First Giveaway

I've been busy over the past few days, trying to clean up and organize my sewing room. I'm beginning to realize that I just don't have the space to store all the patterns and magazines that I've collected over the years. So, if any of my blog readers are interested, I'm going to have my first giveaway. Just leave a comment on this post, suggesting a name for the pixie quilt in the previous post, between now and next Saturday, July 5, and I'll have my assistant (DH) draw the lucky winner. Here's what's up for grabs this week.
A set of 9 patterns from the Old World Santa Mystery Quilt designed by Curtis Boehringer.


These were the first nine patterns in the series of twelve, and the shop that was offering it as a Block of the Month ended it early because of a delay in the release of the remaining three patterns. Here is a photo of the quilt I made using these patterns. Because the series wasn't finished I didn't know how it was meant to be assembled so I added a few of my own touches

and created this quilt. I think some people made wall hangings from their blocks.

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Chat with you later.

I managed to get a few hours in my sewing room today, and finally finished the border on a new design, yet to be named. For now I'm just calling it my pixie quilt. I'm thinking it needs a few more butterflies scattered around, but I might just wait until I see what magic Vikki creates when she quilts it.

I used Ultra Suede for the Pixies and the bunnies, which is so easy to applique, and feels nice to the touch. I've heard about a similar product called SenSuede which I would have liked to try but I couldn't find a supplier. Does anyone know where it can be purchased?

Now that this is finally finished, I'm going to give my sewing room (it looks like a bomb went off!) a good clean out. Not just a "lick and a promise" this time, I'm going to empty cupboards, and sort through all the rubbermaid containers under my tables. So keep an eye on my blog over the next few weeks, and if there's any interest, I'm going to have a draw of some kind to see if I can find a new home for some of my treasures.

Bye for now.

We're Empty Nesters Again

The Robin's have all left the nest. It started early this morning, when the first flew off. Not long after, the 2nd was flapping it's wings and it was off. I didn't really think the baby would attempt it today, after all it was a good 24 hours younger than the other two. But, it had other ideas, and has left the nest. I don't think it is as strong as the other two, cause it hasn't flown very far, just to the lilac nearby, and momma robin has been feeding it there.


Here are the last of the photos. I'm going to miss them. Hopefully, they will come back again next year.

I guess I'll have to get up there now and clean the window. No more excuses!

Talk to you later.

June 19/08

DS had a good birthday. Everyone, except Mom and I, went out for chicken wings and then came back for cake and presents. I think my SIL was disappointed I didn't send some of the cake home with them, but there wasn't too much left after a few people had seconds. I guess he'll just have to wait for his birthday in November.

I've been busy working on another design, getting it ready for publication. This one is called "Starlight Wishes" and was beautifully quilted by Vikki Favreau of Kenora, Ontario.


The robins are thriving, so much so, I wouldn't be surprised to see them fly off in the next few days. The nest is getting pretty crowded, especially when they are flapping their wings.
Here's a few more photos.

Talk to you later.

Quilt News Blog

I'm really excited about the post Marguerita McManus made on her Quilt News blog, about my designs. Marguerita is a quilter, author, who very generously helps to promote quilting by featuring, new designers, new patterns and quilt news on her blog. You can find it here :http://quiltnews.blogspot.com/ Check it out and find out what's new in the quilting world. Her personal blog site is here:http://crazyshortcutquilts.blogspot.com/


Tomorrow is DS birthday. It's hard to believe my baby boy is going to be 27! I'll have to get up early and get his birthday cake made, and do some housework before people arrive tomorrow night! Housework is my least favorite thing. My family tell me I get in a "foul" mood whenever I'm cleaning. Their solution is to just stay out of my way!

The robins are growing every day. Here's a couple new photos.

Bye for now.

Robin Family Update

I can't believe how much the robin babies have grown. Here are a few more photos.

This was taken on June 12:

These were taken today.

The nest is getting too small, their little heads are poking out from under poppa robin. I guess it won't be long before they're ready to fly off.

Bye for now.

