Cara Quilts

Flickr Doll Quilt Swap, Round 12

2012-01-29T16:48:00.001-05:00

**the announcement for the Basics Charity Challenge can be found here**

I don't know how many of you have participated in swaps, but Flickr has a lot of them going on in different groups. One of the bigger ones is the Doll Quilt Swap, which is currently starting it's 12th round.

I'm a "mama" for this round, which means I'm in charge of organzing my "bebes" and making sure things run smoothly.

One of the things about this swap that I love is it is a) a secret swap, so you don't know who will be sending to you, and b) that it encourages posting during the whole process, both pictures in the group, and lots of discussion in the group main pages. It is much more interactive and fun then simply just making and sending something out.

Here are the guidelines for the swap, and you can find out more by going to the flickr group.

Hello everyone!
We are excited to announce the 12th round of the Doll Quilt Swap!
Sign ups will start here, there are links at the bottom of this thread where you will go to enter your information.
New this round, you need to chose between two forms for signing up. One is for international swapping, you will fill out this form if you are willing to send internationally. The other is for those only wishing to swap within their own country. It doesnt matter what country you live in, just that you dont want to ship outside of it.

There are a few changes this round, hopefully for the better.
There are 5 quilt blocks we have painstakingly chosen (ok, not really, but it sounds good, no?) for this round. You are to choose 1 of the blocks and incorporate it into your quilt. you can make the whole quilt with the one block repeated or use just one of the blocks somewhere in your quilt. You also will be required to include a solid of your choosing in any color OTHER THAN WHITE.This means you shouldnt use shades of white either: cream, sand, off white, antique white, you get the idea. The idea here is to expand your creativity. Again you can use as little or as much as you choose, but it must be included.
We have created mosaics for each of the blocks and have put them in the group for your perusal. We think this is a great opportunity to stretch your imagination, think block within a block, or liberated in a whole new way. Have fun!!
As in last round, you need to have a minimum of 6 blocks.

The blocks to choose from are as follows:
1.churn dash/shoofly
2.log cabin
3.drunkards path
4. N.Y. beauty
5.flying geese

SIZE: from 9"x9" to 20"x20"…any size or shape in between.

MATERIALS: natural fibers/cotton, wool, linen

CONSTRUCTION: Pieced, appliquéd, quilted by hand or machine; and bound.

LABEL: It is recommended that you attach a label to the back of your quilt. I know, this can be a bit scary for some people though, so I will not make it a requirement. A label is however a very nice addition to any handmade quilt. Whether or not you decide to label your quilt, please do include a note with your quilt with your name and contact information (URL, blog, email address, etc. so that they can thank you).

SECRET: This will remain a secret swap. Your partner will not know your identity. If you need to get in contact with your partner do so thru your swap parent.

ACTIVITY: Please be sure to check in to the group periodically and check everyone's progress. Post sneak peeks of your WIP, and your completed quilt. Once you have received your quilt, post a pic of it on flickr, and email your thank you to your partner as soon as physically possible. Email or flickrmail your mama to let her know you received.

DUE DATE: The deadline for all quilts to be mailed is April 2, 2012 (international), and April 9, 2012 for those sending nationally . I like to plan on sending mine a week early…just in case life gets in the way and I'm delayed. There is nothing more disappointing than not receiving a package. Also, please email your swap parent when you have mailed your quilt. Delivery confirmation is required, within the U.S.
In addition to having a DEADLINE for sending BY a certain date, we also ask that you NOT SEND TOO EARLY. Part of the fun of this swap is the anticipation, and if you send out within the first month, your partner is essentially done. NO fun. Please SEND OUT NO EARLIER THAN March 15, 2012

COMMUNICATION: If for any reason you cannot met the deadline or you need to drop out of this swap, please let your Swap Mama know as soon as you know. If you communicate any setbacks with us, we can make sure things work out favorably for your partner, no hard feelings.

dollquiltswap.blogspot.com/
**this info is on the home page of the group. down at the bottom. there may be some changes but the main guidelines are always the same

NATIONAL SIGN UP form
docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?hl=en_US&formkey...
INTERNATIONAL SIGN UP form

.. ..

Basics Charity Challenge 2012

2012-01-20T16:25:00.002-05:00

For the month of February I will be once again issuing a Challenge to all of you.

Last year I started the Basics Charity Challenge. You can read what sparked it here.

The response was wonderful! So many donations were made to local shelters and we gave away a lot of 'prizes as thank yous, that I've decided to do it again.

This year I have set up a Flickr group so you can upload a photo of your donations.

So what is a basic?

In our daily liveswe have a lot of things we think of as basics.

This morning you brushed your teeth with a toothbrush and tooth paste.

You used toilet paper.

Had soap towash your hands.

Put on some deodorant.

Ran a brush through your hair.

Maybe took a shower with shampoo, conditioner, body wash and a razor.

Put some make-upon.

You were able to put on clean underwear and socks, thatno one else has ever worn.

In the kitchen did you grab some paper towels to clean up a little spill?

At some point during the day you probably grabbed a coffee or tea.

Used some tissue to blow your nose. Maybe sanitized your hands after.

I could go on but you probably have the point by now. Wehave a LOT of things that we consider basics.

In each of our communities there are places that peopledon’t have the very basic things we all take for granted. Shelters- for abusedwomen/children, homeless, men’s missions, - exist in virtual every community.They are a necessary safety net for people in our communities who for an arrayof reasons need help. But these shelters are almost always in need of the basicitems. Many of the people have had to leave everything behind, or don’t haveanything to begin with.

Last year I received many emails from people telling mehow either they or someone they know had had to use a shelter, and how muchthese very basic items can mean.

If you are lucky enough to never had need of a shelter,are protected and loved by your spouse, been supported by family and friends,give thanks by helping those who aren’t.

Spread the word, blog, tweet, facebook, tell your guild,email your friends. Let’s see how many people we can get to help out theircommunity. The best way to solve a problem is to be involved.

The Challenge is this:

Go drive past your nearest shelter for abusedwomen/children or the homeless.
See if there is a sign, if not call. Ask what they need. Check online, theyprobably have a website and most have a list of what is needed at thatparticular time.
Shelters are always in need of things like paper towels, toilet paper, newunderwear, new socks, diapers, new hairbrushes, shampoo, tampons/pads, babyhygiene items, hand soap/sanitizer etc

Next time you are at the store pick up a few of the itemsfor the list. Take a picture of the items and then go drop them off at theshelter or drop off point.

If your community doesn’t have a shelter, or its locationis confidential and there is no drop off point for donations, you can donatethrough the National CoalitionAgainst Domestic Violence.Or in Canada the United Wayprovides funds to many shelters. If you are international there is the Red Cross.

Add your picture to the Flickr group so you can upload a photo of your donations. If you don't have an account, they're free, you can email me the picture and I will put it up for you. You can also send me the picture to upload if you wish to be anonymous. Leave a comment on this post telling me you did, with your flickr id or the first part of your email address.

In advance Thank you. Thank you for caring for your community members, for taking the time to donate.

I will be posting another post which will be where you can get your entries on February 1st.

Note- the code for the button is
<a href="http://www.caraquilts.com" title="Basic Charity Challenge 2012 by cara quilts, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7023/6756949067_e292530f91_o.png" width="159" height="146" alt="Basic Charity Challenge 2012"></a>

Little Girls

2012-01-19T17:40:00.000-05:00

My house is often over flowing with little girls. I only have one daughter but she has 3 friends who love within 4 houses of us so pretty much daily we have at least one other child here.
I love it, it is so good for Little Bit, and it helps keep her occupied. And I don't have to play "Hide and Seek".
One of the favorite places to hide is my sewing room. They hide under tables, in the closet, behind the door and under quilts.

This means its more messy then normal but I don't care. It also means they go through my fabrics, which is also ok. It makes me happy to hear them oh and aw over fabrics, quilts, purses etc that they find.

Recently they've been hinting at me making them purses. Which isn't going to happen right now. I have too much to do.
But I did make two of them these little purse/ipod bags.

They just slip over the wrist and velcro close. The girls got to pick their fabrics, and both asked for it to be longer then high. I'm guessing to accomadate the ear buds.
These were super simple and quick. I'm thinking I may have to make more as the other girls will be wanting ones too.

I'm going to be looking for little projects because all these girls want to learn how to sew/embroider. I want to be able to use stash, so lots of FQ projects. And because they are kids things that are fairly easy and don't take a lot of time/attention commitment.
Ideas?

Crafting is happening!

2012-01-18T20:01:00.001-05:00

I know it doesn't seem like it but I really have been sewing! I have several projects in the not sure where are going, but can't show pile.
I got tired of them for a bit, I hate not being able to show things here! My blog is terribly neglected, yet it is the heart of my online quilting. So I really am trying to remember to get back here. I have lots to show and tell. I'm just not always able to, especially since my health hasn't been very good lately.

But enough whining.

