SCRAPMASTER

February Feathers!

2012-02-08T20:01:00.000-04:00

This is my fav. I really took my time doing this one.

At the 2012 FreeMotion Challenge, hosted by SewCalGal, feathers are in! Diane Gaudynski is the expert of the month. And you sure have to be expert to make the feathers that she creates with her free-motion skill. I had practiced feathers last year, so I had a feel for them. I practiced the technique in the tutorial and it became a bit easier each time. I found my biggest problem is going too fast! When I slow down and concentrate on keeping an even speed, I do a lot better. I have had to start using my machine's speed control function to cure this problem. I used Masterpiece 50#/2 top and bottom and a #80 topstitch needles. Diane's instructions are great and she gives some wonderful hints for successful FMQ. Check out her blog here. I visit often.

Orange for February!

2012-02-01T10:31:00.000-04:00

Here's my orange houses for February. Soooo much fun to make.

Check out Terry's website for info on this BOM. The colour for March is Yellow.

I had these blocks made a few days ago and even THE HUB got involved with digging through the scrap bins to help me find just the right pieces for this project.

2012-01-27T22:57:00.000-04:00

I've been fighting the urge to join in another BOM. I lost the battle earlier this evening and made my first house block. I have always loved this block and it is on my to-do list so I am now to-doing it. This BOM is hosted by Terry at Terry's Treasures. The colour for January is red.

First Finish for 2012!

2012-01-27T11:51:00.002-04:00

It is hard to get a good pic today because it is snowing but I couldnt wait for the sun to post a pic.

One UFO complete! What a great feeling to get something accomplished. This quilt was started in July of 2010. Not too bad...I have lots of quilt tops that are unfinished and much older. Some of my tops just scream "hand quilt me!" I always have a handquilting project on the go. I chose this one to FMQ because of the simplicity. It is made from a jelly roll called "Boutique" by Moda. The pattern is from "Jelly Roll Quilts" by Pam and Nicky Lintott. The design is called "Sparkling Gemstones". I am calling mine "JellyStone" .

I added the three borders to make the quilt bigger. For thread, I used Wonderfil "Konfetti", a 50wt cotton in the top and bottom with a Microtex 80/12 needle. I used about 7 bobbins. I did spirals in the white sashing and a curvy diamond in the rectangles. I was surprised by the look of circles in the secondary design that showed up. In the white border I did the heart shaped leaf design that we are practicing this month with the 2012 Free Motion Quilting Challenge. I worked on the FMQ over five days and enjoyed it so much. I love how it turned out because until I washed and dried it, I was not in love, but I am now. I have a hard time with red and pink and when I bought the jelly roll it was meant to help me get over my aversion

What one will I FMQ next? My plan is to write the name of each UFO I have destined to be machine-quilted, on a piece of paper and put them in a bag and then draw one out of the bag and just do it.

More giveaway wins

2012-01-26T21:53:00.000-04:00

Look at the cute and very functional thread catcher that I won in a giveaway by Flo at Butterfly Quilting. She made it and the workmanship is excellent. I mostly throw snippets on the floor but now I have a designated place to put them. It has been working very well. Thanks so much Flo.

I also won this very pretty fat quarter from Mitts, The Bag Lady from the Bay . She had a giveaway and after choosing a winner she also sent a little prize to all who entered. How sweet is that!!

Here's a pic of block #5 from the Blogger's BOM. This one is designed by Quilt Dad. A very interesting block with many interesting possibilities. We are at 5 out of 12 blocks so still time to catch up if interested. Some are making two of each block.

Here's the last two blocks, #16 and #17, for the Traditional Tuesday Sampler at 42 Quilts

Quarter Square Triangle

Flying Geese

My First Mug Rug

2012-01-23T20:05:00.000-04:00

FMQuilted with 80wt DecoBob

Room for a cookie too!

I am really attracted to all the fun mug rugs I see in blogland. Such creative little works of art. This one that I have made did not start out as a mug rug. It started out after looking at BumbleBeans's tutorial on how to "make fabric" . I loved the idea of sewing small odd shaped scraps together to make larger pieces and then using the larger pieces to cut shapes for blocks. I had lots of tiny red pieces leftover from making the Quiltville mystery quilt so I just started sewing them together. Then I joined Rainbow Scrap Challenge. In this challenge, a colour is assigned each month (January is red) and you make something scrappy in that colour. Whatever you want. So my "made fabric" turned into a mug rug for this challenge.

FMQ-along

2012-01-12T14:17:00.000-04:00

I joined the 2012 Free Motion Quilting Challenge hosted by SewCalGal. Each month, an expert machine quilter will share a tutorial on free motion quilting. If you sign up, take the pledge to follow along, and then post your results via a link up, you are eligible for some awesome prizes.
January's expert is Frances Moore. She demonstrates how to stitch a leaf with some inner detail. I found it very easy to follow along with the video and I liked my results. I wimped out on doing some of the veining detail because I am not confident when it comes to backtracking. So I will just practice this aspect a lot more.
I used Konfetti by Wonderfil, a 50wt, top and bottom and a #90/14 quilting needle.
Here's my practice piece and I think this design was great for me because it showed me how to fill in space by changing directions with the design.

Blog Hop Party Wins

2012-01-10T15:03:00.000-04:00

Remember back in December....The Blog Hop Party hosted by Quilting Gallery...well, I won...twice!

First, from Kathy's Quilts,

I won a Rapid Fire Hunter's Star acrylic template/ruler by Deb Tucker, plus the instruction booklet. I have always been meaning to make this quilt pattern, so now I have the tool to do it. I love the technique using this template and four sizes can be sewn. There is a great video on YouTube where Deb Tucker demonstrates how to use this template/ruler. This is certainly a quilt I will make. Thanks so much Kathy.

Second, from Val at Farne Designs in Cornwall, UK

Two of her gorgeous hand dyed fat quarters. The colours are awesome. I have a very small collection of hand dyes from Malaysia as well as a few that I tried to produce myself. Mine are OK, but nothing like Val's. If you like hand dyed fabrics, check out her website because she has some stunners for sale. Thanks so much Val. I will put these pretties to good use.

Mystery Quilt - Top Complete..WooHoo!!

2012-01-08T12:27:00.001-04:00

4000+ pieces!

It's hard to believe, from the background in this pic, that it is January in Nova Scotia!

Here it is! My version of Bonnie Hunter's Orca Bay. The first clue began November 18/2011 and the mystery was revealed last Sunday, Jan 1/2012. I love deadlines, they spur me on. I finished it Friday night but had to wait until this morning to get a decent pic. As you can see, my 6' 2" quilt holder is standing on a deck railing so I could get a full shot. It is windy so it was hard to get it to stay still and also the shadowing from the trees was a problem. I love it! Totally made from scraps except for the light inner border, which I cut from yardage. This quilt went together so perfectly that I still cant believe it. I figured that adding the pieced border would be difficult and I would have some stretching issues but no...absolutely perfect. I followed Bonnie's directions to the letter for adding the borders. I took my time, sewed slowly and starched the bejeepers out of it.
I am switching quilting gears now and going from crazed piecing ( except for two BOM's that I am working on) to FMQ. Oh yeah, and a few knitting projects that I have to get back to and an applique quilt that I need to finish. I am hoping to concentrate on getting a few tops quilted but you never know what will happen, all it takes is to spend time blog-hopping to get off the track!!

