Monday, April 13, 2015

Sad News.....

I am sorry, but I have been and will be away for awhile.
My husband passed away unexpectedly a few weeks ago and I am busy looking after details.
Thank you in advance for your love and support and kind words.
Take care, Leslie

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Tree Birds Blog Hop.... meeeeet Elvis!

Good Morning!  Bright and sunny day for my pet....
Rooster!  Here is Elvis and of course, his ladies!



He has a bright Dresen Plate sunshine for him to crow loudly about the second day of this blog hop!

Thank you to Lana  and of course Madame Samm ....
Here are the other "Hens" waiting for you to visit and share the love
Sew To Peace
Moose Stash Quilting
Buzzing And Bumbling
I Piece 2
Quilt Doodles
Just Let Me Quilt!  And
A Stitch In Time

Elvis, of course, did everything he could to keep all us chickens in line.... LOL!

So, this is basically my design.... I used THIS design by Julie Lynch from Benartex Fabrics, called Jaunty Rooster for Elvis.  Then I used Crown In The Corner blocks to frame the hens.  At first I thought they were roosters, and they were to bring Elvis, the King, his crown!
Elvis is machine applique with rayon thread and blanket stitches in a Quilt As You Go technique.
In the farm yard, dirt and bird seed are scattered around in four patch formation!

I have a neck injury and it took me a few months to get this far.  I do not have any other projects completed, but I have 7 other hen blocks, they might go toward some cushions....

I also paper pieced this hen house.  I was going to fit into a corner, but I think I will make it into a mug mat!.

These items are going to a lady I recently met who loves, loves chickens and roosters!  She has them scattered throughout her home and garden.

Take care, Leslie




Saturday, February 28, 2015

TWINS ! Lovely Year of Finishes

Hello!
So great to meet a goal!  Sure makes one feel like you can do anything!  LOL!  I will be linking with ALYOF HERE!

I finished my runner!  Ok, maybe make a teenager clean their room vs small country takeover!

It took me a while, in short bursts to get the quilting don.  Then about 30 minutes to put the binding on.  A few evenings of TV, voila!

My goal for March is along the same theme...
I have 2 baby quilts, I was going to give it to a new mom with twins, but did not get them done, lost my momentum....

So, here is my goal, get this one quilted and binding on!  Maybe I will be able to sell on consignment at a local baby shop.  Brier curling on this week, so if I can get this quilted between games, I can get the binding on by playoff weekend?!

Keep warm where ever you are!

Take care, Leslie

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Sew Sister Bundle Bonanza Sale!

I am working away on my UFOs, glad to say I will be making my goal for the month!
Just a small runner to be quilted and bound, but will be done!  Three more days left in the month, right!?!
As you see in the right side bar, I joined The Bee Hive, a monthly block swap where the Queen Bee, or recipient of the month, receives a 12.5 in block of their choice.  Wonderful opportunity, but this old lady is severely challenged by the use of modern fabrics!  I thought I would be able to use up more of my stash, but not to Bee!  LOL!
So I was browsing on my fav online quilt shops as my closest quilt shop is over 150 miles or 220 km away.  But I get caught up in taxes, high shipping costs, exchange on Canada vs USA dollar and then customs fees.  Sometimes these extras cost more than the fabric I am buying, on sale!  So, I give up!

I found SEW SISTERS,  an online quilt shop in Southern Ontario.  Ureka!  lots of modern fabrics, some on clearance, but then I found out they are having a Fat Quarter bundle sale of $2 each, packaged in a variety of small bundles. Works for me!  Great selection, but hurry!

Sorry, I give up!  I cannot share pictures!!!!

Have a wonderful day!
Take care, Leslie


Saturday, February 14, 2015

Grow Your Blog Winner!

Happy Heart Day!



I promised a gifty to a winner for my Grow Your Blog hop....

I think you have all waited long enough to know who won!

Yes, I am trying to build some suspense...... (Organ music here!)

I asked you to let me know where you live, I am fascinated with this, so many interesting places in the world to visit.....

So, for the next time I am in the area....

I hope to visit here....

