I Couldn't Resist!

Whenever I enter a shop with anything to do with textile art, I feel like an explorer! What will I discover this time is always on my mind. Sometimes the finds are rather plain but with potential. I was at the cutting counter at Joanne's the other day waiting to get some glittery tulle cut (stiff I can't get home). A young lady was getting yards and yards of a cheap medium weight cotton canvas cut. I found out she works with oils. She said a coat of gesso on the canvas and it is as good as the expensive stuff. The fabric was $5.00 yd. I did pick up a couple of yards. You never know how it will get used!

The yarn shop had lots of lovely yarns. I did buy one skein of blue glittery stuff.

My largest find so far, was at The Fabric Center. A few yards of batiks found their way into my shopping bag as well as a Christmas panel and some pre-cut hexagons.

More Photos from The Fabric Center

Here are a few more photos from The Fabric Center, Morris, IL.
Enjoy!

I did purchase the Christmas panel.

Fabric Center

The knitting ladies at Elemental Yarns told me about this amazing quilt shop in Morris, IL. It is about a 15 minute drive from the yarn shop. The Fabric Center is a sewing machine superstore. A quilter's paradise is all I can think of! It has a very large selection of batiks as well as bolts from most of the well known fabric designers. I certainly like the way the bolts that are not against the wall are displayed. They are so easy to see.

This shop has everything a quilter could want in tools, patterns and books. Friendly sales people are eager to help. They are very knowledgeable about the sewing and embroidery machines on display as we found out!

Did I walk out empty handed? Not on your life! I'll show off a few purchases next time. Today, I'll share some photos taken around the store. More shop photos tomorrow.

Lots of books and patterns

Landscape Fabrics

Quilts hanging everywhere

Lots of batiks!

Note how the bolts are displayed

Elemental Yarns

For the last several days, I've driven by a small strip mall close to Leisure Lake Resort, IL, where we are staying. Given a quick glance, I thought one of the shop signs said Elemental Yards and didn't give it a second thought. Yesterday, I zeroed in on the sign again - it was 'Elemental Yarns'!!! Of course, I got excited and just I had to pay a visit.  

What a delightful shop, filled with lots of scrumptious yarns, books, patterns and accessories.

A knitting class was in session but we chatted anyway. Such a friendly bunch of ladies. I also got the directions to a couple of other shops to visit but that is for another post or two!! Check back again soon.

Here are some photos of the shop. In the last photo, the dolls are wearing knitted clothes. The food is knitted as well.

Echinacea

Aren't these lovely! A little past their prime but still worth a glance. These were at a rest stop in Southern Ontario. I'm surprised they look as good as they do considering the heat wave temperatures in this part of the country. Many textile artists have used the Echinacea in their art. You will see lots of textile images of these flowers HERE.
Enjoy!

Soon . . .

I haven't been blogging lately but hope to get back at it soon. I hope you have been surviving the hot weather of summer! There were severe thunder storms here in Southern Ontario last evening. It just poured where I am. I hope it will cool down just a bit as 30 + C is too hot for me.

I have been searching Pinterest while on the road. I started a board. I can't believe the amount of 'stuff' crafters have found and the numbers of followers on some boards! It boggles the mind.

Have a great day!!!

Cats

Cat lovers! Looked what I found in a small flower and gift shop, Windsor, NS! The little gray one scampered to me as soon as I entered the shop. Her fur was very fluffy and looked as if it were blown dry with a hair dryer. The kitten is ready to be adopted. She could have been mine if I had wanted a cat.
Here are a couple of sites with cat activities:
Tiny Kitten in a Box
Free Cat Patterns
Cats Who Quilt
Enjoy!

Sewing Projects

Quilters are a great bunch! They don't mind sharing their 'finds' with others. Here are a few sewing ideas that were passed on to me and I'm sending them on to you!

For Show & Tell, one quilter brought in a great travel iron tote she had received as a gift. At the time, I didn't pay too much attention to it as my iron usually stays at home. That was then. So far, I have lugged my iron to 3 - 4 classes. I think I need one of those totes! Well, yesterday, I discovered a free pattern for one which I will share with you HERE. I wish I had one already but it will have go on my To Do List for the fall. Did I say that when opened up, it also converts to an ironing surface?

A Dollar Shop Project made by a member, was a great hit at the June meeting of the Eastern Edge Quilters: Eyeglass Case to Sewing Kit. This is just perfect for slipping in your bag when you need a small sewing kit. I wonder how many of these will appear at the September Show & Tell! Another Travel Sewing Kit pattern can be found HERE.

Another excellent sewing project that I found, is a portable design wall. This one is very easy to make as shown in the video. Mind you, it isn't suitable for full size quilts but it is great to take to a class or on vacation. Now I have a use for some laminated fabric I purchased last year while vacationing in Chicago.

I have been looking at these fabric baskets for awhile. They would make excellent mini garbage containers for the car, especially if it's lined with plastic or that laminated fabric I just mentioned and has a longer loop stitched on it. Actually, I was thinking it would be great for the driver and passenger seats for any motor home. It could hang on the seat belt hook.

I hope you fine these links useful. Any of the above would also make great gifts.

Enjoy!

Sesame Street

Ages ago I saw a Sesame Street panel at Fabricville. My two year old granddaughter loves the show. Her favorite characters are on the panel so, of course, I bought it. Needless to say, it was supposed to be an easy quilt to do. I do wish that manufacturers of printed panels were as particular as quilters! There was no such thing as straight sides and there is never enough space to cut them apart on the bolt. I did manage to finally finish it yesterday. Thanks, also, to my friend, who had the perfect colour of fabric for the back and binding.

Pinned on the fence, it looks good! You can't tell that the sides aren't exactly straight. Anyway, what two year old is going to be looking for that.

Here are a few Sesame Street patterns for your enjoyment:

• Knitting Patterns
• Crochet Finger Puppets
• Muppets from yarn
• Crocheted Sesame Street Hats
• Cupcakes
• Grover Hand Puppet
• Elmo Colouring Pages

Red, White and Blue

Happy 4th of July to family and friends living in the USA. Hopefully the weather is great wherever you are. We are having fabulous weather here in St. John's, NL (at least for the past few days).

Check out last year's post HERE.

From my garden, I present to you: Red, White & Blue!

VidCast with Elaine Quehl

Awhile ago, I took a workshop with Elaine Quehl from Ottawa. It was an interesting experience. Needless to say, my workshop piece is not finished. However, several of the participants made marvelous art quilts as you can see below.

This past November, while attending the International Quilt Show in Houston, Texas, Elaine was filmed in one of Bonnie McCaffery's VidCasts. You can see it here. It's well worth watching.

To view more VidCasts on Bonnie's website, check here.
Enjoy!

Member's Exhibit, Craft Council of Newfoundland & Labrador

I've been a member of the Craft Council of Newfoundland & Labrador since 1999. Each summer, there is a juried exhibition of member's work featuring a variety of mediums and techniques and celebrating excellence in contemporary craft. You will find this summer's exhibit pieces at Devon House, St. John's. If you can't see them in person, please take a minute to see them HERE, as you won't be disappointed!

My textile piece, The Fishermen's Museum, English Harbour West, is on page two.