The Beauty Around Us

I had a great vacation at my oldest son's place in Killarney, Ontario. Tyson Lake which my son's place is on is 9 1/2 miles long.

beauty surrounded us out on Tyson lake one evening

A view of his place from the lake side.

you can see a couple of the cabins on his resort peeking out to the left of his house and gazebo

While there our son usually has a project or two that he needs his Dad's help for. This is one of them, we helped him put this out on the lake for his guests to enjoy.

water fun! A trampoline with a slide 

The weather was beautiful! I enjoyed the time we spent with this little cutie.

grandma may have given her a treat or two

Some of my roses were blooming when we got back home.

the white spots on the leaves are a milk and water mix for black spot and fungus

I have played in my sewing room or maybe I really should say I got hit with a squirrel. So instead of working on other projects that need to be done. I did this, I have been wanting to do a collage of one of my flowers that I took a photo of for a while now.  This is just the start, I see many hours in my future working on this.

a very long way to go before a finish happens

Take a little time to see what nature has given us. I hope you get to enjoy the beauty around you.

I'm Here

I know I haven't posted in a while just dealing with some real life stuff and haven't felt like blogging. Sorry.  I have been sewing and designing, nothing I can show at this time.

I participated in the 30 Quilt Design Challenge hosted by Sandra of mmmquilts. I completed the challenge and won one of the prizes. I won an aluminum back yard quilt by Brenda, of Quilt Designs in the Yard, of one of my designs. Now to decide which design to have made up. Which ever one it is I know I'm going to love seeing it made into a backyard quilt.

My guild is having their quilt show next week. I've been stacking my entries up, wanna see?

one bunch ready to go

I've been crazily working on my challenge piece.

some of these have become part of my challenge

A sneak peak, I'll show more when I have it all finished up.

I promise to show you the rest of it  next week

I am quilt show committee chair and have been doing a few little things behind the scenes to get ready for the show. 

That sums up what has been keeping me busy.

How Many are too Many?

While doing some straightening up, I realized I have a few rotary cutters. Okay maybe more than a few if I'm being honest.

my collection of rotary cutters

The cutter on the left is a Fiskars I don't really like it, I have a wave blade in it. I think it may have been one of the first ones I bought, years ago when I was first starting to quilt. 

Fiskars and the wavy blade

Next up are the two rotary cutters I use the most. They are both Olfa my favourite brand.

a 60mm Deluxe and a 45mm Splash

The 45mm is my most used cutter. A few months ago I purchased the endurance blades and I must say I'm liking it.

I have an used dull  blade in this one that I keep just for cutting paper when paper piecing

I keep an old blade in this 45mm for trimming papers when doing paper piecing, I use freezer paper most of the time.  But I like to trim the papers up to size before using them, so this cutter comes in quite handy and is used a fair amount in my quilt making as I tend to like paper pieced patterns.

What collection would be complete without a couple specialty rotary cutters in it?

A 28mm and a circle rotary cutter and oh yes it has been out of the package and used. 

 I like the small 28mm for cutting around templates. The small size goes around the templates easier than the 45mm.

I just remembered I also have a 45mm Deluxe rotary cutter. Yup I do have a thing for rotary cutters.

I'm participating in “Dust off a Quilt Book” Blog hop this month. Look for my post on February 19th.

To see the list of those participating go to Beaquilter blog. 

So I ask you do you have a collection of rotary cutters or am alone in the rotary cutter collection world?

Craftsy is Making Changes...And What it Means to You

All designers who have a Craftsy pattern store, received email notification of a change in the Craftsy marketplace. I am one of the designers whose Craftsy shop will remain, however not all my patterns may remain. Only Craftsy knows what patterns will remain available after December 28, 2018. Also, I can't add any new patterns to Craftsy until sometime in 2019.

The patterns you have purchased from me will still be available in YOUR Craftsy account library after December 28, 2018. I would recommend downloading the patterns to your computer just to be safe (if you have not already).

