Is there such a thing as too many pillows?

That is a long title, but a good question I think. However I know the answer - No! Bring on the pillows! These wee works of art are great instant gratification projects that allow me to try new techniques, mix up colors and patterns, use UFOs and wipe out some WiPs. Oh and did I mention that the darned things will also be making a seniors day? They are like the unicorn of quilted things.

Seriously, all of this has been happening over the last few months as I have been stitching away on pillows!

First I NEED to tell you about #87pillows. This initiative is the brainchild of my friend and fellow MMQG Executive Member Jeanette at Stamp Stitch Create. The idea was simple, make a pillow for each resident of a local Long Term Care Facility. The particular facility is Maplestone Enhanced Care in Halifax and the administration there are quite excited to see all of the pillows!

The Hexi pillow was an abandoned piece of EPP that got used up. The Kisses Block was an orphan block that I repurposed and used to practice FMQ.

The modern drunkards path pillow was a trial in working with curves. And I tired to create a rainbow effect with some Anna Maria Horner fabric. One worked, one failed, I'm ok with it. Also practice circular quilting with my walking foot.

So I have been having fun making pillows to donate to this initiative. I have a personal connection to Long Term Care as I sent the first six years of my very early career working in nursing homes. I have seen some of the happiest and saddest moments during my time working in these residents homes, and I know these pillows will bring a ray of sunshine to everyone!

I made five pillows so far to donate, these four and this Hazel Hedgehog I finished a couple of months ago. We are pretty excited to see the final count of #87pillows at the June MMQG meeting. We are getting really close! If you want to get involved there is still time! You can make a pillow, or donate forms / fabric. Forms should be a minimum of 14" Square. You can connect with Jeannette for more details.

I also have been making pillows for gifts. A Hazel Hedgehog and an Initial "H" for some special ladies in my life. (the fancy fox is the same guy in the earlier pictures. He gets around).

So that's that catch up on the pillow situation. Next time...baby quilts! I know. Deep breaths.
See Ya!
Adrienne

... and then I retreated

After those five mega quilts, I needed a break! So with some amazing work from our executive, the Maritime Modern Quilt Guild headed out on their very first retreat. Two full days, two full nights of unadulterated sewing, eating, sipping, talking and laughing. It was SO FUN! You can find many more pis of the weekend over at the MMQG blog, so I'll just share a couple here. So much quilty goodness...

My personalized flare button that Miss Purple Boots & Pigtails made for each of us as her swag bag contribution. LOVE!

A highlight of the weekend was the swag bags. People signed up to be part and contributed an item to the swag bag. Some made handmade items, some gave notions and fabric. And the candy...I can't even.  I made some lip balm key rings. A great scrap buster and doesn't take oodles of time. I used this tutorial.

But look at the swag!

I have never gone on a retreat before so I really wasn't sure what to expect. I knew I could fill one full day, but was not sure if I would get bored with projects etc. So what to bring?? In the end I decided that in the spirit of the Year of The Stash I would bring my pile of WiPs and tackle them!

In the end, I took 12 WiPs. At unpacking I had 3 finished, significantly furthered 4 others and donated 1. That leaves a lot less to do!!! A couple of my favorites from the weekend... I finally finished the top on this green goodness

 And, I finished a little geometric sewing machine to add to my Mini wall.

OMG, I am busting at the seams again just thinking about that great weekend. Time to plan for next year!

Have you retreated? What's your favorite / least favorite part?

Cheers!
Adrienne

I did it!

Um...yeah...been away for a bit. Good news is, while I have not been writing about it, I have been sewing up a storm. Need to get back here to tell you all about my adventures over the last while. I will spend the next few posts getting caught up. I have missed writing. And of course you have missed me! Clearly my modesty has not decreased.

Lets work our way from back to front shall we? You may remember that back in January I set a lofty goal to finish five queens sized custom order quilts by March 31st. I did it!

After some machine mishaps, tender fingers from way too much basting, and the odd swear word and self loathing for taking on such a project I finished with five days to spare.

Made from old sheets, these quilts turned out to be the softest bits of summery goodness. I can just picture cuddling under one of them on  a summer porch.

Here are a few shots of them on the line. Simple patchwork was the order of the day, and some minimal straight line quilting for the delicate fabric. Simple, simple, simple. I love it! And good news, my customer loved them too!

I ended up having enough flannel sheets in the pile to cover all of the backs. So the only new material included in the quilts is batting and binding.

I'm not going to lie, I was happy to see the tail end of these babies as they went to their forever homes. But I am glad that I had the opportunity to make them, as they will continue to pass on memories and hopefully make some new ones. Its fun to be a party of that.

Finishing this project was huge! It also meant on could move on to more projects... Stay tuned for more catching up!
Adrienne