Festival of Quilts - 2012 - R U going to be there?

It's that time of year again!  Heritage Park hosts the Festival of Quilts - hundreds of quilts will be on display at the park - it's a wonderful venue.  Doesn't look like Mother Nature is going to cooperate . . . but what can you do?  I'm sure the organizers always have a plan "B"  . . . .


"Hundreds of stunning, handmade quilts of all shapes, sizes and techniques from across Alberta and Western Canada will adorn the Park, both inside and out. This year's Festival will include familiar displays and events such as the Wearable Art Competition and Creative Kids' Challenge as well as three new special displays: a patriotic and festive Red and White Quilts display, Art Quilts and Hooked Rugs. Whether you are an enthusiastic quilter or simply enjoy viewing the beautiful work, there is something exciting for everyone at the Festival of Quilts"

Addies Quilt Kit

If you're going to the FOQ, stop by the APQS booth and see ManQuilter (aka Matt Sparrow of Sparrow Studioz) . . . and have a stop and shop at Addie's Creative Fabrics booth.  You'll find this little quilt on display - with kits available.  Little House Creations quilted the cute lap quilt using Daisies Galore panto, Glide thread.  It's a great kit to have on hand for that quick and easy quilting project - and don't you just love the fabrics!

Daisies Galore panto - close up

Backing - Daisies Galore is right!!!

Tomorrow, I'll be taking a workshop to make the Prairie Sky Quilt designed by Joanne Middleton (see the FOQ brochure at the link above)  - mine will look nothing like the display one as far as the color way goes because I couldn't justify buying new fabric - I just raided my stash!  (barely made a dent in it - if you know what I mean!)  Maybe next year I'll enter something in the Heritage Park Festival of Quilts . . . . I know that's what I said last year, but you know how it is . . .  ;)



I'll post pictures from the Festival of Quilts next week - if you have some time to spare this weekend, head to Heritage Park - it's a very quilty pleasure!!

Waterton National Park just became more beautiful . . . if that's even possible!

A Canadian treasure . . . Waterton National Park. . .  scenic, peaceful and one of the most beautiful places on the planet Earth!  If you've ever had the privilege to visit there, you know exactly what I mean.  If you haven't had the opportunity - check out Waterton National Park - or Travel Alberta

So how could this unique escape become even more spectacular . . . ???

How about the addition of two custom made quilts that have found new homes in one of the original family cabins in the town of Waterton.

The first quilt is from the pattern "Colorado Log Cabin" by Eleanor Burns.  It's made with a selection of blues, greens, rusts and beige batiks.  I quilted it using two layers of Hobbs 80/20 using a combo of freehand swirls and feathers in the borders. . . . . I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

How's that for some quilty eye-candy!


The next quilt has to be one of the most challenging - and therefore fun - quilts that I have ever tackled. . . . check back a few posts to see where it started out ( TAOS ).   It is  made from a selection of beautiful batiks, using the pattern "Taos" by Chris Hoover of Whirlygig Designs. It is also quilted with two layers of Hobbs 80/20 batting using a freehand swirl design. Don't you just love the way the two layers of batting add that little extra to the quilting?

TAOS - backing

Waterton National Park is definitely more beautiful . . . wouldn't you say??

Construction and Cars 4 Kids . . .

Two different customers, two adorable quilts for little boys!


First up, Kim's Cars Quilt - made with a Cars panel, and racing flag borders!  I quilted this with swirls all over - Glide Thread top, Bottom Line in the bobbin.  Anyone want to go "tractor tipping"??? - (You have to have seen the movie!)

Kim's Cars Quilt

Kim's Cars Quilt



Kim's Cars Quilt - Swirls Close up



















Next, Brenda made this awesome Construction quilt for her grandson - how cute is this???  Panels and the right border prints make  a great quilt!  Freehand swirls and loops were all this quilt needed to make it shine!  Glide "Marigold" thread top; Bottom Line in bobbin.

Construction Quilt for a special boy!

Construction Quilt - Close up

Construction quilt - what a great use of panels!!!

Both the quilts will be getting a lot of snuggle time!!! 

Have a wonderful Victoria Day Weekend, everyone . . . it's supposed to snow on Friday so pack you long johns in your camping gear  . . . or maybe a snuggly quilt !!!  It never fails!  Anyone going to Waterton????


BTW - the goose is still sitting on the bales, no goslings in sight yet . . . it's got to be soon, tho, don't you think??

Have you got the Blues????

Well, if you do, this should pull you out of it!

Brenda's blue and teal and purple and . . . well, have a look - this is a wonderful quilt!  It was 105 x 118 inches - WOW!!!  Brenda's quilt is the made from the same blocks as Keltie's Sampler - but what a difference the fabric choice makes! Both are beautiful . . . but so different!

Fluffy Clouds panto, Glide thread "Cloud" on top; bottom line in bobbin




Brenda's Blues and Teals - Sampler



Brenda's Blues and Teals - close up



Brenda's Blues and Teals - Sampler

This quilt is going to look amazing on a bed . . . and, Brenda kept a few "orphan blocks" and made two pillow shams and small pillows!

