Happy Easter!

Happy Easter everyone!  It is absolutely glorious on the west coast.  The sun is shining and it is shorts and t-shirt weather for sure.  It is 23 degrees C.  That is 73 F people!  So lovely.

I did some sewing.  I am working away on the Crafty Cooks Apron and Recipe swap and this is a sneak peek of what I have so far for my partner.  Pretty snazzy apron!  Have super lovely rest of your day!

Miss Maggie Bunny

So here is my Miss Maggie Bunny.  I purchased the kit from Alicia at Posy Gets Cosy and she is sold out but making more kits as we speak.  Now that I have the pattern, I will just pick up some more wool felt and crank out some more bunnies because this was a lot of fun to make.  You may have noticed that Miss Maggie is sporting a lovely wee capelet knit by yours truly and yes, a Liberty Tana Lawn dress.  The print is called Thorpe.  Just so you know.  Only the finest for Miss Maggie.  Just in time for Easter.

Of course Miss Maggie does like to read.

This gives you a nice view of her wee laced up boots.  Cute!

Linking up with Amanda Jean for Finish it Friday and Fabric Tuesday at Quilt Story.  Have a wonderful Easter!

Works in Progress...

1)  So this is Maggie Bunny from the back.  I used a Korean Chopstick to stuff her skinny arms and legs.  It worked really, really well.  The chopstick pictured has a spoon on the end of it for decorative purposes but the one that worked even better had a little fork on the end.  I have now absconded with these chopsticks for future bunny or toy stuffing because I also just bought this book!!!!  And it is filled with awesome fun things to make.

Other than bunny making... lots of paper piecing.  2)  The Lucky Stars BOM from Don't Call Me Betsy

3)  And Road to Fortune blocks which now equal 6 not the lowly five pictured below.

4)  Then I have an apron make for the Crafty Cooks apron swap... Haven't picked the fabric for sure yet but I think I know what I am doing.

5) And what about the Make it Modern Challenge for the Fraser Valley Modern Quilt Guild.  I have to take a traditional block and modern it up into a 16" pillow cover that will be displayed at the Ridge Meadows Quilt Show in May. I better do that this weekend.

6)  Madrona Road challenge is still a pile of fabric.  Yoiks.

But here is the great news... I actually finished two quilts last week!  Yay!!!!

Linking up with Work in Progress Wednesday with Lee at Freshly Pieced and The Needle and Thread Network for Canadian bloggers!

Design Wall Monday...

I have been working away on these paper pieced blocks that are part of the Lucky Stars Block of the Month from Elizabeth who blogs at Don't Call Me Betsy.  I decided to do these in mid February so I was a little late to the party but I knew that I would have time on spring break to try them out.  The patterns for the blocks, including the test pattern (a bonus) are super detailed and in 2 sizes.  I am making the big ones (12.5") but the little ones are really sweet.  Now that I am all caught up, I can take my time with the rest!  I have really just started experimenting with paper piecing and I love the look of the blocks but I do find there is a lot of fabric that I just cut off.  That bugs me.  I have been saving all the bits from these blocks and I have a plan.  Of course some people (Husband) would just call the bits sawdust but I have a plan!

The block on the bottom left is the test block and I used scraps of some text fabric and I should have paid more attention to the direction of the text print.  Lesson learned.  That is why it is a text block!

Linking up with Judy's Design Wall Monday!

Sunday Stash

I actually went to the Creative Stitches show with a list.  I did not deviate much from it.  I have to admit that this linen scrap assortment was not on my list but who could resist these funky Japanese linen/cotton scraps? Perfect for pouches!  I also picked up a new stitch ripper.  I like them sharp so I end up getting a new one about once a year.  What a difference!!!!  I was ripping stitches like a crazy person today.  Yep.  I have to admit it.  I was doing some paper piecing and I go through stages of messing up and stitch ripping until I get in the groove.

I also wanted some new pins.  These Clover flower headed ones are pretty close to perfection but I actually like the finer ones even better.  And the trim on the wooden spool?  It asked to come home with me.  Who was I to say no?

