Mid week already!!!

Mid week already.......
I do have a few starts and finishes this week
I did a little fmq for a friend

I fmq leaves ....
I did like how it turned out 

make a quilt on a stick for a future  blog hop

sneak peak

and getting ready to quilt on one of my Spring's a Flutter garden flags.
I did receive  a letter from the Quilt guild in Humboldt, about their quilt show next month . I thought I would post it to share with you out there and in the area.

I finished up my pattern for Spring's a Flutter m sew I am ready for my class next week.

here are the last 2 quilts that i have gotten quilted and bound.

a quick and easy quilt to make with striped fabric

Kisses for my Beloved

I will be linking up with  The Needle and Thread Network

stay 

in stitches

Annette

projects on the go

Well this week I have been busy making a few samples for a couple of spring classes that I will be teaching for the local college. I just dropped them off and now thought ... pictures ...... oops I forgot.
I made up a couple of simple aprons in a mommy and me size as well as some pillow cases that are finished with french seams so that there are no raw edges. I think they are perfect to go with any quilts that you might be making and a great way to use up a little of the extra fabric you might have gotten.

I have my Spring themed post cards ready to pop into the mail for the swap that Sheila had organized for us once again.   Thanks sew much Sheila for doing this for us. Now if spring would think about coming to the prairies.It's a few days later and they are in the mail.....

I have the giving quilt on my lap binding it sew it is almost done. The Kisses for my Beloved is waiting to be quilted and I want to start on a garden flag for the hop that is just around the corner. A few days later and the binding is done on one and the latter is quilted and wait to have it's binding finished....

Sew I will see where the rest of the day goes as far as getting some sewing done and maybe even a pic to go with it........ Pictures next week ... maybe ...
in stitches
Annette

Let me introduce you to ....

Jodi and I at a past SSC
in front of her Pineapple SnS quilt

Jodi Barrows  the creator of the Square in a Square Ruler and technique.Square in a Square
Jodi is from Texas , USA. She is a  wife/mother and now a grandmother.  She is a quilter, a designer, a author and an inventor....  all in all she is just a creative gal and a friend.
 She was looking for a easier way to build her quilt blocks quicker and more accurate. Sew with her ruler you never cut or sew a triangle. You are working with squares and triangles, using the ruler to trim /cut the units needed for you blocks.  
You can take most quilt block patterns and make them using this technique.
She has a number of pattern books out there as well as a series of novels that feature some of her family history, a story of a strong line of women and their journey across America and the challenges along the way.  I am waiting for the next novel myself......
I have been fortunate to have met her as well as taken classes at the Saskatchewan Stitches Conference hosted by Haus of Stitches in Humboldt SK Canada. She will be teaching there once again this year, I will be looking froward to seeing her and having a little visit.  For a class list please check Saskatchewan Stitches Conference  There you will find Jodi's classes as well as many others.
I hope you check out Jodi's link to find out more about her and the Square in a Square method. It has been a great way to get a few of my quilts done and you may just find you like her methods too.
in stitches
Annette

W.I.P. Wednesday ....

What's on my wall this week.....

I have been working on a Square in a Square sampler designed by Jodi Barrows, from her book Kisses for your Beloved.
I just have to finish the borders and then ready to quilt.
Using the Square in a Square method you never cut or sew a triangle just squares and rectangles that get trimmed up to create the blocks you need for your quilt. Now off the wall as of Wed. night

ready to make a quilt sandwich

I am slowly working on my UFO's sew this one will soon be checked off of that list.
A fresh start on the design wall....

another giving quilt
ready to sew together

And to keep things interesting I am joining the flags on a stick hop I like to call it quilts on a stick either way it should be a great hop to welcome spring along.
I will be linking up with The Needle and Thread Network
in stitches
Annette

W.I.P.'s for Wednesday

Well I am sure glad that I enjoy quilting .... an indoor sport or sorts, as we have a winter that just does not want to quit.
For this week I have one finish

and one almost done.

just the binding to do ....

and a few more on the go.
 I just signed up for Quilt on a Stick blog hop for the end of March over on Sew We Quilt aka Stash Manicure.Sew I am sure I will have a few more works in progress over the next little while.
I will be linking up with The Needle and Thread Network
in stitches
Annette

one more web being spun.....

Asian Fabrics in a web

One more class sample from this weeks class on making Spider Web blocks. Well done Carrie.

I am very proud of how the whole class did with their blocks, you will all have quilts in no time at all. No scrap will be safe with you ladies around ;0)

 In stitches

Annette

Happy Valentines Day

a little valentine post card i sent to a friend earlier this week
"cold hands = warm heart "

Happy Valentines to you all out there.
Today also marks the start of my third year blogging.I would like to say thank you for stopping in from time to time to see what i have been up to. It has been great getting to know you and sharing a little of myself.
Stop by an leave a comment and I will put you in a draw for a few quilting goodies. I'll have the draw at the end of the weekend. Good Luck and thanks again for being out there.
in stitches
Annette

in a tangle of webs

Had some fun making spider web blocks and turning them into quilts.
In the class some have decided to make larger quilts and will be working on their projects a bit longer. Some will make them a little smaller and be able to use them as table toppers. But all in all the ladies did a wonderful job on their blocks. I sure loved how they turned out whether by scrap or fat quarters. Here is a sample of the blocks combos created.

