Mad Hat

I was asked to post a picture of my MAD HAT for the Mad Hatter's Tea Party - well here it is. I took my hat seriously (tongue in cheek) and created a "tea" hat that is definitely MAD.

I used a Dollar Store base - it was a hat with pig ears, nose and eyes on it. The shape and colour were what I was after and it had an elastic chin strap. I pulled off the "features" and was left with a great shape - I modified it slightly for my head.

I then searched for anything that one might required at a tea party - pearls, gloves (I found some lacy children's gloves at the $ store), a "gold" bracelet, a ring, a broach, sugar cubes, I glued a child's teacup to the saucer and added a small teaspoon and glued that to the hat, added some tea bags and a tea ball, a veil and bits of frou frou.

And here it is.

TenFold Quilt Show

Amazing, just amazing to see the culmination of our first project hanging all together. We had our opening Friday evening and we were so happy that so many came out to see our wonderful creations. The show is at Sybil Andrew's Cottage until June 18th, so if you get a chance go and see it.

Here we are - Tenfold

This grouping of work explores our interpretation of a variety of themes. The criteria for these pieces was:

• they had to be 12" x 12" or 48" in diameter
• to incorporate a new technique
• must be quilted - meaning it had to have a top, a middle and a back

 Birth - Theme was chosen because the word told of what were were - a newly formed group starting on a new adventure, with new friends and many possibilities.

Group - Theme was chosen because the word came to mind after Birth i.e. the birth of our group

Temptation - Theme was chosen because the word evoked an image almost immediately, and yet upon reflection opened up a wide range of possibilities, a malleable word to interpret.

Gold - Theme was chosen because "it was at the time of the 2010 Olympics - thinking of the significance of gold throughout our lives; gold stars/medals for achievement, wedding rings, golden handshakes, anniversaries, golden years etc.

Old Meets New - Theme was chosen because the idea that something as old and traditional as a quilt has remained with us through the decades, replicating timeless piecing with new techniques that allow us to still enjoy the beauty of those traditional blocks.
















Rendezvous - Theme was chosen because "I liked the word." It means a place appointed for an assembling or meeting.

Me - Theme was chosen because the word just "popped into my mind at the last minute and I thought it would be a great way to get to know everyone"


















Solitude - Theme was chosen because we live in such a busy, noisy world. We all need time alone to find inner peace. I thought it would be interesting to see where others might find that peace and solitude.

Magic - Theme was chosen because the word "conjured" up many pictures: top hats, rabbits, wands Harry Potter, nature, love, children - the entire world around us. I wanted to see how this would be interpreted.

 The conversation around the show was fabulous. A lot of speculation on who did which piece. I just loved it and I loved that most of my family and friends were there to see our efforts.

In the Meantime

While I wait: waiting for the grout to dry (7 days if you please) we have been out and about in the vegetable garden. I have been cleaning up the raspberries and Mike has been rototilling. Today we strung new fencing around the garden. Last week we put in new poles. This is to keep our beautiful garden safe from the marauding deer. The water has been turned on out back and the green houses are ready to go. Mike's tomato seedlings have come up and look very healthy.

Also, the quilting group that I belong to - "Tenfold" has started on a new project - fractured quilts. Each of us has to come up with a design and then cuts it into 8 pieces. We each get a piece. We are to replicate this in whatever fabric we choose. If you have a colour scheme in mind or any fabrics that you must have for your design you can pass them over with your package.

First up is Colleen and being the thoughtful person that she is, she decided to "keep it simple".  She has a wonderful metal screen hanging from an arbour on her patio. She traced this and put together our "kits" gave us, included the picture below, a piece of blue for the sky and a piece of black for the border and a few words of encouragement.

My piece is part of the left side.

As I am loving doing the English paper pieced hexagons from Katja's Quilt Shop, I decided to use this technique to replicate my pattern. I know that others are using steam a seam on muslin.

Here is my template for the oak leaf.

