Slow Sunday Stitching ... at last

A thing I've neglected in 2016 was my hand quilting projects. I would like to remedy to that in 2017.  With the help of my new Task Master, thanks to Elaine at Crazy Quilter on a Bike, some slow stitching is now on the "Ordre du Jour".


We got more snow yesterday, overnight and it finally stopped very early this morning.

I shovelled another 10-11 inches of snow off the deck. You might be wondering why the heck do I shovel when I have 4 men in the house? The answer might surprise you. Are you ready? Because I can! Whenever my body lets me move, believe me, I move! Since it wasn't the heavy kind of snow, it was a most pleasant morning with the sun shining and little birds singing.  Ahhh!! So perfect! And when I have enough of shovelling, the boys take over. Perfect deal! :^D

Then the usual Sunday chores and meals to prepare, blah, blah, blah ... boring stuff... blah, blah, blah!

Comes the evening, I am starting to hear the muscles complaints. So, it is time for a long hot bath and then, some slow stitching with Kathy at Kathy's Quilts.

My Ohio Star Shadow has been waiting, on the quilting frame, for some attention for close to a year now. One block is marked and a needle is threaded. The only thing missing is me.

Isn't time you and I get reacquainted, Shadow? I think so. We will spend the evening together, as soon as I finish this post, I promise. 

Thanks Kathy for doing the Slow Sunday Stitching link party again this year. It is so appreciated. It is fun to see what everyone is working on and especially to see the progress from week to week. Thank you. 

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

;^)

Last post of 2016- December OMG is done!

Yes! I did managed to finish my December OMG, with one day to spare.

I am so happy. Not perfect but I am very happy. After all, I am learning this skill one quilt at a time.

I needed to make my usual blooper moment. What? Let's not forget the tradition. I had to finish the year on a beautiful note, ♫♬♩♩♪, and a blooper was it. (really not made intentionally.)

This picture shows the half rosette that needed to be removed. I had 4 made when I realised my mistake. I had another pattern for the edges which included that section too. So 4 half rosettes were ripped off in order to do as plan.  The edge design looks like ...

... this. I thought it would add some "umph" to the quilt.

It follows the white zigzag of the edge.

My OMG was to finish quilting my RSC2015. The shuffling of the threads, the binding and a label are all this quilt needs in order to be crossed off the UFO list.
There's always next year. :^D

view of the back

The fabric audition for the binding has begun. I'll be sharing more picture after it is bind and washed.


I wish you all a fun, peaceful and blessed 2017. May it be one of your best years.

~_*


Joining Link Party:

Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Myra at Busy Hands Quilts
Patty at Elm Street Quilts
Angela at SoScrappy

Planning 2017

Like most of you, I am looking forward to a new beginning in the New Year. My thoughts stir many ideas; finishing quilts, declutter sewing room, hand quilting, getting back to work, starting new quilts, organising the household so I don't have to cook meal every night, free motion quilting, assembling backing, etc. :^D

Although most of my friends say I am very organised, I rather think I am (just) organised as there is always room for improvement. I came across a blog last week that was very interesting and I would like to share it with you today.

Elaine at Crazy Quilter on a Bike has come up with her own planner, a very personal quilt related planner that cost a mere few dollars. Made from a notebook of your choice, the tasks are written in a "bite size" form. Mmmm! love that! The smaller tasks make for crossing off items more often and that is very encouraging.

Bought notebook at dollar store and started to write dates in colours.

Decided on my dirty dozen, next page has things I need to do as gifts and the third page will be things for the craft sale.

Oh, but I couldn't stop there! My thoughts turned to the first week of January and ideas started to pour out onto the page like snow in my backyard.

I left myself some room for other projects like RSC. No specific block has been chosen yet for the RSC2017 so I'll write it down later, with how many block I wish to make that week (or how many blocks my scraps will be able to produce).

I have enjoyed preparing this planner and can't wait to try it out. Hope this inspires you too.

Okay, since this blog is about quilting, how about some pictures of fabric and quilt blocks? I agree.

My OMG is not done yet. Working on the FMQ part. Aiming for half flowers in the white sections.

Sometimes, it is so awful it needs to come out.

This is what it will look like once it is all done. 

I'm stuck with the same questions I had when I put the quilt together; what do I do with the corners? Hurry, hurry, the month is almost done, says the little nagging voice in my head.

On the 365 Challenge front, the month of June is done.

June 29 - Contrary Wife - 41 pieces

June 30 - Beggar Block - 57 pieces. Since it is called beggar, I decided to make use of all the little bits leftover from the other blocks. The blue is the constant.

