I Love Thursday #49

There are a great group of bloggers who get together via a linky party on LeeAnna’s blog Not Afraid of Color each week to share list of things that bring them joy, inspire them or make them laugh.

These days I’m so grateful for our on line community which allows me to feel more in touch with the world. My personal space is focussed on home, sewing and family.

I love seeing the look on these two little’s faces when they are together. 😉

I’m so grateful for the calls, messages and emails from all of you wishing me well during the Evacuation Alert. Here’s an update:

This is a map of the fire as of July 15th.

I live by the yellow scribble, just one ridge away from the fire.

This is the most current map, showing the Evacuation Alert area as well:

Updated Wednesday @ noon. It’s just under 4000 hectares now.

We still are on Alert, the smoke is very thick still and the helicopters keep flying. I went to check the mail the other day and saw firefighters there from Princeton. They were a nice group of young people and it was heartwarming to be able to thank them and I even got to buy them some ice cream at the gas station (all of us were wearing masks😷).

I’m sewing and keeping busy. I am so very happy to have an abundantly stocked supply of precut scraps to play with. I’m now almost finished my third scrappy top for the Wildfire Drive. It just needs borders.

I’m extra grateful for the wonderful quilty friends I’ve made on line through Blogland. One of these friends is Sandra from MMM Quilts who surprised me with a copy of her newest Quilt Pattern, Let Your Star Shine. It was such a fun little quilt to make and I got to use a favourite piece of fabric from Robert Kaufman that I had been saving for a special project. I enjoyed making it so much I have a couple of fabric pulls to check out how it will look in different color ways. This quilt is perfectly sized (36 1/2” square) for either a baby quilt or wonderful wall hanging. Here’s my first version of the quilt top;

I was so happy to find a big enough green patch of grass to use as a backdrop.

It was nice to see some patches of blue sky in between the banks of smoke yesterday. I almost forgot how pretty our mountain views are. 😉

All in all, life is good! When you know there are over a hundred people working to keep your home safe so you can keep sewing it does give you a warm, fuzzy feeling. 😄

Thank you for stopping in to read my post. I appreciate it when you click on the follow button and enjoy responding to your comments. I do hope life is treating you well and you can find some time to be creative today. 😉 Carol

My Day on It’s a Guy Thing Blog Hop

First I would like to thank Carol Swift of Just Let Me Quilt for hosting another fun blog Hop with such a great theme. I’d also like to thank all of the participants for the great inspiration and the additions to my Must Make List! 😉

I had several ideas for projects that fit the theme for this hop; a project for a guy or in guy colours.

I was hoping to get this quilt finished:

This is a pattern test I did for Becca of Pretty Piney Quilts. The pattern is called Wunderbar and it was such a fun top to make. My plan is to finish it for a friend that has MS and is now limited to a wheelchair. Luckily with the heat wave we have been having he won’t need it for a while. It will have to wait to be quilted until I get away to the studio for a few days.

Then I thought I could get another UFO finished on my last trip to the studio. All I managed to get done was get it basted and the stitch in the ditch done around the blocks.

Custom quilting is drawn out now and it’s ready for my next studio trip.

I really wanted to have a finished project for this Hop so I started pulling strips from my scrap stash. I was getting short on time and had to cope with a reaction to the second shot in the arm and the recurring adventure of having wildfires burning less than 2 miles from my home and being on Evacuation Alert.

For those of you who follow my blog, you know that my DH has MS. He is a sweet gentle man who is addicted to playing golf. When he isn’t playing golf he is indulging his next addiction; watching at least 6 hours of news. This necessitates him spending time in his comfy chair where he managed to continuously lose his collection of remotes so I decided he needed to be more organized.

I started by following my memory of some fun I saw on a blog somewhere (?)

I created a fabric panel by weaving scrappy strips to a square backing panel and pin basting it. I sewed a line 1/4” from the edge just to stabilize the strips. Then I sandwiched it with some stabilizer, batting and a backing fabric. I gave it a good press to set the stabilizer and then sewed around the outside edge after squaring it up to 8 1/2” x 22 1/2”.

I cut another piece of backing fabric 7” x 10” and put a layer of woven strips right side down on top of it. I sewed around the outside edge of the layers of fabric leaving one edge open. I pressed the piece and tucked the open edge to the inside while pressing the edge. I sewed 1/8” from the edge and caught the turned edge of the open end.

I pinned the pocket in place, sewed the edges and added a seam down the middle to make pockets for 2 remotes.

