Not Talking Politics Here But

I went with Blue. 

Blue Shoo that is. 

Since there were only 3 blocks missing to finish this one, I pulled some blue out and whipped up the last blocks. Sorry but I didn't take a picture of the last three. The first photo is the layout, trying to distribute the dark and light in a pleasing way. 

And a "Ta-Dah" moment. 

I'm really happy with this little "side" project. It is a SHIB no more. 😁

On to RED : 

In an attempt to use up the multi-coloured prints, I did these two blocks with tomatoes and flowers. Befitting that the last red geese block flies over a field of something too. 

How about strawberries? 

Looking good. 

I need to finish the red April Fool blocks. I believe I need 6 more. 

Decluttering: following Joy's lead in this endeavor, from The Joyful Quilter.

I "cleaned" a bottle of wine. Does that count? Lol. 

I got rid of boxes and boxes that were "saved" when we had the house up for sale. We didn't sale, we didn't move and neither did the boxes. They sure did this week. What a big cleaned space this makes in the basement. So happy! 

Raven is mad at me for removing his "gym". He had fun in these boxes, sometimes in the middle of night, chasing imaginary mice or just playing hide and seek, IDK.

I also got rid of a lot of paperwork: old contracts, the purchase of my old cars (in 2000 and the other one in 2010). Old utility invoices back when the companies sent bills by mail. Junk! Only 4 hanging folders still hold some papers in that drawer. Now I'm thinking that I should put my patterns in the hanging folders. So ... 

Out came the basket and the purging began.

It took longer than anticipated because of all the reminiscing when the boys were much shorter, but 3 quilt patterns, 14 little boy garment patterns and 1 sexy dress pattern were eliminated. That's half the basket. All that is left are patterns of garment for me that I'm not ready to give up and two quilt patterns. The basket will go in the trash as it is old and brittle now. Bye bye. 

Today, Saturday, April 26th, is the Artisanat Craft and Art Exposition. 

A couple of weeks ago, I took Elvis apart to remove the fluffy batting and got it back together. I quilted "Elvis" on one of the corners. I hope you can see that. 

I was able to quilt the "flashes" of the camera from the audience as I had planned in my mind all along. I also quilted some lines on the record following the circle. 

After adding more glitters, he was Expo ready. 

I also brought the little baby quilt I finished this week. I'm not selling anything this year again, but I will be in and out of the premises as I love to see what the others do and brought along. 

Back in November 2024, I took a course of Parchment Craft (a.k.a. Pergamano). Thérèse brought this beauty she did. She's been working with parchment for ages. Isn't her lady amazing when you think that all this is, is a sheet of thick parchment, a few embossing tools, and coloured pencils. Thérèse's talent is incredible. My picture doesn't do it justice at all. 

Denise can crochet about anything she sees in Pinterest. 

She can create plants that I can not kill! Awesome! She has little tags with the name of the plant because they are based on real ones. So cool! 

Okay, I need to get back to the baking and bring my share to the bake sale. There will be more pictures next weekend. See you then.  

Have an awesome week! 

;^)

My weekly visits at my stitching friends' place. 

Angela at So Scrappy

Frédérique at Patchwork and Quilts

Cynthia for Oh Scrap!

Alycia for Finished or NOT Finished Friday

Nina Marie at Creations - Quilts, Art, Whatever

Good morning

We didn't have access to internet for the last days so I am soooo glad I can finally catch up with everyone's news today. And I have a few things of my own to show you. First, a winning.

Rhonda from Ravelly 1 did a gorgeous mug rug and decided to give it away.  I won!

Isn't it pretty? I think it is too cute to put a cup of coffee on it so it will go up on my wall next to my little Abundance quilt.  I love when quilters show their walls all decorated with little mini quilts. Slowly but surely, I will get one too. And Rhonda's little birdhouse will rest on my wall of fame, it flew all the way from Texas. I will add a little label at the back lest I forget where it came from. Thank you soooo much Rhonda. I love it and the little note too.


