hard to get a good quilt photo.  So, let's put the thinking cap on and find a way!

This is ok .... but I need a better angle for my quilt journal.

 Not bad, but how about a straight on photo?

 This would be the perfect straight on position.

 Except those vertical bars and the plant are in the way.

Better, but now the chandelier is in the way!

Enter my husband with a long stick ..... to carefully move the chandelier out of the way.  Perfect.

Here are some close-up of my blocks and the custom quilting by my friend Tella in Scarborough.  Tella knows that I don't like tight machine quilting and she worked her magic by giving me what I like.

Now, this quilt.  When you Google the book (see below), the pattern for my quilt is on the front cover.  Except, I did a lot of changes to it.  Made it my own.  Definitely my own.  Google it and see for yourself and then compare the difference.  Sharon's book is gorgeous.  I'll be dipping into it again and taking another of her patterns and then making changes again.  Sorry, but I can't help myself ..... 

Quilt details:
Quilt Name:  Xmas Stars (original pattern name:  Celestial Stars)
Pattern source:  Quilting on the Go .... English Paper Piecing book by Sharon Burgess but with many adaptations (by me) to the original pattern.
Started:  Mar. 12, 2018
Top Finished:  July 25, 2018
Quilt Finished:  September 2018
Quilt Size:  83-3/4" x 83-3/4" (size before washing and drying:  89-1/2" x 89-1/2")
Batting:  Hobbs Heirloom 80/20 on bottom and a layer of Pellon Nature's Touch 100% Wool on top.
Custom machine quilted by Tella in Scarborough.

This quilt never got to be a ufo.  I was determined to get it made and quilted so that it could be part of my trunk shows that I participated in in September and October.  So there.  All EPP with a lot of fussy cutting and it can be done in a timely manner .... not years.... only 4 months from start to top stage!   This quilt proved that point.

In a few days, it will be 2019.  Wishing you all the best and lots of happy stitching for the year to come!

Have a great day!

Xmas quilts

It has been a busy few weeks here leading up to Xmas and now I can take a breather.  Whew .....

How about some eye candy of some of my Xmas quilts?

These are on display in our foyer.  The quilt on the wall is one you haven't seen finished and I will chat more about it in another post.

The top you see at the bottom of this photo will be hand quilted sometime next year.  It just had to be hung up with the other coordinating quilts.

Here is a better look of the top.  I just pinned the top onto a hanging sleeve and viola, instant display.  😸😸  I do want to hand quilt it, but haven't quite decided how yet.  For sure, there will be big stitch hand quilting .... but the design has stumped me.  The backing is ready.  Batting purchased.  Just the design.  Sheesh ..... come on brain ..... think, think.

This quilt below you have seen many times before on my blog.  The thing is, it would never lay flat on the wall.  Very wavy.  More hand quilting has been added to the borders, and although the extra quilting has helped, this quilt still will not look as good as I want it to.  This quilt was finished in 2003.  One of my earlier quilts.  It is possible that something wasn't quite right back then and I just proceeded anyway.  I have come to accept that it is what it is and to hang it and enjoy the beauty of this quilt every Xmas.  Amen.

This metal railing finally got a final coat of white paint and a quilt can now be displayed there.  The painting only took six years to finish, but it is finally done!  Well, this section at least.

My quilt ladder and red/white/neutral quilts .... yumm!

What is keeping me busy these days?  Our living room has been taken over for a staining area and I'm busy staining and sealing this bathroom ladder for a niece.   Hubby made it and now it is my turn to finish this ladder.

There is a table runner that I finished and gifted for Xmas and that too will be talked about on a separate post.

A week from now and it will be 2019 ..... wow, this year sure has gone by quickly. 

On an grim note, a cousin is not well and has given up on life.  The new year may not ring in well for our family.

Let's see what can get done this week.  Another ufo crossed off the list?  We'll see.

Have a great stitching day!

A finish!

Home for the Holidays.  What a lovely name for a quilt and so lovely to finally have this quilt finished!  It has been kicking around for 11 years.  Eleven years!  OMG!

This quilt will be perfect for hanging in our foyer come Christmas this year.  A treasure, for sure.

Details:  97" x 97" approx. (before quilting:  100-1/2" x 101")
Pattern Source:  That Patchwork Place, 2006 Quilt Calendar.
Machine quilted by Ruth Jones

Now what is the next top to be quilted?  There are only 26 tops to choose from.  I'm sure I will find one to finish!  :o)

I'm linking to http://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.ca/

Have a great day!

Sky Jewels

.... and that is the name of this pattern. Usually, when I see a pattern that I like and want to make, the pattern gets changed during the making. But, not this one. The first time I saw it, it was love at first sight and the design is exactly as per the pattern. The only thing that was added are the beads on the stars as I was hand quilting. It is a slow process doing it that way, but it sure gives this quilt a lot of sparkle. A lot of beads were used here and my stash has been somewhat reduced.

This whole quilt has been hand pieced (that is where the pattern directions got changed), but if I was to do it all over again, English Paper Piecing is the way that I would go.

Enjoy and have a great day!

Pattern source: Quilt It for Christmas 2006 magazine (designer Gail Cole of Odessa, Texas)

Album of Memories – Variation

Here it is all together! This is my Christmas quilt and hangs in our dining room during the holidays. It is so nice, bright and cheery and I think, quite elegant.

