New Project for 2024

 I've been involved with the Canadian Quilters Association (CQA) for quite a few years now.  I've lived in different provinces and regions all across Canada and am a proud Canadian, as I do not really have a 'hometown'.  We moved around too much for that!

In that capacity, I was asked questions and then researched to find out more information about 'A Quilt For Canada'.  This was NOT a project of the CQA, but some people associated this project with them.  

It took a while, but I eventually, through luck found out all about it!  

It was 1990 and Canada's  125th Anniversary was coming up.  Deborrah Sherman who published her own quilting magazine had an idea to collect blocks from across Canada and create a large quilt to celebrate Canada!  I love projects that promote Canada....

By the time the project was complete, there was a total of 464 blocks sent in from all the provinces, the USA and abroad.  All Canadians, all ages, all abilities put stitches in the final sandwich pieces that were then connected into one quilt.  The finished size is 15' x 17'.  That's FEET! It was displayed in Ottawa and then toured Canada a bit with Eaton's and also the Creative Sewing and Needlework festivals.  

I have since received permission to share images of the blocks and the project.  Deborrah still has the quilt , as no one in the 90's wanted to take possession of it.  I'd love to see this beautiful work displayed again.  We are hoping to find a permanent home for this LARGE quilt, so I started another blog about it.  Check out A Quilt for Canada.  

I will be posting blocks each week and more information about the project.  It will take me the year to post all of them, so please be patient! LOL! Some of the block descriptions do not have a photo.   If you have pictures of the block you or someone you know made and we do not, please share! 

Crafty Gifts

 So I like to give crafty gifts. (NOOO!!!) 

BUT I am generally careful who I give these gifts to.  In the past, like most of you, I have given crafty or unique gifts that were not appreciated, or discarded.  Yes, once you give a gift, it is out of your hands what they do with it.  I have however placed quite a bit of time in making this item for YOU.  Because I thought YOU would like it.

That said, one of my friends is crazy for giraffes like I am.  When I saw this blackwork pattern I had to make it.  As I was making it, her name kept coming into my brain.  So I decided it was to be given to her.  I can make myself one later. She got it this past weekend.

This is the first in an experiment that I want to combine blackwork or cross-stitch into wall quilts.  And these two gave my skills a work out!  I found out that I haven't been threading my machine right for quilting, so that is why the thread kept breaking!  It does not lie as flat as I would like, but it is still nice.  I even stitched some hearts into the border fabric.  Yes, I used furry fabric (probably shouldn't have but I wanted to make it special)

So here it is, my first of hopefully a series of such quilts.  

More Christmas Postcards

 

A couple weeks ago I showed the fabric postcards I made last year.  This year I stepped up my game and made more after the initial swap was done.  My swap friend got this one:

And these went to some other quilty friends that would appreciate the work...

Basically these are 5x6" with the top being fabric blocks or scraps, embellished with anything I like. (usually from the dollar store) Machine or hand stitching embellishment.  Then add a layer of Peltex and then a backing fabric.  Then zigzag the edges to keep it all together.

These are addictive, and I have another batch being readied for more friends...

EPP Block of the Month

 So in September I Joined a couple ladies I me in Halifax for an English Paper Piecing block of the month.  The Esther Block.  These two sisters were very interesting to hear speak and their presentation was very good!  I've always said that take a pattern and no two will be the same due to the differences in the maker.  The samples Laura and Sara showed in Halifax of the same pattern done by each of them well showed that!  

The Esther Block is named after their mother and this monthly challenge is just that.  Check it out if you're interested in playing with us!  The November challenge took me a bit to figure out with the fabrics I chose, but I got it.  

These were the fabrics I chose:

The September prompt is to use that piece of fabric you are most excited to cut into. 

October's prompt is to use a strong design element in the large half hexagon in the outer border.

November's prompt is to create a flower motif using both the large central motif and the large half hexis in the outer border.

We were given our choice of sizes to work with and I of course went with the largest blocks.  This means one of the sides of the hexagon is 1.5".  Why?  Because I'd never done it before... Always getting myself into odd situations.  Warning, the blocks will be HUGE!  Each block finishes at 16"x18".  I THOUGHT i was going to make a wall hanging with it, but I figure it will make a nice lap quilt at the end of the year with only 12 blocks....

Christmas is coming!

 I've been working away on my Christmas cards lately.  Just because making regular cards was not time consuming enough... I decided to up my game and make fabric postcards too.  

I was introduced to this idea last year.  So I entered a swap with my guild and made these.

