Two blue stars and a grey and black one. I felt that the mix so far was a little heavy on the reds and pinks as you can see below.
Sunday, 23 August 2015
Star Update
It was a very lovely Saturday and I spent the early morning hours doing some slow stitching on my e.p.p. stars. Here are the latest additions shown on my glass table top.
I'm hoping for some more nice weather and some more time to sit and stitch in the backyard which has become my favourite place to be. Hanging in the backyard helps to keep me calm when things get a little stressful. I'm linking up with Kathy for Slow Stitching Sunday and with Jessica at the Monday Morning Star Count.
Wednesday, 19 August 2015
What I did on my summer vacation
Do you remember those essays we used to have to write at the beginning of every school year. We couldn't leave the summer to itself but had to think of it as homework. Well I've had some homework this summer. Quite enjoyable homework for the Outreach Committee for my local Guild. You can check the Comfort Quilts tab at the top of the blog if you would like to know more.
We handed out blocks to all the Guild members when they renewed their memberships. These are some that I made.
Our committee has also been busy preparing for our program starting in September.
We decided to restart the block of the month program and each committee member took on the task of finding a block , making sure we have permission to use it and provide instructions for making it. The guild members will get instructions for making the block in our newsletter so they can make the block using their own scraps/stash, or they can pick up a block kit and use guild fabrics.
I had already asked Tanya of Tanya Quilts in Colorado if we could use her Medallion Log Cabin Block and as she had agreed I was first up.
I made the two sample blocks shown here to be used as examples in the guild newsletter.
In addition to sending photos to the newsletter co-ordinator I wrote a small article with a link to Tanya's tutorial, and I made a one page instruction sheet to go in with the blocks. On Friday we got together and cut the fabrics for the block kits.
But that's not all. I have a couple of quilts made over the last couple of years that I'm finishing up.
This is a close up of one block of a quilt that I've quilted in straight lines that mimic the shape of the wonky wedges. This is a very busy quilt so I went for simplicity. It has a border of the lighter fabric on the left and I'm planning to free motion wonky squares like the ones in the fabric. This will be a challenge for me, so I might change my mind if it doesn't go well.
I also put the borders on this quilt and will be practicing free motion loops on it.
And just so you know I have a life outside of the community outreach committee here is a photo of Dwight and I at my friend M.J.'s hippy themed wedding we attended on Saturday.
We don't look very hippy do we? Some people went all out and looked like they were at Woodstock. I'm linking up to Let's Bee Sewcial at Sew Fresh Quilts, and W.I.P. Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.
We handed out blocks to all the Guild members when they renewed their memberships. These are some that I made.
Our committee has also been busy preparing for our program starting in September.
We decided to restart the block of the month program and each committee member took on the task of finding a block , making sure we have permission to use it and provide instructions for making it. The guild members will get instructions for making the block in our newsletter so they can make the block using their own scraps/stash, or they can pick up a block kit and use guild fabrics.
I had already asked Tanya of Tanya Quilts in Colorado if we could use her Medallion Log Cabin Block and as she had agreed I was first up.
I made the two sample blocks shown here to be used as examples in the guild newsletter.
In addition to sending photos to the newsletter co-ordinator I wrote a small article with a link to Tanya's tutorial, and I made a one page instruction sheet to go in with the blocks. On Friday we got together and cut the fabrics for the block kits.
But that's not all. I have a couple of quilts made over the last couple of years that I'm finishing up.
This is a close up of one block of a quilt that I've quilted in straight lines that mimic the shape of the wonky wedges. This is a very busy quilt so I went for simplicity. It has a border of the lighter fabric on the left and I'm planning to free motion wonky squares like the ones in the fabric. This will be a challenge for me, so I might change my mind if it doesn't go well.
I also put the borders on this quilt and will be practicing free motion loops on it.
And just so you know I have a life outside of the community outreach committee here is a photo of Dwight and I at my friend M.J.'s hippy themed wedding we attended on Saturday.
We don't look very hippy do we? Some people went all out and looked like they were at Woodstock. I'm linking up to Let's Bee Sewcial at Sew Fresh Quilts, and W.I.P. Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.
Friday, 7 August 2015
Friday Finish: A Runner for Tessa and Ryan
Quite some time ago my co worker Tessa just happened to mention that she loved the colour combination of grey and yellow and that her house was decorated in those colours. I tucked this information away in my quilters memory. Early this summer she got married and I put that information to use.
I had a fat quarter pack of some yellow and grey Dear Stella fabrics. I put them together with some solids and a few other co-ordinating fabrics to make her and Ryan this table runner.
I used the instructions for the Graphic Patchwork Table Runner by Amy Ellis in Make It! Patchwork magazine. It came together very nicely and I was really happy with the results.
I decided to quilt straight lines down the length of the quilt. This caused me some frustration as the top shifted considerably during the quilting. Since nobody seemed to notice this but me I decided to chalk it up to experience and give her the runner regardless.
When Tessa returned from her honeymoon the quilt was waiting for her on her desk. She loved it and she was amazed that I had made her something that fit in with her decor so well. She said it was like I had snuck into her house to look at her decorating when she was away. (Note: I have been known to do this, but not this time)
Here's a photo she shared with me.
Oliver loves it too! I'm linking up to TGIFF and Friday Finishes.
I had a fat quarter pack of some yellow and grey Dear Stella fabrics. I put them together with some solids and a few other co-ordinating fabrics to make her and Ryan this table runner.
I used the instructions for the Graphic Patchwork Table Runner by Amy Ellis in Make It! Patchwork magazine. It came together very nicely and I was really happy with the results.
I decided to quilt straight lines down the length of the quilt. This caused me some frustration as the top shifted considerably during the quilting. Since nobody seemed to notice this but me I decided to chalk it up to experience and give her the runner regardless.
When Tessa returned from her honeymoon the quilt was waiting for her on her desk. She loved it and she was amazed that I had made her something that fit in with her decor so well. She said it was like I had snuck into her house to look at her decorating when she was away. (Note: I have been known to do this, but not this time)
Here's a photo she shared with me.
Oliver loves it too! I'm linking up to TGIFF and Friday Finishes.
Tuesday, 4 August 2015
Sewing Curves
Look what's on my design wall!
These are some clamshell blocks I made in a workshop with Susan Forbes a couple of weekends ago. This is the second curved piecing workshop I've taken with Susan and the third workshop on curves I've taken this year. The first was with art quilter Maggie Vanderweit and the focus was on free hand curves. All workshops used the no pins method. Both women were excellent teachers and I would recommend their workshops.
The two classes with Susan were using templates to make curves. The clamshells where cut with the Quick Curves Ruler using an adaptation of a pattern from Sew Kind of Wonderful.
I've learned a lot about curved piecing in the last while and I thought I would share some tips that make things a little easier for those starting out with these techniques.
1. Don't pre wash your fabric.
2. Use a light spray starch when Ironing your fabrics prior to cutting.
3. Make your pieces larger than you need and cut down to size. In the Clamshell pattern I the blocks start at 8 1/2 inches and get cut down to 7 inches.
4. Sew slowly and use your needle down position when stopping.
5. When you are sewing, keep your focus on the right hand side of the block. As you see in the photo below, there can be quite a bit of ruffling happening to the left. That's normal.
6. Only sew a small amount at a time. In the next photo notice where my finger is on my right hand. That is about as far as I went before stopping. It's the distance that the fabric sits nicely together.
You'll notice that I am using my left hand to hold the top fabric up a bit, and to keep the ruffling out of the way. Which leads to tip number
7. Try not stretch or pull on the fabric.
8. Press the seams towards the circle not the background. To avoid stretching, press parallel to the straight of grain. For me it works better to press on the right side first and then the wrong side.
9. Because sewing curves requires quite a bit of focus I find I can't sew too many curves at one sitting. Take lot's of brakes to do other tasks like trimming blocks. You don't want to get too tired and make mistakes. Over the weekend I sewed right sides to wrong sides twice.
10. Remember that sewing curves like any new technique requires practice. Be easy on yourself. If you are like me it's probably best to take a workshop. If you don't have easy access to a workshop, Leanne from She Can Quilt has a really good U tube video and tutorials on her blog. Just remember that Leanne is really good at this and doesn't need to trim her blocks down. It's something to aspire to.
I'm linking up with Terry for Tips and Tutorials Tuesday, with Lorna for Let's Bee Social and with Lee for Works In Progress Wednesday.
These are some clamshell blocks I made in a workshop with Susan Forbes a couple of weekends ago. This is the second curved piecing workshop I've taken with Susan and the third workshop on curves I've taken this year. The first was with art quilter Maggie Vanderweit and the focus was on free hand curves. All workshops used the no pins method. Both women were excellent teachers and I would recommend their workshops.
