Whirlwind!!!!!

The last couple of days have been an absolute whirlwind of activity and I've so much to share with you - well I'll do the best I can.

This weekend is an "in-store" retreat at Cockadoodle. Joanne is in fine form keeping us fed - allowing us to focus on sewing. Imagine being "locked" in a quilt store - someone serves you food and you sew all day - I mean all day. Well that is what I think heaven will be like!!!!

Friday (after that huge brunch), I arrived around four and settled in to get my homework done for Saturday AM. Yes - I know - last minute me!!!!!   Well I managed to plow through it - it was paper piecing and the pieces were precut so it was easy to get through all 16 pieces.

My homework - NOT trimmed

My homework and what NOT to do - can you spot the mistake?????  Once it is trimmed, i don't think anyone will see it. I think I am going to leave it. Oh my god - I am turning into Mary!!!!

Dragon Star by Judy Niemeyer - this is the quilt we are working on

Pauline - beautiful soft colours

Anne - nice BRIGHTER colours Anne!!!!

Janet - who thinks her colours are dull. NOT!!!!!

Jo - with neutrals and PINK!

Linda - love the pinks, blues and purples

Marg - beautiful batiks!

Marion - nice blues - turquoises

Mrytle - with PURPLE!

My center - purple and green

Wendy - with her WILD colours. 

Katheleen just started with us and I know she will catch up. I think everyone has done an amazing job so far. And these quilts are all going to look amazing when they are done. Just remember girls - when paper piecing FOLLOW the numbers - do not get CREATIVE. Now go back and see if you can spot the error on that second photo of mine!!!!  

Also had the Christmas Heart Light class and their homework was pretty awesome as well.

Christmas Heart Lights by Susie M. Robbins

Large Heart Block - they had to make four of these

Large Heart Block - they had to make four of these

Large Heart Block - they had to make four of these - ooops Lisa made FIVE!!!!! Two of these belong to Lesley

So yes - they had to make four of the large heart block. Some made theirs all the same while others decided to make each one different. It is amazing to see all the different fabrics and all the different styles. Some people did their hearts by hand, some with one single heart, some did them the same way as the book, other off set the hearts - added more or less. Threads colours varied  from red to green to metallic to cream. Satin stitches, blanket stitch and others. Some hearts were pieced and some were crazy patch with a variety of machine stitches. It was an AWESOME Show n tell. I think everyone is enjoying the class very much. WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!

Janet`s homework from last month

Janet was ill and unable to attend the last class. She brought her homework and of course - we all questioned her BROWN block. Well it turns out that she is going put that one in the tree stump position. HOW CLEVER!!!!!  

Judy`s homework from last month

That is what I love about all these ongoing classes I teach. The level of creativity from EVERYONE is awesome and we are all learning from each other. If you get a chance to take one of these classes - honestly it is so worth your time and effort (OK - so you have to make a quilt while doing it - no class auditing!!!). Watch for what we are going to do next year. There is stuff in the works.

I am also looking for ideas so if anyone has a particular quilt that you have always wanted to make, but it looks too complicated or too much work - let me know. I am always looking for ideas and those patterns are always easier if it is broken down. Honestly - Dragon Star is COMPLICATED if you read the designer`s instructions. If you read mine - it is a piece of cake. Just ask the participants!!  (I hope they would say that!)

Don`t worry girls - I will post the homework tomorrow with all the details.


Oh yes - when I arrived at the Hobby Horse for my class - have a look at the parking lot - I thought it was picture worthy!!!

The RED CAR convention (and you can see in the mirror at the bottom - my car is also red!!!)

Remember those Baskets of our favourite things????   Helen Anne brought in her baskets yesterday.

Helen Anne - my favourite things basket blocks  - I made the top right hand one.  The bottom right hand is significantly larger than the others and some of them (the bottom left) is quite HEAVY with stuff compared to the others

Helen Anne - my favourite things basket blocks (top left is very heavy!) 

