Merry Everything and Happy Always!

Hello Friends! There are just a few days remaining before Christmas, so I decided I had better touch base with you all before logging off for the holidays.

The build up to Christmas has been a little different this year, to say the least. The arrival of our youngest daughter and her family has derailed my regular routine like a whirlwind and now I spend my days soaking up baby cuddles, cooking much larger meals and spending less time in the studio.

However, I’m not saying this as a complaint because I know how blessed we are to have had the opportunity to get to know my new granddaughter amid all this pandemic madness. While Christmas will be different for all of us I say “thank you” a million times for modern technology and the ability to have Skype, FaceTime, WhatsApp, Instagram, etc. at our disposal to stay together and keep in touch with extended family and those friends we aren’t able to see this year. This means carols sung on Zoom calls and socially distanced drive-way visits for those not too far away.

My holiday wish for everyone is that we next year we can share the season with family and friends once again.

As it happens just about every year around this time, I am in such a rut with cooking! Not to mention with our “bubbling” and trying to be vigilant about COVID, we have only treated ourselves to the odd take-away from our local restaurants. I long for a wonderful meal out and an excuse to wear something a bit fancy dinner. I had mentioned that to Lauren and as a surprise, her and Anthony made a three course meal for Hubby and I. It was absolutely wonderful! For our first course, they made a pea purée served with fresh seasoned mozzarella and sweet baby greens.

As a main course we had herb crusted rack of lamb with an eggplant something-or-other. Then there was dessert! They made a “deconstructed s’more”. Yummmm! Deconstructed anything in my world only happens to quilts and quilt blocks in my brain so this was a new food adventure for us.

With so many workshops and quilting events cancelled I have abundance of spare time on my hands on the sewing front, sort of… I have taken in a few more quilts to long-arm then usual and of course there is my Quilt Along!

For those of you taking part in my Quilt Along and feeling stressed with the amount of sewing, know that I have not finished piecing together my star blocks and have only one chain block made so far. Eeek!

Remember that it is about the learning and enjoying the process. However, it looks like there is going to have to be some serious machine time after the holidays to be ready for the border instructions. Future Carla will deal with that…

I did receive a picture of River Rocks completed by one of my students, Lorraine Cwethko. I love it in the blues as it feels softer somehow. Great job Lorraine.

Hot off the press is the launch of my Fabric Placement Notepads! They are perfect for helping you plan your next project or keep track of fabric already in hand. Each Fabric Placement Notepad contains 20 sheets and they are ideally sized (5 1/2” x 8 1/2”) to fit in your pattern sleeve or carry on the go. I love the graphics on these Notepads. There are five different styles to choose from with designs inspired by the seasons. They include sections for you to record your personal fabric selections and measurement details specific to your project. The headings in the layout act as a checklist for key information and there is even a space to attach a fabric swatch to help you stay organized.

If you fancy having a quick look or keen on ordering some online check out The Store on my website. I am offering an introductory special of $12.00 for each Notepad from now until January 1st. Due to the holidays, shipping will be held off until January 4th.

Special thanks goes out to my very talented graphic designer, Chantal Abdel-Nour, for her amazing work on developing these. Chantal is also responsible for the amazing line drawings of the steps in my patterns.

Well my friends that’s about it for me in 2020. Thanks for dropping by. I’m already planning those cold snowy days of January once the house is empty again. I have so many ideas swirling around in my brain. I just may be convinced to tackle another Quilt Along - AHHHH! I’ve learned so much with the first one and have just about mastered my camera skills.

Until next year, all the very best for this holiday season. From my house to yours, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Have Quilts will travel!

Northern Neighbours by Margerate Hautanen of Timmins

Hello Friends. It’s been a month of Trunk shows and workshops, but more than that, it’s been a month of meeting new quilters and making new friends. It was another wonderful workshop for the Northern Ontario Quilting Symposium. The quilters did a great job paper piecing with Sheida Giddings and I am pleased to say that most finished their projects. For those who attended and now have a completed runner or set of placemats, send along your photos for all of us to enjoy.

Have quilts will travel and this was no exception for me during the month of April. After Symposium, I was invited to the Brant Heritage Guild to share my quilts and have a small table of Studio 180 tools and related items for sale. What a great group of quilters and so enjoyed their company during supper as a small group and I went to their favourite restaurant where I was reminded of the show “Cheers” as the server knew everyone by name. What a hoot!

The day after Brantford, found me at the Creative Arts Festival in Toronto where I bumped into my friends Tracey Russell of Whirls n swirls Quilting and Sherri Hisey of Border Creek Station. In case you’re wondering, Yes, I did do some shopping. Who could resist those super cute mini kits that Border Creek Station has for sale and they just seemed to jump into my shopping bag.

Saturday was a hoot as I spent the day with the quilters of the Mississauga Quilters Guild. I was able to have them all well on their way creating with the Shaded 4-Patch technique from Studio 180 design. Ladies, remember when you have your creation completed send along those pictures. We would all love to see what our day together has inspired you to create.

