Slow Sunday Stitching

Welcome to the weekly hand stitching party where you can visit with members of the Slow Sunday Stitching crew around the world, right from the comfort of your own home! 

I have 2 accomplishments to share this week!

First, I have almost finished all the cross stitching on my Mill Hill kit called 'Gobble Gobble'. I really enjoyed stitching on the perforated paper that came in the kit. Today I'll be working on stitching the beads which will be really fun!

Second, I finished stitching Melisa's Mini Pumpkin Sampler. What a fun pattern - thank you Melisa! I used my own fall floss colours and learned that I really like stitching letters. I don't enjoy "block" stitching, like where all the orange stitches are  in the big pumpkin because it's kind of boring. But I guess it's good for those stitching times when you don't need to really concentrate on the stitching.

I have 2 guild quilts that I am binding and would like to return them in a finished state next weekend, so I also must get going on that.

But I'm starting to get the itch to stop stitching fall/everything, and start stitching Christmas. Are you a seasonal stitcher - influenced by calendar? Or do you work on your scheduled projects no matter the time of year?

Please link up your instagram or blog post below and share your slow stitching projects with us.

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New Quiltville Mystery Coming

It's a very exciting time of year for mystery quilters! Bonnie Hunter has released her fabric requirements for her annual mystery quilt adventure. This year's project is called Indigo Way and features dark blue, light blue, red, and white fabrics. 

Since in last year's mystery (Chilhowie) I had used scraps and worked with value (not colour), I was certain I would treat myself to new fabric this year. But I fell in love with a fabric line that won't be out until March of next 2024 (Shoreline by Camille Roskelley) so I decided that this future purchase might be for next year's mystery, and scraps will do for this year.

The scraps that jumped out are a bit unusual but I think this is what I'm using; navy, teal, pink and white. Is it too weird? The pink and teal values are a bit similar, so I might use more of the darker teals. I would love to clear these old pieces out and get them into a quilt. 

Are you sewing along with this year's mystery?

A new old project

Every year when I go to a retreat I pull out a kit that I bought in Paducah in 2009. Yes - it's that old and never started. I open it up and read the directions, feel overwhelmed and put it back in the package.

This year when I was visiting with my friends Barb, Louise and Deanna, they encouraged me to just take out the fabrics and do the first step. So I did. And here are the pieces from my John Flynn lazer cut kit.

I sorted all the pieces and sewed the first step, which are the centre blocks with kite shapes. I was 3 kite pieces short of what the colour layout on the instructions showed, and had 3 different colours leftover. So I reworked the colour layout and kept on sewing and hoping everything will work out.

This is where things are today.I love how it is coming along and so far I have had enough of the right coloured triangles to continue the spirals around the 7 blocks. There are many more rounds of triangles to sew on - I have done 2 rounds and there are 10 in total. The challenge now is that the seam allowance must be exact or the next round of triangles will not fit.

It felt great to push through these challenges and make some progress. I am so grateful to my friends who encouraged me to tackle this and with their support I actually think this old kit might become a quilt someday! 

Linking up to Design Wall Monday

Slow Sunday Stitching

Welcome to the weekly hand stitching party!

It's time to take a deep breath, pick up your needle and threads, and put some stitches in a project that makes your heart happy.

I finally finished a cross stitch this week. Now it is an "FFO" - a Fully Finished Object!

I had been debating how to finish some of my UFOs and decided to just add a binding and make them into little wallhangings. This pattern is called "Strawberry Faire" by October House.

I sandwiched the stitchery like I do when making a quilt (top, batting and backing) and attached a binding. Then I made a little triangle label (usually a 4"  square folded on the bias) to attach to the bottom corner. And I put 2 smaller folded squares in the top corners to put a tiny dowel in for hanging. Then I stitched the binding down.

I adore the perfect backing fabric that I found at Ye Olde Fabric Shoppe, with the little animals and fall foliage! The finished size of this little quilt  is: 6.25" x 4.25"

I have chosen bindings for these 4 stitcheries - 1 done and 3 to go. Today I will work on adding binding to these projects and turn them into little wallhangings.

My question for you this week is... how do you prefer to slow stitch? Do you listen to music or silence? Do you usually stitch in the football stands, medical appointment waiting rooms, or your crafty corner?

