Slow Sunday stitching and stash report week 31

This is the first time in quite a while that I've had any hand stitching to share. But, I am so excited, because the hand stitching is for the binding and hanging sleeve of Cactus Rose, a Judy Niemeyer pattern. I'm sitting outside in the yard, on this glorious summer day to work on the hand stitching. I am beyond over the moon thrilled with how this turned out. There was a picture in my mind how it should look, but I wasn't sure I could get it there. It looks even better than I had hoped it would. And I couldn't just leave it with that teaser photo of it all curled up in my lap.

 Here's the whole thing, before binding.

  And here's a close up of one of the sections. I took the shape of the leaves and the flowers and just ran with it in the quilting in all different directions, with a few patches of pebbles thrown in here and there, just to break it up a bit. Then, I put a larger leaf shape in the outer border area, and put a few pebbles in the center of some of those leaves, also for added interest.






And here's a photo of the back.














 Some of the stash usage this week went towards the binding and hanging sleeve for this quilt. The rest went for living room french door curtains, and some borders for Meteor Shower.

Used this week:                       6.7 yards
Used this year:                      60.5 yards
Added this week:                    6 yards
Added this year:                    58 yards
Stash Busted:                             2.5 yards

I'm linking up this week to Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching and Judy's Stash Report. And then, there is lots more stitching to be done on the binding and hanging sleeve to finish, hopefully by the end of today.

Stash Report, Week 30, 2014

I have usage to report, and more than just a couple of inches....... finally. And it's because of making the backing for this.

Cactus Rose is finally loaded and the quilting started. I'm about 1/8th of the way done. I'm doing tons of stitch in the ditch, and lots of echoing and leaf shapes and a little bit of McTavish style and a bit of pebbling as well. I don't want the quilting to take over the piece, but to complement it, and look like it was meant to be this way. While I was at the sew-in day yesterday, I saw some quilting that Lorna was doing, and the filled leaves in the outer border section of this quilt were inspired by what she was doing. This is going to be a time consuming project, nut I'm thinking it will be well worth the time.

Used this week:           3.4 yards
Used this year:            53.8 yards
Added this week:        0 yards
Added this year:         52 yards
Stash Busted:                 1.2 yards

I'm linking to Judy's Stash Report.

Design Wall Monday, March 31, 2014

Well, here we are again, another Monday, and Cactus Rose remains up on the wall. There has been progress, though. Pinned up here beside her on the wall are all of the base curve pieces I need for the rest of the borders, and half of the arcs I need, all finished and de-papered. There are more of the arcs in various stages of being finished. I still need to do the top parts. Getting this far was my goal for March, documented and posted as # 87 in the goals linky party on the Lovely Year of finishes.


     

The other thing up on the wall is a McKenna Ryan quilt, called In Full Bloom. I put it up there last week in the middle of a snow storm in the effort to make the place look more like spring. I also needed to get some fabric for the borders, so I wanted to study it for a while. The borders are purchased, and I also managed to spend a bit of time with my fabrics and tiny scissors, and finished the middle block with the bunny. So, this one is all ready to sew together and get the borders on. I'm not going to put a time on this one. I want to concentrate on getting poor old Cactus Rose finished first. I think she's waited long enough. And, although she may be gorgeous, I must confess that I'm getting awfully tired of looking at her. But I will persevere and get her done.
I'm linking up to Judy's Design Wall Monday and also to the Finishes party for the Lovely Year of finishes.

Design Wall Monday, March 24, 2013

I still have Cactus Rose on the wall. It is slowly growing. I have one more section to put together for the top border, and then it can go on to the quilt. I've been slowly working on paper piecing the parts required for the last of these 2 borders, and then it will be done. I was going to put it away, and work on something else for a while, as I'm getting rather tired of looking at this. But I've since changed my mind. I'm going to keep at it until it is done. I don't want to take the chance that it will get packed away and then left to age some more. It's old enough, and ready to be done.
On Another note, my challenge piece for the "A Road Runs Through It... " is done, and ready to be quilted. I'm so pleased with it! And so pleased with myself that I got it done.
I'm linking up to Judy's Design Wall Monday.

