I just couldn't resist...

Went to the Creative Festival in Toronto and just couldn't help myself.  I bought another sewing 

machine!  I have been looking at these little gaffers and decided I'd have to try one.

Here she is....

 Isn't she just the cutest little thing????

I played with her for a little while and she runs like a charm.  I really am a Pfaff fan (love the fact 
that I don't have to wrestle with a walking foot) so it wasn't easy to resist.  We are doing a block of 

the month at our Guild right now so this will come in very handy.

When my DH asked "how many machines do you need?" all I could say was just one more.

Have to show you the pillow I'm working on now.  Each of my twisted sisters are making one too.  It's a pattern from The Quilt Patch in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.  They have some really cute designs and their booth at the Festival was wonderful!

I haven't gotten their eyes or buttons sewn on yet and the bottom checkerboard has to be attached also.  Will get that done this week.

I'm also working on a type of sampler, but, instead of a traditional style, it's rows of blocks.  Will post when it's further along.

Well, must say goodnight and may all your bobbins be full.

Cheers

 

Lots of News...

Hello everyone:
I have some new rulers to tell you about.  They are more than wonderful!  These rulers are becoming more popular every day.  I keep trying new ones and I haven't found one I didn't like yet.  Here are some pictures of the ones I've tried so far but I know I'll soon have then all.  If you think you'd like one, you can purchase by just e-mailing me and I'll give you the details and send it out to you.

Here's the first one I tried - the half square triangle.  I was so pleased with the outcome of these blocks.  This ruler is available in 1.5", 2.5", 3.5", 4.5", 5.5", 6.5" 8.5", 9.5" and 12.5" square sizes.  They are also offered in sets, which are more economical.  

This first picture shows the ruler which is used to square up the oversized block. 

The next picture shows how the ruler is placed on the block and the groove locks on to the seam, ready for trimming.  Then you see the perfect half square triangle block all trimmed up - easy peasy!

I was so pleased with the way these blocks turned out using the half square triangle - and fast too!

When I was so pleased with the half square triangles, just had to try the flying geese.  I've always hated making the geese when you use different colours on each side.  Using these rulers makes this process a breeze.  Here are some pictures.

The first shows the ruler I used to square up the flying geese and the second picture is my block finished.  I'd now like to make a quilt with more flying geese blocks.  They certainly don't intimidate me any more.

 

Didn't they turn out great!  There are so many sizes, even the tiny sizes that are used in the Jo Morton patterns.

Well, I couldn't stop with those two rulers, had to order the Triangle In A Square System.  I have a pattern I'd like to make that this ruler will be perfect for.  In the first picture you'll see there are 3 pieces.  You get the two over sized templates to cut your fabric, along with the double grooved trimming ruler to lock onto both seams.  Think of all the blocks and sashings you can make with this ruler.

This second picture shows the block before trimming with the ruler ready to go, along with the completed block - perfect.

I think I'll try the Half Rectangle Triangle Square Up Ruler next - looks very interesting.

If you want to see a very good tutorial on this ruler, go to happyquiltingmelissa.blogspot.com.  She is a more experienced blogger than I am and her pictures are wonderful.

Remember, if you want any of these rulers, just e-mail me.

Happy quilting, and may your bobbin always be full.

Cheers!

Making Pillows

Thought tonight would be a good time to show you how I made my little pillows.  They end up 12" x 16".

The patterns come from The Quilt Company in Pennsylvania and are available at many quilt shops.  They make some very nice patterns and I especially like these.

I didn't follow the pattern completely and the reason is that I wanted to save the step of quilting it.

First of all I cut a piece of cotton that will be used for background just a smidge larger than the pattern calls for because sometimes the quilting will make your project a little smaller.    Using my frixion pen, I traced the greenery pattern onto it.

Second, I cut a piece of very thin cotton (something you wondered why you bought it and is not good enough to put into a quilt).  I cut it about 14" x 18".  On top of that I put a piece of thin batting about the same size.  Then I centered the background piece on top.

These 3 pieces can be sprayed with 505 or something of that nature to keep the sandwich together, or, you can baste around the area to be embroidered.

I used Sulky 12 wt. thread and starting at one end, I stitched to the first branch, then up that branch and back down right on top of my first row of stitching.  Then I went along the main branch to the next branch.  If there were branches coming off, I would go up the little branch, back to where I veered off, then to the end of the branch and back to the main branch, always sewing right on top of the previous stitching.  If I went off, I didn't worry - it's a tree branch and they can go any which way.  When I got to the end of the main branch, I turned around and did a second row of stitching along that main branch.  If I made an error, I just left a tail of thread I could weave in and started again.  When I was all finished, I pulled the thread ends to the back and tied them off. 

