Bagged . . .

. . . in more ways than one!

I've been sick for the last couple of days so I feel like I am literally 'bagged'.  

Only working two days this week but it feels longer than it should 

. . . looking forward to the weekend for sure.

Since this is a quilting blog, there is another reason why I am 'bagged'.

 I have caught the bug and have been in love with making bags . . . just last week I made this fabric basket.

My latest is based on the friendship bag by Rachel at ps i quilt.  I found a bigger version of it somewhere in blog land.  I'm sorry, I should have taken note where I found the bigger dimensions but didn't so am unable to give credit where credit is due.

But . . . .

 I think this the cutest bag ever!  

I just did a very simple zig zag stitch for my quilting.

Every hand work project should have it's own hand made bag, right?!

This one now holds my hexies so that I can carry them with me to have 

handy to work on where ever I happen to be.

 Linking up with Finish it Up Fridays.

Enjoy your evening!

Shauna

Quick Finish

What a fun way to spend an evening . . .

making the cutest Fabric Basket.  I used the tutorial that Ayumi made 

over at the Pink Penguin.  Go and check out her blog when you have a minute.

 

It only took me just over 2 hours from start to finish!

Ayumi's instructions are very clear and easy to follow.

 I'm sure I will make a couple more and I think I may try my hand at a larger one.

Look at the cute as a 'button' fabric that I've used.

 

Linking up with Finish up Fridays at Crazy Mom Quilts. 

Go and take a peek to see what everyone else is doing.

Shauna

Working Hard or Hardly Working . . . .

I've been revisiting a couple of the projects that I have on the go.

It looks like I am starting to making headway on both of them.

I have 33 of these blocks done up.  When I calculate I think I will need 36 blocks to make this quilt on point.  I've been wanting to make a Christmas quilt for some time time now so am glad that I've gotten this far.  

I'm either behind or well ahead of schedule for the holidays!

I prefer to think the later.

I will need to purchase fabric for sashing and also for the set in triangles.  

Any ideas as to what colour I should use?  

I've also been sitting and working on my hexies in the evenings and finding it quite relaxing.

I now have 38 of these completed.

I love them because they are so cheery and can brighten up a dreary winter evening.

Hope you all are enjoying your weekend!

Shauna

First Finish of 2013

I am determined to finish up some of the quilts and projects that I have had sitting around for a while.  2013 is the year to finish what I have started.

I affectionately call this quilt the 'Ugly Quilt'.  Poor thing!!

I ended up with these fat quarters that I purchased on line and when I got them I was not enamored with the colours and pondered what to do with them.  They are very different than what I would normally pick.  I'm a soft and delicate or bold colour person.

I think I found the pattern for this quilt in a magazine, not even sure now, it's been so long since I have had it on the go.

I spent a fair amount of time quilting it thinking what a waste of time on a quilt that I had determined was 'ugly', however, the more time I spent with it, it began to grow on me.  I even sat with it today around my shoulders and you know what, I kind of like it now.

I chose to stitch in the ditch around the lighter pieces and then do geometric shape in the darker, bigger squares.

The backing and binding is an oatmeal colour called Quaker Cloth from Walmart.

All said and done, it's not a bad little quilt.

The size is 59 x 49.  Just big enough to cuddle up with and take an afternoon nap.

I guess I should rename it, but for now, it shall remain, 'The Ugly Quilt'.

Update:  One friend suggested I call this quilt 'Quaint' and another friend says that it reminds her of the wind and sea eroded buildings on the maritime shoreline.  I can totally see that so yes, it is growing on me.

I'm linking up with Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts.  I sure appreciate that she hosts our finishes

Shauna

 

Placemats, Eiffel Tower and Coffee

My son and his girlfriend live in a different city from where I am so. . . . 

 was not able to see them this Christmas.

I did send a package to them and in the package I made two place mats.  I didn't have a clue as to what colours they would like so just picked something that I thought was more or less neutral.  

