I made it!!!!

I can't believe that that crazy day is done!  I got everything packed in the car - it was overflowing.  I had not one, but TWO lectures and different stuff for both of them - of course.

But wait - I was up early in the morning (that seems so long ago!). The binding got put on the quilt and it looks great. The little 3-D item got completed and the cushion cover is done!  I completely forgot to take pictures of everything yesterday - I'll take pictures today and try to post some on Facebook during the day.   What a relief to get all that done - there is one more quilt to be quilted, but they hung it up without it being quilted and you know - it doesn't look half bad!  I'll finish it later.  That leaves only the tote bag and if it gets done, great. If not, no big deal.  I'll work on it tonight - maybe!

The first lecture on Modern quilting was VERY interesting and I have to say that I got as much out of the lecture as the audience did.  There were a lot of very smart people in attendance - very passionate people about our industry and they all brought a lot to the table. Thoughtful questions and suggestions.  I'm going to take a few of them and use them in the coming year at our guild. Lots of photos were snapped and I was thrilled with the lecture.  Many people came and told me how happy they were and that makes me very happy!

I loaded everything back into the car and then into the booth where I was the spin master with our spin wheel for a couple of hours until it was time to do the next lecture which was on panels.  I love doing this lecture. There's so much to see and so much to do with panels - well, I could go on and on for days!  Some things didn't get done in time, but they will be worked on - maybe at the retreat so I can have new stuff for the next panel lecture whenever that will be.  Someone commented that I always had new stuff to show - yep - that's why I'm so silly busy.  But I LOVE LOVE LOVE doing it all.   The cameras were out in full force so that was a good thing and I forgot to take a picture of the quilt that I made with the panels for the booth, but I already know THREE people who purchased panels to make the quilt.  Yikes - guess I'll be writing that pattern.  Today  - I take pictures.

And there were a number of people that signed up for ALL my lectures.  I love you ALL.  I so appreciate the support of all of you.  And while I love sewing and creating, there isn't anything that I love more than sharing ideas with all of you. Thank you so much - your kindness, support is very much appreciated.

Quilt Canada was busy and I heard that there are TWELVE buses coming today!   That is a good thing - but we will be busy!!!   I have no commitments today - except being at the wheel or in the booth. I can deal with that - a calm day!

When I got home last night, we went out for dinner and then I did nothing. Well I did check a couple of e-mails, but that was it. I've mostly unpacked the car except for the giant suitcase which I'll do tonight. Stuff has to be put away. It's all in piles in the studio as I unpacked and sorted. And I MUST MUST get some of these quilts finished. Like sleeves (if necessary) and labels.  So much is not done. That will be my goal in this period of calm.  BUT wait - there are still those two magazine quilts to be done. I'm begging for an extension until Tuesday - they can easily be done by Tuesday. Well Monday so they can be shipped and arrive on Tuesday.

And I got a laugh when I looked at Facebook last night.  There was an intruder in my office.

Paul - get to work!

There is Paul sitting in my messy office!   We had to move everything for carpet cleaning and there is stuff everywhere!  Well, it's actually pretty clean - the floor usually has more stuff on it.  Unfortunately, he didn't write any patterns while he was there!  I fired him!

On that note, I'm going to get to the show early so I can have a look around and chat to people.  Oh my - it's like school reunion.  So many people, so many connections to be made or renewed or strengthened.  I could spend the entire time networking, but I must be in the booth working. So if you're around - stop by, wave and say HI.  I'm the one with the Canada Flag head band!  


Have a great day!!!


Ciao!

Today's the day!

It's the first day of Quilt Canada.  I'm pretty excited and I'll be glad to have a day to "relax". I know that sound silly knowing that I have two 2-hour lectures and have to be in the booth until 6 PM.  But there will be no rushing, well there might be rushing. There's always rushing! I'm waiting for a package and hopefully it arrives before 2 PM.

I'm happy to report that the quilt for the booth got quilted, it got trimmed and the binding is ON. There's even a sleeve pinned on so it can be hung the moment I arrive at the Convention Center this morning.  Wait - there's more!  I also got TWO other small projects DONE. How's that for a hat trick and it's not even 7 AM!  I'm very happy that all this got done. There is ONE more quilt that I might quilt tonight - the top will be in the booth and I have a bag that I would like to get done. Let's see what happens tonight!  If neither get completed for the moment, it's not the end of the world.

