I've made a couple of changes recently to the way my day unfolds.
An unexpected bonus is that I seem to have made a bit more time for piecing, which is nice because that has been sorely lacking for a couple of years.
I've made good progress on my One Monthly Goal for this month...which, to be honest, I thought I wouldn't find a bit of time for!
For a few years I've needed a new Christmas tree skirt. I began nice and early this year at Retreat in May...but made an error, shoved it aside and promptly forgot about it.
Well, this week things are looking hopeful to actually finishing it in time for Christmas!
I love doing Lone Star quilts and haven't made one in a while. My last tree skirt was the same pattern. For a moment yesterday I thought it would be nice to hand-quilt this piece, but then I gave my head a shake....this will be on the floor, under a pile of Christmas presents....machine-quilting will suffice!
I've had time to do the odd bit of sewing on my "I Am Enough" quilt.
I put some of the pieces up on the design wall. The beauty of a large design wall....I didn't have to disturb the Farm Girl Vintage blocks that were already up...
This is when I made my observation.
I've often said I've gone through the "fabric change of life", since the bulk of my work over the years has been "country" colours (think Debbie Mumm). Now, I gravitate to the bright, cheery modern fabrics.
Part of me is sure that this happens, of course, because we are influenced by what is going on in the fabric world at any given time.
Over the years I've also often worked with 30's reproduction prints....and that's what I notice in the above picture. To me, the bright, cheerful, clear, modern fabrics of the I Am Enough project are very much the same mood as the 30's fabrics in the Farm Girl Vintage!
As much as I'm sure that I am influenced by trend...the thought of the similarities of the two types of fabrics pleases me for some strange reason.
Finally, I have to do my part to enable others to look to a new project, don't I??? Bwahahaha!
In the past, I've enjoyed taking part in Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville mystery, which always starts the day after the American thanksgiving....which is this week.
The last couple of years I've held back, as it's usually my busy time of year as a longarm quilter.
I think I'll give it a go this year. The quilt is a bit smaller than the past years....and, as my friend has said, at least try to do a bit each week of that week's clue.
So....have a look at the intro and see if it interests you. Bonnie's instructions are always very clear. The only year gave up on one was due to very unfortunate colour choices on my part.
You can see the introduction HERE. The quilt is called Good Fortune.
Today I am linking up with Lorna for Let's Bee Social, Susan for Midweek Makers, and Esther for WOW, WIPs on Wednesdays.
Have a lovely, quilty day!
Before I write about quilty stuff I am going to share something going on in my neighbourhood today.
For many years in Nanticoke, Ontario there has been a coal-fired generating plant. For most of my years living here, until just a couple of years ago, I could count on looking out my window and seeing the stream of brown pollution drifting across the sky.
Today the two tall stacks were slated for demolition by imploding them. Evidently this process has taken a year and a half of careful work.
From my house, I can see one of the stacks...
I'm sure you can't see it in the picture, but it is sitting just left of the windmill way down the road. The plant is about a 15 minute drive from here.
As I was taking the "before" picture I heard a helicopter headed that way....maybe a news station?
After watching a television programme describing this type of procedure sometime this year, I find the story somewhat thrilling...I don't know why :S
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So, I'm back moments after the big event. I was ready to take a picture of the moment. lol....how anti-climactic! I could see the stack tip out of site, but I couldn't hear anything and there was no big plume of dust that I was expecting! What a letdown. I'll have to watch the local news later to see it for myself.
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So, back to quilting!
I'm taking part in the Postcard From Sweden Quiltalong hosted by Sandra at Musings of a Menopausal Melon, and today is the day to show our progress.
I have done the cutting and labeling of the pieces...
This is going to be a fun and colourful quilt! Part of the fun was in the labelling, as I think it's the first time in my life that I've actually written the words, "kumquat, chartreuse, leprechaun", even though I do know the words.
Now, after all the distractions of the day, I'd better get back to working at the longarm! I have a big quilt on today that should just take a couple more hours to finish.
I am linking up today with Sandra at Musings of a Menopausal Melon, Susan at Quilt Fabrication for Midweek Makers and with Esther's Blog for WOW - WIPs on Wednesdays.
And, because this quilt is a new start for 2018, I am linking up with Pomegranate and Chintz for 6and6in2018!
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.
