Thread Painting With Monika

Thread Painting @ Watrous
Taught by Monika

Well Monika did a great job with her thread painting class that we had here in Watrous. The ladies all did great jobs with their thread painting and I think they surprised themselves at how well they did.

some of the ladies hard at work, what to stitch next...

Betty's Apple
awsome....

I have worked a little more on my Chickadee and I am  very happy with it as well.

the start of my thread painting......

where I'm at sunday evening.....
more stitching to do after I get a few things planted
(pictures went sideways not sure how to get them turned)

It was great to meet Monika , we had a great afternoon together. Such a talented lady, sew glad that she shares that a little with us.

Monika and I
after the class

Thanks again Monika for coming out for the class I hope we can do it again.
Today was a different note we said good bye to a dear "uncle" a cousin to my hubby that we always called Uncle Jake. It was a celebration of his life .... 90 is a good age to get to. I was nice to see a lot of family and friends there for his family. We remember him as the voice of the Duval Expos, as well as many other stories. He would be there at every game to do all the announcing, play by plays and always a good joke.

Tonight I tried making spring rolls......

and the turned out just fine, I'll be making them again. They will make an easy lunch in the summer I think.
Well I best get a few things palnted and see if there is anything else that I can do with the camper and oh and of course get some of the class supplies in the camper too for the stitches conference is only 6 sleeps away for me.
 I will post my completed Chickadee as soon as I get her done.
In stitches
Annette

May long weekend

Sew far this weekend I have gone to work ( short day ) while hubby and friends worked the garage sale, they figured it has gone well sew far .... one more day to see what treasures go.Friday night was raining but today was sunny but cool.
Now I am getting a few things ready for tomorrows class with Monika..... I think we are sew lucky she is coming out to teach us. Pictures to follow I hope :)
Monday will be a day of getting the camper home and  ready for the Sask. Stitches Conference.
Sunday the 20th is the last day for voting on the McCall's Quilt Design Contest. Next week we will see who goes on to the first of the three challenges.
back to things needed to get done.....
in stitches
Annette

w.i.p. Wednesdays

my first flowers of spring

Not to much to show today
I did get the strip sets sewn and pressed, now I'm ready for the 3-D class

shades of orange and black

I have gotten 5 blocks done sew far using the square in a square technique ( shown in previous posts)
other than that I have gotten a few things ready for a garage sale, and a thread painting class with Monika of My Sweet Prairie.
 This after noon I went to the green house to  pick up a few plants for the yard and garden . Time to get a few things before they are all gone ( I even have a few planted : )    )
Well that's all from me be sure to check in with the others using the link for
 The Needle and Thread Network
 on my side bar.
in stitches
Annette

a few more stitches

well I am up to 5 blocks done using the Square in a Square method and pattern book

block 4

block 5

you can adapt most of the traditional block to  use the square in a square method
where you never cut or sew a triangle, just squares and rectangles.

 I also managed to get a couple more post cards made and off in the mail.

tag you're it post card

Today I received this one from Monika of My Sweet Prairie.

Yesterday I picked up a couple more color sets for a 3-d quilt that I will be working on at the Stitches Conference in Munster .The class will be taught by Marci Baker.

I have them cut and ready to sew the strip sets together. I am using colors that my son would like as they are colors from some of the sports teams he cheers for.I am making him a quilt for his 30 th birthday as I had done for his sister last year.
We are on the last week of voting for the McCalls' Quilt Design Star contest  ...... round one. Next week I will find out if I gone on or not. I will also find out how much I can share with all of you out there as well. Sew if you are inclined there is a link to the voting on the top of this page.  As I said before there are a lot of great quilt designs out there, check them out and then cast your vote.
in stitches
Annette

finishes of the week

A few little finishes
I did get a couple post cards made with the theme ... Tag you're it!

big brown tag and a tag on a mug mat
(or flying carpet)

and I have one in the mail already.

Sorry Franklin is a little fuzzy here

I used a little extra postage as I wanted the recipient to get a few of these new stamps that were just released. 

Franklin is 20 ...... there will be post cards and invitations also available. We all thought this was a cute stamp and the kids will love it and make the older kids remember when they to love Franklin.

I made a giant Strawberry Pin cushion, I plan on using it as a gift.

lots of french knots on this one

another block done for my Square in a Square quilt.

block #3

Today I have tried something new in the kitchen ... a gluten free pie ....

smells good ...it got a little dark around the edges
I should have covered them sooner

sew far it looks okay and after it cools we'll see how it tastes.

I did get a few Morning glory seeds in the ground, I still have to get my starter pack.
I have had folks asking about them already, I guess they all enjoyed their beauty last year, and are looking forward to them again this year.

It was a great day to hang out some laundry, I just love the freshness that the cloths hold on to when you bring them in.
And when I have a little down time I am reading Sonoma Rose

Sew that's been that last couple of days here in the prairies

Hope you all are having a great weekend

And Happy Mother's Day

to all the Mom's out there

in stitches

Annette

W I P Wednesday

This weeks works in progress are the second block for Kisses for My Beloved is done

and then I made a little post card for my mom for Mother's Day.

