Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Blogathon Canada

Today it's been snowing and blowing all day, but I've been having fun visiting the far flung corners of Canada.  Sew Sisters Quilt Shop is hosting a wonderful blogathon so we can see what everyone else is up to.  For those of us who don't live in urban areas we can sometimes feel as if we are sewing away in splendid isolation.  This is a chance to connect to all that creativity out there and feel a part of something great!



Here in Quebec, while the wind blew and the snow fell,  I beavered away in sewing world to finish this, my happy stars quilt.



Taking pictures in snow is notoriously difficult as the colours are rarely true, but even indoor shoots can pose a few problems too.  In my case, my official holder upper was not available, so I had to resort to draping it across the sofa (again!) to try and get all the stars.


These blocks were from my Wee Bee Canadian group and one of the things I truly enjoy about collaborative efforts is looking at the variety of fabrics used.  My stash is almost devoid of greens or yellows, and neutrals are especially skimpy, but I was in love with many of the little scraps that showed up.

How can you not smile at this



or this

 or this, that makes me think of frog eggs in the pond.


Thanks for visiting and I hope that you can check out all the talent out there.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Done, Finally!

Do you ever have a project that you started with great enthusiasm and excitement only to have it languish half done in a carefully ignored part of your sewing empire.  I have. Not many, mind you, as I believe in finishing before starting, but this one particular project stopped speaking to me.

I started it off with a jelly roll of Carolyn Friedlander fabric and decided to make a granny square with navy sashing.  There's nothing wrong with the project, the fabric, the construction, the quilting, nothing at all.  (Well, there are imperfections, but there always are!) But I'm having a hard time liking it.


I think it's because it's November, and that means short days with little sunshine.  I think the navy, while classy, absorbs too much light for this time of year.  Maybe had I finished it in July, I would have a different feeling.   After my crankiness about variegated thread in my last post, I tried it again, but this time used  a spool from Connecting Threads.  I am pleasantly surprised by how good, and reasonable these threads are. And no, I'm not being paid to mention them!


I will tuck it away until I find a home for it, or until I change my mind--that has been known to happen!  Interestingly, my husband loves it and he rarely comments on the quilts I make.  Maybe that's it, it's meant for a man!


I also put together my "stars" from my month as bee queen.  They were all made with such happy fabrics, but I'm pondering whether it needs another row at the bottom.  It makes a decent lap size quilt as it is, and is still missing the outer sashing.


I have a little girl in mind to receive this, so I won't be dawdling too long to finish it!

I'm linking up with The Needle and Thread Network and Sew Fresh Quilts, so pop over and have a visit.