The brain is a mysterious thing....

Something strange happened this week.

A few years ago now I had been working on a quilt called Auntie Green's Garden, by Irene Blanck.

I loved it and I loved working on it....until I didn't. 

About a year ago I asked myself the tough question....did I really think I would get back to working on this quilt?? The answer was "no". 

I actually felt a little relief in letting myself off the hook. I figured I would just quilt up what I had completed so far and call it a quilt.

What a shame :(

Fast forward to this past week...I really haven't thought of Auntie Green in a long while and, for some reason, it popped into my head and I said to myself that this quilt really deserved to be finished in it's entirety.

Where the heck did that come from?...who knows. Like I said in the title of this post, the brain can be so mysterious. 

Here is the quilt as it was left, a long time ago...

So, there is a floral border on the top and bottom to do, then a vine thing around the final border. So close!

I think I'll put aside other applique until this one is done. 

There is one problem though.

When I put this quilt aside, it gave me freedom to get rid of fabrics that I wasn't so much interested in anymore....which are a lot of the fabrics needed for this quilt. I hope I can "make do" with what I have left in my stash.

I wish I knew how women in the past... or even now...would hand-quilt a crosshatch pattern on their quilts without it getting all wonky. I imagine that kind of quilting on this quilt....and the enjoyment I would get out of stitching it. 

I'll have ask Dr.  Google!

(I've taken a minute to look up this quilt on my blog...and it has indeed been at least 4 years since I contemplated working on it)

I had plans to do a long run this morning, but it's snowing pretty good here at the moment (hmmmm, an unexpected sew day??). I think I'll delay my run until tomorrow and actually do a bit of prep-work on Auntie Green's Garden...then I'll know that this is a real thing and not just a wish...sounds like a plan, right?
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This morning I completed the binding on my Temperature Quilt 2019...

If you'd like to see the completed quilt, have a look HERE...I wrote a post about it on Friday. 

I am linking up with Kathy for Slow Sunday Stitching, and with Cynthia for Oh, Scrap!. 

It's been a long time, old friend...

It's a rainy morning here....which means a change of plans, I guess.

We had hoped to continue working on our back deck. Looks like I can maybe do a bit of sewing or reading instead.

I wasn't sure I had any slow-stitching to start my day today, but then remembered I still have a bit of work to do on this month's block for Save the Bees.

Here are both blocks, so far...

When I sit and stitch on the weekends I've come to enjoy listening to podcasts. One of my favourites is Hidden Brain. Today's episode was entitled, "Why now?", which delves into the question on why women today are starting to be taken more seriously in their sexual assault allegations than they were as short a time ago as the 90's.

It was a good episode and seemed to answer some questions. 

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I'm going to double-up on my post today and include my One Monthly Goal for October, as it involves some slow-stitching.

I have a UFO that some of you may remember. It's a quilt called Auntie Green's Garden...

Every once in a while I notice the unfinished quilt-top peeking at me from under a pile of "stuff"...and I think to myself that I really should get back to working on it. Then I promptly forget all about it again!

Yesterday I noticed it again. This time my thought was to just face it, that I would never continue to work on this quilt, and maybe I should just quilt it as it is now and call it done.

So I pulled it out and hung it on the design wall....

.....and didn't it give me a hitch to my breath, literally!...I still think this is a beautiful quilt and I just have to finish it!

By my calculations it's been over three years since I've put a stitch into this quilt. Even the appliqued circles make me cringe a bit, as I've improved my technique since then....but I'll let those circles go, it's a journey, after-all. 

My goal this month will be to complete some of the next border, which had actually been started back in the day...

I don't know if it's do-able, but my goal will be to finish half of this border. Hmm, now that it's raining this morning it would be a good opportunity to do the prep-work.

This quilt will now take be my main project in the next few months. I'll put aside a couple of others until then.

I am linking up today with Kathy for Slow Sunday Stitching. I am also linking with Elm Street Quilts for One Monthly Goal - October...wish me luck, I'll need it!!