UFO progress report

My UFO for March is this Cactus Rose, a design by Judy Neimeyer. My goal for this month was to get another of the curved pieced borders done, To date, I have all of the units for this border paper pieced, and all the paper removed. A couple of the triangular sections are sewn together. I've moved all the components up to the long arm studio. This way, when I need to sit down to rest my feet and legs, I can sew one or two of them together. It might have a better chance of getting more of it done keeping it up there. It should be possible to get this border done, and on by the end of the month. If I can get some of the units for the next side paper pieced before the end of the month, I'll call that a bonus. I'm linking up to The Needle and Thread Network Work in progress Wednesday.

Design Wall Monday, March 3, 2014

 Here is Cactus Rose once more. She keeps showing up every now and then, and then disappears and retreats back into her box again. I'm hoping this time, to get it finished. I have designated this as March's assignment for the Lovely Year of Finishes Challenge. I'm going to say that I will get 2 more borders on this month. I'd like to think I'll get all three of the curved borders finished this month, but I don't want to put that much pressure on myself. There's too much other stuff going on these days.

This is a closer look at the piecing. The whole thing has been paper pieced and then appliqued. I've lost count of the number of times while working on this that I've decided that the men in the white coats really need to come and take me away. One of the reasons I've been putting off finishing this was lack of someplace to put it. However, I measured the walls on my studio a couple of days ago, and discovered that it will fit on a wall in there, which gives me added incentive to get it finished.
I'm linking up to Design Wall Monday and the goal setting party for A Lovely Year of Finishes

Design Wall Monday, May 20, 2013

I have the results on my design wall of working on some of my getting it done goals. First off are some of the border units arranged around Cactus Rose. Eight done, 28 left to go. I haven't decided if I will sew the curved seams as I go, or wait until they are all done, and then have a marathon curved piecing session. Then comes the decision on how to quilt it.

And I managed to get 2 more of the Grandmother's Choice hand pieced blocks finished. The umbrella, and the 7 pointed star down at the bottom left. The umbrella is, unfortunately, upside down, but I'm not taking it out. I'm still behind on this one, but it's coming. Out of 49 blocks, I have 28 done. I really like the way this is looking. Seeing it here just might give me the motivation to get caught up. Maybe if I do 2 blocks a week. That shouldn't be too hard, says she who is having trouble even getting one a week done these days. LOL!
I'm linking up to Judy's Design Wall Monday. Lots of fun eye candy over there today.

Design Wall Monday, May 13, 2013

Another Monday, and still nothing new up on my design wall. I've been working on bits of things, but not enough to actually put up and show. I did start some of the paper pieced arc units for Cactus Rose yesterday. I have 8 of them partly done. I need 36.
Today has been spent doing our pre first camping trip of the year running around. We're heading up to the Sudbury area tomorrow to pick up our son, Noel, and to also spend some time with our grandson Avery, who turns 2 on Friday. It should be an interesting trip, considering the weather is calling for a low of 3 degrees Celsius tomorrow night. It was ice pelleting here yesterday. I'm wondering if there might still be snow in the campground. Wouldn't that be an interesting experience? There won't be too many people there this time of year, so getting a hydro site will be easy, which means we can have the heaters running, good thing. The rest of today is going to be spent getting stuff organized and packed into the car, so all we have to do in the morning is put in the food, the last minute things and then head out. I don't think I'll be taking any sewing with me, this time, just lots of knitting.
I'm linking up to Judy's Design wall Monday. Lots of interesting and fun stuff to see.

