TGIFF - Card Holder

I've been eyeing this DIY card holder for some time.  My nieces are in town, and we were playing some card games.  Aliyah is so tiny, and she has trouble holding all the cards in her hands.  So I thought it was a good time to try this pattern.  It's called Card Kitty by Sew Can She.

I didn't prepare or prep -- I just jumped in and started following the instructions.  I quickly realized I should have read the pattern first LOL because I didn't have the required Peltex.  Caroline suggested trying other stabilizers such as cardboard.  Cardboard works!!

It is an easy pattern to follow and to make.  I had a fun alphabet print in my stash and a piece of velcro that was close enough to the right size needed.

You end up with three pockets which are stitched down the middle so they aren't floppy.

You may have seen on my Instagram that Aliyah had surgery yesterday.  Thanks for the kind words and best wishes.  She should be released this afternoon but will stay in town for another day before travelling home.  We'll have to play some card games tonight so we can test out the card holder.

I have to be honest -- I may be making one for myself.  😀  I like that it folds relatively flat when not in use, so it's easy to store when not in use.

I'm linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Kathleen McMusing

Finished or Not Friday @ Alycia Quilts

2025 Stay at Home Round Robin - Quilt Parade

Did you sew along with Quilting Gail's annual Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR)?  It's time to link up your quilt top or finished quilt.

You have one week to link up for your last chance for an entry in the prize draw - link up here.  The SAHRR team has been tracking the weekly link ups.  We will meet via Zoom to chose winners through a random number generator.  Once all winners are notified, we will announce them on our blogs.

As usual, I couldn't decide on a quilting plan, so I did an all-over stipple.  Finished and out the door is better than having yet another quilt top added to my ever-growing pile.

I pieced some leftover wide backing that ended up being just large enough for this quilt.

My quilt progress:

• Centre Block
• Round 1
• Round 2
• Round 3
• Round 4
• Round 5
• Round 6

Pattern: self designed in EQ8
Size:  48 x 48 inches
Started: January 3, 2025
Completed: March 23, 2025
Techniques: machine piecing
Quilting: free-motion quilting on Grace Q'nique 16X
Fabric: Kona Meringue, Lapis, Chartreuse, Black, Pacific, Magenta, Pink Flamingo, Kumquat, Red, Corn Yellow

Binding: Kona Black

Thread: The Grace Company Finesse, #3284 Pearl White
Batting: Hobbs Heirloom Premium 80/20 Cotton

TGIFF - Pop Star QAL

Welcome to Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday (TGIFF).  TGIFF is the opportunity to share your finishes from this week.  You can find out who is hosting each week by heading over to the TGIFF blog.

Sandra @ Musings of a Menopausal Melon hosts an annual QAL.  Pop Star is from 2022, and it seems that I only shared one progress update.

It's finally quilted!

The quilt top was finished on May 15, 2022.  I finally decided to do some hand quilting and basted all the layers.  But I couldn't make a decision on a quilting plan.

In an effort to get quilts finished (and hopefully out the door to forever homes), I did an all-over stipple on my Baby Lock Accomplish.  I love DecoBob 80wt thread by Wonderfil Specialty Threads -- DB113 Dove Grey.

It's time for you to link up your finishes from this week.  Please also visit a few of the link ups to get some inspiration and to share some quilty love. ♥ 

Pattern:  Pop Star by Musings of Menopausal Melon

Size:  40 x 40 inches

Started: April 23, 2022

Completed: March 11, 2025
Techniques: machine piecing
Quilting: free-motion quilting on Baby Lock Accomplish

Fabric:  white tone-on-tone star print  and two green prints

Binding:  one of the green prints (also used for the backing)

Thread: Wonderfil DecoBob DB113 Dove Grey
Batting: Hobbs Heirloom Premium 80/20 Cotton

TGIFF - MMQG 2024 Block of Month

Welcome to Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday (TGIFF).  TGIFF is the opportunity to share your finishes from this week.  You can find out who is hosting each week by heading over to the TGIFF blog.

For three years, Dena and I hosted a block of the month for our guild -- Maritime Modern Quilt Guild.  The 2024 version was based on the Communique Quilt by Mouse in my Pocket.

I shared my finished quilt top here.  It was professionally quilted -- a prize I won last year from Musings of Menopausal Melon for her annual QAL.

I used Kona Natural for the background.  I love the pantograph used.

I wanted the stars to shine, so opted for a light-coloured thread that didn't contrast.

I had been hoarding this wonderful wide backing.  Now I wish I had purchased more of it.

