Autumn

Yes, Autumn is here.  I'm in Sorrento and the fall colours are stunning.  There is a light dusting of snow in the hills and I'm quite content to sit with 22 great women and quilt all weekend.

It's our annual retreat and we all love it here.  Wouldn't you?

I finished up this bag the day before I arrived.

The weave started out a little boring ( in my husband's eye.)  I had a plan and wasn't worried.

The light part of my Hoffman Bali Poppy was the third layer.  It really made it pop.

I basted a Pellon water soluble interfacing on type of the weave and put it on my longarm.  A quick swirl and into the sink for a rinse.  It took a few rinses to get all the residue off but it was a great way to get the weave quilted.

I did get my house block for the week done.  I used Manderley by Frannie and Jane for this one. The  fabric was perfect for the little inset tiles.

Linking up with Finish it up Friday!

Happy World Smile Day!

Yes, the first Friday in October is World Smile Day!  In the words of Charlie Chaplin, "You'll find that life is still worthwhile, if you just smile."  I'm hoping you find lots today to make you smile.

Some of the things that make me smile are:

Taking a few minutes to piece.  I don't always make the time I should to piece things I want.  This is block 5 of the Moda Neighbourhood.  The fabric is "Silver Linings in Color" by Laundry Basket Quilts.

A little free form quilting that includes a feather that just feels right.  I've always loved the quilting process and some days my whole body smiles when it is going well.

Reading a good book.  A quilt book with stories, what more could I want.  This book by Sue Spargo has great instructions and African Folklore stories that still make sense in this crazy world we live in.

And of course, you make me smile.  All my friends and family that support me in my quilt life, as well as my daily life.  There would be no smiles without all of you!

"Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love." - Mother Teresa

Linking up with Finish it up Friday.

Bike, Barge and Blocks!

First up, the Moda House blocks for the last two weeks.

Block 3 is made from "Desert Bloom" by sherri & Chelsi.

Block 4 is made from "Fresh Cut" by Basic Grey.

Now for the Bike and Barge.  It was sooooo much fun.  A group of 120, mostly from Kamloops, headed off on a two week European holiday.

Our own little group of Posties and Doug, had a blast.  The first stop on the holiday was at Prague.   Such a beautiful city.  The hop on hop off bus helped us to get our bearings and then off we went exploring.

A short bus ride and we were delivered to our boat at Passau.  Next we headed down river to Tulln.  Our crew artfully set our bikes out for us so we could bike to Vienna.

After Vienna we cruised  down to Budapest for a couple of days.  As always, the Danube made a beautiful backdrop.

On our bike ride from Vac to Esztergom we had just crossed the river on a little ferry, when our boat passed by on the way to our next rendezvous.

Next up was a ride from Bratislava to Devin.  Beautiful day crossing from Slovakia to Austria and back again.

Our last biking day was in Austria from Krems to Melk, through the Wachau valley wine region. Stunning area to visit.

The boat returned us to Passau and we were on our way to Stuttgart for three days.  The Mercedes Museum and the "Festival" were must see events.

As with all holidays, it was over much to soon.  Back into the quilting swing of things for a month till I head off to Quilt Market in Houston.  Oh my, this being retired is tough!!!!

Linking up with Finish it up Friday.

Wing & Leaf

"Wing & Leaf" by Gina Martin for Moda, is available at your local quilt shop now.

This quilt is a pattern from the book "Scrap-Basket Strips and Squares" by Kim Brackett.  I decided to use grey for the background for a change of pace.  It was completed shortly after Spring Market as a Salesman sample and now is hanging at a local store as a shop sample.  It has travelled more than most people!

The second Be My Neighbor block is done.  It uses "Hey Dot" by Zen Chic for Moda.  This fabric line is also a recent release to local stores.  I'm on holidays right now, but I will REALLY try to get up to date when I get home.  I have to at least complete one quilt along this year.  

Happy quilting everyone!

A Beautiful Wedding

Deandra and Tyler tied the knot on September 10.  It was a lovely late summer day, the perfect setting for an outdoor wedding.

This is my favourite picture of the newlyweds.  Relaxing and chatting between formal pictures.

My brother Russell and his family.  Mom (Olive) was in the wedding party as the flower girl.  Idris was the ring bearer, Melissa and Alawna were bridesmaids and Ibrahim was an usher.  Deandra made her wedding a real family affair.

This is my family with the newlyweds.  Unfortunately Matt and Doug had gone back to the hotel to pick up the wedding present that I had forgotten, so they weren't in the picture.  George had to work  and wasn't able to attend.  

Of course I made a quilt.  This is the gift that Doug and Matt had to run back to the hotel to get. How could I forget it?  I'll blame it on the grey hair.  The pattern is from the book "By The Block" by Siobhan Rogers.  I made it slightly bigger (84 x 91) so that it could be used as a bed quilt.

I had been saving low volume 3 1/2" squares for quite some time.  Two weeks before the wedding they were all still in a box.  I dug into the box and managed to finish in time.

Wishing Deandra and Tyler a lifetime of happiness and love!

Won't you be My Neighbour?

How many times did you listen to Mr. Rodger's say that?  My children loved his show so I'm sure I heard it at least a thousand times.

Right now Moda is asking if you want to be their neighbour.  Check out their blog here for their latest quilt-along.  The patterns are free, available only through quilt shops.  Check with your local shop to see if they are participating.

Of course I've jumped in.  What's one more project on the go?  Besides, I think it's going to be really cute.  The fabric for this block is "Hazelwood" by One Canoe Two for Moda.  The background is a little "Paper" that I have stashed away.

I found this Me and My Sister pattern on their website, available here.  I made it with "Rainy Day" which is being shown to shops now, and will be available for purchase in January.  It's the perfect pattern when you have to  get a baby quilt done in a hurry.

I'm running at full speed right now, trying to meet a few deadlines before my next holiday.  I finished up Jeannie's Sunday Ride quilt.  I think she was pretty happy with the results.

Katja received a little LOVE on her quilt.  It is for her next quilt-along from her Perpetual Calendar.  I'm working on my version of the pattern.  With only seven weeks to Market I'm feeling the push to get the last of the hand stitching done.

Linking up with Finish it up Friday!

And The Winners Are......

Drum roll please!  The winners if Katja's Bag challenge have been announced.

The first place goes to Betty.  Her fabric choices are stunning.  Who wouldn't want this bag over their should?

Second place is Jeannie's bag.  I'm assuming this is for her granddaughter.  Way to go Jeannie.  I'm sure she will love both the bag and the dress.

Third place was a tie.  Ellen's bag is made from folded hexagons.  Very nicely done.

My bag tied with Ellen's.  I had made the weave, and then decided it was big enough for a bag. I always like to try something new so I added an inset zipper.  Since it had to have a button, I hunted through  my button stash to find these three.  I'm really happy with the result.  Thanks to everyone who went to the store and voted.  You have one more day to see them all, before they are returned to their owners.

Recently I was asked how my splendid sampler blocks are coming.  I had to admit I hadn't made any for a while.  That was the motivation I needed to get to work and do this block.  I picked a little "Meow or Never" and set to work.  When I was done I realized that all the cat faces I used had a common theme.  I don't know if my sub-concious was trying to tell me something.  LOL.

Linking up with Finish it up Friday!