BITS & PIECES

Bits & Pieces

Hard to believe we are one month into 2015. Despite my resolutionsto do frequent blog updates; use stash; not buy more fabric and not begin any more projects until the UFO pile shrinks I jumped feet first into newness and forgot all my best intentions. And I began with small pieces ..

I did raid my scrap box for Pat Sloan's HipTo Be Square challence. So far there is space for 375 2 1/2 squares in my scrap bin. At least it is a start. I think my scrap useage is controlled random because I have trouble just pulling bits and stitching them together.

I will also work on the Sloan Mystery 2015 .. Vacation Time. I am stitching this in two different colorways and mostly stash . I did however need to buy a lovely green to match the flowers. And a picture in the snow seemed to fit the weather.

These are paper piecing blocks from The Adventurous Quilter's  2015 BOM. Last fall I picked up PP again and am enjoying how relaxing it can be.

I am also playing with these pretty fabrics for the We Support You blog hop hosted by Sew WE Quilt.  Watch on Feb 6 for my creations.

We are in the middle of a snow/freezing rain/ice pellets combination so the happiest place for me might be stitching with a cuppa near by.

~~ Happy New Year ~~

HAPPY NEW YEAR

 Santa's helper elves are back in the North Pole and are "settled down for a long winter's nap". But not before they grabbed a warm afghan and indulged in a fine meal.   

I did stitch a few runners before Xmas.

Tea With Santa

 One of the crafting magazines I read recently said to look to your surroundings for inspiration. This is what I found:

Greeting Cards

Napkins & Christmas Jugs

A Christmas Arrangement

Church

A Tree Ornament I Crafted Eons Ago

My Sister's Shower Curtain

Creative Crayon Use

And my beautiful niece with her horse.

It would be my dream in 2015 to quilt inspired by the spirit around me. To look at something and see a vision and translate that into fabric. 

My wish for you in 2015 may be found in this Gaelic Prayer:

Old Gaelic Prayer of Peace

 ~~~ Deep peace of the running waters to you  ~~~ Deep peace of the flowing air to you  ~~~ Deep peace of  the smiling stars to you ~~~ Deep peace of the quiet earth to you ~~~ Deep peace of the watching shepherds to you ~~~ Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you.  ~~~                                                                               (Fiona MacLeod, 1855-1905)

Happy New Year 

May your bobbins be full, may your stitches be small and even, may your seam ripper be dusty and may your year be full of fabric and quilts. 

MR OCTOBER

Mr October

 I just had to bring Mr October back as he enjoys the last of our Canadian fall. He has become one of my favorite decorations. Hasn't aged a bit. 

Skeleton Parade
by Jack Prelutsky

The skeletons are out tonight,
they march about the street,
With bony bodies, bony heads
and bony hands and feet.
Bony bony bony bones
with nothing in between,
Up and down and all around
they march on Halloween.

 

Happy Hallowe'en

BLACK CAT CROSSING

Black Cat Crossing

                                             

If three cats take a stroll along the East River does that qualify then to join a blog hop ? 

Welcome to Black Cat Crossing the spooktacular Halloween hop where ghostly creativity shines. And keeping the brew stirred is Wicked Wendy and Mdm Samm. 

 I wanted to stitch this paper pieced cat pattern by Artisana for a long time. 

My plan was to use this as a table runner but after seeing it in nature I might have to add a quilt sleeve.

A young lady I know worked with children last summer and they drew skateboarding cats. A perfect pattern for a cat on the move.

 She gets a new bag to carry her art supplies.            

A spooky cat  mug mat with wide eyes will keep you alert.

I became the owner this summer of this lovely mat which was too cute not to include. My sister does lovely stitching doesn't she ? I am not that fond of bugs but this one has been very peaceful since she arrived home with me.

I am not supposed to be starting new projects but when I saw this sweet pillow in the latest issue of Quilters Connection I could not resist.  I thought the cushion is lovely, I could use up Halloween scraps and better yet I could easily have it finished for the hop.

That was much too cute to just make a pillow and I had a basket of scraps and who needs to finish on time anyway. So I have another UFO (must be consuming too much witches brew)

   So pour a cup of brew and have a visit with today's other hoppers. I am lucky enough to have Girl Guide cookies for my sweet snack. 

                          Thursday, October 23

                                                                              VroomansQuilts

                                                                                 Lovelli Quilts

                                                                              Pampered Pettit

                                                                      **  TeaTimeCreations  **

                                                          Whims and Fancies 

FALL BEAUTY

Fall Beauty

                                                

Went for a walk along the East River this morning and took a quilt along.

The fall leaves were stunningly beautiful.

Wishing all a Happy Thanksgiving Day.