Plants

We are still travelling and I am still taking lots of photos. You never know when one of them will inspire a new idea or project!

Ottawa Street, Hamilton

Yesterday, I went to Hamilton, Ontario, to visit relatives. While there, I took a detour to Ottawa Street (scroll down), the textile and fabric district. Unfortunately, been Sunday, most of the shops were closed. I thought that strange as the malls and big box stores were all opened. At Fabricland, I was told that the local fabric shops were family owned and as a result kept Sunday as a family day. Here are a few photos I took of the area.

Had a fabulous brunch at this diner!

Shedd Aquarium, Chicago

I visited the Shedd Aquarium while in Chicago. It is a wonderful experience for any age group. My 16 month granddaughter was amazed. Of course, I took photos - maybe there will be more fabric fish in my future.
See some fabric fish by other quilters below:
A Fish Story
Post Card
Red Fish Quilt
Fish Design
Mola Fish

Now for some real fish:

Enjoy!

Sunset

The first week in Chicago the temperatures were in the high 90's. Several days it actually got into the three digits! It's was just too hot to do anything, especially if you aren't used to such extreme temperatures. Thank goodness for air conditioners. While travelling on Interstate 90, the sunsets were fantastic. It was difficult to take photos while speeding along the highway but here's a few shots - for inspiration - maybe!! The first photo was one evening and the other three were several nights later. Take a close look at the colours.

Now for some more inspiration:
Sunset, another HERE,
Sunset at the Hula Grill
Tropical Sunset
Ladies at Sunset

Enjoy!

Books

I had a couple of coupons for 50% off at Joanne's Fabrics. I cashed them in today on a few books.

• Christmas with Possibilities from C & T Publishing - this one caught my eye as the 16 quilted holiday projects were so brightly coloured and not complicated. I can see possibilities for alternating some of the patterns. I may do the Christmas Tree Advent Calendar.
• Redwork: Winter Twitterings from House of White Birches - the patterns are nice ones to do  
• Cloth Doll Workshop from Crafts at Quarry Books - I have several books on cloth doll making. You never know, it just might be a future project especially now that I have a granddaughter of my own!!
• Tilda's Summer Ideas from D & C Publishing - I like the simplicity of the Tilda patterns. I have one of these already.

These four books cost less than one at regular price. We don't have a Joanne's at home and Michael's Crafts will not give discounts on books, which is a bummer. Sometimes they do have a few good books.

Adventures in Blue

Blue is one of my favourite colours. Here are some interesting quilted art pieces (blue) that you might use for inspiration.


Blue Art Deco Abstract Art Quilt (scroll down)
Blue Danube Studio Art Quilt
My Blue Grass Roots
Before the Rain
Blue and Yellow
Great Blue Heron
Blue Horse
Beaded Art Pin
Blue Endless Mountains
Blue & Green Abstract

Enjoy!

Hancock's Fabrics

Yesterday we took a short trip to Crystal Lake for lunch. It's about a 30 minute drive from the KOA where we have our motor home parked. As we were driving along looking at the sights (after our lunch), I happened to notice a sign saying 'Fabrics'! Hancock's Fabrics was the place. I haven't been to one of their stores in several years. Check out their free project's page. Forty five minutes later. . . yes, it was a profitable trip to say the least.

I hit a 50% off on most of the stuff I purchased. Have a look at some of the fabrics I got. As you can see, most of the fabrics were batiks as I use them when making my 3-D fish. This time, I was looking for some unusual patterns that I can't get home. However, the first fabric is a Christmas piece that caught my eye. I have no idea what I'll do with it - yet!

The last photo is of lime green organza, black tulle with sparkles all over and a multi coloured piece of netting. I already have a very small piece of this netting that I bought in Newfoundland over ten years ago. I use bits and pieces of it when making some of my 'fantasy fabrics'. Needless to say, I have been using it sparingly. Now I have a whole new length to use. The black tulle will be used as an overlay for surface design on fabric and the lime green organza will find its way as foliage in some piece of wall art.

I'm looking forward to my next fabric store - wherever that will be.

Len's Mill Store

While visiting London, Ontario, I paid a visit to Len's Mill Store. They wouldn't permit any photos to be taken. I entered the shop and didn't know which way to turn as there was everything under the sun, from clothing, food, dry goods, tools, crafty stuff, yarns and fabrics to furniture.

After looking from left to right and all around, I discovered the yarns and accessories / patterns to the right. Yes, I did purchase a few decorative balls of yarn for surface embellishment. Next to the yarns, were the decorator fabrics. A quick walk through this area brought me to the quilting section. All the cottons were arranged by theme such as cats, dogs, coffee, tea, wildlife, butterflies, Asian, batiks, . . . you get the idea. Again, I made a few small purchases of batiks and glittery fabrics.

There was everything you could ever need for sewing and quilting, including tools and other notions (some of the things were very dated, while others were new) - a one stop shopping experience! It was very warm in the building as there was no air conditioning so I didn't linger too long. The outside temperature was 32C and climbing and it seemed just as warm inside!

Hobby Horse Quilt Shop

I visited the Hobby Horse Quilt Shop, in Georgetown, Ontario, awhile ago. This is another store that is a quilter's dream. It has two floors of fabrics and accessories. The basement level is devoted to Christmas all year long and to baby / children 'stuff''. As you can see from the photos, there's lots to see and purchase in the store. Look closely at the last photo and you will see a panel on the top about cats that I did buy. I have no idea what I'll do with it but it caught my eye anyway!

The Running Stitch

I dropped by The Running Stitch Quilt Shop the other day. It's a quilter's dream with beautiful batiks and cottons, patterns, notions, quilted bags and accessories. I was admiring several of the quilted pieces on display when the sales lady told me that the designer of those quilts, Beth Cameron, was shopping in the store. Of course I couldn't let that opportunity pass by, so I introduced myself.  One of the quilts (actually it's twin), was in this year's Quilt Canada in Nova Scotia. I was drawn to her work because of the bright colours she uses. Check out one of the quilts that caught my eye at the shop HERE (scroll down - it's the one with the colourful sail boats). You can purchase the pattern / kit for the sail boat wall hanging at the shop. Beth is working on her own website and hopes to have it up and running in another few weeks. She hopes to have photo's of her work posted as soon as possible.

Red, White and Blue / Happy 4th. to You!

This year I am in the USA for the 4th. of July. Apparently, there will be all kinds of fireworks going off. In fact, I've been hearing fireworks for the last several evenings. If you check HERE, it will take you to previous postings about the 4th of July. Have a good one!

Yarn Forward

I visited Yarn Forward on Hazeldean Rd. Kanata, the other afternoon. They have a variety of yarns, knitting needles, pattern books and accessories. I did purchase a couple of balls of yarn that caught my eye! It's called Drake and is made in Italy. I will use it in probably use it in some felting project. I met a very talented artist, Francine Hebert, at the shop. She showed me some of her shawl pins that were on display. Please check out her blog.

Happy Canada Day

From me to you - have a great Canada Day - wherever you are!!

This little wall hanging is from the Spring / Summer 2011 edition of Fons & Porter's Quilting Celebrations. It is a gift for my year old American born Granddaughter who just got her Canadian citizenship papers.