 Only one missing I will post it as soon as my student has four blocks put together , she was unable to attend the last class. I do love  how different they all are and I can see how great each quilt will be when done. This has been a great way to use up some of those leftovers and learn something new at the same time. Thanks ladies for letting me share your work.
in a stitch
Annette

a new week and a few new stitches

Well the week end is coming to a end ........ and I did manage to get a finish in and a few more  blocks for my class samples on the Spider Web block.
My finish is a pair of mittens for our daughter with just enough wool leftover to make them.They feel warm and cozy in this nice soft wool. I am sure she will like them.

on there way to warm a teachers hands

Here are the few blocks I did get made this weekend.

some assembly required and more to make 

I do plan on doing a little machine quilting this week,, the quilts just feel sew different when they are finished and not just a quilt top.
And a sweet note to end the week came in the mail......

a wonderful book mark from a dear friend that says..."Friends are the Sunshine of Life"
thank you my friend...
thanks for stopping by.
in stitches
Annette

a new month and new starts

Well January has come and gone .... where oh where dose the time go??
Last month I did get a few finishes in. I finished knitting another scarf and a hat for our daughter.Now I am working on some mittens to use up the leftover yarn.
 I did get a small giving quilt made as well. I ready to work on the sashing and borders for a square in a square quilt.
I have a good start on a spring wall hanging for a March class done with 2 different way for applique.

fusible web applique

fusible interfacing applique

last night we had our first night of the spiderweb block/ quilt class.
So in a nut shell that is what I have been up to .... as well as trying to keep warm in this cold cold winter.
I'll try this again later ...... lost all the pictures I had in this post  :0(    ... just tried again fingers crossed.
so for now
in stitches
Annette

stitching on and on

Well I am down to the last 2 blocks in the sampler before I get started on the pieced sashing  and borders and I think I will get the gold quilt pin basted sew that I can get on to quilting it.
Once you get started it is easier to keep going and who know what you can get done.
I feel like getting a start on a Christmas quilt with the layer cake that my daughter gave me for Christmas.  Start one new project as I finish a UFO...... not sure that I will make any head way by I will have fun doing it.
That's all for now ... happy stitching
in stitches
Annette

a stitch here and a stitch there

Well , what have I been up to??
I did get those socks finished and have been wearing them..... nice and cozy.

I have gotten another  couple of quilts top done. A giving quilt as well as a project that has been sitting around for a while.

This one is a quick and simple, using a stripped fabric. You just cut it into squares and set them in alternating directions and you have your quilt.

I was going to cut it in 10 1/2 inch squares but I should have double checked before my first cut ....... I ended up with 9 1/2 inch squares instead. I wanted to make it a little bigger sew I added an uneven border with the wider borders on top and bottom. It should make a nice size to curl up with on the couch.

block finishes

under construcion

I have also been plugging away at some of those UFO's that I have in my sewing room. I have been working on some square in a square blocks for a sampler that I am working on. I am on the third block this weekend with only three more to go and then the setting.

class sample
Spider Web Quilt

 I will be teaching a few classes this winter, with one starting in a couple of weeks. Sew I will have a little more class prep to do.I am looking forward to teaching this class as it is a fun way to use up those scraps that just seam to multiply.

scrappy back ....... just sew to make the
 backing is the right size

 I even managed to get a few more batches of Doggie Treats made for my furry friends.

I do have a few things preoccupying my mind and time so not to worry I will trying to keep up my blog and checking in on those that I follow to. It is always great to see what you are up to as well.
Enjoy your week and have some fun getting a stitch in here and there.
In stitches
Annette

New to me product and a little more to start the new year

I had been looking for the colors absorbing sheets and found some through A GREAT NOTION( a Canadian store with an online store as well). I am sure some other quilting shops are handling this product as well. if not just ask and they might be able to get it in for you.

I tested them out with a fabric I new bleed when my daughter washed a runner I made her in the past. You just toss it in the wash with the fabric and see what happens.The fabric came out perfect and the sheet was red.

kept the fabric bright and
no running colors

I will be including a sheet with a couple of the baby quilts that I made for my daughter . Just to keep the colors fresh.

I also have a finish to share. A good friend of mine Carrie, and I have been working on a quilt to donate to a charity. We used a D4P, disappearing 4 patch, found in   Quickly Quilting    magazine and also can be found on the Missouri Star Quilt Shop videos.
One of the recommendations is that the quilt is backed with flannel,boy oh boy dose that make it cozy.

our first giving quilt

Thank you Carrie for letting me help you with this quilt and I can hardly wait to see what we will make next for this group. A great way to start the new year with a giving quilt.
I will share more about the group at a later date.
I also almost have a new pair of socks made ...

just the last half to do.......

In stitches
Annette
it is so cold out there that the cold is trying to come in

brrrrr.....

I am linking up with The Needle And Thread Network can not link up today , it must have closed up early but still stop in and checkout what the others have been up to.
in stitches

Happy New Year!!!!

