Pixelated Heart Quilt Fun.

My dear quilting friend Lise, brought this photo of a pixelated heart quilt to my craft emporium for a play date. 

This pattern is a scrap-busters dream come true.. 

Just look at all those lovely squares!! 

In Electric Quilt 8 (EQ8), I copied the layout using 2.5" patches or 2" finished blocks.  The centre is 13 rows and 13 columns resulting in a square quilt top 26" by 26" before adding borders. 

I always make a rectangle quilt not a square.  While playing with these 2" blocks in EQ8, not only did I change the size of the blocks in the borders, I added a bigger block in the middle of the heart.  This pattern was so much fun to play with.  The possibilities are unlimited. 

To date, I finished two pixelated heart quilts and started a third one.  This veggie tale quilt was donated to Project Linus.  Apparently I forgot to take a photo of the finished quilt. 

I fussy cut the veggie tale blocks, made 9 patches, blocks can be any size as long as the divide equally by 2, the veggie tale centre block in this quilt finished 6" square as did the top and bottom border blocks.

Stitching Susie's Magic binding. 

Building the second quilt on the design wall.

Decided that the centre block would finish 10" wide by 8" tall, with the same dancing little girls for the top and bottom borders.  Now to build the rest of the quilt.

Fussy cut the hungry little caterpillar, cupcakes, Peppa pig, and owls for the 2.5" patches.

Used purple thread in the needle and white thread in the bobbin to stitch the purple flange on Susie's Magic binding. 

Back is flannel.

Susie's magic binding.

Below is free motion quilting heart shaped leaves with purple thread in the needle and white thread in the bobbin. 

Still have lots of 2.5" patches left to make more.  Happy Stitching!

Sample Block quilt with Half Square Triangle Zig Zag Border

My objectives for 2022 were to finish my UFOs (unfinished objects) and not buy any more fabric or thread. My stash is so big I will need to live to be 140 years old to use it all up. This sample block quilt started out from 12 blocks given to me by a lady who no longer quilted. I did not have any of the fabrics in my stash that are in these blocks.

After playing with lots of fabric in the stash, ended up with greens browns and pinks.

I used the embroidery unit on my Pfaff sewing machine to quilt these designs.

The back is pink flannel. I free motion quilted zigzags on the inside border as well as outside border.

These blocks were given to me in December 2018. Completed April 2022, better late than not at all. I used Electric Quilt 8 to design this quilt.

Lots of photos as a picture speaks a 1000 words.

PVC Plumbing Pipe Table Risers for Plastic Folding Table.

I belong to a local quilting group called Nifty Needlers. A few years ago one of members suggested using pvc plumbing pipe and covers to make table risers for plastic folding tables. I experimented with different pipe lengths. Mine are 15" long and counter height is 37". This raises the table so that is it so much easier on the back especially for pin basting and cutting fabric with rotary cutter. I have four tables two are set up all the time for cutting fabric. The other two, I strap together for pin basting quilts.

Bar stool to demonstrate counter height.

The ones in this photo were too short, the ideal height for me is 15".

I made the straps with luggage quick release clips and nylon polypropylene webbing.

The pvc pipe stops at the bend in the table legs, it fits snug I have to pull them off. The table is sturdy, it does not wobble. Added benefit of raising the table height is storage space underneath. The PVC pipe is 1.5" wide. At 11" tall my first pipes were too short, the leg would hit the bottom and did not raise the table. I experimented by putting 6" lengths of broom handle inside the pipe which made the table very wobbly. So I bought another pipe and covers. 15" is the perfect height for me you can get 4 leg risers from a 6' pipe. I bought my pvc pipe and caps at Home Hardware they cut the pipe in the store for free. Hope this helps.

Ongoing Covid Pandemic. Sheesh.

While looking up a recipe on my blog I realized I stopped blogging in April 2020, after covid 19 spread like wild fire shutting down not only Canada but the entire world.  

Prior to March 23, 2020 I had never made a face mask.  Today, December 26, 2021 I have sewn over 2,000 of them, most were donated, others sold to recoup supply costs and meet an ongoing demand for good fitting masks especially for children. The design favourite is 3D cotton face masks with silicone adjustment buckles and ponytail beads on elastic ear loops. There are tons of free you tube tutorials, this is the one I used.  I modified the pattern to have side casings.

Wrapping the ponytail beads behind the head creates an ear saver mask, that stays in place.  This is a better fit for little kids and folks who wear glasses. 

Bubble bees, owls, humming birds, dragon flies and lady bugs.

In June 2021, my second Pfizer shot.  Look at the size of the needle.  I was so very brave. On December 23rd I got the third booster with a grape sucker.  There was a big basket of them, I think they were for the kids but the pharmacist said anyone could have one.  

I was praying and hoping that we would not need to continue wearing face masks and social distancing since vaccinations were effective.  Sadly with covid variants, folks against vaccinations and health restrictions the pandemic continues.  These days I am not making as many masks, in Canada recent mask recommendations are for KN95 masks or medical disposable masks.  

I do not make new year's resolutions but do set goals.  In 2022, it is my intention to get back to sewing quilts, cell phone bags, hair towels, pj pants, bucket sun hats and anything else that tickles my fancy.  Also in 2022, I'm going to try really hard not to buy anymore fabric or thread for the entire year.  Another goal is to blog more often to catch up on events missed in 2021 and current activities.