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