Creative Festival

October 30, 2013October 30, 20131 Comment

Over at Amy’s Creative Side, she is hosting a Quilting Festival and competition

for Professionally Quilted items. I decided today to enter and thus the reason for

this post.

My Fall Wallhanging will go into the Wallhanging category and now I am so glad that

it is finished. Would be nice to win something. This wallhanging was completed

several years ago but I quilted it last year. I did alot of SID and pebbling around the

leaves and straight lines in the inner border. Oak leaves and acorns adorn the

outer border.

Fall Wallhanging

I used 2 layers of batting: a polyester and an 80/20 cotton batting. It is a little

stiff with all that quiltig but all it needs now is the binding.

I am also including another quilt that I recently finished. It has 2 different blocks

in it and creates a secondary patter. The blocks are a 16 patch and a pinwheel.

I SID around each block and did straight lines in the pinwheels.

16 Patch and Pinwheels Quilt

See you over at Amy’s.

http://amyscreativeside.com/2013/10/25/blogger-quilt-festival-professionally-quilted-

quilt-2/ .

Oh, Canada!

October 29, 2013October 29, 20135 Comments

This post is dedicated to the great Country of Canada and to my friend, Lynn, for creating

this quilt and allowing me to quilt it for her. Lynn is quite the prolific quilter and she finished

this quilt for an upcoming Guild Challenge. She did a great piecing job and her fabrics are always great!

Rosemary Makham is the designer -and she is a Canadian designer as well. Yeah!!

The Quilt is made up of blocks that represent each Province and Territory. If you look at the

pictures closely, you will see that the colors, the piecing or the prints will tell you something

about each province or territory.

Lynn’s Quilt

There are blocks that represent all 10 Provinces and 3 Territories of Canada. Let’s see if

you can guess which Province or Territory each block represents? I will give you some hints

along the way, for those of you who do not belong to Canada.

Block #1

This block represents the province whose official language

is different from the rest of the country. Yes, Quebec is the

correct answer. I hope I don’t get into trouble with what I have

just written.

Block #2

The western most part of the country makes up this province.

British Columbia is the Province.

Block #3

This block represents a Province that is flat and is covered in a

golden color (similar to what is in the block)at the end of the summer.

Yes, Saskatchewan is correct.

Block #4

This Territory is way up North and is pretty cold all year round. The blue

fabric is covered with Inukshuks. The Inuit( people who live up North)

create statutes out of flat stones piled on top of one another.

North West Territories is the answer.

Block #5

This Province boasts of a famous schooner.

Nova Scotia would be the correct answer. And for bonus points, do you

know the name of the Schooner? The Blue Nose.

Block #6

This province has alot of different cultures meeting together and it has a huge

waterfalls as well. Ontario is the province. Can you guess the name of the Falls?

Niagara Falls is correct. This is beginning to fell like Jeopardy-a popular TV show in Canada.

Block #7

This province is pretty flat and has wheat growing in it as well.

Manitoba is the answer.

Block #8

This is a newly formed Territory within Canada. It is way up

North and very cold. The fish resemble the type of art

that the Inuit create. Nunavet is the Territory.

Block #9

This Province boasts that it is the home of Anne of Green Gables. And the beaches

are all covered in the white sand-similiar to what is in the center of the block.

Prince Edward Island is correct.

Block #10

This Province has the longest covered wooden bridge in the world.

New Brunswick is the correct answer. Do you know the name of the

city where this bridge is located in NB? Extra bonus points for you, if

you do. Hartland is the home of this bridge.

Block #11

This territory is in the northern part of the country too. The gold color

may represent the sunsets.

The Yukon is correct.

block #12

The only province that is an island- and is peppered with lighthouses.

And the people talk real funny there. Newfoundland (and Labrador)

is correct. I can say Newfies talk funny because that is where I grew up.

Block #13

Can you see what symbol is on the brown fabric? Each year this Province

holds a huge stampede. The Calgary Stampede, that is.

Alberta is the answer.

I will have to check with Lynn to make sure that each block is correct.

Now, for the drum roll please. I used a cream polyester thread on the front

and back of the quilt. The pantograph I used is called “Maple Syrup.”

What a great name and so appropriate for this quilt. The panto is made up

of Maple Leaves and swirls. Our flag has a huge red Maple Leaf on it so

that is why I chose this pantograph.

Now, that you have learned so much about Canade in this post, I hope

you have a great week.

