Heading North - Sandra's Pattern Release

Sandra @ Musings of a Menopausal Melon launched a new pattern last week -- Heading North.  My blog post was scheduled to post on November 3 while I was on vacation, but when copying the permalink on my phone, I somehow deleted the entire post.

The pattern has two sizes, each with a different layout.  The block is in EQ8, so I played around with colours before choosing my fabrics.  I mixed two Island Batik fabrics with other prints.

I made the throw size, but I added an 8-inch border on the top and bottom rather than the 3-inch border in the pattern.  I prefer rectangle quilts over square ones.

My friend Dena suggested orange for the background.  You all know I ♥ orange, so I was easily swayed.  LOL

Now comes the hard part of deciding on a quilting plan.  There's a lot of negative space to consider.

You can purchase Sandra's pattern here. 

If you are looking for inspiration, here are some other versions.

Wendy - Pieceful Thoughts of my Quilting Life

Carol - Quilt Schmilt

Rose - Something Rosemade

Michelle - @peetmichelle

2022 Monthly Colour Challenge - November Block

There only two blocks left for the 2022 Monthly Color Challenge hosted by Jen @ Patterns by Jen. 

I used Kona Earth and Coffee for the November block.

I missed a change to cutting instructions and didn't realize until I was piecing the block.  I attempted to rescue the block without cutting more fabric.  As a result my corner triangles are different.  Rather than the three colours running horizontally, mine are vertical.

WIP - Melodic Mystery QAL

Are you sewing along with Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs for her Melodic Mystery QAL?  I fell behind after choosing my fabrics, but I have now caught up.

I'm using Kona Chartreuse and Storm (background) with two prints.

Cutting instructions were released in August.

We made flying geese blocks in September.

October had two steps:  star blocks and HSTs.  I love this teal print!!  Why didn't I buy more???

I used my Bloc Loc ruler to trim my HSTs.

Now I'm all ready for the November instructions which will be released this Thursday.  It's not too late to join in for the QAL.

It's Finished! - Stay at Home Round Robin

TGIFF Saturday edition...this quilt was finished before Friday, but I had difficulty taking photographs.  It's that time of year when it's not light enough in the mornings before work or after work.  I fell behind in the Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR) hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail earlier this year.  Gail shared a parade of quilts made during the quilt along.

Round 5 was rail fence or applique, and round 6 was shoo fly blocks.  I decided to skip the final two rounds, but I did add a border and called it a finish.  I used Kona Blueprint with a thin strip of Regal.

I did an all over stipple in light blue thread.

I used the following Kona colours:  Nightfall, Carrot, Kale, Orange, Regal, Blueprint, and Grellow.

This ended up being 34 inches so I can gift it as a baby quilt.

SAHRR Progress:

• Centre block
• Round 1 - Curves
• Round 2 - Diamonds
• Round 3 - Stars and Stars Part 2
• Round 4 - Signature Block

I'm linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Quilting Gail

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

Finished or Not Friday @ Alycia Quilts

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty

Friday Foto Fun @ Powered by Quilting 

UFO Busting @ Tish's Adventure in Wonderland

2022 Monthly Colour Challenge - October Block

Did you sew along this year for the 2022 Monthly Color Challenge hosted by Jen @ Patterns by Jen?  As we come close to the end, I need to start thinking about a layout for my blocks.  

I used Kona Aruba and Sage.

As I often share, I use my Hera marker to mark lines instead of a using pen or a pencil.  It saves time and energy as you can mark two layers at a time.

I use my Bloc Loc ruler to trim HSTs.

Unless a pattern specifically indicates to press to one side for nesting purposes, I always press seams open when making strip sets.

I find the strip sets lies much flatter, which makes sub cutting more precise.

Another 12.5-inch block to add to the collection.

October Bloggers

Gail - Quilting Gail

Raylee - Sunflower Stitcheries and Quilting

Andi - True Blue Quilts

TGIFF - Lined Drawstring Bags

Welcome back to Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday.  It's time to link up your finish(es) from this week.  You can find out who is hosting each week by heading over to the TGIFF blog.

