Almost Spring in Digby . . .

 My travels today took me to Digby, so I took some pictures to share.

Then a stop at McDonalds - because you just have to sometimes, and lunch-in-the-car at the shore in Cornwallis.

My dogs love to come here early on summer Sunday mornings so they can chase seagulls out into the water.  (Note - the gulls are perfectly safe . . . the dogs have absolutely no hope of catching one.)

I couldn't have asked for a nicer spring day!

- Maggie

A Finish!

From this:

To this:

The pattern is from Kaffe's book Glorious Patchwork.

I used Kona cotton fabrics throughout.

- Maggie

Snow Day = Knitting Day + Play in the Snow Day!

After a winter of very little snow, we're making up for it today!  The Critter ↑↑↑ thinks its the greatest thing ever.  His little sister is less pleased ↓↓↓

We're supposed to get 30 cm (a foot!!) today.  I don't think we'll get that much, but it is pretty snowy out there.

The white streaks against The Critter's fur are actually snow flakes - He was up for a snow fight . . . . uh, I don't think so.

And guess what I'm doing . . . .

Gotta love the joys of small town life. As I was sittin' knittin' exactly two vehicles went by - both of them four wheel drives.  And I live on a busy street! The schools are closed, the bus is cancelled, several stores are closed, and everyone (almost) is settled in for the day.  Its days like this I'm glad I don't work for emergency services . . . . or anywhere else for that matter!

Happy Spring!

- Maggie

It's Lexie's Birthday-versary!

Say hello to Lexie . . . .

She has now been with me for a full year!!  A year ago, Lex was at the SPCA, had been surrendered by her family, still had stitches from a tumor removal, and was looking pretty sad.  She is part Pekingese, and part who-knows-what. She was 14, 16, or 17 years old, (depending on which part of her bio I read). She was failing, deaf, and toothless. I don't remember why I even went to the SPCA website - not something I normally do - and yet, I did, and there she was.  Anyways, long story short, a couple of trips to the shelter and a meet and greet with her new Sheltie big brother, and she came home with me us.  She talked all the way home, and it was a full hour drive. This girl had stories to tell.

And so, here we are, a full year later, and Lexie is probably one of the happiest dogs I have ever met. She loves her new life, her new mom, her big brother, walks on the trail, her yard, her neighbour dog friends, and when she's happy - which is often - she can bounce eight inches straight up in the air. She had two strokes this past summer, which she recovered from like a trooper. Her Sheltie brother has figured out that she can't hear, and acts as her ears, herding her or nudging her as need be, and they are best buddies.

Happy Birthday-Versary Lexie girl! Here's to another fun filled year. I'm so glad we found each other!

- Maggie (and Cooper the Sheltie)

Seven Sisters Scrap Reduction Project and a Product Review

This little creation was hidden away in my collection of UFO's - of which there are many - and I'm using them up to practice my machine quilting skills.  The quilting on this one is SID, and all that remains to be done is to sew the binding on the back.

I've had my eye on Sew Easy's template sets . . . . should have bought before Christmas; all they had left was the Diamond set:

There are 8 diamond templates in all, and they're GREAT!  And what makes them so great, you ask? Why the holes, of course. So many templates don't have holes in the corner to stick your pencil/Sharpie/Frixion into to mark the stop/start point, but these do.  This little table topper was made with the 1 1/2 inch template:

The pattern is Seven Sisters.  And there are more diamond patterns to come.  Let the Scrap Reduction continue!

Make stuff. Be Happy.

- Maggie

Kaffe + Kona = Serious Fun!

About that fat quarter bundle I was talking about . . . . immediately after my last post, in a moment of glorious freedom from The Rules, and in the absence of The Quilt Police,  I sliced and diced the entire bundle into 2 1/2" strips . . . . . . and was it EVER FUN!!!    This week was spent piecing blocks from Kaffe Fassett's book Glorious Patchwork, and it was indeed a glorious amount of fun! Here's a peek:

At this point I'm going to stray from the original pattern, (but not that far).  This week the piecing should be finished, and the quilting begun.  And then there's the rest of that glorious pile of strips to work with!

In other fiber news, I'm pleased to announce that my hand dyed yarns, and knitted socks and hats are now available at Wools on the Corner here in Bridgetown, and I'm thrilled!  There are already ideas for summer knits swirling through my head . . . . . . . 