The two classes with Susan were using templates to make curves. The clamshells where cut with the Quick Curves Ruler using an adaptation of a pattern from Sew Kind of Wonderful.
I've learned a lot about curved piecing in the last while and I thought I would share some tips that make things a little easier for those starting out with these techniques.
1. Don't pre wash your fabric.
2. Use a light spray starch when Ironing your fabrics prior to cutting.
3. Make your pieces larger than you need and cut down to size. In the Clamshell pattern I the blocks start at 8 1/2 inches and get cut down to 7 inches.
4. Sew slowly and use your needle down position when stopping.
6. Only sew a small amount at a time. In the next photo notice where my finger is on my right hand. That is about as far as I went before stopping. It's the distance that the fabric sits nicely together.
You'll notice that I am using my left hand to hold the top fabric up a bit, and to keep the ruffling out of the way. Which leads to tip number
7. Try not stretch or pull on the fabric.
9. Because sewing curves requires quite a bit of focus I find I can't sew too many curves at one sitting. Take lot's of brakes to do other tasks like trimming blocks. You don't want to get too tired and make mistakes. Over the weekend I sewed right sides to wrong sides twice.
10. Remember that sewing curves like any new technique requires practice. Be easy on yourself. If you are like me it's probably best to take a workshop. If you don't have easy access to a workshop, Leanne from She Can Quilt has a really good U tube video and tutorials on her blog. Just remember that Leanne is really good at this and doesn't need to trim her blocks down. It's something to aspire to.
I'm linking up with Terry for Tips and Tutorials Tuesday, with Lorna for Let's Bee Social and with Lee for Works In Progress Wednesday.
Sunday, 26 July 2015
Slow Stitching Update
There's nothing quite like sitting in the backyard with a little slow stitching for company. I've had the last week off work and I've managed to squeeze in a little time sitting in the backyard, reading a bit, stitching a bit and just looking at the trees. I have made some slow progress on my hand stitching projects so it's time for an update. Here's where I am with the Hexy Star Count.
This may not be all that different since my last link up but I do know that the lighter purple star in the centre is definitely new and so are the white diamond additions. I decided to start adding the white background now so I don't go crazy adding them all at the end. At this point I'm planning on making a lap size quilt.
I've also made a little bit of progress on my Japan sleeves sweater. There are some techniques used in the sweater that are new to me , wrapped short rows and carrying the yarn at the back of the sweater. It's taken me a while to get used to them but I'm thinking that my progress may speed up some as I get used to the techniques.
I won't get much time today to work on my stitching. Our friends Carol and David are camping in our backyard. We'll be having breakfast with them and then we are off to Toronto to visit our daughter. We spent a lot of time in the backyard yesterday as our son came to visit and the three of us spent the afternoon weeding and digging. But alas no time for hand stitches then either.
Maybe next week I'll be able to look at this view while working on some hexie stars
Have you managed to get some slow stitching done outside? I'm linking with Kathy at Slow Stitching Sunday and with Jessica at the Monday Morning Star Count.
Wednesday, 22 July 2015
Midnight Mystery
Greetings I'm having a stay cation this week and I am super grateful that humidity has blown away and the weather is my idea of perfect...sunny, hot but not too hot, and breezy. So far I've spent a fair bit of time quilting, and a fair bit of time checking out the New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop (see bottom of post for details). I've also spent a tiny amount of time weeding the garden and another bit of time sitting in the backyard watching the leaves blow in the wind and listening to the crows. Have you ever listened to crows? They don't just caw. They mumble and grumble and make all sorts of noises.
On to quilting. I'm participating in the Midnight Mystery Quilt Along hosted by Cheryl of Meadow Mist Designs. I find picking fabric for mystery quilts difficult and it took me a really long time to come to a decision. I kept checking in at my local quilt shop and I could find maybe one or two fabrics I liked together but not four.
Finally on a trip to the Modern Quilt Guild in Toronto I found three fabrics at the Workroom, and then found a fourth at Greenwood Quiltery.
The top two are Art Gallery fabrics both designed by Katarina Roccella but from different collections. They are followed by Cotton and Steel followed by an unknown peachy pink solid which is fairly light weight, so I'm hoping it will survive in a quilt. Going from top to bottom they are fabrics A,B,C and D.
This fabric choice is a bit of a departure from the brighter fabrics I've been choosing lately. I fell in love with the wild flowery print and it set the tone. The two fabrics designed by Katarina Roccella are really beautiful. The little brush marks on the mint fabric are subtle but really cool.