Maybe Island off Vancouver Island!  Alexis of Cob Cottage Craft (cobcottagecraft.com) lives on a lovely farm!  She has sheep, horses and chickens!  It looks from the pictures she also dies and spins her own wool yarn for knitting!  I am thinking a small ferry ride, hopefully from Nanaimo or Lantsville will take me there!

Anyway, Alexis here is a picture again of your prize!



I will get it in the mail to you as soon as I get your snail mail address back!

Have a wonderful Valentine's Day with those your love!

Take care, Leslie


Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Keeping in Touch With all of YOU!


Hi there!  How are you?
I hope those of you affected by snow storms or rain storms are coming through to sunshine with minimal difficulty!
I have been plugging along, so slowly, but every step forward is progress, right?!
I finished the first block and sent it off for the Bee Jive monthly block exchange.  I really like the block, very straight forward.

I also found fabric in my stash from a previous swap for solid fabrics!  I am using those for the All People Quilt magazine   Go Four It Quilt Along.  Are you participating?  You only need to work on your own, or others if you prefer and can inspire them.  I guess any new or existing project using 4 patches, or the basic block to build from counts!
I am using this design by Edita Sitar!  The pieces seem very small, even at 96 blocks and then vertical sashing, but we shall see!


Remember to leave a comment below on the Grow Your Blog giveaway post.  My Giveaway prize is for 6 batik fat quarters!


Happy Quilting and have a wonderful week!  we are expecting 4-5 inches of snow today, so quilting time for me!
Take care, Leslie




Sunday, February 1, 2015

February Goal Lovely Year of Finishes!

Happy February!
Pre-post:  link to gallery is here with Shanna not Melissa, sorry!
So, today, I am trying to get in the groove and link up to get some UFOs caught up!
As it is Happy Heart and Love month, I should get this runner done so it looks like it's sister!
I found it at the bottom of a bin, I spray basted it during a nice Fall day, so next steps are the quilting and binding!
As I have to go forward in small steps, this should work!
This is my To Do


Here is it's sister, finished at least in 2003!


Hey, no butt kicking, I am doing enough of my own! LOL!

Be sure to go back and see Melissa  at Bittersweet Designs blog, to see the other quilters who have signed-up (cough, cough confessed....) to see what they are wanting to do!

PS:   If you haven't already, please go by my Grow Your Blog post below! PSSST!  There is a giveaway prize, and if you have stopped by, then please use the link back to see the other blogs needing new friends!

Have a Wonderful Day!
Take care, Leslie

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Grow Your Own Blog!

Good Morning!
Welcome to my blog!  Thank you to Vicki of 2 Bags Full! for letting me join over 200! Bloggers!  Wow!

I joined up today as I have been away from my blog due to illnesses in our family, you know how that goes! And my followers went on to other blogs, and it will be great if they can find me and come back.  So, I will be slowly adding what I am working on, hoping to slowly finish up my many UFOs!

With destashing a few years ago and then moving, I found sooo many masterpieces to do, so I just want to try to work on and finish one or two projects at a time vs a flurry and then get overwhelmed!  I really want slow but sure progress!

I will have a giveaway, but did not get it organized, I am away visiting family and want to do some quilt shopping while here!

As you can see from previous pictures, I am participating in a few new projects and online groups, so have a look and join us!  I really enjoyed Bonnie Hunter's Grand Island Mystery  quilt over the holidays, this is ready for the rows to come together!  The free instructions are still available on her blog, but hurry, she will be taking down soon!




I will leave comments open for a few weeks, and then draw for a giveaway for a few fat quarters! Just a comment to say hello and where you live, I am always curious where you all are.
Please enjoy visiting all the other blogs and follow those as well!
Take care, Have a wonderful day!  Happy Quilting, Leslie



Saturday, January 17, 2015

Friday Finishes! (Blogger and IPad are not nice friends today!)

Good Morning!
It is snowing a bit here, but we have little snow compared to previous years, so we are doing good!
Today, I wanted to share a few Finishes I have been able to do!
This little quilt is from Kathy Tracy's A Sentimental Quilter Yahoo group I belong to.  I think this is from 2013, but was finally able to quilt and bind it!




















