These ladies are HOOKED!

I'm trying to catch up with the show n tell. There is so much and there is more coming down the pipe line as I finish up classes for 2014. We had a super class yesterday.  Everyone learned so much including ME!!!  Let's just say that the group was enthusiastic which makes my job a whole lot more fun.

BUT - I will save their show n tell for tomorrow. I want to show you what my beginner group did.  This was a beginner group at Sew Sisters. The classes ran every two weeks and there were four sessions in total. Some of them were brand new and others had a bit more experience. The idea was for them to walk out of the class with a completed quilt and they did not disappoint.

This is Heather's giraffe. Shoot - just realized I didn't get a picture of the fluffy blue pompoms on his back.   This is so cute!   Since I am "officially" a knitter now - I have to share all things knitting as well!  

And now for the show n tell from the class..............

Lily used a very modern palette of yellow, gray and white.  Love it!!!!

She did a cross hatching quilting using a DECORATIVE stitch on her machine.  It looks awesome!!!!!!!!!!

Pat was pretty excited about getting hers completed and she even had the binding on when she came to class.  Love that blue/green colourway

Nasrin also used blue/green but softer shades of both.  She added a small white border to the outside. Looks awesome!!!!

Giovanna used some kid prints in warm colours. She added TWO borders to her quilt. I love that deep red - it keeps your eyes moving over the quilt.

Nora used green and yellows.  Love the combination!!!

Sheila used blues and red and was working on her binding when I snagged a picture!!!

But LOOK at her quilting. I LOVE LOVE LOVE that wavy diagonal line. It adds so much to the quilt and easy to do!!!

Heather used bright blues and reds. What a difference from Sheila''s!  Heather got all her binding on and ready to hand stitch!

Suzanne used purple batiks.  So nice!!!!  And she almost got that binding on and then her bobbin ran out!!!!

|Look at the quilting on Suzanne's.  She did the quilting on the diagonal and I LOVE it. Adds a lot of movement to the quilt and again - easy to do!!!!   

Wasn't that awesome. I just love to see the same quilt done with different fabrics. It is a great way to learn about values and how different colours react with each other. I believe two people were not able to make the last class. Hopefully they will be able to finish on their own. Everyone did such an amazing job and I think some of them are HOOKED.  I did warn them about quilting becoming an obsession and now it is out of my hands!!!!!

Thanks to everyone for making the class so much fun to teach!!!  If you are interested in taking a beginner class or you know someone who would like to learn - there are TWO sessions scheduled for the new year. One starts on Jan 14 and the other starts March 11.  Both sessions are on Wednesdays afternoon.


I saw this blog posting on Facebook and thought I would share it with you. The blogger talks about how she increases her productivity and I would have to say that I do the same thing although I have never really thought about it. It sure makes a lot of sense. Anyway - enjoy the read.

In my case - I always drape the next quilt over the long-arm or if I'm really on a roll - I actually load the quilt - then it is ready for quilting. I come home from my sewing days and unpack my projects and load the basket up again with whatever I am going to sew the next sewing day. I don't do that so much at home but there are LOTS to choose from just laying around!!!


I just went upstairs to get something and this is what I saw at the top of the stairs.

Little Sammy BLOCKING the stairs so Sparky can't come down!!!!

In an ideal world - that is what the good sister would do. However, Little Sammy is trying to take over Sparky's spot as the ALPHA dog. Sammy is way more aggressive (not a bad aggressive) than she ever was. She will try to play with Sparky knowing that Sparky can't keep up. She will run ahead on the walks - stuff that she never did before. As for blocking the stairs?  NOPE - I think she was just hoping that someone would let her through the "election" gate so she could go UPSTAIRS.  She is NOT a vocal dog. She did end up whimpering and I realized her problem so she is now upstairs upstairs. It is so funny how they will "help" each other out. When one can't ask -the other steps in. Sparky always barks when Sammy needs to go outside. Silly girls!!!!!!!!!


On that note - it is time to get some more blogging done!!!!   I am going on an adventure later today and I'm very excited about that, but lots of work to get done before then.

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


Ciao!!!!

Behind the scenes

Yep - it is my turn to write the QUILTSocial blog this coming week. And I had the BEST intentions to get those posts ready a long time ago. But NO - I am now behind the eight ball yet again.  I haven't been slacking off either!   So the long arm is on hold for a couple of days and I am back taking pictures.

When I write my CRAZQUILTERONABIKE blog - I just run around the house willy nilly and take pictures or I snap pictures of people in classes or sewing days or whatever. I don't care if there is a lot of stuff in the background (for the most part), I don't care about the quality (well I do, but not so much) and I randomly make up topics!

However when I write the QUILTSocial blog - it has to focus around the sewing  machine that I am reviewing, it has to be professional looking and well - it just has a different flavour. Oh let's not forget that the two blogs do NOT sit on the same platform.

This week - I will be chatting about - well I can't tell you that yet, but have a look at what happened in my studio yesterday.

