Onward!

One Demo finished and now preparing for the next... I have almost completed the first item - I have taken a pattern from Fig Tree Quilts (you have to come to the Demo to see which one!) and "re-arranged" it a bit - as I always like to do - and am very happy - it's a beautiful pattern;  Joanna at Fig Tree is a popular designer in the quilting world and we sell a lot of her designs.

Today was our Guild meeting and I came home with three library books (and I get to keep them for the whole summer!) and two have set me off on another course - we got some new rulers in the store and I have used two but am itching to get to the third - I will only say it involves triangles... and very colourful fabric!

It's also time to start thinking about Fall classes, if there is any hope of having completed class samples and I have several thoughts racing around the old noggin (don't you just love old words - they are soooo descriptive). I am thinking of a series.... stay tuned!

And - Charm School at the Sewing Basket is coming up on June 7 and should be a hoot. (With a vocabulary like that I may be in need of my own dose of charm!)  We have concocted some amazing ideas for using these addictive pre-cuts and will also be showing what we can do with a "Jelly Roll"! See you soon...

Sharing the Fun

I have been having such fun cruising the web and checking out different quilting websites so I thought I would add the links to my favourites and you-all can see for yourselves some of what is out there (most of them are American so you-all seems fitting!). 

Although I get inspired just from seeing what other designers are up to, it's their enthusiasm that I really enjoy. There is so much talent out there and wonderful websites; Happy Browsing!

Thinking Is Fun!

Well, I did it! - Followed through on my magazine cover quilt idea for the last demo and it went very well; a lot of discussion was generated and everyone seemed quite intrigued with the idea. I ran through the process from first finding the magazine and then how fabric selections were made. We discussed a little about how I would choose a design and then edit the fabrics if required. When designing from scratch you need to keep things fluid and allow the fabrics to speak out - at least once in a while!

I now have the result 3/4 finished and spread out on my sewing room floor. I had seen a design on the internet that I thought would work well, but as I drafted it out changes kept wiggling in so it now "resembles in part" what I first saw! I do wish my math skills were less "creative" and more "mathematical"  though.

I very much want to finish it in time for tomorrow because in this project, perhaps more than in most, the binding is integral to the overall look. And of course, I have several other ideas for tomorrow to bring to fruition...

Funky Flowers

It happened again - I worked at the store yesterday and got inspired by yet another Charm Pack! They are such addictive little things and I have done so many things with them but here I am with what I think is, of course, a really good idea - ha ha, we'll see! The fabric is what I call "Mod Squad" and makes me think of funky flowersfrom the sixties, so I have spent a pleasant hour crawling on the floor of my sewing room trying out different layouts and ideas. The fun is in the planning (I have been known to say that about every step of the process as I get to it!).

I am still on my magazine cover tangent and ideas are flowing; the colour scheme is worked out (still to be matched up to actual fabric though!) and a rudimentary design is coming to mind. I am trying to let the graphic design??? of the magazine cover lead me and it has already taken me to a few interesting places....

Best Intentions

Well, it's a done deed and I think it went rather well. People seemed to be the most intrigued with the folded hexagons (they are kind of like origami - I'll try just about anything with fabric!) so I must remember that for future ideas. But now, I must think of something new. I have spent the last few days tidying my sewing room, hoping I will either unearth something interesting, or find an idea or two. All I have come up with so far is a magazine I bought for the cover. Yes, it is true - I didn't care a fig about what might be inside; it was all about the cover and it's colours. Perhaps that could be a Demo???

It might be a stretch to explain it though, at least without people thinking I might just be in need of psychiatric help!

Inspiration Inspires!

What a day! First the Janome demo at the Sewing Basket, and what a demo it was? Who knew machines could do such a good job replicating the look of hand quilter? I must say I was most impressed and wish I wasn't so attached to my current machine....

I have had such fun getting ready for my own demo and have already amassed a little pile of treasures for tomorrow. Pincushions and sachets are such fun to make and I tried out the new rose maker from Clover. It was more than a tad frustrating on the first attempt but the second went better and I am eager now to give it another go. It seems kind of convoluted when you start but after one, it all makes sense! The sachets were fun too and it didn't take long before I was totally engrossed in them too. I dug into my ribbon treasures and found some leaves I made long ago - why, oh why, don't I do more ribbon work? 

Demo Madness

Two evenings before my next Demo at the Sewing Basket and ideas are running rampant! I'm thinking it should be a "Girly Demo" with all things floral - Grandmother's Flower Garden, dimensional flowers, sachets etc. As usual, my penchant for combining patchwork and stitchery will be a factor so it should be fun. I'll update on that "after-the-fact".

Also, I went on a hunt today for ground walnut shells to stuff pin cushions with,, and after several attempts, managed to procure the last bag at the local pet shop. Apparently it is used in reptile cages, so in deference, I will think about making a lizard for one of the pincushions!