TWINKLE TWINKLE (not so little) STAR

This week brought a new project my way.   I have been fooling around with "a Stitch in Colour"
layer cake. These fabrics are really fun.  Sort of out of the box for me, but I am happy with the results so far.

a close-up of these fun prints

my daughter tried her hand at a little fusible appliqué .  So sweet.  We just need to do the finishing touches on it and then I'll show more.

Speaking of children, my youngest son came over because he wanted to talk to us about buying a new computer. He was going to trade in his relatively new one, but still needed some cash to finish the deal. That's where we come in.  If we bought his older one (he has 2) he would have the cash he needed.
To make a long story short, Chad has the gift of "persuasion" and I have a new-to-me Mac mini in my sewing room : )        Only a mother.........

Happy Sunday

ITTY BITTY STITCHES

If you've read my blog for any length of time, you know I'm a knitter too.  I relax in the evening while knitting and watching a little T.V.  I made my daughter this black hat last fall, but she just started wearing it.  Threatening to give it away helped.     ( She wasn't in the modeling mood )

There has been a new little babe born into this world and where she lives is coooooold.  I figure when she is a bit bigger she could use a spring hat.  This is called the Special Day Silk hat.

I love the ruffled front.

and the back.....

I got in touch with Donna in Nova Scotia, and she is sending me 2 more skeins of lovely hand painted yarn that her daughter did.  I am thinking maybe one of them might be for this :

(thanks Roxy)

It has some beads knitted in, but I have never done that before. Too lovely not to give it a shot.

Block #4 of the hex-a-long.  As you can see by the picture, I sewed mine together different.  Oh well, looks like a pinwheel to me!

Thanks to those of you who want to pay it forward this coming year.  I signed up for another one around the same time, but haven't heard whether or not I am still part of it.  If so, I will be posting about another chance to pay it forward sometime in the future. 

Happy Quilting.

PAYING IT FORWARD

Sometime before Christmas, I was having some fun reading different quilt blogs.  I came across
Little Island Quilting where Alison blogs.   It just so happens she was "paying if forward".  The first 3 people to comment on her blog post, would get something handmade by her.  I scrolled down to the comments and there were only 2.  I debated, but then left a comment hoping I would qualify for a little handmade goodie.  She e-mailed me back and said I was in!  Yipee.

This past week, I received this in the mail, all the way from the isle of Guernsey.  Isn't it lovely?

Also in the package, was this tea towel (too nice to use) and a little note pad. I love it all Alison : )

Thanks so much.

Now it's my turn to "pay it forward".  There are of course a few rules if you would like to participate.

1. You must pay it forward to 3 people within a year of receiving your gift (easy enough)

2. You must have a blog. This is so you can in turn blog about it and pay it forward to 3 more people.

3. Once you receive your gift, you blog about it to keep it going.  Use the "pay it forward" button.

It doesn't necessarily have to be quilted, just handmade. We're not talking a queen size quilt here either.  It could be a little table topper or a mug rug.   If you sign up, I will be stalking  checking your blog to see what you like.  This is fun!!

Soooooo wanna play?  The first 3 people to comment and say "count me in" will receive a little something this year.  I'm thinking this summer when I have nothing but time............

JANUARY INSPIRATION

Following are some pictures of show and tell from Moda club today. It's always so nice to see what others have done over the last month or so. Thanks ladies for coming out again.

How cute is this?  Lilly is making an owl quilt, so she fused this little guy onto a canvas so baby will have some art that matches the quilt : )
This gives me an ideeeeeeeea!

A SQUARE FINISH

Remember these blocks? I was first inspired by some blocks I saw on flickr.  I traced it back to
Cut to Pieces. I e-mailed Angela and told her I loved it so much I was making one similar : )

I finished the binding this morning.  I've been struggling with the lighting in the house this dreary month, so   since it has warmed up slightly ( -14) I ventured outside to get a picture.  What better place to take a picture of a tree skirt than around a tree?  It started snowing as soon as I came in.

The binding fabric was a hard decision, because I wasn't sure I would like it.  I LOVE how it looks.

