Dish Cloths

I used to crochet these dish cloths a while back as lots of people I knew wanted them.  Then stopped as life changed with cancer and retirement.  Got back into it when hubby was in the hospital as it gave me something to do with my hands while I sat with him.  Left the completed ones with the nurses as they seemed to enjoy them.  But have continued on now that he is home.  Gives me something to do with my hands while I watch TV.  Gave some to my daughter-in-law to bring in to work, and those went over well.  My daughter sent a lady my way and I sold some to her.  Not asking much, just enough to buy more yarn - lol.

Pattern:

Chain 35

Row 1:  SC in second chain from hook, and each chain until end (34 sc)

Row 2:  Ch 1, SC in first stitch, (CH 2 skip SC and SC in next stitch)  Repeat until end of row.

Row 3:  Ch 1, SC in first stitch, (CH 2, SC in CH 2 space) - repeat until end of row.

Row 4+:  Repeat Row 3 until desired length.

Ending row:  CH 1, SC in each SC and CH2 space.  Repeat until end of row.

Break off and weave in ends.

Debbie Mumm's Town

Finally getting a break from sewing masks.  Have sewn over 200 of them!  So dug this project out.  It is not quilted yet, just waiting to hear back from my quilter to get it in.  Decided to have it professionally done instead of attempting it myself.  Lori at the Quilt Studio in West Kelowna does an awesome job.  It is hard for me to do large quilts on my sewing machine.  And for this one, I would like something other than just straight lines.  

I purchased the kit In Grand Forks when I was passing through.  Was so long ago (well, maybe not that long, but the memory doesn't remember, so I am going for a long time ago!).  It was a block of the month project and they had all twelve blocks together and on sale.  I enjoyed sewing it up as the colours appealed to me and so did the designs.  I do like Debbie Mumm patterns and her palette.  Not sure what I am going to do with it when it is completed, but will worry about it then.  It is a lovely quilt.  Would look awesome in a log cabin home.

Now, what project should I dig out and finish next ???????

Rails in Lime

This was a fun little quilt to do.  Lime green is my favorite color!  Put fleece on the back and it is perfect for throwing over my lap when I watch TV.  

The cat thinks it is a pretty cool blanket too for sleeping on in my chair.  It is actually my son's cat, but she has claimed my place as her day time house, and then just goes home to her real house at night.  Seeing as I am a cat lover (NOT a crazy cat lady!!!), it works out well.  

Hugs and Kisses

This one is Olivia's quilt.  When we were there last year, she asked me to make her another quilt.  Wanted blues and pinks.  So I thought hugs and kisses would be great for her.  A plush throw was used for the backing, so definitely warm and soft.  It is something when the grand kids ask me to make them quilts.  So special.  

She also asked me to make one for their dog Cole.  So here is his ...

Fleece paw prints on the back and leftovers from some of the blocks from Olivia's quilt on the front.  (The ones that I cut the wrong size.)  Not sure if he uses it, but now the whole family has quilts from me.  (Apparently though, the cat didn't want one!)  LOL

Completed in 2019.

Calgary Flames

Grandkids Owen and Olivia holding up Owen's quilt.  He is a true Calgary Flames fan.  So now he can cuddle up under the Flames quilt while he watches the games  Fleece on the back to make it soft and cuddly.  

It is fun making quilts when I know who is getting them.  I think of the recipient the whole time I am sewing it.  And I know he will use and cherish the quilt, which makes it even better.  A little piece of Grandma with him as we live so far away and don't get to see them very often.  

Completed in 2019.

Toronto Maple Leafs

My brother is a big Toronto Maple Leafs fan.  Yes, he still thinks they will win the Stanley Cup before he dies.  I think he will be the oldest person alive when that time comes - lol.  So I made him this quilt.  It is a throw quilt and the back is a Maple Leaf's print fleece.  Nice and cozy for when he watches the games.

I really like the maple leaf pattern I used.  Purchased the pattern as it was too difficult to figure out myself.  Was somewhat confusing following the pattern, but it turned out very nice. 

I am not a big hockey fan, but I also am partial for the Leafs.  When we lived in Ontario, I remember my dad taking me to the Maple Leaf Gardens to watch a game.  

Completed in 2019. 

My Little Russian

OK, so this has nothing to do with quilting, but was just too cute not to post.  This is my grandson Parker and the hat he is wearing is a true Russian hat that I purchased when I was on a school trip back in 1974.  (oh oh, I think that is dating me!)  Was living in Baden-Sollingen in Germany at the time.  The badge on it is a true military badge (traded for bubble gum).  Brought back lots of memories of that trip.  We took a bus to West Berlin, passed through Checkpoint Charlie into East Berlin.  Flew to Moscow and took the train to Lenningrad (now St. Petersburg).  Then flew back to Berlin.  What a trip!  Went on many school trips to different countries while we lived over there.  Definitely an education that you don't get in the classroom.  

