There's a lot going on!

Hello Friends. What a month June turned out to be. As I sit here writing this post, I am reflecting on how many amazing things and adventures have occurred over the last month. First off we celebrated both our granddaughters 2nd Birthday. I know they say as you get older time flies by, but Hey! This is just a bit too quick. It feels like they were just newborns and now they walk and talk and make this Grandma tired. Heheheh!

If you follow along on my facebook page you know that I spent some time in North Carolina at the Studio 180 Certified Instructors reunion. Now, “reunion,” to me sounds like one big party. Let me inform you that it was not that kind of reunion. There was a steady stream of lectures and design challenges, not to mention the brain storming and collaboration that took place from early morning to the wee hours of the night. Thank you to all my CI buddies for sharing their knowledge and inspiration. I am now the proud owner of a projector and have signed up for EQ lessons to further my knowhow. Oh goodness my brain hurts. It was truly wonderful seeing everyone again and the in-person learning and contact, just makes me realize how much we have endured over the past 2 years. With that thought, I, and hopefully all of you, are ready to get back to workshops and classes in person.

I have also been posting pictures of new fabric and notions arriving in the studio. Due to the rising cost of gas, food and all the other stuff, I have brought in a bit more fabric and a few new notions to help the quilters in and around the studio. . Well I say help, but we all know how exciting a little bit of fabric shopping can be. Also, some retail therapy is an excellent excuse while staying at “The Loft”. So if you break a needle or are missing a piece of fabric for that next project, or planing a drive in my neck of the woods, come on over. I operate on an appointment only basis so give me a call or test or email to arrange a convenient time . Of course, I had to buy more shelving. (Big sigh here).

Speaking of fabric, I would like to remind you that I have kits for Colour my Quilt in both the red and blue colour-way, along with Flying Geese Fun. These kits were meant for the Cruise that unfortunately got cancelled in May. Colour my Quilt is written for three sizes . I would be happy to cut a kit for the size you would like. Flying Geese Fun makes a 32” topper or table runner and either can be made from the kit. Flying Geese Fun Kit is available in either a bright or country colour way. Kits will be available as long as supplies last.

Now speaking of Cruises and Kits - I have just been signed up for a new cruise. That’s right, I’m going cruising again. I will be teaching July 7-15 2023 onboard Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas. Our Cruise C0-ordinator Dawn Olmstead is now accepting bookings. I have designed a new quilt and small mystery project just for the cruise. To make life simple and because you are on holiday after all - I will be supplying a pre-cut kit for both. Whoo!! Whoo!!!

I invite you to come on a fabulous holiday with me to quilt and cruise and… did I mention I will be celebrating my birthday while on the cruise. It’s going to be wonderful! More information can be found on the Quilt and Cruise website. wwwquiltandcruise.com

Feel free to contact me as well if you have questions.

June had a few bookings in the loft. One of which was a friend of the family. Karen, who came the her daughter and son-in-law, celebrated her 80th Birthday while here. Her daughter bought her one of my quilts, as Karen has been a life long quilt lover. It warms my heart to know that the quilt has gone to a home where it will most certainly be loved and cuddled a lot.

The Loft also hosted a group of family members this past week. Mother, daughter and Aunt kept the sewing machines humming and the results were stunning. Their productivity gave way to several small quilts. A big Thank you as well for their willingness to join in on my chaos when the CTV News came to interview.

CTV News interview? That’s right, an unexpected call in the morning had hubby and I scrambling to get ready, as my mouth accepted before my brain, to the impromptu interview.

Hair, makeup, Oh Ya mow the grass!! It all happened so fast I didn’t get a chance to get to nervous. Thank goodness!

Allana Pickrell did a lovely job with her interview. Thank you for editing all the bloopers and antics out, making Quilting by the River appear as professional as possible. The lofters were interviewed along with my Quilty friend down the river. Thank you Susan for helping me out at moments notice. You never know what you're going to be asked to do when you're a bestie of Quilting by the River.

It’s been that kind of month. Looking forward to warmer weather, sunny days and some feet up time here at the river. Thanks for dropping by. Until next time, stay safe, quilt a little bit and get outside more.

Hello Summer! Hello Blackflies?

Hello Friends. With the arrival or some lovely warm weather I declare summer is here. I can back up my prediction by the arrival of those pesky Black Flies. They love me, they love my head. I must admit long hair is not my thing and when I finally get to go for a hair cut, I will have to explain what the big bumps are on my scalp. Yikes!! On a good note, our spring has been sufficiently long enough prior to bugs, to get those outside chores done and a little bit more before they arrived. Here at the River House, we decided to dabble a little into some vegetable planting. We will see how that grows! Flowers are in their pots and there was even time for some landscape projects to be done. So now that the bugs have erupted I am inside for a few weeks getting caught up on my quilting and deadlines for September.

.First off, a big Thank you to everyone who took part in the Quilt Alongs this past year. Your support for my new adventure is so appreciated. Colour Me Red and Path to Spring were big successes. All of you have done amazing work and the quilts look fabulous. If you haven’t already, post pictures of your finished creations as we all love to see what you have done.

As for my online Facebook lives that we called “River Ramblings”, well, necessity is the mother of invention. For those that joined me as I muddled through this new platform, thank you! My goal was to entertain and looking back, I had a hoot and hope I was able to bring a smile during those winter months as we were staying at home.

There seems to be a buzz returning in the quilting world, with folks looking forward to getting out and taking classes in the fall. I am so ready to get back to the classroom and teach in person. I do much better than imagining everyone through a dot on a computer screen.

So far, dates are being discussed for my retreat I at the Stronghouse Inn in Vermont.https://www.stronghouseinn.com/quilting-retreats/. It was cancelled last April due to Covid so I am excited to get back to the planning stages for that workshop.