Goal for March

This is the time of month to figure out what my monthly goal will be.

At first I was sure I'd go with appliqueing the next border on my AuntieGreen'sGarden. I even got it out and ready to go....

I have a border started from a few months ago....not sure now if it's the top or bottom border....

....but, I've changed my mind. I'm going to try to finish the top for last year's Sarah Fielke BOM, Happy Days. Her new BOM has just started and I'm hesitating starting it as I'd really like to finish Happy Days first.

Here's a reminder of some of the blocks...

At the very beginning of this particular BOM we were told to make 24 6" Ohio Stars that were to be used as fillers. The idea was that we'd then have all the next ten months to get them done. How many had I completed?.....none!

So I've started on them now....

My plan is to make six each of four different fabric choices. It shouldn't take too long. I think I only have three or four of the 12" blocks to make, then a bit of border work.

So, not bad....in fact, do-able! Right???


I have no applique prepped at the moment....so sad. There has been absolutely no time to get any pieces ready.

So that means pulling out an embroidery project....my lovely Flowerville....

Hmm, I think I'll actually try to finish this block before putting it away again!

I am linking up with Lorna at Sew Fresh Quilts for Let's Bee Social, and with Patty at Elm Street Quilts for One Monthly Goal.

I also linking with Mama Spark's World for WIPs With Friends.

Is it time to dump the stash???

For the past month or so I've had the idea that after I finish the applique on my Auntie Green's Garden quilt I would consider donating my old stash to the "free tables" at the two guilds I belong to.

I think I've mentioned it before....I think I've gone thru' the "fabric change of life"....all of my old favourites are not of interest to me at all anymore. I'm loving newer, fresher looking fabrics. I'm even finding it difficult to get back to my Auntie Green's even though I still love the look of it. 

The quilt still needs a upper and lower border, then comes a final "not so intense" applique border. I guess I could leave off the final border and just find a nice print for a simpler outer border...we'll see.

So.......how timely is it that at guild yesterday we had Sandy Lindal as our guest speaker! 

Sandy told of her journey as a quilter. Many of her quilts were foundation-pieced onto flannel, which sounds intriguing to me. She had many beautiful quilts that were completely scrappy, which I love!

The cool thing was, that at this time of me wanting to clean out my stash she showed scrappy quilts using old stash that were paired with white and grey fabrics....which basically brought them into a more modern feel. Brilliant!!!

One of her quilts was a spiderweb quilt....wish I had asked to take a picture. This is a quilt I've wanted to do for years. Sandy's was stunning, set with both white and grey in the "kite" background pieces.

You can visit Sandy at her blog, Scrappy Gal Quilt Company.



As I sat with my morning coffee I stitched away at one of my blocks for the Happy Day BOM offered by Sarah Fielke...

I am loving this block. I'm so glad to be part of this online BOM. Each month we get two or three blocks to finish along with a great video tutorial showing some of Sarah's methods, which may be new and different to what one is used to.

I'm not one to be caught up in the hexie craze...but I love how Sarah showed how to do it her way!  There may be hope for me yet!

Sarah will be offering a new BOM starting in the New Year and I recommend it for those of you who enjoy doing BOM's that are also a bit of a mystery.


On a personal note, I am in Week 5 of my Learn to Run class. If you had told me two months ago that I would be out running the streets of Port Dover I would have thought you were bonkers! The surprise is not only am I doing it, but that I'm enjoying it!!!....as well as the new friends I am making in the class.

Every morning after a class my knees are asking me, "What the heck???", but I just tell them that they are going to be painful if I stay at home and do nothing, so they may as well be painful trying to be a healthier person.

It's still hard for me to believe that at the end of the class in three weeks we will be running a 5K. How surreal!!!


I am linking up with Lorna at Sew Fresh Quilts for Let's Bee Social.

P.S.
I've just been reading Cynthia's post today at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework and I think she has the perfect solution to bust my stash!!! Woohoo!

