Scrappy Step Two

 Next step for the quilt:  Take one 5.5 inch white square and draw a line from one corner to the opposite side on the wrong side.  Do this with all the white squares.

Lay all the 7.5" squares right side up and place a white square on each one, right sides facing.  Align the white square with a corner of the red.  Marked line should be horizontal as you would do with half square triangle.  Sew along the marked line keeping the stitching just to the right of the line.  Repeat for all squares.

For the past while, I have been looking for a camper for my sister to use when she is here on holidays.  It has been intensive with searching web sites, contacting owners and sending links to my sister who is in England.  We have finally found one and will be bringing it home this week.  We are all pleased with it.  It will be on our property for a bit and then moved to my sister's which is next to ours.  We will also be able to make it available to other family members who want to visit.

In addition to this, a family member was taken to hospital for emergency surgery and another is having some health problems.  The first will be home shortly so now it is just the other to be praying for.

On the plus side, our garden is in and doing well.  However, I still haven't got my long arm working.  That is my next must do.

I will post a photo of the quilt next time.  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate in asking.

(A pattern preview)

Blessings,

Free Scrappy Pattern

Happy Victoria weekend.  Our weather has been great so those who are camping will have a wonderful time.  We have been doing the extra things that don't get done at any other time.  Veggies and flowers are in the ground and hoping to get rain tomorrow.  We spring cleaned the main bedroom and a few more odds and ends.  I also got my serger working again.  I was beginning to think my machinery was rebelling as first the long arm and then serger quit.  Haven't got the LA solved yet but, after I refreshed my memory by reading the serger handbook, I solved that problem.  I have have 3 dozen silky scarves to make for the workers at a craft sale that our Art and Craft Group is putting on.

Because I have been so slow in posting for the past while, I have a free pattern for you.  If you like making scrappies but hate all the left over bits and pieces which make more scraps, then you will like this pattern.

It is a lap size (45 X 60) but can be easily adjust to make other sizes.

You will need two blocks for each section.  Cut 48 squares of bright fabric that is 7.5 inches square.  Bright colours and as few as possible of the same fabric or all the same will give the best result. You will also need 48- 5.5 squares of white (all the same fabric).  You can use black for a real pop if you wish.

Next step will include the cutting,

Blessings,

Gardening Time

 We are getting some sunny warm weather and our spring flowers are blooming.  Hubby has added another level to our raised beds so I don't have to bend so far.  I will be planting our tomatoes and potatoes in them soon.  The petunia's and other flowers that I started indoors are doing well and will soon be planted outside along with the geraniums.  

It is hard to focus on the sewing machine when it is so nice outside but the blackflies, which have arrived, help keep me focused.  I was making good progress on the quilt that is on my long arm frame when I noticed that one row was over the preceding one.  Now I am getting practice unsewing.

I hope to be sharing a scrappy pattern with you soon.  In the meantime, check out these sewing hacks.  There are some great ideas here. https://www.facebook.com/SimpleCrafts.K4

Blessings,

Music

I have a friend who is a genius at finding interesting or helpful videos.  She sent this one this morning and as I really don't have much to share, I thought I would pass it on.  It does come with a warning that you will be singing it for the rest of the day.

It is a dreary raining day here.  Hubby has lit the wood stove and I would really like to lay on the couch and read but I had better make a couple more blocks for my customer quilt. Hope you enjoy the video.

 https://youtu.be/b8YWVURnTXM?si=8J_ZR3UGaN4lZPUO

Blessings,

Staying Focused

 It is amazing what a person can accomplish if they stay focused.  Thursday is hubby's turn to get supper and as I didn't have any appointments, I decided I was going to focus on getting some blocks done for the customer quilt.  It takes a fair bit of time to do each as she wants each block to have different colour choices.  The centre of each block is the same as is the background but the rest differs.  

The block consists of half square triangles and you know how finicky they can be to make to the exact measurement and then sew so that the seams line up.  I have found that setting my machine to sew a 1/4 inch seam rather than using a special foot works much better.  Other than trimming the wings, there has been little to no adjusting.

I was even able to get a couple of rows done on the quilt that is on the frame and as well as my exercises done.

We have had a gray drizzly day but the rain stopped by mid afternoon so I could take the dog for a walk.  I went along the road and then to my sister's property and saw that her neighbour had let all his construction garbage blow over to her side.  Why do people do that?  I don't understand thoughtfulness.

One of the blocks.  The center has been changed to fabric the same colour as this one but the pattern is hearts. 

Blessings,

Stolen Quilts.

 Our Heidi went to the vet for her latest check up on Friday and she is doing really well.  It is great when  you feel that your Animal Hospital really cares about your pets.

I have been sewing a lot of half square triangles for my customer's quilt and, as you know, they have to be accurate or getting your seams right just doesn't work.  I have always used a 1/4 inch foot for quilting but I realized it wasn't always precise so I have gone to the machine setting.  That is working much better and I don't have to fudge the seams to get them lined up.  I am aiming to have this quilt done by the end of the month-or at least the top.  Then I have another one to finish.  That top is almost done so it shouldn't take too long.  In the meantime, I have started a simple one which will be put in a sale in June.  I also think I will make a couple of tea cozies as my last one was stolen.  I figure if they are theft worthy then they should be saleable.

Speaking of theft.  Doesn't it break your heart to hear that someone's beautiful quilt has been stolen.  They are always amazing works of art and represent many, many hours of labour.

I think it would be devastating.

This wall-hanging is one I made for a customer and it was stolen from her when she was moving.

We are getting snow again but not cold.  I am looking forward to doing some gardening so hope spring settles in soon.

I had a hyacinth plant given to my for my birthday.  Does anyone know it it can be replanted in the garden?

Happy sewing,

blessings,

The Art of Relaxation

 Well, it has been quite a week.  We had a wonderful time with family celebrating Easter.  Monday would normally have been quilting but some of the ladies were away so it was cancelled.  Hubby was getting ready for a medical procedure the next day and had to fast so I was doing what I could to help him. Tuesday, after dropping our dog off at the neighbours we drove an hour and a half to the hospital.  Everything went well and the preliminary results were good.  After lunch and a stop at a fabric store, we drove home.  I did all the driving because of the sedatives hubby received and the fact that he had been awake most of the night.  A wind storm had been predicted and I fought that all the way home.  Picked up the dog and then collapse on the couch. 

The wind continued through the night and I was awakened once with the sound of a loud bang.  the hydro flickered on and off a few times but didn't stay off.  The next morning up, have a shower and breakfast and the lights went out.  They stayed off until 7 p.m.  We spent the time reading and heating premade stew on the wood stove.  Next day and today, all is well.  We had a couple of trees come down, once just missing the driveway, but no real damage.  Now I am trying to get caught up

I have just loaded a new quilt onto the long arm and am going to try out a new pantograph.  I gave the machine and frame a good cleaning and check over and discovered the base of the frame was half an inch lower on one end than the other.  Getting that fixed should make for easier stitching.

Today's photo is of our kitty,  Ally Cat.  She looked so relaxed that I had to take a picture.  Wouldn't it be nice if we were all able to free our mind of all that really doesn't matter?

Blessings,