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

Scattered Leaves

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me,

fluttering from the autumn tree."

- Emily Bronte

  

We have been having the most beautiful autumn so far. The weather has been relatively nice with the leaves on the trees falling at a rapid rate.

I had a bundle of fall fabrics which have colours that I am not normally drawn to. I was surprised when I found these among my stash and I think I found the perfect project for them - Modern Maple quilt. I bought this bundle quite a while back from Connecting Threads. 

I found the Modern Maple quilt here and used this tutorial for making the blocks from Nicole at Modern Handcraft Blog here. Not difficult but just nice to have some tips to help you accomplish your goal.

I hit upon an idea awhile back to buy scrap bookers storage containers. You can see one of them with my finished leaves on the table. They were on sale really cheap a couple of weeks ago at Michaels so bought a couple to separate and keep straight all my in-progress projects together. They are the perfect size and hold a fair bit.

I'm sorry but I can't resist showing you some sunset pictures from the other evening.

The colours were amazing. This one was particularly beautiful with it's warm colours. It was almost like being wrapped up in a quilt.

The glow was amazing.

I'm not sure it can get any better. Possibly the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen.
 

Have a great week!

Shauna

 

 

Visit With a Sweet Friend

Earlier this summer, I had a chance to drive up from Calgary to Rocky Mountain House to visit a dear friend of mine. We figure that we have know each other for 45 - 50 years.  Now that's a long time!!

We just seem to pick up where we left off each time we have the chance to get together which isn't often enough.

 While I was there we took a drive out to Twin Lakes and went for a short walk. It's such a beautiful spot to take in the scenery and motor boats are not allowed on the lake so it was nice and quiet.

I could just sit all day and drink in this view.

I liked the way the lily pad picture turned out. I think it looks almost like a Monet painting. Would make an interesting quilted wall hanging.

It truly was a beautiful day out in the woods, enjoying nature with a dear friend. 

I wish all summer days could be like this.

 

We have had spectacular sunsets and yesterday the sun was a bright red. Probably due to the may forest fires we have going on in Alberta and BC right now. 

Hope you are enjoying your summer.

Shauna

 

Treasure Hunting

So today was a fun day.

A friend at work and I went to an estate sale on our lunch break.

Lots of interesting things in an older house,

probably from the 30's or 40's in an older area of the city.

I came away with a few treasures.

Aren't these lovely?

My birthday is in June so pearls are my birthstone.

The colour on this strand is exquisite. 

Very pearly in colour.

Was hard to photograph and get the colour right.

And this little gem . . .

Isn't it pretty?

Again more pearls and the blue stones really add to the piece.

I rarely, if ever buy myself jewelry and here I found two

pieces that I really liked.

And the last item I picked up was these lovely pink pillow cases.

 

 Such lovely work on them and I thought they were charming.

Having done cross stitch myself in the past, I can really appreciate

the work that has gone into making these pretty.

I spent a whopping $12 for all these goodies that tickled my fancy.

I've still be working on my wedding ring quilt - what else is new!

 This week I got the corner stones sewn up for the 4th row.

 

Each row gets better and better and easier to put together.

As much as I complain about this quilt, I am so happy that I am making it.

It really is turning out to be quite nice.

I will once again end with a couple of sunset pictures.

Happy end to your week!

Shauna

Melons in the Making

 I haven't posted for a while and thought it was time . . .

I have been very busy at work and also around the home.

Life never seems to slow down it seems.

I'm sure everyone is tired about hearing about my double wedding ring quilt,

but it is what I have been working on.

 I don't really want to put it away until it is done.

What you see here is melon production going on here.

Happy to report that I have 3 rows together - 

a 4th ready to sew on

and . . .

drum roll please . . .

just about enough melons for row 5.

After that I will finally be on the last row.

Yeah!!!!

While I was on holidays, I started something new and finished two blocks.

They're kinda cute.

Just needed to do something different . . .

I bet you all understand.

A couple of days ago we had rain - the first in quite a while.

It felt so refreshing.

July 31, we had the most incredible sunset. 

