A great day in Kincardine

Yesterday was the sunset Quilt Guild in Kincardine. It was the day for the big reveal of our monthly banners. The whole guild was divided into small groups and each group picked a month. Ours was July. The patterns for this project were by Kim Schaeffer and American designer so July was fireworks and the fourth of July. So we had to redesign the project for our Canadian audience. All the hangings are being donated to the new Community Living building next month. I must say we have a talented and creative group.
One of the regular features of the guild is "The Survey" held each May. The survey seeks feedback on guild members quilting background and interests as well as what aspects of the guild members participated in. Then asks for ideas for future speakers, programs or workshops. The Survey results are presented in June and my observation is that this is used to influence the program and Guild activities the following year. Our group had too much to say so we didn't finish all the questions. But most groups did finish.
My scrap quilt workshop is happening next week as is our daughter's move into the new townhouse. Grandpa will head down to help with the move. Who knew last September when we set the workshop date that it would be such a crazy spring. Piecefully, Joanne

I have an overwhelming regard for daily bloggers

Honestly I don't know how they keep up with life and write a blog too.The last three weeks have been a little more stressful than I prefer. At the left is a picture of Sue and Lorraine diligently working away on the Scrapbag project I organized for March. I will look forward to seeing the assembled tops when we have our April get together.
We had much better news on our Grandson's health after his visit to the oncology clinic at McMaster yesterday. Oh my, what a relief. Now all that remains is to get the family relocated by the first of June.
I have been doing some sewing but not finishing much in the last little while. So as the saying goes many works in progress. I am thrilled to say I am a Block Tester for Quiltmaker magazine for their 100 Blocks magazine. We are currently testing blocks for the fall issue of the magazine. The retired teachers of Ontario magazine Renaissance came out last week and I am included as one of the members whose hobbies and pastimes are featured.
I spent some time at the local hospital too. They care for you well in our small Emergency Department. It's not too bad during the winter months but once the snow birds return and the summer people settle in you can barely find a place to park let alone get a number to be looked after. They are looking at expansion but there is only so much that can be done. At our house we can't say enough positive things about the group that work there.
I am looking forward to spending some time with "the girls" sewing next week. Just one small interruption for an MRI but that should only take a morning away from the fun. Piecefully, Joanne

What keeps me busy

These are the two young men  who will occupy a little more of my time than usual over the next couple of months. Their Mom will be packing up and getting ready for the second move in a year. Not something I would wish on anyone. Hopefully it will be the last move for a while.
But it is not all babysitting. Friday and Saturday I went to Toronto and attended the Ontario Home Economics Association Annual General Meeting and Conference. I was a founding member of the Association over 30 years ago and have maintained my membership over the years. I met some bright and articulate and well informed younger members this year. It made me feel the Association is in good hands. One young home economist maintains a web site and a blog here . She has a wealth of information about sodium and other hidden ingredients in your food. Well worth investigating. I have my kits all ready for Scrap Bag day on Wednesday this week. So let another week begin.  Piecefully, Joanne

A bucket of bricks

So I am wondering how many bricks a bucket can hold. I feel like I have been cutting for weeks although it is only a couple of days. I now need organize these into piles of approximately 400 per baggie for my turn at Scrap Bag quilters next week. We are going to try for some slightly larger guyish quilts. Piecefully, Joanne

A little string quilt finished

This little string quilt is approximately 46" square. The centre string is a very light gray and the other strings are coral and a light steel blue. The quilt will go to our Scrap Bag group for donation. I have been sitting at my computer more than sewing for the last couple of days. Also getting my project ready for the next Scrap Bag meeting. I am making lots of bricks. So the scraps get pressed then cut into 2 1/2" strips and then sub cut into 4 1/2" bricks. We are going to be working with lots of browns, greens and golds on this project. Piecefully, Joanne

a small paper pieced Retro Fridge

This is a small paper pieced retro fridge designed by Kristy of Quietplay She has a number of small and clever designs available through Craftsy. She also has a free for one month, Block of the Month happening this year on a sewing theme. The last time she asked for volunteers to test patterns I volunteered and the fridge is the one I have done for this time. It is part of a wall hanging with features from a retro kitchen. In fact it is the second wallhanging she has done on that theme. The pattern had many very tiny pieces but went together beautifully. Tomorrow is Kincardine Sunset Quilters Guild as we say weather permitting. they are talking about some snow but hopefully not enough to make it impossible to get there. Piecefully, Joanne

Testing patterns for other designers

This is a pattern I tested for The Quilt Pattern Magazine (here) . It is available as part of the current issue. My photo is not terrific. I tested a mystery for them that will start in their May issue. It looks great. I have been doing some testing for other designers and it is an interesting process. You make the project following their directions and then provide feed back, identify areas of weakness or typos etc.

Today was a Project Linus sewing day in Kincardine. Proceeds from the quilt raffle at the show last fall have been earmarked for community outreach projects. It was a real treat to sew with new big pieces of fabric instead of assembling many different scraps to make a quilt. Last Wednesday we had a Scrap Bag Quilters meeting. I had my top assembled before it was time to go home. I am blaming my table mate for that. She was absent so I had no distractions.

The Grandsons have both been ill and fortunately Grandpa has been able to go and do a day or two of babysitting here and there. Hopefully if we get some nice warm weather everyone will start to feel better.  Piecefully, Joanne