My DH’s chair is a lift recliner so I added a new backing piece 8 1/2” x WOF to the caddy, right sides together, with the excess fabric to one end. I turned the piece right side out, brought the long end back to the front, pressed the edges in and sewed across the backing fabric over the top edge of the caddy to close the pocket I had made by folding the backing fabric back over itself. I added 2 lines of stitching around the edge at 1/8” and 1/4” to give the caddy a finished edge. This made the side of the caddy long enough to go into the space between the seat and arm and won’t shift when he raises or lowers the chair. His remote control for the chair sits just inside the opposite side of the chair to the caddy so he can operate the chair with his right hand while his tv remotes are tucked in the caddy.

Now DH won’t lose his remotes!

I’m thinking I might add some elastic loops to the caddy to keep his phone and iPad charger cords from getting lost under his chair. He’s had an problem with the cords slipping under the chair and getting crushed when he raises/lowers the chair so it just might fix another issue for him. 😉

Then to continue the Guy Theme I started doing some mindless sewing to keep from fretting over the wildfire situation. In between checking for updates on the Provincial Wildfire site, going outside to watch the helicopters and dealing with power outages I started sewing blocks to make quilts for the residents of Lytton. Their town burnt to the ground after only 15 minutes warning to evacuate. I will get the finished tops on the frame once our fire situation is under control and I can travel to the studio.

48” x 60“, just need to find some border fabrics.

Here’s the list of bloggers taking part in this Hop. I hope you’ve had a chance to visit them and see what they have created to spark your creativity. Please leave a comment for them to let them know how much you enjoyed seeing their projects and if you enjoy their posts take the time to read some more. If you really enjoy the posts, don’t hesitate to subscribe to their blog. It’s the best compliment you can give them. I know I even found some new to me blogs that I’ve now subscribed to. 😉

July 26

Creatin’ in the Sticks

Storied Quilts

Quilted Delights

Samelia’s Mum

Vroomans Quilts

Karen’s Korner

 

July 27

MooseStashQuilting

Inflorescence

Becky’s Adventures in Quilting and Travel

Websterquilt

Words & Stitches

Days Filled With Joy

 

July 28

Ms P Designs USA

Beaquilter

Lianne Makes Stuff

For The Love Of Geese

Domestic Felicity

 

July 29

Scrapdash

That Fabric Feeling

Elizabeth Coughlin Designs

Quilt Schmilt

The Colorful Fabriholic

Songbird Designs

 

July 30

Just Let Me Quilt

Quilt Fabrication

Kathy’s Kwilts and More

Patchouli Moon Studio

Food for Thought

Thank you for sharing your time with me. 😉 Carol

July OMG Check In

This month I had 3 goals:

To finish assembling these blocks to a quilt top. Done

Complete with borders. It’s now in the To Be Quilted Bin

My next goal is to finish my project for another fun blog hop. Done and Posted!

#1 didn’t get quilted, #2 isn’t finished being quilted but I did finish the remote caddy for DH and got a quilt top done (#6) for the Quilts for Lytton Drive.

My third project is to get some UFOs and a commission quilt quilted and bound. My goal is to finish 4 of them while I am at the studio! Done!

#1 and #2 were quilted and bound and in the mail before I got photos. #3 was pieced, quilted and bound in less than 2 weeks, #4 is complete with binding.

I became completely side tracked with the town of Lytton burning up in a wildfire, 2 wildfires breaking out within 2 miles of my home and being placed on Evacuation Alert. The squirrel attacks ended up in 3 more quilt tops being made!

#1 and #2 are from my scrap bins and #3 was made from a wonderful new pattern by Sandra from MMM Quilts called Let Your Star Shine which was a gift!

I’m pleased to be able to claim 3 for 3 finishes on my list! Thank you for spending some time with me and reading my nice short list for the month. 😉 Carol

Linking with;

July OMG @ Elm Street Quilts

Weekly To-Do and Goals #67

My Weekly Goals – To Do Tuesday #67

Chris at Chris Knits is now hosting the weekly To-Do linky party and it’s always fun to go see what everyone has done and are planning To-Do.

Last week’s list:

1. Keep working on quilt blocks for the Lytton Fire Victims. Not only did I keep working on blocks, but I finished 2 quilt tops so far.

Both tops were made from the contents of my scrap bins.

2. Keep working on a leader/ender project with my 2 1/2” scrappy squares. Some Progress

3. Work on RSC blocks. Dark blue/brown/ black. I’m revisiting my ideas for my RSC blocks and think instead I will just keep trying to do quilts with the colours for the Quilts for Lytton Drive (or any of the numerous other wildfires here in British Columbia).

4. Keep working on my Orange You Glad Blog Hop Project. This got stalled with the Evacuation Alert and helicopter watching keeping me distracted.