In her Monday blog post Bonnie Hunter said: 

I love the contemplation time that the slow hand stitching brings. ⁣

Do you enjoy the quiet time to reflect and ponder? Sometimes I do enjoy that, but if I'm not waiting at a medical appointment (a perfect time to hand stitch!) I enjoy listening to a podcast or watching a flosstube video while I stitch. Currently my favourite flosstubes are: Running with scissors (with Jane and Julie), Momma loves you GB, Sew me Sarah, Helen D., Sarah's stitchy spot, Cross stitch Cait, and Colorado cross stitcher. If you have a favourite flosstube channel, please tell us in the comments.

We look forward to seeing what you are hand stitching today!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

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Scrappy Saturday

It has been a very busy fall here with lots of quilty activities going on. A week ago I attended a "Saturday Mingle" with my local quilt guild and we had a great time visiting and playing with scraps.

When I arrived I had my photo taken with the Mayor and the quilt that Annie (a blog reader) had donated to the Home for Good project. You can read about the story of this quilt here. Thank you again Annie for your kindness and generosity!

There were many quilts hung for our enjoyment, and here are 2 very different Chilhowie quilts - the left was made by Annie from Washington State using 16 blocks, and the right was made by our very prolific guild member Lynn using 12 blocks. Aren't they just amazing?!? 

Just look at this lovely table full of projects. The bags are pre-cut coordinated kits with  patterns, made by the outreach committee from donated fabrics. Amazing!

 And at the front of the table are scraps cut for quarter log cabin blocks.

I took on that challenge, and sewed some blocks for a group quilt. Each block has a gold centre, and scraps are sewn on 2 sides. It was very fun, thanks to Colleen who did all the pre-cutting for us. 

While we were sewing, we were also visiting, and I was so happy to see a former guild member Sharon, who dropped by to donate her fabric scraps as she was cleaning out her stash. We had a little visit and I snapped a photo of her in front of our guild quilt which she helped to create many years ago!

It was such a wonderful opportunity to spend time with interesting and creative people. I really missed this socializing during covid and hope I never take it for granted in the future!

Today I will be participating in an online zoom sewing day with guild members. We are so lucky to have all these opportunities! 

I plan to work on the hand binding on this guild donation quilt. It is a scrappy quarter square log cabin quilt... just like the blocks I was making at the mingle to make another quilt!  I had an outing to the lake this week and took this quilt along to stitch, and today I'll finish it from my sewing room while visiting with guild friends.

Slow Sunday Stitching

Welcome to the weekly hand stitching party!

Last night we turned the clocks back one hour because it is the end of Daylight Saving Time. Which means (in theory) that we all get an extra hour of sleep. In truth it feels like we only get an extra hour of darkness every evening! 

I will be a tired stitcher today because of the time change and also because I got the double whammy of 2 vaccines (flu and covid) after work on Friday. My body needs time to adjust and rest, and I will happily give that to myself! Last year I missed a month of work with a 2 week covid episode and a very nasty 2 week flu, so I am hoping these shots give me a fighting chance to not have to go through that again.

In her most recent flosstube episode, Sheri the Colorado Cross Stitcher talked about "comfort stitching". She encouraged us to think about what that means to each of us. 

To me comfort stitching means an "easy" project, requiring no concentration and lots of warm fuzzies.... which for me is quilt binding. I love to snuggle under a beautiful scrappy quilt that a guild friend creatively pieced, and another talented friend quilted on her long arm, and I slowly finish it with a hand stitched binding. A quilt made by 3 quilters to give to someone in need  brings much comfort to all the makers.

Earlier in the week I started a Mill Hill kit and it was like Christmas morning dumping out the contents to see what was in the package - pretty floss, and sparkly beads!

The instruction booklet is intense, but I dove in and started reading.

The first thing I did was play with organize the DMC floss that came in a clump. There are 11 colours in this kit. I punched holes around an old thank you card that came with an online order, wrote the numbers and names of the floss beside each hole, and threaded the floss through. Works for me!

