Row by Row REVEAL

I want to start by thanking ALL my followers - you know who you are!  I met a couple of people yesterday - well people came up to me and said "I follow your blog".  That is so awesome and it makes me very happy knowing that I put a smile on someone's face as they read about the craziness that is called my day to day.

It was an insane day yesterday, and I did start a post and then well - I got waylaid and so the post never happened.  I'll leave that for another day.

Let's just say that the binding got completed on my Row by Row quilt.  That happened on Monday night despite the fact that I had to add in the missing section (thankfully I was able to get the SAME color grey). The sleeve got stitched on before dropping the quilt off at the show and all is good!  I even made a label, but when I went to sew it on, do you think I could find the darn thing?  Nope - well after seeing this quilt, there is NO other like it!

Are you ready?   My Row by Row License Plate quilt is currently hanging in the Invitational section at Quilt Canada 2016.  I'm pretty excited about that.  Over the course of 2014, I participated in Row by Row and got almost all the Ontario license plates. I think there were 28 or 29 that year. The rest of the plates came from various states in the US.  Last year with the trading frenzy, I ended up with a few from 2014 as well making a total of 55 license plates.

2014 Row by Row License Plates

 The big question then was what to do with the plates.  I wanted to use them all in one quilt but not have something huge.  I think from day one, I wanted to write a story using the license plates.  I even took my plates to PEI with me last year and I had them laid out on the floor, arranging, writing, rearranging. Thankfully I did NOT sew the quilt together at that time.  As I got more plates, I rearranged the story one more time and finally, I called it a wrap.  No more plates from 2014!

I used my embroidery machine to do the lettering.  No wait - first I had to load the embroidery software which was a pain because my laptop is too old to be compatible.  Got that problem fixed.  Then I downloaded a trufont from the internet and converted it to an embroidery design using the software. I chose a font that was very similiar to the style of writing on the license plates. Then I simply sat down over a couple of days and hooped some fabrics with NO regard of what color I was using where - totally random.  I used a total of 12 solids and tried to match the colors to the license plates and the coordinating prints from Row by Row 2014.

Some of the solids used in the Row by Row quilt

In progress - it looked like a circus tent in my studio!

I was using my own embroidery machine for the stitching and while the embroidery was taking place, I was sewing on the Designer EPIC.  Gosh - I love this machine!!!    You can always check out the QUILTSocial blog for the review.  I'll repost the link - I don't have time to get it this morning.

Two sewing machines going

Once that was done, I had it all laid out on my design wall.

Starting the layout process

All the words are now embroidered

And then the process of sewing it together.  I was restricted by the size that I had given the Quilt Canada organizers.  I did go a smidgen longer, but I literally went on a leap of faith (as usual) to get the sizing. But each row had to be exactly 45 1/2" wide so a bit of juggling had to be done on each row.

There were 18 plates left over from that center part.  I could have worked them into the story, but it would have made the quilt much larger.  When I laid them on the wall and put that grey up there, it reminded me of a road which makes sense since I did a lot of miles to collect the plates. It was perfect and I think the two grey borders frame the quilt nicely.

Once Upon a Row by Row

Hopefully, you can click on the quilt to enlarge it so you can read the story.  And those who know me best or read my blog, will get the entire story.  Some parts may be lost to those that don't. So if you want clarification, I can do that, but it's pretty clear.

Yes, while all the other quilts in the invitational show are serious, beautiful pieces, there is my quilt - full of humor and fun!!   Well - it's all about ME and it's all about having fun!  More importantly, it's all about having a guilt free 2016 Row by Row experience!!!!

Hope to see you at Quilt Canada. I'll be there teaching the next two days and back on Saturday to float around.  If you can, I would highly encourage you to come.  While this is a juried and judged show, it doesn't mean the pieces are beyond us.  No - everyone I know is CAPABLE of having a quilt in that show. But if you bring your camera, there is amazing quilting designs to take pictures of.  There are incredible learning opportunities - color, composition, styles, loads.  And there is also a show by the Toronto Modern Quilt Guild, the Trend-Tex challenge and another show which is AMAZING!!!!!   Let's not forget the vendors.


