Finally Got Something Finished!

Yes, finally I've got something finished.  Just maybe I'll get something else done before Christmas.  Here is my "Snow" pillow.  It is a pattern by Quilter's Clutter.  I just love it and hope it'll look great when our new sofa arrives (which is soon).  





I was so pleased with "Snow", I pulled out a
UFO that's been in my cupboard for a very
long time.  It's a pattern by Country Quilt 
Stitches, but, with a little twist.  When I took
out the pillow top, which was all I had done,
there was a mark on the background.  I tried
everything and it wouldn't come out.  Guess
these two will just have to be sledding at night.
The stars did the trick - covered the spot
beautifully.


Getting both of these pillows made me feel good, especially when one was a UFO.  The only problem is that with everything I've started since the beginning of November, my UFO pile has grown by 3 items - hope I can get a little more done by Christmas.  


The third item I've gotten done is being framed - I really like it but won't be able to show it off until after December 12th.  I also got two more small projects done but can't show them off - they're for my granddaughter and she follows my blog.  She can put them on after Christmas - they're a reminder of when she was a little girl.


Will keep you posted!

More UFO's

Just how does this happen???  I've been so busy but I only have UFO's to show for my time.
I'm not going to show you these half done projects but I am going to try to finish them and then show them off.  It's been classes, guild, classes and more classes.  What's a girl to do - you'll never learn anything if you don't go to classes!
I'll see you again soon and, I hope, with pictures.

A Great Tea

What fun!  Our Victorian Tea turned out to be fabulous.  We had a Victorian Tea Hostess who was hilarious.  She was dressed in her finest lace blouse and long black skirt, long velvet coat and a wonderful black hat.  Very English she was and knew exactly how to conduct herself.   She taught us all how to drink our tea properly, how to eat our fancy sandwiches, how to curtsy and reminded us about posture - a few of us had to walk around with a book on our head to demonstrate.

Our Mayor and the Minister of the Church were guests and they joined in on the fun by demonstrating how to bow.  Shame!  Shame!  Shame!  was the response to the bow.  They didn't do it properly so they were taught and were good sports about getting up and being made fun of.

We did a lot of laughing which is not what is usually done at a Victorian Tea.   

The auditorium of the Church looked wonderful.  There was a long buffet table in the middle of the room and there were ladies pouring tea at each end.  Flowers adorned the buffet table along with each table which were set up for 4 ladies.  Navy tablecloths covered the tables with smaller white lacey linen cloths on top.  We had fancy sandwiches (of course, cucumber and cream cheese along with other types) and a great variety of sweets. All in all, it was done very well.  Our ladies deserve a lot of credit for the work they did.  

This has to be the best Quilt Guild meeting I ever went to.  

Hello again

Tomorrow is Quilt Guild and I'm all ready.  We are celebrating our 25th Anniversary and doing it in style - a Victorian Tea, complete with hats.  Here's mine.  I made it intending the flower to be at the back but when I tried it on, decided I could wear the flower in the front or side, doesn't matter.  So that I could have a really good look, talked my DH into wearing it  - we decided it wasn't his style at all!  Just hope it stays together for the day - should I take my glue gun just in case???  My DH wondered if I should wear it out in the wind - so funny!!

We went to the theater this week and saw The Ides of March - great show.  George Clooney was as great as ever!  Didn't get much done this week so will have to get moving this week - have a quilt that just needs borders and want to get it to the quilter as soon as possible.  They get really busy at this time of year and want to beat the Christmas rush. 

Will chat again soon and perhaps have some things to show.

Have a great week.

A Great Giveaway!

Hop on over to All Decked Out  imalldeckedout.blogspot.com.  There's a giveaway for a magnificent looking book called "Jelly Roll Quilt Magic" by Kjmberly Einmo.  Sounds like Kimberly is very creative.  Check it out!

Classes have started...

 The time of year for classes is here - I've been busy teaching so haven't kept my blog up like I should.  It's great fun to see everyone working on their project and seeing it come together.  When teaching tumbling blocks the strip-pieced method, there comes a stage when you can finally see the blocks - what a great moment - lots of smiles at that point.