I will be keeping this quilt for myself. ♥

It's time for you to link up your finishes from this week.  Please also visit a few of the link ups to get some inspiration and to share some quilty love. ♥

Pattern:  Communique Quilt by Mouse in My Pocket

Size:  56 x 72 inches

Started: January/February 2024

Completed: January 2025
Techniques: machine piecing, HSTs
Quilting: professionally quilted
Fabric: various Kona colours and Natural for the background - various star prints

Binding: Kona Flame

Thread: unknown
Batting: Warm and Natural

TGIFF - Vinyl Zippered Pouch

I've been playing with vinyl this week.  I made a open wide zippered pouch -- my favourite pouch pattern.

There's a definite learning curve working with vinyl as you can't use an iron to flatten seams.

Despite the challenges, I am looking forward to using vinyl more in the future.

I'm linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Devoted Quilter

Finished or Not Friday @ Alycia Quilts

Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

Pattern: Open Wide Zippered Pouch by Noodlehead
Size:  small
Started: February 27, 2025
Completed: February 28, 2025
Techniques: machine piecing
Fabric: vinyl and quilting cotton

Thread: Gutermann #460

2025 Stay at Home Round Robin - Round 6

It's time for the last round for the Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR) hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail.  I hope you have enjoyed sewing along with us.

Round 6 was chosen by Emily @ The Darling Dogwood - the kite block or choose a block that starts with the initial of your first name.

I chose a block that started with the letter A -- Anvil block -- and used Kona Magenta, Kumquat, and Corn Yellow.

It's an easy block consisting of squares and HSTs.

The block in the top left-hand corner is my "centre" block.

I saw an interesting quilt layout online and tried to modify it for the SAHRR.  It didn't turn out how I envisioned, but I like it.

Make sure you link up this week's round with Emily before Sunday night to be entered in the prize giveaway.

You have until March 24 to link up your quilt top or finished quilt.

Schedule:

• January 13 - Centre block - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail
• January 20 - 1st Round - hosted by Kathleen @ Kathleen McMusing
• January 27 - 2nd Round - hosted by Anja @ Anja Quilts
• February 3 - 3rd Round - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail
• February 10 - 4th Round - hosted by Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
• February 17 - 5th Round - hosted by Brenda @ Songbird Designs
• February 24 - 6th Round - hosted by Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
• March 24 - Quilt/Quilt Top Parade - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail

2025 Stay at Home Round Robin - Round 5

Are you ready for round 5 for the Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR)?  Next week will be the last round.

Round 5 was chosen by Brenda @ Songbird Designs -- half log block.

I used Kona Pacific, Red, Lapis, and Chartreuse to make this 12.5-inch block.

Since I was working with 2-inch pieces, I used my fabric glue from Acorn Makers.

I made four 6-5 inch blocks and rotated them to make my 12.5-inch block.

We have been seeing a lot of different layout variations.  Are you sewing a traditional medallion layout, or something different?  I tried a different layout this year.  Stay tuned for the reveal.

Make sure you link up this week's round with Brenda before Sunday night to be entered in the prize giveaway.

Schedule:

• January 13 - Centre block - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail
• January 20 - 1st Round - hosted by Kathleen @ Kathleen McMusing
• January 27 - 2nd Round - hosted by Anja @ Anja Quilts
• February 3 - 3rd Round - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail
• February 10 - 4th Round - hosted by Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
• February 17 - 5th Round - hosted by Brenda @ Songbird Designs
• February 24 - 6th Round - hosted by Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
• March 24 - Quilt/Quilt Top Parade - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail

2025 Stay at Home Round Robin - Round 4

We're at the halfway point of the Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR).  If you haven't been able to keep up, or didn't have time to start, you can start sewing whenever you want.

Round 4 was chosen by Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life -- slice square with insert.

As you know, I ♥ orange, so I had to make a block with an orange background.  I did three inserts with Kona Chartreuse, Pacific, and Corn Yellow.

Now I'm moving downward with my layout.

Make sure you link up this week's round with Wendy before Sunday night to be entered in the prize giveaway.

Schedule:

• January 13 - Centre block - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail
• January 20 - 1st Round - hosted by Kathleen @ Kathleen McMusing
• January 27 - 2nd Round - hosted by Anja @ Anja Quilts
• February 3 - 3rd Round - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail
• February 10 - 4th Round - hosted by Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
• February 17 - 5th Round - hosted by Brenda @ Songbird Designs
• February 24 - 6th Round - hosted by Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
• March 24 - Quilt/Quilt Top Parade - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail

Project Quilting 16.3 - Common Blocks

The theme for Project Quilting 16.3 -- hosted by Kim @ Persimon Dreams and Trish @ Quilt Chicken -- was Common blocks.

Common blocks are the core foundation of our craft – these are the block designs that no one “invented,” instead they’re the legacy we’ve inherited from quilters through the ages.

Here is my 36-inch baby quilt using Kona Nightfall, Snow, Lemon, and Cardinal.

