Playing with Gelli

that's Gelli Plates and paint,

Jackie's class sample of printing with gelli plates

This is the class that I was able to take this year. (other bits of unexpected life happened,nothing bad , more later on)  I was a class full of learning and a little bit of playing ... maybe a little more than just a little. As we printed on paper and then fabrics we would share what we where doing with each other and come up with some interesting ideas for doing our gelli prints.
First we printed on paper..... then we played with fabric

my prints

organizing which prints to use in my wall hanging 

one of my class mates choices for her project

and our wall hanging  quilt tops to the point that they got to at the end of the class on the second day.

ready to quilt and add accents

gelli printing on a canvas....... with grandma's dunker's recipe

on of my class mates projects

 making choices as we each put our projects together

I want to say thank you to Jackie van Fossen  for the inspiration  and guidance while learning to use this new to use product and something I have had my eye on for a few years. Check out her site at cloth n paper
and stop by from time to time to see what classes she will be teaching next year.

I have a few ideas to expand what I have learned and will share those as I work them out.
This is also my WIP for this week and I will be linking up with Monika

In stitches until next time
Annette

signing off

Just for a couple of days while I am at the conference.
I am sure there will be a lot of fun had and lots to learn
in stitches
Annette

one more sleep

 Well it's that time of year..... time for stitching and learning from some great teachers. To check out what's happening stop by www.saskstitches.ca
I'll be taking only one class this year as I have some other commitments to attend to. There is always next year and a new line up of classes.
The class I will be taking is with Jackie, on painting with gelli plates. I always learn a lot with her and have a bit of fun doing it. We will be creating our own fabric, after learning about the gelli plates and then creating with it on the second day.
Sew stop in and see what classes are happening in the next little while and also check out Haus of Stitches either online or with Facebook. I will also try to get some pictures posted while I am there.
I hope to see some of the past years gals again.
Take care and stay
                            ...... in stitches
                                               Annette

May's long weekend

The first long weekend of the summer :0)
The leaves are starting to come out today with the nice and gentle rain. It is sew nice to see all the little signs of the season even if they feel like they are slow in arriving. We have hauled the camper out to our campsite for the season and have started to get things set up. We did get to enjoy a campfire on Saturday night....... no bugs ..... just yet.
We have the potatoes planted, as of yesterday, so the sewing in the garden has begun as well.
I have some busy weeks coming up so I have taken the time to get my bags of supplies packed for the Saskatchewan Stitches Conference. I am taking one class for sure and we will see what is going on and if it works out to take any others.  The class that I am taking is the Gelli Plate printing class with Jackie.

Still working on a few of past years projects ..... just got to get them done so that I will have more time for this years projects.
What have you been up to this long week end?
in stitches
Annette

Spring.... I think it has sprung

I think spring has finally arrived. At least s few days with out any moisture of any kind. I was able to hang out the wash the other day .... nothing like that fresh smell of laundry that has hung in the sunshine. I had to remake my clothespin holder.

I did manage to get a little sewing done. I finished one quilt top from last years stitches conference This one I was designing the boarder and had to remember what  I was doing and how I was cutting my strips. The one thing I should have remembered first was which ruler I was using.. lol , Sew many rulers and sew many different techniques

Next I got a start on another quilt for Victoria's quilts.To me it is looking like a rock climbing wall, sew I might call it Rock Climbing.

I just have to figure out some boarders ...... might be a shopping trip..... aw shucks ;0)      Any suggestions???

close up of the blocks

  Well that' all for now, I want to go for a walk and some of that fresh air.
                 Take care and stay
                                  In stitches
                                       Annette