I finished the beading on my star fish blueprint quilt, I have painted the back blue sew that it goes with the front a little better, now to get the binding and hanging sleeve on to my little quilt.

I also got a few sunbursts cut out to use in one of my classes at conference later this month.
I hope they will work in the class, if not I sure I will find another use for them.

I am linking up with The Needle and Thread Network......link on my side bar

Be sure to see what the other ladies have been up to.

in stitches

Annette

Grad Cookies

I have had a few requests about the Grad cookies that I made last week

I have used a couple different recipes from the Company Coming cook books.

But the basic recipe behind them is the amount of cookie dough that you use I use  about 3 cups per pizza pan. You have to know how much the dough spreads out sew that you do not have a big mess in your oven I add extra chocolate chips, smarties,and  coconut to dress them up a bit. I try to stay away from nuts if I do not know about allergies.
 I have found from the past that buying some pizza pans to give with the cookie is easier that making a support of some type to delivery the cookie with. And we  all know that kids love pizza and will use the pan again. They could also buy the cookie dough from the store to make another(or two) for themselves.
in stitches
Annette

a new project

Well I thought it was about time that I got started on a quilt kit I bought last fall.
It is a square in a square pattern by Jodi Barrows. The pattern is Kisses from your Beloved.

I did get the first block done and will try to get at least one block a night done this week. My friend Joanne has hers put together and it looks great .... my incentive to get -r-done.


block one

quilt layout from the book

I have a few kits on hand and would like tom get them worked up into quilts. As that is what they were bought for, right. I am trying not to buy too much extra at this time sew that I can do just that.

And after that or in the middle of that I want to work up some of the scraps that do not seam to go down in volume. It is amazing what can be made up out of a scrap box. Last winter I made 6 small quilts and I know that there still were a few more in there waiting to be made up.

Today the sun is shining and has me wanting to be outside seeing what we can get done in the yard. Hubby cut the lawns, they are sew green and lush this spring. The Robins are jumping around pulling out worms for there lunch.
That's it for now maybe I'll get block 2 done tonight.
In stitches
Annette

Work apron ready

Well I got my apron made the other night .....

I added a few accents to the pocket which match the ties. Just played around a little.
I made it on the long side as I will be using it in a fabric painting class .I chose to use a jacket type fabric to repel moisture and is light weight.

added triangles and prairie points

I want to say thank you to everyone who has voted and asked about the quilt. It is sew nice to know that there are sew many nice folks out there supporting my quilt design.

Almost all ready for the conference only a couple things to round up.  3 weeks to go.
in stitches
Annette

getting ready .... Stitches Conference in May



strip sets ...sewn & pressed
ready to go
new w.i.p.

I have been busy getting my prep work done for the classes that I have signed up for at the Saskatchewan Stitches Conference hosted by Haus of Stitches in Humboldt SK.

getting classes packed by the bag.....
if they will fit in a bag...

Almost all organized just a couple things to get together and an apron to make for fabric painting.

It is grad here in town this week and I have made a couple Grad- Cookies to add with a couple gifts. I have been making these huge cookies for about 14 years or sew.. they always seam to be a hit. and a few years back I started giving the pizza pan that they are cooked on as well.

I am linking up with The Needle and Thread Network ( link on my side bar) I site with Canadian gals and their Handy works

in stitches
Annette

p.s.
If you chose to there is a link on my blog to the Mc Calls Quilting Quilt Design Star 2012 with a quilt I have designed....... look around and cast your vote for your fav and leave me a comment, I would love to hear what you think of my quilt.  There are some nice quilts entered, in each of the two categories.

Voting starts Tuesday May 1

let the voting begin ....

I am one of the qualified quilts in the
 Mc Calls Quilt Design Star 2012.
Voting starts May 1st and runs through to May 20 th. You can vote once a day in each category. I am in the professional category as I have sold some self published patterns.
here is a link to the voting page with my quilt
http://ck.upickem.net/engine/Details.aspx?c=54018&p=V&s=19013738

do look around and vote for the quilts you like, you can vote once a day in each of two categories from May 1 to May 20. This will send us on to the next round of designing.
There are some great quilts on display ...good luck to all who have entered.
I hope the link works fine for you all out there if not let me know or check in with McCall's Quilting web site and look under Quilt Design Star 2012 to find more info.

In stitches ( until the 20th that's for sure)
Annette

p.s.
thanks to all that have thought I could do this... I would not have entered with out the support of friends and family
I will enjoy the ride and see where it leads me

2012 FMQ challenge

April's challenge
I thought I better get this posted as I am not sure if I will be able to play with my free motion quilting any more this month. I am not sure where it went. The months are just flying by
sew with out further delay here are my stitching samples on practice and one on the little sampler quilt

practice  piece

 I will be using this method again, I found it very easy to transfer the designs and to stitch out  .... Thanks Don for the great info.
I did a little shopping and bought a few books for myself a couple to read and one for ideas from this months instructor Don Linn.

I will be linking with the SewCalGal 2012 Free Motion Quilting Challenge

I do hope to play with this technique more in the near future, with other shapes and sizes.

