The Latest Rounds of Canadian Women Blocks

 150 Canadian Women

The one quilt-along I couldn't turn down was this one. Not only is it 3 blocks a week issued each Tuesday, but each has a historically significant woman at the center of its design. So, a story with each block, and I'm enjoying the idea. While I spent January elbows deep in charity quilting, I vowed not to do any personal sewing or quilting. When February rolled in, I needed to catch up. I made 15 blocks yesterday and this morning.

Linking My Inner Squirrel to the DrEAMi Party

January: The Month for 
Your Inner Squirrel

Did you hear the song, "Everybody's talkin', there's a new squirrel in town"? I meant 'girl.' Or actually a new link party? Sorry, so much squirrel talk these days with Sandra from mmm!quilts. Sandra has a new link party starting this weekend, and it's all called DrEAMi, and there's nothing confusing about it. It means... 

Drop Everything And Make It!

Coastal Mist Blog Hop & Giveaways

Coastal Mist Blog Hop & Giveaways

Last summer Tammy Silvers at Tamarinis blog asked if I would like to make a project for Island Batik using their new Coastal Mist line. Surely, I did, and set to work to design something to showcase its wide range.

Two More Tops Nearly Done

What a Difference Good Lighting Makes!

After bemoaning the lack of light in the studio, I made a trip to IKEA. I bought 2 standing lights with bright bulbs, and it was like summer again just using one of them.  I decided to move the mess I'd accumulated by sewing in my living room back to the studio. It took most of the day to get things back into order, and clean up.

A Lesson In Value & Fabric Choice and a Hop

Using Value to Create Brilliant Blocks

Fabric Challenges: Charity Quilts Day 19

"There's No Such Thing As Ugly Fabric"

Has anyone ever told you this? And did you believe them? Well, I beg to differ. I'm usually attracted to the one-offs, and not what everyone else likes, and I'm okay with that. We all have personal tastes toward color and pattern, and all it takes is looking at your own stash if you don't believe it.  For me, I am attracted to both stripes and flowers. Put them together in a 1960's-1970's print, and I am over the moon! Isn't it just gorgeous?!

Packing Charity Quilts for Shipment: Day 17

Do you remember me telling you the MCC Connections Store and warehouse was like a well oiled machine? Well, a machine is only as good as its parts, and today I have another example. Two brothers team up to make sure the donated comforters that arrive in the warehouse are properly packed for shipment around the world. I stuck with them from start to finish, and so can you to see how it's managed.

Accidental Volunteer: Charity Quilts Day 16

Simple, Yet Spectacular!

I made a trip back up to the MCC Connections Thrift Store and quilting room in Kidron, Ohio today. I went to ask a long list of questions related to charity quilting, and one person who could answer most of them was there working today. Not wanting to waste her valuable work time, I tried to help along side while she explained things.

15 Stars 'Til Midnight Done: Day 14

"15 Stars 'Til Midnight"

Kids have the best sayings. They mix up parts of speech, and combine sayings. Several of ours were genius at it, and this would be something they would come up with. 

It's together at last, and measuring 72" x 91". Again, winter light makes for poor picture quality, but let's just say the dark blue borders gave this quilt new life. It was a pale gal without them.

Another one done, and ready for quilting.

Come on, Doxie girls.

Let's go sew.

Free Easy Charity Quilt Pattern : Day 13

Close Up of Variation of a Nine Patch

"The Houses On Cherry Ridge"

Our kitchen table has been covered in these fabrics for a few days. I cut and sewed, cut and sewed all day. These are all fabrics donated to me this week, and I've added a few more from my own charity pile. My goal was to take a chunk out of the pile while testing out some new ways to configure a nine patch. This one is simple to cut, and simple to sew.