Give away has arrived

I just heard that the package I sent out for my giveaway in the Flags on a stick blog hop has arrived.Scrapatches aka Pat was my lucky winner, I sent out the pattern for my Spring's a Flutter and also tucked in Daisy a Day Tote.
 I have been doing a wee bit of sewing and hope to have some pictures to share with you later this week.
The sun is trying to shine out there so I may just have to hang a little laundry out to dry and get fresh...... nothing like hanging your laundry out in the warm sunshine.
Enjoy your Sunday
                         in stitches
                                Annette

still more snow

just outside my back door

well the last 2 mornings we have woken up to a fresh blanket of snow. It melted yesterday and was almost but not quite gone and this morning someone hit the reset button and we will try it again.
I hope the weather man is right in saying that it will be around 14 c on Wednesday ..... fingers cross hands together ( a little prayer can't hurt)
On the up side if I was at home all day I would be at my machine ........ maybe after work for a bit if I am lucky.
Oh well I know the farmers will enjoy the moisture that is when ift drys up and they can get the crop seeded.
I'll enjoy the day as the snow's freshness will be gone again and soon we will have springtime green.
in stitches and winter boots
Annette

sew much mositure

and in its many forms .... well at least 2 snow and rain. Last weekend we had some very heavy snow .... a ton of moisture in that stuff. It was very heavy when I was shoveling it at work last Saturday. And then this week a lot of rain to help wash off some of winter dirt.
The birds are coming back and I have seen one lonely Robin sew spring must be here now.
I have not done much on the sewing or quilting front, we did plan out a couple of quilts for Victoria Quilts Canada. We will be using some panels for the base of one quilt and then do a stack and whack with some other fabrics. These quilts will be a little more masculine in color and design.
 Well that's about all for now...... stay in stitches
                                                            Annette

Spring time Post cards

Well I am a little slow at getting these posted as Judy and Lin have had them for a while. My post card from Judy arrived last week and is a beautiful poise, I just needed to have a photo shoot with it and here it is in all it's glory

I was a lucky gal to be trading with two ladies and receiving such nice cards thank you both they are brightening up  my wintery spring.
and another peak at Lin's

Thanks to Sheila as well for organizing the swap. It is always fun to receive these in the mail and see the  different styles of creative postcards that are created out there. And of course it gives us play time and we all need a little of that.
in stitches until next time
Annette

Last day of the hop

FLAGS ON A STICK  Last day of the hop and what a hop it has been
stop by these sites to see a few more great creative flags

April 3rd 

Pig Tales and Quilts

DachsiesWithMoxie

Just Keep Swimming

The House on the Side of the Hill

Texas Quilting Gal

Madame Samm

Thanks ladies for sew much inspiration 

in stitches

Annette

Flags on a Stick ......

March 28 , 2014
Day 4

aka Quilts on a Stick 

.... this is what have have been calling it all along in error....... opps !

I am sure hoping that Spring arrives for this hop here in Western Canada. We are sew ready for it. Still pretty cold in my part of the world, hope it is warmer where you are. Back to the hop....

I  am hopping along with these wonderful bloggers in the hop today.  

March 28th

How arT you?

Just Let Me Quilt

Robin's Fabric Nest

Patchouli Moon Studio

CeLynn's Sunflower Patch

Ravelly1

In Stitches and Seams

Stop in and see what they have been up to as well and stop in daily to see what other bloggers are participating in the hop.

I want to Thank Thearica and Madam Samm for putting this wonderful hop together, what a great idea And a big thank you to our sponsors----  Flags on a Stick and Flags-outlet.com.

What did I do for the hop ???

Well lets see ...... first I saw door quilt in  a magazine that I thought would work on my garden flag  and a few stitches later   ta da ....here it is. I like the ruffle grass across the quilt.

Next I thought I wanted to design one sew thinking cap on , and I came up with this little guy , any one with tots around should recognize  this little minion ....

A happy little guy no matter what the weather

he will be off to my daughters front yard and with another sew that her friend will have one too.

And lastly here is another of my Spring's  a Flutter garden flags that I had designed for a class that I taught earlier this month. This one is done just a wee bot different from the first test of the pattern, it has some free motion quilting detail in the vines.

This is the third one I have designed for garden flags. 

