Orca Bay Catch Up......Not Quite!!

I don't know about you guys, but the last few days I haven't even been able to look in my sewing room, never mind get in there to sew!  Last night I thought I had better sneak in there to see where I had left off with the Orca Bay Mystery.  As it turns out, no Magic Quilting Fairies stopped by to get me caught up, everything was just as I had left it....

So I managed to get back at it....

some quarter square and half square triangle blocks waiting to be pressed!

   my blue 3.5" strip pieced blocks all done....phew!

and some of the little 1/2 square triangle blocks along with the little brown triangles to add on to either side. 

a few of the red strip pieced blocks, along with a basket full of strips to make many more!

I have tried to do at least a little of each step and have even managed to completely finish a step or two...yay me :)  Hopefully I can get into my sewing room and get caught up on this darn quilt one day soon!  But for now I think I will sit back and relax and bring out the Coxcomb Applique Blocks :)

Happy New Year Everyone,

Cindy

Christmas Quilt

This is the Quilt I made at the Retreat I went to in November.  It was a pattern in the  Primitive Quilts and Projects Magazine.  I had pre cut all the pieces ahead of time, so I just had to sew away :)  I am thrilled with the way it turned out....and I only had to buy the sashing and border fabrics the rest were from my stash!

Happy Holidays to Everyone,

Cindy



Sew, Sew, Sew

I have all of the Orca Bay Part 2 stitched but some are still in need of a trim.  Part 1 and 3 are still at different stages, but I keep sneaking away to my sewing room, between loads of laundry and dirty dishes!!  My plan is to have all 3 steps finished by Friday...

I have recently (like the last three days...lol) started using the start/stop button on my sewing machine.  I was a little hesitant but now I really like it.  No more foot pedal....I know it sounds crazy doesn't it!!  A couple of friends were telling me they only use the start/stop button and love it, so I thought, what the heck...it was a little awkward at first, my foot kept looking for the pedal, but not anymore!!

Happy Stitchin'

Cindy

I am Still Here

So its been a busy month...I have been on two Quilting Retreats....excellent time at both!!  Two different groups of ladies and two very different locations.  The first was held in a Lodge over looking the Bow River, the view was beautiful.  The second was in the town of Banff Alberta, another beautiful location with the mountains in the background.  I could go on one retreat a month, if it was possible!

This is three of the gals on the first retreat (I forgot to take pics at the second one!)

This is the view of the Bow River.  Its really low right now in this area.

This is my friend Kate and her first quilt!! Doesn't she look proud?  My friend Cheryl gave her the fabric and I cut it all up for her, so all she had to do was sew!! She actually came to get some Scrapbooking done, but I think we got her hooked on Quilting...heehee!

I have been busy working away on the lastest Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt, Orca Bay.  She is on step three, and in her usual fashion, there are many small pieces in each step!  Sooooo...I haven't actually finished one step completly but I do have some of each done......

I have decided to use brown instead of black in my quilt.  I have enough brown to do this 10 times over!!  Hopefully this will make a small dent in the stash.

This is what it looks like outside right now, (we have a winter storm watch in our area) so my plan is to sew the day away and get caught up on Orca Bay... or at least finish up with one of the steps!

Happy Stitching,

Cindy

A Small Finish

This was a little quilt in the August issue of American Patchwork and Quilting, called Sweet Carolina.  It has been sitting around for about a month waiting for me to finish it.  I decided to hand quilt it, nothing fancy, just an Echo all around the applique.  So last night I found a good binding fabric and finished it off :) 

Tomorrow I will be packing up this and...........



these containers......

  I am off on a Retreat for the weekend.  I have three piecing projects to work on as well as some hand applique.  I went on this Retreat last year and it was a lot of fun, and the food was amazing!  If the weather holds I will be able to go for a walk along the river.  Hopefully this year I will remember to take my camera so I can share some pics.

Happy Fall Everyone....

Cindy

Picture Day

The weather was fantastic here yesterday,  It was 26 degrees Celsius on the last day of September and harvest is moving along......



My husband is in the combine and his brother is running the grain truck.  Working hard to get the field done...



My oldest son is baling.  In the first picture the baler was plugged up....not so much fun!!  But he did get things moving along smoothly again and happily finished the field....

