Wow! as the last few days of March play out it seems like "Perhaps" .. spring has arrived here in our fair valley! One of the confirming sites for me is the colors of the cars. So many of them seem to be sporting the fine "brown" sport strip down the sides of the doors, and on the backs! The other more joyful sign of spring for me is the arrival of the summer song birds! ... Robins have been spotted as well as Swans, and Grosbeaks. The cheerful call of the Mt. Chickadee is singing brightly on the path to the studio these days.

With the renewal of a new season, I have also received some new fabrics!

Come check out the "Batiks of the Lake Country Line!" Jumping fish, forests, full moon nights, and forest, not to forget the animals of the Woods! Come check them out!

 

 A Quilt using "Lake and Forest Creatures" would dress any camper, or lake cottage this summer!








Also new to the studio is the Timber Lodge Flannel Line.

Both of the wonderful fabric lines is sure to make an excellent Fathers Day Quilt!

Come in ....and check it out!

Old McDonald Had a Farm!

Check out the new arrival fabric! Just in time for those Christmas Children's Quilts you have been thinking of making!!

Well the deadline for submissions for the Quilters Chalenge Has arrived! (note, due to the fact I failed to see  when I set the deadline a year ago that Oct. 6th. 2012 was Thanksgiving Weekend I will be extending the deadline to deliver your wall quilt until Fri. Oct. 12th.!)

I would like to thank everyone who  took a challenge pkg.

I have received one Submission!

Ami Alli from Smithers B.C.  has delivered her Challenge!

Ami tells me this is her first time to participate in a Challenge like this and her first time at designing her own wall quilt!

She took the inspiration from the Theme, "Where the Wilderness Beckons" and Got to it!

Ami had recently participated in a workshop on the Braided Quilt Block Design, and she wanted to incorporate this technique in her wall quilt, she also said that she wanted to try her hand at making the flying geese block using a new to her method! So she Did!

She met all the Challenges Rules,..and created a Awesome Small Wall Hanging!

Ami said she had lots of fun creating her Wall Quilt and she is really excited to see what the other people created with there packages!

Your Challenge Quilt is Awesome Ami! thanks for participating!

Announcing the 1st. Annual "In Stitches" Quilter's Challenge!

Ready to Quilt away the Feb. Blahs?! Well here is a fun challenge to help you stimulate your capabilities!

May I Present the First Annual 

In Stitches Quilt Challenge!

Theme:  Where the Wilderness Beckons!

Rules:

1- Kits are available from "In Stitches" for the cost of $10.00 and consist of 3 fat quarters. They are available

Feb. 7th. at the Studio. 

2- Fabric Use:  All 3 of the fabrics in the kit must be clearly visible on the front of the wall quilt. You may use 5 additional fabrics of your own choosing. Any fabric of your choice may be used on the back.

3-Size: Perimeter of the finished piece must not be larger than 120"- no matter what the shape. There is no minimum size.( ie.. 30"wide. by 30" tall would equal 120" perimeter.)

4-Design: may be original or traditional and any combination of machine and/or hand piecing, applique' or quilting is permitted. Embellishments are at the quilter's choice.

5-Finishing: The wall quilt must be completely finished, including all aspects of quilting, binding, and needlework/embroidery.

6-Hanging Sleeve: at least 2" wide, on the back of the wall quilt.

7- Label: on the back of the wall quilt to include: title; creators name; date completed; and credits. For any techniques that are not your own, please give credit to the source, and obtain written permission if using another person's design. Please remember to respect copyright.

8-Deadlines: Wall quilts are due Oct. 6th. 2012 to be eligible for judging. and must meet all the challenge rules. 

 9-Judging will be made by secret ballet by the viewing public. Judging to commence on or about Oct. 10th. 2012 and ending on Dec. 1st. 2012

1st. place will receive $60.00 gift certificate from In Stitches

2n. place will receive  $30.00 gift certificate from In Stitches

3rd. place will receive $15.00 gift certificate from In Stitches.

Quilters note:

Photos of all wall quilts and the name of their creator will  will be posted on this blog, and in participating in this challenge you give your permission for the quilt you contributed and your name to be posted.

10- All wall quilts become the property of "In Stitches" and will be sold by silent action on or before Dec. 15th. 2012. You may bid on your own quilt if you so choose.  

Silent Auction bid sheets will be available on Dec. 1st. 2012. 

All proceeds from the silent auction will go to a local community group or groups to help a family and/or family's in need. 

The amount collected and where the funds went will be announced on this blog page by Dec. 31st. 2012

So put on your thinking caps!! Sharpen your designers pencils and lets see what we can all have fun creating, and in the process see how we can help in the community once again!

You can come and begin picking up your quilt kits on Tuesday, February 7th.! 

If you need me to mail them to you, please contact me by phone and we will make the arrangements for delivery.

Quilting threw the "Big Chill!"

Wow! what a big weather change! .. Some bad things about it ...some good. The Good Thing is what a perfect time to stay indoors and Quilt!

With that thought in mind ... 2 large boxes of fabric has arrived at the Studio!

For those of you who enjoy the reach traditional fabrics 13 bolts of  "Annebelle" from Timeless Treasures fabric line.  This fabric features a soft Ecru cream on cream , cream with a rich burgandy floral, progressing to a full burgundy or some may call it wine , to a dark green, all colors coded to family the family Check out the side bar to see photo's of this new fabric line!

Also ..Who doesn't love the Cat in The Hat?!  10 bolts of fabric coordinated to work together on this lovely theme quilt will have you giggling right along with the young ones!! Photo's of this new line also on the side bar.

So Hope everyone is managing to stay warm! ... hope to see all of you for tea at the studio!

Christmas is Just around the Corner!!

Well truly the count down to Christmas is well on its way... and I know I am not alone when it comes to 'Burning the Midnight Candle" in order to get all those quilting projects completed in time for Christmas Morning!

And for those of you who have wanted to make that perfect quilt for the Young at Heart ... well I may have the perfect fabric for you!

Arriving today into the studio was  10 bolts of Dr Seuss's .."the Lorax" fabric!  The Panel of Squares and supporting fabrics will surely tickle both the young and old when made into that perfect quilt to put under the tree!

Also want to make a candy quilt for the sweet tooth in the family? Well a bolt of  smarties fabric arrived along with ..chocolate chip cookies... think about whipping up the supper fast 2 hour place mats featuring one of these two fabrics for the "Cookie Monster" or "Sweet Tooth" in the family!

Also for those of you wanting to purchase the "Piping/Binding Tools" arrived today also! Along with several more Quilting Notions that will make your quilting experience more exciting and fun!

So come check and out the new products!!

I am here from 1:00 until 5:00 --- Tuesday to Sat. (That being said I will be closed this Sat. as I will be attending the "Cut Loose Quilters" Christmas Party!  I will be back on schedule next week

Happy Quilting one and all!

UFO Wed winner.

Winners of the UFO Wed. Draw this week are  Karen & Mary!!

Karen was busy working on a lovely bag on Wed.!

Mary brought up a table runner to assemble and worked on a table topper.

 IT was a lovely sunny day and cookies and tea were enjoyed as we worked away on our projects!

 It is always so much more fun to share sewing time with others and seems to help advance the completion of those items.