Auntie Green's Garden update

I haven't done much applique with AuntieGreen'sGarden lately. 

I consider this quilt and my FlowerGarden to be my "main" projects this year. I may stray with others....ie: Quilty365/Year in My Life...but these two are the biggies.

In prepping for my trunk show, I thought it might be nice to attach the border I've had done to the main body of AuntieGreen's.

Well!!! I'm so in love with this quilt still!...and seeing it on the design wall again has given me a push to get back at it. It's kind of taking my breath away! I know it may be a bit "too much" for some people....and that's ok. For me, it's just right!

Have a great day!!!!

The best laid plans

Well, I've been trying to get going on my AuntieGreen'sGarden since Christmas to no avail.

I've blamed it on being busy with the holidays and with starting new projects, but I realised yesterday that it wasn't that at all.

Many times to keep on track with a project I'll set myself little goals. For AuntieGreen I had worked it out that if I did a border a month, etc...then it could be done for the Fair in the Fall. I've had my timeline on the brain so much that this applique has become more like a "job" or a "chore". I still love it, but yesterday I gave myself permission to give it a little rest and pick up my Flower Garden for a few weeks.

Here is a picture of how far I've come on this quilt....

 Sometimes it's difficult to put aside the time to do the prep work on a big applique, but I did do that yesterday. The bottom border of my Flower Garden has 157 pieces, not counting 24 1/2" circles! It has such a different look than AuntieGreen!

I thought I'd start this morning's stitching time with what looks like the most difficult piece of this quilt! Here is the freezer paper pattern ironed onto the fabric...

It took quite a while to cut out the pattern itself! This morning it took at least two hours to cut the fabric and baste it onto the background. I did manage to get a few inches stitched....

While coming to the decision to put AuntieGreen aside, I did manage to do a bit of other sewing and stitching.

One of my Life is Beautiful blocks....

I don't really "get" this block, oh well, lol !

I decided to start sewing my Day in My Life/Quilty365 blocks together so I don't have 365 to assemble at the end of the year! Ive decided to sew them in chronological order...

I also completed my first block in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge!

There's a linky party over at SoScrappy of people sharing what they are doing for their Rainbow Scrap Challenge. You can check it out HERE.

Another Linky going on today is at Kathy's Quilts for her Slow Sunday Stitching. You can visit with her HERE to see what others are poking at on this dreary morning (at least it's not snow!).

And, just because they're so cute, here's a picture of Cooper and Minnie ready to curl up on the couch with me lately....


On a side note, we had taped a new TV show on Wednesday night and finally watched it last night. It's called "The Indian Doctor" and is about a couple from India moving to Wales in the 60's to take over a medical practice after the local doctor dies. We thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it. I hope it lasts because it is a challenge to find a show that we both like! I don't know what we'll do when Downton Abbey comes to an end!

Have a great day!

P.S.
I'm just adding on another linky that I've remembered...great blogpost over at "Quilting is more fun than housework"! I can certainly relate, and to the post she mentions of another blogger, Mangofeet.
Have a look HERE.

Sunday Stitches

The last Sunday before Christmas!

I'm definitely going to take some time for some Slow Stitching today before trying to organize what still needs doing for Christmas. One thing on the list is re-arranging the rec room as I believe we will overflow into that on Boxing Day...not a big deal, though!

We really want to get the last of the groceries today, so a list is definitely in order. I wonder what other people have on their holiday menu that is a little out of the ordinary? Ours would be Risotto! My grandson will have three helpings then ask to take the leftovers home!

I've been keeping up on my Day in My Life/Quilty365. Sometimes I fall behind by three days but then catch-up before this becomes a dreaded UFO....and I don't want that to happen!

I want to start thinking outside the box on this project. One day I threaded the needle and just started a running stitch. I did draw a freehand heart but then let my needle go where it wanted to....

I've always be intrigued by the thought of doing an applique quilt in silks. This morning was actually the first time, I think, that I've actually used some silk...

