and the winner is....

luck of the draw

Renate from Germany
 I'll be sending  her the table top needle threader. I have been in touch with her this morning and she is looking forward to this little helper. I know I love using it.
I will have to research how to use the number generators to help with give away draws.

my happy helpers

I wrote out each name and email to put into my draw pail. I had sheets and sheets of them write out and cut apart.

modern technology
 

One of my quilting friends was here last night sew I had her do the draw. She thought this was a great idea and was sorry she did not get in on the draw herself. Her daughter caught married last weekend sew she had been busy that last little while.

Today the post man delivered a package of goodies from McCall's Quilting.  A couple packages of batting in crib and queen size  from Warm and Natural and American Spirit, a nice collection of threads from Coats & Clark, a cute sewing tin
and a lovely quilting book. Thank you to McCall's for the lovely goodies I know I will be putting them to good use shortly.

Sew now that I have my news posted I best get back to thinking up my next design.
Take care
hugs
In stitches
Annette

Challenge 3 Finalistst Announced

Big smile on my face today :)  !!
Today was the day that McCall's Quilting  annoucned the finalists from the second challenge. Sew with all the voting done over the last few weeks I am happy to say that I am one of the quitlters that get to design one more quilt for this challenge. Check out McCall's Quilting to see who all made it on to the next round of designing. I feel that I am in good company as there were a lot of great quilts designed in the last challenge.
Sew I would like to once again say thank you to all who took the time to be part of the voting and encouragement along the way.
Over the next month I will design and complete another quilt and send it in to McCall's for a photo shoot.Voting will be  starting on October 2.
I am sure that I will keep you all posted and send a few sneak peaks to keep you interested.
Thanks again.

Flutterybys in My Garden
Challenge 2

Guide me Safely Home
Challenge 1

Off of a walk and put the thinking cap on.

Jewels of the Night
Entry Quilt Design

in stitches
Annette

Challenge 2 voting ends

It's down to the last couple of hours of voting, then the waiting begins. Tuesday at the end of the business day we can check the McCall's Quilting web page to see who the lucky ones are that will continue to design.There have been a lot of great quilts designed once again this round I hope you have checked them all out and in both categories.
It has been interesting finding out a few who have been voting and that they have gotten others on board to vote as well. It kind of snowballs. Sew I would like to thank you one and all who have taken the time to vote.
I can hardly wait to see who will get to go on.... sew it's fingers crossed while I wait. I'll be  keeping  myself busy while I wait to help the time go a little quicker. I think I'll be spending some time at the sewing machine. I have to get at my Free Motion Quilting Challenge and have it posted by the end of the month. I also have a couple small projects to get finished as well as getting my draw ready from my Bowls with Borders.
If you have not gotten in on the draw , check out the post and leave a comment and I will get you in.
I'll post as soon as I find out.
Have a good evening everyone
in stitches
Annette

Bowls with Borders & W I P Wednesdays

Sorry I'm late I tried to set the time and date for midnight last night :(

not sure why it did not work

I hope you enjoy my post

Well it's my turn to share with you what I have been up to for  the Bowls with Borders Blog Hop. This is the first time I have participated in a blog hop,I was a little nervous doing this not sure if I would have the time to do it up proper. Once I got started I had a lot of fun playing with the bowls, may have to make a few more later this fall.
There are sew many great ideas and combinations of ways to use the bowls out there on the other blogs,be sure to check them all out.
 I would like to thank all the ladies who have organized it as well as providing the pattern and any extra help we have needed along the way .
Thank you to Madame Samm , Carol and Regina. I know it takes a lot of team work to get this going, and we sew appreciate all that you have done.
Sew here goes.......
First I tried out the pattern and my paper piecing skills on this single bowl.
and then I tried again ....learning that my iron will pick up some of the ink and put it on the front side making it look dirty  :(     I also learned that I want to find a lighter paper to print on for paper piecing

unfinished bowl ....to much ink
transferred when pressing....

This one makes a nice little place mat.

