byneedleandthread

Moving. Again.

2011-11-22T11:13:00.003-05:00

So it seems only about a year ago that we were moving from Ottawa to Whitby. (It was). We are moving further South/West to Burlington.

This seems like it may become a familiar sight once again.

Things will be a bit quiet around here. Possibly more so than it is now.

Moving at the beginning of the year. Must start packing.

Road to Rhinebeck

2011-10-14T08:00:00.002-04:00

This time last year I was a Rhinebeck Newbie and had no idea of the wonders I was about to see, and famous (knitting) people I would meet. It was awesome. So much so, that I only took two photos. You may remember...

Louise and I meeting Ysolda!

and..

The chicken pot pie. (Sadly they will not be there this year)

I can't make any promises but, maybe this year I'll take a few more photos. Or I'll be so caught up in everything and not. We will see.

Have a great weekend friends! It's going to be a great one!!!! I'm so excited that I can hardly wait to get there!!! I'm hoping for cool-ish weather so we can all wear our fab knitwear! Fingers crossed!

Lots of !!! sorry. :P

New Hat

2011-10-12T15:06:00.005-04:00

Just a quick pop in to say that I finished a hat. and almost a Leaflet sweater too. 4 ends left to weave in, and needs to be blocked!

Going to Rhinebeck on Friday for the NY Sheep and Wool Festival!!!! I can't wait! and may have been telling everyone I know, who then look at me like I may need to be committed for being so excited about a sheep festival.

Fun times!

The hat is Wild is the Wind pattern by Lee Meredith of leethal fame. I did pattern testing for her. This hat is pattern is now for sale in the Remixed E-book, and awesome!! So if you like it, I say go for it and buy the book!!

Greetings

2011-08-29T12:47:00.004-04:00

Well, I don't have much to say for myself. One minute it's May and then all of a sudden it's become the end of August.

Wasn't planning to stay away for so long. Just got caught up in other things. I've also not been doing much sewing, so not many photos to show. Knitting has been progressing, but as you knitters know, unless I'm making simple one skein projects, knitting takes time and doesn't have much to show for itself until it's done.

There will still be a a giveaway of a pouch, I am in the process of making more stock for the etsy shop. I have really just been selling them locally because when I started this, the Canada Post strike was just happening. There are plans to add some to the shop though, and some of the other project bags with the button and ribbon loop. You'll be the first to know when the giveaway happens. It'll be pretty low key, but will be rewarding those who have stuck by.

I went to PEI for two weeks at the end of May to visit my parents at their Bed and Breakfast. We did lots of renovations!

I will leave you with a funny photo of my dad. It was taken in 2009 when we visited PEI to look at the Bed and Breakfast they ended up buying. it cracks me up.

Take care friends.

New Items for my Etsy Shop

2011-05-07T11:58:00.003-04:00

I feel like I've finally found my 'thing'. That sounds weird so I will clarify. I really wanted to make things to sell in my etsy shop, but I'd start and then get bored with the process. This week I came up with a design for pouches that you can use to tote around just about anything. And it just hit me! These are fun to make, and they are quilty and they are super bright, and useful. And I may finally be over my fear of zippers! Cue the snazzy enlightened music and the stars aligning. :)

So here they are in my Byneedleandthread Etsy Shop

The Medium GG Pouch $26

The Small GG Pouch $20

And since you're reading my blog, I'll let you in on a little secret. Ok two little secrets. One, I made most of these while watching Gilmore Girls, so I named them GG Pouch after that. Silly I know, but then I realized that would also work as Grab & Go, which is perfect for the concept of the bag.

Second secret, once I get more made, I will be giving one away. So stay tuned for that.

You may wonder why there is a heap of them in the photo, but I don't have any on hand, well they are now available for purchase at the Kniterary in Whitby, they are having a studio tour this weekend, and my bags are hanging out with other wonderful knitted pieces, sculptures, beaded jwewlery. Lots of nice things to see!

And if you love the look of the pouches and think they would work well for your needs, I'd love if you'd order one up from my etsy shop. :)

Thanks friends!

Quilt for Japan and the Easter Bunnies

2011-04-21T12:35:00.006-04:00

Just thought I'd share a little of what I've been working on.

First up, this is the quilt I made to donate for Quilts for Japan. There is still time to make one if you are interested. Here is the info for Canadians and Equilter is collecting and has additional info for Americans.

Happy Easter!

Here are some bunnies I knit using the Bunny Nugget pattern and embellished in a class at the Kniterary. This was my first go at needle felting, and it was really fun. I'll be doing it again!

Sewing, sewing...I tried out the block for the Japanese + and x quilt along. This is starting in June, but the instructions are up, so I thought I'd give it a go. The good thing is that the small squares are 2" so that means I can use up small scraps as long as there is enough to cut the required amount. Should be fun.

Have a great weekend friends!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-04-13T09:52:00.001-04:00

Bee FF March - Lucinda, a photo by byneedleandthread on Flickr.

I finished some socks...

2011-04-09T22:46:00.003-04:00

..in March..

Here they are.

Blue Monkeys for my Mom

The pattern is Monkey. It is a free pattern from Cookie A. Super popular! (it has been logged on Ravelry as knit 14,135 times) It's very easy and the socks are fun. I need to make another pair of these.

Pi Socks for me.

The striping on these is based on the 3.141...math thing. Notice I don't sound like I know what I'm talking about. Well that's because it's true. I just googled it to get the number sequence after seeing a pair on Ravelry.

I've started some other knitting projects too. Socks for my friend Chantale. Hers will also be a Cookie A. pattern. I also started the Candelia cardigan by Cecily Glowik MacDonald. I love her patterns! If I had a zillion dollars for yarn, and 10 arms, I would knit tonnes of her patterns! So far this is my first one of hers. I lied. The scarves/cowls I knit from New England Knits were also her pattern. Love her!

Applique, I missed you

2011-03-07T13:35:00.003-05:00

This past weekend I went to my Annual crafty retreat. As always, I brought too many projects. I did bring less than last year though.

Mostly I started and finished the applique blocks for Tia in our Bee FF group. It was fun.

The red bird is from the Piece O' Cake book Applique Outside the Lines. Love them and their books!!!

I tried to draw a bird and it looked like an Easter peep. Then I found this bird in the book but facing the other way. This prompted a whole group giggle fit, when my friend Chantale innocently suggested 'just flip the bird'. Hehehehe. Yes we are 8 years old. :P

The venus fly trap was a midnight suggestion that was still fun in the morning so I went with it. Sleep deprivation and quilting is fun. Just stay away from the rotary cutter!

I love handwork. All those tiny stitches. Fun, fun!

I am thinking of getting out the applique project that I put aways a while ago.

Almost Wordless Wednesday

2011-02-23T17:51:00.002-05:00

In case you were all wondering how to take an amazing photo like I just did.The trick is to...

...push all the stuff covering the table into a big pile so you have room to set your block down. :P

Wordless Wednesday

2011-02-16T18:51:00.002-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T17:44:00.006-05:00

To celebrate I'll show you the Love in NYC quilt I made a few years ago.

I'd show you the snazzy new Valentine's things I made this year, but I didn't. Am I the only one who only gets the urge to make something for the upcomming holiday on the actual day of said holiday? Must get better at that. I may still make some Valentine's placemats. We will see.

Since my last post I've been making quite a few things.

Two baby quilt comissions.

These make lovely handmade gifts even if you didn't make it yourself. If anyone is interested in getting a quilt made, please contact me.

I've also been working on getting up to date on the block groups I'm in. Only two groups, but it's really easy to get behind schedule. I'm trying to start the year on time!

Bee FF for Laura. She wanted a romantic look to her blocks.

This is also for Laura. We are partners in Sarah and Molly's Free Piecing Study. One of the January blocks is a Log Cabin House. I still need to make a heart block and a mondo bird.

Knitting has also been occupying a lot of my time. I'm in a sock knitting group with my local shop. It's called Pull Up Your Socks. We are aiming to each make 6 pairs in a year. 1 per month. I'm trying to finish at least a pair per month, but unofficially of course.

These are my December/January Socks

I also made some zombies.

and a Gnomey for my man. His request.

The patterns for these are from Mochimochi Land. Her stuff is amazing!

I'm going to try and blog more. My Ottawa buddies are giving me a hard time because I don't blog as much. I will admit that lately I've been struggling with blogging. Mostly because I feel like the blogging world is so saturated right now. And it is very hard to compete with all the giveaways and quilt-alongs. What's a girl to do? I'm in no way fishing for comments, but I wonder who's out there reading?

So here's my PSA (public service announcement) If you read a blog, but tend to lurk instead of commenting. Why not comment. Let the person writing know they are not alone. And who know's you might just make some new friends.

Take care friends. Till next time.

Happy New Year Friends!

2011-01-01T20:27:00.003-05:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and A Happy New Year. I'm excited that the new year is upon us and can't wait to see what it brings.

As usual, I plan to participate in a few quilty things.

1. Row10 has now become Bee FF as we will be making blocks for each other this year. This is my favorite group as it contains my real quilting buddies. The fact that I have only met two of them in real life does not mean that they aren't the best quilting friends a girl could have.

2. Sarah and Molly's free piecing study. I am teaming up with Laura and we will swap blocks back and forth. This study is open to anyone, so if you are interested in getting better at wonky liberated quilting, this is for you!ddd (note: i'm not the Sarah that's running this project. It's Krommama.)

3. Scrapbuters Challenge 2011. This is a group that is just challenging each other to make scrap projects. No pressure or deadlines for this one. I'm excited and am currently working on some scrappy wonky blocks that will become one quilt or many small quilty things. Not sure yet. And I think that's the best thing about it. No pressure, just sewing and fun. The photo above is just some of my scrappy blocks.

4. Dear Strawberry Jane. This is my own project that you may remember if you have been a longtime follower. I've been blogging here about my project to complete a "Dear Jane" quilt. This is a reproduction of a quilt containing 225 unique blocks. It's a pile of work. but so pretty.

5. Knitting one sock per month. This is a challenge with my local yarn shop (the Kniterary) knitting group. It will help me get my sock stash down, without taking over my knitting life.

