2012 Chirstmas Quilt Show

Well here's a first for me a on line quilt show featuring quilts for the holidays and winter themes.
If you would like to join in on the fun go to here 2012 Christmas Quilt Show to find out more and see the show.
Here is one of my latest Christmas designs I call it Silent Night , Holy Night

 And here is one of the Christmas stockings I made for a friend this year. I am having some fun with this funky little tree.

Sew if you are able to join in on the fun and see some great quits and leave some comments to show the quilters you are enjoying their work. And even better yet would be to add your talent to the show too!
Enjoy the show.
In stitches
Annette
 sorry for the repeat in the items shown but I just found out about the show and wanted to share these in the show :)

Works in Progress ..... Silent Night

I seam to always have something on the ironing board or at the sewing machine.

The last few days I have been working out a idea I had for a Christmas wall hanging. I wanted to make something special for my Prayer Partner at church for the Christmas gift exchange next week.
I looked at a few of my patterns on hand and then thought maybe I would design something that would do the trick.
The next morning I had an idea in my head and sketched it out and I now have it sewn and quilted and only need to do a label for it.
I call it Silent Night, Holy Night, I have done it up two ways one with a little embroidery and the other with an extra window in the church. You gotta have options.
I may do up a pattern for it as well but that would be for next year. Sew with out further adieu here they are

Hope you like how they have turned out, I hope my Prayer Partner likes it too.
I will be linking up with The Needle and Thread Network stop in and check out what the others have been up to as well.
 I will be posting in the Holiday Lane Blog Hope on Friday. There have been some great pillows sew far.
Have a great week stay in stitches, I know I will. I still have a few more gifts to make.
  in stitches
Annette

W.I.P. Wednesdays and other stuff

Well  I have finally got s good start on the Christmas stockings I have had on the back burner for a little while... I am working on the last one now.
here's a peek

Stocking for our great nephew

last one under construction
note.... at the time of this posting I have them all done :)

I still have to decide on a project for my prayer partner and have it ready for the 3rd of December.I do have a couple ideas I just have to make a decision and get a move on.
I will be linking up with The Needle and Thread Network those ladies amaze me each and every week with all the talent they share with us. Thank you Monika for making this all possible.

I won a give away in the last hop Wicked on Sew We Quilt, All the way form England .... Thanks sew much Lyndsey


a little bundle of goodies in a cute little tote

This is my second post of the day as I was asked to participate in the Canadian Blogger hosted by Sew Sisters Quilt Shop .They are going province by province with a host blogger that links you up to other bloggers from her province and of course there are some great give aways too.
 Take care and enjoy some sewing today/tonight
in stitches
Annette

Canadian Bloggers Connect

 November 21

Well today the links will all be from Saskatchewan. Sew grab yourself a cup of tea and have a visit with the blogger's for today.
I have called this province home all my life.I love the skies... they are alive..... and you should see them at night with the northern lights that dance through the night.

I have been a blogger for almost 2 years and a quilter for about 30. I have grown as a quilter a lot over the years and hope to continue to grow with new ideas and skills in the years to come.
 It is not a hobby it is a way of life!

I have been designing a few patterns for almost 10 years and teaching those patterns and others to many new quilters.
This year has been a bit of a blur.... you never know where one quilt will lead you..
I took my designing to a new level this year by entering a Challenge with Haus of Stitches for the 10th anniversary of the Stitches Conference.... a first for me. I designed a quilt I call Jewels of the Night.
I was amazed to have won the large quilt category as well as viewers choice. This was the first time I have entered anything with my quilts. I have donated to charities in the past, but this was all new to me.

Jewels of the Night

I also used the same quilt Jewels of the Night to enter a challenge on line with McCall's Quilting
for the Quilt Design Star 2012. This entry led to a busy summer of designing and making quilts. I was lucky enough to be designing right to the finials with the contest. I feel I was in great company all the way through and would encourage all of you to try you hand at designing and enter next year. ( watch for the May/June issue of McCall's Quilting, or check the web site, for more information)
                                        "If you don't try you'll never know"
this is was I said about myself in the beginning and I am sew glad that I did. Here are my entries for the different challenges that we had this year. Check out their web site to see what everyone created and to see the bio pages on us as well..... There where 3 Canadians in the finals this year!!!And one of the winners came  from Ontario. Way to go Lisette!

