Hidden Gems; Season's Finale

The last episode of the Hidden Gems Saga.


I was pretty discourage when I pulled the quilt out of the washing machine and came face to face with this blotch. 

I panicked as I had already promised this quilt to someone. There is no way I am giving a quilt that looks like this. I mean, the quilt doesn't have to be perfect for me to give it to someone, but this was way below the acceptable mark. The color catcher had obviously did its job.

So I dried it a bit the dryer. Not a very good idea by the comment of some readers but I was afraid that leaving it wet would enable the bleeding to get further into the quilt. I had to stop it long enough to get some answers from my ever so resourceful readers. I snapped a few pictures, did a quick post and waited for some suggestions. 

I was not disappointed. So many of you wrote back with suggestions or links or even to sympathize with my disheartenment. I so appreciate each and every one of you. Thank you. Some wrote to wash it again with some color catchers pinned to the quilt. Sounds like great advise so I gave it a try.

And tried again. And again. After the fourth wash with very little difference, I decided it was a waste of energy and saw that it was spreading further in the quilt, regardless of the color catcher pinned to it. 

Some commentators linked Vicki Welsh to their comments. (If the name doesn't ring a bell to you, I'll just say that she is the Queen of hand dyed fabric.) She wrote a post that thoroughly explains the results of her experiments with plenty of pictures. Awesome reading! You can find the post here.
 

She declares Dawn Pure (yep, the blue dish soap) as the best detergent to wash a quilt after testing it against 3 other detergents including Synthrapol. Needless to say, this little girl jumped in her car to get some Dawn! 

Vicki also says that color catcher aren't necessary ( WHHHAAAT??) but to let the quilt soak in hot water with a good measure of Dawn. Let it soak from 12 to 24 hours.   Well, it doesn't cost much to try this one, right? So I did. 

Yes, it's the same block. It's like it never happened. I am so, SO happy! It is now ready to leave my household to go live at its own household.  Thank you so much, Vicki!

It was promised to a 17 months old little guy. I am sure he will appreciate the flannel backing as children usually love soft things. 

It must be one of the cleanest quilt in the world after a 16 hours soak and five spins in the washer.   :^D

Pictured on the snow. It makes the quilt appear wavy.

Goodbye Hidden Gems.  I know you will hug the little one with all the love, comfort and warmth I have quilted into you. You will enjoy the squeals of joy, the laughter, the tears, the feverish forehead and the incessant babbling of pretend plays. You were loved and you will be loved even more.


Now, on to RSC2017, or are you fed up of this post? (Sorry.) Let's go through it quickly.

My purple January looks like this. 

 A sideways Buckwheat block from the 365 Challenge inventory of blocks.

 Little 3.5 inches 9-Patch and a rail block ...

... to join the 9-Patch together.

Also made 4 hourglass block. These are 6.5 inches at the moment. Regardless of what your monitor is telling you, they are purple, lol. 



Joining Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Myra at Busy Hands Quilts
Angie at A Quilting Reader's Garden 
Angela at So Scrappy on Saturday
Cynthia at Quilting is More Fun than Housework on Sunday


Until next time .... I'll be soaking some fabrics.

;^)

And then, the computer abandoned me ....

First, I want to say thank you so much to every one who took the time to write me a suggestion, an idea, gave me a link or a technique to help me with the bleeding quilt. I so appreciate your input.

I am trying some suggestions and reading the articles that were referred to me. And then, the computer abandoned me ... Just like that! As I was reading an article, it just decided to shut down!!! (@#$?%*&@)

I don't want anyone to think I am ignoring them by not replying because it is really not the case. I am so grateful for each and every one of you.  So I borrowed my son's computer (for a few minutes) in order to thank all of you and, yes, I will keep you posted on the "Saga of the Gems", as soon as I get my computer back from the Techie Doctor.

Until next time ...

Buckwheat

 ...I'll sew on.  

;^)

Yay! Friday Finish

It's always fun to finish a quilt, right?

Like I promise on Monday, here is my finished Hidden Gems aka RSC2015.

In order to take some pictures outside before it got too dark, I pulled it out of the dryer when it was half dried, so not quite all crinkled up yet.

The other reason why I pulled it out of the dryer is this nasty surprise.

What can I do now? Please help!!

I used one sheet of colour catcher in the wash. Obviously one was not enough. If I wash it again with more sheets, will it help? or am I wasting my time, colour sheets and water? It was a donation quilt but now, I just can't give a quilt like that.  To me, this is a very sad ending. All the while I was working on this, I kept thinking about a little girl, or boy enjoying this colourful little gem and now ... bummer!!

It looks real good ... from far.  (Photographed through the screened porch on second floor.)


Joining Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Myra at Busy Hands Quilts
Angela at SoScrappy on Saturday

Until next time ... I'll keep watch for the running red.

;^)

I need to Catch a Fever

My friends, Cécile (Patchwork Inspiration) and Béa (Une aiguille dans une botte de foin) are the hostesses for Log Cabin Quilt Along. We have to make 8 blocks per month. Only 8 blocks!! That's not hard, right? Riiiight!  Well, these are my blocks so far.

