Monthly Archives: January 2019

Twice is too much

Friday, January 25, 2019

We had a lovely visit with Peggy and Bill yesterday. They managed to get aboard the very, very early ferry from Comox and were here by 7:30 AM. We visited in the waiting room until it was time to catch the ferry across to Texada. We had a short time at the studio (we always are happy to show off the place), a long lunch at the Raven, and then we were back on the ferry to Powell River at three. Again we visited in the waiting room until they caught the five o’clock ferry back to Comox. Hopefully next time we’ll have more comfortable seating.

I had a showing at the Hall this morning but before I left I trimmed my Farmer’s Wife Sampler quilt and took a photo for my quilt show application. I also took photos of two wall hangings and Pat’s Classically Trained quilt; all will be entered into the show. I was pleased that one of the pieces already had a hanging sleeve on the back – the rest will have to have one added.

You know how much I love a day at home, and if I have to go out I like to take care of all my errands on the same trip. I had the Hall showing booked for quite awhile and it would have been nice if that had been my only task for the day. But I had posters for one of Pat’s events that I forgot to take to the Hall so that meant a second trip down there. Last weekend I left my rain hat at the studio where we were sewing and I wanted to pick it up before I was caught out in the rain. But Gail doesn’t get up and about until noon so I knew I’d need to stop there later in the day. And when I picked up mail at the Hall I had a bill that I needed to pay and that meant a stop at the insurance office. While I was out I picked up a few groceries.

As a reward to myself for actually taking care of all of those things I bought a new quilting magazine. A sewing caddy on the front caught my eye but I don’t purchase a magazine (usually) unless there are at least three things I can see myself making. I found a pattern for a tote bag that looks simpler than the one I picked for my Guild challenge, so that made two. I really wanted the magazine so I told myself that someday I would make George the dog pillow from the magazine – there, that makes three things!

I have the first (of twelve) flowers ready to appliqué onto my I’m a Farmer’s Daughter quilt and I’ll get at that tonight.

Second time lucky?

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

I was looking forward to having a day at home today. My Hall showing was switched to Friday and I didn’t need any groceries. But about nine this morning Moreen called and said she’d be at the house by ten so we could go out walking. We seem to be having good luck in finding trails around town that give us about an hour and a half of walking, along with a few hills up and down. She’s good at reading maps so I leave it to her to lead the way.

I finished the repairs on my Farmer’s Wife Sampler quilt today. It needs a good pressing and I have to do some trimming on it but I’m hoping it is ready for a new photo to attach to my quilt show application. I could do that tonight, but if it is wrong I don’t think I could deal with it so I’m going to leave it for now.

I’ll get my last two flowers for my Farmer’s Daughter done tonight and then that project will become my focus.

Frozen

I’m happy to say that Taylor received her “real” birthday present less than a week after her big day. And thanks to Elizabeth for reminding me that I hadn’t posted any photos.

This was my first experience with a panel; the original pattern called for cutting off the burgundy and pink borders but I decided to leave them on. That meant that the measurements for attaching the snowflakes was “off” but I added extra strips in the borders to make up for it.

The first snowflakes for the quilt were done in 2015, shortly after I made the purchase. Each of the 22 snowflakes were appliquéd onto the background using a zig-zag stitch.

I didn’t know how to quilt the centre of the panel and the pattern gave me no clues. I decided to cross-hatch the centre panel and I was happy with my choice. I used one of the “fancy” stitches on my machine in the narrow borders. The snowflake blocks and wider borders were done in a free-motion meander.

I originally purchased Olaf fabric for the backing, but later decided I wanted flannel. When the quilt was washed the snowflakes really popped, which gave a very nice effect.

 

 

 

I’m falling further and further behind

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

I didn’t sleep well last night and I didn’t set the alarm for this morning. I woke about eight which, had I rushed, I still could have been out the door at my usual time. But I didn’t rush – I had a last-minute thing I needed to do for the Hall and I was on a winning streak on Candy Crush so I was late leaving. In fact, by the time I got to the bee everyone had decided I probably wasn’t coming.

I took my hand stitching for my Farmer’s Daughter quilt thinking (hoping) I might be able to get the flowers finished today. But last week we had to clear out all our cupboards and shelves so they could be moved for painting. When I arrived in the library today everything had just been stacked willy-nilly back on the shelves. So before I could start stitching I had to sort out all the books. I don’t guarantee the books went back into the same categories that they were in before the move, but this is my last year being in charge of the library so I don’t care all that much.

I finished three flowers today and have only two left – maybe I’ll get them done tonight. After sewing I had to make a stop on behalf of the Hall. I checked my mail when I got home and had a message that took me out once more on behalf of the Hall.

I’ll spend a bit more time working on cleaning up my sewing space. One day, very soon, I hope to be ready to do some sewing and I’ll want to have my surfaces cleared by then.