Friday finishes!

This morning I put the final stitches in the binding of my Quilty365, or as I am calling it, A Year in My Life.

This is such a special quilt to me. 

It was started as a sewalong with Audrey at Quilty Folk, with the idea of appliquing a circle per day for a year with the intention that the fabric chosen would reflect that particular day in some way. Most of mine were, but I have to admit that some days I just picked a fabric to get the block done! Although, I somehow think that subconsciously the fabric chosen probably did have meaning on any particular day!

My quilt spans November 12, 2015 to November 11, 2016. For those of you doing the math...a few of the blocks are not on the quilt....they will be incorporated into the label on the back.

I started with a circle, but right away remembered years ago wanting to do a quilt with appliqued hearts, so I switched it up.

Lots of memories in this quilt.

Birthdays...

...puppies born last Summer...

The day we found out that our twin grandbabies would be a boy and a girl!...

....and near the beginning of the quilt, quite a few purple blocks to represent pain I was experiencing at that time....

On a side note....

In the Fall of 2015 I was in a lot of pain....so much so that I considered asking my doctor for a handicapped parking pass. I now know that sugar is the culprit for me. I try now to avoid sugar and on the times I choose to indulge I'll get what I call my "sugar pain". 

The other day I had a visitor bring me a beautiful butter tart (a Canadian treat which is mostly sugar, and delicious!). I chose to go ahead and enjoy....and like clock-work 45 minutes later the sugar-pain shot down my legs. (It was worth it!)

My life has changed so much since this quilt was started almost two years ago now. The biggest being taking up running and really enjoying taking part in races! 

Here I am last weekend after the Disco Dash 5k....I had to ask this stranger to pose for a picture since he was probably the most authentically dressed!....

What I'd like to know is how on earth did this happen, and with probably a million stitches in the quilt, however did I even notice it??!!....

I marked this block with a pin so I would remember to go back and fix it. I don't know if you can quite see it, but one of the stitches is a big loop! I've tried to ease it in, but, nope, it wouldn't co-operate, so I'll go back and un-quilt a tiny bit of the quilt and fix it.

I will cherish this quilt! Among other things, it will represent a transition from pain to good health :)

I'm also happy to say that I have actually finished my OMG - One Monthly Goal!!!

My goal for August was to complete my Freefall quilt....and I did it...

This quilt measures about 39" square, so I think it will be a wall-hanging for the guest room.

I am linking up with Elm Street Quilts for One Monthly Goal-Finishes.

I am also linking with Busy Hands Quilts for Finished or Not Friday and with Mama Sparks World for Friday is Finish Day, and with Confessions of a Fabric Addict for Can I Get a WhoopWhoop!.

To end this post, I'll choose a bit of cuteness...

Our pups are doing well, they are now trying to use their spindly legs to hold up their chubby selves and walk around!

Have a lovely day!

Quilting....and a puppy update!

I was not able to do as much stitching this morning as usual, but I did manage a bit.

I've been trying to get a nice picture of my quilting without much success...

....and when I went to stitch this morning, the sun was catching the quilt just right...

LOL, you can practically see every stitch!

I'm turning the first corner...only three sides to go.

The challenge on this border has been marking my lines so I can see where to quilt. You can see in the first picture I've been trying painters' tape. It works but I don't find it easy.

I came across a marking tool I've had for years and gave it a try. It's this Clover chalk tool...

I don't know how I forgot about this marking tool, it was always a favourite. It's called the ChacoLiner, and I'm not sure if they are even sold anymore.

So, this morning I marked my lines by laying the tape down and drawing a line along the tape with my ChacoLiner, then removing the tape. Works for me!

 I had this tool in a white chalk, also. I'll have to have a look for it as I think it would show up better. You can kinda see the line where the red arrow is pointing to. It shows up enough for me to be able to quilt it.

Soon I'll have stitching of another kind to work on. I gifted a quilted a while back, I'm thinking in 2004. It's been so well-loved that I've been asked if I could please repair some of the applique that's come loose.

It was so nice to see this quilt again. I love it so much that a part of me would love to do it again so I could keep it!

There are pieces all over the quilt that will need a bit of stitching, like the pink heart shown here and lots of the vine...

This is what a quilter loves....to see that their quilts are being used!

Puppy Update!!!

On Tuesday Minnie gave birth to three pups...

It was an exciting morning, and Minnie was a trooper. Cooper was pacing and trying to peek at what the heck was going on....

You can see that Minnie tore up the box while in labour. Don't worry, we have her and her family all set up in a clean, fresh bed...

My husband said that my "training" in watching Call the Midwife had finally come to good use. Haha!

I am linking up with Kathy for Slow Sunday Stitching. I am so envious reading her post today....I wish I was further along with my Life is Beautiful as hers is looking great!

I am also linking with Cynthia for Oh, Scrap!. She always has a good scrappy story to tell!

Have a lovely Summer's day!

Taking it easy...

I'm relaxing into my day this morning with some quilting on my Year in My Life...

Quilting came to a stop, though, when my Ott Lamp finally has a burnt out bulb...

