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