Quilting and other Things

In November 2015, I went to a guild workshop taught by Al Cote to make a quilted rug.  Its been waiting for me to quilt, wash and face for a while.  It was on my goal list last year and didnt get finished.  This month, it my goal. 





We received the last two parts of the guild mystery instruction last night.  Getting caught up and staying caught up was my goal in January so this month I have that top to finish and some slab block to make for the CQA Quilt Bee as well. 

Linking up with Patty's One Monthly Goal

The goal was to atleast complete the top which I did do by mid month.  I ended up with a quiet weekend and made wonderful progress then completing the top.  It now looks like this


The strips for binding are cut and ready to be stitched together and pressed.  I haven't purchased the backing yet so it is still waiting to be quilted.  I did a search for gravity quilts and most of the ones I found are very densely custom quilted which I don't think I want to do.  I see hearts in all the shapes and am considering something heart related.  I don't think I want to do a pantograph for this one. 

I think this is the only sewing I've done this month.  I got a new computer and have spent a bunch of time getting it setup, tidying some photos, learning a bit more about photoshop and some time colouring a calendar which has been fun.  March is almost over and the March page is 2/3 done. 
Linking up with Patty's One Monthly Goal

I finished the centre blocks last weekend and even remade some of the ones I had made originally as I didn't like them in the setting. I had misunderstood what was going on with the outer ring. After staring at the blocks for a bit I decided they would bug me and they need to be redone. Fortunately they are fairly easy to do.


This week I've been working on cutting out the background so I can start stitching those blocks. Tonight I finished that and laid the first three background blocks out for stitching this weekend. The yellow flower pins have letters written on them to remind me which fabric is which. For the most part it's easy enough to tell but the darkest two are very close in colour.


I'm looking forward to being able to assemble the top. As I look at it on the wall I see six hearts and am thing some heart shaped quilting in those sections would be good.

The note book and task master list that Elaine described here and here is working well.  I haven't been colour coding my lists but I may try that for a bit and see how I like it.


In February I finished the binding and labeling of the tulip blocks.  These were made in our Swap a Block group in the late 90's I think.  It was the perfect piece to try quilting from the front on the long arm.

Before quilting the little top, I had played for a bit with some flannel, batting, insulbrite and fabric.These got turned into thermos covers for hiking.Two tall ones for Tea (in cold weather) or Lemonade (In warm weather)I had meant to make the tops a bit differently on these ones than on the original one I made last year but forgot.There’s enough room though to wiggle a finger in between the Velcro so it will work.

In February I went to the guild retreat over Family Day weekend.It was Friday to Sunday so I took a vacation day and drove over after my swim Friday morning.It was a fun weekend.…

Just a quick post to link up with Patty's February omg post. I wanted to at least finish the top. It got finished at my guild retreat and on Saturday I went out to Whirls and Swirls to quilt it. The binding is almost finished and then I need to add button eyes on 4 snowmen and stitch down the sleeve. Should have more detailed photos shortly.  Looking forward to cuddling on this one.  Its flannel on top and plush on the back.  So Soft!

For many years I've had an old paper bag sitting beside the cutting map to throw trimmings, scraps and threads in while I'm working.


This weekend I went to the guild retreat at Elm Hurst Inn & Spa.  It was a very good weekend.  As part of the weekend, there was an optional gift exchange.  I missed the actual exchange as I had an appointment at the spa but when I came back there was a bag with a pop-up catcher pattern complete with a fat quarter on my chair.  This morning I opened it up and spent and pleasant hour or so putting it together.


Here the two are together. I'll retire the paper bag and just leave the pop up out.


If I ever decide I want to remove it from the table and store it, there's a bit of elastic to hold it squished down and a little loop for hanging. Very tidy!

A very pretty and useful gift.