It's been a busy time at the Little House . . . next post . . . Construction  and Cars for Kids!!


PS:  Philip Phillips is number one . . . that's all I've got to say!!!

Happy, Happy, Happy . . ..

First of all - Happy Birthday - to Little House Creations!  It was one year ago today that I made my first blog post . . . and it's been a wonderful year of quilting!  I've met so many great people, seen amazing quilts from novice to expert . . . and have been enjoying every minute of it!

Secondly - Happy Palliative Care Week - to all my colleagues and friends who work in Hospice Palliative Care and those who have benifitted from being connected with Hospice Palliative Care  . . . I commend each and every one of you!  You make such a difference in people's lives . .. when they need it the most.

and of course last, but not least, this is National Nurses Week  - another group of individuals who work tirelessly for all of us . . .  thank you! Hug a Nurse!!!  ;)

In honour of all of the above, I made this quilt and donated it to the Mary O'Connor Palliative Education Conference that was held in Calgary today (May 10, 2012) - something that is very near and dear to my heart. 

"When Mary was diagnosed with terminal cancer in the fall of 2003, she chose to treat her end of life journey as “the greatest adventure of all”; she vowed that she would actively embrace whatever short time was left and would continue to help others to her last breath.  Her positive attitude in the face of death had a profound effect on all those she encountered, and her influence has lasted long after her death.  Mary considered herself well blessed to have the support of the palliative care workers in the Calgary Health Region, and wanted to help make the end of life journey better for others.  The Mary O’Connor Foundation is therefore delighted to support the annual Palliative Care Conference, so that others may find a way to embrace this “last great adventure” as well."

..... and so we raffle this quilt . . . in support of the Mary O'Connor Hospice and Palliative Care Conference . . . 

I hear that this is going to Lethbridge . . . . wonderful!!!!  Happy Palliative Care Week!!

The Goose is camera shy . . . .

The goose has made her nest on top of a pile of big straw bales at the end of our road.  She's built a comfy nest, and has a beautiful view over looking farmland and rolling hills, and then the majestic rockies in the background.  You know what they say . . . location, location, location.  Only problem is she's not all that far from a fairly busy highway, so when she moves the little ones to water, I sure hope she heads away from the highway!  When I went to take this picture, she was sitting up nice and straight, but as soon as the camera came out, she got shy.  I'm going to keep trying . . . .

Besides watching the wildlife, I've been busy with this beautiful brown and teal quilt that Karen made.  Fluffy Clouds panto; Glide thread top, Bottom Line in bobbin.

Teal and Brown Quilt - I happened to get this photo as the sun came up - before the rains started!

Teal and Brown - close up (Fluffy Clouds panto)

Teal and Browns

Karen did a beautiful job of piecing this quilt, and the colors are so rich!

I seemed to be having problems with my camera, so I had a good look at it - and wouldn't you know, somehow little finger prints got on the lens - no wonder the pictures were not looking so great!  I fixed that little problem, so hopefully, my next pictures will be much better. 

I realized this morning that it has almost been one year since my first post on this blog  . . . . so watch for my 1st Anniversary specials!  Every quilt deserves to be quilted - so if you've been thinking about it, maybe now is the time . . . . next post - Happy Anniversary to Little House!!

The signs of Spring are all present . . .

Spring - !!!! 

Spring (/sprɪŋ/ spring) is one of the four temperate seasons, the transition time between winter and summer. Spring and "springtime" refer to the season, and also to ideas of rebirth, renewal and regrowth. The specific definition of the exact timing of "spring" varies according to local climate, cultures and customs. At the spring equinox, days are close to 12 hours long with day length increasing as the season progresses. (wikipedia)

Spring, for me, is the chior of birds in the morning, robins,  perennials daring to expose their new growth, pussy willows, and . . . mud . . .what can I say!  I think it's spring in Alberta now . . .the yard is muddy, the pussy willows are out, I see new growth in the garden, and the robins have been anxiously hanging around since April 2nd -  and this guy - our Woody Woodpecker is hanging around as well.  I don't know if he really leaves for the winter, but we don't see him a lot . . .

Quilting for spring . . . bright, cheery, and full of free-hand spring time flowers and loops . . .

Springtime Quilt

 

Springtime Quilt  - close up freehand daisies and loops

Springtime Quilt

Springtime Quilt - close up

Lots happening in the Little House right now . .. .  have a look at the quilt I'm making for a very special cottage in Waterton, Alberta . . . it's still in construction (the quilt - the cottage has been there for generations!)  One of the most challenging quilts I've done . . . but it'll be a stunner!!!

Watch for updates!


Happy Spring from the Little House  . . . . and . . . do you remember last year when I mentioned the Canada Goose on the hay bales ???  ..... well, both the goose and gander are back again this year making their nest on a pile of bales . . . I'll get pictures soon!!!