I just want to pass along a "must read" post by Stephie Boon today at Dawn Chorus Studio.
You can read it here.
If ever someone wanted to know why we take part in this quilting hobby, her words just about sum it up!
I always think of each quilt as a journey. I'm not concerned that my quilts usually take a couple of years to finish. It's what it brings to my life each day....peace and reflection....and many friends!
When I hear people say that they just don't have the patience to do something like make a quilt, I know that they just don't "get it", and I don't try to explain because those people will have to find their own way to slow down the pace of their lives.
I love that Stephie will finally get to cuddle up in her quilt and the memories that it holds.
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Monday, August 1, 2016
A Year in my life...August report!
A Year in My Life refers to my version of the Quilty365 project.
This is just a quick update to how mine is going.
I began on November 12, 2015 and this picture represents all the blocks from then to July 23, 2016!
This is seventeen rows of fifteen blocks....equaling 255 blocks...so far!!!....way over the hump!
I'm still enjoying the process, although I admit I do fall a bit behind at times. I hope for the next month to at least prep a block per day. I may not have them appliqued right away as I want to focus on my FlowerGarden quilt this month.
Maybe every heart in this quilt will not be specifically reminiscent of that particular day, but many blocks will be significant for me....a friend's birthday, the birth of my grandson, painful times, and joyous ones, etc.
We can visit Audrey over at Quilty Folk to check out many more Quilty365 blocks.
Of course, with the end of this quilt in sight (November), another project is tempting me, as I talked about here, in Sunday's post.
Have a great day!
This is just a quick update to how mine is going.
I began on November 12, 2015 and this picture represents all the blocks from then to July 23, 2016!
This is seventeen rows of fifteen blocks....equaling 255 blocks...so far!!!....way over the hump!
I'm still enjoying the process, although I admit I do fall a bit behind at times. I hope for the next month to at least prep a block per day. I may not have them appliqued right away as I want to focus on my FlowerGarden quilt this month.
Maybe every heart in this quilt will not be specifically reminiscent of that particular day, but many blocks will be significant for me....a friend's birthday, the birth of my grandson, painful times, and joyous ones, etc.
We can visit Audrey over at Quilty Folk to check out many more Quilty365 blocks.
Of course, with the end of this quilt in sight (November), another project is tempting me, as I talked about here, in Sunday's post.
Have a great day!
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Sunday stitching
Not too much time for slow stitching this morning as my young grandson is having a sleepover this weekend.
I did manage to get a few hearts stitched. It would be nice to take some time this long weekend to actually get all up-to-date. I'm not too far off, just don't know if I can make it happen.
Funny how all these have a dull look to them. Maybe even when I'm not picking fabrics purposely to suit my mood, it happens anyway? These are actually dated a couple of weeks ago, so who knows why they were chosen...probably because they were in the midst of my back pain?
I do have a product review today.
My go-to needles for a long time have been Roxanne's #10 Sharps. I even love the packaging...complete with a little seashell on top!...
I think there were 80 needles in the tube originally and I am finally down to one. I don't even know if these are available anymore. I hope so!
In the meantime I thought I'd treat myself to something new, these "Tulip" brand needles...
Again, it shouldn't mean anything, but I love the packaging!
I was pretty skeptical that I could notice a difference in the two needles. Really...how could there be?
I do notice a difference. The Tulip needles are super-fine and I swear my stitches are better this morning.
Here are the two different needles. I was wondering if the difference if visible...not sure, but I did feel the difference as soon as I picked up the Tulip needle.
It does make a difference to use a great quality needle and, in my opinion, Roxanne's is very good. I'll start watching out for them to see if they are still around. I love the Tulip ones, but after they are gone don't know if I will pay the premium price.
I guess my advice to new appliquers would be this....Buy some needles that are suited to applique. Your old everyday sew-a-button-on needles should maybe be saved for sewing on buttons!
I think if you have the proper needles you will see a marked improvement in your stitching.
I ordered a book on Amazon this week, Tula Pink's City Sampler, 100 Modern Quilt Blocks. I can't explain it, but some books strike me as beautifully done, and this is one of them.
This book will be the inspiration for a new project that you can read about on Sweet Little Pretties blogpost. The project will be hosted on Instagram under #100blocks100days.
Has anyone been tempted by this?? At least it's just needing a commitment of 100 days, not a whole year like Quilty365!
I am linking up with Kathy over at Kathy's Quilts to see what others are stitching on today. I'm also linking up with Cynthia for OhScrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework.
Have a lovely day!
I did manage to get a few hearts stitched. It would be nice to take some time this long weekend to actually get all up-to-date. I'm not too far off, just don't know if I can make it happen.