Little Bit received TWO Maplelea dolls for Christmas, which are the Canadian version of the American Girl Doll. She has been obsessed with them since she received a catalogue with one of her kid's magazine subscriptions. Which still p's me off, but that's a rant for later.
Long and short is she had to get at least one for Christmas or things would have been very unpleasant around here. And before you think I'm exagerating or spoiling her, even my mother agreed that her fixation on them was extreme enough that it warranted at least one of these $100 dolls. And as much as grandma loves to spoil her, she's not one to have EVER bought such an expensive play doll.
Ok so not so short, continuing, Little Bit is in LOVE with them, especially the brunette, Taryn, who goes with her everywhere.

Little Bit decided her dolls needed nighties. So I was recruited to make them. Thing is I make quilts, not clothes.
But as I really did want something else to work on I found a pattern, pulled some stash fabrics and made these up!

I'm really happy with how they turned out. They are far from perfect, but I learned a lot, Little Bit is thrilled with them, and I think I may have enough confidence to try something more elaborate later on, like Mod Kid's Naomi pattern.

Oh and did I mention they apparently need quilts now?

Make and win a FQ bundle!

2012-01-03T17:45:00.000-05:00

Have you seen these blogger bundles over on Fat Quarter Shop?
(check out the one on the bottom of the page for June, just sayin.....)

Ever wanted to make one yourself?

Now's your chance! Laura is hosting a FQS-sponsored contest to create and win your very own bundle!

But it's even better because you won't be winning fat quarters but 1/2 yards!I'm one of the guest judges, with Amy making the final decision. I can't say I envy her that job!

What is your favorite cut? How many do you prefer in a bundle?

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T22:49:00.001-05:00

I hope 2012 is full of love, laughter, quilting and hope for you and yours!My only resolution this year is to get back to blogging more! I got out of the "habit" and its really silly because you know I'm still sewing and am chalk full of opinions!So if you notice I haven't blogged in a while give me a nudge, you can comment, email me or send a tweet! What do you want to change for 2012?

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T10:26:00.000-05:00

May all of you feel the love and joy that abounds this season. You all are my gift and you have enriched my life by being in it.

To all my nonChristian friends, may all your celebrations be joyful and full of family and love.

Happy Birthday Quilting Gallery!

2011-12-10T10:46:00.001-05:00

Mishka is having a blog hop to celebrate Quilting Gallery's 4th Birthday!

The Blog Hop Party starts today and there are all sorts of giveaways all over blogland in celebration! You can visit the site here.

I am not participating as I'm a bit overwhelmed at the moment but I wanted to make sure you all get in on the fun!

SeamedUp Poscast

2011-12-06T21:18:00.000-05:00

Back in November I did a podcast with Allison of SeamedUp and it's finally posted!
You can listen to me talk about Market, free vs paid in quilting, what's new and awesome, and so much more!
Allison and I spoke for 3 hours and she managed to edit it down to a little over 1! Grab some stitching or do some cutting and listen!

Quilted Wraps!

2011-12-04T14:20:00.001-05:00

For my longer time readers you will know I make and sell quilted wraps, which all started with one of my free Moda Bake Shop patterns, Pure Comfort.
I've made a few changes to the design, giving it a square neckline, and making it longer, which have improved them immensely, in my humble opinion.

I've also listed them in my etsy shop!

This is the Red White and Blue version, made using Minik & Simpson's American Primer

I also have ones made with Fig & Plum, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Parisville, Origins, Pure, Eden and Half Moon listed.

I also do custom wraps, I'm currently working on an Alabama one for a friend's mom.

For all my bloggy friends I've made a code to give a 15% discount CHRISTMAS2011, good until next week.

Friendpatch block!

2011-11-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

Many months ago the incredibly organized Mme Samm of Sew I Quilt, and Sew We Quilt (formerly Stash Manicure) sent an email out asking for block tutorials for a Block Party on Sew We Quilt.

Seeing as I love a party, I came up with Friendpatch!
Merging two blocks I'm really liking right now, Friendship Star and a Nine-Patch Four Patches (I'm sure there's actually a name to this one but not sure what it is)

I made the block as a 6" block but it is easily changed to 9 or 12. If you need help changing the size email or comment and I'll be glad to help!

You can check out the directions, and 3 different layout options on Sew We Quilt, and I'd appreciate it if you could leave a comment over there too!

And still we will remember them

2011-11-11T08:40:00.001-05:00

I have written my feelings about this day several times since I started blogging and I don't think I have much more to add so I will just repost.
The only thing is that in this time which is seeing the creation of more veterans then any other in modern times we remember that today is not only for the World Wars though, it is to remember ALL veterans of ALL conflicts, Korea, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and all members of our peace keeping forces who have given their lives to our great nation's service, and for the dream of a peaceful world for all.
It is also for the families- the husbands and wives, children, parents- and friends of those who serve. They sacrifice so much to support our soliders. Today we must also honour and remember them.

Last year's

On the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month we will remember them.

Today is Remembrance Day here in Canada, Veteran's Day in the US and Armistice Day in the UK and France. While originally only commemorating the Great War (WWI), and then both World Wars, today we remember all of our veterans of all conflicts, and our Peacekeepers around then world who so bravely serve and fight for our freedoms and way of life. Where ever they are, remember our serving men and women, and their families who stand up for what we as a nation stand for.
Whether in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Bosnia, Rwanda, or Haiti or those from conflicts further in history, remember the important and great work our men and women have done and continue to do.

In high school I was very blessed to be able to go to France with a large groups of history students to travel and learn more about the World Wars. We visited so many very important sites, The Somme, Dieppe -the site of one of our greatest defeats and later a great triumph; Vimy Ridge- the site where Canada became nation is the eyes of the world; the Beaches of Normandy; too many cemeteries to count, though the most significant for me was Bayeux.
Bayeux cemetery is a multi-national, mutli-faith cemetery where far too many soldiers are buried. The thing that I remember most though is meeting this beautiful woman who had been in Bayeux when the battle took place there.
She was 16 years old and like so many women of the time took care of the wounded and dying. Every week since then she has tended the Canadian graves at this cemetery. At the time it had been 56 years.
For 56 years this woman tended the graves of those boys, and they were boys 16-22 mostly, who had come to liberate her country from horrors she still will not speak about.
Grave after grave, and so many saying only "To Be Known Only Unto God". Boys no older then I was then. So many heartbreaking inscriptions. To this day I cry when I think about it. So many families left behind.

On the anniversary of D-Day we were in Bennie-sur-Mer, on Juno Beach. The beach Canada took for the allies in what is still one of the greatest military operations in history. We were invited to march through the town as part of a parade to commemorate the liberation of the town, and at the end to sing O Canada while ground was broken on what would be a memorial centre. People hung out the windows watching, and when they saw our flags and jackets with the maple leaf they cheered and waved. We heard more the one Vive la Canada! Merci Canada! And these were not just from the elderly who had lived through it, but all ages who had been brought up to remember. I cannot tell you how proud to be Canadian that memory makes me.

Today and everyday may we remember the sacrifices of those who have gone before us, and who go before us now so that we may have our corner of freedom and peace.

For those who are teachers, please continue to teach our history. We cannot forget the huge sacrifices that have been, and are made every day by not only those who serve in our armed forces, but their families as well. Bring out the old text books with more than one chapter on what has made us.

Bring alive the history, the human sacrifice, the trials and triumphs.

Our country came of age in the midst of horrendous wars. We stood tall when greater nations fell. We volunteered more men per capita then any other nation. We held lines when others ran. We took the field when wave after wave of others had failed. We showed kindness to those who had been so brutally mistreated. Europe does not forget and neither should we.

Be proud of our history and our legacy.
Teach our children to be.
Teaching them that our peace came at a terrible price does not glorify war and violence.
Teach them that all it takes for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing.
Teach our children that peace is the ultimate goal, but it is not always an easy one.
It takes strength to stand up.
And as Canadians we have long and proud history of standing up.
Teach them to continue that.
Especially when it is hard.
Teach them to call those who do nothing out.
To Stand On Guard. Our anthem is not just another song. Teach it to them.

So that never again will our nation, or any other, ever be called upon to make such a sacrifice again.
Lest we forget.

seamed up! I'm doing an interview!!

2011-11-09T00:28:00.003-05:00

Exciting stuff! I'm going to be doing a podcast on Seamed Up tomorrow!! I'll nervous and excited!! I'll let you know when you can download it!

Quilt Market Part 3

2011-11-04T16:41:00.001-04:00

Ok I'm getting long winded here so I'll try to shorten up this last post.

So I left of Saturday having finished up at Market, after another awesome dinner and gabfest with the girls I was staying with it was on to the Moda party! A blast was had by all, and incriminating pictures of my dancing may have been published on Fat Quarter Shop's twitter feed. No I'm not giving you links.

After the Moda party it was on to the meet up of the Modern Quilt Guild, which was at the bar in hotel lobby. Even more awesome people were there and I actually remembered to get some pictures and was able to have a little longer then 2 minute conversations!!
I had to take my glasses off for pictures because I was looking demonic with the glare.
Amy Ellis from the Creative Side flew in, she was hush hush about it so it was a nice surprise!

The super nice John Adams, aka Quilt Dad. He really is such an awesome guy.

Fellow Canadian Cheryl Arkison! Who has a book coming out in the Spring!

Lynette Anderson! I LOVE this woman. She is funny, sweet, smart and talented! What more could you want?

Lynette and John!

We're not sure what Julie's doing here but it was nice meeting her!