:^{   They all need a couple more rounds of 1.25" strips. So I need to catch a Log Cabin Fever and get  moving on this, lol. 

My leader/ender is sewing along too.  

Another thing that I will do this week involves this poor container. 

It is full to the brim and just can not accept another block.  So, it is time to empty it out onto this; 

The next border of the 365 Challenge is in that little container. Time to spread the joy all around it. This will be fun! :^D

What are you working on? Let us know by share it at Beth's place so we can all see and encourage you. Her address is right here at Love Laugh Quilt.
I will also be at Em's Scrapbag for Moving it Forward Monday.

Until next time ...  I'm planning something quilty. 

;^)

Slow Sunday Stitching Joy

All threads are in and the bind is on the RSC2015.

Today, I am sewing the binding down.  Hooray for slow stitching!

I am aiming for a "Friday Finished" quilt.

As you can here, the binding is scrappy and I didn't even care if the colours were together or not.

Love to drape the quilt on a swivel chair when I sew bindings. It makes going round the quilt so much easier as I only have to spin the chair a little at a time. When the weather is hot, the quilt is not on my lap. Today, I just might wrap it around me as it is sunny but co co co cold.


Joining Kathy at Kathy's Quilts. So many beautiful hand sewn projects on the linky party. Come and see.


Until next time ... pick up a needle and see where it leads you.

;^)

Hurry Up! It's Friday!!

Finally home and had a little bit of time to sew. Appointments on Friday afternoon should be illegal, lol.

Anywho! I made it to my sewing machine and hurried up to finish the piecing for the back of the table runner.

Pictured this morning in its "almost there" glory.

Ta-dah! Pictured after supper. Some blocks moved around during the short distance between the floor and the machine. How the ?? Because of those switched pieces, a few lot of times was spend with the ripper to remove two of the same fabric that were "suddenly" next to each other!  It is now pressed and awaits the next step which will involve these old shirts.

Not too sure about the raspberry coloured one but the others are pretty much hired for the task.

This week, I was able to play with a little bit of purple although I wouldn't call the purple in the Hole in the Barn Door block's scrap.

 Might not come out as purple but believe me, it is.

Also did a little 9-Patch for a quilt that's been sitting at the bottom of a drawer far too long.  Not saying it will be finished this year but its stack of blocks will grow. It uses 1.5 inches squares. The HST in the HITBD block finishes at 4.5 inches. Just saying.


Joining these wonderful ladies. Hope you will too.
Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Myra at Busy Hands Quilts
Angela at SoScrappy
Cynthia at Quilting is More Fun than Housework

Until next time ... play with purple.

;^)

Monday's Promises

Although I have spent many hours in my sewing room, I don't have much to show for it. One of the reason is because I'm pulling in all the threads on Hidden Gems, aka RSC2015.  I'll spare you looking at another picture of that one.



I did a little bit of sewing, trying to assemble a backing for my MIL's table runner.

Table runner top

This is all I have so far.

A Shoo-fly block, a Friendship Star block and a regular 9-Patch.

Some more units are cut or assembled and some more need to be cut. It is all in neutral fabrics because my plan is to applique Autumn themed shapes to it.

It is slowly coming together. Since this is my OMG (One Monthly Goal) for January, I have to put the pedal to the metal and sew on! :^D

The backdrop in these picture is the purple I pulled out for RSC. As you can plainly see, I haven't done anything about it yet. Gosh! It's January and I am already behind in my schedule. This is going to be a FUN year! lol.

Until next time ... stay warm! (Last weekend, we've hit our first -25 C of the year. We are expecting +6 C on Thursday. Yep, I live in Canada where the weather doesn't always follow the seasons, lol. )

;^)


Joining Beth at Love Laugh Quilt for Monday Makings.
Joining Nicki at Mrs Sew & Sow for Scraptastic Tuesday.
See you there!

Past RSC quilts

Today, Angela at So Scrappy asks Rainbow Scrap Challenge quilters to share their rainbow quilts with the RSC newcomers as an inspiration, a starting point. Since I been a RSC quilter for only the last two years, I don't have a lot to share but I'll gladly share what I have made so far.

I made this quilt a long, long time ago, prior blogger, prior Internet (at my house at least) and I love it so much I wanted another one... eventually. When I started to read blogs, some quilters were making rainbow quilts by following Angela's colour of the month. I jumped it.

In January 2015, I started making the same blocks but in a smaller size. I apologise for not knowing the name of this block.

 As the month passed, the blocks piled up.

 In mid-year, my rainbow looked like this and I was very pleased.

By the end of the year, I had a lovely quilt and I was completely hooked on RSC

Came January 2016, I still joined Angela and the Rainbow quilters for another fun year but I added a personal challenge into the game: to use older fabrics in my stash. So I picked these fabrics for the RSC.

I looked through many books to find a block that would be simple enough yet fun, you know, it needs to be fun ... I mean they're M & M Candy after all.  :^D
I settled on Peace and Plenty, a 12 inches block.  And the game was on ...