    

Guide Me Safely Home

Flutteryby's in My Garden

Holding On..

I am always doing some type of sewing / quilting and love to share what I know with others and I have even been a guest speaker at a guild this month. This was another first for me.... some how I thought it would be very hard to do. The ladies made it very easy for me to feel comfortable and show them what I had been up to this summer.

 I do have a couple tuts on my blog and hope to do up a few more this winter, just to share some ideas I have come up with. Sew you are welcome to stop by anytime to see what's new.

Now I am trying to get a few items made up to give as gifts this holiday season..... just like the rest of you I'll be busy right up until Christmas getting caught up.

I love how we all can get to know sew many more quilters through the blogs and I have created some very special friendships here too.

Sew I hope you enjoyed learning a wee bit about me and stop by and check out the other blogger's with today's links
Here's the schedule
 Here's how it works:
Each day host bloggers will introduce themselves and their work on their blogs. They will include links to more blogs from their province so you can visit those blogs as well. The host bloggers will also host a giveaway of some of their favorite goodies from our store so you have a chance to win every day of the week!

The host blogs!

Sunday, November 18	Kick-off!	Michele	Quilting Gallery
Monday, November 19	BC	Felicity	Felicity Quilts
Monday, November 19	BC	Cathy	Blueberry Patch
Tuesday, November 20	NS	Jeanette	STAMP * STITCH * CREATE
Tuesday, November 20	NB	Holly	Through My Window
Wednesday, November 21	AB	Shena	Apple Pie Patchwork
Wednesday, November 21	SK	Patti	Retired to Quilt
Thursday, November 22	QC	Marika	Live, Laugh, Love... Sew
Thursday, November 22	MB	Heather	Church Avenue Quilts
Friday, November 23	YT	Vivian	Quilting Under the Midnight Sun
Friday, November 23	YT	Janet	Caribou Crossing Chronicles
Saturday, November 24	ON	Cathi	Quilt Obsession
Saturday, November 24	ON	Cara	Cara Quilts
Saturday, November 24	ON	Kaye	Miss Print

In stitches
Annette

5 weeks ... but who's counting

I just can not believe how fast time is flying by.
Just over 5 weeks until Christmas and I have to get started on sew many things to get ready for the Holiday.
I did get my Holiday Lane Pillow finished to be posted on the 29 th if my memory is right ( I'll be double checking that today)
I have 8 more set of half blocks made for my son's quilt and many many more to go( my goal is to have it pieced by the holidays and maybe quilted to )and 3 Christmas stockings to make as well as a Prayer Partner Christmas gift .... glad I have ideas for these already.
I will do a little baking as we do not seam to eat as much of the goodies any more ( might just be me as I  am gluten free) I always make a favorite for each member of our family.( full flour for them ).

I have to take both my sewing machine and serger back to the store to be serviced again they have ordered a new mother board for the sewing machine and the serger is still out of whack I have tried new needles / re threading/ different needles/ different thread/ different fabric all with the same results. I will be sew happy when they are both running like new again. I have been making baby undershirts for a friend to take with her on her mission trip coming in February as well as for Lutheran World Relief  Canada - Baby Bundles.
Well I hope you did not mind I did not get any photos in the post I will next time
I wish you all a great day filled with love and laughter and a little sew too
In stitches
Annette

WIP Wednesday

Well it seams like forever since I posted. And I do not feel that I have had much sewing time.

ready to use

But I did get a charming scarf finished  this morning
 I have gotten a couple  Baby bundles ready for Lutheran World Relief

ready to wrap and pin sew
 they will be on their way soon to
 some little one in need

and I have made a couple extra samples, for tonight show and tell over in Davidson.
Tonight is the First time that I am a guest speaker..... I have never thought of myself as such, but I am willing to give it a try....... quilting is something I know and love to do sew I think it will go okay. Hubby will be driving me over to the Davidson quilt guild meeting.
I did get a start on my Holiday Lane pillow for the hop coming soon......

just a peak

Well I best get myself organized and off to Davidson. but first I will be linking up with http://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.ca
sew stop on by and see what the others have been up to.
in stitches
Annette

