Fantastic Fusion Workshop

For the past two Thursday evenings, I have participated in an online workshop, Fantastic Fusion, with Lisa Walton, Textile Artist, from Sydney, Australia. This was organized by the Mahone Bay Quilters' Guild for its members.

19 quilters were eager to learn something new. Many admitted that they were definitely out of their comfort zone. However, you couldn't tell that by the pieces that were created. Lisa was a wonderful teacher, quite prepared with samples, videos, photo gallery and live demos. It was six hours of fun! 

Using Zoom, we were able to see all 20 of us on one screen (thumbnails). We got to see what the other was doing, ask questions, make comments, chat . . . almost the same as been in a physical classroom. The other upside - no packing to go to a classroom, unpack etc. You know the drill. I was in my own space with all my 'stuff' at my fingertips. No, "Oh darn, I forgot to bring . . ." or "I have the perfect piece of fabric for this, but it's home". On that score, I prefer working here in my own studio!

These batik blocks are the result of week one. My colour scheme came from the colours in my back garden and the quilt my sister, Joan, made me for my July birthday, 2018. The blue represents the sky.

Week two

These are the same blocks from above. I chopped them up, cut extra strips and put them together to form this piece. I managed to fuse some of the pieces together but the rest are pinned to my board to do later. It measures approximately 18" x 26" and will be quilted and free-motion stitched.

My colour inspiration:

 

Thanks, Lisa. It was very nice meeting you.

• Lisa Walton on Pinterest HERE and HERE   
  
• Quilt Stories with Lisa Walton
• Abstract Textile Artists
• The Story of Abstract Design
  
• Abstract Textiles from Pinterest HERE, 
• Textile Abstract Art by Leah Gillette 

Enjoy! 

Trek to Avonport

Saturday, I visited Avonport Discount Fabrics in Avonport, NS. If you haven't visited this quilt shop, put it on your travel list. Have a look inside this shop HERE (post from a few years ago). Needless to say, I didn't come away empty handed!

These 1m cuts of batiks are just as brilliant as they appear here!

More Batiks - Fat Quarters this time.

Birch Trees - cotton

Forest - cotton

I also purchased some more Misty Fuse for a zoom workshop I'm doing with Lisa Walton from Sydney, Australia. The workshop is called Fabric Fusion, which has been organized for us by the program committee of Mahone Bay Quilters' Guild.

A few links from Britain:

• Gillian Travis, textile artist
• Very Kerry Berry  
• Fabric and Flowers, Sonia Spence
• Feather on a Wire    
• Tutorials from Messy Jesse  

Enjoy!!

More Masks

Things have been busy here in Pine Grove. I've been making masks! Twenty batik masks went to a business in Lower Sackville, NS. Here they are waiting for the elastic. I forgot to take a photo when they were finished.

My granddaughter wanted three more masks and my daughter asked for another one in a light colour (the blue one).

These four masks will be going to Boston and Illinois.

I have five more almost done.

Check out the YouTube videos, as there are lots of different designs to choose from.

Mask Pattern for you to try

Yikes! How did it get to be July 21st!!! Time sure does fly and I only go out when we need groceries or to visit family. Needless to say, this 'lock down' has made me realize how much time I've wasted out shopping and looking around at stuff that I don't really need. I have refined my priorities. Have you? Now that stores are opened, we do need to shop locally wherever possible and wear a mask.

When this 'lock down' started, my husband researched various masks to make. He found one that was designed by an American surgeon. This surgeon was not satisfied with the ones he was using and wanted the fabric away from his mouth and nose.

My husband sketched out a pattern from the doctor's site, for me to experiment with. Unfortunately, he forgot to save the link. As recommended on various mask making sites, Batik is the best fabric to use because of the tighter weave. There is a nose piece tab stitched on the top of the mask to hold a pipe cleaner (refer to diagram). The pipe cleaner is folded three times, cut to size and slipped into the tab. It moulds quite well to the shape of the nose.

I've had people comment on the mask because the fabric is away from the nose and mouth. You don't feel as claustrophobic as with some other masks.

As the mask is double, cut two pieces of the paper pattern. This mask is stitched on the top and sides so that there are no pin or stitch holes to allow anything to enter. I stitched the sides first and then joined them along the top (the same as if you were making an insert for a bag). Leave an opening for turning along where the nose piece tab goes. This opening gets stitched when sewing on the tab.

The pattern can be made in different sizes by making it larger or smaller.  You could also cut off the sharp corners and make them straight and then attach the elastic.

Cut two

Showing nose tab

Elastic goes over the head

Elastic goes over the ears

Thanks for visiting!

I've linked this post to the Needle and Thread Network.

Enjoy!!

First Finish for 2019

The 12 Days of Christmas wall hanging that I started in December is finished! This is a free pattern from All People Quilt. It caught my eye when I first saw it and I saved the link just in case. When I decided to take a quick trip back to St. John's, early in December, this was the right size project to take. All the fabrics and buttons were from my stash. The colourful batik, used for the back and binding, isn't a Christmas print but worked perfectly! The cream background is a linen type weave with gold threads.

