New direction....

After many challenges - I have moved over to another Blog - come join the further adventures in 'the county' and in my quilting at www.basildonkitchens.wordpress.com.

Sadly this platform was giving me many problems in the process of uploading...apparently due to the rural internet we have (though it is the only choice we have out here)

So please come and join me at Wordpress!

Quilting, visitors & weather...

It's been a very busy week at work, so not much else got done this week.  It took all week to finish up one block for the Sew Out Loud {Quilter's Word Play} QAL - but I'm very please with the finished block.  This week's word was "Fabric"!  What do you think?

I also completed the second instalment for the Happy Scrap Quilt Block Swap.  The request was for Wonky Stars - I used fabric from a collection called Tuscany Tiles - I like the bright, vibrant colors.

We have had some crazy weather this year - it's almost the winter that wasn't!  Thursday, March 1st came in like a lion - freezing rain and treacherous driving conditions if you weren't careful.  I look forward to March leaving like a lamb!

Ice covered trees

When that was all melted off - we had a wind storm with gusts up to 90 kph!  Hang on to your hat!  

Lots of waves crashing at Sandbanks Provincial Park

Michelle, Peter's daughter, and her fiance Boris came for a visit this weekend too!  We had a lovely afternoon strolling the Main Street of Picton; exploring all the cute little shops and checking out what is new.  Some shops have closed over the winter, some have moved and the art gallery has new artist's work on display.  Very nice afternoon and topped of with a lovely hot chocolate at Miss Lily's Cafe!  

We made a great dinner of Lemon Garlic Pasta and home made Caesar Salad and peanut butter & chocolate ice cream for dessert.  Everyone had their fill and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Wedding plans were discussed and then we watched a movie together (It's Complicated with Meryl Streep and Alex Baldwin) with mixed reviews from the peanut gallery. 

All in all a good end to a rather busy, blustery week.

Talk to y'all again soon,

Connie 

WIP Wednesdays

Wow - how time flies when you are having fun....I can't believe that it is Wednesday already.

I have been pretty busy this week, so let's get to it...

I took up the Mini Quilt Challenge by Ellison Lane Quilts and was inspired by a great tutorial by "Don't Call Me Betsy" - and created this Valentine inspired mini quilt.  It is machine pieced and I hand quilted it. I call it "Be Mine Friendship Star".  I had a bunch of 6" squares of various reds just laying about and being February, they were calling to me.  I put a natural linen border on it and love how it looks...what do you think?

Second finish for the week is a commission for a friend to give to her Mom.  She wanted something very traditional and 'country' colors.  Her Mom also likes chickens...so here is what I came up with.  It is an original design called, "Keep Your Sunny Side Up" - machine pieced and hand quilted with a pieced back.

I think the one that I am most happy about is finally getting my Tennessee Waltz back from the long-arm quilter - it is now bound and has been washed and dried for that wonderful crinkly look - I am so pleased with how it turned out....

Also on the table are the following:

• Sew Out Loud {Quilter's Word Play} QAL
• getting "The Big Flake" ready for quilting (top & back are assembled)
• Modern Minx Bee - starting to design the layout of all my yummy blocks from my fellow Minx!  
• Friendship Star Swap Quilt....block are waiting!
• two more quilts are at the long arm quilter that need to be finished for the quilt show in July! 

Whew - but it feels good to be busy and creating....

That's all for now - see y'all later.

Connie

WIP Wednesday...

Even though many other demands have been made on my time this week, I have been able to squeeze in precious quilting time.  

I finished up a commission for a friend at work - a mini quilt as gift to her mother.  The request was to be very traditional and very country looking.  I think I achieved that with this little quilt.  I call it "Keep your Sunny Side Up!"  It is a wonky star around a fussy cut little chicken with a circle of flying geese around it.  It measures approximately 18" x 18".  It was designed by me - machine pieced and hand quilted.  The back has a row of flying geese - leftover from the front, as I changed my design, part way through the process - one of the things I like about quilting - you never really know what you will end up with.

"KEEP YOUR SUNNY SIDE UP!"