Yesterday we arrived bright and early to get set up. Didn't take long to unload the cars and bring all the stuff in. Lots of walking as the loading dock is at one end and our booth is at the other. That was the exercise for the day. Northcott is sponsoring a show of Quilts of Valor quilts. The quilts are the result of a contest that was run by Northcott.  We hung the quilts yesterday - there were many that I hadn't seen.  They are STUNNING and all the quilts will be donated after the show to QOV where they in turn will be donated to a serviceman or woman.   Come and vote on the quilts but I'm warning you - it won't be easy!

I zipped back to the office where I checked the items off on my list. Made several trips to the car with everything. Lunch with the customer and then home to get some work done!

Back to the convention centre for the awards ceremony where Northcott sponsored one of the categories. What can I dsy - the quilts are STUNNING.  The Best of Show was truly a best of show. There was no denying this - it's a master piece.  They had the quilt at the awards ceremony so we could appreciate it.  You MUST come to see this quilt.  If you don't get a chance to get to Paducah or any of the other big shows and you are close to Toronto, I'd take the day off and come.  The quality of the quilts on display is exceptional.

There;s lots to see and do at Quilt Canada. There are vendors, there are numerous quilt shows, there are classes and lectures. Don't forget my lectures today!!!  Modern quilting at 9 AM and all about Panels at 2. Hopefully for those attending, they'll go home inspired and a tad more knowledgeable.

And don't forget to stop by the Northcott booth.  We've got an amazing display to share with you. Something to do with the Transcanada Block party????  Come check it out. And then you better ooh and aah over all my projects in the booth. Take pictures, post them - tag us at #northcottfabrics  and tell my colleagues how good I am! Just kidding!

On that note, I'm off and running.

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!



PS - Quilt Canada is in Vancouver next year so if you can't make it this year to Toronto, maybe you can make it to Vancouver!

Just give me ONE more day!!!

It's amazing how many times I say that. Just one more day and all would be complete!  That means that I'm missing my time management by 24 hours. I've got to learn how to shift that so that I finish on time.

I was delayed leaving work by about three hours yesterday and I sure could have used those three hours. But what gets done, gets done. If it doesn't -well - we're talking quilting here, not medicine!  And I know that all of YOU will not be critical if I have a quilt top in the booth, NOT a quilt.  Cause we're all quilters and we know what it's like!

I did manage to get the last quilt top for Quilt Canada pieced last night. It's on the long arm and the intention is to quilt it today. It may not have a binding for day one of the show, but that can get put on tomorrow night. But it better be hanging tomorrow!  I'm absolutely in love with the design - it turned out better than I had hoped. I wish I had time to custom quilt it, but alas - there is no time. So I have to make another one for me.  I have a feeling that I could easily get rid of this one around the office if I wanted to.

Two of the small items got finished last night as well. Machine binding - I LOVE IT!  I told Gail at the Hobby Horse about my new love for machine binding and she just laughed at me! Because she remembers when I said "I will NEVER put my bindings on my machine"  And now - well, there's no choice!

In an ideal world, I still have two small items to finish for the booth. One is a nice to have and if it doesn't get done for the first day - no big deal. One needs to be finished, but the top is done so at least there is something to show.  It can get finished tomorrow night.

The quilt top on the machine - even if I have to stay up really really late, I want it done!

There is one more quilt top that is a bonus - if it gets quilted, it gets done. If not, the top will be in the booth for people to view if they want.

The magazine quilts - well, those are going to wait for another day - or should I say evening because Quilt Canada starts tomorrow and there is no getting off early there!  On top of it, I have TWO lectures tomorrow that I need to prep for!  Isn't that always the way.

Today is going to be insane. The car is packed to the top with stuff for the booth and I'll be leaving shortly to get to the convention center.  It's going to be like school reunion as this is the first Canadian show that I've done in a while and I've missed seeing all the vendors and the attendees!  Remember if you're coming to Quilt Canada, I'll be in the Northcott booth. I believe we are number 310. If I'm not there, I do have two lectures tomorrow - so plan accordingly if you want to see me, or perhaps if you don't want to see me!!!  And we have giveaways for ALL - well, there is a slight catch, just a teeny one.

Modern Quilting is from 9 - 11 and Panels from 2 to 4.   If you haven't signed up, why not come out?  It's going to be fun.

