A FINISH

An empty plastic container and thread spools

 equals this

A 88" x 83" quilt top!

A Woolie Start

I have been working on a wool project and I'm starting to feel more comfortable with it.  Therefore I'm hoping this will one day

 look like this!

Last Saturday I spent, hold onto your hats, a whole whopping seven hours in Fabric Depot in Portland, Oregon while my hubby spent his second day at a West Coast Car Swap Meet.  When he said he was leaving me there for that length of time inside I was panicking thinking what will I do for that many hours even knowing it was a destination quilt shop.  But once I walked in the doors those Hallelujah  sounds in my head rang out.   I touched every piece (almost) of quilting fabric and let me tell you that was a whole lotta fondling.  The notion walls were abundant and the clearance area set my heart a flutter!  I could go on and on but I do know if I ever make it back to Fabric Depot I will never again worry about a seven hour shopping extravaganza.  So I'll show you a few things I bought and I don't have to worry about if the hubby know as he was right there when they rang up the bill as they have 20% off there already great prices and no state tax!  Booyah!  He has always supported this quilting adventure I'm on as I do his hobby.

 This is some Sulky thread I bought at Joann's in Longview, Washington for 40% off  (they do have state tax) and they had all the colors but you know how your mind goes blank when you are trying to remember what colors you need but after bringing them home I did not bad with them.

I hear the Bargello quilt calling my name and now that I'm almost through the third section I only have one more to go, then I have to add a border or two.  Hope you have a sweet weekend and by the way,  Washington and Oregon you are just beautiful states and we were treated with only the best hospitality, I know we'll visit you again.

Gift from ABroad

Here is a sweet giveaway I won awhile ago from Susan over at Canadian Abroad, a handmade pouch.  There is something really special about receiving a handmade gift, so many thanks Susan for taking time out of your busy life to make this and send it to me.  I've never received anything from overseas and it was even fun to see the stamp, I know simple things for simple minds!

 I finished piecing my MIL's birthday quilt yesterday and it's already to be sent out to get machine quilted.  Here is a picture of the top and sorry for the wrinkled look, almost as many wrinkles on the top as my face has.

You know how you think it will be a certain size and then it grows, well this is what happened with this one.  I was shooting for a lap size but thinking now it will fit three laps so great for sharing if you're so inclined that way.  All the fabric came from a fellow quilter who had a de-stashing sale so I felt good using it from my stash.

Now onto my Grandson's Grad quilt and I'm leaning towards the batiks because of the fabric durability because I know this quilt is going to see some rough treatment, not intentionally of course but that is just the reality of the age and gender.

So do you think the colors are OK?   I'm worried it is too feminine with the lighter purples?  I want your honest opinion so don't hold back.

I'm feeling pretty good today so thinking this cold is on the downswing but must think of Easter grocery shopping as our son from Vancouver is going to be here for the long weekend.  We always enjoy his visits which I'm sure will include a trip to the Tommy Hilfiger outlet store and a couple of book stores here in Victoria, Bolen Books and Munroe's Books.

 Now to find a suitable pattern for this Graduation quilt, so have a great Tuesday and may it be a creative one!

Prayers to Mark Lipinski as he is undergoing his Kidney transplant surgery today and to his donor Mary.

sicker than sick

It's been nine days with this cold and no end in sight but have worked on The Christmas Birds quilt so I felt like I have accomplished something.  I decided I could at least thread the embroidery machine and do some tidying up in the sewing room while it stitches away so went through some older patterns and such.  Things are a bit better organized and have completed all the designs we have been given through our Christmas Cafe class at The Cloth Castle so take a peek at my progress so far!

I'm getting closer to finishing the top of my MIL's birthday quilt so hope to have pictures to share on the next post.  Time for more hot water and lemon and hope your Monday is full of quilty goodness.

Magical

These past couple of weeks have been busy with working on a quilt for my MIL and getting ready for Disneyland which was our very first visit.  We took our youngest son and his family and it was the best holiday we've had together, ever.  Our Granddaughters are 8 and 6 so they are the perfect age.  Here they are heading into the most magical place on earth!

My princesses after being pampered at the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique, it's amazing what a bit of pixie dust will do for your imagination.

The oldest GD was beyond thrilled to meet Tinkerbell and after an hour wait to meet her I found out everything you need to know about this sweet fairy.  Tink even gave her a quick test and the GD had all the right answers, that is called Idol worship in a good way.

