Tag: APQS

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Quilting and Life…

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I read an article yesterday about why it sometimes feels like the days and time just flies by. The article suggested making some changes such as challenges and learning new things instead of always following the same routines. Something to ponder for sure.

My Longarm and I have been busy finishing quilts for my customers of course. I am so thankful for my APQS Millennium and that the company is so true to its word about service. Using a longarm as much as I do there are times where parts wear out and need to be replaced or just readjusted. My experience has always been excellent over the years as in twenty years…just saying 😊

I have been watching art meditation reels on Instagram lately. I find them relaxing and inspiring. I am always in the lookout for fun activities with our grandchildren.

One meditation used Paint Sticks which were new to me and I found a box of 36 colours and took the chance and ordered them. When Minka popped over with her Mom the other day, I shared a plan I had and she went right to work testing them out!

I have always loved art and playing with creating and now I have little people in my life that love to join me!

Along that line Tara Faughnans block studies continue to inspire me and although Garnish didn’t initially excite me as much as others once I got going on it I fell in love with making the blocks and playing with the dusty colours!

My personal piecing time has been a little more limited lately than I would like. Over the holidays I plan to gift myself with some play days just for me. I will also have some play days with Grands as well.

On one last life note my Dad ended up with a short admit to the hospital due to a post scope infection a couple of weeks ago. His care from the moment we entered the Emergency department to discharge a few days later was absolutely outstanding!

He even had a good view from his bed once he was admitted. Most importantly he recovered very quickly, no doubt in part to his focus on healthy lifestyle!

Something else that we Canadians perhaps take for granted at times but that I am extremely grateful for is that the bill Dad will receive for all of that care is $0. We do pay taxes for sure but no one here has to stress and worry about money when they or their loved ones need medical care.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Northern Quilts

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There are so many amazing Panels available now and this one is no exception. I absolutely love my customers borders and colour choices that she used to grow the panels and add her person touch to them.

She is a longtime quilter and at 86 yrs she is still going strong! A fantastic role model.

When choosing the quilting design I was considering one pantograph that really adds to the movement and look of the Northern lights however feel it didn’t do anything for the lake.

When the design Ripples came to mind I knew that it would perfectly fit the bill.

Thread weight and colour make a big difference in the final outcome. When I don’t want the thread to steal the show I choose a 60 weight which sits beautifully in the background for the most part. I chose a very soft blue that does show up minimally where it contrasts.

Her quilts were trimmed and ready for binding when I delivered them to her…(both complementary services)

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Life and Quilting

wendysquilting

My days do seem to fly by, I spend several hours most days working on customer quilts. As much as I love that I also really love piecing quilts.

Joining Tara Faughnans block studies this season has been a fantastic addition to my quilting practice with both learning a new block and playing with a palette of her choosing it really does make for great fun in my life.

I will share more but for now these are a couple of my blocks from the first month that I plan to mount on canvas.

Other samples that I have made are earmarked for some other fun ideas.

My Small world quilt blocks almost fill my design wall and my postage stamp quilt continues to have a few blocks pieced and is slowly being completed.

A friend of mine suggested trying an eye pillow at bedtime made with flax seed and lavender…so I did make myself one and a few more for others…

With the winter months approaching there should be more time for studio play.

We are so wealthy in Grandchildren and have had the pleasure of their company and all the fun and joy that they bring with them!

On a personal note and adding to what I have written in previous posts…. A year ago tomorrow I made a decision to remove certain things from my diet. Alcohol was one and following that dispite for the most part eating a healthy diet I have made changes and tweaked it to better match my health and wellbeing goals.

There is so much to learn about food and it’s not always easy to navigate away from ultra processed foods but it is worth the effort. The Yuka app has been very helpful.

Adding more exercise and learning more about what we women need at my stage of life for bone,muscle and heart health has been enlightening as well! I have so much fabric and so many ideas that healthy longevity is a big time personal goal.

So to that some personal progress gifts!