Funny how all these have a dull look to them. Maybe even when I'm not picking fabrics purposely to suit my mood, it happens anyway? These are actually dated a couple of weeks ago, so who knows why they were chosen...probably because they were in the midst of my back pain?
I do have a product review today.
My go-to needles for a long time have been Roxanne's #10 Sharps. I even love the packaging...complete with a little seashell on top!...
In the meantime I thought I'd treat myself to something new, these "Tulip" brand needles...
I was pretty skeptical that I could notice a difference in the two needles. Really...how could there be?
I do notice a difference. The Tulip needles are super-fine and I swear my stitches are better this morning.
Here are the two different needles. I was wondering if the difference if visible...not sure, but I did feel the difference as soon as I picked up the Tulip needle.
It does make a difference to use a great quality needle and, in my opinion, Roxanne's is very good. I'll start watching out for them to see if they are still around. I love the Tulip ones, but after they are gone don't know if I will pay the premium price.
I guess my advice to new appliquers would be this....Buy some needles that are suited to applique. Your old everyday sew-a-button-on needles should maybe be saved for sewing on buttons!
I think if you have the proper needles you will see a marked improvement in your stitching.
I ordered a book on Amazon this week, Tula Pink's City Sampler, 100 Modern Quilt Blocks. I can't explain it, but some books strike me as beautifully done, and this is one of them.
Has anyone been tempted by this?? At least it's just needing a commitment of 100 days, not a whole year like Quilty365!
I am linking up with Kathy over at Kathy's Quilts to see what others are stitching on today. I'm also linking up with Cynthia for OhScrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework.
Have a lovely day!
Friday, July 29, 2016
Word of the day
I'm right on track with my FlowerGarden quilt.
Ha!!!, or so I thought!
Today I appliqued the last two circles on one of the borders.
Then I hung the three completed borders on the design wall so I could share them with you...
Ah, so nice. But wait!
As I looked upon my months of work (2 years counting the 24 flower blocks!), I realise that there are parts of the upper and lower border that I find hard to "see".
That's where the word of the day comes in.....Crapola!
I actually heard this in my head as I realised that after all these mornings of stitching this quilt, I have to do what has to be done...I have to re-do a few of the pieces. The voice that I heard was actually that of my husband, Greg, who has been passed-away these last few years, because it was definitely one of his words!
If you care to see the perfect definition of "crapola" you can find it in the Urban Dictionary, here.
I'm having a problem with the circled bits.....the two trees, water in the fountain, the cat, a bird.
At first, my thought was to just let it be, but I don't think I can after so much time has gone into the quilt. Oh well, it'll be worth it in the end, I'm sure.
This past week we've said goodbye to all our cute puppies. It's really been a wonderful experience.
We'd pretty well decided to have one more litter next summer. Then just as the last puppy was leaving I realised that Minnie seems to be going right back into heat. (We could use the word of the day here also! Crapola, lol).
The thought of her getting pregnant right away is terrifying to me...she's gone thru' so much the last few months already. I called my friend who owns a wonderful kennel. With this being the last week of July and the long weekend they are fully booked.
I made a decision to get Cooper fixed ASAP. If Minnie is going to be in heat every four months, there will be too much worry and work to keep her from getting pregnant.
So, between now and Cooper's surgery date we'll resort to this...
I didn't know there was such a thing! We'll see what Minnie thinks of wearing a diaper. They were not cheap, but worth every penny if they do the trick!
P.S. Reading back over this post I think I will try to minimize my do-overs on the applique. I will definitely do the bird, cat and water and see after that if the trees can stay. Wish me luck!
Have a great long Civic weekend!
Ha!!!, or so I thought!
Today I appliqued the last two circles on one of the borders.
Then I hung the three completed borders on the design wall so I could share them with you...
As I looked upon my months of work (2 years counting the 24 flower blocks!), I realise that there are parts of the upper and lower border that I find hard to "see".
That's where the word of the day comes in.....Crapola!
I actually heard this in my head as I realised that after all these mornings of stitching this quilt, I have to do what has to be done...I have to re-do a few of the pieces. The voice that I heard was actually that of my husband, Greg, who has been passed-away these last few years, because it was definitely one of his words!
If you care to see the perfect definition of "crapola" you can find it in the Urban Dictionary, here.
I'm having a problem with the circled bits.....the two trees, water in the fountain, the cat, a bird.
At first, my thought was to just let it be, but I don't think I can after so much time has gone into the quilt. Oh well, it'll be worth it in the end, I'm sure.
This past week we've said goodbye to all our cute puppies. It's really been a wonderful experience.
