Year in Review Part 3

Another mini quilt from the Kim Diehl Simple Whatnots Club One. The simple four patches are appealing to me.

A little hand stitching from a book by Gail Pan called Patchwork Loves Embroidery. I really enjoy the hand embroidery. Haven't decided yet what project these blocks will become. I was thinking of somehow incorporating them in a hexagon quilt.

Another picture from the summer, Boo Boo sitting on the front stairs. He sits out front and greets anyone walking by on the sidewalk.

Stitched and framed for fall. A little freebie project I finished. I couldn't find the original site for this pattern but you will find a link on this Pinterest page to a blog with the imagine that can be printed.

Layer cake quilt using Bonnie and Cammille fabrics called Hello Darling. Fresh and pretty colours in this quilt. Soon to be machine quilted, so I'll post more on this quilt.

The Bunnyhill Christmas Wheels quilt finished and on the wall for 2015. I bought the kit for this quilt which included a jelly roll and charm pack of Bunnyhill Designs fabric. It was very disappointing to discover the red fabric bled badly in this line. I did use colour catchers (3 sheets I believe) which wasn't enough. After my disaster by friend used the whole box of colour catchers with good success. I was able to get most of the pink colour out of the white using Oxiclean but unfortunately I think the red faded a bit.

A mini using Snowmen and snow flake buttons. A kit I bought at Folktales Quilt Shop open house in Dec. If you are in the area this shop is full of many surprises.

Lula is looking annoyed at getting her picture taken. So that's it for 2015 in review. Many more pictures can be seen on Threadtales Instagram site. Or the blue button at the top left corner of this blog.

Happy New Year and I'll see you in 2016.

Year In Review Part 2

I'm back as promised with more highlights of 2015. I think this quilt by Laundry Basket Quilts is my biggest accomplishment for the year. The blocks are pieced using templates, the applique is machine stitched and I did a all over heavy quilting design of leaves and flowers. I'm so pleased with how this one turned out.

My favourite picture of Fonz on a hot summer day. He is my daughters dog.

Fat Quarter Shop BOM still in progress. It's using a fabric line by Laundry Basket Quilts called Snowbird. It's a very pretty line with a variety of blues.

My Cotton and Steel quilt using the Quick Curve Ruler. I first made the pinwheel blocks and then used the QCR to cut and make the blocks. It's more of a wallhanging size quilt. I used a lot of different Cotton and Steel fabric in this quilt. The machine quilting is freemotion.

Just a reminder to check out Instagram for more pictures. My Instagram page is called Threadtales. I'm going to try and do another post before the end of the year, this will finish up the highlights.

Year In Review Part 1

Where have I been this year? Well truth be told, I discovered Instagram! What can I say, Instagram made me lazy. It's so simple, just take picture, say a couple of words and share, it all takes less than 30 seconds to post about my projects. I was hooked instantly on the ease of posting. Well that's pretty much my only excuse, being lazy, I had good intentions for blogging but life happens and I never got around to it. I hope to make next year a bit different and do more posting here.

I'm going to share a few highlights from 2015 in a couple posts. It's taking me a bit to remember how to use blogger. Forgive me, I will do my best to work through how to post again.

I started the year with making a heart quilt, which I really love and enjoyed every minute of making (see previous post). Next came the jelly roll quilt. This is a free pattern on Moda Bake shop, check out the website, I think it's called Simply Woven Quilt. I did a modern machine quilting of lines going back and forth. This was a first for me. It was inspired by the book Little Bits Quilting Bee by Kathreen Ricketson. She passed away tragically on a family trip, her story is very touching. She did this method of machine quilting in her book.

The Fat Quarter Mystery BOM Quilt blocks are still a work in progress. I hope in 2016 this will become a finished quilt. I have all the blocks ready, now need to start on the finishing layout, which involves a pieced border and I wanted to make it a little bigger which complicates getting it finished.

A little mini quilt using some 1 1/2" brights strips. I did some big stitch quilting in red around the blocks. A fun little project.

The Blue button at the top left corner on my blog will take you to my Instagram site, lots more pictures to see there. Also I will be back here soon with more highlights of 2015.

Happy Quilting!

BOM

I'm making progress on the newest (to me) Bunnyhill BOM called Woodland Christmas. I've really been enjoying these blocks and doing the back basting method of applique. This is a BOM at the quilt shop where I work but not for long. The shop is going to close by the end of June. I'm so sad to loose such a wonderful local shop, we don't have many left in our area anymore. Visit this post to get a glimpse of Creative Edge in North Vancouver.

This block is missing a few details, raccoon needs his eyes, the tree farm sign stitched and the bears tail.