I quilted in the steam

then I thought I would try stacking them, this one is almost done ... it will be a mat to line a serving tray.

my w i p for this week...
I like how it looks in the tray
below is a close up of the bowls

and I also thought I would enlarge it a far bit and make it a pocket on an apron
I made the apron as a gift for one of my nieces ... hope she likes it.

step one..... enlarge the pattern

make up the pocket for the apron

add a few words
and then some stitches

 soup's on Apron is ready for use

There have been sew many great projects made with the bowls, and sew many more ideas shared over the last week or sew and I know that there will be a few more over the next few as well.Sew glad that I am a part of this hop.
I would like to show it by having a little give away

Clover's Table Top Needle Threader
works sew slick
I just love it and sew do my eyes

this has been very handy for me and I thought I would send one out to one of you out there

It is a Table Top  Needle Threader by Clover. It is sew easy to use and saves the eyes ( both yours and the needles)
I had received one from McCall's in the quilter's goodies from the first round of the McCall's Quilt Design Star 2012. I have enjoyed using it sew much I went out and bought one to use for this blog hop.
Leave a comment and I will make a draw  on August 29.
Make sure you are not a no reply blogger, sew that I can get in touch with you if you are the winner.
be sure to follow along to see what the others have done with their bowls with border today here are the links for today
                                                                        August 22nd

Margaret M.

Monika (mo-pi-de)

Regina M.
Rosemarie W.

                                                                Anolisl's Kreative Seite  
                                                                  In Stitches and Seams
                                                                     Morgaine's 77 Blog  
                                                                      On The Go Quilting  
                                                                      Aus dem Fuchsbau
I also link up with The Needle and Thread Network with wips , since I have bowls in the works I thought it would be my work in progress for this week. You can see what the other ladies have been up to with the link that I have provided.
If you noticed the Voting link on my side bar I am in McCall's Quilting Quilt Design Star Challenge This is the 2nd round of quilt designs. Your daily votes will help me to go on to the finial round. For each round they give us a challenge to complete in about 4 weeks.  Sew please, stop on by and check out the quilts and cast a vote ... there is room for comments on the voting page as well. I would love to hear from you. Voting will go until this Sunday night. ( this is the first time that I have done any thing like this, it has been fun and a learning experience )
Thanks for stopping by and seeing what all I have been up to this summer.


In stitches
Annette

where did last week go??

Boy did last week fly by.
For me it was filled with work and then a few appointments , the weekend at the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame  for the inductions of this years nominees. My high light of the week would be meeting Sheila from Sheila's Quilt World.

We have been chatting back and forth almost from the beginning of my blogging ... it was like meeting an  old friend . We met up at Periwinkle  quilt shop in Saskatoon home of Michelle from Periwinkle Quilting  and Beyond blog . Michelle greeted us as we all arrived Monika from My Sweet  Prairie, Flo from Butterfly Quilting and Brenda who had done a postcard exchange with Sheila . We took over the back half of the shop for a while and then went over to Jerry's  for ice cream. It was great to meet the ladies I have been chatting with over the last couple of years. Thank you Michelle for opening your shop to us and the coffee and cookies too.And thank you to Monika for getting the other gals together for Sheila and I to meet.

I did manage to have a few extra minutes with Sheila as we drove her to her son's house. It was such a great pleasure to met Sheila, we will get together on her next visit out and who knows maybe I will get out to Nova Scotia to see her at home.  When we got together we had little gifts for each other we both had made a tote bag to give the other ( with out knowing it). She also made me the cutest little pincushion that she stitched ...beautiful work Sheila.

I just love  it Sheila It is the perfect size I used it this past weekend to hold some quilting for the road trip and a few other goodies as well.
 I did get some work done for the Bowls with Borders blog hop. My turn is this week on the 22, stop on by and enter in the give away that I will be having.

We are on the last week of voting for the McCall's Quilt Design Star 2012 2nd challenge.sew if you are sew inclined stop on by and vote , leave a comment to I would love to know what you think of the quilt I designed. I have a link on the top side bar on this page to help you find your way.
Have a great day
In stitches
Annette

the hop goes on

Be sure to check out day 2 of the

 Bowls with Borders

Blog Hop

August 14th

Jen Duncan

Sharon D.

Apron Valley Road

Quilts and Quilt Things

Pieceful Life

North Hills Quilter
Vroomans Quilts

Somewhat Fanciful
Jane's Quilting
Everyone has different ideas on how to put them together and a few

have give aways

Now I am off to work on mine for next week

take care

in stitches

Annette

The Bowls with Borders hop begings

  The hop is here .... well almost it starts in the morning .
I have copied the links for the  BOWLS WITH BORDERS    BLOG HOP
Pop on over to see what has been created with the paper piecing pattern that was provided to the participants of the hop. Leave comments and be inspired.

