Long time no write - but hey! Time's a wasting!

 

Alot has changed but I'm still stitching!

 I retired for one (literally weeks before the "World Changed" with Covid). I made a ton of masks (who didn't?) and pretty laundry bags for healthcare workers. 

Once the world settled a wee bit we started travelling and went to Italy and England - what fun! We have been working our way across all the Canadian provinces and territories. I'm still going to Quilt Canada events - and have been more actively knitting (mostly socks, scarves and shawls). 

I've joined a Guild (all fibre arts welcome) and belong to a new stitching group called Sew Sisters. 

I took a class with Edith from Out of Hand Quilting store about scrap management and lord knows I have a ton of scraps. She has a blog called Inch by Inch (which is very good by the way). That's what made me ask myself... hmmmm I wonder! And it looks like my blog is still here! Yippee!

I still get very little done while I putter around in the "Stitch Cat Studio". But who knows I might start blogging again!

Quick post... post haste?

Good morning! I've been quite remiss in my posting lately... mea culpa!

But - enough time spent on apologies. I usually get all wrapped up in explaining the why - the who - the how - the...

Then I start revamping the design of my blog ... and and and... hit delete! We won't go down that rabbit hole. Speaking of  rabbit holes - I do think that I could legitimately blame Instagram for my absence where I have not 1 but 2 accounts. I have always been visually inclined so my "phone as camera" and instant gratification for posting has created a perfect Pavlovian social media storm. Thankfully I have not been remotely interested in my twitter account.

But - I digress.

I'm thinking of signing up for the Moda Blockheads 2 mystery quilt. It runs for 48 weeks. This is week 1 and block 2 is coming out Wednesday... I've checked my stash a few times and nothing inspires. I'd like to try something completely different for me. I have decided to go with a "solids" palette. That way I will have some great opportunities for future quilting explorations.

Additionally, I signed myself up for a Mug Rug swap on the Quilter's Knitting Ravelly Group. This one has a deadline so I need to keep my eye on the target for this one.

I have a ton of other WIPS - so here's a bit of eye candy.

Urban Chickens block - using my 100 Modern Blocks leftovers for this one

Stitchcat Hometown Picnic Quilt 

What type of quilter are you? And opening the box ...

Recently I've become a dedicated "Sewcialite" at my LQS. We meet every Monday and work on our projects. Some of us are prolific - git 'er done types... and some of us (such as yours truly) are of the "... it's all about the process..." variety.  Perennial starters, stoppers, re imaginers, tuck away for another day types.  Additionally I'm a prolific "check out what's new" type. I set up, grab my coffee and go for an informal fabric stroll up and down the aisles imagining future projects and how "that fabric would be just perfect for..." Since I am also a compulsive scrappy quilter type (I never met a scrap I didn't like) I'm big on visiting the remnants section. With me - no piece of fabric need be an orphan.

But I digress...

A few weeks back as I was leaving I was quietly presented with a white box. I was asked if I was interested in doing a friendship block. I was surprised. I really wasn't sure what was in the box or what I was getting myself into but it was one of those "yes - and" moments so what could I do but say "yes!"

I took the box home and opened it. It was full of black, red, and white fabrics of all prints, stripes and sizes. Several blocks were already completed. They were beautiful. The only requirement was the block should be "somewhere between 12 - 14 inches". My challenge would be making the block.

I rummaged through the fabrics and found a number of half square triangle blocks already made. With those as my springboard I decided to do the "bearspaw block". I spent most of the afternoon (and next day) looking through books and websites looking for the required dimensions. I got bogged down.

Plan B - make more HST's and do pinwheels. Once done - I wasn't really satisfied. The blocks looked flat next to each other.

I moved to another project and let this problem stew for a bit. And then it came to me. I bought Liberated Quiltmaking ll  several years ago. I became a big Marston fan when somewhere in the first chapter - Gwen solved all my eternal quilting dilemmas with this simple statement (or words to the effect)  "if it's too big chop it off - if it's too small add more". My love for making quilts was pretty much off to the races after that.

And so it was time to revisit the block entirely. A bit more slicing the dicing and voila! Liberated Party Pinwheels!

This block finished at 13.5 inches and it has a lot of movement in it! Another "yes ... and" opportunity met with success.

(Linked to the Needle & Thread Network).

YES - AND...

A few Saturday mornings ago, I was listening to the radio and an actor was being interviewed. She was in our city for the annual High Performance Rodeo festival. Okay I admit I wasn't really listening until - I heard the words the words "Yes, and..." Then my ears perked up. The actor went on to elaborate that the phrase "Yes, AND..." is a foundation block of Improv Theatre.