My Wicked blog hop Winner

is ........ comment number
                                   111..... Leah
I had sent her a note to get her mailing address and her package will be in the mail soon.
Thank you to all who stopped by on the Wicked post by all the bloggers. This was a fun hop and I was inspired over and over again by all the creativity out there that was shared through the hop.
I tried to reply to each comment but if you were a non-reply comment I was unable to ....sorry.... but I did include you in the draw . Still some things for me to figure out with doing give a away .... but I will keep trying.
Have a great week end .... I think mine will be spent doing some much needed cleaning. But I hope to start on my Holiday Lane Pillow ;)
stay in stitches
Annette

Last day of the Wicked Hop

                                                                  Happy Halloween

(if you like this guy , he is in a quilt one post back )

well all good wicked things must come to an end but first check out the last day of the Wicked hop.

Wednesday, October 31st

Beaquilter
Fun Thread Designs

Stitch, Stitch, Stitch

Made By A Brunnette

Buttons And Butterflies

The Recipe Bunny

Quilted Delights

Sunshine Reflections

Louzeekreativ

Mice In The Mix

Rosemary - That Other Blog
The Fuzzy Hat Quilter
Sew We Quilt

Hope you had the chance to stop by most of the blogs .... there were a lot of treats given away during this hop and it might not be to late to be included.
Thanks to all the creative minds that put together such a great hop for Halloween. Stay tuned to see what will be next. I know the next one I will be in  on is Holiday Lane Pillows in just a few weeks.... I best get busy with that.
I did get my FMQ challenge sample done ..... it was a fun tut playing with doodling and your name, all done in thread thanks to Teri Lucas and Darlene  for getting this one set up for us. I still have to check out the bonus tuts. It has been a great year for learning different ways to do our free motion quilting. Here are my samples.

my practice piece

and now on the sample quilt







I'll be linking up with SewCalGal pop over to see how everyone else did up their names.
As for my works in progress just some of the same ones just trying to give them some time. And working on my FMQing.
Pop over to The Needle and Thread Network  to see what the others have been up to.
Happy Halloween and happy stitching this week
in stitches

Something Wicked this way comes..........

October 26 ...... It's my turn for ........

 

Welcome to the Wicked Blog Hop, we want to say thanks to  Wendy and Madam Samm ( the head sorcerers )  for get us all in the Halloween Spirit with our blocks and other goodies that we conjured up in the last little while.
I just know the hop will be a spook- tacular  success . I can smell the cauldrons cooking
Here is the line up for today's creations ..... be sure to check them all out. You do not want to miss any of the creations they have cooked up of all of us to view. There might even be a treat included with the postings.

Friday, October 26th

                        In Stitches & Seams   (you are here)

Sew.Darn.Quilt

Quilt Monster In My Closet

Count It *All* JOY!!

Lieselfriends-Di... Handnäher

The Learning Curve Quilts And Such

Qreative Quilts And Quests

Sew Many Yarns

AnnieoakDesigns

Searching Out Simple

Sheila's Quilt World

Val Spiers Sews

Robin - That Other Blog

Sew now it is on with my post and what I would like to share with you all out there

To get warmed up and in the spirit of Halloween I made a D9P  aka Disappearing 9 Patch, using Halloween themed fabrics. Just thought, it would be nice for the season as short as it is .... and the fact that I have been collecting a few pieces here and there ( some are very large pieces ) and it was time to get to work on them. I'll be using some of the bigger pieces to make the backing for this one.

Next the blocks that I had conjured up and now to make them up out of fabric. Seeing that this was leading to more and I could not decide on just one sew I whipped up 4 - 10 1/2 in blocks.

I could not leave them unfinished sew I added stripped sashings and 9 patch corner stones followed with a wonderful Boo fabric for the finial border.

Not sure but I think I will call it Beware of  things that go "Bump in the Night"
I am working on getting it quilted before Halloween and hopefully before my turn with Wicked.

                                               my giveaway treat for the lucky  blog hopper
                                         a little pack of squares from Moda's Harvest Moon
                                                       (2 1/2") long tweezers for your FMQ
                                                              and a Halloween mug mat
                                                 ( I shrunk my Candle mat pattern  for the mug mat )

And now for the last part of my post I would love to give a little treat to a lucky follower of the hop, leave me a comment with what your favorite part of Halloween is...... now my favorite part is seeing the kids come to the door all dressed in their favorite costumes. I sure hope the weather holds for them again this year.  At this point the kids are not snow lucky......
I'll make the draw on all hallows eve........ Oct. 31.....

