Another top done!

It feels good to get this top done and ready to bring to the LAer in the new year.

This top went together rather quickly which is so surprising to me.  What I try to do is assemble pieces to make at least one block before going to bed.  In the morning, those pieces are ready to be sewn together.  This way, it feels that something is getting accomplished and it motivates me to get more ready for the next day.  It was a good evening when five to ten blocks got ready for the morning.  This top came mostly from scraps and I had to dip into my stash just to get a nice variety of fabrics towards the end.  Win-win!

I've been doing this also for borders and binding and it seems to be working ..... because I got this top done too!  Talk about magical!  This project has been on the go since .... well ..... many, many ages ago!

Then, I plugged away at some knitting and this hat got done!  You can't really see, but that is an elephant head on top of the hat.  So cute!

The project I'm working on now is this old ufo.  Will it get done before the new year?  We'll see.  I'm not really thrilled with the fabrics and am seriously thinking that this will turn out to be UGLY and I don't do UGLY!  LOL

With all the talk of that major storm ..... we got snow, but not a whole lot but it is still coming down.  This evening, I put a hot pot of soup outside (just outside our kitchen patio doors) on top of the snow to cool down and I could hear what sounded like freezing drizzle hitting the top of the snow.   In case you wonder, I do this quite often in the winter because the hot pot (with cover on) and whatever is inside cools down quite quickly.   I do this only if the temperature hovers around zero or way below zero .... you know, food safety.

Wishing all who celebrate Xmas and other celebrations, to have a safe and happy time.  

Cherish your day, cherish your life!

Back to UFO's

I've been playing with hexies and had a lot of fun, but that project is winding down (applique being sewn) and it was time to dig out an oldie ufo.

This one is old .... started way back in 2006.  This is how it looked then on the rug in our basement.  This was before I had a design wall and before we had the cats because they would have posed on the top.  So long ago .....

Anyway, I got stalled on the pieced border.  One side fit perfectly but when I tried putting another side on ..... nope too long.  I don't know why and it hurt my brain to try and figure the problem.  So it got balled up and put away.

Fast forward to fourteen years later and up on my design wall it went and after trying to figure out the pieced border issue ..... nope it will just not happen.  

Should it have part pieced border with the blue on the outer edges?  Nope, it doesn't look right.

So, I will instead put a blue border and an outer green border and call it a day.   I just want this top done and move on to something else.  This top no longer excites me but maybe after quilting, perhaps I will love it again.  

The more I look at the change in border, the better I like it.  Perhaps this is what should have been done in the first place?  Simpler = better?

Cherish your day, cherish your life!

First ufo of the year done!

Well .... I did it.  It only took 15 years to bring this ufo to a flimsy stage!  Exciting, isn't it!  LOL

But .... I did have an issue.  Like the section on the left.  All those pieces were neatly sewn together.  Except, it was one row too short at the bottom!  Lordy, how did that happen?  Back into my 2-1/2" square bin to find four more pieces.

Outer borders were getting added.  Hmmm .... what about doing some patches in the four cornerstones?

Yes, I do like that a lot.  Finally ... done!  Fifteen years later and done within a number of weeks.   I'm not sure I really like this top, but done is a good thing.   This top finishes at 60" x 80-1/2".   There are still a lot of those bigger HST's.  Something will be done with them.  Maybe show up in a border?  Who knows.

So, cross off one ufo off that list!  Many, many more to go.

What will be worked on next?  This project.

This is the last section to go.  All the remaining rows are in zip lock bags ready to take with me or work on in the evenings.  Once this section is done, then I can start playing with the applique in the cross center sections. 

Cherish your day!

Getting closer

Well, I got myself back into the sewing mood and before I knew it, the side pieces were all sewn together on this ufo.  How happy I was to get them done.

Since the going was good ..... might as well prep for the last star block.  A few hst's needed to be made first and I got going on making those.

Before I knew it, the last star block was done and then .... Lordy ..... the last crazy block got done too!

I so feel like this ufo is kicking and screaming not to get done.  It is dragging it's feet!

Borders have now been cut out and they will get done tomorrow.  Fifteen minutes of sewing here and there during the day sure does make a difference.

I'm so determined to finally cross this ufo off my list!

Cherish your day!

New month

January went by in a blur.  Heck, November, December and January did too.  Travelling back and forth to visit with my sick aunt occupied most of my time.

Sadly, my aunt passed away a week ago.  She got her wish to be moved to a hospice and that is where she ended her life.  She was the last member on my Mom's side and a generation has now ended.  Rest in peace, Aunt Bette, rest in peace.

Due to my staying on for a few extra days to sort and pack up her belongings, I did bring some handwork with me to work on.

A new project got started ...... this one I couldn't resist.  Cassandra's Circle from Civil War Quilts.  It is a free BOM project.  Some of the leaves for the borders were cut out and prepped for sewing.  Many more are needed, but this is a good start.

