Glad

Thursday, August 29, 2013

 The gardens are gradually winding down now before the frost hits. The nights are getting colder and it won't be long before we will see the first signs of frost. I know! I hate the thought too, but we must carry on. The gladiolas are now sporting their brilliant colors and they are make a big impact in the garden when all the other plants are slowing down. Exhibitions are starting this week and I can't help but think of all the gladiola  that will be on display there. I have taken the time to submit some of my projects to the exhibition again this year and they will be displayed in the same room as the pretty gladiolas. You see, I can make a connection to quilting and gladiolas right there.  It is time to dig into the quilting stash now and get those projects for the cold winter done. I have been thinking about the new projects that I want to do this year. There are so many! So little time, but if I narrow it down to one at a time, maybe, just maybe it will happen. Why don't you get your projects started and off the ground and have fun while doing it?

Today's quilt is different from what you usually see. The top part of the quilt  is a plain pattern for  about 24 inches The backside of this quilt has two rows of diamonds that fold over the front of the quilt to cover the top part of the front.. This quilt was done by Joanne for her daughter to take to university. It is a "Charm Quilt" and measures 67" x 88". The pattern quilted on this quilt is a meander called "String of Bows" at 8". What a lovely quilt for a young lady. 

Gardens of Quilting

Monday, August 26, 2013

 The gardens are now in their last stages of bloom before frost hits. The pinks and whites are most predominate as you can see in the photos. It has been a fun summer to post the on going growth through the season and like quilting it is fun to see the progression from start to finish. I don't have many flowers in the fall as it is the time for me to clean up beds and get them ready for the spring bulbs to be planted and so I will turn my hand to more quilting.

Our quilt today is another garden of flowers. Bea has worked hard  making this "One Block Wonder" quilt. When you select a large print fabric and cut layers matched together it will turn out in to dozens of different hexagons. It is just like throwing a handful of mixed flower seeds onto the ground and seeing what blossoms appear. What a lovely garden she has created!  

This quilt is 76" x 82" and is quilted with the pattern "Simply Clematis". This pattern works well with all the other clematis like flowers in the quilt. I hope you have enjoyed the flowers of summer. 

Boats

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Boats of all sizes and shapes are just a part of our Maritime life style. The first picture was taken on Whitehead Island showing a boat docked. The second picture was the fog lifting in the harbour at North Head and I had to include a picture of the sailboat at the marina in Fredericton. Just think, where would we be without them? You will undoubtedly see their effect on many of the quilts coming from this area. Boats can be very colourful or just plain white, just like our quilts. Boats are usually named after girl friends, wives or something with meaning to its owner. A few years ago I went fishing on the " Fluff and Puss" which was named after the owners two cats.

Today's quilt features this darling little sailboat quilt done by Sandra. This quilt is beautifully pieced and is 44" x 56". The quilt pattern used on this quilt is called "Waterworld " at 5". The backing is a soft "Minke" fabric which will keep any baby cozy and happy. 

Exhibition season is here

Monday, August 19, 2013 

The summer is quickly flying by and exhibitions in the area are in full swing. I was driving up along the St. John river last week and my husband enjoyed taking these farm pictures along the way. I have been busy preparing a few quilts and items for the exhibition that will be starting in a few days, right here in Fredericton. I guess its because of the old 4-H days when I was younger, we were required to sew and create items for our booth. Some things in life never change, I still enjoy the challenge and competition of creating items for an exhibition. Have you ever tried to enter your work in the exhibition? It can be a lot of fun just to take part. You never know, you might win that coveted ribbon some day.

I grew up a farm girl and still enjoy seeing the haying season in full swing. It sure would be great if I could have seen a clothesline full of quilts blowing in the breeze but you just don't see that much anymore. The drive along the river was still great and especially when you are just returning from a great quilt shop. What could be better than that? 

Look at these sunflowers! I want to do a nice wall hanging in sunflowers soon. Now that's inspiration. You can find all kinds of great ideas for your quilts all around you. 

Today's quilt is not quite sunflowers but they are pretty little posies all around. This quilt is a lovely mission quilt done by Kathy and is called "Flower Power". It is 74" x 98" and was custom quilted The blocks are quilted in the pattern 'Janice Block 8" and the second block is quilted in the pattern called "Carol Fit". The border has the pattern "The Garden " all around. This quilt turned out lovely and Kathy should be very proud of the finished product. 

Everything Red

Thursday, August 15, 2013

It's the time of year to start your pickling for winter. It's hard to break away from the quilting and tend to these menial tasks but one must consider how they will taste later. The choke cherries are in full fruit and my daughter just finished making some lovely choke cherry jelly. I don't tend to make many jams and jellies anymore, what being diabetic and all, but I love to see them all lined up in a row, with the feeling of accomplishment for the winter. Below are some pickled beets, all ready for winter. I decided to replenish my stock, so I broke down and did these up this week. They will be nice for Thanksgiving and Christmas I'm sure. 

Keeping with the red for today is a very nice quilt done by Joyce. This quilt measures 64" x 88" and is called "Flowers for MS", a charity quilt that will be very useful. The quilting on this quilt is done in red thread and is the pattern called Floral Light, 8". It is hard to see the pictures on the overall quilt here but it shows up better on the backside pictures below. The leaves, flowers, and swirls make for a nice moving pattern on this quilt. Until Monday, get your pickling done and leave time to get back to your sewing room. Life is so good! Gwenda