My Dresden's are now sewn together and I just have to decide on the sashing so this will be my day today.  

So while I'm playing in my sewing room today I won't be far from my computer with my Skype on because my oldest Grand daughter, Maddie has her last day of school today and she will be receiving an award for leadership.  She doesn't know she is being given this award so what an awesome surprise for one so young.  I'm so pleased that you can't wipe the smile off my face and yes, I have shed a tear or two.  Gramm is pretty proud and just as proud for her sister Brooke who was done Kindergarten yesterday and her report card was as her Mom said "FANTASTIC"!  Life is good!   Have a Quilty day!

Yesterday was a fun day, a trip to Sydney on the fly and after a quick peek at my Favourite thrift store I was lucky to find a big handful of wool thread to put in my stash.  With a 2 hr stroll through their boutique and one of a kind shops we headed back to Victoria.  We took a swing by Oldfield Bakery which is part of a farm on the Old West Saanich road for their Cinnamon buns.  To us that is the start of summer.  And did you know if you buy six buns instead of  two you don't have to pay tax,  hmm could that be the way they sell more?!  We couldn't even leave the Oldfield parking lot until we devoured a cinnamon bun between the two of us but to our defense they were still warm from the oven.  You know you would too!

After our return I turned to my quilting and worked on more of my Dresden plate project and boy am I having fun with these. Yes, this is another one of my WIP that is getting my undivided attention and what fun and look how cute they are.  I can't wait to add this to my finished stack but I'm not sure what to do around the individual blocks, will have to ponder awhile on that.

This is from the Sunkissed line and the colors are just perfect for this time of year though the sun part hasn't really shown itself yet so far but I have hopes.

This is my first attempt using the Embroidery part of my Berenina 830 LE.  I took my first lesson this past Wednesday and nervously the following day stitched these out.  All I can say is I'm hooked but the only trouble now is I'm going to have to start a thread and Embroidery design collection.  Whew, glad I have a decent fabric stash because now I'll  have to work on the latter and the thread isn't cheap so I'll be on the lookout for good deals.  Hope you all have a great Sunday and may you enjoy it in your own special way.

Did you know Canada?: Canadian Giveaway Linky! 06/18

Did you know Canada?: Canadian Giveaway Linky! 06/18: Did you know Canada.. it's a new week and time to enter some new giveaways!! We are always pleased to bring you this weekly feature with o...

Above is how my day started Tuesday and this is what it looked like Wednesday morning, below.

Notice the difference, well for me it can be defined as several hours and a whole lot of frustration.  This One Block Wonder project that I started at a quilt retreat two years ago, another WIP that I knew I wanted to finish and no matter how I tried I couldn't get those Hexagon points to match.  Always my dilemma, my Virgo tendency I'm told is seeking perfection. Ah, what an elusive dream but I did hear on a quilting podcast that if you can't see it while riding a galloping horse a mile away then don't worry about it being perfect.  But in reality I'm the one looking at it everyday and sew with stitch ripper in hand I deconstructed those poor hexies, splitting them in half and lining them in rows and now they are pieced together and today I shall put on the border so am really excited to know I am closer to reducing the number of UFO's, woot, woot!

This is what is keeping me company while I've been ripping out my seams.  My favourite flower is the Gerbera Daisy and they are so cheap at our local Thrifty store that I treat myself to them quite often, it just make me smile when I look at it, how could you not.  Hope you have a quilty day filled with the beauty of fabric and flowers.

Busy With MUG MATS

I made these mug mats for a friend from High School and let me tell you High School is over 35 years ago, yikes.  We have remained close friends all these years and though we don't see one another very often we know that when the chips are down and one needs a ear to bend we will always be there for one another.  She sent a picture of her and her hubby with their six Grand children awhile ago with a small book called Girlfriends.  I thought some mug mats would be a fun gift to send her so that when the kiddies visit she could serve their milk and cookies on these and though I wouldn't physically be there I could be in spirit because their Grandma Lou is one the best.  

One of the tea ones is for Louise and the bottom Oak leaf and Star is for Grandpa so off they will be sent in the mail to find a home in Saskatchewan.  Miss you Louise!

Until we meet again

I usually don't like to wish away the days, especially at my age but I can't wait until September when Quilt Club resumes.  Yesterday was the last day for a fun morning of inspiration and show and share at a local quilt shop, Cloth Castle for the summer.   Thanks to Natasha for heading this monthly quilty morning of goodness.  She also has her own blog and you can go here and check it out.

I have just a few pictures from yesterday to share of what our local quilters have been creating so get your towel because I guarantee you'll be drooling!

 I really try to get you a great picture but where I sit that's not always possible but this is a cute panel.

This was a type of paper piecing, isn't it stunning.

 This was made for a young boy who isn't living a perfect childhood and his love of pirates.

Hand Knitted socks, you can never go wrong with these as a gift.

 Now this is a cute apron made by Grace, not scared of this Ladybug.

Also done by Grace at a quilt retreat, I'm a Batik lover. are you?

 Alice made this train quilt for her husband and it has fabric in it she has collected from their many travels.

This is the backside of the train quilt, it has that Homespun feeling, lucky husband.

A Bargello quilt another pattern I have on my bucket list.

 A cute bag, one can never have too many bags, at least that is what I tell my husband.

These next quilts are what I call Friendship quilts and have been worked on by a group of quilting buddies.

 Marg has joined a group that does beading and appliqueing and this is some flowery goodness she has created.

Some quilters are shy with their talent and Linda wasn't going to show this but with a little arm twisting from Natasha she agreed to share this with the rest of us.  We're sure glad she did and Linda you must never hide this talent from the rest of us.

This is the back of the quilt, swoon time.

 A Yellow Brick road cutie, you can never go wrong with this pattern.

Don't you just love these pinwheels,  look fast before they roll away.

 Ah, some child will be lucky to wear this.

Diamonds everywhere and yes, this is priceless too!

These are those handy dandy armchair pincushions and catch-alls.

 I love.... this pattern and was excited to see it done up!  I have it and now I'm just going to have to get it done.

 This quilt was made from scraps by Judy and don't you love these kinds of leftovers and no calories.

An apron for a cat-lover.

Here is a back view and it involves cupcakes, yummy!

Carol does exquisite work and this was no exception.

Diane has a fabulous sewing machine and this is a sampling of what she has done with it, be still my heart.

 The thread work is to die for.

Another project done by Judy using up her scraps.

 

I finally have a picture of my show and share.

This is my Whoopsy Daisy quilt and hope one of my Grand daughters will claim it.

This is another closeup of Char's quilt guess I have a little quilt envy.

Also a picture of Diane with her beauty.  Can you believe she has only been quilting for a couple of years, I thought not.

This was a quick snap of the club project and Natasha said she stepped out of her comfort zone by doing it in pinks and I think she was very successful, don't you.   And that is another Quilt Club season and so now you know why I wish for September to come soon.
 

 I also apologize if I missed anyone's projects but I really only do my best.

Happy Quilting everyone and don't forget to shop local as our quilt shops need our support.  Here in Victoria, BC  we have some excellent stores along with the Cloth Castle http://clothcastle.com/to fuel our passions, Bib N Tucker http://www.bibntucker.com/, Satin Moon Quilted Garden http://www.satin-moon.com/ and The Calico Cupboard.