Still stitching

 Yes, I'm still stitching on the card trick quilt  for Betty.  Just finishing off the bindings and then make the label and then it will be complete. it'll be nice to get it to her family.

Here is the other zippered pouch that I made up. It was fun putting it together from my leftover fabrics on hand. And a fun lace trim I picked up at a garage sale. I have been making English paper pieced hexies off and on,putting them into an old glass cookie jar. Sew it is fun to find ways to play with them.

I also made a post card for this months challenge of weaving. I made curvy strips and wove them together. Then I did some machine embroidery to accent the weaving. I then drew out a leaf on tracing paper and then made a little sandwich of fabric and batting. I free motioned stitched it and then colored it with Inktense pencils and the trimmed it. I added it to the postcard by stitching down the center vein of the leaf.  I enjoy these challenges as they get you thinking about different ways to create.

Take care out there.

Iced Chi ...yum

In Stitches

Annette

Working away

 Well I had a oops, I washed my jelly roll rug in the washing machine on the regular cycle. I usually wash it in the tub by hand with a scrub brush.  The scrubbing must have weaken the thread and when I took it out of the machine it looked more like spaghetti.  I sorted it out and laid it out to dry.  Then I had to decide how to tackle the repair. I started from the outside few rounds then some inner rounds. Going in this fashion I was able to make it whole again. Happy to say the rug is back in use.

I have been playing with the Inktense pencils and made the sunflowers leaves for this little zippered bag. It was the second one I made at this time . The other one was pieced and hand embroidered. I submitted it into a challenge hosted by Quilting Arts. Sew I will wait to share that one with you. 

I did get busy with my friends quilt. Backing done, quilting done. Binding in progress. I'm sew happy to help the family get this completed. You hear of sew many quilts and quilt tops that get abandoned just because the family does not know what to do with them.

My little garden is growing nicely. Fresh veggies are always great. I have made some jams, pickles and relish already. Looking forward to making more.

Have a great day.

In Stitches

Annette

A busy time of year

Well July is coming to a close..... today.

Wow it went by fast. I was part of an artisan trial, been Saskatoon berry picking , fishing and camping, Checked out the car show and worked at a pie and coffee sale ( making 4 pies for this). The other day I was making beet pickles and relish , now I have reddish hands. The cucumbers are starting and are very tasty in a sandwich. Oh I can't forget the beet rolls/ nicks ( bread dough in a beet leaf and baked for a side dish with cream and dill).

I have signed up for a adult art class in August. We will be doing some abstract art I believe. I like to try different mediums and styles and see where I can take it into my work with fiber. And of course it is fun just to get together with others for some playtime.

I have a few projects to wrap up down here in my creative space One is a quilt for a dear friend who passed away before finishing it. She was sew close to having the blocks all done. well blocks are done and the top is put together. now to piece the backing and sandwich it sew that I can do the quilting. 

I seam to have traditional projects and art projects going on all the time. I hope to find more time to explore art quilting and the different mediums that you can blend together.

Well it's back to playing in my space and getting that quilt done.

Take care

In Stitches

Annette

New editor in my favorite magazine

Hello everybody,

I just want to say that there is a new editor at Quilting Arts. Vivika Hansen Denegre has retired,  I think she will enjoy having a little more time in her studio. Brandy Maslowski aka Quilter on fire, is the new consulting editor. I want to wish them both well in  their new endeavors. Congratulations ladies!

 This has been one of my favourite magazines for some time  now. I hope if you have not read a copy of one yet, pick up a copy and I'm sure housing be disappointed. I still have every copy I have bought. There are a great resource for  playtime with fabric.

On another note.....

We have been gettingn g to the lake on weekends and doing a little fishing. While this past weekend we finally caught a couple. :-)

I did get a wee bit of sewing done and here's another tote for the trail.

Well that's all for now.

If your from Canada, happy a happy Canada Day weekend! 

In stitches

Annette

2024 Saskatchewan Stitches conference

it's a wrap. I only took a couple classes this year. One was working with intense pencils a a little free motion quilting. Our teacher was Ana Buzzalino, from Calgary Alberta. It was a lot of fun and is still a work in progress.

Ana and I

Inktense work in progress

The second class was on the last day. It was Caring for your Featherweight. It was taught by Bernie Tobisch. He has a book out on t maintenance of  your sewing machine. and he and his wife will have a new book out this fall regarding the use of sewing machine feet. I'm hoping to get a signed copy at the Haus of stitches this fall.

