Saturday, December 29, 2012

Resolutions, Goals, UFO Challenges, oh my

The photo shows a reasonably close view of the "tiny blocks". These were done with the 1 1/2" BY 2 1/2" bricks. My sister wanted a wheel chair quilt for a friend of hers so the over all quilt is 36" by 44". I have not made a quilt for that specific purpose before so I have requested feedback. I also added ties near the top.
As the year winds down I tend to look back before looking forward. I have accomplished a lot but there is always more to do. For two years now I have managed to make the 50 quilts from stash challenge. I think after looking things over I will try for what the sports fans call a threepeat. I am certain there is no such word. There are a couple of interesting looking BOM's and quiltalongs coming up. I am considering them but do not want to create more UFO's. I will add the buttons to my side bar once I have firmly joined in.
We went to see Lincoln last night. We both thought it was a terrific movie. Although having not been brought up in the US we did not know how factual the story was. The acting was great. Wishing one and all a peaceful or should I say pieceful new year.  Joanne

Monday, December 24, 2012

Silence is golden except when......

you are a blogger. I have been working on those "secret" projects lately that can't be shown at this time. All the Christmas work is done all that remains is to enjoy the season. There will be lots happening in the new year. Earlier this month I was interviewed for the Renaissance magazine. It is distributed to retired teachers in Ontario. they are doing a feature issue on popular hobbies and pastimes so I sent in a proposal about quilting. I think I prefer to do my own writing as one can then control the perspective. I still need to send them some photos to use for the article. One question that stumped me was how many hours a day or a week do you spend quilting. When you try to quantify it it is hard to say. Some days it is only a few moments, other days it is all day. I have several quilts pinned and ready to quilt so hopefully photos next week.If you are travelling during the holiday period, safe travels. Piecefully, Joanne

Thursday, December 13, 2012

This is how we tie one on, well maybe knot

These are two of the five quilts we tied at Scrapbag Quilters yesterday. The top one is all wild and bright polka dot fabrics. The lower picture is a double slice from the Missouri Star You tube video. I made the kits up for that workshop. We had a good day. We are all up to date with our quilts. We donated just over 190 this year and we have a dozen in reserve for January for emergencies. Our ten year total is close to 1200 donated. I am on for February so I need to get my thinking cap on for an idea and I need to start getting my kits ready. Piecefully, Joanne

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

The Challenge has begun

Last week at the Sewcializers Christmas luncheon the topic of the Giving Quilt for Project Linus came up. I had posted a link to the pattern in my previous post and one of the women followed the link, downloaded the pattern and challenged us all to have one done by the time she returns from Florida in early April. We talked a bit more about the challenge at the final Scrapbag meeting of the year and we have a few more participants. So thank you Cathy for issuing the challenge. I am looking forward to the show in the spring. Piecefully, Joanne

Friday, December 7, 2012

The Giving Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini...some thoughts

I finished reading Jennifer Chiaverini's latest Elm Creek book last evening. If you like her books you will more than likely enjoy this one. It is rather like spending time with some old friends. As often happens a week at Quilt Camp is happening and the stories of some of the participants are told. This week at Quilt Camp is a special one. It is the last camp of the season and is called Quiltsgiving. It takes place the week after American Thanksgiving. Each participant makes a Project Linus quilt to donate during the week long camp. The instructions for the quilt are verbalized throughout the story. The actual quilt directions can be found at here. Since the Kincardine Sunset Quilt Guild gives to Project Linus I found the stories of why the participants were at camp interesting and it got me thinking about why I make quilts for the cause. I suspect there are as many reasons as there are quilters. I know that I enjoy the creative process and when I was recovering from my cancer surgery and was given a quilt it meant the world to me that my friends would get together and make me a quilt. Piecefully, Joanne