It has been so much fun to go back and look at these blocks. We did them a LONG time ago. Hard to believe it was 2001!!!!!  I don't know if this will show up very well or not, but have a close look at the next picture.

Helen Anne - inking

Helen Anne had taken a class with Elly Sienkiewicz around this time and she made a beautiful basket of roses (top right in the second photo). Then she inked all the blocks. I am SO JEALOUS!!!!!!   She just used a small pigma pen, but her writing is BEAUTIFUL. Mine would look like kindergarten block letters!!!!   Awesome job Helen Anne!!!!   Can't wait to see it complete!!!!


Then it was off to Cockadoodle. The other girls had been there since 10 AM, but I arrived around 1:30 and hit the machine HARD. Poor thing didn't know what hit it!!!   But I got a LOT done - despite all the trouble the others tried to drag me into!!!!  

And you can tell that I am POSSESSED. It has been nice each night to bring home the BAGS. Whenever I go on a retreat - I pack several (OK - more than several) projects. It is that darn dilullision doability that creeps in. So I had a few things that I no longer needed or things I had completed or needed to cut. Last night I brought the FIVE bags that had accumulated in the car during the day. I brought them into the studio last night and left them. Then I lay in bed anticipating getting up and sorting through the bags, cutting what needed to be cut for today, sorting and putting away. OK - I have GONE MAD!!!!!    But I am so happy that this tidiness thing is now a part of my life. I am way happier and with the exception of that darn Tri-Recs ruler - I pretty much know where everything is!!!

So yes - since I have left my sewing machine at the store (GASP!!!!!) I decided that I would spend my mornings doing the tidy up, and cutting and trimming - rather than do that at the store. Works for me!!!!  And I barely have time in the morning to get all that done!!!!  Oh yes - I am on a roll. Do you want to see what I have been working on?????


Well first it was the home work which you have already seen.

Patchwork Sampler - Basket - Number 40 (couldn't they get more creative than BASKET for a name?)

Patchwork Sampler - Whirlygig - Number 39

 I now have THREE blocks left to finish. Then cut the setting triangles and corners, finish up the half square triangles for the border and hey - I could be done SOON. This focus thing is a GOOD thing for me. I wish I had found it sooner. Yes - I am sure there is something that is getting left out. OH YES - all my bindings for the quilts in the quilt show!!!!   And a couple of quilts to be quilted.

Disappearing nine patch - added TWO borders. OK - so this is NOT an heirloom quilt. I made it with charm squares. It will make a good utility quilt for someone

Disappearing nine patch - binding and backing - DONE

Mini Stack n Whack (well not so mini - since it is almost 40 inches square). But yesterday AM, as I was getting ready - I thought I MUST have more of that fish fabric I used. Checked the stash room and YEP - found a big hunk of it. So added TWO borders to this quilt. Now which orientation do you prefer?????

Mini stack n Whack - do you like this orientation???  Sorry for the distortion.

 So do you have a preference????   Well it is staying in the first orientation because the border fabric is directional and that is the way I sewed it on!!!!!   (Although personally I would have done it the other way if my brain would have been working properly!!!!

Mini Stack n Whack - backing and binding (and one extra block to sew on the backing. DONE!!!!

 Now - that does NOT seem like a lot, but remember that homework took most of Friday evening.  However what I have spent most of my time working on - I can't even SHOW. Why????   Cause it is the "BARN" (inside joke) Border Creek Mystery!!!!   Joanne issued STRICT orders that I was NOT to blog the "BARN" quilt.  Well in defiance of her - here is my STUFF. There is oodles of piecing in this thing and lots of cutting and trimming and well that's all I can give you!!!!!   I will be working on it again today. Karen is on clue #5 and was a TROOPER trimming and trimming into the wee hours of the night. Raili is CAUGHT UP. Darn her!!!!   And I think there is ONE or TWO more clues to come.

Border Creek Mystery

Karen's little stash

Karen - what a happy face even after trimming for hours and it was getting late.

