It’s a week of finished objects so buckle up…

Furry Forest Friends? What FO is this, you must be asking….

Well, the other day, I found myself with a free afternoon, so of course, I wanted to sew. I really should have put the Happy Camper top together, but as I’ve said before, piecing tops isn’t really my favourite part of quilting. I wanted something small to work on. I had an empty project box, so why not start something new?

I’d been eyeing up my Chocolate Covered Pinwheels quilt the other day… it was one of my first quilts, and it really shows. I knew I could make much better pinwheels now. So I pulled out a fat quarter pack I’ve been itching to play with…

But as soon as I ironed out those woodland creature prints, I knew I couldn’t chop them up into itty bitty pinwheel pieces.

Just look at those cute characters! So instead, I kept those blocks large, chopped up the accent fabrics, chopped up some pink solid, and turned them into four patches. And before I knew it…

I had a top for a baby blanket done!

I didn’t intended to quilt it so soon, but I took it up to Mom’s when I went to quilt Honey Patch. I wanted her opinion on how to quilt it. In the end, we both agreed, diagonal lines would look cute, so while I was quilting Honey Patch on the long arm, Mom put a walking foot on one of her smaller machines and got to work.

The result is a sweet little baby quilt that’s stunning in it’s simplicity.

It was such a fun, fast little project.

Made even better by the fact that I was able to use up the last of my Holly Hobby flannel on the back!

Hello September! You sure came up awfully fast.

It’s ok, you’re definitely one of my favourite months. And this year, you’ve brought a few surprises…

Like this little Black-Eyed Susan. She suddenly popped up in the sidewalk garden. She’s unlike any of the other Susans I have elsewhere, so I have no idea where she came from.

Then there’s this snap dragon! I had snap dragons in the sidewalk garden last year, but as I’ve mentioned before, they don’t usually come back. I had one reseed itself in the Little Bee Garden out back, but it’s been there for months. This one just popped up a couple weeks ago. It looks like there may be more popping up too. Curiouser and Curiouser.

The Peach Foxglove have started blooming again. The Foxglove were a little lackluster this year (compared to previous years) so it’s nice to see this one having a second round!

And can you believe I’ve still got a few Daylilies blooming? This one is Frans Hals, and it looks like it will be the last for the year. Still… it’s so nice to see them go on so long!

And it looks like the Monarchs are beginning their long flight south. There’s been a steady stream of them coming through the back yard. They’ve been filling up on nectar and then go on their way. They are such beautiful visitors…

And thankfully very hard for the resident yard watchmen to catch!

Those leader and ender blocks stack up much quicker than you’d expect. My scrappy nine-patches were starting to spill over their basket so I decided it was time to lay them all out and see where I’m at.

This quilt is inspired by Jenny’s Nine Patch on Point, and all those blocks will have a plain white block between them. As you can see, I’ve got enough for a lap-size quilt. But I’ve also got a lot of 2.5 inch squares left, so I can definitely keep going. And If I change my mind… well then I have enough blocks to make TWO lap-size quilts!

Here’s where all my other quilty projects are at:

• Happy Camper – This top is still awaiting assembly. I just need a good long afternoon free. And the will to suck it up and do it.
• A Fish Called Rhonda – Just keep swimming, just keep swimming!
• Celtic Dreams – Two blocks done, four to go!
• Leader and Ender quilt – As you see above!

Last week I hopped a train and headed north…

Though Toronto is only and hour away, I don’t go often now that I work from home. But I made a special trip to meet up with a very special friend…

The wonderful Aneesha! Our plan was dinner and shopping, but Aneesha knows I love to play the tourist, so she took us on a slightly more scenic route as we made our way to the Eaton Centre.

Our walk took us through the grounds of Osgoode Hall and it’s beautiful gardens.

Just check out the size of those Hibiscus blooms.

We passed over Nathan Philips square, which looked like it was getting ready for a weekend event.

And eventually made it to the Eaton Centre with its iconic geese.

After much shopping, eating and catching up, we made our way back to Union Station to catch our respective trains and subways.

And you know I took full advantage of all that train time…

… two hours of knitting later, the first Mojito sock is past the heel and moseying right along!

We’re heading into the last long weekend of summer… don’t forget to take some time to smell the flowers…

Another quilt is off my to-quilt list!

I give you the beautiful, golden Honey Patch. It’s a pretty little lap quilt that came together from a charm pack, a few quarter and half-yard cuts, and some clearance bin finds.

The blocks of this one are basic – just a simple four-patch-within-a-four-patch. Add some sashing, cornerstones and a couple borders and voila – a pretty little lap quilt.

It’s about 50″x65″ so not huge, but perfect for a couch or patio.

The binding matches the black sashing, and the backing was another fabulous clearance bin find.

And now it’s packed up and in the mail, intended for someone very deserving!  I hope it enjoys its new home.

After a rough start, I’m happy to say Ursa is rolling right along…

As you can see, this little she-bear just needs sleeves! I gave her a quick try on and I’m thrilled with the fit. As you know, I usually make cardigans – that’s because pullovers never seem to look right on me… but this one… this one might just be perfect!

Time to get rockin’ on those sleeves.

With Rainbow Block Party out of it’s project box and in the to-quilt pile, I could have started something new. But I’m not sure what I want to sew next. And, if I want to get Dave’s quilt done in time for Christmas, I really need to get cracking on it.

So, I banged out another block…

Gosh, I really LOVE these blocks! They use such basic elements (squares and HSTs) but they really pack a punch.

You may recall that I was debating between four or six blocks (these guys are BIG!), and now with two blocks complete…

I’m 100% sure I want six blocks. It means buying more fabric, but I was going to have to buy more for sashing and borders… what’s a few extra yards?

While I did cast on Ursa for myself, I also cast one of those last projects from the gift list…

The sweater is too bulky to make good travel knitting, so I figured I might as well cast on a pair of socks. I’m slowly working my way through the pile of Aran yarn I bought back in February of last year for heavy man socks. This colourway is Mojito, and as you can see, it’s fun and bright!

Any while they will knit up quick, don’t expect to see a finish on these super soon. My main focus will be on Ursa. These are just for the days I get stuck on the road.

August is slipping away but the blooms keep coming!

 

 

And I’m very proud of my small, but mighty garlic!

I will definitely grow more of these next year!