Presents Given and Received

Today's Blog post is dedicated to Gifted Quilts

Quilt # 1 - Mom's Creation  

 1st up is my Mom's quilt. This quilt has been a labour of love for her. More labour than love ha-ha. I say more labour as it took her over a year to complete as a result of her hand surgery. This Scrappy half square triangle quilt is for my moms best friend the retired judge. This year she is celebrating her 70th Birthday☺A big driver for my mom to have this quilt completed.

Lucky for my Mom she had the top ready to go before her surgery. All that was left to do was the machine quilting and binding. I shouldn't say "all that was left" because the end sometimes is the hardest and most tedious part. She is more adventurous than me and usually machine quilts the top herself however in lieu of her hand not doing so well I dropped it off to be quilted for her.

Once she got it back from being machine quilted it took her over a week to do the binding, little bits at a time. Usually she can have the binding done in no time .... I know this because I used to always pawn off my quilts on her to bind (still not my favorite part). The funniest part is that even with my mom basically using one hand to do the binding it still looks professional and with invisible stitches. HA mine look more like a kids 1st sewing project.

HOPEFULLY next up for Mom is a Wedding Quilt for her FAVORITE DAUGHTER

(PS. I can write favorite daughter cause I am writing this blog post =P )

Below is my moms Scrappy Half Triangle Quilt Enjoy!  

 

 What a great pattern, has such dimension. Almost looks 3D.

This back brings a modern twist, very versatile. Would look great on a bed with the back being displayed.

A hot new trend is the word print fabric ... I am jumping on the train for that trend. I can not get enough of the word/script/newsprint fabric. I am always drawn to it in the fabric stores.

The first look when she opened her gift

She looks thrilled! 

Mom says sorry it's so blurry!

Mom's best friend and then Mom - they both look pretty happy!

 I think she likes it!

****

Quilt # 2- The Youngests Creation 

2nd is my latest quilt. This quilt started out as a kit my Mom bought me about 5-6 years ago. I have been slowly picking away at it. I started putting it together 2 years ago at one of the quilting retreats.

With this quilt I had to use You Tube a little as the instructions that came with the quilt were basically in another language. This was the first time I have ever attempted a Y seam. My mom "seams" (ha-ha sewing joke) to think that me doing Y seams is impressive. Honestly I did not find them very difficult, I had a couple seam ripper moments but that is normal in any project. You Tube really was a big help.

This pattern made small windmills however I decided not to match up the fabric to form noticeable windmills. The reasoning was that I did not like the look of the defined windmills. When it was all laid out the windmills ended up very asymmetrical and not evenly distributed. I just felt that it would look better more evenly distributed. If you look close you can still make out Red and Black windmills. They are still there just less defined. All in all I like how this quilt turned out.

Since this blog post is all about "gifted" quilts I should probably tell you where this quilts new home is. I decided since my Mom was so impressed with my Y seams that I would finish this quilt and give it to her for Christmas.

I played a little trick on my Mom to throw her off. I am a big supporter and volunteer for the United Way and my original plan was to complete this quilt for our 2015 campaign and have it  raffled off. HOWEVER ... time managed to get away from me and I was no where close to having it completed in time for the end of the campaign. So I decided to complete it for Christmas and present it to my Mom. (I knew she would love and cherish it)

The funny part is I never let mom in on the little fact that I was no longer doing the quilt for United Way. She would ask me how the quilts coming along and when can she buy raffle tickets. I may have even told her at one point I got her raffle tickets and not to worry. (a little white lie, but I think it was necessary).

Check out the great quilted swirls. Really adds depth - and possibly a little bit of the twilight zone. ☺

 So I am told this quilt will be living on the living room wall in Mom and Chef's house. That makes me a tad bit nervous, reasoning being now people will REALLY be looking at it. Hopefully no quilt police come around! They might just get kindly kicked out of the house ha-ha Just Joking.

And so concludes our lil' gifted quilt post.

Please leave a comment we love hearing from our readers.

Until next time

 - The Youngest -

Motorcycle Boy's Birthday Quilt!

Happy New Year

Every year always starts out wonderfully in our family. We always ring in the New Year with the celebration of my brothers Birthday. Mr. Motorcycle is a new years baby =D

"It's been a long time coming, but my brother got his "30th birthday" quilt from Mom! She did this before her surgery and kept it under wraps until my brothers birthday on January 1st!

 You can look at my mom's original post May 27, 2013!

Mr. Motorcycle being the gentleman he is offered to do a small photo shoot with his bike prior to starting a day of Ice Racing. The pictures turned out amazing.

The quilt is "motorcycle" proof. Mom wanted a quilt that he would use camping to cover up with around the fire, or if needed in the back of his car/truck. Hopefully he will use it until it's nicely worn in and super soft.