6. Also planning to use a lot of my fabric and yarn stash. I would like all of my yarn to fit in one bin by the end of the year. And I'd like my fabric scraps to go down by at least one bin (I currently have 3 huge bins). I'd also like to make a dent in the yardage.

Since we are now living in a smaller place, the goal is to have more control over the stash in general.

7. Bee Quilts. I am in the process of working on old bee quilts. The most recent is the Row10 Quilt. I have it all pieced and ready to quilt. I plan to combine machine and hand quilting on this one, as it is so special. My house quilt (AQB1) is also ready for quilting, and I am working on piecing together my Ten Make Two blocks as well. So stay tuned for photos of those.

I spend a good part of today looking for my camera. It has vanished, yet the memory card is plugged into the computer, so how far could it really have gone? If you find it, please send it back home. Although it drives me nuts, I miss it and need it to post photos!

I leave you with a mosaic of my favorite projects from 2010. Hopefully next year's mosaic will be even larger, as my sewing mojo has finally returned!!

The Big 3-0

2010-12-09T12:45:00.004-05:00

In one week (December 16th), I will be 30. Not sure how I feel about that. I'm not exactly where I thought I would be at 30. But I am loved and happy.

The mini cake is from my in-Laws. They have given me a cute cake like this from the girl with the most cake for the past few years. Very much appreciated! These cakes are very tasty and this one is Lemon! Yum! And cute! I'm eating it early because I've been staring at it in the fridge for too long.

We don't have plans for the big day. We are in a new city with no family or friends around. I thought we might go into Toronto for the day if S can get the day off. I have a gift card for Lettuce Knit burning a hole in my pocket. And maybe a nice dinner.

How do you celebrate your milestone birthdays? Any ideas.Will 30 really feel any different from 29?

A Kirby little secret..

2010-11-18T09:50:00.019-05:00

It's time that I let you in on a little secret. During the move and my trip to Rhinebeck and all the insanity that came along with that stuff, I was working on a very important quilt commission.

It was for Nintendo of America. I was commissioned to design and create the quilt for Kirby's Epic Yarn game on the Nintendo Wii. Isn't that insane?! I'm still shocked and it's long finished and shipped out. We love Nintendo at our house, so even though the timing of this project was less than ideal, it was too awesome of an opportunity to pass it up. If you remember I made a Nintendo quilt for my husband a few years back. I don't think I ever posted a photo on the blog, so here's a picture of that one.

Now, on to the Kirby Quilt!

Here is a bad photo of Kirby overseeing the whole operation from the top of our fridge.

I made the whole quilt, all 119 inches (almost 10 feet!square), in the Kitchen because my sewing area hadn't been unpacked or set-up yet, in fact it still isn't. Gotta do that soon.

Here is my initial design plan. I created the grid in Excel, and then just coloured with pencil crayons. Once I decided what I wanted to do, I coloured in my Excel sheet on the computer. That's as high tech as my quilt designing goes. I prefer graph paper and pencil crayons.

The quilt consisted of 80 10inch quilt blocks created by Nintendo fans, media and staff. These were created using the White Bella Solid Layer Cakes and fabric markers. All of the fabrics, mostly solids, and a few prints were ordered from Fat Quarter Shop. Love them! Their fabrics on the screen are soo true to real life, which makes ordering from them awesome. The felt, buttons, embroidery floss came from Fabric.com. This was the first time I ordered from them, but I was very pleased and would do it again.

While waiting for the other blocks to arrive, I started creating my 16 10inch blocks out of felt and embroidery floss, and one big centre logo of the game. I was also asked to embellish each of the 80 blocks with a bit of stitching. Big job! Good thing I was between day jobs at the time. (Still looking for a day job btw if anyone has any leads on anything creative in the Toronto Area or work from home, please let me know)

Here are some of the blocks I received. Love the one on the top in the middle! It's amazing!

Here are my blocks

The centre square

Me and the final product! Ready to ship!

Some of the blocks and detail

And here is the finished quilt! Hard to photograph in the apartment so this one was sent to me.

I had no idea where the quilt was going to be displayed. Turns out it was at the Nintendo World store re-opening in NEW YORK CITY!! for Super Mario's 25th Anniversary. How awesome was that!

The above photo was taken by hello sandy at the Nintendo World store!

Here's a photo taken by GamingBits. That big green square in the top left corner is the back of the quilt hanging in the window.

and some more photos of the event are available here.

Yay! Feels good to get that secret out.

Oh and I got to play the game. Super fun!

Happy Quilting!

My recipe: for Spaghetti Sauce

2010-11-09T12:05:00.006-05:00

This spaghetti sauce is something I make a few times a year. It makes a big batch and I freeze it in Medium Ziploc bags. This sauce originated with my friend Lisette. She invited me over to make sauce one day, and I wrote it down as I went. She's not a fan of veggies and I am, so I added a zillion veggies which were not in her original recipe.

Here it goes:

Lisette and Sarah Spaghetti Sauce

In large pot:

1 large Onion
2 stalks Celery
1 Bacon (I omit the bacon because I rarely have any)

Cook those and add meat

1 pound of ground beef (or chicken or turkey, I've tried them all) you can also add probably another pound of meat if you are a meatarian (i'm pretty close to vegetarian)

Add veggies:
1 green pepper chopped
1 red pepper chopped
2 medium zucchini chopped
2 cups carrots cut fine (i like those matchstick precut carrots in the produce section)
1 tray of mushrooms
1 can of mushrooms (I like mushrooms)

Spices:
Bit of nutmeg
Bit of sage
Lots of oregano
Lots of basil
Red Pepper flakes (to your spicy level)
3 bay leaves
salt
pepper

Add:
1/2 cup red wine (I rarely have this since I'm not much of a drinker, so I use about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of red wine vinegar)
1 big can of tomato paste (or two small ones)
2 cans of diced tomatoes
2 cans of tomato sauce

Let that cook over medium-low for about 30-50 minutes

Let cool slightly and carefully scoop into Medium Ziploc Freezer bags. Makes about 6 bags. Each bag serves 3. (You can portion to suit your family)

Store in the freezer flat.

Then all you need to do is take it out the of freezer the night before and defrost in the frige.

This is the best sauce I've had and it's sooo much better than jarred sauce. Try it and enjoy the homemade goodness.

Rhinebeck Recap

2010-11-05T13:38:00.009-04:00

It feels like ages since we went to Rhinebeck for the Dutchess County Sheep and Wool Festival but really it was only a few weeks ago. October 16-17th to be exact.

We had an amazing time! I only took two pictures. It was such a whirlwind that I wanted to enjoy every second. Plus I knew that there would be tonnes of photos in the blogisphere if I wanted to re-live it again.

The highlight of the trip was meeting THE Ysolda Teague! and Louise and I got our picture taken with her! What would have made it more fabulous was if I had finished my Damson Shawl in time to wear to Rhinebeck, but sadly I only finished it yesterday. Photos to come after blocking.

Here's us with Ysolda!

My other photo was of the famous and incredibly delicious chicken pot pie. Yum, yum, yum!

We also had some of the maple cotton candy, Heaven!

Here's my yarn haul.

Slightly over budget. But I did come home with 25 dollars.

Clockwise from far left.
Mini Mochi, Colour: Babyface 111
The Sanguine Gryphon Litte Traveler, Colour: San Zhi
The Sanguine Gryphon Bugga! , Colour: Half-Banded Topper
Jamie Harmon Merino/Angora 2 ply handspun, Colour: Multi
Jamie Harmon Merino/Angora 2 ply millspun, Colour: pink-red (making that up)
Socks that Rock Lightweight Mill-end, pink
Socks that Rock Lightweight Mill-end, grey green blue
Fibre Optics Roving, 80% Merino & 20% Silk, Colour: Chocolate-loden-teal-dusty blue gradient

And a Ravelry Goodybag from the awesome party! Priceless!

I also got a Jennie The Potter yarn bowl. Which I've already put to good use on my next project. I'm starting the Daybreak Shawl by Stephen West.

If you every have a chance to go to Rhinebeck, do it! You won't be disappointed.

Getting there..

2010-10-04T14:12:00.005-04:00

Well, we've got the cats all packed up...

and we're getting ready for the move.

The thing is our new place is quite a bit smaller (no craft room), and I'm starting to feel like one of those people on Hoarders.

This big pile is all crafting stuff. And the craft room is not empty. I think the book box count alone is over 12 now. And I've stopped counting the fabric and yarn boxes. Eeks.

We're moving Friday.

Still to pack:

- The rest of the craft room and mostly everything else.

I may need some backup.

Disclaimer: No cats were harmed in the packing of the apartment. All banana box chillin' was strictly the idea of the felines pictured. We love kitty cats!

Hi to the visitors from Whitby and Oshawa! We're moving to Whitby!

On the move..

2010-10-01T13:54:00.006-04:00

I'm sorry for the long haitus. Things have been crazy.

We finally found a new place to live and will be moving a few things this weekend and shoul be completely moved by next week. In the midst of all that craziness I was working on a few comissions from an old coworker.

I say old coworker because since we are moving over 4 hrs away to a new city (scary), I have had to quit my job. I am hoping to find something that will feed my soul. Here's hoping there's just the perfect creative job out there just waiting for someone like me to fill it!

Here are the commissions.

Commission #1 - a nameplate for a new baby

Commission #2 - a wall quilt

I also took my last bus ride as a OC Transpo bus pass holder. Had to document that one as I waited for the bus that was 15 minutes late.

Also new is that I'm no longer a braceface! Got those pesky braces off, and now have nice straight teeth! Yay!

Talk soon,

Sarah

Moving

2010-08-31T17:48:00.005-04:00

I thought that since it had been so long since I have blogged that I should fill you guys in on some new developments.

We are moving from Ottawa to the GTA. My husband got a promotion which is the reason for the move. We are in the process of finding somewhere to live, and ~~staring at empty boxes procrastinating~~ packing. I haven't forgotten about the blog, there has just been a tonne of stuff going on in a very short time frame.

Note: If you are moving shortly do not ever scan a room and envision yourself packing every single thing in it. ugh!

Needless to say I haven't made any progress on the Improv(e)Your Butt Quilt Challenge. I did ok that first week.

