work in progress – Juanita Collins

August 27, 2013September 3, 2013

Sewing a Hexagon Quilt

There hasn’t been much in the way of quilty stuff on my blog lately. Probably because I’m living out at the lake right now, and no electricity equals no sewing machine.

But I wouldn’t let that stop me, eh?

My friend Melissa had sent me a little care package containing (among other wonderful goodies) a jelly roll of Free Spirit Pirouette a month or so ago and I couldn’t wait to cut into it. Her instructions were to experiment, play and enjoy. I took this literally and decided to do just that by learning a technique that was brand-new to me.

I have always admired heritage quilts, and have always wanted to make a quilt entirely by hand. One day I saw that there was going to be Hexie-Queen Blog Hop, and since I had never made a hexie flower before, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to learn.

I took the jellyroll to my LQS and paired it with soft grass-green for the flower centers and garden path, and a creamy/buttery pale gold for the background. I loved the way the prints seemed to sink down and make themselves at home in these two complementary shades.

Having decided to take the plunge, I looked at a couple of tutorials and then jumped into the deep end with the decision to start a hexagon quilt.

I am slowly sewing 1.5-inch hexagons all sewn together into a Grandmother’s Flower Garden pattern. By hand.

I carry it back and forth to town and work on it in the car.

This antique glass butter dish is the perfect little container.

It’s going to take awhile, but that’s okay. Handwork is relaxing. Why rush it when I enjoy it so much? I can already tell it’s going to be beautiful. 🙂

Today is the last day of the Blog Hop. Thanks for visiting, and don’t forget to check out the hexie-goodness on these other participating blogs:

Marjorie’s Busy Corner

Also linking up with Lily’s Quilts Fresh Sewing Day

August 2, 2013

A July start

I started a new project last month…I “discovered” hexies (clever me!). I will be making a quilt entirely by hand. I like them because they are portable, I can make them when it’s too hot to sit with the big quilting project on my lap, and because they are traditional. I love the connection with women throughout history that working with my hands gives me.

March 23, 2013

Two things for show and tell!

Last year I did the In Color Order 1/2-triangle-square block of the month, and last weekend I finally sewed all the squares together! I added three extras to make a long, skinny quilt for the back of the couch. Perfect to snuggle under with a bowl of popcorn and a good movie. I will be putting borders on eventually – I need to take it to the quilt shop and audition a few fabrics. I’m thinking of a yellow batik. What do you think?

And I got presents! Wonderful Mr. C (that’s “C” for charming, don’t ‘cha know!) brought home these!

The charm packs are Bella Solids for my orange peel quilt, and the jelly rolls are 2wentyThr33 by Eric and Julie Comstock and Boho by Urban Chick. Just because he loves me. I love him too (but not just because he buys me fabric, lol!)

How was your Saturday?

March 13, 2013March 13, 2013

Creative Update

I have been feeling quite guilty about not posting anything for pretty nearly an entire month! Lots has been going on, but since today is Wednesday, I want to do an update on what I’ve been up to in the sewing room and leave everything else for another day. Maybe even tomorrow!

I participate in a couple of on-line bees. Unfortunately, I can’t post the photos here because I put them into Flickr and then deleted them! I didn’t realize that you cannot copy and past from Flickr! Only one survived the deleting – a wonky log cabin I made for the 3×6 bee:

Remember the valentine quilt I made for Because you Matter? I delivered it to the social worker and it has been given a new home with a little girl who loves the colour pink. That makes me so happy!

I also finished my first pair of knee-high socks, I made them for Kelly’s cousin Amber to keep here feet warm at night. Since she had the stroke, she finds that the circulation in her feet is very poor and she is always cold at night.

January was my month in the We Bee Canadian group, and I picked a bow tie block done in gardening fabrics. Those, plus some extra’s from my friend Dee and also several I made myself resulted in this top – I love it!!!

And last but not least, here is another Because You Matter top, with squares donated by the wonderful and generous quilters over at Quilts for Kids.

Linking in with Freshly Pieced and the Needle & Thread Network.

