Throwback Thursday; Chocolate Boxes by Linda H.

Linda H made "Chocolate Boxes", a Log Cabin variation in 2012, then the next year gave it to our friend Brenda, There were no pictures taken of it at the time, Brenda sent these along the other day. :)

Potholders

I made these potholders as part of a friend's Christmas gift. M&Ms fabric is on the back of them. The rest of the gift includes homemade gingersnaps, a Zen Cats calendar and a small Buddha statue. :) I'm going to drop it off on her doorstep tomorrow morning on my way to work.

Throwback Thursday; Christmas Table Runner

I made this Christmas table runner for my sister, Linda H in 2002. I hardly remember making it, although the fabrics look familiar. Linda's husband, Richard sent these pictures to me the other day. I don't know if I used a pattern or if I just set blocks together in a row. There are many projects that I never photographed over the years, I try to always take photos now to keep a record of what I've done.

Laptop Carrying Case

I just finished making this laptop carrying case for a Christmas gift. It's made from remnants of upholstery fabric and imitation leather, with webbing for handles. There wasn't anything around here to use for a soft lining, so I bought a towel and cut it to fit. I hope the recipient will like it. :)

Christmas Table Runner by Linda H.

Linda H made this Christmas table runner to sell at a craft sale recently. It didn't sell, so she gave it to a friend. Linda and I are always trying to use up our Christmas fabric stashes but they never seem to get depleted. :) Emma the cat had to give the table runner a final inspection.

Christmas Gift Bag

Every year I try to make five or six Christmas gift bags. Years ago I used to have a fabric store and was left with many bolts of Christmas fabric when the shop closed. Instead of selling it for pennies at a garage sale, I've been trying to use it up. I started out by making bags that had the seams finished with the serger. After a few years, I decided that lined bags would use up twice the amount of fabric. I still have two huge plastic bins of Christmas fabric, but the amount is reduced slightly each year. :)

"Union" by Linda H.

Linda recently completed this donation quilt, which she named, "Union". She made fifteen inch Union blocks, alternating with a different block, then set them on point. Each setting triangle is made with three pieces, giving the border an interesting look. Linda designed this arrangement, it didn't come from a commercial pattern.

Log Cabin Christmas, by Linda H.

Since it's only one month before Christmas Eve, I'll post a picture of a quilt that Linda H just finished, it's called "Log Cabin Christmas", her original design. Linda is going to display it at a craft sale next week, if it doesn't sell, she will keep it.

Tumbler Quilt Completed

Formerly known as "Quilt Top #17", this Tumbler quilt is now completed. I had to fight with the thread because it kept breaking, but kept going until it was finished. I used "So Fine" by Superior Threads, apparently my Baby Lock Tiara doesn't like that kind of thread. I think it'll work better in a different machine where I can use a topstich needle. I had been questioning my choice of quilting design on this one, but now I think it's ok, as I look at the quilt as a whole. It's always difficult to tell when I'm only looking at a small bit at a time as I'm sewing. This quilt will be given to our guild to put in their comfort quilt stockpile.

Tribute to a Lovely Lady

Some sad news, Geo's 98 year old Grandma passed away this morning. She had been living in her home up until last week and had always done all her own housework, cooking and yard work. These pictures were taken in 2014, I had made the quilt for her when she turned 90 years old. She was such a lovely lady who will be sorely missed by everyone who knew her.

Frustrating

I'm doing some wiggly line quilting back and forth across the seams, then diagonally across the tumblers. I don't know if it looks good or bad at this point. I've been having a terrible time with the thread breaking every five minutes. I don't know if the problem is the thread or if there's something wrong with my machine. I tried every trouble shooting solution I could think of, nothing helps. I'm just about finished the quilt, but there will be a million thread ends to deal with from all the breakage. I thought this was going to be a quick project, but I was wrong.

Pinning to Infinity

Yesterday I got the Tumbler quilt pin basted and I just about got the whole thing quilted. I'm still trying to decide whether to add more quilting or leave it the way it is. I'll post a picture when it's all done.

Quilt Top #17, Tumbler Quilt

I just finished sewing the last row on the Tumbler quilt top. . I'm going to layer and pin baste it today, then hopefully, start the quilting. I want to get this one finished right away because it's going to go in the guild's comfort quilt stockpile.

Quilt Backing

With the price of fabric skyrocketing these days, I don't go shopping every time I need backing for a quilt. Last night I went through my stash and assembled various pieces to make one. When I get the Tumbler quilt top finished, this will be the backing. It still needs to be pressed, but I'll wait until I'm ready to lay out and pin baste the quilt. I still like to buy wide quilt backing once in awhile, but I save that for large quilts.

DAY #3 of October 2016 Quilting Retreat

I didn't get a lot done today because I was yakking too much. Also, I had to rip out a few tumbler squares because I had them sewn the wrong way.