After staying up waaaay to late on Saturday night it was back to Market Sunday. I ran around some more, annoyed some more people and just soaked up the awesomeness.

I ran into Natalia from Piece N Quilt at the Starbucks, which is the best place to meet people as we all need the caffeine to keep going at such an intense pace. I was so glad to meet her, even though it was only a few minutes.

Jacqueline found this gorgeous little clutch made up in Bari J's Paris Apartment!

Presencia threads! These were really gorgeous and I learned a lot from the wonderful ladies at the booth, I'll share more about that later.

Here are some of the awesome Moda designers, which I'm still on cloud 9 over meeting.

And look at that chair! I so want!

I got to get a booked signed by Kay Whitt, Sew Serendipity Bags, which is an awesome books on all levels of bag making.

The evening was spent with Jacqueline and Laine, Sha and Tiffany having had to go back home. We again did the talking and chatting thing, also took a TON of pictures of my quilts and wraps, mostly because Jacqueline is a way better photographer then I am and took pity on me.
I really loved being able to meet and stay with such good friends I'd met through Twitter and the #talknt chat. It made the trip so much less anxiety ridden for me, because no matter what I got that from it and what is more important then friends?

Monday was essentially all travel home, but thankfully I had my new little stitchery from Lynette to keep me occupied!

So that was my Market experience more or less. It was incredible, and I would do it again in a heartbeat but am now still so worn out and sore from it all that I've gotten almost nothing done this week.
If you ever get a chance to go to Market, or even Festival, I highly recommend it. Large numbers of quilters gathering to celebrate our craft leads to an immense amount of fun!

2011-11-03T09:42:00.001-04:00

Ok so yesterday I covered most of what I did at Schoolhouse, if you want another good detailing of it check out I'm a Ginger Monkey, she went to more sessions then I did, and I think got waaaay better pics!

Fabric 2.0 was a great party Friday night, I have pictures with people that are missing, which is really making me sad, but it was probably one of the best parts of Market for me. I got to meet and talk with so many incredibly talented people in a fairly relaxed setting.
Here is Stephanie from Fat Quarter Shop, she and I email back and forth about #talknt all the time so it was great being able to put a face to the email address.

Sarah Fielke may be one of the funniest people in quilting. She's an Aussie who designs for Lecein, and her book Little Things is now available in the North America.

These little butterfly's Sarah is wearing became on of the must haves of Market, she had tons of them made up in different prints from her St. Ives line.

So from this point on my pictures from Fabric 2.0 are missing and I really could cry about that as I had ones taken with Joanna of Fig Tree, Kate Spain, Melissa from Generation Q Magazine and a host of other really talented and awesome people.

But at Market there is no rest so it went on and so will I!
After a great gabfest with Laine, Jacqueline, Sha, and Tiffany and about 4 hours sleep it was off to the Market floor!

I saw Ellen Medlock, for whom I had done a quilt pattern for, and she had the quilt to show off at Market!

I meet up with Niki from Stitchin Heaven who I just ADORE! I'm going to be so sad when we're not doing charm school etc anymore.

And as I ran around Market I ran into, sometimes litteraly, all sorts of talented people.
The awesome Pat Sloan with Niki! I may have been super hyper so I think Pat may be slightly terrified of me now, though I do have a new Sullivan Ruler to check out and tell you all about!

Like Linda Lum DeBono!

In between running into all the awesome people were all the gorgeous booths! I couldn't get over the creativity of so many people. Honestly just mind boggling.

This is from BasicGrey's booth, Hello Lucious will be out in the spring and it is just stunning! I really love the colours in this one.

From the Moda booth's Papillon from 3 Sisters.

Minik & Simpson

Me and My Sister

Rouenneries Deux from Moda!! You know I'm just ecstatic over this one being redone!

That gorgeous lady is Tula Pink, fabric designer extraordinaire and visionary in the quilt world, she is blazing some awesome trails with her designs and use of colour.

Alma from Blackbird Designs, I LOVE Blueberry Crumble, it has awesome light and dark blues, with whites and tans. Really a great line, especially if you want to do a blue work quilt.

Sweetwater!! What more do I need to say???

StudioKat had a lot of really nice bag patterns, I especially like the orange one in the back with sunflowers.

Could it be? Is it she? The awesome Kate Spain! Designer of Terrain, Fandango, Verna and now Good Fortune! And one of the sweetest people I met.

And the adorable girls from LizzieBCre8tive Liz and Beth!

There's Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill designs newest BOM, using Rouenneries Deux!

This one is from Laundry Basket Quilt and the new line is called Love Letters.

Part of the Aurifil display! I couldn't get a shot of the table, which they had done up like Thanksgiving dinner, with coloured thread as all the "food". It was really well done!

So blogger won't let me add more pictures so another update is coming soon!

Quilt Market 2011 Day 1

2011-11-02T16:37:00.000-04:00

First I'm sorry it has taken so long to get this post up but holy wow was it a riot in Houston.
I had intended to do updates each night, but that was out the window when I wasn't getting into my room until 12-2am every night and then talking etc with the girls I was staying with.

I had an absolutely WONDERFUL time! I have no favorites, there was just so many awesome people, quilts, fabrics, notions and conversations!

My head is spinning trying to figure out where to start so I'll try to go chronologically.
I flew in on Thursday and was picked up from the airport by the gorgeous and fabulous Laine, of Just Plaine Laine, and we eventually hooked up with Jacqueline and Sha. Thursday was spent just getting settled and chatting with each other, and my first trip to a Joanne's which was fun.

This is the gorgeous stained glass, wall fountain in the lobby of the Hilton, which had a lot of gorgeous glass art.

Friday was Schoolhouse, which is mostly for shop owners, and focuses on improving their business, and designers etc telling them why and how utilize their products. It was really informative and I enjoyed sitting in on about 6 of these mini info sessions.
I got into Verna Mosquero, of The Vintage Spool who really is just the Queen of Applique! I adore her new pattern and was lucky enough to win a copy!

Next I got into Lynette Anderson's session, and she is just the sweetest, and funniest lady! It was awesome and I think a ton of people just sat and listened to her fun Aussie accent!
I loved her little stitcheries, the hadn painted button club she has for stores, and of course her new fabric line, which while duskier is not heavy or dark. You can read an interview with Lynette here from Sewn Europe.

During a break of the session I ran into the GORGEOUS and super sweet Vanessa Christenson, she really is such a sweet person.

Then it was off to more schoolhouses, this time with the designers of Lecien, Sarah Fielke, Lynette Anderson, Natalia Lymer from Cinderberry Stitches and Brenda Riddle from Acorn Quilt Company. You can see their fabrics by clicking in the link. We got to see all of their up coming lines, plus a few more and they really just span the entire range from sweet, to hip, cute to cool, and traditional to contemporary.

I spotted Katy of I'm a Ginger Monkey and Tacha the editor from FatQuarterly in that schoolhouse.

Next was Stash Books, and I absolutely adored this one! We got to see all sorts of new and coming next spring books! They all look so gorgeous and full of inspirational photography! I'm incredibly excited! Susanne Woods is the acquisitions editor there and she really is such a wonderful lady! Very sassy!

I took one schoolhouse with Pat Sloan and I have to say I was star struck! I don't think I took in much in that one except that I was in the same room as she was!

Then it was my personal hero and the person I blame fully for my quilting life, Joanna Figueroa from Fig Tree Quilts!! She designed the first line I ever fell in love with and my first foray into design was with her fabrics, and even my first Bake Shop quilt used Whimsy!
I've been begging her for more blues like those in Urban Indigo and Folklorique and did she ever deliver with California Girl, which is out in the spring!! I'm in love all over again!!
Joanna is also just a really funny person with lots of good things to say about Fresh Vintage and what those mean! She is brilliant!

My final schoolhouse was Jan from Daisy Janie, whose fabrics are all GOTS certified organic and she had a really interesting presentation on the making of fabric, its environmental impact, and what alternatives are out there.
Having felt and worked with her line Shades of Grey I can tell you that the feel of her fabrics is superb! Very silky and strong, with rich colour. You'd never guess it wasn't highest quality conventional fabric unless she told you! Tilly is her new line and has lots of colour to it. I don't have more pictures as I was helping out a bit.

This is her with Betz White who also has GOTS certified fabric. I'll be doing a post on it all soon.
There are also pictures of Betz's new line Stitches for Robert Kaufman.

If you can believe it Friday was not over! There was still Fabric 2.0 to go to which was a great party! I had such a great time there, and was able to chat up so many people! I really had an incredible time there. I don't think I could list everyone I spoke to even if I tried! It was truely amazing and I loved it, and will try to find some of the pictures to help me remember who all I have to tell you about!
I did miss Sample Spree but really I wouldn't change that because of the great conversations nd connections I was able to make.

But I think I may have to put off the rest of this recap until another time as for some silly reason Little Bit wants some dinner!.