YES - Accepting of the invitation.
 AND - engaging and carrying the dialogue forward.

And because Improv can throw us unexpected curves - we must listen.

YES - AND...

These are the exact two words I have been struggling to understand ever since I started my Improv Handbook of Modern Quilters exercise.

I turned to Dr Google to learn more. Two little words that can have all sorts of applications from theatre to quilting to being a better boss. Two little words wading into uncharted waters. Unfolding, uncertain, perilous, uncomfortable. On the other hand - delightful, playful, unconventional. Sometimes scandalous. Heartfelt. Taking risks. Free fall.

Yes! - AND... abandon preconceived ideas of where we will end up. We are in the middle of the journey and it is unfolding. We are part of a collaboration between ourselves, our fabrics, our tools.

Yes! AND... carry the scene / quilt forward.

Link to WIP Wednesday - needle and thread network. 

In praise of routines and exploring options...

Good morning! So today's instalment is coming to you from my local coffee shop (which is actually a chain - but close to the drop off where Mom is buying groceries). I generally use this as my opportunity to do other errands like picking up bread, going to the bank etc. But most times I just go for coffee bring my iPad and surf the net. A bit of a time waster - which is okay.

 For 2016 I'd like to do a bit more documentation of my work - and have a bit more of my own work to document. I started a journal to keep the scraps and bits / ask the random questions / feelings and thoughts for my Improv Quilt Handbook QAL group that I recently joined. My LQS has just recently started a Monday "Sewcialites" day for unstructured sew days. It runs whether there is no one - someone - everyone! This will be my Quilt In Process day in which I work on my current UFOs. My goal here is to keep working on one UFO until at least the top is done. If all goes well I'd keep at it until it's sandwiched quilted and has it's binding. As in "completed". I hoped to put the kibosh on signing up for more quilt classes, yet managed to sign up for 2 "mini classes" on the weekend despite this. But both are "technique driven" so I think this is okay. Workshop 1 is learning how to sew in zippers which my "Sew Together Bag" requires. I already have the pattern and the fabrics - so this will keep me moving forward with stash reduction. The second class is on the ins and outs of sashing - which is a complete mystery to me.

                                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I am having a difficult time keeping on track with the first limitation "choose 3 fabrics" I'm down to choosing 3 colours in varying shades yellow / green / orange. Having said that the pink snuck in there somehow and purple is waiting stage right. Everybody wants to join the parade. My personal goal was to use stash only. Technically I have - but I purchased some one fabric last week without intending to use it for this. I may need thin out my fabric choices further - mantra less is more.

This is my second attempt at fabric selection. My first round was picking fabrics from the stash that I didn't like much and was willing to let go for "experimental purposes". After reading the thoughts and reflections of a few others regarding fabric selection - I decided to pull the fabrics I love. Not all my lovelies play together nicely (some pretty big personalities there) so some fabrics went back on the shelf. I am also flummoxed about modern theme fabrics with novelties and traditional. At the end of the day I've decided if I don't get something happening here I may as well just go back to patterns. No  surrender! 

Happy Stitching!

(linked to the Needle & Thread Network - WIP Wednesday).

Live from the Improv!

I have decided to look at some improv quilting this year and have joined a FaceBook group The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters. It is based on Sherri Lynn Wood's book by the same name. I have to admit I have been feeling a bit stifled creatively lately as most  all of my current projects are pattern based. Don't get me wrong - I love them all but it seems that the maximum creative input I have is colour and fabric selection. 

So I've decided that Sunday is Improv Day. It is the one day of the week when I don't have to be anywhere or do anything requiring me to get out of my pyjamas - in other words "my time is my own". I'm not sure I can commit to every Sunday - but I did sit down today and started (which for me is 99% of the battle journey).

I also wanted something to actually "show and tell" today. So here is my Improv Handbook Journal Cover. Sherri Lynn encourages us to keep a record of our thoughts, ideas, sketches, project insights and critiques, so we also have something written in our own voice. We are the authors of our own stories.

Granted it is a bit of a mish-mash as I pulled the fabrics out of my scrap bag and just glued them on the cover of a notebook. But -  I really didn't want to "over think" it as this too is own of my biggest obstacles. So I thought "no judgement" just glue it on. Once I was done - I realized that the workbook I had selected felt too small - too confined -  already cramping my style. Since I was on a bit of a just do it binge I cut the cover off and glued it to a larger journal. And now it feels just right!

Happy Stitching!

