Happy Valentines Day

 Just a short note to wish you all a Happy Valentines Day. 

And it happens to be 14 yrs since I started blogging.  

The post cards have just been created. One features reverse applique,  the other raw edge applique.  

Happy stitching 

In stitches Annette 

Sit n Stitch

 Tuesday is the day that we gather at the senior center to Sit n Stitch.  We have only been meeting since the end of November.  We average about 5 to 6 each week. 

The ladies work on many different things.  We have rug making , quilting, embroidery, knitting,  crochet handwork and more.

It has been great  getting to know the ladies more and about the things they enjoy doing.

We have a little challenge for those who would like to participate in. We are making up a tea cozy . Each one that has been made are great and each have a story behind it. 

Here's mine. I used the fabric left over from making a quilt for Victoria Quilts.  I had used a number of fat quarters.  With these I added  lace doilies and buttons. It's a little old fashioned but I think it's cute. 

Last week I tested out a pattern for a fat quarter friendly bag.  It used 2. I also tested out a pattern for 2 flap coin purse.

Now to get caught up with the block Wednesday with Pat Sloan.  From Jan to June 26 blocks. 

 In stitches 

Annette  

Back at my machine

 Well I'm back at my machine and quilting, im even using my rotary cutter.

 My finger is healing nicely.  Very tender when doing anything that involves touching.... which happens a lot in life. You just don't realize it until you have a booboo;0)

I have been working on my project Tote as a pattern as I have had a number of ladies asking for it.

I have worked on another quilted journal.  I'm making these for a market later this year. Hope they do okay. Another little item is a mug rugs, them seam to get some interest to.

One thing to remember as you enjoy your quilting and sewing is the the dust bunnies 🐰  are out there. Take a minute and clean them out. Your machine will treat you well if you do.

Time to see what I can get busy with next.

Happy Stitching 

In stitches 

Annette 

 

A few days away.

 I spent a few days in Humboldt at the Prairie Patchworkers guild retreat.  Its was a time to work on your own projects and enjoy each other's company.  A few of us were non members getting to know a few other quilters. There were good meals , random draws and lots of sewing and some show and tell. The games lady was unable to attend sew we had more sewing time.

I did manage to finish off the sashing and borders for my National Parks quilt by Pat Sloan and start on her Grandma's Kitchen which will run for 26 weeks. 

National Parks by Pat Sloan 

I made a rope bowl to switch things up while stitching blocks. I would have gotten more sewing done but I saw another quilter who seemed to be struggling with her quilt. 

Karen is her name and she is working on a quilt made with multiple sized printed panel type blocks. Having made a few of Pat's quilts I was able to help her get a good start on her quilt. She is doing amazing as she is pretty new to quilting. I hope she now has some confidence to continue with the quilt.  The Wednesday quilters have said they would give her a hand as needed. She sure had a beautiful smile when she looked at what she has accomplished sew far. I was happy to help.  No photo as it's a surprise. 

My finger is getting better. I used a glove most of the time cutting . Sew I am getting back into the swing of things. 

In stitches 

Annette 

Oh Happy Dance

 After a long wait the magazines have finally arrived.  

    Quilting Arts Winter 2025 issue.

This is the one I have an article in. My first!

You can order your copy here. 

https://www.quiltingdaily.com/product-category/magazines-ebooks/quilting-arts/

I sew glad I order a few, as I have not found them on the newsstand as of yet. 

Here in rural Saskatchewan we do not get the opportunity to purchase magazines locally and must go to the city. This is one that I do have a subscription for but mine is stuck in the mail somewhere out there. 

Finger is doing sew much better. A bit shorter but healing nicely.   Sewing and cutting again , keeping that finger well out if the way. 

More on that coming this weekon my activities. 

