Painting away....

 New ones from Fresh Paint, been so busy painting this weekend.  Will get right to it.

It's a Christmas ornament.  There are 12 purples in this creation.  That's why I love it so much.  The ball in the back was off, but it's fixed now.  it's on a 8 x 8" square and I have a black frame to frame it so I'm excited about that as well.

Hope you enjoy it.

Will not show the 4 other watercolor cards I made because it's for giving away for Christmas.  Take care.

November is a Triumph!!

 Last month I didn't do much because I was working too much, substituting for friends, and replacing sick teachers.  This month, I did two weeks of replacing one teacher and a month in October.  I would come home tired and nap for 1/2 to an hour every day.  Then I would go to bed at 9:00 and start the next day.  But in between the weeks was Remembrance Day, and another day was a Professional Development day so I wasn't so tired and able to do some painting and sewing.  I reached one of my goals of finishing my Christmas quilt, it's quilted as well, and I'm so happy with it.  So I want to brag and show some of my work.

So here's the final picture.  There were four more paper piece items to do, one was a sleigh bell that's completed (going to turn that into a pillow), one with squirrels, one of a dog on a sleigh.  But I love these ones and the final quilt measures 60" by 60".  Perfect for hanging on my wall this Christmas.  The pattern is from Apples and Beavers, check out their quilts.  Really loved their patterns, have purchased a number of them, including the really cute Dragon one.  You got to take a look.  They had this BOM last year that I bought into, paper piecing.  Wanted to practice my paper piecing again before I tackle this really hard one I have, so I said why not.  Unfortunately their schedule was just beyond my capabilities, 3 paper pieces a month, so I gave up.  They asked me why I wasn't sharing and a survey went out where I found out I wasn't the only one having trouble.  Thus,  a 2nd round of it with one a month or a little less time.  This was more manageable, and the  results you see.  They had stashing around the blocks with stars joining the stashing, but I like my idea better and it really shows up the blocks.  I'll show more pictures when it's up on the wall, and not on my floor like this one.  You can see some previous posts that show the blocks separately.

My next success was really an activity in courage.  I had an old quilt that I did not use for 4 years.  It's been washed numerous times, shrunk a couple of times, and just doesn't fit our queen size been with a husband that hogs the blankets (I would end up with no quilt on my side).  I said for a year that I would cut it up and make a jacket out of it.  Instead I made a hoodie with all my left over blocks and used that.  I loved it but my husband put it in the dryer and I never pre shrunk it so it became a size 10.  I'm an 18 with these shoulders.  I gave it away to a niece who said I could wear it for camping....  I cried.  But onward and upward...  The first cut is the hardest.  The results.....

 It's like being wrapped in a quilt outside.  This is all from that quilt I made in 2019.  Still going strong.  I even had a piece to make a bed runner with (about 20") for my summer white quilt and a good thing too because I made matching pillow cases.  Now that's a great use of quilts.  That was the next one.

The rest of my time was used as reading and painting.  Signed up for a year on a learning site to learn to paint a certain style and let me tell you I'm loving it.  I've only been in it for 2 months (signed up at the start of October) but so far I've painted 8 pictures (moved down to 8" x 8" because running out of wall room).  Here's my favorites so far...

This is a beginner one...  LOL  it's not....

A retirement gift to a friend.

Just because I've been practicing color mixing, and this one had 8 greens.  Sorry about the darkness of the picture.

This one was the hardest of them all, but I wanted to make a small Christmas gift for my uncle who is over 80 and just moved into a smaller place.  He probably doesn't have any Christmas decorations so this is one I want to give him.  It's framed in black and looks really good.  Have to get it off soon because he lives in Arizona, and that will take some time with Duty to pay.  But that's OK.

Finally, great news, I'm back to my quilting guild, just in the morning session if I'm not working.  It feels strange to me, going in daylight but my husband is happy about that, he doesn't like me driving in the dark.  So I joined the Fraser Valley Quilt Guild again, and the first thing I did was join a group to get some of my UFOs down, because I'm sure they're multiplying behind my back in my sewing room (those little devils).  My husband also told me that when I die he's going to contact the Guild and give them all of my kits for free.  Poor thing, he doesn't know the cost of them lol...