We'd pretty well decided to have one more litter next summer. Then just as the last puppy was leaving I realised that Minnie seems to be going right back into heat. (We could use the word of the day here also! Crapola, lol).
The thought of her getting pregnant right away is terrifying to me...she's gone thru' so much the last few months already. I called my friend who owns a wonderful kennel. With this being the last week of July and the long weekend they are fully booked.
I made a decision to get Cooper fixed ASAP. If Minnie is going to be in heat every four months, there will be too much worry and work to keep her from getting pregnant.
So, between now and Cooper's surgery date we'll resort to this...
I didn't know there was such a thing! We'll see what Minnie thinks of wearing a diaper. They were not cheap, but worth every penny if they do the trick!
P.S. Reading back over this post I think I will try to minimize my do-overs on the applique. I will definitely do the bird, cat and water and see after that if the trees can stay. Wish me luck!
Have a great long Civic weekend!
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Funny how things happen...
Yesterday I decided to let go of the Splendid Sampler.
At first it was a hard decision since I felt a little like I was giving up, but it's the right choice for me.
The blocks are beautiful but there are so many more applique blocks than I anticipated and I have a few other applique projects on the go that take priority that I can't take time to do the ones in the Splendid Sampler. Once I made the decision to stop I felt a bit of relief, so it must be the right choice!
No sooner did I make that choice when another quilt-along came to my attention (thanks to a friend that knows how much I like TulaPink fabrics!).
This one is the Tula Pink City Sampler Sew Along #100blocks100days. If you want to read about it you can check it out here at Sweet Little Pretties blog.
As I was contemplating this project this morning during my coffee and applique, I think I was given a sign....the heart I was poking at happened to be a TulaPink one...
That clinches it! lol
Puppy update
I guess this is the last puppy update.
All the new families have remarked on this being a good experience all around.
I think it was, for a few reasons. We sold the pups early, at 3 weeks old. Our grandchildren had named them, which really personalised them for the prospective families. Finally, the ability for the families to text me for updates and pics of their pup really created a bond and anticipation in these families for their new pet.
Today we say goodbye to Ana, the last of the pups...
Here's Marshall's portrait from Sunday when he left...
....and here is a picture of him in his new home with his new "sibling"...
I'm linking up with Sew Fresh Quilts to see what others have to share for Let's Bee Social.
At first it was a hard decision since I felt a little like I was giving up, but it's the right choice for me.
The blocks are beautiful but there are so many more applique blocks than I anticipated and I have a few other applique projects on the go that take priority that I can't take time to do the ones in the Splendid Sampler. Once I made the decision to stop I felt a bit of relief, so it must be the right choice!
No sooner did I make that choice when another quilt-along came to my attention (thanks to a friend that knows how much I like TulaPink fabrics!).
This one is the Tula Pink City Sampler Sew Along #100blocks100days. If you want to read about it you can check it out here at Sweet Little Pretties blog.
As I was contemplating this project this morning during my coffee and applique, I think I was given a sign....the heart I was poking at happened to be a TulaPink one...
That clinches it! lol
Puppy update
I guess this is the last puppy update.
All the new families have remarked on this being a good experience all around.
I think it was, for a few reasons. We sold the pups early, at 3 weeks old. Our grandchildren had named them, which really personalised them for the prospective families. Finally, the ability for the families to text me for updates and pics of their pup really created a bond and anticipation in these families for their new pet.
Today we say goodbye to Ana, the last of the pups...
I'm linking up with Sew Fresh Quilts to see what others have to share for Let's Bee Social.
Sunday, July 24, 2016
Sunday Stitches
We're still in the midst of this terrific heat-wave in my area and still so dry!
We could see the smoke across the way on Friday where a 50-acre wheat field had caught fire. Two fire trucks were destroyed when the wind changed. So scary!, but glad no one was hurt.
Because of the heat, it's been quite a few days since we've even taken the pups outside. Last time we did they started panting right away.
This week we say farewell to the pups :(
Yesterday was Olaf and Batman's turn...
Today will be Marshall's turn so I'll have to have him pose for a picture, too.
Of course I started my day with some applique. I am still working on my FlowerGarden quilt and once I hung it up to take a picture I could see that I'm probably on track to have this border finished by the end of July.
I don't usually put deadlines on my quilts, but when one has gone on for a couple of years and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, it nice to give myself a time-frame to keep me at it.
This last week has meant more of the dreaded reverse applique. I wonder how much reverse applique will be on the final border?....I'm not going to look ahead to find out!
I am linking up with Kathy's Quilts to see what others are working on today and with Cynthia for Oh, Scrap at Quilting is More Fun than Housework.
