Quilton's doings

Today is.............................

2012-02-29T07:00:00.000-05:00

pink shirt day in Canada. What is it? This is the day the children in school wear pink shirts. Why?

because

This wasn't today's column until we watched Mark Kelley on television last night. Bullying is out of hand in Canadian schools and kids seem to think its okay. It has to be stopped.

I was bullied in elementary school. I couldn't do math. I just couldn't understand the concept. Its so long ago now I honestly don't know what the problem was, but the kids tormented me telling me each and every day how stupid I was. We are going back many, many years. My mother went to the principal -- once she found out -- and it stopped immediately. It would have stopped sooner but I was afraid to tell her.

The next generation in our family was lucky. My kids were never teased or tormented in school, but my grands aren't as lucky.

#2 grandson suffered and suffered so badly he had a breakdown. He was 13 years old. It happened the week-end of the last quilt show. His brother said something to him one night and that was it. Our son and daughter-in-law couldn't get out of him what the problem was but the hospital he was admitted to has one of the best children's psychiatrists and just by asking the right questions, found the problem.

Who cared? Not his teachers, not the principal. As a matter of fact one of the teachers leaned back in a chair and worried more about their fingernails. Yeah, you read that right. He never went back to that school. He never went back to school. The fear was embedded in him so deeply he cannot go through the doors of a school. It affected his brother who started to run with the wrong crowd, his Mom and his Dad. You have no idea the hurt it inflicts on a family. You really, really don't until it happens to you.

Now its happening again. My youngest granddaughter snapped one night when her Dad was teasing her. She yelled, she screamed, she cried. Her parents were stunned. No one knew. Our daughter phoned her school and the teacher didn't even have to be told who was the teaser. She knew. She took care of it. Our granddaughter's previous school was zero tolerance -- this school apparently not.

I don't have the answers to bullying. I believe its really in the hands of the parents. The parents of the children that are doing the bullying.

Something has to be done. Bullying is becoming an epidemic that is getting out of hand. Do we charge the parents of the child doing the bullying? I don't know whether that works. I know some of the stories my cousin, the police officer, has told about taking kids home to their parents and if you have straight hair at the beginning, you sure won't have it when he's done.

Let's help the kids out. Let's pull those pink tee-shirts out of our drawers and put them on. No child should have to suffer at the hands of another child from bullying. It isn't just the kids either.

Tomorrow we are back to quilting again. I thought this was just too darned important to let it go by.

Tips for Tuesday

2012-02-28T07:00:00.000-05:00

This is a tip for those of you who would love to try free motion quilting, but cannot lower your feed dogs.

Believe it or not, my Mega Quilter does not have that capability either. Rather odd considering it is a quilting machine. However they do supply a plate to cover up the feed dogs.

the plate

uncovered feed dogs

this is where the plate goes

This is how you can make your own plate. Using a piece of cardboard/cardstock..................a cereal box will be just fine................cut out a square about 4" x4" and make a hole in the centre of it. I used a hold punch.

Making sure the hole is centred so the needle can make it through, tape it down onto the bed of the machine. I would suggest wide masking tape and make the strips long enough so they won't curl up underneath your project. This length was used because I was lazy. Well, I might as well be honest.

It works.........

I like to use a product called SewSlip. I phoned my sewing machine store --Sewing Machines, etc. -- to confirm the name. They sell for around --sit down -- $40 -- didn't want you to fall there, but you have it for years. (I see the manufacturer sells it for around $29. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm, wonder what the shipping is?)

While I was talking to Erika, she mentioned that many older machines -- this would be my Kenmore for sure -- are able to support a cover plate. You would have to check with a dealer giving them the make and model, but it may be worth it. I know Sewing Machines, etc., will order parts for different makes and models. Goodness maybe you could even get a "free motion foot". Those are also called "a darning foot."

I'll show you the project I've been working on that brought all this about. Not today though.
You know I really love to leave you hanging, don't you. It is really, really pretty. I could go on and on, but think I'll drop it for now.

This is it

2012-02-27T07:40:00.004-05:00

I have now officially severed all ties with the guild..................no not going to mention the name of said guild...............if you know which one it is, please keep it to yourself.

I had that phone call on Saturday afternoon and the guild president couldn't tell me exactly what the problem was as she didn't understand it. However, a member from the guild explained to me that as my blog URL was on the website, what I wrote on here reflected the guild's viewpoint. I don't get that. I don't say anywhere it is the guild's viewpoint. I would also like to know how this person had the information that the president didn't have.

Of course that has nothing to do with freedom of speech. Those people that walked out of guild meetings and have said publicly what a night it was have nothing to fear. Those of us who put it in writing are in trouble.

This is the very last mention of what has occurred. I want to thank those people that have stood by me through this and you all know who you are so I'm not going to make a list. I would quite possibly leave one of you off and that wouldn't be fair.

How soon they forget

2012-02-25T15:14:00.000-05:00

I had a phone call from the president of my guild. Apparently, someone has taken exception to one of the postings that I wrote last week. They obviously are not in agreement with what I said and they feel it reflects badly on the guild that I belong to. I disagree but hey its my blog and I guess I'm not suppose to be able to speak my feelings in regards to things.

I don't know who the person is and to be honest I don't want to know. You know I've written a lot about this guild and the columns have always been positive about the speakers or about what we have done.

It doesn't matter that the writings about how fabulous these ladies were when they stepped up to the plate for Slave Lake or Haiti, it doesn't matter about the write ups for the workshops, it doesn't matter about past speakers who have come out and given us a fabulous evening. One time and boy oh boy you hear about it. It doesn't matter that since I became a member of this guild (the very first night), I have given them my time to do things for them that no one else in the Guild stepped up to do.

I didn't hear directly from this person. They didn't take the time to leave a comment or send me an email. They left it on the shoulders of this young lady to give me a phone call. When I woke up this morning I had freedom of speech. Not anymore. Therefore, from now on you will not see this guild mentioned on my blog. You will not hear about the good deeds of the membership when they are asked to step up to plate. You won't hear about the wonderful things they do in their Outreach programme. You aren't even going to hear about the quilt show that is coming up.

FREE SPEECH IS THE WHOLE THING

THE WHOLE BALL GAME

FREE SPEECH IS LIFE ITSELF

Finish it Friday........or FIF

2012-02-24T07:43:00.000-05:00

Its done. I started this, I stopped in mid-stream, went to my local quilt shop, bought new fabric and started over.

This was the start....................

I couldn't talk myself into this.

That blue bunny was just too "loud" for the other blocks. Friends told me it was okay, but it wasn't to me.

Here you go. This is Lucy........

may I introduce Gracie.....

this is Bailey the Bunny

Source: Uploaded by user via Bev on Pinterest

and finally Stormy

Source: Uploaded by user via Bev on Pinterest

This little quilt is all about Casper the Caterpillar.

The original name for the quilt was Watching the Caterpillar but when our neighbours down the road had their baby girl I wrote a story to go with the quilt. The animals on the farm decided that a good name for the caterpillar was Casper.

Someday I fully intend to write this story up in booklet form. For now, folks just get the quilt.

Source: Uploaded by user via Bev on Pinterest

Oh my goodness, nooooooooooooooooooooo

2012-02-23T06:55:00.001-05:00

I found another b-a-d- website. My Keepsake Quilting catalogue came in the mail and I was browsing through it while "talking" to Kristina on the phone. I really do more listening than talking ~~ bet that surprised you.

And then I saw it. I was hooked, I really really was. You all know I should have been born on the prairies. I love Prince Edward Island, but I l-o-v-e Saskatchewan. I love the wide open spaces and the prairie skies. You have never seen sky until you see them in the west. They are unbelievable.

Take a look at this.......................

Source: Uploaded by user via Bev on Pinterest

http://www.toniwhitney.com/backforty.html

that is just the most perfect scene. I can relate to it. Not the red barn, but those fields and that fence and the sky. If you keep browsing through her website, it gets better ~~ or worse ~~ depends on your way of thinking.

I could do this one too.

Source: Uploaded by user via Bev on Pinterest

Karl and I saw one of these magnificent beasts on a trip out west one year. He was huge and standing on a hill top just as the sun was going down. This was in the days before digital cameras and I have this photo taken at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. I was quite happy with how it turned out.

I saw this quilt too.....................I should never open these catalogues, but I have the fabric for this one. I think I'm making it for grandson #2. I'll do it up with greens and creams, green being his favourite colour. Good taste that boy has.

Source: Uploaded by user via Bev on Pinterest

While I was searching for the photo I found this. I have a couple of friends that are going to enjoy it. I do every time I read it.

God lives in Saskatchewan

In a four house town with a gas station

and a grain elevator.

Saskatchewan is God's own land.

He cleared away all the mountains and the trees

so He could see forever.

He sits on His porch

and keeps an eye on the cosmos and listens

to the music of the spheres.

And He watches the Ontario drivers zip through

to Banff as fast as they can

without even looking around.

Then He carefully jots down the license numbers

in a book for future reference.

By George I'm sure glad we stopped in Sask. every time we went west.

I'm their Grandma

2012-02-22T07:03:00.000-05:00

so I get the bragging rights!

Two of our grands are in high school and both took woodworking last semester. Now if you knew these two wonderful, fabulous kids you wouldn't take them for the type that would do well with a piece of wood.

One

this would be Cody,

is a straight A student with a brain that drives me nuts. You tell him something and wap!! its in the head to stay. He sees something, same thing. He reads it, he's got it. Does he study for exams? No. Is he honour roll? Yes. He is just one darn good all round kid.

This is what he made for his girlfriend for Christmas. Its a memory box. It is fabulous.

there is a box inside this box and on the top he carved her name. She is a lovely young lady........that just says it perfectly. Two great kids, two sets of parents should be extremely proud of.

Now not to be outdone, is our sporty girl, Taylor. A grade nine student who is following in her brother's footsteps. This is our soccer player, wall climbing fun loving granddaughter #1. The one who doesn't like her picture taken, so you surprise her with a quick snap. Oooooooooooops! My daughter has just written to tell me its rock climbing, not wall climbing. These two don't get their brains from their grandma obviously.

Her option was to take woodworking and she aced it................well, not quite.............she only got a 90. Only! This is her work. Her CD stand. This is so smooth, cause you know Grandma had to run her hand over it. When I showed this photo to Grandpa I said, "See that in the back. That's the jewellery box you made for her."

This is her shelf she made. She isn't sure how to put it up, so she is going to give Grandpa a phone call and ask for some suggestions.

Two very talented young kids I'm proud to say belong to me, uhhhhhhhhhhh, us.

A couple of tips for you today

2012-02-21T07:33:00.002-05:00

I was working on my baby quilt ~~ the same one I've done before ~~ and I looked at the rabbit and couldn't decide how to quilt it. I had taken pictures of the first quilt I did so I took them out and decided that as I quilted each one, I would tape the photos of them to the side of my machine for reference. I didn't do the exact same thing, but it was pretty dog gone close.

This is my quilting machine. She doesn't have a name. Poor thing.

A few weeks ago I did a product review on my new little sewing machine -- Hedwig. I mentioned that I didn't like the fact that I couldn't use cones of thread on it. I was purchasing the new thread cone holder from Superior. I have it. It's in my hot little hands. You can buy one like this, which I had at one time, and its no where to be found. I think I gave it away cause I didn't like it.

You can purchase fancy ones like this, but I can't see the point in it and darn it, they don't come cheap.

Anyway, this is it. The cone holder from Superior. I love it. I put it together and then put the cone of thread in place, wound the bobbin and started to sew. By the way, it doesn't take great intelligence to put it together. Anyone can do it.

It doesn't wiggle. It doesn't wobble. It sits there and doesn't make a sound. You can stand it up, you can lay it down. It doesn't matter.

I put it at the back of the machine and brought the thread up over the top and lead the thread through the hooks and tension holder just as if the spool of thread was on the machine.

A perfectly wound bobbin.

Now I can buy cones of thread and I won't be buying thread quite as often.

Last tip.

I was working away on the sewing machine organizers. That's why the Amish Red thread. (I love this colour) I tried something new. I've said before I use masking tape to mark my stitching lines. It sure saves time. I did a line one way and then the other to hold everything in place. Then I looked at it. I thought of a pattern I had just used and changed it slightly. Here it is.

The criss-cross goes right through the middle, then I started to work in one section. I used one width of tape for the next line of stitching, then I used two widths of tape. Back to one and then double again. I rather like the way it turned out. It's different. I have to come up with something else for the next one. I don't want 7 organizers all the same and when you are working on something small you can afford to try new ideas out.

Okay, I'm done. I tried to photograph the fronts of the organizers but you couldn't see the lines very well, so I flipped them over. This photo looks small but you can click on it and it will enlarge. All of these were marked with masking tape. It's the easiet way I know of to mark your quilting lines.

Today is really a holiday

2012-02-20T07:01:00.001-05:00

here in Ontario and other parts of Canada. The government took pity on us working from Christmas to Easter with no break, so they decided to give us family day. Third Monday of the month for families to get together and do things. Its one of those holidays that some get, some don't. Most Town employees get the day off, but if you work in a facility that is family orientated, you'll be working.

Remember the old adage........If you can't say something nice about someone, don't say anything at all..........................its out the window today.

Last Thursday night was guild and off I trooped. I had heard a lot about the speaker coming in so I wanted to hear for myself what all the talk was about. What an evening it was!!!!!

The name ~~ Dwayne Wanner. The craft ~~ quilting. The man ~~ ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, he is a piece of work. He is arrogant, he is condescending, he has little use for woman and he thinks he knows it all. That wraps in up in a nutshell.

