Finishes

Time seems to be flying by rapidly and I'm soaring along quite nicely. I don't seem to have the time to spend on my blog like I should so am going to try to make an effort to blog at least once a month.

Writing has never been something that I've enjoyed so it's not high on my list of things to do. I don't mind doing little snatches as on instagram or facebook but to sit down and write I often don't make the time.

I've had a few finishes and a couple of quilts have gone to new homes.

So to start off the tour, I guess I need to go way back to Christmas. Here is my delightful little wall hanging up and being enjoyed! The pattern was free from Sew Kind of Wonderful. I don't see it up on the site right now though. Check out their patterns using the quick curve ruler. It's fun and easy!

Early in the year I finished a quilt for my mom. She has always loved blue and white so this one really was for her right from the beginning. I'm really glad I made it for her and was happy that she loved it. I quilted it myself and had no end of trouble with eyelashing on the back. None the less, it got done and is being loved.

My next quilt I've called 'Chocolate and Raspberries'. I love the colour combination and the pattern. It was gifted to a friend who is special and needed a boost. This friend is always giving to others and deserved a little hug through a quilt.

 
Again, I quilted it myself and other than the border, I just did straight line quilting. Not perfect lines by any means as I mostly eyeballed it but was happy with the result. I know this quilt is being loved!

One more quilt was finished and gifted to a special friend who became a grandma for the first time. Not sure that I will every be a grandma so I have to live vicariously through my friends and their grandkids. That's okay, my life is busy and full of joy.

 
I quilted this one too and had such fun with it. I was pleased with the final result on this one.

My friend Jen from Glinda Quilts is an advid quilter and loves quilting a lot! She organized getting a group of quilters to make a placemat and bag for Chernobyl children who go to Wales for a period of time in the summer. The children then get to take home their items. Such a worthy cause!! I made both a placemat and bag to send overseas.

 
Happy colours to brighten a little ones day! 

This is a project that I've been working on lately. Have finished a couple of the blocks. The quilt was a kit I bought at a garage sale for a very good price which included the sashing, blocks and pattern to be made up. Of course I had to purchase as the pattern was called 'Paris in Spring'. 

  
Last but certainly not least this is my latest finished top. Have yet to put it together and I really should have it done by July 1, Canada's 150 birthday.

Very happy with the colour choices. All of the fabric was purchased online at Sew Sisters. I just love their selection and the fabric is always top notch. I have never been disappointed with anything that I've purchased from them. They are very helpful and personal. Take time to check them out if you haven't already.

Well, I think that covers the last 5 months of 2017. I will really try to get back here more often.

Enjoy your weekend and the beginnings of summer! I know I will!!

Shauna  

Being Intentional

It has been a while again since I've posted anything. Last I did I was in the midst of getting well from my breast cancer scare. I am so glad that 2016 is finally over and done with and I have the hope and promise of 2017. Also glad that I have been cured. I don't take it lightly as I know many who are walking the cancer road. Not much fun!

 

 My chosen word for 2017 is 'Intentional'. I hope to do things with great intention this year. I hope to be an encouragement to those I know and those who I meet. I'm not perfect, just working on it! 

We've had such a cold snap the last couple of weeks and finally it's warming up considerably. This is great news since I have been walking to and from work. Have to watch the sidewalks though, because warmer weather means more icy sections. The sunrises have been spectacular though and I often find myself stopping and taking a photo or two despite the cold.

Last year, I did finish my Aviatrix Medallion quilt top and have yet to sandwich it together. I'm just trying to decide how I should really quilt it. I'm not the best at top stitching and thinking I should save up to have it done. It was such a fun journey in the midst of health challenges. I have to say this IS my favourite quilt to date!!!

Through out last summer I did up a few more hexagons. The quilt itself is starting to take shape. It is another that will be bright and cheery.

Last October I had the privilege of getting out to Victoria to visit my son Graham. It had been a long while between visits. It's always nice to see your children in their elements. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of us together but it was a really nice trip. I'm always happy when I can be by the ocean. It just seems right for me!

December found me celebrating Christmas with both of my children at my parents house. Elyse has moved back to Calgary and is currently living with me and Graham grabbed a last minute flight from Victoria to Calgary to join with the family. So nice to have both of them around. 

I made a small wall hanging for my living room to hang up for Christmas. Very pleased with the colours and the results. I used my Quick Curve Ruler.

I am now currently preparing some projects for my annual quilting retreat at the end of this month. Next posting I will show you what I've got planned once I have them ready.

Enjoy the upcoming week and live intentionally.

Shauna

 

  

Musings of a Creative Mind

Again, it's been a long time! I'm really not sure where this year has gone. 

I have been watching Raiders of the Lost Art on NetFlix and have enjoyed learning about artists of times past. Some, of course, I like better than others but there is always some great stories that emerge. I find it interesting that most artists don't enjoy the fruits (monetarily speaking) of their labour while they are alive. Often times their style changes as they emerge as an artist and can take a while to unearth their unique style.

This made me muse about my quilting. I think when I first started, I was really into more traditional patterns and darker colours. I still really like them and find pleasure in most of my older quilts. 

 

Lately though, I find that the farther down this quilting road I go that I lean more towards a modern, happy bright colours. 

I can just see one of my quilts selling for cool 154 million dollars hundreds of years after I'm gone (haha, tongue in cheek of course). The auctioneer will lift up one of my quilts saying this was one of Shauna's earlier quilts done in the early 2000's. It's a rare piece as she moved towards the modern movement later on in her life. She studied under the tutelage on the internet of such works of Elizabeth Hartman, AmandaJean from Crazy Mom Quilts or Red Pepper Quilts. 