On the quilting front, I have been busily preparing for a Retreat at the end of October.  I will be taking the Double Wedding Ring Quilt (for my daughter), as well as blocks from the Coxcomb BOM (I have managed to fall behind on this and plan on getting caught up asap!!).  I will also be taking along some hand work...my Pomegranate Blocks and maybe some Hexagons.  Whatever I don't finish at this Retreat I will take with me to the next one at the end of November!!

Happy Stitching,

Cindy

Past the Halfway Mark

I hope everyone is enjoying awesome weather in their little corner of the world.  Temperatures here are in the mid 20 degrees, and yesterday was the first official day of fall! 

Harvest is in full swing and combines are running all over the country side. 

It is time to turn my thoughts to cleaning up the yard and gardens......but first I had to show you a quick peek at my progress on my Pomegranate Quilt.

There are now nine finished blocks, and there are a total of 16 in the quilt....over halfway there!  Chances are this will not be finished anytime soon, but it always sits next to my chair waiting for me to work on it!  I am going to try to add a little touch of purple (a nice muted purple, nothing bright!!) to it. Not to much, just a flower center or two.  I will let you know how it looks:)

New Freezer Paper Templates.  I thought it was time for a new set, the old ones were starting to get too fuzzy and were not sticking so well.

Next Block ready for stitching

Happy Stitching to all.  Make sure you get a chance to go out and enjoy the fall colors.  I have seen some beautiful fall quilts while checking out different blogs.  It really makes you want to pick up and start a new project, with some oranges, golds, greens, browns......you get the idea!!

Until next time,

Cindy

We Have a Winner..

And the winner is.........(insert drumroll!!).....woolensails!!  

Thank you so much to everyone who left a comment for my first draw.  It was fun to wake up every morning, grab a cup of coffee and sit down to see who left me a little message.  It is amazing to me that technology can bring so many people across the globe, with similar interests, together.  

I haven't been doing much in the way of quilting this past week, so no pics to share :(  The kids are heading back to school on Tuesday so hopefully I will be able to steal a moment or two and fit a little stitchin' in!

Happy stitching,

Cindy 

End of Summer Giveaway...

Around my neck of the woods, summer is coming to an end and fall is knocking on our door.  It is time to start thinking about pulling out our warm cozy sweaters and of course our soft cuddly quilts.  I am hoping to get in one last camping trip before the season ends, but harvest is just around the corner and its hard to get away then.

I have decided to do a little giveaway, my first actually!!  I have picked up a few little things here and there while on my camping trips.  There are no special rules to enter, just leave me a comment, let me know how you enjoyed your summer.  I will be drawing a winner on September first! 



Giveaway.....8 f1/8's, embroidery scissors, tape measure, note book, post its, and marking pen!



Here is a sneak peak at a quilt I have started.  I am using the new Buggy Barn Christmas line.  Lots of plaids and simple prints. I figure if I am going to have a quilt done in time for Christmas I better start now.....can't believe I am even thinking Christmas yet!! 

I would like to wish my Beautiful mom a Happy Birthday.  Today is her birthday and we are going in to help her celebrate :)

Good luck with the giveaway,

Happy Stitchin'

Cindy



A Top Finish!

My plans were to have this done about 2 weeks ago, but with the nice weather and everything else going on it just didn't happen!!  So today while mother nature pounded us with hail, I sat in my sewing room and finished the quilt top for my neices wedding......

On the

27th of July it was my 20th wedding Anniversary.  My husband went into town that day and came home with a gorgeous boquet for me....

Well the house is quiet so I am off to the sewing room to work on my Coxcomb BOM.  This month is an applique swag border.  I am hoping to get all the prep work done and take it on my camping trip next week. 

Hope your summer is full of fun and laughter,

Happy stitching,

Cindy

Summer Time Slow Down

I hope Everyone is enjoying a beautiful Sunny Summer!

Every year it seems, my quilting slows dramatically during the summer.  I spend as much time as possible outside enjoying the sunshine and trying to keep the veggie garden and flower beds as weed free as possible (easier said then done!!)  Here in Alberta we have a very short summer, so if you don't get outside too often it will be fall before you know it!!

However we do have our rainy days and that usually means I get a chance to sit at my sewing machine for awhile. 

Coxcomb Medallion with 2 of the 4 borders on. 

A great new book full of fall projects and a few plaids to go with!!