The wall hanging is actually straight. My camera taking was a bit off!!

Enjoy!!

3 Pillows

Now that the Twelve Days of Christmas are over, I can show you these quilted pillows my sister, Joan, made us for Christmas. Joan was posting photos on Instagram for the Twelve Days of Christmas and one of the pillows was day 12. I didn't want to spoil her fun. The pillows have 12 triangles of the Flying Geese pattern. You can see more of Joan's Instagram photos @lovemombo. She shows among other things, quilts, knitted socks, children's clothes and garden stuff!

These pillows match two quilts that she previously made for us. The center pillow has stitched and beaded motifs that she found on a piece of fabric at a thrift store in Tennessee. She sure knows how to use such different finds! Thanks, Joan. Love the pillows.

Now for some things I found:

• Pillows on Pinterest HERE and HERE
• 30 Modern Christmas Pillows 
• Batik Log Cabin Pillow 
• Free Modern Quilt Pillows 

 Enjoy!!

12 Days of Christmas

My sister has been doing the 12 Days of Christmas on Instagram. Me, I didn't even think of doing that. However, I have been working on a wall hanging by that name. Last year I came across a free pattern for counting down the Twelve Days of Christmas on All People Quilt.

As I was traveling home to St. John's, Newfoundland on December 4th, I needed something to stitch. This free pattern fitted the bill. However, it won't be finished this year. Hopefully soon. Time flies when you are having fun!! So far, all the 12 pear shapes are stitched. The stitching has been done on the tree stand but I'm not satisfied with it. I didn't trace the lines directly on the fabric but on tissue paper. This was pinned on and stitched. When I pulled the paper off, the stitches pulled a bit too. And I knew the difference - DUH!!! So I have decided to do a thin machine satin stitch over the hand stitching.

I love the nontraditional batik I've selected for the border. When it's done, I'll show it to you.

Have a very Happy New Year!

More stuff:

• Into puzzles? I've been known to do one or two. Here's a link for doing them on-line.  
• Ester has a wall hanging for counting down the days.
• Here's a Pinterest link for the 12 Days of Christmas
• Eye Candy 

Enjoy!!  

Trip to Avonport and Beyond . . .

My sister, Joan, has been here from Tennessee, since last Thursday night. We have been visiting lots of places and checking out quilting and yarn shops. Tuesday, we went to Avonport Discount Fabrics (Facebook link) which is an hour and eighteen minutes from Pine Grove. The day was lovely and warm.

Of course we spent quite awhile in the store looking at all the lovely fabrics. We both made several purchases. I picked up a few pieces of Batiks to use for clapboard in my 5" x 5" framed pieces. You can never have too many colours: neutral shades this time.

Joan was looking for Canadian quilt fabrics. She noticed some Cantik Batik 10" squares called Gemcubes. Each set of 40 pieces, 2 of each colour, 10" squares, represented the various regions of Canada. She chose the Newfoundland / Atlantic Coast collection. It's too bad that you can't see what each square looks like as you don't really know what you are getting. Joan's collection, however, is beautiful and she's glad she purchased it. What do you think?

I will have to wait and see what these will become.

I opened the package so you can see more of the fabrics.

Our road trip also included visiting Wolfville and Kentville.

Batiks-Go-Retro Blog Hop

As most of my friends know, I love Batiks! I like their vibrant colours especially when using them for my stuffed starfish pincushions and hanging fish, (Pisci Fantasticus). Well, I just found Batiks-go-Retro Blog Hop which started today. It's interesting to see how different quilters are use this line of batiks.

Here's a tip:
When I designed these fish, I stitched on a tiny clear glass bead at the top of the fin. An invisible thread was then threaded through the bead, tied in a loop for easy hanging. No sewing required if thread breaks!

Pisci Fantasticus

Fish Batik

Nineteen years ago this month, I was in Pennsylvania visiting relatives and visiting as many quilt shops as I could find. I came across some fish batik fabric in a little shop. The owner had ordered it in for herself to make curtains and a quilt for her young son and it wasn't for sale. However, I did manage to get a yard of it (lucky me). It has been a favorite batik. I had enough for a table runner and two place mats.

Today, I found the same fabric here in St. John's at Fiber Lily . It had been posted on face book so I knew I had to get some as soon as we got home.

Morning Drive

I visited Avonport Discount Fabrics this morning. The Batiks are beautiful and lots of them. The rest of the fabrics are plentiful and there is fabric and notions to meet every quilter's needs. I spent some time looking at the variety of bag / tote patterns and sizing up the finished ones on display.

Talking about totes:

• Nautical Octopus Beach Tote - Free Sewing Tutorial + Applique Pattern. ( I love this one)
• Library Tote Bag 
• Have a Look at This One   
• Flying Geese Tote 
• Quilted Zipper Bag    

They have moved a few things around. The book section is down to one display instead of two and the Sashiko supplies aren't as plentiful. But don't let that stop you from visiting the store.