I've been trying to craft whenever I have time. I'll try and take some photos if I can find the camera! :P

Improv(e) your Butt Challenge!

2010-07-26T07:58:00.009-04:00

Jacquie over at Tallgrass Prairie Studio has thrown out a challenge to all the quilters out there. It is called Improv(e) Your Butt Challenge. Basically it's meant to get us crafters (who spend lots of time on our butts sewing) up and moving around. The goal is to log our miles on this website and see if we can collectively make it across the US. I'm not from the US but I'll gladly walk across it to get fit and make a fun quilt!

The fun part of all this is for every mile that we log, we get one piece of fabric to use for our improv project. This is a fantastic idea. I've been trying to figure out a quilting/exercise thing for a while and here it is. And I always seem to do better when there is group motivation!

I’ve decided to use scraps or cut fabric but nothing bigger than a 6 inch square. They can then be sub-cut depending on what block I'm trying to make. I'm going to take my personal challenge up a notch because I am in major need of some extra motivation! (Because I’ve been doing zero exercise.) I fell off the wagon big time! and because this 6 month project will end exactly on our 3rd wedding anniversary (January 26th, 2011). And wouldn't it be fun to fit into that dress again...(i don't need to wear it, just want to be that size!)

This means in addition to the 1 piece per mile, I will also be rewarding myself:

1 piece for every day I stay on track with my food plan (this is key for me to see results)
1 piece for every time I do my weight routine

That’s a potential extra 10 pieces per week! I won't be logging these ones on the mile tracker but will keep track here on the sidebar somewhere.

We'll be sharing our quilts over on the Project Improv flickr group.

Wanna join in the fun? Go see Jacquie to find out how to join the team!

52 Fridays Week 29/52 the Laura Edition

2010-07-16T06:49:00.005-04:00

Happy Birthday Laura!

(From me and some friends from my weekly Knitting Group!)

Sorry..

2010-07-12T12:41:00.002-04:00

Haven't been in a photo taking mood. Which means there isn't much to see. We went to New York City for the July 4th weekend. I'll try and get some of those photos up soon.

I'll be back I promise.

I'm around...

2010-06-26T10:05:00.005-04:00

Just not here.

I've been doing a lot of knitting! Here are some recent photos.

In a true test of perseverance, I finally finished my Ravelympic Socks! Yes the Ravelympics were over in February. But the socks are finished, and that's what counts.

I've been working on a Shawl.

And I started a new pair of plain socks.

If you're a knitter you may be wondering "what the heck is with all the Noro Kureyon Sock?" My reasoning for starting the shawl is that I was upset with the Ravelympic socks and their lack of stretch and having to start from scratch 2 times. I didn't want it to destroy my love for Noro, so I started the shawl. Then once the Ravelympic socks turned out ok, I decided I should get going making another pair of them before I forget what I did to the first pair. Strange, I know.

I'm also behind on my 52 Fridays. I have taken photos, but just haven't posted. I'll be doing that soon.

Sometimes it's just hard to keep up with everything.

So why not have a nap?! Seems to be working for Olivia.

Sewing

2010-06-06T15:26:00.005-04:00

I sewed a bit last night and today.

I made a pouch!

Not a quilt, but 'quilted' so I'll still count this as a win! Sewing mojo on it's way back!

Side one.

Side two.

Peek at the inside.

52 Fridays Week 23/52

2010-06-06T08:28:00.002-04:00

Had to fend off the paparazzi for this one. They were trying to get a photo of my sewing room in it's disorganized state!

Nothing to see here!

Quilt!!!

2010-06-03T12:56:00.004-04:00

I've been noticing that my flickr and blog visitors have dwindled a bit. Then I started to think about what I've been doing differently. or not doing as the case may be.

That would be quilting! Since I got bit by the knitting bug this past September, I've been hibernating and not working on any of my quilt projects.

I've just started listening to a quilting podcast that my lovely friend upstatelisa recommended to me. It's called Quilting Stash. It's getting me thinking quilting again! I feel so bad that I've been neglecting my quilting, and have found that when you stop doing something, your skills don't exactly improve.

I want to quilt more!

These are some of my favorite projects.

Just a reminder to myself, that I'm good at this, it's fun, creative, exciting!

Get back to it already!!

My new mission is to find some fun, exciting like minded quilters in my area to sew with! Anyone in Ottawa, Ontario? I want to start a Modern Quilt Guild in Ottawa.

This is my 100th post.

52 Fridays Week 22/52

2010-05-31T18:38:00.001-04:00

Back to reality. I miss the Island already. So much traffic and noise in the city.

How I spent my May Vacation (52 Fridays Week 21)

2010-05-31T17:28:00.007-04:00

I'm a tad behind on my 52 Fridays. I did take photos though, just haven't had the time to post them. I went to Prince Edward Island Canada with a knitting friend last week for the Canadian long weekend. We went to visit my Mom at their new Bed & Breakfast in Tignish, PE.
Shameless plug: Go visit them too! Murphy's Tourist Home and Cottages

My Dad was in the process of finalizing the sale of their house here in Ontario, and on his way to PEI. We did manage to catch him enroute the last day.

Here's my summary of the trip. Based on what I can remember and in no particular order of significance. More so based on the few photos I remembered to take. WARNING: LOTS OF PHOTOS.

I traveled from Ottawa to Halifax-Halifax to Charlottetown

I arrived.

My luggage didn't.

Do you like my outfit? I thought I may have had to wear it forever.

Poor Mr. Cow. He has no luggage either!

But my suitcase's trip to Calgary was short lived and it arrived the next morning.

I learned an interesting bit of info that may be useful at dinner parties. Charlottetown is YYG, Calgary is YYC. So if you get someone with bad eyesight, your luggage is taking it's own trip.

A random old house for upstatelisa. She loves photos of old houses.

We went to MacAusland's Woolen Mill and I bought a small piece of woolen blanket that they sell as a shawl. Super warm! and some Wool to make some of type of East coast mittens. To be determined. Christine also bought a blanket!

Giant spinning wheel! almost as tall as me!

Beautiful beach!

My friend and my Mom.

Saw Yoda at the Co-op (Grocery Store)

We saw some boats.

We met some nice horses across from the boats.

Hello there!

We saw the tip of the island. North Cape. And the super cool wind turbines.

Look how long each propeller (?) is!

I took my 52 Fridays photo. "Hey look there's the tip of the island"

Watch out for this cliff. Even the sign is falling in!

This is the lighthouse at the North Cape.

Here's the other side of the island.

We went to a wonderful quilt shop the Quilt Gallery! (website not so fab. but over 3000 bolts of quilting fabric at the amazing shop!!). Michelle who works there told us about a talk that the Northern Lights Quilt Guild of O'Leary were putting on. The speaker was Sandra Betts. She spoke about her work and actually passed things around so we could all have a closer look. Amazing!!

My friend and I blowing away in the wind.

We went to the Past & Present Rug Shop in North Rustico on our drive back to the Charlottetown Airport. They sell lots of rug hooking supplies and also some wonderful Fleece Artist yarn. It's a teeny place but I managed to spend lots of money there!

The End.

Summary:
Had a wonderful relaxing week.
I wish we could have stayed longer.
The weather was great. Not hot. I loved it.
I love small town living.
Can't wait to go back!

52 Fridays Week 20/52

2010-05-15T13:41:00.004-04:00

I climbed a mountain! We had a staff retreat and a bunch of us went for a walk to explore. There was a trail to the Summit, so off we went.

I made it.

Talk about a wake-up call though! I thought I was going to run out of oxygen! The other wake-up call is when your co-worker takes a picture of you from behind! No chances for me to pick the angle. Eeeks.

Elliptical and gym here I come!

52 Fridays Week 19/52

2010-05-07T17:07:00.005-04:00

If you need me I'll be in the sewing room with my friend Ms. Pfaff. I have lots of Row 10 and other sewing to do!

Or I might be at the Common Thread Quilt Guild Show at the RA Centre in Ottawa! I have three quilts in the show.

Since most of you are unable to go to it due to geography, I'll give you a preview.

McD's Farm

Minny Muu

Picnic Fun

Have a great weekend and Happy Mother's Day!

Shop Update - Project Bags

2010-05-01T14:51:00.008-04:00

I've been sewing like a crazy person working on project bags for my byneedleandthread etsy shop.

The shop has now been updated with 16 lovely bags.

These are for toting around your knitting or crochet project or really anything you want to stash in a fun bag. They are approximately 9 by 12 inches and close with a pretty ribbon and button.

Check them out!

If you decide to buy one, let me know you saw them on my blog, and I'll throw in a little something extra.

52 Fridays Week 18/52

2010-04-28T12:37:00.006-04:00

I'm neck deep in fabric!!

I'm in production mode over here. I have an update planned for my new etsy shop! byneedleandthread.etsy.com

To celebrate this event, I am doing a giveaway with Jackie over at KIPing it Real Podcast. She has planned a Meet n Greet at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival tomorrow outside the front gate, and I have donate some prizes! If you're in the area (I'm not but maybe you are) check out the info here.

I will also be doing a giveaway here once the update is complete and the dust settles. So keep checking back for that.

Weekend plans:
-Shop sewing and update
-Sew sleeves on the back of two quilts for the quilt show. Link!
-Drop off quilts for the show
-Make placemat for PQS3
-Mother's day secret project
-Trying to stay off the computer!!!!!

Yikes! I better get my butt moving!

52 Fridays Week 17/52

2010-04-23T18:28:00.004-04:00

Sorry I didn't do anything monumentally stupid or funny this week.

And I've been spending too much time doing this...

Which means although I've stalked many patterns on Ravelry, I haven't done much of anything this week.

New on the want to knit list (and the reason I'm now obsessed):
-Monkey Socks (Rebecca's cool ones at Knitting Night)
-Central Park Hoodie (this one's Jackie's fault)

Weekend plans:
-seeing my parents
-crafty things (not sure what yet)

Knitting Blunder & 52 Fridays Week 16/52

2010-04-16T07:25:00.006-04:00

At lunch yesterday I went out to buy a coffee cake to bring to my Thursday night knitting group.