I am jealous that this is my brothers quilt. I love the pops of colour and the history of each patch. I even think there are some fabrics in there from my old projects, probably a couple of my jeans as well ha-ha.

We are always looking at new ways to incorporate quilt tags into our projects. Mom came up with a great way to incorporate it into the quilt without it standing out like a sore thumb.

Update on Mom - she is unfortunately still off work and will hopefully be back soon. Its always hard when the only thing you want is to be back to "normal" but your body lets you down. I can't imagine how frustrating that would be.

My step dad has done an excellent job taking care of her. She's been doing better with her hand and has movement in her thumb but has developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome as a result of the surgery. Some days are good and some not so good. I got her out for a Mani/Pedi and she had a sleepover at our place when I made the infinity scarves just before Christmas. This was one of the highlights of my Holidays.

Oh and...... another highlight from the Holidays was my engagement. ☺ My love proposed to me just before Christmas. We had to work over the Holidays so we celebrated Christmas on the 19th, he was a sneaky bugger and hide the ring in my stocking. 

I am so blessed to have found such a great man who makes me laugh and smile everyday. I can not wait to spend the rest of my life with him. Now for the wedding planning (stay tuned for updates)

Wishing you all the best for 2016

-The Youngest



Scrap management

The big basket from yesterday to today!

The containers are labelled and in their place!

I will confess that I did have a few little bits left that I ended up tossing! I've worked enough hours cutting them to bits and don't feel guilty one bit for tossing. I think I've worked on my scraps enough and have vowed to cut them as they come along! I feel like I accomplished a lot today! I have enough to use as leaders and enders!  I'm thinking the treadle machine will be going through a lot of these! 

Retreat is coming and I am getting my projects lined up! This weeks vacation will not be wasted! Chef and I cleaned house this morning. Our dishwasher broke down, but between the two of us, there are not too many dishes! This afternoon, I spent a few hours in the studio getting through the big basket of scraps. I have a nice collection of strips that I left in the basket, enough cut pieces to make a few baby quilts in a pinch!

Tomorrow, I am going to try basting a baby quilt and my Christmas Tree skirt using Sharon Schambers hand basting method.  I have my boards ready. I'm wanting to hand baste and then be able to free motion quilt when I have a chance! I have promised myself that I would work either an afternoon or a morning in the studio this week. It's a gift to me for being off for the week. I am in the mode of re-charging from work. There's something to be said about countries that have siesta's or even countries that work less hours in a day and have more vacation time. How do they do it? I'm looking for the balance in finding the time to spend with family, time with Chef, time in my studio and of course time to work. The time I spent today in the studio was great! Every little bit counts!

For those who are wanting to cut their scraps - I cut mine into the following:

• 2.5" strips
• 2" squares
• 2.5" squares
• 3.5" squares
• 4.5" squares
• 5" squares
• Small tumbler / Accuquilt
• Misc. sized strips

There are always different patterns that call for all these sizes. I suspect that I will have to cut more for particular patterns as I won't have enough - but enough for me to work into a baby quilt or smaller projects like bibs, burp cloths, etc. I am always looking for a quick project, so these will fit nicely into those projects.

I have been collecting 5" charms as I see them. It is not a huge expense, but it's nice to have them on hand. The quilt that was on the wall earlier in February, was all from the charms that I have collected. I have yet to trim them and do a final sew! I am sure that I have enough to complete a queen size quilt! ALL from scraps! How great is that?

Happy Quilting Everyone! Let me know what you all are working on! The feedback is always welcome and keeps me motivated!

Margo

Happy March! Spring Cleaning here we come!

It all starts with this! BIG scrap basket!

Dollar store here I come. The Command hooks -- then the labels from Ikea that have been sitting for years waiting for a purpose -- and my new pliers! Of course my label maker!

Attaching the labels first!

Tigger preparing to sort the scraps! He honestly didn't know where to begin!

"OK, so I helped a bit!

Voila! All done.

The top baskets can be reached with my stool when I need. I have a project for the scraps that go in order of of color. The bigger pieces I am going to press a10Cnd cut out for my charms and strips that I can then store in plastic bins.  It feels good to have them organized and a reminder that they will empty eventually! 

I am loving the scrappy quilts lately! I was surprised by how much I have accumulated over the last 2-3 years. Better to have them sorted than having to sort as I need them! 

Cost -- wire baskets at the dollar store $10.00 These are the medium size 12" high and about 10" across the top.
labels from Ikea - 1 package of 5 - $3 each
Command hooks - 1 package of 5 - $5

I nixed the plastic drawers on casters for scraps, as I am limited in floor space.
I already have two drawer units on wheels like this:
They both hold all my thread and machine feet. I found them of course at Ikea in their " As is" area. On both, the drawers were stuck closed and the service guys fixed them for me without cost! Both totaled $50.

