Charming Giddy Up!

I have finally finished my Charming Friends Quilt Along and it's name is Giddy Up! If I still lived in Calgary, AB I would think I had Stampede fever (It is Calgary Stampede time right now so maybe I do! Yee Haw!)

Because it looked so western, I looked for some western themed quilt stencils but nothing appealed to me. Finally I decided on a meadering line with the occasional 5 pointed star ( sherriff badge looking I hope!)

I keep wondering if I should tea dye it. Somedays I think yes- let's tone down that white print and sometimes I think no- I like the white! I guess until I can be sure it will remain as it is!

I was browsing at more of these Charming quilts and do I ever love them. Everyone`s quilt is so different! I can`t wait to see more!

And now I wanted to show and tell a little bit. These are fountain pens my brother has made me over the years. Most are regular fountain pens with an ink cartridge but 3 of them are dip pens. Good thing I have lots of ink!

They write most beautifully! Thanks brother!

Happy Stitching!

Another handwork project done!

I have been working on my small handwork projects one by one to get a few done and off my pile! Here is my latest!

It had been quite a while since I did a cross stitch. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed it. I kept seeing this one being stitched on blogs I would stumble upon and I couldn't resist! I just love her. I am actually itching to get another one going but I will resist for now. After all I am trying to REDUCE my handwork pile.

I've also been putting together the quilt a long from Charming Chatter.

I was walking through my sewing room with the lights off and saw that the light from the window was shining through the quilt hanging off the side of my ironing board. I thought it looked really interesting! Maybe a stained glass quilt is in my future.

Here is the quilt without the stain glass effect. It really has a western look to it. I may have to call it Giddy-Up!

Now I just have to figure out how to quilt it. Any ideas?

Happy Stitching!

Another QAL!

I could not resist! Yes it is another Quilt A Long- this time it's the "Between Charming Friends QAL' from Charming Chatter.

It's a sweet little quilt. Mine will be not sweet but I am hoping cute. I went rifling through my charm packs ( I really don't have that many) but all were single packs and then I realized that I have become lazy in picking out fabric. All these charm packs and jelly rolls have made life really easy ...but have they? Or maybe they have made my little projects a bit too matching.

I love scrap quilts. I love all the color differences and the changing textures. A scrap quilt makes me want to reach out and pet it. So into my stash I went. What fun I had lining up all the possibilities and I think I came up with a combination that suited me. Thank you beautiful stash for taking me back!

A two color quilt with a scrappy feel! A classic combo of blue and brown will be perfect! I got cutting and sewing and am almost caught up now. So far I am loving this how this little quilt is coming together!

It's not too late to get started in on the fun! And there are two options- one is this cute little quilt or you can choose to make the larger size quilt.

And now for a BIG thank you!

Every Canadian girl needs a brother living in the USA if only to bring home freezer paper! My brother has come to visit and look what he brought with him...and they are the jumbo size! Thanks my wonderful brother!

I'll be keeping you posted on my QAL,

Happy stitching!

Blueberry Fields!

Blueberry Fields is done! The quilting was an adventure. I had just enough thread to do the design in my head....but it didn't work quite the way I thought it would. I suppose there is a case to be made for doing at least a quick sketch before forging ahead!

I had decided on a grid and in my head I knew exactly where all the lines would cross...but they didn't. So this is a Plan B quilt! But it worked! I had just enough thread to finish it.

And it is so cute! Thanks Lori at Humble Quilts!


And just 3 days left to enter to win EQ7! I am so excited! I can hardly wait to see who wins!

Quiltalong and EQ7

I can't believe so many wonderful people have visited my blog hoping to win EQ7! I've been visiting so many of your blogs! This quilt blogging world is so rich with kindness, creativity and amazing people! I am so pleased to be a part of that!

A few people that have responded to the contest have had private emails and I have no way of reaching you. I have to have your email if you want to win EQ7 so please make sure you add it to your comment or email me through my profile if you want to keep it private. I really want everyone who enters to have their chance at winning!

As I have been nursing my nasty spring cold the last 4 days I finished piecing my Strawberry Fields quiltalong from Lori at Humble Quilts. Mine is now officially called 'Blueberry Bushes'! I had some leftovers from my charm packs so I added a 1/2" border and then a 2" border of the blue. I used up almost every square inch of that background! I have no idea what I'll use for binding. I'm hoping to start quilting it tomorrow so in a few days I should be finished. I really love it! And finally...

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

I made my Mom a Mothers Day card so I thought I would show and tell. Because I was big on sick and low on creativity, Papercrafts magazine came to the rescue. I used to make so many cards but I haven't been lately. It was fun though and most importantly my Mom loved it!

Happy Stitching!

So Much Fun to Sew!

Here I am already on Episode #107 of 'The Quilt Show' and I started with Ricky's demo of making folded flying geese. Happily the video demo is on the daily blog of 'The Quilt Show' so anyone can see it! Ricky and Alex were right- they are fun to sew!

First I tried the size that Ricky demonstrated but I like things a bit smaller so I cut 2- 2" squares and 1 2"x3-1/2" rectangle to make a goose that finishes at 1-1/2" x 3". I liked the smaller size and thought it would be perfect for this project. So I started to sew and it WAS fun. It was like a little surprise was waiting for you at the end when you started to press your finished geese.

One thing to make sure of though is that you pin those little loose tips down before sewing them- they are really slippery little devils! And watch that iron tip too. More than once I got mine caught under a fold.

See how cute these pockets are! I would not make these for a quilt you want to use to cuddle under but for a wall hanging it is great. The geese really stand out because you don't quilt them- you just quilt the background.

And finally the finished quilt... it measures about 13" x 20".

If you like this then check out the Moda Bakeshop version 'Loosey Goosey in 3D' that uses charm squares. It is quite a large Flying geese block but it is fun to see what they do.

Now I have been really debating the project that Jean Wells does on this episode. It is cute but not really a new technique to me and not really something I want to do. I did do a bit of thinking though and thought if I was to do it I would pick a theme. I remember my Mom had a pattern for small paper pieced light houses...that would be fun...or how about tiny log cabin variations or hearts or sewing room things...

So I just decided as I wrote this that I am off to the next episode - #108

And it is time to get my blocks together for Strawberry Fields Quiltalong!

Happy Stitching!

Taking Time for Strawberry Fields Quiltalong!

I could not resist this quiltalong from Lori at Humble Quilts It is so cute and a perfect size for just a little fun.

After looking at the cutting instructions I realized I could use a couple of small charm packs. After sorting I needed a few extra charm squares and some light scraps but it worked out.

Here is everything all cut up and ready to go. I see that Lori has started sewing already so I will get going tomorrow on that.       

Happy Stitching !