Tag: Thunder Bay Ontario

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Family, Houses and Joy!!

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I love this picture, as much as I love quilting…and believe me I do…well if you really know me you know that to be true. However being a Grandma is the best!!

This sweet little one is our 8th grand baby and she brings such joy. My favourite pictures of myself always include our grands these days.

The quilt in the background is a personal favourite of mine, it is Winter Village by Edita Sitar…I always mean to replace it seasonally and that never seems to happen. Maybe I need to make a Summer Village. I do love quilts with houses.

Being safe, warm and at home has a lot of meaning to me and I am truly blessed in that department. I love that I also work from home and with that I have the flexibility to say yes when needed to help with our grandchildren, I also have the ability to work my own hours.

My heart has been deeply touched by the work of Carolyn Karle of the DEK Foundation and the many people who support her vision and work in so many different ways.

Two years ago Carolyn received news that no parent should hear and that was the news of her beautiful daughters death due to an unintentional drug overdose. She has turned her grief into an absolutely amazing mission of helping others who struggle with addiction.

I have often thought of how she has in many ways become a Mom to many who have experienced her kindness and generosity.

Her main goal is to open a home for women who are recovering from addiction.

When I first met Carolyn I told her that I would love to donate a quilt for a fundraiser at some point, and now Carolyn has taken me up on my offer and I have chosen the quilt that I made using the pattern Dwell by Camille Roskelly as my gift.

If you live locally watch for opportunities to purchase tickets, or attend the Christmas Tea December 3rd, 2023. 11-4 at Roots Community Food Centre.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

A Quilty Walk Down Memory Lane

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Last Sunday morning my daughter and I were texting back and forth and she sent me a picture of her view. She has lived in Texas for the last dozen plus years…

I had to ask which quilt that was and was reminded that it’s one of my early Longarm quilts made with a fabric line called Wuthering Heights. I love to see quilts being used and loved.

She also shared pictures of the other two quilts that live in her living room.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Binding and Notions

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It’s not often that I find a new notion that I really like and want to share. I also know that these have been around for a long time, however I never really needed or felt that I needed help with threading needles.

I love using tulip needles they are beautifully made and really glide easily through the layers when I am binding however the eyes on these needles is small.

Well, this needle threader from Clover is in my opinion well worth the investment!

Another well worth the investment, especially considering it is now a couple of years old is this floor lamp from Verilux that I purchased from Amazon. The lamp has different light settings both types of light and amount of light. I use the daylight setting and when stitching at night and these days early morning it’s light is invaluable.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

The Farm Quilt

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It’s no secret that I love quilts, also I have never been able to settle on only one style of quilts.

So many beautiful quilts have entered my life through my Longarm quilting business and many have inspired me in my personal quilting life.

This recent quilt by Karen was so much fun to have in my studio, I told her that it was really hard to give back!

Here’s the story….

Karen’s son in law requested a quilt. Having grown up on a farm it was decided that a farm themed quilt would be perfect.

Using her book by Lori Holt, Farm Girl Vintage 2 for many of the smaller blocks and the Barn from Farm Sweet Farm pattern along with some of her own personal designs the Farm quilt came to be.

I love that scarecrow! All the tiny piecing always draws me in!

We chose the pantograph popcorn with its soft cloud like look that took the secondary spot on this super fun quilt

The flannel used for the backing with the plaid design similar to a work shirt is a perfect fit.

As hard as it was to part with her quilt, it was picked up trimmed and ready for binding!

Let me help you bring your quilting projects to completion!

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Happy Thanksgiving and life

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Today is Thanksgiving in Canada, it is a day widely celebrated in Canada though it seems like many things quieter than the American Thanksgiving that is celebrated in November.

Still it marks the changing of seasons.

The last week began with way above normal temperatures as in the 30’s Celsius which was a welcome treat though a little too hot for many mid week we experienced a thunderstorm with a lot of rain and hail and back to colder days!

The rainbow after the storm

The view from my studio window is constantly changing… I do love the spring and summer views, then the changing colours and the leaves falling is beautiful too, though a reminder of the colder days to come.

