More Quilt Alongs

   Is it good to have enough quilt alongs and block of the months so that you can call it block of the day? Hum. Call me crazy. Yes, I've joined 3 more. Two from Stitchin' Tree

and Freshly Pieced's new 2019 BOM.

   Besides all this I'm working on the remaining 80 Splendid Sampler II's blocks. Since applique is not my forte, these blocks are being done first. This prevents having to continuously change the decorative thread. Ugh.  That being said here is the next free block. It's Radio Waves by Pat Sloan. Very easy.

The corner triangles were cut larger so that the block could be trimmed to the correct size.

   Ah, the life of Riley. What more can anyone ask for? R and R in the sun. 

I see you taking my picture.

Over 70

   The other day I just had to read Maclean's, Canada's happiest people are teenage boys and women over 70 article. Women over 70 are healthy, happy and enriched by life experience. The boys are' self-deluded' in their own bliss, and that's another story.

Me, I claim to be an intermediate senior, not quite 65, and definitely enjoy my semi-retired life. What is better than sitting down at a sewing machine and stitching to one's heart content, especially with Kitty or puppy by your side? Nothing, well okay, playing with grand children or pets, and visiting with friends, especially quilting friends, and family. Accordingly, we reap the benefits of having a strong sense of belonging and accomplishment. You bet we do. There is nothing better than sitting with a group of quilters and making the last stitch on a binding.

   This brings me to the next free Splendid Sampler II block, Flower Child by Carolee McMullin, owner of ADORNit.

I have to say I'm getting very proficient at applique and using more decorative stitches.  Two hints: 1) press center seams open, 2) to get the stripe going in the same direction, place the two squares either wrong or right sides together and cut diagonally.

   For those of you who have never been to Calgary or have just come during one season, ie winter or Calgary Stampede, here is a link to Maggie Ssuzzy's pictures. The music is strange for Calgary so I recommend that you watch the video with the music off.

   Splendid Sampler Block 17, Pineapple by Jane Davidson.  A little pineapple to go with the bacon. This block was much easier if you machine embroidered the little squares. Then did french or colonial knots. I definitely wasn't going to fuse or needle turn the squares. Unh-unh, nada, no way Jose. And it was even easier if you had the right fabric. Just so happens we did. Fussy cut then add colonial knot in the darker circles. WooHoo!

   If you asked me years ago to make 6" blocks I'd have laughed and said no way. And now, after making the 150 Canadian Women quilt, I love the smaller squares. Check out the latest block for the 2018 Murder Mystery quilt. Five, yes FIVE, inches square. Oh so cute. I'm finding that nothing larger than 9" squares are my favorite.

The only problem was trimming 100, yes ONE HUNDRED, hst's to 1.5" square.
Way too cute.

   We are now back in warm fall weather. Maybe, what they call, indian summer.

Good evening everyone. Last week was dreadful. It snowed and snowed and snowed. I might get my paws wet and cold. However, it was fun bugging mom to let me outside even though I had no plans to go outside. She is such a sucker. But, you know there is always a but, when the weather finally warmed up, mom let me outside unsupervised. I think she went to get her coat and forgot about me. Anyways, the door shut and I scratched and scratched and scratched. When the door opened she was so apologetic. I got a treat. Then ignored her.

Women's History Month in Canada Cathedral

   Besides fall and maybe winter, October in Canada is Women's History Month. Which brings us to ask how many of you are slowly working on the 150 Canadian Women quilt? Even if you just work on it 15 minutes a day, you will be surprised at how much you get done during October. 

One historical woman is the Honourable Jean Augustine. She was born in Grenada in 1937, raised by her grandmother (what would we do without grandmothers that believed in education) and immigrated to Canada in the early 1960's. She earned her Master's in Education while teaching school then became a school principal. Being a strong advocate for human rights, Jean Augustine was involved in training teachers in equality and diversity, and in the development and launch of Canada's official multiculturalism policy in 1971. She was also the first black woman elected to Canada's House of Commons and was there for 4 elections until retirement in 2006.

     Between platefuls of turkey, dressing and pumpkin pie, have you managed to get the 16th free block, Cathedral Windows by Jenny Doan completed? It's a fun block to make. The trick for us was to get the folded triangle to cover the center diamond square. We had to pin big time. What a great way to use up scraps! Nine squares in this little baby.

      Okay, back to the pumpkin pie. Wishing all of you a Canadian

Ohhh my, I'm so full of turkey. Mom says that tomorrow we are both back on the metabolic food or the vets will be giving us a major talking to. Hee Hee, good thing I don't understand vet talk I just have to look pretty.