QAYG String Quilt

I have been wanting to do a quilt as you go (QAYG) string quilt for a while.  I had been saving 1 1/2 inch strips to do a log cabin, but decided to do a string quilt instead.  Much easier :)  Thought I would also use up most of the strips I had saved ... the box seems to be more full now!  Must be the fluffing up while looking through them. So I still have plenty to do a log cabin if I want to.  

Was a bit apprehensive doing the QAYG technique.  But it was easier than I thought.  No sashing except for the joining strips.  Nice and colorful.  Was wondering what to do with it but my niece in Calgary liked it, so it is now going to her.  Said she will pick it up once the travel restrictions are lifted and it is safe to travel again.  

Have been working my way through my stash during this pandemic.  Shelves are starting to look emptier, but still a lot left.  Have a lot of cat fabric so need to figure out a cat quilt (or two!).  Also bought this fabric before the stores closed, thinking of a spring quilt.  Have not decided on a pattern yet, but think it needs to be bigger blocks so I don't lose the beauty of the fabrics.  Will probably add white to it.

Cup Cozies

Went a little crazy making cup cozies.  These are great for putting around take out cups.  Insulated, so keeps your hands from burning.  Also fits multiple sizes. I originally did some using velcro, but changed to elastic for these ones.  Easier to sew and I think they look better.  Fully washable as well.  

Made the Calgary Flames one for my grandson Owen (a big Flames fan), and the Maple Leafs was for my brother.  60+ and he is still convinced the Leafs will win another Stanley Cup. 

Heron

This was a project and a half!  My sister-in-law (Wendy) had done a horse with this method and she showed me how to do it.  We both did the heron.  It was a lot of fun doing it with her.  Really enjoyed the cutting out and piecing, but the top stitching got to me.  Was a pain in the butt.  Had issues with the top thread breaking all the time and the stitches not being even.  Probably because i didn't use the proper thread.  Wendy used Superior threads.  I used my embroidery threads.  But in the end, it didn't turn out all that bad.  

I don't have a place to hang it in the house.  A friend of mine in Campbell River is into heron's, so she may inherit it.  In some way, I would like to keep it to show people what I have done, but I don't really have any place to show case it.  But I know my friend will and will love it.

At least now, I know the technique.  Was fun to learn something new.  And was special that we got to work on it together.  Would like to live closer to Wendy and my friend in Campbell River so we could do more quilting together.  And the fact that I love the Island wouldn't hurt either.  But my kids and grandkids are all here, and that is enough to keep me rooted where I am.  

Memory Apron

A simple project, but full of memories.  I had an old tablecloth from mom.  But it didn't fit my table.  And I just couldn't get rid of it.  So decided to make an apron out of it.  I use aprons a lot - yes, I am a messy cook.  Was very easy to do.  Just took an existing apron I had, laid it on the tablecloth, and cut around it, adding a bit extra for the hem.  The ties were cut out of the extra bits of the table cloth.  I think of mom every time I wear it now.  Unfortunately, her cooking abilities did not come through with the apron.  The first time I used it, my bread did not rise :(  I think it had more to do with the cook than the apron - LOL.

I still have some of the border print left from it and will have to decide what to make out of it.  Maybe a basket.  Not enough to do another apron.  

Mini Baskets

Made some mini baskets.  I had one made before out of Christmas fabric and really liked it.  They are great for sitting beside the machine and putting garbage in it, or for holding my clips.  Lots of other uses too, but those are the main one I use the baskets for.  The one I made before was done with two different fabrics.  These ones I did using the same material for the inside and outside.  I like the one with two different fabrics better.  You can't really see the fold over on these ones.  But the fabric I used was awesome!  Little spools of thread.  Perfect for the sewing room.  Got the fabric from my neighbor who was cleaning up her sewing room and decided she wasn't going to use it.  Also have some with scissors and other sewing themes.  Going to make more baskets and little bags.

The baskets were done from 10" squares, put together and sewn around the edge, leaving an opening for turning.  Then top stitch around the edge and quilt as desired.  I did a square spiral going towards the middle.  Fold the square in half and mark 2" in from the fold on each side.  Sew together (so a 2" triangle on the side).  Fold in half the other way and do the same.  Fold basket right side out (folds go in the middle).  Tack down the inner folds.  Fold the triangles over and tack down.  They also look nice when you use buttons on the folded down triangles.  I thought I had some pretty pink buttons to do this, but couldn't find them :(  I have been doing some tidying in the room, so probably the issue is that I put the buttons somewhere and now can't remember where!   LOL.  Baskets finish to a 4 x 4 x 3" box.

Didn't spend the whole day sewing.  These baskets come together in just 1/2 hour.  Went for a walk along the lake as the weather was beautiful.  Not a lot of people out walking so was easy to social distance.  Fresh air and a beautiful view!