Modern Quilting!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    Why????    It's all about this Modern Quilt movement.  I'm hooked. I'm making one of the display quilts for the Northcott booth at QuiltCon 2016.  That is next month - I better get my act together or I'll be stitching binding on the plane! 

I've been working with about 20 different designers (male/female) (US/Canada based) and their designs are BRILLIANT!!!!   It's been such an exciting experience - I can't wait to have the finished quilts in my hands.  I told those designers they better make sure there is a label on those quilts or they may not make it back home!!!!

Not only that, but I was having a look at the list of workshops available at QuiltCon.  Now I won't be able to take a workshop, but there is so much inspiration - I just want to design and sew all day!!!!!!  I've got the fabric - I just need the time.   Hmmmm - I could be like the big name quilters - I design, then farm the sewing out to someone????   ACK - I don't like that idea. But I could get lots more done!!!!!

Well here's one more bit of excitement for QuiltCon - I'm going to be a panelist (one of three) for one of the lectures!  I know - I'm super excited about that. The lecture is called Getting and Staying Creative, Keeping the Mojo Burning.  Anne Sullivan is the Moderator.  Happens on Friday, February 19 at noon.   If you check out the link above - it's on page 17 of the brochure. 

If you are into social media - you can check out the #northcottfabric    or #northcottquiltcon  for a couple of sneak peaks for the quilts in the Northcott booth. 

Here's a sneak peek at one of the small challenge quilts that I've got people furiously working on. 

A sneak peak at one of the quilts

If you are going to QuiltCon in Pasedena, California from Feb 18 - 21 - stop by and say HI.  Northcott will be in booth 616.  You can't miss us.

Northcott will be showcasing our ColorWorks Concepts (there are two different releases of this collection). The first one is available in stores NOW and the second collection releases in March.    There is a store locator on the web site (top right hand corner) so you can buy these fabrics.  Did you see what Christine Baker did with this collection last week on QUILTSocial?   Check it out if you haven't and there is a GIVEAWAY for some of these yummy fabrics.

Northcott will also be showcasing their delicious line of solids. ColorWorks Premium Solid 9000.   The more that I work with this line, the more I'm in love.  The range of colors - WOW.

Check it out and hopefully we'll see you at QuiltCon 2016!!!

Have a great day!!!

Ciao!!!!!!!!!

I'm a MODERN QUILTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The classes for 2016 are winding down and I've got to get myself up to date.

I wasn't able to be at the October classes for Enchanted Autumn and Tonga Rhapsody, but Joyce very kindly filled in for me and very kindly took pictures and I know she will be miffed if I don't use them!   So Joyce - thanks so much - I do appreciate it!

The first class was Enchanted Autumn by The Vintage Spool.   Here is a picture of the quilt from the pattern cover.

Enchanted Autumn

Now there are several people in this class, but only Jennifer was there that day.


Here's Jennifer's quilt to date..............

Jennifer's quilt

I can't wait to see them all in person later today!!!!  And I'll try to be timely in posting that show n tell for you.


The second class was Tonga Rhapsody.   Here is the original from the pattern.

Tonga Rhapsody by Wing and  A Prayer

Let's see who had show n tell in October.

Erica

Linda

Lynn

Marion

Susan

Wow - those are beautiful and I'm dying to see the real quilts later today. 

We have new sessions of these on-going quilt projects slated to start in January at the Hobby Horse - I will be posting pictures very shortly of what those quilts are.  Stay tuned for that!!!!!    These projects are so much fun. You get to see the same people every month, there is loads of show n tell, lots of tips, friendships have grown from the classes - it's something to not miss!!!!

Let's see - I have a few other pictures for you as well.  Yep - when I went to take a picture at home with my regular camera - it was sitting in the bag patiently waiting for me.  YEAH!!!!!   I was paranoid before - I've just grown a tad worse. 

I had to stop at the library on my way home.  When I pulled into the parking lot, I saw the MALL BALL.  It actually looks pretty cool all lit up from inside.  I'll have to get over to the mall and see what it looks like inside, but this is the time of year that I try to avoid if possible - going to the mall that is. 

The Mall Ball all lit up!!!!!