Off to take some quilt pictures while the sun shines!  Happy Sunday!

Crafty Cooks Apron planning

I joined an apron swap on Flickr.  I have my secret partner and I have been stalking her.  I have a few fabric options to consider based on what I gleaned from my stalking and from the information she provided.  I am throwing these up on Flickr to see if they get a favourable review or a thumbs down.

So what do I have here?  Up top is several selections of Cuzco by Kate Spain for Moda and the light purple/grey is something that escapes me.  Below is some Tula Pink in pink and then the geometric mod stuff is a mystery but it is kinda funky and I think goes nicely with the Tula Pink in pink.

Once I get the fabric nailed down then the apron will got together easily.  I haven't made an apron forever!

I had great fun yesterday and today at Creative Stitches in Abbotsford.  Did a little bit of shopping and spoke with many quilty people.  More on that tomorrow!

I Spy 224... a finish

  Quilt stats

Name:  I Spy 224

Design:  4" squares with 4" border

Size:  62" by 70"

Fabric: I Spy Scraps and stash fabrics

Quilted: by me with Aurifil 50 wt in white

 I finished this the other day.  Thankfully the sun came out yesterday so I was able to clothespin the quilt to the barn and take a picture!  There are 224 I Spy squares.  That was whole lot of fussy cutting!  Some of the fabric does repeat but only if there was something different to spy.  I made this quilt to donate to my school's spring carnival.  The parents can use it in a silent auction or a raffle.  There are a lot of things to spy.  I just love it!  A quilt like this has so much potential for language development and interaction!  Oh... that was my educator brain taking over my quilting brain for a minute.  Anyway, it was fun to make and I hope that whoever wins/buys it at the carnival has a whole lot of fun with it.

The quilt is quilted with a grid of Aurifil 50 wt in white and bound in a Timeless Treasures black and white stripe.  I backed the quilt with a novelty print that has a magician theme.  Why not?

Spring is starting!  The grass is so green and the forsythia is almost in bloom.

Linking up with Amanda Jean's Finish it Up Friday and Fabric Tuesday at Quilt Story!

Random Thursday... really

It is roll up the rim season at Tim Horton's.  It is the time of year when you cannot leave an unrolled cup around for Husband to sneak up on.  He loves to roll up the rim before I get to it.  He even has this handy dandy little tool that he uses to roll up the rim neatly.  Yes, there is such a thing.  Only in Canada.  I have to say that I am ready to give up and just say forget it because this is the first Tim Horton's roll up the rim season where I have not won anything!  How can this be?  I have even bought a friend a coffee and they won a free latte and I still have not won anything.  Good grief.  What is the world coming to?

This is a coconut bread.  It was on the Smitten Kitchen blog the other day.  I pointed it out to Husband and before you could say, I don't know... ROll UP THE RIM...it was there.  Smelling awesome!  And then I had a piece toasted.  Oh, wow!  Total yum fest.

On the sewing front, I stitched and stitched little bunny parts last evening until I was quite cross eyed.  That being said, all arms, legs, ears and one boot are assembled and waiting for next steps.

I am ever hopeful that Google will change their mind about Google Reader but so far Bloglovin is just fine.  I am somewhat confused about the whole following thing and how that will transfer over.  In the midst of my confusion, I have the Bloglovin' button right over there on the sidebar for those so inclined.

Have a super lovely day.  It looks like a good one!  Linking up with Cindy's Random Thursday!

Work In Progress Wednesday...

1)  I Spy donation quilt.... this is ready for binding!  Wow!  That is the beauty of spring break.  Quilts happen fast!

2) Maggie Bunny is all cut out.  I have already knit her wee capelet.  I had a minor heart attack when I was cutting out the arms.  I realized that the little square of Liberty Tana Lawn for the inner ears had attached itself to the felt square that I was cutting an arm out of.  Eeek!  I cut the Liberty right through.  Eeek!  Thankfully the inner ears still fit on the bisected piece.  I plan on practicing my blanket stitch on some of the felt scraps and then I am going to get started!

