... Slow but steady / WIP

Progress on the "Hometown Picnic Quilt" (Quiltmania Summer 2012) continues. I have finally finished all my needle turn applique petals on 25+ squares - which in retrospect once I decided to get going on them - went pretty quickly. 

I am now doing a hand embroidered running stitch around each petal. I've cut a mylar plastic template and have lightly traced the "petal echo" around each petal. I have a a good selection of DMC floss and recently added some Cosmo floss to compare the experience. Apparently I should be able to feel a  "noticeable difference" between the two stitching experiences (according to a few blogs I've read). I'll keep you posted on that.

One thing I did notice a difference in - was the stitching experience using different threads for my hand applique. I have a number of cotton threads - some Gutermmann, some Presencia, some Mettler. All  were 50wt. some were silk finish. I picked up a few spools of "silk finish" Tre Stelle 40 wt thread. A bit pricey. Worth it? Yes! The thread just slips like butter through the fabric and the big bonus - minimal knots or tangling. Any knots that did occur were easily teased apart. Replacing all my thread isn't a realistic approach - but since I really don't have a lot of applique threads yet anyways - I will keep this thread option in mind for future projects when I need to buy more colours.

Well that's it for this week. I went to a Quilt Along at my LQS yesterday - and as usual spent more time shopping, socialising, eating, trying out new gadgets, discussing techniques and admiring everyone's WIP's... but hey isn't that a Quilt Along is all about?

Linking to the Needle & Thread Network WIP Wednesday project!

... Slow but steady / WIP

Progress on the "Hometown Picnic Quilt" (Quiltmania Summer 2012) continues. I have finally finished all my needle turn applique petals on 25+ squares - which in retrospect once I decided to get going on them - went pretty quickly. 

I am now doing a hand embroidered running stitch around each petal. I've cut a mylar plastic template and have lightly traced the "petal echo" around each petal. I have a a good selection of DMC floss and recently added some Cosmo floss to compare the experience. Apparently I should be able to feel a  "noticeable difference" between the two stitching experiences (according to a few blogs I've read). I'll keep you posted on that.

One thing I did notice a difference in - was the stitching experience using different threads for my hand applique. I have a number of cotton threads - some Gutermmann, some Presencia, some Mettler. All  were 50wt. some were silk finish. I picked up a few spools of "silk finish" Tre Stelle 40 wt thread. A bit pricey. Worth it? Yes! The thread just slips like butter through the fabric and the big bonus - minimal knots or tangling. Any knots that did occur were easily teased apart. Replacing all my thread isn't a realistic approach - but since I really don't have a lot of applique threads yet anyways - I will keep this thread option in mind for future projects when I need to buy more colours.

Well that's it for this week. I went to a Quilt Along at my LQS yesterday - and as usual spent more time shopping, socialising, eating, trying out new gadgets, discussing techniques and admiring everyone's WIP's... but hey isn't that a Quilt Along is all about?

Linking to the Needle & Thread Network WIP Wednesday project!

Welcoming winter...

So - we all heard it was coming. Guess I was in denial - what with all the +20 celsius weather lulling us into complacency.

I woke up to rain around 7am - and here we are at 9:22 (details! details!) and it is snowing... I was supposed to walk this morning - but we have postponed. A good day for making soup? Trying out my new "slow cooker lasagna" recipe?

Kitchen reno is still in process - ironically sweating out the details of having finally chosen the kitchen cabinet hardware - and now the placement of same. Horizontal vs vertical. Or a combination of both? As we work through this process I am getting a much clearer understanding of what is referred to as "first world problems". Completely taking for granted that it's snowing outside and I'm snug in my house with heat, clean running water and loads of food. 

Anyways - happy Sunday! 

Re - engaging...

Happy belated Thanksgiving! It is time to celebrate the annual "turning of the leaves". This pic was taken in my back alley. Now how special is that? 

We're in the process of gutting and renovating the kitchen, so my contribution to Turkey Dinner was limited to what I could make in the slow cooker. In this case "Calico Bean Pot" thanks to "The Best of the Best" cookbook from The Best of Bridge. 