On the other hand, I did something yesterday that I'm not good at. I cancelled my dentist appointment two days in advance - no time this week. I signed up for a lecture and workshop at Quitls at the Creek and even more important, I entered TWO quilts BEFORE the deadline. No begging this year!!!

On that note, I've got lists of stuff that I forgot at work, stuff that I need to say in my lectures tomorrow and I better get finished writing those lists.  Oh yes, in the middle of set-up today, I have lunch with a customer!  And there is the awards ceremony tonight.  Yep - life is a bit wacky to say the least. But I'm loving it. However I will be happy when today is over!

Oh yes, when I was putting that quilt together last night, the quilt goddesses were on my side. No seams to rip. The math (which could have been wacky worked like a charm), everything worked out the first time and I even had enough border strips prepped - on my last one, I literally cut off the selvedge and the piece was long enough. That was amazing!!!!  Remember what I said yesterday - the harder I work, the luckier I get! That was so true last night.



Got to run!

Have a super day!

Ciao!

Motivational Monday progress report

I scared myself yesterday. I actually ran out of gas!  But not before I had already done a pretty decent days work and taught a class in the afternoon. When I got home, I put one border on a quilt and that was it. I was hoping to do a lot more, but it just didn't happen!

I lay on the floor flat on my back to rest my neck (I have a spiky ball that I use between my shoulder blades to work out the kinks). The two dogs joined me and we had fun taking pictures! They were very happy and it was a lot of fun! My neck feels great today! However Murphy thought the ball was for her so I had to wrestle it from her a couple of times. 

It was an intense weekend. I finished quilting one quilt for the Quilt Canada booth. I swear that every long arm quilter who has the Maple Syrup pattern has probably used it a thousand times this year!  I used it for this quilt and put flannel on the back as I will end up giving the quilt away. The pattern on the back looks amazing!!!  I did goof when I trimmed the quilt, but it's not the end of the world - get over it!  I meant to trim just beyond the points so they wouldn't be cut off by the binding. It was early in the morning. I made the first slice and when I realised what I had done - Oh well - let's move on!!!   

One lap quilt DONE!

At least there is ONE quilt finished for our booth.  I'm getting so good at stitching those darn bindings on by machine!  More on that another day as I discovered something in my thread stash. However I ran out of the bobbin (smoke invisible thread) that I've been using.  Rats - no other pre-wound bobbins.  I actually wound my own bobbin with invisible thread. Something that I thought I would NEVER do!

Let's see - I got one more top done and hopefully that will get quilted and go in our booth. I made EXTREMELY good progress on the other quilt that I want to get in our booth. There are only two more borders to go and I absolutely LOVE it.  I'm pushing to get that one finished and quilted.

I made three blocks on Saturday, turned one of them into a cushion cover and the other into a small wall hanging. Both will be finished later today and will be in the booth.  Awesome cuteness!  Let's see, started a tote bag - it's all prepped and ready to finish up. And also an everyday basket. ALL of these patterns are FREE DOWNLOADS on the Northcott web site.  All except the one that is missing the two borders. I know people are going to ask for the pattern, but I'm not sure that I'm going to write one. I'll see how it goes.   There are two separate links there - don't worry - I'll post the specific projects and links once the show starts and I actually get the items finished!

It didn't take long for my scrap basket to get full again!

Scrap basket is overflowing!

And no time to get to the store to look for supplies - I popped open the lid for the zipper box and used what I had!

Exploding zipper box!

Here are some observations that I've noticed in the last couple of days.

1. The more you do something, the better you get.  I used to hate putting on the binding. I found even stitching the binding to the front of the quilt was a chore. It was bulky, the quilt shifted all over the place. I hated it.  Now I don't even think. I just grab the binding and sew it on.  I used to hate changing the thread on the sewing machine or the feet. Don't even think about it now. Just do it! Now the binding goes on front and back - totally by machine and I'm pretty happy with the results. Still not happy that they are sewn on by machine, but the quilts are done. Move on!
2. The less time you have to do something, the less time you fiddle around with decisions. That fabric looks good (and I have enough of it), let's cut and move on! I wasn't much of a fiddler anyway, but I'm even less now. If I don't like it, it becomes a learning experience, but for the most part I'm OK with whatever. Now that doesn't mean that I'm sloppy.  Quite the opposite!  I want everything to look great, but I try to never repeat the same mistake!
3. When you're focused, you can do just about anything!  I wouldn't recommend 14 hour days of sewing to anyone, but it's amazing what you can accomplish!
4. While I'm getting lots done, these are all things that have sprung up and were not on my Task Master list. If I didn't have the Task Master, those items would be totally forgotten. So now that the rush is almost over, I'll be getting back to the things on that list and if I move through those projects at the same speed, I've been working, I should just about be able to catch up!

