Why I quilt

It has been over a year since I have visited this place.
I haven't necessarily missed it.
I always said this wasn't my job. My blog was mine and I'd write when I felt like it.
Well today I do. Feel like it, I mean.

I read a blog post this morning that challenged me to look at my hobby and the why's and where's and how's that I go about it.

You see, I really miss my dad.
He was my cheering section. My constant.
I began quilting out of necessity for him to keep him warm and then continued out of necessity to keep me sane :)

I have moved to a new place and a new life.
I'm slowly readjusting to life as it is instead of life as it was.
And I'm *mostly* okay with that.

In our home, I have a sewing studio.
Really it's just a room in the basement and it's not even really that big but it's MINE.
And I like that.
I can escape and be completely entrenched in a quilt and I love it.
It is therapeutic.

I quilt for me. For my family.
Recently I quilted for others. Not for gifts but for profit.

I ventured into making quilts to sell at vendor fairs as well as custom work. I quilted so much in such a short time I needed a massage to get the kinks out!
It felt good and fun. -- not the massage but the quilting-- althougth the massage was AWESOME!

And then summer came and it felt. like. work.

And then I finished them and got paid :)
and then I went shopping... and that felt like fun!

Haha! So why do I quilt????????
For the joy.
For the therapy.
For the fun.
And sometimes... for others because they appreciate the true value of a quilt.
And I know it is being used and loved. and it is going to love its new home!


Wanna' see??

 This quilt is a disappearing 9 patch made in Sweetwater's Make Life fabric line. I backed it in a mid-tone gray and then bound it in a dark textured grey to make it pop on the back.
I was up until 3 am quilting this one because I was determined to see it through to the end in one sitting but everytime I looked at it I just felt it needed more so I kept going... until about 2:38 am when I was finally satisfied... silly, I know.

This quilt was a long overdue gift to my mom.
It felt so beachy and fun I worked hard to finish it just in time for our Myrtle Beach trip in August so I could work on the binding at leisure and take great photos by the ocean... So happy how it turned out....it was my first foray into batiks.


So these are some of what I accomplished quilt-wise this summer....soon I'll show you some of the other things I've been up to.

Blonde Joke

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My Dad loved Blonde Jokes so I thought I'd feature a funny one today... especially considering it is *finally* spring here in Canada!

A BLONDE ON A HOLIDAY IN CANADA

As a trucker stops for a red light, a blonde catches up. She jumps out of
her car, runs up to his truck, and knocks on the door. The trucker lowers
the window, and she says "Hi, my name is Heather and you are losing some of
your load."

The trucker ignores her and proceeds down the street. When the truck stops
for another red light, the girl catches up again. S...he jumps out of her car,
runs up and knocks on the door. Again, the trucker lowers the window. As if
they've never spoken, the blonde says brightly, "Hi my name is Heather, and
you are losing some of your load!"

When the light turns green the trucker revs up and races to the next light.
When he stops this time, he hurriedly gets out of the truck, and runs back
to the blonde. He knocks on her window, and as she lowers it, he says, "Hi,
my name is Kevin, it's winter in Canada and I'm driving the SALT TRUCK!!!!"

 

 

Have a happy day!

Best of intentions and letting it "Bee"

 

 

It's true.
I have the best of intentions.

I never mean to not follow through. It just kind of happens...
That being said, 2012 was full of big changes for me that kind of got in my way of finishing some things I started.

Like quilt bees.

I was behind in my bees before we got the news we were moving and then I had intended to work hard to get caught up before the moving truck came... but one night my sewing room just magically got packed and I wasn't done.

I had the best of intentions to get right down to it after the move and then some stuff happened with my pregnancy.

Post baby I just kept putting my crafting life off.

It's been up and down.
My sis in law wanted to learn to quilt.
I taught her.
She noticed alot of unfinished "stuff" and wisely pointed out that I was in way over my head.

All this to say that the year of 2013 is going to be the year of crafting for me.
No bees.
No time restraints.

No guilt.

I'm not leaving bees forever. Just for now.
I'm going to let it "bee".