He started his talk over by saying "I heard this was a sophisticated guild and then I saw *^*%&( and ))*^%#$." I was stunned! I know the two girls whose names he spoke. They are two of the nicest people. He of course thought it was funny. Oh it got worse. He didn't speak very nicely of his grandmothers either. It went downhill from there. I wouldn't waste my time walking across the street to see this character again and from what I've heard a whole lot of other women won't either. I am not above men, I am not below men, I am equal to them. This man hasn't learned that yet, but he will. When you hear the name, don't go out of your way. He isn't worth it. Oh, and just to cap off the name calling.................his sister-in-law who opens her doors to him for his holiday.............she is what's her name.

On another note, I went to the Guild UFO day on Saturday. Not many there, but we had a good time. I worked away on a project for the member's boutique. I made some burp pads too. Here you go......
these are some of the things that people were working on.........................

Now I have a little tidbit of information for you. Last Friday I was at the Quilters Garden Patch to pick up mystery clue #5. Karen was telling us about a workshop being held on the 17th of March. Make a quilt top in 1 1/2 hours using jelly rolls and speed piecing. Have you heard about it? It is fantastic and I'm going to learn how to do it. I've booked myself in for the 2:00 class and at 4:00 I'm going home with a quilt top. If you want in on the fun, give the store a call. There were spots left on Friday. Yes, I know its on Youtube, but it is so much more fun learning something new with friends.

Oh my goodness

2012-02-17T07:44:00.001-05:00

Do you remember this? Its from way back last fall.

http://quilton.blogspot.com/2011/09/pay-it-forward.html

I wrote this and challenged you all to pay it forward. I just challenged you again this week so it is ironic for me to receive this letter last night at Guild.

It is from Linda, the young wife and mom that lost everything in the fire in Slave Lake, Alberta. I am not going to share the entire letter with you, just a small part of it. I hope I can stay in touch with Linda. I hope I can do more for her.

We are a family of 4, my husband, my girls 10 and 4. At the time of the fire we also had 2 foster children in our home. That we all made it out alive still astounds me, as the houses on the end of our street were burning when my neighbours yelled at us to flee. By the time we loaded up the children (10 minute max.) the bushes 2 houses down were on fire and soon leaped to a house across from us. We also lost our pets that day, a decision made in total denial of what was happening and one that will live with me forever. The fire has taken so much more from me and my family than our belongings. It is incredible to me that it has offered up a blow to my soul so much more.................. But as with all hardships in life we must pick ourselves up and move forward.

Further on in the letter..........................

Your "pay it forward" challenge is a good one. One that I hope I am achieving whether in a grand gesture **** ** ***** or in everyday kindnesses. I can't say Thank You enough. I will use the supplies you sent with great happiness and think of you often when I see them.

It does continue on...........................

however, I'm not sharing anymore.

A little act of random kindness goes a long, long way. I was so touched by this letter I cannot tell you what it has meant to me. I am going to write back to Linda because now I have her address.

Take a moment out of your busy lives and do a pay it forward. Someone, somewhere at sometime has been kind to you. The rewards are more than you can imagine.

This, that and the next thing

2012-02-16T07:57:00.001-05:00

THIS

The other night I was sitting going through my Picasa album, deleting photos that didn't need to be there. I accidentally rolled my wheel on my mouse and everything went miniature. I mean really miniature. So small even a magnifying glass wouldn't have helped. I left that page and googled my problem and of course the answer came up. Problem was......................I couldn't read it!!! Of course I couldn't. But I strained these old eyes until I thought I saw "ctrl" and "+" ~~ so, I hit "ctrl" and "+" and my gosh, the size grew and grew and grew until I had to reverse it. So I hit "ctrl" and "-" and it shrunk and shrunk and then I decided I better leave well enough alone. Another lesson learned. I will learn this machine, come heck or high water. It's been 6 years and I seem to find out something at least once a week. That is your computer lesson for the month. LOL

THAT

I have been busy. I promised the girl running the members boutique that I would contribute some things to put in it. What? Well, I thought maybe sewing machine organizers. I absolutely love mine. I have one for 3 of my 4 machines. It sure comes in handy when I take out pins. I don't bother looking for my pin cushion I just jam them into the padding. My scissors are always (okay, okay, almost always) right there where I need them and that wonderful friend ~~ the seam ripper ~~ is also kept in one pocket. So far, 4 down, 3 to go.

Source: Uploaded by user via Bev on Pinterest

THE NEXT THING

Karl gave me/us a GPS for Christmas. Of course, they don't sell them with pouches or with the house charger. Those are extra! We gave it a test run over to Anita's and it works very well. Karl kept changing the route and it kept up with us. I figured it was good to "test" it with Karl as he knows most of the highways and byways in this area. Me................not so much.

Packing it all back up when we got home was a pain, so I decided to make a Snap Happy pouch. Betty sent this pattern to me a long time ago along with a pouch and I love it. I made this one larger to accommodate the cords and the booklet. I will also admit that I didn't remember the instructions and messed up the casing at the top, but I'll continue to do it my way in the future. I actually like it better. I have this terrible problem of thinking I remember how to do something and half way through find out I don't! Ask me about sewing machines organizers. Then and again maybe you shouldn't.

There have been a rash of thefts in Toronto when people have left their navigational systems in their cars, so trying to find a safe spot for it, wasn't even an option for us. They are too expensive to have lying around so a pouch was the answer. I can put it in the car when I need it and bring it back into the house with me. Now I have no excuses not to get to all those upcoming quilt shows.

Source: Uploaded by user via Bev on Pinterest

By the way, I have all 7 sewing machine organizers done. Now onto something else.

Quilter of the Month

2012-02-15T02:30:00.000-05:00

Who is it this month? It is someone I have known for a long time, she is a founding member of our Guild and if not for her, I may not have become a member. This gal called me many years ago and asked if I would like to come out to the first Guild meeting. The rest as they say is history.

Janet Rhind

quilter

fibre artist

creator

lecturer

instructor

When you step into Janet's studio

one word greats you.

and that Janet does. In so many ways. From the dolls sitting on the table

(which have been on exhibit in different places)

to art pieces, Janet's creativity is endless. The work is all Janet's from the start to the finish. She does all her own machine quilting and there is no long arm machine.

This shows the quilting and the following photograph is the entire piece. I love the background work in this one. I would never think to use those fabrics all together. I may have to give this a try.

Up the Garden Path

A close up of "Geranium" and then the whole piece

Janet can take a photo and make it into outstanding artwork. I'm just going to let you take these two pieces in.

My photography work does not do these two pieces justice. They are outstanding.

This next piece is something Janet is working on at the moment. It was hanging on her flannel wall. The photo she is working from is the first and then the work in progress. She thought she had it all figured out, but when she put the pink fabric up, it didn't "work". So now she starts over. I can relate to that.

I found this sitting on a little table after I shot the photos of Janet's studio. Can you find the photograph in it? This is something new Janet is doing. I love it. It's different, it's unusual and it's a conversation piece. We may have to have a workshop on this.

I have favourites that Janet has made. This is one of the them. I can see this hanging in the foyer of the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto. I should talk to the owner, shouldn't I? Janet agrees with that thought. This is Masquerade Theatre

Will some of these pieces be in our upcoming quilt show?

My lips are sealed.

Janet's website is here.

http://www.janetrhind.com/index.html

Valentine's Day.....February 14th

2012-02-14T07:34:00.000-05:00

We celebrate the day because we love some one or a whole bunch of people. This year I'm going to start something on Valentine's Day and I hope you ~~ my readers ~~ will join me.

Did you know that there is an official "pay it forward day" and people in many countries of the world participate? I actually didn't until I started writing today's post. I googled it and found some information I would like to share with you.

http://payitforwardday.com/

Of course, you know me. I don't want to keep it simple, I want you to really share in pay it forward.

I love kiddies, all shapes, all sizes, all colours, all creeds. Children are the most delightful little people on the face of this earth. They love unconditionally, they give unconditionally.

Now the question is....................does your town have an organization in need of quilts, burp pads, bibs, etc for the little ones where you live? I suggest burp pads and bibs because they don't require a large amount of fabric, but if you would like to make a quilt to donate, I'm sure they would love to have it.

The day is Thursday

The date is April 26th

Before you finish what ever it is you are giving, place a little heart on it. Show them love, show them you care. Don't forget the date.

Connecting Threads have a free pattern for burb pads
Chickpea Studio has a fabulous pattern for a bib

If you would like to take photos of what you have done, you can send them to me at:

quiltonsdoings@gmail.com
I'll set up a page and we can share with others.

The queen of hearts

2012-02-13T07:59:00.000-05:00

Did you knowthat making a heart is the easiest thing in the world to draw? “Ya, right”, say some. “I can’t draw a straight line.” Can you write the #2? Can you fold a piece of paper? Then you can make a heart. Take a piece of paper, fold it in half. See, it’s easy. Now write the number 2 but don’t put on thetail. Cut on the line and open itup. See...it was easy.

I believe my friend Jan taught me that years and years ago. Almost positive.

#1                                                                                      #2



                                                         #3

The little pair of scissors that are in the photo were given to me when I was little. They are classified as antiques now, so guess that means I am one too.

Heart shapes can be used for just about anything. Noses on snowmen.......

Source: Uploaded by user via Bev on Pinterest

or this..........................a doodle of what I thought would be the June BOM, but changed my mind
body, wings and tail.....................all started out as heart shapes.

This was something I saw many years ago and made a few of them as 'the' Christmas decoration for that year. OMG, the back says 1998

and now, my gift to you this month. The first time I made these, was with my father--in-law in 1966 at Christmas. We made them from paper and then hung them on the tree. The Danes make new ones every year. I don't do that anymore. I make them from fabric and fusible web. I've also made them for Valentine's Day for kith and kin. I've filled them with cinnamon hearts for some, sugarless candy for others and hugs and kisses for most.

A PDF is on the How to page.

The Wellington County Museum

2012-02-10T06:30:00.000-05:00

The weather was perfect for a drive. Fergus isn't that far away from us ~~ about 1 1/2 hours ~~ and we don't take the highways. Its a beautiful drive through farm country. (For those of you who don't know, Oakville is located about halfway between Hamilton and Toronto. If you drive west you reach Burlington first then Hamilton, going east its Mississauga then Toronto................all along the shores of Lake Ontario.)

Here is your Smilebox

I did take the chap out to lunch. We had our usual at Tim's but added their brand new treat for dessert. Now don't I wish I could remember the name of it. It looked like a Danish sort of pastry. It was soooooooooooo good.

Then we walked across the parking lot to the shoe store. Due to a lack of snow in this neck of the woods, I wanted a pair of slip on boots...............like crocks that are lined. Got'em!!! Not classy, but they will do the job.

Then I started to do damage. I saw these and liked them. New shoes. Haven't bought any for a long time.

Now are you ready for these? The sales girl had them in her hand and when she opened the box it was love at first site. These are the best little rain boots I have ever seen. Oh boy I hope it rains soon so I can wear them. Love them, love them, love them.

The best til last. This is my new purse. I don't often buy purses but this shelf full of bags said to "buy me", "buy me", so I gave in. It has a shoulder strap and lately I've been taken those short straps on my purses and trying to get them over my shoulder. Its very uncomfortable and I'm still not hands free. This is hand painted leather.

Now to load it up and get shopping. Time for groceries and then I have to get to meetings. See you all on Monday.

Little irritations

2012-02-09T07:49:00.000-05:00

in life.

One of my huge pet peeves is copyright. People just don't seem to "get it". You cannot copy other peoples work and say it is yours even if you change 100 things in it. It's not legal and it sure as heck isn't fair.

A few years ago I dropped into a local store and saw something hanging on a wall. My word it looked familiar. I hadn't designed it but I knew the people that had. I asked about it and they told me it was a kit and here were the instructions. Oh, they were there alright, but they weren't their instructions although they had redone them to make it look like they were. I was mad. This is where they picked the pattern up from.

http://quiltwoman.com/search.aspx?find=straight+to+the+point.

Another time I was in the same shop they were selling kits for something else. Here this one.......I call these five fabric coasters. I've made a ga-zillion of these but I've never laid claim to them. I don't know who the original designer was, whether it was this link or not, but don't put your name to something you didn't do.

http://allsorts.typepad.com/allsorts/2006/11/crisscross_coas.html

The amount of time it takes to come up with a pattern is phenomenal. I appreciate all the time it takes as I did it 2 years ago when designing a quilt for Peter and Heather for the 20th Anniversary. I was using EQ7 but it still took an entire evening of moving this and deleting that.

I have done many of Angie's works. I love this one the most though. I made changes to it and I freely admit that, but it doesn't make it mine.

The original design had a Welcome sign attached to it. My wall hangings of this size hang in my bathroom and I didn't want the welcome part on it.

As it isn't my design in any way, shape or form, I gave Angie credit for it on the label.

Please don't randomly take a book or a pattern to your local photocopy shop and ask them to reproduce it so that you can give it away willy-nilly to every Jane, Sarah and Henrietta. It isn't legal, it isn't right.

There are laws and if you get caught it can have consequences.

http://users.trytel.com/~pbkerr/copyright.html

If you are putting quilts in a show -- your local quild -- take the time to look up the designer of the quilt that you are entering. When asked on the form you are submitting it asks for it and to say "I don't know" just doesn't cut it with me.

Hours are put into creating quilts. Please give credit where credit is due.