When I left work I had my usual bag, a bag of knitting and a grocery bag with a cake in it. I decided that this was too many bags to manage on the bus. So, while in the elevator (alone) I decided to empty my knitting bag, and put the cake at the bottom of it. This involved grabbing the small rainbow ball of dishcloth cotton, a large tangly ball of dishcloth cotton and holding that between my knees, the project bag containing my shawl in progress under one arm, and a bag of yarn I bought in Toronto to show the ladies at knitting under my other arm. Then of course the elevator door opens and a man in full biking gear (helmet, spandex, yellow jacket) walks in, and looks at ME funny. (he shoulda seen himself!). So not being one to keep things to myself. (i.e. feeling the need to explain myself to random strangers). I told him I was going to knitting and bringing a cake, and trying to move it to the bottom of my bag before we get to to ground floor. Bell rings. We're there. I shove the knitting stuff all in the bag, say "Perfect!" and proceed to strut out of the elevator all proud of myself amazed at my speed and accomplishment this feat!

Then I hear "Whoa! whoa! whoa!" I'm about 10 feet out of the elevator at this point. I turn around and he's holding the ball of rainbow yarn?? I look at the tail coming outta the ball, which is not only trailing behind me the 10 feet attached to the dishcloth in progress that is all safe in my bag, but it's also wrapped around my leg! I thanked him like this is something normal people do every day, and finished my strut out of the lobby.

Then laughed so hard I cried.

52 Fridays Week 16/52

I love Fridays for many reason, two of which are jeans and sneakers.

Weekend plans

-shopping in the US with my parents
-knitting in the car
-row 10 catch up
-secret project
-placemat swap daydreaming

52 Fridays Week 15/52

2010-04-09T08:29:00.008-04:00

It's Friday again, when did that happen? I've got lots to do today/this weekend, so I decided multi-tasking was in order. I took the photo of myself while on the bus this morning, very covertly of course, don't want anyone to know how weird I really am. :)

I’m going to Toronto for work meetings on Monday and Tuesday. I planned an early flight Sunday morning so that I could visit with my friend Chantale who lives in Barrie. She is going to drive in for the day. I’ve already lined up a few yarn shops we need to visit. So far my list includes: Purple Purl, Lettuce Knit and Whole Foods. One more stop has to be the most amazing looking store The Paper Place! My coworker was telling me about it. I'm giddy just thinking of all the bright colours and cuteness!I'm not sure what else we’ll do. I can’t wait! Anyone have any other Toronto suggestions? I need to keep in mind that it's just one day of exploring.

Before Sunday I need to get all my ducks in a row. I’ve got some last minute sewing to do and some overdue packages to send out.

Weekend Plans
- Sew
- Mail packages
- Shopping for snacks
- Do laundry & pack for my trip
- Visit with Chantale (Yay!)
- A zillion other things

Sew!

2010-04-05T12:01:00.004-04:00

I took a little break to dye some yarn this weekend using the tutorial at Kathryn Ivy.

But mostly I've been doing a lot of sewing.

I finished the last 3 months of Ten Make Two. I'm anxiously awaiting my blocks.

I have also been working on row10. I'm enjoying making my own blocks with no patterns. Here's my hedgehog. It started as a doodle one day at work, then a more structured picture. Before I couloured the picture, it passed the "what do you think this looks like" test with my husband.

I did a little math, and now a wonderful block. If I do say so myself.

I hope everyone else is having a great long weekend!

52 Fridays Week 14/52

2010-04-02T11:21:00.004-04:00

Theme of the week Green. Had to feature Mr. Froggy.

Looong Weekend Plans
- Visit my parents today for easter dinner
- Visit S's parents tomorrow
- Going outside! It's going super warm this weekend!
- Sewing
- Bee blocks
- Secret project
- I also have an urge to work on Dear Jane blocks again.
- Knitting
- Dyeing yarn with easter egg dye!

Happy Easter Folks!

52 Fridays Week 13/52

2010-03-26T08:05:00.003-04:00

Even though it's -11C (12F) outside today. I am going to embrace spring here at the office. With my daffodils that I bought to support the Canadian Cancer Society.

Weekend plans
- Cleaning! Because my friend is sleeping over in my craft room! Eeks!
- Potluck with friends
- Sewing for an exciting project (news to come)
- Bee block sewing
- Knitting of course!

Don't forget about Earth Hour tomorrow night!

52 Fridays Week 12/52

2010-03-19T16:55:00.003-04:00

I knit these myself!

Trying out my tripod, and taking pictures of my new socks! My second ever pair. First in sock weight yarn. Yippee! I wish my feet were teeny tiny. Not size 9.5. More photos on my Flickr photostream

I'm still plugging away on my Ravelympics socks. I had to start over. I am now doing them Top-Down. I will not give up.

Have a good weekend all!

52 Fridays Week 11/52

2010-03-12T08:13:00.001-05:00

A much better week. And how can you go wrong with a bright pink coat! Yay spring-ish weather! No more black winter coat! (I hope).

I took this photo outside a magazine shop this morning on my way to work. The lady coming out the door thought I was taking a picture of her. It was pretty funny! I had to explain my self-portrait thing. She probably thinks I’m nuts.

In knitting news, I am almost finished my Garter-Rib socks. The Ravelympics ones were in time-out for not behaving. They will be released tomorrow when the Garter-Ribs are done!

Tomorrow I’m going on an expedition to Janie H Knits with my knitting friends. And then out for lunch. Should be a nice day!

52 Fridays Week 10/52

2010-03-07T18:05:00.002-05:00

My personal unintentional theme of the year. Sleeping at the wheel. Not literally of course (I don't have a driver's license). Just feel like I'm letting myself and others down.

Good news is things have to get better from here right? They can only go up!

52 Fridays Week 9/52

2010-03-02T12:30:00.000-05:00

Just a little late posting this one.

52 Fridays Week 8/52

2010-02-19T17:39:00.004-05:00

Seriously! When did it happen?!

I've been knitting away on my socks for the Ravelympics. Turns out they are a titch too small. hmm.. I've since frogged the one with the yellow toe and started over with orange and size 2.25mm needles instead of 2mm. I shoulda know my guage was off. I actually did, but somehow thought it would work out. Lesson learned. Items will not stretch to guage. I also knew that. I will be frogging the other one soon. I have until the 28th to finish them.

52 Fridays Week 7/52

2010-02-12T12:31:00.003-05:00

This whole taking photos of myself thing is getting easier. I do need a tripod though. So much easier than trying to stretch your arm out at long as it will go.

This weeks photo is in celebration of the Ravelympics beginning tonight. 9pm my time. I'll be watching the Olympic Opening Ceremonies and casting on my Toe-Up socks.

I'm also trying to get a lot of sewing done this weekend. I've challenged some folks to try and sew as much as possible and called it Sewing Olympics. Here are my lofty goals.

Keep in mind I'm a professional list-maker. Not so much a list follower.

Happy Weekend All!

52 Fridays Week 6/52

2010-02-05T23:04:00.004-05:00

I'm gearing up for the Ravelympics over on Ravelry (a.k.a Facebook for Knitters). We are to cast on our project at 6pm pacific time when the Olympics Opening Ceremonies begin in Vancouver. That will be 9pm here. Gonna make some striped toe-up socks with funky bright yarn.

But really the pattern I'm using is not from this book, and I'm nearsighted so I don't need glasses to read...but they do make me look studious don't they?

I am currently trying to finish these socks before the Olympics. They are from the above book. So it's not a total fake-out.

One from the Archives

2010-02-03T18:01:00.003-05:00

I made this quilt last spring for our quilt guild's challenge. The theme was Old Mcdonald had a farm. They gave us some fabrics: rusty barn colour, sky, sunflower print (i used 1inch square of it on the centre flower) and the grass. The rest is from my stash. I took the idea and ran with it. I really love how it worked out. These were my first letters and free piecing. No patterns used here.

I need to challenge myself more often.

A finished object(s)

2010-01-31T12:05:00.004-05:00

Part of my New Year's resolution or rather 'plan for this year' included participating in the NaKniMitMo over on Ravelry. We were to knit a pair of mittens in the month of January. Easy enough. I finished one mitten. But only started on the 15th because I was making a quilt for my Mom for her Birthday.

Here's the quilt I made her.

And here's my one mitten. It is the Swedish Fish (Ravelry link) pattern by SpillyJane. She's Canadian too! Yay Canada! Hoping to start the other one today.

52 Fridays Week 5/52

2010-01-29T16:57:00.002-05:00

My SP is a little different this week. Tuesday was our 2nd Wedding Anniversary. This time two years ago we were on a ship in the Carribean. We sure could use some warm weather now. -32 C(-25.6F) with the windchill..brrrr.

Weekend plans:

- Clean, organize and destash my sewing room.
- Knit.
- Do some sewing.

Hmmm..something seems familiar with those plans.

Valuable Insight

2010-01-25T12:19:00.000-05:00

Things I have learned while re-organizing my sewing room.

I love pencils.
I love notebooks and notepads.
I need to stop buying fabric.
I am not sure I will outlive my ginormous fabric stash.
I enjoy writing lists.
I do not follow to-do lists, just write them.
I enjoy procrastinating.
I have been struggling with the same life goals for 4 years. This one not so fun. But it’s time to take action and get some of those things checked off my to-do list of life.

I am still cleaning.

52 Fridays Week 4/52

2010-01-22T16:38:00.003-05:00

This is as good as it gets this week. I'm glad to be home.

Weekend plans:

- Clean, organize and destash my sewing room.
- Knit.
- Do some sewing.

52 Fridays Week 3/52

2010-01-17T17:16:00.003-05:00

I'm a little late posting this picture. I was away at a ladies crafting/sewing/knitting retreat for 4 days. Lots of fun! This is pretty much what I did the whole time.

So relaxing but also exhausting with all the staying up late, getting up early. And the laughing! It's equivalent to a million sit-ups I'm sure.

52 Fridays Week 2/52

2010-01-08T12:06:00.004-05:00

It's Friday again already! Good thing my phone can take pictures. And thanks to Lisa I now know how to email upload to flickr. Yay technology. Also allows for no editing. hmm.

My little corner at work. Notice the festive decorating.

