Deadline and Goal Achieved!

It's still April 30 for another hour, and I finished my April ALYOF goal.  Nothing like cutting it close.  There was a lot of frantic sewing the past two nights.

Presenting Fox and Friends:

Fox and Friends Pattern by Lorna @ Sew Fresh Quilts

Lorna's pattern (Sew Fresh Quilts) was very detailed and had lots of photos.  I would definitely purchase another pattern.

Mr. Fox and Mr. Raccoon

Had to move outside of my comfort zone with colour placement.  I know it's a good thing to challenge yourself, but I still don't like it.  The pattern provides a chart of colour placement, but doesn't tell you which colours correspond with which number.  The "fun" is supposedly in making that choice yourself.

The plan was to have an outdoor photo shoot, but at this late hour, indoor photos will have to do.

April was a busy, crazy month.  I am so happy to have achieved my April goal...and on time.

Linking up with Sew BitterSweet Designs for the April Finishes Party.

WIP Wednesday - Wee Wiggler Test Run

Wee Wiggler got her first test run this week.  It was an interesting experience.  Need to work on getting her levelled, and one of the bars needs to be adjusted.  But all in all, I am pleased with the result.

Charity Baby Quilt

Here's a closeup of the stippling:

Not bad for a first attempt

I had hoped to get the binding (thinking Kona Chartreuse) done for tomorrow night's Bee meeting, but sadly life got the better of me.  Tomorrow night is collection night for all the charity quilts that we have been making.  This one will have to go in the next round of quilts.

Val from Purple Boots and Pigtails shared the story of how Wee Wiggler got her name.

My sister named her that... she is not a sewist.  She learned to machine applique last spring and has since called my sewing machine The Edgy Thing. Ever after she pleaded with me to allow her to do the wiggling (quilting-think stipples) on the frame. She would say "you make the flimsies and I'll wiggle them". And henceforth the quilting machine became known as the Wiggly Thing. When I started nattering on about the new long arm we started to refer to them as the Wee Wiggler and the Giant Wiggler.

I'll respect sister Purple Boots and continue with the name of Wee Wiggler.


Linking up with:

Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts

WIP Wednesday @ Freshly Pieced

And The Winner Is...

Congratulations to Anne Simonot for winning the Sew Sisters giveaway.

Anne suggested making a baby quilt.  Have fun!

There were a lot of great ideas on how to use the Lazy Day fat quarter bundle:

• Baby quilt
• Charity quilt
• Pillows
• Placemats and napkins
• Table runner
• Tote bags
• Quilts...quilts...quilts...and more quilts

There were many pay-it-forward suggestions:  make a gift for someone else.  The generousity of quilters is amazing.

Not much sewing going on this past weekend as I volunteering at my nephew's basketball playoffs.  It's amazing how that on a team of ten boys, there were only five families helping out all weekend.  And we were the hosts of the playoffs.  But I can get past that because they won Bronze!!! 

Here are two little pin quilts that I manage to complete.  The idea originated with Jenn @ A Quarter Inch from the Edge.  It's a mini wall hanging to display all the many Girl Guide pins that we've accumulated over the years.

These are gifts for two Girl Guide friends.  For those who are Girl Guides, the blue stripe material is from old leader uniforms.  Recycling - using my resources wisely.

Need to get back on track to finish Fox and Friends.  And to get Wee Wiggler up and running.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit.  Have a great week everyone.

Giveaway Finish Friday

Feeling lots of quilty love this week.  I have been commissioned to do two quilts (which is good because I need to pay for Wee Wiggler).   And then to my surprise (and delight), Sew Sisters Quilt Shop contacted me to do a sponsored giveaway.  So the mad dash to get a project finished in time.

Here is the last of my 2014 WIP charity quilts.  The fabric is a fat quarter collection from Sew Sisters from the Bargain Lovers' Club.  You can check out all their monthly fabric clubs here.

Mad dash for a photo before the daylight was gone.

The pattern is Tifton Tiles found over at Sit and Stitch Awhile.

Managed to catch the last bit of light before the sun went down.

Linking up with TGIFF and with Crazy Mom Quilts.

Now on to the fun and exciting part.  The giveaway!!

This is a fat quarter bundle from Lazy Day by Lori Whitlock for Riley Blake.  I think Sew Sisters figured out that orange is my favourite colour.  Lazy Day (and lots of other gorgeous fabrics) is new in the sale section for only $7.99/metre.  Check it out here.

