Signature quilts

 I smell a skunk! I think someone got hit this morning. Thankfully both girls are in the house as I'm not sure either of them would be smart enough to run! 

So there's good news and bad news today. The good news is this.

An empty design wall

Yep - that's where the Long Time Gone quilt was. And I'm happy to report that it's all in one piece! Yahoo!!!! I'm pretty excited. No, actually, it's kind of anti-climatic. I'm just relieved that it's together. I have one more thing to do to it, and then I'll be ready for the weekend. Then it's about the border, but that's the topic of discussion for the weekend. 

Every day (or so it seems), there's another finished top (minus borders) on the Facebook group. I can't wait to assemble the pictures to see how many we have for our show and tell. It's going to be amazing. But the final reveal isn't until June, so there's still time for everyone to get it done. 

I have to laugh when I look at those blocks on the right-hand side. I made two orange and white blocks similar to a log cabin block. That was going to be my pandemic quilt. I would make a quilt with all my free time during the lockdown. HA!!!  What free time? I'm busier than I ever was!!

The bad news is that after spending time with Microsoft to delete that file and I've reinstalled the software that it still doesn't work. Now, why is that? I've got to go to their support group and see what needs to be done. It literally stopped working one day. Now, why? And why me? Thankfully, I have that software on my desktop computer. But here's the weird thing - last week, I took the computer downstairs, and the camera wouldn't work in Zoom. I tried the camera this morning, and it seems to work just fine. So I'll take it downstairs again today, and hopefully, everything works. The show must go on!!!

If only there was an easy way to figure things out, but there are so many things connected to each other that it's next to impossible to figure out. Or it takes a long time!

We went back to the dog park yesterday. But I'm not going every day - I don't get nearly as many steps in as when I walk them separately. They are both well behaved at the park, so that's a good thing. I dare not take Murphy's ball as she is VERY possessive of it and best to keep those emotions out of the dog park. 

BUT - they were deterred by the hot vinegar for one day. And now they are back in the corner. I caught Lexi just lying there and watching. Watching what? I've checked both sides of the fence and didn't see anything. I'll be checking again. Murphy, in particular, will not leave it alone. Although now I have a lot of bricks and stuff blocking the corner, so she's better. 

Investigative Murphy

The June/July issue of Quick + Easy Quilts (Fons and Porter) is all about memories. I was fortunate enough to have a quilt in that issue. I made a memory quilt for my parent's 50th anniversary back in 2004. My brother got people to sign squares of fabric, and I made the quilt top. 

50th Anniversary quilt

For whatever reason, we had people sign more squares at the anniversary party, and I was supposed to make another quilt for them. The squares have been languishing in the UFO pile for years. When I saw the submission request, I jumped and was lucky to be accepted. Hence, I killed two birds with one stone. One more UFO got completed, and I got the quilt published. 

There is a closeup of one of the blocks, and it was my Aunt (my Mom's sister) and Uncle. How cool was that!!! I mean that it wasn't a random person who attended. 

So check it out!!! The first quilt was made in green and yellow as they are colors on the Saskatchewan flag. I don't think my Dad liked the colors, so he asked that this one be made in blue. I had made a note of that when I filed everything away. They haven't seen the quilt or the magazine article. I mailed a copy to them yesterday. The only thing they know is that I asked for a photo of the original quilt a couple of months ago. 

The original quilt was made in 2004 (SEVENTEEN years ago), and these signatures are from that same year. When I was making the quilt, I realized that so many of the people who signed the quilt are no longer around. That's why I LOVE signature quilts - it's a great way to have a small part of many people in one place. I think I've mentioned the quilt I spotted one day, years ago, that had my grandparents' names on it, as well as many of their friends. I'd love to get my hands on that quilt. Perhaps I should offer to buy it from the current owner. 

Then I had a laugh as my cousin sent me a picture that had been posted on a Facebook group about old times in Saskatchewan. And there were my parents!! Perhaps, I shouldn't say OLD. 

Can you spot my parents? 

