Moving right along here . . .

Little bits and pieces of my projects are coming together.

I did manage to get that heap of binding machine stitched down on my "Life" quilt . . .

but, the hand sewing part may take just a bit more time. Those little black feet (with claws!) just don't seem to want to give this one up.

Thanks to CSI and Harper's Island last night (and Mysty finally going for a cat nap!), I was able to get one and half sides hand stitched down. Not sure what's on TV tonight but it would sure be nice to get another one or two sides done.

My Blue Meadow Designs mystery quilt has been completely ironed; backing pressed and the 505 spray purchased, so maybe on Sunday or Monday I can get it all basted and ready to machine quilt.

Tomorrow I'm heading out on a road trip to Neepawa to attend a landscape workshop with Heather Lair and I'm quite looking forward to it. Although I have to ask myself why I'm taking on another new project! Let's hope this project can all be done in one day and there will be nothing left undone at the end of the workshop. I'll take my camera and get some photos of all the goings on . . . Heather is having a trunk show tonight, but I can't make the trek over to see it . . . I hope she has some of her projects still there tomorrow at the workshop and will let me get a few pics for you.

I have my flowers all fused down for my Summer Baskets BOM and . . .

have even done some of the stitching, so this block will for sure be done by the end of Sunday. Has anyone else noticed just how short weekends really are?

'til next time,

M.

One down . . .

a few more to go.

The little chocolate Easter bunny has arrived and is all settled into his basket under the watchful eye of the little yellow peep.

And has joined the other three finished blocks . . . what a great feeling that is to get a little tick next to one outstanding project!

Now I can move on to item #2 . . . block four of my Summer Baskets BOM from The Quilt Patch in Moose Jaw, SK.

I'm really liking these little wool pieces on these BIG blocks. Going from the little Bunny Hill blocks and then on to these humongous pieces is quite the transition . . . same technique, just different materials. Lots of fun!

Gotta go and stitch down a few of these little woolie pieces . . . ttys,

'til next time,

M.

Spring to Finish . . .

Jacquie over at Tallgrass Prairie Studio says she is needing some motivation to finish some projects. Who doesn't, is what I need to know!?!?!?!

Here is Jacquie's challenge: "Dig those projects out of the closet and work like the dickens during the month of April to get things finished. The goal...at least one finish. You might want to record your finishes on your blog.Then come back here on April 30 and leave a comment telling how many finishes you achieved from today thru the 30th. You keep track...it's the honor system. I know you are honorable. Then on April 30th we'll celebrate. I'll be putting together a slam bang package of goodies...fabric of course and maybe some surprises. I'll preview the prize later for some more motivation. The more finishes, the more entries you receive. Simple enough. So, let's get sewing."

So here are the following projects that I would like to finish (or almost finish) in the next 17 days of April:

My "Life" quilt is all quilted and the binding is ready to sew on. That is if I can get it away from that little black foot at the bottom of the photo! This may be a wedding gift that will be delivered to Kelowna, British Columbia by car . . . so if the hand stitching is not completed before May 7th, I will be sewing it down all the way across Saskatchewan, Alberta and into BC.

My April Bunny Hill BOM is all ready for the sewing down part and the little bit of embroidery, so I'm feeling pretty confident that I will get this one done and pinned up next to the other three in the next week.

I love that little chocolate bunny and the little chickie . . . too cute!

My Summer Baskets BOM is still sitting here! The wool is all washed and ready to go . . . I just need to get the shapes traced, cut out and pressed down and then blanket stitched. It usually goes pretty quick once I can get a chance to get started so I'm feeling pretty confident about this one too. I'll have to watch out because the next block will be showing up in the next week or so and then I'll really feel behind.

This is the Blue Meadow Designs mystery quilt from a month or two ago and today I've been working on putting on the borders - a little more elaborate than necessary but what the heck! This may also be part of the wedding present so it needs the borders sewn down, basted and machine quilted.

Looks like the binding would also need to be sewn down between Manitoba, SK, Alberta and BC. What would my fingers look like by the time I got to BC????? Maybe I should just go buy a vase!

No, I am not going to include this quilt in my April finishes, but I did want to let you know that I am thrilled to have finally found two yards of the old Fancy Cats line of fabric, which should be on it's way from New Hampshire in the next few days. So I'll carry this project into May and also the other drunkard's path blocks I've been working on. Gotta save some projects for another time, don't I?

So what if it's the middle of the month already . . . I need some inspiration to finish up these projects. If you need some motivation too, head on over to Jacquie's and join in . . . it's going to feel soooooooooo good to finish up a few things!

'til next time,

M.

Happy Easter . . .

. . . from my house to yours!

And if you're in the mood for a little bunny sewing go check out Don't Look Now and the sweetest little bunny pillow you could imagine. Even if you don't make it for Easter, you must know some little gal who would love this.

'til next time,

M.

