Quilting Finds in Victoria

Back from my jaunt to Victoria . . . what a breath of fresh air!

Got to a couple of my favorite haunts while I was in town.

One being Russell Books on Fort Street.

They always have a wonderful selection of new and used books.

Found a couple of used quilting books that are in perfect condition.

I have been enjoying looking through them and getting some ideas.

I also found the Satin Moon Quilt Shop also on Fort Street.

I found the store a little smaller than their previous location but none the less, found a few gems in there.  Didn't buy any fabric this time though - just a couple of patterns.

They are friendly and have a nice selection of Asian prints as wells as children's fabrics.

All in all a nice way to spend some time.

 

 

Everything was so green and lush in Victoria . . .

Flowers are already in bloom

Leaves are on the trees

People are enjoying the sunshine

 

And only a few drops of rain on my last day.

I had the privilege of enjoying a great cup of Java at my son's cafe called Heist.

It's a beautiful cafe on Courtney Street in downtown Victoria.

They do Americanos, Cappuccinos, iced coffees and various other kinds of coffee.

My son is very passionate about coffee and it was nice to see him in his element.

Graham treated me royally while I was visiting him.

One of these days, spring will come to us in Alberta. . .

 

. . .until then, I'll be thinking of my trip to Victoria.

 

Have a great day everyone!

 

Shauna

Quilting Retreat

Wow!  

What a weekend!

There is so much to blog about this past weekend.

I had a fantastic time at the quilting retreat that I went to with a really good friend of mine, Wendy.

I drove down to her place and we loaded up her vehicle with all of our quilting tools, fabric, machine and of course the most important thing . . . . snacks.

Wendy made ham and egg cups for breakfast on Friday morning with a fruit tray and english muffins... mmmm... good!

Wendy reads my blog so I couldn't show you my bag that I made for her birthday. 

We hadn't seen each other since her birthday in February.

We stayed at a lovely lodge called Mountain View Inn.  

The name is very appropriate!

Just look at the beautiful views!!

As a group we made Neonatal quilts for one of the hospitals in Calgary. 

It was so interesting to see all of the variety that was made.

Wendy taught us a new block (buggy barn star) so we used that to make our 'little' quilts 

that are only 17 x 25 inches big.

Using the block, it makes two and then we added borders to make it the right size.

When I was putting this post together, I realized that I didn't have a picture of the finished with the borders.  Our small quilting group created 25 of these quilts.

This group of ladies have been meeting for a few years now and they have been doing a block of the month.  Again, it was very interesting to see the variety of colours.

I'm excited to join in if they do more blocks.

Aren't they all so beautiful?!

I also worked on a quilt and am happy to report that I finished the top.

It's very soft and has the most beautiful pinks and light aqua colours.

 It's so wonderful to look up and see all the wonderful quilts on display.

All of the ladies there are very talented and I felt honoured to be a part of the group.

 The lodge lends itself well to displaying all of the quilts.

Just look at the variety and colours.  

Can you see mine?? (top left picture - right hand corner)

We did a fat quarter exchange - well it was in the form of a game and one could steal . . . 

but was lots of fun. 

As with any quilting retreat, you sometimes get to sneak away and go to a quilt shop or two.  We went to the one in Cardston and I ran into two good quilting friends of mine (Marge and Dorothy) . . . unbelievable!  So good to see them . . . they are creating some really beautiful and fun projects.

Being down in Cardston area, you are close to the mountains and with mountains in spring time, you sometimes get snow.  Well this weekend was no exception . . . we got 11 inches of snow.

Looking forward to my week, hope you are too!

Shauna

Too Cute Not to Post . . . .

Aren't these just the cutest slippers?

Perfect to take to a quilting retreat, don't you think?

Here is another work in progress . . . hoping to get some of it accomplished this afternoon.  I have been working on this for far too long . . . I think because I have struggled with the colours or something.  It is slowly coming together and I think in the end it will be cute.

And lastly I will leave you with a view from my back porch . . .