I know I'm going to start roaming the thrift shops now for old silk ties!

I think I'm being influenced strongly for the Quilty365 by Stephie over at Dawn Chorus Studio.
I'm sure you will agree that she is a very creative artist and hopefully you'll find inspiration in her blog as I have.

I've been so inspired by Stephie that I am taking steps to explore my creative side in the new year. I won't share what it is yet, I want to wait to see how it goes. Sorry!

I'm glad to say that my longarm commitments were completed on schedule on Friday. How satisfying to have worked it out just right!

Now comes the time to finally quilt my son and his wife's Christmas present! This was a first attempt at using the Quick Curve Ruler. It's not perfect, but it was fun and I'll definitely use the ruler again for another quilt someday! The plan was to get this started on the longarm on Monday, but as you can see I'm actually ahead of the game. I had thought they may just receive a "flimsy" for Christmas, but I'm starting to think they may get a completed quilt, yay!!!

 On Saturday evening we had a nice festive evening out with my son's little family. First a little review of the restaurant we had dinner at, the Tai Shan Express in Simcoe. I didn't even know it was there!

The restaurant had a pleasant atmosphere, prices were great and we were served very generous portions. The food was delicious and very fresh tasting. We will definitely go again!

Then we took a stroll around to see the displays at the Simcoe Panorama with the kids. I haven't been in years and loved seeing all the little children running around here and there to take it all in. I tried to take some pictures but our littlest was so enthralled with the goings on that it was hard to get her attention. This is probably the best picture I could get...take note of her mittens which my son referred to as her oven mitts....

Also, this morning I was able to do a bit of poking on my AuntieGreen'sGarden. This was the last of what I have prepared, so I'll have to try to find a bit of time to get a few more flowers ready to go. I'm just realising that this border is almost complete so one of the things on my to-do list between Christmas and New Year's may be preparing the next border...so exciting!

I hope everyone can take some time to relax and enjoy some slow stitching today. I believe even just a fifteen minute break from the hectic Christmas schedule can count as a de-stressing, meditative time that is so good for our health. I could go on, but \I don't want to start sounding preachy....I just believe in this so strongly!

Try to take time, also, to visit with Kathy over at Kathy's Quilts to see how other people are taking time to take a break and enjoy the holidays! 

Have a great day!

Stitching on a Sunday

So the countdown is on!

 

Any longarm quilter will tell you that this is an important time of year. Almost any quilt scheduled in December is a quilt that is most likely a Christmas gift for someone. It takes careful planning to get the scheduling done just right so everyone gets their quilts on time.

Ever since I started my little business the only time off that is written in stone (kind of) is that I like the last two weeks of the year to be time put aside for my family and me. Saying that, my hope is to be on holidays as of December 19th. I feel good that I'm on schedule, but we'll see if that's still true at the end of the week!

We did the obligatory Christmas trek to the mall yesterday. I almost feel claustrophobic in the city this time of year. I think we're done...just have to buy a roll of Scotch Tape and we can start wrapping!

Today I started my day as usual with a bit of applique. I hope to squeeze out an hour to prepare more of my AuntieGreen'sGarden today as I only have one more little flower ready to go. I don't usually have a problem picking out fabrics, but I'm a bit stuck on what colour the flowers should be in the middle of the right border......purple, maybe???

Also, I was able to catch up on my Day in My Life hearts this morning. One day this week I realised I had gone two days forgetting to pick out my heart of the day....too much to think of this time of year, I guess???

I think with all these projects and more slated to start in the New Year it would be nice if I can start to finish my workday at 3:00 every day and have late afternoon to work on piecing. Well, I can dream, can't I?!

Today is Slow Sunday Stitching over at Kathy's Quilts. Have a look at her blog today to see what others are working on!

I'm also linking up with Cyndy at her blog, Quilting is More Fun Than Housework. I think both of these projects qualify for her "Oh, Scrap"!