- Maggie

Somewhere North of New York - Save Me From The Beauties!!

After 18 years of piecing New York Beauties, and a severe case of burnout, in an attempt to discover my new fabric passion-du-jour , I considered miniature piecing.  This little top is relatively tiny at only 18" square.  It has all my favorite colors and fabrics. It required a lot of slow stitching and mindfulness - always a plus.  There's only one problem.  I hate it. Passionately.

But, not to give up too easily, I tried another:

Also 18". Also made up of a gazillion little pieces. Also some of my favorite fabrics.  And I hate it too.  I was working on #3 when reality kicked in, and I realized doing what I hate is not the way I want to spend the rest of my days as a quilter.  Not to mention . . . . what the heck does one do with all those little quilts???

Now, THIS I like . . .

This top I pieced last winter (as a break from the aforementioned beauties).  It has never been quilted, but will be very soon and it will hang in a prominent place in my house, and I will enjoy it every time I look at it.  At that's what quilting should be about.

So here's what I'm working on today. I have a brand new bundle of gradated FQ's . . . . .

and one of Kaffe Fassett's books, and I'm having fun . . . . and believe me, honey, it ain't gonna be a boring quilt!

See ya!

- Maggie

The Last Rose of Summer

This is literally the last rose of summer, but since we're well into October, that's not too bad.  It wouldn't have survived the wind and rain heading this way today and tomorrow, so I brought it in. 

There is a stray rose bush by the back side of the house - where nothing grows except for this rosebush (and a few weeds, but we won't talk about them).  Usually it gives me a single rose in June, but this year . . . three more in October.  The butterfly, I found in perfect condition, lying on the deck, so I added it to the picture.  

Make Stuff. Be Happy. 

- Maggie

Things I learned in September . . .

Wow - wait - what? Where did September go? My Morning Glories are still hanging on, the red beans froze early on, and the hanging pots of petunias are simply looking sad.

Anyways, September was all about seriously enjoyable things.  Mark Lipinski and Sally Collins figured largely in my work this month - Mark, for his work with the Slow Stitching Movement, and Sally for her wonderful books on accurate piecing techniques, which I'm working my way through, while listening to the Slow Stitching Podcasts.   There is much pleasure in simply taking time to enjoy the process, matching up all of those tiny pieces of fabric, and enjoying the finished product.

I started the month making a pile of 4" blocks like these.

Then got distracted making a "larger" top:

This one is 20 x 20 inches, with over 200 individual pieces, and it was definitely fun to make. I think machine quilting is the way to go, given all of the seam allowances.

I even made myself a little pin cushion.

Make Stuff.  Be Happy.

- Maggie

Things I Learned in August . . . . . .

As I move on into my next (6th?? 7th?? career),  I plan to keep a digital journal of what works for me, and what doesn't, so here goes.  Of course, you know what happens with best laid plans, but we'll give it a try.  So here are my Things for August.

Thing 1:  Hand piecing may just not be for me.  I enjoy it, I love the look, but when I head for the studio, its the last thing I pick up.  Hmmm;  that came as a surprise.

Thing 2:  Derwent Inktense pencils on fabric bleed out;  still working on a fix for that one.  Aloe Vera gel is supposed to help, but no luck so far.  Maybe I over-diluted.  Any ideas?

Thing 3:  I really enjoy Quilt As You Go (QAYG).  I avoided it for years, but having tried it seriously, OMG there are so many possibilities!  (See the quilt above ↑↑↑↑↑.)

Thing 4:  I also really enjoy Improv quilts.  (See the quilt above again ↑↑↑↑↑.)

So, Happy September - the nicest month of the year here in Nova Scotia.  The temperatures and the humidity are down, the leaves start changing color, and the rug rats dear children are back in school.  What's not to like?

Make Stuff.  Be Happy.
- Maggie

It May Not Look Like Much, BUT . . . .

It may not look like much, but I'm pretty darn proud of this little (finished) block! Its the first quilt block I've hand pieced in many, many years, and I'm pretty happy with it!  I'm using two Moda FQ bundles for this project - Highland, and "Bee's 'n Blooms by Kansas Troubles Quilters, both of which came from Hamel's Fabrics in Chilliwack BC.  

I used to do quite a bit of hand piecing, and quilting, and applique too, but then along came the commercial piecing business, and away went the hand work.  This feels . . . . soooo . . . . good!

Make Stuff. Be Happy. 

- Maggie