Happy New Year!

Hello Friends. It’s the last day of 2018, and the Hubby and I are at the River House just chillin! Christmas was quiet, and I am truly thankful that the family was able to be together for the holidays. The girls got us framed photos of their wedding pictures and of course I cried. (like that’s a surprise) and to be honest, those are the kinds of gifts that really matter. The newlyweds have made it back to the UK and our oldest is enjoying some quiet time in her new house. My, how the holidays just flew by. All the prep and fussing and whoosh here we are at the eve of another year.

I am fighting a bit of a cold, but I must say, the timing for something like that is OK, as I am in hibernation mode for the next few weeks. I de-decorated this morning and anxious for things to be normal, including the menu. Too much cheese and chocolate and the like. I swear every time I turned around there was something jumping into my mouth.

January is shaping up to be catch up time with quilts to be quilted on the long arm and time set aside to write my next pattern. Somehow, I am a master of procrastination when it comes to writing patterns. Then of course with the new year comes year end and inventory so there goes January. With all the expenditures this past year we have decided to pass on our February Caribbean holiday. That is just fine with me, as I am always in for some extra sewing time. There is an exciting event/adventure taking place in January, but I can’t share just yet so stay tuned and I will bring you up to date mid-January.

2018 was an exciting year for me as I was able to release two more patterns. For the shops out there, my patterns are now available through Erie Quilt Art in Canada and Checker Distributors in the U.S. All quilters and shop can always buy them directly from me as well so have a look at the store on my website. All in all, 2018 was a whirlwind year, and I am looking forward to 2019 having a calmer and more focused feel. Like that is going to happen. Haha

I recently received an email from my friend Leianne McCallum who teaches all things Studio 180 at Quilters Cupboard in Uxbridge Ontario. She so kindly sent me photos of some of her students work in the Studio 180 Club class. Leianne writes, “All the blocks look so different, yet equally lovely, and everyone has really enjoyed your pattern.” What a lovely treat to see students creative take on patterns. They are lovely and different. Thank you Leianne and your students for using Quilting by the River patterns. I look forward to more pictures as you finish your projects.

Another quilty friend so kindly sent along a photo of her finished “Quarry” quilt which she did in the November workshop. Danielle is new to our workshop group, but I get the feeling I will see her again and share some fun quilting time as always.

Quarry, pieced by Danielle Vincent

One thing I promised the Quarry workshop group, is the continuous quilting grid that I used when I was quilting the squares in my green sample. Here you are, and I am available if you have any questions.

Well Hubby wants to go for a walk before the snow starts and the temperature drops. So from my family to yours we wish you a safe happy and healthy 2019

Thanks for dropping by. Until next time, stay safe, Happy New Year and make time for a nap!

Makin' Lists!

Hello Friends. Happy December! Today I’m in my little office space updating my “To Do” list. I have a Christmas food list, Christmas gift list, things to bake list, things to quilt list…. How’s your list(s)? I think what is different this year, and it is an observation not a complaint, is the fact that we will be spending some of the holiday here at the house and Christmas eve to Boxing Day at the River House. So, my brain is saying, “So where does the Turkey go”? All in all, I’m feeling pretty confident and organized. Ask me in two weeks and we will see what the answer is. LOL

Thing have just been a hopping here at the studio. Regular Monday and Thursday classes have resumed, and I have taken in a few quilts to longarm quilt. I have one more customer quilt to do before Christmas, then I have to squeak in a table runner, presently unfinished, and a wedding gift for Christmas) and a lap quilt. The lap quilt is a Christmas gift also, and if it gets quilted, excellent, if not, well she will understand.

I have been quite busy sending out patterns to various stores and quilters. Good news for the quilt shop owners out there, Checkers Distributing will now be carrying my patterns. This is excellent for all my US followers. Here in Canada, Erie Quilt Art is distributing patterns for Quilting by the River. For those of you who are just friends – you can still call me or order through my website. I always love to hear from quilters far and near.

With Christmas knocking at our door there is still time to get yourself a Stitching Lap Table. I discovered these a few months ago on one of my journeys and I can’t live without it. A multi adjustable table that sits on your lap. Perfect for applique (using with the apliquick tools, prepping Hexies, drawing lines on squares for half-square-triangles or just to use as a small lap table for writing, drawing (practicing your free motion motifs) or just about anything you would like to do in a chair but need a table.  My friend Anne, who is rather tall, loves it as it elevates her work surface, so her neck and shoulders no longer get sore.  The table comes with a free pattern, so you can make additional covers to match your own décor.  

I have 3 left until I order more in January. So, get Santa to me a shout and spend the holidays stitching merrily along while ringing in the New Year.  Click here to watch a video demonstration.

2019 is shaping up to be super exciting.  I will share more news in January. For now, I am looking forward to April and the Northern Ontario Quilting Symposium. This year’s guest instructor will be Sherida Giddings.  She is a Judy Neimyer Certified Instructor.   Sherida will be teaching the leaf series of patterns from Judy’s collection.  Posters and more information will be ready for the early part of January, but best start thinking of it now and register early as this is sure to be a big hit.  Sherida has also agreed to do a Trunk Show on Friday night (April 5, 2019) open to everyone. You will not want to miss this as her quilts are amazing.  

Now for pictures from the November Workshop “Quarry”. We had such a great time and what a terrific group of ladies. Everyone made wonderful progress, I have been sent pictures of some of the finished quilts. Send in those pictures ladies so I can add them to the gallery for everyone to see

Well my long arm is calling and time is ticking so Thanks for dropping by, Until next time, stay safe, keep warm and throw out the list!!

So much great news!

A summer evening at the lake.

Hello Friends and hello August.  Summer holidays have come to a close, and we are home from our two weeks of vacation at camp with family and friends, but it doesn’t end there.  Our youngest (the one living in London UK) surprised us on Thursday with news that she has some holidays and will be arriving home on Monday.  Monday, like, tomorrow!  So needless to say we are pretty excited at this house as we haven’t seen her in quite awhile. So family fun just keeps on for a while yet. 

That’s not all!  I’m happy to share with you some exciting news that I have been sitting on for a few months now.  Yours truly has had a quilt design accepted into The Quiltmaker magazine.  It will be in the September/October issue which should be in news stands soon.  The pattern is now available as a digital download on the Quiltmaker website.  Click here

For those of you who know me, know that I am not really fond of paper piecing.  I try to find innovative ways to strip piece block units so that I don’t have to paper piece.  Now don’t get me wrong, when it comes to Mariners Compass quilts or quilts by Judy Niemeyer there’s no way around it, they have to be paper pieced.  But here’s the funny thing, the folks at Quiltmaker wrote the pattern for my quilt in the magazine and the long right angle triangles are, you guessed it, paper pieced.  

When making my original quilt, I used the “Split Rects” tool by Studio 180 designs. 

For me, this construction method is faster, easier and just as precise.  It just goes to show you that there are many ways to make units.  You just have to find the way that works best for you. 

I’d like to take a few words here and thank my very good friend Catherine Sloan who Longarm quilted the quilt in the magazine.  The magazine omitted this information and well, it would not be the quilt it is, without the amazing job Catherine did.  Thank-you my friend.

My fall workshop, “Storm at Sea” information is now up on the website and I am taking registrations.  Workshop information packages will begin to roll out in a week or so if you have already registered.  There are so many design possibilities that I thought a few pictures of Storm at Sea in the next few posts would be a great way to get you familiar with the design and colour possibilities.

Made with dark and light blues with white.  

Well that’s what’s been happening here at the studio.  Thanks for dropping by, until next time, stay safe, have a great week, and water the flowers!