Category: Uncategorized

Christmas, Family, Schnibble, Uncategorized

Decisions

wendysquilting

Another little Schnibble (Plan C) I’ve been working on. It’s been living on the design wall like this but today  started changing it around

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and right now it looks like this

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I think I like the second version best but I’m still playing any suggestions or opinions?

and on to really important news

Its Graduation season and my Daughter Emma had graduated with her degree in Psychology and is continuing on working towards her Masters. Emily has always loved school and is an excellent student! I’m so proud of you Emily!!

Erik has 2 daughters graduating this year, his oldest is now an RN!! way to go Shilo and his second daughter Ashton graduated today with a diploma in Dental Hygiene but like Emily she is continuing her education and will be entering the Education Program University.

We attended Ashton’s grad this morning.

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birthday, Family, Grandson, Longarm Quilting, Uncategorized

Quietly Busy

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Its been extremely quiet here this last week, all of my girls have been away. Of course Sarah is always away now that she lives in Texas. Emily, Dave and Katie drove down for Jerry’s first birthday. I’m waiting for more birthday pictures…

This was one of Jerry’s first pictures as a cowboy

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and a year later at his party!

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Yesterday I finally re-quilted my original Summer Wind quilt. I really wish I’d taken some pictures of it to show why I decided to re-quilt it. I had used a panto that wasn’t as dense as I like and also used a wool batting, when it was washed it just did not like it. It is my summer quilt for my bed so I use it and I still love it so it was worth re doing. Thankfully I have a friend who offered to un-quilt it for me. I had been a bit concerned about the stitch holes from before but they have all but disappeared.

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I used a Robyn Pandolph backing that I absolutely love and suits this quilt perfectly.

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a little sneak peak of some quilting for the Circle of Friends Quilt Shoppe (opening soon)

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more to come…

Uncategorized

Strawberry Hot Cross Buns

wendysquilting

Yesterday we had summer weather, today we were back to jackets and chilly weather. I think we’ve skipped spring this year.

I’ve been piecing this little Schnibble called Hot Cross Buns by Carrie of Miss Rosie’s Quilt Co. this pattern is in her book Schnibbles Times Two.

 

Schnibbles Times Two: Quilts from 5" or 10" Squares

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something that helped in planning this little top was choosing the centre squares, I placed them on my design wall in the order I thought I’d like then I took a picture and referred to it as I chose the crosses.

Both the book and fabric will be available at our new quilt shop “The Circle of Friends Quilt Shoppe” ( The shop will be opening in June)

I’m also working on some little quilts as in baby quilts.

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Quilt Show Weekend

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This quilt was made by my friend Leila, she embroidered the blocks, pieced the quilt and had me quilt it for her. I added crosshatching and lots of feathers.

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this is another quilt by Leila, she had me quilt it with a Butterfly pantograph.

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Terri’s quilt has a very special story. Her daughter started this quilt as a teenager and then life got busy for her and it ended up as an unfinished project. Terri decided to finish it and give it to her daughter at her bridal shower. I quilted it for Terri using a pantograph called Shasta.

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Alva’s Colourful Cranes, there are 98 paper pieced cranes in this quilt. Alva’s use of colour always amazes and inspires me. (I promise Alva I will jump out of my comfort zone and use real reds one day!) We chose a Pantograph called Bayside which gives this quilt added movement but doesn’t distract from the piecing.

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Alva made this quilt for her granddaughter Kara.  The pattern is called Wind Blown Blossoms and was found in Quilt Maker Magazine Spring 2010, it is a total deviation from the quilt in the Magazine but these colours are so Alva. Alva chose a Pantograph called Vortex for this one which really complements it.

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Summer Gypsy is a quilt I made a couple of years ago for Erik’s daughter Megan. I wish the colour was more true in the picture, I’m going to try to get better shots of it today. It was made with Carrie Nelsons Pattern Summer Wind and Gypsy Rose Fabric by Fig Tree Quilts.

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Elizabeth will be given to her owner Shauna after this show. This quilt is a wedding gift that my daughter Sarah asked me to make for her very dear and close friend. Shauna has been patiently waiting for her quilt. They were married last summer. Elizabeth is another Carrie Nelson pattern (Miss Rosie’s Quilt Co) and the fabric is Rouenneries by French General.

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Finally, Katie has long awaited her quilt! (she is in pink) Sunday night I’m sure this quilt will be on her bed.

Opening Day is a pattern by Carrie Nelson (Miss Rosie’s Quilt Co) and the Fabric is Aster Manor by 3 sisters. Katie chose the fabric and pattern.

Hmm kinda looks like I’m a Carrie Nelson fan and I’m love Moda fabrics!

