02.10.10
Tucson Quilt Show- pieced deights
Tucson Quilt Show-
the ones that caught my eye
subtle toned colour
delicate monochroma
full spectrum midtones
and unexpected fabric choice
contemporary full specturm
and split complimentary
with textural detail
sublimely complex split complimentary variation
the show stopper!
02.03.10
Tucson Quilters Guild Show – my art and applique favourites
QUILT FIESTA TUCSON ARIZONA
The quilts !
Where to start ?
The welcoming white glove ladies were there to inform and help us.
This quilt featured a great use of African fabric scraps .
President Challenge quilts : WHAT FUN IS ORANGE ?
What makes you happy using the colour orange?
This one made me happy!
As did this wearable, with my favourite- yoyos!
A great painted art quilt caught my eye.
Angel Paints or any Jacquard brand would work well.
Lovely embellishment detail that I can see Treenway silk ribbon .
The show stopper art quilt for me was this one.
The embellishment was intense and superb.
Of course my funny bone always loves Dia De Los Muertos
They remind me of the sugar skulls I made with my art students.
Nor can I resist cowboy boots. ( I know , not applique)
Wait till you see the trunk show in our booth at CQA in Calgary,
Big Fork will be one of our guest artists.
This was a stunning applique quilt.
The Garden Club
There were several quilts in the show with a similar finish.
This finishing technique was credited to Sharon Schamber
check out her free stuff
This was another lovely applique quilt,
obviously reminding me of Victoria.
Great use of batiks.
Lovely embellishment with beads
and buttons.
One last lovely favourite.
I can hardly wait to take some of Satin Moon’s
fabulous selection of applique classes this spring!
I’ll show you my favourtie pieced work from the show next week!
Time for more great Mexican food.
Gordon and Candy ( visiting from Boston)
Awww, I’ve been waiting all year
for Green corn tamale at Poca Cosa
01.26.10
Tucson Quilt Show Guild
Here we are
From the southwest of Canada
to the southwest of the United States
to the Tucson Quilters Guild Annual Show
What a guild, what a pleasure !
the memorial pin
the raffle quilt ( I did not win ;(
a gorgeous applique garment
Into the show
first the speaker stage and the guild information booths
The guild outreach programs are many, varied and awesome
I am really impressed by this information board
This is their on going pillow case program
A great history idea for everyone.
This year’s pattern and quilt
with which to generate money for the project .
The totally amazing grand prize winner .
Masterful and fascinating use of colour
and superb technique.
But today I am here as a quilt shop owner
and seeker of the new and wonderful for my customers-
so the merchant mall first!
Unfortunately I was not allowed
to snap many pictures due to vendor rules .
But I saw a number of old friends .
and familiar patterns
great Tucson shops
and new patterns of my favourite … aprons
and mermaids
by a new new designer and artist
Like Jan Gauvain
who is excited to share her creative wealth.
These are her blessing dolls.
I am bringing home one of her marvelous kits with CD .
We discussed the possibility of her coming to Victoria
and Satin Moon carrying her kits- if you are interested.
New to me but not the quilting world is Michelle
fabric designer , author, pattern designer
Her designs are exclusively southwest, and would make an exciting guild program and workshop. We will work on it!
I also met author, designer and artist
Jane from Quarterinch Press.
Jane is a renown quilter whose talents have been featured in the Steven Spielberg movie ” How to Make an American Quilt” where she was a stunt quilter. She has also appeared on the HGTV show “ Simply Quilts.”
I had to bring back this yoyo pattern
and this great Dia De Los Muetos applique quilt pattern,
We also discussed trunk show, author talks and workshops in Victoria.
You will be able to see an article of her work in an upcoming
Quilter’s Home Magazine article
One of the fun notions I picked up a to try
This is perfect for Denise’s stack and whack classes and Eileen Wrights Bargello class in May
Off into the sunset for now .
Check back Thursday to see the quilt my show highlights now.
01.20.10
Gordon the Quilter
Only 6 years ago Gord’s idea of a guy having a good time looked like this
but now he has discovered the true joy of quilting !
With the patience of his first quilt teacher Ursula Riegel
Gord created his first table runner, with a pocket knife instead of a seam ripper, much to Ursula’s horror
He dabbled with a triple rail from the left overs of our daughters’
Place mats seemed like a reasonable project.