Fabric is coming in for the pre-cut kits for the Quilt and Cruise in May 2022. I have made a runner alternative to the 36” square topper. I am beginning to cut the kits as the fabric arrives, so its a bit like Christmas here in the studio with new bolts about the room.

I urge you to get in touch with Dawn, our travel co-ordinator, if you are thinking of joining me, as quilters are ready to get out and do some quilting with friends. If you would like more information on the cruise please visit https://www.quiltandcruise.com for details. I have information on my website as well. Feel free to give me a shout if you need clarification to the projects or kits being offered.

I am discussing projects for the fall at the local quilt shops. Keep checking my calendar for a list of projects and the where and when as I get them booked. If you have something you would like to see offered at one of the quilt shops please send me a message or email your suggestions.

I have a few new notions I would like to bring into the studio for the fall, just to kick start our back to shopping experience. As we begin to see relaxed restrictions, I invite you to pop in if you are out and about this summer. Remember to call first to make sure I am around and not floating down the river in my kayak. :) Also may I invite you and your creative friends to consider some well deserved time away at “The Loft”. As soon as guidelines allow you are welcome to book your getaway. We are looking forward to hosting your group and sharing our little corner of the French with you.

This month I received a wonder quilt photo from Kim Weaver of her “River Rocks”. I may just have to start a love affair with blues and purples as this is just fabulous. Thank you Kim.

With summer here and the sunshine calling, I will not be posting newsletters or updates unless necessary for the summer. I will return to my chatting in September to bring everyone up to date with the comings and goings, doings and makings of all that goes on here at the Studio. Who knows - there may be new news to share. Until then..

Thank you for dropping by. In the meantime, stay safe, enjoy the summer and lets all look forward to getting a hair cut!

I just can't seem to "Pause"!

Hello Friends. Shortly after Christmas, I had braced myself for the long cold dark months of January and February. I wasn’t sure how we were going to pass the time especially with the Hubby now as my new and only best friend. Now, all of a sudden, it’s the middle of March, and I wonder where the time has gone. I had big plans to get some UFO’s completed, and have time to do some slow stitching hand work. Nope, I have done none of that. It seems that slowing down is not a me thing to do. The hubby and I have however tried to make a conscious attempt to get out and walk. Mother Nature must have known that Covid itself brought on its own extraordinary challenges and gave us a gift of “an easy winter.”

The temperatures are beginning to warm up and I still have hopes of “pausing” daily. I just do not seem to be able to just sit and watch the ice melt on the river.

With the Vaccine roll out underway there is a palpable feeling of hope in the air. I have even started a Fall class list of projects I’d like to teach. I was supposed to have the samples done already but I found more fun things to do with my time, like start a Facebook Quilt Along group.

I am so looking forward to having students in the studio for classes, going out and about for workshops and meeting new quilters. Then there is the pleasure of hearing the chatter and laughter coming from The Loft as quilters and like minded friends gather to share and make and enjoy their time together. It seems like every time someone books The Loft we head into a grey zone. So The Loft is waiting and so am I for the return to gatherings.

Here are a few quilt pictures of “Colour me red” I’d like to share from the fall Quilt Along group. If you are still working on your quilt that is fine. When your ready share a picture of your project on the group page as we would all love to see your beautiful creations.

Just when I try to convince myself that I am content with my daily routine, something pops into my world and has my mind racing with quilts and possibilities. So what has me in a frenzy?

I am excited to announce that I have accepted an offer to teach on a Caribbean Quilt Cruise in 2022. (I had better be vaccinated by then!)

So now starts the work! I would love for you to join me, so if you or someone you know is a cruiser I have added information here on my website, or you can check out Quilt and Cruise.

Please feel free to pass on the invitation and information on to your friends, guilds and groups. To print this poster click here.

Wooden Bracket $75.00

On the home front, my bestie these days, Hubby, has found his own creative outlet. He has started doing some woodworking (which now that he is retired has time for). I had him make some quilt hangers for the wall as I lack floor space. Beautiful handcrafted out of oak with either a wooden or metal bracket. The quilt hangers are approximately 24” long with the arm 26” in length and swings 180° left to right. Prices are listed beneath the pictures and custom order are accepted. Send me an email of you would like further information or to purchase.

Metal bracket $85.00

Tucker Tool Rack $20.00

The second on Hubby’s list of creative endeavours are the Tucker tool racks. These boards hold up to 28 tools and sit in a file like fashion. Perfect for our Tucker Tools to keep in reach for all our quilting needs.

In the studio this week - I just received the quilt in the new colour way for Marquise. I had my special sample fairies quilting up a storm. The original Marquise was not drawing your attention so perhaps a change of fabric may help you visualize all the different potential fabrics and colours that can be used when making this quilt.

I have received several pictures from quilters as they finish up some of their projects.

Harmony by Sharon Myles

Sharon Myles and Ellie Charette sent along pictures of their completed “Harmony” quilts.

It just is so wonderful to see quilts emerge with someone else’s choices of fabrics and colours.

Love the quilts ladies and Thank you for choosing my pattern.

Harmony by Ellie Charette

Carolina Lilly by Anne Hubert

Anne Hubert sent along a picture of Carolina Lilly that she recently finished. It is beautiful in the greys and purples. All the pictures I receive are posted on my Gallery page of the website so check them out.

If you haven’t already, and would like email notification of my monthly newsletter/blog post, sign up for my newsletter here and never miss a thing.

Well the sun is shining and I guess I should go take 5 and watch the ice melt. :) Thanks for dropping by. Until next time, stay safe, quilt something and go watch the ice melt!