Something Fishy Comes This Way!

Today I'm sharing my latest Pisci Fantasticus creations. If you are in the St. John's downtown area you will soon see some of my 3-D fish hanging in the window of the Newfoundland Weavery. The Weavery is carrying some of my smaller creations: shimmers, art cards, greeting cards and pins. There will also be a limited number of the hanging fish. I use batiks for the fish as the fabric colours are so vibrant! Check here, here and here for more fish on my blog.

I will also be having a guest posting an article soon. Check back!
Enjoy!

Eastern Edge Show & Tell

Now for some more photos from the May meeting of the Eastern Edge Quilters' Guild.
Enjoy!

Credit Card Holder made by one of the students

 from my last Fantasy Fabric Workshop 

Souvenirs from South Africa

One of the members of Eastern Edge Quilt Guild participated in Valerie Hearder's South African Tour last month. Of course, she brought back a few beautiful hand stitched pieces to show us.

Valerie is also the owner of African Threads. Please check them out.
Enjoy!

Tote bag from the tour

Hand Beaded Elephants

Also check the following sites:

Fiberworks - A Celebration of South African Fiber and Textile Artists
African Textiles on Pinterest
Judith Rouhani, textile artist
Alley Cat Creations, South Africa

Space Oddity

Ever since I was a child, I have been fascinated with outer space. I started a scrapbook with newspaper clippings of those first flights and continued collecting material up to and including the landing on the moon. Even though the scrapbook was put aside, my interest continued. However, it wasn't until Commander Chris Hadfield landed on the space station, that my interest was once again awakened. I have been following his daily postings since they began. Did I mention, he is Canadian and has family living here in Newfoundland?

His posts on face book have captured the interest of the whole world. I thought I would share a video from Digg.Com of Commander Chris Hadfield. The song is an adaption of David Bowie's 'Space Oddity'

Commander Hadfield returns to earth tonight.
Safe trip home.

Happy Mother's Day

I wish all mothers everywhere, a very Happy Mother's Day.

Last year this time, all my tulips were in bloom, as you can see from the photo below. This year, they are about a week behind. Hopefully the buds will open up this week.

2012 tulips in my garden

A Great Day!

Today's Fantasy Fabric's Class was wonderful. I had a group of very enthusiast ladies! Everyone went away with at least one finished piece and another ready to stitch. I look forward to seeing what they create from their workshop pieces. I know there is at least one evening purse planned.

Embroidery Guild Show & Tell

The St. John's Guild of Embroiderers' meets the last Tuesday of the month. Last week's show and tell is ready to view.
Enjoy!

This month's program is Spring Flowers with Buttons

From the beaded scissors case workshop

Part of the ATC Exchange



Hand Embroidery

What a Day!!

The weather was wonderful! The day was great! I taught another one of my Fantastic Fabrics Workshops to a great bunch of very enthusiastic ladies. Have a look at their layered and stitched pieces.

Someone's stash of glitter!

Cutting slivers of lame

Cutting strips of stretchy costume fabric. Notice the Angelina fibres on the side.

 

Hot Buns!

No, I'm not the bread maker but my brother is! He learned to make these delicious looking loves from our mother. I wish I was near him to have a loaf! I love the smell of fresh baked bread. On that note, here are a few projects that are bread related.

Vintage Crafts and More (remember these? - I do)
Rose Prairie Quilts (scroll down for Happiness is Homemade)
Stray Stitches Bread Basket (scroll down)
Red Work (scroll down for Spread the Love)
Bread Basket Liner

Photo courtesy of my brother

Enjoy!

First Snow

I guess you are wondering about the title! It's spring - has she gone bonkers! Not so. As I've said before, I often get ideas from reading other artists' blogs and web sites. Well, this post is about the art of Susan Brubaker Knapp of Blue Moon River. I have some of her teaching videos and book, Point Click Quilt. Instead of explaining about her piece, First Snow, please visit her site and read all about it. She wasn't permitted to share it until now. It's just beautiful!

Susan is a regular contributor to Quilting Arts Magazine and Quilting Arts TV.

Pom-Poms

Yes, you read it correctly - Pom-Poms! Hurry over to Sew We Quilt for the beginning of another awesome blog hop called Shake Your Pom-Poms! Just when I was wondering what to post . . .

I guarantee you will get a chuckle when you see what one of the creative ladies made.

You will also find some other interesting photos for using pom-poms HERE.

Enjoy!

