Points . . . it's all a matter of perspective . . . .

I finally finished my version of the Prairie Sky Quilt - you can see that I changed it up a bit so it wasn't as "scrappy" - and I didn't do the fancy border - mostly because I just ran out or time.  This quilt is for my mom's birthday - and I had to get it in the mail today, so she would have it for her party on the weekend with my sistas.  I used the same fabric in all the Star Points, but mixed it up in the rings around each star.  This will look great in her living room - see what you think. (Glide Thread; Quilter's Dream 70/30 batting; free-hand designs blocks and borders)




Prairie Sky
 with the early morning sun rise



Prairie Sky



Prairie Sky border - close up



Prairie Sky - corner borders



Prairie Sky - block close up



Prairie Sky - ls and es in border, ribbon sashing

Prairie Sky - ribbon in sashing

I see  Points in quilts . . . some people see Points in other things . . .  like on this beautiful 4-point buck  (~which is actually 8 points just like my Prairie Sky Quilt~) that was in our hay yard this morning. . . . I think this guy is an Alpha-male - what a beautiful animal.  I sure hope he knows where to go when hunting season opens up  ;(

Mule Deer - 4 point ( x 2 makes 8 points)

Isn't he beautiful - mule deer in hay yard

Last weekend I spent three days learning from Judy Niemeyer . . . if you don't know her quilts, go to Quiltworx.com - she is amazing.  The course was arranged by Quilting From the Heart in Camrose, Alberta.  This is my centre of the Prairie Star . . .

Prairie Star - centre

I have many more hours to go, but it's going to be spectacular when it's done.  Thanks so much to Roger and Ardelle Kerr for arranging such a great experience.  Camrose is a hidden gem of a city in Alberta . . . very, very nice.  If you're in the neighborhood, have a visit to this little city, and of course, stop in at Quilting From the Heart to say hi to Ardelle and Roger!

Next stop . . . Sparrow Studioz to immerse myself in four days of classes from internationally renowned quilter - Claudia Pfeil . . .


When life hands you scraps . . . make a quilt (or if you're like me, when the stash is over-flowing - buy more to make another quilt)!!

Sometimes less is more . . . .

We just came back from a week in the interior of British Columbia - very hot temperatures - but when you've got no schedule what does it matter? . . . and, it doesn't hurt that we were surrounded by amazing scenery, good friends and a nice little lake or two to cool off in.  This trip we travelled with our truck and camper - and went off the beaten path a little bit - from Oliver, BC (wine-country) up to Kelowna - over to Nakusp (my new favorite place ever!), through New Denver (wait, this is now my other new favorite place ever) down to the Creston wine-country -  see a theme here  ;) ???  Anyway, here are a few photos for you to enjoy . . .





Ferry Crossing at Needles,  Arrow Lakes - just south of Nakusp, BC



6th Ave. Quilt Shop in Nakusp, BC - it was closed when we stopped by in the evening . . . .sigh!

Our campsite at Nakusp, BC - what a view!



View of Slocan Lake from park in New Denver, BC





Somewhere along the road - sometimes the you just have to stop and take it all in!




Before we left, I completed a quilt for a new customer, Janice.  I just loved working on this quilt as it has an "old soul" feel to it - simple - yet so beautiful.  Janice and I decided simple free-hand feathers would work - and we were so right!  Glide thread, Quilter's Dream 70/30 batting.



Janice's Quilt - hang time



Janice's Quilt - close up all-over free hand feathers

More of Janice's quilt - it's an "old soul"

Janice's Quilt - catching a few rays!



Janice's Quilt - just off the frame

 In less than a week and I'm off to Camrose, Alberta to take a class with Judy Niemeyer and Ardelle and Roger Kerr from Quilting From the Heart.  I'm making a Prairie Star Quilt - it's a big project but I'm up for the challenge!  Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer (or winter for my friends down under!)  - wherever you are!

It's official - Summer 2012 is here!!!

Greetings!  Today is officially the first whole day of summer - hurray!!!  And, it actually feels like summer today in Water Valley . . . I'm enjoying the +20 degree weather and abundant sunshine, because tomorrow the rains will come again.  I sure hope it doesn't dampen the spirits at the Water Valley Celtic Festival this weekend . . . but then again, how can a little rain dampen a Celtic Festival!!

The lilacs and globe flowers are in full bloom - no matter what the weather, these old lilac trees just fill with blossoms each year.

Right now, they are not only filled with flowers, but buzzing with honey bees and the occasional butterfly.

 . . . and speaking of all things lilac, here is a sampler quilt I just finished for a new customer, Heather.  It's just screams summer!!  I used Superior King Tut variegated thread, Hobbs 80/20 batting, and a freehand floral motif. 

Heather's Sampler

Heather's Sampler

Heather's Sampler - hanging on the line!

Heather's Sampler - back

Heather also had another quilt for me - this one is a Flannel Block Swap - the colors are soft and warm (kind of like a rainbow) - and the backing fabric is just made for cuddling!  Glide Thread (Cloud) top and bottom, Hobbs 80/20 batting, freehand Loopsy Daisies (aka Loops and Daisies).

Heather's Block Swap - Flannel

Heather's Block Swap - backing

Heather's Block Swap - hangin' out

We were in Kimberley again this past weekend, and managed to pull off a Surprise 60th b-day party for my DH - I guess  I'm very good at lying and sneaking around as he had no clue - very nice to be able to celebrate with his mother, sister and BIL, Sister-in Law,  nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, three precious grand sons, numerous cousins, friends  and of course, our daughter and son.  We think there really is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!

Prairie Sky and Festival of Quilts . . . what a weekend!

I'm dreaming about quilts, even when I can't sleep, I'm dreaming about quilts!  I think I may have gone into Quilter Overload after this weekend . . . but what fun!

On Friday, I took a class with Joanne Middleton of Patchwork Schoolhouse - she designed, pieced and quilted this Prairie Sky Quilt - Joanne is a great teacher - really knowledgeable and fun!!    She's definitely a "precision piecer" - Here is Joanne's quilt . . . .

Prairie Sky - Joanne Middleton

Prairie Sky - close up

Prairie Sky - close up

Prairie Sky - Pieced border close up

....  and these are some of the sample blocks made by the class.  Everyone had different fabric choices, but they all turned out fantastic. 

 I can't wait to see some of the finished products!


That was a full day - from 9 - 4 . . . . but then, up and at 'em on Saturday to the Heritage Park Festival of Quilts.  The Quilting Goddesses must have been talking  with Mother Nature - because the weather turned out to be perfect - not too hot, not too cold, sunshine and a gentle breeze - that forecast for rain just disappeared.  What more could you ask for?

Another full day . . . I couldn't possibly take pictures of all 700 (yes, 700!) quilts on display, but here's just a sampling . . .

oh, and yes, I did spend a bit of time at the Merchant Mall  ;)

Looking forward to next year!

Liebster Award - a quilt blogger's kind of recognition chain!

The internet has made this world so small!  Imagine, a quilter from "down under" has been following my blog and nominated me for a Liebster Award.  Liebster is German for favourite - the award is presented to smaller blogs as a form of recognition and support.   A 'Smaller blog' is one with 200 followers or less (that would definitely be me!).  

Thanks so much to Judi for recognizing my blog - and I am so glad she enjoys the quilting - and the little bits about Canada!  Judi lives in New South Wales, Australia - you must check out her blog (www.judiquilts.blogspot.com) - lots of great information and inspiration!

As a recipient you are to:

1. Link back to the person who gave it to you and thank them. 

2. Post the award to your blog.

3. Give the award to 5 bloggers with less than 200 followers that you appreciate and value.

4. Leave a comment on the 5 blogs to let them know that they have been offered this award.

I am always amazed by the wealth of creativity and talent out there in the quilting world.  I can spend hours just browsing blogs and learning from others - and, often, am in total awe of the quilts being created all over the world.

My five nominations are:

Nancy of Crazy Creek Creations (www.crazycreekcreations.blogspot.com) is a fantastic quilter from Calgary, Alberta, Canada.  We met on-line when I was researching  long-arms.  Since then, we have "met" on another quilting forum, and finally met in person last year.  Nancy is a real inspiration and brings a whole lot of "positive" to the world. 

Ardelle is another long arm quilter from Camrose, Alberta, Canada.  She and her husband, Roger, have a quilting shop - Quilting from the Heart (in Camrose).  Ardelle's blog is full of wonderful information about quilting, and I love it that she throws in the personal stuff!  I'm going to Camrose in July to take a Judy Niemeyer class from Ardelle and Roger - it'll be nice to meet her in person!

 Edith of Inch by Inch Quilting (www.inchbyinchquilting.blogspot.com)  lives in Calgary, Alberta as well - you can tell she teaches quilting when you look at her blog - great tutorials!  My sister wanted to make a quilt, but was nervous about matching all the seams and points, so I directed her to Edith's blog for the "Mile a Minute" instructions.  She has now made her first quilt - with scraps of material that hold special meaning - thanks to Edith!

Kathy - (www.kathsquiltingdiary.blogspot.com)  I'm going international now - as Kath lives in Scotland.  I love that she shares both her quilting projects, but also her practice pieces (which don't look at all like practice pieces to me!).  It reminds me that this quilting journey always includes ppp - practice, practice, practice.  Thanks, Kath!

 Kay (www.borderlinequilter.blogspot.com)  is another quilter from the Scottish Highlands - she shares her beautiful quilting - but also lots of stories of her equestrian life, and stunning pictures of the Scottish countryside.  I think I can even hear her accent in my head when I read her blog  ;)


So, there's my nominations - but there are so many more blogs that I follow, it's hard to pick just 5!  Thank you all for sharing your work and inspiring so many other quilters!