Design Wall Monday, April 22, 2013

 I've been working on my getting it done challenge list for April. The first on the list was to get Cactus Rose out of its long neglected box, and get these 4 squares sewn together. This is a pattern by Judy Neimeyer, but I discovered when looking for the link, that the pattern has been retired, which shows how long I've had this on the go. I was really nervous about sewing this together. The instructions that came with the pattern said to make the whole 71 inch square quilt, and then do the applique. I didn't want to be doing hand applique on a project that big, so I did them one square at a time. That caused the pieced edges of the squares to stretch. But, they went together not too badly, with a little easing here and there. So the next stage for this one is to start working on all the paper pieced border units. I think the next few months are going to have a certain number of them assigned each month. That way it won't be quite so overwhelming.

The other thing on my wall is the beginnings of step 2 in the Bonnie Hunter mystery that is running in the Quiltmaker magazine. It's called Lazy Sunday Mystery. The picture was taken with my iphone, so it's not the greatest, but it will do.
I'm linking up to Patchwork Times design wall Monday link box. Then I'm off to make myself another cup of coffee..... French Vanilla..... yummmmm.... Then I have quilts to load.

Design Wall Monday Oct. 11

My design wall has a very familiar sight on it again. Cactus Rose. 3 of the blocks now have the applique finished, and the 4th is all glue basted down. I was so excited to have all the applique in place, that I just had to see all 4 squares up and together. I love it, and am doing a happy dance. I'll be doing the 4th square as my take along project , so, it just might be getting close to being time to do the paper piecing for the outer borders. We had a fabulous Thanksgiving weekend. We went to Collingwood to spend it with our son Noel and our daughter-in-law Laurie. Laurie's parents, Bill and Jan were there, as well, and we all had a wonderful time together. We are so blessed that everybody gets along with everybody else.  Noel did almost all the cooking, which also made it a quite enjoyable day. The weather was perfect, and we got a chance to go out for a beautiful hike yesterday afternoon, before we had to head back home. If you get a chance, go on over to Judy's place to see more design walls. It's a great way to explore other blogs, and find beautiful quilts, and lots of inspiration.

Design Wall Monday Sept 6

We're going on vacation this week, so I've pulled Cactus Rose back out of her box, and started preparing, and glue basting down the applique shapes for the second block. Actually, I did the shapes for the second one about a week ago, and have managed to get one of the branches sewn down by taking it to work with me, and sewing on my breaks. It helps keep my mind, at least temporarily, off the tensions flying around there due to the closure of 40 beds, and the resulting disruption to both patient's and staff's lives. Thank you, Lord, for vacation away from it for a while. We're going camping, which might be a challenge, since the long range forecast is showing cooler temperatures, but we're getting a hydro site, and taking electric heaters with us. Cactus Rose is going on vacation with us, so I wanted to see how she is looking all dressed up, so far. One thing I noticed while hanging her up is that she is going to need major blocking, once the applique is done. Her edges are stretching. But, I'll figure that out when I get to that stage. I've been using an applique method shown here and am really liking her method. As with everything, it is getting easier and faster with practice. But, I think I might look for a Michael's 40% off coupon, and splurge on one of those mini irons. Ironing around those shapes with a standard iron is a tad cumbersome, not to mention dangerous to fingers. LOL. And now, time to go get started on some laundry, and packing up stuff for vacation. Oh yeah, go on over to Judy's to see more design walls.

Design wall Monday March 1

On my design wall today is my continuing work on "Cactus Rose". She's to the point of hand work, so she's coming off the wall today. Replacing her, is a block of the month I'm doing from the website Burning the Midnight Oil.  The link is in the blogs that I follow, if you are interested. There isn't going to be a whole lot of quilting going on in the next few days, though. Nicole, Rebecca's Maid of Honour, is coming today so that I can get her measurements, and get started on her dress.