And on that note, I'm out of here to get a few things done and then I'm at the sewing machine/long arm for the rest of the day.

Have a super day!

Ciao!

Coming up for air!

I don't think I've ever worked so long and so hard as yesterday (on quilt stuff). I was super focused and I accomplished a LOT.  I don't think I even dare tell you everything I did because it would make your head spin. Let's just say that for those that work on one project at a time?  I started FIVE new ones yesterday!  Call me silly, but I made good progress.

I have a class to teach later today so won't get as much done today, but I've been up early and making good headway into getting those five projects completed. One of them is for our booth at Quilt Canada. I designed it months ago (should have started sewing months ago as well!). I'm happy to report the center part of the top is done - just four more borders.  I'm very happy with it!

I thought I would share something with you. Something that I'm very excited about and I'm absolutely thrilled. No pun on that by the way!!!

I think I did post something about this a while back. If not, I remember at least posting the video on Facebook.  It's super exciting to see a collaboration between the quilting world and the corporate world. Libs Elliott was the artist and she was an absolute perfect fit.

Thanks to Ronda who alerted me that the bottles were  (at last) in the LCBO, I snagged one a couple of weeks ago. I'm only now getting to share the photos with you. Don't worry - the bottle is still full and I did buy it because of the bottle, not the contents.  I know of several other quilters who did the same thing!

Vodka bottle with a quilt on the label (the front)

The back

 In case you haven't seen the video that was produced - check it out.  It's super cool and again, I think Libs was so perfect for this collaberation.   Make sure you watch the video that goes along with this. It's so amazing - I just love watching the video. And I want to know if that was filmed in Libs studio? apartment? because it's so freaking amazing!!!!  I want to work in some cool loft space - like Victoria Finaly Wolfe?  Nope - I get the basement!  But that's OK - on hot days like today, I LOVE my space. And no need for air conditioning which would kill me!

I don't know if you noticed anything about those pictures above?  See a little photobombing going on???  Who was the culprit?? Guess................

Murphy has to be the center of attention for everything!

Speaking of Murphy, Lexi posted this morning. That dog is so lazy - so much to tell and she says she just too busy!

Have a super day!!!   Stay cool

Ciao

The light at the end of the tunnel...............

It doesn't happen often, but sometimes it does.  I just didn't get to the blog yesterday.  A number of reasons which I won't go into.

It wasn't the most productive day at the office as we had to remove everything from our offices so the carpets could be cleaned. No, it's not all sitting on the sidewalk.  We do work in a warehouse, after all, so everything was hauled in there.  That was my workout for the day.  We'll have nice clean carpets on Monday. Yeah - so it'll be worth all the effort! And I seem to have a lot of sewing stuff that had to be moved! This is why I don't have carpet at home.  Huge dust collector and way easier to run the vacuum or the Swifter over ceramic or hardwood!

I've been sewing on the items that I need for my lectures and our booth at Quilt Canada which is NEXT WEEK!!!  I'll share them for everyone AFTER the show is over. I'm thinking I've said that a lot lately and then I don't post the pictures.  I'm going to give it all my effort. Because I made a resolution yesterday. This weekend is the LAST weekend that I spend sewing like an idiot to meet a deadline.  It's summer and who wants pressure over the summer?  NO ONE!!!

After the madness for the next couple of days, there is one quilt due by June 30 and one due July 20.  There are NO trade shows for several months, so there should be no reason for mad sewing at night and on the weekends except if I want to.

However, I can't really complain because everything that I'm working on this weekend is of my own design. Some I'm happier with than others, but the giveaway for Quilt Canada is super cute. For those in the US, it is very Canada focused, but I'll post the picture anyway.  I do have a US one that I haven't posted yet.  For those Canadians who don't make it to Quilt Canada, I'll see about having some giveaways on my blog once I see what leftovers we have. I'm very excited about it. It can also be made with yardage so you don't need the giveaway and the pattern will be posted on-line.  I'm thinking there are a few patterns that I've done that are NOT online. We better fix that and I intend to have a look after Quilt Canada is over.