Then it was time to get to work.  I have customer quilts that still need to be quilted and made. So the next month is going to be a bit busy.  Never mind - December has always been a silly month with loads of deadlines and why should this one be any different.

Customer quilt - DONE!!!!

I had to clean off the cutting table before I could trim the quilt though.  Let's just say that I'm NOT getting a lot of time to spend in the studio, nor am I getting any time to sew at work.  That has to change as there is so much that I need sewn together.  And I have to do it as I need to take pictures and notes as I go along. I can't just farm it out to someone else.

Cutting mat is clear - at least half of it is. 

 I had to make the backing for the next customer quilt that goes on the long arm.  The backing is done, and the quilt is loaded and ready to be quilted later today when I am back from teaching.   Never fear - I still get lots of ME time in every day. I read every day, I work out and take Little Sammy for her walks, and did you know how many issues you can solve in the car????   Loads.   As one shop owner said to me yesterday when I told her to call me anytime she needed some assistance, she said she needed TIME.  Ooops - I can't help there.


Well it's official.  I'm a MODERN QUILTER.   I joined the Modern Quilt Guild a couple of weeks ago, I've listened to my first webinar and now I've got my membership card and my pin.

Modern Quilt Guild pin

Ah - if it were only that easy!!!!!   I am madly getting things organized for QuiltCon in February and the other day, I virtually sliced and diced some of Northcott's new ColorWorks Concept panels and made a virtual quilt. I have the panel and the fabrics to get a start on it this weekend if I can.  I love the design and keep in mind what I mentioned was my second favourite color the other day.   Can you guess which panel I used?????

Here is the link to Phase I of the Colorworks Concepts

Here is the link to Phase II of the Colorworks Concepts

I'll give you a hint - I used a panel from Phase II.  I'm pretty excited about it and you are going to need sunglasses to view this quilt.   If all goes as planned, the quilt will hang in our booth at the show.  

Speaking of the show, we were doing a test run yesterday in putting up the structure and so we could do some general planning.  The booth is metal, not that hard to assemble, but there are these wicked clamps that hold it together.  When we assembled the booth for Market, we compared notes on how many pinches we got on our hands.  Well yesterday - I didn't get a pinch - nope - I took a chunk out of my finger.   Nothing serious, but the stupid thing bled like crazy and I ended up having to put a bandaid on it.  Me - with a bandaid??????   Never - but I had no choice - it just wouldn't stop bleeding and we were in the middle of assembly. The show must go on!!!!!   I took the bandaid off this morning and yep - there a chunk of skin missing, but it's just fine.

Bandaid!!!!!

On that note - I'm out of here.  Got stuff to pack up for today's classes and time for our walk in the forest. Little Sammy is very LAZY without Sparky here to keep our routine on track. 

Have a great day!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ciao!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's time to get signed up!

I love my job, however it meant that I had to cut back on many other activites including teaching. But I am not giving teaching up entirely.  If you want to be part of the fun - here are a couple of things to check out.

There is a class on November 21 from 1 PM - 3 PM at Sew Sisters.   It's all about Improving your sewing/quilting techniques.  I'll be demoing many problem areas and answering questions.  If you plan to come (and you should!) bring samples of your problem areas and I'll help you fix them.  I'll have my books for sale that day as well.

Want to get involved in one of the Saturday (year long) projects?   These are so much fun.  Not only do we end up with a great quilt at the end of the year, but we have loads  of fun throughout the year as we check out what each other has done.  So nice to admire how different the quilts all look with different fabric and let's face it - most people end up changing at least one thing.  Always great fun.

There are two great projects for next year. The first is Farm Girl Vintage by Lori Holt.  This pattern is a popular one.  Not only will we be checking out some beautiful blocks with neat sewing techniques, but it's an opportunity to explore designing your own setting for the blocks you choose to make. I have a feeling that some EQ7 might be covered in this class - just saying.......    And this is the quilt that I am going to pick to use busy backgrounds.  I struggle with this and well - I'm going to throw caution to the wind and use busy backgrounds.  Now that I have publicly said that - well I have no choice!!!!!

