Val & Me

Last Thursday evening was the big reveal of my lovely little guild's Mini Quilt Challenge.  I am still in awe!  My swap partner was Miss Valerie of Purple Boots and Pigtails.  If you don't already follow her blog, you should.  You will be inspired.  When I opened the tightly rolled and beautifully wrapped package that she handed to me, I could not believe my eyes.  The quilt that Val made for me was so personal and touching , of course it brought a few tears to my eye.   I expected to be blown away by her sewing skill but never dreamed she would execute the most perfect design in the whole world that could touch my heart, especially since the past short while has been very stressful.  Here is the link to a blogpost from almost a year ago that will help you understand more about why this quilt made me cry.
 

The "For Ale" sign is gone for good now.  Taken two days ago.  Renovation is underway.

And here is the mini quilt that I made for Val, my whiskey drinkin', Harley ridin', purple lovin', pigtail wearin', free piecin', most lovely quilty friend. 

here's the back, with wonky fish and improv curves and lots and lots of pebble quilting.  

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have an amazingly talented quilty friend like I do.

What's Happening!

Just to let you know...things have improved a great deal with my Dad since his stroke and life is almost back to normal. Quite miraculously!
  
I am taking things easy and spending some time sorting and cleaning up my sewing basement because I am having a houseguest!  Very happy to say that my dear friend, Karen of KaHolly will be spending a few days with me.  We are both very excited about getting the chance to spend some quality quilty time together.  We have known each other for a few years and met through our blogs.  Karen lives on Cape Breton Island( a 3 1/2 hr drive from me) for part of the year and spends the other part in the U.S.  We only get the chance to spend real time together for a few hours a couple of times a year.  So spending a few days together will be just amazing!  
As luck would have it, Thursday evening is the September meeting of my lovely little guild, the Maritime Modern Quilt Guild and since Karen will be here, we can attend together.  That will be such fun.  There will be lots of photos. 

I really need to get some baby sewing done soon but until I do, here is a look at the gorgeous baby blanket that my Knitty Sister made for her new grandbaby.  It is soooo soft and the colour is amazing.  If you would like details on this little beauty please feel free to ask and I can find out for you.

I have started a new Facebook page to share my fabric addiction.  It is called "The Fabric Pig" (yes I am!)  "Like" it so you can follow along with me and you can share some of your fave fabric acquisitions.  I know I am not the only one!

I didn't sew anything today, but I hope that you did!  

Hangin' in there!

Things have been crazy around here since Aug. 21.  My beautiful 88 year old Dad took a stroke and our world was turned upside down.  Things have improved and he is home now and doing well but I had the proverbial ---- kicked out of me.  But I am now back at it.  My quilty life is so important to me and I miss it so much when I am away.  My Quilty Sister is home from Qatar for a visit, thankfully she was with Dad when he stroked and was able to get him instant help.  

Between her and I, we squeezed out some time and  made a little quilt for our niece's future baby boy.  

I have been working on a special project that is due next Thursday at my lovely little guild's monthly meeting.  It is a mini quilt challenge.  My partner is Miss Valerie of Purple Boots and Pigtails. I knew instantly what I wanted to make for her and set to work.  I hope she enjoys it as much as I do.  I know she will, what am I saying!  Can't show you or I will ruin the surprise but it won't be long until the reveal.   

The next two months will be very busy with quilty things.  Stay tuned!

Hope you had time to do something quilty today!

A Quilty Maritime Weekend

I haven't been in my sewing basement for a few days.  Gasp!  I have been collecting fabric/thread from all three Maritime Provinces . 

 from Nova Scotia

I needed to replenish my supply of 50# Aurifil and as luck would have it, Karen Neary of Amherst, NS, has added my favourite thread to her online shop.  I saved myself the shipping charge by meeting up with Karen as a pit stop on my way to Moncton.  BTW...if you do want to order online, don't be scared off by the way the shipping charges total up.  Karen explains how that will work and she is very, very trustworthy.  