Oh my --- I don't know what year this was, but I'm guessing that it was the 1980's. God - it could even be in the '70s. That's my Mom in the purple pants - she looks so YOUNG. And my dad in the brown pants behind her. God - he also looks so young. Well, that was many years ago, and I know that I looked much younger myself!!! 

And what's even funnier is that my first boyfriend is also in the picture. OH MY GOD!!!  He's the goofy looking one second from the left in the front row. And his Dad is standing beside my Dad. Well - that photo brings back lots of memories. I was NOT at this event! It was a CB Club event - I think that was what my cousin said. 

CB as in Citizen Band radio - you know, "breaker, breaker," "10-4", "what's your 20?", and all that stuff. Yes -- we all have bizarre things in our past!!

I have to cut more blue squares for my Snail's Trail blocks, so I couldn't sew them this morning as I finished my Long Time Gone quilt, but I grabbed something that was already cut - other parts of my All in a Row quilt, and I worked on that this morning. It was very nice to have a wee change!!!

Components for the All in a Row quilt

So on my virtual walk on the Appalachian Trail, I'm getting close to the New Jersey/New York state line, which we follow for a bit. I always click with the yellow Google guy to see what's been mapped near where I am. Seriously? The Google car went down roads like this?? NO -- the Google car did NOT go down the Appalachian Trail!

The backroads of New Jersey near the Appalachian Trail

I have to say that I'm shocked. I would never have thought they would care about these roads, but I guess when that's all you have in the area for roads, they all get mapped!! 

That's just wild!!! 

One great presentation yesterday and a super interesting class. I hope the students are getting stuff from the class! It's sometimes hard to get feedback on Zoom. Had to do a bit of rearranging as time zones took a toll on my calendar, but all is OK. I hate when that happens, and I didn't catch it. One writing assignment is done (except to add one last picture), and time to work on number two. I'm in good shape workwise, and that feels great. The thing is to try and keep up!!!

Two presentations lined up for today, and the giant quilt is loaded on the long arm for this afternoon. So that's another busy day planned. And it's going to be NICE outside today. It's been cold lately. 

Well - off to get the morning walks done and then onto the day!! I know - I haven't given you a decluttering task in a couple of days. Are you even doing them? Or are you like me and so far behind? If you have a filing cabinet - it's time to tackle that! Grab one or two file folders and go through them. Be ruthless - do you really need those electrical bills from 20 years ago? Think of your kids or whoever will empty your house when you are gone!!!!

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!!

A blast from the past!!!

I was totally blown away by the feedback that we got from our impromptu meeting. I got more e-mails throughout the day!  Wow!  We are definitely going to do this again for next guild year. Now here's the big question - what comes first? the members or the topic?   Hmmmm - that's an interesting dilemma - it's like the chicken and the egg.   If you have any suggestions on cool topics - let me know and I'll see how I can compile them. It's basically the same thing I do with my blog.   I get story ideas from everywhere and then one day - it all comes together. I've got several in mind - just have to think the logistics through.  Like that will happen - I need a 48 hour deadline and it will come together no problem!

Love my job - love my job.  Some quilters were in the warehouse yesterday and of course, I had to zip out to meet them.  Turns out one of them used to be a member at the Mississauga guild many many years ago.  We had a great chat, I gave them an impromptu show n tell and got them organized for the challenge - more on that in a second and they were good to go.    Ooops - I'll give you more details on that challenge another day. 

However there are downsides to the job.  How about being asked to make something out of "this" and "this" so it will sell.  Yikes!   No presssure!!!!!  I don't really call that a down side - it just means that I have to put my thinking cap on - break out EQ7 and away we go.  Plus I found a recent book that is perfect for one of our new panels that will be released at Spring Market in Salt Lake City.  Never mind the tutorials and patterns that need to written - OK - I need 48 hours in a day!  

But since I love what I do - I'm not worried. I just need to find some quiet time to focus on that writing, but once I set my mind to it - it won't take long and it really is just revamping some stuff I wrote a while ago. But I'm off to the Lancaster show in about 10 days and this stuff needs to be done by then. So I think a bit of discipline is in order. Got to get my new phone working in the car and download some books as I'll be driving to Lancaster! Yeah - road trip!  I wonder how much stuff I can shove in the car for the trip home??  Too bad row by row hasn't started yet.  I've got more details on that for another day!

