Using up the scraps... backwards thinking

Here is a reverse approach.  I cut up a bunch of the Fresh Flowers fabric to make a quilt.  I have not started the quilt but I have all the lovely little piles of neatly cut fabric ready to go and a pile of scraps.  I have not started the quilt.  Instead I started to use the scraps.  Backwards thinking.

While Husband was stressing through last night's BAD hockey game, I sewed.  First of all I finished up the last blocks for my vintage sheet quilt.  Just have to sew that puppy together.  And then I put together a few paper pieced string blocks using the scraps of Fresh Flowers.  Pillow top in the making.  Not bad.  Still have to fiddle with the placing of the one white strip to give it the correct alignment.  I was piecing on the fly though.  Still in my backwards thinking mode, I looked up a tutorial after I had sewed the 4 blocks and put them together.  We will just call this Backwards Fresh Flowers.  I'm good with that.

Happy Tuesday!  Big hugs to you, Daughter.

some scrappy stash building...

I have a confession.  I love scraps.  I think I love buying scrap bags at quilt stores more than buying yardage. I wonder if there is a group for scrap buyer's anonymous.  I took advantage of the fact that there were several vendors at the quilt show.  And wouldn't you know it?  I found a vendor with scrap bags.  Happiness!  I love it.  Just have a look...

 Moda: Just Wing It by Momo

 Moda:  Fresh Flowers by Deb Strain

 Moda:  American Jane, Lots of dots and SOLIDS!!!!

Moda:  Buttercup by Figtree Quilts

Yep, it's true!  Total score.  I am a happy quilter.  I already have a quilt top ready to piece from the Fresh Flowers.  There was enough in the scraps for the whole top.  It was easily equivalent to a layer cake and I still have a bunch of leftover scraps.  These scraps were obviously from the samples the retailer gets but the Buttercup scraps included more than just samples.  Husband says I have to work on taking better pictures of fabric because these ones are too dark.  Argh!

And finally, I just want to say a big thank you and welcome to the Blueberry Patch to all of you who check out my blog.  The readership seems to be climbing all the time and I appreciate you!

Weekend Thrifting....

What did I find?  On the way to the Quilt Show, I convinced Husband to turn around and zip into a thrift store I don't often visit.  We were a bit ahead of time anyway.  And there, waiting for me, for the grand sum of $1.50, was the sweetest sewing basket.  Round and little.  It came home with me.  Happily.

 I also found a tray cloth or doily, whatever you wish.  Nicely embroidered with pussy willows and daffodils and finished with hand crocheted lace.  So pretty!  In perfect condition and only $1.

And from a while ago and I don't believe I have mentioned them, some really great vintage table cloths. One embroidered and one not.  There is a local shabby chic designer,  who is often written up in Canadian design magazines, who makes really snazzy pillows with just this type of printed floral table cloth.  For the perfect shabby chic room, of course!

I will be linking up with Sophie's Flea Market finds!  Check out what other clever people have found this week.  And I will get back to my sewing machine, where I will finish a delightful day of quilt making!

FLEA MARKET FINDS

Quilt show... some favourites to share

 Some absolutely stunning quilts at the Quilts in the Valley in Abbotsford this weekend.  This quilt won a ribbon for group work. Striking!  The roses were machine blanket stitched after being attached to the backing fabric with fusible web.  Wow!

 Little, itty bitty hexies!

 Loved this one.  Overgrown.  It was really amazing close up... detailed and interesting with the wonky log cabin background.

 Precise, fine handquilting on linen squares.  This was just fabulous work.

 One of the featured quilters was Wendy Lewington, a local artist and quilter.  Her quilts make quite a political statement and there was a series on women.  I think it was from a series called "Work, work, work."  So the clocks, the laundry, the apron taking flight.  Wonderful.

It is really interesting to see the work of so many different quilters.  Most inspiring.  It was also fun to bump into people and have a wee visit!  I did not however, find a quilt with a moose.  Happy weekend!

Cookies?

Card night at my house tomorrow.  The gathering of women to play whist and enjoy good food and much laughter. We have been gathering for a year now and it is such a wonderful thing to have my card ladies.  True friends are money in the bank that 's for sure! So what do you do to get ready for cards?   Make cookies!  

Brown Sugar Shortbread...

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F

Cream 1 cup of softened butter with 1-1/4 cups of packed brown sugar.  Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla.  (especially nice to use the vanilla that clever son and his lovely girlfriend brought back from Mexico!)  Add 2-1/2 cups of flour. Form a ball and chill for at least an hour.  Roll to 1/4" thin or slightly thinner if you like on a lightly floured board.  You may have to be a bit firm with the dough to get it to stick together.  Cut with a cutter of your choice.  I used a lovely vintage one.  Bake on ungreased sheets for about 18 to 20 minutes.  Remove to a rack to cool.  These will be lovely with tea or even an ice tea.  Mmm... yummy. 

And what can be nicer than a peony in bloom?  Other than a fresh cookies or a quilt show tomorrow...

Quilt show this weekend!

Quilts in the Valley this weekend at the Abbotsford Tradex.  Very exciting.  I thought it was pretty funny to see that husbands get in free!  I told Husband that there is absolutely no pressure then.  He doesn't have to pretend to be having fun.  He can just leave and not feel guilty.

This is not the only exciting thing as I notice that my fabulous local quilt shop is having a special to be nice.  They have a 50% off coupon on their blog and are offering a free pattern too.  That is just so nice!  Don't forget to print out the coupon and if you are out in Abbotsford, check out the shop.  Parking can be tricky because of the Farmer's Market but it is worth the patience of finding a spot to park.

Hockey Wednesday, a book I ordered and maybe some more flowers

I ordered a book.  It seems as though there are a lot of new quilting books out lately.  They all look so wonderful.  Great eye candy.  I have shown great restraint but I did order a book.  Just the other day.  I cannot wait.  It may take up to 2 weeks.  Anticipation is building.  You can check over at  msmcporkchopquilts. And you can check at Angela's blog.   'Cause there is a quilt a long.  And it looks like too much fun!  It is this book...

from Amazon...

But you have to check out the blogs because the blocks are coming together in modern fabrics and they look great!!!!!  And Lily is doing it too!  Check it out!

 evening light in the back...

I weeded this flower bed on Sunday.  150 feet of flowers.  Hopefully the rest of the summer will be just weed maintenance!  Hopefully the Canucks will do better tonight.  I am off to another meeting!