Well let's just say that as the night went on - the talk got crazier, no cuss jar was around (although there should have been one!!!), the food came out (the brownies were decadent and PERFECTLY chewy), new meanings for words were developed (i.e. BARN - which - well we just won't go there!!!! - it was one of those "you had to be there moments").

On that note - I just got a SOS call from Marian. Her dear husband took HER WHEELS and she needs a ride. Me - I HAVE to put gas in the car before I go anywhere so I must run. I will have MUCH more show n tell from the others and HOPEFULLY ME too. Yep - we are there all day today and tomorrow as well. WHAT AN AWESOME IDEA to have an in-store retreat. Thanks Joanne!!!!


Have a great day!!!!


Ciao!!!!!!

Good Friday!!!!

In the world of dates and events - yesterday was in fact Good Friday. But is was also a GOOD FRIDAY. First off - no working. Yeah - well I did lots, but no official working. And lunch with friends, dinner with friends and LOTS and LOTS of sewing. Oh yes and LOTS of FUN!!!!!!!


Can you believe it - I finished that crazy tie border!!!   I am so thrilled. This was sitting on my back burner for way too long. The quilt looks pretty decent too. Except can you see what happened???   Just so you can understand better - I was using the sew n flip method to put the tie pieces on a backing. Then I measured out one border. No problem - went to measure the second and look.......

The black is the foundation - I was short 1 1/2" INCHES!!!!!   Back to the scraps to eek out a few more inches. 

See what I mean - some parts were heavily pieced. 

The end result

All in all - I think it will be just fine. I have one more black border to put on to make it the right size and hopefully Diane can find that at Ruti's this morning for me. Then the binding, backing and off to be quilted and bound ASAP. Labels will have to wait until next week.

Caroline stayed overnight - that is a common occurrence in our house. It seems that these two are inseparable. Because now M is at her house. Caroline has been working out and let's just say that her legs were a tad tender as she tried to negotiate her way down the stairs yesterday.

Caroline hobbling down the stairs

 And yes - I know that BIG wall just screams - put a quilt here. But because it is curved - well I have thought of many things, but acted on NONE.

Off to Marian's house for lunch. DH was playing golf so Caroline went in his place!!!!  Sammy came with us (she adores M and hates to be away from her). I don't think Sammy realized that we were going to Kaylee's house, but once they got through their little routine - they were fine!  OK - so they ran around like idiots, but what else is new.

Although Kaylee likes our house - she is NOT allowed on the sofa so she loves when there are new people to JUMP on ON the sofa.

Sammy - not sure what to make of all this. She is NOT allowed on the sofa at home, but hey - this is neat!!!!!

Kaylee's tongue was hanging a lot more than that, but this was all I could catch on film (stick???)

Buffet lunch - yummy!!!!!  

Hunting for easter eggs

Let me just JUMP up to get those eggs

The loot (hmmmmm - I was told by a certain someone that they were TOO OLD for easter egg hunt)

Then Marian showed us a new sign that they had bought and it just called for a family photo. Need I say any more!!!!!!   Honestly - this looks like an out take from some whacked out TV sit-com!!!!   But they are a FAMILY - no doubt about that!

Family Picture - Take one

Family Picture - Take Two
Oh hell - it doesn't get better than this!!!!!

Sammy and M - on the way home.

Then it was off to Cockadoodle for a fun-filled weekend of sewing. More on that later - I see I have run out of time.

Have a great day!!!!


Ciao!!!!!

Procrastination

Yes - even though I am getting my act together, I still have a few things that NEED to be done and for various reasons I have been putting them off.

Why do we procrastinate???   Well sometimes - BUT VERY rarely is it lack of time. I mean I got that red/white quilt top together and that took a lot of time. Often times there is something attached to that job that we don't want to face. Sometimes I think we just like to sabotage ourselves. Let's see how much stress I can put on myself. Oh yeah - I'm definitely in that category.

The monkey on my back????   Yes - it is those tie quilts!!!!   You know that number 1 and number 2 were delivered. Yeah for small miracles!!!   Number three has been quilted a while ago and just needed the binding hand stitched down. And number four - well it needed some work!  I am happy to report that I have the binding ALMOST stitched down on Number 3. I got a audio book to listen to and I made excellent progress last night.