Brutal week

That was a brutal week. Our hospital, which looks after veterans from WW2 and Korea, is probably going to be shutting down one of its units, since there aren't a whole lot of WW2 vets left. Consequently, I am trying to pick up as many shifts as I can before the shutdown happens, since I don't know how many will be available afterwards. Working 6 out of 8 days is way too hard on this old lady. But, with a wedding coming up, and retirement to save for,  I have to take what is available. There wasn't even a whole lot of quilting done on those days, although I got a fair bit done on Cactus Rose on Monday and Tuesday, my days off, while watching the olympics. All 4 of the centre blocks are done, and the applique started. Becca wants to go out later this afternoon to look at wedding invitations, and pick out the contrast fabric for the bridesmaids' dresses, so I'm hoping to get the last of my swap blocks done before that. She and Matt are out right now starting their registries, which should be a lot of fun for them. They got their engagement photos back yesterday. Aren't they the greatest? I know, biased Mama talking. (giggle). June 12th is coming up way too fast. (sigh)

Design wall Monday Feb 15

On my design wall is Cactus Rose, by Judy Niemeyer, and it's grown over the last week. I was able to take the cactus units with me to work on the weekend, and I spent my supper and coffee breaks de-papering, so they are all ready to go. I'm hoping to get the rest of it pieced today and tomorrow, and then it will be time to do the applique.

Life is Good

It's cold and snowy outside today. A perfect day to stay inside and do, wait for it............. more quilting and sewing. Yippee!!!! I have coffee, not flavoured though, I ran out, and that isn't enough incentive to go out in the cold and snow. Or, there are all kinds of teas that I got for Christmas, to keep me warm while I sew. There are places to visit, and people to talk to on the internet. Shannon, at The Pieceful Kwilter blog is hosting a spring block swap, that I've decided to participate in. I know, I know, I really don't need another project. But, it called my name, and I had to answer. It's to be the February block pattern from her BOM, all done in spring fabrics and colours, so it will be spring in my sewing room, if not outside. So, I think I will take a brief break from all that paper piecing, and play with some other fabric. I think I'm going to use the fabrics pictures here to do the blocks. The cream is to be the background, and the green is going in the same place as it is in my block here. The purple will be the star points, and the pink and yellow will be the rectangle under the star points. I'm going to fussy cut the seed packet fabric for the centre square of the block.  All of the large cactus units are done, and are waiting to be de-papered. (yuck). I have my February block finished, and did one of the same pattern for a charity quilt, which has to go to the post office so that it can go back to it's organizer, when the weather clears. Life doesn't get much better. The one thing that could make this day absolutely perfect, would be to have Susan, my BFF, who lives in Edmonton, here to sew and chat with me. But, that's not going to happen. But, with this wonderful tool of the internet, I can chat with her, and keep in touch, and rejoice in our friendship. The music is on, currently playing Christian contemporary Michael W. Smith, and I can sing along to my heart's content. Yep, life is good. Thank you Lord.

Design wall Monday Feb 8

Well, I'm making good progress on the "Cactus Star" quilt, by Judy Niemeyer. It had been sitting in my UFO pile for the past year, or so. I'm hoping to get it done, at least to the point of putting on the applique, before the winter is out.

Time to call the men in the white coats

OK, it's official. I can't deny it any longer. Someone needs to call the men in the white coats to come and take me away. This cactus rose quilt is beautiful. I love it. I love the colours, and the 4 coloured background, and the ring of points, and the cactus points, and the star in the centre. I do not love the paper. I wish there was another way to achieve the same effect, with the same accuracy, but, there isn't. So i will continue with the paper, hopefully without going further out of my mind, because the end result is SO worth it. It took me almost 15 minutes to de-paper the section pictured here. Getting the little bits left behind in the sharp points. Arggggggg!

Cactus Rose

Now that the wedding ring quilt has moved to a hand project, it's time to pull out another of my machine UFO's to work on. I've decided to get back to Judy Niemeyer's  Cactus Rose, which is another of those instances where I saw a quilt, fell in love, and had to do it. I ordered the pattern, and the foundation paper to go with it, started it, and got really intimidated by the scale of the project, and so put it away. I have 4 of the star point units done, and 2 more partially finished. Lots of time yet, to go into this one, but isn't that what cold winters are for? I have to work at the hospital this afternoon, so I think I'll spend the time before i go in getting re-aquainted with this project, and maybe even get some sewing done on it. I'm not quilt obsessed, am I?