5. Keep trying to avoid those squirrels. 😉🐿🐿. Didn’t happen, thanks to the MMM-nabler, Sandra from MMM Quilts. Did you see her newest pattern “Let Your Star Shine”? Here is my version of this sweet quilt:

This week’s goals:

1. Keep working on quilt blocks for the Lytton Fire Victims.

2. Keep working on a leader/ender project with my 2 1/2” scrappy squares which will now be a Wildfire Quilt.

3. Work on RSC blocks and continue making quilt tops for Wildfire Victims.

4. Keep working on my Orange You Glad Blog Hop Project. Here’s a peek at the fabric I’m pulling from:

5. Do better at avoiding those squirrels. 😉🐿🐿

Stitchin’ Time

I’m trying for at least 15 minutes a day, but also want to at least spend 15 minutes tidying up and dealing with scraps.

  • Previous time – 192/206
  • This 1 week period– 7/7
  • Year To Date – 199/213

To see how our blogging friends are doing check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces

Stash Report:

  • Fabric previous balance: 49.5 yards
  • Fabric Used: 5 yards
  • Fabric Bought: 0 yards
  • Balance in stash: 44.5 Yards

* my goal is to lessen my stash by 100 yards. 😅

* any fabric used from the scrap bins, was gifted or a prize; doesn’t count as stash

Gail at Quilting Gail created and hosts the PHD in 2021 to keep us finishing those UFOS.

Linking with:

My Version of Let Your Star Shine

I confess to being the recipient of a squirrel attack today. Actually it hit me yesterday but I was just putting the borders on another finish.

This seems to sum up my mental capacity these days! 😉😝

After a week of playing with scraps, the timing was perfect because Sandra from MMM Quilts just published a new pattern in her Etsy Shop. You all know how much I enjoy making anything with Sandra’s patterns. Then I saw Wendy’s version on Instagram and knew that nothing would satisfy my interest but dropping everything and making it!

My focal fabric is a Robert Kaufman fabric that I have been hoarding saving for a special project.

I was distracted a few times to go out and watch the helicopters but in no time at all I had this beauty coming together.

Don’t you just love it when patterns are so well written you only have minimal fabric waste when trimming your blocks?

All in all, I started and finished this quilt top in just a few hours!

I even found a patch of green grass to be able to get a photo which colours aren’t quite true due to the smoke.

This little quilt or wall hanging finishes at 36 1/2” square. I’m thinking that I will add more borders to make it a bit larger.

All of the quilt tops I’m working on these days will be quilted when I can get to the studio after the evacuation alert is rescinded and then donated to the Quilts for Lytton Fire.

I’d like to send a huge thank you to Sandra of MMM Quilts for writing the perfect pattern to pick up my spirits.

To get your copy of this pattern just click on Sandra’s Website name or on her Etsy Shop.

I’m thinking I need to make this again so I’m going to dig through my stash to see if any other of my fabrics are “just right” for the plan I have in mind.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post. 😉 Carol

It’s a Guy Thing Blog Hop Coming Soon

I’m looking forward to this Hop starting tomorrow. Here’s the schedule for all of the participants in the hop:

July 26

Creatin’ in the Sticks

Storied Quilts

Quilted Delights

Samelia’s Mum

Vroomans Quilts

Karen’s Korner

July 27

MooseStashQuilting

Inflorescence

Becky’s Adventures in Quilting and Travel

Websterquilt

Words & Stitches

Days Filled With Joy

July 28

Ms P Designs USA

Bumbleberry Stitches

Beaquilter

Lianne Makes Stuff

For The Love Of Geese

Domestic Felicity

July 29

Scrapdash

That Fabric Feeling

Elizabeth Coughlin Designs

Quilt Schmilt

The Colorful Fabriholic

Songbird Designs

July 30

Just Let Me Quilt

Quilt Fabrication

Kathy’s Kwilts and More

Patchouli Moon Studio

Food for Thought

Another Day and A Finish

We are still on evacuation alert, but I don’t have any updated maps. The smoke is still too thick for them to get good photos to map it out. It was another day of watching helicopters and timing their runs, taking photos of these amazing pilots. Their job is hindered by the people rafting and tubing down the river in spite of the many requests to leave the waterway clear for the buckets to be filled 🤯. At one time I counted 6 different helicopters on our wildfire.

The good news is I did finish another quilt top. This one is made with super scrappy 2” squares and some leftover 3 1/2” squares, all from my scrap bin. I did use 1 1/2 yards of a creamy solid from the stash as well.

This one is 54” square. It will go to the Quilts for Lytton Drive once it is finished. I’ve now added it to my bin with backing and binding fabrics.