Today you can just browse..........

2012-02-08T06:30:00.000-05:00

well sort of. I hope to be a woman of few words today. If you believe that, I can sell you that land I own up on the Canadian Shield! These are the quilts I am putting in our guild's upcoming quilt show.

Misty in the Garden. A tribute to the latest member of our family who turned 1 on February 1st. The pattern is by Angie at http://ajpadilla.com. I went back and looked for this for you, but I can't find it. That doesn't mean its not there, it just means I probably didn't look in the right place.

This is Dragon Vine. I made this a long time ago for our grandson Brandon. It is finally finished. It will be his Christmas gift this year. Kyle, his brother, will be getting one too only in greens and creams. The pattern was in a McCall's magazine in 2007 and it was a lesson on how to do give and take applique. You take from one colour and give to another. Neat, eh?

Between Friends. I love this quilt more for the meaning behind the name than anything else.

Mary Ann in Texas wanted to swap fabrics and I said I would take her batiks for my floral charm squares. I used the pattern Straight to the Point and when it was only a rectangle I took it to the Quilters Garden Patch where my friend Karen picked out the border fabrics. Then I took it to my friend Robin of Pettyquilt Junction who machine quilted it for me. It is really really special and when the show is over, Karl is going to hang it above our bed.

Aunt Bea's Parlour. My friend Irene and I both did this one. I bought the kit, not sure if Irene did. I must ask her. (She reads the blog, she'll email me and let me know.) It was a lot of work but the results are worth it. I love this quilt. Now I didn't do the borders the way the pattern was written. I seem to recall I had problems with it, so I did it "my way".

A souvenier wall hanging. You know the story behind this wall hanging so I'm not going to say anything more.

Last one. This is the one that started my blog off. Christmas row by row from Fat Cat. I thoroughly enjoyed doing this. I had never done a row by row before. Once again my friend Irene joined me in doing this and she would send me her photos and I would post them here along with mine. My quilt is still at the long arm quilters so I'll post the photo I sent to her when I booked the quilt.

WAIT! WAIT! THERE'S MORE!

I wrote this column awhile ago...............maybe two weeks?................anyway, since then I've interviewed my Quilter of the Month who also taught a workshop for our guild back in 2010. The lightbulb came on and I've decided to add my jacket to the show. I made this totally reversible because truth be told I absolutely love the lining. The pattern is from MorninGlory Designs and its the Town and Country Jacket.

Those are my choices for the show. I have no idea what anyone else is putting in, but if you are in the area in May, pop in and see. The quilters in our guild are phenomenal and I could show you some of their work, but I'll post a whole video on here once the show is over.

Sorry, I did get a bit "wordy". I was just going to put the photos up, but ~~ but ~~ but ~~ well, you know me.

I nearly forgot to tell you. Karl and I are off on a day trip to Fergus Ontario today to the Wellington County Museum. They have a Log Cabin Quilt Exhibit until the end of March, so with bribery of a lunch at Tim Horton's, my chauffeur will take me there and bring me back home.

Watch for a Smilebox coming soon.

uploaded from Flickr

Life goes on

2012-02-07T07:44:00.000-05:00

Last week turned out to be crappy. No other word for it. I made a deal with two other people 3 years ago, that I would purchase the 3 Anne of Green Gables patterns available at that time, if they would each make one of the wall hangings and we could put them in the upcoming quilt show. Something truly Canadian. Something truly unique. Something you won't see very often.

The two people I asked were all in favour. Yes, get them and at 20 some odd dollars each I did.

I also purchased the Anne fabric that everyone wanted for the backings, everyone got to pick their favourite from the website. This is special as you can only purchase it on the Island. Prince Edward Island that is. Our friends, Jan and Reg, drove into Charlottetown with us and Jan and I shopped while the men patiently waited.

The three of us each made a wall hanging and had them custom quilted by the same girl. They turned out beautifully. I made sure I bought enough fabric for the hair so everyone would have the same. We purchased the tree trunk fabric just for these wall hangings and I brought back the sea and sky fabric for everyone to use. I really, really put a lot of time and effort into this.

This is mine............................

This is Barb's.......................................

and this belongs to Charleen.

After all this I was told last week that one of them won't be in the show. It can't be in because if the person who puts something in the show cannot give us time to work a shift, they can't have anything hung.

To say I'm hurt and disappointed is putting it mildly. Someone has let me down and it could be avoided. I wasn't told until I phoned their house to talk about something else in the show (after being reassured the week before she would definitely be here for the show) and there was a laugh and the words.................well, I guess I won't be putting anything in the show. Her husband was talking in the background and told her she wouldn't be back in time. He wants to visit his friends on the way home.

This was an agreement between friends made 3 years ago and in one fell swoop her husband has decided that this show isn't a priority. That what we agreed to and worked so hard on meant nothing. They will extend their holiday well past the quilt show and let down other people. I don't enter into agreements with people and then back out. It isn't part of my nature. If the date is on the calendar regardless of what comes up, I'm there doing what I promised to do. We have worked our holidays around things because I've become involved in. Karl wouldn't have it any other way, either. He has the same nature. If you take something on, regardless of what it is, you do it and you do it to the best of your ability.

I didn't waste my time making my wall hanging. I love it, but I'm hurt to think we spent so much time and put so much effort into this and it is fluffed off as if it is nothing.

As the old saying goes..................I won't get mad, but I will get even. No not really. But things will certainly never be the same between us again. Will I ever ask this person to do something with me again? No. I want dependable, reliable people around me, not people that make a commitment and then don't honour it.

My Anne fabric and my label.

The stitching detail in two of the quilts.

From Quilton's doings

I posted on Sunday so............................

2012-02-06T07:01:00.000-05:00

today is my day of rest. I'm leaving you with this. Have fun.

Source: iwastesomuchtime.com via Keely on Pinterest

The first 4 words I found were:

patient

genuine

elegant

peaceful

I beg to differ on one of them, but I'll take the rest. Elegant is not in my vocabulary. A glutz, a bull in a china shop, maybe, but not elegant.

It is the fifth of February

2012-02-05T06:30:00.000-05:00

February……..love is…………..

grand,wonderful, everlasting. You can applythe word that fits you best.

In the centre of eachpattern is a + . Foldyour square of fabric into quarters and find the centre and then you can traceor apply your pattern and it should be centred on your block.

Forthe embroidery: Trace thepattern onto your block the same way as last month. Place that same piece of freezer paper behindand using your favourite pen trace around all the areas you want to have onyour block. You may opt to use only 2hearts. It’s your quilt, it’s yourchoice. Photo #1 is my finished block.

For the fusible method: Turnthe pattern over and trace the pieces onto the fusible web. Mark the numberonto the paper as this is the numerical order you place them on yourblock. There is no embroidery this monthunless you are doing the name of the month. Once again, I recommend you embroider it first, then do the fusing.

You will see Idid one heart in a light colour, almost a cream. You probably don’t want to see the red fromthe blocks behind, so this is what you can do. Apply a piece of fusible interfacing(photo #2) to the back of the lightcoloured fabric. THEN, you fuse the traced pattern web to the back on top ofthe interfacing. (photo #3). Cut out andapply to your block in the proper sequence.

#2 #3

I decidedwhile doing my blanket stitch on the February BOM that I was going to use thesame thread throughout regardless of the colour of the fabric. It is from Connecting Threads and kind of abrown tone, so it should work for everything I have planned.

When I take itoff the sewing machine it goes in the box along with the completed blocks, mypatterns, the bobbin, anything I need while working on this project. Then it gets put away until next month andeverything is where I need it. Nostealing from the box for other things.

http://quilton.blogspot.com ©B.Andersen, January8, 2012

Placemat tutorial

2012-02-03T07:00:00.000-05:00

I love square placemats. I don’t know why, possibly because I can get more of them on the tablewhen the whole motley crew is here. Weare 11 around the table and that many placemats spread out takes up a lot ofroom. My preference for size is between15 and 16 inches. They hold everythingnicely.

I start with the backing. I cut the fabric piece larger than required ~~ let’s say about 2” moreall the way around. So for a 15” finish,I will cut 17” to start. I fold thesquare piece of fabric in half and sew on the folded edge.

I use what I call my“rule of thirds”. One third of thebacking is regular stitch length, then a basting stitch length and back toregular stitch length. I re-enforce thebeginning and end of the stitching at the basting break. To make life easier for me, I fold the fabricin thirds and finger press the folds. Like so:

I stitch using a ½” seam allowance, not ¼” as you usuallywould. Then I trim away the fold very,very close to the edge with my ruler and rotary cutter.

Once that is done, Iopen it up and then press the seam flat. Then I trim it down to the exact same size as the front.

I use needlepunch inmy placemats. I love it! It never, ever looses its shapes. It lasts longer than the fabric. For these particular placemats, I’m alsogoing to slide in some Insulbrite to protect the tables as they could come inhandy for fabric trivets at some time.

I lay the shiny side down onto the needlepunch, then I laythe front down facing towards me, then the backing. The backing is right sides together with thefront.

Then I sew around the entire placemat, and now I use my walking foot as my guide, trim away anyexcess and then zig-zag all the layers together.

Second to last thingto do is turn it all right side out, by opening up that basting stitching.

Give it a good pressing.

Pin and slipstitchthe opening closed. You are done.

A PDF is available on the "How To" page on the right hand side of the blog.

When all else fails

2012-02-02T06:30:00.000-05:00

make placemats.

I've had these blocks sitting around the sewing room for a long time. There are several 7", 8" and 9" blocks. I think the idea was to make a wall hanging, but I've run out of walls. Maybe I should start hanging "stuff" on doors.

Add caption

Awhile back our guild's block of the month was variations on log cabin. I did all 9 of them and here they sit/sat. Whatever. I didn't like any layout I came up and then last week the light bulb came on. Make placemats and give them as gifts next Christmas. Who says all the placemats on the table have to match. Boy oh boy, mine don't.

Only 7 of the blocks are here

When I started this out as a wall hanging, I choose this fabric as the border.

Source: Uploaded by user via Bev on Pinterest

Isn't it one fantastic fabric, loaded with colour. I really like every colour in the fabric and picked them all out when I made the blocks. The pinks, purples, greens, yellow, rusts and browns. Yes, I really do love this piece.

I opted to make all the blocks 15" square. I added borders to each block

and I must say I do love how they turned out. You wouldn't know now that each centre block is a different size.

I didn't put the same fabric on the backs of all of the placemats. I didn't have enough, so I went through my stash and came up with enough, so that the backs sort of match the fronts. My rule of thumb when doing BOM's is to use up the stash. I'm not allowed to buy new fabric for them. When I run out of fabric, I'll change that rule...................never going to happen though.

Here are two completely done. They haven't taken me long to finish them up.

I used one layer of needlepunch and one layer of Insulbrite. I'll post step by step directions tomorrow for all of you.

The mystery is continued.......

2012-02-01T07:00:00.000-05:00

Sewing those l-o-n-g strips.

On clue 4 we were told to take 2 fabrics and cut them 3" wide. From one fabric 3 strips, from the other 2. We were to leave them the full width..................40 some odd inches.

Here is your tip

Cut the strips the required size. In this case it was 3" wide by W.O.F. (width of fabric)

Leave your fabric folded in half and lay the folded edge on one of the lines on your cutting mat.

At the open end of the strips, make a cut through the two layers of each strip. You want to remove all the selvedge edges. Do not cut each individual strip. You want them all the be the same length.

Find the centre of the two strips you are to sew together and pin them together.

At one end pin the two together. Now start pining from the center to that pin. Do the same for the other end.

Stitch the two strips together.

Do the same with the next strip, but sew in the opposite direction from the first stitching. You can press your seams as you go along, but always follow the pattern directions when doing so.

You will find that you have perfect strips if you use this method. I promise you that! and a promise is a promise is a promise, isn't it?

Today is someone's birthday, someone very special to us. One year ago today Miss Misty was born to what must have been a wonderful mother and father and was given a forever home by two humans that think she is just the cat's meow.

Happy Birthday girl.

We love you to bits.

This free digital scrapbook personalized with Smilebox

It's a mystery..........

2012-01-31T07:55:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday dear Sophie

Happy Birthday to you.

Princess Sophie is 13 today. She is the special girl that lives
in Irene's home. She is beautiful and that's me saying that and we
have the most beautiful cat in the world. LOL

part two.

Remember these from last fall...........

Source: Uploaded by user via Bev on Pinterest

these fabrics were my choices for the mystery quilt. Charleen and I both chose the same line and we are enjoying this cliff hanger we go through every month.

Clue one was simple and quick. Do a bit of cutting and put them all away for the future. We handled that well.

Source: Uploaded by user via Bev on Pinterest

November had us cutting and sewing and cutting and sewing. It doesn't seem to take long to get these clues done and its fun.

This is just part of clue 2....................well, I can't tell you everything. Its a mystery you know.

December we had to make arrangements to pick up our clue earlier in the week. Karen obliged and we got it done before the holiday season rolled around.

Source: Uploaded by user via Bev on Pinterest

January we went to class and got clue 4. This is going together nicely. I am loving the looks of it already. Clue 4 took me almost a whole day to put together. There was cutting and lots of sewing involved. When I wrote this, I still had some pressing and some trimming to do. I wanted all the sewing done as I can sit in the evenings and do this little bit of work.

Source: Uploaded by user via Bev on Pinterest

To sew part of this clue we had to sew 5 long strips of fabric together.

