Celtic Christmas Trees: More Christmas Gifts!

In 2017, I finished my Celtic Christmas tree. This is stitched on linen using white Sashiko thread. The pattern is from Indigo Niche Designs. I find this method of stitching very relaxing as I don't have to count stitches and pay close attention to the pattern.

This year, I stitched two more trees using red linen. One went to Tennessee and the other to Newfoundland. Both trees have seed beads randomly stitched over the tree and are stretched on to canvas panels.

• How to Sashiko Stitch from A Threaded Needle
• Sashiko Stitching for Beginners from KoeKoek
• Patterns and Tutorials from Radiant Home Studio  Free Patterns
  
• Step-by-Step Guide to Sashiko Stitching by Create Whimsy
• Sashiko Stitching by Machine from We All Sew
• Wikipedia   
• Check out my 2011 finish of Sashiko Tablecloth HERE 
  

Enjoy!

Squash Squad Update

I've been making some progress on the 5 1/2 " wool applique, Squash Squad squares, by Sue Spargo. Monday, we start block 8 of 9. My seven blocks are in various stages of finishing. Here's six and seven:

Block 7 - Big Moon Pumpkin

Working on the vine.  Small buttons have to be added.

Block 6 - Knuckle Head Pumpkin

Couching the background woody vines. Small Detached Chains are to be randomly added for the base of the Bittersweet blossom. A small orange seed bead will be added to the base of each detached chain stitch. I also need to add more Raised Cup Stitches to the rest of the triangles.

• Blocks 1 - 4 
• Wool Applique patterns on Pinterest HERE, HERE, and HERE. 
• Using repurposed wool for applique    
• Wool Applique Tutorial    
• Tips and Tricks for Wool Applique
• Wool Applique   

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!!

Book Review: Walk 2.0

Jacquie Gering has another new book, Walk 2.0, More Machine Quilting with Your Walking Foot. It is a follow up to her previous book, Walk, which is already in the Mahone Bay Quilters' Guild library. If you want to quilt your own projects with your walking foot, both these books are good resources. 

Walk 2.0  "focuses on how to adapt designs and techniques to suit the machine and equipment that you have and where you quilt". There are lots of designs to choose. However, having designs is one thing, but knowing which design to use is important too. That's where this book can help. You are guided along the path, going from smaller practise samples to quilting larger pieces.

The table of contents includes:

• Walking Foot Refresh
• 60 degree Designs
• Sashiko-Inspired Designs
• Rotational Designs
• Quilt as Desired
  

So, it's time to get some sample squares ready so that you can follow along with Jacquie on using your walking foot.  

• Tutorials from Jacquie Gering   
• Using a Walking Foot    
• We All Sew (Bernina)
• Walking Foot Quilting on Pinterest HERE     
• Tips for Quilting Curves with your Walking Foot   
• Differences between a walking foot and quilting foot

Enjoy!!

First Circle Stitched - Instastitchwithsue

Here's my first circle stitched from Sue Spargo's instastitchwithsue on Instagram. I'm very satisfied with this one. The cream fly stitch, lime pistil stitch and burgundy colonial knots, are embroidered with Valdani threads. The bullion knots, variegated outer edge and center, are from Sue's collection which were purchased at Sew With Vision, Halifax.

I do have number 2 finished but I am thinking of adding another colour to it as I'm not happy with it. I'll post the before and after photos on my next post.

Stay safe, stay home and wash hands! I keep a fragrance free hand lotion on the bathroom sink to help with skin dryness.

A few links to check:

• Stitch Dictionary from Pintangle
• Mary Corbet's Needle 'n Thread stitch videos
• Tutorials from Shawkl Designs (Stitches for Crazy Quilting)
• Kelly Fletcher Needlework Design 
• Pinterest HERE (stitch tutorial from Kelly Fletcher)  

Enjoy

Cloth Book

Since my last post in May (did I say May?? -  time flies when you are having fun), I have been to St. John's, Newfoundland and back.We had a wonderful visit with friends, checked on my mom, spent some time with relatives along the way, met with two of my stitching groups, dropped off some art at the Craft Council of NL shop and at the Newfoundland Weavery and then drove back across the island to catch the Marine Atlantic Ferry. It's good to be back home in Pine Grove, NS.

I did hand deliver a cloth book, made by my sister, Joan, to our mom. The book has a page for each month with all the birthdays written down. The fabrics selected were interesting. In fact, I recognized a couple she found in my stash. Here's an example:

This is mom's birthday. She will be 98 in November!

April was the only month without a birthday listed. Good job, Joan!!

