Is it Saturday - again? already?

WOW - how time flies!  I guess it's because I've been kind of busy - what with my one job winding down, and my time with Freeda ramping up, it seems like there just aren't enough hours in the day right now.  I'm not complaining - it's just the way it is . . . Saturdays are a great day to be long arming at Addies - tho to be honest, not the most productive day for quilting - but a great day for talking with potential customers and just hanging out in a really awesome space!

The "monster quilt" - this is absolutely the cutest quilt I have had the pleasure of working on.  Rose is giving it to her grandson - what a lucky boy!  I'm pretty sure this is a Sue Garman quilt  that was sold as a block of the month a few years ago.

Rose's Monster Quilt (Sue Garman Pattern)

Close up of one monster - each square was quilted differently

Another close up of a monster

Rose's Monster Quilt - borders and blocks

Rose's Monster Quilt - Borders

Rose's Monster Quilt - hanging out with Freeda

This  next quilt has the most amazing story - it was pieced by Barbara for her granddaughter- her first quilt ever - and she's 87 years young!  Barbara was so pleased with the quilting - I'm pretty sure she's caught the quilting bug like the rest of us so I expect to see more from her!

Barbara's First Quilt - hanging with Freeda

Barbara's First Quilt - Terry Twists in the 9-patch squares

Barbara's First Quilt - large squares - leaves and flowers

And speaking of first quilts, my sister made a quilt last year using fabric from her kids clothing, husbands shirts, etc. using the  mile-a-minute piecing technique on Edith's blog ((Mile a Minute tutorial) - and yes, this was also her first quilt . . .

Janice's Mile-a-Minute - hanging out in Victoria, BC

Janice's Mile-a-Minute - close up free hand quilting

Janice's Mile-a-Minute - colours of the coast

Janice's Mile-a-Minute - close up of back

Janice's Mile-a-Minute - close up of borders

Pretty great quilt made of old clothing pieces . . . and a lot of  <3   - something that will be treasured!



Have a good week everyone - and by the way - it's STILL snowing! 

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 . . . .