When or if you ever have to do this, **make sure you sew two strips together starting at one end and then when you add the next strip start at the other end. You won't have "wavy" lengths if you do it this way.**

So that today's column doesn't run on and on and on I'm going to pick up here tomorrow with a good tip on doing those l-o-n-g strips. It never fails to work.

Going back.......

2012-01-30T07:00:00.000-05:00

this is the column that popped up last Tuesday by mistake. Some have read it, others have not.

to Christmas a couple of years ago. Kristina called and said "you will never guess what Cody wants for a gift." I said..."oh boy, tell me". I knew it was going to be good..................her voice said it all.

a sock monkey!!!!!

He was 15!!!!!

but that was what he wanted.

"Mom could you please make him one?"

I could hear the pleading in her voice. Here he is once again gracing the pages of the blog.

Our youngest wanted one too, but I said that could be a sew day with Grandma when the Christmas break was on from school. They all agreed. In the meantime, things changed. Morgan's teacher made it a class project but readily admitted she didn't have a clue how to make it. That was the understatement of the year.

I wish I had taken a before shot of poor old George but I didn't. He didn't have a "sit down upon", he didn't have enough stuffing, he was just a mess. I took some stitching out and gave him more legs and Morgan gave him more stuffing. I made the tail because there was no way this poor child could do it. The socks were way too small to start with. You really have to use men's socks.

Anyway, we got it done. The girl loves her George....................all monkeys are called George, aren't they?

He has teensy tiny ears, and no hat. Neither monkey has a hat. It is something that is a pain to make and unless you sew it on, will be lost forever. Our boys do have scarves. One is knitted and the other cut quickly from a piece of flannel. I better get the needles out and start one for Morgan's monkey. I believe I promised her one.

The instructions are still out there on the web. I don't know why they aren't in mass production in some place of the world. They are back in popularity. Here are the instructions I used, if anyone in your family would like one. I know Irene is going to make them for her grands and another gal I know is considering it. Its a fun project.

http://www.supersockmonkey.com/catalog/howtomake.html

You will notice the print on the page has become larger. I was having trouble reading what I had typed up, so I went in and enlarged the type. (yes, I had my glasses on.) I hope now I won't haev as mnay typo's and you won't have as many porblems reading the blog.

I know, I put those few in on purpose.

Easy math........

2012-01-27T07:27:00.002-05:00

Before I begin today, I must apologize. On Tuesday in my haste to get off the computer when I saw Charleen coming down the road (it was our sew day), I accidentally published a column that shouldn't have been up until next week. A few of you got to read it, while others are now sitting in anticipation of it. Ah, well, its wait and see for those of you that came on too early or too late. Now that's a teaser if I ever saw one!!!

I was chatting to a friend on the phone the other day seeking some information from her in regards to our upcoming quilt show. When I got my info, she asked me a question which fortunately I did have the answer for.

She has a beautiful focal fabric that she is going to use in a quilt. She has 6 blocks cut at 12 1/2" and now she wants to add a nine patch to it. How big do I cut the fabrics for the nine patch? A nine patch is quite simply a block that consists of nine other blocks.

Here is an easy formula for you. There are 3 blocks across in a nine patch...............see that, count them. That is all you have to consider. The large block is cut 12 1/2" so it will finish at 12". Here you go.

Finished size of large block......12" divided by the number of blocks in the top row of the nine patch ...3 which gives you the size of one block.....4". You have to remember to add seam allowances so your cutting size is 4 1/2"

Therefore: 12" ÷3 = 4"..............add the seam allowance.......cut 4 1/2"

It doesn't matter which it is, it will work for all blocks.

A large block of 16" with a 4 patch is 2 blocks

16" ÷ 2 (in this case) = 8.............therefore cut the block 8 1/2"

Prove it.....................8 + 8 = 16

Remember to only count across the number of blocks in one row. 2/3/4, doesn't matter.

These are 16" blocks with a 16 patch. Count the number of blocks across the top row of the patchwork block. Its 4.

16" ÷ 4 = 4".......................cut your blocks 4 1/2".

It gets a bit trickier when you have 15" blocks and you divide by 4 as you come up with 3 3/4" finished and then you have to add 1/2".............now you are working with fractions. I love fractions and decimal points in school. I excelled in them as a matter of fact. I must have known I would need them later on in life. Anyway the answer to that is.....................4 1/4".

Use a calculator if you have to. It is actually quite easy, although you will have to convert that fraction to a decimal point. (No, I'm not going to give another math lesson.)

*** TIP....Finished size of block divided by the number of blocks in the patchwork block from the top row only and you have the size of the finished block. Add your seam allowances and bob's your uncle.......off you go now to cut those blocks.***

Choosing fabrics

2012-01-26T07:56:00.000-05:00

seems to be very difficult for some people, for others its a walk in the park. For me its my favourite part of quilt making.

When I worked in the store and someone was selecting fabric and had not a lot of confidence in doing so, I would ask them their favourite colours. Then I would tell them to look around the store to find a fabric that they really, really liked. Sometimes it didn't have any of their favourite colour in it at all. It spoke to them, as we say. I wanted the fabric to have lots and lots of colour in it, not one with only two or three. Something like this............

Take a look at the possibilities in this one fabric.................black, grey, green, oranges, magentas, white/cream and all the variations of said colours. This is one magnificent piece of fabric.

Lets do a table runner. Blocks are on point with sashing and cornerstones, maybe. This is the border fabric. I've used EQ to make this up.

add some sashing and cornerstones next.....................

Now let's fill in the those empty spots.

Start pulling from the colours in your border.

This is alright, but the one below is so much better.

Let's get them all on here. All these colours are found in the border fabric. All of them. Where you place them is up to you. You can have cornerstones or you don't have to. Without gives it a stained glass look.

When choosing fabrics, lay the border fabric on the cutting table and then search the store for co-ordinating fabrics. Open up the bolt of fabric you are using for your border. Keep stacking them and then step back. Step way back and look at your choices. Do they flow? Do you like the appearance of them? Is there one that you just don't like. Then take it out and find another.

Be prepared to spend some time when selecting fabrics. Don't be in a hurry. It can take an hour. sometimes more to find that perfect flow.

I was down at my local shop last week and I knew this red fabric was what I wanted. Then I looked for a co-ordinate. I took three different bolts off the shelf and then I stepped back and took a good look at the shelf where I knew I should be finding the fabric I needed. I spotted it right away.

If you find you are having problems with selecting fabrics, ask at the store for help. Every good sales assistant can help you pick what you like.

If still in doubt, pick a line of fabric and go with that.

If picking from your stash, start the same way as above, pick out your border and start selecting fabrics in the same colours as printed on the fabric. Don't stick with one colour in many shades. It will be dull, dull, dull and look what "pops" out.

That fabric I selected..................I'm making sewing machine organizers and this

http://www.connectingthreads.com/Patterns/Caddy_Pad_Pattern__D55622.HTML

Now I must say this before I stop for today. Choosing colours in the store is much easier than finding them in EQ. I did my best to show examples of what I think works and what I think doesn't work, but doing it Live and in Colour is best.

Where do I start?

2012-01-25T06:00:00.000-05:00

I had an email from a friend the other day asking about blocks of the month. Where do I start? How do I start? She quite possibly wanted to ask why do I start, but she didn't.

Where do I start? I take a good look at the photo of the quilt that is usually provided and go from there. I don't think I've ever done a BOM that I've known what the blocks will look like until they are posted each month.........................I can't think of one anyway. From that I take a look in my stash and most times I can find something that works.
I can usually come up with a background fabric. I either play it safe with a cream/white fabric or choose a subtle colour. I've turned fabric over and used the back so the print faded away. I'll see if I can get close ups and give you samples. (hmmmmm, these worked!) From that I decide on the sashings, if there are any, because I want things to flow. I just don't like it when I look at a quilt and something there makes it the focal point and it shouldn't be. If I'm pulling from my scraps I'll audition fabrics on my flannel wall, but we'll talk more about that another day.

actually a soft turquoise

backside of fabric

a print and a plain sewn together

I don't usually choose the border until its time and then I try to continue the flow. (By the way, I didn't choose the fabric for the "crow block". My friend Irene told me about it. It's from Connecting Threads.)

Another question asked was do I pick a colour theme or mix it up? That's hard to answer really. This time I did pick a colour theme, but I have the advantage of knowing the blocks. I chose white which is not my first choice at any time. I'm not a fan of white................it's too stark, too cold. It looks like snow!!! It also looks like mashed potatoes which is a lovelier thought. I want to use fabric up and this colour was what I had a lot of.

Fall always conjures up visions for me of oranges, yellows, reds, greens. A fall green is a different colour that a spring green.

Spring colours are fresher, like a new beginning. Purple crocuses, yellow daffodils, tulips in every colour under the sun.

Summer to me says "red", as in hot, hot, hot. Green again but another shade of it. Yellow for that bright beautiful summer sun. Hazy blue because we tend to get a lot of smog now. Too many automobiles and not enough walking. Signs of the times.
Winter is stark and cold in my part of the world (well, its suppose to be, this winter being the exception). Blues, greys and whites come to mind. Take a look at the sky in all four seasons. Have you ever noticed the different shades of blue? A winter sky is always bluer than a summer sky in Ontario. The sky on the prairies is always a brighter blue that ours. The sky over PEI is a different colour too.

Nature has the best palette for colour you will ever come across. This is the sky over PEI one day last July. Look how many different shades of blue are in the photo. Now count the greens. They all flow too, don't they?

Think about what the designer has told you so far about the quilt. Did she say its a calendar quilt? Think 12 months of the year. Did she mention something about spring/fall/summer/Christmas? Think in those colours.

Sometimes I see a BOM that I think will be a great idea to start. And I do start. And I do one block and think, this isn't for me, so I don't do anymore. I just did that with a BOM. I decided I didn't really like what was happening. I dropped it like a hot potato. The block I did? I put it in the garbage, that's how impressed I was. It wasn't fit to be a pot holder. It was a learning experience because I did something on it, I've never done before.

Some little pointers for you when doing a BOM. I wouldn't find anything each month if I wasn't organized. A place for everything, and everything in its place.............

1. Keep everything together in one place so its easily found.

2. Keep all the patterns in a folder so you can find them.

3. Keep all the thread, embroidery floss together until the whole quilt is finished.

4. Keep snips, seam ripper, needles, marking pens, rulers, in the box as well. It will save time each month if you don't have to go searching for what you need. Ask me how I learned that lesson.

5. Mark the date on the calendar that the blocks will be published. You can keep track on your computer calendar too. Some are available all year, others only for the month they are given out and then you have to buy them.
6. Try to use up the scraps in your stash instead of buying fat quarters for one tiny little piece. You aren't getting rid of much fabric, if you have to go out and buy more. I'm trying desperately to rid myself of some fabric. Its not working!!!
7. Tuck a notebook in your box. Write yourself little notes about what is important to you in regards to the BOM.
8. If you do a blanket stitch around your fusible web, mark down the length and width of what you used. Your blocks will look better if the stitching is consistent in each one. I even keep track of which sewing machine. For some I write down whether I used my 1/4" foot or I moved the needle over to 1/4".

9. Read all the directions carefully.

Good luck with your BOM's. I really enjoy doing them.

Hedwig

2012-01-24T07:53:00.000-05:00

You remember her don't you?

I purchased this little gem, from Sewing Machines, etc., in Burlington, On, way back last July and I've had lots of time to really work it.

I did get the book out to learn how to thread it. There are two little "thingies" up on the top and I wasn't sure about them. One for sure is for winding the bobbin, a universal bobbin by the way. The system they have developed with this machine for bobbin winding is fabulous. I have never had a bobbin wind badly. Bonus #1

I've used several of the stitches, some for fun and one especially because it is my favourite ~~ the blanket stitch. I use it a lot and adjusting the stitches is as easy as 1, 2, 3. Just press the button for the stitch and then do your width and length.

I gave it a work out at a UFO day last fall. I bought this machine for workshops so I took it with me along with all my work for the day. I wanted to make some sewing machine organizers for the upcoming quilt show. I put the walking foot on that I bought for my Sapphire. I didn't have to buy another foot which I appreciated, because at $90 I really don't want to spend that kind of money. I cannot say enough about how well the machine performed. It went through the layers like it was melted butter. Bonus #2

I needed the storage box Miss Birdie was stored in and as the weather had turned cold, which means my basement is cold, I set Hedwig up in the back bedroom. I sewed the blocks together and then the rows. In some places the layers are 8 fabrics deep. I didn't have the walking foot on, just the 1/4" foot, but the machine took it in stride. There was no hesitation with it going through all the layers. Bonus #3

The only thing I can say against this machine is the spool holder. It does not stand upright........always horizontal, never vertical. That means I can't put a cone on the machine.
I figured that out though. I've order the new Superior Thread Cone Holder. I'll put my cones on that and set it at the back and the thread the machine as usual. That will work.

Now I can't say how well this machine will free motion quilt as I don't have a free motion foot for my Sapphire. I broke it when that machine was acting up. I bought the Mega Quilter so no need for it. I did ask about it and it was recommended to only use it for small projects. Just in case you were wondering.

If you are looking for a light weight machine that goes the distance, I highly recommend this machine. It's going to stay upstairs for the rest of the winter. The foot pedal doesn't get as cold in the back bedroom so therefore, my foot doesn't get cold. I came up with a solution for that too.

I sew with one shoe off and one shoe on. I can feel the foot control better with a stocking/bare foot. I knitted myself some slippers, so I slipped those on my feet the other day and it worked out really well. No cold toes for me. I hate cold toes. Once my toes are cold, my whole body is cold and you never get a hot flash when you need one.