The little hedge hogs were a bit fiddly and so many windows to stitch. The doors are missing the knobs.

I'm so thrilled the group that has been working on this BOM with me still wants to meet after the shop closes. We'll have to switch between houses to make this happen. I really want to keep this group together, we've had so much fun together.

Take care and support your local quilt shop.

Le Jardin Block

I finished the second block of my Le Jardin BOM. I'm still using the Hugs and Kisses freezer paper, I hope the washing will make the applique soft when it's all done. Has anyone use this product?

The dill pickles are canned, have to wait a month to give them a try.

This is a small sampling of the cucumbers and carrots we are harvesting from the garden. I wasn't sure there would be any cucumbers growing because we were late planting them. They are so tasty in salads, crisp and sweet.

Enjoy the long weekend. I still plan to make bread and butter pickles this weekend.

It's Quilted!

I've finished machine quilting my 4-patch quilt, the binding is waiting for hand sewing. The quilting pattern I did was inspired by Kathreen Ricketson, in her book "Little Bits Quilting Bee" she had quilted a large logcabin quilt in a back and forth zigzag pattern. This type of quilting is out of my comfort zone but the reason I did this was because a customer has made the logcabin quilt from the book and wanted the same quilting pattern. This is when I heard about the tragic story of Kathreen's death, you can read about it here and visit her website here. Such a sad story.

I've started a new applique project. I'm using Hugs and Kisses new freezer paper method. The paper stays in and washes away later, I haven't tried the washing yet....we'll see how it goes. I usually do the starch method but I like this method because I don't need to use a iron. The edges are glued over the freezer paper and washed out.

We had a busy week with moving my daughter 4 hours away so she can go back to school. I see more driving in my future.

Happy Quilting!

Vintage Holiday

I finished putting together the top last week using the Thimble Blossoms pattern. I changed the setting just a little with the added scrappy corner stone blocks for interest. This is something I've been working on for a BOM at the quilt shop where I work, it's called Creative Edge but sorry no website. The blocks are quick and fun to sew. I'm happy this will be ready in plenty of time for Christmas.

Cute ornament blocks. The snowman fabric adds a bit of whimsy.

Happy Quilting!

Progress on BOM's

 

Blocks one and two for the Summer Star Sew Along at Temecula are finished. Block three has been posted, I'll be working on that one sometime this weekend.

 

I'm all caught up on the mystery BOM. I showed the first 3 blocks here. This is a mystery BOM at my local quilt shop (Creative Edge), we are on number 7. These are large blocks, 12" finished.  I'm enjoying the mix of pretty fabrics, some are the Ruby collection.

 

I really like the basket block.

Happy Quilting.

Some Kind of Wonderful Blocks and Class

 

I've got more blocks prepped and ready for stitching, these are the blocks I have completed the stitching. I'm enjoying working on this quilt, I just need to stop doing sooooo many other things.

Last week was crazy busy......I need a rest for the next couple. I did take two absolutely awesome classes with Shelley and Bernie, both are fantastic teachers, they make a great team. Shelley has a bead embellishing article published in this magazine (I hope it the right one) and Bernie fixes sewing machines. Shelley is over flowing with endless knowledge of all things quilting and makes learning fun. They have a unique way of teaching.....I've never laughed so much in a class. Thanks for all the visual props that are now ingrained in my head forever! Contact Shelley for her latest class list and Bernie if you have any sewing machine problems.

 

Time for a cup of tea.

Happy Quilting.

Retreat Progress

 

I'm so happy with my progress last week at the retreat. I'm all caught up on my mystery BOM using pretty fabrics. I didn't touch the civil war BOM but that's okay.

We all had a great time......sewing, eating, chatting, playing games, sewing, eating, walking, sewing and mostly having fun with great friends. This is a small group I meet with twice a month, they are a wonderful group friends...I only wish it didn't go by so fast.  Edenvale retreat center really spoiled us with their home made meals, desserts and snacks.....this is the only time I have dessert twice a day......after lunch AND dinner.....talk about being spoiled.

 

Stella brought along few bags patterns and got us excited about making a bag or two.  The red bag she supplied the fabrics (and I love it) and the bright colourful bag was some fabric I purchased at a quilt shop on the way to the retreat. I didn't have a plan for the fabric and making the bags worked out great. I'm going to make more for gifts.

 

My main goal was to make a big dent in my daughters quilt. She picked all the Kaffe Fasset fabrics over a year ago and I felt bad I hadn't even started her quilt. The picture only shows half of the quilt, it's a queen size. She is going to see it today, I hope she'll still love it as much as when she picked the fabrics.

