Monday, March 30, 2015

Getting Started

I only have a couple of borders left to sew onto my rabbit quilt.  But I just couldn't get started this morning.  Then I saw a tutorial for a cute log cabin type block on Tanyia's blog.  It reminded me of all the times I would sew a few scraps together in order to get my ass in gear.  So I tried that.  I did them in yellow because that is the colour for the monthly 2015 challenge.   Only got a couple of them made, but I really like them.  I think I will try to make them a bit smaller in order to use up more of my scraps.


I also have 15 house blocks done.  A new block should be posted in a few days.  These are really cute!


I might have to make a few more.  I'll wait and see.  Now back to the rabbit quilt.  I bought the pattern last year at this time and couldn't get it done.  I hope to get it done by this Easter.  I really don't want it languishing around for another year.


Friday, March 27, 2015

Just Puttering Along

Still don't have my machine fixed.  I am waiting for a new foot pedal.  So I have been forced to use my old machine.  It does not have any special feet for quilt purposes.  I got it before I ever started quilting.  But I figured out how to use the applique feature and now I think I can finish the Rabbit quilt.  So far it looks like this.  I still have 4 bunnies to applique.  I will sew buttons on for eyes after it is quilted.


A couple of days ago I was out on my scooter and I heard a robin, singing its spring song from the top of my tree.  I asked him if I could take his photo and he hopped down onto the lawn to make it easy for me.  Cute, isn't he?



Tomorrow is Earth Hour.  Will you join me in turning off all the lights between 8:30pm and 9:30pm?

I am linking up with The Quilting Reader's Garden.

Monday, March 23, 2015

Little Letters Top

Feeling much better today.  The foot pedal to my machine is still not fixed.  They have to replace it and I am just waiting on that.  Haven't done a lot of sewing lately.  But I came across my Little Letters quilt and since I had only a couple more letters to make, I decided to finish it.


I still have to put a border around it.  Guess I will have to break down and buy some fabric. These are all scraps and I don't have a big enough piece in my stash to use for a border.


I am linking up with the Needle and Thread Network.




Monday, March 16, 2015

A Bit of Weather - Under it, Over it. What the heck is going on?

I've felt a little under the weather the past few days.  Nothing too serious.  Just some body aches, stuffy sinuses and a bit of a headache.  I slept a lot and read a whole book in less than two days, James Patterson's latest, Hope to Die,

On Saturday I took my machine in to get the plug on the foot pedal fixed.  I have no idea if it can be fixed.  I am keeping my fingers crossed.  If they can't fix it, I guess I will have to buy a new pedal. But as the woman in the shop said, "That will be cheaper than a new machine".

And as I was coming out from under the weather, the weather became beautiful.  It started out cold and windy yesterday morning, but then the sun came out and it felt like spring.  We decided to go down to the lake and see how much winter was still around.  And I can tell you, there was a lot!  In the middle of the lake the ice had melted, but around the edges, it was still deep and frozen.  The ducks and geese were calling to us from the ice.  The gulls were screaming from the air.  It was impossible to walk anywhere because the paths had not been cleared.  So I parked myself on a bench, in the sun, along the edge of the water and took a few photos.






The sun felt nice.  Today is going to be another gorgeous day.  The temperature is going way up to 13C, that's around 55F.  Is our winter over?  Not a chance.  It will get cold again (not as cold as it has been) but the temps will be below normal for this time of year until spring starts on Friday.  And then we might even get a bit of snow.  This weather is crazy.  I want spring.

We still have a foot or more of snow on our lawn.  But close to the house the snow has melted.  And as it did, little green crocus shoots were already coming up.  Low and behold, a yellow crocus popped out of the ground and greeted me with a smile.


Okay, now I am feeling better.  The weather can do what it wants.  As long as I have something springlike in my garden I am happy.  I think I will ride my scooter up to the library and get another book. And maybe buy some strawberries for dessert.  Yummy!  I can taste spring already.

On the quilting front, do you want to see what I have been working on?  It isn't much.  Just a few more hexie flowers.  I can keep doing these because they are all done by hand, but the machine applique will have to wait until I get my sewing machine fixed.  This is what I have so far on ny design wall.  I have not decided how big I am going to make this quilt, but I don't think it will be much bigger.  Just a border or two.






I am linking up with Angie at A Quilting Reader's Garden.










Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Oh, no! That's not Good!

I bought a quilt pattern a year ago from A Red Boot Quilt Co.  It is called "The Rabbits at Hyde Park".  I didn't have time to finish it last year.  So, when I found it in a box at the bottom of my closet, I decided to get 'er done for this Easter.  I thought it wouldn't take me long, since I had a good start on it.  But as I was rolling around in my wheelchair (I still use one in my sewing room because it is too small to have two chairs and I can't get around very well.  I usually just roll from the sewing machine to my cutting table.) I got tangled up in the cord that controls the foot pedal.  The cord pulled out of the plug.  Not good!  I wonder how long it will take to fix it.


I still have some handwork to do on the Rabbit quilt, so I will continue on with that.  The machine applique will just have to wait.  And, as if that wasn't bad enough,  I woke up with a sore throat and a stuffy nose this morning and then to make matters even worse, I burned the stew I was cooking.  It's true!  I can only do one thing at a time and this morning I was trying to do too much.

But since I am an optimist (sort of) I will show you the Rabbit quilt.  I think it will be cute.  This is only part of it.  I still have more on my cutting table.


And last, but not least, a Hibiscus flower.  My plant is starting to bloom!  Spring must be on its way.


Can I get any more positive than that?

Monday, March 09, 2015

Hexie Flowers

My machine is back home!  Hurray!!  Now I can get on with some of my WIPs.

I worked on some hexies while I waited for it to be returned.  I have about 32 hexie flowers to do, so this is just a start.  Some of these are done and some still need to be sewn.  I plan to complete 4 per day.


The temperature is going up to 6C today.  The sun is shining.  Our cold spell seems to be over!  I plan to go to the library today.  I need to get out before I succumb to cabin fever.

Wednesday, March 04, 2015

Stuff - Sewing as Fast as I Can

My machine is in the shop, getting a tune-up and other things.  I miss her.  Have been doing some handwork and made a few March blocks from the #qmbittyblocks on an old machine that was sitting in my basement.

Also made the Hexie Blog's hexie project for March.  This block is not done.  It looks kind of crooked, but that is because it has not been appliqued yet.


And last, but not least is my turtle block from the Elephants on Parade quilt along.  I will do the birds when I get my machine back.  Hopefully that will be on Saturday.

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