Too sad what one thinks about when they've been off work for too long!! Chances are my quilts will never be finished before I'm gone - too many WIP's hanging around. I'm not sure they will be worth anything other than family heirlooms.

Enough of my musings . . .

I have been working hard on my Aviatrix Medallion Quilt. So enjoying this journey. This quilt really does make my heart sing! 

Border three is attached.

 Border four is on.

Working on Border five. So much fun, so much colour!
 

I also worked on my Film at Five quilt. The top is finished. I have the backing and batting so now need to put together.

 

Since last reporting, I've also done up three pillowcases for a friend. Can't show you yet until I hear that I can put out pictures. 

Looks like I'll be heading back to work on a gradual basis starting August 2. Looking forward to getting into a routine and putting this cancer journey in the past.

Hope all is well in your world . . .

Shauna

 

Aviatrix Journey

One can always find something to make their heart sing. Quilting, friends, iced coffee, homemade iced tea and gardening are just a few. What makes your heart sing??

I have had a little of bit of time lately to work on my Aviatrix quilt. I just love all of the bright colours but I'm not going to lie, it has been a challenge!

I made myself a chart which was very helpful and would recommend if you plan to take on this quilt or any other that has lots of colours.

What I have liked about working on this quilt is that you pretty well cut out all of the pieces ahead of time. Then when you sit down to sew, you can sew.

Not perfect by any means and I must admit it does irk me a little but I'm trying to let it go.

Here's a picture of with the first border - a variation of grays. Not the best picture or lighting.




Then the second border with nice bright and cheery colours. I'm liking it a lot!!

I started on the third border . . . I can tell, it's going to be another fun one.

A friend come over this week  to help me with my yard work. It seemed daunting to me and I don't have any of the necessary tools. I should keep my eyes open for a shovel and a rake at garage sales this summer. So once we got it whipped into shape a little better, I bought a couple of perennials that I put into the ground. The more perennials that I get in the less it will cost as the years go by (I'm hoping). I like low maintenance!! If I had my way, I'd do what my neighbour did and just have a big patio. For now though, I'll continue to work with what I have.

I went from this . . . .

To this  . . .
 

Today was beautiful so once I got the plants in I sat and read while sipping my homemade iced tea.

Hope your weekend is going as nicely as mine is.

Shauna

Too Long and Lots of Water Under the Bridge . . . .

Okay, it's been too long when you have to think long and hard about what you password is. 

Sheesh . . .

I've had a busy couple of months but not doing 'fun' stuff like quilting. In early January, I found out some not so nice news, had surgery in February, am recovering and awaiting further treatments. Yes that's right, I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. Unfortunately for me, it runs in my family!! My mom is a survivor and I have a whole new appreciation of the things she went through about 15 years ago. 

Hence, the lack of quilting and fun around here. Just this past week I pulled out the aviatrix medallion quilt kit that I got for my birthday last year. 

This one will be a challenge for sure. Lots of little pieces and I haven't really worked with templates too much so it will be interesting. But just look at all the luscious colours!

 This is my attempt to organize all those little pieces.

I took an afternoon awhile back to make up my bias binding and sew it onto my wedding ring quilt. Still working on hand sewing it down on the back. It sure will be nice to have it finished and on the bed where it truly belongs. I love bias binding! Have you tried it?

I have been given such a wonderful gift from a friend that I met down in the Vulcan area and on the January retreat that I was at. She gifted me a beautiful embroidery machine that was unused. Thanks Ev! I tried it out just a couple of days ago and created this. I can think of many possibilities for this little machine.

Spring has sprung early in our neck of the woods. Generally, we don't really get nice warm weather until after the long weekend in May. Last Fall I planted some irises as they are one of my long time favourites. I was surprised when I saw them coming up because a few years ago I planted tulips and not one popped up. I guess I was lucky this this round.

Weeds and all . . . those thistles always seem to pop up too! Wonder how that happens?!

Just look at how much my rhubarb has grown. I can see stewed rhubarb and rhubarb pie in my future.

Well, I have to say that the hope of spring is very real for me this year. I have made it through surgery and just a round of radiation to go in late May. Looking forward to getting on to the next few months and life in general.

Have a great weekend!!

Shauna

January Retreat

I cannot believe how fast January has whipped by ... it seems I am saying that more and more these days. 

There were a group of us that used to go to a retreat every January and then the place that we had our retreat no longer was available. I think it's been a couple of years since we were able to get together. What a lovely group of ladies who gathered. Each one was so very talented and offered so much to the group.

I started off by making valentines but still have to put them together. Have been debating what to do for sashing therefore I haven't finished it. There are nine and should make a lovely wall hanging.

Then I worked from start to finish on a Christmas quilt that I have had for a while. It was a kit and I took the time to cut out all of the fabric before I went. I love that it old fashioned.

The camp we were at is in a beautiful setting. Just before we got there they had just had snow. It warmed up considerably and was very windy and most of the snow disappeared. There is something beautiful about winter photography landscapes.

I also got another swoon block completed. It's happy as usual. I think I have 4 completed now.

I was really productive at the retreat. Felt so good to just sit and sew. I also started to put together a kit that I've also had for a very long time. It is not really colours I gravitate to now but it is a lovely quilt and I will finish it. Perhaps it will be one to donate or gift.

The setting was just perfect for taking pictures of quilts outside and could not resist taking a picture of my dresden plate. It just looked so wonderful with

the colour against the backdrop of drabness.

 

Well, this entry has been long enough. I will leave you with a picture that was greeting me as I drove back to my place. Always nice to get away, but always nice to land back at home.

Have a wonderful week!

Shauna