Are you famous?

There's a saying that we all get 15 minutes of fame. But what is fame? And why do we need to be famous?

I walked to the library the other day to pick up two books that I had on hold. One was a quilting book. While I did check the other books on the "new" shelf, I didn't pick up any other books. FOCUS and RESTRAINT.  I admired the bookshelf quilt on the wall (remember that story?) and I proceeded to self-checkout. I had a small fine to pay so I went to one of the library staff to make that happen.

I've spoken to this staff member on numerous occasions but I don't know her name and she doesn't know my name. I guess she could have looked at my name when she was in my account, but that wasn't her priority - only how much I owed. When she saw the quilt book she said, "Oh you're a quilter."  "Yes", I said. I'm certain that we've chatted about quilting or sewing in the past. Turns out we have a mutual friend. Once she knew  my name, she said "oh you're famous - you're a famous quilter!" I laughed - I'm not sure I'm THAT famous of a quilter, but my name does get around."

My name most certainly gets around and here's a couple of recent sightings.

The most recent issue (Number 47)  of A Needle Pulling Thread. The photos are NOT doing justice to the colors in this quilt. It was made with Northcott Shimmer  (multiple colorways to choose from) and it's gorgeous. Lots of Dresden plates in this quilt, but what fun!!!  The pattern is in the magazine. You can use the template in the magazine or get out that Dresden Plate ruler that you bought but never used.

That's my quilt on the cover!!!

So yep - there's another cover quilt. Super exciting. This issue should be in stores very soon - I did receive an advance copy. There have been quite a few other quilt sightings in the last couple of months. I'll try to get all the links up.

And I'm sure you all remember this quilt that I made with the license plates from Row by Row. I made the quilt in 2016 from plates collected during 2015. Some plates I bought and some were given to me from the US and Canada. I used ALL the plates I had accumulated that year and made this quilt.

It's seen in a calendar that was put together by Thimbles and Things in Orillia. I wonder if Sue knew that August is my birthday month? Or was that just a fluke?

My quilt making an appearance in a calendar

Am I famous? I don't know, but I'm happy the way things are.

But if you want to see a famous (and sexy) quilter, check out this video. I must take a walk to Chapter's today to see if I can find the current issue of Zoomer. Way to go Laura!!!!  As excited as I am to see Laura in the spotlight, I'm even more excited to see QUILTING in the spotlight. Let's hope that those Zoomer readers will say - OH - I want to be a quilter too. The association involved is The Canadian Quilter's Association. If you're not a member, you should be. There are always changes happening and things are looking up. Remember the CQA is for ALL quilters, not just the ones that have been quilting for a long time. Lots of exciting stuff and great people at the helm.

I'm now the local rep for

• GTA/Niagara – served by Elaine Theriault (ongtarep@canadianquilter.com– Simcoe, York, Peel, Halton, Hamilton, Niagara

So if your store, your quilt guild or YOU want to know more information and live in those regions, please get in touch. I'd like to provide (and will in a future blog post) information about the CQA. I'm just a tad tied up at the moment.

Speaking of tied up, here's how easy it is to learn to sew. I taught a class last night - how to make a pillowcase. It's interesting to see the different clientele of different quilt shops. Oh Look Fabric in Milton has a lot of NEW or WANT TO BE sewers. That's OK - I'm up to teach anyone.  One of these two ladies have never sewn before and the other had limited sewing skills. One knew how to cut, but the other lady had never touched a rotary cutter. She just wanted to learn how to sew.

By the end of the evening (2 hours), they had each completed their pillowcase. YEAH!!!!!

Two pillowcases - DONE!!!

I think both ladies went home feeling pretty good about their newly acquired skills. I'm proud of them and they both seemed to pick it up fairly quickly.

This is the quote on my calendar this month. And after the last couple of days, it made me think.

Amazing quote

So yes - I do whine from time to time and I get frustrated (sometimes), but the bottom line - I am a strong person and I do hope that from time to time that I am inspiring someone. If nothing else, I need to be my own inspiration because when the going gets tough, I'm usually alone. (Not that I don't have friends in the background to fall back on).

A quick update on the quilting situtation. I hit SEND on that pattern about noon yesterday and the feeling immediately afterwards was AMAZING. I like writing those patterns, but NOT under stress and the stress was caused totally by me. Do you know how hard it is to proof a pattern? It's crazy intense and the calculator is glued to my finger tips. It is being reviewed and hopefully only minor adjustments to be made.