This is photo number 92 of the 94 I took. In my defense it's very hard to take your own pictures with an iphone, no actual button to push, so you just smile and tap your finger a million times and hope for the best.

52 Fridays Week 1/52

2010-01-01T13:09:00.006-05:00

This project is going to be quite interesting. It took 85 photos to like one of them. I'm hoping that ratio will change as the year goes on.

So long 2009, Hello 2010

2009-12-31T14:05:00.009-05:00

2009 was a great year!

I made some new friends. Met Upstatelisa and her wonderful daughter C at the Vermont Quilt Festival, and we got together one more time here in Ottawa where I met her other two kids (J & B)! I also got to meet the lovely LauraJay and her son A! What a wonderful year of friendship.

Lots of Quilting was accomplished this year.

I also started knitting again in September. My sewing productivity went down, but that's ok. Knitting has been wonderful. I go to a weekly knitting group and I'm becoming more confident with every project. I've also got a long list if things I want to make.

Looking forward to 2010 I'd like to simplify. But I also want to have fun.

I will continue knitting and have signed up for NaKniMitMo10 (National Knit Mittens Month 2010) on Ravelry. Basically you knit a pair of mittens in January and post a photo by the 31st. I will be tackling the Swedish Fish Mittens. Hoping to start them tomorrow.

In February the Olympics are coming to Canada and although I live nowhere near Vancouver, I will celebrate by participating in the Ravelympics 2010. You cast on a knitting project during the opening ceremonies and try to finish by the closing ceremonies. You are supposed to pick something that is a challenge for you. I'm thinking a vest but still not 100% sure. I am on the Stash and Burn groupies team.

I will also be sewing but part of my goal to simplify will be my reduced involvement in swaps. My walls are full of small quilts for now. I will focus on functional quilts and placemats. I am going to participate in row10 with my lovely online quilting friends. We will make one row of a quilt for each person per month. It will be so lovely to have a quilt made by all my new friends. I will probably also do placemat quilt swap, as we could use some more placemats.

Scrap and stash reduction will hopefully be a side-effect of all this quilting. :)

Oh and Dear Jane I will be back! I've missed working on this project.

As far as resolutions go, I'm generally not good at keeping them. But I will try very hard to be more active and be happy with small accomplishments. I always get down on myself if I don't start the gym 7 days a week and then promptly quit. I will start slowly and be happy with any progress. I am also going to make more healthy meals from simple fresh ingredients and try new recipes.

2010 will also be a year of self-acceptance, love, discovery. I've never liked being in photos, or seeing photos of myself. Part of my growth this year will be in participating in 52 Fridays. We will post one self-portrait per week on Friday.

I thank all of my wonderful readers and friends. I try to answer all comments individually, but it does get hard sometimes. Please don't think that they are not appreciated. Thank you so much for all you have given this year.

Hugs.

Busy Busy

2009-12-27T20:32:00.005-05:00

I hope everyone had a great holiday! I was busy knitting like a crazy person. The second week of December I was so sick. Home in bed. But I did get some knitting done.

Socks for Dad

These are just K2 P2 rib in Cascades 220 Superwash. I followed the instructions and formulas from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch. These are my first every pair of socks and they fit him perfectly, so if you make a guage swatch and follow the sizing charts, it should all work out. I'm about to start a pair for me outta sock weight crazy bright self-striping yarn.

Then on the 15th of December I started Ishbel for my Mom. My first ever lace project. I think I knit and frogged and knit this thing twice over. But I finished it on time despite people telling me it would never be done. I did it! Yay me! The yarn is Superwash Sock in Coastal colourway from SweetGeorgia. They are from Vancouver BC Canada! Beautiful stuff hand dyed to order!

Ishbel for Mom

And now my knitting confidence is growing with each project. I decided to tackle the wonderful Foliage hat from Knitty. I have loved this hat forever, but never thought I had the skills to make it. Once you knit a lace shawl in a week, you'd be surprised how much more confident you feel. So yesterday I made the hat from start to finish. It is made of Malabrigo Chunky from someone's stash in ravelry. So glad she was selling it. It didn't even use the whole skein. The colour is called Floral but I have dubbed it Strawberry Lemonade.

And here I am haming it up for the photo shoot. Ignore the chipmunk cheeks. Still trying to hide the braces.

I've also been trying to catch up on bee blocks. Hoping to start the new year with a clean slate. See y'all later gotta go do some more sewing...

I made mittens!

2009-12-06T15:46:00.003-05:00

So I haven't been quilting but I have been knitting. I started going to a group every Thursday night. It's been very fun, and the ladies are so nice.

These are my Chevron Love Mittens! I purchased a pattern from Knitterly Things. Julia (the store owner) designed the pattern. It's amazing. And for those who think they could never do something this complicated..it isn't. This is my first colourwork. But not my last.

I've already got some more patterns lined up on Ravelry. Swedish Fish and Cupcakes by SpillyJane! But I must finish Christmas gifts first.

Yay knitting!

I Quilted!

2009-12-05T10:05:00.006-05:00

For a while there I thought my quilting mojo had vanished. Thank goodness it didn't. Nothing like a deadline to get you out of a funk.

This quilt is for my friend Tanya's new baby boy. He is due December 19th, and I am giving it to her today at a Christmas Potluck (Surprise shower)!

My procrastination is still working well. I quilted it thursday night and last night i added a bit more quilting and started to hand sew the binding. Up at 6:30am this morning to finish it. In the washing machine at 8:00am, dryer at 8:30. And now at 10:08am it's all folded and ready to go. My other friend Chantale is picking me up at 10:30am.

Nothing like a deadline to get me going!

Oh and I used my new labels for the first time. Love them! Good thing, I've got 99 more.

Sarah's Stars

2009-11-08T18:30:00.019-05:00

That's me!

My twitter/bloggy friend Julie asked me about this block I made for the lovely Tacha for theAnother Quilting Bee 1 swap group, so I thought I'd do a quickie tutorial for her and the rest of you too. I was just winging it when I made this block for Tacha, so I had to measure the finished block to determine the sizes of each piece.

This block is my own design using Maverick Star and classic 9-patch components. Please don't use it in items to sell, and if you do make it, I'd love if you sent some blog traffic my way. New friends are always welcome!

If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment and I'll try my best to clarify.

Enjoy!

Sarah's Stars Block - This block finished ast 16.5 inches with seam allowance. It's a biggie.

To make this block you will need to know how to make a 9-patch block and a Maverick Star. That tutorial has already been done, so I'll send you here to get it. I will use the colours in the layout pictures when referring to each piece.

Here is a picture of the block layout.

It consists of:
4 large Maverick Stars
1 small Maverick Star
4 small 9-patch blocks
Strips to connect them all together

Start by making these block components.
• 4 large stars using a 2.5 inch square for each of the 9 segments (you can do a fussy cut centre if you want, I added strips around to make my fussy cuts big enough for the block centres)
• 1 small star using a 1.5 inch square for each of the 9 segments
• 4 small 9-patch blocks using a 1.5 inch square for each of the 9 segments

Out of green fabric cut:
• 2 pieces 3.5" x 1"
• 2 pieces 4.5" x 1"

Out of light blue fabric cut:
• 8 pieces 6.5" x 1"

Note: the green and blue fabric strips are all 1 inch wide, my picture is not to scale)

Out of pink fabric cut:
• 4 squares 3.5" x 3.5"

Let's get started!

Row 1 Assembly
1. Sew pink square to the 9-patch block and attach the blue strips on each long side of this unit.
2. Attach one maverick star block to each side.
3. Make sure that the pink square is at the top of this row.

Row 2 Assembly
1. Sew the short green pieces on either side of the small star, then add the top and bottom pieces.
2. Sew pink square to the 9-patch block and attach the blue strips on each long side of this unit. Do this two times.
3. Attach the three sections together following the diagram. Make sure the pink squares are on either end of this row.

Row 3 Assembly
1. Sew pink square to the 9-patch block and attach the blue strips on each long side of this unit.
2. Attach one maverick star block to each side. Make sure that the pink square is at the bottom of this row.
Sew rows together.

Voilà! You're done!

If you make this block I'd love to see it! I know that you won't all be rushing into your sewing rooms to make this, but if you do, please post photos in the flickr group I just made.

Makeover in Progress

2009-11-03T12:06:00.002-05:00

Stay tuned! My blog makeover is in the works.

The very talented Amy from Patchwork Folio has been hard at work.

Changes to come soon!

Now if only those people from What Not to Wear would redo my wardrobe...

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T13:09:00.004-04:00

Hope everyone has a great day today!

This wonderful spooky quilt was made for me by the amazingly talented upstatelisa last year in a swap. I'm so glad we got matched up, she has become a good friend.

Don't eat too much...

DQS7 Received!

2009-10-23T12:24:00.003-04:00

I bet you were all wondering if I received a doll quilt in the Flickr Doll Quilt Swap.

I did!

It had a long voyage to make, but it arrived to its new loving home last week.

This beautiful quilt was made by Ralitza (Domoshar) completely by hand!

All hand stitched, hand quilted, embroidered!

Check out the story about it here.

Yippeee! I love my new pink and orange quilt!

I Won!

2009-10-18T11:37:00.004-04:00

I can't believe I won a prize in the Blogger's Quilt Festival! I'm still in shock! Thank you to Lisa for sending me an email this morning notifying me of this wonderful event!

I won a blog makeover from Amy! She's the lady behind the lovely blog button for the festival! How cool is that!

Here's what I won:

To celebrate the launch of PatchworkFolio I am offering a complete blog makeover to include a custom header, 5 sidebar title buttons, custom background, fonts, colors, favicon and post divider, coordinating post title font and custom 'email me' button. I will work with your current platform (i.e. Blogger, Typepad, Wordpress or other) and restrictions may apply depending upon your plan level and options available with your service. If you don't have a blog but wish to enter the drawing I will get you set up on Blogger's free platform and include all of the above (a $150 value).

Which means my blog will be all prettied up! yippee! Thank you to everyone involved in the festival!

Blogger's Quilt Festival - "My Minny Muu" February 2009

2009-10-09T18:57:00.013-04:00

This is my entry in the Blogger's Quilt Festival.