Thanks for stopping by to read my post. 😁 Carol

Friday Spent Playing with Fabric

First of all to all my online friends that have commented or emailed, I’m still at home under an Evacuation Alert. Words can not express how much your well wishes and prayers mean to me. I can’t update you on the fire situation as the Government has not yet updated the website. I’m guessing they can’t map the fire since the smoke is so thick we can’t see the helicopters until they drop down to the river to fill their buckets. It’s taking them less than 4.5 minutes to do a round trip. Properties less than a mile from here are now evacuated.

As for me, I’m still sewing;

Such pretty piles of fun fabric pieces! They should be almost a finished quilt top before I go to bed tonight unless we have to load and go.🤔

I did print a pattern that I’ve been anxious to make, but found I just don’t have the level of concentration needed to accurately cut all of the pieces. Instead I’m just playing with all of my precut scraps and making quilt tops for the Victims of the Lytton Fire. 😉

I found backing fabric for this finished top from earlier this week:

It’s now packed in a bin to go with me if we are evacuated along with a couple of kitted projects. We will be heading to the studio where the air quality is a bit better than here in Southern British Columbia.

I’ve spent some time searching on line today for a preprinted wholecloth panel. I think it would be a fun way to practise my ruler work when I next get to the studio. I haven’t found any in any of the Canadian shops on line. If anyone sees one somewhere, please leave me a comment or link. I did find a small one for $80.00 USD but that’s just insane and out of my budget, especially since the shipping gets so expensive. 🥴

Again, thank you for spending time with me, all of your sweet comments and well wishes. I so appreciate it with all of the stress here. 😄 Carol

Linking with:

I Love Thursday #48

There are a great group of bloggers who get together via a linky party on LeeAnna’s blog Not Afraid of Color each week to share list of things that bring them joy, inspire them or make them laugh.

My gratitude post this week especially goes to the valiant, heroic firefighters and helicopter pilots who are doing their best to get the two local wildfires under control.

As of last night we are now officially on Evacuation Alert. Bags are packed with clothes and necessary documents, sewing machine and kitted projects are by the door. Arrangements have been made for a place to stay. Everything is in order in case we have to go. 🤔

This is a map of the fire last week.

I live by the yellow scribble, just one ridge away from the fire.

This is the most current map, showing the Evacuation Alert area as well:

I live between Appledale and Perrys in the Evacuation Alert Zone.

On the positive side I have another quilt top finished which will be completed and donated to the Quilts for Lytton Drive.

I also have 2 more sets of blocks almost finished for a couple of more quilt tops. After all what does a quilter do when under duress? Sews and tries to make things that will help others who lost everything due to a fire that swept through a town that had 15 minutes to get out.

I love how others are calling with offers of help to store things and places to go. My Guild Board Members have all stepped up to gather and store artifacts, papers and equipment from our Guild which is at Perry’s on the above map. People working together to preserve something is always inspiring.

My newest photos of my littles are here;

Thank you for stopping in to read my post. I appreciate it when you click on the follow button and enjoy responding to your comments. 😉 Carol

Another Flimsy Finished

The fun wonky log cabin blocks are now a finished flimsy!

I’ll be finishing this on my next trip to the studio to donate to the Quilts for Lytton group of people who lost everything when their town burned to the ground.

Keeping myself busy sewing is helping keep me from running outside every 5 minutes to check on the wildfire or watch the helicopters hauling water.

Two towns north west of me have been evacuated. The ferry I take to go to the studio (which I shared photos of recently) is not running. The highway is closed. Once I cross the lake the next 2 towns are on evacuation alert. To go to the studio now would be an 8 hour trip.

On Sunday our fire looked like this:

It was approximately 470 hectares.

As of 5:00 this evening it looks like this:

I live at the green dot between Appledale and Perry’s. It’s now 2635.5 hectares.

This fire is now 3 km from my home. I have our emergency bags packed and they are now by the door. I don’t think we will be any more effected than we are right now, but if the fire comes down the ridge it won’t take long to jump the highway.

I’m already working on the blocks for next quilt top for the Quilts for Lytton. I’m hoping to have at least 2 more before the weekend is over. Then I can order a roll of batting next week when my pension comes and once this fire is under control I can go to the studio to get them finished and delivered.

Thank you for reading my post/update. 😄 Carol

Linking with:

Put Your Foot Down @ For The Love of Geese

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

Peacock Party @ Wendy’s Quilts and More

Felicia’s World Batik Scrappy Fun

It has been an interesting month in my part of the world.

A couple of weeks ago I found myself able to spend time at the studio where I decided I needed to try working with pantos for the first time.

