Yikes, it's November

I've a good excuse for not posting. . . all my spare time is with fabric and my sewing machine. What fun. Well at first, not -- I found a box of blocks that I'd made from scraps with the intention of sewing them into a quilt or two. However, that was a total underestimation. I actually cried when I realized this pile of blocks was likely enough for at least a dozen or more.

So I began. Right now, I've three finished, one ready to bind, and six tops waiting to be sandwiched. And the box is only half empty! Two are lap size and one is a baby quilt made from leftover flannelette. It has already gone to an orphanage in Brazil. These are not the best of photos, but that is not a priority for me.

The plan for what happens with all my quilts, other than what family claims and others. We live in a complex with a huge building called The Grand with hundreds of tenants getting assisted living. This building is encircled by 66 bungalows for those who don't need extra care and are individually owned. This complex has several quilters and we call ourselves the "Rusty Rippers" and meet often to work and have fun together. 

Recently we decided to make quilts for those in the Grand, folks in wheelchairs, or who are cold all the time, or have lost their spouse. We are also considering Fidget quilts for those in memory care. 

I'm motivated. Time flies and I've so much fabric. Feeling responsible to use what I have and make sure the quilts go to people who need them. Therefore, each time my to-do calendar said "post quilt blog" it was usually ignored in favor of sewing. I'll try harder. Making improv quilts from blocks that were made from leftovers is a blast. I really am glad that the Lord gave me this assignment. It works well with my ADHD mind and my faith in "not my will but Thine be done."
 

More Finishes

 Life is so hecktic that sewing has to be a must or I might want to sleep all day. Here is another flannel pj transformation. I did all straight line quilting and the fabric behaved very well. This one is called "Cuddle Up" and is about 40" x 48" so nice for a small child.

I'm now working on a multicolor mostly batik that uses the craziest prints in my stash. It is fun and will be posted in a while.

This next one pictured below is not flannel but all black and white pieces from my scraps and fabric collection. I called it "Oops, a Zebra Fell out of my Stash." Most of the quilts I make for charity, but might keep this one for a while. It is 52" x 64" and I really like it. There was enough B&W for the backing too. 

Besides it, another about the same size is sandwiched on the longarm and waiting for ideas. It is dark and light too, but more brownish. Photo later. 

A good news event happened recently. I have a pattern on Etsy that has sold more than 860 copies. It is a nativity made in three panels. 

The original was done for a church we used to attend. However I was told they had not hung it for at least four years. Some friends who attend that church decided I should have it and did what was needed to pick it up and deliver it to me. I am over-whelmed. It is hanging in my study and gives me joy every time I look at it. A good reminder of the blessings God gave when He sent His Son to die for our sins. It can be seen at this link: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ElsieQuilts 
It looks more complex than it is. This photo is a bit chopped.

Flannel PJs transformed

Well, I must mark "look at comments" on my calendar since my brain keeps forgetting and my heart needs to do it. Thank you to all who read, and to those who encourage with a few words.

We wound up with granddaughter moving in with us (long and painful story) and she is doing well, healing enough to go back to work -- in Asia. We just returned from a two-week trip to Alaska, had a great time, and now fired up to get those UFOs off my list. 

Here is a couple more made from pj bottoms. Warning: Before trying this, check online for tips on working with flannel. . . it is stretchy and hard to quilt. Straight lines on the longarm worked for me, but they fought back every inch of the way. They are small and soft though, and some little ones will love them, I have fabric for one more, then on to more serious stuff.

 

Improv times two

Two finishes. First started with leftovers from a Ricky Tims Rhapsody and needed some size so grabbed from my stash and this was the result. It is just over 50 inches square and will hand on a wall somewhere.  Photo is darker than the quilt.