I made this quilt for me in February of this year but had yet to take photos of it. I was hoping to take some lovely photos outside this week, but it's been raining. So the giant table in the laundry room of our apartment building, will have to do. I thought of standing on the table to get a better angle, but they have surveillance cameras and I'm clumsy. So just a bad idea.

This quilt was an adventure that began on Flickr. While strolling around, I came across this and this and this photo of amazingly cute Minny Muu fabric by Lecien. I told everyone who would listen (and some who were just pretending to),about the cutest fabrics that I found, with little strawberries, random french words, mice and cheese, little teddy bears holding their own little bears...I could go on and on(and I'm sure I did). Just imagine all the blank stares from non-quilters.

So one Friday evening around 12am (I guess it was Saturday morning), I made it my mission to find this fabric online and purchase some. Immediately -if not sooner.

There were a few online stores that carried yardage, but I really wanted a little bit of each of the fabrics. I needed every print, in every colour. How could you leave one out!

So I created a table in Excel that had each store along the side and the prints along the top. I made check marks in the boxes to keep track. This was my plan to buy as many of the prints as possible, while spending the least on shipping. My Mom is still laughing at me about the Excel sheet.

Then around 2:30am, I came across Honeysuckle Cottage and low and behold they had layer cakes of the fabric (they still do!). One 10 inch square of each of the prints in the collection. I struck gold!! The only real issue is that I'm in Canada, and this shop is in Australia. But hey, they had the fabric. So I placed an order. I think it came to $60 Canadian. I didn't care.

While waiting the super long time for this stuff to make the trek from the Land Down Under to the Great White North, I noticed that the Fat Quarter Shop (in Texas) was also selling sushi rolls of Minny Muu, but there were no pictures of them unrolled, so I had no idea what was in them. I didn't care. I ordered one red, and one blue and some very cute dots to hopefully match. Oh and some sprinkle fabric (not pink like the link but the same print in white), 'cause who knows, maybe I'll change my mind about the dots. I'm sure you see how a fabric stash can develop with this purchasing strategy. While browsing Fat Quarter Shop's site, I fell in love with a pattern in Little Charmers 6 for a very cute table runner by Anka's Treasures.

Once all my goodies arrived, I decided to use the table runner pattern to make the quilt. I made the table runner top 4 times, and used them as 4 giant blocks, and then devised a layout to incorporate the giant blocks.

Most of the top of this quilt was made while on a Girls Crafting/Quilting getaway with friends. It was very fun! And being one who has a hard time focusing in group situations, I spend a lot of time taking these things apart, and re-sewing them together.

Full-on photos to come. When the sun arrives.

Check out the rest of the wonderful quilts in the festival here:

It's been a great mail week...

2009-09-26T17:09:00.004-04:00

I received the prize I won from Anina over at Twiddletails Blog.

My tenmaketwo blocks from Aneela, and check out the lovely extras. Heather Ross fabrics from Munki Munki PJ's.

Some lovely Malabrigo Yarn that I bought from a Ravelry person. This will be a hat.

Thank you everyone!!!!

In the making category.

I made this kitty for a special little girl.

And I'm hoping to finish this scarf for myself before the winter hits.

First Jane-a-thon results

2009-09-20T21:38:00.012-04:00

I finished 10 blocks for my Jane quilt in the Jane-a-thon this weekend. I was hoping for 20 but I do tend to over-estimate my level of productivity. I forgot to account for being exhausted Friday night, aparment cleaning and grocery shopping Saturday, and last night, a date night dinner at Baton Rouge and a movie (Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs) with my sweetie.

I'm still very proud of my progress. Check them out.

Day 1

L-5 Chattanooga Charlie (09/19/09)

C-8 Hani's Crown (09/19/09)

C-3 Rayelle's Fence (09/19/09)

L-3 Reflections Abound (09/19/09)

K-4 Thea's Turn (09/19/09)

DAY 2

D-7 Meeting Place (09/20/09)

M-12 Hopscotch (09/20/09)

H-1 Peek-a-boo (09/20/09)

A-5 Cathie's Campfire (09/20/09)

A-1 Pinwheel Gone Awry (09/20/09)

And if you'll take a second look at the title of this post, I said 'first' because I do plan to do this again. Very soon! I've completed 50 blocks and still have 175 to go.

ETA: I forgot to metion that even though it was not a contest, upstatelisa won! She made 16 blocks! and some were hand applique!! Must be all that getting up early she does. :)

Let the Jane's begin!

2009-09-18T15:36:00.009-04:00

Tonight begins the Dear Jane-a-thon weekend! I'm totally exhausted but I feel like somene shot the starter pistol and I'm off! Or I should say "we're off!" Ms. Fanny Fairbanks, Upstatelisa, and twocheeseplease and I are are all working in our own sewing rooms/areas and trying to make as many Jane blocks as possible this weekend. I would be the happiest girl in town if I can finish 20 blocks. Sounds like a lot but my( insane) goal of finished quilt by end of April 2010, is fast approaching. To date I have finished 40 since January 25th,09. But I have faith that I can do it! We all can do it! (different deadlines of course).

Go team!

Photos of progress to come!

DQS7

2009-09-13T10:51:00.004-04:00

I finished my doll quilt(s) ages ago but haven't had the energy to take a photo and send it to my partner. I know, not hard, but sometimes if feels like it is.

Without further ado...here is the finished doll quilt and it's twin!

The one on the left is headed South of Canada (that shouldn't give a whole lot away), the one on the right is for me. :)

Can't wait for my partner to get it!

The view from above

2009-09-05T08:22:00.005-04:00

This was the lovely view this morning from our balcony. The Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival is this weekend and it's such a lovely day, I guess everyone took their balloons out for a ~~spin~~ float.

How wonderful for us!

Yippee! I won!

2009-09-01T12:31:00.003-04:00

Not the lotto, but something equally as good!

Anina the that quilt queen was having a a scrap giveaway on her twiddletails blog. Beautiful scraps! The only catch was that you had to name all of the fabrics. I was up for the challenge. She sells all these fabrics in her shop, so I carefully scoured here shop, and found all the names. There was only one that she didn't have there, lucky me I had some in my stash. But I wasn't home. So I checked my email receipt from the shop where I bought it, and low and behold, the name was there.

Hard work pays off!

Check out what I won! here

I am so happy!

Back on the Jane Train

2009-08-26T19:15:00.005-04:00

I rhymed!

I'm planning a Dear Jane weekend with my online buddies Upstatelisa and Fanny Fairbanks. It will be the weekend of September 19th if everyone's life cooperates. We haven't planned out all of the details yet, but we will spend the weekend working on our Jane quilts. Each of us in our own homes...haha. So an at-home retreat of sorts. We will try to mass produce Jane blocks like crazy, and compare notes. Probably on twitter or something throughout the weekend, and post results on Monday? If any other Jane-ers out there want to play along. Just let me know.

I have already started a list of blocks to make that weekend. I'm aiming for the instant gratification ones. Gotta win the competition!!! Oh wait, it's not a contest...

In the mean time, I've finished some blocks that I had started a while ago. The hand applique was done, all I needed was to machine sew the pieces together.

I give you...

J-3 Rick's Volleyball Net (08/23/09)

Love Paris! Never been, but I'm open to free trips there! :)

M-13 Lynette's Diamond (08/23/09)

E-2 Merry May (08/23/09)

Check out the awesome frog fabric!

I-1 Ralph & Nelda's Wedding (08/22/09)

Till next time, take care!

Some Unphotographed Jane's

2009-08-23T16:32:00.003-04:00

Here are some of the Jane blocks I made back in June. Just finishing up some swap things, and I'm back to my Jane quilt. I still would like to finish it by the spring. And if that's going to happen, I need to work on it. Who woulda thunk that eh?

J-7 Chicken Tracks (06/07/09)

J-2 Picture Perfect (06/07/09)

I-2 Kaye's Courtyard (06/07/09)

F-3 Snowball (06/07/09)

A-6 Uncle Homer (06/07/09)

Blog Post

2009-08-14T12:29:00.002-04:00

Well I might be a bit behind posting here. But I did do a blog post over at Doll Quilt Swap Blog called Plate-a-rific!. Does that count?

Episode 51: Doll Quilting

2009-08-01T21:00:00.005-04:00

I've been sewing all day. I finally picked an idea for my doll quilt for the Doll Quilt Swap #7 over on flickr. The difference this time, is that my partner may be a bit more subdued with their colour taste, so I am going out on a limb here and scaling back my crazy super-saturation a bit. Oh the agony...just kidding, I like it too. As you may know, I always make two. This time will be no exception.

I am doing Dresden fans. in aqua, red, light pink, and fuchsia with possibly some mauve purple, and for sure some white.

I have redone the block layout a million times. So I decided that I'm just going to go for it and make the blocks, and then figure it out after.

No sewing day is complete without some good watching material. Today was no exception. Gilmore Girls Season 6.

I decided to machine baste, since I have 16 blocks to hand appliqué, I figured I should try and save time wherever possible. Also this will keep the pieces from shifting.

All ready to hand appliqué!

I love this swap!

FYI This is my 50th Post.

2009-07-15T12:00:00.002-04:00

I’ve been sewing away working on Quilting Bee blocks. I’m in two groups. Ten Make Two. Which started in June. In this group each person is assigned a month. On their month they let the group know what type of blocks they want. We use our own fabrics to make two 15.5 inch blocks in the given theme.

These two are for June: Shanna’s Pink Trees.

Block 1

Block 2

These are for July: Louise’s Bento Boxes in Pink and Orange.

Bento 1

Bento 2

The other group I joined in March. It is Another Quilting Bee 1. In this group we use the fabrics sent to us, and make the requested block. I had my month already. It was in April. Stay tuned for the awesome quilt made from the blocks from these wonderful ladies! Very cool. I haven’t put them together yet, but once you see the blocks, there’s no way the quilt won’t turn out awesome!

This block is for AQB1 June. Jessica send each person some solid black and a mix of one colour of fabrics. I got green. She said “anything goes”. Check out those peas...Too cute!

This basket is for AQB1 July. Barbara sent out a mix of greens,one white, and one floral. Barbara also said “anything goes”.