The grandchildren have been visiting and having fun. Last week Grayson had his turn with the knitting machine…

After making his own beanie with some help from Pappa…

Seemed funny to be making such a cozy hat on a hot day!

He got busy making another beanie for his Dad creating it himself from my yarn collection!

He was so excited and determined to make this really special gift for his Dad.

The knitting machines have been a fun addition to my crafting supplies and my hope is that all of the grands will enjoy using it.

I haven’t had as much time as I like for piecing…my postage stamp quilt will be something that I plan to slowly work on as my customer quilts take priority. Still it’s nice to have something I can spend time sewing as time allows.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Lori’s Chicken Quilt

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A very fun part of quilting, can be finding fun fabric that suits the recipient and then making a gift!

Lori’s daughter has chickens…

She had a lot of fun making this special gift and together we choose the pantograph leaf pile… the falling leaves are part of what also appears to be the fall harvest in this great panel!

Most of the people who I quilt for love to pick up their quilts trimmed and ready for binding…this quilt was no exception.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Thunder Bay Walleye Magazine

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Thank you Bonnie Schiedel for writing this article featuring my long love of quilting as well as my Longarm quilting business in this Months addition of the Walleye Magazine.

https://thewalleye.pressreader.com/the-walleye-magazine/20231001

I consider a true honour to be included in this months feature Timeless Textiles along with so many talented artisans in Thunder Bay.

Quilting has such a long history and has evolved over the years from a craft out of necessity to a creative and great hobby. Quilting brings people together sharing what for many becomes a passion.

There are many small groups of quilters in Thunder Bay who get together regularly to sew and spend time together sharing friendship and skills with one another.

The Thunder Bay Quilters Guild has been an important part of my quilt life for many years. I truly believe that the mentorship is invaluable and I really encourage experienced quilters to reach out and mentor newer quilters.

I was so fortunate to have joined the guild as a young and beginner quilter and to have been mentored along my journey by women who had been quilting for many years and held such a passion for this art.

My friend Alva Llewellyn really made it a point to connect with me after we first met during a class at Quilt Canada when it was held in Thunder Bay, she always either knew how or found out how to help me in my early years of quilting. Later she was one of my biggest cheerleaders in my Longarm Quilting career.

Being mentored made such a huge impact in my life and was such a gift. I have always strived to share what I have learnt from others and on my own.

I truly feel privileged to be entrusted with other quilters work and have always strived to work together bring their vision of their quilts to completion.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

A Perfect quilt for Autumn

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This flannel quilt is stunning in both colour and in its modern design.

It was quilted with the Pantograph Belly Bop, adding a subtle play on the diamonds in the quilt.

The quilt is trimmed and ready for binding.

Let me help you bring your quilting projects to completion.

wendysquilting@gmail or 807-251-4261

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Linda’s Quilt

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This recent quilt job was a very large panel that Linda wanted quilted and will be gifting to her very long time friend who has moved into assisted living. Her friend has always loved birds making this quilt a perfect gift.

The Pantograph Garden Frills added so much lovely texture and is really showcased on the purple grunge backing fabric!

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

A Liam Update

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Liam has had a full September settling into Jr. High and loves it. His favourite subject this term is history he says it’s interesting and he really likes his teacher.

Unfortunately September also means colds return and yesterday Liam needed a day off due to a head cold. Fortunately for me it meant a day with Grandma!

Shortly after he arrived, my delivery I was expecting arrived. He was really happy to help with unboxing and took over setting it up! I have been researching knitting machines thinking it might be a fun activity with our grandchildren.

It didn’t take long before we had looked through my yarn stash and started on the first project.

It also didn’t take long before he had enough rows.

With a little help this tube became Liam’s new beanie which he was pretty proud of!

I have done some research on best yarns to use and will be prepared for more knitting sessions in the future. Liam has his next beanie planned along with some Christmas gift ideas.

One of the best things about running a home based business is that I have the freedom to spend time with our Grandchildren when their parents need us and my Longarm waits. I often quilt all evening and yesterday was no exception.

This sweet and fun quilt will be finished this morning …