Fare Thee Well 2013......

As we bid a very chilly goodbye to 2013, it only seems fitting to have a look back on some quilting and crafting done throughout the year.

It was so much fun to gather the photos for the mosaics, but also a reminder that I should organize them properly!!

So... here are some photos from 2013.......

Quilts

 Cushions

 do. Good Stitches

 Zakka Along 2.0

 Bees and Swaps

 Pretty Much Everything Else!

 As I look forward to 2014, my plans are quite simple.....

I want to do much more hand sewing: EPP and embroidery.

I already have a couple projects on the go, and loving it so much.

Although I haven't officially joined Fabricholics Anonymous , I do plan to use mostly stash fabrics this year(fingers crossed)!

Wishing one and all a very Happy New Year!

This is what I've been up to!

Considering it's been a whole month since I've done a post, I don't have a whole lot to show for it!!

The Saskatoon MQG had it's year end Sewcial last week-end. We spent a whole day at a lovely lodge, just sewing and eating.

Wonderful way to spend a day!!

I started a scrap vomit postage stamp quilt...

 Considering all the scraps I have, I am hoping to make a good sized quilt!

I cut and sewed, cut and sewed all day, and still have a ton of work ahead of me!

The tutorial from Rita @ Red Pepper Quilts is a really good one, so that's what I am using.

I have spent a whole lot of time making microwave bowl holders! Such a surprise how popular they are, and friends have placed orders for Christmas gifts.

Who knew!

I used this tutorial.

I am also using the same basic tutorial to make holders for some larger pottery bowls. For these I am using insulbrite, so they are not for the microwave, but more for using as a hotpad.

Our last block for the Happiness Circle @ do. Good Stitches is a scrappy improv block using the tutorial from Aneela Hoey.

I had something fun happen to me! Last year, I made a cute wall hanging found in Quiltmaker magazine....

It is a paper pieced pattern by Sonja Callaghan aka Artisania. I had a terrible time with the backing fabric bleeding through when I spritzed it down to remove marking lines. Anyway, I was contacted by Quiltmaker magazine, and here is what came of our e-mail exchanges!!!!......

Eek! My little guy is actually in a magazine!!! 

This is the Nov/Dec 2013 issue.

He is such a snob now!! Un-bear-able.........!

sorry :-)

I also couldn't resist getting a couple of Christmas panels from Laurie Wisbrun, and made cushions from them. Love!

I've probably got more things to post about, but I can't think of anything else right now.

I have a new ipad that is keeping me very busy! Quite the learning curve!

Snow and Snowflakes!

Winter has arrived with a couple dumps of snow in the past week...

Fresh snow is always so pretty, until you have to shovel it!

But, it did put me in the mood to get some bee blocks done.

First up are November's blocks for our

Happiness Circle @ do. Good Stitches.

Marika asked us to do Plus blocks using low volume background and bright colours for the Plus.

We used this tutorial.

I love doing these blocks, and I think I'll be doing one for myself in the new year!

Next up was blocks for

Simply Solids: a modern {bee}

I'm in the Carmine group, and for November Carla asked for the Circle of Squares block.

Another fun and quick block to do, and because I am doing an extra angel block, I was happy with how quickly they were made.

Which brings me to December's blocks for Sheila!

She has asked for the Snowflake block.

Such a gorgeous block, but not an easy one for me to do!

Again, I am doing an extra angel block, so it was on my mind when it came to piecing this one!

We used this tutorial.

For the first block, I used the tutorial, but I sure had difficulty with it.

I'm not sure why my brain didn't want to line things up!

So, for the second block, I thought I would try paper piecing it!

I just drew it out on paper using the 60 degree on my ruler.

Really, it didn't turn out any better, and, in fact, took way longer to do!

If I hadn't already cut the fabric for it, I would have abandoned it and gone back to the tutorial!

They didn't even finish the same size!

Anyway, they are DONE! 

Sheila will have to do some creative sashing!

Sorry Sheila!

I also finished up some socks this week!

These are Merino wool and cashmere!

So soft and yummy!

I used my favourite pattern from Wendy Johnson's book,

Socks From The Toe Up

I also used the two at a time method on my favourite 2mm, 100cm Addi circular needle.

Because I have a terrible memory, in spite of what Lumosity tells me :-) , I also keep a journal of the patterns I use, the yarn and etc.

Finally, I purchased a clamshell template for EPP. I really like watching Sue Daley's YouTube Videos on her EPP methods.

However, Kissa seems intent of giving me her own lessons on piecing those clamshells!