3)  Five Road to Fortune blocks!  I love the secondary pattern that develops between the blocks.

4)  Totally Pink Wonky Stars gift quilt needs a back and a sandwich.  I think this one will be finished before the week is out.  I am just not sure about the binding.  Hmmmmmm.

If you are out in the Valley on Friday or Saturday, stop by the Fraser Valley Modern Quilt Guild booth at the Creative Stitches show at the Abbotsford Tradex!  We will be there!!!

That is where I am at today.  Linking up with the Needle and Thread Network and Lee at Freshly Pieced.

It's here!

EEEK!  I am so excited.  I ordered the Miss Maggie kit a few weeks ago and it came yesterday.  It is fabulous.  Lovely Liberty Lawn to make her dress and ears and wonderfully detailed instructions.  I knit the little capelet last evening.  Now I just have to get brave enough to start cutting the felt to make the bunny.  This is a hand-stitching project.  Only the dress will have some machine action.  

If you have not visited Posie get Cosy,  you should. It is a gorgeous blog.  The Maggie kits sold out on day one but apparently there will be more available soon.

Oh!  This is now a work in progress.  That's the way it is.  You blink and all of a sudden you have a bunch of things on the go.  Have a super lovely day!

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I Spy...

Oh my goodness.  I had an idea last week.  I thought I really should crank out an I Spy quilt for a donation to my school's spring carnival.  I thought they would then be able to use it either as a raffle or in a silent auction.  Yesterday morning, I started cutting 4" squares from my I Spy stash.  I have a tub of just I spy scraps and then I have a whack of novelty prints in the great wall of fabric.   

Eek!  I randomly stitched the squares into 4 patch blocks and started throwing them up on the design wall.  Then I cut some more squares.  There are some fabric repeats in the quilt but only if they print allowed for different things to be spied in the square.  Oh man.  This was a whole lot of cutting and a whole lot of fussy cutting but there is something very satisfying about simple squares stitched together.

I plan to finish off the last few blocks this morning and then decide on borders and a back.  I love spring break!!!!  Linking up with Judy's Design Wall...

The Fabulous Fraser Valley Modern Quilt Guild!!!!

 Thursday evening was the monthly meeting of the Fraser Valley Modern Quilt Guild.  I love going to quilt guild meetings.  I love show and tell and I love visiting with all the quilty people who are just so darn much fun.  The guild invited Felicity out for a talk and a trunk show!  Seriously.  What fun!  She even brought her two quilts that were at Quilt Con and received honorable mention.  Awesome!

I am the fat quarter swap coordinator and we had two themes going at the meeting.  First of all vintage sheet fat quarters but I some how didn't get a photo of that.  But I did get a picture of what I came home with in the "fabric you love" fat quarter swap/  Check it out.  From the left some froggies (thanks Jenessa), then some Tula Pink (thanks Jean), some Bliss (thanks Darlene) and finally some Sew Mama Sew text print (thanks Amy)!

We always have fabulous door prizes and I walked away with these... Seriously fabulous feeling fabric never mind the snazzy black and yellow prints!  Yum!  Thank you, Bonnie!

Don't forget the giant Creative Stitches show at Tradex in Abbotsford on Friday and Saturday!  Maybe I will see you there.  The Fraser Valley Modern Quilt Guild is having a booth!!!!

Flea Market Fancy for a Featherweight

Well.  Isn't she just so well dressed in her Flea Market Fancy sewing machine cover?  I love this fabric.  I really tried not to twinge when I cut into it.  Of course, I was only cutting a 2.5" strip off each print so it wasn't like I was going to use it all up!

So I randomly patched 2.5" squares together until it was roughly the size of a tea towel.  I sandwiched it with a batting scrap and a lovely vintage green print from my Gramma's stash.  I quilted it up with lots of Aurifil 50 wt in white and then bound it in grey seeds.  The ties are also grey seeds.  I can either have the little base of the featherweight folded up or down and there is still enough room for the cover to be tied neatly.

