More quilts

Spring has arrived. Some days it feels like it but other days it's cold, windy and feels like winter will never leave. 

My hall quilt has changed with the change of season. Bob the Snowman has been replaced with this. It's a quilt called Flowers and was a BOM in 2011 by Diana Schmitz. She had a few BOMs that incorporated embroidery, applique and piecing.

This is a quilt that my daughter brought back with her from her visit to her father-in-law. Whenever she visits me, she takes her two sons to visit their grandpapa about 4 hours north of us. She was given this quilt that was made by her mother-in-law who passed away a few years ago of Parkinsons. I thought it was lovely and delicate. I took a look at it while it was here and I think it was made by the old apartment style or quilt as you go method and machine quilted.

The new and the old

Since I'm the one who sews in this family, I am asked at times to repair items of clothing and other things. Most things don't take long at all and I am happy to help since it prolongs the use of the item.

My granddaughters wear a lot of stretch leggings and sometimes they get small holes in them. 

At times I sew up the hole and at other times, I am asked to cut off the legs so they become shorts. 

These then become useful to wear under a dress.

Once upon a time a quilt store, that has now been closed for years, had a Buck-a-Block monthly block program. You were to pay $1.00 a month (plus purchase a set of Thangles for $6.00) and then you were given a little bag that held pre-cut fabric, instructions and a pattern. The Thangles package held papers to make half square triangles that were 1.75 inches finished.

 This is the last quilt block that was in a bin. It wasn't even started.

This block of the month took place in 2009 with the last installment being January, 2010.

There were two fabric options. One was blues with creme and one was vintage 1930s reproduction fabric and, even though blue is my favourite colour, I opted for the prints - just for something different.

In order to get the next installment for $1.00, you had to complete the block and bring it into the store. If you missed a month, you had to pay $5.00 and if your block was not completed, you had to pay $5.00. I made sure that my blocks were completed each and every month. I don't know how I will finish the quilt but at least they are all done now. If you haven't tried Thangles, you should. It's an easy way of making a bunch of HSTs (half-square triangles.) The fabrics in the 'kit' were pre-cut to the 2.25 inch strip and there was always enough fabric. All the maker had to do was put the two fabrics right sides together and lay the paper on top - pinning well. Sew on dotted lines and cut on the straight lines. Easy and quick. The instructions showed you how to put the pieces together to form the various blocks.

Well, at least these are now done and they are back in the bin with other fabrics that I had put aside that were either 1930's fabrics or ones that were very similar.

Sort of another UFO completed. Now I am off to knit a rainbow baby blanket and start sewing a quilt. I also have some cross stitch to get done. 

Several projects

Variety. They say it's the 'spice of life.' It certainly helps with boredom.

These are my 52 blocks in 52 weeks before I finished the last three. I took this photo to see how they looked altogether and to see if I was missing a block or two.

Although I tried to make eight of everything, I got stuck in yellow for a while. The three just fit right in - one blue, one red and one green. There is a duplicate in orange because, once following the directions, it made two identical blocks. I haven't found a suitable setting for these yet.

This is just the beginning of a Lemon Squeezy (the free pattern is by Lion Brand) blanket. I normally use white with little bright yarns (Bon bons by Lion Brand) but since I had some pastel yarns, I thought I would try navy instead of white.

I'm also working on a small cross stitch but I can't show it since it's for a special someone.

My carnations are still fresh and now - surprise, it's a dual colour. 

What to choose?

Honestly, there is no reason for anyone to be without a free project these days. One lovely project helps you use up some scraps that were just waiting to be made into something useful (and beautiful.) If you are on Facebook, one group is called "One nine-patch a day..." However, if you aren't a fan of Facebook, you could just make a nine patch a day on your own.

There is also a scrap busting block challenge for 2020. This has been going on for three years now. Here's the link for all the information you need and the pattern. The blocks are either 6 inch finished or 8 inch finished. There are instructions given for both. It also has a Facebook following.

If you like or love paper foundation piecing, this site is for you (just scroll down the page to the bottom.) You can download 52 paper pieced triangles to help you use up your scraps. The way they are put together are numerous and you really can't go wrong. It's only half a 6 inch block that is scrappy because the other half is one piece. Easy peasy.

This is called Marvellous Mystery. If you follow along, you will receive two blocks a month to make. 

Or, you could just go visit Quilters Cache where there are numerous blocks for you to play with.

Then there is the 365 blocks - one 6.5 inch block a day. Just do an internet search and you can find all the information you need. It's still free this year.

Of course, the Canadian Quilters Association is having a row along now instead of the 52 blocks in 52 weeks.

If you are a cross stitcher, there is a free cross stitch sew along happening right now at Lesley Teare's blog. Last year's sew along was a monthly owl that is adorable. I missed that but if I get time, I can always purchase the whole pattern. I think I may start this year's blackwork sew along.

There are lots more that are quilt related. Blocks of the month, blocks of the week and of course, block of the day (the nine patch) and the 365 blocks a year. I'm not that energetic and I have a list of my own projects that I want to complete but it's nice to see the progression of some of the quilts.

I decided to treat myself.

These were in a grocery store a couple of weeks ago and they are still fresh.

I popped in to Value Village and decided that this might just be nice to make.

I also picked this up. I think it's cute and would make a nice backing for a quilt or even a shirt for one of my grandsons.

That's it for today.

I have my 'to do' list to keep me busy but I do like that blackwork cross stitch stitch along...

More new stuff

I mentioned in one of my previous posts about making a key bag and a cell phone bag for my eldest daughter who wanted them so she could easily find them in her cross body bag (which I also made for her.) Well, even though I forgot to take a photo of them, she did.

The cell phone holder was made with a scrap of sweatshirt fleece I had on hand. I used my husband's cell phone as a pattern since I don't own one. The key holder was so much fun to make. I searched the internet for free patterns and once I found one I liked, I sent the link to my daughter but she vetoed them. I finally found this one and didn't even show her because I figured it was just perfect.

It's not even a real pattern. It's a youtube video. I used an upholstery sample that I had in my stash (there are so many more to use up.) The lady in the video is Laura Ann Coia and this is called an Easy Zipper Pouch. It took hardly any time to make. I will be making more in the future. You are not stuck with just one size as she says you can make the pouch in any size you wish. I just needed a small one and so I went with the sizes she used in her video. Laura is a Canadian and she was a guest speaker at one of the guilds I belong to. I was surprised when I came across this video. I know she has a lot of youtube videos out there - some are sewing related and others are tutorials for quilters.

Here's block 32.

This is the block for the 33rd week of 52 Blocks in 52 Weeks. This took no time at all to make.

I'm still working on my Row quilt so once it's finished, I shall show you what it looks like.

Some new sewing

Continuing on with the weekly sew along of making 52 blocks - all finishing at 6 inches, here's the latest installment.

These are blocks 30 and 31. I didn't realize that I had used 2 of the same fabrics. I think it's because they were on the top of my green pile.

In between sewing blocks and putting a quilt together, I decided to make my little granddaughter a new hat. I did an internet search for free patterns hoping I could find something other than the bucket hat that I have made in the past. I found one that was offered by Ottobre magazine. It's a Finnish magazine but the instructions are in English and I found it very easy to make.

We have bubble machines for the little ones.

The hat was made with a bottom weight fabric but I still managed to put two thinner pieces of interfacing on the brim.

I love the fact that the brim could be folded up too.

The back of the brim is short so it doesn't affect wear and won't brush up against her back.

Esme and her new hat.

The pattern was so easy that I will be making more in the future.

Just some sewing

In between globetrotting and family time this summer, I managed to do a bit of sewing.

These are the blocks for weeks 25 and 26 of the Canadian Quilters' Association's 52 blocks in 52 weeks.

I also managed to repair my eldest daughter's quilt.

This is the 'before' photo of what I was repairing. This one fabric was cotton but I guess the thread count wasn't too great because the only blades of the grandmother's fan blocks that needed repairing were these.

I tried to keep up with the weekly blocks and these are blocks 27 and 28.

Block 29. I have completed block 30 but I forgot to take a photo.

I'm also trying to keep up with the Quilters of Faith BOM. These are blocks 19 and 20.

Today I made a couple of small pouches or bags. Unfortunately, I didn't think of taking a photo of them until they were sealed in an envelope and in the mail. My daughter requested them so she won't have to go searching around the bottom of her bag for her keys and phone.

A few new things

I'm still plugging away with some blocks from a BOM or two.

These are blocks 15 and 16 from the Quilters of Faith BOM.

Here's the newest member of the family. She was born on Father's Day, June 16th and weighed in at 7 pounds, 13 ounces. My son Eric and his wife Davina have chosen Aurora Matti as the name for this little one, my 10th grandchild.

This is block number 17 and 

18 for the Quilters of Faith BOM.

I also completed block number 24 of the Canadian Quilters Association block of the week. I haven't had time to sew this week's block. It's an easy one.

Gnomes and Minecraft characters

This was a block of the month last year from Fat Cat Patterns called Gnome for the Holidays. I had finished several blocks but had to leave it because I went on holiday and then other, more pressing projects came my way. I finally knuckled down and completed it. The instructions called for another border but since it will be a wall hanging, it would have been too big for the space I have allocated in the hall. It's not yet quilted but at least the top is now done.

Since the gnomes were a bit intense and needed quite a bit of work for each block (tracing onto fusible, ironing onto fabric, cutting out, ironing in place and then sewing around each fused piece,) I decided to do something that required less work to complete a block. These are a continuation on my Minecraft quilt for my grandsons. The figure on the left is Ocelot and the purple eyes belong to Enderman.

These have joined my previous blocks. Easy cutting and sewing because they are all squares and rectangles.

I then decided to do Villager and Wolf.

And this is cow. If I went in order, then cow would have been the 5th block but there were so many pieces to it. I, once again, knuckled down and got it done.

There are more Minecraft blocks to do but I need to finish off a few other things and I am making the twins some culottes - now that the weather is getting warmer.

Continuing on with 52 Blocks in 52 Weeks

We have just finished week 18 of the 52 Blocks in 52 Weeks.

This is the block for the 18th week.

The 17th block and the first of the yellow blocks. I didn't mean to use the same fabrics in both this and the next block. It just happened.

This is the 16th block and the end of my orange blocks.

The 15th block.

The 14th block.

And here they are, all of my orange blocks.


It's a long weekend here and today is one of my little granddaughter's birthday party. Darcy turned two on Friday. Little Teemu turns four on Tuesday and his sister, Esme, turned two on the 3rd of May so it's been a busy, hectic month so far. Victoria Day long weekend always has fireworks and last night I heard firecrackers. There's always someone who gets a kick out of the noise. Today it's supposed to be a high of 26C and tomorrow is a trip to the zoo but it's supposed to only get to 15C or 17C depending on which weather network you're looking at. The tulips, hyacinths and daffodils are out and the leaves are starting to show up in the trees so I guess spring is slowly showing itself. It's about time.

Little things

I am trying to keep up with the 52 Blocks in 52 Weeks and so far, I have managed.

Block 12. Still working my way through the oranges.

Week 13's instructions actually yielded two identical blocks. If you are on facebook and happen to look up this group, you will see how very ingenious and original some people were with this block (and others.)

Hole in the Barn Door is block 14.

I also managed to put these together for Quilts of Valor.

Once I have taken more photos of the projects in progress, I shall post them.