From New Brunswick

I finally found some knitting themed fabric that I have been looking for.  Hey Karen R....had to go to Moncton, to The Fabric Cupboard,  to get it!  My plan is to make a tote bag for my Knitty Sister.  

and...this one just arrived that morning so......a knitting bag for my niece

From Prince Edward Island.......

I am totally obsessed with Tula Pink fabrics and patterns lately.  I bought two of her books and then while my Quilty Sister and her hubby were visiting on The Island on the weekend, From
 the Quilting B and More in Charlottetown, they brought me this...

I heard that It's Sew Time in Elmsdale, NS, will be carrying Tula Pink fabrics coming soon.  Very excited about that!  It's so great to be able to buy some fabrics that I love a lot closer to home.  

Hope you get time to do something quilty today (or buy something quilty today!)

A few finishes and a few wips

I spent this past weekend sewing like crazy and ended up with two quilts completely finished and ready for gifting.  The first one, "Aerial", a design by Carolyn Friedlander,  was all quilted up and needed the binding put on.  I chose to use the same fabric as the borders.  For some interest, I added several approx 5" strips randomly to the binding. You can't tell from the photo, but the bits of colour are on the sides as well. A bit of extra sewing but I love the effect.

Next, I finished the baby quilt for my niece's baby-to-be, a boy. The shower is on the 22nd.  In a previous post, I told you that this little quilt was made from the leftover fabric from the wedding quilt that I made last summer for my niece and her new hubby.   I echo quilted the seam lines with 1/4", 1/2" and 1" straight lines.  

45" x 60"

Glad to have these two projects off my list.  I am linking up with the Needle and Thread Network for this week, so here is a work in progress that I started working on today, with the hopes of getting it basted and quilted up really quickly. I am seeing lots of swirly quilting going on here.   It is called "Moda Love Layer Cake Quilt".  You can get the free pattern HERE.  I used a Kate Spain "Horizon" layer cake with a Kona solid white.  It measures 72" square.  

I am also working on my lovely little guild's BOM project.  I have three blocks made so far.  (r to l) June, July and August.  We are working at our own pace, so no pressure.    

Stop by and check out all the other Canadian quilty goodness at
 the Needle and Thread Network.  You just might be inspired to start a new project!  

Hope you had time to do something quilty today!

My Selvedge-Along Progress

I am a bit overwhelmed with my selvedge collection,  so this Selvedge Along at Quilty Habit and Quilts of a Feather is great for helping me deal with some of my overabundance.

 And also, thanks to
 Jenn at A Quarter Inch from the Edge, for the inspiration and for the encouragement (even if she doesn't know she is doing it).  

So here is what I have sewn up so far in my quest to lighten my selvedge load.  I took my favourites and made a 14" square of fabric.  I could make a cushion, but I don't need any more cushions! I could make a wallhanging for my sewing room, or I could slice it up and create something very improvisational.  I already have lots of pouches. Maybe a sewing machine cover, not sure yet.  


 So, this 

Became this

It's not entirely Cotton and Steel selvedges, but mostly. I love how it matches the C&S floral print that you see behind.  That will factor in my project somehow.

I am linking up with Quilty Habit for the Mid-Way Check in Linky 

Stop by and check out what others are doing with their selvedges

Throwback Thursday #1

My MMQG guild mate and quilting friend,Jennifer @ A Quarter Inch from the Edge is hosting a fun link-up party that starts today.  It's called Throwback Thursday and will be held the first Thursday of each month.  For all the info you can go here and check it out.  And here is the link to Jennifer's blog post from today where you can read all about her special quilt and link up your post.  There is a pretty sweet giveaway going on too!

For my Throwback Thursday #1 quilt, I am going to share with you the quilt that got me started with blogging way back in 2008. I wanted to share this quilt at the time and blogging was the way to do it.    
I see this quilt everyday because it is the quilt that I sleep under every night.  Even in the summer, it is on my bed.

