Happy Victoria Day Weekend!

After waiting yesterday for the rain that didn't come, we set up our deck furniture today and proceeded to enjoy much of our day out under the awning. It's been a glorious holiday weekend so far with more great summer-like weather promised for tomorrow, the perfect time to pull out one of my 'from here to eternity' hand stitching projects.

Anna Levens has been dormant since late last summer so hopefully a few newly basted hexies will give her a little boost.

And what's not to love about using thread that comes on a spool of that gorgeous coral colour??? It came to me via Roberta, who occasionally tucks little surprises into my quilts when she returns them to me so it was time to try it out.

It's by Presencia and is really lovely to work with - very buttery. Thank you Roberta!

Before long, the beginnings of a hexie string begins to emerge. A good day all round. 

If you are celebrating Victoria Day this weekend I hope that it includes lots of down time...M

Christmas Already?

Despite getting ready to enjoy the May long weekend, the official start to our summer, I've also been at work on a little Christmas project that's been lingering in the bins.

Several years ago now, Jane wondered if I would like five Christmas stocking panels which had been sitting in her stash to make up for the Holly Bazaar. Not wanting them to go to waste, I said 'yes' and so instead of sitting on her shelves they have since spent more time sitting in mine. 

There are four different patterns centred on a birdhouse theme with only one duplicate in the bunch.

While digging for something else (as usual) I pulled them out a few weeks ago and asked Roberta to quilt them for me; she used the fun Moulin Rouge panto. She also quilted a panel of fabric large enough for me to cut five stocking backs out of, using the same holly and ribbon fabric front and back. It's a little tough to see the full quilting pattern on the dark green but you get a good sense of it where the batting shows.

I've got them all trimmed up now and will turn my attention to what to bind them with. Maybe the holly, or maybe a wee gingham? Time to play with a few options....M

Art in the Pews

Whew! It's been a busy couple of weeks! Last weekend our church hosted Art in the Pews where we invited artisans of all stripes to share their work, and it was a huge success. It is a beautiful space and when it was filled to the brim with all of that creativity it looking amazing.

I wasn't quite sure how they would do it, but the pews showcased everything from painting, to wooden toys, to hooked rugs and photography. 

Oh, and quilts of course. Lots of lovely quilts.

I was in charge to the High Tea that was served down in the hall so I only had time to run through the exhibit (I literally ran!) snapping pics as I went. It was a feast for the eyes. It think that this green quilt was all of the provincial flowers.

Helgard, one of our quilters, is also a potter and she's been talking about these Critter Cups that she makes, so I was happy that I found them. She inserts little creatures at the bottom of the mug that emerge as the cup is emptied. How fun is that? She gets lots of interesting special requests.

Betty, Jane, Linda, Anne and Roberta all submitted items for the show, mostly quilts but painting, circus art and hand made pincushions too. Unfortunately, I missed most everything but the quilts. 

This is Betty's gorgeous Farmer's Wife. She had a fellow very interested in buying it but she couldn't part with it.

Roberta brought four or five quilts, if memory serves me correctly. This one is Eventide and I believe that it was a Miss Rosey pattern. You can see that every item had a tent card with at bit of info about the item and whether or not it was for sale (it didn't have to be) and it turns out that several artisans sold items, so they were happy about that. Roberta sold one of hers too.

I submitted Diamond Dust (on the right hand side in the second pew with the mauve floral border) and Little Trees. I don't know who submitted the one to the left of it with the deep blue background, but I love it - it looks like cross stitch from a distance. If I'm not mistaken, the one at the front of this image is a Lori Holt pattern.

After admiring all of that creativity our guests were invited downstairs to enjoy afternoon tea and it too was a great success.

I mean, really, who doesn't love to sit in to a plate of fancy sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and delicate sweets? It was the perfect excuse for all of the gals to dust off their China for the day. A quartet played in the background as the hall filled with chatter.

Early Saturday morning I snapped this photo before the lights came up and the aprons were donned. It didn't take long for the place to fill with the sound of friends sharing a spot of tea. Hats off the Jean who is another one of our quilters. It was her idea to host the event and she did a marvelous job of pulling it off....M

Minnie & Me

Minnie is still sitting by my side when we watch TV but only lately have I picked up my needle again. With all the rush to get a few QFS flimsies ready I didn't have the energy left for hand quilting, but this past week or so I have picked up my needle again.

It's such a treat! I love revisiting every flower and diamond.

I remember being determined to incorporate the tiny white floral into this block. It was a very small scrap from Jane and is just the prettiest wee print. I do remember it being a bit tough to work with (I think it's a polished cotton, so a little heavier and a tighter weave) but it was well worth the effort.

And you can't argue with the end result....M