After 30 years of living in the same house and reviewing our post retirement plans - it has been determined that we are staying put (literally). So something had to be done about the kitchen. We have currently dispersed the kitchen throughout our little bungalow and as I write this, the hum of the relocated refrigerator drones in my ears. We are washing dishes in the bathroom and I'm not quite sure what I've washed my hair with this morning - I smell suspiciously "Ultra Marine OXY clean". Having said that - it's amazing how willing I am to just lick my plastic fork clean and ignore the fact that my coffee cup smells like remnants of  yesterdays soup. One man's juice cup is another man's spit cup? The can opener now resides in the toothbrush holder - an accident just waiting to happen, and I'm visualizing my debut on "Real Live Stories from the ER"...

It was a beautiful weekend and a friend and I went for a walk at the Glenmore Reservoir.  We usually "pump it up" to burn off calories-  but it's been a while - so we called a truce and were kinder to ourselves. And look who popped out on the pathway?

Turns out her little doe was waiting on the other side of the pathway... what a treat!

FOG day!

Yesterday was the beginning of a new session for FOG! As in Fibre Optics Group.

I discovered this group while I was searching the web for a local fibre / mixed media opportunity in my area. And voila!

Although I am primarily focused on quits these days, over the years I have collected (squirelled away?) ink sets, papers, glues, buttons, stamps, ribbons, postcards... you get get my drift. I even have a 40% off embosser still in the box... just waiting for the day I figured out how to use it it!

So yesterday we started with a warm up 1/2 hour collage to get our creative juices flowing...

...I think we're off to the races!

(PS Today is WIP day @ Needle and Thread Network).

FOG day!

Yesterday was the beginning of a new session for FOG! As in Fibre Optics Group.

I discovered this group while I was searching the web for a local fibre / mixed media opportunity in my area. And voila!

Although I am primarily focused on quits these days, over the years I have collected (squirelled away?) ink sets, papers, glues, buttons, stamps, ribbons, postcards... you get get my drift. I even have a 40% off embosser still in the box... just waiting for the day I figured out how to use it it!

So yesterday we started with a warm up 1/2 hour collage to get our creative juices flowing...

...I think we're off to the races!

(PS Today is WIP day @ Needle and Thread Network).

Tour de Fleece 2013 - finale!

Well after 3 weeks of daily spinning my "Tour de Fleece" has come to an end. It was a great tour with Chris Froome winning the Maillot Jaune, and Nairo Quintana bursting from pack to win King of the Mountains and Top Young Rider.

This year I joined the Spin Your Stash Team on Ravelry, and I'm delighted to say that I managed to spin up 6 skeins with a bobbin of a  laceweight merino singles yet to be plyed. Once that's done it's time to return to my other "in process" projects... seems like there's always something to look forward to!

Happy Needle and Thread Network WIP Wednesday!

Tour de Fleece 2013 - finale!

Well after 3 weeks of daily spinning my "Tour de Fleece" has come to an end. It was a great tour with Chris Froome winning the Maillot Jaune, and Nairo Quintana bursting from pack to win King of the Mountains and Top Young Rider.

This year I joined the Spin Your Stash Team on Ravelry, and I'm delighted to say that I managed to spin up 6 skeins with a bobbin of a  laceweight merino singles yet to be plyed. Once that's done it's time to return to my other "in process" projects... seems like there's always something to look forward to!

Happy Needle and Thread Network WIP Wednesday!

Paper Piecing 101

I joined a Paper Piecing Club at my LQS a few month back with the intention of trying yet another aspect of quilting. Who knew there were so many techniques for creating quilt tops? I had picked up a "how to" paper piece book after spending quite some time looking at paper pieced stars on other people's blogs. The book I selected is Needles and Notions because it had a terrific theme and looked "do-able" for a newbie.

My  first block has taken me 3 months to complete - though I admit I've only worked on it "in class". There are 12 blocks - so at this rate it will take me at least 3 years to complete this project!

I'm doing a modern crisp look for my blocks - and I love the colours from Aneela Hoey's "Little Apples" fabric line. I'm using a charm pack for the little bits, and have found a nice white background fabric with little sewing notions on it. I've been fussy cutting here and there - and I think it's paying off!

So - block one "The Button Jar" is finally done! (Embellishments still to come).

(This post is part of  WIP Wednesday for the Needle and Thread Network)

Paper Piecing 101

I joined a Paper Piecing Club at my LQS a few month back with the intention of trying yet another aspect of quilting. Who knew there were so many techniques for creating quilt tops? I had picked up a "how to" paper piece book after spending quite some time looking at paper pieced stars on other people's blogs. The book I selected is Needles and Notions because it had a terrific theme and looked "do-able" for a newbie.

