Fall......

has begun where I live - as a matter of fact we might even see some snow flurries in the next day or so..... > I made a cute little purse out of some fabric that we got in at the shop that I work at.... reminds me of the fall harvest.

Thought for the Day

In the depth of winter I finally learned there was in me invincible summer

Alberta Camus

3 MONTHS TILL CHRISTMAS......

LOL... and I have finished 20 of my Christmas Aprons - now all the family will have one.... and my dilemma now is whether or not to make a few more for friends..... well.... I do have some time.

Tooie, the Boston Terrier, has an owie..... he had to have a nail removed as he ripped most of it off.... so he has been taking it easy for the last day or so.

I have been busy organizing quilting classes for work, quilting for customers, and getting ready for a Machine Quilting class and lecture that I will be doing in Pincher Creek, Alberta on October 3/4..... then it's off to Las Vegas for my 50th birthday trip with a friend that I have known since Grade 1...... and then... well I better get my houses done for the House Swap(right, Betsy??).....

Thought for the Day

Let your expectations be the driving, directing force behind your actions. And take the committed, persistent actions that will achieve what you expect to achieve.

Ralph Marsten

Some time off... and a great find....

was lucky enough to have 5 days off (in a row) and got down to some serious quilting!!! BUT.... I was also lucky enough to purchase a second hand serger for a great price... I have wanted one for awhile, but couldn't justify the price of a new one; and, when you buy second hand you never know what you are getting. I was able to buy this from a trusted source and try it out before I bought... so I am the proud owner of a Janome serger.... WooHoo!!

I spent the last 4 days doing my first Trapunto quilt (well, LARGE size trapunto quilt - LOL) I have done smaller pieces but was asked by a friend to do a larger piece as a gift for a family member. I am sooo pleased with the result - I followed Karen McTavish's instructions and I think it came out pretty well. The greatest amount of time was spent marking the top, not the actual final quilting. This first picture is quilting around the motifs with water soluble thread.

The picture below is of the quilt before I soaked it to remove the blue marking line and the water soluble thread..... and the final picture is of the quilt being blocked. As it was wet and can shrink up it is important to block the quilt but pinning it to the correct length and width. I will definitely be doing more of this type of quilting... as I really enjoyed it.

Thought for the Day

And finally, I want to acknowledge that making changes in your life is never an easy task. The key, however, is not to get caught up in the distance you have to go to get to where you want to be. Nor should you despair over the amount of control you have over your circumstances. Progress is made in the small, intentional steps, and chances are, you have more power than you think. By focusing on little steps you can take every day, the progress you make will motivate you to continue your journey, and eventually, you can go wherever you want to go. The important thing is simply to begin. Stephen Cherniske

Happy September.......

I just love September!!! The summer people are starting to leave and the lake is becoming quiet. I can hear the loons when I bike ride or sit on the deck...... I am just astonished at how fast this year is going...... won't be long until Fall.....This is a picture of the lake the other morning when I got up early to start quilting.... just spectacular!!!

I am involved in a Cottage Block swap hosted by my cyber friend, Betsy. These are just some of the lovely cottage blocks that I have received. I am making the December blocks... and I need to get busy and start them.... December will be here before I know it. I am just so happy with this swap... and can't wait to make the finished quilt.

This is another picture of my Halloween quilt - the last picture didn't seem to show the blocks as well as I would have liked.

Thought for the Day

To your dog, you are the greatest, the smartest, the nicest human being who was ever born.

Lois Sabin

Did you know....

that it is only 4 months till Christmas...... LOL. In the spirit of the season, I completed another apron from my stash fabric that I posted about earlier.





I also finished quilting a Halloween quilt that I started a month or so ago - we got some new fabrics at the shop I work at and I wanted to try a variation of the 4 Patch Posie - instead of cutting the blocks square, the blocks are cut on the diagonal and put back together... came out quite nice, BUT, I have sooo many other things I should have gotten to first - LOL... I will have to put this one on my UFO list - as done. I quilted it with little pumpkins....
Thought for the Day
Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.
Thomas Jefferson

Stash enhancement......

sounds a bit like an advertisement ..... but I did add a little bit more to my stash on my recent trip to Vancouver. These fabrics are from Maiwa Fabrics on Granville Island in Vancouver and are hand dyed. Maiwa Fabrics is a great inspirationl store - lots of hand dyes for fabrics and wools. I just love going there when I am in Vancouver.

I also picked up a few new Christmas fabrics to make Aprons with. I just love the subtle colors of the new fabrics. They were purchased at the Cloth Shop.

My beautiful new header on the top of my blog is a picture of my first Sunflower - they are finally starting to bloom..... as the nights are getting colder, I am sure that they won't be around for long.
Thought for the Day
When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person realize his dream.
Paulo Coelho

Vancouver.....

I went to Vancouver the first weekend in August - my son has decided to move there and we were looking for an apartment for him. We found him a great place - a block from the beach. There was also a fireworks festival on that weekend.... the picture below is looking from English Bay out onto the Pacific Ocean - a block from where my son will live.

I also went to the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia. They have a wonderful exhibit of First Nations Art and I learned quite a bit about the Haida culture.

I really enjoyed my time in Vancouver - I walked around the city quite a bit and really enjoyed the older houses that have been fixed up. They have been declared Heritage Houses.

Thought for the Day

Nothing is more important than reconnecting with your bliss. Nothing is as rich. Nothing is more real.

Deepak Chopra

Trip to Jasper.....

In July we took a 3 day trip to Jasper, Alberta. While I have been before, I have never taken the road from Edmonton; and needless to say it was beautiful.

The pictures above are of Athabasca Falls. This water comes from the Columbia Icefield Glacier and flows directly to the Athabasca River, which is where I live. The picture below is of a section of this waterfall that has dried up. Thousands of years ago this was part of the falls.