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Autumn Quilting

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We have enjoyed an amazing long autumn, this picture of course was taken a month or so again as the leaves have all fallen now.

We had snow yesterday, which made for a pretty walk late yesterday. I do love the crisper air for walks. The forecasted temperature today will quickly melt what was left behind yesterday.

Of course since my last post I have been busy in my studio working on customer quilts. I will share more about the last month or so in my next post.

This post I am sharing a quilt that its maker really wasn’t sure how she felt about it, it’s an early one of hers and like she said if she was doing it again she would have chosen some of the fabrics differently.

That said, it’s a perfect Autumn quilt!

Most of my customers leave the decision of quilting design to me and this quilt called for the design Leaf Pile! I love the density of stitching along with the various leaves adding more visual appeal to an already great quilt!

Her quilt was trimmed and ready for binding at pick up!

This next picture shows how it looked just before coming off the leaders. I am often asked why my quilts have a smoother finish front and back. I do not float quilt tops unless there is a reason that it’s necessary. That way I have more control over the tension of both top and backing while I am quilting.

It’s a personal preference for sure.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

A First Quilt! An Extra Special Gift 💝

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A first quilt made as a very special gift!

Its maker chose the quilting design Forest Floor as the recipient loves the outdoors.

This pantograph has such a wonderful density and is such a perfect Autumn design.

It’s always fun to flip over the backing and see how it looks as well! In this case the indentation and not the stitching is what shows up more.

The quilt was trimmed and ready for binding at pick up!

The quilt was made by the Bride and presented to Her Groom on their Wedding Day this past weekend.

Photo taken by Zach Baranowski

Such a wonderful gift Congratulations to the Bride and Groom!!

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

A Whale of a Quilt!

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My customer made this quilt for her newest Grandchild and his name is Jonah! How perfect!

We chose the quilting design Bayside to add the look of waves, which it surely did!

The backing couldn’t be more perfect!

The quilt was trimmed and ready for binding at pick up!

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Happy Halloween…Quilt

wendysquilting

This fun quilt recently left my studio quilted,trimmed and ready for binding in plenty of time to hang for Halloween!

The quilt did present a challenge in that the witches legs hang freely. Using the quilting design Frite-nite I carefully worked around the legs not loosing any of the fun design.

How perfect is this backing fabric!!

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

A Block of the Month Quilt

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A quilt that was pieced as a Block of the Month turned out beautifully! It’s full of different designs and colours and was a delight to quilt!

I quilted it using the quilting design Nocturne Feathers by Bethanne Nemesh. I love the flow and density of her designs and as a result offer several of hers.

I have been professionally quilting for others for over 20 years and have collected many designs and am always adding more for my customers to choose from. If you have a design in mind and I don’t have it I will help you to find it and add it to my collection.

This quilt was trimmed and ready for binding at pick up!!

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Disappearing Nine Patch Baby quilt

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With a request for a baby quilt this one began with a cute but older baby print with baby blocks, rattles and such. Adding the read solid prints to the mix that played nicely with the print resulted in a super cute baby quilt! With the added bonus for my customer of using up fabrics from her stash!

She also pieced the backing from her stash adding more sweetness and fun!

Her quilt was trimmed and ready for binding at pick up!

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

A Christmas Quilt Story

wendysquilting

The story of this lovely Christmas quilt really makes me smile!

It was pieced by a longtime and expert quilter, which I could tell by her piecing. I have quilted other quilts of hers as well.

Sadly (and of course not why it makes me smile) she began developing dementia as this one was being completed and is no longer able to quilt.

The part that makes me smile is that her family has chosen to finish her quilts so that they will be used and enjoyed.

There was a lot of bulk in some of the areas where the corners met and I didn’t want to add any distraction to the piecing/design of the quilt with the quilting. I chose the pantograph Bayside for its soft flow…I also love how it plays so nicely with the candy cane backing!

This quilt was trimmed and ready for binding at pick up!