I love to stitch under this floor lamp...I find it difficult to stitch without it! The bulbs are expensive, but this is the first one to burn out and I've used it practically every day since I bought the lamp in 2008!! So, not bad value!

I feel exhausted after spending two days at Quilt Canada in Toronto. I think it's more like a mental exhaustion from all the sensory overload. How wonderful to be in a convention hall full of people with the same passion!

At Quilt Canada it took me by surprise to come around a corner and see this quilt...

I've totally forgotten about this quilt...it is one I started also a few years ago. The idea was to hand-piece a wee house, one a day for a year. 

I love the fussy cutting...

I've located my "wee houses"...believe me, it took a few minutes...

.....time to resurrect this ufo!!

If any of my friends happen to come across some little bits that could be fussy-cut for my windows, it would be much appreciated! They measure at about 3/4" finished.

I am linking up with Kathy for Slow Sunday Stitching so we can see what others are working on today.

Sunday Stitches....with a new thread!

Today I have absolutely no plans.

I just had to type that first sentence and see it for myself. I think I've been very busy lately for me to appreciate the thought of no plans at all! It would have been the icing on the cake to be able to finally pay attention to my perennial bed, but the weather is not cooperating....so maybe some sewing-room time is in order!


I was able to put a few stitches into my hand-quilting this morning. I'd better find more time for this one if it's going to be ready for Fall Fair season. Oh well, if not, there is always next year.

Also on the slow-stitching front.....I was able to test a new thread that's on the market. 

My husband actually asked, "Isn't thread just thread?". I replied by pointing out to him that he has to admit that tools that he uses can differ brand by brand!!!

So, here we go!

I had noticed on blogs I've been reading that there is a new Aurifil thread.....an 80wt that is meant for applique (at least I assume that that is the intention!).

As always, in Canada we have to wait just a little longer for a product to appear....but I finally laid my hands on a couple of spools...

First off, there is a lovely sheen to the thread on the spool....even after taking the plastic wrap off, lol. The sheen may not mean anything to the way the thread handles, but it sure looks pretty. 

I used the grey thread to work on one of my Dutch Treat blocks the last couple of mornings...

Even in the real-life, up-close world I can barely see my stitches!

I had absolutely no tangles or twist-ups in the stitching of this block.

When I first started to applique I was a real silk thread snob. Since then I've switched to fine cotton thread and I love it. I have to admit, if I didn't already have a lifetime supply of thread (really!), I would most definitely be using this new Aurifil thread.

To be clear, I have no affiliation that is swaying my opinion.

For anyone just getting their feet wet in the world of hand-stitching and wondering what colours one should start out buying, I'll give the same advice that was given to me. Buy three spools.....perhaps greys.....one light, one medium and one dark. That will get you started, no problem!

While I'm at it I will share a new-to-me marking tool. 

It's this Uniball silver gel pen. You can see in the picture how it has a shimmer to it. So far, it shows up on any colour fabric that I've used it on. The only problem...it doesn't go away. I'm being really careful to actually make sure it gets turned under.

I hope I can find this pen in Canada. So far, no luck. I'm thinking my best bet will be a visit to Michael's.

Okay....here's the fun part!....

I have a friend who happens to own a quilt shop....Lana at Quilt Junction in Waterford, Ont.

Lana has an offer to those of you who read my blog. From now 'til June 15th, if you mention that you read about the new Aurifil 80wt in my blog post today, Lana will give you a 10% discount on your purchase of this thread.

Thanks Lana!!!

I am linking up with Kathy's Quilts for Slow Sunday Stitching. On this damp morning, I hope you can take a bit of time to visit with others to see what they are stitching on today!

A little bit of stitching...

I've been putting quilting stitches into my Year In My Life/Quilty365 this week. 

I was getting such peace from the sight of the hand-stitching that I had to take a moment just to reflect and enjoy....and I had to take

a picture!

I really do get such a peaceful feeling when I am quilting. I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again.....hand-quilting is good for my soul...I like my applique time, but hand-quilting takes it to another level. It really is my daily meditation time.

As opposed to this.....

I'm also binding a quilt. I know that people enjoy it, but to me it's just something that has to be done to have a completed quilt :)


There wasn't much time for stitching this morning as we had to leave quite early for Woodstock, Ontario for the Dairy Run!

I'm sure I read that this would be a fast-paced race....meaning nice and flat. But, no, there were many, many darned hills!

It was a tougher race than usual for me but still lots of fun!

It was a tough race, but a special one, as it was the first time crossing the finish line with a friend!


Saturday evening I looked up and saw the pups posing for a perfect picture....and luckily I had my phone with me!...

(It would have been a much better picture if I'd gotten the rest of the mulch on to cover the landscape fabric!)

I think they were having a wee rest before the beginning of a week of "getting it on"....yes, by the beginning of August we should be having a litter of puppies. 

I am going to relax for a bit and see who else is linking up with Kathy's Quilts for Slow Sunday Stitching.

Quilty365, the finale!

Today is a special day! 

Audrey at Quilty Folk is hosting the final linky party for the Quilty365 quilts. You can visit HERE to see everyone's beautiful quilts and even have a chance to win a prize by commenting on her post.

