Ghost Spinners and Pumpkin Dinners

When witches go riding,

and black cats are seen,

the moon laughs and whispers,

‘tis near Halloween.

~Author Unknown

I made the Ghost Spinners and Pumpkin Dinners quilt last year. Done all in pinwheels, it was a fun weekend project.

Is it just me, or do the sunflowers look a little creepy?

How appropriate for this spooky time of year.

Last week I made my first Quilted Diamond block. Click here to have a look. Also, this past Friday, I discovered (and joined) the Polka-Dot Girls Stitchery Group. I was planning on starting this pattern next year, but seeing I already have the pattern and DMC floss and think I know what fabric I will be using for the stitchery background, maybe I could start it a little earlier.

Until next week.....happy quilting!

Karen

Happiness Is A Butterfly

I finished piecing together my Butterfly Garden wall hanging. So beautiful and graceful, my butterflies are sure to bring a little sunshine indoors this winter. Take flight my little butterflies. It's time to ride the wind!

Now, for the quilting. In the magazine it was done in an allover design, by machine. Even over the butterflies and flowers. My machine quilting has not advanced past the straight line. One day I will be brave, but on something much smaller.

This is the part that gives me the most trouble. Deciding what to do. One idea that came to mind was to stipple (by hand) around the butterflies and flowers. Any suggestions? Even suggestions for machine quilting. You never know, maybe by the time I get around to quilting it, I will have advanced past straight line quilting!

I managed to fill a large tote bag with lots of goodies at the Creativ Festival, in Toronto this past weekend. One exciting purchase was Sashiko supplies. As you can see, the packages are written in Japanese, so I will have to do a little research before giving it a try. Maybe I can incorporate them into little quilts. Sashiko means "little stabs," so I am told.

I completed this month's Noah's Ark Stitchery BOM. I'm thinking this one is my favourite. The Tortoises and Birds block.

I made my second Dear Jane block. Click here to have a look.

Until next week.....happy quilting!


Karen

Paddle Thimble

Have you ever seen (or used) a hand-held quilting thimble? Also referred to as a paddle thimble. I bought mine many years ago, at the Creativ Festival, in Toronto. Made of stainless steel, so it will last forever.

You just lay the paddle across your hand with fingers wrapped around it. Position needle in fabric, then place thimble on top of needle. Now, quilt in usual manner. Your thumb is still used the same way on the top of the quilt and your other hand (the same way) below the quilt. Does that seem a little strange? Well, watch your hand when you are quilting with a thimble. What are your non-thimble fingers doing as you quilt? They are folded under in the same position they would be using the hand-held quilting thimble. Selling for around $15. So, if you are feeling adventurous, give one a try.

Last week, I made my first Dear Jane block. Click here to have a look. I started with the first block in the book, but will randomly select the blocks, as I go along.

Until next week.....happy quilting!

Karen

Happy Thanksgiving Canada!

October's Party

October gave a party;

The leaves by hundreds came -

The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,

And leaves of every name.

The Sunshine spread a carpet,

And everything was grand,

Miss Weather led the dancing,

Professor Wind the band.

~George Cooper

Here they come! First one down.....hundreds to go!

I finished my Cozy Cabin quilt just in time for Autumn. My favourite season. Machine pieced and quilted. I kept it simple and stitched in the ditch. A cup of hot chocolate and my Cozy Cabin quilt, kept me warm, as I worked on my hand quilting.

I've been Tagged!

Yes, I've been "tagged" by Dawni, from Itching for Stitching. Once tagged, I am to share 7 random and/or weird facts about myself, then I am to tag 7 random people and include links to their blogs. Then, I am to e-mail the 7 people I tagged and let them know they have been tagged.

Okay, seven facts about me............

1. My favourite colour is green.
2. Best time of the day is Tea Time, when I work on my Applique.
3. I dream of visiting Ireland one day.
4. My comfort foods are: carrot soup, chai tea, rice pudding and bread pudding.
5. I collect Teddy Bears, Tea Pots and fabric!
6. Would love to learn the Quick Step. ( a ballroom dance)
7. What makes me happy: quilting, gardening and books.

I tagged the following people: Betsy, Jackie, Lily, Lorraine, Annette, Mary and Nicky.

Well, just one more butterfly to applique, then I can piece together my Butterfly Garden quilt. It seems like I have been working on them forever, but I have only been stitching them during afternoon tea and Saturday evenings.

My Dresden Plate quilt is coming along nicely. So far, I have hand quilted three of the nine blocks. I work on this one as I watch Dancing with the Stars and Amazing Race. It's looking good and I stopped bending the needles! My Baby Ralphie (mini Dresden) has not been touched since I pieced together the first Dresden. I hope to get the rest pieced this week, so they are ready to applique, when I finish my last butterfly.

Until next week.....happy quilting!

Karen