I'm looking forward to channeling my softer side as I work on this quilt.
My fabric is all cut out and ready to go. The sizes of the cuts are really intriguing and I'm curious as to how the pieces will fit together.
Are you participating in the Midnight Mystery?
You still can as we don't start cutting until the first Thursday in August. The details are on Cheryl's blog.
I'm linking to Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts and to W.I.P. Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.
Are you following the New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop?
These are my hive mates participating in this weeks hop.
On to quilting. I'm participating in the Midnight Mystery Quilt Along hosted by Cheryl of Meadow Mist Designs. I find picking fabric for mystery quilts difficult and it took me a really long time to come to a decision. I kept checking in at my local quilt shop and I could find maybe one or two fabrics I liked together but not four.
Finally on a trip to the Modern Quilt Guild in Toronto I found three fabrics at the Workroom, and then found a fourth at Greenwood Quiltery.
The top two are Art Gallery fabrics both designed by Katarina Roccella but from different collections. They are followed by Cotton and Steel followed by an unknown peachy pink solid which is fairly light weight, so I'm hoping it will survive in a quilt. Going from top to bottom they are fabrics A,B,C and D.
This fabric choice is a bit of a departure from the brighter fabrics I've been choosing lately. I fell in love with the wild flowery print and it set the tone. The two fabrics designed by Katarina Roccella are really beautiful. The little brush marks on the mint fabric are subtle but really cool.
I'm looking forward to channeling my softer side as I work on this quilt.
My fabric is all cut out and ready to go. The sizes of the cuts are really intriguing and I'm curious as to how the pieces will fit together.
Are you participating in the Midnight Mystery?
You still can as we don't start cutting until the first Thursday in August. The details are on Cheryl's blog.
I'm linking to Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts and to W.I.P. Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.
Are you following the New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop?
These are my hive mates participating in this weeks hop.
- Stephanie of quiltnparty.com
- Jane of jollyanddelilahquilts.wordpress.com
- Deanna of stitchesquilting.com
- Kathryn of upitisquilts.wordpress.com
Monday, 13 July 2015
New Quilt Blogger Post
Welcome to week three of the New Quilt Bloggers blog hop hosted by Yvonne of Quilting Jet Girl, Stephanie of Late Night Quilters, Cheryl of Meadow Mist Designs and my group leader Terri of Childlike Fascination. Participating in the Hop has been a wonderful experience.
My group is called the Sewcial Swarm and we've been very busy checking out each others blogs and working on our own. It's been so busy that at one point I was thinking we should have called ourselves the worker bees, but we are fresh off a two week break and it's my turn to share a bit about myself, so here goes.
I was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario where I met my husband Dwight. He was from a smaller town and he didn't like living in the big city so after we married we moved to a smaller close by where we still live. We have two adult children, one in law school and one in teachers college.
This picture was taken a year ago when we helped out at a tree planting with my co workers. Dwight and I enjoy gardening with native plants and trees. We have a mini forest at the back of our yard which you can sort of see in the picture of my Swoon Quilt below. Now that there are leaves on those little trees it looks a bit more forest like.
I've been blogging for about a year and a half. It took me a really long time to pick a name as it seemed like all the good names were taken. Here's how I finally picked my name.
Like many people who live in the northern hemispheres I can get quite low in the winter. One winter I decided to try a couple of creative hobbies to see if some creativity could help get me through. I tried mosaics and quilting, and the quilting stuck. I named my blog Sunlight in Winter Quilts as an expression of the joy I find in working with bright fabrics in the greyness of winter.
My blogging tip comes from an observation made by my critique group. They found my blog difficult to read because the print size was too small and was written in italics. So my tip is USE BIG PRINT. Another tip is to view your blog as a work in progress and make slow changes to it when you can. (this tip is really for me!)
My quilting tip is don't trust your 1/4" foot. If you find your piecing isn't lining up your foot is not accurate. I've found the most accurate way for me to get consistent 1/4 inch seams is to use the foot but move my needle over to position 4 on my machine. For me to make this change It took a workshop instructor pushing the button on my machine to adjust the needle. So if you, like me are slow to change just imagine me reaching out of the computer and pushing that button for you!
Please also check out the posts at our organizers blogs: Terri Ann of Childlike Fascination, Stephanie at Late Night Quilter , Cheryl of Meadow Mist Designs and Yvonne of Quilting Jet Girl.