I had the most amazing and perfect dinner companion last night which I'll tell you about later.

Have a great day!!!!!

Ciao!!!!!

Guilt - free

I made great progress on my 2014 Row by Row quilt yesterday.  I managed to get 6?? rows done.   Well, something like that. The bottom line is that there are only 4 more rows to go and then figure out the borders and the top is done.  I do have a quilt on the long arm that obviously has to be done before this one gets on. I must schedule my time so that the Row by Row is done and has the binding stitched on for Sunday.  I think I will have a lot of free time that day and will need something to occupy me. More on that fun day when it happens.  

Needless to say, I'm pretty excited about it and since I missed the opportunity to get the fabric for the backing at the Burlington store, my second option is to use backing from 2015 Row by Row for the backing. I have two big hunks of it and well - I might as well use it up!  As I am cutting into my FQ pieces of the 2014 Row by Row fabric, I have to confess that I'm feeling a bit of angst!  This fabric will be gone and I won't have anymore. Well DUH! that is a good thing.  It's supposed to happen that way because there is always new stuff coming out!  

Now that I'm all fired up about Row by Row again, I must find the container with the 2014 kits and see how to design a quilt with those rows. Then I can close the chapter on 2014 and focus on 2015, while collecting 2016. Not sure what, but something from 2016!  Once this is done, then I can be guilt free! (at least for 2014!)

Another DUH moment.  Those super organizing skills of mine realized that the container with the row kits was right on the table with ALL the other Row by Row stuff.  A quick check and there are 20 row kits from 2014 and quite a few patterns.  Too many to fit in one quilt, but I'm going to see what I can do to fit them all in one quilt!

Oh, the other thing I have to say about the current Row by Row quilt that I'm working on - it's going to hang in a show and I had submitted the size - and it's very important to respect that size.  Well, let's just say that I'm damn lucky because, after the improv piecing, it actually fits within the size that it's supposed to!  A lot of fiddling, but it's working!  That kind of commitment is NOT for the faint of heart!!!!

While I'm improv piecing, I'm still working on those enders and leaders.

More enders and leaders

These are actually 1 1/2" squares that I'm sewing together.  I had a huge box of them and decided it's time to get stuff cleaned up, used up or whatever!

However after depositing the completed pairs in the box, I realized that I still have a lot of pairs to sew. The ones on the right are sewn in pairs, the ones on the left - still to be sewn.

Enders and leaders project - squares!

Remember, I said that Diane had bought me something. Well - look - she bought me a used bike!  It was orange and she said, she couldn't resist!   That's not something that someone would normally buy for another person, but a yard sale find!   Thanks, Diane!

My new bike!!!   Another orange one

We have a beautiful backyard. I love it, Lexi LOVES it (I think Lexi has some great stories to tell you, but not today - she too busy!), the birds love it and well - it's hard to believe it exists in the middle of the city.

Even though I have spent some time out there weeding, there just isn't enough hours in the day to get everything done. SO - we hired someone who spent one entire day and LOOK at my backyard.   It's gorgeous.  I know - many of you would want to plant flowers - no time.  If I had my wits about me, I'd be buying some bags of mulch to keep the weeds down and I might just do that.  I don't have time to get the big bag of mulch, so will get smaller bags that are easy to get into the backyard.

My gorgeous backyard

 The best thing - I can now sit out there and read - completely GUILT-FREE!!!!!   Time to get the sewing machine set up in the gazebo!

OK - so I bet you're wondering why Diane would buy me a bike - right?   Well - look at the scale of the bike in the picture below!!!!

Can you see my bike?

I have no clue what the bike was intended for.  I'm going to say it's about 14 inches long, wheels turn. It's a pretty accurate rendition of a real bike.   Anyway - it was 50 cents at the garage sale.  I absolutely love it!

On that note, it's time to get the day started.

Have a great day!!!!

Ciao!

Row by Row - away we go......................

Last summer when I was in PEI, I laid out all my license plates from 2014.  I had a quilt designed and then Carol kept buying me more plates and I got a few from other people and well I had to rethink the design. The original design and the plates have sat in a bag all this time. Now with that deadline looming, there is no choice but to get them out and do something and FAST.