Thanks Bonnie, it was great fun and I am looking forward to next year.


This shot is more representative of the colours. The outdoor shots are a bit washed out.

Mystery Revealed! It's a Scrappy Wonder!!

2012-01-01T14:15:00.000-04:00

Here's a peek at how my quilt is going to look.

Bonnie of Quiltville revealed the layout and completed Mystery quilt this morning and I was super-surprised. Click on the link above to see the quilt Orca Bay. It is totally awesome! I couldn't figure it out beforehand at all. I did think that maybe the star blocks would be on point so I love how Bonnie has designed them to look as if they are on point. I also could not figure where the two - 3 1/2" quarter square triangles would go so I was surprised to see that they went in the border. The border is wonderful.
A great big thank-you to Bonnie for sharing this wonderful pattern and for walking us all through it step by step. Very generous.
My colours are different than Bonnie's so my quilt will look a lot different. I have dark/medium blues where she has black and I have yellow where she has blue. My goal was to use what scraps I had and not to buy anything new. Did that. I still have hardly made a dent in my scraps though.

I sewed a few of the rows together to see how everything fits and so far I don't have any problems. So, I must get off the computer now and get some power sewing done, there is still a ton of work to do.
Happy New Year!

More blocks...

2011-12-28T21:42:00.000-04:00

Santa's Belly - Traditional Tuesday Sampler QAL

Double Four Patch - Traditional Tuesday Sampler QAL


December block - Blogger's BOM	This block was designed by Pat Sloan - called December Organization

Step #6 - Mystery Quilt - Done

2011-12-27T20:25:00.000-04:00

28 - blue background Ohio star blocks and 28 -light/white neutral background Ohio star blocks - Done
The unfinished size of these blocks is 6 1/2".

Christmas festivities are winding down. I still have some visiting to do but after all my company left today, I tackled finishing up Step #6. Love, love, love these little cuties. Check out all the awesome star blocks that have been posted to the Monday Linkup at Quiltville.

Step #5 - Mystery Quilt - Complete

2011-12-19T22:45:00.000-04:00

350 pieced triangles ready and waiting. 700 triangles are cut and sewn to both sides of 350 half square triangles from a previous step. Fun, fun, fun! Can't wait to see how this all goes together. Check out all the progress being made at the Monday Linky for Quiltville Mystery participants.

I finished all my Christmas sewing. I made six pillowcases. Here's a pic of two of them.

Square #22 - Diagonal Weave

2011-12-15T15:39:00.000-04:00

Finally, 5 weeks later, I got around to finishing Square #22 of the Barbara Walker Learn to Knit Afghan. While knitting this pattern you will learn that slip-stitches can be moved over a couple of stitches to the left or right, when they are being picked up for re-knitting. It is not hard to do but I found it kind of scary the first few times that I had to drop stitches on purpose and then pick them up a few stitches away. But, I got the hang of it and enjoyed it very much.

Step #4 Mystery Quilt - Complete

2011-12-12T22:20:00.000-04:00

Here's a sneak peek at how my 3 colours + neutrals look together so far. This week's clue #4 for the Quiltville Mystery Quilt was to make 64 x 5 1/2" red string blocks. After they are made then you cut them into two triangles. I enjoyed making these little string blocks and I had help with taking the paper off the back an clipping apart the chain pieced blocks, so it went quickly. They are all pressed and trimmed and waiting to find a place in the quilt.

"Santa's Designer Sampler"

2011-12-09T21:50:00.000-04:00

Just finished sewing the borders on my "12 Days of Christmas" QAL. I enjoyed making these blocks over the last six weeks. I used only scraps except I bought the red solid for the border, which is Kona "Cardinal". Each block was designed by a different quilt designer. I am hoping to get it machine quilted for Christmas but I am not going to pressure myself because I have lots going on right now as I am sure everyone does.

Step #3 Mystery Quilt - Complete

2011-12-05T15:06:00.002-04:00

350+ 2" HSTs completed and waiting to find out where they will go in this mystery quilt. For this step, I started out cutting strips and using the Easy Angle ruler and it worked very well. And then I thought I would try the paper-piecing method and that worked very well too. I like both methods and I found they required the same amount of time.

Here are last week's blocks, the final blocks, from the 12 Days of Christmas QAL..I am now working on deciding about sashing. I hope to get the quilt top sewn together soon.

Step #2 Mystery Quilt - Complete

2011-11-28T12:52:00.000-04:00

Well, that was super fun! 72 - 3 1/2" yellow string blocks. I love strings, any size and shape. I actually put a dent in my yellow scraps. I had help from my daughter so the process went a lot quicker. She snipped and pressed while I chain pieced. And then she pulled the paper away from the back. I tried Bonnie's suggestion of using a large needle and I found it made the paper come off so much better. I have made several full size string quilts before so strings are not new to me but I did learn something while sewing up these little cuties...Don't use the Yellow Pages when using yellow fabrics!! You may tend to trim incorrectly. Needless to say, I messed up a few. You can still join in this Mystery. It is so much fun. Check out this link to Quiltville to see other quilters progress.

Also, I completed the November block for the Blogger's BOM...split star. My plan for this BOM is to use only scraps but I couldn't resist putting a little rectangle of one of my new Kaffe's in this one.

All Caught up

2011-11-24T15:11:00.000-04:00

Snowball (my version)

Ornaments - 12 Days of Christmas QAL

Stockings - 12 Days of Christmas QAL

I have had a busy week. Lots of sewing. We were snowed in yesterday so I sewed all day. I made two blocks for the 12 Days of Christmas QAL (only two more to go) and one block for Traditional Tuesday QAL. Tomorrow is Clue #2 Orca Bay Mystery. The inspiration for Orca Bay is an Alaskan Sunset. I am calling my quilt Prospect Village, where I grew up. Blue for the ocean, yellow for sunny summer days and burgundy/reds for my grandfather's fishing shack/wharf across the cove from our house.

Step #1 - Complete

2011-11-21T18:26:00.000-04:00

Just finished clipping all the little dog-ears from 280 - 2 1/2" unfinished hourglass blocks for the Orca Bay mystery quilt by Bonnie Hunter. I am using blue where Bonnie is using black. I thought for sure that I had the Companion Angle ruler that Bonnie suggests, but when it came time to cut, I didn't have it!! I had the Fons and Porter Flying Geese ruler and I got the same result by using this ruler. I didn't need to square up my blocks. They came out perfect. I only need 224 of these cute little blocks for the quilt, but I got carried away. I will have some left over to make a pillow.

