It's the start of Quilting Season!

Hello Friends. Nothing says fall to me more than sunflowers, and as I was putting my sunflower cuttings into a vase, I realized that the endless hot days of summer are rapidly coming to a close. That and I turned the page on the calendar, which caused me a few moments of anxiety. This year, fall is greeting me with a strange quiver. I have spent the last two years without deadlines, bookings or a do it or leave it “To DO” list. So this September, I am fielding calls from quilters, anxious to get back to classes, guilds looking to book in person guest speakers along with a trip to the UK thrown in there, for the arrival of our new grand baby.

So lets start at the beginning and go through all my here and there and what’s going on!

September always has me thinking of new beginnings. I guess it resonates from the back to school time line, where I feel September is the start of a new quilting year. It’s at this time of year that I like to re-evaluate my classes that I teach out and about, along with new ones for the Quilt Shops and also In Studio. I have spent a few days redoing my website so I invite you to have a look around, check out the classes I have available for groups and guilds, and new ones in the In Studio section.

My patterns are now available on my website as PDF Downloads with paper patterns available through my Etsy site with a link on my website as well.

Another new task has been creating the pattern for the Cruise. I have the fabric coming in slowly and will be ready to get at my sample in November when we get back for the UK.

I guess I need a few days to start pattern writing. Looks like Hubby is going to have to fend for himself for a few days. Yikes!!

Oh the Cruise! It is time to seriously start planning to join me on a Caribbean vacation. Check it out, www.quiltandcruise.com. If you have questions about the quilt projects feel free to give me a shout.

I have a few new classes booked to teach at Cindy Bee’s Quilt Shoppe in Espanola this fall. One of which is last spring’s cruise quilt, Colour my Quilt. Due to Covid, the cruise was cancelled, so that means I have kits available for this class. The kits are pre-cut into their respective squares, rectangles and triangles and available in two colour-ways. No cutting no fuss just come and sew. It’s that easy! For more details call Cindy Bee’s Quilt Shoppe at (705) 869-2548

Also at Cindy Bee’s, a fused tree skirt and my latest obsession “Nantucket bags”. So far I have made 5 with 3 more to go. They will be excellent travel bags to put things like cosmetics, medicine, charger cords, etc…. they are fast, easy and even the zipper was fun. Great for gift giving with Christmas around the corner. Only 107 days until Christmas! AHHHHH!

I have received a few Pictures from quilters who have finished some of their projects. Diane completed her Colour My Quilt in reds. It turned out beautifully. I just love seeing all your finished projects.

Diane’s Colour My Quilt

Susan sent along a photo of her Pathway to Spring. Such a great choice of fabric colours. Thank you both for sharing. Both of these quilts are from my pattern line and can be purchased either as paper via my Etsy site or PDF downloadable from my website.

Susan’s Pathway To Spring

I just held my first In Studio Class since spring of 2020. We had a blast. I must admit I felt a bit rusty but once we got going - it was like riding a bike. The quilters were making the “Migrating Geese” Table runner. Lots of laughs and chatter, and that is what it is truly all about.

A few of us Studio 180 Certified Instructors are taking part in a Block Exploration Challenge. We post pictures of our exploration for this basic quilt block every Thursday in September. The intent of these challenges is to explore a quilt block. We just want to have fun playing with blocks, sharing what we came up with - through the Studio 180 lens (what S180 tools and/or techniques can be applied to this block to create it) and checking out each other's designs. You can take a look or follow along on Facebook or Instagram. Not on Instagram, that’s Ok, just go to my instagram page and have a look. Find me on Instagram at Quiltingbytheriver.

I will most likely not be posting a newsletter for a bit, until we get back from the UK in mid November. This quilter will be relishing in baby snuggles as we great our now grand daughter in October. I will be available via email during that time if you need to get in touch. I also would like to remind you to sign up for my newsletter so that you will receive it via email.

Thank you for dropping by, Until next time, have a look around my website, get in touch with a friend and start a new quilt project

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.

Things are starting to pick up!

Our property is filled with lupins and trilliums. I just couldn’t resist sharing a photo.

Hello Friends. As soon as the green houses open the and blackflies come out, I personally declare Summer has arrived. With the warmer weather brings a plethora of outside chores. My time is torn between my need and want to be outside, and the never ending list of projects and duties in the studio.

What a fun time with the quilters making hourglass units and showing them the ins and outs to my pattern Colour my Quilt.

Things have started to hop here in the studio with lots to catch up on for a change. First, I’d like to say a big Hello and Thank you to the groups of wonderful quilters that have come to spend creative time in The Loft.

My hubby always smiles when he walks past The Loft door and hears the chatter and laughter coming from within. I had the pleasure of spending some teaching time in the loft with a few of the quilters that were supposed to have been on the cruise with me. The cruise, unfortunately was cancelled (Thank you, No Thank you Covid!) as a lot of quilters still feel a bit anxious to venture out and about. I demonstrated a few of the wonderful things the Tucker Trimmer 1® can do, as it is my favourite tool for squaring up hourglass units.

They call themselves the Eager Beavers.

As a bonus, Lofter guests take a stroll to the studio where they can browse and shop for things in need and those on the “want” list.

If you follow me on instagram or facebook, you may have noticed I have been increasing the fabric that is available for purchase here in the Studio. Now that we live here in the French River area and with the ever rising cost of fuel, I felt that it would be helpful to neighbouring quilters to offer a convenient place to shop for their quilting needs. I am focusing on more of the common blenders like tone on tones and always have the common notions readily on hand. Of course I carry all Studio 180 tools and technique sheets as well as my favourite notions that I feel quilters should not be without. It is also nice for The Loft guests to have access to needful things and an excuse to purchase those not so needful fabric.

With the cruise cancelled, I have available, fabric kits in both colour-ways for Colour My Quilt and the smaller project, which can be made in a square topper or runner. I will cut Colour my Quilt into which ever size you’d like, lap, double or queen. Please drop me a line or call (705)698-7904 for more information.

New this past month to Quilting by the River is the ability to purchase my patterns as a PDF download. PDF patterns are now available on my website in the Shopping section. Paper patterns are still available through Etsy

Click here to see the list of PDF patterns available.

I have not spent much time at my sewing machine doing actual sewing, but, I have been busy designing a few new quilts. One of these quilts will be the designated larger project for my Next Cruise. That’s right, I’m off sailing again. I do not have much more to tell you at the moment but we will be sailing in the Caribbean July 7th to July 15th 2023. This northern girl is gonna be HOT in more ways than one. I am super pumped! I have made a quilt just for us and its a beauty. Too early to share photos but stay tuned for more info and pictures.

In the studio this month, one of my new quilters made her first sausage pillow case. It just warms your heart when you see the happiness in their face. This is Connie Maley and her first pillow case for her grandson.

I am off to Raleigh NC in June, to spend some time with Deb Tucker and other Certified Instructors for professional development. When I get back I will be full of new ideas and more tricks and tips for all of us here in Canada. I am very excited to join with others and talk shop for days. My husband will enjoy the break - wink wink. Gonna be quiet in this neck of the woods!

I think that’s it for now, but stay tuned as I have a feeling things are just starting to get a move on. Stay up to date with all my coming and goings and doings - Follow me on Facebook, instagram and make sure to sign up for my newsletter from my website.

Thanks for dropping by. Until next time, stay safe, smell some flowers and change your rotary cutting blade.