New feet  (new rubber feet all around) and a Flea Market Fancy cover.  This little sweetie is ready for anything!

Linking up with Amanda Jean's Finish it up Friday!!!!

Randomness...

Last week I got a lot of quilt mail.  I love quilt mail.  I think I got 3 packages last week.  My modern scrappy bits swap package, a lovely bunch of scraps (or as my husband calls them... sawdust) from my blog buddy, Lisa and then I got the Featherweight feet and an extra belt that I ordered.  I love quilt mail.  When I phoned home the other day, just to check in, I asked if there was any more quilt mail.  I think I was being a little greedy considering how many packages had arrived.  Husband told me that I was out of luck but when I got home, there was a mystery package on the counter.  He is just so funny.

Just a little bit of sarcasm.  That's sawdust in the bag, just in case you wondered.  Linking up with Cindy for Random Thursday.

Wishing you all, lots of quilt mail!

Work In Progress Wednesday...

 I am keeping up with my self imposed schedule.  I am making one of these blocks each week.  They are going to out grow my little design wall soon and they will be forced to share the grown up design wall.  So much fun!  I used some scraps that I received in the mail last week from my modern scrappy bits swap package and some from the lovely Lisa in my latest block!

See what Lisa sent me just for fun...  What a sweetie!

Then I cranked out a bunch more wonky star blocks until I had the magic number.  Yep.  42.  I will have fun sewing these up into a quilt top on the weekend.  Spring break is coming so I will have lots of sewing time!

I had an oops too.  It actually made me laugh out loud.  I must have been in a really good mood at the time.  No bad words were uttered.  I was happily quilting the sewing machine cover for my featherweight when I must have slide over top of the squares for the pink wonky star quilt.  I quilted those squares really nicely on to the back of the sewing machine cover.  These are two separate and distinct projects.  I wasn't actually going to use these fabrics together in a project.  That would have been a big yuck.  The green print is actually a vintage cotton from my Gramma's stash that I used on the back of the sewing machine cover.  I really like it!

I still haven't started my Madrona Road challenge but I think I will get a start on that during the break.

Linking up with Work in Progress Wednesday at Lee's and also with the Needle and Thread Network!

The Name Game...

Just letting you know that I am featured today on Cindy's blog  Live a Colorful Life!  Cindy is the host of Random Thursday not to mention an all around fabulous blogger and quilter.  I am tickled that she has started up the name game again and tickled to be featured!  Thanks, Cindy!!!!

Design Wall... on a Sunday

I have been leaving my little Featherweight out rather than keeping her in the box.  I ordered some new feet for her and a spare belt, just in case.  Husband helped me change the feet the other day.  The old rubber ones had really deteriorated.  Ick.  Now she has some nice new shoes!  Husband was giving me the gears because she was a little dusty sitting out on the sewing table.  I decided to make her a little cover and I knew that I had to bust out my Flea Market Fancy... some of the old and some of the new.  Eek!  So that is what is on the design wall... among other things.  Just a little bit of patchwork destined to be a wee sewing machine cover for Daisy Marie....

Linking up with Judy's Design Wall Monday!

What about an apron?

1. apron for my mommy, 2. Urban Home Swap - Apron, 3. Vintage Tablecloth Apron, 4. Aprons for Cwe raft Hope, 5. vintage thrifted apron, 6. Etsy apron

I was invited to join an apron swap on Flickr.  It is the Crafty Cooks Apron and Recipe Swap.  There is still room in the group, people.  I do like swaps!  What you have to do is make an apron for a partner and send it off with a great recipe.  That's it.  You do have to post a mosaic of aprons you like so your partner knows your style.  I am not a big apron wearer but these are definitely aprons I like.  Do you notice a lot of purple.  Hmm.  Yep, I do like purple.  And vintage.  These are all apron photos I found on flickr.  I have not made an apron for eons.  I cannot wait to get started.  I have all sorts of ideas already burbling.

