Yahoo!

What can I say!  I do get a little bit restless.  I would definitely admit that I am "house bound" and some days I get a little antsy.  It is mostly my choice but for all intents and purposes I am doing the world (GTA) a favour by not driving.  Because of the medications I have chosen not to drive lately.  I just don't feel that under the influence of Oxycodin I have the same quick reflexes as I used to.

I do enjoy it however, when my friends drop by and I was pleasantly surprised when Linda (H) called me yesterday to say she'd be out this way today and would drop by.  She was going over to Sandy's (Lindal) to pick up her quilts and also wanted to drop off some Ensure to me.  She didn't stay long but she did share her quilts.  First, a really bright little baby quilt -

It's sort of a Japanese coins pattern and came out beautiful.

The red border really sets it off.

Sandy did a great job quilting it (as usual).  The quilting pattern really enhances the quilt.

Hopefully you can get a good look at the pattern she used.

Linda also showed off her Irish Chain, beige on beige which really did come out beautiful after quilting and Sandy also put the binding on for her so all she has to do is stitch it down now and then on to the bed.....

It really is a gorgeous quilt

Hard to see the quilting but that's the point, beautifully quilted 

with a thread that just drops right into the quilt - perfect!

Now - what I've been up to.  First - the history of this quilt project.  Way back in 2002 I found this great little 2 bedroom cottage just outside of Lakefield, ON. which I managed to rent seasonally.  I love to decorate and so the second bedroom was meant to be this rustic "cottagey" kind of room, with bears and moose and fish, etc.  On one of my trips to New Jersey I stopped in at Patchwork & Pies and found this fabulous flannel quilt kit.  The panel fit in perfectly with my cottage theme and I couldn't resist it.  I also bought the backing at the same time, not one backing but two, since I wasn't sure which one I liked more.....

This quilt is all BORDERS, virtually a nightmare!  Funnily enough, had I made this quilt 12 years ago when I bought the kit, I'm pretty sure it would have been absolutely wonky!  In those days I used to just "slap" those borders on.  You know, cut the border size, sew it on and then cut it to fit the quilt.  Luckily, I waited until I actually knew what I was doing and everything was measured properly so the quilt has turned out square....

I had to fudge it a little to make the first border the right size

When I ran out of bobbin the first time I decided to clean the machine.....I figured after working with flannel the past few quilts, it was definitely time for a cleaning.....

Quite a bit of felt all hiding inside that bobbin casing.....

I can't tell you how much better your machine will run if you do this on a regular basis.  It's much easier to do this often then to let it get to the point where it causes major problems.  Honestly, my machine just purrs each time I do this.  A good rule of thumb is after each project or if you are working with fabrics and thread that tend to shed, maybe halfway through your project.

Done - ready to start making backings....Yeah!!!

Okay, so back to the quilt!  I worked all day Saturday and Sunday, measuring, measuring and measuring and got the first 4 borders on.  It was important that I measured because the 4th border is pieced and made up of 6" squares.  Because I measured it all went together perfectly.  Last night I put on border #5.  It is done and measures 72-1/2" x 90-1/2".  The fifth border has corner squares (hard to see) which fit perfectly as well.

It would have looked great on that bed in the cottage but alas, there is no more cottage and it no longer fits my decor.  I'm not sure where it's going once it's quilted but the top is done and that's the first step.  It would have looked great in the house, in the guest room too but that's gone too!  

So now I will concentrate on backings.  I have quite a bit of fabric left over which I've decided to piece for the back and then start cutting into those backing fabrics which will hopefully stretch to make three backings, at which point I am having a flannel bonfire to get rid of what's left....

Don't get me wrong, I love working with flannel but enough is enough!  I had no idea that at one time I was so into flannel. The nice part about the flannel is that it lines up beautifully and doesn't shift when you are sewing it.  I found it was really easy to keep my 1/4" seams.

Today is Jonathan's day off (he's still sleeping) and I will soon banish myself to my room where I think I will first take a nap and then start working on my 57 piece 6" block which is the next one I'm doing for the Farmer's Wife. I still have to mark and cut the pieces so that will take a while but the piecing should go quickly.....

