Some blocks were being made

Even though I didn't get much done on Saturday during our sew day, there were others that did get some blocks made....lol.  This first block is the Smith Mountain Morning star block for the quilt that is being called Bird Brain.  You can read more about that quilt on the Dec 9/2025 post, called Bird Brain....lol.

I like this block variation with the half square triangles (HST) in the centre.  I also like how she placed the top right hand corner HST to match the top blue point of the star and the bottom left hand corner that matches the bottom blue point.  It extends the blue and make the block look different.  This block is, I believe, going on the back of the quilt.  Gorgeous!

Then we had my mom who was also there at our Saturday sew day.  She managed to make the last twenty nine patch blocks that she needed for her blue string quilt.  Here is a sampling of nine of them.

The blue nine patch blocks are for her version of the Burgundy String quilt that I spoke about in an earlier post.  Here is the EQ design I made and printed up.  This is the same quilt that I am making, though mine is going to be done in burgundy.  This is also the same quilt that the person who is making the Bird Brain quilt is making, but hers will be blue, like my mom's.  

My mom is making her quilt for her bed, as the one she is currently using was made a long time ago and is starting to show signs of wear.  I am making mine for Quilts of Valor.

Take care everyone.  Have a great day!!

Making blocks

I did some more of the required blocks on my list.  I am happy to say that the blue stars from the Smith Mountain Morning quilt are done.  Now I have only about 32 chimney blocks left to do.  I'm getting there!!

I did get some more of the sea swept blocks done too.  I have four more blocks to do, to catch up, and I still have three days left of March....lol.  Will I do it....

I was reviewing my list of required blocks and overall I am doing well.  I am ahead and actually done two of the columns for two different quilts!  So I'll try to put those together soon and get them completely done.  

The only one so far that is falling behind is the Welcome to the North Pole appliqué quilt blocks.  But I am ok with that.  That one has a bit more intense appliqué to do.  I didn't really think I would pull it off, but figured if I got some of them done, that would be nice.

Take care everyone.

Appliqué block for March update

Yesterday was a very nice day.  I had some friends over for a sew day!  Always a lot of inspiration with show and share, chatting and laughing.  I get so distracted that I usually don't get much done...lol.  But I am ok with that.  It's just nice having people over sharing the day and our passion for quilting.

While the ladies were here, I got three more leaves done.  During the week leading up to Saturday, I managed to get all the leaves on the left hand side, plus the two berries.   By this point it is starting to take shape.

Then, after the ladies left, I was going to pull out my wool appliqué that I picked up at the 2025 Quilt Canada show called Thimble Blossoms.  I've been dreaming of getting that one moving along.  But I stopped myself and rationalized that this required block for March is due in just three days.....  

So, I push through the urge to start working on something else and continued to do this Gathering Flowers appliqué block.  I am glad I did!!  It feels good to get blocks done.

I added this block to my pile of completed blocks and ticked off the box to say that this March block is done......whoohoo!  I even pulled out the next block that I am going to work on.  More about that one in another post.

While I was reviewing the blocks that I have left to do for this quilt, I noticed I have more of it done then I thought, which is always nice.  According to the list, I have only eight more blocks out of twenty to do.

Take care everyone.

Appliqué block for March

Yesterday afternoon, after I brewed my cup of tea, I gathered my appliqué block for March.  I've been wanting to get this one started for a couple of weeks now, but time just would not allow it.  I decided that now is the time.  I sat and had my tea and admired the vine parts of the appliqué that were already done.  I did that part years ago.  I did the vine parts on most of the blocks years ago...lol.  

Sometimes that's just how it goes.  Appliqué is an on and off thing for me.  I like handwork, a lot, but finding the time, literally hours, to sit and do it is hard....or at least it is for me.  Especially went there are so many other things that I also want to do!!

I forgot to take the before picture.  So above is when I remembered to take a picture.  I just finished sewing on that bud and pinned the two leaves.  The block is laying on top of the pattern paper that I have all the pieces pinned to.  The paper is face down, so you just see the pencil marks, of the shapes and where they go, in the background.

Below is how much I was able to do in the time I had.  I stitched the two leaves and added the green part of the bud, and later the two berries.  

Now, just to keep things real and give you a gauge as to how long this handwork stuff takes, from the time I started, it took me 2 1/2 hours to sew on the full bud and both leaves.  Then after dinner and taking the dog out for a walk, I gave it another go and worked on the two berries.  The berries, starting from scratch, took me about 45 minutes using the perfect circle method.  That's where you gather the fabric around the perfect circle shape with a basting stitch, then starch and iron to set your shape.