The idea for Quilty365 was to applique a circle every day for a year....using fabrics that may reflect our lives that particular day.

The name of my quilt is A Year in My Life.

I started with a circle, but right away remembered that a few years back I had wanted to do a hearts quilt....so I changed mine up...

Lots of memories in this quilt....a birthday heart...

....we had a litter of puppies last Summer...

....the times my sister got on my nerves....

.....the day Prince died...

....the day we welcomed new grandson, Lachlan, into the world....

......and so on, and so on, etc., until I now have this beauty....

I'm maybe halfway done the quilting on my quilt. I hope to have it done in time for the Fall Fair this year.

Thanks again, Audrey!, for a wonderful idea that has many of us with these quilts that have been so inspiring.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter everyone!  

I have a mixed-up schedule this week and will be working today but I still took a few minutes to do some slow stitching. 

I pulled out my Quilty365/Year In My Life quilt to do some hand-quilting. If you remember, each block was done to commemorate each day last year. I thought it would be nice to work on last year's Easter block.

As far as I can determine, I think this one is it...

One of them looks like it may represent Easter eggs, don't you think?

Whenever I pull this quilt out to work on, it makes me feel like I could enjoy the whole day just quilting....so peaceful.

My goal is to have this one done by the time the Fall Fair comes. I'm not going to rush it, though, it'll get done at some point. 

I am linking up with Kathy's Quilts for Slow Sunday Stitching so we can see what others are working on today, and also with Cynthia at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework for Oh Scrap!.

Have a wonderful Spring day!

Race day!!!

I have a confession, I am cheating on this post and writing it on Saturday.

My slow stitching on the weekend is some hand-quilting on my Year in My Life quilt which hasn't been stitched on since February. So, time to get back at it. 

I enjoy quilting so much, I don't know why this gets put aside.....I guess because I enjoy my applique so much, as well!

I know it's a bit of a dark picture but it shows the quilting the best.

I love the spider fabric. I won't lie, a couple of times when I see the spider out of the corner of my eye it startles me!

Back in the day when I had a quilt to prep for quilting, I would hand-baste. This involved pinning it to the carpet in my living room and crawling around on the floor for an afternoon basting it. 

As a longarm quilter I am able to baste my quilts on the longarm now. I don't think many people know that this service is offered by some longarm quilters. It is quick and easy to do and I might do this for clients only a couple of times per year, but it's a good thing to be able to offer.

Here is how the basting looks....

As I move the hoop to a new section to quilt, I remove the basting stitches. This way they are out of the way of my handwork and I don't need to remove it all at the end.

So, this quilting is my slow stitching for Saturday and a bit on Sunday morning.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

.....and now it's Sunday morning!

There won't be much time for poking at the quilt today as I'll be leaving quite early for the Around the Bay Road Race in Hamilton.

Running the 5k portion of this race was a goal I set way back in October shortly after I started my Learn to Run classes. I'm excited and nervous all at the same time!

This race is the oldest in North America and I feel excitement just bubbling up inside to be a part of it. Quite a few of my running buddies will be there also, which just adds to the fun!

Here is a picture my sister sent me this morning of the Around the Bay from the 1940's...





I had made some goals for this race, but after being laid up with my back problems this past month I'll just be happy to complete it!

I am linking up with Kathy for Slow Sunday Stitching, where she talks about the value of resting and taking it easy. By lunchtime today I should be back in my comfy chair enjoying a few more stitches in my quilt :)

Wish me luck!!!

A beautiful quilt to end the year....

Ever since I started my longarm journey I've promised myself the last two weeks of the year as "time off". 

It's usually a mad rush to get the quilts done that need doing before Christmas but this year I've seemed to kept up nicely and finished the last quilt of the year on Monday.

The quilt is a real beauty, designed by the piecer herself!

The centre was a perfectly done Mariner's Compass....surrounded by a large circle. The aim was to have this look like a Dreamcatcher...and I think we succeeded!

The eagle feathers were a feature that she was hoping could be incorporated...

We used wool batting (love!) and the back was a solid flannelette (I love that word, it makes me think of my mom) which makes the back as wonderful as the front....

Now that quilting is done for the year I can relax a bit....getting ready for Christmas, get some serious prep work done for applique ( I hope! ), do some organising in the sewing room. 

The last couple of weeks I've spent my coffee hour enjoying the quilting of my Quilty365....

I haven't hand-quilted a large project in quite a while. Today I find myself suffering quite a muscle strain in my hand. I'm figuring it's the quilting so this morning I took a break and did a bit of embroidery on a Life is Beautiful block...

My stitches are a bit wobbly in places, but that's ok....it's really all about enjoying the journey, isn't it? Just doing your best on any particular day.

Some of you know that I've been involved in a Learn to Run class.

I've never been anything close to what you would call an athlete. I still find it surreal that I've been going faithfully to this class for the last fifteen weeks. 

I've had the fun of sharing this adventure with an old friend...and made some new friends along the way! 

Thursday night we have our graduation run....we will run the entire 5K with no walking intervals. Wish me luck! I am quite proud of our whole group of "runners"!!!


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

Have a great day!