Finishing things

I have finished 2 Table Toppers and a quilt this past 3 days.   YKW is out of town at the cabin planting his garden so I have been hard at work quilting.  I have the binding to sew on yet so I won't post pictures till that is finished.  Probably within the next few days.

I do have one finished project.

This is made from upholstery fabric that was given to me a few days ago

at a quilting group that I started attending.

There were lots of ends of fabric that the supplier

was throwing away so I managed to take

a few pieces.

Really nice to make bags out of. 

It is lined with a silky lining

that is almost drapery material.

Very different to work with, 

so I lined it with

fusible interfacing to give

it some stiffness,

otherwise it would just

flop over.

It also has a quilt inside it

so it looks a little wonky.

Peggy.

Squaring up Half Square Triangles

On a blog that I check every now and then she featured the   

   "6 1/2 Triangle Square Up Ruler by Quilt in a Day". 

I bought one the other day so I thought I would give it a try. 

I really like this pattern from Pieced Tree Patterns called
Center Stage. 

There are 36 half square triangles in this table topper.

So it was a good pattern to experiment with.

Center Stage from Pieced Tree Patterns

The pattern instructions say to bisect 3 7/8" squares but I always cut my squares an 1/8th of an inch larger and sew the squares together 1/4 of an inch on each side of the centre and then cut them apart.

Sewn 1/4" on each side of centre

The Squares cut apart

Now the fun part.

The Quilt in a Day Ruler

Place the ruler on the un-ironed, unopened

square and trim one or both sides.

Nicely trimmed Half Square Triangles in half the time.

You still have to trim off the dog ears.

I sewed all this today with my new toy.

A Janome Jem Platinum 760.

I need a light-weight sewing machine to take to class

or to workshops as my Babylock is too heavy

to haul around.

Thanks Wendy for showing me the

 Quilt in a Day Triangle Square Up Ruler. 

I will be using it lot, I'm sure.

Peggy

Graduation is over

Now that graduation is over I can post some new pictures of some of the things I made for Lynda and of her graduation.  It was quite a week-end as she was in a car accident on the way to the airport and we almost missed the plane to Sudbury.

This is the pillow I made her from the fabric we bought in New York City.

I also gave her a wall hanging of O Canada.

There is always a bag to go along with the gift

This is sort of a convergence which is what Ricky Tims was

showing us at the seminar.

Lynda and I

Madame Aline Chretien, Chancellor, Laurentian University;  Lynda;  Mr. Dominic Giroux, President and Vice-Chancellor, Laurentian University.

It was a wonderful week-end even though it started off a little rough.

On Sunday we did a little sight-seeing and went to see the famous "Big Nickel".

The Big Nickel monument is Sudbury's famous nine-metre (30 ft.) high tribute to nickel and Sudbury's significance as a world mining centre.

Peggy

Tomorrow My Sister Graduates From University

Tomorrow my sister graduates from University.  We are going to be with her on this very special day.

Lynda

She was asked to write an essay about what graduation meant to her.  This is what she wrote.

Graduation is a magic word

"Graduation is a magic word. This June at the age of sixty-five I am finally completing my lifelong dream. I am graduating from University with a Bachelor of Arts. I graduated from Grade 12 when I was sixteen and immediately entered the working world. There were six children in the family – my parents couldn’t afford to give even one of us a higher education. Over the years I have often wanted to return to school and get a university degree. I knew that I could hold my own in most conversations, write a good report, read at a high level, answer the Jeopardy questions and win most of the time at Trivial Pursuit, but I wanted that elusive piece of paper that said I was educated.