Farn Girl Vintage by Lori Holt

 Here is the link at Sew Sisters for the sign up information.



The second class is Vintage Moments.  This is a gorgeous Medallion quilt that is loaded with learning opportunities.  Eight pointed stars, fussy cutting diamonds, applique (just a teeny bit), coping border strips and much much more.   The quilt is beautiful and you could have your very own version - all it takes is to sign up!

Vintage Moments by Marsha McCloskey

Here is the link at Sew sisters for the sign up information

While both of these patterns have vintage in the title - there is no reason to not make them bright, use batiks, or dark fabrics - it is time for us to get out of the box and explore new color schemes.




I was looking for my "away" rotary cutter the other day - where the heck did I put that thing.  Well when I got to work on Tuesday and pulled out the box of stuff that I brought back from Market - I opened it up and right on top was my rotary cutter (on the left).  Duh - I needed some class supplies (I know - this was for classes during Market, not during Festival) and I knew I wasn't going to need this stuff so I shipped it home on the crate.  Ah - my little box of other "away" tools was there as well. No wonder I couldn't find anything at home when I was trying to sew.

My rotary cutter and tool box

 Instead of grabbing the backup "away" stuff - I grabbed what I use off my sewing table.  That was bad.  The only thing I could find the other day was an extra seam ripper.  Hmmm - not good when you have a LOT of seam rippers.

This was the box of "stuff" that I accummulated during Market.  There were a few things that I purchased, but it mostly came from classes and freebies from booths and business cards and brochures.  Lots of business cards and brochures.

Box of stuff to sort through

Best to sort it by category and then deal with each category one at a time.   I spent the entire day Tuesday and a good part of the day on Wednesday editing those two patterns.  BUT - all the changes have been sent to the pattern designer and we are good to go.  Now I don't want you to think that I am slow and that we had a terrible pattern designer because that is NOT the case.  I want to make sure that if we say - the quilt should measure 41 by 57 1/2" - that in fact the math is correct.  And that is one of the things that I hate because it takes a bit on figuring to not include seam allowances, border sizes/blocks are different and god forbid that we make a mistake.   Let's not foget that this designer wrote pretty indepth instructions and the patterns were both about 10 or 11 pages long. That is a LOT of brain power required to make that happen.

There is also the fact of how things are worded - you might read an instruction  and think this is the best way, but if I puzzled once over reading it - then I reworded the insturctions.   Hopefully it will make sense to the makers.

The last one to edit today is my own.  The pattern is only four pages and so should go fairly quickly. I hope because I have a ton of other things that I need to catch up on.

My desk when I left the other day - didn't put a thing away. 

 And there is usually one or two quilts hanging around on a chair or on the floor.  Or bolts of fabric or both.

Rich and I had a meeting yesterday with the management team about our findings when we were at Festival. I had a hard time convincing them what a sacrifice it was for me to be there.  I don't think they bought it for a second.  But I had done my research and had lots to show n tell.

I sorted through all my Market/Festival photos and will be sharing them with you over the next week.  All the quilts have been unloaded from the crates and were unceremoniously piled in a pile on the floor.   Oh no -  well I was looking for a new quilt for my wall.  It was time to take down the Halloween quilt.  I found this one in the pile and "claimed" it as my own.  No one else is that interested in changing up the quilts so I make it my job to make sure my office has something new all the time.

This is a new fabric that will be coming - it is called Nature Studies and comes in several colourways.  The orange is ONE fabric that has an ombre effect.    I really love this quilt and hopefully it will stay up for the next month until it is time to hang a different season on Decemer 1.

This is also a pattern that we will be promoting - gosh it is from Wanda's Designs but I can't think of the name.   It is either Tango or Rumba.

Tango or Rumba by Wanda's Designs with Northcott's Nature Studies fabric

.
On that note - I have a couple of things to get done before I head off to work today.

Have a great day!!!!


Ciao!!!!!

PS - don't forget to sign up for one of those classes.

Done and delivered!

OK - that was a bit close. Well not really, the recipient of the T-shirt quilt gets on a plane to Rio on Monday and I delivered the quilt to her mother today at noon!  Of course, there is a family wedding in between so they are so busy - no time to look at the quilt. No worries - it is out of my hands and in their house!