On another note I will have a little announcement on Tuesday May 1..... sew stay tuned

in stitches
Annette

a finish and a start

well for the finishes I did get Pick a Posy Tote done

detachable posy

inside pockets  2 pleated ,1 flat and
 2 loops one with elastic

I did add a few inside pockets and a elastic loop to hold a water bottle and and extra loop for what ever needs a loop. The fabrics I used is from my Jewels in the Night quilt, I still have a far bit left over .... the hazards of designing with out a pattern you do not know how much to buy.

and then I made a little clothespin bag and filled it with a few goodies including clothes pins, for a quilting friend's birthday
 As for the starts this weekend we did get a good start on the yard work and cleaning the windows on the house. We had a great day today temps around 27....last week we had snow and this Friday it is in the forecast again : {

Looking forward to another nice day tomorrow. I'll be off to Haus of Stitches to use my stitching bucks.    : )

In Stitches
Annette

digging in the scrap bag

WI.P.'s
I have a few thing in progress  today yesterday

to items ready to bind .... a quilt and a runner

I sent off two post cards that I made today as well.The sunflower post card is soft edged that I frayed out.
I have been working on my spool wall hanging

I am going to put the name of my blog along the side.

122 pieces later

 and then I thought I should cut up a few of the scraps from my Jewels of the Night quilt to make a tote.
Sew now I will link up with The Needle and Thread Network .... be sure to see what the other have been up to with the link on my side bar.
In stitches
Annette

wintery weekend

It seams that we have had to much spring like weather all winter, and now that it is spring winter dose not want to let go. Last weekend we had a good dump of snow today it is just a light snow. I am ready for it to warm up..... maybe with the warms temps the bug I have will finally leave.

We did get away for the weekend after I finished work. Off to Battleford to visit my brother and his wife a dear friend. Hubby is on the board of directors at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Battleford and it was the spring meeting.This is always a good time to get together with my brother and sis in law.

Sew not much swing going on but I did get started on a novel, I have been reading the Elm Creek Quilts Novels by Jennifer Chiaverini. I ordered the last two and I am almost half way through
THE WEDDING QUILT
they are an easy enjoyable read, I will not read anything else until I have them finished.

I might go have a look at the two projects I have pinned and ready to quilt, and maybe do one up tonight.
in stitches
Annette

Entered

Well this is a year of Firsts.
I designed a quilt    .... Jewels of the Night...... for a challenge and entered it
and now I have entered myself with Jewels of the Night into
Mc Calls Quilt Design Star 2012
it took me a while to get my picture loaded but I think it is successful and I am now entered
Voting starts May 1st you can vote once a day per group
I have entered into the Professional group as I have sold a few patterns in the past that I have self published. There are 2 groups Professional and Amateur.
Sew if you are inclined pop by mccallsquilting.com and vote for your favorite quilt/designer
vote once,  vote often.
Those who win at the different levels of the competition will have a few extra challenges over the next few months.
I told myself if you do not enter you will never know ..... sew that  is why I did it.
And the fact that I have had such wonderful people say that they think this is a great idea and worth a try, and have given me great support along the journey.

The deadline is this weekend to the Saskatchewan Stitches Conference 10 th Anniversary Challenge submissions sew I will post the quilt sew that if you go to vote you have an idea of what it looks like. I could only submit one picture sew here it is

Jewels of the Night
Designed  by Annette Schultz

I do have many showing different details of the quilt.
Just let me know and I will post other pics
thanks for letting me share
in stitches
Annette

Easter Treats

My daughter brought me a little Easter treat
a cute little pattern for a wall hanging.

but my best treat of all was to have my family together, now that they have grown up and have lives of their own it is very special to me to have them home. We did spend some time with hubby's family on Sunday and celebrated our daughter's birthday yesterday even though it is not until the 11th.

Now that they had all headed for home I have been doing a couple alterations and getting laundry caught up. I have also put myself on the mending list sew that I get everything tidied up downstairs.

I am very happy to say that I have a class all organized that Monika from My sweet prairie will teach next month :)  I have to get the supply list to a couple ladies and collect the fee.
I have found that the folks in the land of blog are great people.
 Thank you Monika for doing this for us

getting the next borders ready for my dragonfly D9P quilt

 As for a W I P  I still have one runner left to finish and my spool wall hanging to work on

ready to quilt


Be sure to check out what the others have been up to on
The Needle and Thread Network
 ( link on my side bar)

I hope to get a few things finished this week I hope you all have a great week as well
in stitches
Annette

HAPPY EASTER

                                                      Wishing everyone a Happy Easter
                                                     Time spent with family and friends
                                                     Remembering the gift of this Holiday
                                                

                                                     in stitches
                                                                  Annette

W.I.P. Wednesdays

Just a few runners in progress at the moment two to do the binding on and one that I am just playing with ..... using up those left over triangles from joining border lengths.

Here is the fabric I have picked for a mystery quilt class I will be taking next month. I have to cut the strips for the class prep

Well that's it for now
Check out what the others have been up to on The Needle and Thread Network..... there is a link on my side bar.
in stitches
Annette