Scrapping Retreat Recap

Greetings Blog Friends,

I'm back from Scrapbooking Retreat with pages and memories to show for it!  Good friends, good food and lot of laughs made for an unforgettable experience, which is the norm.  

The retreat was open from Wednesday - Sunday.  Nine of us were in attendance by Wednesday night, more came in on Thursday and by Friday dinner our full compliment of 27 were present.  

Here are some memorable photos from the weekend:

Our creative hub before the hoard descended:

And after:

My scrapping space:

My total output for the weekend (198 pages):

No shortage of food/snacks:

Missy, the Cricut Queen:

Ann, our resident jewelry maker:

Bev, my sister in law and card maker:

Door Prizes:

Here's my door prize offering:

The retreat location is in northern Wisconsin, along the Peshtigo River.  We stayed in condos attached to the hall where all the scrapping magic happens.  Here's a view of the river in early morning:

What a great time!  Only 5 months until we meet again in September!  Woo-Hoo!

'Til next time....

 

 Greetings Blog Friends!

Today I'm sharing a quick handbag project with you.  This one definitely qualifies for UFO status, I have had it since October 2018.  I saw this finished bag as a sample in a quilt shop in Portland, Oregon.  I can still remember the shop!  This bag spoke to me and said "Kim".  I bought the kit with the intention of making it for her as a birthday gift! Kim and family visit Florida at least one a year and is perfect for a travel handbag!

The pattern is called (quite aptly) Barbados Bag by Pink Sand Beach Designs.  Fabrics are batiks in tropical colors of greens and blues.  Finished size of the bag is  10 1/2" wide, 10" tall, 2" deep.  It can be worn as a shoulder bag, but the strap is long enough for cross-body use.  What I like about this bag is the number of pockets.  There is a zip pocket and a large flat pocket on the front, two flat pockets on the back and two pockets inside.  The bag has a zip top closure with double lines of top stitching detail on the outside of the bag.  It was a fun and fairly simple bag to make.  The pattern was very well done and included detailed instructions in each step, along with color photos.  

It might be a bag that I will make again for myself.  

A report from Scrapping Retreat next post.'til then...

Out with the Old, In with the New aka: Sewing Machine Upgrade

Greetings Blog Friends,

I'm happy to say that I've stimulated the economy...in a big way.  After several trips to the repair shop since December and still another sewing failure, I came to the realization that I needed a new main sewing machine.

It was time to retire Grace…she was the workhorse machine for me.  I have sewn on her for 12 years and have made countless quilts and other projects with her.  I think she just plain wore out!

So, I took the plunge and invested in what will probably be my last new sewing machine.  It is another Viking, and Epic 980Q, with many upgraded features, but also retaining some familiar ones.  Of course, Grace2’s footprint is different, and will not fit into my custom-built sewing cabinet.  Not to worry, however, since I know that man who made it.  Yes, a new project for Denis…to retrofit the cabinet to the new sewing machine.  I have also decided to keep my mother’s machine (aptly named Fran) as a backup.  It has such beautiful stitch quality and is perfect for straight sewing.  I’ll use Grace2 for the fancy stuff.

So, Farewell, Grace, and Thank You for the Memories.  Welcome Grace2 and I look forward to making some beautiful things together.

'Til next time...

CHANGES TO BLOG!!

 Greetings Blog Friends,

Beginning July 1, 2021, the Email Subscription service will no longer be available.  I'll be removing that box (lower right area of blog) on that date.

Instead of an automatic notification each time I publish a blog post, I'll send an email to you instead, letting you know a new post is ready to read.  

I don't want to miss anyone, so please do this:

Enter a comment at the end of this or any post.  Scroll to the bottom of the post and click on the Comments link.  Let me know that you want to continue to receive email notifications and I'll add you to the blog post email list.

Thanks much!

Susan

Quilter's Cottage Progress Report

 Greetings Blog Friends!

I am very excited to show you the progress on the Quilter's Cottage project.  You've been patiently following along all these months, and now I can show you the assembled top.  

I am very happy with the way it turned out!  This project is definitely a study in consistent seam allowances!  All blocks and pieces fit together well with very little to no adjustments.  

The quilt is still missing it's outer borders.  I will be using this quilt in a very specific place and still need to adjust the borders to accommodate the space.  I'll add the outer borders before sending it off to the longarm quilter.  Yes, this is one I am not going to tackle myself.  It is my "pride and joy" and deserves to have a high quality quilting job done on it.  

The goal for this project is to have outer borders and backing ready by May 1 and back from the quilter and hung by mid June.  

Next week, a report from Scrapbooking Retreat!  'Til then...

Purrfectly Pieced Block 5 and Top Done!