After the branch was sewn, I drew a line around it, the size the fabric was supposed to be in the first place.  Remember, I cut this piece larger in case sewing the branches made this piece smaller.

Borders are cut to a specific size as per the pattern.  First the small red border.  I used the line I drew to simulate the edge of the background fabric.

 Next comes the outer border, which is dark green on this one. 

 There are a couple of ways to finish the pillow but I just followed the instructions to have one piece fold over the other.  It worked just fine for me. 

Before turning the pillow right side out, I did a zig-zag stitch all around the raw edges, clipped the corners and turned.  
 

Here is one of the pillows finished.  Really cute!

I enjoyed making mine and hope you will too.

Hope everyone has had a nice week-end and may your bobbins always be full!

Cheers

Won't these be Fun!

Our family like to have some fun at Christmas.  Don't you think this fabric will cause some laughter?
I hope so!  Will have to make some pillowcases for the girls.  Fun to make too!

The casserole cover is all finished.  Wish I'd used the orange/yellow colour for the binding though, think it might have looked better.  I didn't use 2-1/2" strips like the pattern called for, just quilted every 2" instead.  It looks like a pretty useful item to me.  What about you?

Starting a new quilt.  This one is called "Under The Stars".  It's a really cute snowman pattern by The Rabbit Factory.  They have some wonderful patterns and these guys were so cute, I couldn't resist.  I need to cut 156 squares in a variety of colours so am starting with red (one of my favorite colours).

Duncan came for the day to quilt with us.  My DH will often leave a treat for him (a bone from the butcher shop) and Duncan will look for him to play a bit.  Here he is sprawled out on the floor while DH gives him a foot rub, but note, he's not letting go of the bone.  He just doesn't understand that we don't want it. It just doesn't go with our tea!

Well, will sign off for now.  Come back again and watch the progress on my "Under The Stars" quilt.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian blog friends and may your bobbins always be full!

The most Amazing Quilt Show

We went to the most amazing Quilt Show last week-end.  It was held at the Chautauqua Institution in New York state.  There were several Guilds showing their quilts and numerous vendors with all their wonderful goodies (just try not to spend money) and it was delightful to roam the grounds in the sunshine.  Sorry I don't have any pictures but if you google "Quilting in Chautauqua" you will get an idea of what I'm talking about.  Good quilts, good vendors, good accommodation, good food, good friends.  I couldn't ask for anything better.  What a week-end!!!

Aren't Scrap Quilts Great..

I love scrap quilts so when my Twisted Sisters wanted us to each make the same pattern to see what the differences would be, I was in!

First of all, rummage through those boxes of scraps.

Oh, I remember that fabric but didn't think I had any left at all, but it will work good in this quilt.  I don't know how many times I said that, but, I was able to pull out all the fabric I needed.  The only thing is, I still have piles of pieces!  This quilt didn't make a dent.

Here it is finished (but where are the rest of them?)  Come on girls, lets get working on them!

Today I started a Casserole Cover (if I'd gotten to work earlier in the day it would have been finished).  Will post when it's finished.

Have a good week everyone, and may your bobbins always be full!

Cheers

We've gotten a few projects finished!

I've finally gotten the little baby quilt finished.  It looks great now that it's quilted.  Should I make a crib sheet to match?  I used a matching yellow fabric on the back that has rattles and sayings - thought it would be good for a sheet.  Any suggestions?

 

 Here's the little twister wreath done, just a bow to add.  My twisted sister did a great job and I'm sure whoever receives it will love it.

The other girls are still working on their applique blocks.  I'm sure they will be lovely when completed but it may be a while yet.  Aren't they looking good?

Here's my project.  This pillow pattern is from The Quilt Company.  They have so many great patterns and I couldn't resist this one.  Those cute little gingerbread and heart buttons put the finishing touch on it.  I'm wondering if I'm becoming addicted to pillows - I love to have them sitting around. 

I'm going to show you how to construct these pillows so come back and see how they're made. 

In the meantime, may your bobbins always be full.

We've been working away....

We've had a couple of sewing days with my Twisted Sisters since I blogged last.  Here are some pictures.

 Here's one sister getting a start on Christmas quilting.  She's making a Twister Christmas Wreath for all her real sisters.
Below she's sewing the rows together and it's looking pretty darn nice.  (Wonder if she'd like to adopt me to be her sister?)

I couldn't resist making this cute little cushion.  It's a pattern by The Quilt Company and is as cute as can be.  I loved doing the embroidered branches on my sewing machine using Sulky 12wt thread.  It did a great job!  After making this one, had to start another and I'll post pictures of it very soon.  I'm taking pictures while making it so you can see the construction.  I've done it more like Winter Trees instead of following the pattern.  Both are adorable - wait and see!