 The second is a bit crazy. I have several PJ bottoms that are never worn so decided to make a few children's huggable quilts. Both top and backing are flannel, stretchy, no fun at all, but hopefully they will be loved. this is the first of likely three more. I appliqued a bunny on it. Fabric is blue plaid and a red/blue darker plaid. Backing is a blue plaid. Found out after finishing this that i could have starched the flannel to make it easier to manage, but it is cuddly.

 

  

Nearly there, need labels

Two improv quilts need labels. The big one is called "My Mind on Steroids" because my over-active brain looks like that in scraps. It is all from bits of this and that and was fun to make. I had it quilted by Kim Caskey who does her magic freehand. It is a lesson in quilting just to look at. She was given freedom to do whatever she wanted and I'm so happy with her work on this. It is about 68" square. This is not a great photo. Email me for a better one.

The other one is also scrappy and improv. Two colors. "Blue Squares in Squares" and also fun to make. I broke all the rules by quilting it in lines instead of curves, and like the result. I was going to donate it, but just might keep it for a while. Both need labels and once that is done - on to two more improvs. I'm thoroughly convinced that scraps are related to rabbits and multiply in the night.

Also cutting up flannel pj bottoms that I don't wear. All but one (of six) are plaids and each produce about 60 four-inch squares. They will make fun baby quilts, likely with a heart or animal or something appliqued on them.  

 

 The wind blew so hard in our city yesterday that a school lost its roof and concrete waste bins were blowing over. However, this is Alberta, sunny but totally unpredictable. . . as in "if you don't like the weather, wait a minute."

I finished a couple of improv quilts. One is black and white leftovers from a bigger one that is not finished yet. It will make a wheel chair lap size. The other is from my box of brown scraps and bigger pieces from that stash that multiplies in the dark when i'm sleeping. Both will likely go to our guild charity group and be given to someone who needs them.

 Our granddaughter has been staying now and then. Her other gran has the spare bedroom but no TV so she came here to watch the Olympics, etc. but also be with me while hubby went to a church men's camp for a few days. We bought a 1000 piece crazy hard puzzle and had a goofy weekend. 

Here are the two quilts. these are not great photos. Color is off and too fuzzy. Brown one is about 42" x 42" and the smaller one is 20" x 30"

 

Finally, a finish

This last few weeks has take a toll on my to-do list, but amazing how much the Lord has blessed me while I was down and out.

One quilt had me baffled for that time. My guild gave me blocks that sort of matched in style but not in content. The bigger one was a snow thing, the other two seemed more like spring or summer. However, here in Alberta, this really described our January. We had spells of spring warmth and a few days of blizzards and cold. No flowers but flower reminders. So I quilted it with snow and rain and called it "Alberta Weather." It goes to charity as a large table runner, about 20 x 60.

Now I'm scrap blasting. Hopefully one more finished tomorrow. Need to watch the Super Bowl today and maybe some Olympics. Back soon!

What a wild ride. . .

Since the last week of October, we have cared for our granddaughter who is now out of the local rehab center and living with her other gran. She can walk, within reason, and needs to wear a brace on one leg, but arm casts are off and she is thinking about what comes next. Much prayer went up for her healing as we realize how close we came to losing her.

This was a stressful and busy time. Then we had another stressful incident. On our way home from a New Years dinner with friends, we stopped at red light on a busy intersection, no cars ahead of us but an extremely icy street. . . and were rear-ended by a city bus. No passengers, but a very anxious driver. After dealing with that and their people, we were tired, to say the least. 

The next event was hubby taking info to a place filled with other people reporting accidents etc. and he picked up a virus. He is still a bit weak but I was hit much harder and am still feeling yucky. Sleeping lots, sometimes three hour naps. Friends brought in food. We did make it through but accomplished little so far this month.

Yet I did quilt during all this. Here are some photos:

This pink one is made from scraps -- and I'm not a lover of pink so wondering how I managed to get so many pick quilts from scraps. It is #341 "In the Pink"

The green one is #312 "Star in my Heart" from an assortment given to me from our guild charity group. They usually hand me a pile of fabric with the idea that I will make something of it. I rather enjoy doing this, so have quite a few on the go.