By the way, this would make a great beginner sewing machine too. I'm keeping that in the back of my mind for some little person who likes to sew. I think I'll let her use it the next time she comes over.

Hedwig, peace in battle..........we haven't had a battle yet, don't think we are going to.

I mentioned at the beginning that I purchased this little gem at Sewing Machines, etc., in Burlington. What I failed to also mention is that if you ever need service on your machines ~~ any machine ~~ give them a call. They do fabulous work in servicing all makes and models. I did a feature on the store awhile back but you can check it out here.

The baby quilt

2012-01-23T07:43:00.000-05:00

I have a favourite baby quilt pattern. I have only made it once and was thrilled with the outcome.

Remember this?

It is called Watching the Caterpillar and it was created by Eye of the Needle. It is no longer available. This is going to become my "go to" quilt to make for new babies. I love it!!!! It was time to pull the pattern out again last week and get ready to make it up once again. I remembered I had taken photos of each block that I made ~~ close ups so I could see the machine quilting I did. I am so glad I did.

** TIP.....I have now printed off all the photos I took of this quilt and I have tucked them into their own envelope inside the pattern. Now it will be readily available for all the quilts I make.**

I didn't quite make the pattern................surprise, surprise! It calls for a thousand little scrap blocks for one of the borders, but I find that distracting so I just made up the borders on quilt number one as I went along. This time I actually went into EQ and printed off the cutting instructions. This quilt will be slightly different than the first one. (I'll post a photo of the actual quilt once it is done.)

The real reason for today's posting is to tell you about the thread I purchased for the blanket stitch around the animals. I emailed Anita of Cotton Mill Threadworks about a week ago and told her I needed three spools of thread (cones actually) and what I wanted them for. **TIP.....Always always give people heads up what you are going to do with their product. They have the knowledge and they know what is best for your needs.**

I needed a black and a neutral for regular stitching and I wanted a black for the blanket stitch. This time I wanted the stitch to be seen, not to fade away once its on the animals. I drove over to Anita's on Friday afternoon and had another "thread class". I learn something new every time I go. Anita suggested one of the NEW BRYTES, by Superior Threads in black. Wow, do I love this thread.

My blanket stitch looks amazing. I used a 4 length and a 3.5 width for the large areas of the animals,

however, for the smaller areas I made the width only 2.5, same length though.

You don't use a bobbin thread, you use a thread about the same weight ( #30) in the bobbin. You could actually put the black thread off the spool onto the bobbin, but I used a regular thread I had on hand. No one is going to see the inside of the quilt and I didn't want to use up my thread.

This time while making up the quilt I'm keeping notes all the way through. I have every intention to make this quilt again and again and its much quicker to have the information on hand than to start designing the quilt every time I make it.

Once the notes are all compiled I'll put them in the envelope with the pattern and the photos. I will be taking photos once again of this quilt to have them on hand for comparison.

**TIP......This was taught to me when I took a machine quilting course a couple of years ago. Remember this little dittie next time you are purchasing thread......

Forty is fine

Thirty is thick

The lower the number on the spool the thicker/heavier the thread.**

I know, I know

2012-01-20T07:50:00.000-05:00

Christmas is over, but I have started for the one coming up. I've joined the gift of the month club on my quilting forum and I'm doing my gifts one at a time, once a month.

I have the greatest plans to make 7 embellished tea towels for the girls in the doctor's office. Do you have any idea how hard it is to find cotton tea towels? I checked Bed, Bath and Beyond (B, B & B in my house) and all they had were those micro fibre things. I hate micro fibres. I finally found some at Home Outfitters at the far end of town. I bought a 3 pack to get started and start I did.
This is one of them. I can use two from the package. 100% cotton. I love the feel of these.

I decided to do a snowman embellishment as that can be left out for the entire winter. I have this one Nancy Halvorsen book that has the best snowman for this job. It is actually suppose to be the "O" in Noel, but I'm dropping the n, e and l.

I washed the towel, then pressed it. Cotton tends to crease, so I spritzed it with water, then with spray starch and steam press. The wrinkles were gone. It works like a charm every time. I laid the cut out fusible web on to the tea towel to make sure it fit before I proceeded with pressing the web onto the appropriate fabric.It fits.

Then I auditioned fabrics having problems with what I thought would work. They didn't. They faded away as if they weren't even there. I choose these.............golds and greens and I know they will work because they "pop" off the fabric.
I fused all the pieces together on a pressing sheet (1st photo) and then applied the whole thing directly to the towel. After that was done I sat

at the sewing machine and did the blanket stitch around the whole thing. When that was finished I added the embellishments................the snowflake, the holly, the eyes and the nose. I glue everything on. I take the hook off the back of the buttons with a pair of side cutters so it will sit flat. I glue on the eyes............they are mini buttons I found at Michaels and the nose is a wooden heart painted orange.
I intend to wrap the girls gifts in these. Two butter tarts for sure and whatever else comes to mind in December. Only a few to go, but I have the towels in stock now..............not the same ones, but close enough.

Odds and Sods

2012-01-19T08:01:00.000-05:00

Have you ever kept track of the amount of time it takes to do what we think is a simple task? Sewing a block together definitely comes to mind for me after last week.

I've joined a small group on my quilting forum called "This and That". We choose two projects that will take us more than 8 hours to complete and give them the name This or That. I picked my Odds and Sods quilt and the new baby quilt. We have to keep track of the time we spend on each one. Day one for me was a looser. It took me 1 1/2 hours to press fabric, cut and then sew 8 blocks.

My bobbin didn't wind properly, so I had a re-do, my thread broke, not once, but twice.

The next day I sat and did some more. It was still a "this" day.

I kept chugging along and got more accomplished but boy oh boy, it does take time.

Well, I'm now up to 5 hours, and I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. I don't have any more blocks to make. I have extra now!!!!! The plan was for a 60" x 60" quilt top. However, with the extra rows why not just make it longer. So now it is going to be 72" x 60".........72 being the length.

Karl has claimed this quilt. He wants it for a summer quilt for the trailer. Robin is going to machine quilt it for me next month, maybe this month so it will be ready in plenty of time.

After 6 1/4 hours I have the top put together.

Now to make a backing. I'm using that fun fabric and putting a strip down the middle just like the blocks. I don't have any choice really. I don't have enough fabric for the width.

It shouldn't have happened

2012-01-18T07:00:00.000-05:00

but it did.

Last fall, Gloria (my quilter of the month from yesterday) on the quilting forum asked us if we would like to do a block swap. Four of us said "yes". I made 56 blocks and sent them off. I handpicked the fabric. It was special. Some maple leaves, a fabric I bought in Pennsylvania that had quilting bees on it................something that all of us could have on our quilts.

I sent them to North Dakota and they arrived just fine as did everyone else's. Gloria sorted them and shipped them out. I got mine, Betty got hers and so did Barb, but Leisa's never arrived, and never arrived and still to this day there is no hope they will ever get there. Gloria got some of the parcel wrapping back from USPS and somewhere there are 50 blocks. Where? We have no idea.

Gloria asked all of us if we would mind making some more and sending them off. We all of course said yes. I was disappointed as I had carefully selected the fabric for my blocks and some of it I didn't have any left. I found one and then choose some new ones for Leisa.

I made some more for myself too. I made all of mine with black through the centre whereas the other girls just used dark fabrics. I plan on putting one of their blocks, then one of mine, and so on and so forth. The blocks measure 6 1/2" unfinished and to make a lap/twin you need 10 across and 12 down. That's a lot of blocks, but I'll get it done.

I've heard our friend Betty is just about done hers..................by now she probably has as I'm writing this on the 5th of January. Guess what? It's done!!! Beautiful, isn't it?

I plan on calling this quilt "Odds and Sods" cause that's what I chose from when I made the blocks

Have you

2012-01-17T07:00:00.000-05:00

ever been to North Dakota.

Sorry to say we haven't been through the state since 1998. That was the year we travelled through all the northern States to get to Alberta for the Calgary Stampede. We spent a few days in North Dakota and revisted Rugby, the geographical centre of North America. Another one of my "been there, done that" places. We have also seen Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Turtle River State Park, Medora and all points in between. Someday I should tell you all about it. But, not today.

I guess you are wondering why I asked about N. Dakota. Well I 'know' this girl that lives there. I 'met' her on my quilting forum many years ago and she is my Quilter of the Month. Her name is Gloria and she is one of the most prolific quilters I know. She is one of the quickest too. As I am downloading the pattern she is finishing it off. You'll remember Gloria's work from our birdie quilt we did last year. By the way the quilt is finished. I'm still working on mine.

Look at this purse. Isn't that the perfect flap on a bag? It was done with Texture Magic and Gloria enjoyed playing with it.
I think I'll have to play with that someday just for the heck of it.

These were made for a swap on a quilting forum that Gloria belongs to.

These are just some of the pillowcases Gloria has made for the 1 million pillowcase challenge. Lucky lucky folks who received these.

This was suppose to be for the quilt store that Gloria shops in. Unfortunately for them, she liked it so much she couldn't part with it. Its one of my favourites.

Do you have any idea what this is made from?

Selvedge edges from fabric. Isn't it fantastic? To quote "I absolutely loved doing this one and have another in progress. No sense throwing out those selvage ends and I received little bags from gals on quilting sites...."

This was made from a kit from Connecting Threads, one of Gloria's favourite online quilt shops. I think you've seen them mentioned a time or two on this blog. (Watch for a new flannel line coming soon, but don't buy it all up on us. I want some of it too.)

"The embroidery block is from a Raggedy Ann quilt that I did for my granddaughter with the same name. It was a block of the month from an on line site. It was really fun to do that one... Embroidery is an enjoyable way of making blocks. I also enjoy paper piecing , foundation piecing and applique."
Remember my L'il Twister from last year. Gloria made this one (which I love) and taught it in a workshop. I have every intention to make this one. Wish I lived in N. Dakota and taken the class.

We always save the best for last. This is it. I love this piece.

Those of us that live in the north country get to see this every fall and we never tire of it.

"The fall quilt was made for my folks to remind them of our lake place in ND when they headed south for the winter. It was a kit from Keepsake Quilting."

Thank you Gloria for being my quilter of the month. I thoroughly enjoyed going through your webshots albums and seeing all the beautiful work you do.

Oh-oh, oh-oh.......

2012-01-16T07:42:00.001-05:00

I made a boo-boo!

I was working on my baby quilt and merrily going along and then realized I had made one big goof.
I have told you all before that when applying a light fabric to a dark background when using fusible web, you always, always, always put a layer of fusible interfacing on the back of the light fabric.

Welllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll, I forgot. It's fixed and I'll tell you how I did it.

Lay your cut out piece down with the right side facing up, on the fusible interfacing. You want the unfused side facing up. (The rough side as the glue on it. You don't want that side)

Trace around the entire piece and then cut it out.

Remove the paper from the fusible web and then lay the fabric/fusible web on the interfacing The smooth side goes onto the back of your piece. There should be enough stickiness from the web to hold the interfacing while you trim away any excess. DO NOT PRESS. I cannot say that often enough. DO NOT PRESS.

Now lay the piece onto your background, following the order of placement.

Press in place. Do not move your iron when working with fusible. Lift it up and down until all edges are secured.

Now this piece is ready for the blanket stitch. Then I'll add the rest of the lamb.

On the back.................

2012-01-13T07:30:00.001-05:00

The weather forecaster said to expect "foul" weather for the last two days, so Karl and I shopped almost non-stop on Wednesday. When we were finally ready to go, we went first to Michaels, then the gas station and then the grocery store. Karl didn't like the apples at our usual spot, so he suggested we head over to the "other" store we shop in from time to time.

I told him I would like to go to Sewing Machines, etc., to pick up some Timtex. Off we went after our walk in the afternoon. Wellllllllllllllllllllllll, I shopped. I was waiting for Erica to finish cutting fabric for a customer when I spied a fabric that would be perfect as a backing for a quilt top I just finished. It was only $9.99 a metre, an unheard of price up in Canada. I order from the USA at those prices.

Yellow and red, perfect for the quilt.
See how well it goes with it. the binding will be that bright yellow. Its for that new bed in the back bedroom. There is a story behind this quilt but it will have to wait until next Friday.

Next I saw this one. Wild isn't it? But it will look great on the back of my new Odds and Sods quilt I've been working on this week. Odds and Sods is the perfect name for it, but that is also on the burner for next week. Thursday to be precise.

I also purchased this just because I liked it and thought I could fit it into some project, any project. Perhaps my Calendar Quilt as I have a plan for the backing of that one. It will be a little of this and a little of that. Calendar quilt on the front, calendar fabric on the back. How will I do that? Stay tuned.

I am also making my very favourite baby quilt up once again. I never tire of this quilt. Its one of those patterns that never go out of style and I'm so thankful I bought the pattern when I saw it. It isn't available any longer. So sad.

I picked up the fabric for this one here and there, whenever something caught my eye and I'm pulling from my stash too. Its a baby girl so I can pop in some pink here and there.

Here are the main fabrics for this one. I didn't buy the backing at this shop, but I did get that beautiful turquoise. The backing was in my stash for another quilt, but the time frame says "do this quilt next". Baby is coming, baby is coming.

The yellow swirly fabric is flannelette and its the backing. It really does go well with the "front" fabrics.

I have a little tip for you.