The state of that studio is a bit chaotic at the moment and that's putting it mildly!  I did manage to tidy up a few things this morning, but there are a thousand projects running through my head. If you thought I was bad before I started working at Northcott - think again.  The situation is now totally out of control!  And I was trolling websites yesterday at work and OH BOY - shouldn't have done that.   Yep - if I win the lottery, I need to hire two sewers who can do all my sewing!  Or I just live to 199.  I like the second option.

Here's one shot of the floor - the middle of the floor no less and how many times will I walk around it until I pack  everything back in the basket?  Well a few times to be sure, but it's all packed back in the basket now.

A little out of control!

But here's the thing - if I didn't have the next project(s) in the wings - I would die.  Yup - I need to have a purpose in life, I need a goal and it's making things!  I don't make my projects for gifts, I don't make them for donating - NOPE - I make them for me! It's pretty cheap therapy.  I make quilts that I want to make and if I find a purpose for them afterward - great.  If not - there will be one heck of a quilt giveaway after I'm gone.  It'll be a feeding frenzy for sure!

Yes - I finally had a few minutes last night and this morning to get some tidying done and organize the next two urgent projects.   Only I make them urgent because I think I can do everything!  Plus, I'm going on a sewing retreat next week and I have NOTHING to sew!   HA HA HA HA!!!!   What a liar I am!!!

And driving in the car to and from work gives me too many ideas as well.  At least this idea will be using up Row by Row 2014 stuff so that is allowed.

I managed to find one Row by Row box when I got home.  I couldn't remember what I had purchased for fabric.   AHA - I knew that I had solids - got four different solids. I think that is all that was available. I have three FQs of three different leaf patterns and I also have yardage of the border print with the trees on it. Also in the box, I found ONE kit and some patterns.  Of course, I already had the license plates out.    Hmmm - it would appear that I'm missing the snowflake fabric and then I will have all the fabrics for 2014.  I will check one of my kits - that big one on the right has the snowflake fabric and I might use that or if anyone wants to sell me a FQ of the snowflake - I'll buy it!

Row by row 2014 supplies

 Hmm - I'm certain that there is another box of stuff.  Where could it be???   No clue, but this morning when I went to find a certain foot for the sewing machine, VOILA - the box was right there.  This one is full of kits.  Not too many.  I should count them and see about designing a quilt or two around them.  It would be very nice to say that I am completely done with Row by Row 2014.

Box of kits for row by row 2014

And how many license plates do I have????   Well, this many!   That's one and a half inches worth, but let's not forget that each is contained in a plastic bag and a VERY THICK piece of cardboard. So the plates don't take up much space at all!  Right?

2014 Row by Row License plates

Can you guess how many plates are there??????    Guess.....................   Lots from Ontario and all over the US thanks to people like Carol, Barbara (who thankfully put her name in the plastic bag), Mary, Pat, Bernice, Maria, Susan and Shelley and probably a couple others.  Some of the trades I did in 2015 ended up netting me some plates from 2014. but that's OK.

Now this plate is the inspiration starting point for the quilt.  Elaine's son (not me obviously!) picked this up as he lives in Maryland.  Oh yes - we had no shame in sending our children even if they were grown men into a quilt store to get a license plate!

Maryland plate

For the most part, the quilt  is all designed on paper. I'd like to put it in EQ7 just so I have a better idea of the entire project before I get going, but what the heck - just go for it!!!!!   It would just be a good lesson in EQ7.  OK - must take pictures of the plates and put them in the quilt.   Super excited!!!!!!   Now if I can remember how to do that resizing thing. 

The deadline - a picture of the top has to be submitted by April 20.  Oh boy - what am I doing on the computer?

I'm not sure I will ever confess how many plates I got in 2015.  There were a few that were picked up here and there and that's all I'm going to say about it!

When I was at Burkholder Fabrics in PA, I picked up a piece of one of the 2016 Row by Row fabrics. I couldn't help myself!

2016 Row by Row fabric

 And I found a new bicycle fabric and one more darn novelty print.  Will someone please stop me from buying this stuff.  At least, it was only one - there were  many novelty prints in that store. I could have gone wild. So I guess one more is OK.

