WIP Wednesday - Fireburst Mystery QAL

Have you been playing along, or following, the mystery QAL being hosted by Tish @ Tish's Adventure in Wonderland?  I tested the baby size before the QAL started, and then I made a larger version during the QAL.

This is my first version.  All the fabrics were from my stash.

A close up of the colours and prints.

And this is my second version.  It's been raining and so dark in the morning and evenings, I haven't been able to get a photo.  So I took it to work, but forgot to iron out the wrinkles.  Oops.

These fabrics were also from my stash.

And now the hard part...deciding on a quilting motif.

Linking up with:

Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
WIP Wednesday @ The Needle and Thread Network

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter

TGIFF - Rainbow Star

I finished my Michael Miller challenge!!  You can read about my progress and the challenge here.

I don't name my quilts because it doesn't interest me and because I can never come up with a name.  But I decided to name this one because I'm entering it in the challenge.  Not very creative, but this is Rainbow Star.

No fancy quilting...it's just a 20-inch wall hanging after all...and I was running out of time.  😃

Just a tiny piece of the Cotton Couture Peach in the binding.  Hash Dot Yellow and Blue were also included in the binding, so I can say that I used all the fabrics for both challenges in one project.

I just need to sew on the label and handing sleeve.

If you have a finish this week, consider sharing it at:

Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Devoted Quilter

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict 
Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hands Quilts

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

WIP Wednesday - Michael Miller Challenges

I received fabric for the Modern Quilt Guild Michael Miller Challenge, as well as fabric for the Sewtopia Michael Miller Challenge.  As luck would have it, it was the same fabric line for both challenges!!  Hash Dot is an awesome print in many colours.

The MQG fabric was four fat eighths:  Hash Dot Grass, Marine, and Ebony and Cotton Couture Peach.  The requirement was to use at least two of the Hash Dot prints and the Cotton Couture.

The Sewtopia fabric was six fat quarters:  Hash Dot Ebony, Blue, Meadow, Yellow, Orange, and Red.

So how to make one project combining both fabric bundles??  I had a consult with Dena @ No Frickin' Blog Yet.  Get a blog already would ya!!!  I decided to make a lone star mini using the colours below.  The binding will be made with all the colours.  I had a Michael Miller neutral print in my stash for the backing.

Piecing the strip sets went well.

Or so I thought.  I either made a small error in my seam allowance or in cutting the diamonds because a few seams didn't match fully when I pieced each half of the star.  But I managed to ease in all the seams.

I am pleased with the result.  I've started quilting and hope to finish in a few days so I can get the binding on over the weekend.

I hope you had a great Halloween.  I had an awesome night trick-or-treating with my niece.  At 14 months, I don't think she knew what was going on, but she laughed and laughed.  And held on tight to her candy bucket.  ♥

I've done reviews for Paperless Post in the past.  It's a great electronic invitation website.  I just discovered they now have flyers, in addition to invitations and cards.  I love that you can manage your guest list and send reminders.  I can't wait to try the new flyers.

Linking up with:

Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
WIP Wednesday @ The Needle and Thread Network

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter

Show Off Saturday - Sewtopia Swap

Sewtopia is being hosted in Boston next month.  Boston is about a 10-hour drive from Nova Scotia, so three of us are heading down.  Road trip!

There's an optional swap that I've decided to participate in.  The Lined Drawstring Bag by In Color Order is a favourite of mine.

This is the Tiny Bag.

And this is the Everything Bag.

I hope whoever receives these enjoys the goodies inside the bags.

This event is an open sew (rather than instructors) with a shop hop.  I've finally decided on three projects to take with me.  I don't know how much I'll accomplish, but I'd rather have too many projects than not enough.

If you have a finish this week, consider sharing it at:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Celtic Thistle Stitches

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict 
Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hands Quilts

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

WIP Wednesday - Classic Meets Modern BOM

I'm back!!  Did you miss me?  I was on vacation in September for two weeks, and it has taken me several weeks to get back on track at work and to get back into a routine at home.  So happy to be sewing again.  I was starting to think that my sewjo was never coming back.

As a result, I got behind in my blocks for the Classic Meets Modern BOM hosted by Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation.

But there are only two blocks per month, so it didn't take me long to get back on track.

This is Eccentric Star from September.  A fun placement of HSTs to get a 12.5-inch block.

And this is Squash Blossom, another 12.5-inch block -- a mix of Flying Geese and HSTs.

And now on to the October blocks.  The Curved Log Cabin is a big 18.5-inch block.

String Diamond is a scrappy 12.5-inch block.  I used the same widths for all the fabrics, but I think next time I'll try varying the widths.

I need to find a better place in the house to take photos as it gets so dark so early now.  The true colours of the fabric don't always come through.

Two more blocks in November, and then piecing of the quilt top begins.  I can't wait to see all the blocks sewn together.

You can follow my progress:

• January blocks  
• February blocks 
• March blocks 
• April blocks 
• May blocks 
• June blocks 
• July blocks 
• August blocks

Linking up with:

Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
WIP Wednesday @ The Needle and Thread Network

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter

Quilters' Meet and Greet Blog Hop

Welcome to the Quilters' Meet and Greet hosted by Benita @ Victoriana Quilt Designs.  This is a great way to meet new bloggers.