In this class we are making table toppers.  Here we are getting ready to sew those darned mitered corners.  (It wouldn't look good if we didn't miter them).

They really did work out fine as you can see by the next picture.  Now to audition the thread to quilt with.  Decisions, decisions???

Here's Val working on her table topper - a beautiful Autumn Print by Timeless Treasures.



They say every machine has a thread it likes.  Well, the metallic thread gave us a real challenge.  We changed everything and when nothing worked, we changed to another brand of thread - success at last.  It worked wonderfully.  With the gold in the fabric, quilting with metallic thread looks so good!!!



When my Twisted Sisters came over last week to sew, Duncan came too.  He's so cute.  When we get together, he seems so content to stay close by us.  Here he is taking a nap under the table with his stuffed toy. 

When he realized I was taking his picture, he rolled right over to have his tummy rubbed.



What a ham!


Hope all you Canadians out there are having a great Thanksgiving week-end with family and friends - lots of turkey and pumpkin pie.  We have lots to be thankful for in our house and hope you do too.  Cheers.

What a September!!

This has been the busiest month for me - I've hardly been on my blog but promise to get back at it and show some of my work.  It's teaching time again so that has taken a lot of my time.  My classes here start soon too so maybe I can post the work of some of my students.  

Here are the new 3-D fabrics  from Hoffman - They are great!  Can't you just picture the little ones with the 3-D glasses on - thinking the butterflies or fish are real. They'd certainly like a quillow, perhaps, from one of these fabrics.

Now that September's here, it's time to tidy up the sewing room too - just how does it get so messy???  Mine is actually a disaster area and I think there may be some charities around that will get some fabric for their work.  The scraps are multiplying at an alarming rate - the box never seems to get empty, no matter how much of it I cut up.  In fact, I think I could cut for a year and still have some left to do.  


Must get the ironing done too - can you imagine - three baskets to iron.  One of them has quite a lot of fabric in it.  At times like this when I have so much to iron, I wonder why I wash it before using it.  


We are doing a mystery quilt at Guild this year.  I've never participated before but I'd like to do this one.  Maybe that will help the scrap bin.  


Well, must go now.  My Twisted Sisters are coming for a day of sewing tomorrow.  We always look forward to tea and laughter together (and a bit of sewing).  


Will let you know what we're doing.

A Great Give-Away

You must go over to the Rogue Quilters' blog.  She's giving away a beautiful book called Patchwork-Play Quilts by Lynn Roddy Brown.  There are pictures of some of the quilts and they look like "I must have one".  Check it out and comment for a chance to win.

Oops!!!

Sorry.  Guess I was too tired posting last night.  The price of the Baby Genius panel is $6.30, not the $5.70 I quoted.  My mind was on another panel that I had sold quite a few of on the week-end.
Have a great week.

It's Been A Great Week

This has been a great week,   Another of my Twisted Sisters brought me a shop sample.

This pattern, "Snow" by Shauna Case of Quilters' Clutter, is a wall hanging but was made into a pillow.  I rather like that idea.  Wonder if I'll get time to make one for myself?

 Having a new grandson, she's right into making quilts for the little guy.  Here's the latest one, a panel with a border.

The panel is from the Baby Genius line from Benartex.  I think the bright colours are great for the kids and this panel is a great teaching tool.


This panel is in my shop right now for only $5.70 Cdn, plus taxes if applicable and postage.  E-mail me if you'd like me to send you one.



Furniture shopping was on the agenda again this week.
Have now ordered the sofa and two chairs with ottoman.  The worst part is waiting the 8 weeks or so it will take to get them.  Time seems to be really rolling along so it may go by fast.  Bedroom furniture arrives this week - that gives me another job to do but then, it wouldn't seem normal if I didn't have several jobs ahead of me. 

I'm busy this week getting ready to have a sale in the shop.  Want to make room for some new fabrics so thought it time to get rid of some.  Big job getting everything ready! 

Hope I have a finished quilt to show by next week - working on a "Words To Live By" quilt.  I drew up the pattern and am testing it out to ensure it works.  A great quilt to send with a teenager going off to college or university.  


Well, it's off to bed now.  Just heard the grandfather clock chime 11:00 pm.  Will chat again soon. Have a great week everyone!

It's been a busy week...

Well folks, I finally decided on some furniture, not for the family room, but for the bedroom.  We saw this lovely gentleman's dresser and decided we had to have it so it will be delivered this week.  The other two dressers have to be ordered so we must wait.

Have designed a quilt using the Block Party panel "Words To Live By".  Here it is on my sewing machine.  I now have the middle done,
just borders left.  A great quilt to give someone
special leaving home to go to college or university.  Will show the finished product when
it's done. 



We've also had our first sunflower come out this week.  


Mind you, we didn't plant them - they just arrived.  
We went away for 10 days or so early in August
and when we came home we could see these
very large green leaves coming up from the 
garden at the end of the pool house.  Wonder
what they are???  Well, we were surprised to 
see sunflowers that we didn't plant.  But, our 
neighbour did plant some and they didn't come 
up.  Of course, we just had to thank him for the 
flowers.  Don;t know how they got there but 
they're planted in a perfect spot.  (We have a 
little chipmunk - wonder if he did it).















One thing we can't figure out in this garden is that we had the most beautiful clematis planted and they bloomed beautifully.  Then, all of a sudden the plant died - you can still see it on the trellis.  We decided to leave it there in the hopes that perhaps we'll get a little sprout of it next year.  (keeping our fingers crossed!)  There is a double white clematis beside it and it's okay.  Perhaps we should just plant sunflowers there - they seem to like the location.


Here's another sample that one of my Twisted Sisters made for me.  Isn't it great!  The really cute thing about this wall hanging is that the white parts will glow in the dark.

I think the easiest part is cutting out the stars - because - you do it with you Accuquilt Go! cutter.  We will have classes on this and kits will be available.  You can also have Christmas balls with bows on top instead of the stars but I think I like the stars best.  Thanks Anne.

Well, it's time to go now.   Want to get to bed early tonight as we have an early day tomorrow with lots to do.  Chat soon!

Furniture Shopping - Ugh!

There's just too much to choose from.  We spent the whole day shopping and I'm worn out from trying out all these sofas.  I wish someone would just come on over, take a look and come back with all the furnishings I need - wishful thinking!.  I've been mulling over leather or fabric, light or dark, curtains or no curtains and how I'm going to display my quilts.  May have solved the quilt display but still have the rest to work on.  Guess I'll just go and sleep on it and maybe I can make a decision tomorrow.  Night all!

Forgot to show you this one!

Yesterday our sewing group got together - The Twisted Sisters.  One of my sisters graciously accepted the request to make a shop sample for me.  She did a beautiful job and has embellished this tree with many crystals to make it very elegant looking.  It is a very easy pattern by Eddy & Eddy and has many possibilities.  We'll certainly be making kits for this wall hanging.
My sisters are great!!  (The picture does not do it justice!)

We're back home..

We've been away again but back home now.  Getting organized as the courier has been here several times in the last few days - lots of new stuff!  I've been binding the memory quilt I showed some time ago and have now got it done. 












Here's a close-up to show the great quilting done by Donna.  I'm really pleased and I hope the recipient likes it also.

Show & Tell

 
I was so pleased a couple of days ago when one of my students brought in this quilt that she made in one of my classes.  It turned out very good.  I love to see the projects I've taught once they are complete.  This was a great class and everyone was surprised at the technique.  

What a gift to give???

Actually, they don't look too bad in the picture, but, only the two on the left are finished.  Our friends got a new camper and for her birthday, I thought these placemats would be a great addition.  The only problem is that her birthday came and I only had 2 finished.  She had a good chuckle when she opened the gift to find 2 finished and 2 unfinished with a promise to complete them before the week-end.  Even unfinished, they were a hit.  Must go now - have some binding to sew on a couple of placemats!

I'm so pleased!!!

Here it is, all finished.

It is quite an easy pattern, well written, by Happy Apple Quilts.  The panel of sayings is included with the pattern.  I love the bright colours, I think it's perfect for the kids.


                                         "I Won the Grandma Lottery" is                                              my favorite block - because I did!!!

Decision Made...

After auditioning these colours with the butterfly fabric, the decision was made to incorporate the lime green, orange, purple and yellow.  I've got the fabrics cut now, so no changing my mind.  I've also cut a kit to sell so hope it works up good.  I'm looking forward to a nice little job with all these bright colours.  
Will post a picture as soon as I get on my way with it.
Night all!

It's so hard to choose...

I have this great pattern from Happy Apple Quilts called "Grandma's Joy".  A panel comes with the pattern with sayings applicable to a grandchild.  Can't decide what colours to choose.  Other than these, I have a great orange and a lime green but when I found the stripe with all the colours, wanted to include it.  I may have to leave it sit for a day or two until I can decide.  Any ideas????

Curtains At Last!!

Finally got the curtains and topper altered to fit this bedroom.  Had only blinds until now so it certainly has warmed the room up and made it look finished.  My DH and I worked together to put them up today and we didn't even have a harsh word for each other.  We do have trouble with curtain rods, pictures and Christmas Trees so we both have to work on not losing our cool.  It worked and we were real proud of ourselves.  I'll let him off the hook for the rest of this week but will soon be working on the living and dining rooms.

Getting ready for Winter???

I know it's still July, but, I couldn't help making this little snowman.  It was a quick little project I could embroider in the car.  The borders were easy and didn't take any time at all.  The pattern is called "Snow Much Fun".  I've made a couple of kits but I brightened them up more than mine - didn't use as much black.  

This has been another great week-end.  The sun shone brightly so we could spend the day swimming (and getting a bit of color in our cheeks).  We had family here again this week-end - it was so much fun!!  It's a shame we can't get together every week-end.
Will keep you posted on this week's project - I think I'll get some curtains made.

Had a Great Week-end!

Had a great week-end with my cousins.  We were missing two and their spouses but had a second cousin come this year.  A few of us had never met her before so it was nice to learn about her life.  She is also a quilter and brought me a very lovely panel - she called it a challenge panel.  I'll have to put my thinking cap on to come up with something neat to do with it. 

Today I started cutting some kits.  Want to get ready for a little show I'm going in in September.  Got the Go! cutter going and will work on it more tomorrow.  There are so many beautiful patterns out there, it's hard to decide what to do next.

Chat soon, bye for now.

Another project done...

Now I've got a couple of baby gifts - just in case they're needed.  I love these blankets, so soft and the fabric patterns available now are so precious.  I like to include a little toy of some kind, then wrap them in cellophane - they make a nice gift for new baby.  Off to bed now as tomorrow is a busy day.  Want to have everything ready so I can enjoy the visit with my cousins.  Hope everyone has a good week-end.  Enjoy!

Sooo Cute!

These flannels are so cute.  Will get started on some baby blankets and burp pads as soon as I've tidied up after the last project. My "stuff" has migrated to our guest bedrooms so I must make sure there's sleeping room in case the beds are needed.  This week-end is our annual "cousins get-together" and even though they don't stay over, I like to be ready just in case.  Well, back to work for today so I can get sewing soon.

It's Done!!

Finished the Memory Quilt top today.  Now it's off to the longarmer.  I can hardly wait to see it finished.  Now I'm into baby receiving blankets and burp pads.  Will post a picture soon.  Some of the fabrics are really cute!
Have a great week-end.

Here it is, all ready for pressing.

Getting there!

Today's been a good day at the sewing machine.  I've gotten all the rows of the memory quilt sewn together.  Now for a good press and add the borders.  These Stonehendge Fabrics from Northcott are working great for this quilt.  Will get the borders on tomorrow, then off to the longarm quilter for a very professional quilt job.
Hope this couple like the quilt as much as I do.  Chat again soon.

I'm Back!!!

This has been a very busy year for me but I'm back and I hope to keep my blog up to date.  At present I'm working on a Memory Quilt.  This is for a young couple who were married and had their guests sign a block.  I had to design a quilt with 60 blocks large enough for a small message and signature.  It's really looking great.  Will post pictures soon.  I'm using my Go! cutter for the first time and I think it's going to be a great tool.  I'm looking forward to using it again soon.
Have a great summer and keep on quilting!