Projects & priority setting

Due to last year's semi successes in getting a few finishes in I thought I'd give it another go this year. I  found by actually targeting a few projects for completion I knew where to direct my energies. I belong to a Ravelry group called Quilters Knitting and have found it to be a great source of support online (which is great as I don't belong to a guild). For the Quilters Knitting Group I have posted the following picture for this quarter (quilting projects only):

1. (Top left) - Circle Game Quilt - 1/16 blocks completed - #2 in process
2. (Top right) - Chatter of Houses - hand appliqué - 20/48 centre blocks completed
3. (Bottom left) - Gypsy Wife - all blocks done - need to sew together
4. Middle right ) Hometown Picnic Quilt - blocks done - joining rows
5. (Bottom Left) - centre paper pieced Mariner's compass - what to do? what to do?

For my own UFO quarter I have included both quilting and knitting:

1. (Top) Hometown Picnic* 
2. (Middle left) Chatter of Houses*
3. (Middle right) Circle Game *
4. (Bottom left) Viking Owl socks
5. (Bottom right) Sandness Shawl

(*in both groups)

Well that's it for now - just thought I'd get my head in the game for where my priorities are!

Linked to WIP Wednesday Needle & Thread Network

I have some completions! Woo hoo!

In the fall I shared a long list of "in process projects".  I joined the "2015 Fall UFO" group via a Ravelry Group called Quilters Knitting. I had to list at least 5 "in process" projects and make an effort to get "something" done, or (at the very least) to encourage others with their efforts. I visit the group threads everyday. Seeing every one's success (plus targeting a few of my own projects) resulted in a few completion's of my own!

fussy cutting and improv QAYG blocks in process

My first finish was a Quilt As You Go Table Runner that I think I had started earlier last year. It was primarily a stashbuster project. I used a panel that I had on hand and fussy cut the autumn themed leaves, sunflowers, nuts and pumpkins and went at it from an improv point of view from there. I highly enjoyed the process, but came to a complete halt when I hit the sashing bit (and into the UFO pile it went). I finally decided to pull it out, return to the tutorial and soldier on. I am embarrassed to admit how easy it was and how intimidated I had been. The technique is from The Quilting Edge. 

sashing added - QAYG in process

Finally finished!

With a heady feeling of success,  I pulled out my second "time sensitive" project. This was a Happy Holiday Runner that had been languishing from last Christmas.

I spent entirely too much time trying to create a great backing fabric using up my leftovers. In the end I was pleased and I guess the upside is I now have a reversible table runner!

I tried my hand at some free motion quilting (FMQ) with varying levels of success  - bearing in mind that no one who looks at my quilting efforts (in this house) has a clue!

Other than that I finished (finally) my Audrey Cardigan bribing myself that I could start another knitting project if I did.

I'm very happy with how it has turned out but I need to get used to the slippery / slinky feel it has. The yarn is a llama / silk blend and I'm used to warm and woolly yarns!

Well that's it for now. I've a few other thoughts mulling around in my head right now for this blog - just need to let them "moodle" a bit!

Happy New Year!

(Linked to the Needle & Thread Network WIP Wednesday)

All that glitters...

So - I know. How often can one write "Ooops! Sorry! Long time no write!" and get away with it. It's not wasn't matter of laziness (I don't think) but more a matter to feeling I had nothing to say.

Imagine that! Nothing to say? she said.

I could say I've been in a funk (I have been) but who wants to read a blog about being in a funk? (not me!)

I guess we all feel funky from time to time  - I'm usually pretty oblivious to it all until I stop all my mindless "doing."  And then (once I stop doing) I have occasion to fall into the valley of the funk - I get funky!

Anyways I'm climbing my way back out. I've had a lovely few weeks away from work, done loads of Christmas baking, made some fantastic family dinners (imagine turkey dinner with all the fixings - wine biased short ribs with leek & mushroom risotto - Belgium waffles with fresh berries, whipped cream, bacon and freshly tapped Canadian Maple Syrup - now really can it get any better than that?)

We went to see Star Wars! In 3D!

We've had loads of snow and the sun is back out in all it's glory, so the winter walking is back on baby!

Well that's it for now - Happy 2016!

Bits and pieces...

Collapsible thread catcher with laminated bicycle fabric

So - since my last post I've managed to get a few things a step closer to completion. Practically speaking "completion" is the end game I guess - but  getting there is really what it's all about. The journey so to speak. (this is my cleaver way of justifying never getting anything done!) Making progress on an "in process" is always a bonus however. I'm almost afraid to tally up my "in process" projects for fear they will send me into panic attack mode. But "just for fun"...

Quilt a long at Miss Rosie's last week - in which we stitch , drink tea and eat cookies!