The youngest GD really liked Merida and here they are meeting her for the first time, how thrilling for her!  

 Walt Disney you started some thing big and we thank-you for helping us make some of the best memories ever.

Interlocking block class

Crosstitch coffee fun project ready to be framed.

Newest Project

This is what I'm working on now for my MIL's 80th Birthday though it's late and won't be delivered until April I know she'll be happily surprised.

This is one of four blocks and each one will have a cute pieced sashing.  I will then add a wide border which should finish out at around 76'' by 76'' so a larger lap size.

My Heart Bargello quilt has also been started but will put that on the WIP list until this gift is finished so that's what is keeping me happy at the moment besides the crocuses that are in bloom now.

So whether the sun makes an appearance or not today I'll make time for my daily walk and maybe I can spy the hummingbirds that frequent the blooms that can be found along the Gorge Waterway.

Some club time.

February brought us all back together for Quilt Club at Cloth Castle and I have a few pictures to share with you from quilts, to knitting and a cute felted Teddy Bear so hope you enjoy the show and share.

 Hard to see but this is a knitted scarf with beads which had a bit of weight to it.

 Isn't this the cutest felted Teddy bear!

This is a close up of a knitted cowl which was very pretty on.

This is a cute quilt that Natasha introduced to us today which was made from a layer cake and look girls no calories, can't go wrong with that and in a Valentine's theme to boot.

Finalized my choices for the Heart Bargello class next week and they are a far cry from the pink and green I was leaning towards.

Well it looks great all folded up sew keep your fingers crossed I don't mess it up because there is always the Kathy factor.  My green tea is drank and time to catch some zzz's!

February is gonna be busy....

Everything is back to business on the quilting classes front and whew I'm thinking it's gonna be a crock pot month and dust bunnies galore because this gal has got herself into a whole lotta fun!   I've finished up the two lap quilts my husband needed for a gift and just signed up for my first Hoop Sisters project,  take a peek here.

Isn't that stunning and I'm told for a newbie to this type of machine embroidery it's the bomb so I'll keep you posted on my progress.  The next class will be a Heart Bargello quilt  and this is another technique that is new to me and I will be doing it in batiks.

Have I bitten off more than I can chew err.. quilt, let's hope not because I'm pretty stoked to get onto some fun quilting.   

Did I mention I have a Mother-in Law's 80th Birthday quilt to make and my oldest grandson's Grade 12 graduation quilt to whip up while working on my Christmas Cafe machine embroidery quilt project, FWQS blocks and perhaps I can also squeeze in some knitting.  Hogwash you say, well I beg to differ because remember the Crockpot is on the counter and my Swiffer duster is at arms length so get ready to watch the fabric fly and the thread unwind because Gramma MacKie is ready to have some quilty fun.  

Popping in to say thank-you!

What a great weekend as I was able to stay on track with my Christmas Cafe club project.  I'm the only one with a Bernina embroidery machine as the other gals have Husqvarna's and because my machine is such a big gal I don't take her to any of the classes but just take notes and inspiration.  Therefore I do all the stitch outs by myself which means I learn along the way with quick emails to Natasha http://joyofquilting-natasha.blogspot.ca/ our fearless leader who explains my fears away.

I just need to trim the threads and remove the stabilizer from the back and tuck them away until next months project.  These designs are from Embroidery Libraryhttp://www.emblibrary.com/EL/default.aspx and wow if you want some good deals check them out and see if you can leave without buying some great designs at great prices.
I've been fortunate to win some great giveaways this past couple of months and here is my loot!

Here is a cute quilt kit from Wake Up Susie aka Jamie Wood in little boy fabrics.

A sweet Chickadee fabric kit from Holly McLean which is a bird that I will always remember from my childhood days in the winter time on the Saskatchewan prairie.

From Primitives Gatherings a cute sheep wool project.

The Jelly Roll is from Hayley aka Mrs. Pickles and it is a cute Bear Country School via Green Fairy Quilts.  I can see a sweet child's quilt from that one day, can't you.

This is a great big bundle of light blue fabric from Ellie Quilter, the gal from http://lovetocolormyworld.blogspot.ca/2012/12/dark-blue-giveaway-and-light-blue-winner.html.  This win will surely help out my tiny stash of blue fabrics.  Thank-you everyone for your generosity and I will do my best at working them into my quilty projects.