So here's my list.  It cost $2.00 for each one you list, and it's an entry to win all the money in the end.  There are numerous other people in it, and like me, they start new ones.  

I had two on the go when I did this and didn't list them.  one was that Christmas quilt.  But the idea is to get my stash down, and this will help.  It runs until June and this was the final day to join, so I did it in a rush, with everything throwing me for a loop on how different the day meeting is compared to the night, and all the people, there were tons.  And to top it off, I'm going to miss the December meeting because I'm going to a hockey game in Seattle with the hubby, but that's OK.  There's always January.  So if you can't read it here it is:

1.  Florence Flamingo by Elizabeth Hartman  

2.  Oh My Cacti by Pen and Paper Quilt.  It's very hard and complicated.  That's why I keep putting it down.

3.  The Tinner box from 2020 that I had with blocks that we did as a group and pass around to each other to make one a month.  I have 15 more to go.  But I love the material.

4.  hand Stitch Farm Yard from The Buggy Barn.  Called Crazy for Applique.

5.  Canadian Animals - Wonderful Woodlands from Art East Quilting Co.  This one is 5 years old.  Must get it done.  It's cute.  See for yourself.

6.  Bear from the same creator.  Bear-Wildered by Art East Quilting Co.  Bought the kit after seeing this one online in a zoom....  jeesh....

That's it my six quilts want to do. 

Wish me luck, and I definitely NEED to stop buying more patterns or getting them free on the internet like this block "There she blows" a whale block....   Yes I'm taking you with me...... 

And if you have the same sense of humor I have...  You'll love this one from Art East Quilting Co. $18.00 

Have a great week.....I have enough to do.

October was a bust

 Yes, I got a couple of small quilts done, yes I used up some of my material but what I promised myself I would get done, I didn't, so I'm looking at finishing that this month.  My Christmas Quilt.  Here is just one block.  I have 16 blocks completed, and all four rows completed, I have stars all completed with them, but I am not framing the blocks, I am using the same fabric around, so the stars which are very yellow and really pop up!!!  I have to add another 2 1/2 inches around to complete the stars, and then I want to put another 2 1/2" border around that.  My binding is the same material but a darker green, which is what I will be using for the backing as well.  That's about 6 hours work, let alone quilting.  So this will take me at least a month, and I am working 2 weeks in the month full time, so that doesn't leave me much time.  But it's doable.

My  next quilt is also something that I started for my cousin's Christmas gift.  She's really big into Halloween, so the idea is to complete this one.  I have 5 rows completed, and have to make another 5 rows, to get it going.  It's very forgiving, and comes together beautifully.  All the pieces are cut, it's a matter of placing it on my floor, putting things together so I don't have the same color side by side, and sewing it together.  I can only do 5 rows at a time.  So although it's easy to do, forgiving, it is time consuming as well.  Two in one month..... phew.....

I can only hope.  

The last piece of news, I was cleaning out my closet and I found this one....  It's very old 2010, and was in the Fraser Valley Quilt Show.  I love it and it's perfect for the colling down of things here.  I love it.  And my husband is crazy about it because of the warmth.  I just love how it looks on my bed. 

Happy November everyone.

Halloween, getting ready

 Did a few things for Halloween to decorate around the house.  Take a look:

It was fun doing this one.  I got the instructions from Flamingo Toes.  The instructions are easy to follow and complete.  Everything you need to know is there as well as the templates for the pumpkin and the spider.  Great job Bev, I really enjoyed making this.

After this one I decided that I needed some table mats.  I saw a lot of them online, and I didn't want to buy a pattern when I knew I could make my own, so that's what I did.  Here they are, stem and all.

I had some left over Halloween material, about 1/2 meter each which worked out well to make these.  The stems were scraps.  Really like how they worked out and notice the quilting.

That's it.  Next week another painting for someone's retirement, and continuation of paper piecing a christmas quilt.  Have a great day.

Patterns Galore...

During Covid I was doing a lot of sewing and buying a lot of fabric...  After I got too much fabric (yes there's such a thing) I started to buy patterns that I really like, and I got too many of those....  But one thing I discovered is that there's a lot of free patterns and free BOMs online.  Here are only a few of the three pattern sites:

Fat Quarter Shop - which has both free patterns and many many free BOMs that I've personally made and love.