Jan Patek Double Wedding Ring Quilt!

A little story with this pattern.  My daughter Chalsie got engaged this summer :)  She was away for a month travelling around Europe and upon her return her boyfriend Jason proposed.  As she was coming down the escalator at the Airport he got down on one knee and asked for her hand in marriage........very romantic!!
So I asked her to pick a pattern for a Wedding Quilt.........she picked a Traditional  Double Wedding Ring!  Yikes.....thank goodness I have almost a year to make it!!  Who out in blogland has made one of these challenging quilts?  I would love a little feedback as to patterns used, foundation pieced vs templates, and so on!!



This is my veggie garden!  I will be heading outside to water and weed it today.  We are supposed to have temps around 29 degrees celcius!! 

My little Peony Patch.  I think its time to cut a few and bing them inside to enjoy :)



I couldn't resist posting a pic of my Apple Tree.  This is the first year I have had apples growing and I love to look at it everyday!  I am pumped to bite into the first juicy apple when they are ready.....maybe make an apple pie or two!!

Well that about brings you all up to date. 

Happy Stitching,

Cindy





Half Way There

Just a little update to show you where I am at with things....

This is the Chain of Faith Quilt by Moda that I am working on for my neice's wedding.  I am half done...woohoo!!  In the original pattern sample they ussed a red floral for the "chain".  I didn't think it stood out so well so I decided to use a solid red and I am glad I did!  Next post should be a completed top!

Coxcomb Medallion Update --A dozen 3.5" pinwheel blocks, a dozen 3.5" four patch blocks (they are kind of hiding under the pinwheels) and 2 Sampler Blocks.....month 3 done!!  Now to get going on month 4 and have it finished before the 15th of June!!

Little 3" Rail Blocks.

So I was cruising through blogs the other day and came across a post with a picture of the new American Patchwork and Quilting Magazine.  Have you seen it?  Are you lucky enough to already have it in your hands?  Not me :(  In Canada magazines seem to come out 2 weeks later than in the states.....whats with that?!  Anyhow the Quilt on the front caught my eye and I knew I had to make it.....a little tough without the magazine and instructions though!!  Soooo to calm my stitchy fingers until I get my hands on the magazine, I dug into my scraps from my Courthouse Steps Quilt.  Many, many 1" strips, and started sewing them together,  and these tiny little blocks are the end result. I am thinking they will make a nice little table topper with an applique vine/leaf border......another work in progress!!

The wind is blowing like crazy here so it was a good day to stay inside and stitch.  Tomorrow and Sunday are supposed to be sunny and warm, so outside I will be.  I have tons of annuals to plant and many weeds to pick! 

On another note, my oldest daughter is over in Europe travelling around and staying in Hostels.  She is having a great time by the sounds of it. She has a blog to keep everyone posted.   A little scary right now though with the E-coli scare in Europe.  I have asked her to PLEASE don't eat raw veggies.  From what I have heard they still aren't sure where it is the E-coli is coming from....scary for everyone in Europe I am sure.  Hopefully they find the source soon.

Happy Stitching everyone,

Cindy

Sew Much Going On

It seems like it has been ages since I last posted.  I believe there was actually snow on the ground the last time I wrote.  Since then I have planted most of my veggie garden, cleaned some of my flowerbeds and mowed the lawn....twice!!  And if this constant rain keeps up it will be like mowing through a jungle when the sun finally shines!!

  I am not complaining though, there is so much turbulent weather around the globe right now......my thoughts go out to all those affected by flooding, fires and tornadoes.  Mother nature can be so unpredictable and at times unforgiving.

On a lighter note, I have managed to squeeze in some quilting time.  It seems with the warmer temps. it becomes harder and harder to find a moment to sit and enjoy our craft, whatever it may be!  Here is a peek of a few of the projects I have been working on:

These two pics are of a quilt I am working on for my niece for her wedding in August.  It is a free pattern on the MODA blog.  The pattern is Chain of Faith....seemed fitting for a wedding!  The picture on the right is a finished block...19 more to go plus sashing and borders.....sew,sew,sew.......

This is the Pomegranate Applique Quilt I am working on.  I have half of the blocks done. Eight more to go. Still not sure on the layout but I think it will be easier to decide when all of the blocks are complete!  You kind of have to look at this one sideways, I should have flipped it before I posted it.....oh well...lol!!