Got to do some tidying on my computer.  I'm in the process of writing for three different blogs and all three are on different platforms. All three are open as well as my photo editor and my computer is starting to protest. I guess I had better reboot it after this post gets published!

Back at the end of February, I managed to get to PAMA (Peel Art Gallery and Museum Archive)  to see their display of antique quilts.  It was definitely worth going to.  Actually when I think of it, the timing was pretty funny since I was prepping to leave for QUILTCON which is Modern Quilting.   However - the two styles (modern and traditional) are married in more ways than you think. 

Entrance to PAMA

In downtown (or is that old town) Brampton

PAMA is in the older part of the city and I don't know if they have a name for it.

Home to a half naked squirrel - I wonder how he lost his hair?

And I thought this fence was brilliant.  There is a real door and a real window - now how cool is that?

Artistic fence

It's really interesting to see how people react to quilt shows. I know of two different people who went to this show and one person was "oh it's OK - saw one quilt I liked".  The other person encouraged me to go and I'm very glad I did.  I must confess that I look at most things through the eyes of a child. My eyes are always open to little details, to the creativity, to the workmanship (good or bad), and I can't stress enough how little things amuse me. If curiosity killed the cat and I was a cat - I'd have been dead years ago - even with nine lives. I want to know EVERYTHING!

I would love to post all the photos I took, but here is a sampling (a rather large sampling) and how I saw the show.

Title of the show

Info about the show

And let's give credit to Cathy who is a VERY accomplished quilter and a master when it comes to quilt history

And now on with the show.................


There were a LOT of log cabin quilts.  Log cabin is my favourite block in the entire quilt world and if I could only make one block for the rest of my life - it would be the log cabin and it's many variations.

Log cabin quilts

 Now I know you are thinking - that middle quilt is NOT a log cabin. Doesn't look like it - does it?  BUT have a look at the detail.

Detail of the log cabin

 AHA - that is a log cabin after all.  And wow - what about those pieces. How small are they???

Those pieces are THAT SMALL.   One block is about 2 inches square

  I am suspicious that the pieces are folded and sewn along the edges?   A little hard to tell when you can't touch.  But the quilt was magnificent and in excellent condition.

Can you guess how many pieces are in that quilt????

Yep - that many!!!!

Then another quilt caught my eye.  Annie May Johnston made this quilt and reproduced images of local schools and churches.

Quilt commenorating local schools and churches

Detail of one block

 Now I want you to read this label below and tell me if you know what she used to create the blocks????

Information about the quilt blocks

Did you ever use those products????   Does the name Artex come to mind?????   I know there was another brand, but the name escapes me at the moment.  And how do I know????  

Well around the time that Annie May was making this quilt, a young girl (still in high school and living in Saskatchewan) was also making a quilt using those same darn tubes of liquid embroidery. And she still has the quilt to show you.

MY beautifully painted blue roses

I painted those squares when I was in high school and put the quilt together when I left home and got married at a ridiculously young age (gasp!).  I used this quilt on our bed - the dog jumped on the bed and probably slept there too and sunlight and well a few of the squares aren't holding up so well.  I think I did a beautiful job on the roses - not so much on the leaves!

Ooops - a few squares are deteriorating

Badger (my dog at the time) did have a field day one day with the quilt and many years ago, I took it apart and repaired it. But it has gotten worse. And look at that lovely polyester batting of which I think I used several layers and the quilt  is THICK.  Hand quilted no less.  My intention is to take it apart and save the good squares (back them with interfacing) and put it back together again using COTTON, not polyester, although the polyester (the blue) has held together quite nicely.

Anyway - I digress.

There were also a number of crazy quilts.  I love the fact that each one is different. Some are whole cloth style, some are blocks, embroidered or not. Anything goes with crazy quilts.

Crazy quilt

 One of the things about crazy quilts that I absolutely love is the use of RIBBONS.  A lot of political ribbons, cigar silks and other commorative items were created and used in the quilt.  Imagine if they still had political ribbons today.  I wonder what some of them would say!

