HQAL: Check-in on the Baby Quilt

As the weather continues to cool and the baby shower looms as a reminder to get her done, I have been busy these last few weeks working on the baby quilt. I have finished with assembling the top.

If your eyes hadn’t noticed, I’ll point it out, top row (or it could be a side or bottom row) is off a bit. When I was placing it as a middle row it was very apparent I had made a mistake but instead of re working, because it was the only row off, I decided to use as an end row where the mistake, once all put together, would be less noticeable.

Mistake- no worries – be happy! I am very happy with the color scheme. At first I thought it might feel to grown up for a baby but with it’s satin ribbon border on and small lace trim I think it’s statement will be fine ~ here’s to love and a happy, healthy, strong and bold baby girl.

The backing is a brushed cotton flannel, baby soft! I doubled the batting for a extra cush and warmth. Not quite sure what I will do with quilting this yet. I’ll start out simple, stiching just outside the ditch around the inside of two of the coordinating triangles in each block and then go from there.

Thank you for stopping by and be sure to visit the pages of the other participants in this HQAL to see some wonderful projects in the works.

Hand Quilt Along Links

This Hand Quilt Along is an opportunity for hand quilters and piecers to share and motivate one another. We post every three weeks, to show our progress and encourage one another.  If you have a hand quilting project and would like to join our group contact Kathy at the link below.

Kathy, Margaret, Emma, Tracy, Deb,Susan,  Nanette,  Edith, Sharon, Karrin,
Gretchen and Kathi

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SAL Update: Desert Cactus

September 1st and I am feeling the crunch to get this finished. I had initially thought a Christmas gift for my daughter but a Nov. 10th birthday may be possible, maybe not, as she is living oversea’s in Okinawa (Military family) mailing times at best are usually slow and spotty for a timely arrival. Either or ….. time will tell on this one.

Where I was last time 

Where I am now 

Once I posted this photo I saw my mistake clearly, those last dark forest green crosses have to go. WRONG 😦  I’d also like to get some backstitching done for our next show and tell.

Where I was,  where I am now, finished project 

It’s not a cactus but it’s green. I caught diamonds nesting in a plant in the garden after a summer rain.

 

If you haven’t already please take a moment to visit the pages of the other crafters in this SAL. There is some amazing projects in the works. Thank you for stopping by 🙂

 

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Sue, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Helen, Linda, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Hayley, Megan, Deborah, Clare, Mary Margaret, Renee, Jenny, Carmela, Jocelyn, Sharon

About the SAL

This SAL (Stitch Along) is slightly different to other SALs in that we don’t all stitch the same design at the same rate. We choose ONE unfinished project, or ONE new one, and show progress of its completion over a series of three weekly updates. There are no deadlines and no set amount to stitch. The result is that the space in our drawers full of WIPs (works in progress) is gradually being freed up to store lots of new crafty goodness. It’s surprising how much motivation I’ve gained from being in this SAL. If you’d like to finish a project you’ve left unfinished for a while, or start a new one with us, you can join us by sending me an email. The address is on the right of this page. I’ll send you a few simple rules to agree.

HQAL: ‘T’ Block Arrangement

At our last posting I had finished all of the ‘T’ blocks and showed the arrangement I had for them. I was not happy, in fact, I was pretty discouraged, this was not anything like my vision at the start.

Original arrangement looked like a mash mosh of nothing

Following the suggestions of the group, I placed the darkest blocks as corner stones, a dark middle surrounded by the lighter blocks.

Look at the difference

 

 

A second suggestion had the lightest grouped in the middle, a bit darker framing and the darkest as the corner blocks.

Here is the difference

 

 

I am leaning towards the first change with the darkest as the 4 center blocks. It just draws the eyes in and the 4 corner blocks really pop out. The second arrangement still seems a bit flat and none dimensional.

While I was extremely anxious to get this started I had to put it aside to begin another hand quilting project. Excitement is mounting with grand baby #1 due for my sister-in-law in early October ~ a girl! I am afraid a baby shower may be looming in September and I am hoping to get this done in time.

Deciding to shy away from something to juvenile, I opted for a more refined girlish look in dusty rose tones with green sashing matching the leaves. I will add a thin lace ribbon border with the satin ribbon binding.

For the backing I choose this rose colored geometric pattern in a soft brushed cotton. It matches the simple pattern of the quilt top.

 

This Hand Quilt Along is an opportunity for hand quilters and piecers to share and motivate one another. We post every three weeks, to show our progress and encourage one another.  If you have a hand quilting project and would like to join our group contact Kathy at the link below.

Please take a moment to visit the pages of the other amazing crafters and thank you for stopping by 🙂

Kathy, Margaret, Emma, Tracy, Deb, Susan,  Nanette,  Edith, Sharon, Karrin, Gretchenand Kathi

Quilting and Cross~stitch

Always checking in at our local Goodwill store for a treasure or two, I spotted the sweetest framed cross stitch project I just had to rescue.

