July quilts for display and Collection for a Cause quilt - Friendship

Since starting to seriously quilt back in 2000, it is amazing how many quilts have been done over the years and how many collections I now have to choose from for each month.

The only months that are duplicated are the months of February (for Valentine's) and July (for Canada Day).  Those are the months for red/neutral quilts.  

To see those quilts, you can go to this post and see them.

Since that post, there is a new addition and it is this quilt.

Wanting to try something different and think outside the box, there are 5 different sashings that were used and here they are:

The backing is from a duvet cover that was bought at IKEA.  

I did make one adjustment to the applique design as shown below.  I just found the space to do reverse applique too close and knew it would be a struggle.  Just look where OLD was marked in the two places to see just how close the old lines were.  There was only 1/8" to separate the circle and the petal and the petal and the outer edge.  Just not enough space to easily work with.  So happy the changes were made.

Quilt Details:

Pattern Source:  Moda fabrics

Block Size:  8" finished

Started:  February 2023

Top finished:  December 2023

Quilt finished:  May 2024

Size:  49-1/2" x 63-3/4" (top size before quilting, washing & drying:  52-1/2" x 66")

Batting:  Hobbs poly

Quilted by:  Kathy Wareham using Trillium Leaf by Darlene Epp.  The trillium is the provincial flower for Ontario and they put on quite a lovely display in May in the forest.

For each month, I need 8 quilts to display on walls, railing and quilt rack.  So far, there are a total of 10 red/neutral quilts available to pull.  All I need to do is make another 6 and then the quilts can be split into two groups for display and not have a repeat for February and July.

Right now, there are plans to make two and possibly three.  My brain has been busy thinking and planning!  LOL  Fabrics have been gathered and they can be started at any time.  More on those plans later.  There is an old UFO that could be pulled out and worked on also.

For the whole month of July, I will just sit back and enjoy the fruits of my labour!

Cherish your day, cherish your life!

Red/Neutral Quilts

You would think with all the red/neutral quilts that I have made over the years, that I would have experienced bleed out problems with the reds .... but no .... I've been lucky and I will share what I do to omit that issue.  This is my method and it works for me.

All my fabrics are washed once they get home from the fabric store, quilt guild, thrift shops.  They are washed in cold water using Tide soap.  I cut up a colour catcher sheet in strips and spread them out in the washing machine (I prefer a top load washer).  If there is a lot of red/pink in the colour catcher strips, I do a wash again with new colour catcher strips.  The second time in the wash, the strips usually are a light pink.  At this point, the fabric is good to go into the dryer.

After my quilts are quilted, they are washed.  Cold water and Tide soap and another colour catcher sheet that has been cut into strips and distributed in the washer.  If the strips come out a medium pink, the quilt is washed again using new colour catcher strips.  At the end of the second wash, if the strips are barely pink, then into the dryer the quilt goes.

Now, some of my quilts (along with all of the colour catcher strips) are totally dried in the dryer and some are dried on a clothes rack.   If a quilt will be dried on a clothes rack, the quilt goes into the dryer for about 10 mins. (along with all the colour catcher strips) and then onto the rack. Below is how this quilt is drying on the clothes rack.  Do I get nervous that there might still be some bleed out when drying on a rack?  Heck, YES.   Some of the backings that are lighter in colour have splotches of pink that shouldn't be there.  Am I worried about them?  Nope .... it is on the back.

By the way, the above is how all my fabrics and quilts are washed and dried.  We can also have bleed outs from other fabric colours.

Now, sit back and enjoy seeing all of my red/neutral quilts that have been made so far.  I still have oodles of red fabrics ..... so more red quilts will be coming.

This quilt below had blocks that were swapped between three people and I know that there are some fabrics in those blocks that were not washed before sending to me.  I just went with my washing the quilt method and no bleed outs.

So, now you know ....

I have a tab at the top of my blog for all my red/neutral quilts along with the washing instructions.

Cherish your day, cherish your life!

Summer Picnic

There, my January binding challenge is done.  Yeah me!

