Makin' Pillows

Patchwork pillows are a lot of fun to make and I am definitely  hooked.  I like making things that don't require months to finish and these are perfect. 

They can sure brighten up a room!

These were made with leftover scraps from other quilt projects, so they actually make a set with a quilt.  

 This picture was taken yesterday.   It was such a DREARY day.  It was pouring rain.  In JANUARY.  In MONTREAL.  In QUEBEC.  In CANADA!

 
 I didn't watch the news so I don't know if we broke any records for mild weather, but it's been unseasonably warm.  I just read 'FLIGHT BEHAVIORS' by Barbara Kinsolver and it talks about this very thing.  It's a good novel and I recommend it.

I didn't watch the news because I was busy watching Downton Abbey!  Oh that poor Edith!  The girl can't catch a break!  I hope they have something good in store for her soon!

The good news is that the snow has melted off of the roof and that I won't have to pay someone big bucks to shovel it off.  I had many visitors at my bird feeders, despite the rain, including this guy.  I figure they all need a bit of sustenance, so I let him be.

The trouble with making stuff with scraps though, is that I'm not using up all that beautiful new fabric I received during the holidays!  I am in LOVE with Sara Watt's fabric line
"Timber and Leaf" from Blend fabrics.  I am determined to sew a little quilt with it before I do anything else. 

Thanks for stopping by!

A quilt to dream on

 

I have embarked on a new project.  As usual, I have lots of fabric, hope, and only a vague idea of where I'm going with this.  Wish me luck!

My fabric of choice for this quilt is "Dream On" by Urban Chiks.  I have two charm packs, much yardage and some Moda white.  

I've been wanting to make myself a fresh,  summery quilt for a while now.  This one is going to be BIG.  Really big.  Big enough to put on my queen-sized bed.  At least, that's what my plan is for now.  

Finally Finished it!

Finally Done

Some quilts are easier to make than others, and it doesn't have much to do with how complicated the pattern is.  Some quilts get put together like a charm even if it's an intricate design.  Things just fall into place.  Not this one.

I started this quilt in February.  My sister had pointed out that (a) I don't have many 'boy' quilts for sale in my Etsy shop.  True.  And (b) I missed giving a quilt to one of her grandchildren.  Also true. Well, since my sister's birthday was coming up, I decided that I would give her a quilt for her grandchild, Damien, who is a real cutie btw.  Hint, her birthday has come and gone and the quilt has yet to be sent to her.

I fell in love with these "Castle Peeps" fabrics as soon as I saw them and bought lot and lots of yardage!  I've had them in my stash for a while now and thought it was about time I used them up.
I have enough yardage for a couple more quilts... but not like this one : )

This was a simple quilt.  I had an idea in my head.  It was based on Lizzie House's quilt "Night Watch"   Night Watch was way to big for what I had in mind however, so I modified it quite a bit.  Oh, if only I'd followed the pattern.  There's something about following instructions that goes against my very nature.

First, I had to cut all my big 6 by 8 inch squares in half or such to adapt for the smaller size.  Then once  I'd sewn my six turrets I figured that the quilt was too wide, and I removed a turret.  Then I decided that I would make two turrets taller so I un-sewed and added a bit of blocks on the two end turrets and then added some blue fabric to even it out.... Then, the quilt still wasn't long enough so it sat there for a couple of weeks until I figured out what to add the top and bottom.  Are you tired of reading this yet, cause I was sure tired of making it!

After two weeks, and in the name of getting this done so I could start something else, I went for the easiest solution and added some 'triangles' to the top and bottom and got the size i thought would be good...enough.   I was keen to get this done so I started thinking about the backing.  I had so much yardage of the 'Castle Peeps' fabric, that I considered piecing the backing and even started on that, decided I didn't like it, then went with a bright blue flannel I had in my stash.

The quilting ended up being a challenge as well.  With all the bright different colours I thought I'd go with the Aurifil invisible thread that I'd just bought.  I'd stipple the bejeezers out of that quilt and that would be that!  Unfortunately, I wan't able to adjust the machine to get the tension right and the back of the quilt looked awful.  So I undid a good chunk of stippling that I'd done, figured I'd experiment later and went with a zigzag type quilting.   IT WOULD HAVE TO DO.

Truffles Approves

 In the end, i'm happy with the quilt.  The bright colours and fabrics are lovely and it has a certain appeal. My son and daughter-in-law gave it a thumbs up : )  But the thing I'm most pleased about it that it is FINISHED! Now, all I have to do it mail it!

The No fabric left behind, No do-overs, Ticker Tape Doll Quilt from Sunday Morning Quilts, or in my case Sunday Evening Quilts.

