Aussie gifts and an UFO

I have been ever so lucky lately to receive gifts from a couple of Aussie ladies! :o)

Firstly, Jennifer gave me these lovely Aussie fabrics and calendar when we first met a few weeks ago (where has the time flown?). There was some chocolate …. but that went away rather quickly …Last Friday, I said my goodbyes to Jennifer and her DH. They fly home to Australia tomorrow. Will we ever meet again? It was lovely meeting them and you just never know who you will meet while blogging. Have a safe journey home, Jennifer and Kevin.

Secondly, I won a giveaway from Julia and her package arrived this past Thursday. After picking up all the gals and driving to the quilt show on Friday morning, we parked in the parking lot and had a mini show and tell. We all did a lot of oohing and aahing over a Halloween quilt that Jennifer made and Julia’s items that were in the package. Thank you Julia …. they will be well displayed this coming Xmas.

In my last post, I showed a photo with my quilts and UFO’s. Looking over some of those unfinished projects and the stage where they are at, I’ve decided to finish this project. All the HST’s were already made and trimmed and just sitting in a container. This week they have been made into pinwheels. It will be so good to finally get this top finished. Even Hank agrees with me.

Have a great day!

Aussies in town

Jennifer from Bronze Wombat is in town with her DH to visit their son and Kiera Oona. I have been busy showing her the quilty side of life here in Toronto. We have been to a couple of quilt shops and the Creative Festival this past weekend. I won't show you my fabric that was purchased, but shall we say that there has been a vast enhancement to my stash ......

Today, my DH and I hosted Jennifer and her DH to lunch at my place and to a viewing of my completed quilts and some finished tops and lots of UFO's that have never been posted on my blog. Let's just say that she had an advance peek of stuff to come next year.

Here we are in our basement (which is something that Aussies don't have back in Australia). Did any of you notice that fine cast on Jennifer's arm? She fell and broke it last week. It was certainly not the souvenir that she was hoping to bring back home.

... and this is part of the aftermath of my show and tell. Even Hank is probably wondering 'what happened'?

Friday morning, Jennifer, Kiera Oona, Debra (from Patchwork Sanity) and myself are going to a quilt show in Ajax and then lunch afterwards. Should be a lot of fun.

Have a great day!

Edit ..... they are visiting their son (not only Jennifer's son) ..... oops.

I'm trying my best to get some UFO's finished before New Year's Eve (a challenge that Finn is having) .... but Hank is constantly coming over and climbing onto my quilt frame to see what I've been doing and then settles down for a nap. How can I quilt with her on my quilt? So after some gentle persuasion, she moves off to find a better place to sleep. .... but she is back and has brought a friend. Ashes is waiting her turn to see what I have been doing.

So, you might as well have a peek too!

Have a great day and to my fellow Canadians, Happy Thanksgiving!

Turning Leaves again

Park City Girl is having another on-line quilt festival and this is my entry. I showed this a few years ago and the time is right to show it again. Fall is definitely in the air here in Canada ..... the night time temps are below 10C and daytime tems are in the low teens. Colours are changing all the time.

This quilt was given away to a niece and each time I look at the photo, I am thinking of making another for myself. The leaves are hand appliqued and the quilt is hand quilted.

So enjoy this quilt again and check out all the other quilts that are entered here.

Have a great day!

Pattern Source: Quiltmaker magazine, September/October 2002, No. 87

Quilt Size: 54" x 70" ... a nice size to cuddle under and stay warm.

I Love Stars

This little mini was made a few years ago. For such a tiny little thing ..... there sure was a lot of paper piecing going on to make those hearts and stars. It is hand quilted.

Pattern Source: Miniature Quilts, issue #31 (quilt title: Don’t Tread On My Heart)

Have a great day!

more Pressed Flowers ...

This top is coming along very nicely .... if I say so myself! :o) I just love the scrappy look. Between my Lover's Knot and this pattern, my charm squares have vanished from my stash. What is a girl to do? Well ..... buy some more!

These came from Fat Quarter Shop and I'm keeping tabs on some new ones that will be coming out this fall. Love those charm squares!!!!

Have a great day!

Finish 3?

Are you up for a challenge? Finn is having another finish up some UFO’s by New Year’s Eve challenge. Last year she had this same challenge and I finished a couple of oldies but goodies …. and I have joined her again this year and will commit to finishing three. On the left is my Dresdan Plate (this quilt was part of last year's challenge and it never got done). Just need to do some more machine quilting in the blocks and something in the borders. Have you guessed applique? Score 100 points! :o)

On the right is my siggy swap quilt that I participated in this past spring. The centre has been machine quilted and only the borders remain to be done and they will have some hand quilting.

In case you are wondering ..... yes, I mix machine quilting and hand quilting together on my quilts and I love the look.

This little hanging needs something in the centre and a light bulb will go on at some point. This is a return favour to a lady down under and I need to get this done and mailed to her before the snow flies.

So, these are my three quilts that I hope to have done by New Year's Eve! Wish me luck! :o)

Have a great day!