The Lined Drawstring Bag by In Color Order is one my favourite patterns.  Jeni offers a free tutorial, but you can purchase the pattern which has eight sizes.

I decided to use Nova Scotia tartan to make swag bags for a work conference this past weekend.  The Lined Drawstring is such an easy pattern that I underestimated how long it would take to make 28 bags.  I filled the last bag at midnight the night before the conference began.  😂

We were hosting participants from across Canada, so we decided to use a small business and choose a Nova Scotia product to go in the bags.  Peace by Chocolate makes great chocolate and also supports charity.

Now I need to start thinking about swag bags for the next time we host, likely in five years.  Last time, I made Nova Scotia tartan Open Wide Zippered Pouches.

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

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

TGIFF - Reflections

Welcome back to Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday.  It's time to link up your finish(es) from this week.  You can find out who is hosting each week by heading over to the TGIFF blog.

Reflections is a pattern I tested for Bea @ Beaquilter.

I used Kona Ocean, Chili, Marmalade, Torch, and Prairie Sky.  I did an all-over stipple in light blue thread.  I even quilted my name at the bottom.

I used my Accuquilt Go to cut all the pieces for this quilt.

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

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

TGIFF - Roll of the Dice

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

Welcome to those who are new to my blog.  I live in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, and have been quilting for about 20 years.  Wow...where does the time go?  My first quilt was a flannel rail fence for my nephew's fourth birthday.  I have met so many wonderful quilters over the years and have formed new friendships.

If you are interested in hosting TGIFF, you can sign up here.

A Roll of the Dice is a pattern by Sandra @ Musings of a Menopausal Melon.  I finished the quilt top back in June.

I did an all-over stipple in light pink thread.

I found a wonderful pink/orange backing when I was in the USA back in July.

I used Kona White, Sangria, Bright Pink, Bubblegum, Tiger Lily, Torch, Duckling, and Meringue.

This will be gifted to a new baby, but first I need to make a list of outstanding quilts that need to be gifted.

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

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

2022 Monthly Colour Challenge - September Block

This is the 8th block for the 2022 Monthly Color Challenge hosted by Jen @ Patterns by Jen.  I use these blocks to make donation quilts.

I used Kona Rich Red and Canada Red.

I purchased a new Hera marker.  I normally use the thin one, but I like this one.

Flying geese are made four-at-a-time.

There are also some signature blocks this month.

Here is my finished block.

September Bloggers

Raylee - Sunflower Stitcheries and Quilting

Frances - Frances Quilts

Andi - True Blue Quilts

Alpaca/Wool Mat and Ruby Star Society Picnic Quilt

Did you sew along with the Ruby Star Society for their Summer Sewalong -- Perfect Picnic Quilt?  I had a half-yard bundle of Akoma by Rashida Coleman-Hale that I had been saving, so I pulled it out for this project and paired it with Kona Natural and Storm.

Thanks to Gail @ Quilting Gail, I had the opportunity to test out an alpaca/wool pressing mat made by Prairie Spirit Alpacas.  The mats are made here in Canada.

I made this quilt solely using the pressing mat, and it did not disappoint.

The seams were easily pressed flat without any effort.

I often press my seams open when I think there might be bulky intersections.

The alpaca/wool mats are 12 x 18 inches and are hypoallergenic:

Alpaca fleece does not have lanolin like sheep and thus can be processed without the use of harsh chemicals and is also very hypoallergenic. Most people that are allergic to wool find they can easily wear soft alpaca yarn.

Another quilt top to be added to the pile of tops waiting to be quilted.  I have the backing fabric but need to decide on a quilting plan.

Thanks to Carmen at Prairie Spirit Alpacas for sending me the mat for my honest review.  If you are looking for a wool pressing mat, I recommend that you try out this alpaca/wool one.  I love that they are made in Canada and that it supports a local business.  Stop by to see all the yarn and other products that Carmen offers.

Photo from Prairie Spirit Alpacas' website