On the topic of Swaps. There is excitement brewing for the DQS7 that has started over on Flickr. It’s a great swap. Amazing participants! And it’s all secret! So you won’t know who’s making your quilt until you get it in the mail...very mysterious and very fun.

If you’re a Flickr person, and you like to quilt, go sign up! You won’t be disappointed. Sign-up closes this weekend. So hurry over there!!!

These are the quilts I made for DQS5

and DQS6.

What will I make this time?? Not sure, but if you sign up, it could be coming to you!

I’m a swap mama again this time. So behave yourselves and get your quilt done in time!!

Two More Jane Block

2009-06-06T09:03:00.002-04:00

I felt like I was neglecting my Jane quilt. And I really don't want to be rushing it at the end. So here are two more blocks.

G-5 Poof (06/04/09)

E-5 Rising Sun (06/03/09)"

I feel like I'm plowing through the applique blocks and will be left with all piecing. I will try to leave some applique for the end. Since it is my favourite part.

Off to Montreal today for a potluck with friends from high school. Should be fun. I'm going to try and get another block ready to hand applique. I know I just said I was going to save them, but one more can't hurt right...hehe I might be addicted to applique.

I've actually chosen my next applique project. Something from the lovely ladies of Piece O' Cake. Oh and while I'm talking about them, they've got a new book coming out. I'm very excited about this one. It's called Applique Outside the Lines. Check out the photos of the quilts in the book!

Picnic Quilt

2009-05-17T13:42:00.005-04:00

I am madly working on a picnic quilt. After seeing Katy's lovely quilt and Sarah has started one too, I had to jump on board also.

I really have these dreams of putting the finished quilt in my cute bike basket (still need to buy one) and going for a wonderful bike ride. Then I will stop along the river where it is beautiful, and set up shop. I will lay out my pretty quilt, get out some lemonade and sandwiches and some hand sewing or quilt books to read. I will sit there all day and then when I’ve had just enough of the lovely summer bliss, I will pack up my blanket etc. and ride my bike back home...

Ahh won't that be nice? Here is the quilt so far.

The (fuzzy) plan.

The fun summer fabric for the middle of the big blocks.

The string blocks that will alternate.

Can't wait!

More Jane

2009-04-29T15:51:00.002-04:00

I'm starting to work faster on Jane. I think it's cause I've finished some projects. I still have one more swap to go, and a baby quilt to make. Thanks to Helen, I have pattern I'm going to use. Or at least a look, i will be resizing the blocks as they are too huge for a baby quilt.

K-7 Rose of Sharing (04/26/09)

F-4 OId Windmill (04/26/09)

L-4 St. George's Cross (04/26/09)

H-7 Bennington Star (04/29/09)

I have one block ready to hand stitch too.

Dear Jane, I have not forgotten you...

2009-04-25T15:45:00.003-04:00

I'm just really bad at taking photos when I finish your blocks.

Here's the latest:

B-2 Sweet Tater Pie (04/18/09)

B-12 Starflower (03/25/09)

H-6 Pie Sale (04/25/09)

B-3 Mirror Image (04/19/09)

C-11 Soldiers and Sailors Monument (04/19/09)

I'm hoping to finish up some other projects so that I can work on this more faithfully. And I still want to learn to knit socks too. So I have one swap quilt to make for Lisa, and a baby quilt to make for a coworker (baby due in June) and then I'll have some more time for this GIANT project. I'm not sure if I mentioned it here before, but my goal is to have the Dear Jane done for my quilt guild's show next May 2010. Here's hoping!

And I haven't forgotten about the tutorial for labels, I'm just waiting to finish something so I can take photos while I work.

Doll Quilt Received!!!

2009-04-25T15:40:00.003-04:00

Yippee! I got my doll quilt from Terrie! I love it so much! The colours are great! The fabrics are great! the quilting!

Check it out for yourself

I love, love, love the rainbow thread she used. I need some like this!! And check out those leaves!

Thanks again Terrie! Love it!

DQS6 Done!

2009-04-12T13:45:00.004-04:00

I finished my quiltie for the Doll Quilt Swap 6. Yippee! And I made myself a twin!

I really like these ones. I hope my person likes the brightness of them. I think I might bring mine to work to brighten up my cubicle!

I used a block from the Everyday Best quilt in Piece O' Cake Designs' Quilts with a Spin. It's a beautiful book. The cover photos on Amazon don't do it justice at all.

I decided to machine quilt with rainbow thread as well as hand quilt with a light yellow and a coral embroidery floss . I use three strands of DMC floss for the quilting. I really want to try the #8 DMC perle cotton but the needlework shop in Ottawa closed a few weeks ago. Very sad. I will have to find a source online.

And a peek a the label. Haha bet you thought it would have the recipient's name on it eh? Nope I did put their name on my label, so years from now I'll remember who I made it for. If there is any interest, I was thinking of doing a tutorial on how I do my labels. Let me know if this is something you'd like to see.

I hope everyone else is having fun working on their quilt!

DQS6

2009-04-08T13:27:00.002-04:00

I'm on holidays until next Tuesday (the 14th) and my big plans include fabric, thread, sewing machine....etc.

I've almost finished my quilt for my Guild's challenge. I'm hesitant to show a picture yet cause it's a secret. The votes are done without people knowing who made what.

And I've been working on my Doll Quilt for DQS6. Finally!

I photocopied the paper-piecing pattern back on March 9th, and just yesterday started working on it. Loving the results so far. Using lots of fun scraps. And as (almost) always, making one to keep for me too.

Here's are my sneeky peekies.

I also plan to work on my Dear Jane. And a mini quilt for Lisa for a swap we are doing.

Sarah the Applique Queen!

2009-03-24T17:22:00.006-04:00

I've been obsessed with the appliqued blocks in the Dear Jane quilt. I basted all three of these blocks on Saturday. I worked on C-6 on that day, and finished it on Sunday. I also started and finished G-1 and G-3 on the same day. I have two more basted and ready to go.

G-1 Hattie's Hen House (03/22/09)

I love this newspaper fabric!

C-6 Ashley's Aura (03/22/09)

G-3 Four Leaf Clover (03/22/09)

There's nothing like a lazy Sunday in your jammies, doing hand applique, and watching Season 3 of Veronica Mars. Another current obsession.

I've been Interviewed!

2009-03-21T09:14:00.005-04:00

My interview has been posted on Carina's craftblog . And while you're there, check out Carina's whole blog. She's an amazing artist and crochet queen! Such colourful and wonderful things!

Exciting News!

2009-03-20T19:10:00.008-04:00

I have some rather exciting news. I've been interviewed by Carina's craftblog and it's being posted tomorrow (Saturday). I'm very flattered that she asked me to do it! So check it out, I might give out some dirty little secrets, or not. You'll have to go on over there to find out!

In celebration of that, I thought it might be about time to update my etsy shop, and add some more crochet roll ups. This batch is freshly made with bright fabrics! These ones are definitely up my alley!

Here's a little taste of them...

Hope on over to My Shop to check out the rest! And as always I do custom orders. I'm also working on some Quilting Patterns!

Stay tuned next post, for some quilting updates. I've made a few things, send some in the mail...and I need to get my butt in gear and work on the Doll Quilt Swap 6. I’ve gotta set an example since I'm a Swap Mama. I promise you that although I haven't done anything but photocopy my paper- piecing patterns, I am processing and thinking about the idea.

Note: I've posted these pictures smaller than I have been previously doing, I'm not sure which size I like. Which size do you like best? Please help me decide by leaving me a comment.

Doll Quilt Roundup

2009-03-07T11:54:00.007-05:00

So things just got started this week with Doll Quilt Swap 6, but there are already a ton of ideas flying around (not to mention tons of fabrics too).

Coffee Shop has started sketching ideas. It's looking great already!

Quilting Barbie has posted a sneak peak..ooh let's look! I love the colourful flowered fabric!

And some people have posted some mosaics of their favorite doll quilts for inspiration and so their stalkers..I mean partners can get to know them better. I'm noticing lots of birds and houses.

Quilting Barbie I see the one I made there. Thanks Barb!

ritapizza

j_q_adams

austysmom

spinster sister

katias_stitchin has also shared a quilt received in Doll Quilt Swap 3. Very pretty!

I've started thinking about my idea. I thought I was sure I knew what I wanted to do, but then I started to think of another type of quilt to make. I'm still trying to decide, but I'm hoping to get going tonight. I keep checking my person's favorites, hoping something new will show up. Don't forget to keep your favs up to date. I've also gone in and removed some of mine that don't do it for me anymore.

More Jane

2009-03-04T19:02:00.003-05:00

Two more blocks done. I started and finished the red one on Monday evening and worked on the green one last night and finished it tonight.

L-7 Town Square (03/02/09)

L-1 Widow's Pane (03/04/09)

I've got my partner for the Doll Quilt Swap 6. I'm excited to get going. I have an idea but am still stalking my partner to make sure it's a good choice for him/her.

Jane, Jane, Jane

2009-03-02T18:53:00.003-05:00

Not much to say. I've made two more blocks. And a whole other quilt but I need some daylight to get a decent photo. Might be the weekend before I can get one. In the mean time...here are my two blocks.

K-12 Doris's Dilemma (03/01/09)

C-1 Trooper Green's Badge (03/01/09)

Helping Others

2009-02-25T18:38:00.005-05:00

Part of the reason I love being a quilter is that is allows me the opportunity to use my creativity and sewing skills to brighten people's lives and to provide them with a symbol of love and comfort.

This is the 25 block quilt top that I sent to Tia for the Bushfire Quilt Project.

Here is the signature square with some kind words for the recipients.

These are the 3 blocks I made for Project Improv.

They will be assembled into charity quilts with other blocks created in one of the three colourways. I can't wait to see the finished quilts. They will definitely spread some happiness.

Bushfire Blocks and Dear Jane

2009-02-14T12:15:00.008-05:00

I have almost completed my 25 blocks for the Bushfire Quilt Project. I plan to mail them early next week. My mom is also making some blocks to send, so I will have to co-ordinate with here so we can mail our things together.

Here is the progress right now. All three pieces of the blocks made, just need to complete them, and sew the top together.