Market Day One

2011-10-29T01:24:00.000-04:00

I'll do more comprehensive posts when I get home but just wanted to share how awesome a time I'm having here!!Everyone has be so wonderful, and sweet.I can't even think let alone tell you all the people I've met and chatted and I have to tell you I just love them even more!Today was schoolhouse, which is mostly for shop owners, but some great advice in general about retailing, how you can use whatever the teacher was hawking etc. I really feel like I have learned soooooo much!! Laine, Sha, Jacqueline and Tiff are also just so much fun, we are just a party. So glad we were all able to stay together. I will post pictures etc as soon as I find the cord. I have some yummy too show you!

To Market I go!

2011-10-23T22:03:00.000-04:00

Yes I am going to the insanity known as The Fall International Quilt Market in Houston! I am sooo incrediblt excited to meet so many awesome people I have only know through the internet.Which is a good thing seeing as I'm rooming with 4 women I've never met!

Who are the people you would most want to meet? Or what questions would you ask? Leave a comment letting me know and I'll try to get everyone favorite celeb with a mini interview!

I've had my business cards printed and I pick them you tomorrow!! Which I am so excited about! The awesome and lovely Bari J, after seeing my attempts told me they offended her and took over and designed me these amazing cards!!! I can't not say enough thank yous for them! I feel more confident and professional just having them!

and the back is as cool!

I am so excited but also super scared! I'm going to be showing my patterns to some distribution companies, and other fabric co's in hope they'll let me design with their fabrics too!

Oh and the winner of my Thanksgiving post is....gill! Send me an email and I'll get your treat out to you soon!

Uber Fest Block, correction

2011-10-11T18:24:00.001-04:00

I realized thanks to a few emails that I made an oopsy in the directions for the Bear Cabin Block, one was the strip was the last cabin strip is 1" too long and another came from a redesign not being updated in the instructions, meaning you made an extra set of HSTs. I've updated the instructions.
If I didn't reply to your email about the correction it is because you are set as a no-reply and I can't.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-10-10T16:19:00.000-04:00

To all my Canadian and Canadian wannabe friends and family!

I have so much to be thankful for in my life and this last year has been especially wonderful.

I am thankful my daughter is healthy and generally happy. She is growing and improving every day.

Shane is working today and I am thankful he has a job, our city has the highest unemployment in the country.

I am thankful for being able to chat and make friends with so many people around the world, some who have become my closest friends.

I am thankful for a family that was able to help us buy our house this year, a place we can all continue to grow and improve as a family. It has solved or helped with so many issues.

I am thankful I can design and write quilt patterns, sharing my love of craft with others, making quilted wraps ( I have a few in my etsy store) to sell and hosting Talkin Tuesday, connecting with quilters and crafters all over the world. FYI Fat Quarter Shop is sponsoring tomorrow night and we're giving away 2 yards of Panier de Fluers, French General's new line!

Today the rule in our house is there is no wishing or wanting of things we don't have, only saying what we are thankful that we do have.

I am so thankful for all of the opportunities this blog has opened up for me I'm going to do a little giveaway since I can't have all of you over for dinner!
Leave me a comment on something you are grateful for and I will draw a name and give a prize later this week. Not sure what yet but it will sewing/quilting related!

Uberfest! My turn!

2011-10-09T11:46:00.000-04:00

Welcome all of you Uber-fest Quilters! I`m incredibly excited to be able to contribute a block to Scott`s quilt along! Did you see April's block yesterday? No pressure following that! lol

We were asked to design a block using HSTs (one of my ultime fav design elements) and log cabins, the original trendy block!
One of the reasons I loved the fabric I was sent, Sleeping Beauty by Nel Whatmore, was because I got one of the pieces that is technically a strip but it is so big I could use different parts as different colour patches. The orange fabric came from there.

What I came up with is what I`ve called Bear Cabin! Can you see why?

You can download the pattern sheet here. If you have any question just sent me an e-mail! I'm happy to help!
Make sure you check out Heather's block tomorrow! She is one creative lady!

Twilight is here!

2011-10-05T09:28:00.002-04:00

I'm am so excited to announce that I have a new pattern! Twilight, which you may recognize as originally being a pattern for Stitchin Heaven's charm school, is available at Fat Quarter Shop!
Because of delivery issues it was never used for Charm School as I re-made it in Terrain and this is my favorite quilt!
The pattern I love because with 2 charm packs of ANY line you can make it by adding your favorite solid or marble! It works with any colour!

I've included some of my fav "art" shots of the quilt. The hardest part of making a pattern for me is getting a shot of the whole quilt to use on the cover! It is so hard, and as you can tell with this one for it to work I had to chop off the outer border in the picture. And having looked at it I think the quilt doesn't really need the outer border except to give it more size, which is 61" square with it, 48" without.

What do you think?

Gen Q Magazine and Uber Fest

2011-10-04T16:11:00.000-04:00

The two are tied together by Scott of Blue Nickel Quilts!!

Today is day four of Uber-Fest and Moose on Porch Quilts is up and as the leader of both Jelly Roll and Layer Cake Quilt Alongs Konda knows how to make a block!

Have you heard of Generation Q Magazine yet? It's an online quilt, personality, life style magazine. Remember Quilter's Home when it first came out? That kind of thing. Jake is back with several other awesome and talented, and funny people.
It's modern, contempary for quilters, crafters, sewists and creative people.
You can find them on facebook and twitter, sponsoring tonight's #talknt in fact!
One of the reason I love the attitude of this magazine is because it's irreverent yet respectful, contemporary but not exclusive.
They have some really great, in depth, and interesting interviews with various people in the quilting industry and great and useful articles about everything from made up Saints of Needlework, to app reviews for your technology.

Uberfest is a go!

2011-10-01T13:26:00.000-04:00

Quilt Uber-fest is starting! Scott Hansen of Blue Nickel Studios has organized a great quilt along for October with all sorts of fabulous people contributing a block, you can download the pdf instructions from each designer's site on their day, and in the end all of us are sending our blocks to the lovely Rachel who is sewing them up into a quilt to be donated to charity!
Each block is going to be inspired by, or involve half square triangles (HSTs), log cabins or flying geese, perfect for a Autumn quilt along!

Today is the first day and everyone's favorite Quilt Dad, John, is up first with a great block using the fabrics we were provided called Sleeping Beauty by Nel Whatmore for Free Spirit Fabrics.

Scott has a great interview with Nel on his blog and you can read all about her, her designs and all those fun things that we love about designer interviews!

Tomorrow's block will be posted by Kaye Prince over on her blog, Miss Print

Make sure you check them out and be sure to come back here for my day October 9th!

Twitter Party Tonight!

2011-09-23T11:54:00.000-04:00

Niki over at Stitchin Heaven is at it again! She's organzied a twitter party for tonight and there are going to be all sorts of great prizes! You really want to join in if you can! The party is from 9-11pm CST, which is 10-12pm EST, and 7-9pm PST. Oh and those in MST time zone it is 8-10pm. And for my Australian friends it will be an hour later then the #talknt start time, so around 12 if you're in the middle of the country, and hour each way for east or west.
I'm giving away sets of my patterns and I know there will be lots and lots of other prizes!
You can check out all the sponsors along with more info on the Stitchin Heaven blog.
To join in the party just add the #SHPARTY hasthag to your tweets. I find TweetChat helpful for following along for parties, and a lot of people use it for Talkin Tuesday's chat as well. Just enter the hashtag in the box on the top of the page and it will take you to the chat and add it to you tweets for you!

New Moda Bake Shop Project!

2011-09-21T08:34:00.001-04:00

I know it's been a long while but I have a new Moda Bake Shop Project for you all! Paradise Batik Wave is a quilt I designed with my younger sister in mind. It can use any fabric line, and as little as 9 FQs from one, and a solid.

I have to say I think it's one of my favorites and while not necessarily the quickest, you do have to make a lot of four patches, it is easy, and utilizes strip piecing etc.

Let me know what you think!

Fat Quarterly Designer Challenge

2011-09-18T21:47:00.002-04:00

I was asked to do the Fat Quarterly Design Scrap Challenge using Daisy Janie's Shades of Grey, which is an absolutely gorgeous feeling fabric, and totally organic to boot!
If you have been wondering about organic fabric I 100% recommend getting a hold of Jan's fabric. It is beautiful to work with, has a silky feel and the colour is deep.
You can see the post about it here.

I am so honoured and excited to have been included!!

2011-09-15T07:00:00.000-04:00

Coming in October!
You can read more about it here at Blue Nickel Studios! Scott is the one taking on the huge process of organizing this great Quilt Along. I am super excited to have been asked to design a block, just look at all those other fabulous people contributing!
And in the end the finished quilt, made from our blocks, will be given to charity!

Guesting

2011-09-13T09:48:00.000-04:00

I've done a guest blog post over on Craizee Corner for Sha's Sweetwater feature!I really do love Sweetwater, their fabric lines are all in my favorites, and I've used each line several times, and admit to having a good deal stashed away. Check it out!

And don't forget about tonight's Talkin Tuesday over on twitter!

Still creating

2011-09-05T11:19:00.000-04:00

It may not seem like it but I have been in my sewing room a lot lately. I finished up this sample for the Stitchin Heaven Perse-Anality club. Using Oasis charm packs to create a large carry all bag. I may add a zipper to this one, but I love it's size for going to the park, groceries, or as an overnight bag- for multiple people lol.