The big basket of scraps was under my sewing desk, by my feet. It was a pain, but easy to toss the scraps into! Way too easy! I have tried to be a good quilter and cut those scraps and store them away in appropriate piles right away -- but it never happened! This is one more tick off my "TO DO" list!

Happy Quilting Everyone!
Margo

Even a "little" progress can make a big impact!

This is the start to my very first scrappy quilt out of 5" charms.

Happy quilting everyone!
Margo

My long journey with this quilt is now complete!

The quilt is back from Heritage Park and the weather was nice enough to snap a few photo's. This quilt is for my daughter's birthday next weekend. It's my design based on Lady Liberty Goes to Hawaii by Karen Stone. I started this when I first learned how to quilt (this was my second project! ha ha) It was so overwhelming that it was put away for quite a few years until I got the courage to start on it again. My daugher let me know that she wanted a "queen size". I couldn't face making any more of these squares and decided I would put lattice between the blocks and add to the side borders. The tree's were an addition that have special meaning in their placement. Every piece through the years relate directly to her life -- whether it be her love life, her work, her hopes or her dreams or memories as a little girl all the way up to the beautiful woman she has become.

Happy Birthday my wonderful girl! I love you!

My longarm gal, Karen Morrison, did a beautiful job.( also know as Queen B Quilting and a member of Nimble Thimbles Quilt Club from Airdrie)  I just love what she can do! I take my stuff to her and just let her go with it. I am hoping that she had fun with this one. It's larger than a queen and pretty close to being king-size. My daughter wanted her quilt to drop down the sides. The length is long enough that if she wants to tuck her pillows under she can do so.

 I love how Karen didn't take away from the piecing and let those point's show through. Interesting how some of the squares look to me now. The newer squares I can pick out because of the fabric trends thorugh the years.

The trees so simple in construction, but so effective on the border.

Have faith in your longarm professional. Let me tell you...though I am learning to do my own quilting, it is sure easier to pass it on rather than wrestle a king-size through your machine. Note that I have not washed or blocked this quilt due to time restrictions. Once I happen to do that, the quilting will show more and it will fluff up more! I love it even before doing that!

Happy Birthday daughter of mine!
You are loved forevermore!

Scraps anyone?

I've been saving my scraps faithfully! Enormous guilt eats at me for throwing away things that I paid good $'s for -- then there's the reality of saving a little "too" much where I feel like a hoarder! Speaking of...every time I watch the show "Hoarders" I end up tossing a few more items and donating a box or two, so all is good!  The little sampler below was hand stitched while camping and then I quilted it on the old Singer machine. It was a great little pattern that I got from an Australian magazine when I first started quilting. BAD NEWS is that I bought fabric for all of the piecing. I didn't have a "stash" (don't think I even knew what the word meant at that time!) and I didn't have any "scraps" around that I could do this with! I sure loved making it and will probably do another one. The little hearts were my first attempt at using wax paper to applique. I didn't know that you had to REMOVE the was paper, so the little hearts are still a bit stiff in there. The whole thing is smaller than a place mat and the likelihood of it being laundered to death is slim! I had no idea that this type of border was called a "piano" border, and mitred corners with the binding? NOPE! ha ha...I look at this now and just giggle, but it's my little start into the world of quilting, so that makes it quite fine!

I was thrilled to find out that Joan Ford  brought out another "scraps" book! I love this one as much as her first one! I had no idea how to control my scraps or what sizes to cut everything into. She's made it so easy to organize your scraps! I know that when I don't have anything on the go, I will be able to put together a quick quilt or two with my "scraps" that will end up looking just a beautiful on the front covers of her books! Thanks again! So exciting to browse through a book that I know will become a staple in any quilter's room! (Yeah, yeah, I know a couple of posts ago I was vowing not to buy anything! hah!) Check out her blog for more great ideas!  http://scrap-therapy-quilts.blogspot.ca/  or her other one http://hummingbird-highway.com/

While I was browsing on Amazon, I saw Julie Herman's book of Jaybird Quilts. I had this one on my list of "wants", but never got around to it yet. I thought since I had one book on order, I might as well work in another with the shipping costs! I ordered yet another one, but it's still waiting for delivery.  I'll post it when it arrives! Onto Julie Herman's book.... I love the simplicity of the patterns and the impact visually when they are done! The directions are clear (which is what my old brain needs!) Looking forward to trying some of these out! Check out Julie Herman's website! She has some great tutorials to try out! She's hooked up with Pink Chalk Fabrics where I bought her "Chopsticks" pattern for the baby quilt a while back!  http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/



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