Bear Creek Quilting Company which has free patterns from fabric places and have uplinked the MODA Blockheads on their site.  On their blog they have listing of BOMs and each month they posted some really great patterns free that came out that month.

National Quilting Circle has a number of them from Fabric Companies as well.

Jordan Fabrics - always my favorite with free videos to learn how to do these free patterns as well.  The videos are very clear and easy to understand.

Robert Kauffman - one of the greats....

Moda Fabrics that has BOMs, some fatheads (a group of blocks you put together for a quilt - a real learning experience), the moda bake shop that has a view of these free quilts, and so much more for you.  One of my go to places for free patterns and most of my UFOs come from here because I join too many of them!!

Tilda's world which is a British quilter with such cute quilts.  Really stunning and most of them are holiday styles.  It's a MUST take a look site.

Missouri Star Quilt Company doesn't have the printouts of free patterns but it really has a lot of videos that show you exactly what to cut, how much material you need to buy, and how to make such fun, easy quilts.  This is a link to their video channel that has the tutorials all there.  Check out out.

Coriander Quilts always has one or two free patterns on it that are divine...  Check out this months.  It's on my list now....  So cute for September, October and November on the wall or on the couch.

Another of my favorites is American Patchwork and Quilting which every month has one or two free patterns with each of their magazines.  Those really add up and now their online.  Check out this link to many fabulous ones.  They're categorized , see how below;

Just get It Done Quilts is based out of Ontario, with a blog worth reading.  They have stash busters, free patterns and more.  Check out the freebies on top for more.....

Love Crafts has a number of patterns from all over, and more than just quilts.  You can do a search by the maker of the pattern, or what size quilt, or what item (like hand crafts stuff).  Take a look at their great search engine.

And if a free pattern is not your thing, how about a free block:

1. Moda Blockheads Round 2 can be found here, all of the blocks from Round 3 can be found here, all of the blocks from Round 4 can be found here.
2. Another great spot to find blocks is Quilter’s Cache.  This website has so many quilt blocks!
3. Generations Quilt Block patterns is another spot for free quilt block patterns in various sizes.
4. Consider blocks from other quilt alongs. The Sewcialites quilt alongs have a wonderful backlog of great quilt blocks. These blocks are available in 3″, 6″ or 9″ sizes.
5. Quilting Daily has 150 blocks with images of each one.

These are but a few.  I know, I've overwhelmed you so I'll stop.   I hope this helps you in some way shape or form.  Happy quilting. 

Keeping busy with painting and quilting

 Life is getting better and more busy.  It's Thanksgiving here in Canada, and that means that it's a long weekend.  But last week I joined a painting class for $40 a month that teaches a very distinguishing style.  I love Ali Kay's style.

See her at work here.

I love this style of painting and I wanted to try this, so I signed up for a week with Paint Week with Paint Fresh, an online course that also goes live with Facebook.  Take a look at Ali Kay's site to see what she does and her explanation

Here are some of my work from Fresh Paint

It's in order from the latest to the first one (just above).  I got better.  Feeling good, made 3 pictures, but now I'm thinking, I haven't sewn anything in a week....  I felt bad so today I received an email from Flamingo Toes showing a quick tabletop for Halloween.  It uses applique.  Take a look, especially with the spider which has spun a web going down from the web at the top.

It's gorgeous, and looks great on my table.  See this link to an explanation from Flamingo Toes.   I also cut a pattern out for Halloween.  It's my goal this week.  That goal and also to paint 2 more painting.  Wish me luck.

Exhausted

 

 THIS MATERIAL IS DEPRESSING, 

SKIP IF YOU'RE IN A GOOD MOOD

Lets see...  this week I did the following:

• Monday - started my paint course.  
• Tuesday - Went out for my birthday with a girlfriend for brunch at White Rock.  While there, picked up stuff needed for house from the Dollar Store, the grocery store, the bulk store, and that killed the mood.  Got home and found out my aunt went back to the hospital, something was wrong, She wasn't responding to anyone talking to her until she was in the hospital for about 2 hours.  Low salt and low potassium.
• Wednesday - went to the dentist, came home, and tried to catch up with my painting lessons that were all week long.  Husband drove car over curb, but luckily no damage, only damage to my mouth, I bit my lip and because of freezing, didn't know it until my husband said something. Found out my aunt may has dementia.  Was on the phone with cousins and texting most of the night.
• Thursday - brought the car in for repairs because of an accident two weeks ago where someone rear ended us.  We then got a rental.  Then we went to pick up our wine case at a winery.  But we didn't stop for a drink there, we went instead to a cidery outside in the autumn colors (sorry no pictures).  We relaxed.  Got home cancelled flight to visit my aunt.  She was still in the hospital, cancelled hotel, car rental, and needed to deal with hockey tickets we bought for Winnipeg.  Had to cancel husband's flight as well.  All together we lost $600 but we would not be seeing my aunt or spending time with her because she's in the hospital, sometimes coherent and sometimes not.  They're talking Dementia now but they're not sure because she got dizzy, fell outside, hit her head on the cement drive, and cracked her skull, thus a concussion.  Or dementia?  Doctors don't know.
• Dementia is a general term for a decline in cognitive function that affects memory, thinking, and social abilities, significantly interfering with daily life. It is not a specific disease but a syndrome associated with various neurodegenerative diseases, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common type. Symptoms may include memory loss, difficulty in reasoning, changes in personality, and emotional control issues. Treatment options vary depending on the underlying cause and may include medications, therapy, and lifestyle changes. 
• Friday - On Thursday I got two calls from two different teachers to sub. I chose one and told the other I couldn't, sorry,  So I got up to substitute at 6:30 in the morning, found out that morning that MAYBE it was cancelled.  Went to school, it was cancelled but not my the teacher, by the office staff...  and no one bothered to email and tell me.  Went home, tried to catch up with paint classes.  Had Strata Zoom meeting at 5:00 pm, then typed up notes on it at 8:00 pm and gave to other strata members.  Joined the Strata Group Chat online as well, late at night.
• Saturday, I gave up....  Two loads of laundry, change the bed, wash the sheets, went for a walk to get my equilibrium back, and then had to talk to my cousins about setting their mother up in a retirement home because now she's wandering and trying to get out of hospital because she thinks it's the retirement home she use to work at, and she hated that place..... I felt so small, but both girls are ignoring what's coming up.  In Canada it takes 2 - 4 months to get into a retirement home, IF you're lucky....  In British Columbia it takes 6 - 12 months for a good home..... Boy it sucks to get old.  Back to work.....  transferred hockey tickets to my cousin's ex-husband, really lovely man who helps everyone in the family, set up when I'm working next as a sub, talked to my girlfriend to set up another meet day,  wrote a reference for a student that I had a year and a half ago.  Those references take an hour.  That's when I started to get depressed.

So there went my equilibrium, my trip to Winnipeg, my trip to see my aunt (I'll go in November), and talking to my cousins for a while.  Yes they're upset with me for suggesting it.

My husband said "PAINT!!!!  You love that." so I went back to my course, which I can honestly say, I do love to do.  Here's the 2nd picture from my paint class with Ali Kay and Fresh Paint.  It was so much fun.  Once a year she does the Paint week and donates all the money to help people out in Haiti with her aunt.

Yes, I agree, I look happy.  It's a new style for me, called loose painting, and I've never done it before but I love the style.  Next painting, flowers, Ali's specialty.  

OK<> on the positive side, 

• I really enjoyed paint week and trying out new things.
• the vote on what notes I took for the strata is Monday, and that is off the plate, and I'm ready.
• My husband and I made an excellent spinach lasagna yesterday, and we have left overs for Sunday.  It's a treat.
• The sun is shining this afternoon.  We went for a gorgeous walk at Marine Park by the Fraser River.
• We bought the makings for home made long island ice tea to help get the mojo going again (and its working)
• I'm quilting this evening and you'll see what I make. 
• I'm healthy, so I should be happy about that.
• I spent the day home and not driving.  That's something new.
• It's autumn and it's gorgeous with the colors.  My husband bought me the flowers below.  Gorgeous.
• And I love my husband and he loves me.

OK, feeling better.  Thanks for listening.  Here's a  positive for you.....  something I sewed up quickly today:

Made with thanksgiving material.

Here's something I found online for free.  Make yourself a pumpkin.  I will be.  :)

You have a great day and a great week.  I'm sure going to try.