A Journey Begins!

Roxane of Scrap, Quilt and Stitch has done it again! Another great block to add to our De Deauville to Cape Cod quilt was sent to us last week. This is Block no 10...

As you can see, we had to sew the two backgrounds together before adding the flags. Simple but very nice!

One more block then the borders... I can't wait!

Meanwhile, I visited my sister and husband last weekend in Northern NB. We prepped fiddleheads her husband had picked for us to freeze... a big job but we will enjoy these in the dead of next winter. While there, I always take a stroll through his beautiful gardens whatever season and take lots of photos. To my surprise, he had these floats hanging from his trees... I just had to take photos... Lucky guy to have found these at a garage sale!

Before leaving on the weekend jaunt, I finished block no 3 Une Annee Dans Les Etoiles from Sylvie at Un Atelier A La Montagne . How cute is this block? I spilled the beans on this quilt too... this is for my niece Danielle whose mother, our oldest sister Viki, died 1 year ago in January. I am using clothing from Viki's closet to decorate these stars. Viki will always be the brightest star in the sky and I hope this will bring Danielle and her family joy at having this souvenir. My father's tie was used to make the bird house in block no 1; he had many, many bird houses around the ancestral home; the buttons are from Viki's dress shirts. 

Peppermint Place is back on the drawing board... or in this case the cutting table. I was not happy with the instructions for the borders. I tested my 1/4in seams throughout to make sure they were accurate but then the instructions tell you to trim to a certain size. Once that's done, you sew on the top and bottom borders but since you trimmed the blocks, the squares on point don't match up well nor do the bottom and top triangles look good because part of the tips have been cut off... 

 

My solution is to pick out the top and bottom borders and resew the strips so that the triangles aren't missing parts. It will make the borders narrower but I'll worry about that later. The center of the quilt is all sewn together and it looks great. This is one project that I will be thrilled to see done. It's been a joy to work on until the borders!

For the longest time, I've been in love with Dear Jane! Every year, I've contemplated beginning my own but the plans never worked out because of life's interruptions.

I've admired gorgeous and expertly crafted DJ quilts, at quilt shows and in museum exhibits etc. The following Dear Janes were hung at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver June 2009. We were in town for meetings and while my husband attended lectures, I wandered to the Capitol building to visit the quilt show. 

They were hung back to back and for the longest time I thought they were one quilt with 2 complete DJs front and back! But as you can see in the 2nd photo that is not the case! However they are still beautiful and have captured my heart once again.

So what's a poor girl pining for a Dear Jane of her own to do? One who is near completion of 2 BOMs? One who needs an evening project...

Of course I have to start one... my initial investment has arrived! I ordered the book, software and rulers. What I need to sort out is what fabrics to choose. I have a beautiful white tone on tone for the sashings and corner stones and I love the brightness of the two quilts above. I must go through my fabrics to see what will be suitable. I hope the software will be a great addition to the project; you don't need it but I hear it's quite helpful. 

My journey with Jane begins...

Toodles,

Lorette

Details!

When we moved to the farmhouse in 1998 from Ontario, this small space was an ill-designed bathroom where the counter was much too tall or too big for the space and the toilet was facing the door and way too short. Both were removed and the space was turned into a closet. The redesign and renovation of parts of the farmhouse in time for our retirement made us decide to bring back the bathroom.

Today the accessories went in. Now we need to decide what to hang on the wall...

Speaking of walls, there is little room at the farm for a quilting design wall. Next to Lolah sits a large shelving unit where we've stored packed boxes that won't be touched until the future garage gets built. Storage, as I've mentioned before, is at a premium and we're trying to find creative ways to store our belongings and hide unsightly boxes. While researching curtain hanging equipment, we came across this cable system that could hang from the ceiling. It was worth a try and since it wasn't all that expensive, it wouldn't break the bank if it didn't work.

This morning, DH helped with the hanging and voila! a new multi-purpose curtain which by the way is composed of 2 tablecloths: it hides the boxes and serves as a design wall! This will have to do for now. I could have ironed the tablecloths if I knew in which box the iron was packed!! :)

This leads me to Peppermint Place... the last corner block's applique is done! Now I need to get my sewing machine into its proper place so I can get back to this quilt. It's already been too long since I've had a chance to work on it...