I need to make many more of these little pinwheels.  They belong to my BOM Coxcomb Medallion Quilt.  Things were a little to busy for me last week so I missed the monthly get together. 

Two quilts I picked up from the quilter.  Just need to bind and enjoy now!  I still have four more being quilted....I better get stitching on those bindings or I may never catch up!

These are just some wild crocuses in the pasture behind my house.  Now that the weather has warmed up I try to get outside for a walk now and then.  Two of my dogs like to walk with me, the smaller pup is my sons.  They sure enjoyed all the water!!

Happy stitching to all....I hope the sun is shining brightly in your corner of the world :)

Cindy

MUD........

Arriving home from "Club" night last night I noticed my parking spot was taken!  My son had a few friends over and apparently they assumed if the spot in front of the house was empty it was free for the taking..........NOT!!  Regardless, I didn't fuss I parked down by the dog house.  It was a nice night after all, snow was melting and it actually smelled a little bit like Spring rain!!  Turned off the truck, gathered my quilty goodies in my hands and stepped out of the truck (it was dark - 10pm ish) "SMOOSH", ankle deep in mud......"PLOP"- new fabric in MUD puddle!!  ARGH....

To make a long story short, my fabric was washed and hung to dry over night and I don't think those kids will ever park in my spot again!!

Freshly washed and hung to dry!!

I think I will tell my son I would like a sign that reads "MOMS Parking Only" for Mothers Day!! LOL

I hope wherever you are in this big world that spring has made it to your back yard!  We are finally seeing some nice temperatures here in Alberta (around 10 degrees celcius) and the snow is slowly starting to melt.  I still have drifts around the north and west side of the house that are over a meter deep though, so we need lots of sunshine to melt it away!

Have a Very Happy Easter and keep stitching,

Cindy

Whats Up!

There is a great Giveaway over at Raggedy Station http://raggedystation.blogspot.com/.  She is celebrating the opening of her new store.

Its a sharp looking bundle of black and whites with a pretty little lace button!!   It would make a pretty spring bag I'm thinking.

My Friend Heather, over at Creative Confessions, http://cybercanuck.blogspot.com/, gave me a little gift.............450 little paper pieced diamonds!!  Enough to make 75 - 6 point stars!
Well I really didn't need to take on another project, but hey why not!  So I have been putting away at these little stars and have 4 finished.  They are a very portable project, and whip up in no time.  Its something I can work on here and there and eventually (possibly years!!) I might actually have a Star Quilt, and it will be all done by hand!!

We are in the middle of calving here at the farm.  Calving is a sure sign that spring is near.  Snow is melting like crazy, our road and the end of our driveway are totally flooded.  Its nice to go checking cows and see the little calvies running and bucking in the sunshine.  I will have to get a picture and post it next time.

Happy Spring to all and Happy Stitching,

Cindy :)

To Do List....

I finally managed to find a moment to cut some of the backing/borders/bindings fabric I picked up about a month ago.  Now I have 2 quilts to add borders to, 1 to add a ruffle to and 4 to stitch backings for.  I also pre-cut the bindings for all but one quilt!!  I had backing for a 5th quilt but wasn't happy with it when I went to cut it.....not really sure if it goes with the quilt.  I am positive it will go with another one down the road though...so no worries :)

My little pile of work!

Happy Stitching,

Cindy

Ta Daaa!!

Just a quick note to show you my center medallion for The Coxcomb Medallion Quilt.  Now I am ready for month number 2.....woohoo !

Happy Stitchin'

Cindy

Coxcomb Quilt Start

Just a quick update on what I am currently working on.  This quilt is a Susan Garman pattern called The Coxcomb Medallion Quilt.  It is a club quilt at the LQS, so we work on it monthly.  My pieced blocks are done for month one, and I am still working on my hand applique!  There are about 40 tiny berry circles on the applique block.....this will take a little time and a lot of patience to get those berries looking like berries not boxes!!

6.5" Evening Star Block

Applique Center, still working on the Flower Petals and the gazillion teeny, tiny berries!!

6.5" Friendship Star Block

12 - 3.5" Pinwheel Blocks

Well it seems I have an evening of uninterupted "Me Time"!  So I think I will go sit at the sewing machine and work on a few of my other projects :)

Happy Stitching,

Cindy