So in a rare class by Laura McDonald creator of Chili Pepper designs
Gordon crafted a wonderful set of Dove Tail placemats
Daphne Greig , was the next brave teacher
who guided Gordon through the creation of a beautiful Give and Take
His original design was made for our son in Arizona.
I’ll try and add a photo of it this week when we are in Tucson.
Next Daphne guided Gord in the creation of a quilt for nephew Josh’s wedding gift-
the red and gold quilt taking shape on the design board
Next came the joy of small stuff….
Gord did some mass production of pillow cases for family and staff ,
for every season.
Remember to see him in action at his Hot Dog Pillow Case Party Class
His first real challenge of a quilt was this batik beauty
which is Chico’s favourite
The ultimate challenge so far has been for Denise ,
Under whose unfailing good humor and superb teaching
Gordon created a stunning Stack and Wack for our guest room.
He has just finished a wonderful quilt for my Dad’s 80th birthday…its in the mail and will be unveiled February 6
in Calgary
01.13.10
Pillow case Party Debut
Fun, did we ever have fun!
Listening intently to instruction
from Daphne
Presssing
Measuring and Cutting
Sewing
and finishing
Pressing perfection
A veritable production line.
and the happy
FINISH !
NEXT PARTY
Tuesday February 2
Prairie Points with Denise
VERY LIMITED SPACE
call now to reserve your space
FUTURE PARTIES
ONLY 8 spots each month-
( technique and theme may change -check back for updates )
Sun Mar 14 11am – 2pm 60’s dye and Overdye Pillow Case
Thu Apr 15 10am – 11:30am Texture Magic accent detail
Sat May 8 10am – 11:30am Give and Take Applique .
Thu Jun 10 10am – 11:30am HOT DOG pillow case party.
Thu Jul 15 10pm – 11:30pm colour crayon transfers.
Sun Aug 15 11pm – 2am discharge pillows
Tue Sep 7 10:00am- 11:30 satin stitch applique
Sat Oct 16 10am – 11:30am Silk
Tue Nov 2 10am – 2pm flannel pillow case and matching pj bottoms
Wed Dec 1 10pm – 11:30pm incredible string patchwork
01.08.10
Eileen Wright and her Amazing Twist and Turn Bargellos in Person !
This Saturday In Victoria
In person
THE QUILTS
SMALL
Bargello Place mat and Runner
( pattern available)
WALL HANGINGS
Qualicum Zepher 31″x54″
Island Sunset 40″ x 56″
( pattern available, kit available)
Aurora Borealis 41″x57″
( pattern available)
Surf Song -wallhanging 46″x48″
( pattern available, kit available)
Glacier Bay ( newest )
(pattern available)
Nebula 59″x59″
BED QUILTS
Surf Song 98″x96″
( pattern available )
Cosmic Twist 59″x80″
( pattern available)
Supernova 96″x98″
( pattern available)
THE CLASS
May 29 and 30 2010
Infinity 50″x57″
Enjoy it all with the help of Satin Moon !
01.06.10
Colour My Quilt World..wonderful
Once a month I put my teacher hat back on and craft a colour lesson for a select group of quilters. Armed with our textbook and tools
We gather around the cutting table.
Where we explore a new concept first with words and tools
And then go in search of whole bolts to solve the colour question.
I love having the shop as a quilter’s playground.
After assembling our samples, we share, discuss and sometimes adjust.
A sample swatch is cut for each person to arrange and affix in their journal.
The goal is to go home with new tools to help organize, design and fill in gaps in the fabric colour palette of our individual stashes.
Learning from the students’ searches and solutions gives me wonderful feedback for the Satin Moon collection. Almost as much fun as playing at Satin Moon is MODA FABRIC MATCHER a wonderful interactive colour site.
Even more fun are these links. I need to go play!
OTHER COLOUR OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU
There are no plans at the moment to repeat Practical Colour, but
Marie is offering a great colour series now -
starting next Tuesday January 19,
please refer to our brochure classes
#150 Simply Colour Tues Jan 19
#163 Primary and Secondary Tues Feb 16
#167 Monochromatic and Analogous Tues March 16
#172 Complementary Tues April 13
12.31.09
Pillow Case Parties
The Venus Sophia Tea Room is my latest favourite place to go for tea or coffee. It is shabby chic , has great food and is totally charming. Look for quilt shows there in the future.