I must say that my eyesight is either getting bad or the lighting here is different. Perhaps maybe both statements are true. Since I like to work at machine sewing during the day, although there hasn't been any of that since before the move, I leave my appliqueing for evening work. I already need readers but I've longed for magnifying lenses for quite some time. Have you seen those advertised in the quilting magazines?? The ones that cost $900+?? I would love a pair of loops but I won't spend that kind of money for them.

For Christmas, I put several inexpensive options on my list and received 2 of them:

The first is a 20X magnification pair with LED lights. They aren't suitable for my purpose. The lights are very bright though! But they're too strong and the work has to be very close to see anything clearly.

The second pair is much more suitable, it has an LED light that pivots and has an extra magnification lens on the side that can rotate into the rectangular lens to add extra close up when needed. The headband is articulated at the sides with screws that tighten the "cap" to your desired reading angle and also allows you to flip it up out of the way without having to remove the whole unit from your head. The only draw-back is that the "cap" can easily flip down and will land on your nose if you don't re-tighten the screws. I like these and despite this little drawback, I'm quite happy with them. I haven't had to use the extra lighting but I know there will come a time when I will and it will be a welcomed bonus!

Details... there are plenty to deal with, to add, to adjust, to perfect when you move... one such detail was what to do with a table at which we've enjoyed many a meal here at the farm! It was a conference table we purchased in 1986 when the school of nursing across the street from us was selling their furniture before closing. It had seen better days but was still solid and serviceable. It weighs A LOT and we've moved this everywhere but to Los Angeles!

Years ago we took a belt sander to the top, stained it, then added 14 coats of polyurethane. There's not a hot cup or pot that could damage it!! Indestructible! It has a few issues though... it's a little high for a dining table although that's what we used it for; and it's too low for a proper cutting table; it hurts the back! So what to do with this table??? We didn't want to get rid of it... it was perfect for cutting fabric at a proper height... so we added wheels! Swivel and locking wheels.

I love it! I can spread out my projects and fabric and cut away... I believe I might want to add an ironing station at one end but I'll wait awhile before deciding that. Details... little ones make me happy! It doesn't take much! 

Looking at the bay last week when fog rolled in on the bay! Interesting phenomenon!! 

Just another detail... but boy! Am I happy to see it!

Toodles,

Lorette

Did you spot it??

Did you spot the misplaced piece??? I was working on a corner block when my mind registered something wrong... since I use a little glue to tack down the pieces, it was easy to rectify... I had not sewn it down yet. All's well with the block again.

As well, all contingencies on the sale of the house have been removed, albeit 1 week late but with Christmas and New Year in the middle of escrow and super excited buyers, we allowed the extra time. Glad all that is over!.

Road to California is just a week away... my class supplies are packed and ready to go...this week, we'll be finalizing the packing of boxes and our suitcases! 

Toodles!

Lorette

Onward...

Making time to quilt or hand stitch is of prime importance to me. During one particularly stressful week of negotiations, potential buyer visits/house showings, it was important for me to sit at the machine and just sew. The Downton Abbey quilt resulted in grounding me and keeping me sane. Other projects accomplished the same relaxation.

On a quiet day after Christmas, I found myself alone at home with a whole afternoon free for sewing! I had a few projects in mind...

Peppermint Place needed to take shape! First the birdhouse blocks were trimmed.

Then the corners were sewn together. the applique pieces were all cut out in September; all that was needed was to prep them for appliqueing.

I have since finished the handwork on the top corner blocks. Perhaps I'll get the next 2 corners done before the move but this is questionable. I'm loving this quilt more and more each day... just love those little birds and the colors are delightful!

I received a request from DD no 2 who treated herself to a new camera after Christmas. She didn't like the camera bags available on the market and wondered if I would make her one; something that would fit in her purse, without straps, just something soft to protect the camera. This led me to JoAnns Home Decorator fabric section for these lovely cottons. I purchased 1/2 yd each not really knowing what pattern I would use but confident that it was enough for this purpose.