Oh did I tell you my incentive????   Well it appears that SOMEONE (who shall remain nameless) decided to enter these two tie quilts into the upcoming quilt show in Brampton (April 30 - May 1). First the customer was consulted and he was promised delivery of the two quilts in May after the show. Hmmmmmmm - what does that mean????  Well the darn quilts have to be finished!!!!   Oh my god!!!!   NO MORE PROCRASTINATION allowed - the clock is rapidly ticking.

OK - so here is why I was procrastinating on that last tie quilt. The design on all of them is different to accommodate the various sizes of tie and to not make them all the same. As the last tie quilt was being constructed you can imagine that the amount of fabric left was getting slim. I had 104 ties to make four BIG quilts.

After making the center of the quilt, I decided that I needed to make some scrappy borders for the last one. And this is what I had to work with.

Scraps of ties to make a border

See what I mean. How do you create something out of nothing????    I was DREADING this task, but could not put it off any longer. 

The center part was done (the center blocks and the first border with the big squares). I managed to get the black border on and got enough of the scrappy border created that I could sew TWO sides on. Just TWO more scrappy borders to make - 130" of scrappy border to be exact!!!!!     Here is what it looks like at this point in time. 

Tie Quilt Number Four

Now when I was working on it (around 5:30 PM last night), I realized that I had NOT purchased additional fabric for the last outside border. DRAT and Ruti's is closed!!!!!!   You are kidding me because I had hoped to get it quilted over the weekend. An emergency call to Diane who works at Ruti's (that where the fabric came from and that fabric was used in the other quilts). Diane lives close to me, so I ran over a sample of the fabric - yes she thinks they still have it at the store. I can't get to Ruti's on Saturday (and today is Good Friday) so Diane is going to shop for me and I can pick the fabric up on Saturday night. I am such a DOLT for leaving this to the last minute. Well it isn't the last minute, but getting close!!!!!   I did get the flannel backing washed yesterday and will try to sew that up and get loaded on the machine.


As for the state of the other pieces I have entered in the show (there are SIXTEEN in total): some are completely done, some need labels (pins work well for emergency situations like this!!!), some need sleeves (again pins work wonders), a few need binding stitched down and one needs the binding sewn on and of course the tie quilt. Well it will be an interesting week to say the least. And I have CUSTOMER QUILTS that need to be quilted.

OK - after the crisis of the show is over - NO ONE is allowed to talk to me until I get a bit of back log caught up. Just kidding - while I am very good at managing stuff (well most of it), I am still NOT good at managing my time. That will come next - got to schedule time for things and STICK to the schedule.

Yesterday was our day to work on the Farm Fresh quilt.

Farm Fresh by Buggy Barn

This is a really nice - funky quilt. There are 6 of us working on it. I did not get everyone's pictures, but here is where we are to date.

Mine - Bloom block is complete, the two daisies - glued down - not stitched

Linda - two blocks complete. I LOVE the purple flowers

Marian (always has to do something different). She is changing up the pattern. These pieces are almost ready to be stitched and guess what she "stole" from me to do the stitching.....

"stolen" thread

 Boy she is lucky to have a friend like me - well stocked!!!!   Of course I do have several patterns of hers and they have been here forever. Well she has made them and I know she won't make them again!!!!  And she does give good advice - well most times!!!!

Linda's Christmas Trees

Linda has gotten the center of her Christmas Tree quilt together. She ripped all the paper off yesterday. I just LOVE LOVE LOVE this quilt. Yes - it is on my list of things to do.


Then Marian and I were off to visit with Lisa. Lisa just had major surgery and we figured she would need some cheering up. Before we went to her house - we made a quick stop at Tim's. I know you are asking - did I give in??????   I DID NOT!!!!!   I sat in the restaurant - had my soup and an apple juice!!!!!   A milestone to say the least. Yes - I really do not crave the stuff - but I miss the "habit".

