Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Millie’s Christmas Quilt

wendysquilting

The weather here has changed with much cooler nights and the leaves are quickly changing colour. With Fall definitely upon us it’s time to finish Christmas Quilts.

I have been quilting for Millie for several years and often pick up and deliver her quilts. It’s always fun to visit in her quilting room and see all the projects that she has going … and her stash too!

Yesterday I delivered her Christmas Quilt.

I had initially considered adding more snowflakes with my quilting however I decided that adding movement with the panto windswept would add some movement without distracting from the snowflakes on the fabric.

Another consideration was thread, when there is a lot of contrast in the fabrics choosing a thread that blends is often best and a design that won’t be partially cut off on some portions of the quilt is favourable. I used a 60wt thread in white.

I pieced the backing, the stripes worked really well.
Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

September RV Adventure (part 3) Da Yoopers and Top of the Lake

wendysquilting

After leaving Houghton/Hancock we were off to check out Da Yoopers Tourist Trap! https://dayoopers.com

You would need to see it along with a good sense of humour, it was a fun stop.

Largest operating chainsaw

Our next stop for the night was our first Harvest Host stay in Naubinway Michigan. The Snowmobile Museum. https://www.snowmobilemuseum.com

The museum was really interesting, the staff were very knowledgeable as well. Also on a quilty note their local quilters meet there weekly as do their knitting group as the have a meeting room as well.

We purchased a membership in the spring from Boondockers Welcome and upgraded to Harvest Hosts for this trip. Harvest Host lists thousands of businesses that allow members to stay overnight. Two other couples were also staying the night and we enjoyed visiting with them.

After dinner we walked to the Marina. Naubinway is located at the Top of Lake Michigan.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

September RV Adventure part 2 Houghton/Hancock and area.

wendysquilting

We left Duluth after our 2 night stay headed toward the Houghton/Hancock area.

The Upper Peninsula is known for its Finnish Heritage, so one of our first stops was The Little Finland Heritage site. One of the great things about travelling in the fall is how much quieter everything is the downside is that most sites move to self guided tours with the buildings closed. It was still a nice walk and fun to look around.

Look what I found!! I had read about the heart project but never ever considered finding a heart myself… this discovery truly put a smile on my face and Eriks as well.

Erik had done some research and found another Heritage site to visit which was fairly close to Houghton, though it was a little challenging to find.

The Hanka Homestead, we really enjoyed our self guided tour!

I have always loved these pumps and this one worked!
A love of tractors!
Smoke Sauna
The root cellar tucked away, that door was open and it was very cold inside on that hot day.

The house was locked up of course however I was able to peek into the windows.

Check out this clothesline!

We really enjoyed exploring this site.

And then we were on our way to find our campsite. We stayed at the Hancock Recreation Area Beach and Campground. Our site allowed us a view of the river as they call it there.

We spent the next day exploring. Starting off with a fun snack!

Of course I had checked for a quilt shop in the area and I was not disappointed!! I did add to my stash a little too 😊 and highly recommend this shop.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Jelly Roll Fun

wendysquilting

I wish that I could have fully captured the beauty of this quilt! The first picture is close but it is actually a little brighter.

Isn’t it amazing all of the fun we quilters have with so many options in both fabric choices and patterns!

This pantograph Garden Frills was used for the quilting.

Again the snuggly fabric cuddle was used for the backing.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

September RV Adventure!

wendysquilting

Our long awaited first RV trip happened this month! We arrived home late last week.

After crossing the border into Minnesota, we stopped along the lake to both enjoy the view of Superior and capture some pictures.

One thing that we both decided years ago was that we don’t enjoy racing to each destination without stopping here and there and checking things out. With this stop I noticed something different…the lake always catches my eye but when I looked across the highway I was rewarded with another view!

One of the things that I enjoy about walking regularly is that you can’t help but notice nature and all of its beauty and especially the changes which are becoming more evident with each passing day.

We of course stopped for our regular ice cream treat! Erik discovered a new to him game!

Another familiar stop was Russ Kendall’s Smoked Fish shop!

The size of the motorhome of course requires a different parking spot, which provided a view that again I hadn’t noticed before.

Our first two nights were spent at the Indian Point Campground in Duluth. It’s a City owned small park, on the west side. We really enjoyed the walking trails and nature!

We left Duluth and we headed off to the Upper Peninsula (Michigan)…

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Butterfly Quilt

wendysquilting

Sometimes the fabrics in a quilt top guide my choice of pantograph and this sweet quilt called for butterflies in my opinion.

The quilting really stands out on the solid fabrics!

The backing used is Cuddle fabric, so really only the indentation of the quilting shows. Cuddle has a lot less stretch than Minkee does so it is a little easier to handle though both options are great options for backings.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Orange Jelly Roll Quilt

wendysquilting

Yesterday was National Jelly Roll Day….did you spend some time sewing with one? I sadly did not, however I was happily quilting another customer quilt. So instead, I will share this customer quilt with you.

I have always loved the colour orange so when I received this quilt to work on I was pretty excited! The orange Cuddle fabric for the backing is absolutely perfect for this quilt.

Many of my customers request that I choose the quilting design for their quilts and I am often asked how I decide. Often a quilt will immediately speak to me with clues in the fabrics or in the piecing. In this case I used the pantograph Gravity as I loved the oval shape in it to compliment the ovals in some of the fabrics.

I also knew that the design would really stand out on the backing.

The quilt ready for pick up. Most of my customers take me up on receiving their quilts trimmed and ready for binding.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Under the Sea Quilt

wendysquilting

I have recently quilted several quilts that the maker has chosen Cuddle fabric for the backing. This super soft snuggly fabric quilts up beautifully and I happily piece theses and all backings free of charge to for my customers. Why? I first began this service shortly after I began quilting for others as many found it challenging to piece large backings…I continue to do so.

This fun quilt was put together by a Mother and Son project!

The thickness of the cuddle fabric really showcases the quilting design.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Fall is in the air!

wendysquilting

Time to catch up on some recent quilt jobs!

How gorgeous is this flannel weave quilt? I love how rich and vibrant the colours are and with the flannel backing and Warm and natural batting it will be a very warm lap quilt this coming winter. Brrr I am not quite ready to say that word!

I just love her perfect piecing and her seams were pressed open.

I chose the pantograph Bayside which added some movement as well as just the right density of stitching to ensure that this quilt will last many years!

I used a slate gray thread in the bobbin, just a shade lighter than black that really shows the beautiful stitches.
Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

September Begins

wendysquilting

It’s been a full summer that seems to have sped by…they usually do. Liam returns to school on Tuesday so our days will be a little quieter.

We enjoyed a rib dinner at my Dads a couple weeks ago. Liam’s most favourite meal is ribs and broccoli. While waiting for the veggies to cook Liam sampled the ribs…

Liam has been really interested in trying out golf lately so spent time with his Great Grandpa in Dads golf room…

Liam was gifted a blueberry pie by my Auntie Marie…Liam’s Great Great Aunt and that she certainly is…Great that is!

Liam and Mom 💕

We have a little fall adventure planned but other than that, and hopefully some fishing and finishing up the gardens life should settle into routine with a lot of quilting involved!!