Smitten with Summer!

Hello Friends and fellow summer enthusiasts! Can you believe it's already the middle of July? Time sure flies when you're trying to squeeze all the fun out of this sunny season! So, here's the plan: I've been attempting to be a responsible adult (emphasis on "attempting") by focusing on work in the morning and early afternoon. But come 2 pm, it's officially outdoor time! I've declared war on my yard with some "interesting" attempts at yard work. Let's just say that weeds and I are in a constant battle for dominance. I had grand plans for getting around to finishing some appliqué projects this summer, but they might just have to wait until next year. It's like my sewing machine is giving me the cold shoulder, and my projects are saying, "Summer? Nah, we're going on vacation."

Speaking of vacation, my reading mojo seems to have taken one too. I've devoured some Kristen Hannah, Kate Morton, and Mary Lawson gems, but now I'm on a quest for the next page-turner that's worthy of my undivided attention. Recommendations, anyone? I promise not to devour the book; I'll just read it, I swear!

As fall approaches, I'm contemplating some project-based classes. In last months’ blog post I mentioned making a duffel bag. Well, there was a group of quilters in the loft a few weeks ago who I taught the bag to. The class went off without a hitch and now I think we should tackle this in the studio in the fall.

I have a Christmas sock ready as a sample. The pattern is by my dear friend Katrina Thomas. She is a master at miniature piecing, so this fine detailed piece is a wonderful example of her fine work. There are three socks in the repertoire and the next one has a Scandinavian feel with a Nordic star on the front. I promise to post a photo when I get the sample made again! I keep making these wonderful socks for classes and they disappear as I give them away as the grandchildren keep coming. 😊 Don’t be frightened by the small pieces, remember with the Studio 180 tools and techniques of squaring up units, this little beauty will go together like a breeze!

Happenings in the studio this month: I've finally long-arm quilted my Piko quilt. It's a thing of beauty, if I do say so myself! Soon, I'll have a proper photo of it for the pattern cover. And hey, check out my new pattern, Criss-Cross! It's now up for grabs on my website and on Etsy. Get it while it's hot! Anne finished her quilt Marquise while in the loft a week or so ago. I just had to take a picture for you all to see. Love it in the various blues. Anne’s favourite colour can’t you tell!

 I was at the makers North show last month and found this ever so cute sticker by my friend Julieanne. I think in the day and age of all this social media one can easily get lost in the time sucking machine. I know I must be very mindful as to when and how long I scroll around. Time to find a special spot for this gem!

Alright, my creative juices are calling, and I must answer! Thanks for hanging out with me. Until next time, stay safe, soak up the summer sun, and let's all go create something fantastic!

Yahoo! Its so nice to see you again!

Hello Friends. Overlooking the few snowstorms that we have had lately, spring is in the air. Easter is around the corner, and if you’re like me, you’re already starting to think about sunny days on the dock and checking Pinterest for new summer salad recipes. I for one am ready to say goodbye to winter and look forward to outside chores like raking and playing in the dirt.

April is the month of out and about quilting workshops for me. It is evident that we're starting to see the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, with quilters thinking about getting back to some good old-fashioned in-person workshops. I don't know about you, but I miss the sound of the sewing machines humming, the smell of fresh fabric, and the taste of baking during our mid-morning break.

I leave tomorrow, March 31st, for a much awaited in person get together with a few of my buddies. I will be away for a week, and I am ready for some me retreat time. I have packed 5 projects! Oh, you laugh, but how many do you pack when you go away on a quilting retreat.

I will be back just intime for Easter, and a weekend of unpacking. Only to repack in preparation of my next out and about to Chatham Kent. April 18, & 19, I will be spending time with the quilters of the Erie Shores Quilters Guild. Dazzling them with a trunk show featuring quilts using the Studio 180 innovative piecing tools and techniques. The next day is the workshop. Here the quilters will be making my pattern “Colour my Quilt”. They will get an in depth look at some of the specialty tool by Studio 180 Design and a unique approach to piecing and squaring up your units to create stunning, intricate designs with ease. No more struggling with wonky seams or uneven blocks - with Studio 180 piecing, you'll be amazed at how quickly and easily you can create truly impressive quilts. If you are in the area, the workshop is open to non-guild members. For more information or to register give Lydia Miljan a shout by email: lydiamiljan@gmail.com

I return home on Thursday, only to unpack to repack and off to Thessalon. The quilters in the Algoma region will be joining me for a fun filled day of adventure as we dive into the world of “all things flying geese.” Saturday April 22, has us making Flying geese by 4 using the Wing Clipper tool, and non-mirror image Flying Geese. There are two projects to choose from: Flying Geese Fun and Atlantic Flyway. If you have a Wing Clipper tool by Studio 180 Designs and it is sitting in a drawer somewhere, it's time to dust it off and join us. Also, that day, we will tackle the precision piecing technique of making Migrating Geese. Class will continue Sunday as we become more confident with these new techniques. All this is hosted by The Creative Basket. If you would like to join in the fun call: The Creative Basket (705)842-2018 

This all sound overwhelming but it’s just fabulous. Coming together, sharing our stories and our skills, and creating something beautiful and meaningful together. I can't wait to see your smiling faces, hear your laughter and your stories, and marvel at the stunning quilts you'll create using the amazing Studio 180 piecing technique. Quilting may have been on pause for a while, but now it's time to get back to doing what we love best - creating beauty, warmth, and love, one stitch at a time.
The excitement doesn’t end there. My daughter and family will be arriving from England at the beginning of May for three weeks. That’s right friends, granddaughters are coming. What is most exciting is this will be the first time I will have both girls and their families in the house for food, fun and YaYa cuddles. (That’s my grandma name!)

