Breaking news . . . this just in!

A few posts ago I shared that we were going to start a long arm rental program at the studio - well, today we confirmed who our instructor will be . . . . drum roll please . . . . . . . .

Andrea Harris of Urban Quiltworks has partnered with us as the instructor for our pre-rental certification classes.  Andrea is a quilt designer, long arm quilter (APQS Millenium), mother AND  teacher . . . what more could we ask for!  It also really helps that she's a great person too.  We are so excited to have her join with Betty Anne of Betty Anne's Bitchin' Stitchin' and me,  Little House Creations,  as we develop our long arm quilting machine rental program . . . who knows where this will lead!

Check out Andrea's blog and you'll see why she was the perfect choice for us!

Before booking rental time on one of our machines, quilters must take the Long Arm Certification Class - that's where Andrea's expertise comes in.  She'll assist students with their learning needs so they can safely and confidently use our Long Arm Quilting Machines to finish their quilt tops.  Our classes will run every Tuesday, and one Saturday per month to start - but we will open up further class times as the need arises.  Classes are small - very small - in fact, only two students.  Each student will have the opportunity to practice, practice, practice on either the APQS Freedom or APQS Millenium.

Click on the Long Arm Rentals tab above for further information.    All bookings must be made in advance by contacting us at longarmquiltingmachine.rentals@outlook.com.

Moving day!

Thanks to Heather at Okanagan Engraving for the signage!

Well, that was pretty easy!  Yesterday we moved Freeda to her new space in Addies.  We are downstairs where the yarns used to be - and the great thing is that we now have company - Betty Anne's APQS Millenium is ready to go!  The space has more of a workshop feel now - a bit more than what I had before amongst all the fabrics!  We will begin pre-rental classes next week with the addition of another long-arm quilter who we have hired as our teacher (not final yet, but as soon as we are a definite go, I'll share more).

Freeda in her new space - I think we'll be doing a bit more "decorating" . . .

Freeda and Milli - getting acquainted!
 

Freeda's new space

Pantos, rulers, threads . . . and lots of quilts to get done!
 

Freeda and Milli!
 

Before I went off to Newfoundland - which is an amazing part of Canada - I finished off a few more customer quilts. 

These were all pieced by Jacquie - she's really got the passion for quilting!

Thimbleberries Faux Crazy Quilt fabric; Glide Thread; Daisies Galore panto; Hobbs 80/20 batting



Jacquie's Faux Crazy Quilt



hangin' with Freeda

 


Kansas Troubles fabrics; filtec Glide Thread; Taro panto; Hobbs 80/20 batting

hangin' with Freeda

I love this quilt - so pretty!


 Filtec Glide Thread; Antique Lace panto (perfect!); Hobbs 80/20 batting

Antique Lace panto - close up

hangin' with Freeda

 Paper pieced Log Cabin Blocks;
 Filtec Glide Thread; Come Dance With Me panto; Hobbs 80/20 batting

hangin' with Freeda

Cozy Christmas quilt!  I like the way the quilting design looks like ribbon!

Nancy Halverson fabric; Filtec Glide Thread; Flirtatious panto; Hobbs 80/20 batting


Christmas Flannel

hangin' with Freeda

 

This quilt is so cute and colorful! 

Filtec Glide Thread;  Hearts in Bloom panto; Hobbs 80/20 batting

hangin' with Freeda

Welcome Great Pumpkin!

Diane make this cute panel quilt for her grandson just in time for Halloween!  She let me play on it - freehand designs (can you see the bats and pumpkins in there?); Filtec Glide Thread

Great Pumpkin close up

Great Pumpkin close up

I know I said I'd tell you all about getting "Screeched" in Newfoundland, but unfortunately we didn't make it down to the infamous George Street this time . . . guess we have to go back!

Cape Spear - most easterly point in North America . . . next stop - Ireland!
 

Newfoundland - 2013

Newfoundland 2013

 and, of course, I visited a quilt shop while there - this is a view of the classroom at Piece Makers Quilt Shop in Conception Bay South, Newfoundland.




Piece Makers Quilt Shop - CBS

Until next time, Happy Happy Hallowe'en from the Little House!

October - part one!

October in Alberta - the crops are all in, there's fresh snow in the mountains and definitely a bite in the morning air.

I wanted to show you a "first" for me . . . Dorothy made a quilt from 24 cross stitch pictures - each one represents a different country from around the world. She did a beautiful job of cross-stitching those cute little bears! I outlined each one, and then filled in the background with a swirl feather design and put leaves in the sashing. Dorothy was really pleased with the way it turned out. Unfortunately, I made a few goofs when I began quilting this, and ended up spending hours - countless hours - picking out stitching and starting over.  I thought I could take a few short cuts . . . not to be!  Oh well, lesson learned and it turned out to be the best thing - not necessarily for me - but for the quilt!

Dorothy's World of Bears

Dorothy's World of Bears - back . . .  

I didn't get any more pictures of the three quilts that Stacy brought for me to quilt - but here they are hanging waiting to be picked up.  I love the fabric choices - Stacy used the leftovers from the bigger one to make a smaller "Strip and Flip" - awesome!  Oh, and these are her first quilts ever!

Eleanor put together the most spectacular colours in her quilt!  I quilted it freehand with swirls/feathers using Glide thread - Military Gold - love, love, love the way it turned out!  The border and backing fabric is just perfect!  One thing I noticed when quilting this beauty, is the abundance of texture in each of the fabrics she chose . . . it's a very unique design, don't you think?

Eleanor's quilt - hangin' with Freeda

Eleanor's quilt - back

I'm off to Newfoundland this week for a few days - a part of this huge country that I've never seen and really looking forward to it!  I'll tell you all about getting "screeched" when I return!

Until next time . . .