 

A close up of the fabrics. I think she did wonderful at picking the colours. The only thing left to do is the 2" border of the green and it's done! I'm so excited I was able to piece the whole thing at the retreat.

Happy Quilting!

Jo's Baby Rose

Remember long ago when I belonged to the Jo's club, I did this little appliquéd center. Well that's how it sat all this time, until this last week. A friend reminded me of this UFO and it gave me that push I needed to finally get it finished. It sure didn't take long, but for some reason I hadn't finished it sooner. I'm glad it's checked of my "to do" list.

Look at this lonely block, this is for a BOM at a sewing group I belong to, it goes in the pile and one name is drawn to win all the blocks. Given how long it took me to make this block and how complicated it seemed to me, I don't think I'll be making more. I think the block is called Gretchen. Hmmm.....I wouldn't mind winning these blocks.

Happy Quilting

Borders Done

I finally got the borders on this quilt "Cobblestone Lane" by This and That Patterns. I was waiting for a dry day outside to take a picture because I don't have floor space big enough. We ended up getting lots of rain and wind this week. So I decided to try taking the picture at the quilt shop and the bottom is still partly on the ground. Anyway, I'm very happy with how this quilt turned out. Sorry the picture is a bit washed out.

So what else have I been doing you ask....well I'm working on a small quilt for a secret sister challenge and can't show that one just yet....couple more weeks and we reveal what we made to each other. I finished a wool runner which I'll get a picture soon. And I'm working on my wool blocks from this post a while back. That's it for me! There is a newcomer to blogging, let's give Lee a warm welcome to the world of blogging.

Happy Quilting, until next time.

Cobblestone Lane Quilt

I've been working on this BOM quilt from This and That patterns (click on picture for a better view), WOW can you say a tremendous amount of piecing! This quilt not only has pieced sashing (which is not a problem) but it also has pieced setting triangles and corner triangles, neither of which I've ever done before. I must say the instructions are the best I've ever seen, the top went together without any problems, just a big time investment. I still need to trim the outside and add the brown inner border and then the red outer border. I love the look of this quilt.

Lula in her usual position.....napping.

Happy Quilting, until next time.

Wool Blocks

It's about time I got down to some quilting or in this case some stitching. These are the blocks I finished over the last month while traveling. It's a good thing I had something with me on the flight because those TV monitors things don't always work. I watched half a movie and then it didn't work anymore. I still haven't seen the end of that movie. The wool in these blocks is absolutely gorgeous, Karen has done a wonderful job of making these kits. I love everyone and I'm enjoying every stitch.

A couple more blocks to stitch and I'm ready to assemble. I've also been working on the Cobblestone Lane BOM, soon I'll have some pictures to show.
Happy Stitching, until next time.
Wendy

Where to Start?

This last week has been a flurry of activity. I'm so glad it's Feb, not just because it's my birthday month but because Jan was a slow and boring month for me. It's gotten much better, a few days ago I had a birthday lunch with friends, shopping here, tea, dessert and then next day a pedicure with my daughter. Feb is off to a great start.

On my Birthday hubby and I spent the day checking out what's happening downtown Vancouver. The Winter Olympic are starting this week, we don't have tickets to any of the events but there are lots of free things to see and do. After walking and walking around the downtown area we thought we earned our dinner and walked another 8 blocks to enjoy a delicious dinner here and then of course after dinner is was the long walk back to catch the skytrain home. We sure got our exercise for the day and I didn't feel guilty for eating appetizers, main course and then chocolate for dessert.

Now back to the good stuff.....gifts from quilting friends, I received the little valentines stitchery and it's tucked in this tiny pink box...soo cute. The book has some awesome quilts to make, I think I love almost every pattern in this book. The pile of fabrics I bought for myself and have already cut into them. The brown wool is a gift and I love it! I almost forgot, the yellow and blue pile is a gift, not sure what I'll make with them yet.

Look at that slice of cake pincushion...such a fun gift and a charm pack with gorgeous fabrics to fondle. The little zippy wallet I made from the fabrics I showed in the above picture, a girl shouldn't waste anytime. The pattern is super easy, try out this tutorial.

A couple more This and That Cobblestone Lane BOM's are finished. This is turning out to be a great quilt. I just love these fabrics and the patterns are so well written, it's a joy to be making this one.

A sneak peek at the project I've been working on. Do you recognize the stitchery, it's A Tisket A Tasket by Bunnyhill. I'm doing my own setting, you'll see more when I get the alternate blocks finished.  The patterns are going to be removed from the website soon, if you are still thinking about making them, I'd hurray over quick and print them.  Are you a cat lover, well you won't want to miss the Red Brolly free stitchery each month.

Happy Quilting, until next time.