My "Tennessee Waltz" was finally returned from the long arm quilter (5 months later than promised) but she did a beautiful job.  I just have to attach the binding and then I will take lots of photos ... hopefully by next week (fingers crossed)

I tried my hand a couple of pouches and they came out OK - I know now what I need to do to make them perfect....but these are still usable.  I used a tutorial, provided by June from Junebugs World - guest blogger on Sew Sweetness by Sara - (http://www.sewsweetness.com/2012/02/reader-tutorial-cathedral-window-pouch.html)

CATHEDRAL WINDOW POUCH

PIN-TUCK POUCH

I finished my block for the Modern Minx Bee - February is Stargazing for Vicky - it will be in the post early next week.  I can't wait to see how this quilt turns out!  Very exciting!!! I have already received 9 out 11 "Envy" blocks with the last 2 on the way very soon - January's project - and have started doodling several designs for a layout...they look great together! 

FEBRUARY MINX BLOCK - STAR GAZING

The Modern Round Robin is also coming due soon and I have pulled fabrics and gotten an OK from my partner!  This too, should be completed and in the post by next week...

THE LIME GREEN REALLY WORKS!

I have started to pull fabrics for the "Sew Out Loud" QAL.  The first block has been posted and I think I know what I plan for it...tricky paper piecing - but that is the reason I joined this group and it is being lead by some GREAT quilters...

FABRIC MOSAIC FOR 'SEW OUT LOUD' QAL

Lastly, I made up a mini quilt, inspired by Elizabeth's "Friendship Hexagon Mini" (using tutorial found here: http://www.dontcallmebetsy.com/2012/02/modern-mini-quilt-blog-hop-friendship.html) with a bunch of red squares that I had laying around for a long time.  I have bordered in in a natural linen and love how it looks.  I needed something small to take along while my Mom is having a procedure done in the hospital.  She will be there for a day or so, and I need to keep my hands busy while I am worrying and trying not to look like I am worrying ... No pictures yet of this one, but I will get them as soon as I go home again.....

Very productive week - squeezed in with work and family ....  oh yes, and Valentine's!  My hubby surprised me with a wonderful Prime Rib dinner and a romantic movie - Dr. Zhivago!  Romance for me and the Russian Revolution for him - life can't get better than that.

We all are keeping positive thoughts for Mom - and see you all soon,


Linking up with WIP over at Freshly Pieced found here:  http://freshlypieced.blogspot.com/2012/02/wip-wednesday-one-with-elizabeth.html

Connie 

Quilt Guild

February is when our Guild, (Prince Edward County Quilters' Guild) has its annual Pot Luck.  It was another roaring success and everyone had a great meal.  I really love how we didn't plan what to bring and there was an even amount of sweet and savory dishes.

We also presented our finished "Whisper Challenge" quilts.  This is based on the game, Telephone, that we used to play as children.  Teams were formed and one member drew a sealed envelope with a photo to use as inspiration.  Once they were finished, they passed their project on to the next team member who used that as their inspiration, and so on....

The REAL fun started when we all presented out finished projects and usually the last person's project had no relation at all to the photo.  There was much laughter and excitement.  All the team projects will be presented at our bi-annual quilt show to be held this July!  Sadly, I forgot my camera and don't have pictures of the presentations.  

My Whisper Challenge is shown here.  I had a photo of a dresser with some pretty bottles and jewellery on it.  I call this mini wall quilt, "My Favourite Things".  Sorry, I don't have a copy of the photo, but I am quite happy with the results here.

My Favourite Things

There was also a good turnout of show and tell, in which I showed my "12 Days of Christmas" QAL and finished "Indigo Stars".  

See you all soon,

Connie

WIP Wednesday

I am almost finished my 12 Days of Christmas QAL - Yay....All that is left to do is the label and a hanging sleeve, as I am entering it in my Quilt Guild's Show (July 2012)...wish me luck!  Then it will be ready for gifting to my daughter, Melissa, as promised.  {picture to be posted a bit later, when washed and all crinkly}

Since I finished this project - I feel free to join another QAL.  So join me if you like for the "Sew Out Loud" QAL - details can be found here:

http://shape-moth.blogspot.com/2012/02/sew-out-loud-qal-giveaway.html?showComment=1328116211983#c8651269173751322440 

Go take a peek and see the great giveaway included...

My Modern Minx Bee is moving along nicely.  My blocks from the January Bee are starting to come in and I will post pictures once a few more arrive.  They are looking fantastic.  February's Minx (patchwork queen) has also posted her wishes and we are challenged to make a variety of stars - I am still pulling fabric and waiting for my solid to arrive in the mail. 

That's all this week....

Connie

Sad farewell...

This past weekend we said goodbye to my father-in-law, who passed away suddenly, at the age of 87, of a massive heart attack.  We will miss you Dad!

"Sea-Fever"

I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

By John Masefield (1878-1967).