The other  mini quilt below  is wool applique, a design from Kim Diehl and her latest book Simple Appeal !
I really love all her designs, have all her books, and when I opened this newest book, I fell in love with this little quilt and had to do!

I will be linking up with Friday Finishes!
can I Get A Whoop Whoop?


Have a great Weekend!
Take care, Leslie

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Grand Illusion Mystery Quilt, link up!

Hello all Quiltvillagers!
Whew!  Made it under the wire! LOL!

Here is my humble entry...
I worked away over Christmas slowly, due to an injury, I am able to sew, pin or press for less than an hour at a time, and with household schedules, usually only once, maybe, twice daily.
I loved every stitch of every piece!  I did work on it every day, even to press groups of blocks or units.
My sewing room looks like a bomb went off, fabric scraps  all over, these are my colours, I had to jump in!  When I put a sash row and then the main block row together, I left it overnight in my ironing board.   The next morning, in the bright sunshine, I walked in, those pink flowers were dancing!  I was in love!
Thank you very much Bonnie!


I just have 3 rows of border units on and two rows of main blocks together.
I have all the main blocks together and most of the border units.

Yes, I will keep working away at this...

The hint I have, is I made mine scrappy, used all scraps, except I had to purchase more of my white with black fabrics online as they were my neutrals and I did not have enough to finish off step 2, so those were done over Christmas.
Also, for anyone preparing for Step 2, I like to press the small corner squares for Method 3, vs marking with something.  I just fold over, corner to corner, quick press, and then have a nice mark to sew against (not inside the fold), plus both the pink and black units press nicely.

Will show again as I progress.
Be sure to go back again and see all the loveliness at Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville blog
Take care, Leslie

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year all!
I am posting with my completed steps for Grand Illusion Mystery Quilt with Bonnie Hunter at Quiltville
We are all waiting, hoping to get the next step early as Bonnie has done previous years!

Here are only 10 or so of my completed blocks of each step...
So far, Clues 1, 2 and 3 are completed.











Clues 4 and 5 are close to finishing the completed units, but my yellow is running out, so I am waiting to see how many more Clues there are and how much more of the yellow is needed.  If I need more, now will be my chance to add a similar flour for more unified scrappy look.
This year I have really used up scraps and leftovers!sure feels great!

Anyway, Happy New Year all!
I am planning on a better 2015 than the previous 2 years have been for our family!
Take care, Leslie


Thursday, December 25, 2014

Merry Christmas to One and All!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I know I have been gone for a very, very long time, but lots of changes at our home.

I am adding pictures of Christmas quilts from around the house and linking up with Bonnie Hunter at Quiltville!

Sorry if these are blurry, but I am a little shaky and still have't got picture taking on my IPad conquered.
Anyway, wishing you and your loved ones All The Best over the Holiday Season!
Take care, Leslie

A Christmas Candle Mat!  Original design unknown, from a Minnesota Shophop kit, but I added trees and stars from a 2007 Lisa Bonegan arrival in Quilt Magazine.
This is a tree skirt I started in 2006 and finished in 2010!  This is from Thimbleberries fabrics Nd the poinsettias and holly pieces are satin stitched machine appliqués with rayon thread!  It is about 60 inches round.

Monday, September 16, 2013

Welcome to the Pin It Blog Hop!


Hi There!


Welcome to my day on the Pin Cushion Blog Hop!
Thank you to Madame Samm, Kristen  and our great sponsors for bringing the blog hop together!

I love Bird Brain Designs!
I have these pincushions I made awhile ago, but unfortunately, gave them away!

Picture of BIG Flowers Pin Cushions

And the Always Blooming fabric Madame Samm has from PB Textiles!  Gorgeous!

I had planned a whole bunch of pin cushions, but here is what I made!

I love these mannequin pin cushions! 

I wanted to make a miniature sewing room, with a sewing machine, the mannequins and a sewing chair, but I think way too big!  Family visiting, frequent house showings, pain, all got in my way....

So, without any further ado here are my Gingham Ladies!

Imagine, you are planning a trip to somewhere warm
how about a new bikini?
In Red gingham madame?
with black gingham edging and green flower decorations?

Pincushion blog hop sept 17, 2913 What about a new suit in red and black gingham?

