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

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