It's hot outside and Lexi and Murphy have quite the story to tell, but they are resting after their romp at the dog park and will get that blog post up tonight. Lazy dogs!

I had pictures to post, but silly laptop froze the moment I inserted the camera card. I've no time to reboot the laptop so those pictures will have to get posted tomorrow.  Notice how everything is tomorrow with me?  Bad bad habit!

On that note, I'm off to create stuff with BRAND NEW fabric (that part of the job is super cool - the deadlines - not so much).  How much can I get done in one day?  I already finished another quilt top this morning that is for my panel lecture. There are a few more projects for my lecture demo, but I don't think they will get finished - the stuff for the booth takes priority for the moment and the magazine deadlines (there are two this week!)  Yes better planning would have avoided this.

Have a super day - stay cool!

Ciao!!!

Do you really want that?

I know we've all been in this position. We've all admired someone else's work, someone else's lifestyle, someone else's quilts.  Come on - you've done it - I've done it. We've all done it. But sometimes deep inside, there's a twinge and we say "I wish that I did that", "I wish that my quilt could win a major award" or whatever the thing is. OK - I used to say that a LOT.

Have a read through Cheryl Sleboda's article. And then come back to read my thoughts on this.


OK - you've read the article. What do you think?  Has that ever happened to you?  I mean, we've all been quilting forever and then people who've only been quilting for 5 years are landing book deals and have become famous in the industry. Why aren't we?

Here's my take on it. Yes, I would love to see my name in the Best of Show winner's circle at a major show. BUT then I think of the hours and hours of work that's involved in producing ONE quilt of that calibre and I'm bored to tears. There's no way that I could ever (or WOULD ever) want to spend that much time on ONE quilt. The minute detail of the quilting?  Bored to tears before I even got one square inch done. So yes - I'd love to see my name in that winner's circle, but it isn't going to happen. And I'm OK with that. I don't want the winner's circle fame that badly.

Do I like to see my stuff published in magazines?  Yes - it's great fun to see your work published. I'm not going to deny that. But let's not forget the deadlines. The deadlines for submitting the articles, the deadlines for producing the instructions and lastly, the deadlines for producing the actual item. If one is a good planner, this shouldn't be that bad, but you know me - last minute.  I'm getting really really good at making quilts quickly, accurately and with the exception of labels, they are done! That's a miracle in itself. It's almost like I play a game with myself - how much can I get done in X amount of time!  However I do want to design and make a super WOW quilt for me - that's my goal.

Would I like to design a line of fabric or publish a book?  Well yes it would be amazing, BUT I couldn't bear to EVER see my book or fabric in the clearance bin. That would rip me apart.  Until I come to grips with that, I doubt I'll ever aim for a book or a fabric collection. After a while, you would get used to the "rejection", but why go through that if you don't have to?

I'm sure there are people who would wish to do what I do. It sounds like loads of fun. Working for a fabric company, making quilts all the time, sewing at work, travelling to consumer and trade shows.  Oh yes - it's great fun, but let's not forget all the deadlines to make all that happen. Let's not forget all the calls/e-mails I field from disgruntled quilters who are unhappy with something or other.

I think the biggest disservice we can do to ourselves is to covet what someone else has. That could be anything - a sewing machine, a car, a lifestyle, whatever.  What we need to learn is how to be comfortable with what we have. I'm looking at my daily calendar and the note I see is "Accept who you are and REVEL in that."   I don't think I could say it better than that. While there are a couple of things that I wish I could change about myself (like getting rid of 10 pounds), for the most part, I'm very happy with who I've become. I've worked very hard and continue to work very hard at it. I read somewhere yesterday that "the harder they work, the luckier they become!"  How true is that?   Gosh my daily calendar is filled with super inspirational sayings this week!

On that note, I'm off to create more super exciting things.  I did get the one quilt top finished and it's loaded on the long arm. I decided to start piecing the next quilt top and it's DONE.  Getting backing today and onto the next one. I'll be having a major cut session today in hopes of having everything cut and ready to sew up a storm this weekend.

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!