Mais Oui!!


OR

Planning a all night sewing retreat?
Expected dress?
Your best new PJs, Of Course!
How about aqua gingham, with pink gingham and velvet ribbon trims?

Pincushion blog hop sept 17, 2013 How about aqua for new PJ's?

What Else!

I tried to use gingham, there is wool and cotton gingham.  By the time I decided on gingham, I could not buy any where we live!  I went to a flea market, bought a crafted basket made from gingham, came home ripped it apart to get the aqua gingham below!

The stool is made from cotton and wool gingham, and when turned upside down, will also be a thread catcher using the idea Madam Samm had a while ago.  The red gingham cotton is from red bias tape trim, I sewed together!

Here is the schedule to see all the other pincushions today!
So sad, is the last day......


Have a great day!
Take care, Leslie

 

Sunday, June 30, 2013

A Brief Goodbye...

Hi there!
I will be suspending my blog for awhile...
WHY??
1. Goggle Reader is gone, and I do not whatnot to go with some of the other Readers as I do not want to use anything associated with Facebook.  I just don't like it, I guess trust it would be the right word...
2.  I am having surgery in less than 2 weeks and my activities, including sewing, for awhile.
3.  I do not have much to show right now with house selling, cleaning, etc
4.  I am getting spam comments, so I want to stop that too!
I tried and tried to upload some clip art, but the IPad can't seem to do it...
I will be watching from afar....
Yes, I will be back when I can, if there is any news!
I will miss you lots,
Take care, Leslie

Thursday, June 13, 2013

The Tammy Bag, My Turn! Two Bags of Gold!

Good Morning!
 
Welcome to Day 2 on the Tammy Bag Blog Hop!
Samm, this is such a wonderful pattern, thank you so much for letting me participate!
 
 
When I saw Samm's posting about why she designed the bag, to find her scissors, of course, and then the pictures, why I had to make one too!  When you sew and quilt, including hand sewing, for me, needleturn applique, a Tammy Bag is a must have accessory!
 
So, I purchased 2 handle sets from The Bag Lady, or Man, in my case, that is whom I spoke with to ensure I was getting the correct set of handles.  Then I started one bag, and decided, well of course, I needed to make 2!  My favorite things about the bags are their size, very easy to put into a tote bag, take into the car and the easy to access pockets, both inside and out!
 
While in the San Francisco area a few years ago, I found a set of half yard bundles, in a very pretty yellow, gold, peach colour grouping, and when I was looking through my stash for the right fabrics to match my gold coloured handles, I knew I had the right grouping.
 
So, without any further ado, here are my 2 bags!  Yes, my photography skills are terrible!
 
You will notice one is a little different from the other. 
 
This is the first one I made.  I had a lot of pulling and tugging to get the rounded edge into the square handle.  So I thought, with the next one, I would adjust the top edge to avoid the rounded edge into the square handle.  I know, sounds a lot like a round peg into a square hole!
 
Today, when I was looking at the other bags and postings, I realize I must have purchased the wrong handles!  Everyone else seemed to have the rounded handle, not the square ones like I have.  Oh, well, I think they look great!
 
They hold so much too!  For me, 2 sets of applique projects.
 
 
I added white, thin ric rac and a large gold button to match, to attach my scissors to, as Samm gives this as an option in her pattern for purchase.  I'm not sure if you can see the scissors in the front pocket.  You will also notice the upper edges attached into the handles seems to stand up straight.  I altered the pattern by adding these pieces so they would fit easily into the square handle frame, but unfortunately now, it is harder to get into the bag, despite the generous opening Samm designed into the pattern.  As well, this bag is made with a firmer fusible interfacing, so it helps it to stand up more.
 
 
This one also has an applique project, a needle case, some thread and my camera!
 
 
This is the first bag I made and doesn't have the lace on the outside pocket, and the pockets are a little different on the inside.  This one is made with the fusible fleece, so I think that is why it is softer. 
 This one has a small cushion I use to wrap up my applique background, prevents wrinkling and a fold.  You can see my project. it is approximately 18 x 24 inches, plus my thread.  I made a small ruffle with some hemming lace (I used this stuff when I was making my own clothes, for my hems, so they laid flat and protected the unfinished edge).   My scissors are in the outside pocket, again attached to the thin white ric rac and the large gold button!
 
