Head space

2017 was a tough year for me mentally, but outside of that all was well. My finances are finally in order, I have a retirement plan, my kids and grandkids are close and doing well, and overall I shouldn't have any problems.  Inside, my head has been playing games with me again, particularly in the last couple of months due to the Harvey Weinstein fallout hitting a little too close to home and bringing up issues that I thought were long dealt with.  Right now, all I can say is #metoo.

Although I know my sewing room is my happy place, I'm having a hard time getting in there. I'm going to spend the next couple of weeks trying to get my focus and make a fresh start in 2018.

Day 2, 31 days of blogging

New record - 2 days in a row! Made a run to Hamels today to pick up some "melon" fabrics, and also got some chocolates for my version of Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilt. Also found my Christmas decorations in the storage unit, after the kids said they weren't there. Think they were looking with blinders on!

24 Days until Christmas!

Yikes, and I've barely started my Christmas sewing.  My list includes 3 Baby Bionic Gear bags for the grands, some snap bags, and the usual Christmas pyjamas.

The Baby Bionic Gear bag is a miniature version of this one! I'll post more about it in another post.

In the middle of the sewing for Christmas, I will be cutting and sewing for Bonnie Hunter's newest mystery quilt, On Ringo Lake. I will probably stick with her colours this year; chocolate, peachy-corals, aqua/turquoise and (creamy) neutrals. The only fabric I will probably have to add would be some of the corals, but I could trend to pink as well.

Don't you just love her inspiration colours?

And hopefully, I'll be able to squeeze enough time to make some headway on this quilt kit I bought last year! 

A little bit of scrapbooking!

I've been so busy the last couple of months, I have had barely time to breathe, let alone blog.  But we are now seeing the end of a full kitchen renovation, and I can sneak in a bit of time for fun!

Last night, I went to Kim's house, who is kindly storing all my scrapbooking supplies and created a fun page about watching a movie being filmed in my town.

Snuck some time to scrapbook! Thanks, Kim Rodger. Still have to write the story about watching the filming of Monster Trucks (imdb.com/title/tt3095734) in downtown Chilliwack, made to look like an American town. The movie came out two years after we watch this scene being filmed. By that time, Alex had forgotten about. So glad I took pictures.

Now that I have unpacked the kitchen again, I can try to find my sewing room again!

The next six months - goal-setting

I've not been doing a very good job of using my blog to post my progress this year, and that also means I haven't made much progress - the vicious circle! Goal-setting works for me so here goes for July's projects:

1. Make a quilt for MacBaby by July 16th!

2. Finish and quilt 3 Canada 150 quilts for the kidlets.

3. Prep and finish Rosette #5 for my Millie quilt.

Explanations:

1. One of my very good friend's has finally become a mother through adoption - but can't reveal the name nor many details yet, so this little girl's pseudonym is MacBaby. I haven't met her yet, but there is a baby shower coming up, so a quilt is necessary. I didn't get very far following along with Pat Sloan's Winter Solstice (1 large and 5 smaller blocks done), but the colours I chose will make a beautiful baby girl quilt. Now to plan a layout and get cracking!

2. I have had the fabric for a year, took 9 months to find a design I liked, and have the 7" blocks finished. Now that I decided to do an on-point setting to make the blocks go further, I can start assembling the quilts - one for each of my grandchildren.

3. I was late to the game starting Katja Marek's Milliefiore quilt, and it got put aside for most of the winter. Now that it is hot out, and I want to spend some time poolside, I need to get the cutting and prep done to finish my rosette.

Sunday Stash Report, Week 17

During my "hiatus", I made a Bionic Gear Bag that I haven't shared yet. If you haven't heard about this bag yet, you really should check it the website at Sew Much Nicer!

It is a fabulous bag that can be used to store just about anything, and there is going to be larger version available soon. (I also bought the baby BGB variation as well). Sally also offers video workshops to teach you how to put this together at Sew Like a Rockstar.

They were really helpful adding the pockets and putting the side panels on.

There is also a free pattern for a small dish that attaches to the bag with magnets, that can be used for Wonderclips or as a thread catcher. Free is right up my alley!

 Of course, to make a coordinated one, I had to buy new fabric!  I got 4.35 metres, but rest assured the bag doesn't take that much - if you do the bag all in one colour it takes 1.25 yards or 1.15 metres. In fact, the pocket linings used scraps that I had on hand. I also shared with a friend, so 2.3 metres were used right away.

Added this week: 4.35 metres

Added this year: 33.05 metres

Used this week: 3.3 metres

Used this year: 21.8 metres

Added/Used this year: 11.25 metres

The extra metre was used by my grandkids!  The kids wanted to sew one morning after a sleepover, so we made some doll/stuffie blankets.  Alex is eight, and sewed his all by himself, even putting the backing on envelope style. I just had to show him how to line things up.