As mentioned in a previous post, I was contemplating what fabrics to use for my Baby Jane quilt. I made the decision that I want it to be fun, but not something too 'now' as far as my colour taste goes, since it will take a while to make, and I don't want to have that 'what was I thinking?' feeling when it is finished.

I've decided on Strawberry Jane. Colours are: Red, Bright Pink, Lighter Pink, Lime Green, and Bright Green with white background fabric. I began this project on January 25th, 2009 (the day before my 1 year wedding anniversary) and I'm hoping to complete it in 1 year. It may be a crazy goal, and I might need some cheerleading along the way, but I'd like to have it done for my quilt guild's show on Mother's Day Weekend 2010. Unless my machine quilting skills go through the roof between now and then, I will probably have it long arm quilted.

Here are my 13 Jane blocks so far with the date of completion for each block. I haven't worked on it for a week and a bit, because I was away at a retreat last weekend and worked on some other projects. And when I got back I heard about the horrible fires in Australia, and immediately started on my blocks for the Bushfire Quilt Project.

A8 - Florence Nightingale (02/01/09)

B-1 Batchelor Buttons (02/01/09)

B-4 Chris's Soccer Field (01/29/09)

B-13 Four Corner Press (01/27/09)

C-9 Jane's Tears (01/28/09)

D-3 Jason's Jacks (01/31/09)

D-6 Challenge (01/27/09)

D-13 Field of Dreams (02/01/09)

G-4 Shutter Bug (02/01/09)

H-13 Farm Fields (02/01/09)

I-3 Family Album (02/01/09)

J-4 Adelaine's Apron Strings (01/29/09)

M-10 Simple Simon (01/25/09)

Stay tuned for more progress and a photo of my Minny Muu quilt that I'm making for ME. It's about time.

Bushfire Quilt Project

2009-02-11T12:15:00.003-05:00

I just returned from a fantastic quilting retreat with friends. When I got back, I found out about the devastation that is happening in Australia. The fires are spreading like crazy, and the taking lives and homes of so many people. Feeling rather helpless here in Canada, I found out about Tia and her Bushfire Quilt Project. I have stopped all progress on my other quilt projects to help out as much as I can.

I will make a 25 quilt block top (if not the whole quilt depending on shipping costs), to send. I have also asked my Mom to help out and she will be making blocks and I have the word out to some other quilting friends.

It's times like these that really bring everyone together and I hope to be able to send a quilt hug to someone in need.

Please help out if you are able. If you don't quilt you could make donations to the Red Cross, Salvation Army or Wildlife Victoria.

Dear Jane

2009-01-22T13:14:00.005-05:00

I've been thinking about making a Dear Jane quilt for a while now. They are really stunning and I love the idea of working on so many different blocks to make a huge sampler quilt.

I ordered the book from our local quilt shop The Running Stitch I think this Summer. I've been researching all different types of Baby Janes on Flickr and I think I'm finally geared up to get started. I think I'd like to do batiks, and am thinking of using white fabric for the background colour because it is easy to get more of and I don't know if I'm ready to invest in all of the 20 yards right now.

My only worry with white and batiks fabrics is the colour bleed issue. I'm not sure if this is the best idea...I'm also considering using my scrap fabrics with white instead.

As you can tell, I'm a bit undecided. It's hard to make a decision like this for such a long project. I need to be thinking into the future, and what I will want in a few years when it is finished.

I welcome any suggestions.

Stay tuned for some blocks.

Contest Anyone?

2009-01-10T12:34:00.004-05:00

I just entered a contest to win a ton of fabric from Lila Tueller's new line Soiree. Fantastic. I hope I win. I have fabric from her Woodland Bloom collection and I love it! Contest is at Callico Carriage Quilt Designs if you are interested in entering too.

October Swap Round-Up

2008-11-15T08:05:00.003-05:00

I have just received my the last quilt to finish up October swaps.

Swap Till You Drop October ~ Theme: Halloween
Sent to upstatelisa

Received from upstatelisa

6"-12" mini quilt trading swap October ~ Theme: Out of the Box (nothing square or rectangle shaped)
Sent to WendyWTN

Received from WendyWTN

The month of October was really fun to work on. Since then, as you know I've completed my quiltie for Doll Quilt Swap. I will post more about that when I do the Sent ~ Received roundup.

For November I am only in the Swap Till You Drop 2 colour swap. I have already received mine from tlhcrawford very fun blue and white 30's prints, but she hasn't received mine yet. When she does I'll write more about it.

I've also joined the Mini Quilt in A Bag swap. What you do is fill a ziploc with fabrics and trims and send it to your partner. They take what you've sent them, and maybe add a bit, and make you a little quilt using your fabrics and send you the finished product. The good news is the deadline is January 26th, which won't be hard to remember because it's year 1 wedding anniversary. And it means I can get Christmas gifts done first. It will be fun to see what Kathleen does with this...

Till next time. I haven't forgot about my Christmas gift post, I'm waiting till I have more to show.

Busy Bee

2008-11-12T18:43:00.006-05:00

Still plugging away on my projects. My next post will have some progress shots. Trying to stay away from as much computer as possible.

My Doll Quilt Swap 5 quiltie and it's twin. Ready to mail out to a secret person.

It’s that time of year again...

2008-10-16T19:48:00.005-04:00

I’m starting to feel overwhelmed by the amount of things I need to complete for/before Christmas. I figured if I write it down, it might occur to me that I need to kick it up a notch on the productivity side.
Here is my current to do.

Swaps
~October 6”-12” mini – Need to cut, piece, quilt, label, bind, package, mail.

~October Swap Till You Drop- Need to package, mail.

~Doll Quilt Swap 5 – Need to cut, piece, quilt , label, bind, package, mail.

~November swaps (I shouldn’t even sign up for these but I know I will).

Christmas
~Black& White Quilt - Needs back pieced, quilted, label made, binding.

~Nintendo Quilt - Needs 8 more blocks cross stitched, top pieced, quilted, label, binding.

~Table runner - Needs hand quilting and label. (see sneak peek photo below).

~Table runner - Need to decide pattern, pieced, quilted, binding, label.

~Ornaments for friends – decide what to do and do it.

~Baby Quilt 1- Needs rows sewn, quilted, label, binding.

~Baby Quilt 2 - Need to decide pattern, cut, piece, quilt, bind, label.

Did I mention that I want to be finished before December 1st so I can enjoy the month? haha

Anyone else in this boat?

Here is a picture of one of table runners.

The fabric is It’s Snowing Charm Pack from Moda. Purchased from crazyquiltgirlfabricshop.com. The binding which you can't really see in this photo is from the same line from the Fat Quarter Shop. The other table runner I will be making is from the Moda Peace on Earth also from crazyquiltgirl. The Peace on Earth charm pack is beautiful.

Swap-o-Rama

2008-10-10T21:11:00.010-04:00

I've started joining swaps on Flickr. It all started when I noticed what was going on at the Doll Quilt Swap. I had to get involved. But the sign up had already closed for DQS4 so I waited patiently for DQS5 and signed up right away.

In the mean time I joined two more groups. Swap Till You Drop and 6"-12" mini quilt trading swap. After planning my designs and jumping in with so much enthusiasm, I think I may be hooked.

Swap Till You Drop September theme: Hearts
This is the quilt I made for Swap Till You Drop for quiltinkimmie.

And this is the lovely I received! Very pretty. The flower blocks were fussy cut from the same fabric. And I love the striped binding.

Then I got smart and realized how sad it is to send away little quilt babies, so for the 6"-12" mini quilt trading swap I decided to make twins. This way I could send away my quilt baby without being sad that I would never see it again.

6"-12" mini quilt trading swap September theme: Quilter's Choice
This is the quilt I made for sew-do-i

And this is the rainbow wonder I received from her. I love flying geese blocks and colour. Couldn’t be more perfect.

I’ve signed up for October in both of these groups. Theme is 'Halloween' for Swap Till You Drop and 'Out-of-the-box' for 6"-12" mini quilt trading swap. I have ideas for both of these but haven’t started cutting yet. I also need to make two of each so I can keep up this twin thing. I may regret this decision.

Oh and the best news is the swap partners are announced for DQS5, a bit of technical difficulties with my first match up, but the swap mama is getting it worked out.

Happy Thanksgiving fellow Canadians!

My next post will be about the many Christmas gifts I am making.
Take care, see you soon!

It's been a while

2008-08-09T11:15:00.009-04:00

It's been a while since I've posted. Lots of things have happened. Got married, went on a cruise...worked on lots of craft project.

I’m not going to start back where I left off. I've been posting on Flickr just not writing anything over here.

I've started working on Christmas gifts. Still not sure what to make for my parents and my new in-laws. I know what I'm making for my sister in-law (M) and husband (Shawn). Quilts! I've got the top made for M's quilt, and just bought tons of embroidery floss for Shawn's Nintendo Quilt. It's going to be a labour of love for sure. He knows about it. So I’m sure expectations are high.

My friend T is having a baby in September and I just finished a quilt for her. And some super cute bibs from Amy Karol's book Bend the Rules Sewing. It took about an hour to make all three.

Take care, I'll write again soon.

A day of appliqué

2007-07-02T09:16:00.000-04:00

To celebrate Canada Day I spent the entire afternoon and evening in the sewing room. I am so happy to have my sewing mojo back. :)

I borrowed the book Applique Delights from our quilt guild for the summer and attempted my first NON-fusible appliqué project(needle turn hand stitched). It is really fun, and rewarding. I love the folk-art quality of hand stitching pieces to the background. Beautiful! If I do say so myself. I will definitely be using this technique again. I'm sure I still have a lot to learn.

This is little quilt # 1 of what I hope to be a whole wall of quilted wonders.

We did get ice cream last night and drive out to see fireworks. Happy Birthday Canada!

The Dress

2007-06-29T17:09:00.000-04:00

I've been focusing on wedding stuff lately, making invitations, bookings, shopping...not crafting as much. I have however made some wedding progress and ordered THE dress.

I'm excited for the long weekend and getting some baby quilts done for a friend. She has ordered two. They are the perfect size and oh so fun. I will post pics when they are finished.

In the mean time...check out my pink dress. Ignore my less than thrilled expression. :)