I've also been working on quilts for patterns and trying to figure out exactly where I'm going. I'm starting to have a bit of an identity crisis, at least an online one. Who is CaraQuilts and where does she fit in exactly in this online quilting world? Where the heck do I want to wind up and is it really possible?

I have a chronic illness, and for the last while far worse then the pain is the exhaustion. An exhaustion so deep and overwhelming the idea of getting up, moving, even thinking is sometimes too much. Going to the grocery store is makes me feel like I've been up for 36 hours.
I'm barely able to keep up with the basics of being a mom and wife. Trying to make something of myself in the quilting world takes an immense amount of energy and I just don't know if I have that in me. The desire is there, and I've even come to accept I probably have the talent, but I don't know if I have the energy. I sure don't have the money. Like almost every start up, you need money to make money, and I just don't have it.
And let's face it, the quilting world, especially pattern design, is a crowded field. It's hard to get noticed enough to make any kind of living.

But you don't really need to hear about everything going on in my head. You want to hear about creating! Which is what I love to. I have so many ideas floating in my head.
With Little Bit starting back school tomorrow I'm hoping a routine will be developed that lets me get some of them out of my head, or off the computer and into fabric.

Here's a sneak peek at two of the patterns coming out soon. The top one is also coming out in a yardage version, this one having been made with precuts.

I'm having to bit the bullet and wash them without Colour Catchers. I can't find them anywhere. I've heard from a lot of people they can't find the in Ontario so maybe it was a fluke I found them last year when I did.

Wildlife Adventures

2011-09-01T23:21:00.003-04:00

Ok that may be overstating it more then a bit but Little Bit and her little friends probably don't think so.

A little after dinner we get a frantic child running in looking for a box. There is a bird. After a little wrangling we come to understand this is a real bird. And it's alive. But injured.
If you've ever tried to get a story out of a 7 year old you know this can be difficult, when that 7 year old has serious language delays, cognitive delay and autism, it is just plain ridiculous.

Shane went out to help the girls once he saw they had no idea what they were doing and got it into their little shoe box filled with an old nest, grass and some seed.

I was sent in to do the internet thing to discover what we needed to do.
Luckily I have a wonderful friend on twitter, SewShine, who is a vet in her real life, as well as being an excellent machine embroiderer. We were able to back and forth and discover that if the wing was broken it needed to go to a wildlife sanctuary, which for us is about 45 minute drive.
So I go back out to tell everyone and I find the bird if now perched itself in Shane's hand!

I go to touch it's wings to see if it actually is broken, or if we're dealing with a bird who just hasn't learned to fly yet. Shane has the brilliant idea to get a picture of the girls with the bird first, this bird has been taking being photographed very well, so quickly get the girls in a line, he bends over to put it in front and WOOSH! Away goes birdie to the top of our roof! Only picture is of the faces as they see it fly! I didn't have permission from the parents so can't share it yet. But trust me. It's hilarious.

After again consulting SewShine I was able to comfort the kids that the bird will be fine if he was able to fly to our roof he'll be able to survive fine on his own now.

So happy ending to all! And after about an hour search I think I've figured out that birdie is a Cedar Waxwing. Being a baby he hasn't fully expressed all his features but the yellow tips on his tail feathers and the mask around his eyes are what I'm going on.

Having seen all the pictures the girls where drawing of birdie, as that's what they called him, I was not surprisingly asked why I didn't have a quilt for or with a bird on it. I was told I should make one.
This has some how been added to the never ending list of overcommitment that I currently have going. Any patterns or ideas?

Summer madness

2011-08-30T09:38:00.000-04:00

Ever have one of those summers where you seem to do both nothing and everything?
It's been a really weird summer here, both for weather and activity. We've not done much, no great trips or vacations. No big outdoor projects, yet I feel like I've been on the go the entire time.

I've done some sewing. Ok a LOT of sewing, to the point I've killed yet another iron.
Good thing I long ago discovered I should only every own cheap ones as they seem to die on me rather frequently.

I have 3 new patterns coming very soon, to be added to the ones already up on Fat Quarter Shop.
I just need to get them washed and photographed. I've been to 3 stores trying to find the Shout Colour Catchers I use whenever I wash my quilts, especially new ones, with no luck. I'm really not willing to try and wash these without them because of the dark colours and the material I've used on the back of two of them is a purple marble and it just seems like something that will bleed.

I'm also still working on the patterns for Stitchin Heaven and their Charm School and Perse-Anality Club, though I hear they won't be continuing with them after the end of the year.

I've signed on to do some Quilt Alongs this fall, as well as design a Modern Block of the Month for Lola Pink Fabrics

In all this I feel like I've abandoned my blog a bit and it makes me sad. I miss writing and sharing with all of you, and getting your comments and stories in return.
So I'm going to make a stronger effort to update more. I also hope this will help me do some none work sewing as I really feel if I let it get too much more I won't be able to sew just for the heck of it anymore.
On the other hand whenever I come up with something new I want to make it into a pattern, which is probably a dumb thing to do but multitasking is in my bones lol.
Part of living with any kind of disability is knowing your limits, but also trying to get around them. And for me that means doing as much as I can when I can, and combining things together. I find myself very impatient with my health, especially the exhaustion I've been dealing with, it's so much harder to push through/ignore then the pain. And they don't seem to have any drugs for it but caffeine!
I'm really hoping that Little Bit going back to school will help me recapture some level of normalcy. Allowing me to go back to schedule that physically works for me instead of just trying to stay awake and present for her.
My sewing room hasn't even been unpacked from when we moved in December. I've just been grabbing things out of boxes as I go, which had made one heck of a mess.

More chances at an AccuQuilt

2011-08-26T09:45:00.001-04:00

AccuQuilt just wants to givieaway more of these things! They have another contest going on Facebook.
AccuQuilt has asked that I pass the word on to you so here it is.

Camp Quiltalong Prize Giveaway

Join in some campfire fun for achance to win great prizes totaling over $1500! Fons & Porter,Fabric.com, and AccuQuilt have teamed up to provide us all with a huge giveawayon Facebook. Simply “Like” these Facebook pages and gainaccess to all three sections of a secret code that unlock your chance to win! Follow the camp trail on the bottom of each sponsor’s page and it will takeyou to the next campground to retrieve the next section of code. Once you’vecaptured all three pieces of the secret code, go to www.accuquilt.com/indianblocksand enter the full code to register to win!

Your summer camping trip begins atAccuQuilt, so get GO!-ing at http://www.facebook.com/accuquilt?sk=wall#!/accuquilt?sk=app_10467688569

And remember to sign up for the AccuQuilt newsletter! You can get 22 free patterns!

Desperate Housewives Quilt Block

2011-08-11T18:13:00.000-04:00

Quilt Jane is running the Desperate Housewives Quilt Along, or as Jane puts it, the quilt-as-you-wish-along, with a new block being posted every week for 50 weeks. She was short a person so asked me to make up a block!
So here is "Rolling Divide". The block finishes at 8". Like most of what I do it's easier then it looks, and don't worry about those itty bitty pieces, we don't actually touch them. You can do this scrappy if you like, I just used the fabrics Little Bit chose. I used the AccuQuilt Baby Go! to cut out my pieces, using the Alex Anderson Baskets Die, using the 2" squares, and 1 1/2" finished half square triangle parts of the die.

Cutting
(12) green 2" squares
(9) blue 2" squares
(2) green 2 3/8 squares
(2) blue 2 3/8" squares
(2) pink 4" x 1 1/2" strip
(1) pink 8 1/2" x 1 1/2" strip

Sewing
Draw a line on the back of the blue 2 3/8" squares, diagonally corner to corner. Layer right sides together with the green squares and stitch 1/4" on either side of the line. Cut along the line and press to the green. Trim to 2".

Lay the patches out according to the diagram.

Stitch into rows and press rows in opposing directions so that when you stitch the rows together they "snap" into place. This will help you match your points.
Stitch into rows and press.

At this point your block measures 8".
Cut it into quarters, each measuring 4" x 4" square.

Sew the 4" 1 1/2" strip lengthwise along one of the cut edges. Stitch another of the 4" unit to the other long side of the strip. Repeat with the other 2 units. Press towards the strip.

Stitch the 8 1/2" strip to the half units. Press to the strip.

Your block should measure 8 1/2", which will be 8" finished.

Baby Go! Winner is...

2011-08-09T23:05:00.001-04:00

Patti from Saskatoon! Congratulations! E-mail me, caraquilts @ gmail.com with your choice of three dies and address and I will forward it on to the awesome people at AccuQuilt who made this possible!

Congratulation! I know you're going to love the Baby Go! Especially for applique and other shapes that take forever to cut.

Two weeks??

2011-08-02T14:42:00.001-04:00

How in the world has it been almost 2 weeks since I last posted?? This summer is getting away from me way too fast!!
The AccuQuilt Baby Go! giveaway is open until Sunday so make sure you've entered!! I can't wait to be able to give someone one of these!

