Merry Christmas!

Only two handmade gifts for Christmas this year.  And I just realized that I forgot to take a photo of one of them -- and I delivered the gift today.

Here is a zippered pouch for my boss, CJW:

The prints on the front were used in the quilt I made for her birthday earlier this year.  You can read about the quilt here.  I also made matching pillows using the Wings of Eagle pattern from her quilt.  I can't wait for spring when it stays light out longer so I can take photos when I finish projects in the evening.

Well, it's time to take a little break and enjoy the Christmas holiday.  May the Christmas season fill your home with joy; your heart with love; and your life with laughter.

Linking up with:

MERRY CHRISTMAS

HAPPY NEW YEAR

WIP Wednesday - I Learned a New Trick

I have been wanting to try quilt-as-you-go (QAYG) for some time, as Adrienne over at Chezzetcook Modern Quilts raves about it.

Found a tutorial over at Let's Eat Grandpa, so decided to make a pillow.

I like QAYG; however, I do not particularly like this pattern -- the triangles are a nuisance.  Guess it's time for a chat with Adrienne on her technique.

Another charity quilt in the works:

Linking up with:

 

 

Help Me...

...I am addicted to zippered pouches.  There are too many in my house -- I made 13 this weekend.





Love the monkeys

 

More Girl Scouts of USA fabric...yum, yum

Love these colours

Orange ones for me

Who's going to host the intervention if I make any more zippered pouches?  Okay...if I make any more this year.  Umm...if I make any more this week.  Oh who am I kidding.  I'm going to make more.  I have exterior fabric already picked out and waiting on my cutting table...just need lining fabric.

Time to make a new to-do list so I don't get sidetracked again with zippered pouches.  Have far too many WIP's that I want to finish before the end of the year.  I want to start 2015 with a fresh new list of projects to work on.

What's on your wish list for 2015?

The Library Project Completion

It's been a great year working on The Library Project hosted by Adrienne over at Chezzetcook Modern Quilts.  Thanks, Adrienne!

I started my blog so I could participate...and to have the chance to win a prize, of course.  It was a great motivator to finish projects.

All four projects on my list were completed:

 

 

 



 

And then I added another project:

 

 



 

Thanks again to Adrienne and all her great sponsors.  And now for the final linkup.

 

 

 





WIP Wednesday...Oops...Finish Wednesday

Attempts to sew for the past two evenings have been thwarted by life, but I managed to work on a few zippered pouches this evening.  Christmas music was blasting throughout the house, and I must have gotten caught up with the music because next thing you know, zippered pouches finished.

I have been hoarding my Robert Kaufman Girl Scouts of USA fat quarters for two years, so decided to break them out and play with them.

Who will be receiving these?

Thin Mints

Samoas (my favourite!) and Tagalongs

Thin Mints and Trefoils 

Even though my WIP's turned into finished products, I'm linking up with:

• WIP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced
• Let's Bee Social over at Sew Fresh Quilts (don't you just love Fox and Friends).
• WIP Wednesday over at The Needle and Thread Network

WIP Wednesday - Charity Quilts

It's been too dark in the morning before work and dark again after work, so haven't been able to get photos of these quilt tops.  I finally resorted to taking them to a meeting with me this evening and taking photos on the boardroom floor.

This is a tutorial for making 8 HST's at once from Craft Buds.  The tutorial is well written and easy to follow.

Yes, there is a mistake.

Then I tried another tutorial to use up a fat quarter collection from Sew Sisters Quilt Shop.

When quilted, these two will be donated to a local charity.  There are a few more on my to-do list, but I was able to complete these two at the MMQG's Sew In this past Saturday.  It was an awesome day of laughter, consultations, and just good quilty fun. Can't wait for the next Sew In.

Debating on how to quilt these.  Any suggestions?

Off to the repair shop tomorrow to get a light bulb for my Singer.  After 20 years, the light bulb finally burned out.

Lots of sewing has been going on this week, but everything is in the QPP for Christmas gifts, so can't share just yet.  Why do I always wait until the last minute to decide to make something???  Adrienne, I am one of your people!!

