2011 coming to an end

Welcome 2012.
 I hope you don't go as fast as this year has.
Wishing you all the best in the coming year.
It's been a good year with a lot of learning , sharing and making many blogging friends.
I hope to continue to do the same in the coming year.
In stitches
Annette

Lost Christmas

has arrived
The novel that BJ had as a give away arrived today.
 It took a while due to all the holiday mail, well worth the wait.
 I think I am in for a good read with a good story. The novel is by Richard Paul Evans, he also wrote  The Christmas Box ,as well as The Walk.
Thanks again BJ.
 In stitches
Annette

The week after Christmas



Let it Snow Red work gift

'It's been a busy week with a little sewing on boxing day and a sausage making day on the 27th and then back at work on the 28th. We have had a lot of turkey with the trimmings left over to work on .... it will take a few days and a care package I think to clean them up, just might have to freeze a bit too.

I received my very first piece of red work from Sheila at http://sheilasquiltworld.blogspot.com.
She sure does some very fine stitching.Something I will treasure for sure.

Boxing day project

It sure was nice to have our kids home for the holidays. As most folks find , it sure get quite after they head for their own homes.

Soon we all will be getting back into routine and projects that have been on hold. I have a few to finish up and a few more to get started.I am going to try to get some of the fabric used that I have in my stash before getting more as well as down sizing my magazine collection( must be over 100 for sure )

There are a few things I would like to work on in 2012.
One would be learning and using my EQ7 , as well as working up some of the blocks from the farmer's wife book.

knitting wrist warmers

I also would like to challenge myself to keep up with a bit of knitting and if I can get all the sock yarn worked up maybe knit a sweater for myself.
But I do love the feel of hand knit socks sew maybe the sweater might be for someone smaller. It's early and one can always change their mind.

Well tonight I feel a little tuckered out sew no sewing for me( to many mistakes happen) maybe a cup of tea and a cuddle with a quilt

Until next time
take care
In stitches and hugs of course
                                               Annette

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I want to wish you all the merriest of Christmases 

Enjoy your family and friends this holiday  season

In stitches

Annette

W I P Wednesday

The last Wednesday before Christmas, I think  there are many machines just a humming with a flurry of projects getting completed. I thought i was about done but there are a few things I would like to do before Christmas. I did get my Christmas curtains done for the living room and a little hanging for the stand.

mini santa hanging

new Christmas curtains

I now know that the baby is coming today that I have stockings just waiting for a name sew that I can finish them.
I found out that hubby's sister will be coming out Christmas eve sew I think I would like to put a stocking together for her. She has to have something for Christmas morning, it just would not be right not to do it.

an extra stocking
ready to be used

socks finished

Sew today I will be getting a few more stocking stuffer s and making one last stocking and who know maybe knitting another pair of wrist warmers.

I am linking to THE NEEDLE AND THREAD NETWORK stop over to see what the other Canadian Gals have been up to this week. See the link on the right side bar.

In stitches
And Merry Christmas
Annette

Tis a week befor Christmas

 And all through the house
 I've been dusting a cleaning and have found the cats' mouse.( the cat nip type)
Not much time for sewing and quilting and such ....
but I will try to find a little, for I like it too much.
The baking is done and tucked away safe, groceries bought and all is on ice
getting all ready for the celebrations is really kind of  nice
time to spend with family and friends with a glass of  nog
while hubby tends the fire with another log.
Now that we have deck the halls 
we want to wish A Merry Christmas to you one and all

Sending out Christmas Greetings to all out there in blog land
may your season be bright , full of love & laughter and good will

I thought I would drop a line  just in case I do not get back here this week
In stitches

Annette

just a little slow right now

not much happening at the moment
I hope to get back on track next week with a couple little projects and maybe get a visit in with a friend in the local nursing home. I've been a little under the weather but feeling better now. : }
Good thing since I will be getting a house full next weekend . And company this weekend .
The house is almost deck out for the holidays and treats are baked packages are wrapped and under the tree, sew it is looking okay to be running a little slow. Just a few groceries to buy.
Now it's time to toddle off to bed sweet dreams to all the night owls
take care
in stitches
Annette

I am a Winner ........... and I am looking forward to

Lost Christmas   a novel by  Richard Paul Evans
which I had the opportunity to win from Billie Joe's site http://bjfromtheheart.blogspot.com 
Thank you Billie Joe I am sure I will enjoy the novel as there were sew many comments on your site regarding the book and author. 
Thank you once again. Be sure to check out BJ's blog to see what she has been up to.
In stitches
Annette

p.s. Thank you to Marjorie http://marjoriesbusycorner.blogspot.com , who had shared with us BJ's blog to give us the chance to win and read a very good post.

