Posts

New Job: Time to brush up on my time management skills

Image
I haven't been able to post very much these days because I have a great new part-time job. Besides loving to quilt, I'm also a floral arranger. I love my job, but I'm now juggling my time between job, blogging, sewing, and housework. It's totally doable (I have no kiddies running around), but I really have to plan my time better for my sewing. I have a Halloween table runner on the design wall and on deck is a beautiful Christmas table topper. Here are some of my floral design creations. It's been a long time since I did any floral work, but I'm starting to get the hang of it again, and I'm learning from some very talented designers at work.

I'm now a Connecting Threads Designer

Image
I was so pleased to have my patterns accepted by Connecting Threads last week. I posted four of my best-selling patterns there and will be posting more very soon. Click the link below to check them out.

10 Great Canadian Online Fabric Stores

Image
Hello Canadian quilting friends! When I first started ordering fabric online, I initially went to the US online stores because of the lower prices. However, I quickly learned that I wasn't getting much of a bargain. It didn't take me long to realize I was better off shopping at Canadian online fabric stores. In some cases, the fabric prices may be slightly higher, but the price you pay online in Canadian is the price you pay without the duties, exchange rates, and high shipping costs to worry about. Shopping USA: Let's do the math . . .  Shipping costs from the US can sometimes be outrageous. Also, you have to take into account the current Canadian/US dollar exchange rate and cross border  duty charges .  As of this post, the  exchange rate  on the Canadian dollar is around 1.30. That's right, right now our dollar is only worth around 0.70 cents compared to the US $1.00. This means when you shop US stores online, you're paying 0.30 cents more on the dol...

Christmas Cactus Table Toppers.

Image
This pattern was inspired by the Christmas Cactus which got its name because it starts blooming during the early winter, just in time for Christmas.  The blocks are simple foundation piecing. The pattern includes yardage and assembly instructions for both Versions 1 and 2. Finished measurements for both versions: 26" x 26" (65cm x 65cm).  Version 1 Version 2

Postage stamp doll quilt

Image
I love postage stamp quilts; they're great stash busters. I made this doll quilt for my grandniece, Abby, who just had a new baby brother. I made her mom my Precious Bundle pinwheel quilt for the new arrival, and my sister and I thought it would be nice to make a quilt for Abby's baby doll as well. To make this quilt, I used a great piecing technique I found at  So Resourceful  This technique makes piecing all those little squares a breeze. See the tutorial  HERE

4 Summer Mug Rug Patterns

Image
My new mug rug book has four great patterns inspired by lazy summer days. These cheerful mug rugs would be great by the pool, at the cottage or as hostess gifts at your next BBQ. The book includes complete patterns for every skill level. UPDATE: This mug rug book is no longer available for sale. However, the Purple Coneflower, Ice Cream Swirl and Wonky Beach House mug rug patterns are still available for purchase individually at my Etsy Store

Precut fabric guide: Free poster download

Image
When quilters talk about jelly rolls and layer cakes we're not always talking about the scrumptious desserts. We could also be talking about our fabrics. The other day, I mentioned to my sister (who isn't a quilter) that I ordered some jelly roll fabrics. As soon as I said it, I got that deer-in-the-headlights gaze from my dear old sis that said, "What the heck is jelly roll fabric"?  Quilting has its own jargon just like any other craft. Precut fabrics are a quilter's dream. All the colours and patterns are perfectly coordinated, you get to try out beautiful samples of any designer you like, and the choices are endless. There are even quilt pattern books written specifically for precuts. I created this pre-cut fabric reference tool that you can download for FREE. Put it up in your studio as a guide to what type of pre-cuts are out there. FREE Download  HERE