Linking up with The Needle and Thread Network and Let's Bee Social over at Sew Fresh Quilts.

The Winning Continues!

I won one of the giveaways from the Kona 30 Quilts for 30 Years blog hop!

I won the Jaybird Quilts giveaway (which I really wanted to win):  Kona Sunset Charm Square pack, Mini Lotus pattern from Jaybird Quilts, and a mini Hex N More ruler from Jaybird Quilts.  And if that wasn't enough to make me extremely happy, they included a Kona 30th anniversary tote bag.

THANK YOU Jaybird Quilts and Robert Kaufman

Have to decide what to make with the charm squares...and it will be for me.

I have been coveting QD's clear OLFA 6 x 12 ruler for some time.  If it ever goes missing, I know I will be suspect number one.  Thank you Michaels 50% off coupon -- new ruler added to the collection.

Well time to get into the sewing room to pack up some projects to work on tomorrow at the Maritime Modern Quilt Guild's Sew In.  I love having a day dedicated just to quilting.  It's a time to be productive, to be social, and to have a laugh.  I get a whole lot more done that if I sewed at home by myself.

Here's to lots of quilty fun in all our weekend plans.

Sunday Stash - This Fabric Makes Me Happy!

This past Tuesday, I was having an extremely bad day.  I came home and found my Sew Sisters Bargain Lovers' Club fat quarter collection in the mailbox.



Love the bright colours

Bad mood averted.  This fabric makes me happy!  It is a combination of Stonehenge Kids Rainbow and Monster Truck Madness from Northcott.  What awesome zippered pouches this fabric is going to make.

Not a lot of sewing going on this week.  I was busy doing paperwork to wrap up some volunteer positions that have ended, but I made these small storage bins.



The pattern is from Haberdashery Fun and is quick and easy.

Now with only one small volunteer position, more time for quilting!  Guess I can't procrastinate any longer on the tasks of organizing my fabric and my sewing room.

Linking up with Molli Sparkles for Sunday Stash.

Blogathon Canada: Atlantic Canada Day

It's Atlantic Canada Day on Blogathon Canada!  Sew Sisters Quilt Shop is once again hosting Blogathon Canada, which showcases bloggers across Canada.  My friend Linda over at Scrapmaster is one of today's featured bloggers.  I encourage you to check out what Linda has been up to and to visit other bloggers across the country.

So a little bit about myself.  I started quilting in 2003 when I took a class at my LQS to make a quilt for my nephew.  It was a flannel rail fence.  And it was tied, not quilted.  A project never to be repeated.  Sadly, that quilt has gone on to quilt heaven.  But don't worry, nephew has received many, many quilts over the years to make up for it.

Adrienne over at Chezzetcook Modern Quilts started The Library Project at the beginning of the year.  I wanted to win a prize, so I started my blog so I could participate.  You can read about my project choices here.

Who knew I'd have so much fun with the blog and that I would meet so many nice people.  Bloggers are so friendly and are always willing to provide advice and information.  I now have some new ideas for my blog.

I finished my fourth and final Library Project back in October.  So what to do?  I still wanted to participate (and to win a prize, of course) so I added another project to my list.

Jenn over A Quarter Inch From the Edge has been into English Paper Piecing hexies.  I am not a fan of hand quilting, but Jenn raves about EPP, so I thought I'd give it a try.  Here is my finished pillow.

It's a small pillow at 14 inches, but I'm happy with my first adventure with EPP.

I hope you enjoy visiting Atlantic Canada today.  Whatever you are working on this week, I hope you are having fun.

Thanks for stopping by to visit with me.

Sunday Stash - Free Fabric!

Each month, Sew Sisters Quilt Shop has a Kona Club Challenge.  Bloggers create a tutorial for a project using the previous month's Kona Club fabric.  I won October's giveaway!!!  I enter so many online contests and never win.  My prize arrived this week.

Raffia, Straw, Mushroom, Cappuccino

I'm not sure what to make, but I think it's time to step out of my comfort zone and try something new.

And then as if that weren't enough, I won a door prize at Maritime Modern Quilt Guild's one-year anniversary meeting Thursday night.  Thanks to Patch Halifax for the donation.  Patch graciously hosts the MMQG monthly meetings.