Not sure what I'll make with the finished product; probably another pouch!

Now I can curl up with a book this week-end......

or maybe start something new???

Oh,Baby, Baby!

I hope everyone is having fun looking at all the beautiful quilts at

The Blogger's Quilt Festival @ Amy Creative Side!!

Not only are there beautiful quilts to see, but there is also a Baby Lock sewing machine up for grabs for one lucky, random winner!

While I have a great sewing machine which I love, I find it's not very portable.

So, I figure, why not try and win another machine! Right!

So, here I am with fingers and toes crossed, and entering the draw!

Blogger's Quilt Festival

Blogger's Quilt Festival @ Amy's Creative Side

is always so much fun, and I enjoy browsing all the fabulous entries.

For the Quilt Photography category

I have entered...

"Falling For Stripes"

This pattern is the brainchild of 

M-R @ Quilt Matters

I used Kaffe Fassett fabrics, and a few Kona Solids.
Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you are all enjoying this wonderful quilt festival!

Blogger's Quilt Festival & ALYoF

Oh, how I wish October wasn't ending!

The endlessly beautiful colours of the trees preparing for another winter, the honking of the geese overhead on their way to warmer climates.

Then there is the police cars blocking off a street as a moose takes a stroll through our neighbourhood!! Holy crap! They had to sedate the poor guy and take him to safety!

But, the important stuff is all about quilting!!

It's time to go to Amy's Creative Side 
for

Blogger's Quilt Festival.

My quilt is called "Rolling Stones"
and I'm entering it into the
 Group/Bee Quilt category

This was done for a quilting bee called-

Simply Solids: a modern {bee}

Nine of theses blocks were done by the lovely ladies in my Carmine group.

Thank you so much ladies! Unfortunately, one block got lost in the mail,so

I added the additional 3 blocks, as well as the grey joining blocks.

This measures in at 51"x67"

For the backing, I pieced a lot of different colours and used up the remained of the Kona Putty which I provided for my bee mates to use as background in their blocks.

I had fun dipping my toes into improv piecing, and I love this backing much more than I expected to!!

Most of my quilting of late has been straight lines, and as much as I love doing it, I really wanted to get some FMQ into this one.

So, I did tons of feathers, stones, and swirls.

The thread I picked was Aurifil 40wt variegated grey #4060

Oh, how I loved seeing the colour change in the stones and swirls!

It's hard to tell in the photos, but it looks like the stones are moving!

 This was my first try with variegated thread, and it won't be my last.

I can't believe how much better my feathers got as I progressed through the quilt!

This is certainly going to be a long time favourite of mine, with great memories of swooning over the blocks as they arrived!

This post serves a duo purpose, as finishing this quilt was also my goal for

A Lovely Year of Finishes.Yay for finishes!

 Thanks for stopping by and taking a look at 

"Rolling Stones"

Hope you are enjoying all the quilts in the festival!

Happy Thanksgiving, 2013

Thanksgiving week-end is upon us here in Canada, which means turkey and pumpkin pie! 

My oven isn't functioning, so it's all stove top cooking for me for a few

?days, ?weeks!!

Who knows how long it will take for the part to arrive.

Meanwhile, I was out at the bandstand taking more photos of Rolling Stones today....this is my quilt from Simply Solids: a modern {bee}

It's a beautiful sunny day, and the changing colours along the riverbank are just glorious.

When I think back to one year ago when I was again outside taking photos....

Yup! That was October 11,2012!!

Trudging through my backyard to get this shot.

I'm still loving the tote Erica made me for the Mouthy Stitches 2 swap!!

and...

I'll take the weather we are having today, thank you very much!

I also finished up the last project in Patchwork, Please! as part of

Zakka Along 2.0

I think it's my favourite....the Prettified Pincushion.

See how much work can be done when your stove is broken!

Because, I also did 3 blocks for the Happiness Circle @ do. Good Stitches!

Okay, that's all folks!

Happy Thanksgiving to all the wonderful Canadian bloggers and quilters out there!

A Lovely Year of Finishes-Oct goal setting

Well, I didn't finish my September goal. Although, I have to say circumstances conspired against me! :-)

So....I'm hitting the reset button and putting Simply Solids in the mix again for October.
aka "Papa Was A Rolling Stone"

Definitely, it will get done this time.

 I'm off to link up!

FALL ing for September!

It was bound to happen...

those colder nights, and shortened days.

not to mention the frequent honking of the geese as they head south for the winter.

Fall is upon us!