In stitches 

Annette 

Post cards and more

 Well I did get a couple more post cards made. This time I used a tea bag, bag label and a chocolate bar wrapper. The tea bag one has match stick quilting. The chocolate bar wrapper card has just a little ribbon added. The items had been gifted to me as treats from  Newfoundland.  I thought it would be a nice way to use rather than throw away. 

I did use some of the paint up on fabric for future use. 

But now alas I must put things on hold. I have injured myself with my rotary cutter.  

Sew take care out there

I will try to

In stitches 

What do you do

 When its -34c in the morning?

We hubby and I made German butter balls. They are kind of  a bread type dumpling. They go in chicken noodles soup . A comfort food in this house. 

We put them outside to freeze before putting them in a container 

I did get the quilted hug finished here it is. (I have a fair bit of binding left on the holder. )

Here are days 3 and 4 post cards. Day 3 post cart was made with fabric scrsps on my ironing board trimed off the quilted hug. The tree is on a fabric I made using a flour paste resit.

Well, soups 🍲 on .... with butter balls. 

Take care  stay warm.

In stitches 

Ahhh new phone.

 Learning a new phone and trying to find my account and then it changes things.....  ahhhh.

I will try my best to learn and fix it. 

 In the mean time I'm try to make a post card a day.  I will start with a month and go from there..

                   Day one and two

I am working on a quilted hug for a friend's mom. Lots of binding  made and now wrapped on a holder that came with some of the rope I made into bowls.

I have signed up for a collage class on line ,thinking I could use some of what I learn with on paper , I could use  on fabric . Always good to learn something new. 

What are you going to try new this year?

We are having a cold day here today. Sew it's stay inside and quilt or read. And figure out this phone some  more.

Stay cozy out there. 

In stitches Annette 

Just a few crumbs

 Well I started with a few fabric crumbs from a recent quilt top that I made. A piece of prequilted fabric. Some pins to hold the fabric in place while I added extra quilting to hold it together.  Then some decorative stitches here and there. Then a couple more crumbs place and blanket stitched. A old doilies  cut and tacked in place . Some embroidery stitches and the buttons , but not all just yet. 

Trimed to size and sides stitched.  A few more buttons and then the binding on the bottom. 

Oh and stacked buttons on top to lift with. 

Now I have a fitted tea cozy for one of my tea pots. There will be more of these next year I'm sure.

I will try and have a few more photos  next time.

Have a Merry Christmas 🎅 and All the Best for the New Year 

In stitches Annette 

Just a little something

 I was over at my neighbors yesterday helping reset a screw in her sewing machine.  And I noticed a couple of small wooden spools.  I asked her if she needed a small pin cushion for her machine . She said well maybe that would be nice.  Sew she gave me one of her spools and I got busy creating while my bun dough was rising.

I should gave taken more in progress photos but I didn't take any (sorry)sew you get to see the finished product.  I used a small piece of wool some embroidery stitches,  I made a yo yo and stuffed it. Then added a button to pull it down a little. I hot glued the yo yo puff to the top of the spool after attaching the wool with a blanket stitch. 

This is something I have been thinking about making for myself but alas  I didn't get to it. It seams I like to make cute things for my friends. 

Last week I was playing with a flour resist technique that I was reading about in a Quilting Arts Book that I have from our local library. 

It turned out great. Sew  I see more play time in 2025. 

Well it's Tuesday sew I'm off to Sit and Stitch with the ladies  of our community.  I think we have been going for a month now. This is somewhere ladies can come and knit sew crochet quilt do handwork whatever  and have a visit too. As well as a helping hand figuring out your project . 

Be sure to check out my previous post for the link to the digital copy of  Quilting Arts for purchase. I'm sew proud to be a part of it.

In stitches Annette 

Early Christmas present

                                                          Quilting Arts Winter 2025

I have been waiting for this issue to be out. I am one of the contributing authors. This is my 1st published article. I was very excited to work on the article after I had sent in a submission for consideration. 

