Where to start

I have been busy, very busy so much that there was too much to post so I am going to go backwards

starting with this weekend, happy long weekend to those that have one. Cheri -quilts by Cheri had posted steps to make this project with 3 1/2in blocks I used fabric scraps from a quilt I just finished and another one. Just put this all together this weekend

I am in the shades of beige, creams and off whites  mood right now

I picked up 2  split nine patch kits a while back at The Quilt Store they both made a lap quilt but I wanted a queen so I put them together, first split nine patch I have done and learned what not to do and what to do for the next time.

this is the border fabric for it. I have it on but didn`t realize that I didn`t update a picture next time I guess.
Oh the design wall is Table clothes from the dollar store works like a charm no pins to keep this quilt up and the more you use it the more your blocks stick…2 bucks roll and go if you want. I learned this from my retreat in April the Canadian Group

Well off to see what other kinda trouble I can get myself into...

Waiting

I have not been piecing or doing applique lately but hand quilting, I have just made another turn on my Pansy in the Park quilt.

This was a thrilling turn I can see the top of the quilt so I will be foraging ahead trying to finish it.

I am waiting till dawn so that I can rearrange my van to get ready for my final quilting retreat with the Twisted Stitchers group at Elim Lodge (my favourite place). While I am posting I hear the rain tickling my window so it will be a wet travel which is fine I like the rain.
 I have brought 4 projects with me and will see how much I get done. These are the ones that were not unpacked from the previous retreat in Woodstock. I did work on the frogging one on a sew day I had at Brambleberry Cottage (Irene`s) on Thursday and got great progress that will be my first finish on retreat.

 There are going to be 20 or our group and 12 of another group that will be sharing. I will be travelling with the co-coordinator Fran since I have a Grand Caravan that can fit lots and I also love to drive. I always ask the ladies if I am allowed to post their projects and faces on my blog, most are compliant I hope I have another great slideshow for you.

On another note. I am trying to follow the blogs that I used to follow but it has been extremely difficult I was under the impression that Reader would be available till July but the option has already disappeared I am trying that blogly and find that they had not picked up all my blogs that I follow so please forgive me if you have not heard from me but you can email me to add to your blog
I feel lost without my regular blogs and reader, it is amazing how you depend on things and distressed it is when taken away….the powers that be need to understand some of us are not good with change.
well I am finishing laundry and vacuuming, nothing is better than coming home to a clean place after fun, fun, fun. I hope you all can get some stitching in too..

Quilt retreat number 2

I had a great time this past weekend and have a slide show to present. you will need a cuppa tea this is about sixty odd pictures. I didn`t take pictures of my project yes I said project. I didn`t get alot done...didn`t sleep much but got lots done with pictures taken and eating. I was not doing so well with my piecing I kept having to undo. so I kinda gave up you know when you have those moments. enjoy the show

Slideshow design made with Smilebox

3 tops done in one retreat!!

above is some of the projects I had brought with me

We stayed in that house seven of us with lots of room on Pigeon Lake, there is a snow angel there by the tree, I had to make one..

That pile of the first picture became this a UFO completed. This is a block swap I was in I think it was 2010 on Quilt with us these are the blocks I got back so then I had to think of what fabric to put with them and how to lay them out. so this is number one Tadaaaaa

Number 2 Tadaaa..to treat myself for finishing a UFO I brought a kit I had purchased from Fon`s and Porter. It was interesting when I first opened it cause the pinwheel fabric is printed…it is a panel. I had to fussy cut so I did and pieced and on the bewitching hour, I got the top done. I have not put the boarders on as yet I have enough extra fabric to add another row I would like it a little bigger. I am hoping to squeeze 2 rows out of the fabric. This is made all with Jo Morton fabrics.

Then I pieced together a quillow for a friend that had been promised 2 years ago…I forgot to take a picture of the quilt inside but did got the finished quillow pieced.

Then I came home and had brought this quilt with me to do but didn`t get it done. Sunday I got it all together made a major booo booo had to rip some rows and got it done yesterday…

The blocks I had bought at the guild boutique one of the quilt show for a dollar each I was thinking of a yellow quilt and this is what I came up with I only had the little blocks and added the HST around them. All the fabrics were just from my stash for all 3 quilts and quillow.
I am going to another retreat this weekend I hope I have the same progress.

Applique away!

My fingers are busy with applique I have one side done just have the little peep holes to put into the bows top part to make them look like bows.

Getting ready for more applique this is a UFO I started I think last year. Have now decided which fabric for the celtic part. This was a free Fons and Porter pattern, it was the only pattern that got me to like that new Stonehedge fabric.
I will have more to show hopefully in the coming weeks will be going to a couple of retreats. Spoiled myself a little 4 quilting retreats in the span of 2 months…what was I thinking!! Great to celebrate winter and before the spring weather comes where quilting will have to be put aside and get out there and garden.

I am a picker

This gem brightened up my day (car troubles again) but when we were going to get the money out of the bank, she was sitting on the side of the road

perfect beside my chair to put my quilty things in wouldn`t you say? like thread, pincushion, projects of embroidery. I know I will find a new shade for her in the thrift shop.
i love when spring is in the air and people want to chuck it out, I get to redesign my house.

No RM it is not coming to your house…LOL

Really??

i was going to piece a border on this after I had taken the original boarders off, then came up with a plan

I found this gorgeous applique swag on another quilt in the book in the last post and had to use it.

Well I think it totally dressed the quilt up. What a difference!

 I had a sew day yesterday at Irene`s in her new studio BrambleBerry Studio`s. I was able to get 2 sides glue basted for applique.
We had a wonderful time 2 ladies, Irene and myself  and we are booked for April and May sessions too. Ladies stopped by to visit Irene`s studio, we had a delicious lunch of squash soup and salad with cheese and crackers.
I am posting a link on the side to her studio, Irene is a designer and teacher and represents Northcott as a designer of patterns for their fabrics. (which we were lucky to be there when she received her shipment of gorgeous new flannels)
 Hopefully when you visit her site you will see patterns and classes that will suit your needs.
Next time I will remember to bring my camera, I had worked a night shift and pretty well had to make sure I could remember what I needed for the sewday! next time there will be more people there.