Daphne Greig and I had coffee at Venus on last week and discussed our ideas for the ONE MILLION PILLOW CASE CHALLENGE .
The Cridge Center will be our pillowcase destination.
I talked with quilter and guild member Mimi Davis , coordinator of The Cridge Respitality Program. The program provides parents of a child with a disability an opportunity to pause and be refreshed, providing a complimentary overnight stay for two in a hotel or bed-and-breakfast. Mimi would be thrilled to provide pillow cases to children and parents of the family.
If our pillow case parties are as successful and inspirational as we hope, we would also like to make pillow cases for other residents of The Cridge programs , especially the seniors .
Daphne has heard about a program for sending pillows to our military abroad or at sea, Pillows Abroad , with 5000 being sent to date . I discovered the Heads At Ease project which says it well “A pillow case is something personal,” “It’s a permanent hug, when they lay down I like to think of it as that.” We will focus on Canada day as the day for the cases to reach their destination. I’ll make sure we have lots of Northcott’s great Maple leaf fabric!
Each month Satin Moon will have a Pillow Case Party with a theme.
Daphne and I will do the kick off Sunday January 10 with her new Temari Puzzle design soon to be published in Quick Quilts .
Tuesday February 2 Denise will host a Prairie Point Pillow case Party. Hmm, prairie girls like me will provide hot dishes and baked goods to keep up our strength up while Denise demos continuous prairie points do decorate our pillow cases .
Sunday Mar 14 11am – 2pm Brenda will host a Super 60’s dye and Overdye Pillow Case Party! This will be a great day to use up fabric you don’t love and turn it into something wonderful.
In the works are other fun designer pillow case party days, one for each month
Thu Apr 15 10am – 11:30am Mother’s Day pillow cases with Texture Magic accent detail
Sat May 8 10am – 11:30am father’s day pillow cases , Give and Take Applique with Daphne. I can envision a manly a Stone Henge trim on Northcott’s fabric by a similar name .
Thursday Jun 10 10am – 11:30am, Gordon will host a HOT DOG pillow case party.
Hot dog lunch provided, while me make pillow cases to send to our troops for Canada Day .
Thursday Jul 15 10pm – 11:30pm I can hardly wait to have parent child or grandparent child day to play with colour crayon transfers.
Sunday Aug 15 11pm – 2amhow about some discharge pillows cases on old solids or dated dark fabrics in August?
Tuesday September 7, 10:00-am-2:00pm Denise will do a quick satin stitch applique workshop.
Sat Oct 16 10am – 11:30am Silk pillowcases dying by me or patchwork by Lois .
Tue Nov 2 10am – 2pm flannel pillow case and matching pj bottoms are a must in November
Wed Dec 1 10pm – 11:30pm there will be special holiday pillow case by Joan like this incredible string patchwork from Sparklejars
The ideas are just starting…let me know yours!
Guest hosts and specialty groups welcome!
ONLY 8 spots each month-
reserve your days of fun now!
( technique and theme may change -check back for updates )
Sun Mar 14 11am – 2pm 60’s dye and Overdye Pillow Case
Thu Apr 15 10am – 11:30am Texture Magic accent detail
Sat May 8 10am – 11:30am Give and Take Applique .
Thu Jun 10 10am – 11:30am HOT DOG pillow case party.
Thu Jul 15 10pm – 11:30pm colour crayon transfers.
Sun Aug 15 11pm – 2am discharge pillows
Tue Sep 7 10:00am- 11:30 satin stitch applique
Sat Oct 16 10am – 11:30am Silk
Tue Nov 2 10am – 2pm flannel pillow case and matching accessory pj bottoms
Wed Dec 1 10pm – 11:30pm incredible string patchwork
12.29.09
Christmas Day With Quilts
Absolutely nothing like quilts to cozy up home at Christmas time.
Or add sparkle and joy to the festiviities.
From Chico and Marj
Brenda
and chocolate happy Gord
Joyous Holiday
12.23.09
Last minute Wish list /stocking stuffer goodies
I’m rushing about finishing up for Christmas and helping customers in the store with their lists . Here are some of my favourites !
