December 30, 2019

New Year Confession Boxes

   It's the end of 2019 and confession time. It's said that you cannot change what you don't acknowledge.
   Imagine this is all fabric before I had the store, then after the store and before the studio. Never took any home when I had the store and since I've owned the studio.

   There are shelves of fabric, containers of fabric, piles of fabric and everywhere fabric. Thought almost done, but nope, everywhere I look there is another pile of fabric. One really great thing about this is that I've found at least three pieces that were required to finish three quilts. Whew, don't have to go buy more fabric.

Figured there would be 36 boxes of fabric. Well, there are now 37 boxes and six very large plastic storage containers with folded fabric under 1 m/40 inches and counting, plus stacks of fat quarters that I haven't figured out what to put them in. And will probably need another ten boxes plus containers. You have to wonder why, but, that hurts the head.
   All this has been getting me excited to work on monochromatic quilts because I now know what fabric values and textures I have.

 As Porky Pig says Th Th That's all folks!
See you all next year,

   Well, mom's been folding and folding and folding some more. So far she's moved my secret sleeping place not once but twice. I could get in on the lower shelf fabric behind the uv prevention fabric cover, then I could nap on a quilt on the floor behind the fabric piles. Now she's covered my viewing out the window table spot with little fold fabric squares because she doesn't have a place for them. And what are all those boxes over there cluttering up my area? Geesh, will this ever be done!? 
   One thing though, I've managed to claim a broken cardboard box lid. It's just the right size. It's even over a warm spot on the infloor heating. Nothing could be more perfect. Ahhh!

   A Happy Mew Year to you!

December 23, 2019

Solstice Christmas Cactus

   Oh, it's officially winter here. Of course it snowed the first night an so far the 2nd night of winter. The good thing about it is that it is shorts and t-shirt balmy with fluffy snow.

   Winter is the perfect time for sewing. Managed to get the remaining three Moda Schoolhouse blocks completed. Hummm, what will the layout be?
Moda Schoolhouse

December 16, 2019

NIne

   Nine, count it nine more sleeps. I'm on my way to Shelby MT; so grateful that the weather and roads are ideal for travelling. Tis the season of chocolate and sweets and all goodies to eat. Did everyone set their scale back 10 pounds?
scale 10 pounds less
   To occupy the nibbling habit, we've been sewing another Moda 18" block.
moda block

And, out of necessity reorganizing and measuring and refolding the stash. I got so tired of looking for a piece of fabric plus not knowing how big or small it was that push came to shove. We, yes Virginia I have the royal mouse in my pocket and Kitty, are changing these and more shelves...
shelf 1

another shelf
More shelves not shown here.
... into this on the plastic cardboards - see this. Wow, all this started 20 months ago back in April 18, 2018. Right now they are going into boxes until the shelving is also reorganized.
boxed fabric

   As you probably know, when redoing, one room leads to another and to another... So, three rooms are being switched. Will someone tell me how we get into this predicament? Hmmm, never mind I already know.

   Oh the weather outside is frightful freezing. Yes sirree, Mom and I are working on the fabric folding and room reorganizing. Yawwwwn. It's tiring. I'm such a great supervisor.

December 9, 2019

Snow and Hallmark Movies and Christmas Gnomes

   Oh yea, it's snowing. Again. A little elf told me today that we are to have an early Spring. One can only hope.

   Gnome times three. I've been racking the brain to figure out what to do with this Gnome panel. When out pops the December 'easy quilt' magazine. But of course, a Fluffy pillow.


Then how about keeping it simple. Duh. Just add a red white snowflake border. Oh so easy.
All fabrics at Quiltnasium.

   Only 15 more sleeps until Christmas. And here I lay on the couch watching Hallmark movies and thinking I need this t-shirt.



November 25, 2019

Grey Cup One Block Wonder

   Is it winter or spring? Typical weather for the Grey Cup, Canadian Football League - CFL - super bowl Sunday. Spent the day finishing the center of a 3 year old Christmas One Block Wonder. The worst part was piecing each row then deciding that cubes needed to be added and what colour. p.s. Make sure you read the instructions first, i.e. press seams open. Much easier to sew the rows together.

   Another Moda quilt along block done. Only 6 more to go.😄

Who's interested in a block on the barn quilt?


   Snow. Melt. Snow. Melt. I'm having a difficult time checking out the mouse places. It's driving me upstairs downstairs and all round the house. Look out mom here I come. She tells me I should use the treadmill. Puh! Me!? That's for dogs.

November 11, 2019

Thankful Remembering


Thank you for our freedom!


November 4, 2019

Painted Meadows

   Even though this is our Saturday, it certainly feels like Monday. Did any of you get the extra hour of sleep? Not me. I'm waking up an hour earlier. 😴

   This Painted Meadows fabric grouping by Robin Pickens is in stock, now. 

  The second set of Diamond blocks are ready to go out next week. Those of you participating should have received the updated link for the background cutting instruction video. Remember to sign up for the Diamond program.

The PHD's are accumulating. Cut but not sewn. I ran out of fabric and had to get more.


October 21, 2019

Gone to Quilt Market


   This week we're so excited to be going to Quilt Market. Our reason for going changes every time. Sometimes it's to see the new fabric collections. Sometimes it's to see new tools. Sometimes it's to see new patterns. Sometimes it's to see new techniques. Sometimes it's to learn new social media. And, it is always to catch up with old friends and meet new friends to see what they're doing at their shop.



   This is Alberta in the fall. I love it. Combines working from the no frost minute to the midnight early morning or frost minute. The only thing missing are the Rockies and cattle grazing in the west behind me.

   Meeeow, mom is going to market. My cat house sitter will be here. Shush, don't tell mom, he's so easy. Maybe we can share a mouse.

October 12, 2019

Thanksgiving

   Who's stuffed? Who wants pumpkin pie? Turkey buns? Cranberries? Dressing?  Hope you are having or had a wonderful food filled, family filled Thanksgiving.
   
   Tuesday will be back to healthier eating? No carrots. Yes pizza.

   In between everything I managed to sew up two more of the 18" blocks. Even though I may be biased, I love how these fabrics go so well together. This could be my almost what is called a low volume quilt. In my day, it was called a blended quilt.
changed the center, should have been a scarecrow and pumpkin.
  What's next? Northcott's New Shimmer, Iceberg, is next. 
   
 


October 8, 2019

If It's Tuesday, It's Snowing

   Here we go again. Whoever is withholding Mother Nature's coffee please remember to give it to her earlier so she doesn't give to us. 

However, snow days are sew days. Two more I Can Make It blocks done. It started out as a challenge to use these 12 fabrics on the background and I love how they are turning out. Especially how the bottom star glows.


September 30, 2019

It's Winter, Clearing and Sew Time

       It's Sew Pieceful Time! I'm working on the new Moda Schoolhouse blog hop, fifteen 18" blocks, using a Kansas Troubles dark green background and Inspired by King's Road for the blocks. I think it looks like a flower garden at night.
If you are interested in how we pressed them check out facebook Quiltnasium where both front and back are posted.

   Clearing snow from tree branches, hmm, Christmas not far away, AND that means
we need to get after the Winter and Christmas quilting. No time like the present, he he, get it, present. Anyways, go to Christmas collection fabric  and Panels at Quiltnasium for your jolly deals of reduced fabric and all panels.
  

September 23, 2019

CreativeFestival - New Bonanza Rules

   Last weekend was so great seeing everyone at CreativFestival in Calgary. Thank you for stopping in for a visit. Remember to use your coupon when you come visit us at the shop.

Remember to sign up for the 2020 Block Bonanza, Diamond. 

  The rules are changing. To make the Bonanza more fun you now have the

September 17, 2019

You Are A Quilt Artist

   Believe it, you are a quilt artist. It doesn't matter whether you are a beginner or a seasoned quilter.
Quiltnasium Beginner Artist
Judy Niemeyer Compass Point
Kaffe Fassett Shadow Play
   The other day a friend of mine says 'you are a quilt artist'. I'm like, what! "No I'm not.  I don't do pictorial quilts; I do geometric quilts."  She says, "That is not the only artist in the quilt world."
   Huh? A light bulb moment. Every quilter can, and should, call themselves a 'Quilt Artist', even if you follow a pattern. All of you choose:
what pattern to make,
what colours to use,
what fabric to use,
where to place the light, medium and dark fabrics,
where to place the blocks,
how to quilt it,
what pattern to quilt it with.
Every artist makes these similar decisions no matter what medium they use.




September 9, 2019

2020 Block Boananza

   Two views of the 2020 Block Bonanza quilt Diamond. I know yours will be just as beautiful. Program starts November 14, 15 and 16. You choose your day of the week. For those of you outside of Canada and the USA, email us at Quiltnasium for details.

   No hiking today. And as I said to a friend, we are not that dedicated. Thursday is to be sunny so they are heading out then. Sigh. Instead, I look forward to seeing your sunny faces at Quiltnasium. Come on in to see the quilt in person and sign up.

   I want to go outside. I want to go outside. I want to go outside. Stuck my nose outside. It's raining on the upstairs deck. Ran downstairs. I want to go outside. I want to go outside. I want to go outside. Stuck my nose outside. It's raining on the downstairs patio. Sigh, I'm on the couch.