Giving back…

October 23, 2013October 24, 20133 Comments

It is always a good thing and makes you feel good when you give back. The Guild

that I belong to-Kempenfelt Guild-does alot of charity work for our local hospital.

Usually, we make comfort quilts that are used in the ICU department. My part of

giving back involves quilting and finishing some of those comfort quilts.

Comfort Quilt for local hospital

This Comfort Quilt has been at my house for almost 6 months! I decided

that it was time it was finished and found a new home.

Comfort Quilt for local hospital.

Here is another Comfort Quilt that needed a new home as well.

Close up of the border.

I really like how the blue outside border turned out. Reminds me of the waves

that are on the panel. What about you?

Baby quilt #1

This cute panel was bought at Fabricland-I know, that is a bad word

amongst quilters. But, my neighbour is having triplets and I don’t have time

to make a really nice baby quilt, so this is my alternative.

Close up of baby panel.

I thought it was really cute! Can you tell what the sex the baby will be?

Baby quilt #2

Here is baby quilt #2. Can you tell that it is going to be a girl.

This panel is supposed to be used to make a fabric book for a child. I saw

differently and made it into a quilt. If you want to make it bigger, which

I should have, just add borders in any of the colors on the panel.

Baby quilt #3

Here is baby quilt #3. Another girl. I love the prints on this piece too.

Close up of baby quilt #3.

I also managed to finish a Fall Wallhanging that is 4 years old!!

Fall Wallhanging

It feels so good to finally have it finished and up on the wall. Mind you, it still

needs a binding.

Close up of Fall wallhanging

But, hey, don’t rush me. It has only been 4 years to complete and maybe

it will be another 4 years for the binding to be done too.

Inside border detail quilting

Here is how I quilted the inside border-straight lines. So much for

quilting this one quickly.

Outside border quilting.

For the outside border, I did oak leaves to resemble the large leaves in the

middle of the wallhanging.

I used 2 layers of batting: one was 80/20 polyester and the other was the white fluffy

polyester batting. I am trying out different battings to see which ones I like the best.

I didn’t like how thick the 2 battings were and I even hit my ruler a few times. Won’t

do that again. And the finished wallhanging is pretty stiff-almost like cardboard.

Don’t like that either.

I used polyester thread, a golden pumpkin color, on the top and back.

Hope you have a good week.

Going international….

October 15, 20137 Comments

Holly made these 2 quilts for relatives in Holland. Thus, I am now “going international.”

If I may brag a little, I have already had quilts go to Australia and Japan, so I have kind of

been there for a while. Ha! Ha!

Holly did a great job and I am amazed at how many quilts she is able to complete. And

she is a new quilter as well. Pretty impressive, if you ask me.

Holly’s quilt

Holly chose a panto-“Happy Times” to fill the space of the plaid area.

It suits it well as the stitching is not easily visible. And the pattern fit in

the area perfectly, as I was worried about stitching along that straight cream

border area.

In the cream borders, I stitched a swirl design. It is one of my favorites and

stitches up quickly. All you have to remember is up, then down, as the swirls

move in different directions.

Cream border and swirl design.

In the blue border, I decided to add feathers. Again, an easy filler but

one that does take a bit of time. I decided to switch up the feathers a bit

by adding an outside loop around each feather.

The pieced blocks were a bit of a challenge. I was thinking about a Dutch

motif but ended outlinging the blocks and pebbles for the background fill.

Background fill for the pieced blocks.

Again, I love pebbles and they are a great fill.

For the blue strip blocks, I used a curved ruler to create a star

shape. I outlined it so that it would stand out a bit more.

Pieced strip block.

Can you see the curved star?

When I looked at the block, it reminded me of a star so that is the design I went with.

For the centre of the block, I did feathers. It kind of ties the block in with the blue

border design too.

Middle of the pieced block.

Overall, I think the quilt turned out well.

Hoping that Holly thinks so too.

Have a great week.

Aunt Millie’s Garden…

October 9, 2013November 5, 201310 Comments

This is a quilt made by Lynn. The pattern is Aunt Millie’s Garden by Piece of Cake.

Lynn did a fantastic job of appliquing it and is a fast appliquer. The fabrics are

alot of fun and I love the colors in this quilt. If you want to see the blocks close up,

just click on the picture of the block and it will open up into a larger window.