This was a LOT of hand stitching, but, so worth it in the end.  Whenever this quilt is shown, everyone remarks at all the embroidery that I did.  Nooooo ...... those images that you see are all from a pre-printed panel.  All I did was fussy cut them down to size and appliqued them onto a hexagon frame.

A mix of white, cream and off-white fabrics have been used throughout.  Below, it looks more beige on the right hand side, but it is just a shadow.

Then, I've also been asked about the hexie border.  Was that a printed panel also?  Nope, that is all hand pieced.  It was remarked that I have a lot of red fabrics.  Oh yes, I do!  LOL   The hexie border was a lot of work, but so worth it in the end!

I do like how the vertical diamonds in the the centre gets carried onto the top and bottom border.  Had to do a bit of thinking on how to bring everything together.  That happens when I come up with my own design.  Sometimes, that is the reason for a project to sit on the shelf for a long time until a light bulb moment happens.

Every time I look at the quilt and the images, it reminds me of summer and a picnic blanket .... thus the name.

Quilt Details:

Hexie size:  1-1/8" on the edge

Started:  July 2020

Top Finished:  August 2023

Quilt Finished:  January 2024

Quilt Size:  55-1/2" x 62-1/2" (top size before quilting, washing & drying:  57" x 64")

Batting:  Hobbs 80/20 

Machine Quilted by:  Kathy Wareham using Gothic Vine by Willow Leaf Stufios

This quilt is now hanging along with all my other red/neutral quilts for February and then it will hang again in June.

Cherish your day, cherish your life!

Update on September UFO's

Well, well, well ..... I had good progress working on these two UFO's last month.  They are not finished tops just yet, but they have been moved along from just a few blocks.

My log cabin turned out amazing!  I'm just in love with this project now.  All the blocks have their applique.  The chevrons have been trimmed on the sides.  Just need to figure out the length and then trim.  The fabric for the border and beside each chevron has been decided upon.  Yes, time to get this beauty sewn together now!  Amazing what happens when I concentrate on finishing something started many, many years ago ....

This red/neutral project hasn't been touched since doing the last block.  Once the log cabin is together, then this project can be worked on.

Time at the cottage is coming to an end, unless we get some really nice weather and then our visits can be prolonged a bit.

This was a recent visage one beautiful morning with the sun shining through the autumn leaves.  Delightful.

To my fellow Canadians, Happy Thanksgiving!

Cherish your day, cherish your life!

In a Fog

The last three blocks for my red/white applique are now done.

I was at the cottage and finished them there.  In the morning, there was a heavy fog on the lake and thought that would be perfect spot for photos.

How about on the wood pile by the fire pit?

Or maybe on these concrete steps that my Dad built over 50 yrs. ago and are never used now.  The lakefront has changed over the years making these steps unusable.

Now, I can start playing around with sashings and my plan is for using different fabrics.  Or maybe not if my plan doesn't look good.

Here are all my blocks together sans sashings.  The blocks may get shuffled around a bit to ensure the colour differences are spaced out nicely.  Borders?  What to do about them?  Will need to do a bit of thinking about them.  Some applique or just plain?  Decisions, decisions.

In a previous post, I had shown a photo of a be.a.ve.r dam.  The dam has now been breached by a gap about 2ft. wide.  Water is pouring out.  Hunting season is here now and I do think that rodent has met an unpleasant ending.  No photo as it was pouring rain when we drove over the bridge.

Cherish your day, cherish your life!

Red & White applique.

Good progress has been made on this UFO.  There were 8 blocks to complete and while at the cottage, 5 blocks were completed.  How is that for just a few days of work!

This photo was taken at the bridge on the way to/out of our cottage.  The bridge is only wide enough for one vehicle.  Just as my blocks were being laid out ..... a truck pulling a RV came along and I just stayed in place and he got around me ok.  I didn't want to just leave my blocks there on the railing as they would have disappeared down into the murky water below.   My sister did ask me what happens if you lose one or two blocks?  Well .... do you see the creek above the dam?  No, I won't be up the creek as there is still background and red fabrics to make more.  LOL  But, notice the scissors holding the blocks in place.  I was really hoping not to lose any of those scissors or blocks.  Whew .... success and an interesting photo to boot.