Quilts and Cross~stitch, can it get any sweeter? 

Sadly this beauty was not signed and is a reminder to me to sign and date; somewhere! A lot of work was put into this and the backstory and maker has been ‘lost’ while she sat in the picture bins of this thrift store. Who knows how many Goodwill thrifts she sat in before making her way to our corner of the country.

Her new markings read: Found August 9th 2019 at the Bellingham, WA Goodwill store.

SAL Update: Cactus Hoot

Summer time is quickly wrapping up, a hint of fall is in the air, the cactus blooms are fading while mine have a way to go. Having fun with this new project. Here is where I was last time we posted.

 

Making progress

 

If you have a project and would like to participate in with this SAL please contact Avis at the link below and don’t hesitate to follow all the links to the work of amazing crafters and their projects.

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Sue, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Helen, Linda, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Hayley, Megan, Deborah, Clare, Mary Margaret, Renee, Jenny, Carmela, Jocelyn, Sharon

 

I also wanted to share another amazing completed project by Kate who some of you do know and follow.  I had the honor of participating in her amazing yearly on going quilt fundraiser project. The quilt is made for auction to benefit ovarian cancer. The amazing talented quilters are from all over the world (like us) Kate Chiconi (Australia) spearheads this project. You can read Kates posting on this quilt here
https://talltalesfromchiconia.wordpress.com/…/scinteallate…/

HQAL ~ T Blocks Done

How does three weeks go by so quickly? It has and here we are with another  posting for the HQAL.

It seems like forever since I have been working on the individual ‘T’ blocks. I finally decided to stop and take a look at what I had.

Spread out on a queen size bed, not convinced this will be the lay out but it has given me a good idea on whats going on. I am going to stop making blocks and put this baby together.

I have to say I am not thrilled with the multi colored blocks. My original vision was so different but they’re done now. So on to deciding what I want to do with the sashing.

My thought was because they are so uniquely different a frame of black may be what’s called for. A dark brown? A solid dark wood grain fabric? I think a light color is totally out, am I wrong? I just feel because there is no real rhyme or rhythm to these blocks, I needed to isolate them and make them feel individual.

Color, ideas welcome please 🙂

I also made another small pillow using the scraps from one of the last blocks. I backed it with a beautiful section from a vintage table runner, edged with a string of pearls I thought was just perfect with the red dotted material.

 

Another pillow ready for gifting

Take a moment and be sure to visit the pages of the other participants in this HQAL. There is some amazing hand work going on 🙂

Hand Quilt Along Links

Kathy, Margaret, Emma, Tracy, Deb, Susan,  Nanette,  Edith, Sharon, Karrin, Gretchenand Kathi

This Hand Quilt Along is an opportunity for hand quilters and piecers to share and motivate one another. We post every three weeks, to show our progress and encourage one another.  If you have a hand quilting project and would like to join our group contact Kathy at the link below.

SAL: A Summertime Finish

At our last update I had posted that I had basically finished my project, with the background sky completed I just had the border to finish.

Last posting

Grand Finale

A big thank you is in order to everyone in this SAL ~ with out your comments and encouragement this project would never have been begun neither the less completed. It was a total group effort 🙂

Now for some blocking and then framing and this will be ready for gift giving this coming holiday season. My daughter is going to love it!

In fact, I wanted to share that on her last visit to the lower 48 with us, on a thrift store excursion, I found 2 ceramic Barbara Lavallee coasters. One for her and one for me. Once home in Alaska she shared with me that she decided to created a kitchen backsplash using coasters designed by Barbara. So far she has these six.

I love the idea ~

 

So now what?

I have this sweet little project I would like to finish for another daughter.

 

 

 

If you have a project and would like to participate in this SAL please contact Avis at the link below and don’t hesitate to follow all the links to the work of some amazing crafters and their projects.

 

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Sue, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Helen, Linda, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Hayley, Megan, Deborah, Clare, Mary Margaret, Renee, Jenny, Carmela, Jocelyn, Sharon

About the SAL

This SAL (Stitch Along) is slightly different to other SALs in that we don’t all stitch the same design at the same rate. We choose ONE unfinished project, or ONE new one, and show progress of its completion over a series of three weekly updates. There are no deadlines and no set amount to stitch. The result is that the space in our drawers full of WIPs (works in progress) is gradually being freed up to store lots of new crafty goodness. It’s surprising how much motivation I’ve gained from being in this SAL. If you’d like to finish a project you’ve left unfinished for a while, or start a new one with us, you can join us by leaving a request in the comments below or sending me (Avis) an email. The address is on the right of this page. I’ll send you a few simple rules to agree.

HQAL Update: You’ve got to be kidding

This was one of those blocks when you say outloud to yourself~ you’ve got to be kidding.