I have been working on some projects for The Artisans Trail this July. some of which are these little postcards as well as some bags and totes.

 At the lake we have been watching the little Robin family grow. now they are out of the nest and Mama Robin is busy feeding the baby ones. 

Can you find all 3 babies

It's nice to see the spring  posies growing in the yard and also enjoying some fresh rhubarb made into pies. 

 Well now it's time to go get busy again.

Sew stay in stitches and enjoy the day.

Annette

Off to the Saskatchewan Stitches Conference 2024

I'm all packed and ready to go to the Stitches Conference held in Muenster SK, hosted by Haus of Stitches in Humboldt SK.

I'm very lucky to have this amazing conference close, about 1 and half-hour drive away.

I will be taking classes with Ana Buzzalino from Calgary, and Bernie Tobisch.

You can check it all out at www.sandwiches.ca   The you can see all the classes and teachers.

There is sew, quilting, knitting, crochet,spinning art quilting,slow stitching and more.

Hundreds of participants gather to learn and renew friendships and make new ones.

I'm sew looking forward to meeting Ana as our past classes were on line due to  covid

and personal health issues.

I will try to keep you up to date with my activities this week.

In stitches

Annette

Well it's been a mintue.......

since my last post. I have been busy stitching up a storm as they say. I have 5 Victory Quilts ready to bind.

I have my version of Pat Sloane What's in Your Closet ready for border.

Teaching my little neighbour sewing.We are making a t shirt with the front blueprints, using a special paint.

 I'm working on items for the Artisans trail , which is less than 2 months away.

I participated in a juried art show, a first for me.

 finished a jelly roll rug.

took a plant dyeing class and dyed a silk scarf

had fun helping a friend make dog beds from her guild's scrap bags 

took alcohol ink class,fun stuff to play with

 Another first for me is that I've sent in a submission to a magazine for consideration, more one this later.

 At our campsite we found a robin nesting in the wood shed, they have 4 babies to look after. there is a dove nesting in the same area with a single chick. Now we get to watch them grow. In our campground there are a number of different birds. We had also seen, sparrows, gold finch,sirens,purple martins,Orioles sea gulls with more to come.

Sew far this spring the weather has been mixed. We have had some nice rains to wash away the winter dirt/snow mold, warm days and very cool ones. We have frost on the rooftops this morning

 Well it's a week or sew later and Im still trying to upload some photos....... oh sugar!

 Okay I think I got it...... it show it in code on my screen hope this works.... just previewed the post , it's a bit of a mess with phots in the wrong spots and repeated. Not sure how to fix. I sorry for the messs I will be working on learning what to do to fix this but I hope you come back again to see what I have been up to.

 in stitches

 Annette

by George I think I got it. I found a setting the had been changed and changed it back and did a little clean up. I have the setting back to compose and not HTML view.......  

Progress with Pat.

that's Pat Sloan and What's In Your Closet. We are on week 9 and I am all caught up with the blocks. Now if I find the time I will try to get the sashings made up and attached to the blocks that I have already made. It is sew great that Pat gives us the layout for the quilt as well as the directions to assemble the quilt as we go. That is sew much better than waiting until the very end of the making the quilt blocks before assembling into a quilt top. I have made a number of Pat's quilts in the past and have always found her layouts quite interesting. she doesn't do the standard layout with all the quilt blocks the same size. I have also found that this has been a great way to use up some of the Fabrics I have on hand. I have only picked up Fabrics for the sashings and binding so far for this one.

Spring is in the air. the skies are blue and its warming up. looking forward to some April showers and the first flowers of spring but a trip to the green house is good too. Well that's all for now. in stitches Annette

Some progress this week.

This week has been pretty good. I have the Disappearing 9 Patch ready for a label. it will keep our EMTs cozy. We had supper outside, via a winner roast. always tasty.

A quick trip to Humboldt to Haus of Stitches to exchange a quilting book, it was partly put together upside down. And of course a little bit of fabric to use in borders and sashing in the block Wednesday's What's in your closet with Pat Sloan. I'm still only buying to finish a project. The bigger part of any quilt is coming from my stash and inherited stash from friends. I did have some help in the store.

I have started working up some scraps for mug mats /rugs for next Halloween. The kids really seamed to like them. I've bee working on a few fabric post cards. I get started with a pile off fabrics and buttons, beads and trims. I never really know what it will turn out like until I'm done.Play time with no rules.

