Author: wendysquilting

Professional Longarm Machine Quilter in Thunder Bay Ontario.
Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Mid December

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December is always an interesting and busy month. I loved the result of the last snowfall, the whole world just looks so bright and clean esp when the sun comes out.

Yesterday however was a grey and foggy one and we had rain overnight and a forecast of snow later today. I do love a white Christmas so hopefully there will be more snow.

Quilting has been busy of course and the Christmas jobs are almost finished. One small one to go for later today.

Of course my machine had a hiccup as a Longarm sometimes does thankfully it was easily resolved, it was a worn out bobbin case…yes they wear out!

Our tree is up and when Liam arrived on Monday the lights and garland were on it and he saw the ornaments and went right to work hanging them while I made supper.

Liam did such a nice job and it was fun telling him the stories of the ornaments as I have collected special ones over the years. Many have been carved by my Dad and painted by my Mom. This year I bought a box of candy canes to add to the tree which Liam though was a fantastic idea.

Liam will spend more time here over the holidays and we have baking plans, his request as we have done so every year that he can remember. He also wants to build and sleep in his lego fort one night and like me he is hoping for a white Christmas. He wants the snow for another reason though, he and Pappa like to drive the snowmobiles!

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Effervescent Quilt

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This was such a fun quilt, so different from others that I have quilted, the chosen fabrics and design went so well together.

We chose the pantograph bubbles which really added more of the effervescent effect!

This photo captured the actual brightness of the quilt! 10 more days until the days start getting longer!
Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Ann’s Quilt

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Ann took part in the Thunder Bay Quilt Guilds sew along last year and her result was spectacular. Sadly my December pictures do not really reflect the true colours in this quilt. Oh I miss the sunshine…

She chose fireside for the backing which really showcases the quilting. I used the pantograph star swirl and it really dances on this quilt. We both agreed that it was the perfect choice.

I remember being told early in my quilting life not to use yellow in quilts! I am so glad so many of those silly colour rules have been tossed aside because yellow is to me one of the happiest colours!

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

December

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Each day December feels shorter and daylight wise that is definitely the case. I always look forward to the 21st when the reverse begins. Winter Solstice.

This year we found our tree just days before the first significant snowfall. We go to a close by place where they grow them for people to cut their own tree. It’s always a good walk around as we discuss different trees until we both agree on the perfect one.

Last Sunday was a snow day, and Monday mornings view was so pretty.

My morning coffee view

When I picked Liam up from school on Monday for his weekly sleepover visit, he was so excited about all of the snow. His only complaint was that they didn’t get to have outside recess in the morning due to the temperature being -27c and with the windchill in the -30’s. He told me that wasn’t really very cold!

Erik has been planning to buy jumbo lego blocks for years. We had mentioned them to Liam this fall and he was really onboard with the idea.

The fort was built as soon as we arrived home.

Liam has many ideas for things to build!
Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

The Wildlife Quilt

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Sharon began her quilt with a panel and as she made it the recipient request a bigger quilt so she grew it! Unfortunately I didn’t get a full picture of this queen size quilt.

The borders with the wolves in the snow were the clue in deciding on the quilting, we decided on windswept as the Pantograph. The density is perfect for a snuggly quilt.

The backing couldn’t have been more perfect for this quilt.
Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Happy Birthday!!!

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How can 10 years pass so quickly?

Six months ago I posted a picture of Liam with Pappas birthday cake for his 65th which was also Liam’s 1/2 birthday.

Now he is 10 he asked me for an art kit showing me a cheap one at toys or us, I chose to fill a tote with fun and good art supplies that will encourage his creativity.

Last week he had an early celebration with us and had his favourite supper, ribs broccoli and perogies and of course ice cream cake!

Today he had a climbing party with his friends, and can that boy climb!!!

He is so much braver than Grandma!

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Sunny

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The view from my studio this morning

No it isn’t sunny today, our world is really trying to turn white, the winds have truly been winter like. Yesterday was my last clothesline day until spring!

Thankfully Tara Faughnan of the color collective chose a bright happy fun to piece quilt block for the first project of season 4. The first quilt is named Sunny.

The palette, note to self to take a better picture of the December palette.
Starting to play

It’s been fun to learn a new to me paper piecing technique and play with colours that I might not have chosen myself.

Longtime Gone is still taking up more than half of the design wall and I am determined to finish that quilt top by the end of the year.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Pam’s Dragon Quilt

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The second of two quilts that Pam designed herself is ready for binding. It is quilted with a pantograph for the background and then custom in and around the appliqué.

Some of the appliqué was also stuffed also known at trapunto, this did create some challenges in the quilting thankfully my Millie was up to the task.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

This and That

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I was asked what the pattern was for the top below. It is by Thimble Blossoms and called Dwell 2. It was a nice project to piece and because I purchased it as a kit there were very few decisions to be made.

Sometimes and in some seasons of life it’s nice to just cut sew and press. I was drawn to this project from quilting one for a customer.

We have had very little rain for months and have enjoyed some really nice weather even into November.

The forecast for tomorrow is for rain 75-100mm for our area and for those further from the lake (Thunder Bay is built on the shore of Lake Superior) will receive the precipitation in snow….and so it begins or so it seems!

I have been enjoying some playtime piecing curves and playing with colour. I had to laugh at myself the other day as I was so absorbed in what I was doing that I made a pretty silly mistake…funny how we don’t always see that what we are doing is wrong…

As soon as I pressed it I knew something was off…had I taken just a little time to stop and look at what I was doing and re think it…

Instead I realized it was late and time to quit for the night. The next morning I was able to quickly take it apart and use the right background.

Well worth the effort!!

I enjoy curved piecing and this project is allowing for a lot of practice.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

UFO’s also known as unfinished objects

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If you have been a quilter for any length of time you most likely know about the above term and possibly possess one or more or several UFO’s.

I personally prefer to think of them as works in progress. For what ever reason some projects need the next step maybe a new idea, additional fabric or time to complete. Most of mine are waiting to be quilted and because I put customer quilts first that pile grows. One thing that I am careful to do is to choose and purchase backings so that they are ready for quilting. I also have binding fabrics on hand.

I usually do personal long-arming over the Christmas holidays which will be here before I know it. So it’s time to plan.

This was a kit, I purchased it after quilting a customer quilt and just wanted to piece it. It was a fun relaxing project.
I love this top and have a quilting plan and backing. Sometimes it is just nice to play with a familiar block and colour. I often piece for relaxation.
This one was a kit from Craftsy. I used to really enjoy that site and ordered fabric from them while it was offered.
I do have the 12th block pieced, it is from a designers mystery from The Fat-quarter Shop. I stalled on the finishing kit, it’s all neatly packed away in a box that I enjoy pulling out from time to time. It may resurface this coming year, time will tell. I stalled on it as I didn’t enjoy the suggested piecing technique, I now have a new ruler that will make finishing it a breeze.

Oh and there are more, thankfully I believe that they can become leader ender projects this coming year.

My Moda Block Heads top that I recently completed is also on my list for quilting.

It was with all of those projects on my mind that made me really think hard about starting the colour collective!

My Longtime Gone is still in process… I am still really loving that project and will continue to plug away at it it’s at the halfway mark. I completed the court house step blocks last week.

These blocks take more time in the planning stage than piecing.

So why did I decide to jump into a new project? Because piecing and colour play is fun and relaxing and eventually I will get it all done and if not I am having having fun trying!