 
 
Hey, I have 2 bags of Gold! 
 
Yesterday, there were several clever ladies who made matching needle cases, pin cushions, small bags for change, an electronic gadget case, etc.  I will see what I can put together from my leftover fabrics and add to the bag later!
 
Sorry, no giveaway this time around. 
 
This is the list of the other Tammy Bags for today! 
Be sure to drop by and say Hi!

Les (Yup, that's me!)

Have a great day!  Take care, Leslie

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Winners of Say It With Flowers! mug mats

Good Morning!

Thank you for all the wonderful birthday wishes, I had a wonderful day at home!


I selected the winners on Monday evening.

Elizabeth Coughlin of Elizabeth Coughlin Designs.  She offered a really cute flower pincushion, what a wonderful prize! 
And Carol of Just Sew Quilter.  Carol, I left a comment on your blog as you are a no reply blogger!

Have a great week!
Take care, Leslie

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Say It With Flowers,on My Birthday!

Hello!  Happy Birthday To Me!
 
It is my day on this great Blog Hop!  Aren't all the spring flowers we are seeing on this blog hop lovely? For us, because our spring has been soooo late, our trees are just finishing getting their leaves. 

I see some people are showing past projects with flowers, I have just one to show you.


I made this quilt awhile ago, it is made with a jelly roll into strip sets, then the strip cut into blocks and laid in this pattern.  It is sitting on a blow-up bed, in what was my sewing room and is now our 4th bedroom in our home.  I thought if I dismantled my sewing room, it would help with selling.  I had shelving with my plastic containers on them in the same space as the bed takes up!


So, I was making these for the April Showers blog hop when this blog hop was announced.  To me, my project looked like and evening, or early morning flower garden. 


The Dresden petals remind me of the setting or rising sun!  I machine appliqued and quilted with a rayon yellow thread, using machine blanket stitching.  The fabrics are by Tula Pink from a few years ago.  The white fabric I used in my borders and the black background fabrics have some of the flowers laminated and there is lots of glitter on them to make the flowers gleam in the moonlight!


Yes, there are 2 mug mats, leave me a comment and I will draw 2 winner!
(I am sorry for these blurry pictures, they looked ok before I posted them!)

Please stop by today and see all these wonderful projects
May 31st
Les Quilts  That would be me!

A very special thank you to Madamme Samm and Carol our hostess for looking after us this time!

Have a wonderful day, the weekend is here!
Take care, Leslie
 

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Some Finishes!

Hello!
I'm going to milk this for all the link up's I can LOL
I haven't been posting much, I have lots of good reasons....
as you know, we are selling our home, so getting it ready and keeping it ready for showings, as you know, is a full time job.
I have my own full time job, which is almost 1.25 full time jobs....
Then, I have my neck and arm pain, that is about a half-time job to control....
then, with my want to keep the men in our home organized, need I say more.
Then, what is left, is my sewing slash quilting time, not much time left over is there?

So, I have been busy over the past few months sewing.  I redecorated our bedroom for showings.

We have this summer weight quilt I made a few years ago, called Marriage.  A little bit of both our favourite colours, hence the name.


 I had 4 blocks and some fabric left over (yes, I guess they are scraps...), I have been wanting to make shams for our bed for at least 2 years.  Guess, what, I got them done!

Next, I wanted to change out the drapes and curtain valance on the window over our bed. 

Boy, in  a small town, it sure is difficult a challenge to find some drapes to fit the rod, in the right size, in the right colour at the right price!
I had to think about a valance for over the bed to match the drapes....
eventually, I arrived at Plan D, I had a shower curtain panel in the right colour.  It may have been in the back of the Linen Closet, I think.  So, I had to cut that up, sew it together in a wide width.  Of course, it was tooooo long.  So, back to the drawing board, I decided to just cut off the bottom, to the right length, sew a simple hem.

I found a set of brocade drapes on clearance, of course not enough to cover the entire width of the garden doors.  So I found some lace panels, again not wide enough either. 