This is NOT a comfort stitch! This is intense stitching with lots of colour changes and concentration is required. The design is pieced on perforated paper, which is an interesting change from stitching on Aida cloth and linens. The holes are filled in with beads once all the floss stitching is done. I am using highlighters to show me the stitching that I've done. I am enjoying the process so far, but it's put away until my brain power has restored itself!

What is a "comfort stitch" for you? Are you working on comfort stitching today, or a challenging project, or both??! Share your slow progress with us and link up your instagram or blog post below.

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1 Trick and 2 Treats

Happy Halloween everyone!

I have a trick and 2 treats for you today!

The trick is... I managed to not finish my One Monthly Goal project in October! It was an "easy to finish" tablerunner, and the entire month passed without a finish. Now that is one amazing trick to accomplish! 

Boo for me! 👻

In my own defence, it was a busy month, I did accomplish many other things, and did find a backing, binding and batting for the runner. Alas, nothing else transpired. 

Treat #1 is... a sweet photo of Max the bat, going to the vet for yet another check up on his calcium levels. He had thyroid surgery at OVC this month and thankfully he is recovering well. You can see the incision on his neck still, but the stitches are out now. He is adorable!

Treat #2 is an unboxing video for the 2023 Spooky Box from Fat Quarter shop! It's been so long since I made a Youtube video, that I had to relearn the process. 

Slow Sunday Stitching

Welcome to the weekly hand stitching party! It's such a fun party because you can stay in your pyjamas and join us from the comfort of your own home!

But on some special Sundays, I go to a real life, in-person hand stitching get-together which is co-ordinated by my friend Debby and hosted by her Mom Dorothy (who rents the party room at her apartment building). Many of the stitchers I haven't met before, so it is great fun to see what others are creating and make new friends. Here are some of the ladies from the last party. You can see a crocheted tea cozy being made for a Christmas gift, and some embroidery, cross stitch, and quilt binding was going on. 

We also have fun snacks to enjoy. Do you see the one eyed cookies?!? Some people are so just creative!

We joke that some of us do a lot of stitching, and some of us just come to make memories!

Here is a cross stitch being made by Katie. She is a really fast stitcher and made all these letters during our Sunday meeting.  She thought the project would be smaller and wasn't really liking it, so I volunteered to give is a place on the wall at my house to my house if she didn't like it when it was done!

Debby generously finished the binding on the community comfort quilt that I have been working on. She is a really fast stitcher and she finished stitching 3 sides of the quilt. It would have taken me all week! 

Because Debby was doing the binding, I was able to spend time on a cross stitch sampler, and finished "Owls and Acorns" (a free chart from Blue Ribbon Designs). I used all the called for "Gentle Arts" floss which was lovely to work with. It was stitched on a piece of old white 14 count aida cloth that I lightly tea dyed to make it a bit more fall looking. I love how this turned out! And now it joins the UFO pile! 

I also stitched a little pumpkin from Melisa's pattern called Mini Pumpkin Sampler. So cute! I will work on this project on Halloween night when the kids are coming for trick-or-treating.

Are you stitching anything for Halloween? Costumes? Decorations? 

Link up your blog or instagram post below and share your projects with us!

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Design Wall Monday

Finally I am posting a design wall blog post on a Monday! 

I received a bag of blocks from my friend Dorothy who is moving and decluttering. She was done with this project and tired of her scraps (we all know how that goes!) and I accepted the challenge to make them into something.

I put them on my design wall to see what I had to work with. She had some partially constructed blocks in the bag so the first thing I did was finish those. Then I decided to add a white sashing to separate the blocks a bit. 

Because about half of the blocks had blue borders, I decided to make 4 blue rows, and the other rows would be the remaining colours which were red, pink, purple green and black. (Yes, there is a dinosaur on the right hand side of the second row - quilting studios are wild places sometimes!)

And here is the quilt top so far on the design floor.

I think it needs another white border on both sides and then maybe another scrappy squares border on top and bottom? It's still a work in progress. 

Linking up to Design Wall Monday at Judy's

Slow Sunday Stitching

Welcome to Slow Stitching Sunday where we make efforts to slow down our lives, to breathe deeply, to pick up a needle and thread, and take some slow stitches.

I had a lovely visit with some quilting friends last weekend, and I must share a photo of our Slow Sunday Stitching friend Deanna (who blogs at "In stitches with Deanna"). 