Ready for a Mystery

2011-11-16T21:12:00.000-04:00

You have probably heard rumblings about Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilt starting soon. I'm in! I pieced along with last year's quilt and thoroughly enjoyed it. This year Bonnie's inspiration is a sunset in Alaska. She suggests three contrasting colours and light background neutrals. She is using reds, blues and blacks along with with the light background neutrals. I am using my own inspiration. A lovely older VIP print.

So, I will be using blues, burgundy, yellow and the light background neutrals. There will be string blocks and that makes me happy. Below is a pic of the fabrics I have ready to go. Here's to hoping my choices work, but that is part of the mystery. Scrappy quilts rule!!

More Kaffe

2011-11-15T16:37:00.000-04:00

My Kaffe collecting continues. I was bloghopping last week and came across a Canadian on-line fabric store that was new to me.Log Cabin Yardage So, after checking out all the beautiful designer fabrics, I placed an order for 9 half yard cuts of Kaffe. Shipping is a mere 5.00 for any order under 100.00 and free if over 100.00. They arrived in the mail this morning along with a beautifully hand-written note from Nicole, the owner, thanking me for placing an order. I was impressed. Great customer service as well, Nicole got back to me very quickly to answer my question about delivery. Now I have to just decide what quilt I want to make to show off all my gorgeous Kaffes.

More Blocks...

2011-11-11T15:46:00.000-04:00


Block #8 - My Reminiscence

Block #5 - 12 Days of Christmas QAL

Block #6 - 12 Days of Christmas QAL

Block #8 - Traditional Tuesday Sampler QAL

Nanny and I

2011-11-10T19:55:00.000-04:00

My maternal grandmother made utilitarian quilts for her family. They weren't called quilts, they were called blankets. She would make rough patchwork, mostly ninepatch . The batting was a old flannel blanket and the backing was an old sheet. Her quilting stitches just held the layers together, they were very big. My mother remembers her mother sewing these creations by hand. Quilting was not a big thing in the little fishing village my ancestors lived in since the early 1800s. But after my grandmother passed away, I found a bag filled with dresdan plate blocks that she had made, in the attic of my mother's house. The petals were blanket-stitched on a muslin background. They weren't perfect, but I fell in love with them. My mother said that she remembers some of the fabrics in the plates as dresses or blouses that my grandmother wore. I am not sure and I don't have the expertise to date them. I would love to know what decade these fabrics are from. So , if you have an idea, let me know.

When I found all these unfinished blocks in 1993 I was just in the process of moving away from my little fishing village in Nova Scotia to big city Saint John, N. B. The first thing I did was to join the Marco Polo Quilter's Guild and ask for help as to how I could proceed with turning these simple blocks into a quilt. I had no experience with quilting at this time but I knew that I had to finish what my grandmother had started. I got lots of help from the awesome quilters in Saint John. I found a unbleached muslin that almost matched the background of the blocks, sewed it into a setting that I liked and then handquilted it. I finished this family heirloom in 1996. The guild honoured me with a ribbon at the quilt show that year. I spent three wonderful years in Saint John before moving back home. I have lots of great quilty memories from my time spent there.

I'm keeping track of Theodore!

2011-11-07T12:23:00.001-04:00

I love Theodore TugBoat. He is a much-loved sight on the Halifax Waterfront (Big Harbour). Theodore left Big Harbour at the end of October to sail to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I am following the blog to hear about the Big Adventure. If you have little kids that enjoy the books or TV series it would be fun to follow along with them. Check out the website for his travel schedule and places Theodore will visit. Click on the link below to see where Theodore visited recently.

My Big Adventure begins!: I LOVE THE BIG APPLE!: Hi
Everyone, I was excited to get to New York! My passage through Buzzards Bay into Long Island Sound went very well. A following tide push...

A Maritime GiveAway!

2011-11-05T10:32:00.006-03:00

Captain's Pond

Check out Karen's Blog. She is sponsoring a giveaway. You could win this awesome pattern by Kim from Harbour Quilt Company in Antigonish, N. S. Also, you could win a craft-size package of Fusi-Boo by Fairfield.

Square #21 - Florentine Frieze

2011-11-02T22:11:00.000-03:00

Square #21 - Florentine Frieze - BWLTKA

This may look like a complicated pattern but it is really easy. If I can do it....... Now, on to the next square! Only 42 left to knit...

Block Making Day

2011-11-02T13:26:00.000-03:00

12 Days of Christmas QAL - Block #3

Traditional Tuesday Sampler Block #7 (This is a replacement block as the block that was issued just didn't work for my theme.)

Baby Blue

2011-10-31T20:38:00.000-03:00

This is a pic of a quilt that I made for a baby boy that is soon to be born. I made it at the request of this baby's great-grandmother. I usually say "Sorry, I don't quilt for money, just for my own joy." But I couldn't resist helping out in this case. The Baby's Great-Grandmother is friend of my mother. This lady is 92 and blind. She wanted so much for this baby to have a handquilted quilt that I knew I had to say "Yes". It had to be baby blue and it had to be a cotton panel and it had to be cotton batting and most of all, it had to be hand-quilted. I am not a huge fan of pre-printed panels until I saw this one. After looking unsuccessfully and thinking I wouldn't find one to satisfy the requirements, I found this one at Dayle's Dept Store in Amherst. Just what she wanted. I added a soft Kona snow as a border and used a lovely baby blue Papillon on the back. It is so soft and cuddly.

Fun with Blocks

2011-10-27T19:07:00.000-03:00

Here's what I have been making over the last two days. I am now making blocks for three quilt-alongs.

Block #6 - Traditional Tuesday Sampler QAL

Block #2 - Blogger's BOM

Block #1 - 12 Days of Christmas QAL


Block #2 - 12 Days of Christmas QAL

#7 Block - Done

2011-10-15T22:49:00.000-03:00

Seven blocks are now complete for "My Reminiscence". I am thinking that I will only make 9 out of the 12 blocks because I want this quilt to hang over my sofa in the living-room. Still not sure.

A little stitchery

2011-10-15T14:34:00.000-03:00

I just put the finishing touches on this apron that will be a gift for my Mother. She loves aprons and wears them alot so I know she will love this one. This apron was a Martha Stewart kit that I found at Michael's. It was very pricey to start with but had been marked down to just a few dollars. The apron is really nice quality and I love the construction. The tie for the neck and waist is all one piece and slips through casings on both sides of the underarm area so it is easy to adjust the length that goes around the neck. Great idea! I have to wear an apron at work and I hate how it pulls on my neck. Maybe I will suggest that next time they make us new aprons, to try this style. The embroidery floss and needle was included in the kit as well as detailed instructions for stitching. Great for a beginner. I do love to embroider. I haven't done any for a while. This was a fun little project and I hope it will be well used. I can hear my Mother saying, "I can't wear that, it's too nice!!"