The Week in Review - Part II

Earlier in the week I received an invitation to go out to the Green Acres Hutterite Colony to see what they have been up to since the last visit. There is always so much to see and this time was certainly no exception . . . I'll have to remember to take some outdoor pictures next time . . . the buildings, pathways and houses incorporate so many different materials that that is something to see on it's own.

A new greenhouse has been built over the winter and there is a lot of excitement and activity getting things ready for Spring (if it ever comes!). They are going to be eating cucumbers in next to no time and the tomato plants were also in bloom.

Some of the gals have been wintering over their plants from last year and have cuttings everywhere . . . they are going to be so ready for planting in the next few weeks.

I love greenhouses! They are so warm and smell fabulous . . . my green thumb just starts itching to get busy. Look at all those tiny seedlings . . . someone has some work cut out for them.

Ornamental grasses are one of my favorites in pots on the deck, with lots of overflowing greenery around the outside edges. I'll be going back in a few weeks to beg for some of that millet.

Probably should get some Dusty Miller for the flowerbed next to the driveway . . .

and there were even a few little seedlings that I was wasn't familiar with, so I'll definitely be going back for a another visit.

Ah, here was one lady that wasn't going to wait for gardening season . . . she got busy and made her own garden that she can enjoy all year! Look at those tomatoes and little radishes - adorable.

A few other ladies couldn't wait for the robins to come back, so they made their own too. (Actually, I did see three robins in our front lawn last weekend - and then it snowed - not sure where the birds went).

This was the real the reason that I was invited out to the Colony . . . they are on school Spring break and all the ladies and girls moved their sewing machines (all Pfaffs!) over to the far end of their eating hall. They were having a week long sew-a-thon and enjoying themselves way too much! There must have been 20-25 industrious souls just motoring along . . . scraps everywhere, cords strung this way and that, opinions and encouragement flying everywhere . . . they were having a blast!

The last time I was out, Lydia had wanted to show me her tablerunner that she had made using one of my patterns (see the blue and yellow one on the left?). She had also showed me pictures of the patterns that they had ordered online and were anxiously waiting for. So when the patterns arrived the whole group got together and chose three to work on together so that they would be able to help each other as they went . . . instead of each one trying a different one.

The magnolia pattern was the first pattern that quite a few ladies started with at the beginning of the week and most had finished that one and moved on to another one.

There were magnolias everywhere!

I think I heard one lady say that there were 18 of them that had made this one (and she rhymed off every one's name as she counted them down). Amazing!!

Three of the girls had started this log cabin on Monday and had finished the top and moved on to another pattern. They are going to finish this quilt for their Mom and Dad for Christmas - it's only April, and they've got Christmas presents planned already. I'll have to start doing that . . . then I won't be caught off guard when December rolls around.

Tomorrow I'm off to a quilt get-together and will be taking my drunkard's path "circle-in-a-square" pieces and see if I can't make it look like the real pattern. I'll need to choose a layout from the million drunkard's path versions out there . . . more decisions!

Now I'm off to finish that machine quilting I've got started and maybe work in some vacuuming too. Have a great weekend and I'll see you next week . . .

'til next time,

M.

The Week In Review - Part 1

I started machine quilting my "Life" quilt earlier in the week. I'm only working on it for a few minutes in the mornings and evenings, so it is slowly reaching the half-way point as of this morning. I'm hoping to finish the quilting tomorrow, in between cleaning house and laundry. I have other plans for Sunday, so this will either be done or left behind.

I forgot to mention in my Saturday workshop posting that I had won a prize . . . I'm the one that never wins, so this was very special - thank you Margaret. I love Barbara Brandeburg quilts and the way they are displayed in the calendar are wonderful.

This was the scene that greeted me as I came up out of the valley yesterday morning . . . completely snow packed and icy roads for the whole trek to the office . . . and bumpy too. I guess when the plow tried to scrape the ice and snow off, it created that washboard effect - really special start to the morning.

Thank goodness it didn't look like this when I came home at 4:30 - the Department of Highways fellas do a great job trying to keep up to these nasty roads we've had this year. My questions is: where is all this snow going to go when it eventually melts? What a soggy Spring we're going to have, if it ever decides to show up!

All you designers out there . . . I need your opinion. You see that lovely green swatch and the paint chip there? That is the color of my BATHTUB! And it's not being replaced in the renovation because it is a nice big tub, in really good shape and has nice lines. So, I need to work around this tub . . . everything else in the room is gone - the vanity, the counters, the old walls, flooring, everything (except a white toilet of course). Would you go with white walls, white vanity and sink and only use the green as an accent color for baskets, window treatments, etc. OR would you go with a cream, brown and green color scheme - cream walls, espresso brown vanity and brown and cream accents? I'd love your opinions on this . . . I'm not a good visionary when it comes to a total room makeover. HELP!!!!

Yesterday I went visiting . . . so that will be my "Week In Review" post for tomorrow.