• Home made cloth activity book HERE  
• Making a fabric book cover  HERE  
• Fabric Books and How to Make Them on Pinterest HERE,    
• Soft Book Tutorial  HERE 

Enjoy!!

From 2008: In All Its Glory

Easter has silently crept upon me! Yesterday, I realized that it's next weekend. Where does the time fly. I wonder how many of you have all your Easter Projects finished and in use? Me, I don't have anything to put out at the moment. With no studio yet and most things still in boxes, I'm managing to keeping up with production orders and not much else. I am chief gopher for studio renovations which is important.

I posted this textile seascape, In All Its Glory, on Instagram and FaceBook today:

Now check out a few links:

• For all the scrappy quilters out there, check out SCRAPtistic on Persimon Dreams
• How to make a Craft Bag 
• Free Easter Patterns at the Quilt Gallery   
• Easter Baskets and Eggs Tutorials 

Enjoy!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day Weekend!!

A wee bit of green that my granddaughter, Gale, picked a couple summers ago here in Nova Scotia.
I hope your St. Patrick's Day weekend celebrations are fantastic!


 
My Brother embroidery machine is still waiting for a new motor. Needless to say, I'm not impressed with the company. This part has been on back order for quite awhile. The Janome embroidery machine is working well but is not as fast as the other one.

A few links to check:

• Lots of bag tutorials at Sew Sweetness  
• Decorative Stitch Easter Egg Ideas 
• 10 Contemporary Embroidery Artists 
• 19 Artists Creatively Pushing the Boundaries of Embroidery 

Enjoy!!      

The inside of my Embroidery Machine!

Where does the time go! March already! The bottom part of my studio (concrete) had the spray foam insulation done yesterday which meant we had to vacate the house for 24 hours. Everything was held up on the insulation. So now the work can continue with drywall, heating, lighting etc! Can't wait.

I have a few photos of my Brother Embroidery machine waiting for a new motor. The motor is a small one considering the size of this beast. Have you ever seen the insides of one? Have a look:

The motor is behind the mother board

The outside parts

Now for a few links to check:

• A free pattern for a cute bag and for a canvas book bag at Sew Can She
• Spin Me a Yarn Basket 
• Car Caddy Tutorial 
• 20 + Free Basket Tutorial 
• In From The Cold place mat / table runner . . .            

Enjoy!!

Blogging - 1589 posts!

I was reading Margaret Blank's blog and she mentioned that she has been blogging for 15 years and posted over 1500 posts. That got me thinking, so I checked my blog profile and so far, my total is 1589 posts. I didn't think I had written that much in ten years (it will be ten next August). Some would say 'long winded'!

I've tried to keep my comments related to my art and the art of others. Most of the time, I've linked to lots of interesting sites where you will find things related to textile / fibre art such as free patterns, tutorials, YouTube videos, other blogs, teachers, classes, quilt shows . . .

Thanks for stopping by and for your comments.
Now it's time to view a few links:

• Magpie Mumblings has lots of interesting links. Her writing usually gives me a chuckle or two.
• Needle and Thread Network  
• Brown Paper Bag (from Magpie Mumblings) 
• Asian Sewing Patterns 
• Fabulous Fat Quarter Sewing Projects 
• Sashiko and Other Stitching (Susan Briscoe's photos from Tokyo 2018 Quilt Festival)
• Free Coaster Tutorials & Patterns for all Occasions   

 Enjoy!


  Here's yesterday's visitor:

Canada 150 - It's In The Bag Tour

I missed the start of the Canada 150 - It's In The Bag Tour but that's not a big deal. Don't forget to check out any tutorials, patterns, etc. that the various links might provide.

Have fun!

Hello June!

After yesterday's warm, sunny day, I figured things were looking up. Not so - it was mostly overcast and 16 C but it felt cooler. Then my brother sent along the temperature showing on his truck gauge. He's out west. Just what I needed (GRIN).

Ok, when the weather doesn't cooperate, sew, quilt, stitch . . .
Here's a few summer sewing projects to check out:

• Pinterest HERE,  HERE, 
• 23 Easy Summer Sewing Projects 
• Summer Sewing Camp 2017
• Summer Sewing for Beginners 
• 101 Summer Tutorials for Summer    

Enjoy!  

So Long May!!!

I have never been soooo glad to see the end of a month as this one. Weather wise - it was terrible! Today was 20C and sunny, so hopefully things are looking up.

These lilies are from my sister's garden in Tennessee. We don't even have the leaves out on the trees yet. Soon . . .