Now off you go and check out the other sites to see what else was conjured up for you to view.

in stitches

Annette

If your in the area

You really should check out the display at the Arts Council Building ..... The Gallery on Third.

ARTLESS FABRICATIONS By Carol Schmold
In 2007 Carol challenged herself to made a new textile work every week for the year.
Sew there are 52 small art quilts that she designed and made during that year.
Artless Fabrications   this link will take you to Carol's home page . Check out her blog to have a peak at some of her work. I thought it was awesome.
I hope to stop by again later this week .... time/work permitting.  The hours that the Gallery on Third are Wed - Sat 1 -4 pm, her show is only here until the 20 of October.
This show is part of the OSAC Arts on the move program .... if you are in Saskatchewan check to see if it is coming to your area  or request it to come.
 Sew that's all for now
                    take care
                                      in stitches
                                              Annette

just a quilting

Quilting Guide me Safely Home

Well I have been working on my FMQ and trying to get one of my quilts finished before the end of the month. I really want to get both of my McCall's Quilting  challenge quilts done to take for a little bit of a trunk show that I will be doing in Davidson in November. This will be something completely new for me as I do not feel that I am a great public speaker ...... but I  am willing to try and learn to step outside my comfort zone ... at least just a little.( I'm sure it will be just like having show and tell :)   )
I have also been finishing up my blocks for the Wicked hop that will start next week ...sew stay tuned to see some great ideas and blocks for Halloween.

just a peak of my things that go
"bump in the night" quilt

I am linking up with The Needle and Thread Network and Monika ..... stop on by and see what everyone has been up to .
And of course there are only a few days left to get your votes in on this years McCall's Quilting Quilt Design Star 2012.
take care and have a wonderful day
in stitches
Annette

Tidbit Tuesday

It's been a while .... a long while scince I posted a tidbit. This one is for cleaning your Iron.
Last week while doing some fusible applique I happened to get some sticky on the iron. Just a bit but it was enough to make a mess of a project. I remembered about using a used dryer softener sheet to clean the tip of a hot glue gun and thought, why not.  It might just work for a hot iron with fusible web.
And it did. It took off allof black( burnt glue ) and any sticky residue and even shine up the sole plate of the iron.

all clean and ready to go again

I also received a package in the mail today form Angie from morgaine77.blogspot.com
she sent out a few fat quarters , a neat little seam ripper and tweezer and a fabric fairy magnet( I knew she was real just like the quilting fairy .... I found 3 new quilt batts on my door step once,)

Thanks Angie

We are down to the last week of the McCall's Quilting Quilt Design Star 2012. Your votes will be counted until Sunday the 21 and the winner will be anounced on the 23.
Thank you to all how have voted once or daily. It has been a great experience and has helped me design a few more quilts. and the desire to do more. Next week in my Wicked post I will have one that I am thinking of doing a pattern for. I am taking little steps but I am going forward to see what I can do. Sew thank you for your support in my quilting.

Sew until next time happy stitching
in stitches
Annette

Leafs Me Happy winner is......

Just a short note to say that my draw is over and the lucky winner was
comment #55 Robin.
I have sent her a note to get the mailing info and her package will be on it's way.
Thank you all for playing along and joining us with the Leafs Me Happy Blog Hop . It is great to hear from you all and see what everyone has created and shared with us through the hop. A way to get to know each other just a little bit better.
...... watch for the Wicked Hop that will soon be here. It should be spook-tacular....
Have a great day
               in stitches
                            Annette

W.I.P. Wednesdays..... fall is in the air, with a touch of snow too!