I follow right behind  the question and answer section featuring a friend through Post Card Fabric Art swaps aka PFA Swap Group on Facebook Beret Nelson from On the Trail Creations.   I have been following her with her newsletters and FB for a while now. It's sew nice to see what she has been up to. Beret has a number of online classes that are sure to help your explore art quilting. Be sure to check out her site  , here is her link

on the trail creations

If you are interested in reading our articles please use the link to Quilting Arts and get yourself a digital copy.

https://www.quiltingdaily.com/product-category/magazines-ebooks/quilting-arts/

Newsstand date is December 17th.

It is sure to be a good winter read and maybe a few creations will be inspired.

 I know I will be looking it over more than once to gain more inspiration for future creations.

I hope you enjoy my article and let me know if you grabbed yourself a copy.

 in stitches 

Annette

#QuiltingArts

#QuiltingArtsMagazine

Stitching up a strom

 ...... stitching up a storm or in a storm  during the storm. Well we have had at least 3 good snowfalls , some with wind but all had a good amount of snow. Our snow didn't come until late November. The kids are have more fun than the adults I think , but no the less we all make the most of it. I have been warming up the house with the start to Christmas baking, sewing for the craft sale and then more sewing for the art show and sale happening this month in town.

 Our first get together for the Sit and Stitch was right after one of our first big snowfalls. there were 3 of us there. We stitched and chatted and enjoyed the day spent together. The next 2 weeks the numbers increased with new and returning faces. I have been able to help some of the ladies with the projects that they are working on. Tomorrow  is day 4 and we will see what the ladies are working on. I will see if they would let me share a photo of them at work.

I have also been working on some more quilts for Victoria Quilts. I had run out of quilt tops to quilt up for them sew I made up a couple. I have 3 to finish at this time.

I have even pulled out  a Christmas puzzle to work on as I rest my foot.  I broke my toe and it is being very slow at healing sew I have been trying to rest it as I do things. Not sew easy at times. slowly but surely it should heal up.

Now if I can get my email to play nice I will have some exciting news to share in the morning. 

Sew stay in stitches and stay cozy.

In stitches 

Annette

Some of my stitching in November

 Well I have been stitching away. Knitting some slippers and mittens for our daughters school. I have been making mug mats and microwave bowl pot holders and card holders just to name a few things. A craft sale is coming up and this is a great way to use up some of my fabrics on hand and make something useful to others. And I have even had to do a little unsewing too.

A quilted journal

I have a number of Victoria Quilts on hand to quilt up, and I have started up a  stitching group here in town to get people together. Getting together to  visit and create. the group will be held weekly as a drop in sew I do hope there is enough interest to see it go on for a long time.

I was part of a fabric postcard swap last month. Glitz and Glam was our theme and I chose to do our prairie skies with the northern lights . I really enjoyed figuring out how to stitch the northern lights. Challenging myself  is something I enjoy doing.  and when it works out that makes it even better.

Sew that's all for now  ... keep on stitching

In Stitches 

Annette

 

Sit and Stitch

 We are starting up a group for  stitchers. You can quilt, sew, knit, crochet any type of hand work .The group will met on Tuesdays and work on projects of their choice. A time of community and getting some time with other  creative people and maybe a helpful hand as needed.

This is something I have been ask about for a number of years and I thought lets give it a go and see what happens. Wish me luck in this new adventure . 

In stitches

Annette

 

October a time for stitching

                                                                 Happy Fall Everyone

outside at the fall/fowl supper

 Fall is in the air and crafts sales have started up. I have been to one sew far this fall. I am thinking about participating in one. 

Harvest has wrapped up for this year. I was lucky enough to get a combine ride and supper in the field. Something I miss from when we had a farm. A view from the combine.

We attended a fall supper just yesterday ...... turkey always tastes great.

I have gotten the binding on my Autumn Wonders Quilt designed by Pat Sloan. I have a few quilts (6) all pinned basted and ready to quilt. I hope to have them done before the quilts arrive from Victoria Quilts, I offered to quilt up more of them. I enjoy doing this as I feel it is a worthy cause.