A bit of shifting!  OK - that was a LOT of shifting

Ooops - sewing table - GONE

Thank goodness everything (or most) is on wheels

More shifting

I think you will really enjoy the topic for Monday's post.  And after my class that I am teaching today - I will be back at the blogging process.  I must say that I really really enjoy it - just not the deadline. I must make myself a false deadline - but I never fall for that trick!!!!

As part of my picture taking process, I needed a model. Let's just say that it is hard to hire help around here. Let's rephrase that - hard to hire SERIOUS help!!!!!!!!!!!!    Look at her - we did have a lot of fun with it!!!

Oh look at me - I'm quilting!!!!

Looks like someone was tickling her

Yes - a wardrobe change and still laughing!!!!

What a kid!!!!   Well it was fun, but I need her back to redo two of the pictures. Silly kid - why does she have to disappear when I need her!!!!!


After today's class, I still have FOUR more classes to teach before the end of the year. Then the pressure is off for a couple of weeks. Yeah!   Some classes require a fair amount of prep - especially if they are new - like today. And others don't require so much because I have taught them so often. We are going to have loads of fun today.  I think they are walking out of the class with about FIFTEEN quilt designs - none of which require a pattern. Oh yes - fun fun fun!!!!!

On that note - I am out of here.

Have a great day!!!

Ciao!


Oh yes - a medical update!  My Mom is still in the hospital. No longer on any monitors. No results from the tests that happened last Tuesday. Doctor doesn't want to send her home until he knows the results which could take WEEKS.  Let's just say that the situation can't be too serious or is it???  I would also say that they can't be wanting the bed for someone more sick than Mom.  The thing that worries me most is that Mom isn't complaining about going home or not having anything to do.  Hmmmm - what is all that about???

And I am happy to report that I sucked up the torture and used the foam roller and my tight IT band for the most part is gone. OK - so I am in denial. It is no where near gone, but feels a lot better after diligently foam rolling it to death. I can actually put a bit of weight on it now. However I have a feeling that something else is wrong - something that suspiciously sounds like sciatic pain. ICK!  Now how do I make that go away???

Sparky - she seems just fine!!!!    No more whimpering, but she isn't allowed upstairs and she does come downstairs once in a while, but the lights have to be on.

Quilting up a storm!!!!

I have been quilting up a storm but no time to blog about it! And I am in a rush again this morning.  I have my OTHER blog that is way behind and I am up on Monday.  The studio has been turned upside down in order to get a couple of pictures. I'll give you a behind the scenes shot tomorrow.

But have a look at the latest quilts...................

Customer quilt - DONE -   the setting was WRONG on the camera and it is NO WAY this yellow - it is more beige/cream

The back of that quilt was PLUSH - so warm and cozy!!!!

Another customer quilt - DONE!!!!!

|And another one - this was fun - thimbles!!!!

And I got the fun job of trimming it off for the customer!!!!

And yet another!!!!

All are delivered and I'm ready to start the new batch.  I was aiming for at least one a day, but I have to take a slight break as I get myself organized for next week.


Here is my latest embroidery block - DONE!!!!!

There are TWO more blocks to embroider and then all the blocks will be stitched!!!!   I am so excited!  It won't be pieced for Christmas, but I'll just pin the blocks on the design wall and call it my Christmas quilt!!!  I can enjoy it when I am in the studio and if my family wants to enjoy it - they will have to sit with me!!!!

On that note - I have a couple of phone calls to make and then I am off to take pictures!!!!

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


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

Vintage Moments Show n tell....

There is so much going on the last couple of days - definitely no shortage of things to blog about!  I will try to get all the show n tell up this week and there is a LOT.  So be patient - yes even those waiting for Dear Jane!


Let's go back to last Saturday. That was the final class for Vintage Moments. This was a year long project that I taught at The Hobby Horse.

Vintage Moments quilt by Marsha McCloskey

There were a LOT of people signed up for this class.  Not so many got finished.  Hmmmm - well - everyone has their reasons for not completing the top - let's hope that we will see those finished quilts at some point.

But let's focus on the quilts that did get done. They are SPECTACULAR!!!!!

Mary who made hers from green batiks.  Love that colour ways!!!

Lynn did hers in blues. Just stunning!!!

Karen used a very soft palette which is gorgeous. She still has the last two borders to put on. Let's just say that this quilt has a lot of memories for Karen and it was a long tough year. Karen - I am VERY PROUD of you for getting this much completed.  You should give yourself a big pat on the back!!!!  Job well done!!!! 

Erica used very scrappy florals. It is fabulous and she added an extra border after the half square triangle border. 

And then we had these quilts - I swear they must have conferred with each other!!!!

Loretta still has the last two borders to put on, but considering that she broke her wrist in the summer and last month we saw a LOT of bits - she has done remarkably well. The red/white and black is stunning!!!!

Linda is also doing red/white and black.    It will be fabulous once she gets it finished

Jan - the THIRD one in the red/white and black combo!  That was very weird. Anyway - this is gorgeous despite ALL the whining!!!   Just teasing you Jan!!!!   It was so worth it to take those borders off!!!!!   The colours are awesome!!!!

And then we got back into the softer colours again...............

Susan with a blue/yellow/green theme which is very beautiful!

