Sunday, December 29, 2013

Wake up to Kona - Final Blog Hop Schedule

It's almost here...the start of the first blog hop in 2014. Are we all ever excited. There were enough people wanting to work with this awesome fabric that an extra two days had to be added to accommodate us all.

We've had a lovely break with family and friends, but we are ready to begin anew. See you soon, I'm on the 8th. Thank you Carol and Mdm. Samm for setting us off on another creative quest!
** We've had several changes since this post went live. Please note that any further changes to this schedule (after 30/12/2013 @ 10:35 a.m.) will solely be posted on the actual day...e.g. changes to January 8 will appear on my posting of January 8, etc. Have a great day, and get busy with whatever project you are currently working on. Coffee break over, back to the sewing machine.**



January 7






January 8









January 9








January 10









January 13








January 14








January 15








January 16









January 17









January 20









January 21












Friday, December 27, 2013

Friday "On The Needles"

link up with Judy Laquidara at Patchwork Times

graphic courtesy of: http://static.aanbodpagina.nl/img/473/cursus-breien-voor-beginners-gem-emmen.jpg

I'm wanting to do some charity sewing and knitting this year. I'm starting out without a concrete plan, but plenty of ideas. Will fill you in as things evolve. For the time being, here is my progress of knitting preemie hat and bootie sets from my yarn stash...

This is actually the 3rd size hat on the needles, with booties for the second size don't but not pictured here. The little "pile" is the smallest size hat and booties. I'm not really keen on sewing them up so I'm not sure when they will actually be complete. lol

Thursday, December 26, 2013

One Last Song...

Thank you to The Curious Quilter for this fun sing-along.

Christmas is Over
 Sung to the tune of Christmas is Coming, the Goose is Getting Fat.
Christmas Tunes from The Curious Quilter Glee Club - notes2Christmas is over, the gifts stripped of their wraps,
All of the relatives have gone home for their naps.
I had fun while it lasted, but I'm ready to move on,
For the food is all devoured and the cookies gone!
Christmas has ended, the house is mine again!
Take down the tree and trims and find my Zen.
Can I please take out my quilting? Can I get back to my craft?
If I cannot touch some fabric soon, I may go daft!
Christmas is finished, the shopping rush is done.
Off to the fabric store to have some fun!
If I cannot buy some yardage, then a fat quarter will do,
If I want more than a fat quarter, then I'll get two!
Needle and thread line copyright The Curious Quilter at WordPress dot com

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Who'll sing with me today?

The Curious Quilter has done it again...more fun songs to share with you.

Let Me Sew! Sung to the tune of Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

Oh the pattern I’ve picked is striking,
The fabric to my liking,
It’s washed and all set to go.
Let me sew! Let me sew! Let me sew!

I intend to have fun while cutting,
My skills I will be strutting.
On to piecing I’ll gladly go,
Let me sew! Let me sew! Let me sew!

When I’m finished with this new quilt,
On some old UFO’s I will start.
But for now I will feel no guilt,
I’m happy to practice my art.

My seams I will soon be pressing,
My blocks will be progressing.
My smile, how it will glow.
Let me sew! Let me sew! Let me sew!


Joy to the World! Sung to the tune of Joy to the World!
 
Joy to the World, the gifts are done!
I sewed for several months.
Beneath our Christmas tree
Wrapped gifts as you can see.
There’s mug rugs for my friend,
An apron for Aunt Den,
And doll clothes I made for someone’s Barbie and Ken!

Joy to the World, it’s gifting time!
Let friends and families share.
That fabric full of geese
I quilted for my niece.
I hope she’ll like it a lot,
I think she’ll like it a lot,
I know, I know—she’ll like it lots!

Joy to the World, they’re finally here!
I’m ready for their hugs.
The toddlers look so fine
In hand-stitched clothes—divine!
Eight quilted gifts I see
Waiting underneath my tree.
Tomorrow, tomorrow I’ll sew for me!

 
* * * * * Living with Purpose * * * * *
John 1 (KJV)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

All together now...

Christmas Tunes from The Curious Quilter Glee Club - notes2

 
Grab a cup of eggnog (or other seasonal beverage) and join in for another round of carols courtesy of The Curious Quilter (Days 2 & 3)

I'm off to wrap a few gifts so please sing nice and loudly so I will be able to hear you over the crinkling and cutting.

A very Merry Christmas to those who are already into the 25th...we are not too far behind LOL


We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Sung to the tune of We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

We wish you a Merry Christmas,
But here we are at an impasse.
Is quilt-making in the forecast
For a Happy New Year?

We don’t want figgy pudding,
Just one thing will make our hearts sing.
Some nice time to spend on quilting
Will bring us good cheer!

Good tidings to you, wherever you be.
Good tidings, and time for quilting,
In a Happy New Year!