So by now I'm sure you've all seen the Farmer's Wife Quilt Along that pretty much everyone in blog land seems to be doing? Well way back in June, actually I think it was the end of May, anyways over on twitter it was being discussed and Pat Sloan and I decided we wanted to join in but really didn't want to commit to 2 blocks a week for a year. Just not going to happen. So we decided we were going to be the Farmer's Mistresses!
All the fun, none of the commitment!
Now someone got upset on the flickr group over the term so I think we're going by Farmer's girlfriends now but still.
Anyways, I'm doing mine completely from Fig Tree fabrics, 75% of which will come from my stash most likely.I'm hoping to have a bit from every on of Joanna's lines in the quilt.

I hate templates so right now am only doing the ones I can figure out the math on, and one of the yahoo groups has the designs as paper piecing patterns so will probably do some of them that way.
I'm ok with a few templates but this is kind of silly to me.
So here are a few of the blocks I've gotten finished. Several more have decided to hide in the wasteland that is my sewing room. It's getting kind of scary in there so I will have to clean it out soon. I'm losing way to much.

I have 3 more patterns coming out soon, including this one, so I've been working crazy hard to get them finished up. I'm very excited about these ones and hope you will be too.

Remember you can buy my patterns that are already out at Fat Quarter Shop now!

Baby Go! giveaway

2011-07-21T15:32:00.001-04:00

I know I promised it last week but I have been having a really hard time coming up with the giveaway for the Baby Go! There are so many options but then I got to thinking that the whole point of AccuQuilt is to make life for us quilters easier, not more complicated.
I really wish I had more of these to giveaway because I know so many who they could help but I only have the one, plus three dies.You can read my review of the Baby Go! here.

So here's how it's going to work. You have three chances to win.

Chance #1
Leave me a comment telling me how you think the Baby Go! will make things easier for you. That's it.

Chance #2
Use social media to spread the word about the giveaway. That's facebook, twitter, blogs, google+ etc
Leave me a comment with the link, and if it's on twitter make sure to include @caraquilts #gogiveaway in the tweet.

Chance #3
Like my new facebook page.

That's it. Three chances. The first one requires nothing but a comment, the extra two are a bit of work for you. I will draw on August 7th.
I'd love for you to follow/connect with me on various social media sites but I'm not going to force it. If you want to I'd love it, you can get all the link on the top left sidebar of the blog.

There is also this giveaway going on on Facebook from AccuQuilt too!

Bust My Stash Photo Challenge

Have you stared at your fabric stash and wished that you hadthe time and energy to cut up your fabric for future projects? AccuQuilthas the answer! Click on the following link to participate: http://on.fb.me/qtyUoq or go to AccuQuilt’sFacebook page and click “Like”. Then go to the ‘Bust MyStash’ tab under their profile picture and upload a picture of yourfabric stash. Submit your photo by Friday, July 22^nd and you’llbe eligible to win a GO! Mix & Match 12” Starter Set. The photowith the most votes by July 31^st wins! Photos will be voted onby viewers and fans of the AccuQuilt Facebook page using the followingcriteria: relevance, creativity, and originality. Share with your friendsduring the voting period to increase your odds of winning!

Good Luck!

It's been so hot here I haven't been able to spend much time in my sewing room, which turns out to be the warmest in the house, but as soon as the heat wave breaks I'll get the tutorial put together for you using the dies I got with my Baby.

Baby Go! Review

2011-07-15T10:37:00.000-04:00

I received my Baby Go! last week and have been playing with it and thinking on its uses, strengths and weaknesses. I wanted to be able to give you all a really honest review. I am really grateful to AccuQuilt for letting me have one, and to give one away!, but my review is based more on if I'd bought it, and what I would tell my friends about it.

This is especially true since I can give you some insights on it from the point of view of someone who has chronic pain, and often am weak and have difficulty with the cutting aspect of quilting.

So my thoughts in general are positive. I'll give all my highlights first then do another section on some of the drawbacks.
I received the 2 1/2" strip die, the 3 size of hexagon die, and Alex Anderson's Bountiful Baskets die.

It is super easy to use, both my 7 year old and I could crank the handle with 4 layers of fabric on it.
It only weighs about 11 lbs, so it's not too heavy to move around.
It folds up nice and small so doesn't take a lot of space to store the machine itself.
For applique, especially fusible, and geometric shapes like hexagons or apple cores, it is a massive time saver when it comes to cutting. If you really like doing any of these type of quilts you will use this a lot.

I was able to use a charm pack and just cut the larger hexagon (5" across). I cut out all 42 hexies in about 10-15 minutes. No back pain. And they all were exactly the same.
If they had a 4 1/2"-5" tumbler die I'd be in heaven. The 3 1/2" tumbler wastes too much of a charm pack for me to use it.
It does cut the 2 1/2" strips quickly as well.

The mats are thick, thicker then a rotary cutting mat, so will probably last a good long time, so long as you follow the instructions on rotating them when you use them and store them properly.

The dies are well hidden in the foam board so no worries about kiddos, or klutzy me, getting cut accidentally.

Theoretically would could use the strip cutter to cut squares by re-cutting the strips. I didn't try this.

You can put paper through the machine, and in fact that is a step for troubleshooting, so you could make accurate English paper piecing pieces.

It is easy to use the Baby Go! sitting down at the table, or standing up.

Drawbacks
No matter how careful you are it wastes fabric, especially with strips etc, which I hate.
I can use my rotary cutter and get an extra strip or two out of a yard of fabric then I could using the 2 1/2" strip cutter. Also the strips can be slightly wonky, especially in the middle, depending on how you folded the fabric, just like with a rotary cutter.

The dies and mats are fairly large and take up a good deal of space. They are also pricey if you're not going to use it several times. The regular Go! has way more dies available, and in bigger sizes, which I think would be far more useful. I find that the limited number, and size of dies available for the Baby Go! to be a drawback. More will be add all the time though. The Baby Go! will not have anything bigger then the 5" rag die though. So if you like larger patches you will need the Go! This is sort of a personal thing. Look at what's available and what and how you quilt.

You can't use it to trim or square up blocks. Ok you could but it would be very difficult to be accurate and make sure you trimmed it properly.

You have to cut, fold or rip your fabric to fit it to the machine. The bed of the machine is only about 6" wide. Once I'm already cutting with the rotary cutter I don't want to switch back to the machine. And again you lose fabric making sure your dies are fully covered, about 1/4-1/2" on either side.

So what's the final verdict?
The Baby Go! would be a neat addition to your tools list, it will save you tons of time and back ache, especially with geometric and applique shapes, but you are still going to being using your rotary cutter and mat, just like we still use scissors.
If you can afford it go with the regular Accuquilt Go! just based on the number, size and types of dies available.

Stay tuned for a tutorial or two coming up using the Baby Go! and a giveaway, where you could win a Baby Go! and your choice of three dies.

And remember to sign up for the Accuquilt newsletter, where you get 22 free quilt patterns just for signing up! You also get a discount code that can be used when ordering.
Disclosure: I get points for every person who signs up and with enough points can get a free die. I appreciate it thanks!

There is also the Bust My Stash Photo Challenge going on Facebook. While you're there make sure to friend me!

Bust Your Stash! Win a Baby Go!

2011-07-12T17:37:00.001-04:00

Submit your photo by Friday, July 22^nd and you’ll be eligible to win a GO! Mix & Match 12” Starter Set. The photo with the most votes by July 31^st wins! Photos will be voted on by viewers and fans of the AccuQuilt Facebook page using the following criteria: relevance, creativity, and originality. Share with your friends during the voting period to increase your odds of winning!

Good Luck!

I'm stilling writing my review, tutorial and giveaway posts but wanted to let you all in on another opportunity to win a Baby Go!

Also if you sign up for the AccuQuilt newsletter you can get 22 quilt patterns free!

Pattern and Kit Winner!

2011-07-12T15:37:00.002-04:00

WOW that was a lot of entries! And lots of great fabric ideas for my patterns, Avalanche and Cheers to You were the most popular.
I have to say I think Cheers To You is my favorite as you can change the words easily for it to fit any occasion or any fabric.
Thank you to Shawna at 1 Choice 4 Quilting for hosting the giveaway and carrying my patterns!
But you want to know how won!

Getting a kit Cheers to You in Flurry of is ... Jodi!!

Congratulations!! Email me your physical address and we will get it out to you!

Keep an eye on the blog as I have at least 2 more giveaways coming up, including an Accuquilt Baby Go!

Exciting things are coming!!

2011-07-10T11:36:00.002-04:00

I will draw tomorrow for the kit and one of my patterns so if you haven't entered yet make sure you do here!!
And don't forget the 10% off coupon code "carapattern". You can get an extra 10% off you order at 1 Choice 4 Quilting until July 15th!!

This week has been very exciting for new arrivals, my little nephew on Monday and this came this week too!!

You know what that means! One of you lucky duckies will be winning a Baby Go! and 3 dies of your choice!! I'll be doing a review, a tutorial and giveaway soon!
I've been playing with mine and I have lots to say about it.

Welcome to a new nephew

2011-07-09T10:45:00.000-04:00

Monday my little nephew was born.

Friday evening we had a family dinner to welcome him to the dysfunctional craziness that is my family of origin.

Hello little guy.

Kit Giveaway!! And 10% off

2011-07-02T19:48:00.004-04:00

Shawna at 1 Choice 4 Quilting is going to giveaway a kit for one of my patterns!! The best part? You get to choose the pattern, and the fabrics you want for it!!!