Fabric Fix

2011-10-15T13:11:00.000-03:00

Every day I throw whatever loonies and twoonies I have in my changepurse, into a bowl. It doesnt take very long to collect $100.00 worth. That's how I pay for my fabric fixes. So I traded the coins for bills and here is what I bought Thursday while visiting the N.S. Fibre Festival in Amherst. Here is the Maywood "No Girls Allowed" I purchased at Dayle's for 4.00 a metre. Maywood fabric is one of my favs.


I love the blue one on the bottom, such a pretty shade.

On the way home from Amherst I had to stop at It's Sew Time in Elmsdale. OMG! Suzanne is now carrying Kaffe Fasset fabric! I bought three 6" charm packs (love that the squares are 6" and not 5") and on my next visit I plan on buying a beautiful purple Kaffe off the bolt. I also picked up three metres of a very nice polka dot in blue. I have a very nice collection of Kaffe now so I will start looking for a quilt I want to make to use it. I have several in mind. Just need to find the perfect one. Suzanne is also carrying cotton silk. It is gorgeous! I have to check this out next time as well, and save more loonies and twoonies!

Amherst is Awesome!!

2011-10-13T19:22:00.000-03:00

I spent part of today in Amherst visiting a few of the venues included in the Nova Scotia Fibre Festival. The 2 hour drive there was lovely. The fall colours are ablaze. I went to Dayle's Department Store to check out the fabrics and have a look at the quilts that were displayed around the store. I bought three metres of a Maywood design called "No Girls Allowed". I had bought some on a previous visit and I loved it so much I just had to get more and it was only $4.00 a mtr! I am very attracted to circles or bubbly-looking designs. I have just started to collect polka-dot fabric so this will work well for a background when I decide what I am going to make with the polka-dot fabric.

Then I went to check out Karen Neary's Quilt Show and Sale. What a feast for quilty eyes. I am such a fan of Karen's designs so to be able to be in a large room full of her work was such a treat. I took lots of pics but most of them came out blurry and not good enough to post. Darn.

This pic shows the display of dolls dressed in antique christening gown, in the window of Pugsley's Pharmacy

A lovely day. in a lovely town.

My Traditional Tuesday Sampler Quilt-along - Block #4 Churn Dash

2011-10-11T21:20:00.000-03:00


Block #4 - Churn Dash

I love making these little 6" blocks! A total of 64 blocks are required to make the sampler. It has 1" sashings and two borders. For more info go here

A Finish!! "Christmas in Malaysia"

2011-10-11T16:18:00.001-03:00

How time flies!! This project was supposed to have been finished and gifted and in Kuala Lumpur three weeks ago!! Oh well, it will still make it there for Christmas. Plan B is to send it to my nephew in Kingston, Ontario and he can take it to KL with him when he leaves to go home for Christmas. While my sister was here visiting we were so busy with family and visiting that I just didnt get the time to finish it to give it to her to take home.

"Christmas in Malaysia" - a Karen Neary design

This was a fun project. If you scroll down a bit you can read more about it on a previous post. I used Wonderfil Invisifil thread on the top and DecoBob on the bottom. The backing fabric is an old Hoffman. I would love to know what year this is from, it was gifted to me and I can only guess that it is over ten years old.

Square #20 - Scale Quilting

2011-10-08T10:14:00.000-03:00

Here's Square #20 called Scale Quilting. I really enjoyed knitting this square once I got the hang of slipping and dropping stitches. This pattern shows that when stitches are slipped with the yarn to the back on the wrong-side rows, the strands that are carried will appear on the right side. 43 more squares to knit to complete this afghan. I can do it..I can do it.........

My Blue Scrap Bin

2011-10-05T15:39:00.000-03:00

I saw another interesting quilt-along online. It is called Traditional Tuesday Sampler. It began three weeks ago so I spent a few hours catching up. I wanted to try a blue and white quilt so I got out my blue scrap bin (well, one of my blue scrap bins anyway!)

Block #1 - Cross

Block #2 - Log Cabin

Block # 3 - Rail Fence

I will be using every shade of blue with white as the background fabric. There are 64 - 6" finished blocks You can read about it here. It is hosted by Jenifer of Forty-Two Quilts. She is also hosting a modern sampler quilt-along on Mondays if interested.

September Block #1

2011-09-30T18:00:00.000-03:00

Here is my block #1 for the Bloggers Block of the Month organized by Jackie of Canton Village Quilt Works. The first block is a design by Sherri at A Quilting Life. A different designer will design a block for each month on the 25th of that month. I am going to use up scraps for this BOM. The blocks finish at 8". A great opportunity to work on a quilt top without a lot of stress. I have made probably 12 full size BOM samplers over the years. I really enjoy mixing it up with different blocks. This will help me use up some scraps. Although it is breeding season for scraps!! I use so many and the pile does not get any smaller. I truly love, love, love my scraps!! And seriously, I keep saying that I need to use them up but I am not sure what will happen if I finally do use them all up.

Another Awesome Day on the Waterfront

2011-09-25T17:49:00.000-03:00

Statue of Samel Cunard with Queen Elizabeth in background

I had two reasons to visit the Halifax Waterfront today. Make that three reasons.....I needed a good brisk walk as I have been doing a lot of sitting/quilting lately.....I wanted to get a look at the Queen Elizabeth oceanliner
and I wanted to stop by the Word on The Street fair to meet a quilting blogger buddy, Riel Nason from Quispamsis, N. B. She has just published her first novel,The Town That Drowned and was giving a reading. I thought it was a great opportunity to stop by and meet her. I really love her quilts and her creativity. Unfortunately, my camera died and I only got one pic.

Help!

2011-09-16T18:54:00.001-03:00

Anyone ever see these fabrics? I would love to know the designer/company. I bought two fat quarters today but there was no selvages to help me identify.
I was shopping at Avonport Discount today and I didnt realize that there was an awesome article in
Quilter's Connection Fall issue. The mag was in my mail box when I got home or I would have congratulated Faye on an awesome article. I love Avonport. When I go there, it is an excursion. It shouldn't be...it is only 50 minutes from my house...but I guess it is a destination.

More Malaysian Batiks

2011-09-15T10:57:00.000-03:00

Here's the Malaysian Batiks my Sweet Sister brought me from Kuala Lumpur. They are all gorgeous but my fav is the blue one in the background. My collection is getting bigger and bigger. I still haven't decided on how I am going to cut into these lovelies. I am still waiting to find that "Yes, that's the one!" pattern. My SS probably will be moving back to Canada, maybe within the next two years, so I have in my head that I want to wait until she moves back and then make her a Malaysian memory quilt. Just a thought.

