Some of my stitching in November

 Well I have been stitching away. Knitting some slippers and mittens for our daughters school. I have been making mug mats and microwave bowl pot holders and card holders just to name a few things. A craft sale is coming up and this is a great way to use up some of my fabrics on hand and make something useful to others. And I have even had to do a little unsewing too.

A quilted journal

I have a number of Victoria Quilts on hand to quilt up, and I have started up a  stitching group here in town to get people together. Getting together to  visit and create. the group will be held weekly as a drop in sew I do hope there is enough interest to see it go on for a long time.

I was part of a fabric postcard swap last month. Glitz and Glam was our theme and I chose to do our prairie skies with the northern lights . I really enjoyed figuring out how to stitch the northern lights. Challenging myself  is something I enjoy doing.  and when it works out that makes it even better.

Sew that's all for now  ... keep on stitching

In Stitches 

Annette

 

Sit and Stitch

 We are starting up a group for  stitchers. You can quilt, sew, knit, crochet any type of hand work .The group will met on Tuesdays and work on projects of their choice. A time of community and getting some time with other  creative people and maybe a helpful hand as needed.

This is something I have been ask about for a number of years and I thought lets give it a go and see what happens. Wish me luck in this new adventure . 

In stitches

Annette

 

October a time for stitching

                                                                 Happy Fall Everyone

outside at the fall/fowl supper

 Fall is in the air and crafts sales have started up. I have been to one sew far this fall. I am thinking about participating in one. 

Harvest has wrapped up for this year. I was lucky enough to get a combine ride and supper in the field. Something I miss from when we had a farm. A view from the combine.

We attended a fall supper just yesterday ...... turkey always tastes great.

I have gotten the binding on my Autumn Wonders Quilt designed by Pat Sloan. I have a few quilts (6) all pinned basted and ready to quilt. I hope to have them done before the quilts arrive from Victoria Quilts, I offered to quilt up more of them. I enjoy doing this as I feel it is a worthy cause.

I have been busy knitting mitts and slippers for our daughter to give to kids at school who are in need of them.

I have come up with a pressing idea. I took a large wooden dowel and covered it with a couple layers of  batting  stitched it in place and then covered it with some wool and stitched that in place as well. I tied the ends and now have a pressing tool to help press seams open.

I was lucky this summer to find 2 quilt tops for sale at a garage sale. I bought them and thought they would make lovely raffle quilt to donate in out community. One is done and ready to go the other only needs a label.

I have finished the quilt that my friend had started while in the nursing home but sadly passed before she could complete it. I am sure her family will feel her hugs in it. (photos for these 3 still to come)

Off to do a little more sewing.

In Stitches

Annette

still learning new ways of getting my photos on the blog. It's crazy sometimes, as it take a while ( few hours for me)

Well August just seamed to fly

September already . 

 Boy August sure seem to go by fast . And talking with folks they have the same observance with summer.

 It was filled with 50th anniversary celebrations and birthday celebrations . 

 I even managed to take in an art class . 

My small garden has been producing well, I've been doing up tomatoes and cucumbers to enjoy this winter.

      I did get some sewing done making more of the leaves as mug rugs and working on a quilt to use for a raffle quilt.

 The art class was fun, we worked on portraits from looking in a mirror then funky portraits and then a day of drawing without straight lines. I really enjoyed the portrait portion of the class as well as the Funky portrait part of the class. A interesting note about the class was that it was teenager class that had a few extra spots to be filled sew they asked a few adults to part of the class.  To  be a kid again. 

 Now it's time to try and get caught up on a few of my quilting projects and share them with you. Getting caught up with the block of the month with quilt doodle designs. Check her out, she has one going every year. I've done a few sew far. yesterday I made up a couple jelly roll rugs and a couple scrappy bases for my pumpkin mug rugs for the kids at Halloween. I will make more leaves as I think they are fun and I'm also thinking of making a bunting with some to decorate. I have been having some issues with my computers. Sew my next challenge is to add some photos with this post. Sew thank you for checking in on me and my musings. 

In stitches Annette

Sorry, no photos this time

Leaves and Pumkins

 

Working away on leaf and pumpkin mug rugs. These will be some of my treats at Halloween. They were a big hit last year. Sew starting early as I hope not to run out. There has been smoke in the air,sew staying inside sewing. It's a great ways to use up those bits and pieces in your sewing space.

Working in the pumpkin patch

This month I'm participating in a post card swap. The theme is Military Veterans. My card is on it's way to England.

September is around the corner, which mean school preparation  is starting as well. A friend's son has been raising funds to buy some basic back to school supplies. To help out I have been sewing zippered pouches. I have gotten some zippered from other sewing friends to go with some of the fabric her mom supplied. What a great idea he had. Sew happy to lend a hand.

All zipped up.

I have been keeping up with the garden sew far. It looks like dill pickles will be in my future.

Well I should get back to my pumpkin patch, sewing that is.

Stay well,and sew on.

