Starting Fresh

Today - I was inspired to start FRESH. I picked up one of my quilts from Shelley De Hay Turner. She does such an amazing job of machine quilting. It has inspired me to start getting busy sewing again. I have a plan for it to be entered into our quilt show in the spring.
A lily pad and bull rushes quilt. With applique - beading and embroidery. Who knows how far it will get along - or even if I will enter it - but it has some direction now that the background is ready.
I haven't been quilting of late.

Unfortunately - our mother recently was diagnoses with Alzheimer's. We have had to empty her condominium and help her to move to a seniors residence. She is struggling coming to an understanding of her illness. She is a hoarder. Yes, I have seen it on TV, and couldn't believe it. Though a neat one - with everything packed into cupboards. She is a hoarder. I was in shock it is absolutely - unbelievable how much "stuff" she has packed. Not an inch of unused space. Beautiful antiques from our grandmother, items her and our father had collected and refinished over the years - but all the same way too much "stuff". We have been there for over 3 weeks almost nightly and on weekends packing up all of her special items.

My youngest sister is an absolute angel through out all of this. She has us all working to make things the best they can for our mother. Her energy and positive outlook is unrelenting. We are all very lucky that she is here guiding us through this. Her children and husband have spent days at the condo moving items up and down the elevator - packing boxes without a single complaint. They really are special, I knew this before, but even more so now that our family is going through this.

Our daughter is coming home on Tuesday night - she has spent the last year on an Olympic Campaign. Unfortunately they did not make it - however, the journey has been incredible for her. She has never given up and always tried her best. Her effortless determination is admirable. She is a quilter as well - though not as driven as I am - her colour sense is unsurpassed. She will be able to help me with my "Where is Henry" Quilt.

Having to go - but will try to post and update on our other daughter and quilting soon.

Rainy Day - time to sew

Well everyone is away racing - it is about to rain outside, so I have some time to sew.

I need to get the borders in my twister quilt. My long armer Shelley is expecting it this week or there is no way it will be ready in time for the Quilt Store Open House.

I am hoping it is as easy and fast as the centre was to do.

The colours are amazing. They are turquoise, blues and greens. They match the comforters we have in Florida in the girls rooms.

We are saying good by to one of our quilting sisters Kathy Dunnigan this week. She is moving back to the states with her family. It will be really sad to see her go. Shelley is having a dinner on Thursday for her. I will head over after meet the creature night at school.

Started to rain - time to sew.

Getting started again

I'm BACK...........not only from Florida - but hopefully to blogging and quilting.

The house move and three trips was a little too much to find the time to back to quilting. But, a week alone in Florida with Miss Baillie ( dog) gave me the opportunity to get back into it. Came back rejuvenated and eager to continue.

I made a couple more Jelly Roll quilts; A pink and green chain link looking quilt is soft and will make a nice gift. And a red and white quilt with Canadian fabric will make a nice gift for one of my daughters sailing friends.

Then to try something new I made a twister quilt. What a fun quilt to make, saw it in the Cotton Patch in Florida. Just a patch work quilt but the ruler makes it into interlocking pinwheels. So much fun to do - easy and it looks GREAT when it is done.

I also put a couple of children's quilts together for some of the new babies at work.

Still a few more but a small dent to this increasing amount of pregnant teachers.

I need to get back to work and work on our new house. I have to finish painting the outside garage door - windows and doors, I will then start on the hall way and bedrooms. In between I am hoping to get some more quilts together so Janet can offer a couple more classes at the store.

applique time

Finally .............. I have gotten to my lily pads. I have been working at doing 5 a day. First step gluing down the edges of my lily pad edges. Second Step applique. Lots of fun, but not a lot of time.

A GREAT idea ......only a bit to late.
I wish my husband had shared his brilliant idea earlier. He suggested I make little patches, sew them together and then make my lily pads with these - the quilt would end up very abstract but interesting. I think it would have looked amazing.

But - no time.......... not for this quilt any way. Another idea for the idea book.
My quilt has to be at the long armer this week - or it will not be done in time for the quilt show. Between work, marks due , report comments, looking for a house, I am just a little busy. Hoping that I can still head south for the MARCH BREAK.

Happy Quilting
Leslie

Long weekend - Family Day

Well it is hard to believe - but I have been so busy that I have not been stitchin at all since my last post.
My goal for the family weekend is lily pads. Lots and lots of Lily pads. Without them getting done this weekend - I will have no chance to finish them off for the quilt show. thank goodness my daughter is home this weekend, I always appreciate the added support and perspective.
Off to the long armer - Monday night.
If I write it down - it may be so...............hoping to head to guild tonight. I am sorry to say I have not been all year. Something always seems to come up. I have my fingers crossed as I really miss the ladies and learning something new and creative. It inspires me every time I go - to put something new together.
Happy Quilting to all that read this ( actually that is just you Jo- love mom)

Snow Day

WOW - A Snow day.
Always something to look forward to it when I was little. Usually it meant hot chocolate, tobogganing and being with friends. As a working mom it meant a day off, and time with the family. As a mom with older children it meant sewing - hot tea a good book and a nap.
Here at school though it means duty. Not that it is hard. It actually is a lot of fun with the girls in boarding getting a "special day".
We get to order in lunch and dinner, toboggan, we open the facilities ( pool, arena, gym, theatre to watch a movie and weight room) and the kids have some extra study time. A little TV as well if they want it.
My husband purchased 15 toboggan mats so the girls could go down the hill on campus. He loves doing this and they love getting to do this. For some of my long distance boarders, this is the first time they have ever really seen snow.
For me though - it means - no time to quilt. When you are on, you are on. Walking the house - tidying - supervising - getting the food organized etc.
Oh to be a kid and have a Snow Day......again.

Apron time

I have continued on a tangent - I am making aprons now.
Since the doggy towels didn't work, ( for the moment) I have elected to make aprons for the girls and myself. I am using up my Moda fabric with scissors on it, all in brown and creams. I have a little red and brown polka dot that I am using for the binding and pockets. They are quite cute, and I am really pleased with the way they look and hand.
I am using a pattern with long ties that allow you to cross in the back and tie in the front. Of course I like the look of a hand stitched binding verses machine - so they are taking a little longer than usual. Bringing two of them to stitch and chat tonight to see if I can get them done.
It will be nice to sew a little at lunch - without having threads all over me, before I head back to work. I have been trying to etch out an hour a day of sewing. 30 minutes at lunch and 30 minutes after dinner. These little aprons are not for cooking but for sewing.

After this project though - I need to get back to my Quilt Show Quilt. the lily pads are awaiting creation and I can only pre-plan so long until I take pen to paper to start to make my applique pieces.