Bowls With Border Blog Hop!

(The schedule is below)

August 13th

Jody Walker

Cathy

Frances
Anneke

Majorie's Busy Corner

A Passion For Applique

Fabric-ating

Sophie
The House On The Side Of The Hill
Just Let Me Quilt

August 14th

Jen Duncan

Sharon D.

Apron Valley Road

Quilts and Quilt Things

Pieceful Life

North Hills Quilter
Vroomans Quilts

Somewhat Fanciful
Jane's Quilting

August 15th

Binks
Robin S.
Trish
Quilting Along Life's Way

Sew Me Something Good

Quilt Doodle Doodles

Happier Than A Bird Quilts

Dizzy Daze

Bee Tree Designs

Daisy Days
A Quilting Sheep

August 16th
Gabi S.
Monique H.
Quilt-N-Queen

Crazy 'bout Quilts

Rita, Crooked Quilter
Geema's Wonderings
UFOs and UBIs
Piece Peace

I Piece 2-Mary
Sew Inspiring Crafts and More

August 17th

Beate from Gabrielles Atelier
Sharon-Quilt Sheddy

Lilypad Quilting

Searching Out Simple

Scrapbook Chick A Doodle
Ark Angel Creations
Polka Dot Classic

PRSD4Tim2

Little Mushroom Cap

I Have A Notion

August 18th

Ann E.

Jenny
Stekje
Yarn-or-Fabric
Englating

Knotted-Thread
Peanut's Patchwork

Blessings From Our Nest

August 19th

Nancy C.

Sally K.
Margaret A.
Elisabeth K.
Norma
Busy As Can Be

Yet He Abideth Faithful

Butjenter Quilterin

Co mne baví....
Bitzstiffchen - Patchlissi`s Patchwelt

August 20th

Birgit H.
Vicki B.

Monika G.
Scher
Dorothea

Rosa Patch.The Love Of Sewing

Nuclear Knits

Cottage-Quilt

Cattinka
Hill Valley Quilter
Ninis Patchwork

August 21st

Betty

Shelley Lee

Sharmond
Kitty
Doris

Mrs. Pickles Garden

Ninifee’s Kleines Cottage

Quilt-Girlie
Cherry Blossoms
Vogelines Patchwork
Heidi's Patchwork
chchris Quilts

August 22nd

Margaret M.

Monika (mo-pi-de)

Regina M.
Rosemarie W.

Anolisl's Kreative Seite
In Stitches and Seams
Morgaine's 77 Blog
On The Go Quilting
Aus dem Fuchsbau

August 23rd

Maureen

Silvia L.
Pam M.

Abitato

InGa

Traveling Stitcher

Taschen, Quilts und mehr

Never Enough Stash
From This To That
De Zondagssteek
Guilitta 2000

August 24th

Gudron Z.
Linda B.

Heidrun P.
Linda M.
Claudia
Elizabeth
Margret's Heritage
Lucky Duck Dreams

Francisca
jatajomi´s stoff-nadel-fadenwelt

Cool Crafty Mom

August 25th

Rosemary B.

Susan H.

Christel G.

Alice
Peggy S.
Suzanne K.
Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc.
Marla's Crafts
Kathy's Quilts
Sunshine Quilting
The Learning Curve Quilts and Such
Glitzy Me

August 26th

Julie S.

Angela D.

Kim O.
Wanda S.
Martine

Quilts and Pieces
Spoilt Dog Quilts

Quiltenvilt

Traveling Quilter
Gabi Koeln
Sew Sew Little Time

August 27th

Sonja S.

Barbara G.
Petra B.
Marcy
Elfriede

Pippa's Patch

Patchkatze Blog

Verquilt

Billie Bee's

Mice In The Mix

August 28th
Pam R.

Kathy G.
Marina R.
Hildegard C.
Freemotion By The River
Eliswerkstattbericht
Good Earth Quilting
Heikes Quilt
Sparrow In Flight

Madame Samm

 

Hope you enjoy the hop ...... my post will be on the 22 of August ...... see you there

In stitches

Annette

catching up

in progress

The last couple of days I have been trying to catch up on few projects that I have committed myself to
One is the bowls with borders blog hop and the other is a runner for the College to use in a fund raiser.
I have been playing with the size of the bowls and have come up with a life size one to Paper Piece.
I have plans for the extra large bowl ( I have a small serving bowl in the photo) My turn will be August 22, but the hopping starts next week.

Next I thought better get at the runner as I think they wanted it sometime this month. I thought I would use the free pattern on McCalls' Quilting web site that I had seen in the latest issue of McCall's Quilting.
go to  www.mccallsquilting.com and check out bonuses


  It is called Monster Munchies  I used other fall fabrics, it went together quickly and is now ready to quilt and bind. I had pre cut my fabrics in the morning and then sewed in the evening.

My Fall version of Monster Munchies

In stitches

Annette

remember to stop by an vote on your favorite quilt design

 use the link on my side bar to get you there

W I P Wednesday & Voting

           Flutterbys in My Garden my McCall's Quilting Quilt Design Star Challenge 2 Design.

Well it's been busy here with quilting this summer I have my McCall's Quilt Design Star quilt top done and submitted. it is now on line for voting  .... link on my side bar to make it easy for you. You can vote once a day until the 26th of August if you are sew inclined. Thanks for the support I get from you all with your comments and good wishes.

Now for the next item on my ironing board. I am participating in the Bowls with Borders blog hop found on Sew We Quilt / Stash manicure. We all were given the paper piecing pattern for the bowls and now it is up to each of use to come up with a few finished blocks for show and tell. I will  be featured on the 22 of August sew a have a few day in which I hope to get my blocks finished and made into something worthy of the hop

sneak peak at my bowls in progress

trimming away the extra fabric

I am linking up with Monika @ The Needle and Thread Network , pop on over to see what the other gals have been up to this week.

Next week I will get the chance to meet up with Sheila of Sheila's Quilt World as she will be in the neighbourhood visiting family. I am looking sew forward to meeting her , as we have been chatting almost from the beginning of my blogging.

in stitches
Annette

QDS Submitted :)

Well I have my quilt design made and submitted to the McCall.s Quilt Design Star for the challenge 2 round ( late last night)
Voting will start on Tuesday and go until the 26. Here are a couple more sneak peeks at the design.

love my little dragonflies

the little flowers with buttons are made with
copper and glass buttons
my daughter
picked up in B.C. at an
Atrisians Fair

I tried to keep my design simple to show how you can use a larger print. I have cut it apart to use in other area  ie my dragon fly's and butterflies as well as a few 3-d flowers.
Hope you will pop by and vote , and leave me a comment to let me know how you like my design.
Have a great week end everyone

in stitches
Annette

Just a short note to let you know that I am the featured quilter on the McCall's Quilting site today. www.mccallsquilting.com
 They have been letting you all know a little about each of the participants in the Quilt Design Star 2012 .
Pop over and check us out.
In stitches
Annette

Dead lines....

I finally got to my FMQ challenge for July and thought I better get that posted as today is the dead line to do that. I found that I wanted to stitch a little wavy when stitching the straight lines. Sew I took a straight edge, mine happened to be a small cutting mat to use as a guide.

using a guide to sew a straight edge

my July sample



tyring a little writing

 It worked great I just kept my foot along the edge and my line was then nice and straight.I know with practice that I should be able to stitch with out a guide but until then I think I will use it.

 I love this method of FMQ it has a lot of possibilities and I will be using it again. Thanks Angela Walters for the July tutorial , I 'll be watching for your books to learn more.
I'll be linking up with SewCalGal's FMQ July Challenge. I do not think it is too late to join in on the lessons. Check it out if you would like to learn a little more about Free Motion Quilting.

My other deadline is also drawing near ... Sunday midnight is when I have to have my design posted with McCall's Quilting for the Quilt Design Star Challenge. I will be sewing every night this week to get my design to the point where I feel it is done. Different folks think it looks great as is but I  feel it needs a little more and I want to make sure that I have my 20% of the challenge fabric in plus a little extra cushion to be on the safe side.I also want to do a little hand stitching on it as well. I do hope you all will like what I have created.


