Trend Tex Challenge at Quilt Canada

Hi!

I got inspired to try a challenge last fall.  Each year Quilt Canada has a few challenges and this one is sponsored by Trend Tex.  We purchased a registration kit which included 5 fat quarters.  We needed to use all five of these on the surface of our project that would be no bigger than 72" in diameter.  The theme was #Trending.  I do not do Twitter, so this in itself was a learning curve!

I came up with the idea that mermaids were popular, therefore trending?  The one fabric spoke scales to me so I went from there.  I used the fancy stitches on my sewing machine for the first time, and also used the fabric paint again to highlight the scales.

I'm a confessed Disney nut, so when I saw these buttons, I just KNEW it had to be a twitter feed from Ursula (The Little Mermaid witch)

Hand stitching the letters, and free motion quilting trying to mimic fish and bubbles.  I went to visit my work at Quilt Canada in June, but this competition required you to donate the piece for a silent auction at the show.  I couldn't justify the costs of trying to place a winning bid to receive this piece back though, so I hope whomever now owns it, likes it!

Hugs!
Cindy

3rd Story at Quilt Canada

Hi!

In June I was lucky to be able to attend the Quilt Canada Quilt Show in Ottawa.  It's an easy drive from here and my cousin was also interested in going with me.  We decided to take a class with fellow Canadian Andrea Tsang Jackson.  She was showing us the basics of Foundation Paper Piecing.  We were able to complete the 16x 16" top in the full day class.  And was it FUN!   Andrea is a very patient teacher and was willing to jump in and help us when we got turned around.  "Ok, no problem!  We'll just do this!"  Her company is https://3rdstoryworkshop.com/ and we used her Sleepy Fox pattern.  SO CUTE!!!! She also taught us a woodgrain free motion quilting technique and made it look so easy, I actually tried it!  Works great!

I've decided to take a picture with the teachers I am lucky enough to meet.  So here we are!

Thank you Andrea for a great day, and I apologise for the late thank you!

Hugs!
Cindy

More Banners

Hello!

Here are some more smaller projects I completed to date.

This Easter panel was my first 'original' design.  I simply copied one of the bunnies on the fabric and the mirrored it smaller to make the second bunny.
This summer, the US guild had a juried quilt show and I wanted some feedback on my work, so I wanted to include this one.  But it wasn't quite right....

So I took my fabric paints and painted over this finished and quilted piece!  I took a chance, but I'm happier with the results. The judges deemed it a 'good' work, liking my applique.

I also finished a quick Halloween panel from my UFO pile.

Thanks!
Cindy

Mother's Day Challenge

Hi!

This year I've mostly focused on wall quilts, or banners.  I can quilt these myself easily and they get completed quicker too.

I also belong to a quilt guild across the border in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, USA.  Living in a border city does have some perks!  These ladies are fun and inspirational and I get different ideas for my work through them.  This guild is called Keeping the Piece Quilt Guild.  They had a mother's day challenge where we needed to use a particular fabric and have the word 'mother' (or similar) on a wall quilt.  The Mother's Day challenge.

So with this fabric fat quarter (purchased by the guild):

I created this piece highlighting all the women who support, love and inspire me.
I called it 'My Sheroes'
The lighting was not the best...

I am not one to play with florals usually, so this was a challenge for me.
I am French Canadian so some of the words are the French term, as I call my grandmothers 'Memere' for example.
I think it turned out ok :)

Hugs!
Cindy

New (Old) Machine

Hello!

This past year has been a bit nutty.
I volunteered to co-chair a local quilt show for our Quilting Guild, Stitches From the Heart, I volunteered to redo and maintain the guild's website:  www.saultquilts.com and have been managing the library and taking pictures at the meetings when needed.

Oh yes!  We also just celebrated our 25th Anniversary with a big trip to the southern Caribbean and Florida.

So I will try yet again to pre-plan some posts and keep on top of it...

Today I want to introduce you to my newest (senior) machine.

I wanted a smaller, lighter machine for taking classes and easy to maintain.  Luckily one of our guild members had a few extra and was willing to sell me one.  This Singer 221 machine is as cute as a button and runs so beautifully!  It only does a straight stitch forward and back, but for most classes, this is all you need!  From the Serial number, I believe her birthday is in 1938.

Unless one dies, this will be my limit.  Well…. MAYBE an embroidery machine one day....

LOL!
Cindy

More Scraps!

Hello!

Last post (quite a while ago) I was commenting on the piles of scraps I seem to have accumulated...

I actually actively keep an eye out for some fabric scraps...
You see I took a class last year on English Paper Piecing.  Darn you Lily!  I am HOOKED.
In the evenings I calmly wrap pieces of cardstock with fabric scraps and hand sew them in place.
Once I have enough, I connect them into flowers.
Once I have enough flowers, I started creating a quilt top with them.
I do this while watching TV with my hubby, or when I go visit my aunt in Quebec, or if I know I'm gonna be waiting a bit for an appointment.  Not the last step though!  Just the individual pieces and flowers.

Here are some pics of this process...

I'll let you know when I've got a top ready to border...

Cindy

Scraps!

Hi!

Paper scraps from scrapbooking.
Ribbon scraps from card making.
Yarn scraps from crochet.
Fabric scraps from quilting!
I'm getting buried here!

I do hate to throw out something in case it can be reused though.  My husband constantly asks if he can throw away any paper or cardboard, just in case I had designs on it for my crafts.

I've been spending time with a new friend that is getting buried in her fabric scraps, and it's put the urge to do something with my various scraps.  My energy is diminishing and I no longer wish to deal with it all.  SO, it's dog bed stuffing for the fabric pieces, garage sale for supplies I no longer use and sharing with other scrapbook friends for other odds and ends!

I am helping co-ordinate our quilt guild's Quilt Show this coming July and volunteered to make up some give-away items.  Amazing what scraps can do!

Pin cushions today...

Hope you're able to do something with your scraps!!!

Hugs,

Cindy