I turned on the long arm and the darn thing worked like a charm for the ENTIRE afternoon. That dratted thing - it was testing me - I know it!!!  I got half of the urgent quilt done. Now I need to decide what to put in the other half and I'm stumped. I've been practising on paper and my clear cellophane right over the quilt. I have two ideas but not convinced of either one yet!

And I got a few more rows together on the other one on the design wall. All in all - it was a great day!!  I have an online class this afternoon, but then NO commitments until Sunday morning. Yeah!!!  I like that. I do have loads to do, but it's all good.

Here's a thought I'll leave you with today. Fame lasts 15 minutes, but the acknowledgment of your accomplishments (or even your existence) can last forever. Why not give someone a feel-good moment TODAY. Let's say you're in the grocery store and you see someone wearing an amazing outfit. I know it sounds strange, but go up to them and say - "love your outfit". I did that once and we had a great conversation. I'm sure she felt great, but you know what? So did I.

Think about the times that a total stranger gave you a compliment. Matter of fact, I was in a restaurant the other night and a man (who was sitting with his significant other) passed by our table and said "I like the flowers in your hair!".  What???  I was totally shocked, but you know - it felt really nice that he noticed. If you don't have enough courage to do that, then simply say HI to the people you pass on the street. Have you ever noticed that when we pass each other that we tend to look DOWN. Why is that? Smile and say HI. What's the worse that can happen? If the rest of the world is unhappy, that doesn't mean that we have to be.

On that note, I'm out of here.

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!!

Canada's Big Quilt Bee

I've mentioned Canada's Big Quilt Bee on numerous occasions.  It's hosted by the Canadian Quilter's Association.  

Logo for Canada Big Quilt Bee

The goal is to donate 1,000 quilts to Ronald McDonald houses across Canada. The deadline - mid-June.  Don't forget that Quilt Canada is fast approaching - June 14 - 17.  If you're in the area, you MUST attend.  There are some amazing quilt displays, amazing booths (including Northcott!) and lectures by ME. And there are other classes and lectures as well!  More info on all this in the next day or so!

As I visited various guilds over the past year on my lecture tour (doesn't that sound so official, but I was just doing my trunk show!). Anyway, the response from EVERY guild that I visited was incredible. I want to say that the participation rate from guild members was the highest I've ever seen for any kind of activity.  I'm not sure what the percentage was for our guild, but it was high and I believe in total, that over FIVE HUNDRED blocks were made by the members. That's a LOT of blocks, given that our membership is about 160?  

Those blocks were then made up into quilts.  I think that we ended up with 40 quilts. That means that most quilts made were the small ones that used 12 blocks. I want to say that about 3/4 of them are quilted.  I don't have the exact numbers as the final tally was being bantered back and forth last night. I hope we get a final tally before we make the donation. HEY - I like numbers.  Give me a firm number!

Mississauga Quilter's Guild - donation for Canada Big Quilt Bee

Same quilts - other side

And I have one of the quilts at home that needs the binding sewn on which is going to happen tomorrow.

Jane, who was our fearless leader was able to get fabulous prizes and those were drawn last night.  I don't think I made even one block for this project, but I did make blocks for the quilt that is being donated by our retreat group. I assembled and quilted that quilt which just needs to be bound, but do you think I can find the binding?  It's made, but where is it???

However I did assemble one quilt for the guild and quilted it and I'll be spending some of my precious time tomorrow to get the remainder of the quilts quilted and bound as well as donating whatever materials are missing to complete them so I think I helped as well!  It's a super place to get rid of those larger batting scraps that are hanging around. These quilts are small - it'll be perfect - a win-win all around. So while Helen Anne is busy quilting, I'll be prepping and Jane will be sewing bindings!  How much can we get done in a couple of hours?  A LOT cause I'll be cracking the whip!

Jane and Vanna (I mean Heather) handing out the prizes

While Jane did an awesome job moderating this portion of the program, Vanna (Heather) entertained us with her antics!

Handing out the Northcott bundle of Sesquicentennial fabrics

It was an amazing display of coming together for a great cause!  I'm proud of what my guild accomplished (although they could have quilted more quilts!). I'm proud of all Canadian quilters who participated.  And it would be so cool to see all the quilts together, but that isn't possible.  However I hear there might be something equally interesting about this project at Quilt Canada. This is just a rumour at this point - I can't wait to see if it's true.

Anyway on that note, there's so much to do today, I'm not sure where to start. So I'm just going to grab the first thing on the top of the pile and try to get it done. That's what I've done the last couple of days and I can't seem to get past the top two items which isn't good!

Have a super day!!!!


Ciao!!!