After a little web surfing, I found this pattern which google "tries" to translate from Italian. The pictures though speak a universal language.

http://hobbydistoffa-hdc.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2013-05-14T09:23:00%2B02:00&max-results=7&start=5&by-date=false

Since the camera had not been delivered yet, I resorted to looking at Amazon photos and getting dimensions of the camera and the lens. Then I decided to first build a paper pattern starting with the cosmetics bag size then changing each piece's dimensions to fit the bag I was making. Sorry, I didn't take any photos of this process... my mind was on the result not the process!

After 2 1/2 hours from the start of paper pattern-making to finish, this is what I had.

The next morning, I got up early to finish the removable foam insert.

 I was sad to have boxed up and stored my serger as I could have cleaned up the inside seam. The seam is zigzagged only. A little seam tape would give it a cleaner look. I was worried my calculations might not be accurate and was afraid the camera might not fit.

The bag is made so the camera body sits in the insert with the lens pointing up. As you can see, it fits beautifully and I have one happy DD!! The bag also closes without problem. 

I absolutely LOVE making bags! I have orders for 2 different sized bags but they will have to wait as the packing frenzy has begun. 

The contingencies on the sale of the house should be removed today. My studio is almost all packed. 

Lolah has a date with the technician who delivered her and set her up. She will be professionally crated and ready when the movers arrive on the 24th. 

In the meantime, I am getting ready for Road to California Quilt show. I've registered for longarm and machine quilting classes everyday starting Jan 20th until the 26th. When Road is done, I will be returning to an empty house, a house we've called home since Valentine's day 2008. We've loved living here but we're thrilled to start a new adventure in Canada, our real home!

Please forgive my absence from the blog... there is much to do in the next 2 weeks as we wind down our California activities and prepare for the road trip across the lower 48! Wish us luck!

Toodles!

Lorette

It's good to be back again!

In the sewing room that is! Yes I must say I feel a bit more relaxed as I sit and sew; whether by machine or by hand, it matters not! Just creating makes me happy.

Today I bring you finished blocks from the Deauville to Cape Cod Quilt Mystere, a wonderful design by Roxane of Scrap Quilt and Stitch.

Block no 2

I chose some earring findings for the wheels of the bicycle, memories of the peace movement in the 60s and 70s.

 Block no 3 

I don't think I'm done with Block no 3... it's missing something and I haven't quite decided what to add to it yet. I've seen some wonderful examples on Roxane's blog... do go see them! I particularly love what L'Atelier de Fille Ainee did with hers... love that beach bag, book, glasses, flip flop! SOOO creative!! Her blocks are beautiful!

Block no 5

I decided to go ahead and sew Block 5 and 3 together as they appear on the diagram provided with the instructions. These blocks are located in the lower half of the quilt. When I am reunited with my supplies once the move is done, I will add a jewel for the eye of the fish.  

Roxane chose to give us block no 5 before no 4 because it was a simple one quickly made up as not to interfere the holidays. Very clever and considerate of her!

As for the sale of the house, the listing went up on Friday afternoon close to 4 pm; by 5:30, someone had called to make an appointment to visit Saturday! We were thrilled! Then Saturday morning while having breakfast, the sign went up! We couldn't believe how quickly that company moves... all for the better! It has produces several phone calls already.

In the early afternoon, we went for a drive while our realtor showed the house and in our travels, we happened to be following this man and his dog.

Had to laugh at how this dog was just hanging there in the space between the mirror and the door. Here he is watching two men on bicycles on the other side of the cars in the right lane. We had just gone past a large park when he quickly withdrew and found his toy which he dropped in the driver's lap! He knew what he wanted! Too funny!

It was just a short time later when our realtor called us to tell us the appointment was over and the visitor had left with his agent. Driving home, we spotted them outside our neighbor's house still talking; this would have been impossible to see from our house. We hung back until they left not wanting to interfere.

It's stressful to sell a home, the waiting, the hopes, the dreams all produce their own energy. I choose to release my stress with sewing. It's always worked wonders for me... you might want to give it a try someday!


Toodles,

Lorette

Something new, something old!

I'm sorry to have been silent this past week. It's been a busy couple of weeks with different projects.

First, our son and his wife are in the throws of moving to their new apartment. It's exciting for them and we wish them all the best in their new surroundings. One more day and the move should be complete.