Day #2 of October 2016 Quilting Retreat

I quilted for hours on end today, it didn't seem like I was getting anywhere. At the end of the day, I think I accomplished quite a bit. My shoulders and arms get tired from shifting the quilt around so I'll work on something different tomorrow, I don't want to end up with tendonitis.

Day #1 of October 2016 Quilting Retreat

Today I started quilting "Scrappy Trips". I'm making an all-over paisley type design, I hope it'll look ok. When I have my face six inches away from it while I'm quilting, I can see every glitch.

Start of a Tumbler Quilt

Tonight at the guild we were working on comfort quilts. I started a Tumbler quilt, using 4 1/2" squares that I had on hand. To cut the tumbler shape, I used a nine-degree wedge ruler. I'll keep adding rows until the quilt is long enough.

Pin Basting

I moved furniture out of the way, now I've got "Scrappy Trips", batting and backing stretched out on the living room floor. Now I'll crawl around and add about 300 safety pins while trying to keep the cat from getting too close.

The Dress

Linda H made this dress and jacket for me over six years ago. It started out as an outfit for herself, but it sat unfinished in a box for quite some time. When she unearthed it from the UFO vault, she realized that it was now out of style with broad shoulder pads, a fashion of the Nineties. Linda decided to remake it for me and changed the style of it. I have worn this dress to a funeral tea for Mom, a memorial luncheon for Mom the next year, and two different graduation ceremonies. I hardly ever buy clothes because I mostly wear uniforms at work, then pyjamas once I get home, I don't get out much. :) The Dress came to the rescue today because I need something to wear to a long service award banquet, good thing it still fits on my sagging body! I'm getting a pin for being employed at the same place for 35 years. It's actually 36 years that I've been there, but I didn't go to the awards celebration last year.

Quilt Top #16 "Scrappy Trips"

I got the rest of the quilt top sewn together today. It was difficult fitting the whole thing in the first photo because I couldn't stand back far enough. The second picture taken from an angle shows it all. Maybe I'll get it layered and pin basted so I can start quilting it during our October quilting retreat.

Half of "Scrappy Trips"

I finally got all the blocks done for "Scrappy Trips". I sewed half of them together, tomorrow I'll do the rest, then it'll be a quilt top. I can make quilt tops to beat the band, but finishing them is another story if you haven't guessed that already. :)

Swimsuit Coverup by Linda H.

Linda H made this swimsuit coverup for her friend, Vicky last week. Vicky had mentioned she was going on a trip and wasn't able to find a coverup to take along. It was a good opportunity for Linda use a piece of fabric from her fabric vault. :)

Throwback Thursday; Quilt Top #15

I made this "Stack and Slash" quilt top a few years ago. Shirley McAllister from our guild showed us the method during one of our quilting retreats. This is an intersting pattern because it turns out differently every time you make it, depending how you place the cuts. When I eventually quilt it, I think I'll do all all-over design with thread that blends into the colours.

Fantastic Potholders by Linda H.

Linda H recently made these awesome potholders for a friend. The block design came from Quiltmaker's "Quilting for Everyday Celebrations", special issue of 2005. The wall quilt was called "Yappity Yap", designed by Helen Giddens. The quilt was originally featured in the July/August 2003 issue of Quilter's Newsletter Magazine.

Throwback Thursday: My Grandmother's Blouse

Many years ago we were cleaning out Mom's house because she was moving. I emptied out an old trunk and found this Edwardian style blouse which was discoloured with age. Mom said "Throw that old thing away!" I refused to get rid of it because I could see that it was something that belonged to Mom's mother. When I took it home, my daughter, Lindsay gently washed the garment in the sink with mild detergent. At first the wash water was dark brown, after many changes of water the blouse was finally clean. It was fragile and torn in a few places, I patched up a few areas with safety pins so it could go on a hanger. I like to bring the treasure out once in awhile to admire it. I can't believe how small the waist is on this blouse!

Crestwood Road, by Linda H.

Linda H made "Crestwood Road" in early 2016. We lived on that street in Calgary, Alberta when we were young. This quilt is for Linda's friend, Marion, who lived nearby back in those days. Having a lifetime friend is special, indeed.

Throwback Thursday; Vintage Embroidery

I bought this framed vintage embroidery picture last year for the cabin. As soon as I spotted it in a second-hand store, I immediately purchased it. I remember Aunt Alma made a similar one, I always enjoyed looking at her handiwork when we went to her house.

Late Night Sewing With Assistant Igor

Whenever I get a few minutes to sew, which isn't very often these days, I've been piecing two different kinds of blocks. An ongoing project is "Scrappy Trips", a Bonnie Hunter pattern and the other block is made with half square triangles. Igor the assistant was trying his best to help.

Autumn Tumbling Squares, by Linda H.

Linda H sent some pictures of her "Autumn Tumbling Squares" that she completed in 2015. Another lovely quilt made by my favourite sister. :) She got the pattern from Quilting Quickly magazine, May-June 2015. The pattern was called "Tossed Squares" by Debra Finan.