Free Pattern-Step Four

 Today is the 13th anniversary of our move to Ontario.  We left behind many good friends and memories in Edmonton but have been blessed with the friends and memories we are making here.  There has been a number of changes over the years.  We got our little dog Heidi the first year and started our flock of chickens in the second.  My mother also passed away in the first year and we lost Roger's father since then.  Roger and I have both got older and slower but are still moving under our own steam.  God has been and is good to us.  Life is good.

For those working on the quilt top, here is the next step or, I should say, depending on the look you want, steps.  If you wish, you can simply sew 4 blocks together as shown below and then sew them together to make your top.

You may also prefer this look.  This is the method I have chosen as I like the look of the design and it

has a bit more of a scrappy appearance.  

To make this block, lay a ruler from one corner through to the opposite corner making sure that it is touching each of the square corners.  You may have to use two ruler to reach from one end to the other.  Carefully cut the block in half diagonally.  Cut remaining blocks the same way.

 To make the second cut, place your ruler as shown in the photo below and cut being careful to go through corners of the block.  Repeat these two steps for all the blocks.

Using a design wall, lay out the sections until you find a look that is pleasing.  Pin two triangles together to prevent stretching and sew.  Pin half squares together and stitch along longest edge. Repeat with remaining sections.  Sew blocks together to make the top.

Blessings,

Wind Blown Hummers

 I don't know whether the Covid restrictions are getting to me or old age is starting to rear its ugly head but  I seem to be doing odd things this week.  Monday, I forgot it was a holiday and, today, I forgot it was Wednesday.  Wednesday is when we Skype with the grandchildren and it wasn't until I came to the computer to do my blog and saw where they had tried to contact us, that I remembered.  We all had a good laugh and chat anyway.  They are such good kids.

We had quite the rain storm last night and it has been very windy all day.  I wonder how the hummingbirds manage to fly in such conditions.  Despite nearly all the other birds being absent, the little hummers were still busy at the feeders.

No additional instructions for the quilt pattern tonight as you may need the time to finish yesterday's step.  Tomorrow, we start putting everything together,

Blessings,

Free Pattern-Day Three

 Before proceeding to the next step, square all your blocks to 12".  If some of them are less than that size, trim to 11.5"  Being square is more important than the size. Now it is time to sew the sections together.  Chose 2 squares with the larger section being the tonal or solid fabric and two more with the large section being a print.  You can see by the picture below that I used blocks with the same fabrics.  You can do that or be totally random.  Sew these blocks together as shown and press.

In Canada, we just had a long weekend.  Of course, when you are retired, holidays don't mean much so while we are aware they are happening, they don't have any effect.  Sometimes that can be a problem.  I needed to post our grandson's gift and pick up a few things at the store so into the village I went.  When I arrived at the grocery store, the parking lot was empty and that was when I remembered the holiday.

I was rather irritated with myself but as I was driving back home I saw someone had put items at the end of their driveway with a FREE sign.  I stopped to see what was available and found a nice little wheelbarrow.  It was rusted but still good.  I taken the van instead of my little car so the barrow fit nicely in the back.

A good day after all.

Blessings,

Free Pattern-Step Two

 Now that you have your fabric ready, it is time to start cutting.  Stack your squares on top of each other alternating pattern and plain.  Try to keep them exactly aligned.  Depending on your rotary cutter, you may need to do three stacks.  Place a couple of pins in the stack(s) to hold them in place.

Cut a 4" strip from one side of the stacked squares and move it to one side.  Cut another 4 " strip from the bottom of the large rectangle. Move it away from the remaining fabric.  Take the top square and place it at the bottom of the pile(s).

Sew a plain rectangle to the bottom of the patterned square.

Sew the other plain rectangle to the left side of the joined fabric.  (This photo shows pattern fabric on plain block which will be your next step)

Repeat the previous steps using the plain block as centre and pattern for the side.

Repeat these two steps until all the sections have been joined.  Note: when sewing, make sure seam is folded to the pattern fabric.

Press all blocks.

Blessings,

Quilt Pattern

I quilted today.  I have had a pattern in mind that I wanted to try and I finally was able to get at it.  This is a quick and easy to do quilt and is excellent bed cover for those in a long term care facility. Bright colours are appreciated by those who are bed ridden.

If you would like to make it with me you will need 12.5 inch squares of fabric.  If you have a lot of theme fabrics i.e. birds, animals etc. they will be great for this quilt.  Non directional is best.  You will also need some neutral, solid or small print fabric that will be cut the same size as the other fabric.   

From your fabric, cut 15 squares from the theme fabric and 15 from the neutral.

I will give you the next step tomorrow.

You can make this complete top in one day.

Blessings,

A Sad Duty

 Hubby had his first vaccination today.  He was in there for such a long time I was beginning to worry and finally went to check.  He isn't very good with needles and I thought he might have had an attack of nerves.  Of course, while I was checking, he went back to the vehicle.  

We took the dog with us and she had fun watching all the people coming and going.  On the way back home, we stopped at a store and bought some special dog treats for her.  I need to train her to get up on a box and then jump onto the bed.  A couple of times now, she has ran into the bed instead of making it onto the top.  I am not sure if it is her vision, although she is okay most times, or if, perhaps, she is a bit stiff in the evening.  In any case, as she get older, she is going to have more problems so this is a good time to teach her something new.

