Quilt for a Friend

I seem to be a place in my life when my friend's children are having babies so what does a quilter do?  They put a quilt together.

I was very happy with the way this one turned out. 

The pinning process - thank goodness for space on the kitchen floor . . .

It's girly, pink and cheery. 

 I did the quilting myself and am pleased with it. 

I decided that I would sew on the binding by machine instead of hand sewing it.  I was amazed and very happy with the way it came together.  

I hope the recipient enjoys this as much as I did putting it together.

Since today was valentine's day, I thought I would show you the note and flowers that my daughter delivered to me at work today.  She's very sweet and I will miss her greatly when she moves away to London, England in March.

. . . and hubby and I went to dinner and a movie.

Shauna

21 and Counting

I have been making progress on my hexigon's as I now have 21 flowers completed!

Little drops of sunshine . . .

The beginnings of a flower garden . . .

     

Work in progress . . .

 So enjoyable . . .

Shauna

Where Has the Time Gone?

Here we are already in February and I haven't posted since the middle of January.  

 Time is flying by . . . 

I have been extremely busy at work, staying late and exhausted when I get home at the end of the day.  Have been on the computer but it's been just to play a game and check in with facebook.

Does anyone else out there listen to Jango?  I quite like the mix of music that they offer especially the gospel  mix.  It really lifts you up both at the beginning of the day and at the end.  It does focus you on what really is important.

Here are a couple of pictures from the retreat I went to.  Wouldn't you know it, it was the coldest week of the whole winter season.  -25 plus!!!  Glad it has warmed up.

I started my trip by going to my good friend Wendy's place the night before.  Wendy has been one person that has been there for me through all of my ups and downs.  There is no judgement there and she is such an encourager to me - plus we have quilting in common.  

What more could a girl ask for?

Here's Lynn and Wendy working away.

 . . . and Wendy again with Jean-Ann in the back ground.

 . . . the sweat shop

Notice how nice and sunny it is outside . . . but oh so cold! 

Same pattern . . . different looks.  Both are gorgeous!

I haven't taken any pictures of my project yet.  I have most of the blocks put together and a couple that I have sewed together backwards - so there is some ripping out in my future.  Hopefully next week I'll have something to show.

Shauna

Excitement

I'm getting really excited . . . why, you ask?  I'm off to a quilting retreat this weekend with a really good friend of mine.  It's going to be hard to work this week but what a reward at the end!  This is the second year that I have been able to attend and what fun it will be.  Project that I'm doing is called Bramble Berries "Berry Vines" by The Buggy Barn.

Love, love, love the colours in this project!!!  It has been hard to wait to get started.  I have all the material cut and ready to go so I can start sewing right as soon as I get to the retreat.  

I'm hoping that I will be able to finish the top this weekend.

 

On another note, I have been working on a table runner with these colours for my kitchen table.  Even though it is red and green with a bit of gold, I should be able to use it longer - at least that is what I'm planning to do.  My kitchen counter tops are kind of a mossey green and I have this wonderful wall that I painted more of a brick red and have never regretted my choice.

This is how it starts . . . with a basic four patch.

And later this is what you get . . .

I've been wanting to do this one for a very long time . . .

. . . and I love it!

Well, I guess I should go do something with my house -.  Thanks for checking out blog!

Shauna

Snowflake Table Runner

Put together this table runner for a dear friend of mine.  

She 'loves' the snow and I thought this would be most appropriate for her.

 Love how all of the snowflakes were different.














Would probably do this runner again.

I like the fact that this is not necessarily Christmassy but will do for most of the winter.  Which if you live in Calgary, know that this can last for many months! 

Shauna

A Little of This . . . a Little of That

Christmas has come and gone and so has the the beginning of 2012.  I hope all had a great holiday  celebrating the wonder of the season.  

My youngest sister has a two year old and my other sister is a foster mom of little children.  Always adds a neat dimension to Christmas celebrations to see things through a child's eye.  They were all so cute!

Thought I would post a picture of my Christmas Tree.  I think it was quite lovely this year.  It's been around the block a time or two but reminds me of a victorian christmas tree.

What would be a Christmas break without a puzzle to do?

I have been busy quilting too . . . here are two cathedral window pin cushions that I whipped up over the break.  They were quick and easy once I got my machine whipped into shape.  Amazing how well a machine will work when it is all cleaned and oiled up with a new needle.  Don't know why I don't do that more often!

I got the tutorial from Kim at My Go-Go Life.  You ought to try your hand at them.

Wishing everyone the best for 2012.  Only look ahead - never back!

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