The darker one was swapped along with the start ornament.  My mom got the Noel card.  Both were appreciated. 

This year I'm making one to swap that has been sent and finishing up 12 more to give away!

Hugs!

You've Got A Friend In Me

 Last year I became part of a chat group that meets weekly on Zoom for an hour to discuss our quilting and other topics that interests us... books, films, kids, just a social hour.  I have benefited from these friendships very much and cannot say how much I appreciate these ladies.  When I first joined, the moderator was creating a block of the month for people to join.  I helped test these patterns and I assembled as instructed, but I wasn't happy with it.  

I wanted to make a wall hanging instead of a lap quilt.  Again precise piecing, but I persevered.  So I took it apart and reassembled with the blocks I liked best.  The rest were used on the back.  I love the end result!  When I look at it, it reminds me of the these ladies.  

I used Meerkat Shweshwe fabric from South Africa in three colours and only a very few solids where necessary.  Each block is representative of connecting through Zoom and in spite of the restrictions of Covid 19.  I also used my new embroidery skills I have been learning from another friend.  I'll have to show you my first embroidery project soon....

I had a chance to meet these ladies in Halifax this past June at Quilt Canada.  I hope to be able to meet them in person again soon!  Meanwhile we have our regular social hour....

Cindy

Creative time

 Hi!

This year, my health took a priority.  
My weight has been steadily climbing since we got married in 1994.
Despite many attempts, nothing really worked.
So after a summer of a new fat flushing medication, calorie control and exercise, I enrolled in a program with the Bariatric clinic of Sudbury.  
3 months of only Optifast shakes 4 times a day.
My poor man!  Grumpy is not the only word, but the only one I can use here!
Since February 2021 I have lost 75 pounds. and I hope to keep it off.

The point of this is I spent a LOT of time in my craft room, distracting myself.
So for the next bit I'll show you what I've made...

First up is this cute mermaid wall hanging.

I got the pattern from a sew along I joined. 
It is called Ocean Child by Laura Strickland.

I have been swapping 2.5" strips with the ladies of my guild for the last two years and decided I need to start using some of them.
The background is some of the blue ones I received.

Have a great and safe New Year's Eve!

Hugs!
Cindy

Fabric postcards

Hi!

 I participated in a fabric postcard swap this year.
It took me a while to find the Pellon Peltex 9292F Stabilizer, but once I got into the groove, it was fun!

My first ones are quite plain, but I got to play with the font feature on my sewing machine and spent a happy afternoon playing and adding decorative stitches with gold thread.

That's a paper pieced ornament next to it.  I sent it to my swap partner too.

The second one gets given to someone special.

Next year I understand we may do it again, so I'm gathering ideas to make more elaborate ones!

Hugs!

Cindy

Revelations...

 Hey!

So many revelations have been confirmed in the past few weeks. I have to say it has affected me deeply.  If you know me, you know I really hate being lied to.  I tell the truth and I expect those around me to do the same.  To find out that the church has lied to me in not disclosing their involvement with the residential schools atrocities has shaken me to the core.  I was raised to treat  all around me to be equal, and expected all others to do the same... Naïve, I know now...  I have been educating myself on the facts of the past and have tried in my own way to show that I stand with ALL Canadians, regardless of their perceived worth as decided by others.  I craft.  This is how I get through feelings, and even this has caused me to pause.  How to help without offending?  

I recently found a group of ladies up here in Northern Ontario who wish to try to show our support.  Vanessa Grenier started a Facebook group called Quilts For Survivors.  She is collecting 16 1/2" blocks to make quilts for survivors of the Residential school system.  She cannot take names, nor can she guarantee that all survivors will receive one.  Sadly there are too many for that.... But she will try to make sure someone from each province and territory receives one.  She mentioned that she wanted cards to go with, so I created a card with a poem Dianna Klatt wrote for this occasion. 

I also created this block and will try to make more today.

Check this out if you wish and help if you can!

Hugs!
Cindy

Happy Birthday!

 Hi!

My hubby's birthday was at the beginning of the month.
I wanted to make a wall quilt that celebrated him. 

So while I was working on another project in secret.
We are both photographers and his favourite colour is blue.

So I gathered my fabrics and made this!

This cute pattern is by Sassafras Lane Design: Mini Focus Freeway.
It's an applique pattern.
Done in a day!

Hugs!
Cindy

Home Sweet Home

Hello! 

Another project closer to making our home even more comfy!