I'm from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, and began quilting in 2003 when I took a class at my LQS to make a quilt for my nephew.  It was a flannel rail fence quilt that was tied.  This quilt has gone on to quilt heaven because it was loved so much.  But my nephew has received many, many more quilts over the years to make up for it.

I started my blog in 2014 -- partly due to the encouragement by a quilt friend and partly because I wanted to win a prize for a quilt along that I wanted to participate in.  😂

You can find quick links for my 2018 finishes in the 2018 Finishes tab.  It's too hard to pick a favourite, so I'll just randomly pick a couple to share with you.

This is the Lisa the Unicorn pattern by Elizabeth Hartman.  I like working with Kona solids, as you'll be able to see if you take a look around.

I've been trying out some new quilting motifs.  I really like the boxy stipple motif that I used on the Digital Wave quilt -- a pattern by Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl.

I've been learning EPP, and this is a current project I'm working on.  I have to make some decisions on border sizes and colours.

I encourage you to visit some of the other blogs participating.  And there's a prize!

Thanks for visiting, and I hope you take a look around my blog.  If you are interested, you can follow me through Bloglovin' or by e-mail -- sign up is at the top right-hand sidebar.

TGIFF - Lined Drawstring Bag

Welcome to Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday.  TGIFF is your opportunity to showcase this week's finishes.

One of my favourite go-to patterns is the Lined Drawstring Bag by Jeni @ In Color Order.  Jeni shares a free tutorial for one of the sizes, but you can purchase the pattern to get eight different sizes.

I decided to try the Tiny size.  I need a small bag to carry my mouth guard when I travel.  It's usual plastic case is too bulky and cumbersome (includes a repair kit built into the bottom).  I love the fabrics!

I decided to use fusible fleece on the exterior panels for some padding.  I was going to put more fusible fleece on the interior panels, but I didn't feel that it would be padded enough.  So I jumped in with both feet and used Pellon Flex-Foam instead.  I didn't have a clue what I was doing, so I made it up as I went along.  I think things would have gone a lot more smoothly with a larger-sized bag.

I'm happy with the results, but I'm not sure it's padded well enough.  But really, it just needs to be protected while in my luggage.  So all is good.  The bag finishes approximately 4.5 x 3.25 inches.

Do you have a finish this week?

Link up your blog post showing your finish by using the linkup below.  Don't forget to visit a few blogs to spread some quilty love and encouragement.  Please include the TGIFF button or a link to the blog in your blog post so your followers can also view all the great finishes.

An InLinkz Link-up

Here are other ways you can share your finish:

Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hand Quilts 

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation 

WIP Wednesday - Playing with EPP

Two years ago (where does the time go????), I saw an amazing project by Jayne @ Twiggy and Opal.  Click here to take a look.

I prepared everything as a travel project when I went to a national Girl Guide camp in Alberta in July 2016.  What was I thinking???  There's never time when you're working as Core Crew.  😪  The poor project never saw the light of day at camp, and I only just recently remembered it.

I started piecing small sections together.  One section was torn apart and re-done because I wasn't paying attention to colour placement.

It started to slowly come together, as I pieced one small section to another.

And here's the top section.

And then finally the third section.  The end was in sight!  By this time, I was really enjoying EPP.  I glue basted and used Glide thread.

Voilà -- a finished mini.

I'm stalled at the moment as I'm unsure as to next steps.  I was hoping to add some borders, but I don't have any more of the linen-y navy blue.  I forgot to write down the Kona colours for the two lighter blues, but I can easily match those with my colour card.  But I'm not in a rush to finish because then I'll have to make the hard decision on how to quilt it.......

Linking up with:

Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
WIP Wednesday @ The Needle and Thread Network

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter

TGIFF - Sleepy Fox Pillow

Oops...I made another pillow.  😊  I had a Dreami (Drop Everything and Make It) moment this week.  I've been wanting to make the Sleepy Fox pattern by Andrea @ 3rd Story Workshop for some time.  And this was the week I had to make it.  This will be a birthday gift, and a pillow will be more appreciated and used than a wall hanging.

I followed the colour scheme in the pattern:  Kona Creamsicle, Flame, Paprika, White, Black, and Silver.  Here's what he looked like before quilting -- adorable.

Some simple organic wavy lines for a quick finish.  And besides I didn't have any other ides on how to quilt it.

I've been putting bindings on my recent pillows so there are no raw edges inside to become frayed when the cover is washed.

And because he's so darn cute, a few more photos.

If you have a finish this week, consider sharing it at:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Dizzy Quilts

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict 
Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hands Quilts

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

WIP Wednesday - August Blocks of the Classic Meets Modern BOM

We've made it to the eighth month of the Classic Meets Modern BOM hosted by Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation.

I'm using the following Kona colours:  White, Steel, Turquoise, Berry, Pool, Parrot, and Royal.

Dutch Pinwheel is a 10.5-inch block.  Lots of HSTs and a few Flying Geese...a fun block to make.

Chevron Diamonds is also a 10.5-inch block.  This block is made with Flying Geese.

I've been enjoying this leisurely-paced BOM -- it's not too much work each month, and it's been fun making all these new-to-me blocks.

You can follow my progress:

• January blocks  
• February blocks 
• March blocks 
• April blocks 
• May blocks 
• June blocks 
• July blocks 

Linking up with:

Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
WIP Wednesday @ The Needle and Thread Network

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter