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.

Holy Moly It's Winter!!

Look at all that Ivy growing in the trees!

Hello friends. I’m back! Hubby and I left Mid December to spend time with our daughter and her family in the UK. The visit was long overdue, but such a treat. We got to spend some valuable time with our granddaughter, and I banked all the cuddles I could to help tide me over until the next time. Life in the UK is a bit different in the sense that you can go for long walks and play outside without big boots, scarves mittens etc.. and that is just what you do. We had numerous lovely walks in the English countryside where I treated my eyes and imagination to the landscape and all it had to show. There is no artificial holly there as it grows abundantly most everywhere and the English Ivy! It grows vigorously up the trees and makes them look as if they had never dropped their leaves. It almost made me want to start an appliqué project. Heheheh!

There wasn’t much time for “work” but as the new year rang in I did think about my year ahead and my “Word for the Year”. The horizon looks hopeful, as Covid is becoming more of a thing we live with then a thing we fight. I am getting ready for 2022 to be a year that I get back into the swing of things. So with that thought my word for 2022 is: Perseverance! Persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success, continued effort to do or achieve something, even when this is difficult or takes a long time. Thats it in a nut shell. I will Keep On Keepin’ On

So what’s on the horizon for Quilting by the River? I will be opening the studio to in house classes. So if you're feeling like you and a friend or two would like to get back into quilting, have a pattern that seems a bit daunting, or want to do one of my patterns, give me a shout and we can discus the particulars.

I have a few new patterns coming out this spring. The two quilt alongs that I did in 2020 - 2021 will be available for purchase shortly along with small project highlighting a new technique using the Wing Clipper tool™ by Studio 180. All my patterns and specialty notions are available on my Etsy site or the link here on my website.

I have spent some time preparing a quick quilt project using layer cakes (pre-cut 10” squares) adapted from a Deb Tucker technique. This one is what I like to call a “rice crispy square” pattern - you know, looks really hard but is super easy.

Come cruise with me: Royal Caribbean has extended the deadline for booking for the May cruise until Mid April. That means there is still time to book for your quilt and cruise adventure. I will be hosting a zoom info night on March 10th at 7pm. Our cruise co-ordinator will be in attendance to answer questions and concerns for those who may me interested. To attend the zoom, send along your email address to me at quiltingbytheriver@gmail.com and I will send you the link. My friend Sherri Hisey of Border Creek Station just returned from her cruise and they had a blast. So I say, “What could be better than sun, fun and quilting. I’d love to have you along for the adventure so don’t delay call Dawn today at (302)530-6187

In need of a few days quilting with friends and a break from the usual, The Loft is open and waiting for your arrival. Check it out here and book your mini retreat on the shores of the French River.

With the new year comes the revealing of Panatone’s Colour of the Year. “Introducing Very Peri, a dynamic periwinkle blue hue with a vivifying violet-red undertone. Its dynamic presence encourages personal inventiveness and creativity.” (Direct quote from the Panatone website)

Now I’m not big on the purple side of the colour wheel, but I did stumble upon a blend of colours that go well with the purple side of things. It has sparked my creative brain and I am excited to see what develops.

While I was away I did receive a photo of a runner pieced by one of my students. In her email she graciously explains that the patterns was a bit challenging but perseverance and hearing me in her head, got her to the finish line. Thank you Anne for the kind words, your runner is beautiful. Congratulations! However, I’m not sure hearing me in your head is a good thing or not. If it persists, take two aspirin and call me in the morning! LOL.

That about sums it up for now. I will keep you all informed of more things to come as we navigate the next few months. If your in the neighbourhood, I am clearing some older stock of existing pre-cuts and Batiks which I have reduced to make room for some new fabric. Call before you come to make sure I am around.

Thanks for dropping by, until next time, stay safe, keep warm and clean your sewing machine!

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.

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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!