 

The stripes and stars are another fabrics from my stash, and this #343 and will go to charity, this time (as with the others on this page) to Ronald McDonald House. A group of us had a tour and took 31 quilts. Our city has this totally amazing facility, well-run and worth a big brag. They take care of families who have severely ill children. Each person in each family gets a quilt. Siblings also get a new toy. The center has play areas, kitchens for the families to use, areas for older children to do their homework, all sorts of helps, even partners who come in with food. A local steak house feeds 75 people or more twice a month. Anyway, our little group was impressed. The last one came from donated panel in the center and I added the rest to make it big enough for a table topper.

More soon, I hope.
 

Them bones will heal. . .

 I need to post to tell you why I haven't posted. Not quilting very much. We have a granddaughter who had a disaster fall in another country. She was teaching school there but this fall was horrific. She is blessed to be alive. 

In that fall, she broke all four limbs and had bruises everywhere. Getting her home was by email and prayer, as that other country wanted $$$ up front for everything, including ambulance. They did operate on a smashed left foot but that drained her finances and they didn't want her to put it through her valid insurance here. Anyway, when she arrived her, she was immediately taken to hospital, more surgeries, more MRIs and tests and all four limbs in casts or braces. That was about three weeks ago. She still has two black eyes, but no other head injuries.

I must say, she has a remarkable positive attitude, "glad to be alive and home" and "glad I didn't break my neck" and a delight to visit. We go nearly every day, even though that is over an hour driving time, and spend 2-3 hours with her, take her non-hospital food at times, and get the latest test results. And share stories.

Therefore, all things are on the back-burner most of the time. I did wash the main floor this week, and we make it to church on Sundays, but quilting? Well, I did clean up the space and get some charity quilts delivered. However, we asked many to pray and the answers come in -- GD is so positive and laughs at herself and is healing quickly. Cast is off the left leg. She cannot stand or even get out of bed yet, but can sit on the edge if someone lifts/lowers/raises her right leg. The kneecap injury is called "an exploded knee" and will take a long time to heal. Her right thumb is broken, and lower left arm. Cast and braces almost cover her fingers but she manages to feed herself. 

I did take that last post quilt to a pro who is amazing. I could not figure out how to quilt it myself, and needed someone else to think of a solution. i do have a scrappy pink improv ready to go on my longarm, but have no clue when that will happen. Thanks to the encouraging words on my last post. Other quilters are so amazing!

 

 

Busy, busy, busy

At my age, I should be retiring, slowing down. However, going downhill usually means speeding up. Oh dear, that is not funny. My hubby is 80 next year and still working. He loves it. I am so busy too that days never seem long enough.

Our calendar for October includes four birthdays, a wine/cheese party, several dinners including Canadian Thanksgiving, three quilt-related meetings, my hubby's last golf maybe, before winter, and a business trip where is is gone for a week. We already had a road trip to visit family on Saturday, and the usual church Sundays and Bible study group on Mondays. DH may have dentist/doctor/massages booked too. I keep telling myself we don't have to say yes to every invitation. Right now I'm thinking a few naps for me too???

Anyway, I am having fun. I started this quilt with a 14" block, then added some 5" blocks around it, all scraps, then went nuts and it is heading toward a 72" finish (or bigger?) and the thing is all scraps. I am likely going to call it "Oops, I spilled my Crayons" and, NO, I have not counted the number of pieces in it. Some people already think I am crazy!

I'm just adding at the top the blocks etc. to make that a corner, and will do the same with the part showing at the bottom of this picture. The side 'corners' are already on, actually very large triangles to make this baby a big square. And to make my scrap bins less stuffed. 