My  first block has taken me 3 months to complete - though I admit I've only worked on it "in class". There are 12 blocks - so at this rate it will take me at least 3 years to complete this project!

I'm doing a modern crisp look for my blocks - and I love the colours from Aneela Hoey's "Little Apples" fabric line. I'm using a charm pack for the little bits, and have found a nice white background fabric with little sewing notions on it. I've been fussy cutting here and there - and I think it's paying off!

So - block one "The Button Jar" is finally done! (Embellishments still to come).

(This post is part of  WIP Wednesday for the Needle and Thread Network)

Tour de Fleece Week One...

Yesterday was a rest day for cyclists and spinners alike. Thus far I have spun only two skeins - not nearly as much as I'd anticipated... like some of the expected "big names" I'm am stuck "off the back" (meaning I am being dropped by the main peleton - the main group).

Having said that I have two weeks to go and my main goal is to de-stash. I've also figured out how to use the instagram collage app on my phone which is a bonus!

Spin on!

(Wednesday is WIP day on the Thread and Needle Network)

Tour de Fleece Week One...

Yesterday was a rest day for cyclists and spinners alike. Thus far I have spun only two skeins - not nearly as much as I'd anticipated... like some of the expected "big names" I'm am stuck "off the back" (meaning I am being dropped by the main peleton - the main group).

Having said that I have two weeks to go and my main goal is to de-stash. I've also figured out how to use the instagram collage app on my phone which is a bonus!

Spin on!

(Wednesday is WIP day on the Thread and Needle Network)

July - a change of pace

So as June slowly wound away from itself, I geared up for a change in direction.

I have suspended most of my sewing efforts this month for my annual Tour de Fleece spin a thon. You may recall last year I worked on  my hexagon quilt while watching the Tour de France. I dubbed it my  Tour de Fabric) and that quilt is still in progress (slow but steady wins the race).  But this year I've decided to jump back on my spinning wheel and work through my stash of a different kind - wool. As in mohair, teeswater, romney, corriedale...etc. Whatever my hand pulls out of the stash.

I've signed up for the Spin Your Stash 2013 Ravelry Team - and so far so good! On Day 1-2 I spun up 50 grams of Blue Faced Leicester which is hand dyed by the Canadian company Fleece Artist.

Spin on!

(PS - Today is WIP Wednesday on Needle and Thread!)

July - a change of pace

So as June slowly wound away from itself, I geared up for a change in direction.

I have suspended most of my sewing efforts this month for my annual Tour de Fleece spin a thon. You may recall last year I worked on  my hexagon quilt while watching the Tour de France. I dubbed it my  Tour de Fabric) and that quilt is still in progress (slow but steady wins the race).  But this year I've decided to jump back on my spinning wheel and work through my stash of a different kind - wool. As in mohair, teeswater, romney, corriedale...etc. Whatever my hand pulls out of the stash.

I've signed up for the Spin Your Stash 2013 Ravelry Team - and so far so good! On Day 1-2 I spun up 50 grams of Blue Faced Leicester which is hand dyed by the Canadian company Fleece Artist.

Spin on!

(PS - Today is WIP Wednesday on Needle and Thread!)

Knit in public day

Got myself a new "knitting bag" for my bike for knitting on the go. It worked great ( and looked great ) when I met a group of lovely women at a local pub to celebrate "Knit in Public" day.

Everything stops for tea!

I have a friend who moved away to live her life in a cottage by the sea. (Now how lovely is that?) She is from England originally so the overcast rainy season doesn't bother her a bit. She has a fantastic English garden that seems to be in some sort of blooming state most of the year. (A bit of a downer for a poor prairie girl like me who spends most of her time trudging through snow from October to mid May).

But enough of that. She is redoing her kitchen and it has very much the cottage feel about it. So I am sewing up a little surprise for her. I'm calling them "English Garden - mini tea time mats". They're smaller than regular place mats and bigger than mug rugs. And she doesn't drink coffee anyways.

I had these 2 fabrics in my stash already - and found the backing fabric in the 50% off bin at my LQS.

My first decision was what size to make the mats - so I pulled out a cup and saucer and after a bit of jiggering around I decided on a 9 x 13 finish size.  

