WIP Wednesday

There has definitely been lots of work in progress here, but most of it has nothing to do with the sewing room or fabric; if I took photos of it, you'd be looking at stacks of paper, textbooks, and an ever-growing collection of (sadly) empty coffee cups! Having said that, I am so incredibly blessed to have work that allows me to set my own hours, to be creative, and which I truly enjoy!

But, it is getting to be that time of year when the elves in the workshop make room for me and my projects. I really, really love Christmas, and working on gifts and other projects for friends and family fills my heart with so much joy!

Today, I am sharing a WIP I am getting ready for a very special event coming up next week. I braved the cold and the dark (wow, the days are short now!) to get this photo to prove I really have been working at something!

I won't share all the details now as I will be showing the finished project in a few days, but I can give you a hint - I'm using Christmas colours! (no fair, that isn't a hint because it's completely obvious, I know!)

I was tagged by Pam a couple weeks back and with so much work traveling and all those other things that keep each of us so busy, I haven't had a chance to respond. So, here are my answers to the 11 questions she posed:

1. What's your favourite sewing notion? Creative Grids rulers - I have the 12 1/2" and 6 1/2" squares and the large 60 degree triangle
2. What's your favorite quilt shop? I can only choose one? Quiltique in Las Vegas, Gruber's in St. Cloud, MN, enchanted cottage in Glendive, MT, and Hawthorne Threads, Fat Quarter Shop, Fabricworm, and Pink Chalk Fabrics online. Whew!
3. Where did you go on your last vacation? Disneyland =)
4. What's your favorite meal to make for guests? Braised short ribs
5. Do you subscribe to any quilting or sewing magazines? No, I don't
6. Have you ever been on a shop hop? Yes!
7. Toilet paper roll over or under? Over. Last year, one of my students gave an awesome 10 minute presentation on why over is the correct way - it was creative and engaging and yes, he got an A!
8. How long have you been sewing/quilting? Sewing...forever. I was probably 6 or 7 when I learned to handsew
9. What's your best sewing tip? Measure where 1/4" seam is on your machine and know how to get there - it makes a huge difference in accuracy
10. Where is the farthest you've ever traveled? Germany/Austria
11. Do you collect anything? My husband and I are curating a collection of Disney pins - he likes Cheshire Cat and I like Dumbo

I'm supposed to tag some bloggers back - I'm going to have to work on that, but it was fun answering the questions. Thanks, Pam! Linking up with WIP Wednesday and wishing everyone a good evening!

e.

Snow my goodness!

Here in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, our weather can be quite unpredictable. It is totally normal to have snow in the morning and sunshine and warm temperatures by late afternoon. Obviously, this is not our every day weather, but it happens.

 

Yesterday, it started snowing in the afternoon and by this morning, a good amount had accumulated. I don't know how much, but the forecast said we may see as much as 40cm by Sunday - that would be about 16". Fortunately, we live in an area that is used to experiencing winter and we have the appropriate equipment and clothing. It might take us a bit longer to get around, but we have nothing to complain about. I feel so badly for the people affected by Sandy and again by the storm this week; I cannot imagine going without power, heat, and water. They are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

My finished project goes along nicely with the weather:

 

 

I have been taking quilting fairly seriously for about eight years now; at first, I really loved the traditional, muddier colours like you get with Thimbleberries, Jo Morton, or Kansas Troubles. The prints and colours are lovely and they all look so nice together, even if you pull from collections which are several seasons or even years apart. Then, one day a couple years ago, I was looking at blogs and I realized I really, really liked the colours and desgns being put forward by the modern quilting community and so, my stash began to take on a different character. I still have lots of lovely, traditional fabric, so I was very happy when one my daughters asked me for a tree skirt in these darker colours. The pattern for this tree skirt is by Buggy Barn and it is quite fun to make. I think it would look great in a modern colour scheme, like red & aqua, or pink, red & green.

 

Daughter dear is very pleased with it. It is kind of fun having both my girls married and setting up their own household this year - it gives me lots of ideas and opportunity to make things for them. I was on a Pyrex hunt at a local thrift store earlier this week and noticed they had put up a gorgeous Christmas display. There must be at least 40 trees to choose from, in all shapes and sizes! And most of them are in really good shape AND - they are very affordable. Both newlywed daughters were excited to hear this and plan to pick out a tree this weekend. I would never have thought the store would have that sort of thing but I am really glad I saw it.

 

I started another Christmas project last night - so excited to have a long weekend and, hopefully, lots of time in the sewing room!

 

e.

Wow!

It has been an exciting few days around here! First, on Friday, the relatives arrived to celebrate our daughter's wedding and when my mother-in-law came to the house, she brought me an amazing gift. I am now the very excited, pleased, delighted caretaker of my own Singer Featherweight! According to a website that has all sorts of information about these machines, this one was manufactured in March of 1953. While I have heard a lot about them, I really know very little about them so it will be fun getting to know this wonderful little machine. I have heard they are excellent to travel with as they are very small, so that will be a bonus when I head out to Quiltmaker's Block Party in Portland in March.

Then on Saturday was the big event! Our youngest daughter (by all of six minutes) got married! It was a wonderful day and she was a beautiful bride!

The cell phone photo does not do them justice but I can see the actual professional photos are going to be really pretty!

Then, today, I got an email from Amy who is putting on the Blogger's Quilt Festival. I am so humbled and honoured to learn my Hootlet quilt has been nominated in the baby quilt category. Please go visit Amy's blog and look at all of the finalists and please consider voting for any of the quilts you like - I promise you, it is not an easy choice! If you are looking for Hootlet, it is entry #153.

Our older daughter (by all of six minutes!) got married at the end of August and I would be remiss if I did not post one of her photos as well, since I have not done so. We were so excited when her photos came in - we worked with the same photographer for all of our children's weddings and are very pleased with the work she has done for us.

And with this last wedding done, hubby and I are empty nesters; it sure was quiet coming in from work today. I was a bit sad yesterday when our baby came home to pick up her suitcases and her dog and move them to her new home but I know she found the right one and they will make a new, happy home together.

So now...a bit of me time which hopefully translates into time in the sewing room - Christmas is not very far away! I even have a newly finished Christmas project to show, but that will be in my next post!

e.