I think it had to do with a lot of smoke in the air 

but none the less, it was beautiful.

 

 

What are you working on these days?

I find it's harder in the summer than in the winter.

One wants to be outside more than inside sewing.

Hope you all have a good weekend.

Shauna

Bogged Down

If I spent as much time sewing as I do looking at quilting blogs

or watching Midsomer Murders on NetFlix,

I'd have a finished product to show you this week.

I'm having a hard time keeping focused to finish off 

this wedding ring quilt.

All I can say is that it's a good thing that neither of my kids

are even close to getting married.

Maybe that's the problem - maybe I need a deadline

to get this one done!

I still only have one completed row done but well on my way to getting a second.

Could get that much done this weekend if I chip away at it.

My birthday was a couple of weeks ago and my daughter

bought me this beautiful bouquet of flowers.

I absolutely LOVE the colours.

Wouldn't they look great in a quilt?

Some of my favourite flowers are represented here.

Lately we have had the most spectacular sunsets.

Here's a couple from two different nights.

 

One can't hold a candle to the beauty that God has created for us to enjoy.

Wishing you all a beautiful weekend!!

Shauna

Tessellating Crosses

Last weekend was spent at a lodge outside of Caresland

with a group of sewing friends our annual January quilting retreat.

I think this has been my fourth year in a row that I have been able to go.

It's a lodge that is right on the Bow River and is in an idyllic setting.

The sad thing is that the current owners are not 

continuing with the running of the lodge themselves 

so it looks like this will be the last year.

There are other events planned with the some of the same group 

so that's good news.

Just last night I finished the center of my tessellating crosses quilt

that was started at the retreat.

I'm thinking of framing it with a very thin red, a wider cream 

and then perhaps a darker brown border.

I'm very happy with the fabric that I chose for this pattern as I think it suits it well.

What's not to love with a pink and brown combination?

Almost like a valentine theme?

mmm . . . crosses remind me of the ultimate sacrifice of love.

At this point in time, I'm not sure who it will be for.

I am trying to get a few lap size quilts done up this year.

I think they are just right size if you need a gift 

for someone going through a tough time 

or just nice to have on hand.  

We'll just have to see where this takes me. 

From my window tonight I can see this beautiful sunset.

Beautiful mountains peaking through.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Shauna

Mini Retreat Quilting Weekend

It's always so much fun to spend a weekend with a quilting friend!!

My friend is part of a group of quilters who get together regularly to quilt in a

community hall in a small town called Kircaldy in southern Alberta.

One of the gals was hosting a tutorial on a double wedding ring quilt.

It was a chance to learn to sew curves 

and have fun with others who share the same passion of quilting.

It started off with a cup of coffee and a lovely gluten free pumpkin loaf.

One would never have known it was gluten free - it was that good.

There was much cutting of material and Brenda was determined 

that we would get to a certain stage in our progress 

so we would know how to sew those curves and put pieces together.

I'm so glad that she did that as now I have a completed first block.

I had agonized over my colour choice and now I don't know why

'cause I am lovin' my choices.

I sewed that with my own hand - curves and all!!

Lunch was a wonderful tasting taco salad 

with yummy chocolate cake and a strawberry frozen dessert.

Quilters not only know how to quilt 

but they also know how to put a lovely food spread together!

Brenda was so generous in letting me take home her templates so that I could finish up my cutting.  

I was going to stay for most of today, 

finish up my cutting 

and drive back later today, 

however, this is what the world now looks like now.  

Yesterday was a balmy 17 degrees in the Vulcan area.

So glad I made the choice to drive home sooner than later.  

As it was, the roads were harrowing and it was not the most pleasant of drives.  

Just was so glad to walk in the front door of my place 

and thank the good Lord that I made it safely.

I won one of the door prizes at the mini retreat.

Isn't that just the cutest tin box!!

Am going to love that little light while sewing 

and to have an extra long measuring tape with 'big' numbers is great!

Yesterday we were blessed with the most gorgeous sunset.  

There is nothing quite as beautiful as a prairie sunset!

Hope you all have a week!

Shauna