On and off Freeda in the past week . . .

It's been a busy time at the Little House - now that Freeda lives in a quilt shop, there's been lots of interest by customers wanting to know about long arming - and I'm happy to share what I know.  Actually, it gives a few of the men something to do while their quilting partners are busy searching for that just right piece of fabric ..... you quilters know exactly what I mean! 

The quilts that I have the opportunity to work on don't get any hang time out at the farm now, tho.  Customers drop them off and pick them up right at Addies.  I can hang quilts on the beautiful veranda at the store, but honestly, the weather has not been cooperating - not one bit!  Today it's snowing and blowing and we must have been gifted with at least a foot of new snow overnight - ugh!

But . . . remember the goose that has nested on the hay bales for the past two years?  Well, she's back - although, I'm sure she's wondering why on a day like today.  When I drove up to get this picture, she was sitting tall and straight, but as soon as I got the camera out she curled up in a ball - but she is there . . . I'll try to get a better photo once the snow goes!

Back to quilting - here's a photo journey of the quilts that were on and off Freeda's frame over the past week or so . . .




Brenda's Stack 'n Whack




Roses Log Cabin with a star -




Rose's Log Cabin - Ribbons and Roses panto - Glide Thread



Janice's Nine Patch and Squares - a gift for her son!



Freehand design - So-Fine thread



Judy's Hunter Star - absolutely stunning!

 




Cher;y Dinosaurs




Cheryl's Dinosaurs - Freehand design; Glide thread

I've also got the cutest Monster Quilt on Freeda right now - just waiting for the OK from Rose that it's finished -  so no sneak peeks yet - next time. 









































The line up for quilts includes a cozy flannel lap quilt, a charity quilt for Project Somos Children's village, two modern lap quilts, a couple of shop samples; a Celestial Stars beauty; a queen 9-patch and a sentimental memory quilt made from shirts . . . every quilt has a story!

Until next time - can someone please talk nicely to Mother Nature and ask for some real spring weather . . .  please!



Oh, baby, baby . . . .

I guess spring is the time for babies - out here by Water Valley, all the little calves are enjoying the spring weather and some of the migrating birds are back - still waiting for a robin  tho.  I know the hummingbirds won't return til close to the end of May.   The geese are flying overhead scouting out the best nesting sites - I wonder if we will have one on the hay bales again this year?

I had 5 baby quilts to get Freeda broken in - and I have to say - I LOVE Freeda!  What do I love about her??  - tension is perfect, motion is smooth as butter, M bobbin lets me go forever without a bobbin change, handles are ergonomically perfect for me, controls in just the right spot, the automatic power advance saves so much time and energy . . . I could go on and on - really, I could . . . but I better show you my baby quilts instead.  They are just cute and simple - just what I needed to get the feel of the new machine.

Gwen made these three little quilts - Freehand designs, Fil-tec Glide thread top and "M" bobbin (!)

Freeda's looking right at home . . . .

Have a peak at these cute little appliqued quilts - one for a special little girl, and one for a special little boy  - Freehand designs in the appliqued blocks, continuous curves in the rest; Fil-tec Glide thread.

Boy quilt - close up

Side by Side with Freeda

Locating Little House Creations with Freeda (the longarm) into Addies Creative Fabrics has been a great move!  People are very interested in the machine, how it works, and excited about getting their quilt tops completed - all in all it's been a very positive experience!

I have at least 10 quilts in the que - so I'll be kept busy over the next few weeks until I can devote my time fully to quilting - right now I am committed to another project for a few more weeks.  Happy Spring and here's to new beginnings!  

Little House Creations - new machine, new home, new opportunities!

Hello!  After 4 months, Little House Creations is back!  The calendar says it's spring today, but in Alberta we are questioning that . . .

Major snow storm causes havoc on the QE2

This is a far cry from the beautiful weather I have been enoying in the past few months in Mexico . . .

I sold my Lenni before I left, and anxiously awaited delivery of my new APQS Freedom - aka Freeda - and it just so happened that there was a vacant spot in the back room of Addies Creative Fabrics in Cochrane, AB.  So, I took the leap and Freeda is now set up in a wonderful little quilt shop in Cochrane - have a look at their website Addies Creative Fabrics .