Also, my SS's quilting buddy in KL, knows I love scraps, so she sent me the leftovers from a Japanese quilt that she made. How sweet is that!! Most of these "scraps" are almost fat quarter size. I have a small collection already so these will certainly have some company. I will be sending her something special.

Thanks for stopping by!

2011-09-13T08:07:00.004-03:00

Thanks so much for stopping by and good luck in the awesome giveaway. Thanks to Madame Samm for having me over today.

Have a quilty day!!
Linda

I'm a Featured Blogger!!

2011-09-12T21:09:00.003-03:00

I just wanted to let you know, that tomorrow, Sept. 13, I will be the featured blogger on "Stash Manicure". How exciting is that!! Madame Samm has asked me to show how I made "My Bottled Rainbows" quilt. Check it out. There will be an awesome prize!!

Ready for FMQing!

2011-09-12T11:27:00.000-03:00

I have now finished the sewing of the quilt top that I am making for my sister as I mentioned in my last post, and now I have to get it quilted before she returns to Malaysia next week. I plan on doing some free-motion quilting with some of the Wonderfil thread that I won last month. This pattern is called "The Beauty of Christmas" and it is a design by Karen Neary of Amherst, Nova Scotia. I will be naming my version "Christmas in Malaysia". I love Karen's designs. This is the fourth pattern of hers that I have made. I have two more waiting in the wings! I find her instructions are very step-by-step clear and her techniques make something that looks very intricate turn out to be very easy.

2011-09-05T16:47:00.000-03:00

Here's a peek at the quilt I am working on right now. I am making it for my sweet sister who lives in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She will be arriving for a visit next Saturday and I want to be able to give it to her to take home for Christmas. It will save me having to mail it...it costs a fortune. The red print is a Malaysian batik she gave me the last time she was home. More info on this when I get it all finished. Also, I have been working on finishing up a project that you will see more about on or around Sept. 13!! I have also been handquilting a baby quilt and also working on my next applique block. It's a beautiful day and I am enjoying not being at work today. The Hub is painting our kitchen/family room and I am just loving it. We are hosting a 60th wedding anniversary party for my parents on Sunday so we needed to spruce things up.

#6 Block - Done

2011-08-28T13:16:00.000-03:00

Here is #6 Block from "My Reminiscence"

Mum and Me

2011-08-27T12:01:00.000-03:00

"Hearts and Flowers"

If you plan on stopping by (and voting) at The Weekly Quilt Contest , you will notice one of my quilts. The theme this week is Embroidered Quilts. I entered a quilt that My Mother and I worked on together. It's called "Hearts and Flowers". Mum did the Xstitching and I completed the sewing and handquilting. I have tried to talk Mum (who will be 80 soon) into learning how to handquilt and then maybe she could help me with all the quilt tops I have that need to be quilted. But she loves to embroider and she has a few projects on the go now. I am working on making a quilt top from blocks that she embroidered in blues on a white background. It will be beautiful when complete.

Tablecloth - Made for Me!

One more that needs to be quilted


The quilt holder was being a pain so I didnt get a good shot of this one.

Square #19 - Instant Plaid

2011-08-18T18:12:00.000-03:00

This square shows the use of elongated stitches formed by extra wrapping.

I am happy now!

2011-08-14T14:56:00.000-03:00

This is a beautiful Philip Jacobs I bought also...wow 16 colours. It is called Moon Flower

This time last year I was crying about not being able to find Kaffe Fassett fabrics within a reasonable driving distance from my home in Halifax. Well, I am happy now because I have two options within an hours drive and I took advantage this past week. My collection is growing! I know you can order on-line, and I do, but the fabric experience just isnt the same when you simply click away. I still want to look and touch and ooh and aah, especially if you have a quilty buddy tagging along. She will understand, your non-quilty buddies just don`t get it.

This Kaffe is called Cloissonne

My Beautiful new Threads

2011-08-11T21:28:00.000-03:00

Here's the prize package I won for entering the Fan of the Month contest for Wonderfil thread on Facebook. They arrived today and I was so pleased. What gorgeous threads. There is some cotton, some rayon, metallic and polyester. There are all different weights. And also a lovely book with lots of ideas and patterns to use these threads.

Isn't it "WonderFil"!!

2011-08-04T17:43:00.000-03:00

Yes, I do love WonderFil thread, and so does my machine, my gorgeous Pfaff Quilt Expression 4.0. Wonderfil on
Facebook, put out the challenge to write a little something about why you like their threads and that there was a prize of a thread package involved Well, that spurred me on to let them know that I really do adore their threads and I let them know of my experience. I won the contest!! When I receive the thread package I will let you know with another posting.Click on the link above and you can read my winning submission. Pls note: I have no affiliation whatsoever with this product. I am just a fan.

I "LOVE" Amy Butler

2011-07-23T19:56:00.000-03:00

I can't believe, all the times I have visited Atlantic Fabrics in Dartmouth, that I did not see the Amy Butler fabrics, as well as Heather Bailey and Alexander Henry. They only have a few bolts and they are kept between the Kona solids and the fat quarters so I guess I have been focused on those. I cant believe it! I missed them . I already had a fat quarter bundle of Amy Butler so I was so happy to find a few more to add to my collection.

#5 Block - Done

2011-07-18T22:25:00.000-03:00

Block #5 - Reminiscence

I am way ahead of my schedule for this project. My plan was to do a block a month and take my time but after six weeks I now have five blocks completed. I think I will take a break from applique for a short while and work on my Bottled Rainbows quilt. I have finally decided on how I want to machine quilt it and so I will be working on finishing it up.
Here's all five blocks on my design wall.

Square #18 - Hexagon Pattern

2011-07-15T21:23:00.000-03:00


Square #18 - BWLTKA

This was easy to knit, just knit, purl and slip stitching. On to #19 now.

#4 Block - Done

2011-07-11T22:25:00.000-03:00

#4 Block - Reminiscence

Eight more blocks to go. Took me 10 days to make this one. Onward and upward!

Square #17 - Woven Tweed

2011-07-02T10:16:00.000-03:00

Woven stitches are those that are slipped with the yarn being carried across them on the right side of work...that is, wyif on a right side row or wyib on a wrong side row.

#3 Block - Done!

2011-07-01T20:45:00.000-03:00

Here's the third block in my "Reminiscence" quilt. 9 more to go!

Happy Canada Day!

2011-07-01T13:43:00.000-03:00

Its a beautiful, sunny and warm Canada Day. Today is also my 34th Wedding Anniversary so the Hub and I are enjoying a lovely day together. We had a wonderful, romantic dinner last night at Cafe Chianti. A few years ago their original location was destroyed by fire so they moved around the corner to a new location on Barrington Street. The food is amazing and the service is awesome.

