Wednesday 6 March 2013

Whiskey and the 3 Sisters

Yes, this is another Loonie Blooms wall hanging that I’m working on.  I know . . . the last one was a while ago, but we’re dusting off the pattern and offering it as a conference workshop on April 6th and 7th at the

Manitoba Prairie Quilter’s 30th Anniversary Conference.

You can get your free pattern for Loonie Blooms by clicking on the image in the right hand column, but we would love for you to join us in piecing together the entire project.  Please check out the link above.

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I’ve made this version out of some leftovers from the Astor Manor collection by 3 Sisters.  This was a line that I purchased a while back and realized that it would work perfectly for all of the projects that we are offering as workshops at the conference.

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And just as I was thinking that I really liked the colors in this line of fabric, I happened to notice this little monkey rolling around at her afternoon snooze station . . . notice the quilt behind her . . . yup, another 3 Sister’s line.  I can’t remember which line it was now, but same colors and I think even the same print here and there.

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Of course the little monkey didn’t seem to take notice of the quilt . . .

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. . . as she tied herself into a tight little knot . . .

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. . . and went back to sleep. 

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Sheila and I are also teaching the All Cooped Up pattern and . . .

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the Pickin’ Up Stiks pattern.  Both are ready to baste and then start quilting them - that will be my month of March taken up probably.

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Whiskey did eventually decide that being in a knot was not the most comfortable position to be in, and decided that . . .

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she really needed to stretch out her neck to get the kinks out.

She does look pretty darn good with the 3 Sisters, don’t you think?

Monday 4 March 2013

A Book Review and a Couple of Finishes

I was recently contacted by the Online Media Coordinator for Fons & Porter/McCall’s Quilting to see if I would do a book review of one of their newest ebook publications.

For anyone who loves the modern quilt look – this little ebook is for you!  All the photos, colors, directions and layouts are excellent and will ensure the success of whichever project you choose.

Free Modern Quilt Patterns from McCall's Quilting

I can’t wait to see what other ebooks that will be coming in the future . . . if they are as well-done as this one, it will certainly be worth the wait.  The colors in the Baubles and Beads quilt are gorgeous . . . any little girl would love that in her bedroom . . . so cheery and colorful!  You can have a look at this ebook by going here.  Oh, BTW . . . it’s FREE!!!!!

And speaking of color . . .

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DSC09305 . . . here are a couple of shots of some of the colorful, delicious goodness that I’ve been drinking.  The orange one is what I had for breakfast this morning – two grapefruit, two apples, one orange and a couple of handfuls of grapes.  That made enough juice for two glasses and it was delicious!!

The green one is kale, cucumber, spinach, celery, ginger, and apple.  Once you get past the “green”, it is an awesome drink and very filling . . . usually enough to tide me over to supper time if I have it at lunch.

I’m lovin’ my juicer!

birthday quilt2 calla - quilt

I did finish the “big” quilt for my daughter’s birthday – lots of quilting!  Candace loved it and so did her side-kick Calla . . . passed inspection by both of them.

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And just in case you thought I have been on a  permanent vacation from quilting,  . . . I have made a couple of other quilts . . .

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I made this quilt for a little two year girl by using up some of the scraps from a quilt that I made for her Mom.

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And this little quilt used up some more of those little scraps and was for a little 6 month old girl . . . lots of colors to keep her busy.

Spoonflower - Snips and Snails copy

Here is my attempt at fabric design . . . “Snips & Snails” is for sale over at Spoonflower . . . if I can be so bold as to say that I love the giraffe and the baby boys the best . . . I will be using those in some further designs hopefully very soon.  I have even sold a few yards of fabric so far . . . how exciting!!!  Did you know that you can also order wallpaper and decals from Spoonflower?  I think this would make a wonderful wallpaper in a little boy’s room – or little decals of the giraffe would be awesome!

I love all the options that are out in the world for us these days . . . 10 years ago we were limited; 20 years ago there was almost nothing – now it seems that what ever we can think of is doable.  Amazing!