Hexagons

It seems that hexagons in quilting are making a comeback! Every time I pick up a quilting magazine, I see them used in a quilt, place mat, bag or sewing project. I started doing a quilt with all hexagons about 42 years ago with leftover fabrics from sewing clothes for myself and my daughter. What did I know about using cottons! Most of the blocks were poly cottons! I just knew I liked the shape and I could do them by hand. My paper insets were not freezer paper but leftover cards from those ancient computers that filled a good sized room! At that time, I thought freezer paper was for wrapping up meat. By the way, the quilt never did get finished!

Now, with all my experience with textiles, using hexagons would be a whole different ballgame! Last summer I did purchase a plastic template for cutting out hexagons but so far, all I've done is put it with the other rulers and templates. I have been considering doing some hand embroidery on linen hexagons and using them in a table topper or try out some coasters or mug rugs. I'm still thinking about my project.

Anyway, here are a few links to get you better acquainted with hexagons:

Hexing Around the Block at Freshly Pieced
How to Draw a Hexagon
Hexagon Quilt and Hand Stitched Ball Tutorial at iHanna's Blog
Sew & Flip Hexagon Tutorial
Quilt As You Go Hexie Coasters
Hexagon Bag
Turtle Pincushion

Enjoy. . .

 

May 12 is Mother's Day!

Mother's Day is less than a month away so you do have time to whip up some small gift for mom, grandmother, or a special female in your life. I took my mom to visit her friend this past week. This friend was showing me photos of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She related a short story: one of the great-grandchildren was calling her granny the same as the older children. However, one of them said that she was the great-grandmother. The child thought about it for awhile. He had a  truck at home that was called the great big truck. So now he calls her, not great-grandma, but Big Granny! I got a chuckle over that one. That was a tad off topic but I hope you got a chuckle too on this bright, sunny Monday morning.

Now for a few freebies / tutorials to check out for some simple gifts to make.

Sew, Mama, Sew
One Pretty Thing
The Magic Bean
Fave Crafts
Sew Can She
Tip Junkie
Craft Buds
Blueprint Crafts
Zaaberry
Sewn Up
Untrendy Life
All About You

I hope you find something.


Enjoy!

Quilts by Jen

I sometimes post to the Needle and Thread Network (if I don't forget)! This time, I noticed that one of the photos displayed a lovely bunch of coloured threads. Of course, been an embroiderer, I had to check them out. 

It was Technique Tuesday at Quilts by Jen from Ontario, Canada and The Thick and Thin of Thread, was the topic. After reading the post, I was curious, and decided to check out the rest of the blog. Each day of the week has a different theme which means a lot of dedication to writing and posting each day.

Story Time Monday
Technique Tuesday
Stash Blasting Wednesday
Cool Tool Thursday
Colourful Friday
Coffee Time Saturday
Inspirational Sunday

I know the amount of time involved in keeping a blog and finding topics of interest is often difficult to do. Sometimes they are triggered by something you read (like this post). So, get a cup of something and visit Jennifer's site! Also, have a look at the other bloggers who posted to the Needle and Thread Network. You won't be disappointed!

Enjoy!

Mug Rugs and More!

Mug rugs, small coasters, place mats, mini quilts and wall hangings are all great projects to make to practise your piecing, applique, embroidery and quilting skills. For example, choose a block pattern you would like to try and incorporate it into a place mat or mug rug.

You will find lots of inspiration HERE, and HERE.
Also check out the April Mug Rug Hop that just finished at Sew We Quilt or click HERE to see them all in one place. However it's interesting to visit each participant's blog or web site as you never know what interesting things you will discover.

Free patterns at All Free Sewing
More at Tip Nut and Patchsmith via Craftsy
Quilt finishing at Husqvarna
Basic Mug Rug Tutorial

I have a couple of previous posts on this topic. Check HERE and HERE.

Mother's Day is soon. Maybe these ideas might come in handy for mom!
Give it a try.
Enjoy the links!

Spring - I Hope!

Believe it or not, my crocuses are starting to bloom! It's a wonder considering the cold temperatures we have had this month. I had my summer tires installed on the car yesterday so I hope we have seen the last of the snow!

Here are some Spring projects to think about:

• 3-D Folder Flowers Table Runner
• Amish Tulips Quilt
• Peeping Out Quilt Block
• Flower Power
• Crocus in a Pot
• Pixie Garden Quilt (BOM)
• Crocus Wreath
• Spring Posies Quilt Block Tutorial
• Circle of Violets
• Spring Tulip Place Mat

Enjoy!

Cabot Show & Tell

We had another wonderful Show & Tell at the Cabot Quilt Guild's April meeting. Take a look! A lot of batik fabrics were used in several of following quilted items. Can you tell which ones?

The appliqued birds are from fantasy fabric created in my March class.
The quilt with all the colourful hexagons and applique was entirely hand pieced and hand quilted. Beautiful work from everyone!
Enjoy!