 

Working with the public can be tough.  Usually working at my library is an amazing satisfying experience and I wouldn’t trade jobs for anything in the world.  However, for the past few weeks, the city has been switching over to residents cards and we, at the library, are making the transition for members one picture at a time.  After 4 longs days of this, and my third weekend in a row, all I wanted was peace and quiet! Ha!Ha! Isn’t this ironic from someone who works at a library.  After a delicious Sunday dinner, cooked by not me, I abandoned my family and took refuge in my sewing room.

I had recently bought the wonderful book called ‘Sunday Morning Quilts’ by Amanda Jean Nyberg and Cheryl Arkison.  I LOVE THIS BOOK.  I really do.  It has many wonderful projects in it and I think i will make a few more quilts from this book.

To begin, I chose one of the easiest patterns, one where I wouldn’t have to think too much.  I put on a movie I’d gotten from the library, ‘Bagdad Café’, and I started picking fabrics from my scrap basket.  I chose tiny little pieces that were that last bits from my FAVORITE fabrics.  I will miss those fabrics. 

 Of course, I didn’t follow the instructions exactly.  I never do.   Because it was a smaller quilt, I auditioned and then pinned my tiny pieces onto the quilt.  When I sewed, I was very careful not to prick my fingers with the pins but you know that I did, and so then I had to be very careful not to bleed all over my precious quilt : )

 I used a scrap piece of batting and sized my quilt accordingly, so I made a doll quilt.  I want to FINISH something, as I’ve been in a rut lately and can’t seem to get anything finished….lots of starts but no finishes.  Of course I didn’t finish Sunday night, but Monday are always my day off and I finished today.  Hooray for moi!

I’m pleased with my little quilt.  I’ve no idea what I’ll do with it.  I made something and I’m happy : )  Note that there is a tutorial at Sew Mama Sew to make this quilt.

I find it ironic that after posting images of my ginornous fabric stash for the whole wide world to see, that I would follow with a post of a quilt which uses the tiniest pieces from my scrap basket.  For the really curious, you can see the images of my fabric stash here.  I posted them in response to a contest by Amy Butler, because what every fabriholic wants is MORE FABRIC.  You can enter the contest too, see here.

Fun with Fabric!

What could be more fun for a fabriholic than choosing fabric?  Here is a bundle of fabrics that I created for I'm a Ginger Monkey's Let's Have A Contest giveaway that she is hosting in conjunction with Pink Castle Fabrics .  I had lots of fun pretending to be the chief bundle maker!!!

Here they are:

The fabrics I included are:

First row:

Lock and Key in Coral Secret Garden by Sandi Henderson

Just Wing It Stripes in Tomato Red by Momo for Moda

Time for Tea Floral in Aqua Liz Scott Domestic Bliss for Moda

Second row:

Hello Pilgrim Butterfly Sky in Turquoise Lizzy House

Sea Garden in Coral - Salt Air by Cosmo Cricket for Moda Fabrics

Lecien My Folklore Floral Bloom in Black

Third row:

Timeless Treasures Grid Graph Paper Fabric in Black Smirk by Kyla May

Pink Chandelier Olivia's Holiday by Tina Givensay 

Manana in Clay - Maya for Anthology Fabrics by Leah Duncan

Fourth row:

Vintage Ironwork in Coral Secret Garden by Sandi Henderson

Floral in Pink - Millie's Closet by Bee in My Bonnet for Riley Blake Designs

Circle Stripes in Cloud Gray Walk in the Woods by Aneela Hoey for Moda

I've really enjoyed creating this bundle and showcasing these fabrics.  I have a fondness for blue and red that I just haven't gotten out of my system yet.  Maybe these fabrics could be the beginnings of my long lusted after swoon quilt?

I've had a ton of fun doing this!  Thanks Katy and Brenda!

A new layout!

I've been playing with the layout of my blog.  I wanted to show my whole picture, ie. Flickr and Pintrest and My Etsy shop of course.  Hope you like it!  Will be posting more pictures.

Mon travail de la semaine

J'ai tenté plusieurs projets cette semaine.  J'avais plusieurs obligations que je devais finir. Cela me rend toujours nerveuse de faire quelque chose sur commande.  'A commission' en anglais.  J'espère que les personnes en question seront heureuses des travaux complétés.

Cette petite couverture, cependant, je l'ai fait juste pour le plaisir de la faire.  Je ne peux pas la montrer au complet parce qu'il manque le billet.  Elle est très jolie.

J'ai fait des petit sacs à mettre au poignet.  C'est un succès!  J'adore ces petits sacs.  J'en ferai beaucoup d'autres c'est assuré.

Finalement, j'ai fait ces baluchons.  Ils sont jolis n'est-ce pas.  En tous cas, j'espere fortement que la personne en question l'aimeras!