Virtual Show and Tell - May 2025

 Remember that sweet young couple of mallard ducks, checking out the neighbourhood, last month. Well, they obviously have decided to move in. I saw them the other day, enjoying "their" pool.

For most of us, it has been too chilly the enjoy the pool, so here are some projects from the past month.

Brenda has been doing some needle felting and has finished these two pieces.

Diane has finished this quilty.. She said she used fabric from a group exchange of "ugly fabric". Nothing ugly about this little darling.

Joanne made a cute I Spy quilt from some of her scraps.

Joanne also made this scrappy design.

I made a scrappy bag from some scraps of Shweshwe fabric.

I also try to finish one quilt each year. This one was started as a group project by the Kanata United Quilting Circle in 2019. I finished the flimsy, yesterday. The block is Hidden Pinwheel, made with layer 10" squares.

Lynda Smyth made this quilt. Sorry, I didn't note the name of the pattern.

Finally, I have a lovely mystery. I have a quilt picture, and no idea who made it. If I find out, I'll come back and credit it.

Look at all those hexies. It is great. If it is yours, please send a note.

That is everything for this month. Enjoy today's sunshine.

Kate

Virtual Show and Tell - April 2025

 It is starting to feel very spring like. I looked out the window the other day, and saw this young couple looking for a new home.

We don't have a lot of pictures this month, but they are wow!

Anita sent a picture of her latest batch of scraps cut into useful sizes.

This is a quilt Anita made using scraps of various sizes.

And two tablemats with some bright scraps.

Doreen invited me over for coffee and showed off her winter finishes.

Aren't they lovely?

Meanwhile, we have contractors in and I have been sorting, recycling, or rehoming a lot of stuff that had somehow moved into our basement. This has consumed a lot of time, and energy, so sewing has been at a minimum, however, I made a nice bright pair of socks for my son's birthday.

Until next month, friends,

Kate

Virtual Show and Tell - March 2025

 I saw a chart the other day that had seasons on it. It had listed Winter, False Spring, Second Winter, Spring of Deception, and so on. This year really feels like that. One day you can sit outside with your coffee, and the next, you are shoveling again. 

So, lets enjoy some bright quilts.

Anita is training her granddaughters early to be quilt designers like their Grandma.

Meanwhile, Anita created some bright, scrappy quilts.

This one she made with a jelly roll.

Diane completed this quilt, that she is donating to a charity.

This table runner has been sitting in her UFO pile, and is finally finished.

Helen is returning to Ottawa from the south soon. She sends us a picture of the charity quilts she is leaving behind.

MaryAnn created a wall hanging by adapting the pattern Land of the Silver Birch by Beth Van Wyngaarten.

Finally, my sewing room is still lonely, but I made a bright spring scarf. It still needs to be blocked.

I hope that brought some bright sunshine to your day.

Kate

Show and Tell - February 2025

 Welcome to Show and Tell. I hope you are enjoying a couple of warmer days. It will give the snowbanks a chance to shrink a bit. 

I thought I would start with these wonderful quilts from QuiltCon in Phoenix, Arizona , last week. These are the winning quilts. When I looked, the viewers choice wasn't posted yet, but it might be there by the time you see this.

https://quiltcon.com/quiltcon-2025-winners/

I always welcome suggestions for themes for the show and tell. Let me know if you have any ideas.

Here are the pictures that you sent me, this month.

First we have Anita. She has two projects that used up her 2 1/2" squares.

Carol finished an embroidered needle book to hold her quilting and applique needles. The pattern is Home Sweet Home from Carolyn Pearce.

Helen finished this embroidered quilt, and made the quilt hanger to display it.

Helen also finished this applique quilt. It is all done by hand.

Nancy has two quilt tops that she is taking to Krista, this week. The first is a Grandmothers Flower Garden, that she started with Lorraine at the Running Stitch.  You might guess that that was in the early 2000's. I took that class, as well, but I only ever finished one block, so I'm impressed.

Nancy assures us that by the time you see this picture, she will have the sashing on and the backing finished.

This quilt is called Rainbow Trip and Nancy bought the kit from Jan Kittle. Nancy has made the lap version, and says she has lots of this lovely fabric left over. BTW, this quilt has already been claimed by a family member.

In response to my request for Canadian quilts, I have a reversible quilt from MaryAnn.

We also have a Canada 150 quilt from Helen, with the provincial flowers embroidered on the brown squares.

I spent the month knitting by the fire, so I will add a picture of my latest finish. These are called Barn Swallow Mitts.

Our next gathering is March 4, 2025.

Kate

Show and Tell - January 2025 Scrapuary!

 Fingers crossed, this will work. The wind is blowing and the power has already been out once, so I have my fingers crossed that it will stay on until I finish this. I have a flashlight next to me, in case it doesn't.

I asked for scrap storage tips and scrap projects, and I have lots of pictures. Just to make everybody feel better about their scrap storage, I'll go first.

All together, stuffed into a storage bag.  No sorting as to size or colour. I have started working on it. I keep a bag next to my cutting table, and last week, 2 of those bags went to a Kindergarten teacher, I know, for art projects. She likes them because they are already cut up small. 

Now to those more organized.

Anita has a very tidy sewing area with drawers for her scraps right beside her.

She cuts them into sizes she uses and stores them by size.

This is Diane Hart's scrap storage.

Joanne Ritchie has a system. The first 2 pictures are all sorted by width, 1,1 1/2, 2, 2 1/2 in, 3 categories for each - squares, lights and darks. Any piece larger is stored in boxes for 3, 3 1/2, 4, 4 1/2, 5, 5 1/2 and 6 inch small mixed value ‘chunks’, one box per category. She also saves any full WOF less than 1/4 yard in a separate box, and  2 1/4 in. binding leftovers in another. 

The baskets of bigger chunks and leftovers stored by colour, no particular shape, but more than 6 in. square.

MaryAnn stores her scraps in clear plastic containers of uniform sizes.

Nicole, who creates so many beautiful scrap quilts, has a great system.

Yardage

Small irregular pieces

Squares and strips

With all this sorting, lets see how they are used.

Anita says this is her favourite scrap quilt.

Diane has two scrap quits on the go.

Judy Case made a tablerunner from a scrap that was too pretty to throw away.

I make pouches from mine.

MaryAnn made the backing for a wall hanging.

And, of course, Nicole has three beautiful quilts.

Are we all inspired to use up our scraps? Thank you to everyone who gave us a peek into their sewing room. I know I am always inspired when I start playing with my scraps.

Kate