Happy Holidays to you!

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).

Rangeley Runner by Maureen Pickett

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.

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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

All thing Quilty at Quilt Canada

Hello Friends. I wanted to take a few moments and share some of my favourite quilts from my trip to Ottawa last week to Quilt Canada. Let’s begin by saying that the ladies that I meet over the few days, were all happily enjoying some away time with their besties. My Hubby officially retired On June 1st and he had only been home a few days when I to shared the sentiments of enjoying some girlfriend getaway time. I was especially excited to actually see my quilt hanging at the national show for all to see. I had been a group venture as I designed and pieced the quilt “Castle Lilies”, while my dear friend Daintry Chitaroni designed the appliqué and did needle turn appliqué. The piece was Long arm quilted by Kelly Schroeder of Cottage Quilter. Each of these ladies added their creativity and expertise to this special quilt. We did not get a ribbon, but just the honour of being selected is enough.

Walking through the show, I was even more cemented in my deep appreciation of traditional quilts and the piecing that is involved in their creation. An example of this is the flutter and missed beats my heart made when I set eyes on an amazing work of excellent piecing. Diane Carson and Anne Boudoin received the award for Excellence in Piecing for their entry. This quilt had our group making plans for our own quilt of itty bitty pieces. The quilt quilt is made of little 1/2” squares. Can you believe it?

A big “Way to Go” goes out to my dear friend Lynn Binney, who’s thread painting of her dog was also in the National Show. I feel a bit proud and excited as I was able to see this in a few stages of development. I know that Lynn put her heart and soul into this piece this special acknowledgement was well deserved. I can’t wail to see what Lynn comes up with next.

I am off to the Vermont Quilt Show tomorrow morning, as I will be spending some time with a few great friends in their booth. If you're heading that way please drop in to the Lynn Wheatly Design booth and say a big Canadian Hello. There is a new tool out by Studio 180 Design called the Wedge.. It is a 45 degree triangle and makes the coolest units. Here is my sample of the free pattern off the back of the tool directions.

Lastly, the date is set for the fall Workshop and the posters are in the works. Things move slower in the summer as everyone is away enjoying the sunshine, but the poster should be ready in a few weeks and registration can begin. In the meantime, save the date, phone your Quilty friend and stay tuned for the project or projects reveal. What? Projects? More than one? Here is a sneak peek.

Well, I have organizing to get to for my departure in the morning, Thanks for dropping by. Until next time, stay safe, play outside and go find a challenging quilt project.

To a Quilt Show we will go!

Hello Friends. June seems to be filled with all sorts of exciting activities and new adventures. So, I thought I should take some time to get everyone caught up. First up is Quilt Canada. This year it is being held in Ottawa at the EY Centre. I am heading there with a few of my best buds to have a look see at my quilt hanging in the National Juried Show. I want a picture of me in-front of the quilt in the big hall. It’s just too cool for words. Then the icing on the cake will be Saturday morning when Gail Heller from Erie Quilt Art, and myself will be presenting a Trunk Show on all things Studio 180. Maybe put that on your list of things to do if you are planning to go to the conference. I will be around and about Thursday and Friday so I hope to bump into my Quilty friends - in the venders mall Im sure as we all want to do some shopping. Except for me as I need nothing. LOL

Mandeville

Home for a bit in the middle of June and hopefully the sun will warm things up and get rid of all the pesky black flies and mosquitos. I did manage to get some flowers planted last weekend while at the River House and I so hope that we don’t get a frost. I have a new plant that I have fallen in love with called a Mandeville. It is a vine that is to flower all summer and hopefully I will be able to keep it over the winter and enjoy it again next summer. We’ll see how that actually turns out as I am not really good at that sort of thing.

As a side note: I have new studio helper , although he does not want the job, I have threatened! You see the Hubby officially retired last Thursday, and if he is found underfoot or bothersome, I always have Quilty things for him to do. That scared him away - at least for a few hours till he gets hungry. My mother said there would be times like this. LOL. We are actually looking forward to his unscheduled time, and yes he is very helpful.

At the end of June I will be helping my US Certified buddies vending at the Vermont Quilt Show. You can find me talking all things Studio 180 in the Lynn Wheatly booth. So pop on by and say a big Canadian Hello if you are planning to attend. We will have all my patterns there for sale, along with my dear friend Katrina Thomas of The Hope Chest. More shopping opportunities I see in my future.

In preparation for both CQA and Vermont I need to brush up with the new tool from Deb Tucker. Introducing the Wedge Star. So you will find me in the Studio at the River House making a sample and learning the ins and out of this new exciting tool. There are a few patterns to go along with the tool that are really beautiful. I may just have to put my creative hat on and see if I am inspired.

My latest pattern is now available for your enjoyment, and can be found soon at your local quilt shop. It will be at both Quilt Canada and Vermont in various vendors selling Studio 180 tools. It is also available through me if you cannot find it at a shop. Click here to see my patterns for sale.

In the studio this month, Anne completed September Morn (pattern coming this summer). Her quilts are beautiful. Michael sent this photo along of his version of River Rocks. Michael resides in the US and took the class through Kim at Cary Quilting Company in North Carolina. Hello to all my friends and fellow quilters in NC, and Thank you Kim for your support.

Well its time to pack the car and head to the River House. We can go in the middle of the week now that Hubby is not at work. :)

Thanks for dropping by. Until next time, stay safe, Finish a UFO and see you at a quilt show.