Hope you all are having a great week. Spring is coming I can feel it in the air. In Stitches Annette

Still stitching

Well after another weekend of snow and a bit more quilting. I now have The Breakfast Club quilt top put together and binding is cut. I have the next 2 blocks done for what's in your closet, both quilts are designed and offered by Pat Sloan.

This winter/spring I will be working on a few projects for a artisan show and sale. I really enjoy play time with fabric. I will share as I create. In stitches Annette

Well let's get back to the business of stitching

 Well I was gone for a little while on a holiday. But now I back home and getting ready to sew.

This afternoon I pin basted 2 quilts , Autumn Wonders and a large disappearing 9 patch. Autumn Wonders is a quilt from Pat Sloan and her Block Wednesday's. I did it up in a different for me color scheme. I am happy with how it worked out. Even if it is sew different from what I usually use. The second quilt is from fabric gifted to me, sew to pay it forward this quilt will go the our local EMTs for the new building with sleeping quarters, to keep them cozy. A good friend of mine is also making a quilt for the second bedroom.

I have stared another 2 of Pat's quilt alongs. The Breakfast club and Wednesday's What's in your closet quilt. 

I'm also trying out a slow stitching stitch along from k3wn clothtails.Just to slow down and enjoy the process and I'm learning new stuff as I go.

The first 4 weeks of slow stitching.

I did get 6 quilts quilted for Victoria Quilts Canada. Something I enjoy doing.

Today is day 2 of a winter storm, over a foot of snow on the back patio. Great to get the moisture,and We know it will not last long. Spring is around the corner.

I have participated in a couple fabric post card swaps this year as well as monthly challengs. It's a fun way to get creative and play with fabrics on a small scale.

January's challenge
Tea anyway you like it. 
Tea dyed and tea bags used here.

Well this a bit of a catch up. More to come . 

Now to get back to my sewing space and get some quilting done.f

In stitches

Annette

Happy New Year

 As we welcome 2024. I want to wish you all the best for the coming year. May it be full of love and laughter ,family and friends, and of course stitches.

it's been a bit since my last post. The kids loved the mug mats at Halloween and have asked if I will do it again. I'm thinking yes. It's a fun way to use up small scraps.

I did some sewing for Christmas gifts. A bit of baking that has been enjoyed.

Sew now to get back to my quilting. I have 2 quilt slings to quilt up citron the end of last year. I will be starting a couple more, just gotta use up that fabric. Still trying to only buy what I need for a project. I  did get 6 Victoria Quilts   quilted and back in the mail.

I am trying out a sock pattern, one sock down one to go :-)

I'm also looking at a slow stitching year long project. 1 sample a week. A way to learn something new and be a little creative at the same time,while making a journal.

Sew it looks like its going to be a great year full of stitches.

In stitches

Annette

Fall stitching and some play time

 Last week I started making more pumpkin mug rugs to hand out with goodies for Halloween.

Then I did a little stitching g on air picture. I really like how it turned out and with play with this some more.

Poppies

This month the Arts council has offered a green glazing class. We all made this little napkin holder. It was fun doing this with my friend Susan. Next month it will be paper crafts.

Now to get caught up on this weeks sewing.

Happy stitching

In stitches 

Annette

Happy Thanksgiving

  Happy Thanksgiving, to my Canadian followers. We are having some beautiful weather this weekend. Sew nice as we had snow in the air on Thursday.

I made this little wall hanging from a free  pattern from the fat quarter quilt shop.

And I was able to get caught up with Autum Wonders the Wednesday sew along with Pat Sloan. These are the first 3 blocks.

I'm making more pumpkin mug rugs with the thought of adding them to the goodies handed out for Halloween.

Enjoy your family and the weekend. 

In stitches

Annette

Sewing a garden

 This year I tried to grow some pumpkins in a large bucket.  We there is one the size of a Mellon. I'm lucky to have some friends that have a few extra as well as our daughter and her hubby.  Sew in the meantime I decided to sew up a few pumpkin mug mats.

I started with a few and then had a bountiful harvest .

While at our daughter and son in law's I came across a recipe for a zucchini fruit cake. It turned out great. Now to let it mature for a month or sew. 

I have also tested out a pattern for funky friends... a teddy bear that can be made with  clothing to make it a memory teddy. I used some leftover flannel to try it out. It is stuffed with scrap batting that has been cut up very small. It sure is amazing how much stuffing can go inside on little bear.

Happy stitching and enjoy that last days of September.

In stitches

Annette