In the week I was there I managed to finish 5 quilts on the frame. As soon as I finished 2 of them, they went out the door before I could get photos!

These two were finished with a free panto, “Funky Feathers” by Urban Elementz. I had to hurry and get them boxed to catch the outgoing mail. No quilted photos available.

My other project was to finish a commission. Since I had practised on 2 of mine I was ready to go with another panto, “Flower Power” by Urban Elementz which D. Had picked.

From start to finish this 100” + 108” finished quilt took me just over three weeks, working in between other projects. I pieced it with Aurifil white thread and tried a new thread, Essentials by Connecting Threads in different shades of grey, for both top and bobbin on my long arm. My backing was a packaged one that my favourite LQS brings in for a decent price. My machine loved it! With the extreme heat wave we had I didn’t finish the binding until this week once I was home. D picked it up and was just thrilled that all she has to do is write a note on the label (an extra block I framed and sewed on the back) for her Granddaughter.

I had been given some wonderful preprinted templates by Felicia’s World for 7” log cabin blocks. I pieced these fun blocks over a couple of months and have shared several sneak peeks of my in progress photos while I was piecing what will be my quilt. I used the treasured scraps from other projects, gifts from a dear friend, fabric I had won from Emily and Maryellen and a few pieces of yardage I had to buy. Having the paper templates made it so easy to keep everything perfectly square and I had no issues with the blocks stretching. The lines on the templates made it so easy to do my final trim before assembling the top.

The top was assembled and borders auditioned:

It was even easy to remove the papers from the quilt blocks once they were sewn together. Here is my finished flimsy (although the squirrels are hovering and telling me I should make it larger 😉):

I really like the on point effect of the centre star.

It was so enjoyable to play with the blocks, auditioning layouts before I settled on the Centre Star. 😄. Felicia gives several examples of various layouts on her website. Just click on the photos above to go to her website

I can highly recommend the templates from Felicia’s World. She has these fun log cabin templates in 4”, 5” and 7” sizes and her quilt patterns and pin cushion patterns are simply incredible!

These are some examples of Felicia’s patterns. Aren’t they just too hard to resist? 😉

I really enjoyed making this quilt and am looking forward to finally keeping one of the quilts I’ve made for my bed. Unfortunately it has now been placed in the To Be Quilted bin, but I have made progress on those bins! 😉 Once the wildfires here are under control, I will be going to the studio for a few days to finish this quilt and as many as I can make for the Lytton Fire Victims on my longarm.

While I was at the studio our Province was under that horrible heat dome. One day our temperature was 52 C in the shade on the deck.

That was June 30, the day that the town of Lytton was burnt to the ground by a wildfire. They had 15 minutes from first seeing the fire to having to leave.

Since I have been home I did finish the binding on this quilt;

I have not done anything else since I got home but work on blocks to make quilts for the survivors of the Lytton Fire. There possibly will be a need for more. As of today 3 cities and 2 more towns are on evacuation alert.

6:00 a.m. Update: 6000 people are now evacuated, a State of Emergency has been declared in British Columbia and military troops are being brought in to help with fire control.

We have 2 wildfires burning here and have been suffering with the smoke. It has been interesting to watch the helicopters picking up the water to dump on the fires. The nearest fire (less than 10 miles now) has tripled in size since yesterday. There were 5 helicopters working on it today. Tonight was the first night I have seen the vivid orange glow on the ridge.

Life is always a grand adventure, isn’t it?

Please take the time to head over to Felicia’s World to check out her patterns and templates. You are sure to find something that you need to create! 😉

Thank you for reading my post. 😉 Carol

Quilts for Wildfire Victims

I’ve received several messages requesting more info on the quilts that are needed.

The first note is that any sized quilts are needed. Whole families have been displaced from the Lytton Fire. The largest wildfires are now burning outside of Kamloops and many hundreds more households have been evacuated. They were going to evacuation shelters in Salmon Arm and Enderby. Those shelters are now full and people are being sent to Kelowna and Chilliwack. As of now neither of the fires within 10 miles of me have necessitated alerts or evacuations.

I am collecting quilts and will go to Kamloops at the end of the month to deliver them to a wonderful woman who is co-ordinating the distribution of the quilts. If you would like me to take your donations, just drop me an email for my address or to arrange a meeting. Quilt Schmilt@gmail.com

The note below was posted on a website and has the addresses of several quilt shops that are accepting donations.