Oh Come, All Ye Quilters
Sung to the tune of Oh Come All Ye Faithful.

Oh come, all ye quilters,
Time for motivation!
Oh come ye, oh come ye to The Big Quilt Show.
Come and behold them, all the glorious fabrics.
Oh come see mitered borders,
And perfectly matched corners,
Admire some applique at
The Big Quilt Show.

Oh, there’s the winning quilt,
What an inspiration!
I am glad I came to see The Big Quilt Show.
Look at that landscape quilt! See the one with beadwork?
I see some tiny hexagons,
And wonderful hand-quilting!
Perhaps one year my quilt will win
The Big Quilt Show.


Christmas Tree Clip art free 


Deck the House
Sung to the tune of Deck the Halls.

Deck the house from floor to gable,
Fa la la la la, la la la la!
Christmas runners on the table,
Fa la la la la, la la la la!
Quilts on all the chairs and couches,
Fa la la la la, la la la la!
Wrap the gifts in quilted pouches,
Fa la la la la, la la la la!
For the girls sew holiday dresses,
Fa la la la la, la la la la!
Then make ribbons for their tresses,
Fa la la la la, la la la la!
Bibs for babies, shorts for boys,
Fa la la la la, la la la la!
Vests for guys, and then some pet toys,
Fa la la la la, la la la la!
Festive hangings for the walls,
Fa la la la la, la la la la!
Pretty garlands for the halls,
Fa la la la la, la la la la!
Every bed has pillowcases,
Fa la la la la, la la la la!
Quilters create smiling faces!
Fa la la la la, la la la la!

Christmas Tunes from The Curious Quilter Glee Club - bells

The Twelve Gifts Not Finished
Sung to the tune of The Twelve Days of Christmas.
 
Note: I am only posting a few verses, but think you can wing it from there. This song is very repetitive!

The first gift for Christmas
That I did not get done:
A king-sized quilt that wasn’t much fun.
The second thing for Christmas
That I did not get done:
Two tote bags,
And a king-sized quilt that wasn’t much fun.
The third thing for Christmas
That I did not get done:
Three mug rugs,
Two tote bags,
And a king-sized quilt that wasn’t much fun.

Keep singing ALL the other verses, ending with:

The twelfth thing for Christmas
That I did not get done:
Twelve small wall hangings,
Eleven hearts for trimming,
Ten Christmas stockings,
Nine new potholders,
Eight fancy aprons,
Seven pillowcases,
Six placemat sets,
Five baby quilts!
Four table runners,
Three mug rugs,
Two tote bags,
And a king-sized quilt that wasn’t much fun.

Saturday, December 21, 2013

A Sing-Along

http://thecuriousquilter.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/christmas-tunes-from-the-curious-quilter-glee-club.jpg
CQ Glee Club 
Just had to share...please join in so long as you sing joyfully, even if you sing off-key like me LOL
***see end of post for source***


Pre-cut Strips, Two-Inch Charms
Sung to the tune of Jingle Bells.

Pre-cut strips, two-inch charms, how we love them all!
Oh what fun it is to piece a quilt that’s large or small.

Large-scale prints, stripes and dots, calicoes for fall,
When we play with needle and thread we always have a ball.


Dashing through our stash, on a search for something blue,
Can’t find the right shade, must need something new!


To the shop we flash, for the perfect blue.
Some batiks and novelties will come home with us too!


Pre-cut strips, two-inch charms, how we love them all!
Oh what fun it is to piece a quilt that’s large or small.


Large-scale prints, stripes and dots, calicoes for fall,
When we play with needle and thread we always have a ball.


Tillie, the Red-Thumbed Quilter
Sung to the tune of “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

Tillie, the red-thumbed quilter,
Had a very well pricked thumb.
And if you ever saw it,
You would think it must be numb.

All of the other quilters
Sympathized and gave advice,
Some even talked about her,
Which was never very nice!

Then one fateful Christmas Day
Tillie was heard to say,
“Dearie me, my thumb’s so sore,
“I can’t hand-quilt anymore.”

But all her friends said, “Oh no!
“Tillie you must never stop!”
So they gave Tillie thimbles,
And took her to a fabric shop.



More Christmas Tunes from The Curious Quilter Glee Club - carolers 

Oh Come, All Ye Quilters
Sung to the tune of Oh Come All Ye Faithful.

Oh come, all ye quilters,
Time for motivation!

Oh come ye, oh come ye to The Big Quilt Show.
Come and behold them, all the glorious fabrics.
Oh come see mitered borders,
And perfectly matched corners,
Admire some applique at
The Big Quilt Show.

Oh, there’s the winning quilt,
What an inspiration!
I am glad I came to see The Big Quilt Show.
Look at that landscape quilt! See the one with beadwork?
I see some tiny hexagons,
And wonderful hand-quilting!
Perhaps one year my quilt will win
The Big Quilt Show.