All aspects of appliqué take time, but that's what's nice about it too.  You sit quietly working away with no rush or hurry.  You, the fabric pieces, thread, needle and your thoughts, turning out a pretty block that's special, because of the amount of dedication you give to it.  I really do enjoy the process of it.

As I was getting ready to shut down for the evening, I thought maybe you might want to see how I set things up to do my appliqué blocks.  I have this ironing board that I made with a piece of 3/4" thick wood and an ironing pad that I cut down to fit.  The board measures about 16" x 24", give of take.  The padding is thick enough to stick pins in it and they stay upright.  

My plastic template pieces have holes that I've punched through them, and I use pins through the holes to hold the templates on the board, on the right hand side.  I also stick pins in the pad standing upright, to hold the small spools of thread, so when I travel with my board to another room, everything stays put.  There's plenty of room for my paper pattern with the pieces to sit flat on the left side. 

Then finally, I use this tube shaped pillow to support my arms, just below my wrist, while I am appliquéing the pieces to the background.  I find the pillow puts the handwork at the right height to see the stitches without having to be hunched over too much.  Overall I feel it helps keep a better posture and relieves any stress on the upper body and your hands. 

I might try to do some more of this later today, but for now I need to head to the kitchen to make some breakfast and take care of a few things.  Have a great day!!

Take care everyone.

A Spring quilt made by many hands

I am not sure why it's taken me so long to post about this quilt.  I quilted this quilt back in April 16/2023 for a customer, who then donated it to the HHQG.  I guess it kept getting pushed down, as new pictures were being taken.....and got lost as time moved on!

I like this quilt.  It's a bit of a sampler quilt.  This was a joint effort, made by many hands.  I believe they called it a tinner's quilt.  The way it went was, that there were a bunch of people that decided they wanted to make a quilt.  They each put some fabric in a "tin" and these tins would go around to each person, who would then make some blocks, to make a row or round, that the owner of the tin would then put together.  Depending on what they ended up with, would direct the design of the quilt.

The tin would make it's way around to each person to add in their interpretation of the theme, that was chosen by the owner of the tin and fabrics.  The theme of this quilt, if you haven't guessed it already, was Spring.  You may have to enlarge the next picture to see the words, but it says Spring.

This was another section of the quilt that I thought was pretty.  The pretty paper piece tulips and above them is a block of different bird houses.  This one had some embroidery done to it, for the vines that are growing up the poles.  Do you see the bird perched on the top of one of the bird houses?  So cute!

Maybe it's wishful thinking, but here is hoping that Spring makes an appearance some time soon.....  I am so over all the snow we've been getting.  I want some beautiful sunshine and time outdoors in the garden.  Bring it on!!!

Take care everyone.

A cheerful, whimsical quilt

I thought this quilt was cute.  It's cheerful and whimsical in pretty fabrics.  I'll apologize for the quality of the photo now.  The top half is a better representation of the colours than the bottom half.  I almost forgot to take a picture of it all together and so felt rushed to do it before this quilt left the house.

The majority of the fabrics were Tula Pink, her more feminine style fabrics.  No skulls or wild animals in these fabrics.  I like the cheerful pinks, yellows and greens.

Here is a close up of one block section.  This is the gazebo with some trees and a bird perched on a tree.  It's pretty how the blue sky background is seen through the openings in the gazebo.

Tomorrow, after making the Project Linus drop off in the morning, I am hoping to finally have some time down in my studio.  Not sure what I'll do, but since I've already taken care of the straightening up part, I should have more time to enjoy myself.  Then maybe have more to post about.... .hopefully.  

Take care everyone.

A couple more quilts I had the pleasure of quilting for Quilts for Survivors

Way back in Feb/2024, I was helping out Quilts for Survivors.  I had the pleasures of quilting these two donated tops.  This first one was a very detailed paper pieced turtle.  The centre block was approximately 20" tall and just a bit less wide.  I love how the background fabric picks up all the colours in the centre block.  Up close the turtle looks great!  I'm sorry that I forgot to get a close up.

Then there's this one.  Someone obviously had some sampler blocks and decided to make this top.  I'm going to say that they were more of a random assortment of blocks as the fabrics were different in each block, with only a few that were similar.  But I'd say it still works as there are some common colours in each block.

These were both sent out shortly after I quilted them and my mom helped to attach the binding.  Two more quilts providing some comfort to the recipients.  I've lost count how many I've quilted for Quilts for Survivors.  My hope is to help them out again soon, as I try to get thing here back in order.  

It's a good cause, so if you have any extra blocks sticking around that you don't want or a quilt top, think of them.  They will take them and finish them up.  They have been given the use of a warehouse to get together and assemble the tops and they have a longarm to do the quilting.  Various other longarmers across Canada also help out to get more done.

Take care everyone.