Loopy

 I had a very busy weekend that just past.

I spent time with a dear friend whom I haven't seen for a couple of years.  It's amazing to me that we can just pick up where we have left off.

I also went to a ladies conference that my mom invited me to at her church.  The speaker was a Professor that I had when I went to college.  Nice to see her again and also to meet some new people as well as renewing some old friendships.

In spite of my busy weekend, I started quilting the quilt top that I got done at the retreat.

I'm afraid that I defaulted to doing something easy (loops) so that I could get it done faster and send it off to the recipient.

 I should be able to get this accomplished this week.

On another note, I finished a book just the other day.  

It was called, Perfect Square by Vannetta Chapman.

It's an Amish Mystery story and was pretty good.  

Light and a good read for bed time.

Even though it is a fiction book, there are a couple of quotes that I would like to pass on.

". . . . Callie realized there was only one explanation for those things.  Their lives were stitched together by a divine quilter, and she could trust the pattern would be a good one."

" . . . you can't turn back and choose a different path.  Live the life you've been given."

Good words to live by!

And one more thing . . . I won a pants bag over at Glinda Quilts the other day . . . sooo exciting!

Enjoy your week!!

Shauna

All Over the Place

I commented to a friend this week that I must have ADD when it comes to quilting . . .

I'm all over the place and this week I don't have much to show for my efforts or lack thereof.

I got myself a library card . . . great deal!! as I can't afford to indulge in any new quilting magazines and books right now so have found a treasure trove at the library.   

It's fun too 'cause one can browse through the books and then when you want to purchase, you've made an informed decision. 

I have two finishes this week,  one I can't show as it is for a friend and the other finish that I do have, has nothing to do with quilting . . .

I am slowly getting some of pictures framed from my Europe trip 

and this lovely picture has made the cut.

I love the frame that I found for this picture.  To me it is very french and suits the picture well.  I loved being in Europe and among all of the wonderful history that is there.  Being in London, then Paris and Bologna, I was really captivated with French architecture and Versailles very interesting and opulent.  Where I live in western Canada, it's too new to have that kind of history - interesting for sure, but very different.

On to fabric . . . 

I have a quilting retreat coming up shortly so have been going through my stash to see what I should work on.  I have someone close to me who is going through cancer right now and is doing treatments so want to make a lap quilt for her.

Here is what I have pulled from my stash.

Aren't these just the most beautiful colours.  I'm really excited to get started on this quilt and will try to get a good portion of it cut out before the retreat so that I can sew, sew, sew!

I even have backing fabric in my stash so it should come together quickly.  I find it interesting that we have what we need when we need it and this is proving to be the case in this situation.

 . . . and people laugh at me for buying fabric and stashing it!!! Can you believe that?!

 

Speaking of sewing, I purchased a smaller Janome to take to retreats with me.  

The one that I have at home and love is soooo heavy to cart around so I am looking forward to putting less strain on my arm and shoulder.

Also at the retreat we are going to be making Neonatal quilts for the hospital and I was very pleased at the material that I found.  I'm looking forward to working on this too.  

As I post this, I am listening to a French station from Paris . . . I find it rather soothing while I do other things, like post, cut fabric or sew.  

I guess I am hoping that I'll pick up French by osmosis.  

Don't think it's going to happen though!  :)

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and that the sun shines where you are 

 - if not outside, at least in your heart!

I'm linking up with AmandaJean as I technically have a quilting finish (even though I can't show right now) and a picture framed.

Shauna

Thankful

As we express our gratitude, 

we must never forget that 

the highest appreciation is not to utter words, 

but to live by them. 

- John F Kennedy

What a wonderful day thanksgiving is! 

It allows us to take a look at the past year and add up all of the many blessings we have. 

What are you thankful for?

Although this year has been hard in many ways,

I have my health,

a wealth of friends,

a wonderful family,

two wonderful grown children,

plenty of food for each day,

a great job,

and a place to lay my head at night.

The greatest and most significant thing that I am grateful for is the love that the Lord has for us.  

It is unconditional, vast and wide.  

Yummy turkey dinner that mom cooked.  Can you tell that I like gravy?

