We have a finish ...

 It just dawned on me that I neglected to brag post a project I actually completed for our Sew we Gather back in October. The re-arranging of the quilting studio really did the trick!

I project started out with this ...

It had been so long since I had hand appliquéd. Seriously, I think it's been over five (5) years! But, it's like riding a bicycle, it comes right back!

Then, it moved on to lots and lots of these ....

Oh, how I love half squared triangles! They are my favourite.

And made it to a complete project!

The pattern is called, Esther's Garden Box and is from the book Simple Whatnots II by Kim Diehl. The quilt top measures 14.5" x 14.5"! 

I must admit, I do love the way my quilting cabinet is looking!

Hope you are enjoying some productive creativity! Catch you all later! Cheers!

Happy St Patrick's day!

Top of the morning to you! Hope you are enjoying a fabulous day!

Finished this little quilt ... a project from my last wool box with Primitive Gatherings. The pattern is called Irish Chain by Lisa Bongean

The instructions called for hand embroidering the shamrock ... but I went with hand dyed wool. They were tiny pieces ... so tiny that it was best I hand embroidered the stem. 

I love how it turned out. Glad to finally have a piece for St Patrick's day. 

What have you been up to?

Catch you all later.  Cheers!

Blog land and we have a finish ....!

The other day I was going through some old blogging posts, looking at comments and clicking on the individual's profile, wanting to see what they have been up to! Many were individuals I "used to follow," who inspired me to create. I was shocked to see how many had abandoned blogging. That explains why my feed has so little post for me to read!

I like blogging, it's a great way to catch up with friends on a sleepless night, find some inspiration for that new project. 

I'm sure Instagram has something to do with it. It's a lot quicker to take a photo with your smart phone, write a little blurb and post it on a social media site than to write a lengthy post! Oh well, I like blogging!

By the way, Donna at chookyblue reminded me that I have been blogging for over 11 years. We both started around the same time. Wow! Hard to believe that it's been that long already. So, time for a give away! Read on!

On the quilting front, I finished another UFO that was just sitting there, on the back of a chair with other UFOS, patiently waiting ....

This little hand embroidery quilt comes from the back of that chair! lol 

The pattern is called Cold Nose, Warm Heart by Buttermilk Basin, started in 2010. I stitched one of these for a swap I participated back in 2010. I liked it so much that I wanted one for myself. Unlike most of my hand embroidery UFOs whereby the squares are stitched, this one was layered and ready to be machine quilted!

Onward to the give away. Leave me a comment by March 13, 2018 and you will be eligible to win the following kit!

The kit includes all the fabric and wool to make this cute wall hanging.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy quilting! Cheers!

In my defense ... !

I've been thinking about the number of quilting UFOs that remain undone and decided that I needed to do some math.

From 2007 until 2017 I started 258 quilting projects (queen size quilts to table runners) of which 50 remain undone. Oh, and in that 258 total, it does not include the numerous hand embroidered towels I have stitched and given as gifts.

Statistically, it means that I complete 81% of my projects! Yea, I'm a glass half full kind of gal! lol

Well, one can only work on quilting UFOs for so long until one has an uncontrollable desire to start a new project. Let's face it, I've been good at completing projects, many of which didn't have much done on it!

To deal with a bit of the guilt from starting something new when I still have UFOs lurking, I chose a wool kit I had purchased, oh ... probably around 2006 ... (ah, I was close, April 2007, thanks to blogging!) at The Quilted Crow. There, no more guilt! lol

Ta dah!

The pattern is called Bunny Luv Tablerunner by Pickering Farm. I do like how it turned out. However, I learned that I am not a fan of wool centers with cotton borders.

I was perplexed as to how I would finish the runner. Do I use batting?

I do not like flimsy borders, so I opted for a thin layer of cotton batting. With that, came the necessity to machine quilt so that the layers would be secured.

Thank you for stopping by! Enjoy the moment! Cheers!

Thinking of spring ...!

I am still plugging away at my UFO list.

When I first began quilting (1997) I only had one project going at a time. A few months later, I decided that it was so much more fun to start new projects. You know, to spice things up a bit. So, I created this rule that I could not have more than five (5) projects going at the same time. I had to finish one project before I could start a new one.

