Babies are grand!

Our family has been very fortunate in many ways, thirteen of these being grand nieces and nephews. My husband's side of the family is a little more prolific than mine, but we love all of them equally. The oldest of this group just started his first year of university, and the youngest is just five weeks old! And we are expecting number 14 early in the new year! Recently we drove to Nova Scotia to help celebrate my niece’s little guy’s 4th birthday! His younger sister tends to lead my hubby around by the nose, as he just melts into a big old puddle when he gets to spend time with her. 

I finally have a little gift ready to send to the newest member of the family. As always when I need a baby gift, I wrangled a sweet little hat from my sister, Joanne and I made a soft little quiltlet that I tied with some soft pink thread to add to the parcel.

 

St Paul’s Church - “Stories in Stitches"

The church I grew up in is currently hosting a quilt, hooked rug and needlework show, “Stories in Stitches”, in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. I have one special quilt in the show, as well as another I quilted for a friend on my longarm.

But, I was most pleased about this......

I was sent these photos by one of the convenors and it was my daughter who pointed out that the liturgical shawl my Mom and I made for Mom’s friend, a deacon in the church, was displayed near the altar. You can see it draped behind a beautiful hooked rug on the right hand side of this photo.

It’s comforting, and only right, to think that Mom’s stitching was part of a show she would have no doubt been very excited about and involved in. 

Follow your instincts

I had several false starts which means a lot of “unsewing”, but finally I went with my gut. Now I am happily stitching. Sometimes it makes sense to listen to that little voice that tells you what you should be doing. 

Future Projects

My daughter was home for a few days....and left these on the table for me.....

Good color choices, I say! Soon to be quilt tops, I hope......Definitely works in progress!

A beachy interlude

I never get tired of beaches. How pretty is this shot of the Beresford Beach in Northern New Brunswick? It’s amazing how early morning treks beside the pounding surf are so good for the soul.....

Two views of our little paradise

Comfort quilt

Comfort quilts. The reason for creating them is often a sad, miserable turn of events in someone’s life. 

The mom of one of my daughter’s close friends received news no one ever deserves to get. I suggested Simone contact Victoria’s Quilts and request a quilt for her. Simone asked if I would consider making a quilt suited to the mom’s tastes. Simone and I chose fabrics via Facetime and I got started. 

I have never designed, pieced, quilted and bound a quilt so quickly.

I used  a variety of fabrics from my rather extensive collection, a backing I had picked up in Maine and Omni natural thread. Simone requested a poly batting so that the quilt would be puffy and cuddly.

I used some of my new skills learned in a workshop with DeLoa Jones and completed it with freehand continuous quilting.

I hope it brings some measure of comfort as our friend receives treatment.