Last Spring I started a King + sized quilt for our bedroom. Gudrun Erla created a pattern called Hope and used all proceeds of the pattern to give to her local charities helping those who were struggling without work due to Covid.  I gladfully paid for the pattern and started a LOOONG project during her quilt-a-long.  Here's her version of it.... (a smaller more doable size)

This was a quilt along where she posted videos on how to do each step, and also gave us some wonderful tips to make the sewing easier. That day I completed 20ish blocks... I needed 120.

Fast forward to January 2021, when I finally fished attaching all said blocks.

Handed it off to my girlfriend at Aba Daba Quilts to long arm the quilting. And today finally finished sewing the binding on it.

It is 93"x 110" with 120 finished 9" blocks set in an offset barn raising pattern.  It's Done!!!!

Hugs everyone!

Happy Easter!

 HI!

I have a renewed energy today!  

Spring, warmer weather, healthier eating and of course God has saved us all!

I made this banner for my mom and sister a few weeks ago and they immediately put it up on their door... guess they liked it!

The first week of February I followed along an online quilting summit with Rebecca Page.  She had many instructors and free videos to learn new techniques.

This was a one day project with Janel Metsker and her pattern is called Bunny and Blooms.  I altered it a bit, as the original was meant to be more horizontal, and I knew I wanted it for the the door.

I just used scraps that I had and a fat quarter for the backing.  

Foxy Fun

 Hello!

Keeping busy?  I'm trying to....

I took out a kit I bought last year at Joanne's, before the the border locked down and I could go shopping in the US.  I had a coupon, Quiltologie had a few cute designs and this Fox Frolic came home with me!  This fox kit spoke to me and it's been waiting patiently for me to assemble since then.

The fabrics are fun, and the instructions were pretty straight forward.  I assembled the top in a couple hours.  The next day I quilted it.  And the next night I attached the binding while watching tv.  

A nice new, bright artwork for gloomy winter days...

The final size is 17x19"

Keep safe and happy!

Cindy

Jewels Into Hearts

 Hi!

Since we live in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario we have an international bridge to the US at our disposal.  Since March 17 though, it has been closed due to Covid-19.  Scrolling Pinterest, I saw a fun quilt with hearts that were English Paper Pieced.  I can do that!   

So I ordered the 1" jewel paper pieces and once they finally arrived, I stared making hearts. I decided to keep them in blues and teal, 1 for each day the bridge is closed.  I thought that it would make a nice wall hanging....

I believe that this will now be a quilt...

And I have started to pester my friends and family for 5" square pieces of blue fabric.  I want to make each heart a different fabric, and so I need help!  We are at day 262 and still counting!

Here's what I have so far...

Flip Flop Quilt

Hi!

As I become more confident in my sewing skills, I try new things.  

I wanted to make a quick quilt for my godmother and thought.. Hey!  Quilt As You Go!

The premise is that Each square is quilted individually, top, battang and backing then you just attach the pieces together.  

Use Steam A Seam on the back of the fabric and cut out the flip flops...

Got through the individual squares alright. I left some squares empty and just quilted shell shapes.

Sew the back pieces together first, then hand sew or machine sew the tops.

I used some decorative stitches on my machine to make sure the seams would stay down and hopefully mimic sand and water.

Completely threw me off, seeing the individual seams on the top....

But, for something I just put together without a pattern, not bad first try.   

My godmother has now received it, and she seems to like it.  So I'm glad! 

That's my guy posing with it outside...

Hugs!

Cindy

Nova Scotia Tragedy

Hi!

It takes me a while to process bad events.  

There was a mass shooting rampage in Nova Scotia, Canada on April 24.  

In response to this event, the Maritime Modern Quilt Guild requested completed quilts in Blue and White to be made and sent for the victims of this violent event.  

I reached out to my friends here in the Soo and 5 of us created a row to add to a lap quilt that was created for this purpose.

Here is the completed and quilted quilt.  It is on its way to Nova Scotia with love.

Hugs!

Cindy

Austrailia Quilts

G' Day!

Back in January I showed you some blocks I made and sent to Australia for Quilts to be made for the survivors of the massive forest fires. I've been patiently looking at the posts from the Wollongong Modern Quilt Guild and looking to see where they put my blocks. 

The quilts they have put together are amazing!  There have been write ups about this initiative and I've really enjoyed seeing the updates and finished work.  And SO much work from the members of this guild!  Here's just some of the tops completed and where some of my blocks have ended up.

They apparently received over 14,000 blocks and are able to make hundreds of quilts!

I hope each person that receives these quilts feel the love from around the world.

Hugs!

Cindy