Most people told me I was foolish, that I didn’t need it. But for almost fifty years it has niggled at the back of my mind. When I had the chance to return to school, I chose College as the less expensive and shorter alternative that could help me find a new career path. I was fifty at the time and I had a son to support so taking at least three years out of the work force and going deeply in debt seemed a huge barrier to going to University. I didn’t realize that it still was an ambition of mine until my younger sister earned her B.A. in her forties taking courses part-time. After I turned sixty I discovered that Laurentian would let me take my university degree from home while I worked and give me a reduction in tuition fee because of my age. They also gave me credits towards my degree for the college diplomas that I had earned.


Now I was in my glory. I investigated programs that intrigued me. I took courses in music, anthropology, classical studies, philosophy and psychology. I had professors tell me that I saw things from a different point of view. I finally settled on religious studies, not as a step towards the ministry but as a way to broaden my mind and learn more about people and the current pluralism in religion. I took courses in nature based religions, eastern religions, the Old and New Testament, new wave religion and the paranormal. My journey wasn’t always smooth. I switched jobs and got so far behind that I failed two courses. Old age kicked in and I went to an exam two days late and failed the course. All I could do was pick myself up and start over. I paced myself and set a plan of action to make sure I stayed on track and completed all the assignments on time. I worked on getting myself off academic probation and closer to my degree.


Now as I write this note, I know that I am only four assignments and two exams from my goal. I will succeed and I will graduate this spring. I am old enough to be the grandmother of many in my graduating class but I feel young again and I am looking forward to that day and I am so proud of myself. This will be a day I hold in my heart for the rest of my life."

We are going to take lots of pictures.



Peggy.

The Possibilities Club

Last night was the Meeting of The Possibilities Club.  It is a group of quilters, mostly guild members who get together and share techniques and interesting websites or magazines that would be of interest to other quilters.

The meeting was held at the new quilt shop in town, "Circle of Friends Quilt Shop".  The presenters last night were Wendy and Betty Ann.

Here's Luci at the quilt show in her booth for

"Circle of Friends"

Wendy talked about Schnibbles.  I had heard of it before but have never looked into it.  She had made a few quilts using these patterns and passed around patterns for us to look at.  They are made with 5" charm squares.  These would be fast things for a new quilter to make and you could see your work completed quickly.

She also demonstrated a ruler for making flying geese.  This ruler looks very interesting.  There is a YouTube video on it also.  It is called the Wing Clipper Ruler.  A nice way to make flying geese with very little waste.

Betty Ann had lots of things to demonstrate.  She made pinwheels by using two squares of fabric and sewing around the outside of the square instead of using half-square triangles.  She brought rulers with her; Square in a Square, and The Binding Tool.  She made a drunkards path without sewing circles together and she talked about printing labels for your quilts using fabric sheets.  She likes Printed Treasures Inkjet printable fabric.

Alva brought her new Twister pattern completed.  It was a Christmas Wreath made with red & green Christmas fabric.  ( I forgot my camera duh!!!)

Lots of new information about quilting was presented last night. 

Peggy.

At the Cabin

We were at the cabin on Thursday and Friday

and

while YKW was doing the gardening I was sewing.

He plants a few vegetables; peas, beans and

salad fixings.

The boards are still on the screen porch to keep the pollen out.

The trees are not in full leaf yet.

Another few weeks and we will take them off.

This is the mystery quilt I have been working on.

The stars are paper pieced.

The small ironing board and travel iron

sure come in handy for times

like this.

I have to use my old White sewing machine

as we have no hydro and we use a generator

for electricity.

I took a lot of projects with me and will get to them

next time.

Peggy.



Twister or Tessellating Pinwheels

I went to a quilt group today and learned how to make my twister pattern.

I started with this

and it became this.

Isn't that amazing.

Thanks Alva.

You use a template to cut out squares and then

re-sew them together to make

Tessellating Pinwheels or

Twister Block.

There are a few websites out there in blogland

where you can see other

examples.

This block is also called Square Dance

One of the gals in the group today brought in a sample of some quilting she had done.  We learned this technique at the Ricky Tims Quilting Seminar.  You quilt in a circle by placing a pin or tack on your machine and hold the fabric in the centre and quilt in the round.