NO, I did not make a purchase - this time! The lady at the cash tried to entice me with chocolate. It didn't work and I walked out empty handed. I think that's a first for me.

If you are ever in the area, Avonport Discount Fabrics is a must stop for sewers and quilters!

Links!!

Not much new is happening in the studio these days. I'm getting ready for Saturday's workshop and hoping that the weather cooperates - it doesn't look too good at the moment. I'm keeping all fingers crossed.

I had the embroidery machine stitching out lighthouse shimmers this morning. For some reason (probably me not paying close attention) the machine did not stop after each colour change and used whatever threads were on the needles. Needless to say, the lighthouses were coloured wrong. I'll try again tomorrow.

Here are a few links to check:

• Spring Batik Appliqued Flowers
• The Enchanting Rose - tea cozy tutorial    (found out about this blog from my friend, at Magpie's Mumblings
• Vickie's Improve Quilt  
• The Embroiderers' Guild of America
• Embroidered Owl and Flowers
• Hand Embroidery Projects and Ideas

Enjoy!

      These beauties are hidden under the snow! Can't wait for their arrival this spring!

 

Prep Work!

My go to machine for all my free-motion work is the Janome 1600P.  This is a straight stitch sewing machine designed for home use. It has all of the outward appearances of an industrial sewing machine… built in cone thread stands, heavy duty metal construction, and it is a single stitch only machine. A review of this machine can be found HERE. 

Today I got some fabrics ready to begin a few underwater embroideries. I love to use batiks for these as the colours are so vibrant. My stabilizer of choice is Sulky Totally Stable. You can see some of my green / blue / turquoise threads to the left.

Some machine stitching has been added to these. Now for some hand embroidery, and maybe a fish or two.

• Mooshie Stitch (all about hand stitching)  
• Needlework Tips and Techniques  
• Antique Pattern Library 
• The Splendid Sampler 
• Penguin & Fish 
• Most Craft - Embroidery Stitches 

Enjoy!!          

My Sew Together Bag is Finished!

This beautiful, sunny afternoon was spent in my studio finishing up one of my UFO's. This Sew Together Bag has been on the go since last spring. It was even with me last summer in Nova Scotia. I am 'sew' glad there was a tutorial on making it as the pattern lacked pictures. The Quilt Barn has the tutorial. Now you can see where I used my decorative machine stitched piece. I used all batik fabrics for this one.

Check out other Sew Together Bags on Pinterest HERE, HERE & HERE. It's interesting to see what fabric combinations others have used!

Thanks, Linda in NS

Enjoy!!

Decorative Machine Stitches

Even though I enjoy hand embroidery, I do like the effect of using decorative machine stitches. Here's a couple of pieces that are ready to use in future projects.

Batik fabric

• Decorative Stitches: Love Them! Use Them!
• Sewing Tips for Decorative Stitches  More HERE,  
• Ten Creative Ways to Use Decorative Stitches on Your Sewing Machine 
• Pinterest ideas HERE, HERE & HERE   
• Using Decorative Machine Stitches    
• Rebecca Kemp Brent: You Tube using decorative stitches

Enjoy!!

First Day of Autumn

It was another stellar day with temperatures reaching 26C. What a way to welcome Autumn. I took this photo a few days ago behind the motor home. Don't you just love the colours in these leaves!

The bright colours remind me of some batiks I have in my stash at home.
These colours are also found in some textile pieces of Textile Artist, Fiona Robertson.

Enjoy!

Piknik Batik

My sister, Joan has spent the year quilting! She and her husband dropped by the campground for a couple of nights, on their way to Newfoundland from Tennessee. I received a late birthday gift - a fruit cake (family tradition) and a Piknik Batik quilt! Since I go to the beach with my granddaughter, she figured I needed a picnic quilt. She said on the label that she used up all her batiks. We have a running joke about batik fabrics.

The backing fabric is dark and comes to the front to bind the piece.
Thanks, Joan! It's perfect.

Check back for more of Quilting by Joan!

Shopping at Mahone Bay

I did some shopping at Mahone Bay.

Batik

Batik

Workshop Weekend!

Here's a quick look at my progress at the textile landscape workshop that the Eastern Edge Quilt Guild held this weekend. It was a welcome diversion from the flurry of getting ready for the Christmas Craft Fair and the actual fair last week. Thanks to local textile artist, Karen Martin, for a great workshop!

The sky in this background is my own dyed fabric. I used batiks for the hills and water. However, the building fabric is cotton which can be used on both sides. The right side is dark, while the back is slightly lighter. This kind of fabric is good for shading. At the moment, this piece won't be completed due to Christmas projects! I will post more on my progress next year (which isn't far off!!).

Strips for clapboard

The two strips on the left are the 'right' side while the three on the right are the 'wrong' side

One side of the shed. The darker strips are used here.