Quilts for Wildfire Victims

We are collecting quilts for people who have been affected by the wildfires in BC. Some of the relocated people from Lytton are currently visiting the Chilliwack Friendship Centre and Heather would like to do a delivery to those people at the end of July. She will be picking up quilts at Tom’s Sewing Centre on Wed July 28. If you have a quilt please drop it off as soon as possible as we do not have enough for this delivery yet.
We want to say thank you to the people who have already donated. Note from Heather McArthurDear fellow quilters, As you will undoubtedly have heard by now, the entire village of Lytton, BC was consumed by a raging wildfire just a few days ago. My heart breaks at this sad news, knowing that over 400 people have lost their homes, their livelihoods, their beloved pets, and even their lives. Together with Heather Fagervik of Heather’s Fabric Shelf in Kamloops, I am organizing quilts to be donated to the victims of the Lytton (and other Interior BC) fires, and hope you can help us. If you would like to donate one or more new or nearly new (but in excellent condition) quilts, you may drop them off at the following locations before July 28, 2021:
Budget Mini Storage 163 Schoolhouse Street, Coquitlam. Drop-off hours: Monday to Saturday 9:00am – 5:00pm and Sundays 12:00-4:00pm

*Please identify your quilts as ‘LYTTON FIRE QUILTS’ when you drop them off*


Tom’s Sewing Centre102 – 8338 120th St.Surrey, BCHours: Monday – Friday 9:30am – 5:30pm, Saturday 9:30 – 5pm

Tom’s Sewing – Burnaby Sewing Centre6190 KingswayBurnaby, BCHours: Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday 10am – 5pm

Countryfolk Fabrics5 – 45802 Luckakuck WayChilliwack, BCHours: Tuesday – Saturday 9:30am – 5pm

Heather’s Fabric Shelf#15-1800 Tranquille Rd.Kamloops, BCHours: Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm

Katja’s Quilt ShopUnit 101 – 1967 Trans Canada Hwy E Kamloops, BCHours: Monday – Saturday 10:00-4:00

Linda’s Quilt Shoppe#114-948 McCurdy Road (by The Brick)Kelowna, BC Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 9am-5pm

Note: You may wish to add a label to your quilt, but it is not necessary. If you choose to add a label, please include your name, date, location, and your guild name – if you belong to a guild. If you have any questions, please contact me: Heather McArthurPort Coquitlam, BCshutupandquilt@telus.netCell: 604-290-3454 Thank you for caring, and thank you for your support

Weekly To-Do and Goals #66

My Weekly Goals – To Do Tuesday #66

Chris at Chris Knits is now hosting the weekly To-Do linky party and it’s always fun to go see what everyone has done and are planning To-Do.

Last week’s list:

1. Get the binding and label on Glacier Ice. Done

2. Keep working on a leader/ender project with my 2 1/2” scrappy squares. Some Progress

3. Work on RSC blocks. Nope

4. Write my Blog Post for the It’s A Guy Thing Blog Hop. Done

5. Start planning my Orange You Glad Blog Hop Project. Some progress

6. Keep avoiding those squirrels. 😉🐿🐿. Didn’t happen. I’ve started working on some quilts for the Lytton Wildfire victims.

This week’s goals:

1. Keep working on quilt blocks for the Lytton Fire Victims.

2. Keep working on a leader/ender project with my 2 1/2” scrappy squares.

3. Work on RSC blocks. Dark blue/brown/ black

4. Keep working on my Orange You Glad Blog Hop Project.

5. Keep trying to avoid those squirrels. 😉🐿🐿

Stitchin’ Time

I’m trying for at least 15 minutes a day, but also want to at least spend 15 minutes tidying up and dealing with scraps.

  • Previous time – 185/199
  • This 1 week period– 7/7
  • Year To Date – 192/206

To see how our blogging friends are doing check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces

Stash Report:

  • Fabric previous balance: 49.5 yards
  • Fabric Used: 0yards
  • Fabric Bought: 0 yards
  • Balance in stash: 49.5 Yards

* my goal is to lessen my stash by 100 yards. 😅

* any fabric used from the scrap bins, was gifted or a prize; doesn’t count as stash

Gail at Quilting Gail created and hosts the PHD in 2021 to keep us finishing those UFOS.
More than halfway to my PHD! 😉

Linking with:

Sunday Sewing

I had some fun today making some blocks for a quilt to send to the Lytton Fire Drive.

This is completely from my scrap bins. I just love the warmth of these brown, rust and tan scraps with the bits of red, blue, orange, yellow and green in the patterns. To me this quilt will ha e the comfort and warmth of a log cabin. I’m doing a wonky log cabin this time. I seem to be on a log cabin kick this year.

I have enough ready to make a quilt top and should get it assembled tomorrow.

Looks like I need to plan another trip to play on my longarm at the studio as soon as the wildfire here is contained.