The traveling doesn’t end there, a few weekends later my dear friend Lise and I made our way north to New Liskeard. We took part in Quilt Day 10, where I had a booth full of goodies for sale along with my patterns. Now this is where the story gets good. Friday, when we arrived it poured buckets all day. Saturday Morning when we work up to go to the quilt show I opened the curtains to this:

My car encapsulated in ice and snow. The temperature had dropped and all that rain froze my car doors shut and I found myself in little shoes in 8” of snow. And that folks is what happens in Northern Ontario in April.

The first weekend of May I was back down the 401, this time to Oshawa. I spent two lovely days with Shirley and her staff from the Ultimate Sewing Centre. Sunday was a store event where I presented quilts made from Studio 180 tools and techniques. I spent all of Monday with the Shirley and her staff, teaching them the ins and out of using the tools in the Studio 180 repertoire. I just know that there are going to be some very creative quilts coming from the area quilters and I sure look forward to seeing the results.

So here we are, the long weekend only a week away. I am looking forward to some quiet time at the river house, hopefully some sunshine, weed pulling, and a few hours on the dock staring at the water. My new pattern Castle Lilies is in its final edits and should be ready for the end of the Month. I am making plans for June and Quilt Canada in Ottawa. I am looking forward to getting a picture of my friends and I with the quilt in the show, Not for the shopping!! :)

I did not have studio classes this month so not much new to report there. However, I did have one of my students help out to make a quilt for me and although all fixed up now, I did find a few booboo’s. Can you find them?

Mountain Blaze a new pattern from Studio 180 Design

Well time to go do some long needed cleaning up so Thanks for stopping by. Until next time, stay safe, change your machine needle, and try to get some outside time.

Free Motion Workshop with Tracey Russell.

Northern Ontario Quilting Symposium:  Free Motion Quilting with Tracey Russell

"Waiting for the ice to melt".  Photo courtesy of Lake Penache Campers and cottagers

Hello Friends.  I can't help myself, I have to comment on the weather.   April 18th and we are fully covered in snow, with 2 feet of ice still on the lakes.  Not to mention the storms.   I am up north near Kirkland lake May 24, 25 and I sure hope I will not need my snow tires.  If I have to put up with winter this far into spring then I hope all the mosquitos have frozen.  On the bright side, quilting season has been extended by a few weeks before the spring chore list starts.  

This past weekend I had the pleasure of hosting Tracey Russell at the Northern Ontario Quilting Symposium.  Tracey is an amazing free motion quilter and did not let us down. Those in attendance left with their heads full of ideas and new techniques.  I can't wait to see the quilts that are a result of the weekend.  On a stormy note, Sunday saw the onset of a winter storm that brought us freezing rain, ice pellets and snow.  It made for an interesting drive home for the quilters and for our guest Tracey.  I am happy to report that all arrived to their destination safe and sound. 

I am off in the morning to Barrie Ontario where I have been invited to do a trunk show for the Kempenfelt Quilters Guild.  A big shout out to all the quilters there.  The weather seems to be behaving itself, but I have left my snow tires on just incase.  This time I have a few new quilts to debut, along with my two new patterns.  Of course I will be heading out early, I feel there is a shopping opportunity to be had.  

There has been some new arrivals in the studio in the past few weeks.  One of which is just a pure novelty.  I fell in love with Tatoo Elementz.  They are decorative decals for your sewing machine or where ever you want to pretty things up a little.  They are removable, and just so darn cute.  Juki and Millie both got some. Don't they look just darling?  You are always welcome to drop by and say "Hi" and have a look around.  I always have "my quilters must haves" in stock at the studio.  Give me a shout just to make sure I will be around for your visit.  

I made a stop in at our local quilt store the other week and darn if there wasn't a pattern that just spoke to me.  I couldn't resit this perfect little wallet.  It only took a few hours and the hardware was so easy to put on.  I was nice to stitch a "Little" (that project that you can finish in a few hours) because we are always making these large quilts that take days, weeks, months! Thanks to Marilyn, I think I have to make a few more for my friends.  

Diva Frame Wallet

Speaking of friends, Diane Jenner of Diane's Creative Elements has been out to the studio a few times and together she was able to make her first tuffet.  She wasn't sure she could sew all those strips together, but look, it turned out great. 

Diane with her Tuffet

One more finished project to report.  Susan brought her finished Northern Neighbours table runner for show and tell at guild.  I alway feel so proud when I get to see someone's class project all finished.  Great job ladies.  If you have pictures of your finished class projects, please send them along and I can add them to the gallery site.  We all would love to see your creations.

Susan with her Norther Neighbours Runner.

Well there is still a few more things to pack before bedtime, so I had better get at it.  Thanks for dropping by.  Until next time, stay safe, don't shovel any more snow and go find the "OFF", just so your ready.