It's a good thing Sew Sisters mails the fabric directly to the winner...oooh...what a great collection.

In case you are new to Sew Sisters:
Sew Sisters Quilt Shop is a Canadian Quilt Store dedicated to all things quilting.  Whether shopping online or in person at our store in Toronto, our goal is to provide you with great service and offer top quality products at the lowest possible price.  We have a large selection of quilting fabric, patterns, books and notions - everything you need to complete your unique quilts!  Be sure to check out our very large Sale Section with over 400 bolts of fabric for only $7.99/metre!

At Sew Sisters, we believe you should buy fabric, not postage – so we offer great rates on shipping.

Orders over $100 ship for free within Canada!

How to Win:
Leave a comment indicating how you would use the Lazy Day fat quarter bundle.  A winner will be selected at 8:00 a.m. Atlantic Monday, April 20.  The giveaway is open internationally.  If you are a no-reply blogger, make sure you leave your e-mail address in your comment; otherwise, another winner will be selected.

Thanks Sew Sisters!

The "What Was I Thinking" WIP

Sooooooo...I might have accidentally purchased a longarm machine...okay, maybe not so much accidentally but more like on a whim.  Now I'm in:  WHAT THE HECK HAVE I DONE mode.  Valerie over at Purple Boots and Pigtails decided to upgrade and purchased a new machine, so was selling her old machine and frame.  I've always dreamed of having a longarm, but never really thought that it would happen due to the cost and never thought that my quilting would progress to the point that I would need or want a longarm.

Introducing Wee Wiggler:

 Still not sure why she's called Wee Wiggler.  Val:  We need the story on the name.

Thanks to Mr. Purple Boots and son for assisting with the delivery of Wee Wiggler.

I'm still working to ensure that she is level before a test run.  Hoping that between Nephew's basketball playoff games this weekend, I can manage to complete a quilt top so I can play with Wee Wiggler.

**Giveaway Alert**
Come back for a visit on Friday for a sponsored giveaway from Sew Sisters Quilt Shop.  In case you didn't know, Sew Sisters is a Canadian quilt store dedicated to all things quilty.  They offer great rates on shipping, with orders over $100 shipping for free within Canada.

Although not an actual quilt WIP, still linking up with:

Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts

(Have you seen those pigs?  And the zebras, elephants, monkeys, and giraffes!)

WIP Wednesday @ Freshly Pieced

Hello Mr. Fox and Mr. Raccoon

It's amazing what you can accomplish in only a few days when you're excited about a project.  Thanks to Lorna over at Sew Fresh Quilts for a great pattern -- very detailed and lots of photos.  I love triangles and easy patterns.

Here is the beginning of my Fox and Friends:

Mr. Fox and Mr. Raccoon

The eyes and noses are supposed to be appliqued on, but I had some googly eyes that will work temporarily.  You never know what you'll find in the stash of a Girl Guide leader.

I won't be able to sew for a few days due to a busy schedule.  Hurry up weekend so I can sew!!!

Linking up with:

Let's Bee Social over at Sew Fresh Quilts

WIP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced

WIP Wednesday over at The Needle and Thread Network

ALYOF - April Goal

It's time to set April's goal for A Lovely Year of Finishes hosted by Bitter Sweet Designs and Fiber of All Sorts.

Since I'm making my way through my 2015 to-do list in no particular order, next up is Fox and Friends by Lorna over at Sew Fresh Quilts.

Hard to believe this quilt is made with just triangles.  Can't wait to start sewing.

Meet my new Kona friends:  Periwinkle, Blue Jay, Lapis, Surf, and Deep Blue

My goal is to piece and quilt Fox and Friends by the end of April.

Online challenges are great -- they keep me focused on what needs to be done and what I want to do.  Thanks to all the blog hosts.

Show Off Saturday - Basketball (Half) Finish

Although it was rainy, dreary day, I had a great day sewing with my Q-squared bee mates.  Some sewing, lunch, and a trip to our LQS.

I finished the basketball quilt top for my nephew.

And because I"m such a great Auntie, I stitched the "net" on the backboard.

Now to figure out a quilting plan.

Although it's not fully finished, I'm showing it off over at Sew Can She.

WIP Wednesday - Basketball Quilt

The good thing about having the MMQG Sew In at our LQS was that we could purchase fabric.  The downside was that we could purchase fabric.  LOL  I spent more time socializing and buying fabric than I did sewing.

I did manage to get the four corner blocks done for my nephew's basketball quilt.