I've been wanting to try out spray baste - so this was a good project to give it a try. I found it easy to apply and re-position, and it held it's place while quilting. I've seen it used on a few big quilts - but I think at this point I'll gradually use it for bigger and bigger projects until I'm convinced it will actually hold (comments on this are welcome and appreciated).

My second goal for this project was to try my hand at pseudo thread painting by embellishing a large print with thread. These flower motifs were perfect for my first attempt and I'm pretty pleased with my results. Next time I'd like to venture into some variegated or metallic threads.

I did a bit of leafy FMQ on the background and prepared to do my binding. Should have been on the home stretch right? Not so! I'm having an awful time with my binding technique. I did figure out how to stitch my binding on around the corners (messed that up on the first try) only to find that the binding strips should have been cut at 2" wide. I had checked a book which had place mats in them and it recommended 1 1/2" strips. They're way too tight to fold over the 1/4 inch seam allowance. I have now ripped out for the second time, cut new 2" strips and discovered... I am 13" short of fabric!!  Being mindful that this was from the bargain bin I am sitting here with keys in hand waiting to hit the quilt store again.

(note to self: divert eyes from all other lovely things).

Update: Disaster has occurred. My binding fabric is gone! However a .7m wide red backing piece (perfect for a Christmas project) has moved in - 50% off of course!

Update Number Two: Upon returning to the quilt store (mini mat in hand) I decided it was time to move on - quit whining and find another binding fabric. The search was on. Bolts pulled, critiqued and returned to the shelf. And then... Eureka! There it was. Snuggled in between 2 other bolts - my original sought after fabric. Now that my delighted delirium has subsided I realize that I have purchased much more than I needed. Just in case.

Everything stops for tea!

I have a friend who moved away to live her life in a cottage by the sea. (Now how lovely is that?) She is from England originally so the overcast rainy season doesn't bother her a bit. She has a fantastic English garden that seems to be in some sort of blooming state most of the year. (A bit of a downer for a poor prairie girl like me who spends most of her time trudging through snow from October to mid May).

But enough of that. She is redoing her kitchen and it has very much the cottage feel about it. So I am sewing up a little surprise for her. I'm calling them "English Garden - mini tea time mats". They're smaller than regular place mats and bigger than mug rugs. And she doesn't drink coffee anyways.

I had these 2 fabrics in my stash already - and found the backing fabric in the 50% off bin at my LQS.

My first decision was what size to make the mats - so I pulled out a cup and saucer and after a bit of jiggering around I decided on a 9 x 13 finish size.  

I've been wanting to try out spray baste - so this was a good project to give it a try. I found it easy to apply and re-position, and it held it's place while quilting. I've seen it used on a few big quilts - but I think at this point I'll gradually use it for bigger and bigger projects until I'm convinced it will actually hold (comments on this are welcome and appreciated).

My second goal for this project was to try my hand at pseudo thread painting by embellishing a large print with thread. These flower motifs were perfect for my first attempt and I'm pretty pleased with my results. Next time I'd like to venture into some variegated or metallic threads.

I did a bit of leafy FMQ on the background and prepared to do my binding. Should have been on the home stretch right? Not so! I'm having an awful time with my binding technique. I did figure out how to stitch my binding on around the corners (messed that up on the first try) only to find that the binding strips should have been cut at 2" wide. I had checked a book which had place mats in them and it recommended 1 1/2" strips. They're way too tight to fold over the 1/4 inch seam allowance. I have now ripped out for the second time, cut new 2" strips and discovered... I am 13" short of fabric!!  Being mindful that this was from the bargain bin I am sitting here with keys in hand waiting to hit the quilt store again.

(note to self: divert eyes from all other lovely things).

Update: Disaster has occurred. My binding fabric is gone! However a .7m wide red backing piece (perfect for a Christmas project) has moved in - 50% off of course!

Update Number Two: Upon returning to the quilt store (mini mat in hand) I decided it was time to move on - quit whining and find another binding fabric. The search was on. Bolts pulled, critiqued and returned to the shelf. And then... Eureka! There it was. Snuggled in between 2 other bolts - my original sought after fabric. Now that my delighted delirium has subsided I realize that I have purchased much more than I needed. Just in case.