**TIP** Next time you are out buying fabric and you empty the bolt, ask the sales clerk if you can have it. It is wonderful to roll your fabric onto and stores on a shelf or standing on the floor of a closet. I ask in all the shops and haven't been refused yet. Its one of those 3 R's too..........the recycle one.

These are the three projects I mentioned above. They are ready to go when I am.

Now just because it's Friday the 13th doesn't mean all is bad. I received an email from the girl who received my quilt out in Slave Lake. She has a new home. She is so happy. I don't know when she is moving in, but I'm thrilled for her. She hasn't been "home" for a long time and now she will be. Imagine, refurnishing a brand new home. I think I'll find something nice for her new kitchen. Something fun!

By the way, the weather has arrived. It looks like one nasty day out there and the sun hasn't even come up yet. Not that I think we will see the sun today.

Have I got a

2012-01-12T07:30:00.001-05:00

place for you to shop!!! Its online and I found it because I couldn't find what I needed up here.

As you know I'm doing the mystery quilt at my little local quilt shop (more on this another day) and my mate and I looked at the fabric and thought "YIKES!" it looks like we are getting low. I also want to make a pillowcase to go with mine and I had a change in plans while doing one clue.

That was long-winded wasn't it? To make a long story even longer, I hit the internet. I googled the fabric.......Etchings by Moda and up came two/three places. One was Hancock's but they were out of stock. Next up The Fat Quarter Shop in Texas. I've never dealt with this store before, but heck I gave it a try.

They have this policy that if you order it before 3:00 pm CST it is shipped that day. I placed the order in the morning and about an hour later I had an email to say it was being shipped that day. It took awhile to land on my front porch as the holidays were on and we had days without mail being delivered. (I can always go days without mail being delivered and then whack! I get a load of it.)

I was so surprised when it came. Inside was this.......

the fabric folded beautifully, with this lovely envelope saying "thank you" right away and inside that envelope was my bill.

Now that's not all. I had ordered backing for the quilt from Hancocks and was told it was on back order. Then they told me it wasn't coming. Sooooooooooo, I checked out the Fat Quarter Shop and they had what we both wanted. I tried to place the order, but my charge card had reached its limit, so it was denied. (It doesn't have a large limit cause it's my internet card.) I phoned and spoke to a lovely young lady and explained my problem.

I gave her the sku # for this fabric and the yardage requirements and the order was placed. Yes, they had 10 yards in stock. When I checked my emails in the afternoon, I found a confirmation from them to say my order was being shipped. (Yes, its colourfast cause I tested a piece of the red I already have.)

***TIP.....If you don't pre-wash your fabrics, and lately a lot of them I haven't been, do a colourfast test on a 3" square of fabric. It's better to have it run now than run later and ruin a quilt. I put the piece in a clear glass and run hot water on top of it. If nothing happens, you are good to go!

Customer service! It lacks in so many places these days, but not here. I love this store and yes I will be ordering from them again. They deserve my business.

YEEEEEEEESSSSSSS!

2012-01-11T02:30:00.000-05:00

I spent an hour in the sewing room and can honestly tell you that I love triangulations!!! They are so easy to use and the results are fantastic.

I loaded the CD into the computer and printed off pages 6 and 7 so I always have the directions on how to use. Then I found the size I need for the mystery quilt clue I bought them for. I printed off 3 copies as that is what the pattern calls for. I also ran one more to show you how easy this is to use.

Cut two pieces of fabric slightly larger than the page you will be using.

Lay the paper on top and pin in a few places.

Set your stitch length shorter. I used a 1.5

Stitch on all the dashed lines....................

Trim away all excess fabric...........

Then cut on all the solid lines. Remove the points on those solid lines........

I left the paper in for stability and opened the half square triangle.

I butted the two seams and joined the triangles together. Ta-da! It was fast, it was easy and I will definitely be using this method from now on.

Once the triangles were joined together I did remove the paper, but in future I don't think I will remove the paper until I am finished. I won't have any bias edges to deal with if I leave the paper on.

The maker of the CD does not recommend pressing your triangles with the paper still in as the ink could run.

With the paper in you can finger press the seams or a bone folder, even a glass laid on its side and used like a rolling pin.

Karl made me a roller (similar to this) a few years ago for my paper piecing and if you have one of them, you could use it, too.

Quarter square triangles

2012-01-10T07:00:00.000-05:00

Charleen and I started working on clue #3 for our mystery quilt just before Christmas.

This was the extremely difficult step one.

Oh my, we worked by the sweat of our

brow on this, I can tell you.

This wasn't much better. We had to cut up 3" squares. I don't know how we got it done.

Then we started to read the final step. We had to make quarter square triangles. You could use the method where you take 2 squares of fabric, lay one on top of the other, cut from corners to corners and then sew. I hate that method. You are working with bias and mine never work out right. Always, always off.

you could use Triangulations. We had never heard of them so we hit the computer and started a search. We found them. They are from Bear Paw Productions out of Alaska.

We found it on sale at Connecting Threads so we decided to order one each. (By the way, it's still on sale.) I placed the order on December 16th and it arrived on my doorstep December 22nd. That is darn good service!

I took the CD out of the folder and put it in my computer to find out what it was all about. My gosh, I'm telling you this is fantastic. I've used Triangles on a Roll and Thimbles for making HST or QST but this is better. You only have to print off exactly what you need. It comes in a ga-zillion sizes so you don't have to buy all kinds of sizes from the other brands. There are all here!

I printed off the two pages of instructions for future reference. I don't like having the laptop on the sewing table and trying to read while I work on things. If it is run off I can take it with me wherever I go.

My instructions said to run off 3 pages which I did, but I ran one extra to try it. It was easy, so easy. Look at them. They are perfect!

I will warn you though. This is not a programme you install in your computer. You put the CD in, run off what you need and take the CD out again, and put it back in the folder and put the folder where you will be able to find it again. Now I have to practice what I preach. You must admit I've started well.

I'm stopping here. I have a show and tell all ready for tomorrow so you can see what its like.

's wonderful, 's marvellous, 's awful nice..............................

Left-overs

2012-01-09T07:00:00.000-05:00

Just before Christmas I walked into the Quilters Garden Patch and in the sale bin were two fabrics that caught my eye. My daughter mentioned something about making Christmas pillowcases and I thought I would start by making them for the old homestead first as they take a fair amount of fabric.

I washed the fabric and then I pressed the fabric and then I straightened the fabric and I cut one out. I went to all people quilt and downloaded the instructions on this new method that is all the rage. The tube pillowcase! I started it. Sewed the cuff to the body,and then I made the tube, I tugged the fabric through and thought "what's next". However do you sew those side seams? It says the seams are hidden.

Then I read the pattern! You can serge or make french seams on the long side. I went "What!" French seams? The whole premise behind these pillowcases is so you won't see the seams. Well, heck you will see the side seam right from the get go. The only one you don't see is the one with the cuff. The way I make them you don't see it either and you don't see the side seam as the cuff hides it until you are well into the case.

I went back to the store and spoke to Karen. I bought more fabric, because the size they give you will never be big enough for our pillows. Karen said they call this "watermelon". I just loved it!!!

Back home again, and back to the drawing board. I did it my way!!!!!!! I sat down at the machine and within 1/2 hour had pillowcase number one done! I put it on my pillow and it is perfect in size. I love it.

On the following Saturday while the laundry was being done by the little magic fairy, I started pillowcase number 2 and once again from cutting to that final stitch it was complete. I do own a serger for the seams which I know a lot of people do not have and that does make a difference for the two seams on any pillowcase.

This is the inside of my pillowcase

and this is the comparison between mine and a store bought one

I can live with the two I made

for a long, long time.

We both like them and that's all that matters in the end, isn't it?

Here are both sets with my favourite Christmas pillow. I thought I better put it out where its visible, so Santa would know I still believe.

I'm going to make more, but the next set will be yellow as I need two for the back bedroom. As soon as I see Kona fabric on sale I'm ordering.

The holidays are over

2012-01-06T05:30:00.000-05:00

and now its back to normal. Well almost.

We started out the festive season with a family dinner at Montana's. We have done this for two years now and its a meal where everyone gets to order exactly what they want, have it cooked for them, have it served to them and then someone else does the clean up. Everyone came. The young lads were able to get time off from their jobs and they brought their girlfriends along so we had 13 at the table.

Starting in the bottom left corner, Brandon, Amy, Kyle, Heather, Morgan, (Taylor whom you can't see), Emily, Cody, Kristina, Me, Paul, Karl and Peter. I think the plans are to go back and do it again. We had suggested another place, but everyone voted in favour of Montana's. A new tradition started.

Karl and I had a quiet Christmas dinner at home on Christmas Eve. We have always had our big dinner on that night and this year was no exception. It was delicious. I love turkey, and stuffing and mashed potatoes with squash and cranberries and red cabbage (very Danish), and gravy. Not a ton of it, but just enough to kiss everything on the plate. The tablecloth was sent to us a long time ago by Karl's Mom and its tradition its on the table during the holidays. It goes on Christmas Eve and stays there until New Year's Day. Hopefully no one drops anything on it during that length of time.

On Christmas Day we were to go to our daughter's for lunch, but Paul phoned in the morning to say "don't come!". Kristina and Morgan had the flu. We agreed another day would be okay. This isn't the first time our poor daughter has been ill on Christmas. It happened several years in a row when she was little.

We did go to our son and daughter-in-law's for the evening meal.

It was another fantastic turkey dinner with all the trimmings. He always does something different as he is a "tryer". This year we had smashed potatoes. He left the skins on and I must say they were very good.

The animals are never left out during the holidays. I know all the cats in the homes get a sampling of turkey. Patches and Shadow were no exception.

We finally went over to our daughter's house on Friday, the 30th. No tradition that night -- a change of pace for us. Lasagna and they all had garlic bread and we also had salads. A very good meal. We swapped our gifts and our son in law was absolutely thrilled with is wall hanging.

Their boys must have eaten too much turkey during the holidays. Didn't take them long to find a place to crash after supper.

That was the holiday. Most of it was quiet and I pretty much did nothing. Now it's back to getting things done and do I have plenty to do.

January.....

2012-01-05T12:58:00.000-05:00

brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, it's cold outside.

All the blocks can be appliqued using your favourite method or embroidered using your favourite stitch. No rules on this BOM. It’s your quilt, it’s your choice.

In the centre of each pattern is a + . Fold your square of fabric into quarters and find the centre and then you can trace or apply your pattern and it should be centred on your block.

First up…….mitts or a rope. I made these for my kiddies when they were young. Saved me finding that one lonely mitt lost outside in a snow bank when we made snowmen or went tobogganing.

For the embroidery: When you are tracing to give stability to the block press a piece of freezer paper to the back. I used a frixion pen to trace as it will disappear when you press after completion. When you trace, do not trace the ------ line. That is only for the applique method. I used white muslin on the front a muslin behind as I always do when I make an embroidered block. That way I don’t have to be too fussy about the stitches running all over the place. I did green thread….DMC #904 I only used 3 strands of thread. Your choice, your quilt!

For the applique method: Turn the pattern over. You have to reverse when you are using fusible web. Every section to trace is numbered. Transfer those numbers to your tracings. This is your numbering layout. Start with #1 and follow through to number 4.

I do recommend that you do the embroidery work first. Trace the string, (doing the month is optional so think about it before you trace it off. Do I or don’t I? That is the question.) I chose to make the stitching about the same colour as the mitts. I opted to do the blanket stitch, but you could do satin stitch, zig-zag, whichever you are comfortable with. It’s your choice, your quilt.

**TIP** You can do all the stitching in one go, around the perimeter of the mitts. Start where I did

and continue around. Do the outside of the cuff all the way around and then do the edge between the cuff and the mitt. Secure the ends of the thread.

The instructions and pattern are available here:
http://quilton.blogspot.com/p/calendar-quilt-2012.html

**TIP** If you don't care for the font that I used -- which is Handwriting Mutlu -- you can download your own font from your computer. For the font I used you can download the page here:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B29u680jsp73MWIyYWU1OGYtYTNiYS00MTIwLTk1NGItYTZlNWQzMzI5ZmZl

or make your own. I used a 48 size font for the one I selected. I used two columns and just kept typing.
Looking for new fonts? Try this..........http://www:ffonts.net
A lot of them are free downloads.

http://quilton.blogspot.com ©B.Andersen, January 3, 2012

2012-01-04T08:35:00.001-05:00

Quilton’s Calendar Quilt 2012

Before I begin let me just say that this quilt is my design. I drew the blocks so therefore this quilt is now protected under copyright laws. I would sincerely appreciate it if you would run off copies only for yourself. If your friends would like copies please direct them to the site so that they can run off their own. It is illegal to distribute this pattern without my written permission.

Thank you all.

When I designed this quilt top I wanted to use up my new lime green fat quarters. I decided that the sashings would be various shades of green therefore my fabric amounts will be given in two different ways. One with the same colours and one that you can fiddle and fool with.

Fabric requirements…………….based on finished 9” blocks

Cream/white background……………..5/8 yard ~~ .6 metres ****

Various colours for sashing……………fat eighths (I used 4 different colours)

One colour for sashing………………….5/8 yard ~~ .6 metres

Inner border……………………………….. ½ yard ~~ .5 metres

Cornerstones……………………………….fat quarter

Outer border………………………………1/2 yard ~~ .5 metres

Cut all background pieces 10” square. It doesn’t matter if you are doing embroidery or applique. We will trim them down when completed to 9 ½” for a 9” finished block. You will need 12 blocks.

