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

Sweet and Cute Finish

I have been sewing all week - well, when I haven't been at work . . .

but only have a couple of finishes to show for it.  

 

Love these 3 pillow cases.

Oh and I also redesigned the header for my blog . . . takes time to do things like that.

I have also been working all week on my hidden stars and have gotten quite a bit accomplished.

Seven rows done and five more to go.

It's coming along nicely, wouldn't you say?

I'm linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish Up Friday.

Shauna

A Budding Artist

I had the privilege of going to an art show held by my niece, Amber.

She is not afraid of colour or texture.  

She called her show 'Pop' which is a very appropriate description of her work.

I love that art makes her happy and is who she is.  

Like all of us who like to create, it becomes an expression of who we are.

Amber laid out her pieces that she displayed to explain her artistic journey.  She started off doing acrylics on canvas. . . . 

. . . but very quickly has moved to other mediums.

Each one of her pieces has been named . . . for instance, the piece on the right is called 'Surprise'.  Amber was thinking one day about Dr. Seuss and wondered what he would name it and the thought came immediately to her. 

Every piece in her art collection is unique, colourful and makes you happy to look at and enjoy.

Just look at the beads in this piece.  Each one is hand sewn on!!

It took her over three years to create.

This one was her latest finish.  It is made with Venetian plaster.  Amber says that she really enjoys working with the plaster.  It has a wonderful feel and can be sculpted and painted so many different ways.

My picture does not do it justice as the lighting wasn't the best.

It is a beautiful work of art.  I think this one was called, "It Takes Two".

"Pop"

 This was a crowd favorite . . .

 

Amber won a ribbon at the Calgary Stampede for her bottom plate.

 

I love all of her work but my favorite is the red sun!

 

Again, my pictures don't necessarily do her work justice.  

The pieces are very tactile in nature.

Most of Amber's pieces are for sale.

Amber will go places with her art . . . they are fun and brought a 'Pop' of colour to my world.

I enjoyed sharing Amber's journey with you, I hope you have enjoyed reading about her work.

Have a wonderful day,

Shauna

Motivated

Here is a book that I have been working out of by Pam and Nicky Lintott.

There are quite a few patterns in this book that I like but for now, I'm working on 'Hidden Stars' that I started a very long time ago.  

I seem to like starting projects . . . . I did say that this is the year to finish some of these 'projects' up.  Well, I was motivated to get at it today.

It's all cut up and ready to go, I just have to sew the rows together.  

It takes a fair amount of time to lay all of the rows out so that it looks good.

I got two rows put together and am happy with my progress so far.

I am making it bigger than it is in the book . . . why do I always do that??  

Go big or go home, I guess!!  lol

I first blogged about this here and here if you are interested in reading more about this.

Jennifer over at Glinda Quilts is also working on a different pattern from the same book.  Check out her blog and what she has accomplished so far on her quilt.  It's looking really good!

Do you like to munch while you are quilting too?  

I do and I'm sad to say that I just finished off my last bag of Galaxy Minstrels that I 

picked up at the airport in London before I came home.  

 I did pretty good to make them last for 4 months!! lol

I can buy them here in Canada at the British store but they are an outrageous price . . . I guess, I'll have to wait until I can get my daughter to bring me some when she comes home for a visit.  

Hope the sun is shining where you are today!

Shauna