What to do with this delicious fabric?

Since I spent all day yesterday and this afternoon sewing, it's time to get some housework done.  It can only be avoided for so long.

Playing with the Owls

I have a list of things that need to be done around the house this weekend, but I ignored the list and decided to quilt today instead.  And I'm so glad I did!!

Here is a commissioned baby quilt that is finished two weeks early.

The cutest owls!

I managed to get some photos before it got dark.  And there are snow flurries out there.  I am not ready for winter.

An over calculation of needed fabric resulted in a bonus small quilt that can be used for the car seat and/or stroller.

I'm "showing off" with Sew Can She for Show Off Saturday.

If I get takeout for supper, then I don't have to cook or clean up, leaving more time to do more quilting...hmmm...what are you avoiding this weekend so you can quilt?

The Kona Horror

Arrived back last night from my annual shopping expedition to the United States.  Bangor, Freeport, Portland, Kittery, and Portsmouth -- a lot of driving and shopping in three jam-packed days.  Good thing day four is for driving home.  This year, we added a trip to the Merrimack Premium Outlets.  Well worth the extra hour of driving.  But I sure was tired when I finally pulled into the driveway last night.  I was too tired to even unpack and play with my new fabric.

I bought five pairs of shoes, clothes, fabric, and quilting supplies.  But imagine my surprise and horror to find that Kona cotton costs $8.99 a yard.  Really???  I'll never complain about the $7.97 a metre we pay here in Canada.  My goal was to purchase an entire bolt of Kona White.  But I was not paying $8.99 at Joanns, and Hobby Lobby only had four metres.  I used my 40% off coupon to get those four yards.  Guess I'm still on a mission to get a bolt of White.

Today's photos come to you courtesy of my front step.  Today was a beautiful sunny day, around 12 degrees -- the fabric definitely needed to be outside.  Quite a change from the chilly temperatures in the US.



Purple collection



Orange collection



Green collection



Blue collection 



Minky fleece and Kona White

I purchased fabric at several different stores, but didn't realize until I got home that I purchased basically only four colours.  Clearly, my mind was on these colours.

I had to stop buying fabric as I was running out of money and reaching the $800 Customs limit.  Why does the tax man have to ruin all my fun????

I also bought three cans of basting spray and a new Olfa cutter and blades.  QJ and QB both have an Olfa cutter and rave about it.  Since they were on sale for $10, I thought I deserved a treat...as if all the fabric wasn't treat enough.

Now comes the chore of washing, drying, and ironing.  But that gets me closer to playing with it.

I'm home just 24 hours, and I'm already thinking ahead to next year's trip.  Perhaps two trips are in order...time to start saving my pennies nickels.

 

Finish Friday: Another Baby Quilt

Riding on the high of the baby quilt productivity, I made another one last night.  This one is a little bigger, as it's for a toddler.  Completing small projects is so motivating.  More baby quilts are definitely on the horizon.  I haven't made any quilts for our local children's hospital lately, so I think I will be digging through my stash this weekend.

And it was still light out when I got home from work today, so was able to get a few photos.

Linking up with TGIFF being hosted by Aylin and with Can I get a Whoop Whoop hosted by Sarah @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

 

 

WIP Wednesday: Baby Quilts Edition

Last night was a great night.  I made a baby quilt in two hours!  Disclaimer:  The squares were already pre-cut and laid out on the design wall.  But I pieced, sandwiched, quilted, and sewed the binding on -- all in one night.

hanging from my filing cabinet

I had to bring the quilt to work because it was too dark last night to take a photo, and sadly, it's too dark in the mornings as well.  I don't like fall/winter because of the cold and the snow, but now it's interfering with my ability to take photos, so even more unhappy.

I managed to get better lighting in the Chief Judge's Office while she was out:

Chair in the Chief Judge's office

My productivity was motivating, so baby (toddler) quilt number two on the design wall:

Hoping to get a start on this tomorrow night.  Darn computer class tonight is interfering with my quilting plans.

Since it's WIP Wednesday, linking up with Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts and WIP Wednesday @ Freshly Pieced.