Just head over to her shop and look around. Come back and tell me which pattern, you can find them under notions, and what line of fabric you'd like to win!!

Want more entries?
-Sign up for 1 Choice 4 Quilting's newsletter, come back and leave a comment letting me know.
- Be a follower of my blog. Again leave me a separate comment letting me know you follow.

If that isn't enough for you, you can also receive an extra 10% off by using the coupon code "carapattern" until July 15th!!! So much of Shawna's shop is already 20-30% off so you can really get some amazing deals!
Check out her Sample Spree section for some pre-release fabrics before they're all gone!

Talkin Tuesday and London Modern Quilt Guild

2011-06-28T09:34:00.000-04:00

Tonight is the 3rd meeting of the London Modern Quilt Guild at the Tonda Room at the London Central Library, the meeting starts at 6:30pm. There is lots of parking in the area and the bus stops almost at the door.
Tonight is the first of our member lecture series. Basically every meeting two people will give a mini lecture on something to do with quilting. Because I'm smart like that I volunteered to go first with the lovely Teresa. We're doing a thing on HSTs, their versatility and importance in design.
I think I will also be bringing my Curio quilt so I can work on the binding and get some feedback from the group on the pattern.

TALKIN TUESDAY

I always get some questions about the chat so thought I'd add some tips here.

Most find it easier to follow the chat using TweetChat. It automatically adds the hashtag (#talknt) to your tweets for you and has a control for how fast the page refreshes.

You MUST add your name and email on the Talkin Tuesday blog to be in the drawing for prizes. You do not need a URL, just leave that blank if you don't have a blog or site you want to link to.
The reason this changed from retweeting was all those retweets went to my limits and I kept getting thrown in twitter jail (locked out).

Just jump in! We're all really nice I promise. I ask questions, Q1, Q2 etc, often provided by the sponsor, and you answer and we discuss! Conversations spin off and some pretty funny things normally come up. There aren't any real "rules".

Tonight we're giving away sets of spools of AURIFIL thread!! You absolutely want to be the winner tonight!

Long arm quilting

2011-06-27T17:18:00.002-04:00

I don't know if you know but I have been renting the long arm quilting machine at my local sewing shop, Joyce's Sewing Shop, for a little under a year.
Mostly I do all over designs and have done a little bit of custom quilting in borders.

Well on Friday I decided to give a go to custom quilt an entire quilt. And I didn't pick a little one either! No, no I had to pick the 100" x 100" quilt I'd just finished sewing up for a new pattern.

(You can get my current patterns at Fat Quarter Shop or Pattern Spot)

The day did not start well. It was pouring rain and I got wet just getting into the shop at 9:30am.
It took me over an hour just to load the silly thing! But once we were loaded I thought all would be golden. I'd found the perfect Sulky verigated blue thread to match the basicgrey Grunge borders and I started to quilt. Well I got about an inch before the thread snapped. Ok....rethread, add sewers add and start again, 2" this time and snap.
This went on for over an hour as we tried every trick and method we could think of, including switching to some King Tut thread. The threads just kept snapping on us.
Finally Kelley, a long arm extraordinaire herself, said maybe the brand new needle we'd put in was bad. Sure enough switch it out and all the snapping stopped. By this point it was almost noon!!

I was not going to be put off though and kept quilting away, switching threads for the border and the main part of the top. I quilted and quilted. Stopped and chatted as other customers came in and wanted to see what I was doing, how the machine worked etc, Quilted some more.

Shane finally called me because it was getting close to the time to get Little Bit from school, luckily he was on a split shift and was able to get her. They played until he had to go back to work so he dropped her off at the shop where I was still quilting away.

Little Bit was awesome, read her book and looked at all the pretty threads for half an hour until my mom could get her about 5:30.

I'm still quilting. And quilting. At some point I had given up my hope of this being a incredibly grand custom quilt. I settled for focusing the extra work in only the larger empty spaces. Everything else just got little orange peels quilted in.

So finally at 7:30 I had finished and was out the door. I spent 10 HOURS quilting this monster. I stood the entire time. I could barely move. I can still barely move. But I am really happy with how it turned out.

I can't show you the entire quilt just yet but thought I'd give you a sneak peek at the quilting. Which I have to say I really am proud of. I know it's not as amazing as some of the girls out there can do, Like Natalia at Piece n Quilt or Judi at Green Fairy but for me it is the best I think I'll ever be. The side borders aren't as good because of the all the stopping and starting as I rolled the quilt but I even like them.

Somehow this quilt was meant to be. I made it in under a week and probably could have made it in less time if I'd not had all sorts of other things crop up last week.

And this one is MINE. Yes I'm actually going to keep a quilt!

The exciting world of Thimbles

2011-06-27T08:11:00.000-04:00

Yes I know you are all just waiting in thrall for my riveting review of thimbles. No? oh, ok.

I know they don't seem like a fun topic but thimbles really are a necessary evil in quilting. I can't make a machine binding look good on both sides so I rarely use it, which means hand sewing the back. And to do that, I need a thimble.

Traditional thimbles always bothered me and I could never really get a hang of it. And once I started wearing long nails they didn't work at all.

I can't remember where or why I picked up my first Clover open sided thimble but I love it. Totally and completly. It doesn't feel like its on my finger because its only on the bottom, and not tight at all. The extended tip works great for forcing that stubborn needle through a seam, and whether you have long nail or not rests nicely on your finger. I've actually bought 3 of these. Because I lose them. A lot.

The last time, so the 2nd of the 3, was before the move to the house. It hasn't been seen since. My friend Niki from Stitchin Heaven sent me another type of thimble in a prize pack I won from her New Years Eve twitter party.
Since at that point I'd not been wearing the fake claws for awhile it was great. The rubber will occasionally let the needle poke you but not badly and it is looser and more comfortable then the traditional thimble. This one has a metal top so you can still use it to push through any bulky parts.
I managed to not lose this one for about 6 months, which really has to be a record for me.

The package even has a hole so you can make sure you get the right size! The one I have is orange, so probably a large?

For a reason I still don't understand I decided to get the nails put back on recently and while I could use the Protect and Grip thimble still it is somewhat akward with the nails so I had to go and get another of the open sided ones.

So that's my little opinion piece on thimbles. What do you use and why??

Summer fun!

2011-06-26T11:06:00.000-04:00

We've had some really unseasonablly hot weather lately, and a lot of thunderstorms. While it's not been great for the farmers it has been fun for the kids!

Shane and I bought a Slip n Slide for Little Bit and her friends and they sure made use of it!!

Even Rebel and Mason liked it! Ok maybe not but Shane liked dumping them in it!

New baby quilt

2011-06-23T07:38:00.000-04:00

I have a nephew who should be making his entrance any day now so had to make him up a quilt. It's harder to find and design a boy quilt without getting into novelties, which are fun sometimes but not what I really felt like working with this time.
I actually dug these fabrics out of my stash from a project I gave up on a few years ago and repurposed them here!

I'm really liking the design of the quilt and am thinking of writing a pattern for it, maybe re-do it in newer fabrics? What do you think?

I backed it with Moda's Snuggles, which I LOVE. Unlike Minky, which has stretch in all directions, Snuggles only stretches one way so its fine to use on the long arm and easy to work with. I like to back all my baby quilts with it and the quilted wraps too.

I had lots of fun quilting it with vines and leaves. Instead of adding flowers I added some swirls in their place.

I really love how the back turned out!

The whole quilt is about 45" square, which is small for me. I like to do quilts that will last the kids for awhile, hopefully they will wear them out before they out grow them.

I think if I re-do this one I will add at least another row, which means I have to decide which way is the "top". Do you like the rows going vertically (the very top picture) or horizontally (the second from the top picture) ? I'd also make the middle row a nine patch like the edges. That should get it up to about 45" x 59", which is a nice size.

My new favorite accessory

2011-06-22T10:11:00.001-04:00

I found these awesome fabric headbands by Crimsontate, who I "met" through Talkin' Tuesday, and bought one for myself and Little Bit. With Little Bit's hair is can be a pain to keep it out of her face, and with her sensory issues most anything that puts pressure on her head is out. But since these didn't have any teeth and were wider I thought I'd give them a try.
Well she loves her.
But I love mine more! So much so that I bought more!

I figure I have one to go with most everything now. Oops I'm missing one...I was probably wearing it when I took the picture! lol It was blue too.

With my shorter hair I can't do the pony tails anymore so I love wearing these to keep the hair out of my eyes. They're really comfortable, I have too big a head for normal headbands (go ahead insert comment here), and because they don't pull my hair back they look good too!

I love how she uses premium quilt quality fabrics, these things will last and are fun, and I can wear the fabrics I like but don't really use a lot of in my actual quilting!

Naked Bed Winners!

2011-06-13T20:45:00.013-04:00

Remember the challenge Sarah Fielke and I gave out two months ago? Well we have winners now!

You can go check it all out, and the awesome quilts that were made over on Sarah's blog!
There are lots of great pictures in the Flickr pool we started of peoples progress. We had 51 entries! Awesome.
the winners of the three $30 gift vouchers from The Fat Quarter Shop are:
Jackie Sparks

Camp Follower Bag Lady

Mini_Milly04

Yay!! Congrats girls! The winners of the three $30 gift vouchers from One Choice for Quilting are:
Deb Westerberg

Johanna Wilke

Fantastic effort! The winner of the Down Under Quilts prize AND a $50 gift voucher is:
Chris Jurd!! Yay and wow, congrats Chris!