                               "Welsh Beauty"  queen size 

here you can see the binding choice

Here are the details of this quilt that I copy and pasted from my blog post of Feb 24, 2008

"Finally!
I started to handquilt this on April 9, 2005 (Mike's 53rd Birthday)
I finished the quilting on November 9, 2007 (2 and 1/2 years later)
It was totally complete on February 24, 2008!
I bought the printed quilt top at Avonport Discount Fabrics in Avonport, N. S.
The backing was 120" wide gorgeous muslin purchased at The Cotton Patch in Bedford, N.S.
The batting was Hobb's Heirloom Cotton ( I did not prewash this)
The thread was Gutterman 100% Cotton quilting thread Colour No. 1225 (dark taupe)
I made a 3"wide double fold binding from a 100% cotton in a dark taupe small paisley fabric
The binding was sewn on by machine and handstitched to finish
I kept track of my time spent on the handquilting and it totalled 180 hours!
I really dont think I could sell this quilt. It is priceless to me."

So, from these details I am reminded that Mike ( RetiredHub)  is now 63! and it took me almost 4 months to get the binding on this quilt!

 Once in a while, if we have guests I will put it on the spare bed.  I have washed it a few times and it looks as good today and it did way back when!

So, I am linking up with Jennifer for Throwback Thursday .   Pop over and check it out.  

Hope you have a quilty day!

NSQBQ in Pictou

Yesterday, Aug. 1, my DD and I hit the road to meet up with Sheila and Lesley and Karen, my cohorts in The Nova Scotia Quilting Bloggers Quartet,  in Pictou.   A gorgeous day for driving.  The kind we dream of in February!  For the past few years we have been meeting up at the Northumberland Quilt Guild's annual quilt show and sale.  It is a large show of mostly traditional handquilted and machine quilted bed quilts and smaller quilted items. Lots of hand appliqued quilts too. The prices of the quilts are very reasonable, so if you are looking to buy, there is lots to choose from.  The venue, the DeCoste Centre is a large space but I am afraid that the lighting leaves a lot to be desired.  It was difficult to take many good full view photos. The vendors mall was full of lots of great fabrics and accessories as well as machines for sale.  Those who know me well will not understand this sentence....Linda didn't buy a darn thing!  

I want to make this in all solid fabric

My mother would love this one.

Handquilting is alive and well in Pictou County

this one is for my Mother too

I spied some Carolyn Friedlander fabric in this quilt

Just a sampling of the wallhangings in the show.  There were so many

Nice to see a design by Nova Scotia quilt designer, Karen Neary,  in the show.

The colours in this one were awesome

Loved the quilting design on this one.  I have a quilt in mind that I think I try it on (in free motion of course)

Here is Me eyeing the sale fabric table. I resisted!

I see you Karen!  

Some work by guild members

After the show we had a lovely lunch with lots of gabbing and planning of our next Winter Challenge.  Then it was time to say goodbye.  I will see the girls again in October at Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival in Amherst, NS.  Can't wait! 

Had to show you the cute little cookies that Karen made for all of us.  I had a few on the drive home and saved these two for  today.  

I hope you get time to do something quilty today!  

Nuts about Selvedges

You may think I am nutsy, but I like to consider myself hardcore....in quilting anyway.  I want to share a little problem solving tip that I use when sewing with selvedges.

Sometimes, a friend will give me a selvedge that may be trimmed just shy of enough fabric to add the next one on.  So here is what I do....I never throw them out, I just make a new one.  Take a narrow strip of fabric, turn under the edge 1/4" and topstitch it to the selvedge .  I would use matching thread unlike my little sample in the pic.   There you go, ready to use in your project.

OK the fabric doesn't match the selvedge, but who will notice that in the grand scheme?  You can pick and choose your colours too which is helpful if you are going for a certain combo.  

A win-win for scrapbusting!