Guest Blogging and a Give Away!

Today I am guest blogging over at the

 Connecting Threads Blog

 (it’s really called “Notions”)

and I’m super excited to invite everyone over there for a visit.

Until a month or so ago I didn’t even know that they had a blog and just in case you didn’t – now you know too!

 

I love the Connecting Threads fabric and threads and have used them for years in different projects.  Not all that long ago they introduced the pdf patterns for downloading and I think they are great.  You receive them as soon as you purchase and then you can start your project immediately – or at least have your materials list so you can go shopping.

These are the eight designs that I now have listed over at the Connecting Threads pattern download department.  There is also a search function there so if you have a favorite designer you can type in their name and it will pull up all of those patterns for you to see.

Something else I didn’t know is that they featured my “Canadian Gardens” quilt in their May catalogue.

 

I really need to get my head out of the sand before the year is over.  So many things are happening that I’m just a little late to the party for.

So enough said here – head on over to the Notions blog and make sure to say hello for a chance to win a 3-pack of patterns.

Still no quilting!

There is so much on the go right now .  .  . lawn mowing, gardening, flower planter planting, house cleaning . . . on and on we go!!!

Whiskey has been keeping us very entertained and busy as well.  Dishwashing time is one of her favorite things to do and very rarely misses an opportunity to inspect that everything is correctly placed in the racks.

Toys are also a big hit for this little monster . . . especially the toys that need supervision by an adult.  I cannot imagine the feathers she would swallow or inhale if she was left to her own devices with these toys!

Another big favorite past-time for her is sleeping . . . . . . . . .  and sleeping . . . . . . . .and sleeping.  Which, in a way, is really wonderful . . . I tell myself that while I am at work she is sleeping the whole time.  This way I don’t worry so much about all the naughty things she could get into .

Sometimes she is just really good at posing . . . with a quilt of course.

Whiskey was introduced to the sewing machine sound yesterday morning and I had to make sure I kept my hand around the needle part of the machine.  She was thinking that the moving parts looked rather intriguing.  I will need to remember to bring toys to the sewing room so that I will be able to divert her away from that danger.  Once I get back into the swing of quilting she will get pretty bored with the whole concept and sleep through most projects – at least I`m hoping she does!

Next post should be a little more `quilty` . . . weather cooperating of course.

I am still breathing . . . but barely!

OK . . . I don't know what's going on with my blogger account, but I cannot open it at home anymore and have to find other desktop computers (work!) to even think about doing any updates - very frustrating!

 

I think this little mouse project is the last thing I was working on at the sewing machine and that was almost a month ago.  This was a little demo project that we had for a Quilt Camp workshop that we put on on May 5th.  It was a wonderful day - different ideas were presented - there was t-shirt yarn demos; fabric dyeing; mitered corner construction; continuous prairie point demo and instruction and hints on preparing our quilts for a long-arm quilter.  It was a great day and I don't think there was anyone that didn't go home without learning something.

Here are a couple of views of the "barter" quilt.  The fabric is by Basic Grey by Moda and I love the scrappy, vintage look of it.  This quilt and a duvet cover will be hitting the mail in the next week or so.

Then this little devil . . .

 

will be completely atoned for!

Whiskey is a little monkey, and we are absolutely enjoying the complete dickens out of her.  A little wild, a lot lovable and never a dull moment when she is around - except when she's sleeping of course!

She has grown a bit since even these photos were taken and I sure hope that I can get a little more up-to-date with this blog thing soon.

All the weddings, showers, visitors, memorial services and workshops, should be over for now and I can get back to a little bit of normal in my life.  Although my Dad has just announced that he's moving to town in August . . . wonder how much packing, travelling and setting up he'll be needing me to do?  OK, so life might slow down for a month :).

April Tools Day

Last week I was contacted by Moda Lissa from MODA to see if I wanted to participate in her April Tools blog post.  Of course I said “YES”.

I have tons of favorite tools in my sewing room, so when it came down to choosing just one to send off to Lissa, it was a somewhat difficult choice.

I got to thinking about what I search for, grab for and use the most in my sewing room and besides the cutting mat, rulers, rotary cutter and all the other usual items, I just had to pick my calculator.

Now in this day and age of iPads and other technological gizmos that we have, and which I use the calculator on as well . . . my good old, over-used, still operating, little black pocket-style calculator serves me well.

So there you have it . . . simple personified!

BUT, if you want to see what other designers in the world are saying their favorite tool is, head on over to the

 Moda Lissa  blog

to read about them all.

Thank you Lissa for including me!  It has been enlightening to see all the tools that rank up there as the favorites.  It’s always a good day when you learn something new!

Here is my Whiskey baby . . . six weeks, three days old.  I think she is bird watching here – pretty intent on something :)

New Pattern(s)!

Introducing “All Cooped Up” and “Pickin’ Up Stiks”.

I have to say these are my all time favorite patterns right now.  If I’m looking for a quick gift or seasonal quilt, this is my go-to pattern.

Just choose 12 fat quarters and some border/contrasting  fabrics and you’re ready to get cutting and sewing.

You make the “All Cooped Up” version first and then from the scraps from that one, you make the “Pickin” Up Stiks” quilt.

I made this one for a little boy recently.  It’s hard to tell from the photo, but some of the prints are tires and the blue and cream fabrics are maps.  My goal was to use prints that he wouldn’t outgrow too soon and I think this is the type of quilt he will easily use for many, many years.

The next few quilts are from a class that we taught last year.

It was labeled as a beginner class, but everyone that sees the pattern wants one just because it is that go-to, easy as pie, suits everyone’s taste, type of patterns.

     Plus it is a “2-fer” . . . you get two in the package and they are just meant to be done that way.

The patterns are now available in paper or pdf format – take a peek up under the heading “Sipiweske Patterns”.

Sunday doings . . .

I was flipping through one of many magazines the other day and came across this project that uses pleats and ruching detail. 

A little inspiration to tuck away for future reference . . . a special little detail/technique that I think looks amazing and have not tried yet in quilting.  I’ve used the technique way back when I sewed clothes (many years ago), but never considered using it in a quilting application.

I love it!!  I need to work this into a project somewhere down the line.  Check out your copy of American Patchwork & Quilting December 2011 issue to find out the simple details.

Somehow I’m thinking this would look nice on some blocks in a baby quilt . . . ehm, thinking cap is now securely in position for brainstorming!

This is a pattern that has been sitting in my “need to/want to/have to do” pile for way too long and now it is finally on my cutting table.  I purchased a layer cake of Little Gatherings by Simple Gatherings (MODA) and thought the colors were all very similar to my little Bengal baby, Whiskey (see previous and future posts!).  Everyone needs a cat quilt, don’t they?

I couldn’t resist diving into this pattern any longer and now have all 20 cats ready to put together – except for those tails – they are yet to be done.  I’ve been on pins and needles :)  since starting this project . . . it’s scary not using the fabric requirements listed on the pattern . . . you don’t know if you have enough or just where it will all end up.  Turns out the layer cake is working awesome for the kitties . . . I knew from the start that I wouldn’t be doing the border like that, so not a big deal there.

It’s going to be so much fun to get these kittens all pieced and laid out on the floor to see what I have . . . right now they all look like little mongrels!!

We now have our island in place and are now looking for counter stools to finish this project off for good.  It’s only been six years in the making.  Perfection takes time I guess!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend of sewing and getting out to enjoy some of the nice, unseasonably wonderful weather.

Whiskey

Since I am expecting my new little arrival in the next couple of months, I just have to post some of the baby pictures that I receive every week.

I know that just because I’m finding it fascinating to see the changes every week doesn’t mean most of you will . . . but please bear with me .

I want to have these photos saved here so that they will all be in one place for me to look back on in the future.  I promise I will show my quilting as well . . . I’ve got lots of fabric on order and will be sewing up a storm, so please stop by and see the quilting as well as the occasional little oooohhh’s and ahhhhh’s over the new baby.

February 26, 2012 – two weeks, 3 days old

  March 5, 2012 – 3 weeks, 4 days old

March

10, 2012 – 4 weeks, 2 days old

March 10, 2012 – 4 weeks, 2 days old

March 10, 2012 – 4 weeks, 2 days old

This is Whiskey’s mom – “Summer” . . . maybe Whiskey will be similar coloring to her or maybe . . .

more like her daddy, “Cyui”, – a bit darker with a bit more gold.  Time will tell!

I’m told that Bengals (or maybe it’s only certain ones) are highly glittered, meaning that wonderful shine that the daddy has.  They love high places and also love to play in water – I’ll learn more as I go along, I’m sure.

It’s been 20 years since I’ve had a kitten in the house, so this may take some getting used to.  I’ll have to get busy and kitten-proof everything.

Next post will be more quilts . . . I promise!!!

Well . . . I’m Still Here . . .

I’ve gotten some of my mo-jo back and I’ve been back at a bit of quilting – what a long stint of uninterest!   Sure feels good to be back creating again.

This is a little tablerunner that is for an upcoming workshop.  Wool, rick rack, cotton and appliqué . . .

Lots of different techniques going on in this little project.  I love the colors that I grabbed out of my stash to use . . . that is half the fun of course . . . trying to use what you have sometimes.

Hard to believe that we’re in March already . . .

. . . certainly not our usual Canadian winter here . . . farmers will be looking for rain in the Spring to make up for the lack of snow cover.  The temperature forecast for Tuesday is supposed to be around the 20 degrees Celsius . . . ehm, wonder where my flip flops are?

This is another little quilt top that I managed to get pieced together . . . just need some backing now.  I love the colors . . . Oasis by 3 Sisters . . . very vintage looking.

This is a quilt that I finished for a seven year old boy that needed something special to hold while his Mom was away.

Now for the BIG news . . . I’ve saved the best for last!

I would like to introduce everyone to the newest little member of our family . . .

“Whiskey”

She is only 2 weeks old here and not looking too thrilled with the camera shoot, but I’m sure that will all change once she is a little older.

Whiskey is the cutest little Bengal baby and I located her only two hours away from us.  I made her owner an offer she couldn’t refuse - we bartered quilts for a baby!!!  So while Whiskey is busy growing and playing with her brother and sister, I’m busy making quilts . . . keeps me occupied while I wait, and wait, and wait.

She won’t be moving in with us until probably the middle of May almost . . . it’s going to be a long wait!

Carrying on . . .

January 2012 has NOT been a good month.

On January 24th we had to say goodbye to one of our special family members.

Mysty was a little stray that came into our lives over 20 years ago on a very cold December night . . . so very tiny that she fit into the palm of my hand.

She wrapped herself around our hearts and into every part of our lives - our house is so very quiet without her.

We miss you, Mysty.