Can you see the be.a.ve.r dam?  We are just wondering if someone will come along and dispatch the rodent to another place.  If the dam breaks, the water will wash out the bridge and no one will be able to get in or out of their cottages and hunting season is just around the corner.  Will a hunter be taking a few pot shots at the rodent?  My sister's kids always advise anyone coming in or out of the cottage to be sure to go ahead of us as we always, always stop at that bridge to see what is going on.  That is what our Dad did with us and we do the same thing now.  This is a tradition.  Must do it!

It was busy time at the cottage.  Painting got done, but there is still more to do.  This is the time of year that I gear up projects to work on while the weather is nice and humidity is low.   Also, no bugs to contend with.  Spray painting is in my future. 

Cherish your day, cherish your life!

Which UFO?

Oh decisions, decisions ..... which UFO should I pull off the shelf to work on?

Why one ..... why not two?

OK .... so what is my reasoning for two?

One to work on at home using my sewing machine and a handwork project to take along to work on away from home.

This one will be worked on at home.  It was started at a workshop back in 2012 and promptly shelved.  I did finish another one from a second workshop at the same time .... so, why is this one still lingering?  I hate doing log cabin blocks.  During the workshop, the teacher had to actually sit with me and coach me on which way to do those strips and I'm still confused .... but I WILL figure it out.

This applique project will be the handwork to work on away from home.

So, these two UFO's will see some progress this month.  A little bit here and there will make a difference!

Cherish your day cherish your life!

Hexie Delight!

That is what I'm calling this top!  Hexie Delight!  How delightful!  LOL

Hexie by hexie .... this top grew and became one.  I'm so loving the hexie border.  This was my husband's suggestion and how right he was.

Backing has been chosen and it will be going to Kathy for machine quilting.

One more UFO ticked off the list.  Oh, happy days!

Cherish your day, cherish your life!

Sooooo close!

I'm so, so close to getting this UFO into a flimsy.

This is where it is at now ..... just the remaining left border to do!

These two sections have been sewn together and just need to be attached to the center on the left hand side.

Finally .... just two more sections to sew together!  So, so close!

Lots of things have been happening here and will continue for a while longer.  Between appointments for hubby and myself and babysitting and cottage ...... whew, I need to come up for a breather!  Right now, blogging is taking a back seat and I will be back at beginning of September for update on my binding challenge.

Cherish your day, cherish your life!

Just Hexing along ....

Can you see me rubbing my hands with glee?  Much, much progress has been made on this UFO!  Part of the red hexie border has been sewn together and attached to the center.

  

Three small sections are now ready to be attached to the center and to the border.  One section at a time and this top keeps moving along.

This photo below gives you a good idea of what remains of the red border to do.

Labels have been pinned to the left side border and photos taken.  Soon, all these hexies will get pinned onto my working boards so that they can be taken anywhere I go to work on them.

I'm still aiming to have this UFO as a flimsy by the end of August ...... and one small section at a time will see this done.

All of my UFO's are now being reviewed.  Which one will be worked on next?  There are still so many ....

Oh, and there just might be a squirrel showing up!  LOL

Cherish your day, cherish your life!

Hexie coming along!

Much, much progress is getting done on this old UFO!  So, so happy to see this happening.

All the red hexies have now been prepped.  Sewing of them will happen along with the remainder of the white hexies.  Got to switch from white to red occasionally to keep boredom from coming and stalling this project. Still, isn't that red hexie border going to be gorgeous!  It will give the project that zing that I hadn't initially thought about.  My dear hubby suggested it to me and he was so right!

For the last section, all the white hexies have now been removed off the design wall.  They were carefully labelled and photos taken so that I will know where they are to be sewn onto the last section.

Here is where they all went.  Pinned onto these quilted squares.  Recently, when cleaning out a cupboard, they nearly got tossed, but the light bulb clicked on and they are perfect for this project.  They are easy to take along to the cottage for those lazy days of sewing on the porch.

One square of pinned white hexies have been sewn together and attached to the last section (bottom right).  Oh yes, lots and lots of progress happening.  My goal is to have this as a finished top by the end of August.  