 

Good old standby - pumpkin pie and whipped cream.

No dieting on this day!

I have been admiring the Swoon Block for a long time now.  

Today I decided to tackle putting one together and I am in love.  

Can hardly wait to make another.

Happy thanksgiving all!

Shauna

Busy!

I've had many projects on the go and these are just a few of the ones that I have been working on.  

I've made 5 of these scarfs - so much fun and quick to do.  I like to maximize my time so I wondered why I couldn't do two at a time on one set of needles.  Just had to try it and it worked like a charm.

 

Next thing I accomplished was to do a baby card for a young couple at church for their first little one.  Took the card to work to show some co-workers and wouldn't you know it - left it there and I was planning to drop off my gift that evening.  So I came home and whipped up another one which I thought turned out much better than the original.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of the second one which I ended up giving the couple but here is a picture of the first.  The bear in the second one didn't turn out looking so 'angry'!

 

Then I had the privilege of having my 12 year old niece come and spend Friday night and Saturday with me to do some sewing.  She wanted to learn to quilt and not that I am an expert but I shared what I know with her and we had lots of fun.  She did everything from sewing to designing and ironing.  The only thing that I took care of was the cutting.  I didn't want to end up spending our time together in the emergency.

I think Alyssa did amazing in designing and putting together all of the pieces that we had to work with.  She kept measuring it by laying beside it to make sure it was long enough so now my job is to get it done before she outgrows it! lol

Great job Alyssa!!  I can see a future of quilting for you.

Shauna

Projects

Lately I have been spending my time at the cutting board.  Haven't felt like sewing the last couple of days but have been very productive in cutting all of the material up for my hidden stars quilt.  I think this quilt will be very restful.  I just love the colours!  The stars will be in an off white that I purchased from Fabricland in Calgary.  They had the quilters cotton for a really good price so sprang for a few meters.  It feels very nice and is cutting up nicely.

A friend at work started knitting a scarf with this really neat yarn by Red Heart Boutique called Sashay so of course I had to stop at Walmart and buy myself a ball.  I'm not a great knitter but this is sooo easy to do!  Here's what I have accomplished so far.

A few weeks ago my son came down for a visit with his girlfriend Miyuki and her friend Kurara.  It was so good to see him even though it was short and sweet.  He is a very mature and sensitive person so spending time with him is a pleasure.  It's too bad though, that they won't be here for thanksgiving.
                                                                                                                           

My mom and dad came for a visit so they could see Graham and we did get a picture of the occasion.  Unfortunately, Peter and I ended up in different pictures so he won't show in the one I'll post and Elyse was unable to come for supper that night.   Never the less, we still had a nice visit.

Splendor

I woke up this morning thinking of the Chris Tomlin song called How Great is Our God.  He based this song on Psalms 93 and 104.  If you don't know the words, he writes in the first verse:

The splendor of a King, clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice

He wraps himself in Light, and darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice

How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God

 

And then I saw the most spectacular sky this morning. 

 

I've been playing around with some fabric that a friend gave me for my birthday and think that this is the beginning of a table runner.  What do you think?? 

My Grandma and Quilting

I have always been in love with quilts. 

This is a picture of my Grandma's sewing machine.  Nothing fancy or complicated but boy could she sew.  She would make quilts for everyone in the family as well as the MCC (Mennonite Central Committee).  Many people have be fortunate to have a quilt or pillow made by my Grandma.  I've had my quilt from Grandma for almost 50 years now!!  Sure it's tattered in places but it has been loved and is one of my most cherished possessions.  Grandma's quilts were never made from elaborate patterns nor did they have fancy applique on them, but they were made with love.

I was not a quilter while Grandma was alive and that is sad to me.   I would love to sit and chat with her and learn all of her tricks.  She was a master at picking out colours and putting squares together.  Her mitered corners are next to none!

Inspiration for my quilting has come from my Grandma as well as the myriad of books that I love to look at and read and blogs that inspire me.  I have a niece who is now learning to sew and hopefully one day I can share some of the things that I have learned along the way with her.  That would make my Grandma proud!