I love Tablerunners

This tablerunner is a pattern called "Little Charmers III".  There are 3 patterns in the pamphlet.  I used Moda Charm Squares "Objects of Desire" and the fabrics from the same line for the background and backing.  It is very bright and summery.  I tried to do some free motion quilting but I am not very good at it.  I really think that I have to practice some more.  I usually use some of my fancy patterns on my Babylock Quilters Choice sewing machine instead of free motion quilting but this time I thought I would try something different.

Peggy

This new bag is called a dandy bag from Dandelion Quilts.  Her site is http://dandelionquilts.blogspot.com/  It is made a lot like the other tote bags that I make except that it has a nice band to separate the top band from the bottom of the bag.  I also put a few stitches in the bottom of the bag to hold the lining down so that it does not pull out of the bag.  It is a little tricky but it can be done with care.

Peggy 

Amanda's Purse

I made another purse the other day.  It is a This & That pattern called Amanda's Purse.  I made it from Moda Frolic charm squares with matching fabric for the handles and the lining.  If I made it again I would make it longer but not as wide.  I also added inside pockets.  A purse had to have pockets, don't you agree.

Peggy

Getting Ready for Hallowe'en and Christmas

I needed some hand sewing to do while we were waiting for the propane frig to be fixed at our cabin, so I quickly sewed up these 2 kits that I had.  The are from Patchabilities; Scary Buddies and Perkie Poinsettia, and the local quilt shop here makes up kits.  I added googly eyes to the ghosts.  I think it makes them a little more animated.  It is very easy to put them together and you have nice things to put on your door for the different seasons.

Peggy

I just realized that I have not posted this quilt.  It was for Emma who turned 10 in January.  It is the "Apple Blossom Fairy" by Cicely Mary Barker.  I picked the fabric up at Hannah Johnson Fabrics in a nice quilt shop in Duluth, MN.  The centre is a panel and then 3 borders are attached. The last border is appliqued with the flowers.

Peggy

Brett's Quilt

This is the small lap size quilt that I made for my grandson Brett.  He turned 15 yesterday.  Where have the years gone?  The idea for the pattern came from Morning Glory Designs.  Her blog is http://katlovesquilts.blogspot.com/ .
She had a block of the month called "Midnight Posies" using black background and pieced 10 1/2 inch squares.  I used some of her blocks and some of my own ideas.  She also has an appliqued flower border, but since this was for a 15 year old boy I decided to make a piano key border and used all the fabrics that were in the quilt for the border.

Peggy

I have the centre panel of "Bear River" quilt up on the design wall.  I finished all 6 bearpaw blocks so I decided to put it together and see how it turned out.  So now I have to add the borders and make it grow to double bed size.

Peggy

My Latest Afghan

I finished my afghan today.  I had three very large balls of wool that needed to be used.  They were 16 oz. each.  I decided on the ripple pattern so that it would be more interesting than just straight knitting.  The finished measurements are 60 x 50.  I hate joining sections together so it is knit in one piece with no seams.  I used a circular needle with over 300 stitches per row.  It kept me warm while I knitted.

Peggy

Reusable shopping Bag

More and more shops here are charging for bags when you purchase something in their stores, so I decided to make myself a new bag for spring.  I have made many more in the past but nothing as colourful as this one.  It is lined and has iron-on interfacing on the front and back of the lining.  I also put a few stitches in the bottom of the bag so that the lining will not pull away from the bag when items are removed.  Now I am all set for spring, which seems to be here early this year.

Peggy

Flurry Fun

This is the quilt I referred to before as the snowman quilt.  It is called "Flurry Fun".  It was a block of the month from the local quilt shop "Quilter's Stash".  I started it February 09 and finished it this month.  It was suppose to be twin size but I wanted it to grow to be double bed size so I added extra blocks on the sides.  The snowmen are all appliqued onto pieced squares, most of them are doing winter olympic sports.  The surrounding squares were done using the strip-piecing method.  The finished size is 76 x 85.  I had it longarm quilted with a snowflake pattern.  The binding was a challenge since the quilt was very large, but I managed.  It seemed I was "under the quilt" not under the weather.

This is the pattern that was used for the quilting.  I think that it was very fitting for a winter scene quilt.

Peggy

My first bear paw block for the Bear River Quilt.  The square is 11 inches.  The quilt is suppose to be 48 x 58 but I am going to make it grow so that it fits on a double bed.  I hope to make it at least 74 x 85.  I have to make 5 more blocks so it is going to be a work in progress.

There are so many other small projects I want to do so I will try to fit them in while I make the bear paw blocks.

Peggy.

Wilmington Prints

Wilmington Prints: "Bear River by Kevin Daniels"

I started a new quilt today. It is called Bear River. I picked up the kit in a small quilt shop in Beaver Bay Minnesota about a year ago and finally started it today.

This is the panel. It is cut apart and there are bearpaw squares placed between these squares.

I will post pictures as I complete some of the squares.

Peggy

It's Hip to be Square

This is a table topper I made from a pattern on http://www.youcanmakethis.com/ .  The finished measurements are 24" x 24".  The inner square is made from charm squares.  They were calling out to me from their place in my cupboard.  I then co-ordinated the borders from some fat quarters that I had and other pieces that were leftover from other projects.  I guess you could say that it was made from leftovers.  I think it turned out quite nice.  An ideal centre piece for spring.

Peggy

Some of the small purses I have made

Here is a collection of some of the small purses I have made in the past.  There are about a dozen more all different colours but I have given them away and only have individual pictures of them.  Some of these will also be given away.  The 2 at the back on the right are my own design.  The two with zippers in the front are from a Lazy Girl pattern, and the black one in the front is a BB Bag.  It has 3 zippers and is small enough (or big enough depending on how you are thinking) to fit a passport.  I like small purses when I travel because you only need a few things and you have your hands free for other things.
Peggy

Here's a new table runner I made yesterday.  I should have posted it then since it has green in it for St. Patrick's day but I was too busy.

I also have a nice Irish blessing for everyone.

May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home.

May good and faithful friends be yours, wherever you may roam.

May peace and plenty bless your world, with joy that long endures.

May all life's passing seasons, bring the best to you and yours.


Peggy

I made another small purse. I have made about 6 other ones of different styles, some were my own pattern and some were patterns that I changed to suit what I wanted. This one is called Sew Sweet Satchel by Joan Hawley of Lazy Girl Designs. I had to change this one also to suit my needs. I put a zipper inside the purse as well as a zipper on the back. It measures 7" wide by 7 1/2" in depth. I also put a buckle on the shoulder strap so that it is adjustable for any length. Then if I give one of my purses away the receipient can adjust it to her size. These are great for travel as it leaves your hands free to carry your camera and you are not leaving your purse somewhere.

Peggy

Birthday Party

We celebrated 2 of the grandchildren's birthdays yesterday. Breanne will be 14 next week and Kyle will be 11 in a few more weeks, so we celebrate them together. I had made them both lap quilts. Bre's is mostly pink because that was her favourite colour. The back is soft pink and white stripes. Very delicate for a young teenager. Kyle's is skateboarders. I fussy cut 6 boarders and matched them up with blue squares. I think he liked the back as much as the front.

Peggy

Well I guess the machine took a hit, as now it is in the shop getting repaired. It is skipping stitches when I want to do any decorative stitch work on my quilts.

Peggy