On another topic... it was a glorious sunny day and Husband actually mowed the lawns for the first time.  Not the whole thing but the grass around the house.  The field will have to wait as there are areas that are still under water.  Apparently due to our mild winter, we are about 2 or more weeks ahead of where we would normally be in terms of the growing season.  The annual golf ball harvest has also begun.  We live across from a golf course. We keep a big bucket on the back porch for them and we fill the bucket up each year.  I would rather it be something more interesting like packs of rotary cutter blades or spools of thread but alas it is golf balls.

Fat Quarters?

I am the fat quarter swap lady for the Fraser Valley Modern Quilt Guild.    Somebody had the idea to make mug rug/place mat sized minis to mark the places where members can drop their fat quarters to swap, their door prize donation or their snack to share.  Totally clever.  I made the Fat Quarter swap mini.  Wonky letters in Kona solids to match our guild logo.  Quilted up in Aurifil 50 wt in white.  Scrappy binding.  Done like dinner.  Off the list and ready for our meeting next week!  Linking up with Amanda Jean for Finish it up Friday.

Random Thursday...

Seriously.  How cute is this wee guy?  Husband had this on the laptop when I woke up the other morning.  He warned me that I needed to brace myself for a cute attack!  Oh man.  He was so right!  Please meet Verra.  He is just a wee Bornean orangutan hanging on to his mum at the Singapore Zoo and this picture was in the Guardian Wednesday morning.

I know what he is thinking... "Hey, lady, make me a quilt!"

Linking up with Cindy for Random Thursday!!!!

What is happening in my quilty world?

I am obviously doing something because I keep filling up the waste basket with paper piecing leftovers and fabric sawdust!!!!

1)  3 road to fortune block.  I actually have made 5 but I had to sen 2 of them off last month for bee blocks. Considering these take forever to make, I think the one a week plan is a good one!  I have to remind myself that I work full time so cannot set expectations too high!  However, spring break is coming fast and that means more sewing time!!!!

2)  Oh!  This one is seriously growing!  If you ever need to make a quick quilt, wonky stars do go together fast!  Yes, I know these are not modern fabrics.  But isn't it just so pink!?????  This is a going to be a gift for a dear sweet person who really does love pink!  Who am I to argue?  Plus I get to use up all those sweet, soft girly-girl fabrics from yester-year! I still have not decided how many blocks I need but I do know that I need more. Hmmm.  Good lap size... 10 " blocks... I am thinking at least 42 blocks.  Such a great number.

3)  I have made a decision about my Madrona Road fabric so that pile of fabric from last week is now a pile of fabric with an actual idea.  More on that later.

4)  Fat quarter swap mini mug rug thingie for my guild.  Done!  Full reveal coming.
5)  Modern scrappy bits swap and March bee blocks all are in the mail!!!  And it is only March 5!  High five!!!

So there.  That is my story.  What about you?

Linking up with the Needle and Thread Network for Canadian bloggers and also with Lee at Freshly Pieced for Work in Progress Wednesday.

Modern Scrappy Bits Swap Round 3!

So yummy!

I got home today late after a late meeting.  And nothing could make me happier than a lovely package of scrappy goodness from Jayme... FindingSweetland!  I received a cute little fabric bucket and awesome scraps!  But check out the mustache pin!  How cool is that?????  Thank you so much, Jayme.  This package made my day.  I know that these scraps will find their way into some Road to Fortune Blocks before you know it!

NICE!!!!!

totally cool mustache pin!!!

awesome scrappy goodness!

On the design wall... bee blocks

I raided my stash for aqua and orange this morning to whip up March Bee blocks for Whitney.  This is for the That Stash bee and the block is "simply woven" from the Moda Bakeshop.  I hope that these work!  This was a fun block to make but I have to admit that I messed up on the first one.  Darn!  You just have to pay close attention to the slicing and dicing!

The rain went away today and we actually had sunshine!  Unbelievable!

And look what I found outside!  Spring is coming!  Proof of sunshine!  Linking up with Judy's Design Wall Monday!