Random things..................

Tonight, I get to stay home!  Last night was guild night.  Oh my - so many exciting things happening at the guild. Everyone was in a super positive mood and well, I didn't stop talking the entire night!  Oh no that's a lie. I did stop talking when Doris Lovadina-Lee was speaking about the Modern Quilt world. And I didn't even get to see everything that I wanted to see. 

I was browsing some e-mails this morning and came across this fabulous recap of QuiltCon East. The only thing missing is a picture of me, but that's OK since it's not my blog and I don't know this person and I'm certainly not famous enough to be stopped for a random photo. I would be lying if I said I would try to put a recap together as well - you know me - it will take months for that to happen. We're just back and already I'm up to my eyeballs organizing the next two shows. I haven't even had time to close off my report from the January show!

Despite all the hoopla last night, someone came up to me and paid me a compliment. I won't mention the person, but they said that "WE are proud of you!"   She didn't elaborate who WE was, but I asked her why. I think because they are happy that I'm doing what I love, I can represent our guild, our Canadian quilters and our passion in the great big quilting world?  I'm not sure, but you know what - it made me feel great.  Notice how the teeniest comments can really boost someone's spirits!   Thank you for the compliment and I hope that I continue to do the quilting world proud!   And if you see someone - say HI, give them a compliment. It could make their day!

The library at our guild was having a book sale and look what I found for twenty cents.  I know I don't need it, but it's a cute little book. Who knows - I may need it one day soon?

Singer Illustrated Dressmaking Guide

Twenty of the guild members just came back from a retreat.  You could tell as the show n tell was HUGE.  There must have been a contest to see who could get the most done. I wonder how much stuff they took and did it all fit in a laundry basket?

Speaking of the laundry basket, I have to admit that I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed since I got back. Not because of what needs to be done, but I don't have things written down. That darn Task Master has created a BAD BAD habit!   I took some time while I munched on Wendy's chicken fingers for dinner to get my notebook out and write down tasks for various things that are upcoming (both work and personal - the two are so connected that it's very hard to separate them!)

I feel much more in control and early this morning, I was able to empty one of the two bags that I've been carrying around forever.  Yeah!  There is a light at the end of that tunnel, except that just when I get close, someone moves the entrance again!  I know I wouldn't be happy any other way.

I think everyone is aware by now of the slab blocks that are being assembled into quilts for the Ronald McDonald houses across Canada.  It's organized by the Canadian Quilters' Association and it's called the Canada's Big Quilt Bee.  Members of our guild have made over THREE HUNDRED blocks.  That's crazy!!!!  I took twelve of the blocks (don't say a word!!!!)  and I'll be finishing a quilt and taking it back for it to be donated.  Come on - it's just twelve blocks to sew together  (and quilt and bind!)    They really, really want finished quilts, not just random blocks, so if someone else wants to get blocks, you should check with Jane at the guild.  Time is running out!!!!

Slab blocks to sew together into a quilt 

Thanks for all the comments, suggestions on labeling rulers. Helen Anne brought in her sample to show me last night!  I have the best friends ever and Ruth had also suggested this method. Someone else suggested clear labels.  Hmm - which will be best?  Got to decide before the next retreat!

Mark the rulers with a Sharpie

So much to say and so little time.  I have loads of blogging material for next week but thought I would share this next story with you today.  I got these pictures last night from a student who took my Dear Jane class a few years ago. She informed me that her and her friend BOTH finished their quilts.  They are done done done!!!!   Hand quilted no less. The only thing they changed was to NOT add the scalloped border.

Judy's Dear Jane

Judy's Dear Jane

It warms my heart to no end to get pictures like this. I didn't do the work, I didn't see all the blood, sweat and tears (remember - it's hand quilted!!!), but I feel so blessed that I was able to inspire one of my students to finish a project that they started.  I'm over the moon thrilled.

I bundled two more quilts off for publication in upcoming magazines and a few more in the works, but I'm waiting on fabric to be printed.  I think I know what I'll be sewing at one of my upcoming sewing retreats!

On that note, I'm out of here. It's going to be a crazy busy day and I still have some prep work to finish for the tuffet class tomorrow.

Have a super, super day!!!!


Ciao!

Progress report

I'm making great progress on the projects that I scheduled for this week.  There were 20 items in total on the list (including quilting THREE quilts and sewing TWO quilt tops together).  I don't think I'm going to get everything completed, but then perhaps I was too ambitious with 20 items. It's all a learning experience.  I'll be sharing more details about that with you later on.