Poor Duncan, he was so tired after listening to our sewing machines going all day, he just had to put his head down for a nap.




That's all for now.  Time for bed so I can be refreshed to work on my cushion tomorrow.  

Cheers,

What a Productive Day!!!

Yes, today was really productive.  My Twisted Sisters came to sew today and we worked on a few projects (and drank tea and laughed a lot).  We meet each week and try to get some sewing done but, at times, it's difficult - just like to visit.  Today though, we really did work.  Here are a few pictures.

 

 
Here's one sister doing hand work.  She loves
doing embroidery work by hand and makes some very beautiful quilts.  Hope we get to see this one when it's all done.






  

Here's the project I was working on today.  It's a cute baby panel with borders put on.  I'll let you see it better when it's done.  Just the outside borders to put on, then quilt it.



I'm sorry to say but, the picture of the mini twister wall hanging being finished by our other Sister didn't turn out and it is really cute!  What patience to work on that little thing.  Will post a picture asap.

Then it was time to make 15-1/2" blocks for naptimequilter.blogspot.com who is going to put the blocks together have them quilted and give the quilts to the victims of the Calgary floods.  A great project - many hands make light work. 
The two pictures show one finished and mine almost finished.  (Think I will take out the top left block - it doesn't really fit in).

Beautiful!

 

Nearly done!

Well folks, it's past midnight and time for bed.  Will post again soon.

Keep on quilting!

Let's All Help!

We all know about the floods in Calgary and High River, Alberta and here's an opportunity to help without having a bundle of work to do.  Go to naptimequilter.blogspot.com.  This gal has requested blocks be sent to her and they will be put together and quilted for those who are in need.  Go to her blog and look up her post "Just One Slab" of June 25th where she has instructions for a very easy block that uses up scraps.  It looks so simple.  I'm going to get into my scraps and get some blocks out to them. 

Spring is the time for House Cleaning!

Yes, it's time this sewing room had a good cleaning.  But, what a mess  I have.  I've spent the last few weeks just moving things around to try to make better use of the space.  I think a garage sale is in order.  If I get rid of some of the stuff I have, I will have room in case I see something I just have to have.  Is there any logic here - I don`t think so.

I said I would show you some more of our African pictures so here is a picture of a Cactus Tree.  There were so many different species of trees and this is one that I thought was interesting.

I learned so much in Africa.  It really was an experience.  More to come later.  Keep on quilting everyone.
Cheers!

Too cute owls!!

Being the long week-end, I know I should have been doing a lot of other things but, I couldn't help myself.  Just had to get these little owls finished.  I had started them before going to to our Granddaughter's graduation and couldn't wait to see them finished.  They were a little fiddly, but, I love making little items like this so did enjoy doing them.  I found the pattern in the Winter issue of Simple Quilts & Sewing.  Hope you like them too!

Sunrise Over The Masi Mara

This is a great picture of the sunrise - taken from a hot air balloon.  My DH got up about 3:00 am in the morning so he could go on this balloon ride.  He was really impressed with the whole trip and would do it again in a minute.

I wasn't able to go on this trip - had been sick for a few days and, to be honest, was afraid to get up there and start feeling bad again - that wouldn't be a good scene.

He enjoyed it for me!

Sooooo Proud!!!!!

Yes, we are so proud.  Our granddaughter graduated from University this week-end.  She has really worked hard and has been on the Chancelor's List the last three terms.  She had glued rhinestones onto the top of her cap in the shape of a maple leaf - proud to be Canadian.  It was great to see her walk into the auditorium and we made a good group of cheerleaders when her name was announced.
What a wonderful day!

 

Bet you thought I'd run away again......

No, I'm still here, just very busy and haven't done a lot of quilting, or should I say, haven't finished any quilts lately.  Just like most quilters, I have a lot of UFO's and I've just been adding to the pile.  What is it about borders that I have trouble finishing a quilt when I get to the borders???  Does anyone else have that problem?  It's a biggie for me!!  I seem to be able to get the blocks finished and sewn together then come to a standstill when I get to borders.  One day I'm going to finish them!

Since my last blog, I've been to Africa on vacation.  It was a real experience and an education too.  I was glad to be home and am thankful I live where I do.  I will be posting more about the trip soon.

Right now I'm working on a scrap quilt with our Twisted Sisters group.  They tell me I'm cheating - I know, I'm supposed to just pick up the next two pieces and sew them together.  I'm having trouble doing that so told them I was just ensuring I didn't have all the same colour in one block - they think I'm matching (I can't help myself).  They think my quilt will turn out better than theirs but they are great quilters and I know theirs will be beautiful.  Will post some pics soon so you can see what we're up to.

Well, must go now.  Have some tidying up to do.  Don't quilters always have tidying up to do?

Will chat again soon.  Happy quilting!!!