The oak leaf finished - so excited when a plan comes together. The second leaf did not have a name so I decided to do it in non leaf colours - I do know that a few of the others are doing autumn colours - I am a rebel. I really like autumn colours but this is good. I have laid in the blue sky piece but it is not sewn in yet.

We meet again in May and I am so looking forward to seeing all the pieces together. Colleen will take it and put it together. Lois is passing out her design next. This is a great group of ladies - who have all been quilting for years but have wanted a challenge that was not threatening. Our last series of projects were 12 x 12 inch blocks - not exactly that size - as long as they fit into a  48 inch circumference and loosely that. We got a new theme every time we met and the only rule was to try a new technique. Please visit Tenfold's Blog to see some of our creations.  This idea was by no means original in theory - I saw this on a website called Twelve by Twelve - these ladies are accomplished quilters. They have shown their quilts at various shows and have published a book. I do not think this will be the way of Tenfold BUT we are going to have a show in June for our family and friends.

Renovation Roller Coaster Ride

I have been reluctant to post. I don't know about you but when I am faced with a list that never seems to end I stall. We have been hurrying and hurrying then waiting and waiting. I feel deflated like I am on the reno rollercoaster.

Priming

 
 Mike and I rushed to get the walls down, and the roughed in wiring was done. And then we waited - and then the plumbing and bathtub went in electrical went in - and then we waited. Oh goody big rush the dry wall went up and the mudding and finishing. I rushed like mad to get all the painting done - primer and two coats thank you very much. I even primed and painted all the shelves for the linen closet and the front hall closet and then we waited - for the floor layer to come.

Assembly Line Shelf Painting

THIS IS ME - I am so DONE......

I got word that the floor layer could be here Friday. So I swept and removed anything that may be in the way. Then at noon I got a call - his truck broke down. Maybe next week. This is just too frustrating - I called today and we have someone coming tomorrow - oh joy of joys. I spent the weekend painting the doors for the bathroom and hall closets - they are ready to install.

I keep thinking we are almost done BUT NO. If I make a list of what is outstanding I feel like this is the never ending project. I know that my daughter would gleefully make that list and enjoy every time she crossed something off it. Not me - I keep a running tab in my head. I have Mike to keep me on track.



The only thing I have felt like doing is making hexagons. I have a few done. It IS addictive and theraputic.

Confessions

Yesterday my friend called to say she was coming up. I was excited to see her but really did not have a clue as to why the visit. Well she had just returned from Kamloops with a "Special Delivery" for me - I am going to become a "hexaholic". What is a hexaholic you might ask - definition -  one who is addicted to making hexigons - see Katja's Quilt Shoppe's it is her latest BOM. How exciting is this.

AND I am not alone in this addition. I know of a few others that are check out Linda King at Linda's Quiltmania - she too is a hexaholic. I wonder if there is a support group for this?  What do they say " My name is Geri and I AM a Hexaholic".

I had another visitor yesterday afternoon. Linden came to play while his Mom went to work - we walked Jake, and mailed a letter, went to Granny's house for juice. We played games and played with Uncle Mike.

Now these are BIG shoes (slippers) to fill - Linden quite liked wearing Uncle Mike's slippers.

Grandmothers

I spent a good part of Saturday learning about bathroom fans and pot lights for the renovation. I spent another part vacuuming up the dust and dirt from the renovation. Small price to pay as Mike, who has done the LIONS share of the work, has completely gutted the area. Tub, toilet and sink are gone - "out of our lives".

 



Sunday afternoon I stole away to help my "Dear Old Step Mom" with a project. She was doing a fund raiser and I thought it would be fun. She is part of a group called "Grandmothers to Grandmothers" and they are going to join a bike run from Campbell River to Victoria to raise money for this cause. So in preparation for this event they did a fund raiser called "So You Think You Can't Knit". For a donation you could learn to knit. They had picked a few easy patterns and sent out an invitation for people to come and learn. This turned out to be such fun.

Gathering at the Sybil Andrews Cottage

This lady was told she was unteachable hmmm

Look at her go