The Zip Bind System
Shania discovered this while on a trip to the states. She was very impressed by the demonstrations she saw and bought one for herself. Since she was so thrilled and since Gordon hates to hand sew binding- I got one for him for Christmas too.SHHHHHHH
The Zip Bind System is a hand binding system that consists of several tools:3 sizes of Zip Guns and Zip Clips, 3 sizes of Minute Miters, and a Zip Bind Tool. Together, these tools will actually make your binding experience easy and fun. More importantly, your bindings and mitered corners will turn out perfect and consistent every time!
We also have the Stitch in the Ditch feet.
| Martelli Stitch-n-Ditch Binder Foot | |||
This special binding attachment holds your binding straight and even as you give it that finished “stitch in the ditch” look on your sewing machine. Allows binding widths from 1/4″ to 1″ and comes with six adapters to fit most sewing machines
Simplicity Bias makers
At Spring Quilt Market I saw the new Simplicity Bias makers and just received a customer endorsement .
The Bias Tape Maker makes 1-inch-wide bias tape from any fabric. Simply cut a 2-inch-wide bias strip, wind it onto the machine and thread it through the tip. The machine has an iron with adjustable heat settings to accommodate a number of fiber types, and now has available two more tips in various bias widths.
video ( you Tube)
Petite Press
Super for class and travel are these handy irons
Petite Press
Portable mini iron for crafting, sewing, quilting when at home or when traveling. UL approved iron with digital control pad. Heats and hold temperature in seconds. 4 iron head positions. Integrated cord for power supply. Ergonomic handle for comfort.
DayLightTM Compactlamp
So useful in in our classroom and home
DayLightTM Compactlamp
Compact daylight simulation lamp with handle. Bright 13 watt low energy day light tube provides perfect color matching and reduces glare and eases eye strain. Adjustable shade gives high quality daylight simulation wherever it is needed. Lightweight and compact, it folds neatly together making it conveniently portable. Designed for table top use or wall mounting. Ideal for all sewing and needlework activities, craftwork, reading, drawing and painted, manicure and professional salon use.
SCISSORS
Ultimate Shears EX-200
These scissors are unique because they are made from an innovation technique that offers precision finish and highest quality blade of steel. This scissors offer the sharpest cut and superior durability. Suitable for cutting fabrics for quilting and sewing projects. Scissors size: 7 3/4
| Stack ‘n Store Bobbin Tower | |
Stack ‘n Store Bobbin Tower excellent for the traveling applique diva.
Keep your bobbins organized! This innovative tool neatly organizes up to 30 bobbins. It can hold any type of bobbin and secures threads — no more tangles! Conveniently see all your thread colors at a glance.
Always a great stocking stuffer Victorian Embroidery
Victorian Embroidery
Stainless steel, for needle art and sewing. Free leather sheath. 3 3/4″
Bendable Bright Light
Bendable Bright Light
Brilliant flexible pure white lighting for detailed projects and those hard to see places. Small, uses no counterspace, while easy to use. Eight foot power cord with inline rotary switch. Six removable adhesive clips to hold the wire out of the way. Perfect for dark fabrics and matching seams. The light snaps into a nonmagnetic bracket attaches to your machine with double sided 3M adhesive (additional mounting bracket kits available). Quality metal flexible arm and metal light housing. Great for power tools, workshops and craft areas.
SKILLBUILDER BOOKS-
Machine Quilting Design Builder
The Design Builder Book and CD introduce the art of matching quilt patterns to specific motifs for artistic and eye-pleasing quilt designs. Illustrating twelve different quilt patterns for each of the six blocks on the Design Build fabric, the Book and CD introduce hundreds of design possibilities. As always, the book is packed with insider tips and tricks, this time introducing long arm skills and the use of pattern transfer tools for creating lifetime treasures of your own design.
Finger lights- my favourite stocking stuffer
Great for looking in dark purses , attach to your sewing machine , or use at parties, night fishing or camping . It fits on your fingers and is easy to operate using a bright LED powered by 3 x 1.5V AG3 button cells which can be replaced. COOL FOR EVERY AGE !
Take time for Joy.