It seems everyone has been busy quilting, as you have kindly sent along photos of your new creations. I have had the pleasure of long arm quilting some of the completed Fair Isle Block of the Month quilts. This one by Lorraine Cwethko. Stunning!

Fair Isle by Lorraine Cwethko

Mary Bowmeester put on her creative hat and after taking the Wedge Star class (way back before the pandemic) turned the table topper into a full size quilt. Outstanding!

Mary Bowmeester - her own creation.

This beauty is pieced by my good friend Daintry Chitaroni. Scrappy is her way and she did not disappoint.

Daintry Chitaroni - All those little pieces!

Monique Welton sent along this picture of Colour my Quilt. I love to see the quilts on a bed, beautiful!

Monique Welton - Colour my Quilt

The Loft has seen a few groups brave the roads and weather over the winter. I remembered to take photos of these quilters visiting from Espanola. Their machines were busy buzzing for days and all the finished quilts tell the tale.

I am so excited to get back to in-person workshops. For me, I imagine a room filled with fabric, threads, and sewing machines. The hum of the machines blend with the chatter of the quilters, as they share stories and tips. There's a sense of community, of belonging, that's hard to describe. It's a space where everyone is welcome, regardless of their skill level or background.

Thank you for dropping by. Until next time, stay safe, and change your needle on your machine.

And Bang! It's February!

Hello Friends.

And just like that, BANG! It’s February. I’m not even going to mention January – it totally got away from me! But… I really can’t complain too much because as I am writing this, I am beneath an umbrella, pool side, with a cocktail in my hand in Mexico.

There are a few reasons I think it is really important to get away for a “proper” holiday at least once a year. The pandemic has made that impossible for many as of late but maybe now we might be able to plan something for 2023 (a cruise perhaps!?). Whether it be a foot in the sea, toe in a lake, or hand in a tent, one should always allow themselves the opportunity to take a break from life long enough so that at some point in the day, you say: “I don’t know what time it is and I don’t care!”. And, while many of you know me as a real carpe diem kind a gal, I have spent the last few days seizing nothing but margarita after margarita….

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve still been dreaming up new colour combinations at night and makings lists in my head while I doze on my sun bed. However, that’s not to say I haven’t had a few nightmares while I’ve been away too. The other night, I dreamt I was trying to take out stiches with my seam ripper and the seam NEVER ENDED! It just went on and on and ON and I kept picking the stiches out but the stiches kept coming! It was like some quilting hell or torturous seam ripping purgatory where I was caught picking out stiches for all eternity. I have no idea what I did so wrong that warranted so much seam ripping. Still, maybe it’s all the fresh salty sea air or all these mojitos, but it got me thinking. Even the best of us will spend some time in the naughty chair taking out stiches now and again but that is precisely when it’s time to fall back on fundamentals, principal quilting techniques, the basics that we all too often take for granted when you just want to get a project done. But, oh yes, that little devil seam ripper is always there staring at me, reminding me of its presence, forcing me to stay humble and always pay attention to detail. Neatly pressed seams and perfect points can make all the difference. It can turn a relatively simple quilt into a real beauty. You wouldn’t just guess how much butter and flower goes into a pie crust. Pastry is notorious for requiring precise measurements and frankly, I love donuts! Quilting is the same – paying attention to the detail and honing skills are what’s necessary to create masterpieces.

Anyways, as exciting as palm trees and sandy toes may be, I am genuinely looking forward to this year’s guild meetings, quilt shows and, most of all, in-person workshops. In light of my seam ripper nightmare, I’ve decided that my classes for 2023 are going to be underpinned with an emphasis on perfecting the basic building blocks and techniques that are essential ingredients in a recipe for beautiful, timeless quilts and projects – helping students become next level quilters. Quilting is as much of an art as it is a skill and it’s important to actively work on those skills to build confidence to take on more complex patterns – or perfect the ones you already have under your belt!

That said, in keeping with tradition, I have committed to embracing a word for the year….”Details”. Now, I’m not about to go off sweating the small stuff – no, not those kinds of details - but I am going to look to reinforce those practices which contribute so much for the overall end product, not to mention their longevity too! Besides, these are heirlooms after all. And if your children are anything like mine, they never let me live it down when my points aren’t matching. The fear that my grandchildren might point out lumpy unpressed seams on their quilts long after I’m dead haunts me! HA ha ha. I simply can’t have that!

Nevertheless, if you are looking to sink you teeth into a fun new project, this year’s Block of the Month starting this fall both at my studio and Cindy Bee’s in Espanola called “Anteli” is the one for you. It was created by Raija Solmaa (a dear friend and fellow Studio 180 Certified Instructor) and is perfect for practicing attention to detail. This quilt features 6” finished blocks and requires you to slow down and be fully present when piecing. A perfect quilt to challenge your quilting abilities and one that will certainly have you stand back and say, “Wow, I made that! What a lovely looking donut!” HA HA HA.

Of course, a full list of where I am and what I am teaching is always available on my Calendar. So, if you are interested in taking any of the workshops coming up at the studio please feel free to drop me a line to schedule your lessons.

And remember, don’t forget to book in that holiday this year! There is still time to join me for a few days on the quilt cruise exploring the islands of Aruba, Curaçao and CoCoQuay for a wonderful creative adventure. I am really excited to share my new pattern with all the cruisers and a load of delicious looking fabric has just arrived in the studio for the pre-cut kits. All of the pieces will be cut in advance so that we spend more time on the cruise sewing and can get happy hour on time! Contact Dawn at (302)530-6187 for more information or to register.

Thanks for dropping by, now, if you’ll excuse me, I am off to find a piece of cake! ….

Until next time, stay safe, stay warm and find a quilt class.