T-shirt quilt - delivered. And yes - Little Sammy just had to be in the picture

I didn't have a lot of time to do hand stitching this past week, but I watched part of a movie last night and was up early finishing off the movie and more hand stitching. Then off to the car dealership for over due maintence on the car. I knew it would be a couple of hours and it was more efficient time for me to stay there and hand stitch the binding. When the customer service rep came to tell me the car was ready, he apologized that they didn't take longer so I could finish what I was doing!  Got a good laugh from that!

Then back home - well not before I made a stop which I will show you tomorrow and then back to the last part of the stitching. A quick label and then I was in the car.

Now that that is done - I only have five more custom quilts to get done before Christmas. Two of which are almost complete - well the tops, and the others I haven't started yet. No worries - it will go quickly!  None are complicated.

Today though I want to tell you about the CreativFestival.  So I toodle off to the GO train. On my way there, I hear that there is a major delay on the line that I am taking.  Oh shoot - should I drive down or chance it?  I thought - who cares if I am a bit late in arriving. I have a good book in my purse and I'd be happy to wait. Park the car and proceed to the platform after tapping my card. Some day, I will figure out if I need to tap off at the other end. I think only when you don't do your normal route and does the system know my route??  Likely not.

Anyway - I get up on the platform and within minutes a train arrives and then leaves at 9:00 AM.  The train I was going to take left at 9:03 AM.  Regardless - I got on the train and was downtown in about 25 stress free minutes. I walked along Front Street and took these pictures.  Oh yes - I looked like a geeky tourist because I carry my big camera. I don't like taking pictures with my cell phone - they are usually blurry!

The bike share stand in front of Union Station

Union Station

 Wow - the last time I was downtown, you could not see the front of this building for all the scaffoldilng.  Refreshing to actually be able to see the front.

CN Tower

Royal York Hotel (is it still called that???) - anyway they had Blue Jays flags out front

Lots of bikes locked up

More bikes

 And there is inspiration everywhere. These are on the outside of the Convention Center.  I think it was the Convention Center. If not - very close to it.

Inspiration

More inspiration

Why the inspiration?   Well each photo could be a color palette. Look at the play of numbers to each other. If you are into modern quilts - I see a LOT of design ideas in there. And well - I could go on and on.  But I loved these walls!!!!!

I've always wanted to take a picture of this bike under the sign for Clarkson Village and I managed it on the way home.

Bike with Clarkson Village sign

Oh my - there was a lot to see at the show. First, I have to say the feel of the show was quite different. Yes - it was in a different building - the North instead of the South. There was brilliant sunlight flooding the place so that did make a difference. But I heard over and over - how people (mostly quilters) were disappointed with the show.  People - this is NOT, I repeat NOT a quilt show. This is a show about CREATIVITY.  Just because we are quilters, does not mean it is all about us. There was beading, there was papercrafts, there was fashion stuff, knitting, crochet.  Granted, the number of quilting booths was down (I think) from previous years, I still managed to keep myself entertained for most of the day!

I will have to say that the hottest item I found was adult coloring books. They were everywhere!!!!!  But in addition to classes, there were contests throughout the day, there were displays of quilts, art quilts, modern quilts, conteporary stuff, fashion displays.  If you wanted to visit a quilt show - then you should have gone to Waterloo - it was their quilt show this weekend.  I didn't have time to go, but I heard others went. No feedback yet.

Anyway - enough of that.  There is always a FABULOUS display by the Crochet Crowd. I don't care if you crochet or not, but Mikey and Diva Dan, always put on a fabulous display. The theme this year was Winter Wonderland and wow - they had an igloo there. Made from crocheted snowflakes. Inside was their classroom. How brilliant was that.

The Crochet Crowd igloo

 And they had created over the summer (I follow them on Facebook and saw some of the progress) they built these two outstanding Nutcrackers.  They were stunning!!!!!

Nutcracker Number One

Nutcracker Number Two

Detail of one of the beards

Detail of the igloo

 You can`t tell me those aren`t spectacular!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I believe the Nutcrackers are going to be on display at the Intercontential Hotel (next door) after the show and then they are hoping the National Ballet will use them during their proformance of The Nutcracker.