Here is a pic of a quilt I made for one of my nephews. It is called "Canadian Snowball". I was inspired to make this quilt from a pattern in "Nova Scotia Patchwork Patterns" by Carter Houck. I used templates and I hand quilted it. The binding is New Brunswick tartan. My nephew's paternal ancestors came from the Rothesay area. I made this quilt for him five years ago when he was living in Holland. He is 21 now and living in Kingston, Ont. attending Queen's University, studying to become a Chemical Engineer. He was born in Calgary, Alberta and has been living overseas for several years but is still a proud Canadian kid! So this quilt commemorates Canada, from me to him.

#2 Block - Done

2011-06-24T13:53:00.000-03:00

Just finished Block #2 in my "Reminiscence" quilt. On to #3!

Square #16–Double Scroll

2011-06-22T14:04:00.000-03:00

This square is the last one in Section II. There are eight sections and each section has patterns for eight different knitted squares in a certain technique. Section III is slip-stitch patterns. I still have a long way to go. There are 63 squares in total. It took me three weeks to knit this square but I was working on lots of other things at the same time

Done!

2011-06-20T18:02:00.000-03:00

Finally! And well worth the wait. Machine quilting is awesome but there is nothing quite like a hand quilted quilt coming out of the dryer. It's so soft and puckered and pretty. I am in love with this quilt. My BQFF and I started this quilt together. It was featured in a McCalls Quilting Magazine dated April 2005. She made hers like the pattern, in pastels. I decided to do mine in jewel tones. I changed mine more by not adding the last border. It took me a year and a half to handquilt this. And it was well worth the wait. I am going to hang this in my front entry. It measures 64" x 70".

Halifax Public Gardens

2011-06-18T14:34:00.000-03:00

Just one of many Rhododendrons at the Gardens. Some are very old.

The photo really doesnt capture how beautiful the colours are in this one

This is one of my fav spots in the Gardens. this pic is taken from a little bridge over the brook.

This is the perfect spot to sit and relax

The Halifax Public Gardens is a beautiful oasis in the middle of a busy city. It dates back to 1836 and is considered one of the finest surviving examples of Victorian gardens in North America. It became a Canadian National Historic Site in 1984.

The Duck Pond

It is comprised of 16 acres complete with a historic bandstand that is still used for concerts. I used my cell phone to take these pics so I apologize for the quality.

Handquilting is my focus...

2011-06-11T17:56:00.001-03:00

I have so many UFOs! But that's OK...I never get bored!! I have been handquilting the past week. I am trying so hard to finish my "Spring Morn" quilt. I can't believe that I have procrastinated so much with this quilt. I started handquilting it a year and a half ago! It has been kicked around from my kitchen, to the family room, to the dining room. Poor thing! I do love it. But I am now determined to finish it so I can get it off a chair or the floor and on the wall or on someone napping on the sofa. I have a border and a half of the rope design to finish, as well as the HST border. I omitted the final border from the pattern and I am so glad I did now. I can finally see an end. Of course, I have been working on other things at the same time. I am working on my 2nd applique block for Reminiscence and also my knitting project.

Another GiveAway Win for Me!!!

2011-06-06T12:27:00.000-03:00

During the Sew Mama, Sew Giveaway Day I visited lots of blogs and also entered lots of giveaways for some awesome prizes. Sherri at Foziewisp was giving away several vintage items and I won! The package arrived today and inside were a lovely assortment of vintage items. I do love old sewing items such as buttons (can you see the price on some of these buttons?) and trims and who doesnt love any kind of fabric. I collect buttons so these make a great addition. The blue ones are so pretty, Kinda irridescent. Also included was a lovely handmade card with a very nice note from Sherri and vintage greeting card and since I work as a greeting card merchandiser , I always like to see old cards. I have kept cards from almost 40 years ago and it is fun to look at them from time to time. Thanks Sherri! Opening the envelope did put a smile on my face.

Beautiful Sunday Walk

2011-06-05T17:54:00.000-03:00

It is a beautiful day here in Halifax. It is quite windy and a bit cool, but beautiful nonetheless. The Hub and I had a lovely brisk walk on the Boardwalk and then had a great lunch at the Hart and Thistle. I had grilled salmon with a really nice salad of spinach, carrot, beets and mandarin oranges served over rice and The Hub had a Seafood Platter of deep fried haddock, scallops and shrimp served with fries. Very good . On the way back we stopped at the Seaport Farmer's Market and bought rhubarb and some gyozas (Japanese pot-stickers) from Jenna at The Little Red Kitsch'n. She is an awesome young chef and I have become addicted to her food. Everytime I go to the Market I have to try something from her booth. Her lemon tartlettes are so good. We are so lucky to have this wonderful facility available to us. Friday is International Food Day and you can try and buy foods from all over the world. Saturday is the busiest day and a great place to do your shopping for fresh items for the week. Well. I could go on and on but I will save more for another time. Enjoy my pics.

Bishop's Landing
looking north

Looking across to Dartmouth

The Wave - Sackville landing

This is where you can buy tickets for a ride on the Bluenose, but, it is being renovated at the moment

Historic Properties

The Ferry returning from Dartmouth

walking toward Purdy's Wharf

Theodore Tugboat

George's Island (in Background)

My Pink Strings - Ready to be Gifted

2011-06-03T17:31:00.000-03:00

I have shown this quilt a few times on my blog. It is finally bound and ready to be washed. It doesnt photograph very well but believe me, it is very soft and pretty in person. It is my very first string quilt and I kinda love it a lot and I was at odds with myself about giving it away. But I have decided to give it as a "thinking of you" gift to my youngest girl cousin on my maternal side. She has had a hard time lately and I hope it will brighten her day.

Square #15 - Stepped Fret

2011-06-01T17:18:00.000-03:00

This square was a bit of the same as the one before. No new stitches to learn, just different combinations. It is a common motif in primitive art . It shows the dark and light motifs interlocking. One more square to complete in this section and then on to slip-stitch patterns. I am enjoying the mosaic section. But I will be glad when it is finished.

PrizeWinner!!

2011-05-31T20:09:00.000-03:00

I entered the Quilters Newsletter Magazine's Mother's Day Giveaway and won a really cute pair of earrings! They arrived in the mail today.

#1 Block - Done!!

2011-05-31T14:32:00.000-03:00

Here's Block #1 - Complete! 11 more to go. I really enjoyed making this block. I used the back-basting method of applique for the first time. I love how it turned out. With the back-basting method there is no template making and no freezer paper ..that appealed to me.

On to the next step!

2011-05-24T11:20:00.000-03:00

I finished the sashing units and it looks like everything will go together nicely in the end. But the end is still a long way off. I have also cut out all the background squares and the border strips so now it is on to the applique. I love to applique. I find it very relaxing and the results are awesome! I have never tried an appliqued swag border before so I am a little anxious about how that will turn out. Also the large spray at the top of the quilt is something new to me. But I always like to try something new with every quilt. I havent bought anything new to make this quilt. The pattern calls for 7 metres x 44" wide background fabric. I had a 5 metre x 60" wide piece of muslin from IKEA that my sister brought me home from Holland. It washed up beautifully and I just love it. Wish I had enough to use for backing . The scraps I will be using for most of the applique were given to me by my quilting buddies in Saint John, NB. Great bunch of quilters!! My goal is to do a block a month. To me, the hardest part is done, all those pesky nine-patches! The picture shows how the blocks and sashing will go together. Still have to press the sashing units.