But it was fun while it lasted!

calm

I know it's been a long time since I've posted.
This absence I've had here is due to life.
My absence here, means I've been living life. Elsewhere.
not on the computer :)

We've moved our family 2.5 hours away from the home I've known for the last 10 years.
Our married home. Our whole married life.

New city, new job, new school, new church, new friends, new stores and....oh did I not mention?
New BABY.

yes. 2013 is the year of new.

In many ways I have not been "o.k." with much of it.  (except the baby part--she's lovely!)

It happened too fast, too soon, too unexpected.
But the Lord opened the door and my hubby felt ready to walk right through it and me dragging my feet behind me.

I'm accepting my new life and in many ways I see God moulding me. Changing me.
I've always said that I'm the kind of person who "can't handle too much".
And while this is absolutely true.
With God's leading and my husband to hold my hand, I'm "handling it" in my own way.
oh... and my kids?
They're hopping and skipping and loving life here.

To say I "can't handle too much" doesn't really express what I mean though.
I always thought it made me weak.... until I read this blog post.

She nailed it.
I need margins in my life.
LARGE MARGINS.
The less I do outside of me and my family the better a person I am.

Seems a bit selfish, but in some ways I'm thankful for the move.
Fresh start.
No committments.
Just me. and my family.
It's more of a blessing than I'd ever thought or prepared for.
But hey,
that's God for ya.
He knows what you need, even when you don't.

BEE's

It's been a while since I've updated my crafty pursuits...

 string quilt blocks for Lynn of H2B2-- I liked these because instead of a paper foundation she used a muslin permanent foundation...makes the quilt a bit heftier and is much easier!

 My friend Jodi of H2B2 sent lovely valentine fabric and gave us  free reign to make blocks of a valentine theme.

 she had indicated she liked the "word" blocks so I thought I'd give it a go! I loved it so much now I want a whole quilt of love and x and o's myself!

 May was my month in the H2B2 quilting bee and I sent out this scrumptious pile of fabrics to make some enormous shoo fly blocks.

 These blocks were designed by Alexandra Ledgerwood of Teaginny Designs blog and the pattern was published in the Spring '12 issue of Stitch Magazine

The colours for this quilt were inspired by Sissy's new p.j's and as the quilt is for her and she is my snuggle bug--she of course has asked for bright pink minky as a backing.

I'm waiting on 2 more blocks and then I hope to get this quilt put together soon!

There is more craftiness brewing and I've rejoined the Great White North Bee 3 so I'll update you soon on that too!

I'm trying to take things one project at a time.... or maybe 2?

modern?

I was reading a post by Alison of Cluck, Cluck, Sew blog fame.
(she is by far my favourite pattern designer! such talent!)
anyways, she struck a chord with me today.

I've been asked quite frequently about what kind of a quilter I am.
Modern? Traditional?

and then there are those that don't ask, and just assume that quilting is this old past time using calicos and plain fabrics and it's just not something they would like at all.
 --you know the look... like they kind of turn their nose at you as if to say "ewww. really? you like that?"

Well yes. I like that.
and no. I don't.
....It depends....
On what, you might ask?

I have thought about this alot. I am not modern nor am I traditional.
I am just a quilter. I quilt what I like.

and I happen to be attracted to fabric with a more "modern" flair for the more youthful generation. but I like a many varied way of constructing them...

you know my mom and I were talking about generations and how they have colour schemes. you know, like each generation brings in it's own style and likes.
My mom loved the hunter green, burgundy and rose colour palette.  (and those geese with the hearts?--I know you know what I'm talking about!)
and neutrals.
I prefer brighter fresher looks and so do most of my friends in "my generation"

...so what is modern? youth?
Each generation is more modern than the next. due to influences and technology partly. and just due to the need to be different I think.

(just a few of the items I'm crushing on right now--totally on my "to make" list) 1. Patchworking, 2. A Double Shot!, 3. Urban Amish Garden Party - 1, 4. stacked solids front

But no. I'm not a modern quilter.
I'm just a quilter who likes to quilt :)

Still Here

I am still here.

I didn't fall down.
I didn't run off to a foreign country.
I didn't sell my computer.
Pinterest has not swallowed me up.
I didn't fall in a black hole.
My house didn't get swept up in a tornado.

