The Giving Quilt

It has been a busy week in the quilting department. I have finally assembled my top based on The Giving Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini. It is bright and cheerful and hopefully will be just the ticket for some child needing a Project Linus quilt later this year. I still have a little time to get it quilted before Cathy returns. The challenge was to make one before she returned from Florida.
Tuesday the Kincardine Sunset Guild had a Mystery Quilt workshop. Denise taught the class and she was so well organized. I got a large chunk of the work done at the workshop and finished the blocks yesterday. I have the rows to sew together next.
We did not get as big a storm as family a couple of hours south of us. When we used to live in Guelph a true sign of a snow day was when the University shut down. It was closed on Friday. Today the sun is shining and it feels as though all is right with the world. Piecefully, Joanne

Another scrappy top

This pattern is called Sugar and Spice and is from Joan Ford's book Cut the Scraps. To tame her scraps she cuts them to specific sizes and then has developed several quilt patterns that use those sizes of squares. It is an interesting philosophy and I am looking forward to her next book Scraps Plus One due for publication in April. This particular top was made using samples donated to the Scrapbag group by Wendy from Mother's Fabrics in Wiarton. She was clearing out prior to her move into downtown Wiarton. Wiarton is home to the semi-famous rodent Wiarton Willie cousin so to speak of Puxatawny Phil. Sorry Phil if I misspelled your name. Willie decreed yesterday that it would be an early spring. I am suspicious about that forecast as I wondered with the amount of snow we have had in the last two weeks whether Willie would even get out of his burrow, let alone make a forecast. It has been good weather to stay inside and sew. Piecefully, Joanne

Celtic knot duvet cover done and on the bed

This project has taken far too long to finish. I cannot remember how long ago I made the top. A couple of years ago at least. It was presented as a mystery on a blog with a new section every couple of weeks. Deborah Cohen in Australia created the original design. I believe a pattern can be purchased that has different sizes. This one is a queen size. We wanted to make it a duvet cover. So I "quilted" the finished top to a layer of cotton, no batting between the layers. For the back of the duvet cover I used some extra wide quilt backing. I joined the front and back with a zipper so it will be easy to take off the bed and laundered as needed. It is "scrappy" in that the pinks, whites and blacks are various pieces. The mottled grey with pink in it was the only piece of fabric that was used consistently throughout the entire quilt. I am happy with it. The other bed upstairs also needs a new duvet cover so I need to keep working.  Piecefully, Joanne

We haven't seen weather like this for a couple of years

A little ray of sunshine. It has been snowing since late Saturday. Hubby went to babysit the grandsons and I stayed home for an eye doctor appointment. He is stuck where he is and I am stuck where I am. three days of snow squalls. I am going to miss Scrapbag quilters tomorrow because I can't get out of the driveway. This quilt is all ready to donate. It is black centred strings with every bright scrap I could find. Piecefully, Joanne

This looks like a good idea for today

Peeking out from under a quilt I made for my sister is Dewey her cat. It is always nice to know that your handiwork is appreciated.
I have been getting my sample ready for the Scrap Quilt Workshop I am doing in May for the Kincardine Sunset Guild. It has lots of little steps but I expect to have the blocks finished before lunch today. I am thinking that if I do not quilt it then people can look at the back for the seam pressing directions. Will have to think about that one a bit.
It is cold here today and we are in a snow squall watch so a good book and/or a working sewing machine are in order. The foot pedal on my machine decided to pack it in and on the same day my shredder died. I am feeling technologically challenged. Or maybe that is challenged by technology. Piecefully, Joanne

Every day is a good day to quilt, Wednesdays are especially good

Yesterday was Kincardine Sunset Quilt Guild meeting. The weather was good and we got there and back with no problems. I do so enjoy that group. The quilt in today's photo is a recent finish. It is for the Scrapbag group. Cathy made the kits for us and she has a wonderful sense of colour. My quilt is very "manly" with fish and deer and forest scenes scattered through the browns and greens. It was made with 2 1/2" strips.
Wednesday does seem to be special quilting day with the Scrapbag Quilters meeting on Wednesdays and my Sewcializer group meets Wednesday. Fortunately they share the time so there are no conflicts.
I had an interview before Christmas for a magazine article for Renaissance magazine. It is a magazine for retired elementary teachers in Ontario. The theme for the upcoming issue is Popular Pastimes and Hobbies.
My sister visited her wheelchair bound friend and gave her the little lap quilt I made. Apparently it was a big hit as she loves purple and this one was primarily mauves and soft colours. She is going to let Linda know how it works for her so I can eventually get feed back on the size and the ties I added.
The boys are coming up tonight as there are more labour issues in the schools and at this time it looks like a one day strike tomorrow. It is being called a study session or some such thing.
Have a pieceful weekend.  Joanne

It's been a busy week

This is a small baby size quilt. 40" by 40". Often what we make is determined by how much we have to work with. this started out as a very little bit of the Mickey Mouse fabric. It is the disappearing nine patch pattern.

The weather decided on our behalf that we would not go to the quilting bee in Kincardine on Friday. After we decided not to risk it we heard there were many cars in the ditch south of town so decided we had made a good call. I have been working on the hand sewing part of bindings this week while the college football games roll on and on. There have been some close and interesting games.

The boys came up for a little overnight trip. We are being threatened by 5-10 cm of snow this afternoon so Grandpa took them home a little early. Xavier, the older one has come to the conclusion that making quilts is my "work". 

We are keeping our fingers crossed that the weather will cooperate and we can get to Kincardine for Quilt Guild on Wednesday. Piecefully, Joanne