Sunday, February 28, 2010

"I Believe"

You just have to watch this video. This is CANADA!

Dyeing Fabric



New quilt means new batch of dyed fabric. This quilt has some very subdued colours in it. Browns of a soft nature, greens of an old moss and light purples. Today was the first batch. I am always anxious to see how they turn out once dried, and to match them up to my quilt fabric.

I am guessing this time, the browns will be good, oranges may pass, but the purple is vibrant enough and the green is not the right shade.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Our New Game Camera



We now have a new weekend hobby. We go out to my father in law's property and get our memory card out of our new game camera, bring it home and see what comes up.

Last week was our very first time setting it up and using it. We were very excited to see if anything would be on it after a week.

The kids were thrilled to see 4 different shots all showing healthy deer. The camera is terrific because it records the date and time the picture was taken. And at night, the picture is still great due to a flash, but just in black and white. Like the one shown above.

Beats a movie anytime!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Button Quilt Done


I feel like I have won a gold Olympic medal. My button quilt is done! I finished it yesterday and showed it to a couple of people. I am so pleased with it, and whether it gets accepted into a juried show or not, it is a wonderful piece of work with a strong meaning to it. I will post it at a later date. I am just relieved to have it done. I went back to my sketch pad and checked the date when I started designing it, and that was April. It took 11 months from start to finish. That is a long time.

Today I found myself wondering what I was going to do now. A little lost actually. So I picked up my design pad and started sketching. 5 designs later, I found a sketch I would like to try. It is going to require some fabric dyeing, which will be fun again, as I haven't done that in quite some time. And of course some new techniques and I am sure many many times back to the sketch pad with revisions.

I am excited to be onto something new again.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Sitting and Stitching


I only have about 20 or so buttons left to sew on my 'button quilt'. I have a name for it, a perfect name, but not ready to share that just yet.

I took a break from the buttons and cut a piece of fabric and just did some stitching onto it. I will probably use this for a small piece of quilt art. It was fun to see the material turn from soft and flimsy to a nicely textured background. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Table Topper #3


This of course is my favourite. It has originality, 3D and is wacky, my type of quilting.

This centre piece is made of a 3D bowl out of timtex and sewn onto a plate, complete with cutlery, napkin and placemat. Inside the bowl is spaghetti made out of yarn and meatballs made out of spools of thread.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Table Topper #2


This one definitely took the most time. I fused the large pieces of fabric first. Then I set about cutting the shapes out, and laying them all on an old piece of pillow casing. Once that was fused down, I machine appliqued the whole thing to hold it in place. Then I quilted it. Label was added and voila, all done.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Table Topper #1





I spent yesterday evening finishing my 3 table toppers to be sent out to the CQA convention this spring. This was a guild challenge as well. So they will be judged. Not that getting my work judged is my favourite thing at the moment, but if you fall, you are supposed to get back on. And of every failure, there is a learning opportunity.

This table topper, I coloured and did some fine threadwork, choosing a different quilt stitch for every block.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Vancouver 2010



GO CANADA!!

After years of work, planning and practice, the Olympics have graced our fine country once again.

Millions will be glued to the television, waiting, watching and cheering. For it is here that the best of the best have come together to show the world they have what it takes.

Throughout the Games there will be elation, laughter, surprises, tears and even disappointment.

For us at home, we will be there in spirit and in heart.

And to all the athletes participating, "Believe!"

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Homemade Lasagna

I love making my own lasagna, except for the noodles. I really don't like the store bought noodles. I was trying to get fresh ones when I left my small town, but that was difficult.

I make my own sauce, from my frozen tomatoes that came out of my garden the previous summer.

And now my dear friend Christine, on her blog, has now posted a totally scrumptious noodle recipe.

I plan to try it this weekend.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

2009 in Review



I was trying to find a photo for today, as I didn't want to post another table topper just yet. As I was looking, it reminded me that several bloggers did a review of what they had accomplished in 2009.

Since I take pictures of everything I make, I went through my photos and came up with a summary. When I read it over, I was surprised I had made so much. Then had a little chuckle as my compulsiveness really shows through. I can never just make one of something. Kind of like fabric shopping, I can't just buy one piece of fabric. That would be crazy!

Anyway, here is my list:

3 coasters
4 Petite People
1 Journal Cover
7 personalized pillow cases
8 blazers
5 art quilts
4 tops
6 brooches
12 purses
5 enviro friendly sandwich bags
1 skirt
3 wallets
1 laptop case
3 belts
6 pincushions
20 book bags

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Guild Challenge


In 2 weeks we have to bring in our table toppers that we have made for the challenge. I still have to quilt this one. I have 3 to enter. One is done and I will post that soon.

We had to stick our hand in a bag and pull out a small bag of fabric and we were to use that for our table toppers. These toppers are then being judged, prizes given, and sent to the CQA Quilt Canada conference to be given to the delegates. Yes, the same conference my quilts didn't get into.

About that, I have received some wonderful feedback. Thank you! And realize that my black Perseverance, didn't have a good enough picture showing the quilting. My fault. A good lesson learned.

I have licked my wounds and found a wonderful saying that I think is perfect to post today:

Expect the best, plan for the worst, and prepare to be surprised.
-- Denis Waitley

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Rejection Is NOT Fun

This one is Whimsical Wonder, and it too did not get accepted into the national show. They say rejection makes you stronger. Just doesn't make you feel better=)

Round Two






Meet Perseverance, this one was quilted by my friend Nancy and it did not get in to the national show.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Customizing

You can see that I am putting in time. I decided to change my blog a little. I uploaded one of my favourite quilts here as a centrepiece to my blog. This quilt has the fabric of my grandfather's workpants in the center, and the black and white fabric running through the center of each petal, is a blouse that belonged to my grandmother.

I will soon show you my president's challenge table toppers. I had thought I would have heard from the national juried show today... so am wondering if the rejection letters are sent out later and that mine is enroute.

I sewed a few more buttons onto my art quilt today. It is coming along nicely.

... and so I wait.

Monday, February 1, 2010

A View While I Wait


Apparently, according to my friend Terry's blog, today is the day you show the view from your workspace. This is a side view of what I see when I look out. And I can hardly wait to be back in that pool.

I checked the mail today, nothing yet from the Canadian Quilting Association to let me know whether my quilt(s) got accepted or not. On one hand, with the not knowing there is still hope. But I really, really want to know.

I continued to put on more buttons. I have finished the yellow ones! That is exciting. Now am onto the orange ones, this colour is the smallest area so am hoping it will go quickly. I have it planned to have the buttons done so I can take it to our guild meeting in March. Now I don't know if I will add more embellishing to the outer border before I think it is done. I will wait to see what it looks like when the buttons are done and go from there.

On with the orange!