A New Start!

2011-05-21T23:10:00.000-03:00

In the middle of cutting out binding strips for my Pink String quilt, I decided to start work on a project that has been patiently waiting for a few years. It is called "Reminiscense" by The Rabbit Factory It's a big project that requires lots of piecing and lots of applique....lots of applique! The first step is to construct 175 -3 inch nine patch blocks and then add four half square triangles to each of those nine patches. That makes 700 HSTs! That is what I have been doing for the past week. Just finished making them tonight and now I have to sew them all together to make sashing units.
Once that is complete I will start on the applique I will be using the back-basting method of applique. Here's a pic of the chain piecing of the nine patches.

Oh yeah, I still don't have the binding sewn on my Pink String quilt!

Square #14 - Chevron

2011-05-13T19:35:00.000-03:00

Another square in the mosaic section. Two more squares to go and then on to Section 3 -
Slip Stitch Patterns.

Blog Tour Stop

2011-05-06T08:57:00.000-03:00

If you haven't already, check out Karen Neary's contribution to the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour. She has designed a very simple, versatile block and has shown many variations to produce a wonderful quilt. Also, there is an example of a very pretty tablerunner. Leave a comment and you could win a copy of the magazine. Today is the last day.

FMQ Challenge - Final Day

2011-05-05T21:44:00.000-03:00

It's the final day - #14 - in the FMQ Challenge and I am very pleased with my new skill level in free-motion quilting. My goal for the challenge was to learn to FMQ feathers...DONE! I also learned to slow down and relax.

My Pink Strings–Quilting Complete

2011-05-01T17:44:00.000-03:00

WooHoo! I finished the free-motion quilting on my pink strings..thanks to the FMQ Challenge..I joined the challenge to work on making feathers and to finish a quilt. Done!!

I need a few ideas!!

2011-04-28T12:04:00.000-03:00

I am stumped as to how to finish off this quilt top. Does it need borders? If so, what? I cant seem to settle on anything I like. So, please, any ideas? I didnt start with much of a plan, I just sliced some leftover square- in- a -square blocks in four and inserted tiny strips. It was a ton of sewing and matching-up of seams and I love the effect overall but I am not sure how to make the most of the design from this point on.

My FMQ Challenge progress

2011-04-28T10:51:00.000-03:00

I am keeping up with my promise to machine quilt every day for 14 consecutive days. Its the half way point today. I have tried making feathers and I feel pretty good about them now. I also tried a feathered wreath and found that fun too. I have also been working on quilting my pink string quilt. It is slow going. I find with all the bias seams in a string quilt, there is still a lot of stretching while machine quilting along the surface., even though I handbasted it quite heavily. The backing is still perfectly flat, no puckering at all, but the top requires a lot of attention while quilting, so I have to take it slow. I didnt have this problem when I quilted my Blue and Yellow String last year. Click on this http://fmqchallenge.blogspot.com/search/label/Linda to check my progress.

Square #13 - Greek Cross

2011-04-25T17:02:00.000-03:00

Just finished...love this square...especially the texture.

A Beautiful Day!

2011-04-24T22:06:00.001-03:00

It was a beautiful day in Prospect. This is the view from my parent’s backyard. The wide open ocean is just beyond that strip of land you see in the background. There was warmth in the breeze and finally felt like Spring!

Day 1 - FMQ Challenge

2011-04-22T11:09:00.000-03:00

I have joined the FMQ Challenge. Starting today, I have promised to machine quilt every day for 14 consecutive days. I want to increase my skill level (which is probably 1 out of 10 right now!) in free motion quilting. Feathers are my aim in this challenge. I can meander and spiral till the cows come home so now I want to focus on feathers and wreaths. My first project during this challenge will be to quilt "My Pink Strings". To me, this string quilt does not scream for feathers. Not sure what I will do til I get it under the needle. Anyway, I did some practice quilting on samples sandwiches. I tried my first feather....hopefully after two weeks it will improve!

Bottle Rainbow ....Done and ready to Quilt

2011-04-21T18:27:00.000-03:00

This was such a fun project and a great scrapbuster. I also learned a lot about colour. My aim was to use just what I had on hand. I did not want to buy anything. This was a total scrapbuster. I even used up lots of pieces of batting that had been trimmed from previous quilts. I did buy fabric to use for backing. Fabricville had a "Buy 1 Metre get 2 Metres free" sale. I needed 4 metres for backing. So I got 6 metres for $19.99. Now, to get it quilted. More on that later.

Square #12 - Harlequin

2011-04-12T08:50:00.000-03:00

This square was fun to knit. I enjoyed it because I didnt rip it out ten times! Four more squares left to knit in the mosaic section. Harlequin is a pattern of contrasting diamonds. great pattern for socks or pillows.

Bottled Rainbow

2011-04-08T18:54:00.000-03:00

14 blocks completed....2 left to make.

Square #10 and #11

2011-04-08T16:39:00.000-03:00

Two more squares complete from the Barbara Walker Learn to Knit Afghan…

#10–Diagonal Chain

#11 – Miniature Mosaic

Bottled Rainbow–#4

2011-03-28T10:19:00.001-03:00

One more complete. The beautiful shades of cerise don’t show as I would like. The colour of this one is so pretty. On to #5.

I just discovered Windows Live Writer and I am posting thru this feature for the first time. Seems Ok. Blogger has trouble with posting pics from time to time so I thought I would give this feature a try.

Bottled Rainbow - #3

2011-03-26T17:49:00.000-03:00

Making these blocks is so much fun. I make them at my leisure. See the golfing fabric in the middle? Look familiar Riel? 13 more blocks to go!

Square #9 - Horizontal Chain

2011-03-22T16:06:00.000-03:00

This square is the first of seven squares in the Mosaic Section. This square demonstrates how to work with two colours and how to slip stitch with yarn in front and also with yarn in back. This one wasn't too hard but I did have to pay attention and as you can see I made a mistake in the bottom right corner. But that's OK with me because I can see what I did wrong and I will be watching for that in future squares. I noticed the mistake when it happened but I didnt feel confident enough to rip it back so I kept on going because I was on the last few rows and didnt want to start it all over again. Here's a pic of how much it curled up while knitting and also a pic of the square after blocking.

I'm a winner!