May Long Weekend (recap)

When Youngmen l and ll were little ka-dittles, the May Long Weekend (aka Victoria Day weekend) was usually spent in a tent. Until we started living the high life and upgraded to a vintage little SouthPark trailer). That went along swimmingly for a few years until we ran a foul of the "night shift" park warden who slept days. Youngman ll had developed an affinity for starting off every morning bellowing the "Oscar Myer Weiner" song (one more time!) and the warden's better half responded in kind by screaming at him to "Shuuuut Uppppppp!" What's a mother to do?  "... all join in - acapella now!"

Needless to say our May long weekends were getting exceedingly l o n g e r. Then came the great flood and our worries (along with our campsite) were washed away. We became May Long Weekend urban deck dwellers. Where the Wiener Song happily competed with Karaoke Boy across the alley, and the Battle of Lawn Mower man vs Sleep Late Sal was in full swing every weekend. Who knew all this good stuff was happening in suburbia?

But time marches on. The neighbourhood is maturing and our long weekends turn to other things.

Like the Farmer's Market Street Food Festival! Where food truck poutine and beef sliders can peacefully coexist with organic honey and farm direct veggies.

The garden is dug and lettuce seeds are sowed. My potatoes have taken on a life of their own - spouting in the bag! I pick up my heirloom tomatoes from my Tomato Guy.

The bicycle tuneup has been completed. The outdoor chair cushions are inspected and the sun umbrella is opened.

... and the weatherman calls begs for.... leniency? ( Well folks - looks like another super weekend to clean out your fridge and re-grout your tiles!)

Viva Victoria!

Just a little something ...

I was at the store this morning buying groceries and "buy M.D. card" was on the list. As I perused the scattered remains in the card section (which is what happens when you leave it waaaaaay  too late) I was reminded of a segment I'd just heard on the radio asking women what their best and worst Mother's Day gifts were...

The worst? A ride on lawn mower (yes - you have read that correctly).
The best? The homemade/handmade gifts. Now I've made and  received my fair share of sea shell macaroni vases  and Popsicle stick jewelery boxes in the life. I can confirm that yes, any gift I ever got that was made with love was always the best.

And so - Mom this one's for you. Happy Mom Day to the woman who made all my clothes when I was young, taught me the value of a good pair of scissors, and never, ever pass up an opportunity to just make it!

I found this free pincushion pattern over here on paper.string.cloth. I upped the square size to 3" and lined the cushion with muslin. I like to fill my pincushions with crushed walnuts to give them a nice weight as well.

Just a little something ...

I was at the store this morning buying groceries and "buy M.D. card" was on the list. As I perused the scattered remains in the card section (which is what happens when you leave it waaaaaay  too late) I was reminded of a segment I'd just heard on the radio asking women what their best and worst Mother's Day gifts were...

The worst? A ride on lawn mower (yes - you have read that correctly).
The best? The homemade/handmade gifts. Now I've made and  received my fair share of sea shell macaroni vases  and Popsicle stick jewelery boxes in the life. I can confirm that yes, any gift I ever got that was made with love was always the best.

And so - Mom this one's for you. Happy Mom Day to the woman who made all my clothes when I was young, taught me the value of a good pair of scissors, and never, ever pass up an opportunity to just make it!

I found this free pincushion pattern over here on paper.string.cloth. I upped the square size to 3" and lined the cushion with muslin. I like to fill my pincushions with crushed walnuts to give them a nice weight as well.

Okay - so I changed my mind...

I think they say it's a woman's prerogative. Probably a sexist historical catch phrase - but since I am a woman - and it conveniently fits - I'm playing it. (I could play the "It's Mother's Day" card - but that might be a minefield).

Old Guy on a bike - Vancouver Stanley Park

I was going to just stop blogging on here altogether, but after acouple months of exclusive blogging away on my crafty blog (yes I am still over there too) I realized this is where I've always talked about the other stuff.  The road trips, the Old Guy stuff. The what's in the garden and on the grill stuff? The adventures of Youngman I and II. Not to mention all the heady philosophical stuff like: Can shabby chic shams and pillowcases coexist with primitive steampunk dolls in the same guest room? The how crappy can my punctuation really get before I start getting blog complaints??

Don't get me wrong - I love my craft blog. It makes me feel like I'm being productive and documents my projects. "Whaddya mean I haven't been doing anything all day??? Did ya check my blog? I'm workin' my fingers to stumps!"