So for two blocks - 98 pieces
For the month of June, the total comes to 1455 pieces.
Year to date : 4997

July is calling for more dark 3.5" blocks. Lately, working on dark fabric is depressing for me. I'll wait til it is brighter outside because,  meanwhile in Canada:

Com'on now, all together!  "Let it snow,

Let it snow,

Let is snow ...   "                                

Until next time ... 

Hope your holidays are filled with laughter, a rejoicing heart and a peaceful mind. Know that I appreciate your company and love you all. 

*_~

Joining Sarah at Confidence of a Fabric Addict

Angie at A Quilting Reader's Garden

Myra at Busy Hands
Angela at So Scrappy

Monday! Again?

Not sure where this week went but it obviously went since it's Monday again.

Didn't do all that I wanted to [when do I ever do all there is to do? (o`o`) ] but a few things were made.

Finished the stitch-in-the-ditch on the RSC2015 quilt.

View from the back as it shows the quilting better.

The other sewing machine has to be set up for Free Motion Quilting (FMQ). The plan was to start on Sunday, but Saturday I was sick and was weak still on Sunday. If I still have energy, I will do this today. (Been shovelling since 9:30 this morning. Beautiful, fluffy snow falling! :^D)

But I digress. I did do some 365 blocks. Let's see them.

June 25 -  Wyoming Valley - 60 pieces

June 26 - Cross within a Cross - 21 pieces

June 27 - Navajo - 49 pieces

June 28 - Aunt Malvina's Chain - 36 pieces
Please don't look at this one too closely. I know my seams don't match but it's good enough ... if you look at it from far. lol.

Group photo - total  - 166 pieces.

The month of June isn't yet completed ... but i'm working on it, diligently.

Between blocks, I found myself piecing tiny bits together for a future crumb quilt. Maybe I'll end up with enough units to make a few Hole in the Barn Door blocks in the RSC2017. Who knows?

And I've also pieced some "purple" 4-patch for Bonnie's Mystery Quilt. I switched the purple for blue. I have a little love affair with blue. (and purple is practically non-existent in my stash) All the components of these blocks are from the 2" bin.  There's still some blues in the bin but they are mixed with other colours and it's not the look I want for this quilt.

So many times, we hear that quilters are very generous people. I was lucky enough to be the recipient of such generosity. I was bestowed upon by Gayle from Mangofeet. She gave me a Sew Sisters' gift certificate! I was so touched, I was beside myself. Such a generous heart. Thank you, thank you so much, dear Gayle.
I got some neutral fabrics. First time I buy from Sew Sisters and I am very pleased with the quality of the cotton.

What's in store for me this coming week?  Sew! What else? lol
Do some FMQ. Finish month of June in the 365 Challenge and get on to July. And shovel!  :^D
I have three more appointments this week and DH's bday, so I won't put too much on my plate. Hope you all have a great one!

Joining Beth at Love Laugh Quilt for Monday Making.

Until next time ....

Show the world the warmth of your smile!

;^)

Winter Wonderland ... is fun!

What a glorious morning this is! Love it!

(Went outside to shovel and feed the birds but ended up have way too much for a grown-up.)


Some of my friends are flakes.

Meet my friend, Hildegard. She is new to Canada. She has fallen from the sky very slowly, through out the day,  yesterday. This morning, I helped her organised her "things" and put them together. 😇 (Don't really like that smirk. Let's try something else.)

Her smile is so sweet now. Her eyes are kind of droopy, giving her a sleepy look. Let's wake her up a bit more.

She looks somewhat brighter. What if .... ?

Oh Yes!! So much better. She's even sexy, (well, if you're a flake). Now she's ready for Hollywood. No, wait! I think her body needs some work too.

Let's start with the brains. (See how Hildegard is defying gravity here. Half her weight is off the table, just floating. Before disaster strikes, I set her down on more solid ground.)

That's what I call getting your brains picked.

I turned around and plonk! her nose fell off. Okay, let's fix that before the surgery to the body.

Hey, she now has the same nose as me. We're like sisters.  She definitively needs a face lift, especially the jaw line and the lips area. My gosh! so much work still to be done.

An hour later, Hildegaarrrrddddd is slowly melting  leaving Canada.

Don't be sad. She will be back soon. VERY soon.



Disclaimer:
On this 6th day, of the month of December, 2016, in Ontario, Canada, I, being of sane mind, solemnly declared on this blog, taking the entire world as my witness, to never work as a plastic surgeon or any other fields pertaining to plastic surgery, for as long as I live. Thank you.

Until next time ...

;^)