Aussie made

A new little treasure
 a lovely piece of fabric brought to me all the way from Australia.
A fabric that had a bit of a journey.
When we visited my family in Australia my cousins did not know of a fabric or quilt shop sew I was not able to shop for any thing to add to my stash back home. Sew when my good friend Carol went down under she had talked to her good friend Nic whom had a few connections.If I have it right, Nic knew a lady who had a shop that closed and her daughter was able to fiend some fabric that was designed by an Aussie and made there as well. When Nic gave the fabric to Carol she asked her to tell me that I am to make something for myself with it.
Sew Thank you Nic and Carol and any of the others that helped to find this piece of fabric. I am not sure at this time what I will make, but I will make something for myself as requested and I will post it when I have it made.

Short bread cookies are cooling ..... almost done the baking : )
In stitches and hugs
Annette

W.I.P. Wednesdays

Prayer partners Christmas wall hanging....... she received it Monday evening

stocking fro Grandma Schultz

Well this Wednesday brings a couple finishes and some baking
I think I have most of my sewing and quilting done ...... maybe one or two more projects.....
I did get a start on some baking here are the jam jams

Just the start

 and I hope to get the butter tarts made as well I will be using phyllo dough for them this year . It makes a very tender and crisp tart.... hubby says they are a bit messy but yummy.
well I am heading back to the baking
make sure you check the link on my side bar for The Needle And Thread Network to see what the others have been up to
In stitches and flour
Annette

W. I. P. Wendsedays..... frozen ....

post card under construction

Well from the inside
.... spent the afternoon in the dentists chair and I have to go back one more time in a couple weeks or cancellation.  Should feel much better after it is all done, or just know that it is done.
Sew I have not gotten much done today. do however have the Christmas disappearing 9 patch all done and just waiting for a label. The girls at work just love it and want to curl up with it.

I am working on a winter wall hanging for a gift for my prayer partner gift for Monday night .

Sew I hope you all are having a better day than this.
Do check out the link on my side bar for The Needle and Thread Network.
Until next time
Stay in stitches
Annette

100 th post

Just noticed that I had 99 posts to date.
Sew I thought I would do just a short post to let you all know what I am up to this week end.
I finished quilting my disappearing 9 patch Christmas quilt now I just have to do the binding. I do  want to do a couple more candle mats and a few post cards. Either today or tomorrow afternoon I will be making the strudel, I have to get a few items first.
I been working with my EQ6 having to relearn the lessons sew that I can play with it more later and I have sent for the upgrade to EQ7. It sounds very useful for patterns and for blogging. I hope to design with it this winter.
The weather here is crazy, last week it was -30 and Sunday will be +11 sew our snow should be gone I just hope we do not get any more rain which only = ice at this time of year.Today is sunny with a breeze which makes it feel cooler
Hubby and our son have been out hunting, only one buck sew far...... maybe later this afternoon they will be lucky and get the other one. Not sure I hubby will be going out more as he has a second tag. Do not think we need three deer in the freezer.
It sure has been a lot of learning on the computer and with in the blog.Sew glad that I have made a few good buddies that help me along when I run into a glitch.
There is sew much out there ...... great blogs with folks just willing to share ideas and stories
and we all have the same passion  .... to create in many mediums including fabric. one of my favs.
Well I must be off to get the apples
sew have a great weekend and stay in stitches
Annette

W I P Wedensday

waiting for more quilting...
... and Christmas

Snowed under ... sew to speak I'm working on a winter themed quilt and I am quilting snowflakes over the large pieced areas of the quilt. Snowflakes are done and now to do the surrounding areas of the quilt.
On Monday I did a bit of a tut on how I quilted the snowflakes. It was quite easy and I think I would do it again.

I am also knitting a pair of socks one down and one to go and then there is about 6 more balls of yarn to work up.  I just love the feel of home knit socks.