Then, some more work got done on my EPP project.  A lot of basting on these tiny diamonds took up most of my time and a few diamonds got sewn onto a section of my project.

  

I was so glad  to have this work with me.  The only thing is my stuff smells of cigarette smoke.  My cousin is a smoker and although he smoked by the stove with the exhaust fan working, the smoke smell still got into my bags and my fabric.  My projects are now being aired to rid them of the smell. 

Oh well .....

Once I got home, this project on my design wall kept calling to me.  The right side border is now sewn together.  The left side border is slowing being worked on.  I will plug away on this project until it is done. 

Cherish your day!

Good progress!

Isn't it amazing what can get done when you stick to working on just one project!  A few days later after my last post and this is where my project is at.  Amazing!  One more crazy block was made and the rest of the 2-1/2 squares were cut out and laid onto the design wall.

Then, the sewing of the 2-1/2" squares started and I thought a good job was getting done.  Then, once I stood back and looked at what was just done ...... darn, drats ..... too dark on the bottom right hand side.  See the circle?  Way too dark.  

A lot of unsewing took place and then all was ok with the world again.  So much better now!  What is left to do?  One more crazy block and a star block and borders.

This is where this project will languish for a few weeks.  I'm off to visit/help out with my aunt who is getting moved from the hospital to a hospice.  Only days now before she goes onto her next journey.  Sad, sad times!

Cherish your day!

BTW .... if any of my readers/followers get an email from me asking to buy Google Gift Cards for a sick friend .... ignore it .... it is a scam.

Making progress

Progress has been made on this project.  So glad to see this coming along.  Originally, the pattern was to use all those star blocks.  They finish at 16".  I got bored after making just two blocks and that is why it got shelved .... oh, so many years ago.  Then along came the idea of making some more crazy blocks and using them as alternative blocks.  To make the top longer, some 2-1/2" blocks are being cut out and used for each side of the top.  An outer border will be added to make this top the perfect size.

I'm loving this layout and my stash and scraps are getting a good workout.  My bags and bins of scraps are getting sorted through and are being cut down to usable squares and strips.  Progress there too!  Happy times!

Cherish your day!

Another section ready

Over the past few days, I've been busy prepping my hexagons and basting them.  The result is another section is ready for sewing together.  All those rows will be bagged and they will come along with me on my next trip to visit my sick aunt and frail cousin.  I need something to get me through some very sad times and this project will fit the bill perfectly.

While the above project sits in a bag, this old UFO got my attention once again.   Time to work on those blocks and how nice it will be to see this finally become a top!

One block is ready for sewing together and another is waiting in the wings.

Scrap sorting is taking place.  A lot of 2-1/2" squares are going to be needed for this project plus a few other scrap quilts that will happen.  There are bins and bins and bags and bags of scraps to be sorted through.  I wonder how many quilts can be made out of those scraps?  It will be interesting to keep count!

Again, the desire to reduce my stash is gnawing at me.  Seeing my aunt and cousin and the situation they are in, keeps bringing this subject up front and centre.  Got to reduce, reduce, reduce!

This is the time also to get some finished tops out and get backings made and send them off to my favourite LAer.

Cherish your day!

A little bit of sewing.

A little bit of sewing has been going on in my studio.  In between the lull before Xmas.  Gift wrapping to do; Xmas decor is now out and on display and those pesky last minute gifts to get.  Just a little bit of time to do some relaxing sewing and hand work.

This UFO (just the star blocks) hasn't been touched since 2005.  LOL  I was thinking of adding some crazy blocks because the decision was made to reduce the original size of the quilt to a lap size instead.  I just want to move this UFO to a flimsy stage and be done with it.  Will it get done before the year is out?  No, but at least it is out in the open to work on again.

A neutral beige to surround those crazy blocks will give me the look I want.  This UFO is on one design wall.

This project is on the other design wall.  Time to get this project out and worked on as well or it will be shelved and become an UFO.  Side and top/bottom filler pieces are being added to the section on the left.

Oh look, another deer in our neighbour's backyard.

Soon, it will be time to look back this year and see all the quilts and tops that got done and was it a good year or not.  For me it was.  Quite a lot of quilts got finished which is such a good thing.

I have an elderly aunt (she is only 15 years older than me) that is sick with cancer and has only a few months to live.  That is my motivation to get those tops that have been sitting in a bin out and get backings done and move them on to my LAer to work her magic.  No point in procrastinating any longer.  Just get stuff done.

2020 is fast approaching and that will be the next time I post.  Too many other things to take care of for now.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

Busy, busy, busy

Not much quilting has been going on.  Summer weather has finally arrived up here. 

A bit of progress has been made on this project.  My sister is excited to finally ..... soon .... to have this quilt done up for her.   Right now, she has a store bought bedspread and she doesn't like it and is looking forward to this quilt. 

