Caravan Tote - All Done

I finished this tote on Sunday.  Good thing as it is a Christmas gift. I'm really pleased with how it turned out.  This is a project that you work at over time as it is a lot of detailed sewing.  It isn't hard, just time consuming.

Inside the zippered pocket is a series of pockets.  With contrasting fabric it really shows off your work.

One Hour Basket - Maybe it is a Two hour Basket

The basket swap at the Calgary Modern Quilt Guild was a tremendous success.  We had over 40 baskets to swap this past Thursday evening.  Fun was had by all.  Here is my basket for the swap all done!  Downtown Abby fabrics with bright orange ric rac.  My good friend almost couldn't contain herself when it was her turn to pick out a basket and this one was still available.  She had been eyeing the basket for over 2 weeks since I had posted it on Instagram.  She was convinced it would be hers for quite some time.

Tonight I tackled another basket with the view to make it as the tutorial had intended.  The only minor deviation from the pattern was to interface the lining as well as put fuseable fleece in the outside panels.  A quick gift - fill it with a new card game, popcorn and some nice napkins for a family game night.  

One Hour Basket - Turned into 3 Hour Basket

Yes, it truly is a One Hour Basket unless, the mind starts to drift to "What would it look like if,...."  So a bit of giant ric rac and Lo and behold you are one hour into a 3 hour basket.  This is work in progress for the Calgary Modern Quilt Guild swap project.

Holly Easter

Tis the season of the sewing machines in overdrive.  As I spent the last two evenings madly working Christmas gifts, my mind kept drifting to the stack of happy "Easter" fabrics to the left of my machine.  What would "Holly Toppers" gone Easter look like?  Well in the wee hours this morning I couldn't resist playing on my iPad to plan out "Holly Easter".  The next project!

Holly Toppers gone neutral

I had a lovely afternoon stitching an alternative color way for a dual purpose - Holly Toppers class sample and part of a Christmas present.  After this color way, I'm going to try Easter themed colours.  

Holly Toppers - my new pattern Done!

Excited to have completed this pattern. Holly Toppers is a scrap friendly table topper that can be made in three sizes.  Six strip sets will make the large table topper (27" x 63") or both the small table topper (27" x 45") and square topper (27").  

Raid your stash to complete these toppers in traditional Christmas colors or change it up for other seasons or decors.  

Thrilled, I have completed my goal to have my second pattern done by year end!  That is a first, a goal for a year completed prior to December 31st.  

Wonderful Invisifil Thread - Great quilting experience

Last night I was furiously quilting my class sample of my new pattern "Holly Toppers".  It is a 27 1/2" square table topper.  I wanted to cross hatch the topper with a relatively neutral thread so that I got the definition from the quilting without overpowering the topper.

Wow what a great result!  I used the resources on the Wonderfil site to select a 80 microtex needle.  

Now just the binding and hand quilting for the centre and I'm done!

A Peek at my new design...

Last week I finished the sample of my newest pattern - Holly Toppers.  Holly Toppers is a scrappy Christmas table topper in three sizes:

• a 27" x 63" table runner 
• a 27" x 45" table runner or
• a 27" square table topper.

I just picked up my runner from my long arm quilter.  I am just thrilled with the custom quilting done by Mary Dylke of No Rules Quilting. 

I will release the pattern the end of October, just in time for making a gift for that someone special.  Make it modern using low volume prints for the background or make it traditional using some of your older stash.  Stay tuned for the details on where you can purchase my pattern at your local quilt shop.

I am excited to be teaching the Holly Toppers square table runner November 21, 2015 at the Threaducation Centre here in Calgary.  www.threaducationcentre.com/#!machine/ctzx

If you need that perfect Christmas gift, don't hesitate to join me for this full day class.  

Making progress with your goals - enjoy the journey!

This past year, I have steadily taken small steps to reaching my goal of self publishing three patterns by year end.  At times the task has been quite daunting and at other times pure joy.

Daunting when I considered all of the things I wanted to get accomplished - envisioning a logo, designing a pattern template, taking better pictures of my quilts, writing the pattern and finally bringing it all together.  It had to be perfect!  And of course I wanted to get it all done in a couple of months.  How unrealistic! And worse yet, the personal deadline choked my creativity and enjoyment.

So, with the benefit of giving myself permission to have a realistic deadline, breaking down the tasks into smaller bites and getting the assistance of a great young graphic artist, I published my first pattern this August.  I has been fun!

I can't help but smile when I see the finished pattern cover.  Now with published pattern in hand, other doors have opened.  I taught a class my new pattern at the Wonderful Threaducation Centre this past weekend.  What fun!  Watching the students work through the pattern was very rewarding.

My creativity is flowing again and I am savouring every moment.  I am truly blessed.