End of January 2020 and pushing to finish up some projects

I managed to get some blocks sewn together to create three tops to take home, ready for quilting and donation.
My kit from Connecting Threads is done.

Sorry that you have to turn your head sideways?  That doesn't usually happen with my pictures. 
I also made a smaller quilt top from a stack of 10" Christmas themed fabrics.  I had cut these in December but hadn't laid them out and stitched them.  This top looks like it could use another border, maybe two?

I also got my Heartstrings January challenge blocks made and top completed.  The challenge was to use a "bundle" and I found one in my stash but it needed more fabrics added to give me the 20 fabrics for this quilt pattern.This is one of the easiest ways to use fat quarters. The original bundle only had 6 fat quarters so I pulled out another 14 to go with!  This might have ended up a little more pink that I intended but it is done!

The rainbow scrap challenge for February colour has been released and it is orange so, I had to stop everything, make a bucket for my scraps and be ready.  Ooops, I goofed and put the decor bond on the back of my two orange fabrics and it is only goes on the outer fabric so, I made two!  Now I will have one to take back home with me.  I was surprised that I have very few orange scraps but I know the bucket will be too small for all the orange scraps at home.

The Fraser Valley Modern quilt guild showed a picture of a Morsbag and encouraged us to make some in an effort to reduce our use of plastic.  I have always shopped with my own bags but made another bag to use.  I looked through my stash for a fun fabric and this lollipop fabric was all I could find to use.  There is a lack of novelty fabrics on the shelves.  But, I will NOT buy more!

The blocks for the Australian modern guild are ready to mail.  They are to be 12.5" squares but prefer them to oversized so that they can trim them accurately.  I have the raw edge stitching done and now to package and head to the post office.

We had some outside work to do last weekend.  Our grapefruit tree had been hit by lightening last summer and the main trunk of the tree had been split open.  So, major pruning was in order and a good friend came over with his chain saw.  And the fun began plus, the clean up afterwards.  But, it looks  much better and lot smaller!

On Monday, I was lucky enough to have a ticket to an event/lecture/trunk show with Rob Appell, the man quilter.  He was amazing.  We laughed and were awed by his stories and history of how he began working in his mother's quilt show in Morrow Bay and from there accidentley became a quilter.  His journey was interesting and very inspiring.  He was adamant that we all need to work with our hands to tap into our creative side and keep us grounded... can be woodworking, tattoo artist, knitting, painting as well as quilting. Anything that involves our hands.  His work is incredible. And, on stage, he is like an energizer bunny!  Boundless energy and enthusiasm that you can't help but admire.

 This last quilt picture raised $25000 to help veterans who are waiting for the government to go through their paperwork and get them into the system.  Apparently, this can take over a year and these families have no income or help during this time.  He timed his contribution perfectly because it was matched by Proctor and Gamble ending up as a $50 000 donation to the cause. 

 Thanks to Monte Vista quilters who organized this event.  Quilters from all over the valley attended.  And thank you to Debb in our quilting group here in the village for helping us to get our tickets. 

Two weeks into 2020 and lots of pictures for you.

I seemed to get off to a slow start, but what is new?  I did tidy and organize my sewing room and went through projects, updating my ufo list.
This is our ninth year in this house and I brought fabric and projects with me from our previous home.  I think I am doing ok but some of these projects are meant to be either finished or banished forever.

I am in the process of stitching these blocks together... they have been on my design wall for a month!
My first project of 2020 was to pull out these zip pouches that have been residing in a plastic bag for over 2 years.  I also had some that I made in the fall while we were still at home... the kits were on sale for a great price at Connecting Threads.  Unfortunately, the kits didn't include the zippers and I had to wait until I could shop for them before I could make these.

The original instructions called for making 4 pouches and I ended up with 14 of them!  That meant scrounging for linings and extra fabric for the backs but I did it. And all of them have a label attached.  These will be gifts for friends, doorprizes for guild and if someone really wants one, let me know!
My heartstrings group that I belong to online chooses a precut of the month to work with... this month 'bundles' were chosen.  I went through what I had on here, not much in the way of bundles but did find a small one.