Approximately six (6) months later I increased it to ten (10). I remember one year working on my quilting UFOs and bringing the list down to zero just so I could start new projects. I had so many quilts I wanted to make. At that time I didn't keep a list, I just had them all in baskets, scattered around in my quilting studio.

I don't know what happened but along the way I threw out the rule. Since early 2007, I now keep a record of my projects, the date it was started and completed.

... hold on I am counting ...

I have approximately 50 quilting UFOs! Insert shock face here!

OMG, I better get stitching, quilting .... whatever it takes!

Since I've been working mainly on wool work, I decided that I needed to finish a hand applique quilt. I picked up the project Idaho Lily, started November 1, 2014. This project is from Kim Diehl's club Simple Whatnots!

There were three of these blocks that needed to be appliqued.

No more foolin' around! I got busy so that I could piece the top. In no time, well in a bit of time, I brought it from this.

To this!

It has since been machine quilted and the binding done! In other words, another one bites the dust.

Thank you so much for stopping by my little corner in cyber space! I'm off working on some more quilting UFOs.

Catch you all later! Cheers!

Another one bites the poussière!

Trying to be humourous here! Poussière is French for dust! Hum ... I wonder how the translator is going to handle that one?!

I'm still going strong on finishing some hand embroidery UFOs. It is such a great feeling when yet another project is crossed off the "LIST"!

This little gem was started January 3, 2016 and the top hand embroidered by January 13, 2016.

There it sat, waiting for me to do something about it! It's a good thing all these projects are patient with me! lol

Voila!

The pattern is called Raven Claw Mercantile by Crabapple Hill Studios, which is available here from Fibre Junction.

I just love how it turned out. Pumpkin picked out the border fabric! Yes, not only is she a huge Harry Potter fan (the apple doesn't fall far from the tree! lol) but she belongs to the Ravenclaw house (founded by Rowena Ravenclaw) ... I just had to stitch it for her!

Thanks for stopping by my little corner in cyberspace! Catch you later! Cheers!

When Witches Fly ....!

I absolutely love anything having to do with witches. As most of you probably know, my favourite holidays are Halloween and Christmas. Yep, I'm a big Santa fan!

I have a mountain of hand embroidered blocks stitched that are waiting patiently to be pieced into a quilt top. This one was completed on January 3, 2016!!!!!

Last night I decided that it was high time to tackle one of them!

Ta dah!

I just love how this little quit turned out! It's the cutest quilt top!

The pattern is called When Witches Fly by Crabapple Hill Studios. The pattern is available at Fibre Junction's website here.

Now, I'm all motivated to finish another one of  those stitched blocks! Watch out .... unless .... SQUIRREL!

Catch you later! cheers!

Bittersweet moment..!

Pumpkin's high school graduation as come and gone.  Last night was full of excitement, as the young graduates move on to a new life adventure! I am an extremely proud mama! Such a bittersweet moment.

This weekend will be full of celebrations, with family coming from near and far!  

On the quilting front, I continue to work on some Kim Diehl, Collection 2 projects.  I just love that line of fabric.  Here is another finish.  I call this one Hex away!

This little quilt measures 12" x 14".  It's small alright!  The pattern is called Honeycomb and kits are available from Fibre Junction here.

Thank you for stopping by my little corner in cyberspace.  I hope you have been enjoying life!  Cheers!

What a mistake ....!

Do NOT and I repeat DO NOT ever take hand embroidery stitches out of a towel.  What a time consuming mistake that was.  Next time this happens, and I hope it never does again, I'm keeping the towel and using it as is!

I have finally finished hand sewing the binding of the last quilt on that pile.  I started this project back in 2007.  This was another project to entice me to pick back up the hand embroidery hobby.  Yea, it worked!

Gosh darn, that photo has some fuchsia in there.  Okay, maybe I need to seriously shop for some software and a new lap top!  ;o)

The pattern is from Crabapple Hill and is called Autumns Harvest Pumpkin.  It is suppose to be a pillow, but since I do not sew .... it was converted into a little wall hanging.

Thanks for stopping by!  Cheers!

Snow Day.....!

Are you one of the fortunate ones experiencing a beautiful snow fall today?

It is absolutely gorgeous out there!  It is one of those heavy flakes snow storm!  Perfect for ...

and......

Watch it......!

What fun.....!  

 Well, I finally got around to finishing something.  It has been bothering me a bit that I seem to start more projects than I finish.

