What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

 I was just getting used to it being June and now it is July. I feel like I've been very busy. Tony had his drivers' license renewal which, being over 80, meant he had to go to the office and do the testing which he aced. I find it odd they don't check how your feet or any reflexes are. Shouldn't that be as important as knowing how to draw a clock face to include 10 past 10. However, I've read seniors still have the least accidents of all age groups, so maybe it's all ...

Only 20 years in a Bin!

Last week was a euphoria-filled week. I quilted every day—and tried a couple of new-to-me techniques. But first, look at this label:

Obs, it was not finished in 2018, but that was the original intent. That’s also the year I went back to college and my quilting took a hiatus. After 3 semesters, my health let me know that maybe I didn’t need to further my primary career and by that time, my workload had increased due to some staffing issues. Now that I’ve retired I would like to go ...

And I am not talking about Click Buy Now! (Well, maybe…)

This quilt was finished in February. I have no idea why I didn’t report on it. I can’t even find pictures of the process.

The pieces parts came from multiple sources: some irregular improv pieces from a hand-me-down bag, jelly roll strips from a different hand me down bag, miscellaneous half-square triangles (possibly waste triangles), and some solids from my own stash.

You could make the entire quilt using a jelly roll and some background or low volume (for those HST) and some solids.

Finishes at 39″ square.

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Hey Quilters!Join me Thursday in October for two great classes through John C Campbell Folk School on LessonFace: Foundations in Free-Motion Quilting Foundations in Free-Motion includes piecing where cutting, thread and moderate speed on the machine guide us into good stitching and prepare us for the free-motion we’ll do over the next few weeks.Color Theory… Continue reading Upcoming Events

 Walking has been a challenge here lately because of the heat. I experienced something I've never felt before while down at the pond the other day. One of those breezes that wells from the ground came up and it blew hot air at my face. So hot! The poor dogs were panting so we three just hightailed it back to the house where I'm so thankful our AC is working again...only were able to use it once last summer. The thermometer told me it was 35C which I think is like 94 F or close- you have ...

 This is beautiful ground cover if you need such in your garden. I find the name an unfortunate one for something so pretty...Lungwort. All the colours at once...purples, pinks and violets but tiny so easily missed. I also note they do okay in the shade here.

Just to get started right, this isn’t a completely original idea. I saw a picture (maybe on Pinterest) but couldn’t track it down again or find a pattern. It started the idea, though, and I would love to give credit where credit is due. So, if you know, please let me know…

That said, I started this quilt in January with the goal of using small scraps of solids and low volume prints.

In my version, the rails are 1-1/2″x3-1/2″ strips. The low volume squares are 3-1/2″. The hourglass blocks started as 4-1/2 ...

 I might be a fraud because this is the ONLY thing I've quilted in June.  And I didn't make it.  This is a top that was gifted to the Binbrook Guild by Paul Leger for our donation program.

It was quilted the first week of June and it's been sitting patiently waiting for someone (ahem) to get the binding on.

I might be a fraud because I went to Quilt Canada and bought absolutely NO fabric.  Although I did buy a book.  But you can't quilt with a book.

I might be a fraud because I ...

“Gardening” seems to be taking up quite a lot of my free time these days! I started off just doing a little tidying then I got some pots. I could have just weeded the bit of ground where there should be a shed but instead I seem to be creating a patio area. It could be a nice little spot for a bistro table but the view is of my neighbour’s rubbish and I have seen a rat out there so I will not be eating alfresco in that area!

I managed to remove most of the rogue sycamores ...

Calling all 3” and 6” borders! read more

So much to say this weekend, settle in for a long and picture heavy post. This week has been brutally hot, with highs in the 90s (which is really hot for us) and humidity at 85% first thing in the morning. Ugh, I hate this kind of heat. So, nothing for it but to hide in my cool basement and play with fabric and paper. First, I finished the Japanese prints wall hanging with the gold sashing. It is quilted and bound, and awaiting a label. I had enough jelly roll strips to make the cranes go all the way ...

It’s finished — finally! I’d pieced this top ages ago and was “stuck” on how to quilt it until Lisa Calle came to my rescue with some suggestions. It was mostly ruler work, which was a challenge on my lovely Bernina 790Pro — a domestic machine. That involves pushing the quilt sandwich through the machine, […]

 Well summer is upon us...it happens around this time every year :) no matter what the weather or temperatures. And what a marvel it all is. From the very early morning light to later sunsets, I am trying my best to take it all in and appreciate it. For it all moves by quickly...take the Phoebes with their nest on the sound box on the back of the house, for instance. The family...three little ones, are already raised and gone. They must have snuck out in the dead of night for me to have missed them the way ...

Halfway through the year now and past the halfway point of June. I wonder where are all those hours we were promised for retirement...when time on your hands would hang heavy- an expression first recorded in 1760, btw.-I was curious enough to look up that expression. But no, though my days begin early there is still not enough hours to get everything done. I struggle not to have the feeling I'm getting behind. Behind what exactly is a bit of a mystery. But there is always something that needs doing and mostly, I'm thankful to be ...

The fabrics are native to Uganda. All but the tiniest scraps are in these pieces. The tablerunner was finished first. Back in February. But there were two more parts to go.

Now it is joined by a tree skirt (about 36″ diameter)

And a throw (55″ x 67″). The owner originally requested hand quilting, but there was no practical way to do that with the minky back. Hopefully she will like this look.

I hope the owner will like them, too. The purple binding is an unexpected, but perfect, touch, chosen by the owner.

Every so often, questions and comments come from readers, and I think others would like to hear my response.  That’s when I feature them on the blog.  This is one of those days.  Today’s question is about my John Deere quilt. A week or so ago, I shared my finish of my John Deere quilt with you. …

Ask Jo: Clarification On My John Deere Quilt Read More »

Susan Nixon (desertskyquilts) was an angel in my life, and in the lives of many others. I met her online through blogging, and we became friends. She visited me, shared her knowledge, and loved my daughter (Sparkle Jane).

Near the end of her life, she sorted fabric and projects and shared some UFOs (and fabric) with me. This is one of them. So happy to see it finished.

It has been gifted to my aunt, who recently celebrated cancer remission.

Quilters live on through their work and the joy and warmth they bring to the world. Amen.

NOTE: I didn ...