Since taking the last photo, a section of the red hexies were removed and pinned onto a styrofoam board and ready anytime I feel like sewing on them.

Oh, and in case anyone is wondering ..... that pile of red scraps didn't make a dent at all.  I'm still left with a good pile.  Hummmmmm ..... perhaps another red quilt will need to be made?

My July binding challenge is done and photos of the quilt will be coming soon.

Cherish your day, cherish your life!

Couldn't help myself!

As my red/white hexi top is being sewn together, I just had to start playing around with the red hexies in the borders.   This is just a start .... many more red hexies to be made.

The panels on the left have all been sewn together so that I can get a head start on placing my red hexies.

Here is a close-up of the hexies that have been joined together so far.

All my red scraps were pulled, ironed and ready to be used.  Can my borders be made entirely out of this pile?  Only time will tell but there is such a nice selection of reds in that pile.

For my July binding challenge, there are just 1-1/2 sides to do and this quilt will be finished.  I've been taking this with me for babysitting and work on it when kiddies are down for nap time.

Major cleaning has been happening lately in my studio and in the bedroom adjacent to my studio.  Hubby needs a bed that has a mattress and box spring so that a bed rail can be installed.  With his Parkinson's, he is starting to have an issue getting out of bed and needs a rail to help him.  The studio bed fits the bill and that will be moved upstairs for him and his platform bed will be gifted to a niece.  So there will a flurry of moving furniture around in the next week or so.

Another thing that I arranged for him was to get all his medication into a weekly blister pack.  Now, I can check at a glance to see that he is taking his meds at the right time each day.  He was getting a bit confused about his meds and I jumped on that solution quickly.

Home Care did come in to do a home inspection to ensure our home was safe for him and me.  There were a few things that had to be corrected and now our home is safe .... for now.  As his Parkinson's progresses, we may to have a few more things installed to enable hubby to get around and that will be dealt with at the time.  Most likely he will need a chair lift on the stairs and a person will be coming to give us a quote and determine what is best for him.

As you can imagine, our lives are ever changing.  At some point, we will have to discuss moving out of our current home and into a senior complex ..... but just not yet ..... but that day is coming.

So ..... cherish your day, cherish your life!

Cheater hexies

In a bid to move this hexie project along, it got hung up on the design wall and the light bulb clicked on and I started to play.

As my idea was a happy thought, more and more white hexies were made.  This project is now moving along very nicely.  Why cheater hexies, you are wondering?  The centers are cut from a cheater panel and then appliqued into a hexagon frame.  If I didn't tell you this, you would think that hours were spent embroidering all those designs.  No, not this time .... but the panel did appeal to me and I just had to have it.  It was bought many, many years ago when that was quite the thing when vintage quilts were showing up on internet and in magazines showcasing cheater panels.  Most folks did theirs with pieced blocks, but not me!  LOL

The border will have red hexies ..... much more work for me.  At first, I was going to do a simple border, but my hubby really liked the border on this quilt and I have to agree that it is quite effective.  So, it shall be ...

Now, my "Hexie a go-go" is being worked on as well.  My goal for June is to finish it.  Right now, it is more than 3/4 done.  The section on the right are all attached and there are 3 more rows almost attached Still to do are just 3 more rows.  Getting there!  So, I will just plug away at it.  I do have to say that right now, the completed section feels soft.  It will be interesting to feel it once everything is attached and washed and dried.

My sister and I spent a day at the cottage this week.  When we arrived, we heard quite the commotion and we just stopped and listened.  It was a flock of geese flying overhead and they landed in the water.  Now, this was quite odd.  We normally hear them and then seeing them flying in formation in the spring and late fall ...... but not at this time of year!  What is going on?  We debated about this and decided that the smoke might be affecting them further north and they decided to just fly away from it; thus landing on our lake.  We are not affected by smoke this week.  They swam in front of our cottage and after counting the heads ..... there are over 50 geese in the group.  When we left after supper to head home, we could still hear them honking down at the end of the lake.  Will they stay the whole summer?

Cherish your day, cherish your life!