Sasskatchewan Stitches Conference 2015

Well it has begun .... that busy time over in Munster Sk at the abbey.
sew many stitchers in one place over May 28 to June 7 this year sewers quilters and knittersand do not forget the spinners and hookers..... rug hookers.
Our first night was to listen to a speaker on colors and knitting. The speaker was Brandon Mably from the London Studio where he works with Kaffe Fassett. Very interesting to listen to and afterwards you wished you had signed up for one of his classes as well...... those who did get in where very pleased with all they learned whether it was the knitting class or the quilt class.
 I took a class with a good friend this year, it was called the Brava Bag with Dianne Jannson. I was not sure that I needed another bag and then looked at my purse a while back and thought it is looking ready to retire so why not make one. And sew we did we both got our bags done and are using them already.
What do you think.

2 color choices and 2 very different looks

showing the back pocket

Today , Sunday is our day off. Sew with that we sewed. Susan finished her bag in the morning and I made this little dress.

a little doll dress

In the afternoon we started on some bras ...... that will be our class on Monday..... Bra Design changes.
This year I have only signed up for the 2 classes and I will surly miss the ladies when I go home after class tomorrow. One of my favorite teachers and a friend as well has headed back already. We did get a chance to chat a little but would have loved to have had the chance to catch up a little more. I will have to write or even give her a call and not wait until next year.
Last night the speaker was Liz from Janome , telling us of some the new machines. Tonight it was Dianne Jannson on quilting and Ron Collins on clothing construction and pattern choices.
It is great to get to met the teachers and find out what they are up to and make choices for next year.
Time to turn in as the alarm clock is set sew that we are not late for class.
Stay in stitches and I will tell more later
                Annette

one quilt starts another

I have my signature quilt done all but the label. Not bad for one that was started back in 2005 , that's when the signatures where captured. And with it at that point I thought about using some of the leftover fabrics from that and starting another. Sew I started cutting 5 inch squares and started to build 9 patch blocks and 30 units later I thought I had enough for a D9P  aka  a disappearing 9 patch block. And with a couple borders I have the top done and ready to pin baste as soon as I piece the backing. I will be using this quilt in our family reunion auction. I went with a scrappy look as I find those are the quilts that one tends to want to cuddle with and just plain use them. To have some consistency I used white on black and black on white as the center squares in the 9 patch.

And now a few days later it is pin basted and ready to quilt. it is about 74 x 92 inches almost a full queen size quilt. I love how it is turning out and I am sure it will be cuddled with by someone in my family. I hope they like it as much as I do.

I am all packed , sewing wise and just have to get my over night bag packed and I am off to the Saskatchewan Stitches Conference in Munster SK hosted by Haus of Stitches.
This year I am taking 2 classes one is called the Brava Bag and the other is a Design class for redesigning your bra pattern. Both completely different but should both be a lot of fun. I am taking them with a friend that had moved to Humboldt a few years back sew this will be a bit of a girls weekend :0)

Last weekend a very dear friend gave me this wonderful box of chocolates......

 but these chocolates have a different filling

who would not like to have
a few extra spools of thread
Thanks my dear friend

Well that's all for now I will try to let you know how the weekend is going .....
                  in stitches
                                     Annette

Happy Mother's Day

I just want to wish you all a Happy Mother's Day.
and a thank you to Mdm Samm for sharing this lovely card.
in stitches
Annette

some stitching that is long past due

Would you think a UFO of 10 years is a little past due. Well last week I took out the package tucked away safe and sound that I put together in 2005 after a family reunion. I had the family sign blocks of fabric and bought some fabrics to complete the quilt with and that is were it stayed. Last Monday I took it out and began to sew and design . I only had a simple block in mind and no real idea of how I was going to lay it out. Sew after a few days of sewing I now have it at the machine for quilting. I should have taken a few pictures along the way .... oh well I could not stop once I got going.

As I sewed along I did notice that there are a few of the names of family that are no longer with us, sew it was kind of  nice just to think of them as I sewed the blocks together.

Here it is .... what do you think sew far.....

at my machine

it is finishing 67 inches square

And a few other finishes  a FMQ challenge that I am way behind in

This is the January Challenge

Pillow back

Pillow front with a feathered heart

and another finished quilt

                                            and ready to go off to Victoria Quilts

 That's been that last week or sew  I almost forgot to link up with The Needle and Thread Network
stop by and see what everyone has been up to.

in stitches

Annette

another class wraps up

The ladies in the Pick a Block Place Mat class did a wonderful job. In 2 nights they got the 4 blocks made and one place mat ready to quilt. I did have one student that even had the chance to get 2 of her place mats quilted and ready to finish the binding by hand. It is always fun to see the different color combinations that arrive in class. I would love to show you but I forgot my camera at home :0(
Sew that class is a wrap, two more to go in May.
Have a great day and stay
  in stitches
      Annette

Quilt Truck in town!!!!

For three days only Monday to Wednesday the Rolling Ray of Sunshine Quilt Truck is  in Watrous
Open from 10 am to 6. located at the end of Main Street by the info booth. There is some parking there sew that you are not on the Highway.
Stop in for your sewing notions thread etc and of course fabrics.
Remember for 3 days only and one is half done already
in stitches

this week in stitches

As the week blows past us ( the wind helps here a lot for sure ) I am managing to get a few projects done or at least near done. Last week I finished the attic window and this week I have just the binding left on the quilt I call rock climbing .

before the quilting

 This one is made with a pattern I came up with that I call Candy Bars it will be going off to Victoria's Quilts when done. I did get one more block of my BOM done 7 to go. And I did a little baking too. ( opps I forgot to hit publish sew I am continuing from last week ;0)    )
And after a busy weekend I am hoping to get a start on this years FMQ challenge. Better late than never.It will be fun trying out new ideas and creating pillows at the same time. I will share the links as I get going on it.

at the show
an old favorite

There was a quilt show in Drake this past weekend hosted by Between Friends Quilt Guild. I have never been apart of a guild but may have to stop in on a meeting sometime to see what it is all about.I have been a guest speaker with the quilts / quilt tops from the McCalls Quilt Star Challenge in 2012.
Any way there were a lot of lovely quilts at the show and a lot of friendly faces ..... a few from back home and some from the area I live in now....... good visiting all around. And a wee bit of shopping with 3 vendors 2 inside and a traveling one in a semi .

a new twist on an old favorite
all straight seams ... squares and triangles

I have been working on some class ideas for the fall and winter, I have come up with 12 different ideas and just have to fine tune them and maybe reduce the numbers a little and get that all to the college.

a few posies to brighten our weekend

Well now it is time to see what I can get done this week
Stay
      in stitches
            Annette