However - look what we saw on the counter. I love it!!!!!  How cool is that!!!!

Roll up the Rim to win BUTTON

Then off to Lisa's house with her coffee. She is looking pretty good for just getting out of the hospital. Way to go Lisa!!!   But DO NOT over do it. Anyway - she took us on a tour of her studio!  I LOVE this room.

Lisa's fabric stash (all nicely organized in bins)

Same group of containers - but look at the neatly labelled pizza boxes!!!!

This is where the FUN stuff is kept.

Yes - her sewing/cutting table was a disaster, but Rome wasn't built in a day. I think this is a fun, funky room and Marian and I wanted to dive in start playing!!!!  Hey Lisa - I'd get rid of the TV so you would have more space!!!!!  Just invite me over and I'll help you get the rest of that stuff sorted and in a home. Once it is in a home - you will have no problem keeping it neat and tidy!!!!!   And I am so JEALOUS - she as TWO beautiful windows for lots of natural light. I am stuck in the basement. But I'm not complaining - I do love my space.


Well speaking of diving in and playing - Lisa has been busy - look at this beautiful box of stuff.......

Quilter's eye candy!!!!  - Do you know what these are????
Fabric beads

And who says Lisa is NOT organized - this looks very organized if you ask me!!!!

And what is she going to do with all those beads?????   I think you had better come to the Brampton Quilt Show to see. Some pretty cool stuff.


Speaking of studios - Lisa's studio reminds a bit of Manuela Marshall. I posted a picture of her studio a couple of weeks ago - here it is again.

Manuela Marshall studio

Manuela Marshall studio

Don't you think they look similar.


Oh yes - and someone LOVED my basket that Manuela had made. Remember.....

Hand coiled basket - Manuela Marshall

I JUST love this basket. It sits on my cutting table and I put my scraps in it. When it was full (that DID NOT) take long. I took the scraps and hung them in the trees in the back yard. Some in a small basket and some in an onion skin bag. Hopefully the birds will find the scraps and use them for their nests!!!!  Of course - the birds may prefer some of the new fibre (wicking fabric) so it doesn't stay wet!!!!

Anyway - check out Manuel's blog - http://artsii.blogspot.com/

I got my pond cleaned FINALLY, but it needs repairs. I knew that - it's a long story and I won't go into it, but I knew this was going to happen. I believe the crew is coming early next week so then I should be able to get up and get my fish to restock the pond. Right after the quilt show.

Filling the pond

And yikes - tomorrow is the $10 class at Hobby Horse. I do not think I posted the pictures of what the girls did last time. I am slipping!!!!

Christmas Heart Light

Christmas Heart Light

Christmas Heart Light

I promise to be more up-to-date with that.

And here is show n tell from Monday Motivators. I already posted a picture of one of Robyn's birds, but look at this guy (well HER name is Blossom), but we all thought it needs to be Pierre or Jacques!!!!   He looks so FRENCH with his ACORN CAP beret (I gathered up a bunch for her from "my" forest)

Pierre - I MEAN BLOSSOM!!!!

Blossom

I mean - are these NOT adorable!!!!!!    I am trying to decide on a colour scheme and going to get Robyn to make me one or two or three.........    Anyway - they are for sale and if anyone is interested - I can hook you up with Robyn. She is creating an Etsy site, but I don't think it is up yet.


I have a sick puppy. Well not exactly a puppy and not exactly sick, but poor Sparky has a severe limp. She is quite sore and I am not able to see what exactly is wrong. Did she sprain her foot??  Does she had a cut (I don't think so). Anyway - she is not in good shape. Going to watch it a day or two and see what happens.


On that note - I am off to a CRAZY weekend - stay tuned to hear all about that!!!!


Have a great day!!!!


Ciao!!!!


DON'T FORGET - The Brampton Quilt Show - April 30 - May 1 (for more details - check out their blog)

Brampton Quilt Show


and if you haven't voted for the studios yet - check out this site. Remember my studio is number THREE in the BEST STASH category. Voting closes April 25!!!!

www.fibrearts.com