Happy New Year

2011 was a very eventful year full of wonderful things - the best of which was the birth of  my granddaughter in March. I even managed to get some quilting and other art work completed. My goal for the new year is to experiment with new techniques and apply them to my textile work. I received a few new books for Christmas which I will report on in the new year.

Post Espresso

Post Espresso has opened up in downtown St. John's. As part of my nephew's christmas present I made a small quilted rug mug with the logo of his new business on it. I've also included a couple of photos of the inside. If you ever get a chance to vist our colourful city, please drop by 168 Water Street, (YouTube) St. John's, NL.

In fact, to learn more about this new establishment and see more photos, please read Darcy Fitzpatrick's review in Signal, the St. John's blog. Also check it out on Mark Bennett's blog.

Merry Christmas - one day late!

Merry Christmas to everyone. I am one day late in doing this but family comes first. I do have to tell you that the commissioned piece, Gower Street, St. John's, was a hit with the new owner. I received a very nice call yesterday about it and a message today.

I hope Boxing Day sales are a hit wherever you are. Newfoundland stores aren't opened on Boxing Day - we have to wait until tomorrow.
Enjoy your shopping!

Gingerbread Houses from Rock Recipes

The gingerbread houses (scroll down) shown on the Rock Recipes web site aren't the typical ones you associate with gingerbread house construction. These houses are similiar to the ones found in the St. John's area. Barry Parsons has provided a gingerbread recipe and instructions on making one of the houses. It is rather late to be posting this but I just found this quite by accident. Anyway, better late than never. Now you can file it away for next year.




Also check out the following:
Tipnut has a collection of gingerbread house designs (free patterns & ideas)
Gingerbread House Ornament
Gingerbread Man sewing project

Enjoy!

Quilts from Houston

Please have a look at the beautiful quilts from Houston that are shown on Joen Wolfrom's blog. Also click on quilt show at the side of the blog for more quilts. They are well worth a look.
Enjoy!

Last Minute Gift? . . .

I just have to share this one with you. Do you need a last minute gift - one that is quick to make? Well check out this table topper/runner using two fabrics from Sugar Town Quilt Co. The tutorial shows how to make this with beautiful mitered corners. And - this is a Canadian company from Alberta, Canada.

This table topper is also featured on Sew We Quilt. This link has lots of things to make for the holidays.

Christmas 2011

I can't believe that Christmas is just days away! I have been busy making 'stuff' for gifts as well as for my home. The tree has been up for awhile. Here are a couple of my favorite ornaments. The peacock was a gift from my daughter when she lived in Toronto. It is always the first one on the tree. The fairy was one I bought for myself in California many years ago.

Here are a few links on making some of your own ornaments:
Felt Christmas Ornament from Fanastic Toys
Plush Christmas Ornament and Tutorial from Mariska's Blog
Around the World from Creative Breathing
Quick Embroidered Ornament from Scissor Quirk
Matryoshka Doll Ornament from My Sparkle
Stuffed Star Ornaments from Wee Folk Art

Most of the ornaments can be made quickly.
Enjoy!

Work in Progress - It's finished!

The commissioned piece, Gower Street, St. John's, is finally framed and ready to go. I am very pleased with the results. The trees worked out very well and I will making more to use in future work. A friend told me that these houses are Heritage Homes. The pink one was owned by a Captain Moss. It burnt down and he rebuilt it in its original design.
Check out my previous piece, View from The Rooms as well as In All Its Glory.

Show and Tell at Eastern Edge Quilt Guild

Tuesday evening was the last meeting of the Eastern Edge Quilt Guild for this year. There were a number of lovely pieces shown. Unfortunately, I didn't get photos of all of them.

Christmas Quilt Show

After a morning of shopping downtown and an afternoon of working on my commissioned piece (all the greenery is in place - I just have to stitch them down), I found some down time to check out a few web sites. I came across Insights From Sew Cal Gal. Check out the Christmas Quilt Show entries. The two categories are Christmas and Winter. It will take a bit of time to see them all!
Enjoy!