Isn't that impressive quilting?

Linda does beautiful work.

That is something that I have to try next.

Peggy



The Answer to a Question

I received a comment on my blog yesterday from "A no-rely Blogger" about the Stonehenge Fabric that I bought when we went to the Ricky Tims Quilting Seminar.  I can't reply because you don't have an email address attached to your profile, so I hope you see this post.

I bought the Stonehenge fabric at Kelly's J's Sewing Center and at Crystal's Log Cabin Quilts.  Crystal doesn't have a website but if you Google the name her shop will come up on visiting Grand Marais Minnesota and there is a phone number for her shop. 



Kelly J's Sewing Center

Crystal's Log Cabin Quilt Shop Grand Marias, MN



I think I bought the charm squares at Kelly's J's but I am not sure (too many shops).  Crystal's Log Cabin Quilts had a Fat Quarter Pack of Stonehenge also.

If you are "A No-rely Blogger" please see the link below.

Peggy

Are You a No Reply Blogger

Some of my followers don't have an email attached to their profiles. 

Is this you?

Please check out this link

if you think you might

be one of them.



Work in Progress

I have been working on a

block of the month for a while now and finally have it ready to quilt. 

This was a free BOM from Morning Glory Designs but if you want

the pattern now, there is a fee.

The border is appliqued.  I was suppose to make

assorted flowers but instead I chose

to do them all the same design

but made them the colours of the squares

in the quilt.

When I have finished quilting it I will post a full picture.  The flowers really make the quilt stand out.

TESSELLATING SQUARES OR TWISTER

Another work in progress.

 I am getting ready to practice making the Twister pattern.

I have the squares sewn together

and the border attached.

5" squares and 3" border.

This is really going to be interesting.

Alva is going to show me how

to cut out the twisters.



Peggy.

8 Quilt Shops to visit

On the trip to Eau Claire Wisconsin we had the pleasure of stopping at 8 Quilt Shops on the way there and on the way home.

Thimbles Quilt Shop, Trego, WI
Busy Bobbin Quilt Shop, Rice Lake, WI
Cotton Club, Chippewa Falls, WI
Quilt Yard, Osseo, WI
The Calico Shoppe, Eau Claire, WI
Creatons Quilt Shop, Duluth, MN
Kelly J's, Duluth, MN
Crystal's Log Cabin Quilts, Grand Marais, MN

I used my couch to showcase all my goodies.

Fons & Porter Ergonomic Seam ripper (really nice to use)

Alex Anderson's Handy 4 in 1 tool

Alex's Piecing Tips and Tricks

Carole Doak's Foundation Paper

A Box of Candy Bars from Moda

Aurifil Thread

Crib size Quilt Kit for a great niece who will soon be a new mama

Table topper pattern, Quilt pattern,Strip Therapy #7 for Bali Pops

Stonehenge fabric and charm squares

Bali Pops Grasshopper

Garden panel and background for placemats

Fat quarters

Christmas wreath pattern using twister tool

Tri Recs Ruler

Moda Pattern

Quilt kit for Twister tool using a Layer Cake

4 kits for placemats

Blue, Orange & Horse fabric for a convergence

4 yards of Batik fabric

Ricky Tims bag

1 yard of label fabric (always handy to have)

I tried to restrain myself on this trip and not buy too much new fabric and patterns.  I now have enough fabric and patterns to last me a long long time.

I guess I better get to work soon.

Peggy.



Ricky Tims Quilt Seminar

If you ever get a chance to go to one of Ricky Tims seminar, NEVER, NEVER pass it up.  I never thought I could learn so much and be so entertained about quilting as I was over those three days.   We were up every morning by 6:30, as we were not staying at the hotel that the seminar was at,  and did not get back to our hotel until 9pm each night. 

Every minute was totally worth it.  Here I am with Alex Anderson.