I did complete this little runner for a bride of this summer, I had asked her if she had a color she would like in a runner and she had said "Rider" green our provincial football teams color , sew here it is . I chose to use a Christmas fabric on the back sew that it could be used at different times of the year as well.

I did get a start on some holiday cooking ..... the cabbage rolls are in the freezer next will be the apple strudel.

Well that`s it from me be sure to check out what the others have been up to on THE NEEDLE AND THREAD NETWORK with the link at the top of my side bar.
In stitches
Annette

Stitching a snowflake

Snowflakes and quilting.
A little bit of a tutorial. I have a winter themed quilt that I have been pondering what should I quilt on it. And after months of it being on hold yesterday I decided to quilt snowflakes on it.
But how was I going to do this ...hmmmm.

As a child we all learned how to make paper snowflakes and I thought why not.
Sew I measured my space that I wanted to cover and cut a square of paper just a bit smaller these are about 12"
Note ...... I used a light paper with a wax backing you could use frezzer paper as well.

in half  or quarters

in half

fold in half
and fold again

First  side,triangle fold

next fold the out side edge in, turn over and do the other side to reduce the bulk at the center point, to create a triangle

folded in on both sides

Next I stapled the triangle in a couple spots to prevent shifting when cutting.

Draw and cut or just cut and see what happens

free form cutting
remeber to add somethng to the center of your snowflake

open and see what you have created

 thick soft edges for easy quilting...
sharpe edges are great just stitch slower 

Center the snowflake wax side down using the creases to help you  center it on you seams with in the block. Press in place.

ready to stitch

at the machine

Quilted Snowflake

Pin in a few places on each section of the snowflake.Take to your machine and you are ready to machine quilt your snow flake. Take your time stitching. I like to stitch the center of the snowflake first and then work on the outside. It's okay if you get the paper as you stitch as you will be removing it after stitching.
 Your lines do not have to be purfect , as a snowflake melts it changes . Remember to have fun making your snowflakes.
Happy stitching

Enjoy the Snow
In Stitches
Annette

Post Card Class and Winter

Post card make and take night went well even with a old fashioned winter storm. Not as many folks out but there were over a dozen ladies making the post cards through the evening. And most of the gals picked up supplies to make more on their own. This is always good for the shop.
I forgot my camera sew sorry n o pics this time.

The trip home was a dozy , at times I could not see to much of the road.  Glad that this only was half the way home, leaving Humboldt  you could see for 1/4 mile and the snow was not to bad but the last part at times you could not see much of the highway.And when I got to town the roads where very heavy with the new snowfall.

snow covered backyard
 I should go and fill the bird feeder

have to get the shovel out

 Sew Now it looks just like a Christmas card out there. Fridays morning it was -29c with the wind chill and now the weather man is saying +4 on Wednesday ...just crazy.
I think at times I am one of the few who does not mind the  weather ....... tis the season and with each season comes different weather and I like to enjoy each season as they come. Not everyone get the four seasons as we do.And this year here we have have the seasons just perfect...... a nice spring a hot summer and a long fall sew we will see what winter brings.

We have our son home for a few days, he and DH are hunting. DH got a buck the other day and they have seen a few more out there but no luck for our boy just yet. DH has a second tag sew if they get all their deer we will be making a lot of sausage in the next month.

Sew I wish you all a warm and cozy weekend with some stitching and sharing time with loved ones.
In stitches
Annette

Touching story

Check out Bj's blog bj from the heart for a touching story, a beautiful project and a give away. The give away is a novel by Richard Paul Evans. I have not had the opportunity to read any of his work yet but I will be looking  It sounds like many do enjoy his novels. Sew pop over and have a read and you to can  have a chance to win.
in stitches
Annette

W I P Wenesday

Well today I have a finish and a w i p  my finish is the sample for a class I was asked to teach. The disappearing 9 patch. I call it a 9 Patch with a twist. I will be giving the students a choice of a runner - 3 blocks or a small quilt - 9- blocks . Just enough to get the technique down. I think it is a easy one, the college wanted one that beginning quilters could make with ease.

I used three small charm packs for this on in country colors from Connecting Threads.( a on line shop with great prices).

the project in the works is another candle mat. I want to finish the one I made as samples for the class I taught last month. They are in Christmas prints sew  I thought they would make some nice gifts for a couple small parties I will be attending.