A fabulous display of quilts from the Niagara Modern Quilt Guild

Modern quilts by the Niagara Modern Quilt Guild

More Modern Quilts

My favourite - made with selvedges

 A gorgeous display of work by the Connections Fibre Artists. I wish we could have gotten closer to see the detail but the area was roped off.  I believe the show was called 18 Square or Square 18.  Something like that.  All the pieces were 18 inches squares.  They were GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!

Show by Connections Fibre Artists

Two pieces from the Connections Fibre Artists

The members of Connections

 And then there were the challenges.  The Craft Hobby Association had a Mystery Basket Challenge.  There were five in total over the entire weekend. Northcott donated fabric for two of the challenges.  Here are three of the four contestants hard at work making a Christmas stocking.

CHA Mystery Basket Challenge 

 Remember - the participants had very limited supplies. No iron, no pattern, just five FQs, some trim and a sewing machine. I think they did pretty well.

The stockings

The other two stockings

And the winner is  - the stocking on the right hand side

Once there is a winner from each of the five categories, a grand prize winner will be chosen who will receive a sewing machine and a goodie basket.  It is a fun way to pass a couple of hours!!!!


Speaking of Northcott - there were a couple of booths with big displays of Northcott. I tried on numerous occasions to get a picture at Sew Sister`s booth, but it was always jammed with people rifling through her packages - which is a good thing!!!!   This was the Stonehenge O Canada 4 - the new line.   The one that I am supposed to have my free download on the web, but there just isn`t time. I had to rejig the pattern and never got back to it. But I am almost finished.

Sew Sister`s O Canada display

This display of Northcott O Canada was at Quilter`s Cupboard

I had great fun introducing myself or reintroducing myself to store owners and pattern designers. Made a few new contacts, established lines of communication and action plans for November.

In keeping with my role at QUILTSocial, I also visisted the Husqvarna Viking booth.  Oh dear - that was NOT a good idea.  This latest sewing machine they have introduced called the EPIC is a to die for sewing machine.  I want one. I won`t tell you how much they cost in the event that I do break down and buy one - you will think I have lost my mind.  But there isn`t much this sewing machine won`t do.

Husqvarna Viking EPIC sewing machine

Some projects done with the EPIC

Stitch outs with the EPIC

More stitch outs with the EPIC

Anyway - let`s just say that I came away from that booth very excited and well - I will get to share some of that excitement with you before you (and I) know it!!!!   Stay tuned for that one.


I think this booth was crazy the entire day.  The designer is Valerie Miller.  I love her style, I love her methods and well I wanted to introduce myself since she does some designing for Northcott.  I managed to snag some time with her.

Valerie Miller booth

Saw other people and will meet some of them in Houston, so I didn`t bother to spend much time with them.  By four PM, I was ready to go home.

On my way back to Union Station, I met Jane and we had a brief chat. Then off I went.  ACK - I arrived at the station and well - where do I go????  So I pretended I was a lemming and just followed everyone else. The moment we went through the first series of doors - we were at the doors leading to the tracks.  Great - but WHICH TRACK did I want to get back home????   A quick check of the monitors and I was looking for 7/8.  Crap - can't find 8, but I see 7. So I went to 7. The train was waiting and I hopped on and snagged the last seat in that car.  Turns out it was an express train to my station.  Yipppeeeeeeee - 25 minutes (yes - the train was about to leave) and I was getting into my car. Took me almost as long to get from the train station to home as it did to take the train. I LOVE the GO train.

We had a good laugh on the train though. As a lady from my guild also got on the train. We chatted and then when she realized it was an express (I didn't at first), well - she didn't want to go that far. So very helpful people on the train, looked up the schedule on their phones and told her how long the wait would be once she got to Clarkson to take the train back.  People were very friendly and we all had a good education about how to tell express trains from non express trains, what time is rush hour etc.  It was pretty funny.  They were probably thinking - oh these little old ladies got lost and we can help them.  How sweet!!!!!!

Anyway - that is enough for today - I must get back to work.

Have an awesome day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Ciao!!!!!