The seminar featured Ricky Tims, Alex Anderson and Libby Lehman.

Alex Anderson, Libby Lehman and Ricky Tims.

There was one sad part of the seminar and that was that Ricky ended up in the hospital with a kidney and Urinary Infection.  Alex and Libby filled in and he did some of the lectures and demonstrations but I'm sure it would have been better if he could have taken part in more of the seminars.

We learned:

Caveman Style Quilting

Convergence Quilts

Rhapsody Quilts

Kool Kaleidoscope

and so much more that

there isn't room to describe it all.

Libby Lehman putting together the Kaleidoscope Quilt.

It looks hard, but they showed us an easy way.

Alex is from Wisconsin and someone gave her a cheese head.

Alex taught us Hand Quilting & Choosing Fabric.

Libby taught us Sheer Ribbon Illusions and Potluck Applique.

They both filled in for Ricky also and did his portion of the Seminar.

Libby kept us in 'stitches' with her many jokes and off handed expressions.

No one slept through the first few hours of the morning

we were too busy

laughing.



Peggy

Ricky Tims Quilt Seminar

Tomorrow I leave for Eau Claire Wisconsin for a Quilt Seminar with Ricky Tims, Alex Anderson and Libby Lehman.  It is being held at the Ramada Inn Convention Centre. 

The Thunder Bay Quilter's Guild has hired a bus and we are leaving a day ahead of the seminar so that we can get in some quality shopping.  There are 8 quilt shops lined up for us to visit, and I have a list.  Not that I need anymore fabric but I have to make  a quilt for one of my grandsons and I heard
to-day that one of my great nieces is pregnant so I will be getting a baby quilt organized for her little one.  That means more fabric to purchase.

I may not be able to blog while I am away but I will have lots to write when I get back.  I will keep a diary for the trip.

Peggy

Women's United Run, Stroll or Roll 2011

To-day was the 32 annual Royal LePage 5 Km Women's Run.  I have been doing this run for the last 20 years.  The last few years my friend Maria and I have been walking or strolling but we still get out there and do it. 

It always takes place the Saturday before Mother's Day to Honour the Women of the World.

This year was a very special year because men of the community were invited to participate and

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes.

and walk they did.

I didn't have my camera so I missed a great opportunity for a picture of our Mayor and a dozen firefighters in high heel shoes.

Peggy





Snow Chateau is finished and O Canada

I received this kit for Christmas

and was finally able

to start working on it in March.

I finished quilting it yesterday.

The Kit contained 2 centre panels because you had to

be careful how you cut the pieces.

Note how the picture flows from the right

and from the left.

The rocks also run horizontal and vertical. 

It was tricky cutting them

as

you had to cut them across the width

and

across the length of the fabric.

O CANADA

This pattern is one that was developed

by our local Quilt shop.

I have made it before and now this is a

gift.

I like to display mine on May 24th week-end which

we celebrate here in Canada as Victoria Day Week-end

in honour of Queen Victoria.

I also like to hang it on my door in July to

celebrate Canada Day which is July 1st.

Peggy

New Fabric

Of course I had to purchase fabric from some of the out of town vendors at the Quilt Show. 

I really like this table topper pattern that I have had for a long time from Pieced Tree Patterns.

I have only made this pattern once,

 but these new fabrics will be used to make it again.

This is the Table Topper that I sent to my

sister for her birthday. 

She saw it on the slide show and admired it

so

 it is hers.

Here are the new fabrics I purchased.

I just love the colours here

Already kitted up and ready to be made.

These Iris's were calling out to me to be purchased.

I saw them on the first day

and went back on Sunday

just before the

Show closed.

I just had to have them.

Whenever I give a gift I make a bag for it instead of buying

paper that just gets thrown away.

The cats on this bag look like Farouk, Christine's cat.

The bag pattern isn't fancy

but the bag is great for

groceries or just

incidentals.

Peggy