This quilt (or the original) was designed by Robert Callahan for McCall’s Quilting. I didn’t use all his original blocks … it is not too often that I copy a pattern exactly as designed ….and in this case, some of his blocks were not to my liking. So, this is my variation of his Album of Memories. The finished size of this quilt is: 89-1/2" x 89-1/2"

Plans for 2009

I stopped making New Year’s resolutions a very long time ago. Why? I don't know, just decided one year not to. Instead, I just try to be a better person in every way and hopefully my little contribution makes the world a nicer place to live in.

For 2009, there will be less of my participating in swaps. I have enjoyed being in the midst of creating something to send to the other side of the world, but this year will see me spending more of my time concentrating on finishing my projects and designing and making quilts for me.

It was a great boost for me to sign up for Finn’s and Peg’s UFO finish challenges. I didn’t get as much done as hoped; but am very happy with what got finished.

This past year, I have been thinking seriously of entering a quilt in one of the major quilt shows and could this be the year that I finally just ‘do it’? We’ll see …..

So …. for 2009 ….. what will I show you on this blog? There will be quilts, for sure! :o)

Have a great day and a Happy New Year and all the best in 2009!

In a teasing mood .....

There is not much to show for quilting around my house right now ….. so will be pulling from my archives. 

To start, these blocks are just a section of a Baltimore style quilt which we use to hang in our dining room for Christmas. You will just have to come back to see the other sections.

My sources for these blocks are: (I rarely follow a pattern and substitute my own version)

left - Evening Dew (quilting motif from Quiltmaker.com)

middle - Shattered Star (McCall's Quilting, Dec.2001 magazine - the center portion of the block was changed by adding an applique motif)

right - Pink Thistle (Conway Album-I'm Not From Baltimore-book) and of course, I just had to change the colour to blue! :o)

Have a great day!

Raining Snowmen

How many of you have purchased printed panels and made them into quilts? I fell in love with this gem many years ago and very quickly put it together and hand quilted it. It still makes me smile whenever I look at it and it gets hung up every year along with all my other quilts! :o)

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you’ve seen my quilts and some of you might be surprised that I use these panels. ;o)

Yesterday, while browsing through blogs, Elsie wrote asking if it was OK to use these printed panels. Why not use them?

There are a few more panels in my stash that will be made up one day.

I’ve received my SSCS swap gifts from Juliann. It is so tempting to open my packages and there will be a tug of war with my self-control until Xmas morning. My DH is not helping at all as he is just as curious as I am to see what is inside them. :o)

Have a great day!

Just Yo-Yo-ing Along!

Here is another yo-yo Xmas tree hanging that was made a few years ago. This was a great way to lessen my button stash! After sewing clothes since my teen years, there is quite a huge collection and quite a variety showcasing different stages of my life.
This hanging is so vibrant with the colours, the buttons and the beads. A bead was sewn in those empty spaces where the yo-yo’s are joined together. The beads give it a shine when the outdoor light just hits it so.

If you’ve never made a yo-yo …well, try it at least once. They are so easy to make and are a great take-along project.

Have a great day!

Edit:

I got this pattern from www.freepatterns.com/ (click onto Holiday patterns and scan through the photos) and you can download the pattern.

Placemats

At our guild a few years ago, we had a request from a member to make up placemats for Meals on Wheels. This is an organization that delivers meals to seniors or house bound folks. All the donated placemats were delivered along with Xmas dinner to clients that year.

These are my five that were made for her. The placemats were made envelope style ….. there are no bindings on them. They went together very quickly and all were machine quilted. I hope they brightened someone’s day! :o)

And, you have a great day, too!

Mini Yo-Yo

Digging into my archives, here is a little mini that was donated to my guild for a silent auction at their last quilt show.

It was very easy to do and finished up so quickly.

Sorry for the fuzzy photo, but this was taken in the days before my digital camera.

Have a great day!

Starting to Decorate

OK ….. I’m in the Xmas mood early this year! Must be the snow storm we recently had and the Winter quilt that I’ve been working on that has given me the urge to decorate early.

This quilt was finished in April of this year. Since then, I have been itching to hang it up. The time has finally come. :o) The tree blocks were won at a guild meeting a couple of years ago and they were part of a UFO challenge that I participated in at my guild. I just added sashings and borders and quilted it.

Together with the wooden pieces that were painted this autumn and my Jim Shore carvings and a new table tree …. and my angel from Guðrún, this corner of our home is now ready for the festive season.

Have a great day!

Pattern close-up

I had a request to show a close-up of the pattern that Guðrún, at www.atsugan.blogspot.com sent to me.

It is an advent calendar and so different with the elves peeking out from behind the tree.

This pattern looks quite easy to make up and I already have a stash of little bells hiding away in one of my bins and white felt; plus everything else needed to make it.

Once my SSCS gift is out of the way, I think this pattern is next on my list to make.

Have a great day!

Christmas Trees

For quite a while, I’ve been admiring and drooling over Baptist fans on other quilts posted by other blogs. I’ve even left comments on those blogs that the Baptist fan was something I wanted to try out on a future project. Well, that time has come with this quilt and I am so pleased with the effect. This quilting motif is one that will be used again, for sure!

When you look at the close-up of the quilting, do you see swirling snow … instead of the fans?

When I first showed this quilt as a WIP, Comic Book Lady at http://quiltasdesired.blogspot.com/ thought the scrappy border looked like presents leaning up against each other. I like that thought! Can you imagine having that many presents to open?

I am finding that striped fabric for the binding is fast becoming a favourite choice. I just love it here and I will be going through my stash to find more stripes for future projects.

This quilt is part of our Guild’s UFO Challenge and I’m glad that it’s done.

So, bring on Christmas … my hanging is ready for you!

Have a great day!