• Gypsy Wife Quilt  - all blocks done - just requires the sections put together.
• Christmas Stars Quilt - not sure what's happening with this quilt - I usually pull it out every Christmas and work on it during a Harry Potter or Hobbit Marathon - ahhh tradition! 
• Hometown Picnic Quilt - Oh - SO - CLOSE!
• My Small World Wallhanging (Started cutting all the little squares - but suddenly got distracted by the next quilt on the list)
• Circle Game Quilt - offered as a class at my LQS - only 2/16 blocks done so far - me bad!
• Autumn Quilt as You Go Table Runner - loved making this with a gay improv abandon - but when I hit the "sashing instructions" I went blank. (Note to self: You must learn how to do sashing. Going blank is not an acceptable oft repeated excuse).
• Christmas Gold Table Runner - no excuses here - I want this done by Christmas.
• Matryoshka Lemoyne Stars Lap Quilt - I loved making the stars - but my colour palette is a bit challenging - I think it would make a nice child's quilt.
• Improv Log Cabin Bedrock Quilt - I started this as way to try my hand at improv block making - lots of bright primary coloured blocks with dinosaurs in the middle - another child's quilt?
• Craftsy 2013 BOM Quilt - I learned alot of great techniques making these blocks. I didn't get all the blocks done - but there's enough there to move this towards a completed project.
• Chatter of Houses Quilt - Yoko Saito Quilt . This is being hand stitched and is a labour of love quilt so I don't mind having it in the "in process stage".
• Green Stitch Hexagon Quilt - this was my first attempt at hexagons (part of a "piece and love hexathon group" on Flickr - dated 2012.)
• Epic Passacaglia Quilt - This is another hand stitching project. I did get started but bogged down with all the fussy cutting. Plus I spent so much time on Instagram admiring other people's #passacagliaquilt progress I made little forward movement on my own. (warning: do not go down that rabbit hole!) Things have come to an abrupt halt and the endgame for this remains uncertain (a mini not so epic mug rug perhaps?). 
• Christmas Bells Applique Wallhanging - just needs the backing / quilting and binding.
• Viking Socks Applique knitting bag - I started this to put my next project in...
• Viking Socks stranded knitting project - because I like to knit and wear hand knit socks.
• Audrey cardigan - this sweater is all done except for 4 rows on the last sleeve - now how pathetic is that! I had to quit when the temp hit plus thirty degrees Celsius and I just couldn't pick it up!
• Tour de Fleece handspun - this is my handspun fibre project for this year's 2015 Tour de Fleece group. I need to skein one bobbin and ply the remaining two bobbins.

I have the fabric and patterns for a few bags etc but since I haven't officially "cut into anything yet"  I still have options. Soooo... here's the tally:

• 9 quilts (the #passacaglia quilt status is not yet confirmed)
• 2 table runners
• 2 Wallhangings
• 1 project bag (sewing)
• 2 knitting projects
• 1 handspun project

17 projects in all - anyone having a panic attack yet?

Having done a mental inventory and documented it I have surmised that things aren't as bad as I had thought. I like the projects I'm working on and it's good to reflect where I am on the "completion spectrum. It helps with prioritizing what I want to work on next.

Happy stitching!

The albatross around my neck...

Have you ever spent countless hours looking for the perfect pattern to make the perfect quilt with the perfect fabric for a special person - only to realize mid way in - that you hate dislike the project itself with a red hot passion? 

A few years ago (and maybe I've written posts about this before) I wanted to make a quilt for Youngman II. He was reluctantly agreeable (he's not a big quilt fan) and only succumbed when I found the "perfect quilt" pattern on Pintrest. It's called the "Bleacher Quilt" and I found it by searching "man quilt". It was agreed I would do it in the team colours of his favourite NFL team the Baltimore Ravens. Terrific I thought. So with jersey in hand I headed to the quilt shop to do a colour match. I returned with endless metres of dark purple and black. Ugh! Not my colours. I found some Raven team logo fabric online and added some gold for relief.

Now as far as the actual quilt pattern goes (it comes as a pdf) - it was terrific. A variety of sizes, clear concise instructions. I loved the potential for fussy cutting (which I did). But it was the colours that we dragging me down. It took forever to complete. And I missed deadlines. Christmas #1. Graduation. Birthday. Christmas #2. 

This is the only quilting project I have referred to as "the big black cloud" and "the albatross around my neck." I have plenty of WIPS but this one I was actively avoiding - like a migraine.

Finally Youngman II announced he was leaving the nest to get degree #2. I decided I had to put this sucker to rest. 

Yikes!

It's been a full year since my last write! (Not a good sign).

