One Foot in Front of the Other

This post is very difficult for me to write. I have been mulling it over and over in my head and have decided to just start writting and see how it goes. Deep Breath.... For the past year my dear husband of 42 years has been suffering from End Stage non-alcoholic Liver Disease. Last November our hopes were high as he was put on the Liver Transplant List. This summer, however, proved medically challenging and sadly on Sept 4 the love of my life passed away. Life will never be the same without his unwavering love, support and great sense of humor. I have the unending love and support of family and so many friends and I will get through this. I am continuing to find comfort in my sewing and have been able to spend some time in the quilt studio. Since this blog is about my quilting adventures I will continue to post my starts and finishes and goings on relating to my craft. I could not, however, carry on as tho nothing had changed when, everything has changed. In my next post I will return to my usual sharing. One foot in front of the other...I can only move forward and he would want it that way.

I will miss him forever, Kay

Another Schnibble's

I am just a wee bit behind now on the Another Year of Scnibbles's projects. I did finally finish July which was, I believe, my choice, so I made Paganini, version #4. I saw this made up in a larger size at a local quilt shop and really liked it. I used Vintage Modern for my fabric choice and used a light grey solid by Kona Cotton that I had in my stash.

I also finished a skirt for grand daughter Stella. I found the mustash fabric on Spoonflower Fabrics. The blue fabric is a vintage piece and the silver and black check is Lakehouse. The pattern is "Olivia Skirt" by Butterfly Kisses patterns. I hope everyone has a great holiday weekend. Until we meet again.. Keep Calm and Sew On ooxx Kay

I am still here!!

I don't know what is happening to Blogger. I have been trying to compose a post this morning and I can only post in HTML. I'm not even sure it will post from here. Well here it goes. I have been encountering many road blocks to updating my blog..this recent one is just the last of many. I was begining to think that maybe I wasn't meant to blog right now?? We continue to struggle with my hubby's ever changing health issues. He is currently in a rehabilitation facility so skilled staff can help him gain strength while monitoring his very complicated chronic illness. Meanwhile, in my "spare time" (haha) I have finished a quilt for my grand daughter's birthday and my secret project , a wedding quilt for my niece and husband-to-be, the wedding is Aug 25, Pam at quiltingsquareone.blogspot.com did anamazing job machine quilting her magic onto the quilt.

This is the finished quilt for my grand daughter Stella's birthday.

Wedding quilt for Angela and Matt. Double Pinwheel using Fig Tree fabrics. King Size!

I will try to post more pictures when I can get blogger to co-operate.

Kay

Breathe

Taking many deep breaths these last few weeks. Since I posted last life has been challenging, I have not found nearly enough time in my "quilt studio" and I have struggled to meet my self-imposed deadlines.

Last week I came across a tutorial for converting a wooden folding table (TV tray) into a portable ironing board. Here is how mine turned out, I found it on Martha Stewart's website..gotta love Martha Right??? 
This took less than an hour to complete. I did buy the table but all the other supplies I already had. I bought this fabric a couple of years ago hoping to make a new cover for my "other" ironing board but I love it on this. I find this size very useful next to my sewing machine and works great with the smaller travel size iron.
Now I can fold up the "big" one and just bring it out when I need to press bigger things..allows much more room in my space!!

Now for what I have managed to sew this month. Still working on the "secret" quilt, so can't show progress on that yet, but finished my 12 dresden plates for the Bunny Hill Designs free pattern, just deciding on what to use for sashing .

I have purchased a wonderful red and white polka dot for the border.

not the final arrangement!

I recently bought a new book called Sliver Quilts by Lisa O'Neil. The concept intrigued me and when I turned to page 35 and saw the "Stella" quilt...then read that this quilt was designed to celebrate the 4th of July...well I had to buy the book and make this quilt. The reason?? Well I have a grand daughter named Stella and her birthday is the 4th of July :-)..I hope to get this at least pieced together by her birthday and I will add a border to make it a little bigger to snuggle under. Oh by the way, Stella will be 11 this year.

Here is a Baby Quilt made for youngest gran daughter's Kindergarten teacher for her first grand child.
My daughter used the art work made my the children in  the kindergarten classes to make a piece of art to auction at the annual  spring auction this year. Then she printed the art work on transfer fabric by EQ.
I assembled the blocks and machine quilted it just in time for the last day of school. It was a real hit.

 I had to take a break from the Year of Schnibbles that I have been participating in, hubby was in ICU for three days at the beginning of the month total of 7 days in hospital. Had to concentrate on my immediate deadlines and I plan on making June and July next month. I really love the design for June called Leap Year so I hope I can catch up!!
Speaking of catching up.. better get started.
Today's goal...finish piecing the Stella blocks !
Have a great weekend and a great 4th of July!!!
ox Kay

A Few New Things

Well, here we are at the end of another month. The summer is getting closer and closer, at least on
the calendar. I have finished a few projects and still have many more waiting for me to remember them.
I finished  the Year of Schnibbles pattern for May, Doc using 30's playtime as the fabric choice.

I like the vintage feel that this paring has. It seems Card Trick and 30's reproductions are a good match.
My next finish is from the pattern called Victory Garden. I have been working on it off and on all month and when I finished it Monday I realized that it would be done in time to celebrate the Queens Jubilee. I have British roots and family that reside there. I ordered the kit for "Baby Brit" using Cabbages and Roses Northcote Range.

. Today the weather is very grey and raining so hard to get a real good picture. I will take another when it is quilted.
I have also been working on something using Fig Tree and a double pinwheel pattern. It needs to remain a secret for now but I thought I could at least share the first 2 blocks.

So long May and hello June, I hope you bring some sunny days!!
Take care
Kay xo

Summer Day

Dreaming of a Summer Day as a California Girl!!!

April's Schnibble "Summer Day" using "California Girl"

I grew up here in Western Washington and as a teen envied those girls lucky enough to live in California.

Those Beach Boy songs made sun and the beach sound very appealing!! 

This will be a great little Summer quilt to hang on the porch. 

We won't see summer weather here until July but I can dream.

At least my favorite flower is blooming..Lilac. 

I think I will go out and cut a bouquet and enjoy their lovely scent :-)

Here's to Summer Days!!

ox Kay

Planning, Starting and Finishing

Not much to report here at the Studio. Did manage to get "Bibelot" the March Year of Schnibbles quilt finished and quilted before the end of the month..Yea :-).
I used Blueberry Crumb Cake charm packs. I have always been in love with Blue quilts and this fabric line worked just great with this pattern.

I attended the Sewing Expo at the beginning of the month and bought a fabulous pattern at the Shabby Fabrics booth (the best booth there!!!!) from designer Brenda Riddle from The Acorn Quilt Co called "By My Hand",

I have been obsessed with finding what I had in my stash and then supplementing with a few fabrics found at work and on the internet. I was very pleased with what I found that I already had in my collection. This will be a beautiful quilt..I just love that it is a Sampler!!!! I will let you know how it progresses.
I just finished piecing a quilt Stars in the Garden from Shabby Fabrics started last spring. I used some of my Pom Pom left-overs and a Robin Pandolph called Hannah Bella that I bought just two pieces of  ages ago and decided it was time for it get out of the cupboard and into a quilt. I really love the colors in the large floral stripe and used them for my inspiration for the stars.

I also have a commitment to make the Athill Range model for the shop .

I am feeling really good about how much of my stash I have managed to use lately and I will continue to get those ufo's out remember why I loved them in the first place.
Well there you have it!!
Here's to a productive weekend!!
Hope you all find some time to do what you really love!!!
Ta ta for now :) Kay ox