Thank you for sharing some time with me today. 😁 Carol

Quilts for Lytton

The lives of our friends and neighbours in Lytton B.C. were irreparably changed on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 when 90% of their town was destroyed by fire.

As quilters we comfort with the gift of quilts. Let’s let Lytton residents know how much we care❣️

I decided that since our province is suffering from over 300 wildfires burning in our province, it was time to start doing some quilts for the people in Lytton. The whole community was lost and they only had 15 minutes notice to get out. Some people didn’t even have time to get their beloved pets out.

I am sitting here in my smoke filled valley, watching the helicopters pick up their buckets of water to dump on the wildfire burning just 10 miles from my home. Wildfires have touched my life. I lived in Kelowna during the huge wildfire and saw empty streets with soldiers marching in the streets and having their camp set up on the soccer fields. My BIL lost his home and several people we knew were evacuated. I did animal rescue during the fire and accumulated several new furry friends; llamas, cows, rabbits, chicken and a goose. It was an experience that was not to be forgotten; the glow of the fire lighting the ridges above my home and seeing the trees candling and exploding as they burned. Every morning for over a month, I would be greeted with ash and smoking bits of embers spread all over my truck. Horrifying really,

I checked with friends to find out where I can take finished quilts so I’m going to round up my quilty friends and see what we can do. Anyone want to join in on sharing some quilty hugs?

Thanks for stopping by to read my post. 😁 Carol

Friday Finishing Fun

I’m sitting here with a lap full of fun today and counting this quilt as a finish.

Glacier ice was created as my project for Carla Henton’s Winter Blues Blog Hop in January 2020. You can read my post here for a link to the pattern

I was at the studio a week ago to spend quality time with my longarm. This quilt was quilted with running feathers using white Essentials thread from Connecting Threads.

My Avante loves this thread!

I used a beautiful prepackaged backing. My favourite LQS brings them in and usually sells out in a week 😉

Looking forward to washing this to get that wonderful texture we all love 😉

As of right now, I am sitting here with my lap filled with this sweet quilt, just finishing hand sewing the last 6 inches of binding. I’ll be done by dinner 😁

Now to decide if I should keep this one or use it as the start of a pile of quilts to be donated to the victims of the Lytton, BC fire which demolished the whole town. The residents only had 15 minutes notice to get out with family, the clothes on their back and often were not able to take their pets. It’s heartbreaking and I’m concerned that there will be more devastation with over 300 fires burning and at least 2 cities on evacuation alert. I’m watching the helicopters each day picking up water from the river to dump on the fires just 10 miles from my home.

I’m so glad you stopped by to check out my post. Thank you. I do enjoy reading your comments and reply to every one. 😉 Carol

Linking with:

Sherry @ Powered by Quilting

Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty

Peacock Party @ Wendy’s Quilts & More

TGIFF @ Alycia Quilts

Tish @ Tish in Wonderland UFO Busting

Scrap Happy Day

There are a group of quilters who delight in playing with scraps. They celebrate by posting a show ‘n tell on the 15th of the month.

Occasionally I have something to share. This is one of those months!

While I was suffering from a squirrel attack, I had to pull out my collection of 5” squares from my scrap stash to work a quilt that had me intrigued.

My first version of a Gingham Quilt which I first saw on MMM Quilts. From there I followed the trail of links to the original pattern by Simple Simon and Company . I love how simple this design is!

I’m now working on versions of this quilt in each of the RSC colours. Not sure if I’ll get them all done this year, but it’s fun trying! 😉

Next up on my scrappy list is a pile of blocks I have been working on for a while. I had been saving bits of batiks from other projects, bundles that I won, gifts from amazing friends and a wee bit of yardage I had to purchase to complete the blocks.

This pile of scrappy goodness is now a completed quilt top and will be finished next trip to the studio.

The colours don’t show very well, but it is bright and lively and makes my heart happy 😉

I’m looking forward to finally having a quilt on my bed! The 300+ quilts I have made have either been gifted or donated. I think it’s my turn to enjoy one with so many memories in it. 😉

I do have another scrap project on the go but it’s secret sewing that I can’t yet share 😉

Here is the list of bloggers who participate in Scrap Happy Day:


Kate, Gun,Eva, Sue,Lynn,Lynda,
Birthe,Turid,Susan,Cathy, Tracy,Jill,
Claire,Jan, Moira,Sandra, Chris, Alys,
Kerry, Claire, Jean, Jon,Hayley,Dawn,
Gwen,Bekki,Sue L,Sunny,Kjerstin,
Vera,Nanette, Ann,Dawn 2,Bear,
Carol,Preeti,Edith and Debbierose

