"FLYING" BY THE SEAT OF MY PANTS

Last year I came across this quilt that Emily had made. I had been piecing feather blocks for a couple of block exchanges so this really caught my eye.  Another block in there is the Arrow block that I thought was very cool. I saved the picture and tucked it away for future reference.

The other day, I decided to try piecing an Arrow block by just winging it. This was my inspiration fabric. My favourite combination of colour all on one piece  : )

My first attempt ended up in the garbage!

After that I sort of got the hang of it.

tail feathers, and the arrow

and the arrow head

The next one went much faster

.......and then there were three  : )

I really really like them. They turned out not too bad considering I did a sort of improv style.

Also, I took lots of pictures of the piecing so I'm thinking of writing up a tutorial?


Have a great week

WHEN YOU COME TO THE END OF A PERFECT DAY

Yesterday had a bit of everything. Sewing, gardening, and knitting.  I didn't have to leave the house which is unusual on a day off.

I started with finishing up the X and + blocks for Cindy. I thought these were my last four, but I need to make one more set.

Choosing fabrics is always fun

Here are this months blocks for the Friendship swap

.......and all the blocks so far.  I think we are all going to try to have our quilts done for September.

This photo is for Kim.  I've been encouraging her to try knitting a sock. She does amazing things with wool and I just know she would find these fun!

The heel flap has been made and the heel turned.   Now to pick up side stitches and I am home free !

Over the Easter week end, Hubby designed and built an amazing garden box.  He enlisted a couple of the boys to help.

It started with ripping up the old one

son #4 has barely taken his hat off since I finished it  : )

then they started building the new one and before long,  Voila!

Today I planted some things. Hubby designed it with a sort of 'hip' going all the way around where I put strawberries. The top will hold all the veggies.  So looking forward to all that fresh food.

All in all a perfect day.

A FINISH, A START, AND A W.I.P.

I trust everyone had a nice Easter. I decided to take a bit of a break from here to focus on family.  

After two long years, I finally finished this pair of socks.  This is my first finish for Quarter 2 of the Finish Along. My original list is here

They are a perfect fit and will be a stocking stuffer next Christmas for one of my girls  : )

I've had a few knitting finishes lately so I've allowed myself some new starts. This lovely sock yarn by Kattikloo is hand dyed on Salt Spring Island right here in B.C.  The colour is 'Tender'

and this pale blue wool blend will be a double breasted coat

After getting home from our trip, I had one day in my sewing room so I worked on Cannery Row. I made most of the confetti blocks for section three.

It's actually longer than this, but you get the idea. I'm really liking all the bright solids with the grey.
Happy Monday!

linking up with Wool on Sundays
W.I.P. Wednesday

BEE BUSINESS AND A FINISH

We are off on a short road trip again but before we left I made my bee blocks for April. Two of the three I had not made before so it was fun to try new things.

Debbie's block for the Mid Century Modern group--rolling diamonds

Quilt as you go herringbone strips for Nicke for Heal @do.good stitches  6 x 64

and a huge Swoon block for the Humility group @do.good stitches

Jaime asked for black and red with a dramatic black/white print. This is the most dramatic I had in my stash. I think it works  

I finished my son's hat. Remember the one with the dreadlocks ?

It's from this magazine

It's called the 'woodcutter' hat

It doesn't quite enclose all those dreads...........

He loves it             : )

Oh! Miss J stopped by. I changed her into her little outfit to try and get a picture. I knew it wouldn't happen on her actually birthday so.............

A perfect fit. Happy Gramma!!!!!!

A QUARTER 2 LIST AND SPRING CLEANING

Does organizing my sewing room count as spring cleaning? That's what I spent the bulk of the afternoon doing. I didn't make a list for the first quarter of this year, but I really need to do it this time. I have way too many tops that need to be finished so I am determined to get some done and out the door!

clockwise from top:

1. Flying geese quilt for the Bee Purposeful group
2. Twin Beach House quilts for Great Aunt Carol
3. Charm Pack Cherry #2
4. Economy Blocks need assembling and quilting

1. Charm Pack Cherry #1
2. Churndash blocks for the Heal @ do.good stitches group needs assembling and quilting
3. This blasted beautiful sock needs to be done (so I can start another pair)
4. Fractured 9-patch #2 needs assembling and quilting

That should keep me out of trouble for a while            : )

linking up with Katy at The Littlest Thistle

A KNITTED COWL

A couple of months ago on a road trip I picked up this pattern. I figured it would be a quick knit that I could still use this season. Well............it's finished just in time for the warmer weather. Oh well,
next winter  : )

The shawl collar is created by knitting short rows which was a new technique for me.

I'm quite happy with how it turned out.

buttons are by 2 Good Claymates

 A new line of fabric came into the shop. Color Me Happy by V and Co.
Have you noticed how so many of the new lines have turquoise and grey in them? They work so well with the X and + blocks I am making for my swap. I think Katja knows I'm weak too. This little FQ bundle came home with me.

A couple of weeks ago while hubby was going over receipts, he said to me "you know, we could have been rich---but along came quilting!"

Sorry dear            : /

LITTLE MAKES

People often ask what the best part of being a Grandma is. I'm not sure I could narrow it down to just one thing but this I do know-----it's FUN!

Miss J has a birthday coming up and I wanted to make her a summer dress.  I picked this fabric up ages ago, and finally set to it the other day.

It turned out ok ( if we don't talk about the zipper ) and works well with her little cardi.

After working out the kinks, I made another out of a Kaffe Fassett print. I think it's giant Petunias or Hibiscus?

This print is so fun and suits Miss J's personality perfectly. The knit hat came first, then I found a fabric to match

One cardi, and two sun dresses. Essentials for every girls' wardrobe.

stats:
dress pattern is Simplicity 1701
hat pattern is a freebie by Just Jussi
Cardigan -- can't remember........

Have a great week end   : )

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS

I know, it's still months away but it will be here before we know it.  The other day I pulled out these blocks and got to work. I'm piecing this for a friend and I'm sure she would like to get it to the long armer one of these days.......

I started by sewing the little pinwheels onto the corners of the 20 blocks I had already made

then I pieced a few more blocks and soon I had 30 !

I'm hoping for 42 blocks but we will see how far the fabric goes

Then I pieced some more Bee blocks.  'Whirled' blocks for the Heal group of do.good stitches

and I cut out a little dress for Miss J. This is sort of a practice piece to check for size. I tried to take some measurements the other day as she was running by, but apparently she didn't have time........

Have a lovely week