Is It Spring or Winter?

   Ah, spring in April. This is Friday, somewhat green grass.

This is Saturday, not just snow but a wet snow blizzard.

This is Sunday, sunny and bright and white.

   I gave up working on the Sunnyside Up quilt layout. Brain frozen this week. Instead have the first part of row one of Fall Breeze started. Love the ombre confetti fabric. Pattern and fabric available next week.

Earth Day 100 Blocks

   Ah, last two blocks. Sad, finished this Splendid Sampler II. I'm in Love with all 100 blocks and have been Figure 8ing how they are going into a quilt. So many ways to put them together.

  It's Earth Day today and after so many 'What on Earth!"s this is the final layout. New pattern "A Maze" in the works.

A Maze

I'd like to thank you for quilting along with me and my version Sunnyside Up.

   Last July was when I arrived at my new home Unfortunately, I was so scared I spent my time hiding in the closet, under the bed, behind boards in the basement and never went out. Now, I've been bugging mom until she lets me out because since I brought her a mouse the screen door is closed. There is so much that needs my regular inspection: mice in the garden, geese on the water, fishermen floating past, plants to smell as to who's been trespassing, birds to watch. The weather is so fabulous; the sun is so warm. It's too grand to stay inside.

Looking to Summer

    With April bringing more Spring weather that Winter weather, we have shed the winter coat and boots and mitts and hats. In Calgary, that can be a dangerous thing to do. 

   It's been fun creating the Shared Squares before Summer Reading begins,

or going on Happy Trails, or even Double Dutch skipping.

   We have added more fabric and precuts and notions to Quiltnasium.com so have a look. Because of the renovation we are also able to add more people to the classes.

   Yeah, Spring is definitely here and I've been on mouse surveillance this week. When mom comes to see what is happening I huff to myself and walk away like oh hum what a pleasant day. Mice, so tiny and so cute. Good thing there is a fence between us.

Spring On Safari

   Safari Oh Goodie, oh goodie it's here. It makes me feel like spring. This hard to get fabric is in house Wednesday. Would be a really cool One Block Wonder or Stack 'n Whack or kid's quilt.  

24" xwof continuous repeat yardage.

stripes run parallel to selvedge

   Oh my three more weeks. I had planned on having the blocks all put together by now. Another wishful thinking. This week it's wonderful to have a Cuppa and watch the Winter Flower

turn into a Scatter of Split Hexie Flowers. (Hmm not a bad ditty if I say so myself.)

   Also this week we've been entering fabric, notions and precuts like crazy on Quiltnasium's website. Our faces are very tired at the end of the day.

April Fooled?

     You will never be In The Hoop under the Star Above 

when you are in the majestic Canadianized version (maple leaf template) of the American Spool in the Canadian Rocky Majestic Mountains.

   Okay, so that was stretching the ditty a bit. Fortunately, the Canadian Rocky Mountains are extremely majestic. You will be in awe. - Here comes the shameless plug. - And, should you happen to come to Calgary, stop in at our brick and mortar shop Quiltnasium for a visit.

   It was suppose to rain/snow today, but I think mother nature was fooling us. It was a wonderful walk along the Bow River this morning. This is the new kayak/canoe/boat bypass of the weir. There maybe a place for wading, there is for sitting and watching the river flow by.

   
   The renovations are complete and we are working on getting fabric on the shelves and online. This sign made my heart sing today. Homemade anything is fabulous.

Four Blocks and a Renovation

   Great weather, snow melted, suntan started, four blocks and a renovation. How's that for the week? Answer, exhausting.

   Splendid Sampler II next four blocks. My version is called Sunnyside Up. Hello Sunshine you bring the Happy Days of summer and

I welcome with Open Arms the Radio Silence to hear the birds sing, the bees buzz and the crickets chirp (yes, chirp).

   Meanwhile back at the shop studio, we are renovating. Yes, it's only been 6 weeks and we need more room. My brother-in-law says that a woman needs three trys at moving things around before everything is in order. This is number two. time will only tell when and what will happen in number three.

   Now that Spring is officially here, the weather has been so great that I've been checking out all the backyard, mud and all. Not much happening, ie no mice scampering around yet. Lots of birds but I feel like chasing something.

Stonehenge

   Stonehenge is 10 years old and Northcott is having a block party and quilt party. For full details and rules, visit Northcott's Resources page at: http://bit.ly/2VTv99H 

This is our block party 18" block that may look like Stonehenge back in the day. 

Another week another 4 blocks for the Splendid Sampler II. This week I'm listening to Quilting Music under the Little Willow

not worrying about The Little Things because of Grandma's Abiding Faith.

Week of Yellow

   It's Spring! Well, it's finally above 0 C/32 F. It's t-shirts and shorts weather and beer on the patio weather. It's a sunny yellow, or should I say Limoncello, week. Love this fabric. A make you feel good fabric. We wrote the instructions for the design by TailorMade by Design. Kits will be available later this week on Quiltnasium.com. You can actually make this quilt top in ONE day.

   Next are the Splendid Sampler II blocks in our version Sunnyside Up. 
There is Pinwheel Magic in the Sewing Circle

while listening to Quilting Music on records that spin like a Spinning Star.

Mom says it's sunny yellow. Ha! It's still white and brown grass.

One More Week

  It's going around that the groundhog said he lied, but, it's only been 5 weeks.

from Jennifer Salazar fb photos

That's  f i v e   g r u e l i n g   weeks. One more to go. So while you are having quilt days check out this article on color naming by Sandy Star Designs.

   We've not been working on the Splendid Sampler blocks but instead working on a layout for the 100 blocks only to discover that 5 more blocks are needed for my layout. Oh well, they'll be simple like 4-patch, 9-patch, friendship star. Here is my version, Sunnyside Up, of the next block grouping.

It's Simply Bliss, by Robin Vizzone, to be under a Sparkling Star, by Linda Nitzen,

to Let's Go Sew, by Pat Sloan, a Mod Bowtie, by Krista Hennebury.

   All I can say is to heck with the life of Reily. It's better to have the life of Kitty. Ah, laying in the sunshine is like a day at the beach.

Showering

   Again, the daily snow showering. But we've counteracted this with Showering Stars by Robin Pickens. This week we'll be working on the quilt. Come on in to Quiltnasium to see the to put your kit and pattern together. Or, message us here.

Plus, we've been writing up and testing the pattern Ribbons for the Limoncello fabric that's here. Wonderful yellow, gray and pearlized white.

   This week I noticed that the we've been writing a little ditty about each week's Splendid Sampler II blocks. So in keeping with tradition here is the next ditty. Get To The Point, by Rhonda Pierce, Sailor Collar, by Jenni Smith,

 because I'm Out On A Limb, by Carrie Nelson, and want to go on My Road Trip, By Terry Atkinson.

Tata for now.
Enjoy!

Snow Snow and More Snow

   How much can it snow in 48 hours? Enough that you can barely get the door open to the quilt shop.

Had an exciting time on Valentine's Day with gal pals at the Sherwood Park Quilt Guild talking about the 150 Canadian Women quilt. There are a few prolific quilters in the group. Absolutely beautiful quilts in show and tell. I'd like to thank all for a great time. The banana waffle was excellent.

   Have you heard, Northcott's Stonhenge fabric line is having a 10 year anniversary block and quilt party. I have designed an 18" block especially for the International Block Party. Details to follow.

   Again, a great week to work on the Splendid Sampler II blocks having a cup of love, Gran's Legacy by Nikki Tervo, while watching Potted Paisley's grow, by Amy Johnson.

It was Twice As Much fun, by Shruti Dandekar, making There's Always One, by Jennifer Keltner.

Enjoy!

Kitty here. T'was a cold and miserable week. I make mom open the door so that I can sense what is happening outside and may even poke my nose out or take a few steps outside just to test the elements. But my favourite place is sleeping on the hotspot at the door to the sewing room.