My "Hometown Birdies" is finished, but not quilted.  I did have it over half done, but picked it all out.  Free motion is not my thing so off to the quilter it goes!

I will post a picture when it's finished.  Hopefully my daughter-in-law likes this enough to have it for the next little one.

Tomorrow is Moda club at the shoppe.  I finished step 4 of the mystery quilt, which results in the first block.

 I will be back with pictures from the meeting, so stay tuned.

Have a great week-end.

QUILTING WITH MY DAUGHTER

My daughter came to work with me yesterday.  In between customers, she wanted something to do.  I suggested she baste some hexagons. Keep in mind, she has watched me make these ever since she can remember.  She sort of turned her nose up, but agreed to give it a try.  After going through my fabrics and choosing a few, she got started.

  When it was done, she said " I LOVE this"! (happy dance)

Here's her first completed flower.

Just for fun, I cut some mini jellyrolls out of Pat Bravo's fabrics.

Delicious.   On payday, this will be coming home with me.  My daughter loves it too, so I think my stash is no longer safe.......


Here is week #3 of the hex-a-long and yes, she wants to make one too : )

I no longer need to worry what will happen to my stash after I am gone.  First though, I hope to enjoy many years of quilting with my daughter.

Have a fantastic day!

FARMERS WIFE UPDATE

I thought I'd show you my progress so far on the Farmers Wife Quilt.  Some weeks I don't do anything and other weeks I get a couple done.  18 so far---93 more to go : )

I am not sure about the layout yet, but I'm thinking probably on point.

Also, I got block 1 and 2 done of the Hexagon quilt-a-long. I think I am going to do extra hexie flower blocks to fill in between.  Might as well make it bigger.

A special congratulations goes out to Dawn, who gets a new grand baby on Wednesday! (I'm soooooo jealous)

Have a great day.

THE START

Yesterday my daughter had a dentist appointment.  I took along my hexagons so I could baste them while I waited.  Has anyone mentioned how portable these little darlings are?  I thread basted rather than glueing because I only had my lap to work on.  I think I like the way these fabrics will all look together.  I am playing with different layouts too.


Block 1

Block 2

I will finish this up today and then I will be caught up to everyone.  No two quilts will be alike so it's fun to see everyone's colour choices.

Oh! I almost forgot. I did #17 of my farmers wife quilt. This one was much easier than the last one. I didn't have to pick anything out : )

Have a happy quilty week-end.

WILLPOWER

Apparently, I have none.  Katja has started a Hexagon quilt-a-long through the shoppe. If you have known me for any length of time, you know that I think the hexagon is pretty much the most amazing shape ever. I was NOT going to sign up, because I already have a zillion projects on the go.  I told myself "you don't have time, or the energy, and you don't need another hexagon project."  But then this fabric came in.....

...and I already had this.  I caved.

  Just look how they go together!

 Rumour has it that Katja had said to someone, "Carla hasn't signed up ------ yet" : )
Do you think she knows me?  Maybe she had a little wager going? At any rate, I have my templates cut out and am ready to start.

I love the feel of the thread coming through the fabric while hand piecing.  I know, I have it bad. 

Following are a few pics of a similar quilt I did eons ago.  The papers are still in around the edges because it's not finished yet. The fabrics are very muted and romantic. My how times have changed.

I will probably set it with alternate blocks something like this to feature the "wrenly" fabric.

First though, is the little issue of 13 for dinner tonight. I better get off the computer and pretend I know what I'm having.

Happy Quilting!

BRING ON WINTER

I finished my Eternity scarf yesterday, and while I was knitting, it started snowing!  I'm ready now so bring it on.  This scarf is bulky and warm, and seeing it's only the beginning of January, I should get a lot of wear out of it yet.

I'm happily working away on my second one.

This top is done too.  I can't show the whole thing yet, but soon. These wonky stars work up quick and the best part is there is no measuring.

My Hometown quilt just needs borders. All in all I think it's been a very productive week-end.  Back to work tomorrow though.  

Have a great week.