Alas, I had a play date with Penelope and machine quilted this little gem.

The pattern is called Love & Joy from Crabapple Hill Designs.  It is suppose to be a pillow, but being that I don't sew am more of a quilt kind of gal, I added more blocks and turned it into a wall hanging.

Now onward to another project that needs finishing, but first ..... off to shovel the driveway!

Thanks for stopping by!  Watch it.......!

Clubs, clubs and more clubs... Sew much fun...!

Some of you might know that I have been running a number of clubs at Fibre Junction.   Allow me to share with you a new one I have started that is called Prairie Women Sewing Club, designed by Pam Buda of Heartspun Quilts.

The first Journey was conducted in the summer and actually done in French.  What a blast it was!

Although my native tongue is French, I have lost some of my abilities to communicate in that language.  When your world is continuously in English, it is difficult to maintain a certain level of "French conversation".  The opportunity to conduct this club was quite a welcomed challenge.  Thank you Diane, Gisèle and the rest of the  Mötley crew! ;o)

The pattern for Gathering 1 is called Leap of Faith.

The key concept of this club is the "make-do" mentality, which is not as easy as one thinks.

In a disposable easily accessible world, "make-do"  has become quite foreign to many, including myself.  It is much easier to run to the quilt shop and buy more fabric than it is to look for something else that would work.

This quilt offered my first opportunity to "make-do".  I ran out of the background fabric!  Off I ran to Fibre Junction to purchase more, only to find that the bolt was sold out!!!!  WHAT??????

I seriously thought of making another top by buying using a different fabric.... but... that would be cheating.  Right???

I was forced to "make-do."  ;o)

The background on the outer edge is actually a fabric I bought back in 1996.  It was a remnant from the sampler quilt that is responsible for this obsession hobby of mine! lol  You may read all about here.

If anyone of you are interested in doing a "web" based Prairie Women Sewing Circle, send me an e-mail and we can chat about it.  I would be happy to open a group where we can chat and share our projects.

Thanks for stopping by!  Cheers!

Small but meaningful...!

I would like to share with you my last project for Jo's Little Women' Club. It is a small quilt that became therapeutic for me. You could almost say, it was a method for mourning a dear friend.

You see, I started this project the day my friend Cheryl left the bonds of earth. Yes, on that very day! So in her honour, I have named it Stone Patches.


The pattern suggested that I hand embroidered 4 (four) of the ladies, but I chose to high-lite only one! Her name is Cheryl! ;o)

It's a cute little project! Scrappy!

I even used a couple of hour glass squares from a previous project! Yea, scrappy!

I must admit, I am enjoying working on these small quilts. They make gorgeous accent pieces in a room.

I have picked a winner from the post Things that make you go Hawwwww! Thank you to all those who posted. I enjoyed reading your entries.

The Winner is......... drum roll please...........!

Kimberly of numerous blogs! So I did a inimimimanimo and picked her blog My brown bag Studio to link too! ;o) Kimberly, please e-mail me with your mailing address so that I can get the hand made notion holder out to you.

Thank you so much for stopping by! Cheers!

Scraps etc......!

So glad you enjoyed the tutorial on mass production HST. Some of you expressed a fear with working with the bias on the outer edge of the square. There is really nothing to fear at all. It's not any worse than the other method. Do give it a try!

Thank you for the starch suggestions. Vicki from Field trips in Fibers provided a link to her own starch recipe. You can view it here. If you are acquainted with Vicki, you know it's been tested and it works! ;o) I plan on making a batch as soon as my other starch is gone. Thank you Vicki!

On the quilting front.......Have you seen this new book by Tara Lynn Darr - Simply Charming Small Scrap Quilts of Yesterday?

It's a great book for using all of your scraps.

Since I am not a scrap hoarder, the book provides me with lots of inspiration!

I know that some of you have no issues with scraps. I mean, you have them all categorized into size etc... Myself, once I've finished a quilt top, I want to get rid of the left over pieces. I'm talking the pieces and not the yardage that may be left over, that goes back in my stash! ;o)

Often, I will think or look for a project to use my left overs. Don't get me wrong, I do have a scrap drawer! But what's in there are fabrics that I will want to use again, real soon!

