in stitches & seams

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Culture Days here in Watrous & Manitou Beach

Culture Days was held this past weekend across Canada. Here in Watrous and Manitou Beach we had some fun combining the works of artists and quilters.
This past spring I was asked if I could help come up with an idea and some quilters that might be interested in working on a project for Culture Days and another gal was asked to find a few artists that would do the same.
The first thing that came to mind was a quilt I saw in my Quilting Arts Magazine. It featured a slice quilt. A slice quilt is where you take an image and enlarge it and then divide it. Then you give each participant a section to work on. In the magazine the quilt was done with mostly applique. Our twist on this was to have the artists paint their section in their own style and colors. Then we quilter's will put it back together and then do some machine quilting to enhance the painting.

the artists' panels

getting ready to pin baste and quilt

samples of the painted fabric and barn boards

To include some community participation we prepared by painting some fabric in colors to resemble barn boards, on barn boards. ( doing it this way the paint pulled up the characteristics' of the boards )
Anyone who showed up to participate was asked to leave behind a few finger prints, hand prints as well as some leaf prints.

We have a fair bit of quilting a head of us but sew far we think it is looking great.

I would like to say thank you to all who worked on this project with us, it could not have been done with out you. This was a big project to tackle and a first for me.
At the gallery on third there is a artist trading card show going on. I have made a couple trading cards, one to add to the collection and one for one of the artists who liked what I made.
The cards are about 2.5 x 3.5 inches.

As I just finished the last trading card today I will link up with The Needle and Thread Network, be sure to stop by and check out what else is being created out there.
Thanks for stopping by to see what I have been up to.
in stitches
Annette

EQ7 Summer Draw Along Wrap up

Well this was a fun way to learn different parts of the EQ7 software. We all made at least 4 different blocks and those who had extra time may have also sewn up the extra lessons that came mid month. I am sure we all built upon skills that we already had and developed a few new ones along the way.
Here is what I created with my blocks...... as you can see from the pictures, they are only ready to be quilted and not finished. But with this being the deadline for them I thought you might still like to see where they are at.
This runner with the 3 blocks will be finished with either a green or floral print binding. I am leaning towards the green .... what do you think???

The runner is a little longer than my fabric sew.... I added a pieced section using fabrics from the blocks.

This next table topper is made with the 4 flower applique block. I thought it might make a rather nice topper, as I was not sure how to work it in with the other blocks.

I do hope to get them done in the next few days and will post the finished works again.
I will try to link up with EQ7's blog sew that you can see what the others have done with their blocks as well.EQ7's blog
in stitches
Annette

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

and the winner is.....

Just a short note to say that Deborah from Indonesia was the winner from my blog in the Pin It blog hop. And I have put it in the mail, I hope it dose not take too long in getting to her , half way around the world from me. Thank you to everyone that stopped by and left a comment. It is always nice to read what you think about the projects shared.
It is just great how these hops put us in touch with sew many others with the same ~~affliction~~ love to create with fabrics.

little bags ready to fill

Last week I stopped in at Haus of Stitches for their open house and demo day. It was a full house all day long I am told. Lots of info shared and lots of fabric bought.
We could even drop off any little bags for the Elna collection. These bags will be filled with toiletries ( soaps, lotions etc.) and then given local charities .
Well that's it for now
take care out there and enjoy some of this sun shine ( if it is still shining for you)
in stitches
Annette

Friday, September 13, 2013

needing a little help

Well today has lived up to being Friday the 13th
I found out that some how I have become a non-reply blogger ..... not sure how it happened . Maybe when I joined Google + some settings may have changed with out me knowing. Now I am trying to figure out how to fix this.
I really thought I have been leaving a way to keep in touch. It now makes sense as to why I have not heard from many of the blogs that I have left comments on.
If any one has some tips or tricks to fix this I will be listening. I do know that Google + is fixed different than Blogger. Gee now I have changed the font...... time to get off this thing ... at least for a while.
in stitches
Annette

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Pin It Day 3 September 12

Welcome to the hop. Today it is my turn to share a few pin cushions that I have played with over the last couple of weeks.
But first I want to thank Mdam Samm and Kristen for doing all that they do to keep us inspired and organized to do these hops. I think it takes a lot of talent to get the hops organized and to find the special cheer leaders to help to carry them all out.
And also to all the great sponsors that share some wonderful products that keep us wanting to create.

I am with a great bunch of bloggers today with the hop. Sew do stop in and check out what they have done as well . Let them inspire you to create as well.
Here is today's line up
September 12

Cherrys Prairie Primitives

In Stitches& Seams that's me

Sew And Sow Farm

Domestic Deficit Disorder

Callender’s Creations

For this hop I started with a little ruler that I received from Mdm Samm earlier this year as a little extra with my Blinky.

I picked a couple fabrics that I had on hand( actually on the ironing board). I then started cutting as I was not sure how many wedges I would need to make a full circle. I sew up the pairs and then quarter circles then the halves. I used the finished circle to cut a bottom for the pin cushion. A little more sewing and stuffing and add a couple of buttons and here you have it.

Next I took a left over block from another project and made this little one...... Recognize the fabrics ?? I thought it made a nice little cushion with heart.

Then not stopping yet, I stopped by Moda Bakeshop and found this pattern for my bowlful of strawberries.......

just a little cream to go with them......

Seeing that I had a few days left I thought I would make one more , one that has a feeling of summer / fall. What else but a huge sunflower.
I did use a little paint to give the petal a sun kissed touch.

and a little Dragonfly to finish it off. It is just a little over sized and has a weighted bottom. I think it will work just fine at the ironing board, sure not to get lost in the ufo's that seam to collect there.

Hope you enjoyed my play time with pin cushions. Leave me a comment I and will include you in a draw at the end of the hop. Please make sure that I can contact you. I have a copy of Summer's End and a ity bity charm pack and a few other goodies to keep them company on there way to the winner of the give away.

I will close with a pincushion I had found on line at Sew Mama Sew, I made it up a couple of years ago and use it a lot.

It is a handy one with a little garbage bag.
I did add a strip of gripping tape that I found in the purse notion area in the fabric shop, ( it is used to keep you purse strap in place on your shoulder but it also keeps it from sliding off my work area too)
in stitches
Annette

just a peak

I have been busy making up a few pin cushions for the Pin Hop going on over at Stash Manicure aka Sew We Quilt.
I will have my post in the morning sew all I can show is just a peak.

come back in the morning to see what I have been up to.
But until then I am linking up with Monika and The Needle and Thread Network
I have also done a little blue printing with some treated fabric that has been in the dark bag for a couple of years.... time to get it used up and see if it will still work......

Yup it did quit nicely don't you think.
Just an extra item of note there is a great quilted art show on in Watrous @ the Watrous Arts Gallery just off of 3Ave East.
Featuring Leann Clifford's work. The show is called Dreaming Patterns, Stitching Memories.
Here is a peak at a couple of her pieces. The show goes until Sept. 27th.