A Quilt, a Bag and a Hike

What did you do this week?  I finished up a quilt, a bag and a hike.  Fabulous week by all accounts.

I couldn't resist hanging the bag in my Azalea.  The bag is from the book "Style and Swing" by Susan Dunlop.  I want to make every bag in the book, she makes it look so easy.  I used a little Jane Sassaman fabric to make the " Trendy Hipster Bag".

In the book it says to use fusible fleece behind the magnetic snap.  I fused two pieces of batting fused together and then put a small piece of plastic canvas on before the final metal tab was added.  I don't remember whose blog I got the plastic canvas idea from but I think it adds a lot of strength.  I worry about the snap pulling through the fabric.

One more shot of the bag at Katja's Shoppe, with the fabrics to the bottom left of the picture.  And what is it hanging next to?

The quilt that I dropped at the shoppe earlier in the week.  It is made from "Reel Time" by Zen Chic for Moda.  I put the pattern somewhere safe so I could give appropriate credit to the designer.  Unfortunately I don't remember where that is.  Katja does sell it at the store so you can always find it there.

This weeks Wednesday walk welcomed our newest Retiree to the group.  We walked to the "Trolls."  It wasn't a long walk but as always, stunning scenery. We were on the look out for Rattlesnakes, as we here they are out early this year.  Luckily, no sightings.

Linking up with Finish It Up Friday.

Lone Star Class Review

This spring I taught my Lone Star Class to a group of wonderful women who belong to the Sagebrush Quilters' Guild.  A few of them are now finished so I wanted to take today to share them with you.

This is Pat's Quilt.  The orange background is stunning!

Noeline went with batiks.  Fabulous!

Sandy downsized the blocks a little.  She is doing a great job with her quilting.  I'm know it will be beautifully finished!

I made a second quilt adding a little Cotton + Steel in for the purple pieces.

Speaking of Cotton + Steel.  Here is Melody and Alexia from Cotton + Steel, with my Rosette #5.  They were visiting Trendtex Fabrics in Coquitlam this past weekend. The quilt behind them is also a Cotton + Steel quilt that I made for Trendtex.  I feel very honoured that they posed with my rosette.

While my rosette was in Coquitlam, I was in Penticton teaching.  While wondering the farmer's market, I came upon the quilted car advertising the quilt show this weekend.  If you are in the area, stop by.

Linking up with Finish it up Friday!

Rosette # 5 The New Hexagon Milllefiore Quilt-Along

I just had to make a Rosette with Purple.  Those that know me well knew it would happen.  I promise the black and white Rosette is next.

Since I wanted to use purple, I started out with pink and lime green.  Makes perfect sense to me!

Once I had the outer two rows decided, it was time to pick the centre to draw it all together.  I decided there was enough lime green, so I went with the pink and purple centre.

The Rosette is currently at Trendtex fabrics, visiting with a couple of the women from Cotton + Steel.  Hopefully I will have pics shortly to share with you.

I did manage to get a little piecing in this week.  Working on another quilt using "For You" by Zen Chic.  It may be a bit before this one is finished.

What is a week without a little quilting?  Lol!  This quilt belongs to Jo-Ann.  I'm pleased with the way it turned out.  The Fireside backing really shows off the quilting.

Linking up today with Finish it up Friday.

For You!

I am so excited about this weeks quilt!

I started with a fat quarter pack of "for You" by Zen Chic for Moda.  This fabric is scheduled for release this summer.  I can't wait for it to be in stores.

I'm always on the hunt for quick and easy patterns.  The book "Fabric Play" by Deanne Moore has several.  I picked the "Messages" pattern and whipped this quilt up lightning speed.

The inspiration for the quilting came from "Threadedquilting" on Instagram.  Check Jess' page out.  Her quilting is fabulous.  Thanks for the quick and fun quilting tutorial Jess.

 Let's finish this week off with a picture taken from Petersen Creek, just as you crest the top of the trail on the south east side of the ravine.  Kamloops is laying nestled in the valley, with the mountains turning green all around. 

Linking up with Finish it up Friday!

Millefiore Rosette #4

Rosette #4 is finished!  Woohooooooooooo.  Only eight more to go.  They do get smaller from here on in, so hopefully I can keep up.

I did not have a clear plan for the colours on this one when I started.

I decided I needed to use the Viewmaster print with the light background for the large centre of the hexagon in the first row.  The little pieces on the bottom had me stumped until I came across the Backgammon fabric which fit perfectly with the shape.  It was at that point that I decided the rosette would be pink and green.  I added the green fabric with the pink star next, and then the green bunny just had to join in.

Staying with the backgammon fabric, I completed the first rosette of the second row.  Here it is placed as shown in the post for Katja.

The second hexagon of row two carried the backgammon fabric through out.  The pink stars were next, and then a little light cream background to keep the rosette light in colour.

I gave the first hexagon one turn to the right, so that a line was created throughout all of row two.

Row three was next.  I decided to use a darker pink to offset the dark green points in the first row.  The Jacks fabric was used to compliment the colour of the Viewmaster fabric.

The last decision I made was the centre.  I'm glad I waited!  If I had started with the centre, I'm sure the rosette would of been dominated by that decision.

If you haven't yet checked it out, click here for Katja's New Hexagon Millefiore Quilt Along.

Linking up with Finish It Up Friday!

Winter Forest Flannels

Today's quilt is made from Winter Forest Flannels by Holly Taylor for Moda.

This was a quick little quilt to put together.  I was working from a fat eight so I was limited by the amount of light fabric I had.  Once again I was at retreat and needed an idea of what to make.  One of the organizers had everyone make a set of blocks for a community quilt.  I loved the ease of the pattern so much, I decided to use it for these flannels.  The pattern is "Cotton Candy Dots" by Amelie Scott Designs, available on Craftsy.

This version of Sun Bonnet Sue with embroidered flowers is adorable.  A friend had me quilt it up for her.  What fun to work with her incredible appliqué and embroidery.

This weeks hike with my Postie friends was to the top of the bluff overlooking Paul Lake.  Beautiful view and a great time with friends.

Linking up with Finish It Up Friday.

Wool + Needle III Flannel

I was given a fat eighth pack of Wool + Needle III flannel and challenged to come up with a quilt.  I remembered seeing a pattern in Doug Leko's book "Grand Portage."  I knew it would be perfect, but unfortunately didn't have the book with me at retreat.  I forged ahead, thinking I knew what I was doing.

I was happy with the results, but when I got home and read the book, mine is just a little different.  The pattern is "Main Avenue."  It called for 2 1/2" connectors, and I used 3".  Oh well, just one of lives little twists!

I decided the quilting could be straight lines, echoing the design.  Out came my chalk-o-liner to draw the lines and the quilting was done in record time.

Thanks to Doug for the inspiration!

I haven't finished a lot of my own quilts lately, however, I did get to quilt the one below for Bev.

It's great fun when my friends tell me to quilt what I want.  Thanks Bev.

Now that spring has arrived, I've been out for a few walks with my Postie friends.  This picture was taken walking south of Kamloops in the Pineview area, looking south.  I love getting out and exploring nature.  Unfortunately the ticks are out in full force and I had three hitchhiking on me.  Tick spray is a necessity from here on out.

Thanks for stopping by, have a fabulous Easter Weekend!

Linking up with Finish It Up Friday.