The beauty of the trees changing into their fall colours is my favourite part of this time of year.

So, what did I accomplish in September!!

Well, there were the things I hadn't planned to do while waiting to do the things I did plan, but didn't do...huh?
This is sounding familiar...I think I've done this before!! 

Sadly, Canada Post was up to it's unpleasant tricks and failed to deliver a block for my Simply Solids quilt, so it didn't get done.
I'm working on it now though!

While waiting, I made a new bag, a wallet, and 2 cushions!!

Bee blocks got done, and a couple of Zakka Along 2.0 projects.
not too bad, I'm thinkin'

1. Lucky Pieces for Janet, 2. Sleeping bag pouch #3, 3. Triangle Patchwork Box Pouch, 4. Whiskers Sept 2013, 5. Boyd St. Bowling Bag, 6. Round 2, Hive 1, 7. Round 2, Hive 1, 8. i-Pad cover, 9. Linked Squares, 10. Linked Squares 2, 11. The Necessary Clutch, 12. Necessary Clutch & Boyd St. Bowling Bag, 13. Round 2, Hive 1, 14. Round 2, Hive 1, 15. Round 2, Hive 1, 16. Rolling Stone

Is This REALLY Necessary??

Clutch, that is!

The Necessary Clutch!!

Another great pattern by Janelle @ Emmaline Bags.

I made the clutch to match the Boyd St. Bowling Bag.....

I use the same  yarn dyed linen in black, and my Walmart find-the cotton duck poppies!

I must admit, I found this much more difficult than the bag!

Probably because of the precise sewing required and the really thick seams.

I did have to re-do the outer flap as it was too small. A quarter inch seam allowance is really important, and tough for me to do around curves!

However, while far from perfect, it was fun to do, and I am so happy with it!

Once again, Janelle has fabulous instructions and photos.

I found the photos especially helpful when sewing the side flaps to the zippered pocket!

 It's really roomy, and has lots of card slots, as well as the zippered pocket and a centre storage space.

hmmm........not sure what I was on when I picked these fabrics!!!

I really love the turn clasp on it as well.

My heart was in my throat as I was cutting out the hole for the clasp, but it was pretty easy to do.

So now I just need to move all my stuff out of my old wallet, and fill up my shiny new one!

Yay for finishes!!

Bowling anyone?

I am just so pleased that I finished my first real structured purse!

It is the Boyd St. Bowling Bag from Emmaline Bags.

Janelle does an amazing job with this pattern. Very detailed, explained well, and lots of photos, which is really important for me!

Other than my own oops! where I put the pockets in the bottom instead of the top, everything went smoothly.

I used a jeans needle and the walking foot on my Horizon for the whole bag.

I also used purchased leather handles instead of making my own. Fabulous instructions for making the handles in the pattern! I did add the D rings on each end in case I want to add the optional long strap at a later date. 

It fits nicely over my shoulder with the 23" straps, but I'm not sure how comfortable it will be in the winter over a parka!

For the interfacing, I had to use what was available here!

I remembered a trick from last years Purse Palooza, and used a fusible interfacing over top of the Thermolam non-fusible in the lining, which was all I had.

I did the same thing with the heavy sew-in on the exterior-cut the sew-in smaller, and then fused the medium weight over it. That way, I didn't need to baste the sew-in. Couldn't find Shapeflex anywhere.

My exterior fabric is actually Cotton Duck.....from Walmart!!!

This was supposed to be a "test" bag, so I didn't want to go too expensive. However, it turned out so well, I am absolutely using it!

I also used Yarn Dyed Essex Linen in black for the trim, and for the lining zipper gusset.

I didn't look for Peltex, thinking I wouldn't find it, so I used a product I bought a couple years ago for bag bottoms.

. I now have enough Peltex to last me a lifetime from a LQS- Periwinkle!

I even put the feet on the bottom! There is a hardware accessory kit that you can buy from Janelle!

For the pockets, I made both of them zippered and the same size. Added a couple cute zipper pulls....

I was worried about joining the outer shell and the lining shell.

It looked really intimidating!

But, just going slowly, and following the instructions, did the trick!

The lining gusset added to the zipper gusset......

Pretty darned pleased with myself, I must admit! :-)

After I finished it, the dates for Purse Palooza 2013 was announced, and Joanna @ Shape Moth is going to feature this bag!!

Next up, is The Necessary Clutch, also a pattern by Janelle and can be found @ Emmaline Bags.

This clutch is also on the Purse Palooza schedule by Jess @ The Elven Garden 

That's all folks!