The Final "After"

 I posted the beginning of an improv where a boring block was chopped up and added to until it became interesting (see post here), but it was not done. So I added some 8" scrappy and wonky log cabin blocks and a few other things and wound up with this. It is 37.75" x 47.5" and the quilting is simple: mostly straight lines with a few odd lines thrown in to keep me from getting bored. This one is hanging in my sewing area and I really like it. Besides, it made a great dent in my scraps, at least those colors. Now to hit the rest of them. . . 

Finally one is ready to show. . .

This was once three orphan blocks in three different sizes, plus a bit of extra fabric. I added my own for the backing and binding. It is now a large table runner or a queen-size bed runner. Needs a label, but the local guild group does that and then will find it a home. Not a great photo, but time to take photos is at a premium. Clicking on it might show off the colors a bit better. Sorry it is so fuzzy. 

I've about fifteen more tops/backs/bindings that need batting cut, sandwiches made, and quilting done with binding put on. It sometimes feels like a fabric invasion in my sewing room!

I bought a new sewing machine today. My 1630 Bernina still runs but at age 29, it does not owe me anything -- yet parts are no longer available. If it conks out on me, I cannot do anything but piecing as my BabyLock does only piecing -- at about ninety miles a minute. No zigzag, etc. The newbie is another Bernina, a 575 Quilters Edition. Just out of the box at this point.

 

 

Before and After

I'm still working on the odds/ends from the guild, but now have all tops done, and was able to get one sandwiched and partly quilted. Since there are fifteen of them, it might be a while to do 'my' stuff, but I did take a break and made a few random blocks from scraps. One of them looked like this:

Boring. A library book on making modern improv quilts got into my head so I decided to slash up this boring block (about 16" square) and add some scraps leftover from various things but in colors that worked together. This is the "after" picture. It is 19.5 x 32 but not sure if the strip on the right side will be sewn in. Kind of like it though.

This sort of goofing around is my favorite way to quilt. Just make it up as I go. I even woke in the night and planned a quilt around it, so who knows what will happen. In any case, I've not yet run out of scraps!

Later...

 

 

Odds into quilts. . .

My guild considers me the one to take all sorts of orphans blocks, donated fabric and scraps and "make something" from them. I love the challenges yet sometimes they are like squirrels running through my house. 

One helpful book from the library gives me new ideas, so I ordered the book and now like working on all these odds even more. The book is called, "The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters: A Guide to Creating, Quilting & Living Courageously" by Sherri Lynn Wood. For me, worth every penny. I had it in a day because our city has a few Am. . . warehouses in the outskirts and they are enormous and many items can be delivered in a few hours. If you like making orphan blocks from your scraps, you will love this book.

Also just found a link to an exhibit of the results of an online mystery quilt event. Many of the quilts must have followed the color selections for the pattern as there are dozens the same, but those who picked their own colors make this LINK a delight to see what color changes can do and how creative quilters can be. Check it out!

I've not had time to take pictures, but have lots hanging about the studio waiting for me to focus on that little task. Soon.... Nag me. . . please.

 

 

Still quilting. . .

No recent posts because I am making two large quilts for refugees. The queen-size needs a label and some clue where to put it to take a photo. The twin top is about half done, and required making it up as I want because the inspiration for it was not the right size. So when both are done, I'll post them. 

I've also started a EPP that has only three shapes but is a big size and likely going to take me years to finish. Guess I need to get out of the habit of only posting finished quilts!

Life is busy. We traveled to visit a granddaughter who teaches in a private academy in BC. are visiting folks, and it seems every day has something extra in it, like planting veggies (never have done that for years) and replacing a dead bush, and once again, harvesting rhubarb. Not had any in our yard for decades. Love it!

 

So be patient. I'm still making quilts -- and using up my stash! Also trying to get all of the ones I've done on line. Note sidebar. . . but the labels are not all true. Still have many to post. The last one done was #327.  Above is #163, a request from a granddaughter who at that time was enamored with Japanese culture. It was to have that Japanese Cherry Tree in the middle, but when it was done, I refused and framed it, then made the kimono to go there instead.