Greetings Blog Friends,

I am happy to report that Purrfectly Pieced Block 5 has been completed and the entire quilt top is done!  Finishing (i.e. quilting and binding) is scheduled for May.

Block 5 required more intricate piecing with very small pieces.  Although I like the outcome, I am very glad to be done working with pieces smaller than 2" square.  I think the project turned out fairly well and I'm looking forward to seeing it hang somewhere in my house--I haven't yet decided.  Finished size of top:  35" x 38".

News re: Quilter's Cottage next time.  'Til then...

 

April Project Queue

 Greetings Blog Friends,

Here it is...the beginning of another month!  I have my April Queue set.  Here is the list of projects I hope to get accomplished this month:

1.  Quilter's Cottage Quilt Top Assembled.  Finishing to delay until May.

2.  Purrfectly Pieced Block 5 and Top Assembly.  Finishing also in May.

3.  Spring Facemasks for Family and Friends.   I've already been in production and these were given out at our family Easter celebration.

4.  Canada Scrapbook Completion.  The bulk of it, if not all, will happen at retreat this month.

5.  Graduation Quilt.  I'd like to get a start on the quilt I'll make for my grandson, Conner, who will graduate from High School in June.  This quilt will be a "for using" quilt, one he can take to college with him in the fall.  

A progress report next time..."til then.

March Queue -- Batting 100%

Greetings Blog Friends,

I'm happy to report that I got a A+ for the month of March and accomplished all goals on the queue!  

Here was the list:

1.  Prepare for scrapbooking retreat in April.  Pages made, pictures sorted, packing done.

2.  Greeting cards.  About 50 made for my personal use.   

3.  Quilter's Cottage Block 7.  Cottage has been "Built"

4.  Purrfectly Pieced Blocks 3 & 4.  Four blocks down, 1 to go.

5.  Facemasks for Hubby.  Made, and in use by Denis.

Picture Gallery:

(These two bins are FULL of ready-to-go pages).

I accomplished these goals, plus made a couple of extra projects:

1.  Birthday gift for daughter Kim ( I couldn't show it until now, since she reads this blog!).  This is made from a pattern by Pink Sand Beach Desgins called Barbados Bag.  Size 10" x 10" x 2" deep.  It went together easily.  It can be worn as a shoulder bag or cross-body.  I like it so much that I think I'll make one for myself.  I purchased this as a kit during my week in Portland in October 2018.  Another project done from the stash!

2.  Door prize donation gift for scrapping retreat.  This year I chose to make a pillow and matching mug mat (although in this case, it will be a wine glass mat!), paired with a bottle of wine and an oversized wine glass filled with candy.  I used a printed design for the pillow center, purchased in Amana, Iowa in April 2019.  The mug mat is another one of those quilt-as-you-go projects from June Tailor, Inc.

3.  Glittering Snowflakes Felt Stocking by Bucilla.  Finished and it hung on the mantle with the other Winter Gang of stockings.

It was a busy month, full of a variety of projects.  April Queue is on its way next post.  "Til then...

Purrfectly Pieced Blocks 3 and 4

Greetings Blog Friends!

I have finished two new blocks for the Purrfectly Pieced wall hanging!  Now just one remains and I will make it and complete the top in April.  

This one is named "All Wound Up" for obvious reasons.  There was an even amount of piecing and applique/embroidery on this block.  

This block is aptly named "Quack".  It is entirely done by applique and embroidery.

I'll have a scrapping report for you next time.  'Til then...

Cards, Cards, Cards!!!

Greetings Blog Friends,

I've got some progress on the March queue to share with you...I've been busy making cards.  Most were from several card workshop kits that I had and a couple are my own design.  These were all made with Close To My Heart papers, stamps and inks.  They are not real fancy, but are functional and I think they look good enough to send out.  

The real cardmaker in my family is my sister-in-law Bev.  Here is a wedding card I commissioned her to make for me last year.  As you can see, she is so far out of my league that I can't even see her!  I'm really in awe of what she can do with paper!  (And this picture doesn't even do it justice.  It was absolutely beautiful!)

Cards are really not my forte, I am more of a scrapbooker.  I intend to use these in correspondence to my penpal friends here in the US and abroad. 

Still crafting away, more to share next time.  'Til then....

 

Cottage Under Construction

Greetings Blog Friends,

The March block for the Quilter's Cottage was the cottage itself and I'm happy to report that it is finished.  It was the final individual block to make and final assembly of all the blocks will happen in April.

This block had many individual pieces, some as small as 1 1/4" square!  The finished block measures 27" x 42 1/2".  It is the main focal point of the quilt.  Assembly of this block took me about 6 hours... one hour to cut and five to assemble.   The smoke detail coming out of the chimneys is baby rick rack.