Novelty prints

On that note - I'm out of here. The roads are crappy, but I want to get to work at some point in the day.  I'm going to quilt a couple of small projects for work and then go in when hopefully the roads are better.

Have an AWESOME DAY!!!!!!!


Ciao!!!!


Oh gosh - I'd be remiss if I didn't send you to QUILTSocial today.   Another great post (obviously!) and this time, it's all about free motion quilting.   Check it out!!!!



PS - the number is 55

Just 15 minutes a day!

I was asked if I wanted to go to the Hamilton Quilt Show which took place on Friday and Saturday this past week.  Hmm - that depends on much progress I make on my "urgent" quilt.  Things were going great with the quilt so I decided to take a couple of hours and go to the show.

WOW - it's always so inspiring to visit a quilt show. The level of talent would blow your socks off.  I took tons of pictures of color schemes, clever use of designs/fabric and many pictures of machine quilting ideas.
In keeping with the fact that I didn't get permission to post any of the pictures, they are all for my personal viewing pleasure.  Sorry! But I do know the color scheme of my next quilt - I was continuously drawn to a couple of quilts in the green/yellow/orange pallette.

Oh by the way - I didn't buy a thing at the quilt show.  I bought my ticket in and I bought $2 worth of raffle tickets for their mini-quilt draw.   Have I at last come to my senses?  

However, once we were finished at the show, I needed to stop at the Village Square Quilt shop in Burlington.

I really really love this store.  They have a different style and type of fabric compared to what I see at other stores and well, I was looking for a particular fabric.  After a hunt around the store, the bolt of fabric was found and I got what I needed. I also found a few other goodies that I couldn't resist.

Pre-cut hexagons

These are cut and ready to go in some project - got to figure something out.  I'm in a hexagon mood these days, although I haven't really the time to work on anything.

And wouldn't you know - they have license plates for Row by Row - not one, but two. So yep - I had to buy both of them.  And this fits within the parameters of my rules.  I personally visited the shop, therefore - it's OK!

License plates for Row by Row

Oh, crud!  Yesterday, I said that I wasn't going to collect the rows, but I just had a peek at some of them on Facebook and some of them are adorable and I want them!!!!!    Fire up the car, get the GPS, get the list of quilt shops.  WAIT! Row by Row doesn't start until June 21. Drat!    I wish they would put the map up soon - I want to start planning a couple of days to tour around.


Speaking of Row by Row, that's the quilt I'm currently working on.    This is all I'm going to show you.  I think I have about 55 license plates from 2014 and this is FIVE of the 12 solids that I'm working with to create the quilt top.

Solids for the quilt top

 I did see a fabric yesterday at Village Quilt Shop that would be perfect for the backing as I'm sure that I don't have enough of anything (row by rowish) and I would really really like to get my hands on some of the snowflake fabric from 2014. It was one of the official fabrics, but I don't think there is time now.  May have to invent something for that.

Anyway, stage one of the construction is complete. Yeah - it went way faster than I thought and I'm very pleased with the results.  Now onto stage two which if I could complete today would be amazing. I might actually have time to hand stitch the binding down on this one.

Oh my, two other major things happened yesterday. One - I sat outside in the backyard and read for a couple of hours. It was glorious.  The weather was perfect and well I must do that more often. It's summer, and we have a beautiful backyard and I'm going to enjoy it!  The second thing that happened was that I started to sort some of this paperwork.  It didn't take too long - well I only spent about 15 minutes, but even in those 15 minutes, I got a fair bit accomplished.  Now to throw some labels on the folders and put in the filing cabinet and it's a start.  Imagine 15 minutes every day for one month - I bet I could get this mess cleaned up.  OK - can I make that commitment to myself?  I'm worth it after all!!!!   Yes - for the month of June, I'll spend 15 minutes every day tidying up the office.  Since it's the fourth today, I will spend one hour to play catch up!

On that note, I'm out of here for more cutting and measuring and cutting and measuring.

Have an awesome day!!!


Ciao!!!!

BTW - I think Lexi has a story to tell you today!

WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Milo went home last night.  :(     He is just so cute and full of life (OK - my girls are too) but he is much more entertaining. However he does have some quiet moments as well. Look at him...............

I was sitting at the computer and had taken my sandal off.   He decided it was stinky enough to use as a pillow.  

That is so cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

So have you heard the buzz???????    A couple of years ago - someone started a shop hop in the state of New York (I think I am getting the story right).  Well it grew into something called Row by Row Experience and this year, there are 34 states and Ontario involved.

Have a peak at the map and you will see all the stores that are involved....................    Yes - just zoom in and you will see close up of any area that you want.   Click on each button and the name and address of the store pops up.

Now they also have a Facebook page that you can LIKE.


Check out the main page for the Row by Row Experience   or just go to the Ontario page.


The Row by Row Experience is on for TWO months - July and August.  And so what do a couple of excited quilters do??  Yep - on the first day - we hit a "few" stores.   Sit back and enjoy our road trip..............


To maximize time, we were prepared.  We had mapped out a route, we had all the addresses programmed into the GPS, tires pumped up, gas tank filled and we arrived at the FIRST store at precisely 9:30 AM - when they opened.  No wasting time!!!!!

First stop - Kindred Spirits in Ste. Catherines - picked up our row, had a good look around and we were off to the next store. 

The Quilting Bee - Fonthill.   OH MY GOD - this store does it to me every time. It is a fabulous store.  As we entered, I saw a woman standing near the back of the store. She looked at me - I looked at her.  Yes - she looks familiar, but I didn't approach her. Then she peeked her head around the corner - OH MY GOD - it's Terry who has moved to Mexico. She was in the area because she just became a grandma and how convenient to do a Shop Hop at the same time.  And her friends  (when they finally arrived) - well I knew half of them!!!!!!!!!!   But I didn't know they knew each other.  That is so bizarre. 

Now we thought we were prepared, but NO  - the navigator of their group had a CHART - yep - all the addresses, mileage between stores, approximate driving time and how much time allowed in each store.  Oh boy - since there were six or seven of them and they created chaos at the check out desk (in a nice way) at Fonthill, I quietly (in my head) wish them good luck with their day!!!!!!   I HATE going on these things with more than two people. It becomes chaos and I don't get to see what I want to see.


 In addition to the Row by Row - there is a Shop Hop (13 stores) for the month of July. Yes - just to confuse things. At the cash as each store we had a check list:


Row by row pattern - check
Row by row kit - check
Row by row license plate - check
Shop hop pattern - check
Get passport for shop hop stamped - check

See what I mean - there was a LOT to think about at each store.


Speaking of the license plates - check out this link to get the story of the license plates.  And now back to the Quilting Bee in Fonthill.

This is the quilt they made with their Shop Hop block  (the theme was red and white and each of the thirteen stores made a block which they shared with the other stores. Then each store made a quilt and many had finishing kits available)

 

The row by row pattern

They also had a challenge - make something using their  license plate.  Look what they made - pretty impressive that this was finished because those license plates haven't been out very long. But this quilt was DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The display when you walked in the store. 

Whew - hope we don't run into a crowd at any other store - that wasted a few precious minutes and we have NO TIME to waste.  Back in the car - and we were off to the next store.


We then went to Wee Folks which is in a house in Selkirk.

Oh my goodness - I remember visiting this store when it was in Stoney Creek. MANY MANY years ago.   The store now resides in a house on the shores of Lake Erie.   There was so much stuff to see - so much and all of it current. This store is a bit out of the way, but WELL worth the trip.  Their license plate was stuck in customs so we arranged for  it to be mailed to us. 

A view of the lake behind the store. 

Lake Erie

Next stop - The Quilting Corner in Simcoe.  Oh my goodness - never been to this store either, but they had some gorgeous stuff.   We picked up the row, which was made with beautiful autumn leaves.   Pretty fussy to cut - WAIT - they have a kit with die cut leaves. Yep - I'll take one of those.  I figure these kits will make beautiful table runners.

Quilt Junction in Waterford was the next stop.  This store is in the train station.  So beautiful inside.  

This store is featured in the current issue of Quilt Sampler

Article on Quilt Junction in Quilt Sampler magazine

I have wanted to get to this store for a long time.  It was well worth the visit.