Second.
Yesterday, I picked up my quilt from the quilter. OH MY!! I am so pleased but soooooooooo pleased!! First, let me remind you that it is my first time asking someone else to quilt my quilt and this particular quilt is for my in-laws. There is a big deal of trust involved in this business you understand. My mistake was to take a quilt that didn't belong to me for my first try with a quilter. What if she does a sloppy job? What if I don't like it; can I give away something I don't like? Can I put my label on something I don't like? Will I have time to make another quilt? So many doubts and fears went through my overworked imaginative mind. Then Julie posted about her experience with a new professional quilter and how unhappy she was with the job.

                                                Oh ....

my ....

                        heart ....

                                                 sank !!!

It is not my imagination: it does happen!! 

Anyway, I got to her place and she opens the door with such a lovely and honest smile, I just can't help but feel comfortable with her.  So we talked and she showed me the quilt and oh my beating heart!!! It's GOOOORRRRGEOUS!!! 

I am sooooo pleased!  It is nothing too fancy, just a simple allover panto that I had chosen with her help and suggestion, but it makes the quilt look so much nicer. 

Blooming Star : 85 X 102

All I need to do is the binding in dark blue.  All the threads are tucked in already and the edge has been cut and basted by her. Wonderful! It is so lovely.  I didn't really like this quilt at first because it is not the kind of quilt I do ... usually. I love scrappy, busy, with lots of things to look at or movement in a quilt. This one I find ... well ... boring but... not anymore!  Needless to say, she is now allowed to quilt any quilts of mine!! She also told me that they (her and hubby) bought a house in Arnprior for quilting retreats! Guess who is saving up to go on a retreat?  She is that kind of person, the kind who is so comfortable you immediately feel comfortable with her as if you had known her for a long time. Not like me, I am shy and awkward with strangers (believe it or not) but ... I want to try a quilting retreat at least once in my lifetime.
Anyway.... here is the back of the quilt. 

Did I mentioned I am pleased with it? 

It is raining this morning so it makes a darker picture.

Today, I will add my "famous" hexies flower label and attach the binding while reading what the other wonderful slow stitchers are up to on Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching. 

Until next time ... SMiLE ... please!  

P.S. If you want more info about this quilters' retreat, you can find it here.  If you want more info about her as a professional quilter, let me know and I will give you her contact number. 

I did too!

Yes, I did too...

So many things are happening at once lately that I am left with little sewing time.  But today, I did it!! 

 I did some ...

SLOW STITCHING !!! 

YEAH!

BUT .... I did NOT work on my hexy quilt !  No, not today.

 I have traced and cut some hexies but it was too windy today to work on something so light ... and it was too nice not to be outside.  So I needed another project that I could work on while sitting on the deck, enjoying a glass of wine and sunshine.  Of course, earlier this morning, I've read Kathy's blog (part of my morning ritual, you know) and when I saw what she was working on, it was too much! It was just TOO MUCH!  Julie's been tempting me for awhile with her project and now Kathy!  That's more temptation then this girl can handle. I wanted to finished a few things before pulling it out but .... too bad,  I got it out ... and it is so nice to see it again.  

I've completed 24 blocks so far. I don't work on it during the winter months. It is a summer project: easy to carry, fold-able and very enjoyable.  

I had fun making a few more blocks today.  They are all hand pieced.  It is very slow stitching but where is the rush? I will get it done some day. (It will be a small quilt! )  I try to make very small stitches. By the time I have completed a hundred of these, my stitches will be Grandma Approved stitches.  LOL  My grandma told me that her grandma never did knots when she sew.  She started half an inch from the edge, sew to the edge, turned and sew to the other edge.  So I am trying that method. 

It's a needle family get-together at every curve! 

This beauty, found on the net a long time ago (sorry, don't know from where anymore) was / is my inspiration.  The block is call Rose Dream.  The biggest difference between the two is the size of the blocks : my blocks are 5.5 inches.

Two more done.  yeah! Honestly, I think Julie and Kathy have a better method.  Hmmmm! Should I switch? 

If you like this block and want to see more, take a few minutes and check out what Julie is up to!  And here's the link to see Kathy's, Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching.

Until next time .... SM ;^) LE .... because you deserve one too!