Still later that same year...

It has been a hectic few weeks.  I flew out to British Columbia,  to visit my Mom, for a couple of weeks.  Back at home,  friends visit for a couple of days, spring sprung and  hours are whizzing by as our family gets closer to dis-assembly.  Disassembly...is the only word I can find that fits.  Youngest son has landed a job in Calgary, He's squeezing in a three week trip to  Europe before his job starts in early July. Middle son has a job in Sweden, beginning in August.  He is also doing his usual summer job for an outdoor camp,  as a tripper so he has a canoe trip in July. Everything happens quickly once the parts are available, so to speak.

On another note, I didn't spend much time with Mom. Okay, I am not the only one who felt odd about this but I was 'shipped in' to look after the dog and  the 'place'.
It would have been long and boring couple of weeks, excepted I had friend 'ship in,' nothing better then a best friend to have fun  (VBG)

And that's the design wall at Mom's.  I purchased a lovely batik block of the month kit, here are all the blocks.  Well what is a gal to do when the dog gets up at 5 am (yes! Andrew, 5 comes in an AM) goes for a walk around the 'place' and by the time he gets back I am wide awake and the coffee is almost ready.  So I pieced every morning for several hours.  I completed the components of the quilt up to the borders, which are also pieced.  The BOM group I joined to do this project with,  were all amazed as this is month #1.  Yeah well...it may be  very much like the tortoise and the hare.


Back at it, I finished a T-shirt quilt, the shirts are from family gatherings at a cottage that featured an annual Pig Roast. I could do nothing more than just 'put it together'.  The backing was a polyester and the border was a decorator cotton, and the batting was puffy and fragile.  But there you have it.

Happy Wednesday folks!
gudrun

Later that same year...

It's one of those "I can't believe it has been a month since I blogged" moments. Where does the time go? The university grads that call this place home, tell me that time is a concept.  Sure think about that when you want a three minute egg, or the noodles 'el dente'. If this sounds like a complaint it is NOT.  Those young men will soon be off to other parts of the world. When we see each other again ...well  only time will tell. (grin) Son # 2 has taken a teaching position in Sweden and son #3 has a job offer in Calgary. Everyone is happy!
Anyway, time between eggs(breakfast) and noodles (dinner) I have done some quilting.
I finished this commissioned quilt(as a wedding gift)

I have pieced this pattern before, but contrary to what I thought I did not find it any faster, and only slightly boring, I think new patterns are far more fun.  I like the challenge of something new.

I sent the other quilt like this one to my Mom for her birthday.  

I also quilted one made with flying geese blocks.  My first client quilt was very similar, but a night mare for a beginner, not knowing any better I outline a gazillion geese.  This one was quick, using a favourite panto called 'popcorn'.

I have done a few other smaller quilts and will post pictures later...gotta get on with the day as company is coming for lunch.

Happy Saturday Friends,

gudrun

Villager Idiot or Smrt Girl?

On my long arm sewing machine, I have the ability to follow a paper pattern (pantograph). I do this using the controls at the back of the machine, using a light (or stylus) to follow a drawing.
So why am I stitching on paper, to stitch out a hockey player? duh? Perhaps because the quilt
has a vertical pattern run rather then horizontal on the frame....you know directional.
But (insert light bulb) I can position and stitch one drawing at a time, and no paper mess.
Well duh! Pickn' up speed I am.
gudrun

A case for scraps.

The scraps and trimmings on the left, came from a  recent Guild work day. The small purple cushion cover arrived from I don't know where, the idea for this came from the chatter on the work day.

Sew, put the scraps in the cushion cover in such a fashion that they are flat enough to stitch a few
rows to hold it all down and there it is....a mat for the cat. This one has a zipper and
I put some cat nip in it. And to make it a big hit I put some cat nip on it as well :))

Lulu likes it.
Happy Tuesday,
gudrun

Hockey

I am working on what I think of as a Boston Bruins quilt. I am quilting hockey players on it. I got this little image, and reproduced it on tracing paper, tried stitching through a printer image but there was ink transfer. Pencil seemed the better choice.

The yellow fabric is not the usual quilting cotton and requires a little caution but it's coming along. Of course there will be some paper bits to clean.
Happy Quilting,
gudrun