Tag: Winter

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

2025 Quilting and Life

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I spent some time looking over the last year of pictures on my phone this morning, here is what I noticed…

First of all and this is on a personal side, I ended 2024 making some big changes and choices in my health and wellness journey. I changed my diet and removed most processed foods and pretty much all ultra processed foods. I made a no food after supper rule as well.

After reading the book Younger Next Year for Women, I also made exercise a higher and daily goal for myself. The book encourages retired people..which I am not but maybe getting there, I am going on 63…to make daily exercise your new job.

The main goal of course is for longevity but not only that but active and healthy and happy longevity.

In this very recent picture I had tried on a top that belonged to my eldest daughter that she bought when she was about 18, it was fun to slip it on.

Some favourite books along with Younger Next Year for Women, include Thinner this Year, Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert and The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins.

In a future post I will share some of the podcasts and you tube videos that have really resonated with me this year. We are so fortunate as Women to have so much more information about our health at our fingertips!

2025 found us travelling in the Motorhome to Arizona and area…I absolutely loved the Bike Loop that our campground in Tucson was beside and I keep thinking it would be great to be back there for a few weeks or so…the fresh citrus was definitely a bonus!

Travel wise we had a fun trip to the Dells with some of the kids and grands this year!

Speaking of Grands…I spent a lot of time with the younger Grandchildren. The pictures really reflect that as they take up a large portion of the albums.

My Dad and I have especially enjoyed having my Brother living here. He retired this year and moved here in the spring.

Quilting wise….

On my own Quilting Journey I continued to work on the Postage Stamp Quilt and Started and am getting closer to completing my Small World by Tara Faughnan Quilt.

This shows some of the blocks…

I have almost all of the blocks made to finish the Postage block Quilt.

I have also been playing with blocks from Tara Faughnans block studies..

I clearly need to spend more time on personal projects.

Though and thankfully and I am so appreciative of my wonderful customers, many who have also become friends…they are the reason why most of my quilting time is spent with my Longarm and finishing other peoples quilting projects! Just a small sampling…

Thank you to all of my customers, friends and of course family who are all so important to me in this wonderful life and for sharing 2025 with me!!

I wish you all the best in 2026!!

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

Life and Quilting

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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

The Yard Moose

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Yes it’s been awhile 😊 and with good reason. I will share that with you soon.

First things first to catch up on some quilting…

The Yard Moose was such a fun quilt to work on! We chose the pantograph Ground Cover… after all moose are often in the bush just peeking out…or maybe hiding.

How perfect is this backing fabric with splashes of colour matching the quilt top!

Jan’s quilt was trimmed and ready for binding at pick up and it wasn’t long before she sent me this picture of her finished quilt.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

McKenna Ryan Quilt…

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What a fun pleasure to quilt my customers quilt made with the pattern Said the Night Wind by McKenna Ryan!

I absolutely adore this designers work especially all of the amazing details. My customer carefully stitched around each appliqué and added gold glitz to the star!

I chose the quilting design, Star Swirl, it is a fun design that adds soft swirls and movement to this wonderful winter scene.

I love that Father Christmas is cross country skiing!

Of course her quilt was trimmed and ready for binding at pick up!

I do love the North, no I am not crazy about being outside in bone chilling -40C especially when the wind is blowing…that to me is perfect make a pot of soup and stay in and quilt weather.

There is something so magical though watching the snow fall and breathing in fresh crisp air!

My view from the Longarm room this morning…it didn’t capture the snow-falling though.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

A Farmhouse Quilt

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I am so appreciative of all of my customers to entrust their quilts to me to be completed. I have many quilters whom I have been quilting for many years!

This customer has relocated to Manitoba and we have still found ways to work together!

We chose the quilting design Star-swirl for this King sized quilt. It measured 114” square which I was able to easily accommodate on my 12 foot frame! Have I mentioned how much I love my APQS Millennium before?

The backing is a perfect match to the pink in the batik fabric that is in the top and looks amazing together in person.