Depending on the method you use, you will need the following:

fusible web ~~ I use Steam A Seam ~~ personal preference. Use the product that you like that you get the best results from.

embroidery floss ~~ (I used green DMC 904. It’s your choice, it’s your quilt.) You will need various shades for bits and bobs in some blocks. I’ll tell you as we get to them. If I told you now you may guess what I've been planning.

thread ~~ seems a weird thing to mention, but when I do fusible web, I use my sewing machine and blanket stitch around the various pieces. That is my preference. You can do whatever stitch you like. Sometimes I use all the same colour throughout and sometimes I co-ordinate. Once again your choice.

freezer paper ~~ you can use this on the back of your squares when you are tracing the pattern onto them. Iron the waxed side to the back of the fabric and when you have finished the tracing, remove the paper. Save it! It can be used over again.

stabilizer ~~ there are a load of them out on the market these days. I don’t recommend one over the other but I do suggest not using one of the water soluble varieties. I just prefer not getting my work wet while I’m working on it. Your quilt, your choice. (I’ll tell you what I use and then you can pick out what you want. Graph paper!!!!! I put it on the back, do my blanket stitch and then tear away. You do have to get those little bits out between the stitching and for that I use a pair of tweezers. I don’t recommend this for the satin stitch. Ask me why.)

A girl I know found this information on the web:

http://www.generations-quilt-patterns.com/water-soluble-stabilizer.html

And then there is this information:

http://www.sulky.com/stabilizers/index_stabilizers.php

The idea of this quilt is to use up your stash. I have stash in 3 rooms and it’s time for it to go. The quilt is meant to be fun. It’s easy, it’s simple and the blocks are do-able in less than a day.

Find yourself a box, a see through bag, something, anything to store everything in and you’ll be ready to go every month.

The blocks will be posted every month on the 5th day of the month regardless of which day of the week it falls on from January 2012 to December 2012. A new quilt will be featured on January 5th, 2013 at which time this year’s quilt will be taken down. You'll notice I didn't mention a time. Somedays I sleep in, but I'm always up before noon.

There are a few layouts I’ve fiddled with for this quilt. This is the one that I’ll be providing the instructions for at the end. It doesn't mean this is the one you have to do. This is the one I've provided the yardage for.

This page will be available as part of the pattern for the year. You can find a PDF over on "PAGES" under 2012 Calendar Quilt .

Now let me just say this......the reason this quilt came about was because my friend Gloria mentioned on our quilting forum that I should design my own quilt. I thought about it for awhile and on Christmas Day I came up with ideas for 12 months and then started to draw. First on EQ7 and then pencil to paper. I hope you enjoy and thank you Gloria for spurring me on.

If you loose track of things you can always come back here too. Look over on the right hand side.......see the "labels" section. If you click there on 2012 Calendar Quilt, it will take you to all the pages that will be published.

Enjoy.

http://quilton.blogspot.com/
©B.Andersen, January 3, 2012 copyright

Just before Christmas

2012-01-03T07:00:00.000-05:00

I was watching my favourite afternoon tv show. Steven and Chris on the CBC. They were giving ideas on how to gift wrap with bags! I love the bags and the new ones we found will be around for awhile as they feel like plastic so they won't be tearing and ripping.

We had two birthdays before Christmas and this was one of the ideas I took away from the show and used for Heather's gift. First of all remove the strings on the bag. Fold over the top and with a length of ribbon go around the entire bag and make a bow. Add something decorative and you have a whole new look. As Ssteven said, almost like a clutch purse.

As you can see I used a huge pinecone decorative piece I found in the scrapbooking aisle at Michaels. I'll be looking for more ribbon and hopefully wider to add a bit of pizzazz to my bags.

On another show Sarah Richardson on HGTV gave an idea for giving cookies at Christmas. She used a candy dish and filled it with snowball cookies, put it in a little bag and tied it up.

I give butter tarts so mine is slightly different and I added to it. We found the little dishes at Home Outfitters along with Christmas cupcake papers. I put each tart in a paper, stacked them, put them in the dish and added a little something extra to the parcel, tied it with curly ribbon and here you have it.

Something that is everyday, is now something special, for special people.

Okay, now to just give you an idea I have plans for next year's gift for 7 special people. I bought little boxes I'm putting their tarts into, then I'm tying them up in a decorated tea towel. How's that for planning ahead? Sickening, isn't it?

An every day hero

2012-01-02T09:23:00.000-05:00

I ws reading over on MSN about every day heroes, people that do something and think nothing about, continue on with their day as if it never happened.

I am married to a hero. He doesn't think so, but his family does. The company he worked for did and so did the person who's life he probably saved.

Remember this story the next time you see a tractor trailer on our roads. The men and women behind the wheel of those rigs some days take their lives in their hands desperately trying to get out of the way of something that had nothing to do with them. Different dilemmas, different situations. All darn scary when you have 53' of trailer behind you.

My family hero. No, he still doesn't think so. He never will. He was just doing his job.

2012-01-01T08:21:00.003-05:00

We spent a very quiet New Year's Eve. Karl sat in front of the television and then the "game" came on. A great Canadian tradition has been born. Watching the World Junior Hockey team from Boxing Day until the gold medal game. So far the winning streak continues with 4 wins and no losses. Next up is the semi-final or perhaps the quarter final. I just watch and cheer, or perhaps groan!

Over the holidays I planned out a quilt I'm going to share on the blog with all. Its a "mystery" BOM but I'll give you this. Each month a new block will appear......the date on your calendar to mark will be the 5th regardless of the day of the week. I'll post more information on January 4th. It will be free and will be available until January 5th of 2013 when a new freebie will be posted. I'll post the tutorial and if you miss something you can check out the "label" BOM 2012 and it will take you to what you have missed.

I didn't do much sewing over the holidays. I needed a break and a break I took. However, I'm back to it now and making lots of plans.

I'm doing BOM's (cause you know how much I love them), and the mystery quilt continues along (more on that too.)

I'll leave you with these two websites to peruse. I'll be back on the fourth with columns on my daily basis. No I haven't run out of things to say yet.

I have my blocks cut for this one, cause I changed my mind on mine. How fortunate was that?

http://aprilmaedesigns.com/?page_id=51

and of course my favourite and I'm doing this one for sure..................

http://ajpadilla.com/bom/itching-be-stitching

Wishing you all

2011-12-27T11:24:00.001-05:00

DesiGraphics.com

2011-12-20T04:30:00.000-05:00

To all of you,
my very best wishes for a Merry Christmas

and a happy healthy new year.

The blog will be back on January 4th with all the news of the holidays, what's coming and what I've been working on during the break. TTFN..........ta-ta for now

Have you

2011-12-19T07:00:00.000-05:00

lost your mojo? A young girl I know wrote on her blog that she lost her mojo and couldn't find it. It happens to all of us. We just loose complete interest in something we love doing for one reason or another. We feel inadequate or someone has made a comment that we have taken the wrong way. It wasn't meant to be criticism but that's how we took it. Happens to all of us at one time or another.

Fortunately for me, my quilting lives on and on. I got a lot accomplished this year and I'm quite proud of it.

This was for a friend in Australia, her two daughters take dance. I found this wonderful pattern on Angie's Bits and Pieces

Someone mentioned last year, if she didn't behave she would be getting coal for Christmas, so I thought this was appropriate for her. She has opened her gift so it's okay to post it here. Please don't ask me where I found it, I have no idea 11 months later.

I made 84 coasters for our upcoming quilt show

and the list goes on and on.

Now I don't just sit and quilt all day, every day. I do other things as well......................I love to embroider

and occasionally I pick up the knitting needles and do make some slippers or scarves or mitts or gloves (although that isn't my favourite thing to make) or socks. I used to do it while Karl drove on our holidays, but Misty has stopped that habit in its tracks. Ever tried to knit, in the front seat of a pick up truck with your kitten chasing your needles?

I've found another love this year..............making cards.

Another way I can divert my interests so I'm not quilting all the time. Next year I will start sooner on my Christmas cards though. I'm planning all my gifts and cards right now, as they are going to be done during the year and not at the last minute.

To the young gal that felt inferior and that caused her to loose her mojo, no one is perfect, absolutely no one. There are imperfections in those quilts at Houston or Paducah. There are things I'm sure we wouldn't like in them if we got up close and personal.

Do what you love and love what you do.

the train on the track, goes round and round........

Morning

2011-12-16T08:35:00.002-05:00

Sorry, I'm a bit late getting this posted this morning. Our computer was updated last night with 17 new whatevers Microsoft wanted to put in and boy was it s-l-o-w getting up to snuff. All is well now though.

We got some mail yesterday. A Christmas card from our friends..................our friends of 43 years. I know that cause our boy is turning 44 on Tuesday and we met them about a year after he came into this world. Enclosed were some photos and I told Jan that I was going to feature them on the blog.

This is Jan's fabulous red and white quilt. She was starting to work on it when they lived in Saskatchewan, but then some of the blocks got packed away as they were moving cross country to Newfoundland to live closer to their daughter. The quilt is done and it looks fabulous. It is hand quilted so it takes a bit longer to finish than the ones I do.

There was another photo too. These are the bears Jan makes. I didn't know she made bears until our last visit to the ranch. That time she showed me two she had just completed. They were a bride and groom and were being given to a young couple who's wedding Jan and Reg were going to attend.

These four bears (in the front) are very, very special.

Jan's sister-in-law Marlene inherited (well, I presume she did) Grandma's fur coat. She shipped the coat to Jan and asked her to make bears for her two granddaughters and then another two for whom we do not know. (I can't remember who the back two are for.) Aren't they the best remembrances of a grandma who has passed away? What a fabulous idea. There is enough of the coat left for Jan to make her daughter a bear as a keepsake. Kim spent many, many summer holidays at Grandma and Grandpa's so she remembers her Grandma with special thoughts.

This link I was going to share with you next week until the ruddy light came on in my brain. This will only be available until December 20th which I know for a large, large fact is Tuesday of next week.

http://www.jinnybeyer.com/promos/twirlytop

I printed off the instructions and hope to get to them in January to tuck them away in the gift box we keep going all year long.

I don't want to be the only one

2011-12-15T07:00:00.000-05:00

There are so many great patterns on the internet, I don't know why we are all buying books and patterns. I do though and never regret a dollar spent on any of them.

Let's start with the internet for 2012.....................

Angie's Bits and Pieces are offering fabulous new patterns and one of them I can't wait to start. I think I'm going to start collecting fabrics for it. I'm going to let you decide which one I'm talking about. And look at those labels. Wouldn't they make great gift tags?

I've already told you about this one, but a reminder never, ever hurts, does it? Vintage Tiles Revisted from Lecien USA. This is definitely a "do" for me.

This next one is from Erin Russek. She does beautiful applique patterns, but hey you can cheat like I do you know. Nothing stopping you from doing that. I can't figure out how to work this one in, so think its a "gee I would love to, but................."
Well those three should keep us all busy for awhile, but you know then there are books. I buy books and read them in the evenings or at coffee break in the afternoon.

I have two new ones. This book is geared towards machine quilting.

Machine Quilting, the basics and beyond.......................
by Lynn Witzenburg, Published by Landauer Books, available at Chapters (on-line) and Barnes and Noble (on-line).

From the right equipment and supplies to batting choices the first 17 pages tell all and tell it well. Chapter one is dedicated to preparing to machine quilt with great tips to read and even nicer than that, they are in separate boxes on the pages, so you can see them quickly.
Different techniques come next with lots of tips and ideas on every page.
Do you stipple, meander, echo or do a motif?
There are projects to do at the back of the book and great stencils for your personal use.
This is one great book for your bookshelf whether you are new to machine quilting or have been doing it for awhile. I know I learned a thing or two. Now to practice!
Before I move on, this book has a spiral binding. I love it! The book lies flat so you can sit it beside you if you want and it will stay open while you follow the directions as you quilt. Wonderful idea.

*TIP*If you are thinking about starting machine quilting buy the best curved safety pins you can find and a Kwik Klip. These are my starting 'tools' for machine quilting. I couldn't do the sandwiching without them.**

Spotlight on Neutrals, by Pat Wys, Published by Martingale and Company, available at Chapters (on-line) and Barnes and Noble (on-line).

The look of a "neutral" quilt really appeals to me. These quilts fit into any decor and can look almost elegant on a bed.
Do I own one? No
Will I be making one? Yes.......................someday.

The quilts in this book are stunning. There is no other word for them. The biggest decision will be which one to make. I cannot find a favourite..............they all are. There are tone on tone creams, creams and blacks, creams and browns and the most perfect tone on tone in the book is called HavenStone, a reflection of Pat Wys' scenery of where she lives in Atlanta. Stunning does not do it justice. Amazing, breathtaking, staggering sure fit the description of this quilt.

I love the names of the quilts in this book too...........White Chocolate (one of my favourite flavours), French Silk (fits my background too), Baby it's cold outside (fills the bill for where I live), Kitty's Baskets (nothing to do with a 4 legged creature), and Going my Way....................................well are ya?

These are the two latest additions to my bookshelf. I'll be adding more and coming back to old favourites to review for you soon.....................I haven't forgotten about the last two Quilters Academy that I promised. Better do it before the last book comes out.

You have probably wondered why I never recommend other places to buy books. You can order from the book publishers, but I like to keep my book stores alive and well. I love to go in and browse through my bookstore. I don't want to loose it, so my theory is this ~~ you use it or you loose it. I choose to use it.

