Placemats and Pillowcases

I was asked to make two sets of Pillowcases and two sets of Placemats (eight in total) for some friends of my son.  The friends work in the RV industry and they are holding a showcase and would like these for staging of the RVs.  I finished them up yesterday and even free-motioned the placemats rather than straight line quilting.  It's been quite awhile since doing any free-motion quilting but it turned out just fine and I was happy with the finished project.

 This fabric is perfect for summer time and though it's not my favourite it was very appropriate.

 For the fishermen in your family, isn't it too cute.  I found this fabric at a  local shop called Bib N Tucker Quilting which is a 10 minute walk from where I live. It's been nice to have this shop relocate so close to home or is it?

Yes the VW van fabric makes another appearance but with a little change up on its cuff.

Have a great day everyone and it looks like our rain is back but that just means more quilting time right.

New Wool Project

Back in the recesses of my mind and closet I found my next wool project.  Purchased quite awhile ago I knew that someday I would feel more capable of doing it justice than I did at that moment in time and yesterday was the day.  So here is a picture of getting it prepped and I might add that it took a fair bit of time.

 I subscribe to The Quilt Show and have for several years and if you are waffling on whether to spend your hard earned dollars on this Internet based program please don't, it's a wealth of useful  information and you are kept informed of what's new and happening in the quilt world.  I watched the latest episode and it featured a gal of many talents but one who loves her wool especially.  Her name is Anna Bates aka Woolie Mammoth which is her blog name and I gleamed some very useful information on how to prep my wool projects.  Between her shared knowledge and Paulette Doyle's which you may know as Sweet P Quilting I feel alot more confident as I embark on this new journey of wool...thanks gals I appreciate it immensely.
Have a wonderful Tuesday and I hope you are able to spend some of this day doing whatever makes your heart "sing".

Woolie

Another wool UFO is now in the finished pile and though it's pretty rough around the edges I know with enough practice I'll only get better.

It's another gray day in Victoria, BC so I'm sure I'll try and spend sometime in my quilty space as along as the neck allows it.

Block 1

Block 1 is done for the free Buttermilk Basin's 2016 Mystery BOM and it only makes me excited to see what the next block will be.  Can I keep up with the "Woolly  Gang", I sure hope so but it really was too cute not to jump on board.

Adding to Stash and Neck Update

I've been adding to my stash with the hopes of quilting sooner than later and I've found some really fun pieces too.  The Family Guy fabric will be pillowcases for my sons and the cording is intended for a fabric bowl which I've never done but thanks goodness for YouTube right.  Some neutrals at a great price and the tin box contains Quilt Dots.

 

News in regards to the pain in the neck (and I'm not referring to anyone I know),  I met with the pain specialist and I now have a plan of attack.  What I've learnt in all of this is that I'm getting older and my body is starting to reflect this...how did this getting older happen!

I've gone back to doing some wool work and knitting with not being able to do very much sewing.  I put in an SOS to Sweet P with my problems with wool applique, what threads one can use, etc.

It's slow but sure and the project is from a kit I bought years ago and let me tell you the wool is horrible, frays something awful even after prepping it the way they stated.

I do like knitting these socks and I'm still amazed that I can actually do this. Knitting was never my forte and the fact that I prefer ankle socks definitely saves on the yarn.

Happy Tuesday everyone.

Her name is...

It's all about the name today, some things were just meant to be and this was just like that.  A gal named Candy left a comment on my last post in reference to naming my new-to-me Singer 185.  She said that she was a beauty, which she is and that she'd call her Ivy.  Now that's a perfect name for her because my paternal Grandmother's name was Ivy.  Thanks for the your help Candy, your suggestion was bang on.

I've cut alot of scraps lately so there's alot of Tumbler and string quilts in my future and I'm also slowly making my way through Celtic Solstice.  

It's wet here in Victoria, BC to day but I have a date with three other quilty friends and are plans are to quilt the day away sew how much fun is that!

New/Old Sewing Machine

This is what I discovered at a local Thrift shop close to home and yes I decided another adoption was in order.

She needs a new bobbin case cover but that is easy to find on the web so though she hasn't a name yet I know she'll fit right in. This is what she looked like in the shop with the case off but she's safely in her new digs now and lovin' it here.  My hubby has decided we need a new shelving unit to place all my little beauties in and I sew agree.  If you have any ideas on names I'd love to hear what you think.

A Tad Late

My wishes for a Happy New Year are a tad late but just as sincere and as Sweet P said lets just have "FUN".

Let the "FUN" begin.

Christmas has come and gone

We wait with such great anticipation for Christmas and before you know it has come and gone!  It was very quiet here with just ourselves and our oldest son who flew in from Vancouver.

 We relished the 5 days we had with him and have already planned for us to head over to Vancouver in February for a long weekend.  It's been quite awhile since we've made a trip over to the mainland and I think we're due.  He's close to the water taxis that can take one to Granville Island so I've already planted the seed, I think there is a quilt shop nearby.
Here is a picture of Derek working on a puzzle I brought out to help pass the time on Christmas and Boxing Day as my neck was acting up, again,

He certainly was dedicated to working on that puzzle and I have plans to have it framed to hang in my sewing room as after all I have an empty spot on the wall, heaven forbid.
The mail brought a cute little gift from a High School buddy and yes, I still have a fondness for anything Snoopy and Gang.  How sweet of her to think of me after all this time.  One thing I need to search for is more Snoopy fabric and let me tell you it's really hard to come by here.

Well I'm going to give quilting a try today but will wear my neck collar hoping I can have at least an hour without any problems so keep your fingers crossed for me alright!

Christmas Sewing

Just a few pillowcases in the making for gifts for Christmas, no muss, no fuss.

 

 OK, maybe just a little untidiness but all is good except when you grab a fat quarter to use and you find this.

I must have done this quite awhile ago because the corners were cut out with pinking shears if you can imagine...now why would I do the that?  Dear Lord what must have been going through my mind at that time, quick grab something fast and hack away.

Hopefully this month I'll be able to get into the pain specialist for my neck and shoulder issues that continue to plague me but until then it's a day by day scenario but I won't complain too much because there are far many more people out there with bigger problems than what I'm experiencing, right?

Have a great weekend everyone and hopefully you'll find time to be creative.

Photo Heavy, 40th Anniversary and Kismet Quilts

Spending a glorious 4 days at the Pacific Sands Resort just outside of Tofino, Vancouver Island, BC for our 40th Wedding Anniversary at the beginning of November.

 40 years with this fella and looks like he's not too sure about this being captured on film but I'll forgive him.

The view outside our room and the pounding of the waves was non-stop and I loved it,

 Port Alberni has the sweetest quilt shop called Kismet Quilts and I found some treasures, of course and their prices were very reasonable.

 Guess what I spied and they still use this sweetheart and why wouldn't they, right.

 I just love this pincushion and the pattern came from a magazine a few years ago they said but really I think one could create something close to it.

 A pink Gammel and it was being put to work so not just another pretty face.

 Oh yes, there are more vintage lovelies and I couldn't help but click away.

 Yes, that about sums it up but who doesn't love doing this in any quilt shop.  Thanks for letting me do just that Kismet quilts.

 So that ends our getaway and believe me it doesn't feel like 40 year of marriage though the wrinkles on my face say it's so but life is good and I wouldn't change a thing.