Second, my DH decided to retire at the end of this year. THAT is exciting! This means 2 things for our immediate future: 1) we will be selling our house; 2) we will move back to the Maritime region of Canada! HOME AGAIN!! I can't tell you how excited we are to make this journey at the end of his career! Lots of planning and decision making... during the holidays no less!

With all this happening, you can appreciate how hectic it's been in our household. It's hard to keep your mind focused on quilting when everything else around you needs planning. However, I did get a chance to work on 4 projects since last weekend. Sometimes I need to escape life's "stresses" and hide in my studio... it soothes the soul and calms the nerves as well as it allows me time to solve problems.

These were my projects:

1) December Daily 2013 album:
I know! It has nothing to do with quilting but I'm also a scrapbooker/crafter. I followed along with Ali Edwards for the first time in 2011 but she's been blogging about DD since 2007! She does a phenomenal job at recording December memories and it inspired me to try to do something similar. That year, I got all my stuff together but sadly never got around to completing the album. The intention was there; I followed her and her many followers daily though and got to see some wonderful memory books develop and I learned a lot about digital scrapbooking. Last year, I was really excited to participate and realized my own album. You can see the pages here.
The secret to success and to enjoy the process is to pre-plan your book early: get all the pages ready to receive the photos and journaling. I intended to do it again this year, despite the changes in our lives at the moment, or perhaps because of them so that meant getting my book done before all h*** breaks loose. Ali Edwards promotes the sale of a kit for this but I like my own version; it worked for me last year and I think it'll be fine this year too if I keep it simple.
Two years ago, I attended the LA Printer's Fair in Carson, CA where they sold "left-over" cardstock for $25 per box. I bought 2 big boxes and 1 box at last year's sale. I'm all set for awhile! :) This is what I used to design my book. Check out how I made this year's album here! I will update the FlickR website perhaps not daily but often throughout the month of December... at least that's the plan!

2) On Monday, I completed the first of many table runners I will make. These are fun and quick projects. Photos were taken before the binding was hand sewn; that was Wednesday evening's handwork.

 3) On Tuesday, after watching inspirational Henna quilting video by Sharon Schamber at The Quilt Show website, I headed to my studio and surprised myself by loading a WIP (work-in-progress) on Lolah! This little moose and deer wall quilt was made several years ago and was intended for a sister whose name I had picked for Christmas gift-giving. As it happened, that year's family reunion was put on hold and so was the quilt. Until now!
I have yet to apply the binding but this is what I played with that day! SO MUCH FUN! Don't be too harsh with comments... this is my first thread play! :)

Since most of the classes I've registered for at Road to California Quilt show in January involve feathers, I thought it was time to try my luck at putting some in this 3in border. I do need more practice before I head to class!

4) I also finished the Peppermint Place snowflake blocks I brought with me on vacation. I had 1 remaining block to applique when we returned to LA.

Before I end this long post, I want to share with you a picture of the finished quilt promised in Wedding Quilt post dated 11/04/13. It will follow S&J to their new apartment today and may it bring them comfort for many years.

Toodles,

Lorette

Recent finishes

My handwork finishes have slowed recently as other projects took precedence. I was finally able to work on these last week:

Yoko Saito's Quilt Mystere Block no 3: embroidery:

This cute little snowman wool mat was suppose to be a project during our upcoming travel but I had nothing else ready to work on. It's from My Red Door Designs, a quilt kit I purchased at Cherry Berry Quilts last fall.

 Peppermint Place Block no 5 was quick to make. The top and bottom of the block will be sewn together later on in the process. The string in the bird's beak is to hold up a button star which will be added after the quilt has been quilted.

Now on to the last installment of the quilt: Block no 6 or what they call Pattern no 6 contains the rest of the quilt instructions and fabric. This is a lot of work to keep until the end! I wished they had spaced out the applique a little more but when I looked at the construction of the blocks, it makes a little more sense. It would have been hard and probably wasteful in fabric doing it any other way. So on with the prep. This will become my travel handwork once I piece the blocks for the applique.

The fabrics:

The instructions... many pages!

The freezer paper pieces:

Resulting garbage:

My fingers were quite sore from the scissors and all that cutting. Hope to get a few blocks ready for handwork today!

Toodles!

Lorette