All patterns on Craftsy will remain available for sale (unless the designer deletes them) for the next week. If you’ve been eyeing any pattern on Craftsy, now is your last chance to go grab it.

I heard and read comments on social media about this fiasco and so many are saying that they won't support Craftsy anymore. I get it BUT I still have MY shop there, so if people are going to boycott then I have no more business and I have no idea where I will sell my patterns or host free patterns at this time.

PLEASE, please don't stop supporting the few designers who didn't get the boot by Craftsy. My only complaint is that this is happening at Christmas and with only a weeks notice. I'd rather be enjoying family time than worrying about what I'm going to do.

As my way of saying thanks for supporting me let's have a draw for a free pattern of your choice from my store! Leave a comment with the name of your favourite pattern and I'll do a random draw on December 28, 2018.

two of my latest patterns

Thank you for all your support and help over the last few years. Merry Christmas!!

I did it Again

Another month slips by and I wonder where did it go, what if anything did I get done. Rest assured I have been busy doing a few things. First up a secret sewing project took up most of my attention and time, more about that in the new year. Wow talking about the new year already. Slow down I need to get through the rest of this year first, and there may be a big holiday in there too.

 No homemade gifts this year my wonderful  NOT machine is again in for repairs. I am ready to give up on it, I haven't trashed the company that makes it but that doesn't mean I don't want too. This is the seventh time in two years that it is in for repairs. I took it on Nov 5. and may get it back by the 15th of Dec. This is the machine I do my fmq on. I do have an older machine I'm using but with a small throat space and no extension table for it makes it hard to do fmq. I am beyond frustrated. It spends more time in for repairs than it is being used by me.

I need it to work properly so I can quilt it is what helps to relieve stress and brings a smile to my face.

 Progress is being made at least on one project. I have been putting my 150 Canadian women quilt blocks together, I only made 80 of the 150. But if I do say so myself it is coming together nicely. I am doing 10 rows of 8 and have 7 rows done.

Canadian women Blocks

A new ironing board cover was also made. I think it was past due! What do you think?

before on right after on left

A little retail therapy doesn't hurt at any time.

Winter Elegance from in The Beginning Fabrics, Collection for a Cause from Moda, and Fant-04 from Kona Bay Fabrics

These are from Stitch-It Central in London, On. Forgive the shadows, it is dull and grey out again, so indoor photos it it. The sun is hard to find lately.

Tonight we are off to see our local Santa parade. 

I hope your quilting is going smoother than mine.

A Sunday Reflection

I recently read a post by Kirsty Cleverly of Bonjour Quilts on the business side of pattern writing. I know some of you will think this is something that doesn't interest you. I found her article well written, not in your face telling why you should buy from a pattern designer but how it effects pattern designers. The behind the scene costs are all outlined for anyone to see.

I have purchased patterns in print and PDF.

a few of the print patterns I have purchased I have a lot more than these

I have even made some, see I don't just collect them. This summer I made myself a new handbag. The farm animal quilt from Sew Fresh Quilts you can read about here.

as you can tell I have been using my handbag

unfortunately I haven't made this one yet.

The above pattern Blue Skies & Sunny Days is from my friend Sandra of mmm!quilts. 

I have and will continue to support pattern designers even though the list of want to makes keeps getting longer. Oh the life of a quilter we are never done making quilts. There is always another one in line waiting to be made. 

I enjoy designing quilt patterns and have free ones and for sale patterns available in my Craftsy store.

a couple of my latest patterns available for sale

Did you read Kirtsy's blog post? I would love to read your comments on this.

Free Craftsy Classes this Weekend

All of Craftsy's classes are free to watch this weekend.  Sit back and enjoy some of those classes you've been thinking about. Or maybe your wondering what a Craftsy class is, now is the perfect opportunity to find out. Who doesn't like free?

Quilting with rulers with Angela Walters is on my list to watch. I have  other Angela Walters classes and like them.

The Not List

I am horrible with lists. I can make a list with all the best intentions, but and that is a big BUT I never seem to follow them. I start out good, stroke number one off the list and that is as far as it gets. That's not to say I don't like things organized, because I most certainly do, just not lists.

I have a few things I'm working on and in no particular order and NOT on any list, they are as follows.

For my guild meeting tomorrow, we are doing an applique demo. I will be bringing my sewing machine and demoing machine applique. I usually do a blanket stitch with invisible thread. Unless I am using the 'Crafted Applique' method by Lara of Buzzin Bumble, then I sometimes do a straight stitch.

I designed a sunflower pattern in EQ7 for my guild members, and then touched it up in my graphics program. I am going to get better at using EQ, can't learn the program if I don't use it. Right?

Next up on my not list is to finish writing up the pattern for this quilt. I have 3 blocks left to make. More on this one later.

Pattern writing in progress rather slowly I might add

I have been trying to decide how to quilt my round robin mini. Not a single idea, I haven't even sandwiched it yet. I think that may be up next. You can read more about it hear.

round robin mini

Mother nature continues to play games with us in South western Ontario, it is October 16th and I am wearing my shorts, we continue to have humidity. It is going to feel like 26 Celsius today. Although I do enjoy being able to see the beauty of nature that surrounds me, especially when my world has been turned upside down. My roses are still blooming but I do have a glimpse of fall in my tulip tree.

rose just starting to open

white rose bud wish you could smell the lovely fragance

Tulip tree leaves starting to change colour

 If you want the pattern for the Sunflower Applique it is available for free in my Craftsy store.

Speaking of Craftsy they are holding a fall sale on supplies. This post contains affiliate links.

Hope you are able to enjoy a glimpse of nature around you.

One Lovely Blog Award

Thanks to Tish of Tish's Adventures in Wonderland for nominating me for the One Lovely Blog Award. When I first started blogging I had no idea that it would lead to making new friends all over blogland not just in my own little corner, but all over. Quilty bloggers are the best! Ask for help and no one hesitates to ask how, they just do.

Apparently there are some rules to follow.

- Thank the person that nominated you and give a link to their blog.
- List the rules
- Display the award on your post of The Award
- List 7 facts about yourself
- Nominate (up to) 15 bloggers for this award and comment on one of their posts to let them know you have nominated them

Seven facts about me hmmmm here goes.

1. I don't like to put a lot of personal information about myself out there, I am more of  a private person.

2. I am not a cat person, I don't dislike them just not crazy about them. We have had a cat. We had a stray that adopted us. My hubby found him in our barn, he had ear mites and was so skinny. We took him to the vet and ended up having to put drops in his ears, man did he hate that and I had enough scratches to prove it. We had him for quite a few years.

3. I do like dogs! Big dogs! With German Shepards being my dog of choice, since we now live in town we don't have a dog currently. I said currently as I miss not having a dog near by.

4. I have lived in three different provinces in Canada. Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Ontario.

5. When I started school in PEI I went to a one room school house. And I am not as old as you are thinking right about now...So stop it.

6. I am now a two time cancer survivor. It is not an easy fight and having done it twice was extremely hard. I don't have the coveted all clear yet, but with having it twice I know it can strike when we least expect it to.

7. I don't like to follow rules, but I think I did okay this time.


Nominees are

Lara of BuzzinBumble
Sandra of mmm!quilts
Karen of Tu-na Quilts
Anja of Anja Quilts

Round Robin Fun!!!

Four bloggers have conspired to have some fun with a round robin mini. The bloggers in question are Julie of Pink Doxies, Sandra of mmmquilts, Tish of  Tish's Adventures in Wonderland and little ole me.
It is a simple round robin were we each start with a 6 1/2'' centre block, which is then mailed to the next person to work on they add either  3'' to all four sides or maybe even 6 inches to two adjoining sides. With a maximum of 6 inches added to the quilt size.  And then off to the next person till it gets back to the original owner. By the time we get it back it will have grown to a maximum of 24''. Oh yeah and anything goes, paper piecing, improve, fabric, even shape. I admit to being a little apprehensive, but then I think of who is adding to it and have no hesitation at all. I know whatever they add will be fine. It will be better than fine it will be fantastic!

Without further ado here is my centre block. You can read about the creation of this block here.

centre block

Tish said she didn't think I could call it an oops block anymore. I've been trying to come up with a name for it with little success. So it will stay as oops for awhile longer, maybe till she has finished growing.

This is going to be so much FUN! And all of you get to see what we add to each other's quilt along the way. So please go take a look at the blocks of my fellow participants. Julie, Tish and Sandra. Want to have some fun of your own grab some friends and start your own round robin.

Linking up to
Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Freemotion by the River
Blossom Heart Quilts
Sew Fresh Quilts
Fort Worth Studio
Crazy Mom Quilts

No Reply Bloggers

I am amazed at the number of no reply bloggers I've had in the ongoing giveaway of 'Crafted Applique'. You can see my projects here and still enter the giveaway.

I like to reply to any comments I receive. I think it helps to interact with you who have taken the time to leave a comment and also it just seems rude not to reply.
BUT, if you're a no-reply blogger, it doesn't allow me to respond to your comment via email because your email address isn't listed, when I hit reply it instead sends to this email address: noreply-comment@blogger.com. Unfortunately most bloggers that are no-reply bloggers, don't even realize it. Are you one?

Here is a screen shot of what I see when I try to reply to a no reply blogger.

NO REPLY BlOGGER

See how when I hit reply next to her name it has (noreply-comment@blogger.com) I have no way of contacting her if she won or engaging her in a friendly conversation. So sad!

Are you a no reply blogger if so PLEASE take the time to fix this. I did a google search and found this site, she explains how to fix it.

http://www.venustrappedinmars.com/2015/04/what-is-no-reply-blogger-and-how-to-fix.html

no reply blogger

This is my neighbors cat. Every time I step out the door this kitty greets me, she loves to have her tummy rubbed. Now I understand why she is a noreply blogger. And I hope that if you are a noreply blogger that you won't be one for much longer.

Machine Cover my April OMG Finish

My machine is no longer naked, she has a nice new cover to help keep her dust free. You can read  the initial post here.
I have a container well I actually have a whole mess of containers with bits and pieces of leftover stuff (technical term). I pulled four HST's out,and an idea was born. I added the sewing appliques then the flowers and vines

Pinwheel block from orphan HST's 

  I measured my machine, first the height, then the depth and the length. Today on My Quilt Infatuation Kelly has a wonderful photo of how to take the measurements required when making your own machine cover. She also has a lovely scrappy machine cover tutorial.
 I took the height multiplied it by two, for the front and back, and added the depth to find out how long the piece needed to be. I cut it about two inches longer and wider than I needed. This was a perfect project to get used to using my new machine for FMQing. I didn't mark anything, I had fun and just let it flow.

Main cover all FMQed.

The end pieces I just did more free motion quilting, I did mark the edges to determine were I wanted my lines on the crosshatch piece.

cross hatching for the one end piece

The other end I did a feather, echoed it a couple times and then some simple stippling.

feather and stippling for the other end piece.

When I sewed the ends I didn't finish the inside seams with binding like Kelly did I instead topstitched an 1/8'' from the seam. I bound the bottom edge using binding pieces from another one of my containers. I put leftover pieces of binding in, then when I need a smaller binding I have one readily available.

topstitching on the end seams

A couple photos of the finished cover modeled by my lovely machine.

feather shows up nicely on the end piece

I have a knee lift for the presser foot so that's what you see coming out the front

My machine is now covered, and I am happy with how this project turned out.

I am offering the flower, vines and sewing accessories appliques in my Craftsy pattern store free. 

If your Free Motion Quilting needs a little brushing up or you are just starting out why not try a Craftsy class they are 50% off for a limited time. This is an affiliate link whereby I receive a small commission if you make a purchase. 

I will be linking up with Red Letter Quilts April OMG, Freemotion by the River, Sew Fresh Quilts.

April OMG

My monthly goal should be simple. New machine needs a cover to keep the dust off. Of course that requires some sort of a plan or idea. Mr Google can you help this quilter out? Yes sirree he did I looked at a ideas on pinterest, so many ideas floating around right now. I need to narrow it down and come up with a pattern and answer a few questions before getting started. Do I want applique? Do I just make a cover with ties on the side or an overall cover? Use patchwork or use up some orphan block pieces? Maybe a scrappy cover?

I pulled a couple fabrics for the cover.

fabric pull??

Wish me luck! Linking up to Red Letter Quilts OMG.

Best of Days.

Friday April 1st was my 39th wedding anniversary. I know you're thinking what a couple fools for choosing April Fool's Day, but one thing for sure my hubby has never forgotten what day our anniversary is.
After everything we've been through recently, we decided to just enjoy the day. We had our 2 year old grandson over in the morning, went for our daily walk hand in hand and then went out for a lovely meal. All in all a wonderful day. We've been there for each other through the good and not so good days, and know that as long as we are both able to, we will be there to continue to support each other.

In those 39 years we have raised three wonderful kids and six adorable and fabulous grandchildren. They are the best grandchildren ever, I may be just a tad bias in making that statement. But hey it's the truth as far as I'm concerned. Life has not always been easy but we endured and will continue to enjoy what pleasures life has to offer us. For better or for worse, in sickness and health, til death us due part. Hopefully the last part is a long time in coming.

Mother nature and old man winter got together and decided winter isn't done with us yet, this is what I awoke to this morning ugh. We are under a snowfall warning, up to 25 cm of the white stuff today. I want sun and warmer temperatures.

                               My hyacinths are under all that snow. 

I have been playing slowly with my watercolour project you can read more about it here.

Applique is done.

As you can see I have a bit more work to do on it, but it is coming along nicely. Going to do a little bit of thread work on the flower and the hummingbird wings and then try and decide how to quilt it.

Moda Giveaway at Craftsy

Who doesn't like giveaways. Craftsy is having a Moda-A-Day giveaway. Click on the photo or here to enter. I am a Craftsy affiliate.

Hopefully the weather is better in your part of the world!

WIP and new Machine

A beautiful sunny Easter Day! Hope everyone is having a great Easter. We had our family Easter dinner last week as our youngest son has to work this weekend.
Today the hubster and I are enjoying the weather with just a little bit of yard work and a walk.

Oh yes she's here! I have my new machine doesn't she look good sitting on my table. She sews so nice, and I am slowly learning how to use her. She has a bit of a learning curve to her, but the biggest thing is the pressure foot lifter is either by knee lift or a button which I already like. I keep reaching for the leaver to lift the foot, old habits might take awhile to break.  Haven't tried any fmqing on her yet, as I'm anxiously awaiting the sew steady table I ordered for her, hopefully it comes this week.

my new baby, she sews so pretty. Those little stick it notes are squirrels.

I have been trying to finish a project up before my next guild meeting. We had some people ask how to do a watercolour project. Somehow I am in charge of organizing the program and I don't even remember volunteering...hmmm. Wonder how that happened. I am auditioning some appliques to add to my piece. 

auditioning applique

The flower is a keeper love that red batik. However the hummingbird needs some major help, the back wing is all wrong. I am going to use the batik on the bottom left corner for some leaves. It does have some potential, just requires a little more work.

I may work on this some more today or maybe I'll watch one of my Craftsy classes, like Wild Quilting or an Angela Walters class.

 Craftsy( an affliate link) is saying a sweet farewell to National Craft Month by offering you the chance to get any online class for $19.99! Check out all the classes on sale before the offer ends on Monday.

However you spend your day have a great one!