Basketball Net for corner block

The basketball block was a bit tedious, but I'm pleased with the result.

Basketball for corner block

Not a lot of time to sew this week, but hoping to make use of the upcoming long weekend.

Linking up with:

• WIP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced
• Let's Bee Social over at Sew Fresh Quilts
• WIP Wednesday over at The Needle and Thread Network

Friday Finish: ALYOF March Goal

The snow is finally melting!!!  Bye bye snow!!  Well...there's still plenty of snow, but I haven't had to shovel in days, so I'm happy...so very happy.  And it's Friday!!  And I have a finish!!!

My ALYOF March goal was to finish the Mini Lotus pattern by Jaybird Quilts.  It took some time to get accustomed to the tiny pieces, but I have to (reluctantly) admit that I did enjoy making this project.  And I tried wavy/organic quilting.

Mini Lotus

This will hang on the dining room wall to match the Seaside table runner finished back in January.

Seaside

Not much productivity this month due to all the shovelling of snow.  But will be making an effort to get back on track next week.  Tomorrow is MMQG's monthly Sew In.  A day of sewing and socializing with like-minded friends...what a great way to end the week.

Linking up with ALYOF over at Sew BitterSweet Designs and  TGIFF hosted by Simply Pieced.

            

I. Hate. Snow.

Winter is not my friend.  And today, shovelling snow interfered with my quilting plans.  I knew the snow was coming, but didn't expect so much.  I couldn't open the back door, and the snow banks were very high.  So I called in Nephew to come help.  Luckily he's 6-feet tall so he was able to climb over the fence to the backyard (because the gate is still frozen shut from our many storms this winter) to shovel out the back door.  If I have to shovel any more, I'm running away!

The last few days, I've been working on another wall hanging for my sewing room.

I was disappointed with the quilt labels I purchased on Etsy, so decided to try the labels from Sew Fresh Quilts.  They arrived this week, and I am very pleased.

Finally stop procrastinating and ordered Fox and Friends from Lorna over at Sew Fresh Quilts.  Who knew it was so easy to order and download a digital pattern.  I had to shop at two quilt shops to get all the glorious Kona colours I needed.  Fabric is washed and ironed, and I can't wait to start cutting and sewing.

The calendar says Spring is just around the corner.  I hope Mother Nature got the message...there is no more room in my yard for more snow.

Where's the Pattern??

I decided to move outside of my comfort zone and attend an improv piecing workshop hosted by Val over at Purple Boots and Pigtails.  Val calls it free piecing.  Improv or free...it means no pattern and no directions.  Oh my...what had I gotten myself into.....

This was at the front of the class...I was tempted to run....

We started with what was supposedly an easy project.  Just grab a piece of fabric, she said.  Oh about this big, she said.  I need dimensions!!!  And then the instruction was to cut a tree without measuring.  I panicked...what does a tree look like????  Breathe, breathe, breathe.....

Not bad for a first attempt.

Val suggested a pieced grass bottom.  I'm allergic to grass so wasn't wasting time or fabric on something I don't like.  It was bad enough I had to make trees, to which I am also allergic.

On to project two.  Again, grab some fabric about so big.  Stress was coming back.....

I did enjoy making the wonky HST's...after the initial stress of not having dimensions of the pieces needed.

Finally, it was lunch time. Whew...time for a break from all this fun.  Was feeling pretty good that I had made it this far, but then Val tells us that we're making a house and letters in the afternoon.  Was that an evil grin I saw?  I clearly did not bring enough sugar to eat.

Project three:  a house.  I admit the house was not so bad; however, again some stress trying to find fabrics when you don't know the dimensions of what you need.  Just grab a piece that looks like a door....say what???

No grass at my house...rock garden instead.

And then for the final project of the day...letters.  There was no chance of skipping out at this point...tad bit hard to sneak out carrying a sewing machine and a huge tote of stuff.  Went with my favourite colour orange to help alleviate some of the stress.  Not only was there no measuring of the pieces needed, there was no ruler used to cut said pieces.  Okay...what happened to the gentle push outside of the comfort zone?  This was a shove and don't let the door hit you on the way out.

Proudly showing off the new wall hanging for my sewing room.

New wall hanging for my sewing room.

I survived the class!!!  Although I'm not yet converted, I did enjoy making these letters.  There will be more letters in my future.

Thanks, Val!!!

Friday Finish Happy Dance!