Janet used up scrappy BRIGHT batiks for hers.  Note that she nixed that last half square triangle border!!!   Looks AWESEOME

Anne has this soft version as well.  I have to say that we were all deeply disappointed that Anne did not have her quilted!!!!   She always has them quilted by the end!  However life got in the way.  No worries Anne - it will be stunning when you get it done. And you know - we are only kidding!  I NEVER expect anyone to have their quilt quilted by the end!!!!!

Anne also brought in this quilt, made by her mother and it is gorgeous. Anne and her husband received it as a gift from her mom.  Hey MOM - I want a quilt like this!!!!

Anne's gift!

There you have it - another round of drop dead gorgeous show n tell. I have to say that there was a bit of complaining and whining throughout this quilt. Comments like "this is not a beginner quilt", "look at all those curved seams", "my border is rippled" - oh the comments went on and on!  BUT - while it may not be a beginner quilt - it is a LEARNING quilt and I think that everyone in the class learned a LOT.  Every time they make a quilt like this - the next one gets even easier and before you know - EVERYONE will be saying - oh - no big deal. That quilt is EASY!!!!!


On that note - it is sewing day today and I have tons to pack in the car.

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

Ciao!!!!!!


PS - medical update. Sparky seems to be doing just fine. The whimpering seems to have stopped. Somehow I think she has a bruised jaw?  Face area seemed to be the issue. She still has limited access to the stairs, but she is definitely better.

My Mom - she is still in the hospital. That makes ONE WEEK yesterday. She went by ambulance to a bigger hospital for some tests this past week and hopefully she will get the results today.  

The paparazzi!

Got to make this short and sweet this morning. Had a great work out at the gym and breakfast with the gym friends and I am running late!!!!

We always have show n tell on Mondays and here are a couple of things that got finished this past week.

Adorable little duffle bag that Maria made. 

And for those that WANT the pattern - it is made by Cindy Taylor Oates.

It is from this book - the duffle comes in TWO sizes - the small one Maria made is on the lower left of the cover

Judith was doing free motion on this small quilt and got the binding on

But the big excitement of the day was the paparazzi.  Joyce wanted a picture of Maria's bag and then everyone wanted a picture.

The paparazzi

Anyway - things are good - just absolutely crazy. But I am getting loads done. Stay tuned for that.


Have a great day!



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

Buggy Barn!

I have loved the Buggy Barn patterns over the years but recently the company (and quilt store) closed its' doors. The web site is even gone which is good - drives me crazy to find an abandoned web site.

Anyway - TWO of the quilts we worked on at The Hobby Horse were from Buggy Barn.  I have to say that I have attempted to get one of them done - hmmm - about three times now.  Still not done!  But I will get it done ................  someday!

Farm Fresh by Buggy Barn

This is the one that I have attempted on three separate occasions. Well - I have made good progress, but still a long way to go.  There were a couple of people who worked on this quilt. Only one person was at show n tell.

Lynn did a fabulous job on her quilt.  Note she changed the US flags for Canadian flags.  Still a bit of work to finish up the applique on the borders but I know she will have it done soon!!!!   

The second quilt we worked on (also by Buggy Barn) is called Garden Party

This one is a bit more complicated - there were LOTS and LOTS of pieces. They were HUGE pieces and much overlapping into adjoining blocks.   Yes - I started the project, but no time to finish it!!  But have a look at what the class did with theirs - they are awesome.

Maureen - she took the big flag out and put in some flower pots. She also used a lot of wool for some of the smaller pieces.  Still a bit more work to do but looking awesome!!!   Nice to see the BRIGHT version. 

Maureen's owl tucked up in the tree. This was an embroidery applique

Linda - still hard at work on her version.  Like I said - there is a LOT of work on this quilt.  But it is looking AWESOME!!!!  There are a few "design" elements on this one and you can't even tell where they are!!!!

This is Mary who made a LOT of changes - I will show you a bit more in a minute. 

Sacha - she has made some great progress, but she still has a lot of applique to go.  This one is going to be bright!!!!  I love it!

Vivenda - a bit further behind, but once she gets going - this one is going to fabulous.  The colours are spectacular and I love when people change the pattern. The original pattern is done in home spuns and country style - this quilt is NOT that at all. 

OK - here is a better picture of Mary`s

Mary was very AMBITIOUS and her quilt top was not only done, but it was quilted as well!!!!!!

She switched out the flag for a bee hive with bees

Her bucket of berries

First cat was switched out for a bunny 

Cat number two - gone. A family of owls moved in

And she added a squirrel where the owl was. 

Her church bird house!

That show n tell was awesome.  BOTH of those quilts were a HUGE amount of work and everyone is to be congratulated that they got so much done.  I have hopes that I will get mine done. I am thinking - desert island with nothing else to do. Then it will get done!!!!!   I don`t need that desperate of measures (I hope).

On that note - I have other stuff to blog, but I also have a date with the long arm.  One of these days - it would be so nice to get up and have NOTHING due that day!!!!   Maybe in a week that will happen!!!!


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

Ciao!!!!!!!