'til next time,

M.

Not Really "Wild"Life

Kellie over at Don't Look Now is having a couple of giveaways . . . but that's not all, the eye candy is fantastic. I'm really enjoying her color combinations and the style of raw-edge applique is so easy and yet dramatic. I love her work! Go check it out . . .

This little gal was so close to the window the other day that it felt like you could almost reach out and touch her. She actually stood there long enough for me to try and find the camera (which took a bit of searching - especially when the husband decides to tidy things away!)

She did eventually get tired of looking at us through the window and decided to show us her furry little backside as she strutted away.

But then she decided to tease me just a bit more and hang around on the driveway. She seemed awfully sure of herself and just a little fru fru about things. Imagine! A deer with an attitude!

About a half hour later we did see three of them walking down the street . . . heading for home maybe? Who knows! I only hope our lawn has survived their constant pawing that they have been dishing out all winter long. We'll see what damage there is once the snow is all gone, plus all the little droppings that they have fertilized the yard with. Always interesting mowing the lawn for the first time every season . . . you don't know what's going to be flying where!

'til next time,
M.

Saturday Workshop

Ah, the teacher's sample . . . always inspirational!

Those colors all combine into such a beautiful quilt and that cat fabric is gorgeous.

I didn't count how many of us took in the workshop on Saturday, but we had a nice group and had a very good time. Of course, with all the homework we did before the class, we were able to get right to work on what the different techniques were like to work with.

As you can see this is a variation of the drunkard's path block that uses 17 different fabrics plus a feature print. I'm on the hunt for the feature print right now, so I don't have too much to show just yet. I'm still looking for the "Fancy Cats" fabric in cream (see previous post for photo) and I have a few emails out right now trying to track some down. I had thought I would use a stripe in addition to the small piece of cat fabric I had, but once I started cutting out the drunkard's path shapes and laid them next to the stripe, it just didn't look good.

These beautiful prints belonged to a new gal to the group and her color selections were wonderful. Good job, Judi . . . can't wait to see the finished piece.

(Gotta love our red tableclothes that we use on the old tables!)

This was the pattern that I worked on for most of the day. It is also a drunkard's path variation where you have your square and then applique a circle in the centre, then cut the block in half both ways to get your four drunkard's path blocks. So while I'm searching for my cat fabric for the other quilt, I will continue to try and finish these blocks off. I finished the applique yesterday and now need to trim away the extra fabric from the back and remove the freezer paper that was used for the circle. Good job for TV watching I think!

After a little cheering from the peanut gallery (Myra!) . . . I was shamed into spray basting two quilt tops yesterday and now have my machine set up on the big dining room table to get started on the quilting. Now if I only knew what design I wanted to use, life would be good.

'til next time,

M.

Stacks of Homework . . .

. . . all ready to go.

What color combinations are these? Dark goldie, green and brown plus white and brights . . . you must be wondering what kind of quilt I'm going to be making! The good news is that there are two quilts being made, not just one. Those lights and darks just don't really match, do they?

I am really happy with both of my color selections, although I did find the lights and brights almost found me. These darker colors took some searching.

But now that they are all together and the decision made, I am really liking my choices and can't wait to see how it all goes together and what the final outcome will be. I do wish I had more of that cat fabric . . . anyone out there have a piece for sale?

Tomorrow I will post some progress photos so you can see what I've been up to. I better get moving here . . . got a half hour drive to get to class.

Have a great Saturday,

'til next time,

M.

Stress and Fabric . . .

. . . not related to each other though!

Fabric will never cause me stress . . . but job interviews most certainly do!

I've now been to both of my interviews . . . Monday and Tuesday of this week were busy to say the least. Both interviews went well and I had a job offer on Tuesday but I don't think I can accept it as offered. So now I wait until almost the middle of April before I find out about the second interview.

Now I can concentrate on quilting again!

I have been working on my homework for the workshop that is scheduled for this Saturday . . . lots of strips and lots of straight, boring sewing, but I'll be ready and raring to go for the next step come Saturday morning. That is if it ever quits snowing and blowing here . . . the roads are a mess and travel is very interesting!

Block 4 of my BOM came on Tuesday, so now that is waiting for me and by next Wednesday Anne over at Bunny Hill will have her fourth BOM posted. Anne is giving away some fabric over at her blog right now, so make sure and pop over and have a look. The Chelsea Manor fabric line is named after the cutest little thing . . . maybe a little attitudal, but very cute.

My border and backing fabric arrived last Friday from Martina's Fabric. What great service and they even included a free fat quarter with the package (which I forgot to take a picture of!).

Now I can finish the Mystery Quilt from Blue Meadow Designs when I can find some time to get the quilt basted and ready to go. I also have the "Life" quilt that is at the same stage, so I've got lots of work planned and no plans yet to do the work.

I think I need some holiday time . . .

'til next time,

M.