Oh sure, in the beginning I couldn’t figure out how to make the flying geese, then I bought the Eleanor Burns flying geese ruler and thought that would be the goose that laid the golden egg,  finally it all clicked or had it?

I didn’t take a picture,

darn it.

I had finished the block, did a final pressing, held it up and there it was, I sewed one set of  geese facing in the wrong direction. This one was heading south when it should have been going north.

It’s an easy fix when hand stitching to pull out the stitches and repair. Repressed, held up and admired, even by my husband, perfect, then photographed ….. can you spot the the 2nd error? Of course you can but it took me those few extra minutes.

What? OMgoodness ~ you’ve got to be kidding ~

Finally fixed

Block #2

And with those tiny scrappy triangle cut offs and the opposite side of the vintage embroidered scarf I used before, I made another small pillow for gift giving.

 

 

Please take some time to visit the the pages of the other hand quilters in our group.

This Hand Quilt Along is an opportunity for hand quilters and piecers to share and motivate one another. We post every three weeks, to show our progress and encourage one another.  If you have a hand quilting project and would like to join our group contact Kathy at the link below.

Kathy, Margaret, Emma, Tracy, Deb, Susan,  Nanette,  Edith, Sharon, Karrin, Gretchen and Kathi

SAL Update with a whale of a tale

The time is here again to show our progress, encourage and support one another in ‘getting the job done’ at what ever pace you choose. With summer officially here, it is hard to find the time to sit when the outdoors, family, bbq’s, outings, gardening all calls for more attention. Luckily the background for my piece was 1/2 stitches which went fairly quickly. Still left to do is the red border. Here is where I am

Here is where I was compared to now 🙂

 

 

I thought the above picture was a fun contrast between winter and summer fun. Mentioning fun – the daughter that I am making this for was down from Alaska for a visit last Thursday – Sunday. Shhhhh – I don’t think she follows my blog so I am safe!

The highlight of the visit was a mother daughter whale watching cruise https://whales.com   through the San Juan Islands with a first stop at Friday Harbor on San Juan Island for a stretch.

We hit the Lavender Store in the town; one of my favorite places ~ Pelindaba  https://www.pelindabalavender.com/friday-harbor-a/272.htm

Pelindaba Lavender Farm looking across San Juan Valley to Mount Baker | Photo: Teren Photography

I think we bought just about one of everything from lavender salt and pepper grinders, lotion & oils, herbal vinegar, insect repellant, cookies, chocolate, fruit & lavender chutnies, soap, sachets, then topped the visit off with a lavender icecream sandwich and my daughter bought a lavender sorbet with spoons to share with our table mates back on the boat. And since were bloggers I have shared a link to their beautiful blog if you care to take a peek.

http://blog.pelindabalavender.com

Once on our way again we crossed into Canadian waters in search of Orcas and/or Humpbacks and were not disappointed. I didn’t get any amazing photo’s, but we spotted a pod/family of about 6 Orcas who did no disappoint and put on quite a lengthy show for us. It seemed a shame to view them through a camera lens so I chose just to delight in the moment. In addition on the return trip we spotted a humpback – his spout spray and the tail as he was going down.

 

 

 

 

I hope you will take some time to relax and enjoy the works in progress and blogs of the incredibly talented crafters below. Thank you for visiting my page ~ Sharon

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Sue, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Helen, Linda, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Hayley, Megan, Deborah, Clare, Mary Margaret, Renee, Jenny, Carmela, Jocelyn, Sharon

If you are interested in joining this SAL please contact Avis above and she will be happy to explain the goup and walk you through the process. It’s painless, easy and most of all fun!

Inspired

Since beginning my journey with this craft blog, I have met (via the net), been encouraged and inspired by so many extraordinary talented crafters.

I had stepped into the world of ‘retirement’ one year ago into the world of what I love to do best, and what a gift to be able to do so.

Inspired by Kerry of Love Those Hands At Home

https://lovethosehandsathome.wordpress.com/2019/06/18/finally-fusion-finished/

Please take a moment to stop in and see her post on her completed Fusion Quilt. An amazing beauty crafted with repurposed vintage linens of all kinds. Truly a work of love and art ‘fused’ together.

As I said, inspired by Kerry, I wanted a small personal gift to bring to a friend who was having a very serious surgery (she did well). I had just completed a block for the T quilt I am working on

and had a pile of small triangles from cutting. With the phrase Scrappy Quilts circling my mind, I used the scaps and cut out a square from a vintage table runner I had stashed, and created a small ‘healing pillow’ for my friend.

 

 

I hand pieced the small block, backed it with the used embroiderd square, stuffed it, first a blanket stitch around the outside of the pillow and then crocheted a single row scalloped border, using embroidery thread. Pillow size is 7×7″

 

Friendship