A couple of quilt friends and I have a sad responsibility.  One of the ladies that belonged to our quilt group is suffering from dementia and her husband wants to dispose of her quilt supplies.  We will be going through everything and then will see if anyone in the group can use anything.

This is the third time our group has had  to do this.  The previous times were as a result of a member dying so this one isn't quite a tragic-although in some ways it is more so.  While it isn't going to be easy, it is something we can do to help a lovely woman who was intelligent and witty.

Blessings,

Blackflies Starting

 We are getting warmer weather this week so it is time to finish up the garden before the blackflies start.  A few have been spotted already but they aren't biting yet.  

I am finally getting things done and am able to remove them from my to-do list.  It always give a person a nice sense of accomplishment when that happens, doesn't it?  Of course, there are a ton more things that I could add but I am going to enjoy the happy feeling for a bit.

Heidi and I went for our walk first thing this morning.  I usually wait until around three but it is so much fresher just after breakfast and the fresh air gives me the energy to get at the work that needs to be done.

If you feel in need of something to make you smile, click on the link below.  

https://youtu.be/vPFCn3itBFE

Blessings,

Sane? Not Me!

A sane person, when storing the fabric to complete a project would include the pattern.  I, apparently, am not sane.  I wanted to finish making the final two placemats to complete a set I started a while ago.  The pattern is a bit complicated but I obviously thought that wouldn't be a problem because it isn't in the bag with the fabric.  I can figure it out by measuring the various pieces needed but it would have been a lot easier to follow the designer's steps.

I did consider looking for the pattern but as it has likely been stuck in a tote waiting for me to sort everything, it will be quicker to continue as I have started.

All the pieces are here somewhere.

This is the next quilt to go on my frame-I think

I have been selling some collectables for a friend.  Anyone interested in a set of 6 apothecary bottles, complete with stopper and in perfect condition?  Smallest is 5 inches, middle 8.5 and the largest 11 inches.

Blessings,

 

Off Centre

 Is it just me or are there more videos on line these days?  I seem to have at least half a dozen sent to me every day and I am sure that is double the usual number.  Probably it is because people have more time.  I don't pass on all of them but usually  send one to someone else.  I guess that adds to their daily number.

It was still raining a bit today but I took Heidi for a walk anyway.  All our neighbours were out doing yard work so I got to meeting another lady who I hadn't seen before.  We have had a lot of people move into the area this year (another Covid thing) and I have been gradually getting to know them.  There are still a few property's for sale so I expect there will be more new faces before the year is out.

I started loading a new top onto my frame but then decided to do a different one because the backing was so large.  I hate using a large backing on a lap quilt even if I am able to use the left over fabric for something else.  And  why is it that no matter how much backing you have, you hardly ever have one that is just right for a top?  One of the advantages of a pieced backing is that you  use a number of fabrics and one of them is sure to suit the front.  I have done this a few times but usually with small quilts.  I am always afraid everything will be off centre if I do a bed size.

Blessings,

The Positive Side

 As we continue living under the restrictions and threat of Covid 19, I have been trying to think of the positive things that have happened.  It is easy to focus of the downside: the restrictions, people ill and dying, the massive debt being incurred by governments and individuals, mental health and the fear that many feel. 

However, in the midst of this dark and looming cloud, there have been blessings.  Many of us have had more time at home with our immediate family, people are developing new hobbies (cooking, woodworking),  pets are being adopted from shelters (please don't return them after the pandemic is over), money is being saved on car fuel and other items.

Personally, I find that hubby and I are closer than before.  It isn't that we were  at each others throats previously but as we are finding more time to sit and talk we remember what drew us together in the beginning.  Because I am not always out at meetings, I have more free time to sit outside or watch TV with him.  

I also notice how people are pulling together to help each other.  In our rural community, everyone has someone they know they can call to have groceries or prescriptions picked up, a ride to vaccination clinic and so on.  If they don't anyone, a post to our buy and sell Facebook page will result in volunteers. This good will isn't something new but it has grown.

I hope after this is all over we will remember what it is like to think as a community, to remember that we are part of a whole, and remember that pulling together makes any situation easier.

Blessings,

Laser Work

 I don't know what happened to last week but it seemed to end almost before it started.  I did have one day when I had a bad case of heartburn but all the rest were reasonably normal.

We got our bug screen attached to the gazebo so we are ready for the winged onslaught.  So far, spring just doesn't seem to want to settle in.  We have had warm days but a lot more cooler and wet ones.  Of course, in this area, we don't usually start planting our gardens until May 24 so we are not behind schedule.  It just feels like it.

I got together with a couple of close friends on Friday to celebrate my birthday and that of another   women.  The dates were well passed but it didn't matter. Our hosts home was big enough we could stay our 6 feet apart and we wore masks when arriving and leaving.  I took my dog for a play date and she and the hosts cockerpoo had a good time.  Ice cream raspberry cheese cake (unbelievably delicious) and tea fulfilled the food requirements and exchanged gifts added to the fun.  

Today, I am adding the last border to a small quilt which will be donated to a charity when finished.  The Grace Company had a special video event last week with guests and tutorials.  One of the latter was on how to use a laser on the front of a long arm machine to trace patterns.  I have been wanting to do this for some time and made a point of watching it.  I put the info to use and was able to do a practice piece right away.  I am going to do this on the quilt I am finishing.

Stay well,

blessings,