How cool is this! I just read the comment from "Anonymous" in Scotland, saying that Log Canada is featured on The Quilt Show Blog, with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims.
Thanks for the heads-up, it was so kind of you to post the comment. I wouldn't have known.
Thursday, 30 April 2009
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Maritime Beauty Workshop
Here are a few pictures taken on Saturday at the workshop in Keswick Ridge. This very friendly bunch of quilters are hard at work on their centerpieces (or is that masterpieces?):
Here's Clara, Organizer-Extraordinaire:
The Maritime Beauty blocks that I took along to show are now sewn together, basted, and the quilting has begun. The colours in this were reminiscent of sunshine, so I quilted free-motion wavy lines to look like rays.
There's a bit more quilting left to do on the bow-tie shaped pieces, then on to the bias binding.
The Keswick Ridge Guild have promised to send along finished pictures of their Beauties, and it will be interesting to see these. The fabric choices on Saturday were gorgeous, including many batiks and hand dyes.
Here's Clara, Organizer-Extraordinaire:
The Maritime Beauty blocks that I took along to show are now sewn together, basted, and the quilting has begun. The colours in this were reminiscent of sunshine, so I quilted free-motion wavy lines to look like rays.
There's a bit more quilting left to do on the bow-tie shaped pieces, then on to the bias binding.
The Keswick Ridge Guild have promised to send along finished pictures of their Beauties, and it will be interesting to see these. The fabric choices on Saturday were gorgeous, including many batiks and hand dyes. Thursday, 23 April 2009
Maritime Beauty Workshop, NB Version
Today I am sorting through quilts to choose which ones to take to Keswick Ridge on Saturday. In addition to piecing a tabletopper with curved seams, we will also be binding curved outer edges. Many of my quilts feature scalloped borders so there are lots to choose from. If the quilts were not so heavy, I would love to take them all - does anyone ever tire of looking at quilts? I sure don't.If you would like information on the workshop being held in Keswick Ridge (outside of Fredericton, N.B.), just send an email and I'll get back to you.
Monday, 20 April 2009
O Canada, Rosemont
Much like Blanche DuBois in "A Streetcar Named Desire", I found myself dependant on the kindness of strangers for word from the Quilt Festival in Rosemont, Illinois this weekend. Regina from Wisconson (and a member of my Cyberquilter's list) came through in a big way and sent along some beautiful pictures for me to share. Here's the entrance to the "O Canada" exhibit:
And look...you can see my Log Canada just peeking around the corner!
In all there were 44 quilts chosen from across Canada to be part of this special exhibit. Regina was even kind enough to pick up a brochure from the show which she is mailing to me.
These shots made me feel like I was at the show.
Wonder what's she's thinking...?
Here's Regina, waving :
As Will Rogers said: "A stranger is just a friend I haven't met yet."
And look...you can see my Log Canada just peeking around the corner!
In all there were 44 quilts chosen from across Canada to be part of this special exhibit. Regina was even kind enough to pick up a brochure from the show which she is mailing to me.
These shots made me feel like I was at the show.
Wonder what's she's thinking...?
Here's Regina, waving :
As Will Rogers said: "A stranger is just a friend I haven't met yet."Thanks, Regina, for your thoughtfulness and true kindness in sending these pictures. It really means a lot to see the quilt hanging in the show.
Saturday, 18 April 2009
Something From Nothing
As the grocery stores are phasing out plastic bags, many of us are making reusable totes. Here's a quick one made from scraps.
Every so often I will clean up my pile of scraps by sewing string blocks. If you are unfamiliar with how to make these, you can refer to a previous post here for some pointers. You can make your blocks any size you like, depending on how large you want your finished bag. I used 6" finished blocks (6-1/2" sewn) to produce a bag 18" high and 17" wide.
These blocks were pieced using muslin as a foundation. The muslin stays in place after the blocks are pieced, creating a sturdy block.
18 blocks are used, laid out in 3 rows of 6. Sew the blocks together, pressing the seams to one side. At this point, use your patchwork as a pattern and cut a piece of plain cotton for the lining this size. 
Fold the patchwork right sides together and sew along the side seam and across the bottom. Meet the bottom seam to each side seam and mark a line 2-1/2" up from the point. Stitch across this line. Turn bag right side out. Fold your lining right sides together and stitch side and bottom seams as for bag, remembering to leave an 8" opening on one side for turning.