My biggest angst (problem? excuse?) is that it has become virtually impossible for my ancient old Dell computer and my Iphone and Ipad to play nice together. I've downloaded apps, Blogger, Blogsy, watched YouTube tutorials and spent countless frustrating hours with Windows 8 trying to make everyone play nice together. Finally I get so fed up - I just "go away" and do something else. I have decided that come fall I am thowing in the towel and going straight to Apple across the board. I tried to spread the love but seems like that just ain't going to happen.

So this - is how I'm spending my time.... Posting food pics

... And bike pics

... On Instagram. 

We're having an affair. Just point - shoot - play and post. Easy peasy.

You can follow me there for now.

Quilt Canada - Day 1

Joke of the day:

How do you make God laugh?

     - make plans

Miz Rosie & her Weekend Bag (Amy Butler pattern)

So Miz Rosie and I hit the road for our first  Quilt Canada conference in Lethbridge. As I alluded to in my earlier post, I'd been packing and planning what to bring mentally for a couple of weeks (project in - project out) and physically a few days ahead (and the winners are! Chatter of Houses & new Boho Bag pattern). And this is where the joke comes in: I packed everything from soup to nuts including my sewing machine, rotary cutters, threads, thimbles, needles, clothes, coffee perk, ipad, on and on and on - everything I needed - except for one bag. The one with my projects. Yes - sad but true. And by the time I realised it we had already been to the vendors, come to the condo (we are living the lifestyle baby!) had a glass of wine, gone for dinner, and were just settling in for an evening stitch when OMG!!!  

Phone call home:

Me:  Hi ! I'm here at conference...

Old Guy: Great...

Me: Did I leave a bag at the front door?

Old Guy: Hmmm - no

Me : Did I leave it on the porch?

Old Guy: No....

Me: (oooohhhh noooo! someone has absconded the my bag of gold) Are you sure??????

(short story long - my bag of gold is sitting in the backroom all ready to go). Luckily - there are 101 vendors waiting anxiously to help me spend my quickly dwindling stash of nickles dimes and pennies. I will revisit them today.  New project is to make a charm pack table runner with a freebie pattern I given at a booth earlier... Tula is anxiously waiting to get that first chunk of fabric under her foot.

Here are a few pics from Day 1:

Wall Art - Turner Valley - next to the ChuckWagon Restaurant - best Alberta Beef Burgers ever! (featured in the "You gotta Eat Here" TV show)

Day One - Vendor Stash! Lots to see and with shops and goodies from British Columbia, Montana, Saskatchewan and Southern Alberta - all in one spacious venue! I  was able to find some lovely fabrics for my upcoming Jen Kingwell Circle Game class coming up end of month...

And of course time for wine... in snazzy glasses

And out for for the Black Tomato Pub Thursday night special - 2 drinks and 2 apps for 

$22.00 (in which we had a beer / gin & tonic / calamari and nachos

Evening Entertainment: 2 young punk skunks raced us along the roadside. They finally became so frustrated (note to all we were not chasing - just dawdling along) they stopped and decided to spray us! Harry turned left and Larry turned right - and they sprayed each other... oh my! boys will be boys!

We ended our night with a sit down to stitch (in which the missing bag was discovered) and laid out Miz Rosie's Gyspy Wife Quilt blocks... now isn't it just wonderful?

Headed to Quilt Canada...

Woo! Hoo!

Me and Miz Rosie are packing up the bags and heading outta Dodge. Due South. As in Lethbridge. To the long awaited Canadian Quilter's Association Conference! We bought our tickets as soon as they were available. We decided to splurge and rent a 2 bedroom apartment on campus only to find out last minute that they had overbooked (oh no!) so we were getting a free upgrade to a condo (oh yea!).

I started packing and planning a few days ago. That must mean I'm excited. I usually don't start packing until 2 hours beforehand. But this requires many decisions. Most importantly... which project to bring? I'm bringing two.

 One for hand stitching...

Chatter of Houses

... and one for machine sewing.

Sewfun Boho Bag 

This isn't a quilt. I was hoping I might actually work on something that won't require three years of commitment (ha! ha!). I found a boho bag pattern and some lovely Japanese kokka dragonfly canvas at my LQS. The goal was to use use existing stash for the lining - but nothing was suitable (how can that even be possible?) so back to next LQS with fabric #1 in hand to find the perfect lining (first row - third bolt - how lucky was that???) and some matchy matchy thread.

Next up: Vendor List: What do I need? What do I want?

Note to self: don't buy more fat quarters!

Reminder: Look for Circle Game fabrics: buy more fat quarters!

And to celebrate the fact that I'm going at all... a new sewing machine! (More on that later. Suffice to say I couldn't help myself. I was weak... in the knees! Her name is Tula. And she is Pink.)