Here's a couple of links to check:

• Learn How to Create a Fabric Divider Basket.
• The Picnic Tote  
• Tote with Pockets 
• Mini Hexagon Pouch Tutorial   

Enjoy!       

Links!

My studio is up to your eyeballs! The downstairs storage for my supplies is partly packed up. Hopefully I'll find everything when it's all unpacked - sometime in the future. Trying to decide if I'll keep something or not is a difficult choice. I don't know about you but the minute I get rid of something is when I suddenly have a use for it - AND it's too late! It's gone!

Here's a few links to consider:

• The Art of Louise Smith (hand embroidery) 
• 25 Quilt As You Go Tutorials 
• 10 Travel Sewing Projects 
• Zipper Pouches 

This Sashiko pattern was just added to my stash and will be an easy summertime project. My friend brought it back from Australia with her. I think the photo of the Christmas Tree does not do justice to the actual colour of the fabric and some colour adjustments were needed.    

Spring in Nova Scotia

It was another beautiful spring day here in Nova Scotia. I spent the morning in Dartmouth, the afternoon in Bridgewater and the evening in Brooklyn (near Windsor). Not looking forward to the cooler temperatures home at the end of the week.

I hope your projects for Mother's Day are well underway.

To my non-facebook friends, here are a few links I found from Facebook Posts:

• 14 Quick-Sew Gifts for any Occasion  
• Sewing Instructions for Quick (and less quick) Fabric Baskets 
• Embroidery Tutorials 
• Bernina Zippered Rulerwork Bags 
• Round Robin Collection - Free Quilt Patterns 

Crossing the McKay Bridge after lunch, I managed to take this photo of a very large container ship heading into Halifax Harbour.

    

Spring Walk

I landed in Halifax yesterday afternoon to dense fog and very heavy rain. Today, however, the temperature hit 19C with clouds and sunshine, so that definitely meant a long walk. Spring has finally come to this part of the country.

The forsythias were in full bloom. Don't you just love the delicate colour of this early blooming tree!

 

Gale took this one. The stream flows by on the back of their house. 

• Images of Quilted Landscapes - lots of eye candy
• Tutorial on making a Landscape Quilt
• Quilt Landscape on Pinterest HERE, 
• Landscape Quilt on You Tube Part 1,  Part 2,  Part 3  Worth a look

Enjoy!

Travelling This Summer?

The weather around here certainly doesn't seem like spring. It was freezing today. However (wishful thinking), it can't stay cold for ever. Soon, school will be out and families will be thinking of road trips. Well, I found this FREE pattern / tutorial for a car organizer. I'm sure you can custom this one to suit your situation.

I also found an easy Zipper Phone Pouch Tutorial. Another great travel companion.

Travel Sewing Projects on Pinterest HERE, 
10 Travel Sewing Projects 
Free Travel Bag Patterns    
Travel Sewing Case Tutorial   
Small Travel Bag perfect to take along a small project to work on

Enjoy!

Working

I have been working on getting my workshop materials ready for next Monday's deadline. The workshop in Espanola, Ontario, isn't until next October, but all the promotional materials have to be done well in advance. I will keep you posted on the festival.

Shimmers are on the embroidery machine. New orders came in today! Busy times . . .
Here are a few links to check:

• Your Whims Wednesday #302  (My Girlish Whims)
• Embroidery Tutorials (I love the french knots)
• Needle & Thread Network 
• Mini Crochet Easter Eggs Basket (borrowed from a friend's blog)
• Free Bunny Applique 
• Mini Tote Bag (Free PDF)         

 Enjoy!

Here's a applique quilted piece that was made in the late 90's. The light background is Sashiko. The thistles are dimensional.

Linking up with The Needle & Thread Network!

Interesting British Site

 Are you familiar with the Sewing Directory?  It is a British site for finding local sewing shops, on-line fabric stores, sewing courses and sewing groups. They have hundreds of Free Sewing Projects, Sewing Techniques, How to Quilt Series (10 part tutorial series), Hand Embroidery Series
(learn hand stitching techniques), Fat Quarter Projects and Bag Making.

The site for finding local sewing shops, online fabric stores, sewing courses and sewing groups.  Please use the search bar above to discover new sewing businesses - See more at: http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/#sthash.CikVN4oC.dpuf

Check out their boards on Pinterest HERE.

Here's the Hand Embroidery 10-part Series.




I think you'll find lots of interesting things on the Sewing Directory. I'm not affiliated with this site. However, I am interested in presenting interesting links on my blog.

Enjoy!!

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!