Some finishes and Stash Report

Some projects that I'd been working on for a while are nearing completion. Last week I tamed the beast know as "Lazy Sunday" by getting on the final of the three pieced borders. I picked up my Halloween Scrappy trips quilt from the quilter. I began this one back in September at Beaver Island Quilt Retreat. Next up- purple binding! I also started a new project - a quilt for my sister.

And now for the Stash Report.

Fabric used this week: 3.75 yards

Fabric purchased this week: 2 yards

Total fabric out of my stash this year : 8.75 yards

Fun Busy Week

Last weekend I attended a guild workshop on wool applique by Jill Buckley. This class was all about working with wool on cotton and embellishing using embroidery stitches and by adding beads, buttons and found objects, like a cool chain belt from the 70's. I could only stay for the morning because I had a party to go to.  This is what I was able to accomplish before I had to go....

It was a super workshop - thank you Jill! I will be working on this project over the next few weeks and hope to show some progress soon. My friends at Quilt as Desired and The Cozy Quilter both attended the full workshop. See what they did with their projects by clicking on their respective links.

The party was a very important one. 

It was my husband's and daughters' birthdays this week! Look closely at the picture and you will see how old they were turning. It was a big one for someone! 

It was great being together to celebrate!

Once the weekend was over, I finished my basket quilt. One of the quilters at Beaver Island Quilt Retreat showed me how to make this cute little basket block. I set them in a "streak of lightning' and , in  liberated fashion, chopped off the tops and bottoms.

Here are some close ups...

For fun, I added some random blocks, like the churn dash...

...and the shoe-fly...

...and a wee westie for our Daisy & Piper.

Kay at the retreat kindly gave me some vintage feedsack material to make this beauty.

Liberated Stars finished off the corners. The final destiny for this quilt is not yet determined. It will start out as a wall-hanging but may end up as a baby quilt. Time will tell.

Up next: Lazy Sunday Mystery! Green Borders are on. Purple are ready to go. I have a feeling that will be challenge!

Music makes me smile...

Music has always been a part of me. As far back as I can remember, and to this day, there has and is always a song playing in my mind. Music has gotten me through the good times and bad, and all in between. Tonight while baking birthday cakes(!) my daughter declared that some music was in order. She shares my love of music and this is the song she played.  It is called "Hearts on Fire" performed by Ed Sheeran and Passenger. Sometimes a song  touches your heart and this one did mine. 

Scraps

This little quilt was made out of floor scraps I got when attending a guild sewing day. One of my fellow quilters was making a number of snowball blocks. In the process, triangle bits of fabric are chopped off. I was the lucky recipient and turned them into hourglass units for my quilt. I designed the center wreath and appliqued it in wool. It measures about 12" square and hangs out in our family room. It is amazing what those little bits can be turned in to!

Finishing Up

Today I made the binding for this quilt I made at Beaver Island Quilt Retreat. I learned how to make these little baskets there from one of the other "retreaters". Every now and again I would make a few, and this fall they were assembled into a quilt. There will be a full reveal of the quilt once it is bound. The green half square triangles are being put together for the border of my "Lazy Sunday" quilt. The pattern was designed by Bonnie Hunter for Quiltmaker magazine last year. Like all of Bonnie's quilts, it has a million pieces but I am finally on the home stretch! Look for this one to be finished before month's end (I hope!)

Meet Daisy and Piper!

Our Westies always put a smile on our faces! They are a perfect pair and we can't imagine our lives without them!

Back in Action!

After a long siesta (going on seven years!), I have decided it is time to revive my blog! The last few years have been fun and exciting....and there have been many changes! My two oldest kids are now at university, and the two younger are in Grade 12 and 9. I am looking forward to sharing some of the things I have been up to quilting and otherwise. The blog will also help to keep me on the straight and narrow! Like some quilters out there (you know who you are!), I have an extensive stash. This year, as last year, I will be doing a "Stash Report"... but this time it will be out there for all to see! I didn't do too badly in 2013, I used 20 more yards than I brought in.... but considering the size of the pile at the top of the stair, I  am determined to do better!

For the past few years my friends Carol, Gail and I have attended Gwen Marston's Beaver Island Retreat in Elk Rapids, Michigan. This past fall was Gwen's 30th and final retreat. We decided we wanted to make her a special quilt to thank her. She gave us confidence to fearlessly break all the rules and  provided us with endless inspiration to make our own unique quilts. Here we are with Gwen, second from left, with the quilt we made together. I can honestly say that this is one of the quilts I am most proud of.

Now on to the stash report:

Total fabric bought this week: 0 yards

Total fabric bought this year: 0 yards

Total fabric used this year: 7 yards.

The seven yards is a backing for my Scrappy Trips Halloween quilt. The backing was made by piecing a bunch of flannel scraps. The quilt is now being quilted and will show up here before long.

Well that's all for now.. tune in soon for more!