I just love the soft colours that I chose and think they turned out good.

I did get a call on Christmas day with thanks for the place mats so I think that they were liked.

I've made several place mats now using this pattern.  They whip up pretty quick and they seem to be my 'go to' pattern.

As I write this I am listening to my Jazz in Paris CD by Django Reinhardt called Nuages that I picked up in Bologna Italy.

I must admit that I have been thinking of my recent trip to London, Paris and Italy and how fantastic it was!!!!   It was a delight to be able to share my experiences with my daughter.   Wished that my son could have joined us to enjoy the sights and sounds.  

I was able to cross a couple of places that were on my bucket list.  One of course was Paris . . . if you have never been, it should be on your list.  Paris is everything they say it is and more.  We only scratched the surface and I am hoping that someday in the future that I can once again go back.

We decided to save the Eiffel Tower for the night time when it is all lit up.  My daughter knew exactly what train exit we should take and she didn't disappoint.  We came up and around the corner of a building and there was the Eiffel Tower.

So beautiful! It took your breath away!

We walked right under the tower.  Very impressive!!

Both of my children are big into coffee.  They both have and are working as Baristas, drink coffee and my son just recently acquired his own Cafe in Victoria, B.C. so it was very fitting that in London, Paris and Italy we sought out good coffee places to try. 

This coffee was from a place called Telescope in Paris.  

Beautiful little coffee shop with personality.  

This coffee was very good but expensive as most things are in Paris. 

It was at a cafe called La Cafeotheque.
Very nice quaint place that felt like you were in Paris.

Just before we went to the Eiffel Tower we stopped at a cafe called Coutume Cafe.  We needed to warm up as we had gotten soaked on our adventures that day and the temperature was hovering around the 2 or 3 and we were very chilly.

I thoroughly enjoyed this decadent coffee / chocolate drink along with Pavlova and several pasteries.
Beautiful little spot!!

Loved this cappuccino at a little cafe in Bologna, Italy.  I don't know what the name of the cafe was but I would dare say that it was one of the best that I had on the trip.

This cafe was very small and very busy but a neat atmosphere!

Take time during your busy day to listen to some inspiring music 

while drinking a cup of your favourite drink.

Thanks for visiting!

Shauna

New Year and Blessings

I do believe that there are blessings that happen all of the time.

. . . . but if you are like me, I don't see them

 . . . and if I do, I sometimes choose to ignore them.

 

Not this YEAR!

 

All of my blessings are going to be written down on beautiful, fancy paper

and placed in a jar that I decorated.

Next New Year's Eve, I will have a read through my blessings and reflect on this visible reminder of God's hand on my life.

 

This, of a sort, will be my new year's resolution.

I don't usually make resolutions but I do plan to stick to this throughout the year.

On my jar, I have a verse that says . . .

 

Yesterday is but a dream,

tomorrow but a vision.

But today well lived makes every yesterday

a dream of happiness,

and every tomorrow a vision of hope.

Indian Proverb                       

So many times I get tunnel vision and only think of the 'bad' things that happen in my life.

I hope this year that I not only see the blessings in my life 

but that I am a blessing to others who I come in contact with.

 How do you plan to mark 2013?

Shauna

Pinwheel Delight

Here's a quick little finish. . .

A delightful pinwheel baby quilt.  Love how it is girly and pink.

If I haven't said it before, I LOVE making baby quilts.  

They are generally  quick and I like that I can try out new blocks to see if I enjoy making them. 

This one is for a gal at work who had a little one.

I trust you are all ready for the Christmas Season and will enjoy being with your family and friends.  Take time to contemplate the awesome gift of God's Son to us.

I'm linking up with Finish up Fridays by AmandaJean at Crazy Mom Quilts.  Take a moment to check out what everyone else is doing.

I'm linking up with Michelle at Michelle's Romantic Tangle.

Shauna