Another week has gone by sew fast. Not sure where it went just know that it is gone.  Sew what am I working on now.... samples for my candle mat class

candle mat samples

quilt for our son and items for another blog hop


both are hanging on my design wall

 and then back to the tomatoes and doing some fall cleaning around the house and putting up some fall / Halloween decorations

a friendly fall face

I am linking up with Monika and The Needle and Thread Network.
stop in and see what everyone has been up to this last week too.
And on the voting front with McCall's Quilting Quilt Design Star ....... there are only 12 days left for voting, You can either use the link on the top of my page or go to there site www.mccallsquilting.com
be sure to check out both categories as they have great quilts in both.
Thanks for stopping by to see what I have been up to, have a great day ( bundle up if you are around my area as they are talking snow , brrrrrrr. Just sew long as it does not last like yesterdays snow we will be fine )
in stitches
Annette
P.S. remember this is the last day of the Leafs Me Happy Blog hop check it out an dget in on some of the give aways!!!!

Wednesday 10

Quilter in the Closet

SewMuch2Luv

Peanut's Patchwork

Quilting Lines

Mochawildchild

Ariane Quilts

Lily Patch Quilts

Cindy's Crafty Creations

Hill Valley Quilter

Count it *all* JOY!!!

Rose Creations

Sew We Quilt

Leafs Me Happy Hop October 8, 2012

Welcome Fall ........ and all the falling leaves
Happy Thanksgiving to all our Canadian bloggers and followers
It is my turn to share with you on the Leafs Me Happy blog hop .
I would like to thank Madame Samm and Cherry Blossoms for organizing and hosting this blog hop. I know it takes a fare bit of time to get it all done ..... thank you .. thank you.....  thank you. We all appreciate it a lot.
First I would like to share the list of links for the blogers today .....

Monday 8

Feathered Nest Studio

Grandmama's Stories

From This to That

Little Mama Hen

Quilt Monster in my Closet

Kathy

                              in stitches & seams  ( hi! You are here )

Buzzing and Bumbling

Nunu's Quilt World

Quilts And Dogs

Briarside Lane

be sure to stop by and see what makes them all smile with their leaves.


Scattered Leaves

Well I decided to play with the leaf templates I have from one of my patterns for a fall banner/garden flag, called  Changing Seasons. As I played with my 12 1/2" block I thought it would be nice to have a pillow for the season too.

And to dress it up some I added a ruffle to the border .Finished size is 16" square. My first pillow in a long time. I just might have to make a few more now as it went together fairly quick, and was fun to make.

Changing Seasons Banner

I have also made up the banner and will have a copy of the pattern as my give away for this hop, I'll include a fat quarter or two as well. Just leave a comment, and follow if you like. You can enter until midnight on the 10 of October for the give away.

I have a pile of leavs in my living room!



My give away for the Leafs Me Happy Blog Hop

If you noticed the Voting link on my page it is for the McCall's Quilting  Quilt Design Star challenge that I have been participating in this year. I have had a lot of support from family and friends and have made it to the finals, sew if you are sew inclined stop on  by and cast a vote and also check out the other quilts that have been designed for this last round.

Sew that's all for now , thanks for stopping by
in stitches Annette

W.I.Ps Wednesday ...... & voting

I have been busy getting my block together for the Leafs Me Happy hop. My turn will be on Monday the 8th, Thanksgiving here in Canada.

I have a couple peaks here and next I will be working on the blocks for Wicked another hop,over at Sew We Quilt aka Stash Manicure.
It will seam strange not working on a challenge piece now. As the last round of quilting is done and the voting has started. There have been some great quilts designed once again. I have been sew blessed to be part of this group of quilters.Check out the quilts with my link on the side bar.

a few blocks for my son's quilt
I hope to see it growing soon

sew now it will be time to take out a bunch of my UFOs and work on them I have a quilt started for my son and that will be the first one I want to finish. He had told me to put it on hold while I was in the McCall's Quilt Design Star Challenge.
I received good news the other day .... my sewing machine is all better. It had broken while quilting Holding On... and I had to borrow a friends to finish. sad to say I have not had it 4 yrs yet. But it is fixed and I can play with it again. I had trouble with the take up lever ( thread tangling on it and breaking, this is what the trouble was caused from as it loosen the lever and it came off as well as the build up caused the needle to miss aline when sewing decorative stitches ) I will be taking it for a good test run when I get it home again.
The weather has turned a little cooler here and they have been using that 4 letter word  .... snow..... It's much too early for that, but if it comes it should not stick around just yet I hope.
Well that's all for now be sure to check in with The Needle and Thread Network to see what everyone else has been  up to, I'll be linking up with Monika there.
in stitches
Annette