learning always learning

I was happy to finish this little top last night. I'm happy with it now but 1st I had to learn another lesson about value. One of the border panels had to be re-appliqued because I used a background fabric that was the right color but way too light. It pained me a bit to take out those little hand stitches but in the end it is much better. Now it needs to be quilted - I'm still debating whether to quilt it by hand or by machine. This other picture is from a new book Canadian Heritage Quilting by Karen Neary and Diane Shink. I just got it at the library. There are a few beautiful old quilts pictured in it but this applique masterpiece with beautiful quilting and trapunto is my favorite. I just wish there was a picture of the whole quilt.
Happy Quilting!!

a finish in time for spring!

I finished my little wallhanging today. Thanks to everyone for the ideas and suggestions! It took me a couple extra days to finish because I decided I had to handquilt the applique block. I am not a very confident free motion quilter and I didn't want to make a mess trying to outline quilt or stipple etc... I know I need to practice, practice, practice... :0)

I saw over on Janet's blog Quiltsalott that she had added her blog to www.Quilterblogs.com so I clicked on over there and added mine too. There sure are a lot of quilting blogs out there to be inspired by!

Happy Quilting!!

guild quilts

I belong to a small, informal quilt guild. We have a lot of fun sewing together! Every year we try to make a few quilts to donate different places. I thought I'd show you a couple. This crazy hearts quilt is finished.









This "at the seashore" quilt is still in progress. I think the block of the lady in the bathing suit in the top row is very fun. (sorry the picture isn't that great)

I hope to have something of my own finished in the next couple days. Until then - Happy Quilting!

measure twice cut once

This weekend I did get a chance to make a few blocks to add to this applique. I was reasonably pleased and all ready to attach them...
And then I discovered that I made the blocks too big to fit - by 1/2 an inch. That's too much to fudge - I actually do need seam allowance :0(

So while I ponder what to do with it (I'm open to suggestions) I thought I'd post this picture I took while in Toronto last weekend. I was walking around the University of Toronto and spied this pot of hollyhocks on the side of a brick building.

Why do they not put things like this on buildings anymore?

Happy Quilting!

crib quilt

So I'm back from my trip. It was a fun and relaxing weekend. I did miss my little ones and DH so it was good to come home too. I didn't get as much stitching done as I had hoped to.... :0) Here is a sample flower from my new applique project.
I did say I would post about the baby quilt I made for my nephew. The making of this quilt did not go very smoothly.

I made a plan and drove all over the city looking for just the right fabric. I bought some and sewed some blocks. I sewed them together, didn't like it, and so ripped them apart. I bought more fabric, made some more blocks - sewed them together with the 1st blocks and then ripped them apart. I bought more fabric... Anyway here is the finished product. It is nothing like the original plan. It was a good learning experience and hopefully it will keep my nephew cosy.

I hope everyone else's sewing is going more smoothly! Happy Quilting!

thinking about flowers

We got 6-8 inches of snow this week so far :0( It doesn't look like spring outside but inside...
Every year I start plants inside to plant out in late May when hopefully we've had our last frost. It helps me get through the long wait for spring to see something green and growing. So far I have foxgloves, petunias and bellflowers growing.

I am also thinking about appliquing some flowers. Here it is in black and white. I'm going away for the weekend and I need some portable stitching to take along. I have lots of prep work to do yet but I did get to the quilt store today to get a few bits of fabric I "needed" for it.

I get to go on "my weekend off" this weekend. I'm going to Toronto with my 2 sisters to visit my brother and ...no kids are coming :0) We are going to see my new little nephew who was born in January. I am glad to have his crib quilt finished and all ready to pack. I'll post about that little quilt when I get back.
Happy Quilting!

something for spring?

I was looking for some orphan blocks yesterday - digging around the very bottom of the ufo pile and I found this applique block. I'd forgotten all about it. I was never quite happy with the big yellow flower - so I put it aside. I've been thinking about making a small wallhanging to hang by the front door - something for spring. I think I just might be able to do something with it. With a headstart like this I might even get it on the wall before spring is over. :0)