I'm having a hard time trying to capture a good photo of this quilt.  They all turn out like this.  Could it be this block with the embroidery?  I use my ipad for photos and maybe it is getting old and not taking good photos anymore.  Anyone else have the same issue?

What about all the stuff that you see in front of my design wall?  Things are happening here.

All of that stuff was in this cabinet that we bought back in April of this year.

That cabinet is in the process of being transformed.  Getting a coat of white paint.  The cabinet top and base are back to back (that is why it looks odd sitting like that).  My husband made a spray tent for me on our back patio and it is working a charm.  There are still door fronts to be sanded and painted and that will happen over the next few days.

Once this cabinet is done, two coats of Varethane will be applied on the inside.  Got to protect my quilts from any wood resin that may seep through the paint.  I will show an 'after' soon.  Oh, you should see me doing the happy dance!  LOL 

The cottage is calling to me and my quilting and sewing will slow down a lot and so will my blogging.

Have a great day!
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Lordie .... this is an oldie!

I'm going to be working on this old ufo once I'm home from my vacation.

Yesterday, my sister dropped off a top that she bought and needs adjustment to take on her trip with her youngest daughter and me.  She was coming over to drop off my plane tickets and pick up the other clothes that I altered.  She forgot to give me my tickets.  Silly woman!

Anyway on her way out my studio door, she saw this project on my design wall.  That's pretty, she said.

I told her it was going to be her quilt.  Remember, the one that was started ..... oh ..... 15 years ago?  It has been so long that she forgot all about it.  Wasn't that quilt for their 25th wedding anniversary, she asked?  Yep. 

This project was started Mar. 2004.  Over 15 years ago.  Time to get it done so that they can have it for their 40th wedding anniversary at the end of June.   Yes, I did notice one block that is pieced wrong and it has been taken out for fixing.  See if you can find it.

After getting the rest of the navy circles sewn onto the embroidery blocks, the blocks were all added to the design wall.  Now just the pieced blocks to cut out and complete.  Baby steps, baby steps!

A close-up of the embroidery and pieced block.  I'm so surprised that all the embroidery has been done.  That should have taken me forever to do and yet it is the pieced blocks (easy to do) dragged me down on this project.  Sadly, it got shelved for all these years ..... because ..... well, because I was on to more interesting work.  This is not a scrappy quilt and that is what I love to do more than anything else.

This hexie project will be my new summer take-along project.  Should it come with me on my trip to Costa Rica?  We may have some rainy days ahead and I might need more than a book to keep myself busy.  Showers are one thing, but a total rainy day ..... yes, this will keep me occupied.

This is what the whole layout will look like.  The diamonds will be made up as needed.  So, extra strips of the teal fabric will be coming along too.

This is what my roll looks like all tied up.

So, that is it for a couple of weeks.  Talk to you later.

Have a great day!

This and That ....

Not much quilting has been going on this week.  I've been busy cleaning my studio and adjacent bedroom.

During the process, didn't two ufo's surface!  Darn, where did they come from?  They weren't on my ufo list.

Red and white blocks from a workshop that Carla Alexiuk (http://www.quiltingbytheriver.ca/) did last year at our day guild.  I really need to continue making more blocks before everything is forgotten that she taught us.

More red and white blocks.  These are on my design wall and this will be worked on.   These two ufo's need to be worked on at the same time because they use the same fabrics and better to work on them together and then clean up the mess.

After doing a bit of cleaning, my ironing station has been set up again and my quilt rack is back up on my wall.  Just in a different location.

This was my old set up which I absolutely loved.  Sadly, it got dismantled because .....

.... this is my newest acquisition.  Later this spring, it will be sanded and painted white and then I can start filling it up with quilts for display and storage.  This is part of my five-year plan to reduce and finish tops, ufos and stash.  Bins and shelves will start to disappear from my studio and this unit can be moved to a different location.

This project below has not been shown for a while now.  Much progress has been made.  Will the end of April see the embroidery completed?  Only time will tell.

Meetings in the garage continue regardless if it raining, snowing or sun is shining.  We show up and have a blast!

Karin has been busy finishing rug hooking projects.  Can you see the cat?  Not the best photo with the light from behind her.

Barbara is sewing binding on a QOV quilt.  My embroidery project is what I brought with me to work on and you can see it on the bottom of this photo.

 Claudia made more log cabin blocks for this hanging.

Claudia also showed us the project she is taking with her to New Zealand (she is there now) for her vacation.

 Darlene is going to be a grandma and she showed us all the baby items she has made .... so far .....

So, now what should I work on?  This mess .... OMG!  How did this happen?  I do love my room with all these lovely mini quilts.  Made by friends from all over the world.  This mess needs to get sorted out lickety split so that when entering, my wall of art can be enjoyed for all to see.

On that note, have a great day!  LOL

Linking to:
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