There are no words needed other than to say that we are now officially just shy of a month into Spring!

Shauna

All Over the Place

I commented to a friend this week that I must have ADD when it comes to quilting . . .

I'm all over the place and this week I don't have much to show for my efforts or lack thereof.

I got myself a library card . . . great deal!! as I can't afford to indulge in any new quilting magazines and books right now so have found a treasure trove at the library.   

It's fun too 'cause one can browse through the books and then when you want to purchase, you've made an informed decision. 

I have two finishes this week,  one I can't show as it is for a friend and the other finish that I do have, has nothing to do with quilting . . .

I am slowly getting some of pictures framed from my Europe trip 

and this lovely picture has made the cut.

I love the frame that I found for this picture.  To me it is very french and suits the picture well.  I loved being in Europe and among all of the wonderful history that is there.  Being in London, then Paris and Bologna, I was really captivated with French architecture and Versailles very interesting and opulent.  Where I live in western Canada, it's too new to have that kind of history - interesting for sure, but very different.

On to fabric . . . 

I have a quilting retreat coming up shortly so have been going through my stash to see what I should work on.  I have someone close to me who is going through cancer right now and is doing treatments so want to make a lap quilt for her.

Here is what I have pulled from my stash.

Aren't these just the most beautiful colours.  I'm really excited to get started on this quilt and will try to get a good portion of it cut out before the retreat so that I can sew, sew, sew!

I even have backing fabric in my stash so it should come together quickly.  I find it interesting that we have what we need when we need it and this is proving to be the case in this situation.

 . . . and people laugh at me for buying fabric and stashing it!!! Can you believe that?!

 

Speaking of sewing, I purchased a smaller Janome to take to retreats with me.  

The one that I have at home and love is soooo heavy to cart around so I am looking forward to putting less strain on my arm and shoulder.

Also at the retreat we are going to be making Neonatal quilts for the hospital and I was very pleased at the material that I found.  I'm looking forward to working on this too.  

As I post this, I am listening to a French station from Paris . . . I find it rather soothing while I do other things, like post, cut fabric or sew.  

I guess I am hoping that I'll pick up French by osmosis.  

Don't think it's going to happen though!  :)

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and that the sun shines where you are 

 - if not outside, at least in your heart!

I'm linking up with AmandaJean as I technically have a quilting finish (even though I can't show right now) and a picture framed.

Shauna

Having Fun . . .

 . . . with paper piecing

Been wanting to try it for a while and this week was the week.

Have had my eye on this tutorial and pattern from Fresh Lemon Quilts

It was very clear and best of all I was able to do it!!

Love, love, love the colors!

Bought this material a while ago while I was in Victoria, BC at Satin Moon quilt shop.

I can only find writing on one of the fabrics which is called 'Feel the Difference' by Art Gallery Fabrics.  I bought them in a FQ bundle so would imagine they are all from the same designer.

I wasn't sure that I wanted to make a whole quilt but merely wanted to try my hand at this so I decided to make it into a 16"x 16" pillow. 

Another feat for me - I made an envelope back for it.  

I know, it's not all that difficult but another first.

I used this tutorial online from Cluck Cluck Sew to put the pillow together.

I often wonder what people used to do when they didn't have the internet - it sure is handy.

A peek at the back.

Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts.

Enjoy your weekend!!

Shauna

Hidden Stars Quilt

I finished the top for the Hidden Stars quilt . . .

at least I think I have.

I am considering putting a white border on it and scalloping the edges.

I think it would work on this quilt but still not sure.

I'm loving the softness of this quilt . . . kind of has that scandinavian, clean and fresh look.

Just perfect for spring / summer!

It has a nice range of blues with a lovely sprinkle of yellow and a dash of green.

 

Couldn't resist a picture with one of my favourite pictures that I have hanging.

It's been a wonderful weekend sewing, visiting friends, spending time with family listening to music and best of all celebrating the resurrection of my Lord.

Hope you all have enjoyed your weekend also!

Shauna