February 1, 2013February 4, 2013

Everything but the Kitchen Sink

Wow, here it is February already! I know I’m not the only one feeling blown away by how quickly the last month flew past us!

This is a bit of a random post… I started a lot of projects in January and thought I would share them with you.

First, I have started knitting a pair of socks for Kelly’s cousin Amber (read about Amber here). She has trouble staying warm at night because the stroke has affected the circulation in her legs and feet. So I am knitting a pair of warm woolen knee-high socks for her to wear to bed. This is my first time EVER knitting with this fine sock yarn on these itty bitty needles, and I am loving it! Love love love!

I am also participating in three on-line bees this semester. If you’ve been following along, you’ll know that I was totally stumped by the January We Bee Learning block. But I did manage in the end and TA DA! here it is:

I’m also participating in We Bee Canadian and January was my month! I chose a traditional bow tie block, but requested garden prints. You know, fruits, vegetables, flowers, grass, seeds … anything found in a garden. Even shovels & wheelbarrow prints would be acceptable! This will be a fun quilt. Here’s what I’ve gotten so far:

The last bee I’ve signed up for is brand new to me. It’s called the 3×6 bee. That means there are six people in the bee, and we each make six blocks of our own choice but in the colours requested by our bee-mates. You have 3 months to make and mail them. If I run through this bee two or three times I’ll have enough to make a quilt top. Here are the colours I’ve requested:

AND…I’m taking a creative writing course at the college on Wednesday nights. I love this class. It takes a fair bit of brain power, though, and has also created a bit of a temporal deficit.

I’ve also started a new quilt (inspired by Valentine’s Day), but you’ll just have to wait for a bit because I’m holding it aside in hopes that I will get it finished within the fortnight. Why? Because on February 15^th I’m participating in my very first EVER blog hop! Yup! It’s the Hugs & Kisses blog hop. Look for me and my valentine quilt on February 15^th– the day after valentine’s day!

Lastly (if you’re still with me at this point)…I’ve been thinking about attending a master class – a DANCE master class. Yes! I said Dance! All this stirring of creative juices – quilting, knitting, creative writing – has stirred up my love of dancing and I feel like maybe it’s time to shake some dust off my hipscarf and study with my mentor at Arabesque again. Wow! Didn’t see that coming, did ya? Lol!

I’m linking up over at Cat Patches because it’s New Fabric Object day today, AND I’m linking up to Fresh Sewing Day & the Small Blog meet over at Lily’s Quilts. Check them out!

Ciao!

January 27, 2013

On English Paper Piecing

I like to sew and quilt and do
I love to learn things that are new
I have joined a quilting bee
(Actually, I did join three.)

The We Be Learning on-line gals
Stitch and sew with on-line pals
And every month each one of six
Adds a new block to the mix.

January is Shilo’s block
And I’ve been sewing ‘round the clock
To make a Rocky Road to Kansas,
With the colours of agapanthus.

(Those are blues and aquamarine,
And including a bit of celery green
For those of you who don’t know flowers,
Or the colour wheel of bowers.)

There is a secret I’ve been keeping
I’ve never done foundation piecing.
Shilo’s block is E. P. P.,
Something entirely new to me.

I sewed one block and ripped it out
I sewed again and gave a shout!
I ripped it out and sewed again
It wasn’t good enough to send.

The block should be a certain size
Unfinished inches twelve point five,
But on my cutting mat its borders
Measure eleven and three quarters.

Back to the fabric store I go
With a heavy heart of woe
For I have used all my grey cache
No more background in my stash.

I measure twice, I cut and sew
Careful, cautious, hopeful, slow.
I see the end within my sight,
I am so sure this time I’m right…

I am a frightening beast to see,
Scowling, hating E. P. P.
To the cutting board I go,
Pulling hair and growling low

I have been reduced to drink,
To curse and swear and really think
About the angst of this first bee
And what possessed me to enter three.

Two full weekends I did spend
Ruining this block for my new friend.
I have tried with all my might
but don’t know how to make it right.

And now the month is at an end.
And I have yet a block to send.
In February I beseech you Lynn,
Choose not a block requiring gin!