Reminiscing

Isn't that what December is for, well the last few days anyways as we await the New Year!!Over at Meadow Mist Designs they are encouraging bloggers to look back over the past year and sum up their blogs. Things learned, quilts finished and anything else quilty!

So I am attempting to chime in with my own view from my studio. This is the year we finally got to redoing where I sew. It was a living room(we also have a family room). I would hand quilt on the large frame in this room and use it in the Spring when the basement(where my sewing room was) was too cold. One year I just never moved back to the basement and am loving being on the main floor where I can see outside. I have laminate flooring now so no lost pins and office chairs move way more smoothly, sometimes too fast!!You can visit my studio pics here.

With the COVID hitting in March...I was thankful for my hobbies. They kept me busy and many items got started and completed.

keeping for me

whole cloth quilt I gave away

I finished my Frolic mystery in early January and also joined in a quilt along with Edyta Sitar. That one got finished and quilted straight away. Carla over at Quilting by the River is just finishing up a quilt along. I was one of  her pattern proofer so I got a bit of a start on the quilt. I did mine half sized. So instead of 9" blocks, mine are 4.5" blocks. That one is ready to be sandwiched!

In the mess that we call lockdown, social distancing, or just staying home and staying safe, I was able to finish hand quilting two quilts. One I gave away and one that I am keeping for myself.

class I was to teach

Eydta mystery quilt

quilt for Kathy

6"wonky stars

6" log cabin

I have also been doing lots of scrap quilts. A mini log cabin was completed from the scraps that made these wonky stars. Seems there is a never-ending supply of scraps.

Time at home meant I had time to clean, purge and just simply find out what I have. Many UFOs were found and this particular one I have had for probably more than 12 years. You can read the full story here. I still have the quilt till I get to see my friend Kathy.

So to sum it up, I made 12 quilts, 2 bags and one duvet cover. Gave away 6 quilts, kept one and one quilt and one duvet to be delivered. I also started 4 quilts that aren't finished as yet. WOW this even surprised me!! I am hoping that this year will be just as productive...with being in lockdown right now for two weeks...it is a start!!My hope is to get more of the UFOs in the basement finished. Some of them have been waiting for over 12 years so it seems this is a good year to clean them out!! Good luck with all you have in mind to get started, quilted and or finished!

Quiet Christmas

 The big day has come and gone! But at my house Christmas is going to last a bit longer. My daughter was coming home on boxing day but because of the provincial lockdown it wasn't going to work. So we will get together in January or February. I told her I would leave the tree up even if I had to decorate it for Ground hog's day or Valentine's Day!! So my hubby and I will have a second Christmas then!!

As life gets back to our usual routine....yesterday I decided to tidy up my sewing studio. It was long overdue!! I still had things hanging around from guild(which has not happened since last March). I figured it would be good to clean up and see just what I have in UFOs or other things that needed tending to.

I found 2 quilts that are in parts or just blocks from guild classes, a snowflake quilt that needs to be sandwiched and quilted, small  nine patches that I have been sewing as leaders and enders and while putting things in their rightful places, I came across this small wall hanging that just needs sandwiching and finishing. I know I didn't make this wall hanging, I think I rescued it from the charity table at guild. It came with 4 pieces of binding...I just might need those two smaller pieces to finish the binding!

wall hanging to finish

Sooo...I have no reason to say I have nothing to do, I just don't know where to start!! I think I will start small and go from there. A couple friends and I are starting a nine patch/log cabin quilt. One of  the friends(Pearl) wanted a leader and ender project. I found one for her! Another friend (Mallory)has already started with the nine patches. I think we have even coerced a couple other quilters into joining us!!

It is slow stitching Sunday! Wonder what Kathy is up to? With needle and thread or maybe knitting needles I will check in and see what everyone has been up to. For those reading in Ontario...enjoy your lockdown, find something fun to do!! Everyone else hope you are safe and healthy! 

Christmas completions in the home stretch!

 Raise your hand if you are all finish and ready for Christmas? I don't see many hands and that is okay, it means we are all crafters/quilters who are working like Santa, down to the last second. I am no exception, I started a project yesterday with the hopes of having it finished and under the tree by Thursday!! no pressure or as my daughter says "good thing you left lots of time to do it"!! It is a pile of cut pieces and some strip pieced sections waiting for me to get busy today! I also have some knitting that needs finishing...those gifts might include knitting needles if I don't get them quite finished!! haha

parts and pieces just waiting

But before sitting down to that there were some driveways that needed cleaning out. We got a dusting of snow last night and it continues to fall. I love watching it when it is snowing those large fluffy flakes with Christmas tunes playing in the background!

I will have a tea break later and will check in with Kathy and all the slow stitchers to see what everyone is finishing up today. It is a great source of inspiration to see what everyone is working on. Not that I need any more ideas...I need time to complete everything!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a healthy and safe New Year!

P.S. Mr Snowman is still standing but has obtain a sign now!! I am thinking of adding a small tree with lights....will see if I have time this week!!

Oh how time flies

 Wish I could say I have been so busy sewing, quilting and knitting that I had no time to blog...but unfortunately that is only half true! There has only been knitting happening in my world. I decided this was the year that I was knitting for everyone. I have over half of the things made that I wanted to make and there is still enough time to finish the rest. I cannot share pics as yet because the recipients will know!!Shhh Christmas secrets!

We got our first significant dumping of snow last week...almost 12" or more! On Friday after shoveling and my daily walk...I decided it was the perfect day to make a snowman! I am young at heart and that is all that matters...no judging!!I took one pic (even got the dog in it) and then he got an upgrade yesterday with a new sign, a new hat and a dusting of snow!

Today is a day to stitch away the hours...maybe a couple Christmas movies while I knit up the remaining gifts. I will also be checking in with Kathy and seeing what everyone else is spending their Sunday doing!!