Thank you for stopping by to read my post. I enjoy sharing my projects with you and do reply to all comments on my posts. 😉Carol

It’s a Guy Thing Blog Hop Coming Soon

Here’s the schedule for all of the participants in the hop. I’m really looking forward to seeing what everyone has created for our viewing pleasure and inspiration:

July 26

 

Creatin’ in the Sticks

Storied Quilts

Quilted Delights

Samelia’s Mum

Vroomans Quilts

Karen’s Korner

 

July 27

 

MooseStashQuilting

Inflorescence

Becky’s Adventures in Quilting and Travel

Websterquilt

Words & Stitches

Days Filled With Joy

 

July 28

 

Ms P Designs USA

Bumbleberry Stitches

Beaquilter

Lianne Makes Stuff

For The Love Of Geese

Domestic Felicity

 

July 29

 

Scrapdash

That Fabric Feeling

Elizabeth Coughlin Designs

Quilt Schmilt

The Colorful Fabriholic

Songbird Designs

July 30

Just Let Me Quilt

Quilt Fabrication

Kathy’s Kwilts and More

Patchouli Moon Studio

Food for Thought

Mid Year Check In

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl has a yearly resolution linky party to set new goals for the year. Then mid year she has a checkin for us to see how we are doing with keeping our goals.

I had not set my yearly goals this year but if I had it would be to work on clearing up my backlog of UFO’s and to finish any new projects I start to not create and new UFO’s.

How am I doing so far? Here’s my spreadsheet which I’m using to track my projects:

I’m not sure how I’ve done it but I’ve missed some finishes on my list. I’m pleased with my. UFO’s being thinned down and happy that most of this years starts are complete!

My quilting adventure was greatly improved with the purchase of a longarm/frame but it had to be set up at a studio 5 hours drive away. It means I can only get away to play occasionally but it has been a fun learning experience. 😀

Here’s a few of my finishes that I am particularly fond of:

So much fun in all of these different projects!

Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I always respond to and appreciate receiving your comments. 😉 Carol

Linking with:

Mid Year Check In @ Quilting Jetgirl

Weekly To-Do and Goals #65

My Weekly Goals – To Do Tuesday #65

Chris at Chris Knits is now hosting the weekly To-Do linky party and it’s always fun to go see what everyone has done and are planning To-Do.

Last week’s list:

1. Decide border fabrics for my scrappy batik quilt. Decision made and sewn on. It’s now in the To Be Quilted Pile and has officially become a UFO.

2. Keep working on a leader/ender project with my 2 1/2” scrappy squares. No progress

3. Work on RSC blocks. No progress

4. Play with the longarm and finish a UFO or two. 😉 Done and here’s the photos.

1 and 2 are mailed, 3 needs to be finished with Ruler Work and FMQ, 4 needs binding and 5 is delivered. 😄

5. Get the bindings done on at least one of my quilted tops. Finished 3 (didn’t get photos of the first 2 before they were mailed) #4 is ready to go on the quilt, #3 needs more quilting but the binding is ready to go.

6. Keep avoiding those squirrels. 😉🐿🐿

This week’s goals:

1. Get the binding and label on Glacier Ice.

2. Keep working on a leader/ender project with my 2 1/2” scrappy squares.

3. Work on RSC blocks. Dark blue/brown/ black

4. Write my Blog Post for the It’s A Guy Thing Blog Hop.

5. Star planning my Orange You Glad Blog Hop Project.

6. Keep avoiding those squirrels. 😉🐿🐿

Stitchin’ Time

I’m trying for at least 15 minutes a day, but also want to at least spend 15 minutes tidying up and dealing with scraps.

  • Previous time – 180/192
  • This 1 week period– 5/7
  • Year To Date – 185/199

This was a week that I didn’t make my stitching time. One day I had to run errands which meant travelling to Castlegar, Trail and Nelson. That is a full day with all of the driving. I just made it to my Executive Guild Meeting on time when I got back. Thursday we got our second shots in arm and I confess that Friday was spent cuddled under a blanket and napping most of the day.

To see how our blogging friends are doing check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces

Stash Report:

  • Fabric previous balance: 51 yards
  • Fabric Used: 1.5 yards
  • Fabric Bought: 0 yards
  • Balance in stash: 49.5 Yards

* my goal is to lessen my stash by 100 yards. 😅

* any fabric used from the scrap bins, was gifted or a prize; doesn’t count as stash

Gail at Quilting Gail created and hosts the PHD in 2021 to keep us finishing those UFOS.
2 more UFO’s done 😄

Linking with:

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