Anyways - so there you go folks. I am always sheepless at heart. And I'm baaaaaaaaa-ck!

April showers bring .... a belated post?

(I started this post back in April - hence the title).

So. I am up to my eyeballs in projects right now. (Have I written about this before?) I have picked up yet another couple of projects along my way (yes indee-dee it's true) and I find I've had to buy more project boxes to stash them all in an orderly fashion. (I'm now resorting to baggies).

I joined the "Pretty in Patchwork - Holidays Sew Along" on Threadbias a while ago just to follow along (ya right) and the next thing I knew I had bought the book and was scrambling to get the March project done. I started on the 29th. No pressure there. This was to be a "not one red penny" project - aka "stash buster" and aside from the fusible backing that I required- I managed to hold firm.

The March Sew Along was the "Harvest Vine Table Runner".  I wasn't really feeling the love for an autumn theme (it was March after all) but someone else posted a bright happy version... and needless to say I was off to my stash.

I am a sucker for bright fabrics. I also love the flowery stuff. I seem to purchase it by the metric ton - and then it sits forever while I try to figure out what the heck to do with it. (I do paw it alot however).

So here (left) is my final selection using 6 Kaffe Fassett fabrics from a fat quarter bundle I purchased around Christmas.

I spent a goodly amount of time learning how to piece curves. Turns out it's really pretty easy once you have a handy little video tutorial to show you how!

It took a leap of faith to just "let it happen" because it just looked too easy to be true. But it worked  like a charm and before I knew it all 24 curved petal bits were done.

I also wanted to try my hand at designing a "Creative Quilt Back". I'd taken a free Craftsy tutorial (of the same name) and using scraps from my quilt top this is what I ultimately came up with.

Next came the quilting! This is something I really love - the free motion bits. I'm not very disciplined at staying with a plan - so this little project was perfect for exploring techniques, threads etc. I used a transparent Mylar thread on top for two reasons: 1. I had a lot of colour and activity taking place on the top already and  2. if I screwed up I didn't want to see it.  A basic off-white machine quilting thread was used in the bobbin. This worked out well because I could see my quilting stitches on the backside. It was a good way to see where things went well and other areas... meh!

And finally a finished project!

Enjoy every making moment of your day!

April showers bring .... a belated post?

(I started this post back in April - hence the title).

So. I am up to my eyeballs in projects right now. (Have I written about this before?) I have picked up yet another couple of projects along my way (yes indee-dee it's true) and I find I've had to buy more project boxes to stash them all in an orderly fashion. (I'm now resorting to baggies).

I joined the "Pretty in Patchwork - Holidays Sew Along" on Threadbias a while ago just to follow along (ya right) and the next thing I knew I had bought the book and was scrambling to get the March project done. I started on the 29th. No pressure there. This was to be a "not one red penny" project - aka "stash buster" and aside from the fusible backing that I required- I managed to hold firm.

The March Sew Along was the "Harvest Vine Table Runner".  I wasn't really feeling the love for an autumn theme (it was March after all) but someone else posted a bright happy version... and needless to say I was off to my stash.

I am a sucker for bright fabrics. I also love the flowery stuff. I seem to purchase it by the metric ton - and then it sits forever while I try to figure out what the heck to do with it. (I do paw it alot however).

So here (left) is my final selection using 6 Kaffe Fassett fabrics from a fat quarter bundle I purchased around Christmas.

I spent a goodly amount of time learning how to piece curves. Turns out it's really pretty easy once you have a handy little video tutorial to show you how!

It took a leap of faith to just "let it happen" because it just looked too easy to be true. But it worked  like a charm and before I knew it all 24 curved petal bits were done.

I also wanted to try my hand at designing a "Creative Quilt Back". I'd taken a free Craftsy tutorial (of the same name) and using scraps from my quilt top this is what I ultimately came up with.

Next came the quilting! This is something I really love - the free motion bits. I'm not very disciplined at staying with a plan - so this little project was perfect for exploring techniques, threads etc. I used a transparent Mylar thread on top for two reasons: 1. I had a lot of colour and activity taking place on the top already and  2. if I screwed up I didn't want to see it.  A basic off-white machine quilting thread was used in the bobbin. This worked out well because I could see my quilting stitches on the backside. It was a good way to see where things went well and other areas... meh!

And finally a finished project!

Enjoy every making moment of your day!