Every so often I will clean up my pile of scraps by sewing string blocks. If you are unfamiliar with how to make these, you can refer to a previous post here for some pointers. You can make your blocks any size you like, depending on how large you want your finished bag. I used 6" finished blocks (6-1/2" sewn) to produce a bag 18" high and 17" wide.
These blocks were pieced using muslin as a foundation. The muslin stays in place after the blocks are pieced, creating a sturdy block. 
18 blocks are used, laid out in 3 rows of 6. Sew the blocks together, pressing the seams to one side. At this point, use your patchwork as a pattern and cut a piece of plain cotton for the lining this size. 
Fold the patchwork right sides together and sew along the side seam and across the bottom. Meet the bottom seam to each side seam and mark a line 2-1/2" up from the point. Stitch across this line. Turn bag right side out. Fold your lining right sides together and stitch side and bottom seams as for bag, remembering to leave an 8" opening on one side for turning. Meet the bottom seam to each side seam and mark a line 2-1/2" up from the point. Stitch across this line. Do not turn lining right side out.
Cut two lengths of webbing for handles, each 20" long.
Sew to top of patchwork 4" in from each side seam.
Slip the bag inside the lining, right sides together and pin along top edge.
Turn the bag right side out through the opening in the lining. Press lining to inside and top stitch along upper edge of bag to hold lining in place. Close opening in lining with machine or hand stitches.
Voila, you're finished. Sobeys, here I come!
Sew to top of patchwork 4" in from each side seam.
Slip the bag inside the lining, right sides together and pin along top edge.
Turn the bag right side out through the opening in the lining. Press lining to inside and top stitch along upper edge of bag to hold lining in place. Close opening in lining with machine or hand stitches.
Voila, you're finished. Sobeys, here I come!
Wednesday, 15 April 2009
Calliope
A quick post today... Someone asked for a picture of the quilt which hung at the entrance outside the Maritime Beauty workshop in Amherst last fall. So here's Calliope; any who have attended the class have all the necessary patterns (and know-how!)to make this: 
Hope this helps, Jackie - good luck with your version!
Hope this helps, Jackie - good luck with your version!Saturday, 11 April 2009
Sunday, 5 April 2009
Spring Progression
After a stormy start to our week, the weather has been beautiful and the crocuses are in bloom in the flower beds. Hubby arrived home with some cancer daffodils which are brightening the kitchen with their colour and aroma.
Even though I have been kept very busy this week, there isn't much to show as I am working on assembling workshop kits - 50 altogether. This involves making many metres of bias binding which the students will use for practise in joining ends and binding curved edges. As I finish up a spool of thread, I toss it into a small basket; the pack rat in me cannot seem to part with the spools just in case some fabulous use for them materializes. I fondly remember as a child gluing my Gram's discarded wooden thread spools into wonderful beds for my dolls. These plastic spools don't have the same charm their wooden forerunners did. It's a little scary to think that I have gone through this much thread since the beginning of the year.
Yesterday I worked on a small market basket. This was a prototype but it turned out not so badly and will get put into service accompanying me on my shopping trips. I applaud the efforts of our grocery stores in phasing out plastic bags. A piece of TimTex in the bottom was just enough to help define the basket shape. The fabrics came from Dayle's (of course!): a SSI basket weave, and a piece of red from Stephanie Brandenburg's Hollyhock collection:
Even though I have been kept very busy this week, there isn't much to show as I am working on assembling workshop kits - 50 altogether. This involves making many metres of bias binding which the students will use for practise in joining ends and binding curved edges. As I finish up a spool of thread, I toss it into a small basket; the pack rat in me cannot seem to part with the spools just in case some fabulous use for them materializes. I fondly remember as a child gluing my Gram's discarded wooden thread spools into wonderful beds for my dolls. These plastic spools don't have the same charm their wooden forerunners did. It's a little scary to think that I have gone through this much thread since the beginning of the year.
Yesterday I worked on a small market basket. This was a prototype but it turned out not so badly and will get put into service accompanying me on my shopping trips. I applaud the efforts of our grocery stores in phasing out plastic bags. A piece of TimTex in the bottom was just enough to help define the basket shape. The fabrics came from Dayle's (of course!): a SSI basket weave, and a piece of red from Stephanie Brandenburg's Hollyhock collection:
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