Other than that I will be getting organized for a make and take at Haus of Stitches in Humboldt that will be held Thursday evening with the Moonlight Madness that the town participates in.  We will be making fabric postcards with a holiday theme. Hopefully we can create some interest and have a few more classes later on. I am told that there is a lot of interest for the make and take already , sew it should be a fun evening.

Sew now that you have reached the bottom of my blog remember to stop by The Needle and Thread Network with the link on my side bar to see what the others have been up to.

Take care and have a great day.

In stitches

Annette

class samples

9 Patch with a Twist

are almost finished

Stitching close up

I made the runner a week or sew ago. And today I worked on the quilt. It measures 51 inches( 102cm) square.  I used 9 of the 9 patch with a twist blocks ( aka disappearing 9 patch ) in the quilt with two borders. I used a couple charm packs from connecting threads to make this simple little quilt.
I  have the center quilted with curls , now to decided what to do in the borders. I only just started this one after lunch today and had it basted by 4:30 with a  few breaks in between. I hope to get it finished tomorrow sometime between work and yoga.
I see that they have started to advertise the class in the paper. It is set for the new year, sew I wanted to have samples for the folks to see and help them to decide if this is what they would like to try.
Now for a cuppa tea and put my feet up
In stitches
Annette

Saturday .... the 12 th of November...... and it`s only 6 weeks until Christmas

Now where did the time go. I see that by looking at the calendar I have to get busy. I do not believe that I have not gotten anything ready for the holidays and when you want to make few things you do have to start early. I have seen on Stash Manicure that Madam Sam will be having gifts to make as the theme and this month it is a block party with different blocks each day.... sure is nice to have all these gals at our finger tips. And willing to share sew many ideas. Fiona at   bubzrugz       belongs to a group that makes Christmas items all year long.... smart ladies.
I know that I want to make a few wall hangings and a few candle mats and runners .sew lets see what I can get started at today.
Off and sewing.....

Well I did manage to get this quilt bound and finished this stocking and I have the ones for the babe in waiting, waiting.  Not as much as I had thought but  it is a start sew I will take it.

stockings a waiting .....

Earlier this week I did get this baby quilt quilted for a friend

Sew now it is Sunday evening and I want to get this posted before i get to doing anything else.........

......... now I think I will veg a little just feel tuckered out
sew planning a few projects will be all i get to for the rest of tonight
Stay in stitches
Annette

W I P Wendesdays

Well this week I have a few items finished, 3 runners and I am binding my small square in a square quilt.

Christmas Runners

9 patch with a twist
sample for  January Class 

Christmas scrap fabrics

I'm turning this.......
 into some Christmas stockings

the start of the stockings

  I have a couple orders for a baby that will be here shortly after Christmas ... that is if he/she know when the doctor told the parents ....but you know baby's they come when they are ready. I can only go sew far with them as we do not know the name of the wee one that it will be for.I will add a applique with the wee ones name. there will be one this size and the grandparents want the large one that I make for their house.
I also want to make one for a little one that belongs to our nephew and his wife.

Now go and check out what the other gals have been up to  on The Needle and Thread Network on my side bar.
in stitches
Annette

the first snow

the first snow of the season
just a dusting sew far

well it had to happen ..... this morning we woke up to snow on the ground , snow in the air.
looks kind of pretty...... that is if you don't get to much. I'm thinking that my kids have a lot more than we do.

Today we take a couple of fiends to the airport in the city , they are off to visit down under . It is spring time there with nice warm temps  25+ and humidity . We wish them a great holiday as they have been planning this one for a long while. They will be meeting a couple that they met over the Internet 5+ years ago.

square in a square quilt .......
quilting little flowers in the main part

Not to much sewing happening just a little machine quilting ....having a few issues with thread breakage, but I think I am getting that worked out.
I almost have the last of the 3 runners bound.

Well I will be back to my own schedule ... sort of  sew I may have a little more time and energy to get at things.  I hope.
I have decided that I will pass on any more alterations that come my way,that I did not know about earlier, until I get caught up a bit. I have a couple of friends that said that they would like to be doing this sew I think it will work out fine and I will not feel bad about saying "no".

Sew go out and have a great day.  Enjoy what ever comes your way.
In stitches and Hugs
Annette