When I am not attached to a fabric, in a box it goes for donation to a worthy cause! That's how I clean out my stash to make room for fabrics that are more me! You cannot imagine how liberating that is! Why hang on to fabric that is not your taste anymore?

From my scrap drawer, this is what I made from the book:

The pattern is called Grannie's Scrap Box quilt!

What a great way of using your small scraps! Who doesn't have a gazillion small pieces looking for a purpose? lol

I'm so glad that my small pieces found a home in this cute quilt!

Thank you for stopping by! Keep well! Cheers!

Civil War stuff......

Have you seen this new book from the author of Prairie Children and their Quilts?

Kathleen Tracy has come out with The civil War Sewing Circle book - Quilts and Sewing Accessories Inspired by the Era and was a gem it is.

It's so inspirational!

There are so many projects I could make out of that book!

As a matter of fact, I have recently completed a small quilt from that book!

Tah dah.....!

This cute little doll quilt is called Scrap Square Doll Quilt!

Except for the sashing, I used all scraps to make it!

It's presently in the Shoppe on a shelf, keeping a doll warm! It is winter! ;o)

I have another project started that I hope to show you as soon as I complete it! Gotta get moving so I can blog about it! lol

Thanks you for stopping by! Keep well!

Spin, spin and more spinning ...!

How did the week go by so quickly? Sigh! Oh well. I've been quilting away and actually have pictures of a finished project to show you.

I've been working on this little quilt, more like a table topper.

The pattern is called A Little Twist by This & That, designed by Sherri K. Falls.

I had a fun time putting it all together!

I used fabrics from Moda, Simple Abundance designed by Bonnie & Camille . Ya know, that picture does not do justice to the orange. It's much prettier than in the photo.

Now that this little quilt is done, I'll be looking into making some Schnibbles patterns by Miss Rosie's Quilt & Co. I've seen them on Darlene's blog and they are enticing!

Yea, that's all I need, another project! lol

What the heck! Quilting is suppose to be fun and fun I'm having.

Don't forget, today is the last day to leave a comment for the give away. Good luck to all that commented.

Thank you for stopping by my little corner of cyberspace! Keep well! Cheers!

All gone ....!

Well, we did finally get some snow but alas it is gone. Today, I am enjoying a beautiful spring day! I love spring!

Recently, I've sat myself down and had a talk with my self. I said,

"self, you need to get organized. You seem overwhelmed, frozen on the spot, not knowing which pile you should tackle first. You're like a candle in the wind, blowing at which ever direction the wind sends you."

That, is so not me!

After my little talk, I decided that it was time I finish some way over due projects. You see, I bought myself some nifty little stackable bins. They even have a carry handle. The problem you might ask?

It wouldn't be so bad if this was the only stack of projects I've got going on.....

But I have two (2) more piles, and they don't all have just have one (1) projects inside!!!

It's almost gotten to the point of addiction. I mean, should I be starting out the post with, "hello, my name is Carole and I have an addiction to anything related to quilting......"

This is my most recent one! It's a huge bin, I rationalized purchasing it with the idea that I would keep my thread collection in it once emptied.

Have I mentioned another addiction of mine, thread, but I digress...

Anyway, the bin contains a new hand appliqué project, The Circuit Rider Quilt.

It's actually for a hand applique class I started to teach at the Shoppe last week!

I knew that buying more Art bins was not a viable solution, so I decided that I had to finish a project and empty a bin.

So, this is what I chose

The quilt pattern is Stars Aligned by Cozy Strip Club. It's a queen size quilt!

I've just recently finished hand sewing the binding. I used Matilda's own wool batting with silk. My friend Cheryl from Oz sent it to me. What a sweet batting it is.

I do love Matilda's own and, I have found a supplier for the Shoppe. Wool is so nice for those cold winter nights! According to my friend Cheryl, Aussie wool is the best! ;o) I have to say that so far, it's the one I like the most! At least, I haven't had any surprises like I did with Hobbs!

What a relief it was to have finally finished something from one of those bins. Of course, no sooner was the bin empty, it was refilled again with yet another project that "needs" to get done for someone! Sigh!

Note to self, "self, no longer accept commissions to make quilts!"

Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy your day! Cheers!

I'm still here......!