It's just that....well, there's no place like home :)

I'm a little bit pregnant.
and a litte bit busy...not to mention a whole lot of lazy!

I've been homeschooling, working the hot lunches at Sissy's school.
Eating hummus at all times of night.
not to mention the ham an onion sandwich I ate for breakfast! YUM!

This is our 4th baby.
maybe our last :(
I love being pregnant and am savouring every moment and little kick.
I'll be back soon.
Just going to take a quick nap :)

Bee Blocks

Found some pics of Bee blocks that I have yet to share with you all...
First up is a stacked block for the Hip 2 Bee Square group--can't remember whether this was October or September. It's been too long!

I loved making these and might need to make some for myself :)

Next up also for H2B2 are some improv log cabins using some Dream On fabric

I really am not that great at improv piecing :(

Lastly, some really cool hens to start us off for January's H2B2 (Round 3) which I am now heading up.

These hens are for Jan and she sent us the legs and the pattern and we were to use our scraps--they really were so fun to make!

My hubby was not a fan, however, so I don't know that I'll be making many more of these unless someone I know wants a chicken quilt--any takers? :)

Now I'm all caught up--onto FEBRUARY!

O Christmas Tree!

No. This is not a long overdue Christmas post.

Yes. It does include a Christmas quilt....for next year...

It was my turn to send out fabric for the Hip to Bee Square group in November.

You may remember my Teathered Threads 2 bee and the tree blocks I had them make using this YCMT pattern....

well I never knew what to do with them --so there they sat.

Until September 2011...when genius struck.

and I did some shopping HERE.

to get the perfect fabrics for those little trees to be turned into this...

(blocks made for me by a fellow Canadian Quilter--Hi Rebecca!)

FABULOUS!!!

Free form/wonky log cabin blocks made scrappy and fun ar0und the trees I had made previously is a recipe for Christmas scrappy quilt heaven!

I'm not sure about this layout as I just threw them down to get an idea but each block is 14 inches so it will be a good sized lap quilt.
Yummy!

thank you Teathered Threads 2 and H2B2!
I'm loving it!(had to throw in the shot of my feet in the photo with my new Christmas slippers from the hubby)

Cake Decorating for Men:101

Aww... 7 is such a special birthday for a little girl!

Notice the cute lady bug cupcakes?

Notice they have 7 chocolate chip spots? (the best kind)

Notice how evenly the icing is distributed?

Not too shabby, eh?

Did I mention that my hubby made these?

yes. that's right.

i had injured myself and it was my daughter's birthday and she wanted to take cupcakes to class.

Not wanting to let her down I dug in and got to work but the pain was awful.

Hubby: Let me do it.

Me: No. I want them to be nice.

Hubby: Go get a container to put them in and let me help you.

Me: O-ka-a-a-y

(as I roll my eyes and storm off only to come upstairs and find beautiful cupcakes upon my return)

Me: WOW!

Hubby: Yeah. I figured an icing bag can't be that hard. it's just like using a caulking gun.

Seriously.

More men should decorate cakes--they may have the edge :)

The "tail" of two Scottie's

Today I bring you a "tail" of two Scottie's

(and yes, I realize that that's a super corny!)

First some great news!

Compliments of

OOOOh scrap overload!

Coming your way via Pink Castle fabrics and one of my favourite bloggers,

Kaelin of The Plaid Scottie fame!

Quick! Go check it out

And the next Scottie news is that I finally finished the Scottie dog for the Middle man!

I finished this off in October before injuring myself and he loved it so much it got whisked away before I had a chance to blog about it.

His name is Spotty and he was made using Denyse Schmidt's free Scottie dog pattern found HERE

Patchwork front to match his quilt and a super soft upcycled wool sweater as the back makes him a cozy companion.

We made a collar and leash from a strip of old t-shirt fabric and now he's the real deal!

It feels good to have this crossed off my list--and to see the Middle Man so happy--makes me wish I'd done it earlier.

Christmas and Spiderman

Well, Christmas has come and gone and unfortunately I don't have much crafty to show for it.
In November I ended up injuring myself (long story) and it made my handmade holidays a little less attainable this year.

But there was one project I wasn't going to let go.