I have been busy knitting mitts and slippers for our daughter to give to kids at school who are in need of them.

I have come up with a pressing idea. I took a large wooden dowel and covered it with a couple layers of  batting  stitched it in place and then covered it with some wool and stitched that in place as well. I tied the ends and now have a pressing tool to help press seams open.

I was lucky this summer to find 2 quilt tops for sale at a garage sale. I bought them and thought they would make lovely raffle quilt to donate in out community. One is done and ready to go the other only needs a label.

I have finished the quilt that my friend had started while in the nursing home but sadly passed before she could complete it. I am sure her family will feel her hugs in it. (photos for these 3 still to come)

Off to do a little more sewing.

In Stitches

Annette

still learning new ways of getting my photos on the blog. It's crazy sometimes, as it take a while ( few hours for me)

Well August just seamed to fly

September already . 

 Boy August sure seem to go by fast . And talking with folks they have the same observance with summer.

 It was filled with 50th anniversary celebrations and birthday celebrations . 

 I even managed to take in an art class . 

My small garden has been producing well, I've been doing up tomatoes and cucumbers to enjoy this winter.

      I did get some sewing done making more of the leaves as mug rugs and working on a quilt to use for a raffle quilt.

 The art class was fun, we worked on portraits from looking in a mirror then funky portraits and then a day of drawing without straight lines. I really enjoyed the portrait portion of the class as well as the Funky portrait part of the class. A interesting note about the class was that it was teenager class that had a few extra spots to be filled sew they asked a few adults to part of the class.  To  be a kid again. 

 Now it's time to try and get caught up on a few of my quilting projects and share them with you. Getting caught up with the block of the month with quilt doodle designs. Check her out, she has one going every year. I've done a few sew far. yesterday I made up a couple jelly roll rugs and a couple scrappy bases for my pumpkin mug rugs for the kids at Halloween. I will make more leaves as I think they are fun and I'm also thinking of making a bunting with some to decorate. I have been having some issues with my computers. Sew my next challenge is to add some photos with this post. Sew thank you for checking in on me and my musings. 

In stitches Annette

Sorry, no photos this time

Leaves and Pumkins

 

Working away on leaf and pumpkin mug rugs. These will be some of my treats at Halloween. They were a big hit last year. Sew starting early as I hope not to run out. There has been smoke in the air,sew staying inside sewing. It's a great ways to use up those bits and pieces in your sewing space.

Working in the pumpkin patch

This month I'm participating in a post card swap. The theme is Military Veterans. My card is on it's way to England.

September is around the corner, which mean school preparation  is starting as well. A friend's son has been raising funds to buy some basic back to school supplies. To help out I have been sewing zippered pouches. I have gotten some zippered from other sewing friends to go with some of the fabric her mom supplied. What a great idea he had. Sew happy to lend a hand.

All zipped up.

I have been keeping up with the garden sew far. It looks like dill pickles will be in my future.

Well I should get back to my pumpkin patch, sewing that is.

Stay well,and sew on.

In Stitches

Annette

A trip to the library

 After ordering on line I was able to pick up a number of books and DVD's to enjoy this summer. It has been a great resource and I found you can even renew your items on line too! 

A small selection from your library

cotton canvas

I have been working with artist canvases and have found two types sew far. I have been working on a basic thin canvas and have now found a cotton one. I'm looking forward to testing it out. Playtime awaits! 

I have been sewing up some pencil cases for a friend. Her son  has been making interesting crayons by recycling old crayons, he then sells these and using the funds he has raised he them fills the pencil cases for kids who may need a little help getting their school supplies. Sew with school only weeks away..... I know it's still summer....I thought I should get to work. A few here and a few there and I should get the supplies she left worked up.

Must get back to sewing.

In stitches

Annette