another little peak

It has been a little more of a challenge this time. As I have not had the extra time to work on it. I usually work part time and this summer it has been full hours for me, we have had company for a week  as well. I would not change it . as it helps me to focus when I am down stairs quilting and working with the time element is just part of the challenge.And who would have thought that I would run out of thread....... well now I have a good stock of colors for this quilt after my thread run on the weekend.
Voting will start on the 7th of August. Be sure to check out what everyone has done with the Challenge Fabric I know I will.
In stitches
Annette

finial week .... of stitching

And I ran out of thread ..........
Sew it is off to the quilt shop to pick up a few spools of the one I ran out of and a few other that I will match up sew that I will not have this problem again this week.
My design is coming together I will be doing a lot of fussy cutting and building appliques to add to the design.
Sure wish we had a shop here in town still .... at one time we had two shops. Sure miss the Sewing Centre and the shop owner, I called her "mom" and she called the "kid". We confused a few folks as we are not related, just share the love of fabric and quilting.
Well I best get going this trip is cutting into sewing time.
take care out there and happy stitching
in stitches
Annette

WIP ...... for the rest of the month

The challenge begins......I've been working on McCall's Quilting Quilt Design Star Challenge 2   Go to  McCalls' Quilting to see who is still in and what the fabrics look like in both challenges.

McCall's Quilt Design Star Challenge 2
 professional challenge fabric

I was off to a slow start as I awaited the arrival of the challenge fabric. I started playing with paper cutouts from a picture of the fabric which helped me to come up with a few ideas of what I would and could do with it.

just a peak

Now I would like to think I am about half done and should be able to complete my design before the deadline of August 5.
I have a sneak peak for you.

I will be linking up with Monika at The Needle and Thread Network

kitty approval

I hope to post a few more pics as I get more done ..... wish me luck
in stitches 
Annette

working it out

Right now I am just working on some design possibilities for the next challenge,as I await the arrival of the challenge fabric.
I have played with EQ7 a little and cut out the paper to get a feel for the design possibilities. I still like good old paper and a pencil to sketch out my ideas as well. Sew now that I have a few ideas going I will very soon decide which one I should go with and grab some fabrics and begin to play with that design to bring it to life.
Remember to check out www.mccallsquilting.com  to find out the latest happenings with the Quilt Design Star 2012 as well as the patterns they have for you to use in the block library.

I have a couple little observers this time around , we are kitty sitting for our daughter. Sew I have Nina and Shadow checking out what I am up to as well as holding down any fabric I have laying about. I have even caught Nina in my fabric shelves, she must find it nice and cozy.

I have a new link on my side bar..... I will be participating in Sew We Quilt -  Bowls with Borders Blog Hop next month. It should be a fun little hop to see what everyone has done with the pattern.

It looks like another hot day is on it's way again today .....ahhhhhh...... summer ...we best enjoy it while it lasts as we know fall will be right around the corner.

Off to play with some paper again before I head to work.
have a great day
In stitches
Annette

Happy Dance

My design made it!!!!!  I am now in the next round of designing with McCall's Quilt Design Star 2012.

Thank you to all who voted  this round
in stitches
Annette
I just wanted to add that my wip is........ waiting on the mail  for the fabric that is to be a part of the Challenge 2 of the McCall's Quilt Design Star 2012. It will be my focus for the next little while. I will have until the 5 th of August to complete the next quilt top.
Sew in the mean time I will try and work out a few ideas sew that when it arrives I can jump into it. I will pull other fabrics from my stash and then pick up a few more ( we always need just one more it seams)  Then the playing will begin.
I am linking with The Needle and Thread Network
Thanks for letting me share my news
in stitches again
Annette

the waiting has begun

My McCall's Quilt Design Star banner
hanging in my front yard

I will have to wait until the end of the business day tomorrow to find out who all goes on with the McCall's Quilting Quilt Design Star 2012. As well as finding out what the next challenge will be.
Thank you to all who have taken the time to cast votes for my quilt.
It is with folks like you out there that make me think that I can do this or at least give it a good try.

This is what I have been up to while I wait for the results.

boxes of scraps waiting to become something

Hitting my scraps and making crazy blocks and filling the basket with stuffing for the puppies bed I make with them. Not much goes to waste here.

11 x 12 in blocks....
just a start I know that there are a
 lot more in those boxes

the scraps from the scraps = doggie bed stuffing

We had a great time at the camper this weekend a little fishing a little tubing and a boat ride up the lake to visit hubbies sister . A day and a half sure fly by fast.

I did get my first fish of the season last weekend I forgot to post it ( not the most attractive pic but here it is anyway) a good old Jack fish  (Northern Pike)
Off to get the laundry on the line to dry.
sew have a great day
in stitches
Annette