Hello Friends. Christmas for my family begins when our youngest arrives from the Uk for the holidays. So that means - I’m shopped, wrapped, decorated, baked and ready for some family time. We pick her up tomorrow and I am ready for some mother daughter time. Writing this blog post has been swirling in my brain for a few weeks now as I have special news to share. I figured that there is no a better time than at Christmas when we rejoice our blessings and cherish family. You see, we are going to be Grandparents. What makes our news even sweeter, is that both daughters are expecting. You read that right, two babies on the way, a month apart. So, May and June will be bursting with the arrival of special little ones to our family. And I thought 2020 was going to be a quiet year. LOL

With winter in full swing, quilters have been busy, stitching away the chilly hours of the day. I received this photo today from quilter Maureen Pickett of Buckhorn. Maureen was in attendance for the “Quarry” workshop I did for her guild in October. I think it is fair to say that she has been playing with her Tucker Trimmer™ tool, as this Rangeley Runner is beautiful. (Pattern by Studio 180 designs).

Last month I had some friends to our River House for a day of quilting in my studio space there. We made blocks for a quilt I will be teaching at Cindy Bee’s Quilt Shoppe in Espanola in the new year. A day spent quilting with buddies is always wonderful and I can’t wait to do it again in the new year.

Now for more cool things to watch for - last January I spent the day teaching hand quilting, as the guest professional, (giggle and eye roll here) to the family that took part in the CBC television series “Back in time for Winter”. I had a blast! Thanks to my bestie Daintry for helping with suppling notions and a quilt of the 1940’s. The series begins January 9th 2020 at 8pm on CBC with yours truly in episode 1. I am not sure I can watch it - a bit nervous to say the least. There are many Sudburians in the series so have a watch, you may just see your neighbour on one of the episodes. Im hoping they edit so that I do justice to quilters and the art.

For more information on the show click here

I just received and email from Northcott informing me that my “Castle Lilies” quilt which was chosen for the Northcott Travelling Quilt Show, will be at the following quilt shows in 2020.

AQS Quilt Week: Paducah, KY. April 22-25

Shipshewana Quilt Fest: Shipshewana, IN. June 24 – 27

AQS Quilt Week: Lancaster – The Nook, PA. August 5-7

AQS Quilt Week: Grand Rapids, MI. August 19 – 22

If you are planning to attend any of these I sure would love a picture of my quilt. Thanks in advance.

Well that’s about it for now. From my house to yours, A very Merry Christmas and all the best for the new year

Thanks for dropping by. Until next time, stay safe, have a wonderful holiday season and eat turkey!

Houskaa Joulua ja onnellista uuta vuotta

Hello Friends. Wouldn’t you know it, just because the hubby and I are not going on a winter vacation, Mother Nature has sent us into a deep freeze. Or its always like this at this time of year but we are on a beach and miss it. Whatever the case, cold and crunchy is life in my neck of the woods. We, being all the folks, I talk to, are hibernating until this streak of unbearable cold passes. I’m a tough northerner but we have out limits. What do you do in such cold weather? Quilt, Stitch, play with fabric, pull out fabric bundles, count your UFO’s. Yup it’s that time of year when we look at our stash and wonder where it all came from. I swear fabric has the ability to propagate. But never the less, at -30C, I don’t have to go to the quilt shop to look for something to quilt with.

It is usually at this time of year when I am assessing how things have been going at the studio and what kinds of things I want to do, that I try to come up with a word or phrase to keep me on track. I have decided that this year’s word will be Intention.

Intention: a mental state that represents a commitment to carrying out an action or actions in the future. Intention involves mental activities such as planning and forethought. Wikipedia

On any given day I can have 3 – 4 different quilting project ideas. Several projects on the go and just as many scheduled commitments that have to be taken care of. So, I will TRY to set my days with intention. Plan what to work on each day and carry them out that commitment. Ok, I hear you laughing, but I did say “try”! If your like me and feel the need to get it together drop me a comment and let me know if you will be trying some new motivator this year.

With the days speeding by, Symposium will be here before we know it. I have had an overwhelming response to this year’s guest and workshop topic. Sherida Giddings will be teaching the paper piecing leaf series by Judy Neimyer. Space is going fast so don’t delay Sign up and join us for a great weekend.

For more information on this year’s Symposium click HERE.

Now for some exciting news, yours truly was asked to make a profession guest appearance on a CBC series called “Back in time for Winter”. This is season 2 of the series which follows one adventurous family on the time-travelling journey of a lifetime as they take on iconic trends in food, design and domestic gadgetry, beginning in the 1940’s. Each week the family from Sudbury Ontario will live through a new decade of Canadian food and domestic trends. I was asked to teach the mother, two daughters and the grandmother how to hand quilt. My dear friend Daintry, just so happened to have a period quilt which we used so the family could hand quilt on. I am so grateful to have had her help and expertise in this adventure. I will let you all know when it is to air but am told most likely winter 2020.

Since I brushed up on my hand quilting skills, I thought I would put my efforts to good use and come up with a few new classes for spring of 2019. An heirloom hand quilted pillow top or framed piece and since we are quilting, a small piece to get you started on Big Stitch Quilting. I will keep you posted as to when these classes will be available.

Lastly, Thank you Lise for sending in this picture of your finished quilt top from the November workshop. Looks beautiful! Well, time for me to snuggle on the couch and R&R. Thanks for dropping. Until next time, stay safe, stay warm and go play with your fabric stash.

Happy Holidays to you!

My world is cold and Crunchy!