Thought for the Day
My profession is to always find God in nature.
Henry David Thoreau

Where in the world.....

has my summer gone????? I CANNOT believe that it is the middle of August. I have been unbelievably busy this summer with customer quilting. I am happy about that, but I have neglected my blogging!!

My retreat in June was wonderful.... I finished some great projects - two table runners using a four patch stack technique and I got a jump on Christmas and made two aprons. I am going to give these to all the ladies in my family - probably about 8 or so.

These pictures are of some of quilts at the retreat. The far right quilt was the mystery quilt that was taught by one of the organizers - the one beside it is a mystery in progress. This was a fantastic mystery quilt and really looked wonderful.

Thought for the Day

If we take care of the moments, the years will take care of themselves.Maria Edgeworth

Off again.....

I am off again to my other June retreat.... this will be the last until winter time.... I did manage to get a small quilt done in between. This is a commissioned baby quilt that will be quilted when I return.... I just love the fabrics.

I have been extremely busy this Spring with customer quilts.... which is a good thing, I guess - LOL

Thought for the Day

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.

Albert Einstein

Home from Retreat........

I had a lovely weekend and got lots accomplished.... AND I have finished my Baltimore Bunnies. Finally, this quilt can be crossed off my UFO list.

I finished a bag, a bright pink and green quilt and a horse quilt for my sister. The bag and two quilts WERE NOT on my UFO list - LOL. I just can't keep up with everything that I want to do!

There was a great Mystery Quilt provided at the retreat - I didn't do it... but I want to, so I have the instructions.... each one looked so different.

We all signed signature blocks for the coordinator of the retreat - a couple of the ladies whipped it together one evening and we presented it to her yesterday evening. It's home with me now, as I will quilt it and send it back to her. We left a few blank squares so she can bring it back next year and have the new ladies sign it.

This is a shot of our sewing area - we have a huge gym and it's great to have "sew" much space. I had a great time.... My next retreat is in two weeks!

Thought for the Day

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss you will land among the stars.

Les Brown

Off....

Well, I am off to the first of my June retreats.... lots of UFO's to be accomplished.... AND seeing some great friends - who I haven't seen since last year when we moved. I CANNOT believe it has been a year since we moved North.....
Please stop by the Wacky Pack Quilters blog and see a couple of my vintage quilts that I have quilted. I just love quilting old tops - I figure that since they have been lying around for years in boxes (usually) - it is great to quilt them up and use them.

Thought for the Day
And finally, I want to acknowledge that making changes in your life is never an easy task. The key, however, is not to get caught up in the distance you have to go to get to where you want to be. Nor should you despair over the amount of control you have over your circumstances. Progress is made in the small, intentional steps, and chances are, you have more power than you think. By focusing on little steps you can take every day, the progress you make will motivate you to continue your journey, and eventually, you can go wherever you want to go. The important thing is simply to begin.
Stephen Cherniske, M.S

Where did May go???

I have no idea where May went - and now it's June... and I can see a busy month ahead so I won't know where June is going to go, either.... this month I have two quilt retreats to attend (one this coming weekend), a quilt show at work, and a few customer quilts to get done before the end of the month!

My first quilt retreat is being held at Olds College and there are about 35 ladies atttending. These ladies are from all over North America and we enjoy getting together each year to renew friendships and of course, sew, sew, sew. I am just about finished my Baltimore Bunnies quilt - it will be done this weekend!!!! You can see my efforts from last year here. So.... think good thoughts... I MUST get this quilt done - LOL. This year it's all about finishing up - and these are quilts I haven't even put on my UFO list... these are new UFO's.

Thought for the Day
Words are a form of action, capable of influencing change.
Ingrid Bengis

Well, Spring has finally come.....

and I have managed to plant a few flowers and my Saskatoon berry bush on the side of my house. I was going to plant a Blueberry bush but the greenhouse didn't have any... so Saskatoon's it is! We are supposed to be getting some very warm weather in the next few days so hopefully the plants will grow and I can plant my large planters.

I have received a couple of cute blocks in two swaps I am in. The star block is so cute - it is strawberry and broccoli fabric..... I had requested that my star blocks be "scrappy" so I am going to have quite a collection when the swap is done.

The pink and brown block will be added to my collection and I should be able to make a pink and brown quilt by fall.

Thought for the Day

Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing.

William James

The picture says it all....

This picture was taken on Tuesday morning...... the day after I came home from Quilt Market in Pittsburgh...... where the weather was in the high 70's (F)...... will we ever have Spring - LOL...

I had a great time at my first Quilt Market. The professional development classes were just exceptional. I learned so much and met so many wonderful quilters, authors, and designers. For me, it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I really appreciated being able to go. I have a few samples to make for the shop I work at and lots of new ideas for classes..... lots to do and I am excited to get started. I also did some shopping for myself and got some great deals.

Pittsburgh has the most amazing architecture - many old buildings, and churches. I spent a good deal of time walking around the city and I really enjoyed that. My pictures of the City of Pittsburgh are in my webshots album.

My other pictures of market are in this album - these include quilts that were on display. I am finished my University class and can now concentrate on my quilting and classes over the summer.... which I look forward to at some point!! (since we didn't seem to have a Spring).

Thought for the Day
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

A block......

I finished a block today for a swap I am in ..... I really like it - found it in my EQ6 (Ohio Star Variation); I had to use templates for two of the pieces, but that wasn't a problem. Hope my swappee likes it!

I think I could make an entire quilt of this block.

I did some gardening and have decided to plant a Blueberry bush on the side of the house - it faces west and gets afternoon sun, so hopefully it will grow!

Thought for the Day

It is no disgrace to start all over. It is usually an opportunity.

George Matthew Adams