A quilt for my sweet nephew who is 2 1/2 years old and a Spiderman fanatic!

It was started and finished within less than 2 weeks and I'm glad to say the speed in which it was executed only made it better--it was beautiful!

(if I do say so myself)

I received the fabric several days after initially injuring my finger so I spent much time dreaming of how I wanted it to look. The main bulk of the design was centered around a panel measuring 1 yard. and here is the finished project--inspired heavily by THIS flickr photo
Here is a shot of the quilting. I did a straight line quilting with my walking foot of lines at all different angles across the quilt in white--to mimick a spider web.
And here it is upon its unveiling--my nephew really liked it--I think it was more than my brother and my nephew could believe :)
even Nana got in on the action and helped me with sewing up the pillow I made with the extra pillow panels.
Due to my injury I can't handsew so my mom came to the rescue--thanks MOM!

The quilt ended up being 69" x 92"--a long twin size just right for showcasing on his new big boy bed!
I backed it in a striped black, white and royal blue thrifted Ikea duvet cover and added a chunk of the yellow at the bottom for the extra length.

The duvet cover fabric was heavy weight which gave the quilt a nice bit of heft.

I did a machine stitched binding for the first time and I have to say I really missed the handstitching but honestly, I'm glad I had no choice because I would have had to bind it after I gave it to him otherwise.

As it was I was practically wrapping it as they walked in the door on the morn' of Christmas Eve.
All's well that ends well.

I was initially inspired to have a handmade Christmas by the Polkadot Chair and I'm really glad I persevered :)

Hope your Christmas was all you wanted and more.

Mine was a great one!

Sew Scraps Along Begins!

My bloggy friend Jodi of Pleasant Home fame is at it again with her Sew Scraps Along Extravaganza!!

A chance for tutorials, prizes and of course scrappy conversation-- I can't wait!

Check it out!

quilt giveaway!

this is a seriously gorgeous quilt and she's giving it away!!!!

go get in on the quilt draw at Art Nest quick!

anywho...

I was looking through some photos on Flickr and thought I'd better update the crafting going on around these parts....not that it's much!

The H2B2 (Hip to Bee Square) group is nearly finished their year of bee blocks....and I have dragged my tail through which is so sad because once I do them I love it.

Being part of a bee has forced me to learn so much! It has been immensely helpful.

This block was due for June (I finished it in June, but didn't mail it 'til July--LOOOOONG story!)

It was made using this tutorial. and was surprisingly easy.

just time consuming. It has ALOT of seams!
She's now done her quilt top. you can see it HERE.

These blocks, also for H2B2 took me forever to finish!
Due for July but I just started and finished them the other day.

Why did I wait so long??

I was scared of them... terrified!

They're fully pieced--curved piecing. I'd never tried it.

Then I had to. I mean--3 months to finish a block?? COME ON, KEL!!

although she was very kind and didn't put a time limit on us as some were having more trouble than others.

The inspiration came from these leaves created by my uberly talented bloggy friend Anna of Noodlehead fame.

Her's are lovely. I didn't want to murder her concept with my shoddy piecing.

********************************************

Well, I mustered my courage.

Cut. Pieced. Notched. Pieced some more.

within an hour and a half I had 4.

yesssss. Triumph!!

Thanks H2B2 girls for stretching my creative muscles.

Now I'm off to conquer September and Octobers blocks and then it's my turn!

stay tuned...

must see commercial

This is a terrific commercial--really makes you think....

How about you?

Dear John...

Re: Parenting Tip #623 from good ol' Dad

Sissy came home from school today and did very well on her spelling test.

I know you are an advocate of good language skills, Dad, and she is doing well in school.

Spelling is sometimes tricky for any kid when they're learning and she prides herself on her ability to sound things out.

You should hear her, dad, she's amazing!

I opened up her spelling test today and there it was--10 out of 10!

PERFECT!

It was a proud parent moment.

But what impressed me more was her bonus word...

knuckle

except she spelled it "knuckl" with no "e"-- because it's silent...but hey she got it!

It was there on the page staring at me.

this great big mountain of the english language and she's mastering it.

Suddenly I could picture you standing in our old kitchen by the stove looking at our schoolwork with so much enthusiasm. BIG smiles and "way to go's!"

and then we'd always hold back the best for last--our most successful piece of work that week.

