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Friday, March 25, 2022

Back in Canada, waiting for spring and warmer weather

 We have changed homes once again and it is a little cool for my liking.  Rather difficult to get your legs to move quickly when we finally get to play tennis on a dry court (rare, but we grab the opportunity when it happens).  

Other than the chores that happen at this time of year plus all involved in arriving home and putting away fall decor etc, most things are running smoothly.  A bit of glitch happened with the battery on my husband's vehicle, but happy to say, we are now back to being a 2 car family.  

I didn't turn on a sewing machine until a few days ago but I have lots of projects waiting for me to work on. Quilt tops that came home in my suitcase are now resting quietly on a hanger until I get into the quilting frame of mind. 

There were quilts that had been quilted last October and binding was made but they were waiting patiently to be finished. I have the binding on #1  Mary's log cabin wonky hearts quilt. 
I have a stack of preemies waiting for quilting and binding.  On the wall behind are my PBJ blocks for last October, or was it November? plus my blocks for March this year.
A better picture of the March blocks.  Hot pepper was the theme.
I have put together a block for Ukraine, to show support.  It still need quilting and binding but all proceed of these kits goes to help the country.  In case you aren't aware, the sunflower is the flower for Ukraine and their flag is yellow and blue.  So this will get finished and hung on a door or window to show our solidarity with those most unfortunate people.
This quilt, Town Square is #2 to be bound and ready for donation to Quilts of Valour. If you can't see the fabric, the main block are jugs of maple syrup. 
Quilt #3 is Stepping Stones, another pattern in the 3 yard quilt books. 

Our front garden has been weeded and almost time to cut grass.

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Heading to the courts on an 'iffy' day but no puddles so we were good to hit some balls.
This was my project before we left our winter home.  I was playing with scrappy four patches and half square triangles.  I have no plan, just put them on the design wall to remind myself in October when I am back, as to what I was working on.
Sad to leave the warm weather, fresh citrus off our trees and  lots of outdoor time.  I have two quilts left to bind and then the larger ones are taken care of.  And it will be on to quilting the preemies and getting them bound and off for donation.

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

February ends and March begins.

 I have so many ideas and projects sitting around my sewing room that I almost feel overwhelmed at times.  However, one project at a time and I am on the last few weeks of being in our winter home.  That means some tidying and organizing must happen as it is so much nicer to return in the fall and not have to guess what I was thinking and planning before we left in the spring. 

A 3 yard quilt, Roman Holiday, got put together although I used more than a yard of each of the fabrics. 

The aqua, teal, black Illusions quilt is also put together.  The original 3 yard quilt pattern got altered and I made a fourth set of blocks.. so actually a 4 yard quilt. 
Roman Holiday flimsy is pressed and ready to head north for quilting.

The Pretty Please 3 yard quilt is also to the flimsy stage and again, more fabric used than the actual pattern requires.  I made more blocks and used both a blue and a red paisley for the main blocks.  The methods in making these blocks is efficient and easy with construction steps simple to understand. 

I saw a quilt top made by Heartstrings "Mary" and copied her forest bricks pattern.  She had combined the reds, grays, blacks/whites and I though it would be a good way to use up some of my extra fabrics and scraps that multiply overnight in my sewing room.   This top is halfway put together and am playing with scraps as my leaders and enders. 
We are on countdown here for leaving our winter home.  Lots of tennis, a tournament coming up next week and then it will be all the usual chores of spraying for termites and bugs, killing weeds, picking the minimal fruit on our orange and grapefruit trees, oiling all the wood furniture, making sure my pantry has everything well sealed etc.  The list is long!  Services to be started at home and cancelled here. One day at a time and with the temperatures warming up, the patio beckons as a place to sit and read after a day on the courts.