Have a great day everyone, get outside, it's warmer!

Jo-Ann

I'm so excited.....

I'm like a kid in the candy store today.  I was invited to join the "Stitch & Bitch" tomorrow (Saturday) at Gail's.  This is the continuation of that once a month Sunday "Stitch & Bitch" I used to host at the store.  First, I am absolutely honoured to be included and second, this will be the first time I am having a "sewing" outing since I closed the store.

It was a bit difficult deciding what to take along so Liz popped over this afternoon to help me with the packing (okay, I know, it's only a day thing but still, you have to have choices!).  For some reason I was leaning towards flannel quilts?!?!  This was a little weird for me since I don't really do a lot of flannel quilts but, I knew I had one completed that needed a backing and two more which I had started piecing so I thought it was a good theme to go with.

The first quilt is a scrappy quilt made from 6" inch squares purchased years ago at the Hobby Horse.  I had cut them into triangles and made half square triangles which were sewn together as the centre and one of the borders (larger pic tomorrow when someone can hold it up).  I have the fabric for the backing plus a bunch of extra squares I can use so the plan is to get that done so I can take it to Sandy (Lindal) on Monday and get it basted. I'm going to "big stitch" quilt it by hand with Pearl Cotton.

 Project #1

The second project is Yellow Brick Road in flannel.  This was from a kit I purchased on a trip to visit my grandmother in New Jersey in 2000 at a great store, Patchwork & Pies which used to be just off I 81 in upstate New York near Cortland.  I used to stop there every time I went down to New Jersey.  Most of this is cut and ready to go but I'm a little confused as to how big it's supposed to be....duh!  Started it about two years ago when I had a private student who was a beginner and wanted to make this quilt.....should go pretty quickly......

Project #2

Project #3 is a quilt called Bricks & Mortar which I started probably some time in the first year I had the store.  It combines flannel and the  Faux Ultra Suede I had in the store and is made up of all different flannels from the store as well.  I really like the pattern and think it's definitely worth finishing.  Not to mention, it is already partially pieced so again, should move along quickly.

Project #3

I know, I know - too much!  However, Liz and I discussed it and we came to the conclusion that "variety is the spice of life".  I may only get one thing done or be lucky enough to get something done on each of these projects.  I'm just so excited to be able to get back to my sewing machine, (it's been quite a while - probably at least 92 days!)in a place where I can actually set up the machine and sew..... Whatever gets done will be an improvement on what has been done!!!

Speaking of done - I managed to finish another Farmers' Wife block today.  This is the last block I need to complete the row I was working on.  Now I can finish the row and attach it to the growing quilt top.  (I have 66 blocks done!)

Block #78 - Shooting Star - 26 pieces

I was interrupted (happily-I might add) in the midst of completing the row when Liz called and mentioned a quilting dilemma she was having.  I immediately volunteered to come over and take a look!!!  I had an ulterior motive!  I wanted to drive the new car! Actually, I just wanted to drive, since I haven't driven since the night I drove home from the store on June 29th.  Jonathan and everyone else I know (Liz, Gillian, Linda, etc.) have been driving me everywhere.  Since I'm going to drive to Gail's on my own tomorrow I figured a little practice wouldn't hurt.  It's like riding a bike - except for the red light I almost drove through....ugh!  (Don't tell my son or he won't let me have the car again - ha,ha!)  

Lurch (the Kia Sportage) finally died about a month ago and we replaced her/him with a 2002 Ford Escape which, if tonight is any indication, is a dream to drive.  I haven't come up with a new name yet because I haven't really driven her at all but I know it's gonna be something sleek!!!

Liz and I came up with a solution to her dilemma and were planning to sit outside for a bit when the downpour started so we had a spot of tea and muffins inside and I finally left her at around 1:00 A.M. - so much for getting some sewing done Liz - sorry!!!  However, I really enjoyed getting out of the house - especially since it was last minute and unplanned. Felt almost normal!!!!

Okay, I'm off to bed now - need my beauty sleep!  It's a long drive up to Maple.

Have a great day everyone and happy quilting!

Jo-Ann