But I had a brain wave, to sew them together, lace panels to the middle.  After taking all the headers apart, sewing the lace to the brocade panels (unsewing one set as they didn't go together correctly... shesh...), then sewing the rod pocket gussets at the same height. 

Then, I realized, the lace panels wouldn't have any backing on them and it would be difficult to sleep in on the weekend....
So, I found a number of shower curtain panels, all the same, for $1 each at a clearance sale!
I sewed them together, and then to the back of the drapes below the casement seam line.


(I guess I couldn't get a picture of the drapes together, due to the direction of the sun coming thru the windows!)

I think I finished all these the night before our 1st Open House.

So, to say the least, with sewing for blog hops, etc, this all took me about 2 months to finish!!!!
Yahoo!  Three Cheers, and all that!

I think they all look pretty nice.  Not modern, not the newest colours, but traditional. yes, probably conservative too, but so is the budget.

In the past 2 days, I have dismantled my sewing room, turned it back into a bedroom, all but the sewing machine and table.  Thank goodness, I was using 2 sets of drawer chests to keep my stuff in, at least I don't have to change that up!  Pictures to come after I cover some cushions for the bed.

So, I will be linking up all week with this post.
I will be relaxing this May long weekend in Canada, raining all weekend, so no gardening or playing in the flower beds.
PS:  I'll  be doing lots of link ups this week, starting with Show and Tell Tuesday with Randi .

Have a great week,
Take care,
Leslie


Thursday, May 9, 2013

It's For The Birds! Welcome to my Day!

 
Happy Birthday Linda!
 
 
Welcome to my day!  Well, as usual, I had all kinds of ideas, but none seemed to be right.
 
Then, I found a pattern on Moda Bakeshop, and a few ideas came together.
 
But a story first.  A long time ago, I bought a fat quarter set and a panel of ladies going to a quilt retreat.  I'm sure you have seen it.  A short time later, our guild had a mini sale and swap, with the proceeds going to the guild and I donated the same fat quarter package.  My friend Linda was just learning to quilt, Moi being her tutor, and I suggested she should buy the package for a minimal amount.  Of course she did!  She asked what she could make with it, and I replied whatever she would like.  In a quilting magazine, she found a pattern for a curtain for over the window in her quilting room.  It turned out so cute and she did an amazing job!
 
 
If you click on the picture, you can see the cute pictures of all the quilters!
So, when I found Crystal Hendrix's this pattern at Moda Bakeshop, I had a plan!
You see, Linda loves birds!  All birds!
I asked her if she had any bright fabric scraps left, like she used for her window topper.  She included some  blocks from the panels too!
Unfortunately, this isn't finished, but I think you will get the idea.
I apologize to everyone, but I had a busy week this week and did my best.
So I made 6 birds, like in Crystal's pattern, 3 black, 3 green and 3 orange. 
Two of each.  Lots of piecing in those birds!  They are 8.5 inches unfinished.
 


 
You will also see a panel block
So, there are birds above and below the panel block
 
 
It's a sewing machine cover!  Or will be....
So far it is 22 x 26 inches. 
There are more panel blocks and fabrics, I could put on the reverse side,
Linda can make the next few sets of decisions and then yes, I will finish it.
The yellow isn't sooo bright, but the lighting late last night at 11 pm, it is, what it is!
 
Linda's birthday is next week, but she will be away,  so here is an early birthday present!
Sorry for the funny stories Linda, but I wanted it to be a surprise!
 
Many thanks to Mary and Samm for your ideas and coaching!
Here are some of my friends for today's postings!
 
 
Enjoy the blog hop!
Take care, Leslie

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Scrap Basket Sunday!

As a Hexie Flower girl, I found Grit's blog by accident!

Look at Look at What Grit Has Done!What She Has Done!



Holy Hexagon Batman!
I think I could manage the centre round medallion with the hexies
I have and some fabrics to add, but not the whole thing!
Grit estimates 10,000 hexagons in this quilt to date!

I'm working away at painting and making new curtains for our bedroom...
I've started sewing my contrast end to the strips on this quilt....

 
Have a wonderful Day!  (as I write this, yes, the air is WHITE!  you know with what...)
Take care, Leslie