We had an extremely cold week here and I was grateful to have to spend some of my time hand stitching the binding on this quilt!

So not only was this quilt trimmed and ready for binding it was completely finished and ready for gifting with plenty of time to spare before the wedding is taking place.

I offer Professional Quality Longarm Quilting Services!! Let me help you finish your quilts!

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Elegant Star Quilt

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All this Christmas gift needs now is the binding!

The Pantograph Ground Cover was chosen as the quilting design by its maker and it flows so beautifully over the quilt top and compliments the backing as well.

The batting is Hobbs 80/20,which I always carry on the roll and sell just what’s needed for each quilt to my customers. Thankfully I have a fantastic batting source that continues to offer the best price that I can find and am happy to give my best price to my customers.

Choosing the right thread colour can be a challenge when there is a lot of contrast, in this case I went with white as I knew that it’s contrast with the dark fabrics wouldn’t be as distracting as it would had I chosen a darker colour.

The backing fabric is a lovely match! There are so many wonderful wide backings to choose from!

This quilt was picked up this week trimmed and ready for binding!

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Quilting Decisions and Star Swirl

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I am often requested to choose the quilting design by my customers.

When I first began quilting for others in 2006 I remember feeling nervous making the decision…however over time it became easier to read the quilt and less intimidating.

Of course I also gathered information about who the quilt was for, its purpose as well as my customers preferences.

This sweet winter themed quilt gave me a few ideas, I could have used the border print and played on the theme of the holly or birds or pine cones. The backing fabric also had holly. However, I wanted something that would be complimentary to the animals and chose a quilting design that would play in the background giving a bit of windy movement along with perhaps a starry night…yes I have an imagination 😊

The quilt didn’t need me to replicate what was already there ie birds, pine cones, holly but instead it needed something to softly tie everything together.

Star Swirl is a wonderful pantograph for its soft density and easy flow.

Although the backing has a Christmas vibe to it, by adding more of a swirly starry theme with the quilting this quilt becomes a Winter Quilt.

I never tire of looking a the beautiful stitching I can obtain with my Longarm!

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

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

January 2024…Quilting and Life

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I love this picture of our youngest Grandson! It really reflects how he embraces life, he is a busy, curious, and joyful child. Who will begin school in the fall! This is the picture taken of him at an event introducing the children to kindergarten.

Maybe no matter what stage we are in life we should try to embrace each season in life with so much enthusiasm!

January 2024 has been an unusual Month weather wise, seeing only a short stint of bitter cold and while we did get some snow it wasn’t anywhere near our normal.

I have been very happily busy in my studio working on customer quilts and doing my best to schedule in some personal sewing time as well, even making it out to the Rec centre a few times to sew with friends.

Practicing and learning more about quilting on my domestic machine continues to be a goal this year along with playing with scraps …my postage stamp quilt is in progress but may need to be put aside for some other quilts that have been added to the list.

I have 20 blocks finished so far

Working with a ruler on a quilt for Betty has reminded me that I should return to some of my custom work!

Betty’s Globe Quilt

So far February is looking to be a busy and fun Month! What are you working on?

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Sunshine and Butterflies!

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We have been experiencing normal deep freeze winter weather here for the last week or so ago. For the most part winter weather doesn’t bother me.

I do love a bright sunshiny January day and yesterday was one of those days!

I am over due in sharing this special quilt that was made during 2023 for my daughter Mary. It has a lot of significance personally and was a joy to make.

After quilting the quilt with the pantograph Butterfly Charm and a beautiful variegated thread, I added additional quilting with my domestic machine and wonderfil Glamore thread to add more glitz.

My daughter loves purple and butterflies and she told me that she had wanted a quilt with this quilting design from the moment it first arrived in my studio so many years ago. When she saw the quilt as a kit on a Keepsake Quilting Catalogue she quickly requested it.

Her son Liam asked to make the label for this special quilt and he did a fantastic job!