In Stitches

Annette

A trip to the library

 After ordering on line I was able to pick up a number of books and DVD's to enjoy this summer. It has been a great resource and I found you can even renew your items on line too! 

A small selection from your library

cotton canvas

I have been working with artist canvases and have found two types sew far. I have been working on a basic thin canvas and have now found a cotton one. I'm looking forward to testing it out. Playtime awaits! 

I have been sewing up some pencil cases for a friend. Her son  has been making interesting crayons by recycling old crayons, he then sells these and using the funds he has raised he them fills the pencil cases for kids who may need a little help getting their school supplies. Sew with school only weeks away..... I know it's still summer....I thought I should get to work. A few here and a few there and I should get the supplies she left worked up.

Must get back to sewing.

In stitches

Annette

Still stitching

 Yes, I'm still stitching on the card trick quilt  for Betty.  Just finishing off the bindings and then make the label and then it will be complete. it'll be nice to get it to her family.

Here is the other zippered pouch that I made up. It was fun putting it together from my leftover fabrics on hand. And a fun lace trim I picked up at a garage sale. I have been making English paper pieced hexies off and on,putting them into an old glass cookie jar. Sew it is fun to find ways to play with them.

I also made a post card for this months challenge of weaving. I made curvy strips and wove them together. Then I did some machine embroidery to accent the weaving. I then drew out a leaf on tracing paper and then made a little sandwich of fabric and batting. I free motioned stitched it and then colored it with Inktense pencils and the trimmed it. I added it to the postcard by stitching down the center vein of the leaf.  I enjoy these challenges as they get you thinking about different ways to create.

Take care out there.

Iced Chi ...yum

In Stitches

Annette

Working away

 Well I had a oops, I washed my jelly roll rug in the washing machine on the regular cycle. I usually wash it in the tub by hand with a scrub brush.  The scrubbing must have weaken the thread and when I took it out of the machine it looked more like spaghetti.  I sorted it out and laid it out to dry.  Then I had to decide how to tackle the repair. I started from the outside few rounds then some inner rounds. Going in this fashion I was able to make it whole again. Happy to say the rug is back in use.

I have been playing with the Inktense pencils and made the sunflowers leaves for this little zippered bag. It was the second one I made at this time . The other one was pieced and hand embroidered. I submitted it into a challenge hosted by Quilting Arts. Sew I will wait to share that one with you. 

I did get busy with my friends quilt. Backing done, quilting done. Binding in progress. I'm sew happy to help the family get this completed. You hear of sew many quilts and quilt tops that get abandoned just because the family does not know what to do with them.

My little garden is growing nicely. Fresh veggies are always great. I have made some jams, pickles and relish already. Looking forward to making more.

Have a great day.

In Stitches

Annette

A busy time of year

Well July is coming to a close..... today.

Wow it went by fast. I was part of an artisan trial, been Saskatoon berry picking , fishing and camping, Checked out the car show and worked at a pie and coffee sale ( making 4 pies for this). The other day I was making beet pickles and relish , now I have reddish hands. The cucumbers are starting and are very tasty in a sandwich. Oh I can't forget the beet rolls/ nicks ( bread dough in a beet leaf and baked for a side dish with cream and dill).

I have signed up for a adult art class in August. We will be doing some abstract art I believe. I like to try different mediums and styles and see where I can take it into my work with fiber. And of course it is fun just to get together with others for some playtime.

I have a few projects to wrap up down here in my creative space One is a quilt for a dear friend who passed away before finishing it. She was sew close to having the blocks all done. well blocks are done and the top is put together. now to piece the backing and sandwich it sew that I can do the quilting. 

I seam to have traditional projects and art projects going on all the time. I hope to find more time to explore art quilting and the different mediums that you can blend together.

Well it's back to playing in my space and getting that quilt done.

Take care

In Stitches

Annette

New editor in my favorite magazine

Hello everybody,

I just want to say that there is a new editor at Quilting Arts. Vivika Hansen Denegre has retired,  I think she will enjoy having a little more time in her studio. Brandy Maslowski aka Quilter on fire, is the new consulting editor. I want to wish them both well in  their new endeavors. Congratulations ladies!

 This has been one of my favourite magazines for some time  now. I hope if you have not read a copy of one yet, pick up a copy and I'm sure housing be disappointed. I still have every copy I have bought. There are a great resource for  playtime with fabric.

On another note.....

We have been gettingn g to the lake on weekends and doing a little fishing. While this past weekend we finally caught a couple. :-)

I did get a wee bit of sewing done and here's another tote for the trail.

Well that's all for now.

If your from Canada, happy a happy Canada Day weekend! 

In stitches

Annette

2024 Saskatchewan Stitches conference

it's a wrap. I only took a couple classes this year. One was working with intense pencils a a little free motion quilting. Our teacher was Ana Buzzalino, from Calgary Alberta. It was a lot of fun and is still a work in progress.