It wasn't always a 10 out of 10 but to you it may as well have been...every.time.

We'd smile and wait in anticipation as you read the page and then drop it on the counter, slap your hands together and yell "Hallelujah!"

And we'd beam so proud.

It always made me so tingly inside knowing that you saw the hard work and that even though it wasn't perfect, it was a victory!

And you celebrated!!

With that memory fresh in my head I clapped my hands whooped and hollered and ran downstairs to Sissy to exclaim how pleased I was at her test.

And you know, Dad...she STOPPED watching t.v.

yes...stopping watching the screen is a big deal to her...she rarely looks anywhere but at the boob tube when it's on.

AND SHE BEAMED!

I made her day like you made mine.

You were a GREAT dad!

Love your ever loving daughter.

friday faves

More oldies but goodies!

sew much inspiration, sew little time!

1. Red Letter Day Quilt, 2. quiltish, 3. The Cutest Baby Quilt In The Whole Wide World, 4. Doll Quilt Finished (Full), 5. sprout quilt mockup, 6. Patch, 7. Doll Quilt Swap 7, 8. Three's Company quilt, 9. Urban Amish, 10. Fall Back, 11. belle quilt - full view 2, 12. Colorful Crafting with Jen: Rickie's Sashiko Pillow

Friday Favourites--Christmas Edition??

Christmas in July.....errr...August....

In June the new Christmas fabrics are launched onto the scene and it's about this time that I start thinking towards Christmas.

I always have a list a mile long and never do I get to even a quarter of it but maybe this is my year!

1. side swap package, 2. whimsy studios happy homes winter series, 3. savVy { seasons } package sent, 4. a winter wonderland..., 5. A modern Christmas - Jolly Pillow, 6. All About Christmas Swap - Mug Rug, 7. Merry Modern Table Runner, 8. christmas quilt, 9. Christmas Quilt 2009, 10. Christmas Zig Zag Quilt, 11. holiday ornament :: march, 12. Untitled

It's beginning to feel alot like Christmas!

but maybe we should finish summer first :)

Comparison

I am by no means a competitive person.

Like truly I could care less if you are better at something than I am or do it before I do--so what?

I've always said

"It's people like me that help winners, stay at winning..."

Don't feel bad for me...I don't.

Someone has to lose in order for someone else to win--might as well be me :)

I say it a bit tongue in cheek because no one enjoys being at the back of the pack ALL the time. but really I'm not too bothered either.

However, when I read blogs and see all the creativity and capability out there--in spite of being moms just like me and still doing it all? It does deflate me....

just a little.

But I have realized something about myself and those other moms/bloggers.

I can't do it all because I'm not programmed that way.

I don't thrive on the busy, noisy, craziness of creativity banging away in my brain.

I hate feeling the itch to be doing something else.

Or the pressure to be something else.

I can't function on lack of sleep and still be a good mommy. Heck, with a couple of hours loss of sleep I can't even be a half descent mommy!

Don't get me wrong-- those creative --do it all--women are admirable! And I do, admire them that is. But I won't compare myself to them.

Because they're not me.

I bring this all up because a mom came up to me this week and asked me "how do I do it all?"

How do I do what?!

"Cook, clean, sew, blog, and always have neat tidy children?"

I stared at her wondering if she had me confused with someone else. Could she seriously be thinking I am one of those creative, capable women?

It suddenly dawned on me at that moment that what I share on the outside may look as though I've got it all in check. (Clearly this woman has never actually read my blog!)

And If I look like I've got it in check then maybe those women I have been tempted to compare myself to just share the good stuff?

This woman didn't know me well and I could tell that she's been struggling with a new baby and a desire to be more than she thinks she is, but I think the answer is to be happy with what you are and then work to expand that definition over time.

Define yourself broadly and specify as you go along.

Everything in a season.

So I'm going to continue being me.

no pressure. just ME.

And just in case you are wondering--yes my children are always neat and tidy. Sissy's hair is always done and their clothes and faces are always clean.

But my floors are not.

It's a case of priorities.

I'll let someone else win the "cleanest floors" award :)