I am all about savouring some projects! This quilt has been one of those that it seems can’t be rushed. When I first learnt about this Jen Kingwell Pattern it was the possibility of making it really bright happy and scrappy.
The recommended borders just didn’t suit me and so I took a little more time to ponder and finally decided to piece more monkey wrench and 60° triangles for two corners and will complete the rest with checkerboard piecing.
So it shouldn’t be too much longer before this top is completed, I have the backing waiting and quilting planned out.
My Longarm and I have been busy which is where most of my quilting time is spent.
Thank you Yvonne @quiltingjetgirl for hosting the 2023 Planning Party Linkup!
After a very busy year Longarm quilting for others and fitting in a little piecing and Longarm quilting for myself… it’s time to reflect on the last 12 months.
My APQS Millenium arrived at my doorstep December 2004! I was so fortunate to have joined a Longarm chat group of others who were also pioneering in this new adventure! Together we shared and taught each other so much.
I began longarming for others that winter and haven’t stopped! In thinking about a word to claim for the year… Gratitude keeps coming to mind.
I am so grateful for the honour and trust others have placed with me to help them to complete their projects! I am thankful for my quilting skills and I love to support and encourage other quilters and to share the skills that I have acquired over the years.
I have completed 2 personal quilts and have some tops ready for quilting.
My favourite finish is the quilt that my Daughter and I collaborated on and made for my sweet Granddaughter! Baby quilt
I loved the fun back of her quilt as much as the front.
My Sunny quilt was completed early in the year other than binding and that was that I just couldn’t settle on what colour I wanted…this month I not only ordered the colour that I decided on but took the last stitch on it yesterday. Sunny Quilt
My Longtime gone quilt is so close to being completed, I am working on the border and plan to have it completed in January. This has been a project that I have savoured and know that I will miss working on it when it’s complete it.
A fun project this month has been dressing my twin dolls. I find it hard to believe that they are about 55 years old. When my daughter said that she would love to have them for her girls I was delighted and happily found patterns and then added little quilts for both.
I was able to complete two goals with this project one was machine binding which went well and I can see myself doing that a little more often. I quilted the little boy quilt on my domestic machine and I will be doing that a little more as well.
Also for fun I started playing with making pouches and hope to add some bag making to my skills.
Moving into 2023
I look forward to another year of helping others to bring their quilting projects to completion.
My personal quilting goals include working on more of the Color Collective quilts that I collected in 2022. I have the second top completed and ready to quilt and the third partially pieced.
My challenge will be working with my stash and adding only what I need to complete quilts and projects.
I hope to get back into a regular routine of quilting with my friends at the Rec centre and hopefully finally plan a retreat there that a friend and I have discussed since 2019…
I will be upgrading this site in the coming year as it’s time to upgrade which should be fun and educational 😊
On the life side I do have some personal well-being goals in place… life can get so busy but as I approach a significant birthday in 2023 I plan to greet it at my best and enjoy the ride!!
How amazing are these digital panels! Cathy has made this quilt for her granddaughter and now that there is a little more freedom for travelling she is finally able to deliver her quilt.
She chose a perfect dark charcoal Fireside for the backing. I pieced two lengths for the quilt….this fabric is so nice to work with and my only recommendation is to take the time to check the nap direction.
You can really see the outline of the pantograph Star Struck on the back!
I am sure that this quilt will be loved and snuggled under for many years to come!
This extra large queen size quilt was a joy to quilt. We chose the pantograph Maple Syrup to go along with the theme of her border blocks which were pieced maple leaves with the addition of appliquéd stems.
It’s spring and this week Liam and Decided it would be safe to finally store the winter boots etc… We have been enjoying our walks in the woods looking at all the new signs of growth!
Carols quilt has a very winter feel with skiers flying down the slopes. We chose the snowflake pantograph which adds a windy, snowy look. The quilting really showed on the black and red checkered flannel backing.
This soft flannel adds such as cozy feeling to the quilt. Though we are hoping not to need very much flannel for a few months!
Cathy’s version of the one block wonder type piecing was such a perfect quilt to work on this last while were every day brought rainy grey days. It’s bright green was a reminder that all of the rain will bring out the colours of spring before we know it!
This is a picture of the fabric that she began with. I believe it is by Jane Sassaman .
Her piecing was perfect and so effective!
I used the pantograph Rhododendron that Cathy chose and it was the perfect compliment to this quilt.
Our days are getting brighter…so they feel longer which is very welcome. February seems to have flown by. I was busy with customer quilts, family and a little of my own projects. Our area began another lockdown today due to rising covid cases which feels discouraging. I will have my grandson with me as the schools are back to virtual learning. I plan to start planting some seeds with him this week.
So many of my friends and customers have told me how thankful that they are for their quilting as many of us get lost in our work which makes the days pass more easily.
Laura’s Care-bears. Care-bear quilt back
Laura’s Care-bear quilt was a pleasant surprise as most quilts arrive to the door these days and the quilting decisions are left to me. I raised my daughters during the Care-bear era and I couldn’t help but think how much the world could use those bears these days 😊
It was a fun cheerful quilt and it was quilted using a tried an true pantograph called popcorn which gives a cloud like appearance.
This tulip quilt is also a reminder that spring will arrive.
I first started attending our local quilt guild when I was in my late twenties. I had been interested in quilting in my early teens but had no idea where to start, not knowing anyone who quilted.
Then I attended Quilt Canada when it was held here in Thunder Bay in 1992 and attended some classes. That is where I met my friend Alva who became my mentor.
I recently had the privilege to quilt a round robin style of quilt for a friend Bobbie who was in a group of quilters that were a very big part of quilt Guild for many years and helped to bring Quilt Canada to Thunder Bay.
It was a very interesting looking quilt and with permission I shared her quilt with a couple of groups that I belong to and was asked how it was made. So I questioned Bobbie and she shared pictures of her sisters quilt and progress. The rule was that each person started with a fat quarter and passed to the next Quilter who was to cut it horizontally and vertically and insert six inch rows of piecing:
Starting with Aileen’s fabric choice
Next Jean Tozer added her strips
Then Marjorie Hosegoods addition
Alva being Alva wasn’t one to follow the rules and decided to make two vertical cuts really changing the look.
Elaine Pond was next:
followed by Val:
And finished by Bobbie:
I loved spending time with these ladies and learnt so much about quilting and life from them. I remember the group of them liked to sit in the front row at guild and often would get the giggles like young school girls they really had fun!
Heather’s quilt really showcased her fabric choices which are bright and fun to look at. I chose to quilt it using the Hearts and Bloom Pantograph.
My customers will often ask me to choose the quilting design which is fun for me and maybe a little overwhelming for newer quilters. I carry many different designs and am always more than happy to add to my collection when a customer would like something that isn’t in my collection.
Wendy’s Quilting and Life 