These women have put an incredible amount of time into organizing the blog hop and giving us encouragement and tips, so to the four of you I would like to share this photo of two things that showed up on the lunch table at my work. The sentiment on the card is for you:
I'm off to check out the other blog posts. I hope you join me.
My group is called the Sewcial Swarm and we've been very busy checking out each others blogs and working on our own. It's been so busy that at one point I was thinking we should have called ourselves the worker bees, but we are fresh off a two week break and it's my turn to share a bit about myself, so here goes.
I was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario where I met my husband Dwight. He was from a smaller town and he didn't like living in the big city so after we married we moved to a smaller close by where we still live. We have two adult children, one in law school and one in teachers college.
This picture was taken a year ago when we helped out at a tree planting with my co workers. Dwight and I enjoy gardening with native plants and trees. We have a mini forest at the back of our yard which you can sort of see in the picture of my Swoon Quilt below. Now that there are leaves on those little trees it looks a bit more forest like.
Swoon Pattern by Camille RossKelly
I have a degree in Biology and I work full time in a Health Food Store. I fit as much quilting as I can into the evening hours and weekends. I learned to quilt just over 10 years ago. What started out as a very part time hobby has blossomed into more of a passion in the last couple of years as my children have left home and I have more hours to fill playing with fabric and improving my piecing skills. 
Houses Pattern by Johanna Masko
My husband's only comment on the first four quilts I made was "That's bright." so I think it is fair to say that for the most part I prefer bright colours and strong contrasts. I do sometimes make softer quilts. I belong to a traditional guild and a modern guild and I make quilts in both styles. This past year I have been focusing on the actually quilting: free motion, walking foot and hand quilting.
Mod Blocks Runner Pattern by Lynne Goldsworthy
I've been blogging for about a year and a half. It took me a really long time to pick a name as it seemed like all the good names were taken. Here's how I finally picked my name.
Like many people who live in the northern hemispheres I can get quite low in the winter. One winter I decided to try a couple of creative hobbies to see if some creativity could help get me through. I tried mosaics and quilting, and the quilting stuck. I named my blog Sunlight in Winter Quilts as an expression of the joy I find in working with bright fabrics in the greyness of winter.
My blogging tip comes from an observation made by my critique group. They found my blog difficult to read because the print size was too small and was written in italics. So my tip is USE BIG PRINT. Another tip is to view your blog as a work in progress and make slow changes to it when you can. (this tip is really for me!)
My quilting tip is don't trust your 1/4" foot. If you find your piecing isn't lining up your foot is not accurate. I've found the most accurate way for me to get consistent 1/4 inch seams is to use the foot but move my needle over to position 4 on my machine. For me to make this change It took a workshop instructor pushing the button on my machine to adjust the needle. So if you, like me are slow to change just imagine me reaching out of the computer and pushing that button for you!
Joining this blog hop has been a wonderful thing. I've met a lot of great new bloggers and I've pushed myself to make changes to my blog that I just wasn't getting around to doing, or didn't know how to do. The process has also helped me to think about the direction my quilting and blogging has taken and to think about where I would like to go in the future.
I have some goals I would like to share with you.
1. More humour. When I was a little kid I had my family in stitches telling them stories about my day. It's hard to capture that spirit in writing. I'll try.
2. Work on more Modern techniques such as improv.
3. Design some of my own quilts.
How about you. Do you have a blogging goal or quilting goal you would like to share?
Random Facts:
Sign: Virgo on the Libra cusp.
Favourite Author: Miriam Toews
Favourite Book: Read to many to pick one but the best two in recent times are Your Face in Mine and All the Light We Cannot See. Currently reading War and Peace (Wish me Luck)
Love to watch Scandinavian Detective Shows.
As I come to the end of this very long post I would like to encourage you to check out the other members of Sewcial Swarm posting today. Here are links to their blogs.
Elenor @ catapprovedquilting.blogspot.
Corinne @ mustlovequilts.com
Vicki @ www.orchidowlquilts.com
Karen @ sugarfreequilts.blogspot.ca
Please also check out the posts at our organizers blogs: Terri Ann of Childlike Fascination, Stephanie at Late Night Quilter , Cheryl of Meadow Mist Designs and Yvonne of Quilting Jet Girl.
These women have put an incredible amount of time into organizing the blog hop and giving us encouragement and tips, so to the four of you I would like to share this photo of two things that showed up on the lunch table at my work. The sentiment on the card is for you:
I'm off to check out the other blog posts. I hope you join me.
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