More Christmas Tunes from The Curious Quilter Glee Club - notes 

We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Sung to the tune of We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

We wish you a Merry Christmas,
But here we are at an impasse.
Is quilt-making in the forecast
For a Happy New Year?

We don’t want figgy pudding,
Just one thing will make our hearts sing.
Some nice time to spend on quilting
Will bring us good cheer!

Good tidings to you, wherever you be.
Good tidings, and time for quilting,
In a Happy New Year!


***Source: A big thank you to the Curious Quilter Glee Club...more songs to follow!

Friday, December 20, 2013

Goodbye Puddles...




We had a lot of fun...chasing the ball, playing tag, hanging out.

You made some people nervous with your one blue eye and one brown eye.

You loved being with people, and never minded any other dog visitor...big or small, young or old.

You even took the love and abuse of our cats over the years.

I will miss you...but I have no doubt you are better off now.

Much love and hugs to you Pudzy! Goodbye my friend.

**If anyone noticed...I had to correct the date of the photo.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Skill Building Course 2014

In my blog readings, I have come across an interesting skill builder course coming up in January.

http://pileofabric.com/2013/11/26/skill-builder-bom-2014/




Don't you think this would make an awesome wall hanging in the sewing room!

http://pileofabric.com/2013/11/26/skill-builder-bom-2014/


This looks like it will be very interesting. Have any of you taken a course or done some of Pile 'O Fabric's QAL's in the past? I'd love to hear your comments/thoughts.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Charity

I've been looking for an outlet for my creativity. I enjoy knitting, sewing, and now I'm developing a love for quilting. And while gift giving is fun...I'm looking for yet another direction. I feel called to help, but up until now, I was not sure in just what direction.

I think I may have found my outlet...

http://teenytears.blogspot.ca/

..."Teeny Tears is a service organization that provides tiny flannel diapers at no charge to hospitals and bereavement support organizations for families that have suffered the loss of a preemie or micropreemie child through stillbirth or NICU loss. ..."

Here's why...several years ago I met some new ladies through the pastor's wife. I was a cub scout leader, and I had him come to speak to our pack so that they could earn their world religion badges. This meeting completely changed the direction of my own life, but that is another story, and from this meeting, I met with his wife...just because she seemed nice. As a mom of three children, she and some other ladies got together weekly to walk and to enjoy each other's company while their children played together. At one of these get togethers (I only went to one), I met another lady there who was early on in her first pregnancy.

A few months later, I learned that this lady lost her baby. Having met this woman only once...I felt strangely compelled to knit and mail her a prayer cloth. Nothing much, but a little hug. My name meant nothing to her and the church ladies told her where she had met me...and through them I learned that this little cloth was the only thing she had to remember her child; and that she was very grateful for it. I've never seen nor heard from this lady again...but I remember feeling very blessed that I had given her some kind of comfort in her hour of need.

I've never done anything else since then...except the quilt for my sister-in-law; but I love this new-to-me organization. I found them online one night last week when I couldn't sleep. If you are interested in knowing more about them, I will encourage you to visit their site...but be prepared if you begin to look at the photos and read their stories. I could not stop reading, and I spent a good four hours tearing and at times sobbing for their losses.

I'm sure you will see more stories here about Teeny Tears...I'm hoping to find a local hospital where I can make my own donations. I'm sure it will not be difficult to turn some of my learn as I go quilt blocks into mini quilts for donation.

Saturday, December 7, 2013

FNWF - Saturday Show and Tell

It may still be Saturday here, but will soon be Monday in Australia eh?!

Anyway, worked on a small stitchery...


This is a free pattern from Bird Brain Designs, and I used it to do redwork on a white "flour sack" dishtowel.
They have a few other patterns I will be making up next. This was a quick work up and just loved it!

Look forward to stitching with you again next month!

In other news, went to my monthly quilt guild meet up. Fun fat quarter sale today, and boy oh boy did I treat myself! This first picture is actually 2 x 1 metre cuts and the red is a 1/2 metre cut. All the rest are fat quarters.












Phew...this sure was a small box full. Now I have lots more to add to my PSQ cut box. I sure want to be ready to swap next March!

Having a great weekend, hope you are too!

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Newest Household Purchase

Well, we have been talking about this for a few years now, and finally did something about it. Let's see if you can guess what we did...

On Monday, we had a friend of ours come in and install some ceramic tiles.


The dining room became a bit chilly because we had to turn off and remove the electric baseboard heater to make room for these tiles. You can see the small electric heater we plugged in to help dry the tiles overnight...


Tuesday morning, I washed down all the tiles in preparation...please note that they are not yet grouted...nor will they be right away.

