Quilts, Bikers, Buttermilk Basin and Sunset.

On July 22nd, my local quilt shop had a mini quilt show of quilts made by their employees along with a fundraiser by her son who is the president of BACA.  Bikers Against Child Abuse.   Debbie graciously donated all proceeds from her sample sale to go to this cause.

 This was the Cantik Batik Mystery BOM that one of the gals put together.  She changed the one for Quebec to represent a Sucre Shack rather than was it was in the kit.

 Debbie has a very accomplish staff of quilters.

 I did ask if I could take pictures of the bikers but decided not to have them pose for them.  These are some impressive Dudes and Dudettes.  One of the Dudettes is also a quilter!

 I got a great apron to help along their cause and Debbie sent out an e-mail to say they had raised $4400 for the cause.  The also had a hot dog sale by donation.

 Here are a few more of the staff quilts.

 Just after we arrived it started to rain, fortunately they put some tarps up just before it started.

 I love this tidal pool runner.

 Bright rainbow pineapples.  Debbie also had a sale in the store where if you purchased clearance fabrics or regular fabrics she would donate $1-2 per metre to the Red Cross for victims of the wildfires that are devastating our province right now.  She was in Florida earlier when the gunman went on a rampage at the airport and was in that particular terminal.  The Red Cross came with coffee and cookies to help ease the concerns before they could continue on their way.  They collected $600 to donate to them.  Congratulations to Debbie and her family along with her staff on their great support to two needed groups.  Also congratulations and thanks to my fellow quilters for coming out to support our local quilt shop!

 I finally figured out what to do for a fourth block for the Buttermilk Basin mystery BOM.  I took some elements of two of the blocks and made my own lettering.  It's ready to be sandwiched an quilted so I can hang it next year.

 I also got a start on the Summer blocks.  I've change up the colours significantly and am using Diamond Textiles for my backgrounds.

 This is the second block.  I'm currently working on the third one and have to figure out what to do for my fourth block.

 The first Autumn block is available on the website.  If you are interested in kits of the first two seasons or the present free Autumn block you can get them here on their website. She also has the first Autumn block already kitted if you'd like it.  The new pattern is released on the second Friday of the month.

The other evening I glance up to this interesting reflection of the sunset.  I grabbed my camera took it from my balcony because I knew if I went out on the quay I'd miss it.  Love the effect.
                                                

Let It Snow!

Last night I stayed up until about 0130 to finish stitching and take pictures of my Let It Show final snowman block.  I choose to use the wool I used for the lettering on his scarf, mittens and hat band.  I think with his sly shy smile he looks rather dapper!

Here is a close up of his mittens.  I chose to give the darker cuff to show off the stitching.

 His smiling face and more stitching on the hat band.

 Here are all the finished blocks altogether.  I don't think Stacy is planning on any sashing between the blocks but I'll wait on sewing them to be sure.  I think we will just do a final border and bind the quilt.

 I don't use fusible web unless my wool is a very loose weave.  The wool I used for my snow was from a thrift shop found skirt that I felted.  I turned the fabric from one side to the other to give either a vertical or horizontal look to the plaid.

 I use pins and stitch on the layers, I like the feel of movement of the wool against the background.  I find that using a fusible makes things look very flat and lack texture.

 Remember this view from Friday afternoon.  Well it rained most of Saturday and we've now tied with three other years to have had 26 of 29 October days of rain....

 But the sun came out at around three o'clock to pay a visit.

 You can see the clouds getting thinner. Notice how many leaves blew off with the rain and wind.

 And then the sun started to go down and light them up with golden accents.

 More blue skies as the sun came down with hints of purple in the clouds.

 I'm sad that that condo tower was built but fortunately they made it shorter than planned and I still have an enjoyable view.

 Love those two seagulls flying thru the picture.  Didn't see the crows flying off to roost for the night.

 All the gold is changing to orange and darker shade.

 Such a lucky gal am I to have this uninterrupted view of the south arm of the Fraser River and the Alex Fraser bridge in the distance.

 Almost time to say good bye to October.

 Make sure you get your pumpkins and Jack O'lanterns out to celebrate!

Give Me A "W!"

Here you go, and what do you get?

 Let It Snow!  Late Wednesday night Stacy West from Buttermilk Basin released the latest letter for the Buttermilk Basin Mystery Block of the Month and yesterday I got it all stitched together.  Here are all my blocks laid out together.

Here was her peek at the layout when she first revealed the theme.  I captured a screen shot from her Instagram feed.  So I wonder what will be in that tall skinny block? Here is a link to her announcement on her blog and her rendition of the W.

Here is the link to the website page where you can get the Free W pattern and purchase the past blocks. They are only free for a month!

Buttermilk Basin Let It Snow.

This Month we were gifted with two blocks from Buttermilk Basin's Mystery Block of the Month.  First was a snowman in a snowflake filler.

Next was the Letter I.

Here they are side by side.

 And here are all the blocks thus far.  I decided to change up the background for the filler block.

Here is a link if you want to check out Buttermilk Basin Blog.

Seems Odd to Say This Today...

Give me a L!

 Give me an E!

 Give me a T!

 What do you get?  LET it snow first three letters all stitched up.  Do they not look great together.  I'm pleased how my adaptation of the female Cardinal to a female Blue Jay turned out.

 I did go out and check out some of the lovely Cherry Blossoms.  Unfortunately the day turned grey and rainy so we didn't have a spectacular blue sky to show off the blooms.

 Here are some huge white star Magnolia trees on the same street.

 You can see the pink Cherry trees farther along.

 A mix of a Camilla Rose, Star Magnolias and Pink Cherry blossom through the mossy trunk.

 Another mix of white Star Magnolia trees and pink Cherry blossoms.  Soon those cars will be covered in petals.  Often there are people posing in the middle of the street for pictures with cars trying to navigate their way.  I had to honk to get one lady to move, she almost got run over by two cars.

 Love the moss on this tree.

 The grey skies and a couple of people standing taking photos.

 Such a delicate pink.

 The trees have been peched to arch over the street.

Cherry Blossom time in Vancouver, breath taking yes?