I do love  making them.,  I have been asked what should one do to treat them for outdoors. I say nothing,just enjoy it and in a couple years make up another to replace it. As we are always working on new projects and with new fabrics are always being added to our stash.
I waited for a nice day to take outside pictures ... but alas.... that was not to be I have fresh fallen snow today. .... spring is coming ....right??? 

If you would like to be in a draw for a Spring's a Flutter pattern leave a comment. I will try to get back to each and everyone of you as long as you are not a -no reply comment-er.

 Thank You sew much for stopping by ....

in stitches

Annette

Sorry ladies some how I became a no reply blogger again....... got it fixed  Thanks Sheila sew much for letting me know.
in stitches 

Spring - post card and a little cleaning

To start my post I would like to share my post card from Lin in France....sure looks like Spring to me, just love how she printed this post card with a daffodils..... thanks Lin

I saw a few of the blocks made by Sheila for the Aurifil BOM and thought why not make a few too. Sew here is the first one I have made.

Next it was time to clean up some left over batting and scrap fabric wee bits and pieces ....... they get stuffed into puppy pillows.....

a friend of mine has a kennel and love to use these as is or stuffed into the pillow cases she has for her Newfie's. That's my little bit of spring cleaning ;0)
Nothing is wasted if I can help it.
I finished up my last flag for the hop.
That's about it for now. Have a great week and check out the hop to see some fun flags .... today's were great fun.
in stitches
Annette

Flags on a Stick line up ..... updated

The next hop is about to start...... Flags on a Stick
Little quilts for the out doors I love them and have been making a some over the last few years and a couple for the hop.

We begin on March 25th and go through April 3rd!  Mark your calendars because you do not want to miss this hop!!

These fabulous bloggers will be sure and delight you every day!

March 25th

Pig Tales and Quilts

Fishkopp

Marjorie's Busy Corner

Jane's Quilting

Seams To Be Sew



March 26th

Living with Purpose

Life In The Scrapatch

Devoted Quilter

Made By Me In Red

Quilting Quietly



March 27th

Bumbleberry Stitches

Quilted Delights

Red Quilts

On the Banks of Frog Creek

Words & Stitches

K and S Sweets and Stitching



March 28th

How arT you?

Just Let Me Quilt

Robin's Fabric Nest

Patchouli Moon Studio

CeLynn's Sunflower Patch

Ravelly1

In Stitches and Seams

March 31st

Grandmama's Stories

More Stars in Comanche 

MooseStashQuilting

Pampered Pettit

ShirleyC 

Farm Gate Creations



April 1st

Sew Incredibly Crazy

Quilt Doodle Designs

Buzzing and Bumbling

Why Knot Kwilt?

Creatin' in the Sticks

Meadowbrook

April 2nd

Thimblemouse & Spouse

Stitchin' By The Lake

Just One More Stitch

The Quilting Queen Online

Selina quilts

Whims And Fancies



April 3rd

DachsiesWithMoxie

Just Keep Swimming

The House on the Side of the Hill

Texas Quilting Gal

Madame Samm

Be sure to check them out everyday to see some great creativity 

In stitches

Annette

play time ahead

I can see that I will need to have some play time with these goodies that I received from some friends ... one from Aussie and one that went to Aussie
I was lucky to receive some fabrics and patterns all from Aussie designers.

assorted fabrics from past projects in Aussie 

some  loved patterns

some fun patterns and fabric to do the bag in .........

Thanks sew much ladies I will enjoy the play time 

in stitches

Spring .....

                                                   Happy St. Patties Day!!!!!
Spring is trying really hard to be here and hopefully it will stick.
Sew with spring around the corner and the Flags on a stick .... which I like to call quilts on a stick I have another garden flag ready for the hop that starts next week. Here's just a peek.....

that makes two flags/quilts on a stick done and one more almost done.
I have gathered fabrics and samples for my class tomorrow night, just a couple stitching sample to do up and I think I will be ready.
Enjoy the freshness in the air as the seasons change.
in stitches
Annette

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