Here is one of the quilts that I quilted this week. (In case you're wondering, I have 1/2 of the second quilt to piece and quilt - the others on the list are already done!)

Customer T-shirt quilt

It's a T-shirt quilt and I love how they quilt up when they are 100% stabilized.  Easy and a great souvenir!

In between projects and puttering, I have to say that the studio is looking a whole lot better. Not perfect, but at least I can walk around and not trip over stuff.  I'm putting away, sorting, stacking and making up.  It's all good.

Studio is looking better

Here are the results of a survey about what quilters want for Christmas. Check it out.  What's on your Christmas list?  I have to say there is NOTHING on my Christmas list. I've decided that I don't want anything for Christmas. I certainly don't need fabric! No, that isn't 100% correct.  I do have ONE thing on my list and I'm going to buy it for myself.  I want a new charm for my Pandora bracelet. I already know what charm I want. I just need time to go and pick it up.

What I really want and I know I'll get it - is a nice day full of peace and quiet - well as much quiet as I'll get when Miss Lexi demands to go to the dog park!  I plan to sew all day - can't wait!  But maybe, I'll read my book.  Who knows.

I just discovered something about Christmas.  The radio station that I listen to has been playing Christmas music exclusively for at least one week and they will continue until Boxing Day.  Oh boy! I'm not sure that I'm going to be able to take it. And have you noticed how many SAD Christmas songs there are?  Holy smokes - parents on their deathbeds, wife ran off, no one to buy presents for. It's really depressing to listen to.  I want the Jingle Bell kind of music ALL DAY LONG.  Not this sad stuff.

What amazes me about Christmas is the expectations.  Society says we should be out there partying, eating, and with friends and family.  Why???  Why don't we let people know that it's OK to be alone on Christmas? If you're happy with that, then why isn't society???   I like a nice quiet day and no one is going to make me feel guilty or sad about that!

On a happier note, I'll be teaching at Quilt Canada 2017 in Toronto (June 2017).  Check out the webpage for the list of classes including mine.  I'm teaching ONE class and TWO lectures.

Teachers for CQA  are listed here.

And on that note, I'm out of here.

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!

Canadian pride!

Did I already post this?  If not, here's a fun way to participate in a massive sewing bee and do something good at the same time.

The Canadian Quilter's Association is having a BIG QUILT BEE and the end result will be quilts that will be donated to Ronald McDonald House buildings.  Oh yes - I'm sure I've told you about this. Well, I'm telling you again!

Here is the link to the information on CQA website.

While it's a little bit confusing as to what fabrics are allowed, check out their website to see the specific collections.  Check out this link to see the entire Northcott  Stonehenge Oh Canada collection. I bet most of you have some scraps from this collection in your stashes.  What a super way to use up those scraps.

And if you want to wait until the Northcott Canadian Sesquicentennial fabric hits shops in order to make your blocks, that collection will be available in November.  There are some fun fabrics in this collection.

There is another new collection to be released in May 2017 called Northcott Stonehenge OH Canada - Our Home and Native Land.

Yes, there are other Canadian fabric collections you can use, but I'm a bit biased!

Wouldn't this be a super opportunity to get together with your friends? You could pool your Canadian-themed fabrics and coordinates and have an amazing sewing day. Now I must find time to do this - I think it's going to be loads of fun.

Send me pictures if you make a block. I'd love to see what you're doing!  And if I can wangle a day, I'd love to have a sewing party to make these quilts. Anyone up for that? It means I'll have to do a "bit" of tidying!

Have a great day!

Ciao!

A fly on the wall

What an amazingly interesting day!   I spent the day as an Aide for the CQA judges.   What does that mean?

It means that I got to be a fly on the wall as the judges looked at each and every entry for the National Juried Show. And I got to have a close up look at all of them as well.  Let's just say that I learned a LOT.  All of the information is strictly confidential, but when I have a moment, I shall talk about some of the general comments.  

It was a LONG LONG day.  I think I arrived at the International Center at 8 AM (the same time, hundreds of kids were arriving for the Mental Math games).  I got home at 10 PM.  Yes - judging is a long, long process and we're not done.  That's why I only have a few minutes as we are due back at the International Center for 8 AM to finish up by noon.

And to top it all off, I had a quilt that needed to be quilted by this morning.  Let's just say that I got up an extra hour early this morning and the quilt is ready to go!!!

Quilt - DONE

And yes, I did manage to get about half of the binding hand stitched yesterday when we had down time between the categories.  The rest has to be done TONIGHT!

On that note - I'm out of here.


Have a great day!!!!!


Ciao!