After our errands today I hope to find a bit of time to do some prep work on my Quilty365....I'm afraid I've fallen a bit behind.
Have a great Summer's day!
We could see the smoke across the way on Friday where a 50-acre wheat field had caught fire. Two fire trucks were destroyed when the wind changed. So scary!, but glad no one was hurt.
Because of the heat, it's been quite a few days since we've even taken the pups outside. Last time we did they started panting right away.
This week we say farewell to the pups :(
Yesterday was Olaf and Batman's turn...
Of course I started my day with some applique. I am still working on my FlowerGarden quilt and once I hung it up to take a picture I could see that I'm probably on track to have this border finished by the end of July.
I don't usually put deadlines on my quilts, but when one has gone on for a couple of years and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, it nice to give myself a time-frame to keep me at it.
This last week has meant more of the dreaded reverse applique. I wonder how much reverse applique will be on the final border?....I'm not going to look ahead to find out!
I am linking up with Kathy's Quilts to see what others are working on today and with Cynthia for Oh, Scrap at Quilting is More Fun than Housework.
After our errands today I hope to find a bit of time to do some prep work on my Quilty365....I'm afraid I've fallen a bit behind.
Have a great Summer's day!
Friday, July 22, 2016
Hazy days of Summer
For years, the field behind our house has been used for soy beans...this year it is wheat. There is a lot of harvesting going on in the area lately and I think the fields look kinda pretty....
....only this has never happened before....
I don't know if the farmer made a mistake or had a new guy operating the machine, lol !!!
My backyard is about 1/4 acre and was covered in straw. I thought to run the lawnmower over it and mulch it up, but I could see right away it wasn't going to work that way. The mower was just chopping it into about 6" pieces and creating more of a carpet of straw!
So I set out to rake it up, which wasn't too hard considering the straw is practically weightless.
There were many, many piles of straw, but it really didn't take too long. Where is a tribe of goats when you need them? Or a little pig wanting to build a house of straw? (Sorry, that's all I could think of while raking in this heat wave!)
I wonder at the reaction of my neighbour when he arrives home after this time away from home. This is twice in the last month that he'll be coming home from long-haul trucking to see something unusual going on on his property!
I took advantage of the air-conditioning this afternoon to stay in the house and do the next step of the Summer Solstice quilt-along hosted by Happy Quilting, which you can see here. I am making this quilt in baby-quilt size for a new grandbaby in the Fall.
Here is today's step, the half-square triangles...
....and even got a few squared up with my new BlocLoc ruler (pricey, but a great tool!)....
You can see in that picture I have a few snippets to add to my "stash of bits" that I'm saving for a doggy bed, as mentioned in a previous post here.
Puppy update
We have four of the five pups still here. Tomorrow three will go to their new homes. It will be nice to have our lives back to normal soon, but I will miss the overdose of cuteness we've had around here lately!
I hope you are keeping cool in this heat-wave. We are supposed to break a record today with temperatures in the mid-30's and feeling like the mid-40's. I'll take it....better than Winter, anytime!!!
I'm sure if I care to listen to the News tonight I'll hear of yet another story of a child or pet found in a car in this heat. What are people thinking, really!!!
Have a great day...and a cool beverage!!
....only this has never happened before....
I don't know if the farmer made a mistake or had a new guy operating the machine, lol !!!
My backyard is about 1/4 acre and was covered in straw. I thought to run the lawnmower over it and mulch it up, but I could see right away it wasn't going to work that way. The mower was just chopping it into about 6" pieces and creating more of a carpet of straw!
So I set out to rake it up, which wasn't too hard considering the straw is practically weightless.
I wonder at the reaction of my neighbour when he arrives home after this time away from home. This is twice in the last month that he'll be coming home from long-haul trucking to see something unusual going on on his property!
I took advantage of the air-conditioning this afternoon to stay in the house and do the next step of the Summer Solstice quilt-along hosted by Happy Quilting, which you can see here. I am making this quilt in baby-quilt size for a new grandbaby in the Fall.
Here is today's step, the half-square triangles...
You can see in that picture I have a few snippets to add to my "stash of bits" that I'm saving for a doggy bed, as mentioned in a previous post here.
Puppy update
We have four of the five pups still here. Tomorrow three will go to their new homes. It will be nice to have our lives back to normal soon, but I will miss the overdose of cuteness we've had around here lately!
I hope you are keeping cool in this heat-wave. We are supposed to break a record today with temperatures in the mid-30's and feeling like the mid-40's. I'll take it....better than Winter, anytime!!!
I'm sure if I care to listen to the News tonight I'll hear of yet another story of a child or pet found in a car in this heat. What are people thinking, really!!!
Have a great day...and a cool beverage!!
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