One of the things I preach and preach and preach about is copyright. Nothing bugs me more than people who violate the copyright laws. This month in Quilter's Connection magazine is one fabulous article on the subject. I've been going to write about this for a long time, but now I don't have to. The folks at the magazine have done it for me.
Don't think that if you have seen it on the internet, it isn't subject to copyright, cause it is.
Don't think because you changed 10 things in the pattern it isn't subject to copyright, cause it is.
Don't think that if you take something from my blog, it isn't subject to copyright, cause it is.
Don't think because the pattern is from the United States, it isn't subject to copyright law, cause it is.
Don't think that because you took a workshop and it was the instructor's own pattern, it isn't subject to copyright, cause it is.

Did you know that I have to be gone from this earth for 50 years before my copyright on something is over..............50 years! Well, I know for a fact I won't be here in 50 years and I doubt a lot of my friends will be either.....................that would make me 116 and I don't want to ever be 116. I want to go while all my faculties are in working order. Course, some would doubt some of my faculties are in working order now.............................

Protection under copyright laws is automatic in Canada: as soon as an original work has been written down, recorded or entered as a computer file, it is immediately copyright-protected. (You can click on this and you will be taken to an overview of Canadian copyright by Media Awareness)

Okay, stepping down from my now!

We are done!

2011-12-14T06:30:00.000-05:00

Well, we did it!! All four of us stuck with it and we all completed Little Miss Birdie. You don't very often see everyone in a group finish a BOM, but this group sure did. Here they are in no particular order, starting with what the block should have looked like.

Now, I had a senior's moment and couldn't for the life of me figure out what that was suppose to be on the top of the bird's head. I thought perhaps a tree but that didn't make sense. I didn't like it. I thought it looked rather weird, so guess what I did. You're right.............I re-designed.

This month it is two juncos visiting the tree. I know from a distance you won't be able to see the string of lights or the stars, but I like it, so it's going to be like this.

Lynda added her personal touch to her block too. Both her birds are wearing hats which in my book makes them equal.

Gloria was a good girl and followed the pattern. Gloria also has all her quilt top together. I hope she posts a photo soon on the forum so we can see it.

This is Irene's. Now I don't know, cause I didn't ask Irene, but I think that's a beret on birdie. Very, very fashionable, Irene.

I'm going to sew mine together after the holidays or perhaps during the holidays. We'll see how busy I get with this, that and birthday parties. We have two to celebrate Christmas week. Yes, not only our son, but our daughter-in-law.

My Dad and I in Ville St. Laurent, Quebec in 1948
It was Ville St. Laurent when I was a child, now it is St. Laurent.

Hey there, Smartie pants.......

2011-12-13T07:00:00.000-05:00

SMARTIE PANTS

Before I begin let me first say, I just pulled all my Christmas reds from my stash and used what I had. If you cut carefully, you should be able to get 8 'pants' from a fat quarter. This is based on Canadian fat quarters as we cut 19 1/2" (or more) per quarter.

Cut a rectangle of fabric 4 ¼” x 10 ½”

Press in half wrong sides together making a good crease. On one open short edge, fold over fabric to the wrong side, ¾” and press.

Find the middle and mark. Approx 1/8” below the fold line and in the centre, place a piece of stabilizer and either mark (as below) or make an eyelet buttonhole. If you do not have an eyelet buttonhole on your machine, you can zig-zag around the marking you have just made. Cut open. WARNING!!! Make sure the buttonhole is large enough that you will be able to get a safety pin through when you put the ribbon in.

Remove all excess stabilizer. If you don't have stabilizer, you can use paper, but a light weight paper is preferred. Similar to the weight of graph paper. It is easier to tear away than the bond paper from your printer.

With right sides together sew down both long sides of the rectangle, re-enforcing the stitching at both top and bottom.

Find the centre of the pants and mark up 2” from the bottom. Make a line 1/8” on both sides of this mark. At the bottom, place a mark 1 ½” in from both sides. Draw a line from this mark to the top, across the top and then do the other side exactly the same. These are your stitching lines. Stitch, re-enforcing the stitching at the beginning and the end.

Trim away the excess fabricving about 1/4" on each side of the stitching.

Fold over the casing at the top...¾” and stitch in place. I found that if I sprayed the casing with spray starch, and then pressed with steam, it will hold long enough to do the stitching. This way you won't need pins that are in the way as you sew the casing in place.

Cut a piece of ribbon 15” long and with a pin, pull the ribbon through.

Fill the pants with about 2 tbsp. of Smarties, filling only the legs, tie the ribbon into a bow and you have

‘Smartie Pants.’

Thanks to my friend Barb C., for giving me a pair of smartie pants last year for Christmas so I could share this with you. I also have her permission to pass on her instructions.

I have discovered that Smarties in Canada are different than Smarties in the United States. Our Smarties are similar to M & M's. Unfortunately I cannot find out what other countries have Smarties

Which Christmas was this? I don't remember

Peter and Kristina. Oh my goodness, Taylor does look like her Mom

It's Monday!!! 13 days til Christmas Day

2011-12-12T07:00:00.000-05:00

Before I begin today, I watched this yesterday. It brought tears to my eyes. Take a moment from your busy life and watch it. I'm sure it will bring tears to your eyes too.

http://www.godvine.com/Man-With-Autism-Absolutely-Stuns-an-Entire-Crowd-881.html

Remember this?

Well, after three days it turned into this...................

Dragonfly Garden from Three Swans Studio, a Canadian company located in Edmonton, Alberta. I've made this before for Karl and I and I did a workshop on it several years ago. I have seen two others finished and hanging in homes. It really is one of the most beautiful stained glass pieces I own.

For some reason this one caused me problems................stupidity on my part really. I decided to trace the one dragonfly and set it in place, then start from the bottom and do the greenery. I kept loosing my place and not tracing some and tracing others twice. All this and I'm marking them off as I went along. I was in too much of a hurry, I know I was. I even traced the wrong side of the pattern. Now you know my brain was not in gear.

To make life easier the first time I made this I traced the whole pattern onto white freezer paper so I could adhere it to the back of the black fabric. For constructing this piece you place your fused pieces on the front side of solid black.

When I had the first one made up years ago, I didn't like the selection of greens I used. One stands out like a sore thumb and to this day, I want to replace it. I coloured the freezer paper so I wouldn't make that mistake again. This time it turned out much, much better.

I know our son-in-law is going to love this. I've never seen him stand and take in anything like he did this. Its going to a good home.

Memories

Kristina's first Christmas. She was 2 days shy of 9 months old. Big brother was 3 and a teensy, tiny bit.

Better late than never

2011-12-09T07:00:00.000-05:00

It's all done. Nine days late but I got it finished and I'm really happy with the results. For the BOM for December I knew what I was going to make way back last July so there are no excuses for this being late. It could have been done and up ~~ good grief in November!

I found the pattern in a book called A Critter Christmas by Brandywine Design. I'm going to start the whole quilt in January and do it as a BOM for the year and then have it quilted. If I do some thinking, I could quilt as I go, join as I go and do the whole dang thing. I should try that. May save myself a buck or two.

Here it is.................remember this from Tuesday? I laid some poly batting on the back of the tree as an experiment. Oh, wow, do I love how this turns out. Let me show you

Just look at the dimension in the tree. It gives it some poof and wouldn't this work well for the BOM being offered by Lecien ~~ Vintage Tiles Revisted

I added a bit of "bling" to the piece. I glue those little devils on with tacky glue and hope I never, ever have to wash this piece. I wouldn't have done this months ago, but I'm embellishing and bedizening everything since I took that card making class.

Here it is...........December's BOM for the Andersen household. I love it and this one will not be a re-do as August's will be.

Up until Christmas I'm going to show Christmases past with our family. They will be randomly selected from the old photo books.

This is Peter's first Christmas in 1967. He was 4 days old when the photo was taken. Someone said I bet he got gipped cause his birthday was so close to Christmas. He never did. We made sure he had a party the week-end before and then he was given his gifts and we went out for supper to wherever he wanted to go. I remember several trips to McDonald's restaurants in snowstorms.

Have a good week-end everyone. I'm planning on baking and doing a bit of sewing. No company coming. We have a few gifts left to buy ~~ 5 to be precise and then we are done and with the baking done, we will be ready!

Monday, Paul's gift! It will be done.

My turn to share

2011-12-08T07:00:00.000-05:00

Last week the photo for the week was Karl sharing his apricot raisin bread with his girl. I had a few requests for the recipe so I thought I would share with y'all!!!

We have this beautiful bakery in our town Cobs bread. I could work there. The aroma is wonderful. I buy the bread there when I'm in the vicinity and when I can get parking. Oh, ya, and when I have $6.15 in my pocket. You can get a loaf, a log or buns. I buy the log. Karl can eat it too so that is an added bonus.

This is my version adapted from a Russian Kulich recipe I have in my Black and Decker breadmaker cook book. This is for the 2 lb. machine.

CANADIAN VERSION

1 cup water

2 beaten eggs

2 tbsp. powdered milk

2 tbsp. butter

2 tbsp. sugar

1 1/2 tsp. salt

3 1/2 cups flour

1 1/4 tsp. yeast

AMERICAN VERSION

1 cup water

2 beaten eggs

2 tbsp. powdered milk

2 tbsp. butter

2 tbsp. sugar

1 1/2 tsp. salt

3 2/3 cups white flour

1 1/4 tsp. yeast

Measure the first 8 ingredients in the order listed into baking pan. Place baking pan into oven chamber, twist to secure and close lid. Select the dough/pasta setting.

Press start. When the add ingredients signal beeps
add:

1/3 cup dried apricots, chopped

1/4 cup golden raisins

Turn out onto floored surface and knead if necessary. Shape into one large loaf or two small loaves. Place on greased sheets and let rise in a warm place for one hour.

Bake at 350* for about 20-25 minutes.

Let cool on a wire rack before slicing.

A printable version of the recipe can be found here...............

https://docs.google.com/document/d/18vbUu1tN0lM-1a1MZi5p_WftTdQdcX0zf_GaB_twtGs/edit

They came!

2011-12-07T07:00:00.001-05:00

The girls came for the week-end and we were busy, busy, busy. We started Saturday with a delicious breakfast cooked by Grandpa

We had waffles topped with strawberries and whipped cream. This gang of grands love to fill in the holes with whatever is being served, be it sugar, syrup or whipped cream!

After breakfast and the dishes, we headed for the basement and spent most of the day making this. Everything was going well until we (I ask you to use that term loosely) had to sew up the side seams. Those juice pouches are not very moveable. I found muscles I didn't know I had. Taylor is happy with it. I hope it lasts longer than a day of travel back and forth to school.

We finished the bag just before supper and as we had decided to have sliders (tiny hamburgers) and french fries, Grandpa was once again on duty to cook. The girls' job was to set the table and do the washing up after. Hmmmmmmmmmm, I recall I did the washing up and no girls appeared! Morgan got up from the table for something and when she came back, someone had taken her chair.....................

While we were eating Taylor asked about making bread. I said sure, but it was up to them to get it in the breadmaker. The girls were more than happy to do it. For first timers they did a beautiful job of making it. It was the perfect loaf.

After supper we lounged around for awhile, Morgan read her book and Taylor picked up her knitting...........that's her trying to get out of the photo. Hehehehehehehe, didn't work. I got her.

I decided to get some Christmas cards made and Taylor made suggestions for some of them. She asked if it was expensive to do. I had to admit that starting up was just a bit costly, but its worth it.

It was a good week-end. One I hope to repeat soon ~~ maybe during the holiday break. We'll see how busy things get.

Teaser Tuesday

2011-12-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

The girls came on Friday night and stayed the week-end as you know, so sewing time for my stuff was limited. I did a couple of things last week and want to share one with you for sure, maybe two.

This is something I've wanted to try for awhile. I call it puffy fusible web. It may have been done before by others, but I've never seen it. I found my bag of fiber fill and took a small bit and laid it on the back of the Christmas tree for my BOM for December.

You should try to leave it off the outside edges of the piece you are working with. That's where the fusible web is and you want that to adhere to your background fabric. I pressed mine in place as well as I could and then I dug out my invisible thread and sewed around the entire perimeter with a small zig-zag stitch. I should have used a bobbin thread, but I didn't and up close you can see the thread coming to the top.

You can see in this photo the puffiness of the tree.

I still had to press the other pieces down and when that was done I sandwiched it. Here is the tree now and I'm quite pleased with the results. I'm a bit behind this month. And this is the reason why. The last Christmas gift...............ya, its the teaser.

This week is an anniversary of sorts for our family and not one we want to repeat anytime soon. One year ago our son was stuck in his truck for 32 hours on the highway leading into Sarnia.....the 402.

It isn't something any of the family, especially Peter wants to repeat.

No weather like that as I write this. Just dull, rainy December days.

Some people are lucky

2011-12-05T07:00:00.000-05:00

and I'm one of them. I got mail last week, twice and it wasn't bills. What a treat. My secret sister (and I don't know who it is) sent me a beautiful gift last week.

Isn't that the greatest? I can drink my hot chocolate, put my mug on my OAK leaf mug rug and make notes in my brand new notebook. She suggested I use it for the quilt show notes, but its just too nice for that, so I'm keeping it in my purse along with my purple pen given to me by someone else.

See the card? She made that too. Talented lady.

Now this other parcel came from Mary Ann in Minnesota. I have a new lanyard..........the girls are making sure I no longer have to search for my scissors and look at the frame. Yes, that's our girl! She is on the mantle in the living-room for all to see.

I have no idea what I did to deserve this. Oh and I got one more. I have been given a gift certificate to the Quilt Show. I'll let you know all about it, when I get into it.