RANDOM THURSDAY

First of all, I want to say a big thank you to everyone who took the time to comment on my last post. It will soon be time to nominate your favourite  : )

Since the wedding I have still been busy busy. There is always just so much to do!  Hubby and I went on a short road trip because I needed some more blue.  As a result, I was able to make my blocks for the Bee Purposeful group

I made the 'confetti' block for the Simply Solids bee

Last Friday night I taught a Tuffet class. It was fun seeing all the different variations.

These blocks are for the Heal@do.good Stitches group.  I really like these ones so may be making more.  Someday.

This block is for Elizabeth in our Mid Century Modern group. She is making a Christmas quilt so asked us for greens.

Next week my beginners class starts. I will be teaching them three different blocks and they will be making their own version of this

linking up with Random Thursday at Live a Colorful Life

2013 BLOGGERS QUILT FESTIVAL

Quilters from all over have converged on Houston Texas for International Quilt Market. For those of us that are at home, we get our own 'Quilt Show' of sorts with the Bloggers Quilt Festival hosted by Amy.
This time around I chose one of the quilts that was on my fourth quarter list to finish. These blocks came to me from the ladies in the Mid Century Modern Bee.  I asked them to make me a block of their choice based on this quilt and they sent me a fabulous variety.

Mid Century Modern Sampler

In order to make the quilt a decent size I made a few blocks myself.  When all the blocks had arrived, I laid them out on the floor and fit everything together. I knew I would need to fill little spaces with something, so I had planned all along to use the signature blocks on the front that I knew they were sending with their blocks.

I only had to build up a couple of blocks to make it all work    : )

 I quilted each block with a different design. A little stippling,

some square stippling, and you can see a few of the signature blocks

This is the most fun I've ever had quilting something myself. Usually I pick it all out, but I'm quite pleased with this

the backing is Inkwell Life's Words by Crabapple Hill, and the binding is Wordplay.

Thank you so much to all the ladies in my Bee who sent me their beautiful blocks.  I will treasure this quilt.  This one fits into the Group/Bee quilt category of the Festival. It finished 51 x 60

This is also a finish from my 4th quarter list         : )

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the festival

FRIENDSHIP x and + SWAP

It's hard to believe that we are staring down the end of October already. Although I love the colours of fall, I don't like the cold that comes with it. Recently I joined another swap. I have paired up with Cindy of Live a Colorful Life fame   : )

I learned about the swap from Cindy who directed me to this post from Lolly Quilts

The colour palette we have chosen is this :

thank you Cindy for this swatch

I am to make pairs of matching blocks. Four for Cindy, and four for me. Cindy will do the same.

Here is what I've finished so far

I still need to make two but I will get them done ( no worries Cindy )

The look of the block changes when the dark is placed in the middle. Hmmmm

It's been fun and sort of challenging to see how many block variations I can make using our limited colour palette.

There has also been some quilting going on here.  I am trying to finish this up for the Blogger's Quilt Festival that starts today.  Nearly there        : )

Have a great week-end!

NOW I KNOW MY ABC's

Next time won't you...................  Did I have you singing? That song has been stuck in my head all day!
At the beginning of the year, I started this block of the week making letters designed inside a 3" hexagon. The blocks are english paper pieced.  Katja designed each letter, and then the numbers 0 through 9.  Being a sucker for hexies and handwork, I started making blocks. Fast forward to now, and the top is done.

I more or less stuck with a few colours and used my scraps. Also, I chose to stagger my rows and used a grey solid for the triangles in between.

I'm working at removing all the paper templates. A good thing to do while the hockey game is on.

My plan is to stitch near the ditch diagonally and bind it with the zig zag edge because it will most likely hang on the wall in the nursery. This will not become another UFO  : )

quilt stats:
A Hexabet of Alphagons
37 x 37
scraps
hand pieced

MID MONTH BLOCK EDITION

After a super busy week-end, I felt a little retail therapy was in order.  This long anticipated book finally came in to the shop so I took one home.

 So much eye candy

I'm working towards a finish on my Glorious Fall quilt from last year

Twin blocks for a new swap I joined     (more on that at month's end)

the first block of the Saturday Sampler at Katja's    I actually zipped into the shop on my way to the wedding to get my block so I wouldn't have to pay the five bucks.  What can I say--it was on the way!!

finally FINALLY the first block I've done from Linda's quilt along. I decided on all solids because I have a plan

slowly working my way through the Tula Pink City Sampler book

and just one more pic from the wedding. I am so used to seeing these guys in their grubby work clothes. They clean up so well!

Have a wonderful rest of the week.

THE MR. AND THE MRS.

What a week-end!  I have so much to be thankful for. This past Saturday our oldest son was married to an absolutely beautiful girl.  We are so thrilled to have her join our clan   : )       She's pretty excited to have a bunch of new brothers as well.  I love this photo of him watching his bride walk towards him with all his brothers by his side.

here comes the bride

His little sister was part of the celebration too. That's her on the far left

I don't think he's ever been happier.  Isn't she lovely?

The day just flew by for all of us and we made use of the time in between to snap a few random pics of family---including us.   Hubby and I are so happy for the two of them !

men in black ?

Little Miss S wanted to go up and sit with her new Auntie.  I think a little one looks good on them : )

Thanks so much for all the well wishes before the big day and for letting me share a few moments of it with you.  They are off on their honeymoon now, and are excited to begin life together.

Feeling so very blessed.

p.s. they loved the quilt

FOURTH QUARTER WISH LIST

It's hard to believe we are into the last few months of yet another year. Quilting a lot is one way that helps me cope with the long, dark, cold days of winter. I love sitting under a quilt while I hand sew the binding. For this last quarter of the Finish Along, I plan to focus on getting several tops done that are hanging in my closet.  Let's take a look at the line-up, shall we?

1. Glorious Fall.  Since this picture, I have added another row but I still want to add a bit more.

2. Scrappy trip (left over from last quarter)

3. Converging Corners  ( also left over from last quarter)

4. These are the scrappy trip blocks made by ladies in a club I used to host. I'm sure they would love to see me get this together and donated  : )

 5. Up Up and Away.  This has been a top far too long

6. Stringy Pinwheels

7.  x and + made from Comma

8. The quilt made from blocks sent to me from the Mid Century Modern girls

9. Lilly Belle

10. Hexi-bets

11. Plus Quilt.  I love this thing so must make it bigger before I quilt it.

12.  Twin Beach House quilts

13. These blocks need to become another quilt for Hospice

What a ridiculous list!!!  I decided to put lots of UFO's on the list this time so I can't get bored. One thing's for sure -- there will be an awful lot of batting and backing purchased over the next few months. 

On a personal note,  I will be unplugging for a bit to concentrate on these two. They get married on Saturday.

So excited for them  : )

Enjoy your week. I'm in for a very busy one!

linking up with Leanne for the 4th quarter