June 12, 2008

I finally finished sewing the binding on this new design. I haven't decided on a name for it yet, so for now I'll just call it The Carousel Unicorn. What do you think?

It was beautifully machine quilted by Lisa Seinen of Caledon East, Ontario.

I'm back working on my new pixie design. For some reason, this one is really giving me a headache! I'm now working on the third surround for the centre oval. I really hope this one works!

Bye for now.

Robin Update

I'm dogsitting for the next few days, my granddog, a 2 year old chocolate lab named Daisy.
DD and her husband are away at a friend's cottage for a few days. I'm not sure how much work I will be able to get done in my sewing room, but if I can get the binding sewn on a recent project I'll have a quilting photo to show you next time.

This is just a quick update. The babies are really growing. Here are a couple new photos of the robins. Sorry about the quality but I can't get too close to the window because momma robin startles easily.

Talk to you later.

It's Triplets!

I know this hasn't anything to do with quilting, but this is so exciting.
The third robin's egg has just hatched. This has been really fascinating to watch. Here's a few more photos.

Momma Robin was watching me from the tree while I was taking these photos.

Bye for now.

We Have Babies!

Just a quick note today. I just checked the nest and there is one baby robin and another one is working it's way out of its shell. Here are the photos.



They're not much to look at, are they? All the same, I think it's wonderful.
Bye for now. Have a great weekend.

Robin Family Update

It's a very hot and humid day here today. The poor robins must be feeling it. I took this photo of, what I think is, papa robin and he looks like he's panting!

I'm afraid the window is still pretty dirty, but I really can't get up there to clean it until the robins and babies are gone. At least that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!

A friend came to visit the other day and she brought me a surprise. She knew I had always wanted a Singer Featherweight sewing machine.
I haven't had a chance to play with it yet, but maybe on the weekend. This brings my total number of sewing machines to 5. What can I say, it's a sickness!

It's DH birthday today. Because it's so hot we're just going to send out for Chinese food, and DD and husband will come over and celebrate with us. His favorite cake is a storebought one, so I don't even have to bake, much to my daughter's dismay. She and her husband both love my cakes.

I hope you all have a great weekend.

Talk to you later.

June 3, 2008 - A Woodland Christmas Series

It's been a rainy, grey day today, so I spent the day in my work room trying to get my Woodland Christmas patterns ready for publishing. I'm hoping to have them ready to go by the end of the month. Here are the photos of the first four patterns in the series.

"Has Anyone Seen Rudolph?", was quilted by Lisa Seinen, and the other 3 were beautifully quilted by Vikki Favreau of Kenora, Ontario. I especially like the quilting she did on the border of "The Gathering"(top right).
After the release of the first four, I'm hoping to release a new pattern in the series every six months. I'm not sure yet how many will be in the series, but for now I have eight patterns drawn.
The next thing on my "to do" list, is a web site. I've been told by many people that I need a web presence. A quilt shop out west contacted me last month and told me that it took them almost 3 years after seeing an "All About Bears" quilt at a show in Calgary, to locate me.

Bye for now.

June 1, 2008

It's been a very upsetting week.

In April, my next door neighbour's husband passed away, which was very sad, but a blessing in a way, as he had ALS. But Joyce called me Wednesday morning to tell me her son had died on Tuesday night! I was shocked and speechless. I knew he hadn't been feeling too well since January, and after his father died he went to the doctor's to have it investigated. He was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus two weeks ago and they were just exploring treatment options when he died. I feel so badly for Joyce and feel so helpless. He was her only child. I just wish there was more I could do for her, but she has promised to call if she needs anything. DH will look after cutting the grass for her, but she is such a private person we don't want to force ourselves on her.

On a more positive note, here are a few more photos of the robin's nest. The mommy Robin laid her 3rd egg on May 27th, and there hasn't been any since, so I guess that's it.

You'll have to excuse how dirty the window is, but I can't get up there to clean it while the nest is there.

I'm hoping to get back to some quilting next week, so hopefully I'll have some "quilty" photos to show you. Bye for now.