It took a bit to get Freeda all set up, but we did it and I am in love with her!  This machine is wonderful, and smooth as butta!!

I've had a lot of interest from quilters who drop by and I think this opportunity will be a win-win!

So far, I haven't done a lot with Freeda, as we are just getting acquainted - but here's how she looks in her new space . . .

 

 

I've begun taking quilt tops, and will begin slowly until the month of May - then it will be full steam ahead as I'll be able to dedicate my time 100% to Freeda!

Stay tuned - as I hope to be posting a lot of pictures of wonderful quilts this year!

It's good to be home!

Lenni's final three (finally)

I've had these quilts done for a while, but just a little behind on sharing with you.  Little House Creations is closed until March, but I'm still can be reached via e-mail, so if you have quilts that will be ready for quilting in the spring, send me a note.

Lenni's final stitches . . .

Before leaving, I finished these three customer quilts - the last ones with my Lenni before she went to her new home in Edmonton, Alberta.  I have purchased a new APQS Freedom, that will be delivered when I get home - I can hardly wait!! 

Back to the quilts . . . .


Heather's block of the month quilt - quilted using Autumn Leaves panto, glide thread 

 

 

Heather's mom's star quilt - black and white with a splash of red!  Wrought Iron panto, glide thread

and last on Lenni - Heather's Christmas quilt - quilted with free hand designs, glide thread

I really had three more quilts but, they are Christmas presents for three special little boys . . . so no pictures until after the big day . . .  well, maybe just a peek!

When Little House Creations opens again in March . . . this will be one of the first quilts in line for the new Freedom . . . . my Judy Neimeyer Prairie Star . . .  not quite finished yet, but it will be . . . .

Three's company . . .

 

Wind chill factor - minus freezing cold something or other celsius!

 

 

 

 

Try as I might, I just couldn't get these three quilts to behave nicely for photos . . . the wind was just a bit too strong at first, but luckily, I was able to get a few shots before they blew off the line!



The first quilt was pieced by Judy - I've done quite a few quilts for Judy - she is a wonderful piecer, and it's a pleasure to quilt for her.   Glide thread, Effervescence Panto

I had to get a "helper" to try to hold it down in the wind!

Judy's Star Quilt

Judy's Star Quilt - centre

Judy's Star Quilt border - close up . . . and the beautiful blue sky!

The other two competing for "hang time" are shop samples for Addies Creative Fabrics - an awesome little quilt shop in Cochrane, Alberta. I chose the Wrought Iron panto from Willow Leaf Studios - it just seemed a good fit with the designs in the fabric . . . what do you think? Superior So-fine thread top gives it an even more classic look.

Addie's baby quilt

Addies - close up



Addies - closer up . . . see where the inspiration came from?

This quilt- Country Gatherings -  has been hanging in Addies for months - it was originally done as a class (I think), and Addies is still selling kits . . . but it was begging to be quilted!!!  So . . . I quilted it - using Wisteria Panto by Patricia Ritter of Urban Elementz - again, I got the inspiration from the designs in the fabric.  Thread choice this time was "Military Gold" Glide thread - it just added that special bit of dazzle!

Country Gatherings - hang time

Country Gatherings - close up

Country Gatherings - closer up - Wisteria Panto

. . . . and while we are on the topic of Addies, did you hear that Sparrow Studioz will be moving into the space in Addies previously occupied by Saffron.  Matt and Bradie Sparrow will be setting up the space for their Sparrow Studioz South - APQS long arm rental program and sales centre.  What a great opportunity for quilters who would like to try their hand at finishing off their own quilts - or test driving the APQS machines . . . all the fun starts January 1st, 2013!

It was a beautiful sunny day in Water Valley today, but COLD!  Tomorrow should be more of the same, and I have 6 (yes 6) quilts to get on the line . . . brrrrr - the things I do so you can share my joy of quilting!! 

Sunrise in Water Valley - November 10, 2012