Aunt Millie’s Garden Quilt

Last month, at the Quilt Show, I had seen the exact quilt all quilted and

finished. It looked pretty impressive so I hoped that my ideas and designs

would do it justice.

After all the SID was done, I decided to background fill all of the 12 blocks

differently. Yes, I am nuts!

Block 1

I did a swirl but added a few clouds.

Block 2

Feathers were stitched all around the outside and in the middle areas

as well. I love feathers and I think that stitching tiny feathers are alot

easier than large ones.

Block 3

A tight swirl design was used here.

Block 4

Don’t you just love the funky flowers in this block? I didn’t want to use

too many straight lines as fills so I decided to try a flame design instead.

It kind of looks like wood grain to me.

Block 5

I was running out of ideas so I used an old stand by for a background fill:

meandering.

Block 6

Love the colors in this block. I even tried several background fills that I

thought of. This is one of them. I call it a “pumpkin seed.” Real creative,

eh? But this is what it looks like to me-an oval shape on top and a point

on the bottom and then an echo all around it. Each “pumpkin seed” is

nestled to the preceding one so it looks kind of cool. What do you think?

Block 7

I was getting to the end of the quilt and trying to come up with some more

background fills. What is an applique quilt without some echoing on it? That

is what this one is all about.

Block 8

Again, I love the colors and flowers in this block. I stitched another

swirl design but made it much bigger and not so tight together.

Block 9

Swirls were used again but I added feathers on the circular part of the design.

Amazing how many ways a person can use swirls.

Block 10

McTavishing was stitched in this block. It’s an “S” shape that is

repeated over and over again, all over the block.

Block 11

Pebbles were stitched all over the background of this block.

I love pebbles; Never seem to get tired of them.

Block 12

The last block has tiny leaves sitched all over it. They are nestled pretty close

together and I think it makes a neat design. This is the other design that I came up

with and I think that I may use it again in the future.

Now, for the borders. I decided to stitch a swirl design on the outside of the border.

Border area

Who can resist feathers on an applique quilt?

As I mentioned earlier, the other quilt had feathers running along the vine. Rose had

quilted it so I thought I would use the same idea. Thanks Rose.

On the inside of the border, I used 2 different fills-pebbles and the “Pumpkin Seed” fill.

Border area

I think that it breaks up the border somewhat and adds more interest to the

border area.

Border area

What do you think?

I used a cotton light cream thread on the top and backing for all

the SID work. Then I switched over to a light cream thread that is

about the size of one hair strand. It is quite fine but doesn’t add

alot of thread build up when all the background fills are done.

I think that I did the quilt justice.

Have a good week.

A Quilt Show-Part 2

October 2, 2013Leave a comment

As promised, here are the rest of the pictures I took at the Quilt Show, a few weeks ago.

Applique quilts seemed to be very popular this year.

Aunt Millie’s Garden

Kerri from “Simple Bird Applique” is the creator of this lovely quilt.

Another applique quilt

Here is another beautiful applique quilt.

Woodland Creatures

Mary Makham is the designer of this quilt. She is a Canadian designer too.

Celtic Quilt

Changing gears a bit here. I think this is a “Celtic Quilt.”

Pieced Quilt

Here is a beautifil pieced quilt. Look at all the tiny pieces!

There were even a few hand embroidered quilts. These seem to be

gaining in popularity.

Hand embroidered quilt

This quilt is quite adorable.

Goodnight farm animals

I think any child would love this farm animal quilt.

This is another pieced quilt with a blue and white color scheme.

Modern Quilt

This quilt reminds me of a modern theme quilt. What do you think?

Falling leaves

What would a Fall Quilt Show be without a Fall quilt?

Chevron Quilt

Pieced quilt

Interesting layout for a Log Cabin block.

Circles

Lots and lots of circles.

A Star Quilt

A nice star quilt. I like the colors in this one.

Another Star quilt

Interlocking design

This quilt looks very challenging and has got me thinking about

the construction of this piece.

Pieced Quilt

3D Quilt

I like the 3D effect of this quilt.

Pink wallhanging

Are you tired of looking at quilts yet?

Funky Quilt

Toucan Quilt

And that’s all folks! Hope you enjoyed the show. See you next week.

Stitching Impressions

All aspects of longarm quilting

Month: October 2013

Creative Festival

Oh, Canada!

Giving back…

Going international….

Aunt Millie’s Garden…

A Quilt Show-Part 2