 

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Finished Sunny Trails and the Possibilities Club

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Sunny Trails is quilted and bound and ready to hang in the new shop next month. (other than the label) I am so happy  with this quilt, and I’m already thinking making another with scraps. I think this quilt has also been claimed once it’s finished being shown in the shop……more to follow on that.

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Tonight was the second meeting of the Possibilities Club. This is a group that was started as a means to discuss different uses for pre cut fabrics as well as other ideas for using scraps that we all seem to accumulate. We meet once a month and each month one or two people will run the meeting by bringing in some ideas that they’d like to share. I’ve offered to take my turn in June.

There’s nothing like spending time with people who share your passion!

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Rauma

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We went out for dinner in Rauma and Erik’s cousin Erikki said we’d go out for Kebabs. I thought we we’re going to have shish kabobs. Not quite

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That is all finely sliced beef under the pita like bread and salad on the side. I was never really sure of what I was ordering…..sometimes I was suprised.

This dinner was really good but enough food to serve my family for supper!

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Erikki’s son Patrick had just come from soccer practice and happily ate everything on his plate and helped another cousin finish eating hers.

after dinner we went for a walk around town and came across this site

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From a distance it really did look like women that were swimming in the canal! It turned out they were very realistic statues.

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a few after diner drinks…

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Vintage

wendysquilting

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When I was small, this bowl was what my Mom mixed cookies in. I really only remember her making shortbread at Christmas in it. At some point she must have gotten newer mixing bowls and the set of 2 bowls became mine.

I hate to admit it but I took my bowls for granted, and I’ve used them regularly for the last 25 or more years. My 4 daughters have all used it many times as well. The smaller white one has lost all the details and the bigger one (not the one in the picture) is fading fast.

Anyways, this bowl holds a lot of memories for me, when I was a little girl this bowl seemed enormous to me, it was a magic bowl that meant cookies would be coming. (not a regular occurrence so it was exciting at least to me)

For years now I’ve thought about getting a new mixer. ( I wore out a Sunbeam after 15 years, it really was a workhorse) I replaced my Sunbeam with another but it only lasted a couple of years with a lot less use. The one to have it seems is the Kitchenaid one, but I just never bring myself to get one.

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I can’t help but think that I’ve managed this long without, and do I really have space for one to live.

Maybe I should just see if I can find some new Pyrex Aqua mixing bowls instead hmmm

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Awesome

wendysquilting

 

How would life be if we really stopped and appreciated the small positive things that happen each day in our life?

 http://1000awesomethings.com/ I think I’ll spend a little time checking out this website.

I’m trying to come out of hibernation, but my authentic self really involves my quilting, its what I do, it’s what I love…..its a major passion in my life and has been for a little more than half my life. It brings me joy, that maybe only another quilter can understand.

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I used variegated thread for the top and in the bobbin and I really like the way the  design shows on the back. I sure wouldn’t have been this brave when I first started longarm quilting.

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One Christmas I made each of my daughters a quilt, I surprised Emily with this very bright quilt because she had always loved the bright colours. At the time her room was painted Tigger Orange and Piglet Pink and this quilt worked so well in her room. She still loves her bright quilt but she is now a young woman and has new tastes so she chose a collection called Mill House Inn for her next quilt, I’m working on it and I’ll share more as it progresses

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its coming along, this is not a quilt to be pieced quickly so its taking me a little longer than I’m used to but I’m loving it so far.

I also have this sweet little pile calling me to transform

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We need a new snuggle quilt for the living room and these colours will be so happy for the summer.

Too much time hibernating causes too much time looking at other peoples blogs which led to another project in the cue using the Sunkissed collection by Sweetwater for Moda that I can hardly wait to get started on…. we have a new quilt shop opening here very soon and I am so thankful that Lucy has ordered this collection….its so pretty and looks so summery to me.

 

So while all the above makes me want to spend more time in my studio, the days are getting longer and some days the temps are warmer and I’m starting to think about fishing, camping and gardening, summer is going to come.

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Hibernating

wendysquilting

That’s a good word to describe how I feel these days. Sarah and Jerry have been in Montreal for the last 12 days….now it’s official, he has dual citizenship and she has her Visa approved. They’ll be  back for a short while and then back to Texas.

I’ve sure enjoyed having them here, Jerry is such a fun little guy and being the Grandma is the best! 

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We’ve had no shortage of snow, and cold this winter. I’m hoping for milder weather for some cross country skiing.

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I’ve spent a lot of time hiding in my studio.

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The above picture is a recent finish. I’m finishing up the binding on my Elizabeth quilt,  Katie’s quilt is ready for quilting and I’m working on Emily’s quilt.