Commemorative ribbons

Another ribbon and this quilt has jewelry on it

 There were also many different styles of signature quilts.  These are always fascinating - who were all these people.  What were they hopes and dreams?  Since many of them were used for fund raisers  - what did they do with the money they raised?   And did they have the same issues with getting the projects done and the same people doing the bulk of the work?

Signature quilt

I always get a laugh out of these type of signatures.  Remember when everyone was MISS or MRS?  I guess I'm dating myself there. OK - mentioning that I made a quilt using liquid embroidery dates me!

Mrs. Fraser!

Signatures on a crazy patch!

The other thing I love about quilts is TEENY TINY pieces.   And this next one didn't disappoint.

Teeny tiny pieces in this quilt

Made from silks or sateens

Information about the quilt

 You see why it is important to put a label on your quilt???   Not only is it fun to read about why the quilt was made, but where, by whom, etc.  There are so many quilts out there today - they all can't possibly end up in a museum.  But that label information should be important to your family? friends?

I would hate to see a quilt made by me with this label on it.

Not a lot of information about this quilt

There were a couple of quotes on the wall and I think you will get a kick out of this one.  Bottom line - quilting beats the gym any day!!!  Although I get fired up at the gym so I can quilt more!  Oh yes - pay attention to the DATE!

Quilting beats the gym!

Looking at some of the quilts and the dates of the quilts, you wonder how the heck they had time to make them. Some of these quilts are very labour intensive. I just hope that the quiltmakers of today can also take pride and joy in their quilts because most of us don't have a lot of time to sew.

Saying that is as true today as in pioneer times

In another exhibit at PAMA, I stumbled across this quilt commemorating Canada's Centennial.

Canadian Centennial quilt

Quilt information

 Yes - 2017 will be the Sequicentennial for Canada!  Can you say that word???   I know that Northcott has some things up their sleeve for Canada's big birthday and I had better get my butt in gear to get my part finished by this coming week.  You must stay tuned for that big event - it's going to be fun!


Now check out this last picture.  If that isn't a modern quilt, I'll eat the next quilt I make. But look at the date!

A modern quilt from 1941

Just keep this in mind as you move forward in your quilting adventures. NOTHING is new - NOTHING.  It's all in how you look at it.

Wow - that was quite a trip. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!!!!

Have a great day!!!!!


Ciao!!

PS - the show closed at the end of February just in case you are wondering.

A treasure comes home

I'm busy processing photos this morning. Looking for free pattern downloads related to pictures I took during the retreat. Yikes - then I realize - time is running out to get the blog posted so I am going to focus on one part of what I saw while I was away.

We were fortunate enough to be in Bracebridge when the local guild had their guild meeting.

The guild banner for the The Pine Tree Quilter's Guild of Muskoka

We knew who the speaker was and we were off - well Linda and I were. I was hesitant - even though I knew the speaker, I didn't want to "waste" time. You know how some guilds can go on and on with all the blah blah blah stuff. We were NOT disappointed - this was an amazing guild.

The show and tell was spectacular.  I am not going to post any pictures as I didn't ask if I could, but there was a mother/daughter team - they were both learning to quilt. They had their first and second quilts there - OK - so I will just slink to the back of the room. They were SPECTACULAR and FUN!!!!!   There were many other samples of amazing workmanship and creativity that blew us both away.

Then a lady from Gravenhurst got up to speak about this quilt that was hanging up at the front of the room when we arrived.

A signature quilt - yawn yawn right?  - WRONG!!!!

This quilt had the most amazing story but before I get into the story - look at the WORKMANSHIP!!!!!   My first thought was that the satin stitch was done by MACHINE. NOPE - this quilt was made in 1915 and the workmanship is impeccable. And the fact that it is still intact today goes to show that tiny stitches and excellent workmanship will ensure the longevity of a quilt. I was blown away!!!!!!!!!!!!

Center panel of the quilt

If you can enlarge the photo you will see that it was done by hand. Looks like TWO big strands of floss were used.  That isn't what I mean - how about 12 strands - it looks like two UNSPLIT pieces of embroidery floss were used. 