Scrapmaster has been trying to convince me that scraps of fabric are a good thing.  Sure, sure, sure.  Well, I hate to admit it, but she may have pulled me over the line...just a little bit though... but I'm not a full convert yet.  I told you about the tissue holders she made for me from the scraps I gave her.  Here are my creations:

I see this becoming an addiction like the zippered pouch incident.  Scrapteacher, I need a new project!

I finally met Baby M on the weekend (he lives away).  He has grown and is doing quite well.  So decided to make a changing pad with PUL waterproof fabric.

I love these animals.

I have been continuing the momentum created by the 4 x 7 Sewing Challenge over at Berry Barn Designs.  I didn't accomplish much this week, although I have been doing quilty stuff each day.

Tomorrow is an improv piecing workshop put on by Val over at Purple Boots and Pigtails.  Lately, I seem to be doing things I don't like to do...and then find out that they aren't so bad after all.  But I will NOT become a paper piecing convert.

Linking up with TGIFF hosted by Quokka Quilts.

What Have I Done?

Fox and Friends by Lorna over at Sew Fresh Quilts has been on my wish list for some time, and I finally purchased it this weekend.  So off to my LQS yesterday to get the Kona needed...where I accidentally bought a quilt kit.

Playing Field by Robert Kaufman

The kit was on sale for $19.99 -- for that price, I had to buy it.  So although I said Nephew wasn't getting another quilt (because he already has many quilts from Auntie), he loves (and plays) basketball, so...another quilt for Nephew.  Another quilt for the to-do list...what have I done?  March has only just started and already an addition to the 2015 to-do list.

Time to choose a goal for March for the ALYOF.  Mini Lotus by Jaybird Quilts has small pieces that I don't like to work with, but since I've already started the project to match a table runner...it needs to get finished.

Clearly wasn't paying attention to the word "Mini" in the title...or the mini Hex n More ruler that came with it...

The Winner!!  Congratulations to Ruth over at Charly & Ben's Crafty Corner -- winner of my blog anniversary giveaway. Thanks to everyone who dropped by.

4 x 7 Challenge - Success on Day 28!

Thanks to Sarah over at Berry Barn Designs for hosting the 4 x 7 Challenge.

The challenge was to spend 30 minutes a day sewing for the entire month of February.  I am pleased to say I succeeded!!!  I was a bit skeptical at first that I'd be able to pull it off, but I broke projects down into smaller pieces and kept track on a calendar.

Day 22
Worked on the prize for my blog anniversary.

Day 23
Quilted the HST wall hanging.  FMQ didn't get the best of me this time!!  Read about it here.

Day 24
Made the binding for the HST wall hanging.

Day 25
Sewed on the binding and finished the blog prize.

Day 26
Took photographs of HST wall hanging and blog prize and did computer work (blog post, searching internet, Bloglovin').  This was my February goal for ALYOF 2015.

Day 27
Cut fabric for charity HST for Maritime Modern Quilt Guild and worked on a layout for a baby quilt.

Day 28
MMQG Sew In. Oh how a month flies by.  Sew In was awesome today!!  I pieced a baby quilt and worked on my Mini Lotus wall hanging.

The last of the owl fabric....

There was a lot of socializing and admiring of everyone's projects.  It's so great to get together with like-minded friends.

Any scrap less than 2.5 inches goes in the garbage or gifted to quilty friends.  Scrapmaster made me these wonderful tissue holders from scraps I gave her at the January Sew In.

Okay...maybe it's time to re-evaluate my view on scraps.  She creates such wonderful projects from scraps.

And so the week and February ends on a high note. Hoping that the momentum of sewing on a daily basis will stick.  I hope your February was as great as mine.

I Did It!!!

I mastered FMQ!  Okay... maybe not mastered...more like it didn't get the better of me and make me cry.  Don't think FMQ and I are close friends just yet, but definitely not enemies any more.

Scrapmaster talked me down off the ledge and provided some encouragement.  So I practiced FMQ spirals, took a break to sandwich the three layers, and then practiced again.  I was ready.  So not to be overwhelmed or frustrated, the plan was just to FMQ a small section.  Section one went well, so I decided to do another section.  It was like my machine actually loved FMQ for once -- no tension issues or breaking of thread.  So decided to FMQ the entire project in one evening while things were going so well.

I am proud to reveal:

Kona Sunset Charm Pack and Kona Charcoal

Check out my fabulous FMQ!

I can't wait to get this on the wall in my sewing room.

This fabulous finish is my February goal for ALYOF and it's Friday, so showing off with:


which is being hosted by Kim over at Persimon Dreams.