Six fat quarters aren't really enough for a decent size quilt but it was a good starting point.  I went through my container(s) of fat quarters and pulled out more to end up with enough to make an adult size donation quilt.

I think I know which pattern I want to use but might change my mind.  I still have 15 days to get a top made.  Lots of time!
The rainbow scrap challenge online chose green as the colour for January.  First, I dug out my plastic bag of green fabric bits.  I had seen a pattern for making fabric buckets from 2 fat quarters so that was my first project.

Then I filled it, and it was way too full!  So, I decided to get busy with making blocks with my scraps.  First, I made some string blocks.  I am not sure why I made 9... not a very good number and 8 will probably be a better number.

With the wild fires in Australia, I responded to the call of the modern guild there to make tree blocks.  There are loads of free patterns available and I started off with one idea, added in a second and then a third.  The blocks still need some raw edge stitching on the applique but that will get done this week and I can get them in the mail.

I have two more of the block on the right.  They are asking for oversize blocks so that they can trim them down to an accurate 12.5" size.  Their goal is to make a quilt for every family that lost their home to the fires. Five blocks isn't very many but I have a feeling that there are a lot of quilters around the world making blocks.

After I made my green bucket, I decided to make one for my neutrals and then my browns, since I had dug around in my plastic bags.

I found a few more blocks that I wanted to make for the RCS.... since I have so darn many green scraps. This one uses a lighter and darker 2.5" strip.

Then I saw a picture on Pinterest (spend way too much time on there).   Sort of a kind of shadow box.

And, yet, another one I tried. These quilts have been all over various groups I belong to and I actually have the book with the original pattern but the two pictures I copied use different techniques.  I like this one and so will stick with it.  Great use of 5" squares.

And now, my green bucket is far too full but am out of blocks to make. Where did all these bits come from? 

I finally found Michael's this week... they moved from the location that they were in since we moved here.  And, even better, I got one of my favourite storage carts and it was on sale for $29... in Canada, I paid $69 so this was a great price.

And, I ordered this cupholder with trash bag that is really for taking to retreats but it holds my wool pincushion perfectly!

So, busy two weeks but not much to show other than my zip pouches.  But, two weeks to get my bundle top made and mail off my blocks to Australia.

Happy New Year 2020

Welcome to a New Year and hopefully a healthy, happy and productive one! 

We ended 2019 on a bit of negative but also positive note.  All in your attitude, I think!  My husband had Moh's surgery on his ear to get rid of any remaining cancer cells.  Not a great way to spend a day but then again, always good when you get rid of something horrible in your life.
Because of the surgery, we were home in BC for 10 days and I decided to decorate our house (which I had never done in the 9 years that we have lived there).  I started going through some of my containers of decorations and it was overwhelming.  UGH. 

But, I kept it simple.

We had a small tree and put up some outside lights. 

And, I had some time to finish up my table runner that I was struggling with the free motion quilting.  It is done!

Plus, two more of my 52 blocks in 52 weeks are complete, 2 weeks left.  I think I will make a few more so that my quilt top is the size that is useable.

The weather was perfect for the first few days we were home.  Plus, my Christmas cactus was blooming beautifully.

I managed to get my Sunrise quilt hung up on the wall. 

Now, we are back in the Valley of the Sun and time to clean up this house, ready for the new Year.

  I have everything done in all the rooms other than my poor sewing room.  It is a real dumping ground.

I do have blocks on the wall to stitch together but my sewing machine went for some TLC in December and she will be back tomorrow, where she belongs!  Am determined to get this room organized later today in anticipation of sewing tomorrow.

So, this is the first day of 2020 and I am going to keep pushing until that room is clean!  Have a great year. 
One thing I did do while home was to go through some containers and try make a complete list of projects patiently waiting and now I need to do that here.  Am determined to keep stitching up some of these fabrics and projects in items that are useable or decorative!