2011-03-21T13:53:00.000-03:00

Look what I won at a giveaway at The Q and U. Riel is having three different giveaways over the next few weeks and I won the first one. The giveaways are to celebrate the anniversary of her blog. The second giveaway consists of 3 Moda charm packs and the deadline is Wednesday 23rd at 7 pm. Check it out. Look at all the awesome scraps she sent me! Even some Kaffe! Riel's blog is one of my favs. She makes original quilts using selvages and lots of other unique quilts with modern fabrics.. Hard to believe she has only been quilting for a year! And, Riel is a |Maritimer. She lives in New Brunswick.

Scrappy Fun

2011-03-20T16:54:00.000-03:00

Here I go again, starting a new project before finishing the several that I have. But, hey, that's me! This one is just for fun. It's scrappy, it's wobbly, it's stitchin' fun. It's called Bottled Rainbows. Its a ticker-tape quilt-along. Check it out! Great way to use up small pieces. It's also a great way to use up bits and pieces of batting. I am sewing mine as a quilt as you go type. I am adding a batting to each square and then zig-zag stitching around each piece and then after the blocks are sewn together the backing will be added and then stitch around each square in the ditch. Done! Sounds good to me. I am loving the mosaic aspect of this project. 12 more to go!

My Pink Strings

2011-03-18T14:28:00.000-03:00

Another string quilt that I made in January or February of 2010. I added the borders today so this one now goes from the "Needs Borders Pile" to the "Ready to Quilt Pile". I have been working on adding borders to several quilt tops.(I am also trying to finish the handquilting on my Spring Morning quilt and working on 2 knitting projects at the same time.) This quilt top measures at 53" x 65". I added a 1" (1/2" finished) white border to mimic the diagonal string in the block centres and also added a border of 2" squares. The 2" squares were gifted to me by a quilting buddy.

I always learn something every time I make a quilt..With this quilt top I learned that I should NOT have removed the paper from the back of the string blocks before adding my border! I knew that in my head before I did it but I chose to give it a try and see what would happen. I figured I could deal with any stretching. Well, the stretching was crazy and I had to do some fancy sewing to get it to be as close to straight as I could. I also should have staystitched the edge. Lesson learned!!
This one is for my daughter. She loves pink.

Square #8 - Rose Fabric

2011-03-14T13:49:00.000-03:00

This square demonstrates knitting in the row below. I really enjoyed knitting this one, once I got the hang of the stitch. It turned out to be a bit smaller than the previous 7 squares. Don't know what I will do to make up for the discrepancy in size. I know I wont be ripping it out and doing it over!!

Ready to Quilt!

2011-03-12T19:14:00.000-04:00

This is a string quilt that I made last year about this time. I finally added the borders and this one is ready for quilting. Add it to the pile! I sewed the strings on muslin so it is a bit heavy. I think I will use a polyester batting so as not to be extra heavy. I didnt buy any fabric, I just used scraps. The border was a piece that I had for about 10 years.

Nice Surprise!

2011-03-11T17:26:00.001-04:00

When I checked the mailbox this morning I found this lovely quilted postcard. It was mailed to me by a very nice lady I met in a quilt shop a few weeks ago. We started to talk and she showed me a few of her quilted postcards. She laughed as she showed me one that she had mistakenly addressed to Linda (She doesnt know a Linda) She meant to write another name but instead wrote Linda. Anyway, she said I dont know any Lindas to give it to so I cant send it anywhere. So of course I said, Hey, funny thing, my name is Linda. So she said give me your address and I will send it to you! How nice. It is so cute. Her work is impeccable. The tiny snowflakes are stitched down perfectly and the tiny pearl seed beads add such a sparkly look. I love it!

Square #7 - Garter and Rib Pattern - Complete

2011-03-06T12:48:00.000-04:00

This square teaches knitting and purling through the back loop. Also, it shows the difference in fabric width between ribbing and garter stitch. This demonstrates that different patterns can create differences in gauge even though you have used the same yarn and the same needle size. I made a few tiny boo-boos but I can live with them. On to Square #8 - Rose Fabric

Plan "C"

2011-03-01T20:23:00.000-04:00

Because I couldnt make these borders fit the quilt top they were planned for, I decided to make a centre to fit the borders. I used the 12 - 12" crazy blocks I made last fall, they had lots of the same fabrics that were in the borders. Took a lot of figuring and adding to make it all fit. When making the corners for the borders I had to piece little scraps together to get enough to finish...just made it.. I love the result.

Out of the Bag!!

2011-02-27T14:19:00.000-04:00

Three years ago I started the Barbara Walker Learn-to-Knit Afghan. I bought the book and all the yarn required. I completed the first six squares and then into the bag and out of sight it went!! There are 64 squares altogether. As you knit along you learn lots of different knitting techniques. While on Ravelry the other day (I hadnt visited for quite some time and I really need to update my page) I decided to check out some of my groups and see what was new. I was inspired to dig out my afghan project and get started again. I've mentioned before that I find knitting difficult but I persist. Except with sock-knitting. I gave up on my sock. I dont think I will be revisiting either. I'm a scarf knitter,or dishcloths, items that have no shape. And I am happy with that. What does the frustrated knitter do??? She QUILTS!!!

Ready to Wear!

2011-02-21T11:47:00.000-04:00

This is the scarf that I just finished knitting for my son . This is the third one I have made for him and if he doesnt wear this one then I am never making him anything ever again and he knows that. A little background on this scarf adventure....for the last few years my son, has been wearing a ratty, tattered, holey grey scarf that was a castoff from an old roommate (I think the old roommate had thrown it in the garbage!). My son absolutely loves this darn hideous thing (kinda like the little kid with the dirty tattered blankie) Anyway, last year I made him a lovely scarf that was almost like the ratty one but he still wouldnt wear the new one. And then he got a new job that required him to dress well every day and still wore that darn ratty one. His boss even gave him a knitted scarf for Christmas hoping to replace the ratty one. He wouldnt wear that either so after Christmas I started this one, called Meandering Rib, and showed it to him when I started knitting it and told him he had to wear this new one or else!! Mostly because he looks like a vagrant with the ratty one and also because it took me two months to knit this new one. He agreed to wear it because he says he likes it and the ratty one's time has come to be put out of my misery!

Decision Made

2011-02-20T10:18:00.000-04:00

I had to go with Plan "B" on this one. Im not happy but I had to move on so as not to just abandon a project. The awesome pieced borders for this quilt did not fit....aarrrrggghh....and there was no way to make them fit. Even if I could have reworked them to make them fit, I had run out of the fabric to do it!. Anyway, I added two plain borders and I will machine quilt this to use as a lapquilt. I have no idea how I messed up so badly. I'm pretty sure it was me and not the pattern and I may try this again some other time. My sister and her quilt group are going to make this pattern so I am anxious to see how they make out. Obviously I wont be any help to them if they have questions! Here's a pic of how it should have looked (with the awesome borders!) Oh well.

Scrappy Enough?

2011-02-14T19:56:00.000-04:00

Just finished sewing the borders on this lattice quilt. It went together really nicely and I love how it turned out. This goes on the " machine quilting pile". I hope to get at that pile soon!