Zoey (5 1/2) finally overcame her hatred of moving parts, and assembled her top with a little assistance. She wouldn't let me take her picture though. Mya is 2 1/2 and not afraid of anything - she wanted to just jump in and do it by herself. Since she's never done it before, I had a hard time holding her back, but we managed to get it done safely without running over little hands. She was so proud of herself.

I have a few more things I did during my hiatus, but I'll save those for next week.

Linking up with Judy's Sunday Stash Report at Patchwork Times.

Sunday Stash Report, Week 16 - Where have I been?

I haven't been anywhere - just in blah-land.  My oldest daughter, son-in-law and grandson (who live in a 2-bdrm suite in my home) were gone to New Zealand for 5 weeks, and although I had great plans, the poor weather and work kept me down.  Since they got home, I have been in my sewing room every day, listening to the sounds of a full house again and enjoying spending time with them!

An pre-order I placed in January finally arrived. I couldn't resist this fun print "Burly Beavers" being Canadian and all!

Of course, while I was at the shop, Dinkydoo Fabrics, I had to buy a few more things - so I stocked up on mini-Pearl Bracelets, and a new book, Quilt Lab - using math and science in quilts. It is a brand-new shop in Pitt Meadows, BC, having an online presence for about 6 months and now it has a bricks-and-mortar store. The downside is that it sells it fabrics in yards, not metres, so I have to remember that when comparing their pricing and buying fabrics.  Otherwise, it's a nice little shop, focused on modern fabrics.

I bought 6 yds of flannel to make pyjama pants for my sons-in-law and grandson for Christmas, and some cotton versions for the stash.  Love the thermos and woodgrain. 6 fat quarters of pearl bracelets and a 1/2 yd bundle of free Christmas prints (opening special) rounded out my purchase of 9.75 yards. Converted to metres, I've added 8.9 metres to the stash.

Added this week: 8.9 metres

Added this year: 28.7 metres

Used this week: 1.5 metres

Used this year: 18.5 metres

Added/Used this year: 10.2 metres

My daughter wanted her quilt queen-size, so I added another 4-patch border to my En Provence quilt. This used up another 1.25 metres of aqua/teal and white and I am finally running out of aqua and teals.

I'm hoping to make another good dent in the stash next week. I'm working on 3 quilts celebrating Canada's Sesquicentennial (150 years), on for each of my grandchildren. I'm using the Falling Charms pattern by MSQC. It's simple and makes good use of the charm packs that I was able to get. I still have a jelly roll that I'll probably make myself something with.

And I have this big bin of scraps to trim down, so while I'm doing that, I'm going to cut strips for Scrappy Trips by Bonnie Hunter and this pretty quilt by Brooklyn Quilts.

Her version used Anna Horner prints and small rectangles 2"x3", but then I saw this version which inspired me to use up my 2 1/2" strips.  My rectangles are 2 1/2" x 4 1/2", which will finish at 2 x 4 and make quick and perfect quilts for the kids' campers.

Sunday Stash Report, Week 8

20 lbs of fabric are winging their way to New Brunswick this week!

Unfortunately, I can't count it out because I was the recipient of a garbage bag full of scraps ;o). My quilting friend, Kim, has decided she doesn't like scrappy quilts, so she has gifted my daughter and I all her leftovers. My daughter got first pick at it to build her stash, and the rest came to me. Some went in the box above and the rest in my scrap basket to be cut down a la the Scrap Users System. 

I made sure that I put enough yardage from my stash in the box to offset the addition. I tried to put mostly good size pieces of what I had already used in my scrappy quilts. I'm not counting any of the fabric in or out, since it all happened in the same week.

A fellow quilter and ex-military wife has recently gone through some hard times, so I'm sending her a care package of cottons and other fabrics. I hope she can make good use of it.  Did you know a metre of cotton fabric weighs about 3-4 oz, so 20 lbs is about 70 metres! (at an average of 3.5oz for each metre)  Sure would make my numbers look impressive, but I feel like I'm cheating. Glad it will go to good use. 

Added this week: 0 metres

Added this year: 19.8metres

Used this week: 16 metres

Used this year: 17 metres

Added/Used this year: 2.8 metres

Linking up to Judy's Stash Report

Splendid Sampler - Update and linky-party

It's been one year since the Splendid Sampler quilt-along started and there is a linky party to celebrate. Sadly, I quickly fell off the bandwagon, mostly because I have too many projects on the go, and my room was a disorganized mess.  I've been working hard to correct both those situations!

I did manage to finish the following:

( I apologize for the poor quality of the photo - I need a new camera!)

• 6 blocks completed with sashing and quilted using the quilt-as-you-go method
• 2 blocks pieced
• 2 blocks prepped and ready for embroidery

Today, I plan on getting several more blocks cut and kitted, and maybe get the two pieced ones quilted.

