Hello Friends. Wonderful things happen when we give ourselves time to be creative. That’s exactly what I did the week of February 4th to the 8th. I spent some alone work time at the River House and was able to write two new patterns. The first on is Castle Lilies and will hopefully be available for April. The second one is September Morn. This one I self published back in 2006 but since then a lot has changed with respect to new tools available and rewriting the pattern seemed a must. The leaf uses the Corner Beam™ tool by Studio 180 Design and of course the flying geese have to be done with the Wing Clipper. I am expecting that pattern to be ready for sale by late spring. Let’s give it a date like late May, because with the amount of snow we have and have been continually getting it may be June before I see grass.

Sign ups for Symposium are going well and there are still a few spots left, so if you're still thinking about it, I’d advise you make some plans as you don’t want to miss out on this workshop. The Trunk Show by Sherida Giddings on the Friday Night before is going to be amazing and you do not need to participate in the workshop to attend. Tickets are available at Cindy Bee’s Quilt Shoppe in Espanola, Country Quilter in Sudbury and Cottage Quilter in Corbeil Ontario.

You can also give me a shout and I will put one aside. Tickets will also be available at the door for those last minute folks finding themselves free and able to attend.

I finished my Hand Quilting sample and I will be a class at Cindy Bee’s Quilt Shoppe on Monday March 18, 2019. I was also able to borrow a small sampler from my buddy Daintry just to show off how beautiful hand quilting is and let quilters know that you do not need to hand quilt large projects. Keep it small and have fun! During this class I will also be teaching Big Stitch Quilting, which is so hot right now. I have been working on my sample and I am enjoying the speed and little pizzaz it gives to the project. If you would like to attend give the shoppe a call and sign up. Cindy Bee’s Quilt Shoppe (705) 869-2548

Hand Quilting “mini” by Daintry Chitaroni

I have been receiving pictures of “Quarry” the workshop quilt from November. I love seeing what everyone has done. I post them in the Gallery page of the website so go have a look at all the lovely quilts from quilters near and far.

With all the wintery weather we have experienced lately, quilters are nestled down in their quilting spaces pumping out some beautiful quilts. One of my students recently dropped this off for me to longer quilt. May I say, “Look what happens when you give quilters a tool that works wonders”. This is a Lemoyne Star with an appliquéd flower on top, surrounded by a courthouse steps. Way to make that Rapid Fire Lemoyne tool work for you!

I have also recently received feedback about the use of plates. I teach with plates and if you don’t know what that is, you will just have to attend one of my workshops to find out. Here is a photo from one of my students who just can’t quilt without them.

That seems to all my news for now, Thanks for dropping by. Until next time, stay safe, quilt lots and give yourself some creative time.