The stitches on the signatures were teeny tiny and NONE of them seemed to coming loose

Must have been done by different people as some of the lettering was thick and some was not

What is amazing is the that the front of the quilt is so pristine and perfect yet if you look at the back you can tell the quilt was well used.

The back of the quilt. See how the batting has thinned out in places and there are several worn spots on the back

The quilt is going to be professionally framed and will hang in Gravenhurst. I have forgotten where - library? City hall? museum?

Anyway - the quilt surfaced during the First World War. Apparently a wounded Canadian soldier was found wrapped in the quilt on the door step of a house in France. The solder spoke only English and the people that found him only spoke French. He kept pointing to the word Gravenhurst on the quilt. They nursed him back to good health. In return for their help, the quilt was left with the French.  It was passed down a generation or two.

I believe it was on the death of a family member that it was decided to return the quilt to Gravenhurst. Much toing and froing of e-mails, but at last the quilt came home. It has been stored in a vault in Gravenhurst for the last 4 years.  Not sure when it will go on display.

The shape of the quilt makes me think that it was made for a soldier - it is long and narrow - like a bed roll quilt. There isn't much more information about the quilt, no idea who the soldier was and they are not going to persue it. The soldier was not found near the fighting in France and so there is the possibility that he was a deserter?  If so - they didn't feel that that detail was important. And there is NO way they could find out the information now.

Reminds me of another quilt with a somewhat similar story.  Check out my blog link for the story.   Isn't that exciting!!!    I wonder how many other quilts there are with stories like that!!!!!!!!!!!


Linda and I arrived a few minutes late for the guild meeting. We had arranged to leave at 12:30 (YES - the guild meets in the afternoon!). We were sitting around yakking and then I remembered that the clock in the kitchen of the retreat house was 10 minutes slow.  OH MY GOD - it was 12:45 and the meeting started at 1 PM. We flew out of the house.

After we signed in and slunk to the back of the room, the membership person got up and announced our names and said that we were staying at the Quilter's MisBeehaven. Who pops up two seats down from us?  Judy - the owner of Quilter's MisBeehaven!!!!!!!!   I had met her once before but this time we got our picture taken with her!!!!!!!

Me, Judy and Linda!

Oh yes - we were THRILLED that we took the time out of our retreat time for the guild meeting.   It really was a lot of fun and we learned tons and were so inspired when we left!!  And that is the sign of a good guild meeting.


On that note - I am still sorting through the rest of the pictures from the rest of the retreat. Willl post tomorrow.

Have a great day!

Ciao!!!!

What's in a NAME????

Yesterday we had our final reveal for this year's $10 quilts. BUT - I am NOT going to show you them today. As we were getting ready to leave, one of the ladies mentioned something about a quilt. HEY - I have heard this story and the quilt was on display until the end of the month. I had time, the quilt was close by and I had my camera. Let's go and check it out.................


Here is the story about the quilt.............


100 year old quilt returns home


Isn't that the most interesting quilt story??????


Well here are my pictures and my story about the quilt.

The quilt on display (yes - let's not freak out about those lights on it. The quilt is only on display until the end of November. Then it will find a home in some historical place in Georgetown. I HOPE they preserve it properly. 

Here is the center square. Notice the No. 1 in the top right hand corner. Hmmmmm - does that mean there were other quilts?????

Two of the blocks

Most of the work looks like it was done by the same person???   But the thread used in this block appears to be thicker. More strands??  Was it the first block?

More blocks - and I recognize some of these sir names!!!!  

As I was standing there admiring the quilt and taking pictures, a lady walked up and said "so this is the famous quilt". We got to chatting and some relative of hers had written the story (I think that is what she said). BUT she was looking for two names on the quilt. Her AUNT and UNCLE. And yes - there they were - the bottom two names on the above square.   How cool was that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Because they were children at the time, their names were spelled out in full.

All the stitching was done in stem stitch

Notice anything about the names????   Well this block is probably an entire family since all the sir names are Cole. But notice - Mr., Mrs. with their initial and then sir name. The children's names were spelled out in full.   I did see Miss on several squares. 

