Post Christmas / Holiday Cheer

I can't believe that we are already into 2016. Where has the time gone?!

I am pleased as punch that I have my first finish of 2016. 

 

It has been a fun journey from start to finish. This was a project started with my friend Wendy. We had been collecting red and white fabric to use in a quilt. It took us a while to decide what block we wanted to do and eventually settled on a Dresden Plate. 

This has been one of the easiest and most satisfying quilts to make. 

It truly went together relatively quickly and easily. Who doesn't love a Dresden Plate?

The blocks are a decent size so it makes for a good size quilt in no time.

  
These are a couple with my favourite centers. I decided to deviate a bit adding the aqua and black colour for a splash to both the centers and the corner block to break up the scrappy sashing.

This was a pretty good stash buster too - Bonus!!

Is this not the cutest and most adorable stocking?! I just got it in the mail from Jen over at Glinda Quilts. She has become a great blogger friend. Check out what she has accomplished.

I've had a glorious 10 1/2 days off work. I have enjoyed recharging, relaxing and having a great time with family over the Christmas break. Christmas day was one of the most fun that we've had for a long time. We laughed until it hurt. 

I trust that your 2016 is wonderful and blessed!

Shauna
 

A Bright Spot in the Week

Why is that the short weeks at work always seem really long? 

I can't say it has been a hard week, just lots to do at work and we are at a time right now where we are checking students to see if they have met their conditions. Sadly some haven't and it's always hard to have to send the letter to let them know that they can't attend the program that they were intending to for the Fall. Much nicer to send out offer letters than rejection letters.

We have had wicked weather this week too! Hail, heavy rain and flooding in some areas of the city. My garden in the front of my house isn't looking as good as it was at the beginning of the week. Oh well, we are at the mercy of the heavens. This is what I came home to Wednesday after work.

That being said, I have been working away on my Dresden Plates. Probably not as diligently as I could but none the less, working away at them. Definitely a bright spot in the week.

I have this lovely stack of 12 Dresden's just waiting to be sewn up.

I managed to get 2 pinned together.

And finally sewn onto the background.

I have been thinking about doing a hexagon shape for the center rather than the normal circle. I've seen one at V and Co's blog about finishing a Dresden. Gives it a unique and nice finish.

One night this week I had to dash out to the drug store. Right beside the drug store is a florist. They had a bucket with the most gorgeous roses outside the door that said 'Free Today'. So was tempted to take all but I resisted and just took one and it has graced my table for the past few days.

Isn't she lovely?

Time to get this day started. I'm off to a birthday party for my 16 year old niece. Oh to be that young again!

Have a beautiful weekend! 

Red, White and all Dresden Up

Friends are like quilts . . .

They never loose their warmth.

I just got to spend my weekend with a special friend who just happens to sew too! 

Wendy and I have been saving our red and white fabric for quite some time as we both wanted to make a quilt with these colours - but nothing christmassy. Last time we were together, we finally hit upon a pattern that tickled our fancy - Dresden Plates. 

 

We bought the EZQuilting Dresden Ruler. What a great ruler, I would highly recommend it.

We started off cutting the 5 inch strips and then the blades using the ruler. Took no time at all and we had enough cut for 2 quilts and most of a third.

We strip pieced the blades and then sat and watched a movie and reruns of Friends as we cut them apart, turned them, ironed and packaged them up to sew into the plates.

We even managed to squeeze a visit to the local quilting store, "Out of Hand".

My little packages are all ready to be sewn together.

And I have one completed!

This is going to be one fun quilt to put together.

Thanks for the great weekend Wendy!

Hope you have all enjoyed your weekend as much as I have. Have a spectacular week!

Shauna

 

Adorable Mini Pants Bag

I followed the tutorial on Jen's blog to make this adorable mini Pants Bag.

The instructions were easy and as she promised, you could finish it in an hour.

I had a few dresden blades left over from another project 

and thought this would add a punch to my bag.

  

Very happy with the results!

And here is the back of the bag.

Make sure you go and visit Jen at Glinda Quilts.

She's always doing such neat things.

Must run!

Shauna