Happy Labor Day

This is the Labor Day Weekend. After just getting back from an extended vacation, we opted to stay close to home this weekend.

This is a federal holiday observed across North America on the first Monday in September. It was created in 1882 to give workers a guaranteed day off. Here in St. John's all stores are closed.

So, if you find yourself having a free day, maybe you can gather your fabric scraps and find something to do at Tipnut. They have more than 50 Fabric Scraps and Remnant Ideas for you to check and All Free Sewing has 28 Scrap Fabric Projects.

Victoria Day

Happy Victoria Day!!

Victoria Day is a Canadian statutory holiday celebrated on the Monday preceding May 25 (that's today!) in every province and territory. It honours Queen Victoria's birthday. So far this weekend, the weather has been so so. Saturday, we had sun and warm temperatures, yesterday it was partly sun / cloudy and cool. Today, it's cool and cloudy with some sprinkles thrown in. However, according to the radio forecast, that's just on the Avalon Peninsula as the rest of the island is having lovely weather.  It has also been known to snow on this weekend too!

This holiday is usually when all the campgrounds and parks are officially opened for the summer and the fishing season opens.

Check HERE and HERE for previous posts on this holiday.

Now, get a cup of something and check out a few links:

• Images of art quilts with fish
• Quilting Fish  More HERE & HERE - Pinterest
• Making a Small Art Quilt - with fish
• Fish Patterns
• Quilts Inspired By Nature & Fly Fishing
• Under the Sea
• By the Sea

Enjoy!


Flow is part of the art collection, Government of Newfoundland Labrador 

11 Days of Pre-Holiday Tutorials

You will just have to check out these tutorials. A new one every day for 11 days!

1. November 9  :Jane LeFazio 
2. November 10 :Lyric Kinard
3. November 11 :Tracie Lyn Huskamp
4. November 12 :Melanie Testa
5. November 13 :Traci Bunkers
6. November 14 :Diana Trout
7. November 15 :Judy Coates Perez
8. November 16 :Kelli Nina Perkins
9. November 17 :Lisa Engelbrecht
10. November 18 :Jill Berry
11. November 19 :Gloria Hansen

Some of the above artists also have other tutorials on their blogs. Check them out!

Happy July 4th

Happy 4th of July to our neighbours to the south! In my case, to family living in the USA. The blog post from last year with patterns is here.

I did manage to find some other patterns for you to check out:
A Real Firecracker
Sunbonnet Sue changed to Sunburst Sue
Firecracker

Almost any quilt pattern can be changed into a celebration quilt for July 4th by using red, white and blue fabrics or designer fabrics with specific motifs for that special holiday. The same can be said for Canada with the red and white. Enjoy!

Happy Victoria Day Canada!

This is the Victoria Day long weekend! It is a public holiday observed across Canada on the Monday before May 25th to celebrate Queen Victoria's birthday on May 24. As Canada is still a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, of which the Queen is head, we have a holiday. In Newfoundland, this weekend starts off the camping / fishing season (if you are brave enough to venture out into the cold weather). Typically, the weather here in the middle of the cold North Atlantic, at this time of year, is not really suitable for camping. But there are lots of brave souls out there (I'm not one of them)!
This photo is one of my decorative book covers.
2010 Victoria Day post.

To celebrate this holiday, here are some quilt related sites to visit:
Ocean quilts to see
Spool of Fish Designs (paper piecing) blog
Red Fish Quilts
Mary Quilts fish pattern  
Fish Bowl
Tessellating Fish
Fish & Quilts
Three Fish
Fantasy Fish Quilts
Fireworks Quilt Pattern   
Fireworks Table Runner 
Marilyn Rose Journal Quilt: Fireworks
Birthday Bling Art Quilt
Tea Cosy with fish
Pisci Fantasticus
The Deep

Happy 4th. of July to Our Southern Neighbours

Happy 4th. of July! My daughter and American husband are living in Chicago. They just started a new business, Forte Framing and Gallery. I've never experienced a 4th of July holiday but I hear there are lots of fireworks and other celebrations. I've found a few free patterns dedicated to the American 4th of July holiday, however, I realize these can't be completed for this year but maybe it will get you thinking for next year! Better still, why not design youe own simple wall hanging or placemats! Use my research as a jumping off place to give you a few ideas but take that next step and put together something original. It's easy to take someone elses pattern but with a bit of thought I'm sure you can do your own thing! 

Table Topper
Flag Block (scroll down)
Three Paper Pieced American Flags
Fireworks Quilt Pattern
Happy Flag Day
Shooting Stars Quilt
Independence Day Quilt
Fourth of July Placemat

Victoria Day

This is the 24th of May holiday weekend in Canada, officially called Victoria Day. This holiday has been observed since before Canada was formed. For the history buffs among us, click on the Victoria Day link for some information about this special day. Here in Newfoundland, it is traditionally the time when the camping parks open up and the more adventurous (who don't mind the weather) head out for their favorite camping ground. Me, I like my creature comforts too much to take to the woods on the 24th. I prefer to stay home and work in my studio.
Here's one of my fish wall hangings that I made for an exhibit a few years ago. The fish are slightly stuffed to give a 3-D effect. It was purchased and is part of a private collection.

 
To celebrate this holiday, here are links to some camping/fishing quilts and stitching:
 Children's Fishing Pond from Husqvarna Viking
Fishing Lure # 8 from Four Twin Sisters
Fighting Fish Applique by Annette Truong.
Fish Block