Month after month, the block changed colour.
I didn't used brown or black for simple reasons but I still needed a twelfth block. I thought a rainbow would work. And it did.
 

 By October my quilt was done.

It patiently awaits for its borders. Hopefully, it will be finish some time this year.

For 2017, I will participate again and I will make ... uhhh ... there is too many to name here, I mean, I haven't settled on one or two yet.  Maybe today, as I am perusing the links on RSC2017, I will make a decision.

Until next time .... sew up a rainbow.

;^)

First OMG and surprises

I'm having so much fun reading all the blogger's reviewing quilts and projects made in 2016 that I am forgetting my own goals. Let me apologise right now for a lengthy and photo heavy post.

What have I done in 2016 ? Lots are unfinished projects, I think.

In no particular order;

I learned how to made baskets.

Finished all the blocks for a Double 9-Patch quilt, which has started in 2015. They are now sleeping in a drawer somewhere.

Did finished Secret Garden wall hanging along with a matching table runner. Still waiting for DH to get a rod up so the Garden can grace my dining room.

Finished County Roads SAL hosted by Lori  (Humble Quilts). I had some issues with the last border but managed to finish it.

 I had fun with some string blocks. You will see more of these in 2017.

Did a carpet for my son's bedroom with older thick, stiff fabric.  I'm really happy how this one turned out.

I participated in the Block-a-day QAL called The Ultimate Sampler 365 Challenge. I am stuck stalled working on the blocks for July. This too will embellish my blog again in 2017.

Did a table runner for my MIL which she likes a lot. She brought it back a couple of weeks ago so I can now work on finishing this one.

 I won some wonderful fabrics from Sue (Suebee's World) and made these totes.

Quilt of the Century had its last row of hexagons attached. Looking at  adding borders and embellishing this one in 2017.

What's a year without a RSC? This quilt came together thanks to Angela's Rainbow Scrap Challenge. The block is Peace and Plenty. Needs border or just quilting? 

I participated in my first Block Swap. Barb (Fun with Barb) was the hostess and it was a lot of fun. This is something I would like to do again.

Also a first for me is the baby quilt I did for a craft sale. I've done baby quilts before but never for sale. More baby quilts will be added in the coming years.

Here's another basket I learned how to do in 2016. I've learned a whole lot more than just doing the basket, lol. It is still at that stage.

Bags of all kinds. Lots of busy bags ...

Lots of gift bags. All for the craft sale. My plan is to make a few items per month for the craft sale.

And I free motion quilted Hidden Gems, my RSC 2015, just last month. Needs to sew down the binding and a label. Yes!!

Oh and I forgot Westering Women. The first six blocks are done; need to do six more in 2017.

Phew! Not too shabby.  Now this being said, what do I do in 2017 ?

Well, first let's think about the January OMG. I want to work on my MIL's table runner. I need to piece a backing for it. You might be thinking it doesn't take a whole month to piece a little backing of 18 X 36 inches! and you would be right. Since my plan is to applique some autumn themed shapes on it so her table runner will be reversible, it will take me the month ... or maybe more!  Have to play with the design some more but I am getting there.

In January, I'm participating in a different kind of quilt-along.  Cécile (Patchwork Inspiration) and Béa (Une aiguille dans une botte de foin), in France, are offering a Log Cabin Blocks Quilt-Along, where you decide the colours, the fabric, the size, etc. It needs to be a Log Cabin block though; traditional block we link with Cécile or for modern blocks we link with Béa. You need to make at least 8 blocks a month for a minimum of 16 blocks. (But you can do more) The reveal is in March. This sounds like a goal for me. :^D

As I've said before, I don't do resolutions although I have a feeling 2017 will see a lot of red fabric.

Oh and the last year finished and this year started with some surprises. I won a prize from Lee Anna (Not Afraid of Color). I received some fun fur in the last week of December.

Luscious, right? Nice green and blue with a touch of light pink/salmon colour. Mmmm! Thank you Lee Anna.  I think something for Spring would be nice. So I picked a pattern and started to knit but I wasn't pleased with it so I'm waiting for Plan B to show up.

Yesterday, I had to go out on errands in the freezing rain. I decided to stop at the post office too and ... Oh My! a squishie envelope! Gayle (mangofeet) wrote a little note, saying this little piggy wants to see Canada. It was so happy to be here it jumped out of the envelope and licked my nose.

Isn't she adorable? All dressed in blue. I so love her. So as I'm driving back home, I told her about the snow and the freezing rain falling. She wanted to touch the snow. So we did.

She was running all over the place so fast I couldn't catch her with the camera but she left the smallest foot prints ever.

Then she crashed, just exhausted, out of breath. I showed her how to make a snowman. She ask why? Why? because it is fun to make snowmen. Why a snowman? Uhhhh!

So we made a snowpiglet.  I hope she never asks to go back home because I really love her. Thank you Gayle.


Until next time .... pick up a needle.

;^)

Oh! yes! Linking with Patty at Elm Street Quilts for OMG. Gosh! Almost forgot again.