Ana and I

Inktense work in progress

The second class was on the last day. It was Caring for your Featherweight. It was taught by Bernie Tobisch. He has a book out on t maintenance of  your sewing machine. and he and his wife will have a new book out this fall regarding the use of sewing machine feet. I'm hoping to get a signed copy at the Haus of stitches this fall.

I have been working on some projects for The Artisans Trail this July. some of which are these little postcards as well as some bags and totes.

 At the lake we have been watching the little Robin family grow. now they are out of the nest and Mama Robin is busy feeding the baby ones. 

Can you find all 3 babies

It's nice to see the spring  posies growing in the yard and also enjoying some fresh rhubarb made into pies. 

 Well now it's time to go get busy again.

Sew stay in stitches and enjoy the day.

Annette

Off to the Saskatchewan Stitches Conference 2024

I'm all packed and ready to go to the Stitches Conference held in Muenster SK, hosted by Haus of Stitches in Humboldt SK.

I'm very lucky to have this amazing conference close, about 1 and half-hour drive away.

I will be taking classes with Ana Buzzalino from Calgary, and Bernie Tobisch.

You can check it all out at www.sandwiches.ca   The you can see all the classes and teachers.

There is sew, quilting, knitting, crochet,spinning art quilting,slow stitching and more.

Hundreds of participants gather to learn and renew friendships and make new ones.

I'm sew looking forward to meeting Ana as our past classes were on line due to  covid

and personal health issues.

I will try to keep you up to date with my activities this week.

In stitches

Annette

Well it's been a mintue.......

since my last post. I have been busy stitching up a storm as they say. I have 5 Victory Quilts ready to bind.

I have my version of Pat Sloane What's in Your Closet ready for border.

Teaching my little neighbour sewing.We are making a t shirt with the front blueprints, using a special paint.

 I'm working on items for the Artisans trail , which is less than 2 months away.

I participated in a juried art show, a first for me.

 finished a jelly roll rug.

took a plant dyeing class and dyed a silk scarf

had fun helping a friend make dog beds from her guild's scrap bags 

took alcohol ink class,fun stuff to play with

 Another first for me is that I've sent in a submission to a magazine for consideration, more one this later.

 At our campsite we found a robin nesting in the wood shed, they have 4 babies to look after. there is a dove nesting in the same area with a single chick. Now we get to watch them grow. In our campground there are a number of different birds. We had also seen, sparrows, gold finch,sirens,purple martins,Orioles sea gulls with more to come.

Sew far this spring the weather has been mixed. We have had some nice rains to wash away the winter dirt/snow mold, warm days and very cool ones. We have frost on the rooftops this morning

 Well it's a week or sew later and Im still trying to upload some photos....... oh sugar!

 Okay I think I got it...... it show it in code on my screen hope this works.... just previewed the post , it's a bit of a mess with phots in the wrong spots and repeated. Not sure how to fix. I sorry for the messs I will be working on learning what to do to fix this but I hope you come back again to see what I have been up to.

 in stitches

 Annette

by George I think I got it. I found a setting the had been changed and changed it back and did a little clean up. I have the setting back to compose and not HTML view.......  

Progress with Pat.

that's Pat Sloan and What's In Your Closet. We are on week 9 and I am all caught up with the blocks. Now if I find the time I will try to get the sashings made up and attached to the blocks that I have already made. It is sew great that Pat gives us the layout for the quilt as well as the directions to assemble the quilt as we go. That is sew much better than waiting until the very end of the making the quilt blocks before assembling into a quilt top. I have made a number of Pat's quilts in the past and have always found her layouts quite interesting. she doesn't do the standard layout with all the quilt blocks the same size. I have also found that this has been a great way to use up some of the Fabrics I have on hand. I have only picked up Fabrics for the sashings and binding so far for this one.

Spring is in the air. the skies are blue and its warming up. looking forward to some April showers and the first flowers of spring but a trip to the green house is good too. Well that's all for now. in stitches Annette

Some progress this week.

This week has been pretty good. I have the Disappearing 9 Patch ready for a label. it will keep our EMTs cozy. We had supper outside, via a winner roast. always tasty.

A quick trip to Humboldt to Haus of Stitches to exchange a quilting book, it was partly put together upside down. And of course a little bit of fabric to use in borders and sashing in the block Wednesday's What's in your closet with Pat Sloan. I'm still only buying to finish a project. The bigger part of any quilt is coming from my stash and inherited stash from friends. I did have some help in the store.

I have started working up some scraps for mug mats /rugs for next Halloween. The kids really seamed to like them. I've bee working on a few fabric post cards. I get started with a pile off fabrics and buttons, beads and trims. I never really know what it will turn out like until I'm done.Play time with no rules.

Hope you all are having a great week. Spring is coming I can feel it in the air. In Stitches Annette

Still stitching

Well after another weekend of snow and a bit more quilting. I now have The Breakfast Club quilt top put together and binding is cut. I have the next 2 blocks done for what's in your closet, both quilts are designed and offered by Pat Sloan.

This winter/spring I will be working on a few projects for a artisan show and sale. I really enjoy play time with fabric. I will share as I create. In stitches Annette