Here is the quilt that they made for the Shop Hop. 

 We grabbed a couple of sandwiches at Tim`s and ate them outside this store. They have a nice patio and you can look out on the river.   Beautiful setting.


Back in the car and program in the next stop.  I do have to say that Elaine made an excellent navigator.  She had everything programmed into that GPS.  This made it super easy to get from one place to another.  Trust me - we would have gotten lost without it.  We twisted and turned through the back roads in rural Ontario and only once for about 6 KM were we on gravel.   I questioned the GPS twice, but both times I was wrong!!!!!!


Next stop - the brand new store in Tillsonburg.

The owner used to sell out of her home, but now she has a beautiful store front.  It used to be a dress shop and the display cubbies in the store are GORGEOUS.   Beautiful!!!!!!

Next up - Seven Sisters in Norwich

Love the colour of the store front

Their quilt designed for the Shop Hop

This was a mural on a building in Norwich

Oh boy - the sky is getting pretty dark by now. Are we going to get caught in the rain??????

A quick detour across the 403 and we were in Paris!!!!   OK - Paris Ontario to visit Mary Maxim.  I have seen them at the CreativFestival all the time, but had never been to the store. 

When we exited the store - it was pouring rain, but the rain lasted only a few minutes. It is getting late in the day now and thankfully the last store stays open until 6 PM.

Another store in the owner's home.   Lots of Kaffe Fassett fabric

A barn quilt block

Then we saw another one on someone's lawn. 

For the most part - it was a pretty quiet day as far as running into people we knew.  That only happened at The Quilting Bee. We did see a few of the same people and at one store later in the day, we recognized a woman that we had seen earlier.  I said HI to her and she said - "Oh my husband knew that they were following someone".  And how did he know that????   Well I have to say that  a RED car with a bike rack on the back and stickers over the back window - pretty much one of a kind and not a common sight at a quilt store.

Note to self: DO NOT use this car as a get away car!!!!!

Then the ultimate test of shop hoppers.  It was just before six PM and nine stores under our belt.  AHA - we could get ONE MORE store. I know that Ruti's is open late on Wednesday. So we hustled ourselves onto the 403 and back home. Just as we are closing in on Ruti's, the lights start flashing and the bar comes down on the rail road tracks.  NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!     A false alarm. Lights go off - bar goes up and we zip the last couple hundred yards to Ruti's.  NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO - the store is closed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    But it is 6:55!!!    Then I remembered that they started summer hours this week!!!!!!!!!!   Oh fiddle - I'll go tomorrow. But it sure added an element of excitement to the end of the day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


And what did we end up with???????

FOUR  blocks for the Shop Hop (I picked up my Hobby Horse block the other day)

THREE license plates - one is coming in the mail

NINE row by row patterns 

SEVEN kits.  I notice that we did not get kits at the first two stores. I wonder if they had kits?????

I was supposed to be quilting a quilt when I got home, but after driving 450 KM  - I was a bit tired.  What a fun day - it was great to get out and see some shops that I had never seen before. Or seen new locations to the shops. WOW - what an experience.  And we saw parts of Ontario that I had never seen.   Lots of neat houses - if we had more time - I would have stopped for more photos.

For those of us that are number freaks - we did 9 stores out of 82 in one day.   I bet there is going to be some crazy person who will do them all.  I would - just for the fun of it, but I don't have time.

We saw the QUILTmania magazine at several places. No one around here sells it, but we saw it in several stores. So I got the next issue.

As I got to working this morning, I noticed this under the ironing board.  HMMMMM - a piece of blue fabric.   I have NO idea where it came from.   Perhaps it was caught with a kit???????    I haven't done anything blue in a bit. 

Got a binding on a quilt this morning for a customer.  YES - on my new little sewing machine.  But the feed dogs work so much better than my old machine that I used to use.  It just sewed that binding on like a charm. 

OK - so I have a crazy crazy day today - I'll be stuck in the studio working - for the most part. I hope you had fun tagging along on our shop hop.  And if anyone is going to Dryden - I want a LICENSE PLATE!!!!!


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



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