'Til next time...

Glittering Snowflakes

 Greetings Blog Friends,

I have another finish to share with you, this time another felt stocking in the winter theme.  This one is called Glittering Snowflakes.  It was made from a kit made by Bucilla.  It was made specifically as winter décor and joins the rest of the Winter Gang hanging on the fireplace mantle.  

'Til next time...

March 2021 Queue

Greetings Blog Friends!

Can you believe it, there are two months gone this year already?  And, for us, March has come in like a lamb, so you know what is in store for the end of the month!  For now, though, we are enjoying wonderful spring-like weather...clear, sunny days and temps in the 40s!  Get out the sunscreen!

My plans for March:

1.  Some serious scrapbooking.  The annual spring retreat is coming up fast next month, and I have some pages to make to prepare for it.  I have found the more premade pages, the better!  I can better focus on getting pictures on pages and completing the project.  My project for spring retreat is our trip to the Canada Maritime provinces in July 2017.  As usual, we did a lot and saw a lot and took hundreds of photos, which now need to find a home on pages.  I'll be devoting at least half the month to page production.

2.  Some cardmaking.  This is something of a departure for me...I'm a scrapper, not a cardmaker.  I have several cardmaking kits, however, so I want to complete the cards to use in correspondence with the various penpals I have both here in the US and worldwide.  Must use the stash!

3.  Quilter's Cottage March block.  This is the last individual block, the cottage itself.  

4.  Perfectly Pieced.  Another block or two for this project.  

5.  A birthday gift.  Sorry, I can't give out any more details until it is gifted later this month.

6.  New facemasks for hubby.  His are beginning to get a little ratty, time for some new ones.

I'll check in week to week with progress!

"Til next time.... 

February Queue - Cold and Down, but Not Out!!

Greetings Blog Friends!

Well, despite a bitter cold snap and mechanical issues, I was able to complete most of my February Queue on schedule.

Winter Wall Quilt, now named "Winterland" is now finished and hanging on the living room wall.

Pumpkins Quilt, now named "Pumpkin Parade" is stalled in process due to a mechanical issue with Grace.  I've had her in the shop twice so far this year and since she is my free motion machine, I can't proceed with this quilt until she is back in running order.

Perfectly Pieced.  Blocks 1 and 2 done!

Facemasks.  A variety of winter themed facemasks were made for family and friends.  (Forgot to take photo before I gave/sent them out!)

Winter Magic felt stocking by Bucilla is finished and hanging on the fireplace mantle with the rest of the Winter Gang.

Quilter's Cottage Block for February is done and waiting assembly in a couple of months.  

Scrapbooking.  I've also been doing some scrapbooking and have completed the pages for Christmas 2020.  They are done and in the book!  Here some of my favorite layouts.

So, despite a machine on the fritz, I was able to accomplish almost all my goals for February.

'Til next time....

Purrfectly Pieced Blocks 1 & 2

Greetings Blog Friends!

I'm happy to share today that the Purrfectly Pieced quilt project has moved past the "fabric fondling" stage!

Yes, friends, I have made some progress.  Here is Block 1 entitled "Tomato Vine".  Finished size:  8" x 26". The lower spools of thread were machine pieced, but everything else was hand appliqued, so if my stitches aren't perfectly even everywhere, that is the reason.  The cat's eyes are buttons, temporarily laid on the block for photos...they will be permanently sewn on after quilting is done.

This is Block 2 entitled "Patchwork Posies".  This one had more patchwork piecing than applique work this time.  

The piecing part of the project can be a little tedious, as there are many small pieces (smallest being 1" square).  I don't normally do quilting on such a small scale, but I've made an exception in this case because I love this project so much.  I originally saw it at Quilting By the Bay in Panama City, FL last February.  It grabbed me immediately and I could not go home without it.  

This project is a set of patterns designed by Bonnie Sullivan of All Through the Night.  It is made totally of my favorite fabric line...Woolies Flannels by Maywood.  These fabrics look like wool (hence the name "Woolies"), but have the soft feel of flannel.  Each block can be finished as a stand-alone piece, or the five total blocks can be combined into a wall hanging.  I opted for the entire project and can't wait to see it on my craft room wall.

Two blocks down, three to go.  "All Wound Up" block is next.  

February Queue results next time!  'Til then...

Quilter's Cottage February Block

Greetings Blog Friends,

I have a mid-week finish for you today...the February installment of Quilter's Cottage BOM.  This block is called "Stash Buster Block."

One more block remains...the cottage itself.  I'll make this in March.  April is the final installment of this BOM and includes the final assembly and details.  I can't wait for that!

'Til next time...