I played around in EQ8 and choose sawtooth star, 4-patch, and HST blocks for my three common blocks.

I decided to use Dove Grey Wonderfil DecoBob 80wt thread again and practice free-motion quilting on my Babylock Accomplish.

I used a blue fabric for the back that I've been hoarding, but it suited this quilt so well.

I attached the binding by machine to the back and to the front to save some time.

Pattern: self designed
Size:  36 x 36 inches
Started: February 5, 2025
Completed: February 8, 2025
Techniques: machine piecing, HSTs
Quilting: free-motion quilting on Baby Lock Accomplish
Fabric: Kona Nightfall, Snow, Lemon, Cardinal

Binding: Kona Nightfall

Thread: Wonderfil DecoBob DB113 Dove Grey
Batting: Hobbs Heirloom Premium 80/20 Cotton

2025 Stay at Home Round Robin - Round 3

Are you sewing along for the Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR) hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail?  If not, there's still lots of time to join in.

Round 3 was chosen by Gail @ Quilting Gail - a star block.

I made a 12.5-inch Sawtooth Star block using Kona Chartreuse, Lapis, and Kumquat.

I use EZ Quilting Flying Geese ruler.  The ruler cuts the "goose" triangle and the "sky" side triangles.

If you have been following along, you'll notice that I have been making blocks rather than a traditional medallion-style layout.  The great thing about the SAHRR is that you choose how to interpret the weekly themes, and you choose how to sew your top together.  It's amazing at the end to see so many different interpretations of each round.  Happy sewing!

Make sure you link up this week's round with Gail before Sunday night to be entered in the prize giveaway.

Schedule:

• January 13 - Centre block - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail
• January 20 - 1st Round - hosted by Kathleen @ Kathleen McMusing
• January 27 - 2nd Round - hosted by Anja @ Anja Quilts
• February 3 - 3rd Round - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail
• February 10 - 4th Round - hosted by Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
• February 17 - 5th Round - hosted by Brenda @ Songbird Designs
• February 24 - 6th Round - hosted by Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
• March 24 - Quilt/Quilt Top Parade - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail

Rope Bowl Finishes

I took a rope bowl workshop with Jeanette @ Stamp Stitch Create.  Jeanette shared helpful tricks and hints from her experience making bowls.

I realize that my past attempts were not successful because I wasn't using the right rope.  Jeanette suggested Rope Shop, which is a Canadian company.  What a difference using the right materials makes in the final product.

I started with a 6.5-inch base.  And then I used my new rivet press to finish off the end.  I don't have a purpose for this bowl yet, but I have it displayed in my living room at the moment.

We were working with 100 feet of rope at the workshop.  I didn't use all my rope on my large bowl, so I used the rest to make a smaller bowl.  This has a 4.5-inch base.  I've already gifted this to a co-worker who is being transferred to another department.

I "may" have gone in on a group order and purchased 1,500 feet of rope. 😀

I'm linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Kathleen McMusing

Finished or Not Friday @ Alycia Quilts

Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty

WIP Wednesday - Effervescence QAL

Are you sewing along with Quilting Jetgirl's Effervescence QAL?  Yvonne always has great QALs and patterns.  There's still time to join in.

I was slow in choosing fabrics because I wanted to use what I had in my stash.  But I'm now back on track.

Here are my first four blocks.  I didn't take any in-progress photos because the blocks pieced together very quickly, which I wasn't expecting.  Before I knew it, the blocks were finished.

The cutting was quite a production and took two full evenings.

I can't wait for the next set of blocks to be released next week.

I'm linking up with:

Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter

2025 Stay at Home Round Robin - Round 2

Are you ready for round 2 for the Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR)?

Round 2 was chosen by me -- half-square triangles (HST).  HSTs are versatile, and there are many choices you can make.  I generally make them the traditional 2-at-a-time way.  Blossom Heart Quilts has a great HST tutorial and math formula.  If you need some inspiration, check out Patchwork Square.

For this simple 12.5-inch HST block, I used Kona Meringue, Lapis, Pink Flamingo, Black, Corn Yellow, Magenta, Kumquat, Chartreuse, and Red.

I use Bloc Loc rulers to trim my HSTs.

As you can now see, I'm not following the traditional medallion/round robin layout.

Make sure you link up this week's round before Sunday night to be entered in the prize giveaway.

Schedule:

• January 13 - Centre block - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail
• January 20 - 1st Round - hosted by Kathleen @ Kathleen McMusing
• January 27 - 2nd Round - hosted by Anja @ Anja Quilts
• February 3 - 3rd Round - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail
• February 10 - 4th Round - hosted by Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
• February 17 - 5th Round - hosted by Brenda @ Songbird Designs
• February 24 - 6th Round - hosted by Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
• March 24 - Quilt/Quilt Top Parade - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail