Thursday, January 30, 2014

'Kitchen Stitches' book is Released!! And a Giveaway Too

It really truly happened!   The mail came.   It was not just any mail but the very best mail I have ever received.


All these books showed up and were perfect in every way, and inside was my name beside two of the projects.


Martingale Publishing was a dream to work with and they went above and beyond to make me feel like I was a part of their world.   Did you know that even though I didn't go to Fall Market, they still sent me the 'Author' badge because I wanted it as a souvenir?  That is just how awesome they are. 

This book is  loaded with fun and colourful patterns to delight all your kitchen preferences.   From  pot holders to casserole covers to coasters to tablecloths, this book has something for everyone.



The first project of mine is the 'Coasters with Curves'.   Pictured below, using 'The Quilted Fish' fabric line 'Flutter' by Riley Blake Fabrics.   These were a total hoot to make.   So fun and easy to complete.

I also made the most adorable wine glass charms and fridge magnets.  The possibilities really are endless with these cute flowers.



And to boot Martingale Publishing has a giveaway! Click here to enter.

The giveaway will end on Thursday, February 6, and they'll choose 15 random winners on that day. You could win:

* One of 14 copies of the Kitchen Stitches eBook
* A $100 gift certificate to ShopMartingale.com


There is no doubt that you will thoroughly enjoy this book.  Thanks Martingale!




Thursday, January 23, 2014

A Binding Tip and My Latest Creation



I have been making a modern 3D bed runner.   I really don't know the difference between a bed runner and a table runner other than one fits the size of your table and one your bed.   I am wondering if it is just another excuse to make a quilt?   Either way, I am in!  

I had some lovely solids with a whole swack of white and played around creating this runner.  When it was done, I felt it needed a bit more zing to it as there was so much white in the middle.   I made twelve 3D flowers and twelve twirlies and laid them out randomly in the center of the runner.



Now I have a confession.  When I do binding, the end part, I never do that cut, measure, miter thing.  All I do is tuck one end into another and keep on going.  Then feel bad that I never learned how to do it properly.  That is probably why I haven't won one of the top 3 at Houston yet.  That or I have to actually get a quilt accepted first=) 

I came across this fabulous binding tutorial at Ellison Lane and simply had to tell you about it!  I don't have permission to borrow pictures but go and take a look.  Totally easy with great photos.




Wednesday, January 15, 2014


Are you familiar with Pantone?  Each year they pick a colour that is to be the signature colour for that year.   This is the colour for 2014.

radiant orchid pantone

Just for fun I took my quilt and uploaded it into Chip It!, the website that turns any picture into a palette and gives you 'chips' of all the colours in your quilt, to see if I had any orchid.  I am close with the purple I have on the left of the quilt.

This is really helpful if you have a print fabric and want to pull out the colours in it to correspond.  Sometimes it is hard to see what is in there.   Or the same with a photograph.  You just upload the picture and it pulls out the colours for you.


The quilt above just got accepted into the AQS Lancaster show=)   Go and have a try with Chip It!, bet you can't stop with one picture=)




Wednesday, January 8, 2014

A Little About Life and A Little About Quilting


Inhale deep breath.... here goes.  Do you ever have self doubt?   Do you ever wonder how you can get it all done?  And done well?

If you answered no, then please skip this post and come back another day=)   If not, thanks for being honest... me too.

I was feeling a little overwhelmed and happened to take a flip through my facebook page and found this completely amazing link.  It is how to turn the negative into the positive.   IT is so inspirational...   please watch it, the length is 11 minutes but it will just fly by.  

After watching that, I felt so empowered... love when you get that feeling from a speech, or words in a book, or a great video.  

I have been quilting up a bed runner and just finished the quilting.   The binding is next and then I get to 3D embellish it!   Love that part.



I did sections of colours in the quilting that corresponded with the colours in the quilt.   Sometimes I get bored if I quilt with all the same colour.

Okay, now go and watch that video!  



Saturday, January 4, 2014

Welcome to 2014


A new year has begun!

I see that many of us take time to reflect on the past year of quilting and how it went, the successes and accomplishments.  

What I am most thrilled about is that I got published .... 6 times!   I just get the biggest kick out of that.   I think it is because it was on my bucket list for sooo long.   To see this dream finally come to fruition is very satisfying.

I was also very happy to have several of my quilts get accepted into juried shows both here in Canada and in the United States.

On to 2014.   Do you have your goals set?   Do you have a word you are going to try and live by this year?   I have listed my goals below.  In the past I have had a huge list, but this year I went short and simple.

1.  Juggle.   This is also my word for 2014. It is a different word to pick.   But I have taken on some new opportunities that require a set amount of time each week, and I refuse to stop pursuing my quilting endeavours as well.  Plus I have my two little stinkers that are always on the go.  In June I have the honour of taking on the Presidential role for the Canadian Quilters' Association, and know that will also be a big job. That is why the word 'juggle' popped into my mind as I feel that I am throwing all the balls of my life into the air and will spend the next year trying to keep them up=)

2.   Get published.   I know....  silly, but I just LOVE IT!

3.  Continue to create my 3D art quilts.


Having started the new year with the best of intentions, I also started it with the best of shopping deals=)   I hit a huge after holiday season sale on ribbon.  And we know that you should always stockpile so you don't run out.  

Here is what my ribbon looked like.  It was piled high, precariously balancing on top of each other and blocking all my drawers that were behind it.


After doing a little research on Pinterest, and enlisting the help of hubby, we had a plan.


We used the side of my fabric shelving unit and screwed in eyes (basically screws with holes), cut 1/4" dowel to fit and loaded up the ribbon.

Here is how it turned out.

Isn't it pretty?  Can you see how many circle ribbons there are?  My jumbo ric rac is in there too.
We are buying more supplies for 2 more rows of ribbons... you know... just in case another sale comes=)