Check out the other great quilts and marvelous finishes at the Splendid Sampler link-up!

Verre de Mar En Provence - Details

My "Verre de Mer en Provence" or Sea Glass in Provence is finished (unless my daughter decides she wants a queen-size!)

16 blocks with 76 pieces each:

40 sashings with 18 pieces each, plus 25 cornerstones with 4 pieces each:

Then two borders with a total of 843 pieces (corner shown above - most accurate picture of the colours).

Total number of pieces: 2,879

Finished size: 87 1/2" x 87 1/2"

Total yardage used: 13.5 metres

Once my daughter makes up her mind, it's off the long-armer!

Thanks, Bonnie, for another wonderful mystery.  To see more wonderful quilts and colour combos, be sure to check out Bonnie's link-up party!

Sunday Stash Report, Week 7

Finally!  A big finish to report - Verre de Mer en Provence (Sea Glass in Provence) is a flimsy!

Thanks to this:

Followed by this:

I had plenty of time to sew!  There was no driving to work, no driving anywhere for a week. The schools were closed, and it was crazy around here.  Thankfully, we are back to normal, it's 10c (50F) and raining, so the snow is melting.

Added this week: 0 metres

Added this year: 19.8metres

Used this week: 16 metres

Used this year: 17 metres

Added/Used this year: 2.8 metres

I also made some placemats for the grands!  Maybe I'll make a series of holiday ones for them this year - they sure enjoyed getting them.

If I can keep this up, maybe I'll get some positive numbers.  I'll share more about En Provence later this week.

I missed the linkup to Judy's Sunday Stash Report but this more for me anyway!

Snow weekend! Sunday Stash Report, Week 6

Nothing in, nothing out makes for a boring report but there has been sewing going on. It has been snowing steadily since Friday afternoon, and as of this morning we officially had 77 cm (30 in), with more on the way. What better way than to spend the time sewing!

I've been slowly plugging away at my En Provence blocks, and being distracted by requests for more insulin pump bands, fixing stuffed animals, making Valentines placemats and sewing with my grandson!

Alex and I have been working on and off on his dinosaur for almost a year now. I only worked on it when he could help and stopped when he lost attention. He has learned how to use a pattern, cut it out, sew on the machine, do the running stitch and the whip stitch and stuff the pieces. This weekend was the final stuffing and adding the details, such as the spots!

Voila! Snaggles is finished!

He sewed every one of these spots himself!  It is wonderful to see his patience grow and learn to problem-solve without getting frustrated like he did in the beginning.

He is so proud of himself!  (Brr, he makes me cold just looking at him! This is one hot-blooded kid).  He is wearing his new insulin pump band as well.  Love this kid!

Pattern for the dinosaur is Menagerie by Lier at ikatbag.comikatbag.com. 19 stuffies from one basic pattern - it is full of ideas and very well-written.

Tomorrow has been declared a snow day - good thing, because I can't find my car!

Since I never counted in the fabric for the stuffies, and the insulin pump bands are recycled from old T-shirts, I didn't have anything to count out. Next week will definitely be different!

Added this week: 0 metres

Added this year: 19.8metres

Used this week: 0.00 metres

Used this year: 1.00 metres

Added/Used this year: 18.8 metres

Linking to Patchwork Times Sunday Stash Report

Sunday Stash Report, Week 4

Another metre added, and a metre out!  Next week, I've promised myself that I will have the En Provence top finished.

Added this week: 1 metres

Added this year: 19.8metres

Used this week: 1.00 metres

Used this year: 0.00 metres

Added/Used this year: 18.8 metres

I did make another purchase of sale fabric last week at Hamels.  My friend, Kim, ordered the sale stuff on line, and I couldn't help but add to it. I used the excuse I need another yellow and a soft orange for my En Provence quilt ( 4 - 3 1/2" square of each), which translated to buying a metre!

I added a gray and a green tone-on-tones, for the stash and bought 4 - 1/4 metre pieces in all. I didn't bother asking for fat quarters, as I tend to use strips anyway.

I plan on having the En Provence flimsy done by the end of the month, and that will put a big chunk out! It will be 13.25 yards if I don't add to it. 

I did move a metre out making some doll/stuffie blankets with the grandkids this weekend!

Alex is eight and has been sewing off and on with me for quite a few years. He has now progressed to learning about chain piecing and matching seams, and can operate the sewing machine without me hanging over his shoulder. I was at the ironing board cutting blocks for the girls while he sewed his blocks.

Zoey is five and picked out all her blocks, and for the first time, braved the "noisy" machine and helped feed her fabric through.  She really wanted to use "her" machine, a hand-crank that she has claimed as hers, but we stuck to the Featherweight.  She took off before I could take her picture, but here she is last year when the hand-crank arrived. She likes this one because it is so quiet.