Tuesday afternoon, the next stage began. What have they done to my wall??!! Betcha just guessed what we are doing here now!


Yup, we are making a hole to the great outdoors. Yes, that is snow you see through the portal. We are turning our house into a submarine LOL.


Of course not, we are having a wood burning stove installed. And even better, it has an oven on top! This is a J.A. Roby Atmosphere stove with oven. And I am so, super excited. I can't wait to bake bread in this baby over the winter! It will also be just perfect for keeping hubby's supper warm waiting for him to get home LOL


My first time lighting this stove (about 6 p.m. Tuesday) taught me a lesson about the flue. Yes, it is supposed to be open when first starting to catch the paper and kindling, and it is also best if the door is not fully latched to allow a bit more air intake so that the smoke goes up the chimney and not into the house. I love the smell of wood smoke but you could have cut this with a knife...and I did prove that my stairwell smoke detector does work very well.


Once everything started burning nicely, we enjoyed the flames for a while but about 11 p.m. I put on the last big log and shut the flue down for the night.


 About 5 a.m. (this morning) I opened the flue to see if there was anything left, because there were no flames or embers to be seen through the window...and lo and behold there was plenty of embers left. I know it is best to open the flue and let everything catch back on fire (if there is anything), because if I open the door first, I risk a back draft and any flames will come out the door towards me instead of up the chimney) Once safe, I just added more wood and it is burning nicely again.


So, now today, we are busy changing rooms (living and dining), but I will leave that for another day once we figure it all out. We could just as easily revert it all back, it would not be the first time. LOL

I have wanted a wood stove forever. One that I can cook on should the electricity go out. I do not like pellet stoves, and hubby does not like the price of propane. Since this house is not made for a cookstove (which I would absolutely love)...this is what I got instead. I am in seventh heaven! and toasty warm too! Harpo and I had a little catnap in front of the woodstove last night. Mmmmmm. Scrumptious!
 

Monday, December 2, 2013

Do YOU Quilt Along?

Apparently I will be in 2014. Yay me, my first quilt along. I'm not sure what level of beginner quilter I am, but I am so going to work my darndest to complete the Delightful Stars Quilt_Along.

http://quiltinggallery.com/learning-center/delightful-stars-quilt-along/?utm_source=MadMimi&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Invite%3A+Delightful+Stars+Quilt-Along&utm_campaign=20131202_m118142122_Invite%3A+Delightful+Stars+Quilt-Along&utm_term=Delightful+Stars+Quilt-Along

I know of few of you worked on the Aiming For Accuracy QAL this year, and you all looked like you were having such a good time...so, thanks for the inspiration to push myself further into the quilting world. Looks like this will be quite a plunge LOL

Looking forward to sewing along with you this year!

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Black Tie Boogie ~ my day

Woo hoo, cluck cluck! Today is my day to strut and peck and show my stuff!



Thank you to plucky head cheerleader


http://morestarsincomanche.blogspot.ca/
she is such a good egg!



 and of course
http://www.sewwequilt.com/
who leaves such an indelible impression! And a very special thank you to our sponsors...Red Rooster Fabrics, Radical Roosters, and Bird Brain Designs!

I've been wanting to make a table runner for some time now. I took a simple and free pattern, and combined my love of chicken fabric, gingham fabric and added a couple of fun yo yos to create...




 It is snowing outside...
 guess I got some snow on my camera LOL


In the works are also some hexagon placemats using Debby Kratovil's awesome Twisted Hexagon Blocks pattern and spiderweb template ruler. Thank you Debby for coming to my rescue while I tried to work out this pattern. Once I stopped being such a Nervous Nellie...it got easier to "see" what I was supposed to do!




And the most awesome, new to me project, is a set of red gingham curtains in my dining room. They have been sitting there very quietly since last Christmas when I sewed them up. I now have to come clean, I have been "chicken scratching". No, not scratching chickens...though Wilma Wishbone sure loves a good belly rub LOL but rather, a form of embroidery on gingham called Chicken Scratch embroidery...aka Depression or Amish lace. This is something I have been wanting to do for some time, and have finally begun. I have to admit I absolutely love doing this form of embroidery! And I cannot wait to finish this project so I can begin another. I would love to get some of these books as well...just look at the gorgeous rooster!


The curtain on the right shows what the curtain looked like before I started embroidering, and the left is my progress.

And here is a close up of my progress. I have the top row of woven circles to complete, and 2 1/2 rows of the woven ovals. It actually works up quite quickly all things considered.

I got the pattern from here. I would love to try the double colour on something...perhaps I have some aprons to make up...a lady can never have too many aprons LOL

Ok, enough about me...time to move on the next hens on the list...

November 27
Living with Purpose  (you are here)


Go forth and spread some fowl love!