Just a short note to wish you one and all a Happy New Year! One that is filled with Love and Laughter , Friends and Family . Health and Happiness and of course time to play with your fabric.

Here in Saskatchewan we are also hoping for some warmer temps. Other than Christmas it has been either calm and cold or a wee bit warmer and windy so that the wind chill brought the temp done. Sew it is a good thing that we quilters keep a few quilts for ourselves to help us stay cozy and warm.
Have a great day/year.......
               in stitches
                            Annette

only 2 weeks until Christmas ( a little less now )

special little wall hangings from a dear friend

and all through the house.....
there are baking supplies waiting to be mixed
and fabrics to quilt....oh my.
Some packages ready to mail and cards to write.
 I think it has been busy in your house too
Hear are a few of the goodies I have whipped up this season.
A little tree skirt  the first one I made that I kept for our home

the spiderweb quilt top ready to baste

and working on a quilt to donate with a friend
it's a D4P   aka disappearing  4 patch
we just love how it is turning out. All blocks made last night sew when we get together we will put the quilt top together

 Other than that i have baked a few goodies and have even made g-free butter tarts and they are pretty yummy.
Hope you holiday baking and sewing is going well.
take care
in stitches
Annette

post Card swap

I did a Holiday Post Card Swap that Sheila from Sheila's Quilt World organized. I was one of the lucky ones to get to make a couple post cards to swap. I received them both this week in my mail. Ihope they have received there's as well by now.
Here they are

what a view .... this one is from Judy in Boise ID

can you guess who this is???
thanks Sunny from PA

and here are the ones I sent to them.

Both have a little beaded snowfall just in case they do not have any snow just yet.
Thanks Sheila for setting this up again for us. I always have fun making them and seeing what fun is coming in the mail in return. And thank you to the Judy and Sunny for your lovely post cards. I will enjoy them this holiday season.
I hope all of our neighbors to the south had a wonderful time with family for Thanksgiving this past week. We all have a lot to be thankful for....... we just have to remember to take the time to say Thank you.
in stitches
Annette

My blogathon winner

Little drum roll ......
  hand in bucket .......
 ( I know not very high tech but it works )
 and the number that came out
                  5
Hey Flo that's you ...... I will send you a note to get your snail mail address.
Thanks ladies for playing along and I hope you enjoy the new tools Flo.
in stitches
Annette

errors and back to being a no reply commenter

 GRRRR I do not know what happened out there in the air waves but things are messed up again. I have been switched back to a non reply commenter and I keep getting error messages when I connected with explorer. Thanks Flo for letting me know.
I will try to fix things but until then I will be limiting how much I post.
I will still be doing my draw in a couples of days.
in stitches

Blog a thon Canada Welcome

     To the Prairies and to my little corner of the world.
We are have a good touch of winter here in the prairies, snow , wind and sometimes a little rain.
Must be why I enjoy quilting sew much.
I am trying to think how should I introduce myself to those of you who have not been here before.
I am a gal that just love to play with fabric and my machines. I love to use patterns by other designers as well as designing myself. I have made up a few patterns that I use when teaching classes. I will be teaching a few classes this winter, to help keep the chills away on those cold winter nights.

A couple of my patterns

                                                                                                                                                                  I have participated in the McCall's Quilt Design Star 2012 , which I did make it to the finials with the help of all of you out there in blog land. I was in very good company, and we were in the May/June issue of McCall's Quilting this year. ( this was a first for me ... entering anything like this )
this was my last  quilt in the challenges. The theme was opposite's attract.

I seam to always have many different projects on the go. This is something I think I need to work on sew that I can say that I have many projects done ;0)   I am going to challenge myself to get some of those done and get some of the kits worked up that I have as well. I am not even going to wait until the new year. I figure now is as good a time as any. Wish me luck.
I have made a number of good friends through blogging and have even met a few of them. This is a great place to met new friends and share ideas or even just have  a show and tell.

I do love to take classes from  the designers/ teachers of some of my favorite techniques and rulers . And what better place than at the Saskatchewan Stitches Conference that is held here in Saskatchewan hosted by Haus of Stitches ( check out there site for next years classes and maybe I will see you there). What better way to keep your creative juices going than with other quilters.http://www.hausofstitches.ca/


Sew that's a little about me Thanks for stopping in and do come back for a visit from time to time to see what I will share with you next.
in stitches
Annette
GIVE AWAY BELOW
I received a little package of goodies in the mail from one of the teachers from the conference
Marci Baker of   Quilt with Marci Baker  and her online shop. Thanks Marci for such a great give away! I use each of these items every day.

She uses the 60 degree ruler to design some wonderful quilts. Marci also has some great tutorials on her site as well, that will show you how to use each of these and more.
These great tools will go to one lucky winner in this give away, just leave me a comment about your favorite tool(s) that keep you quilting.
 I will try to get back to each of you as long as you are not a no reply commenter. But if I do not, please know that I will  read  and enjoy each and every comment left.
The draw will be made on the 24th.
Thanks again for stopping by....... enjoy visiting Canada from coast to coast
in stitches