It was so realxing to watch her hand quilting hearts on a sweet lap quilt. You can see the whole design on her blog, and the amazing centre pattern (called La Fin Du Monde) that she made in a class with Libs Elliott. 

I have slowly been continuing the cross stitching on Owls and Acorns (a free chart pattern from Blue Ribbon Designs). I started the vines and pumpkins.  Much more progress has been made on this sampler, but this seems to be the only photo I took.

I also made and sewed a binding to a scrappy community outreach quilt. Yesterday I finished hand stitching the binding on one side - only 3 more sides to go. This has to be finished to submit to the guild collection by next Saturday. I think I can do it!

Thank you to those who left comments on last week's post. I was so happy to hear from those of you that have the same challenge as I do in terms of finishing projects. You almost made it seem like I am "normal"! You truly are my tribe! LOL

I hope you will link up your blog or instagram link  below and share the projects you are putting stitches into this week.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

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Slow Sunday Stitching

Welcome to the weekly hand stitching party! Make yourself a cup of tea or coffee, or pumpkin spice latte to enjoy while visiting the blogs of stitchers around the world. It's so inspiring to see what other people are creating with their own two hands.

I admitted to myself this week that I may have a tiny problem! Apparently I love to start new projects, but don't enjoy finishing them! Here is a photo of my design wall today with several embroidery and cross stitch projects that I have worked on this year.

I loved stitching each one of them and yet there they are - still unfinished. I likely will finish them some day, but for now, I will put them on the design wall and enjoy looking at them. Does anyone else have this problem?!? 

In keeping with my bad habit, I am working on a new cross stitch called "Owls and Acorns" which is a free pattern from Blue Ribbon Designs. I have finished the top border of acorns and leaves, the 2 owls, and much of the alphabet. SO FUN! 

I'd like to announce that the winner of the draw for the Strawberry Faire pattern that I posted 2 weeks ago is Carol C. Email me your address Carol and I can get the pattern in the mail to you (you are listed as a "no reply blogger") Congratulations on the win and I hope you enjoy this pattern as much as I did!

What are you hand stitching today? Are you a stitcher who finishes every project? Or do you jump into new starts knowing that you have a pile of UFO's? Link up your blog post below and share your projects with us.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

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Slow Sunday Stitching

It's Sunday and you know what that means... it's time for the weekly hand stitching party! We hope you will pick up your needles and thread or yarn and start making some stitches. 

In Canada we are celebrating Thanksgiving this weekend. I know it seems early for those who celebrate in November, but we really enjoy having a 3 day weekend to spend time outdoors with family and friends while the weather is still good. I will be seeing all the members of my immediate family this weekend and am so happy!

I am also happy because I have finished stitching the *squirrel*!

Squirrels can be so annoying in the sewing room - they take over everything and make a mess! I was digging through the floss stash to find autumn colours for the letters which was so fun, but floss packets are everywhere. Hopefully the cleaning lady comes soon! 

PS - I am the cleaning lady but I'm so busy stitching that I have no interest in cleaning up! But that's always my excuse - creativity trumps cleaning!

This delightful squirrel sampler is a free pattern from Melisa - click here to get one for yourself. She also has a mini apple sampler and a mini pumpkin sampler. I need more hours in the day for stitching!

What are the autumn projects you are stitching today? Are you starting on Halloween projects yet? ink up your instagram or blog posts below and share your progress with us.

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One Monthly Goal

Patty has resigned from hosting the One Monthly Goal link up, but luckily Anne-Marie who blogs at Stories from the sewing room is taking over. I find that the motivation to finish something each month is helpful. Even when I don't reach my goal, I do work on my goal projects and at least move them forward to completion.

I have two projects to finish for Christmas, and this month I'm going to focus on finishing the Bargello tablerunner I made at a Cherished Pieces class in the summer. This is a very grainy photo of me taken from the store's facebook photos. It was a fun class that I took with my sister and I want my project to be ready for Christmas. The fabrics used were in a kit that was made for the class, so if you'd like to make one like it, contact Cherished Pieces and see if they still have kits left to purchase.

My next steps are to find a backing, some batting scraps to sew together, and a binding.

Linking up to One Monthly Goal