WIP Wednesday - 01/29/2014

I had a lot of time on the weekend to work on my BOM. I am happy that this block is almost done and I will be able to add the embroidery stitches and start the next block on the weekend.

(It will look prettier when I iron it too.). It is going better with the basting glue rather than the pins. I highly recommend the glue. I also recommend Jan Patek's needle turn appliqué videos on YouTube. She is a fantastic teacher!

This is the video I watched to help with all the points on those stars!

 

I also finally got the binding on my Granny squares quilt.

I have a really bad sinus cold so I have been stitching the binding down by hand this week. I am hoping to get it done and blog about it next week.

It's also a big day in our home... It's Rosie's first birthday! The girls are very excited and I think they are hoping for birthday cake!

Linking up to The Needle and Thread Network

 

Retreat update

Warning: this post is photo heavy.

 

So I told you I went on a retreat last weekend, and it was fantastic! We had a great time, chatting, sewing, eating, and sharing.

It was the first time we stayed at the lodge. It is a fantastic place in Buckingham, QC.

There was so much room! There are 8 of us in my quilt group and we each had our own room. We also had our own table for sewing. Here is a panoramic photo of the sun room where we did our sewing:

 

On Friday, I worked on 2 baby quilts. I finished the top for this one:

 

The second one is missing a top and bottom border. I will post a photo when I get those sewn on. One of these baby quilts is commissioned and the other will be listed in my Etsy shop when it is done.

On Saturday, my mom and I each started a Swoon quilt. We had a hard time with the first block but once you get the hang of it, these blocks are so much fun to make! I managed to finish 2 of them on Saturday and another Sunday before leaving. These blocks are made with fat quarters and there is no room for mistakes as you cut up the entire fat quarter. Unfortunately I made a big mistake on Saturday night and used the wrong fabric for 4 flying geese units. I noticed only after I had trimmed the corners off. I did manage to order another fat quarter of that fabric when I got home so I will be able to finish the block. I was so mad at myself... I guarantee you I will not be making that mistake again!

top: my first block, bottom: my mom's first block

We all brought our BOM for show and tell. Some put the top together at the retreat, some were already put together. Here are a few of them:

Sherrill's blocks

Dale's quilt top

Pat's quilt top

Rita's quilt top

Here are a few more photos.

Pat's Raspberry Parfait

Betty's African blocks

Dale's batik quilt

 

Mom's (Alice) scrappy trip along blocks

Cheryl's Fairy Frost Jacob's ladder blocks

Pat's bags

I love getting away and enjoying some sewing time with my friends. I am very lucky to be able to share my passion with a great group of ladies. What an inspiring weekend!

 

WIP Wednesday - 01/22/ 2014

I did a lot of sewing this past weekend but none on my BOM. I was having too much fun at my sewing machine. I am working on a post to share our wonderful retreat with you, but in the meantime...

I did get the windows stitched on to the house yesterday:

I know they are crooked... I will be using Roxane's basting glue for the rest of this quilt. The pins just aren't working...

The windows will stay crooked because I am not un-stitching. I figure the house is out in the woods and looks a little rustic.

I am still having fun making this quilt. I look forward to working on it whenever I get the chance!

Linking up to The Needle and Thread Network

 

WIP Wednesday - 01/15/2014

This past week, I have been working on something that's a secret but I can give you a sneak peek...

I have also added the base of the house in my Woodland Christmas BOM project.

The perfectionist in me is having a hard time with the house being a little crooked but I am really trying to let it go. I am having so much fun working on this project!

I am going to a retreat this weekend! I am so looking forward to 3 full days of sewing! I am bringing a bunch of new projects, including my BOM appliqué. My mom and I are going to spend the day Saturday each starting a Swoon quilt, a little late jumping on the bandwagon but we are really looking forward to it!

If the wifi works where we are, you can be sure I will be posting photos to my Facebook (The Quilting Princess) and Instagram (QUILTINGPRINCESS) feeds. And of course I'll post about my weekend here!

Well, I'm off to start packing!

Linkin up to The Needle and Thread Network

 

Sneak peek!

I just got my Granny Squares quilt back from my mom today. She worked her magic and quilted it for me on her longarm.

I still need to get the binding on, but I thought you would all enjoy a sneak peek at some of the blocks...

 

Hopefully it won't take me too long to get the binding sewn on and then I will write a proper post with some better photos!

 

New Year = New Project

Happy New Year!!

It's a time for new beginnings so I am starting a new Block of the Month project! I am challenging myself this year and am working on an appliqué project.

It is called Woodland Christmas by Bunny Hill Designs.

 

I started working on my first block already. I am using fabrics that have a civil war feel to them and that I already have in my stash.

Here is my progress so far:

It is slow going but I am loving it so far. I am using the needle turn method to do my appliqué. This project will keep me busy in the evenings and I can work on it around the kids without having to go hide in my studio upstairs.

My goal is to give you weekly updates on this project. I am hoping this will get me back to blogging regularly and participating in WIP Wednesdays.