Oh my - look at the Ward family. Mrs. didn't even warrant her first initial!!!!!   Cora, Flossie, Floyd, Roy and Dan!!!!    They must have been the children. 

Anyway - this quilt was a treasure to view and thanks to Chris for mentioning it in class. If you have a chance, the quilt is displayed at the Georgetown Public Library. It is IN the library (downstairs) so you can only visit when the library is open. It is definitely worth a visit.

And it makes you think of the women who made it to raise money. So freaky how it came back home which is another reason for LABELLING quilts or putting some kind of identification on them. You never know what will happen.


That brings me to MY signature quilt story. And I am happy to say that I found this information within two minutes of searching this morning. Meaning it was organized and I knew where it was!!!!!


Back in 2000, the Presbyterian Church celebrated it's 125 years in Canada. As part of that celebration they had a Millennium Quilting Exhibit. This exhibit traveled across Canada from June 2000 - December 2001. The display was at one of the churches in Oakville and I stopped in to have a peek. I can't remember who was with me - Elaine S I think.

Anyway - we had a great look at all the quilts and then I noticed a signature quilt (there was more than one). I read the blurb attached to the quilt. Hey - this quilt was made in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. That is where I grew up. What are the chances?????   OH MY GOD - I shouted - my GRAND PARENTS names are on this quilt!!!!!   Well everyone was excited and came to look - OK - it wasn't that bad because there were not a lot of people around, but still I was EXCITED!!!!!!!


Now in those days, I NEVER carried a camera with me and I do believe that phones had NO cameras in them. I went back the next day and took pictures of the quilt.

My grandparents - Bert and Peggy Mills!!!   

Of course, there were lots of other names on this quilt that I recognized. I took a picture of the blurb, but it came out very blurred. But I think the quilt was made in 1967.   I seem to remember my grandparents at several different churches, so I didn't even know they belonged to the Presbyterian Church.

I can't seem to find a picture of the entire quilt, this is the best I can find.

Oh yes - that is M. When she was a CUTE little thing!!!!    I believe the quilt was four blocks wide and 5 or six long. 

When I went home the next summer, I contacted the church in North Battleford (after the exhibit was over) and my parents and I went to see the quilt. They were excited to see it as well.   I just hope that the quilt is being well taken care of. I would LOVE to have that one. I should write them a letter to express my desire to have it should they ever want to get rid of it which is probably not likely!!!!


I just think it is so cool and NO ONE is making them today. Hmmmmm - what do you think????   Everyone is hot on embroidery today.  What if we made a signature quilt?????   I WOULD LOVE IT!!!!!!    Now to think of a format. Should everyone just sign a piece of cloth and we embroidery it????   What if everyone embroidered a small piece of fabric (2 1/2" by 4 1/2") - thread colour of your choice?????   Wouldn't that be a cool thing????????  



Well speaking of silly looking pictures of your kids, I was trying to get some pictures of the dogs last night.

Sparky looking all regal like. OH MY GOD - whose head is in the background?????    

Little Sammy with her STRESS bear. She did NOT want to look all cute and put her ears up!!!!

Then it was time to search through my orange buckets of fabric for something for the upcoming Bonnie Hunter mystery. And I actually found THREE fabrics that I will likely NEVER use as yardage. They went into the laundry basket of fabric to cut into strips. I am getting excited about that basket!!!!!

And here we are - my fabrics for the Bonnie Hunter mystery. See the paint chips with the fabric. I think I did not bad. I am not sure that I have enough - I did NOT check for quantity - I'll add as I need. I may have to shop - this mostly came from my stash with one green that I bought yesterday. 

The mystery quilt - all tucked in its project box until FRIDAY. I cannot believe I am excited about this.   And I have the date right this time!!!!!   I know Linda and Anne will be working along with me and COUNTLESS others. Is it Friday yet?????

Well there you have it - I have six ladies coming for Sit n Sew (the last one of this year) and I have to run out and get lunch for them before they come. And I am still in my PJs. I have ONE hour!!!!!



Have a great day!!!!!


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