And little Miss Mya got in the act as well. She helped choose her own blocks, but had more fun poking through my scrap basket while I sewed hers up.  She promptly wrapped around her stuffed puppy, and went off to bed. 

Since I was babysitting, I was able to get a picture of her and her messy hair as she was busy pointing out the "otopus" under her hand!

I love that my grands love to craft and sew with Gramma, and I hope we have many years of doing so before they lose interest. They were all proud of their work and couldn't wait to show their parents when they arrived for pickup.

Linking up to Patchwork Times Sunday Stash Report.

Like Judy, I count my fabric out at three stages:

1. When the top is finished, which is called a flimsy.

2. When it is quilted with the backing

3. When it is bound and finally finished.

This gives me an incentive to push a project to the stage. This week, more En Provence!

Have a great week,

Terri in BC

En Provence Progress

I'm so glad I started this year's mystery quilt by Bonnie Hunter, and stuck with it.  Just like the first mystery I did (Orca Bay), I've been able to complete all the steps with 10 days of the reveal. 

(Steps 4, 5, 6 and 7 all at once!)

(All that's left is assembling the rest of the QSTs of Step 6 & 7)

I have now finished assembling my first corner block, complete with the outside border!

(The edges are straight - I just haven't done a firm press yet)

(Block before border, at night!)

I love this quilt pattern and think I'll be making it again, as my younger daughter has hinted that these colours would look good at her place. She hasn't received a quilt from me recently, so it could very well end up a birthday present in March!

My plan is to complete the top within a week or two, then send it out for quilting.  I just have too many tops to quilt myself to do this one.

Linking up to Bonnie's Linky Party at Quiltville.blogspot.com

Sunday Stash Report 2017 - Week 2

After-Christmas sales are a killer, just sayin'.  I stayed away from Fabricland's New Year's Day sale, and Hamel's Boxing week/warehouse sale, but fell hard on Saturday!  I had to pop into Hamel's to pick up some of my favourite Bella Solids on their monthly 20% sale (the first full weekend of every month) and low and behold, they had held over their warehouse sale.  When this girl goes down, she goes down hard!

Added this week:

The Bella Solids I came for; aqua, red, silver and cream (1 meter each) to coordinate with my Glowing Hearts fabric I bought in the fall.  These will be used to make Canada 150th anniversary quilts for the grands, and hopefully a lap quilt for me! They don't have a lot of this fabric left, but have ordered more. 

Next the warehouse sale fabrics - at just $4.00/metre, that was more than a 75% discount.  (PS: They still have some listed on their website).

From left to right: 2.5 metres of the pink floral to make nightgowns for Zoey and Mya, 2 metres of the blue to make sleep pants for Alex (and leftovers to stash), .5 metre of a neutral for the stash, and 1 metre of the fruity stripe for my daughter, for the binding of a quilt she is making from the coordinates.

All of their Christmas fabrics were on sale for 50% off, and one of my favourite designers, Sweetwater, latest lines Cookie Exchange was there.  I bought 2 metres of the cookie recipe and 1 metre of the teal to make aprons, and a half metre of each of the rest for stash enhancement.

More stash enhancement: 1.25 metres of the grey snowflake (end of the bolt) and .5 of the silver on grey

And some fillers for existing projects - a FQ of a '30s type print for my Splendid Sampler, and Bonnie and Camille Basics charm pack for Pat Sloan's Winter Solstice project (yes, I started another new project). A charm pack is just over a half-metre, so I'll count .55 in.

Last but not least, I picked up Block 9 of the

This one my grandson is excited about, because it features Puffins from the province of Newfoundland, where his Poppy comes from (my ex-husband). His great-aunt in Newfoundland sent him a puffin stuffie when he was born, and Poppy has been a part of his life since he reconnected with my kids 5 years ago. Newfoundland and Labrador has a special part in my heart, as I lived there as a teenager, in the same place my great-grandmother had lived at the same age in 1905, and I have maintained a close connection with my in-laws since the divorce 30 years ago. Many people in my life, and one of my best friends also comes from there as well, so "Newfies" are a part of my life!

There is the equivalent of about a FQ in these packs, so another .25 in!  I haven't started assembling these yet, but will do so soon.

So the grand total is:

Added this week: 18.8metres

Added this year: 18.8metres

Used this week: 0.00 metres

Used this year: 0.00 metres

Added/Used this year: 18.8 metres

Hopefully, I'll have a good finish soon to add to the done side.  I'm making good progress on my Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt, En Provence and think I'll have it together as a flimsy by the end of the month.

Clues 1, 2, 3 complete; Clues 4 and 6 started, and all the cutting is now done!

Linking up to Patchwork Times Sunday Stash Report

Have a great week,

Terri in BC