I seem to have lost my mojo for blogging. Well, for a lot of things as of late! I'm thinking it's because I am working too much. What's that quote from the movie The Shining, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy". Not that I've ever seen the movie.... well okay, back in the early 80's I went on a date with this guy who took me to see the movie. Hum... I'm dating myself....

As some of you might know, I do not handle horror very well. As a matter of fact, to give you an idea of my fear level, I was scared watching ET The Extra Terrestrial. Within the first five minutes or so of the Shining, I walked or was that ran out of the movie theater. He stayed to watch the whole thing, didn't even come out to see what I was up too! I cannot remember his name, not that it matters because I wasn't interested in seeing him again! lol Wow, what a digression.... lol

It's been quite the week. My weekend was spent cleaning my home, including my sewing room. It's my way of mourning, clean everything! I do have a nice clean house, always a good thing!

On the quilting front, I want to show you a quilt I made not only for my swap partner Sandy from OH, but also for myself.

This is Crow meets Jack!

The pattern is called Jack at the Gate by Jan Patek.

It is machine pieced, machine appliqued using the Moda fabric line Blessings, designed by Brannock & Patek.

This is the fabric I used on the back of both quilts. It was a special gift that I received in June 2007 from Connie of Cootie Bug 2.

Isn't it just perfect?!? I just love that fabric! Thank you again Connie for the sweet gift!

I'm off to do a bit of hand applique. I'm working on a Jo Morton, Little Womens' Club piece. Have a great day and thank you for stopping by!

Jo's Little Women's Club....!

Our Shoppe is hosting part 8 of Jo's Little Women' Club . We meet the second Thursday of the month. We opted to not follow the sequence that was provided for us and did the second quilt first.

This is my version of Meg's Basket a pattern from Jo Morton!

I called it Holiday Baskets!

It became a gift for my Secret Santa partner Kaaren from The Painted Quilt blog. You might want to check out her blog, it's really nice.

You can read about read about her experience of the quilt here. She cheated and opened her gift before Christmas! lol

The SSCS is organized by Donna from Chooyblue. I've been a part of it since Donna first started! Lots of fun!

Thanks for stopping by! Keep well! Cheers!

Friken fraken $()%*)#(*#($*%#*( ........!

Remember Old Samity Sam?! Perhaps I'm dating myself but......

I have been patient, extremely patient but now it's just too much! What you might ask? Well.....

Did I ever mention that I have Sprites in my home? YES, I do!!!! Oh.... and they have been busy! Let me tell you.....

For the past couple of months, I have been unable to locate my favourite thimble. You know, the thimble I've had since I begin quilting, made of gold and silver. My special one! If that wasn't enough, pieces from my thread attachment are still missing. Seam rippers have disappeared..... Yes, it's been a nightmare in my home and now...... I cannot seem to find the yardage I washed for the Women of Influence BOM!

I'm at a loss! Perhaps Yulelads from Iceland have invaded my home. They found it more lucrative to take quilting items as opposed to sausages and candles! lol

If anyone knows where my special thimble is or anything else, please let me know!

On the quilting front, I have completed a wall hanging.

This is Liberty Eagle, a pattern from Jo Morton.

The Shoppe received the Bonnie Blue America line by Marcus Brothers and I just had to make this quilt!

Aside from pulling my hair and cleaning my sewing room in the hopes of finding my things, not much has been going on!

The weather in September has just been gorgeous, which is nice given that we really didn't have a summer. The leaves have started to turn their autumn shades! It's beautiful!

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to let me know if you find my thimble and other things! Cheers!

Happy belated 4th of July.....!

I do hope you have all had a wonderful July 4th celebration!

I really had every intention of writing a post for July 4th. But....... other things came in the way.

You know, it's not like I have no quitly projects to tell you about.... I really cannot figure out why I don't seem to write post as often as I used too. Sigh!

Well, for one thing, I keep forgetting to take a picture of the quilt tops I've completed. However, for this one, I especially made a trip back to the shop to take a picture. I just thought it was such a cute festive quilt.

Tah dah.....

This is a pattern by Briarwood Cottage and is part of their monthly Pocket pattern series. They have the cutest little patterns to make!

I'm sure you can guess which month this is! ;o)

This one was done in less than a day! I think it took me longer to machine quilt it then to piece it! I ended up machine quilting in the ditch!

I did finish Coney Island by Fig Tree, but I'll keep that for another post! ;o )

Thanks for stopping by!