And the over all winner of the Naked Beds Challenge for 2011, who wins a copy of Sarah's book, Quilting: From Little Things, is: L Wade Woolley!!

Thank you SO much to all our wonderful sponsors and judges, we couldn't have done it without you:

I hope you will all join us again next year - the response was so great that I think Naked Beds should be an annual challenge to get you all creating bed sized quilts.

Patterns are a launch!

2011-06-09T18:46:00.039-04:00

So you know the old axium, Ask and you shall receive? Well I asked.
And I received!!

I finally got the nerve up to email a few shops about carrying my patterns in PDF form and the answer was...YES!!

So now you can buy Cheers to You...

...MVQ...

...or Avalanche...

...instantly! How exciting is that?!

Where you ask?? Fat Quarter Shop is carrying them, as will 1 Choice 4 Quilting and Mel at Above All Fabric will be doing a kit up for Cheers to You! You can also find the patterns at Pattern Spot.

I can't tell you how incredibly psyched I am to see my patterns for sale in these amazing, I've-loved-since-I-found-them stores. It is so humbling and so exciting, and slightly terrifying, that I really can't express it in words.

Thank you to so many people who have encouraged me, and pushed me, and to everyone who reads this blog and has been so amazing to me over the years, and especially in the last one.
I never would have gotten to this point without your support. Especially big huge hugs to Jacqueline, my friend and pattern editor, tester and soundboard.
And another huge hug and thank you to Leigh at Spincushion for doing my cover images! You are the sweetest!

There will many more patterns coming soon! This has totally sparked me to finish up a few more that have been percolating and had to be put aside.
I hope you like my logo because you'll be seeing a lot more of it in the future I hope!!

D-Day and a Quilt Show

2011-06-06T17:01:00.001-04:00

Today is the anniversary of the commencement of Operation Overlord, D-day.

I though it appropriate to show some of the Quilts of the Netherlands that were created using the inspiration of Freedom. The liberation of the Netherlands was seperate from D-day but the point is the same.
I love seeing history represented in art like this.

I really wish I'd taken a better picture of the skirt. It was amazing!

I have lots more pictures to show of the Quilts of Netherlands show, there were some absolutly amazing quilts, and now that I have them downloaded I'll get them organized and show some more!
You notice I take pictures of the cards with quilts when I can. It helps me remember the quilt better, along with the artists information and anything else they've included.

ADDED- Different war but I thought it was really interesting article in my local paper about cave etchings in the tunnels under Vimy Ridge from WWI. Art during war in the most literal way.

Talkin Tuesday

2011-05-31T14:20:00.000-04:00

Tonight's chat is being sponsored by my friend Shawna at 1 Choice 4 Quilting!

Have you joined us yet over on twitter? It' really is a great time, and a great opportunity to learn, ask questions and meet all sorts of quilters!
Most people find it easiest to follow along using tweetchat. It will add the hashtag (#talknt) to your tweets for you. And you can control the speed of the refresh, which is great for when things get going.

Tonight we're giving away fabric bundles in bella solids! And with less then 100 people chatting you're chances are great! To win you sign in on the Talkin Tuesday blog, and during the chat I will draw names from there. You have to be "present" to win.

Come join us!

London Modern Quilt Guild!

2011-05-31T10:12:00.000-04:00

There's a meeting tonight at 6:30pm at the Talbot Center, conference room.
It's the second meeting of the London Modern Quilt Guild and I'm so excited! I really am loving the idea of getting together with women who share my passion for fabrics!
If you're coming bring along something you consider modern. We're going to try and get an idea of who thinks what is modern.

It is so fun as a group we try to decide who and what we want to be as far as a guild.

I finished the 1 Choice 4 Quilting Jelly Race!

2011-05-29T14:01:00.001-04:00

I managed to finish the Jelly Race quilt top in a bit over an hour, and that includes "cautions" for kiddo needing drinks, and an accident requiring mom-aid.
As a treat I'm going to shop some of the Bella Solids over at 1 Choice 4 Quilting. Pretty sure I can come up with $50 worth of the new colours to get the 10% off. heheheh ssssshhhh don't tell Shane.

This top is the perfect size to make one of my quilted wraps with so that's probably going to be what I do with it.
I used Moda's Hoot Hoot by MoMo for those who will ask. :)

I have MORE sewing to show later! I've been doing tons of sewing this week, all simpler quick projects just to get me back at my machine. Everyone's support has meant so much to me and I can't tell you how much it has helped. HUGS to you all. Thank you.

Sew together with 1 Choice 4 Quilting

2011-05-28T21:43:00.000-04:00

Shawna over at 1 Choice 4 Quilting is doing a "race" jelly roll quilt along tomorrow! She's posted the prep work tonight!
I have no idea what the final quilt will be but it looks like fun while Shane watches the races.
Shawn is also having a giveaway, like always!, plus 10% off $50 orders with code memorial.

Candian Quilters Association Show

2011-05-26T20:43:00.001-04:00

I managed to get to the CQA's quilt show and merchant mall up at the University today. It was AMAZING.
I had tons of fun going through, though it would have been way more fun with friends, but oh well.

You're not allowed to take pictures of the juried show quilts, you buy a booklet or dvd for $10. But I did take pictures of the merchant mall.

I was pretty good and only bough thread. Lots of thread.

Yeah told you. Lots. Ok most is those huge honkin spools of dark grey and soft white but there's a lot on those!
It's all Aurifil and I even got the amazing Bari J's 4651! I adore that I can have thread named after such an awesome designer and person. It's the verigated in the front.
I really do love Aurifil. It has almost no lint. It glides through my machine, which is finiky, and really I would use it any time on any project.
These 12 spool sets are on for only $85. A good deal if you can do it.

Don't try it unless you're willing and able to switch. It is a bit pricey but it is worth it. They even make a wool, which is very linty, but gorgeous!

Since I was in a thread mood I loved taking all these pictures of the thread displays! All that colour makes me seriously happy.

Wonderfil is another great thread. It's a Canadian company, though the thread is manufactured in China. The thread is similar to Aurifil in it's low lint and is a very nice thread. Definitely worth a try. Also is slightly less expensive.
All those colours...so much goodness. Beautiful, I wish I could have them all!

I was warned by one of the merchants to make sure I didn't get any pictures of quilts hanging in the booths, apparently some designers are suing. Seems kind of odd if all you're doing is showing a picture, especially if you mention the name of the pattern but oh well.

It's Bari's book!

Can't get much more Canadian then this quilt! Love how she diplomatically did the player in Team Canada colours.

And the quilting.

More yumminess.

There were more booths but I didn't get a chance to ask for permission for pictures so didn't take any.

I did get to the invitational show but those will have to wait. Ditto for the Quilts of the Netherlands Show out in Ailsa Craig.

If you have a chance you need to check out these shows! They both go until May 28th.

Quilt Shows in SW Ontario!

2011-05-25T11:15:00.001-04:00

This is an awesome month to be a quilter in Southwest Ontario! There is the Quilts of the Netherlands show in Ailsa Craig until the end of the week and this weekend is the Canadian Quilters Association annual juried show here in London!
You know where I'm going to be!

Heather Stewart has a quick review of the Quilts of the Netherlands show on her blog, and I will be checking it out before the 28th for sure!

The CQA show is up at the University of Western Ontario starting May 25th, today, and I am so there! There is also going to be a merchant mall!
You can read about it in the local paper.

Hodgepodge Of things, very little quilting

2011-05-24T20:50:00.000-04:00

I owe a lot of people an apology. I've been so behind in everything I don't even know anymore who I'm late for!
I have mug rugs to send out, patterns that need printing, others that need writing and emails that need responding.

I've received many emails over the time I've had my blog from people who also suffer from chronic pain conditions. Often they tell me I'm inspirational to them because even with the pain I manage to complete a lot of projects, take care of Little Bit and generally enjoy life.
Most of the time these emails make me feel really good. I mean who doesn't like knowing they give people some hope or inspiration to live their lives as much as they can?

But I feel I need to be honest.
Lately however I haven't been doing so well.
In fact I've been floored for the last several months. Between the chronic pain, a headache I've had since January and other chronic issues I've done very little, and in fact not done half of what I'd committed myself to.
And this has led me to feel somewhat depressed and anxious.

I'm trying to move myself through this with several techniques I've learned over the years, the first being trying to give myself permission to feel what I feel.

The second is to accept I have limitations and to rebalance my life so that those limitations are stretched but not ignored.
I will accept that taking care of my daughter is good enough, she is loved and she knows it. This is a success even if I can't work or keep my house spotless.

Part of my problem is I get frozen, almost paralysed when I feel this way. No matter how much I talk or yell at myself I simply cannot do somethings. There is no choice in it. I can't force it. I hate this weakness and it is the worse part of the cycle for me because it furthers my feelings of depression and anxiety and low self worth.
Eventually I will break out of the cycle and it will be a surprise to me. One day I simply will be able to move again. I will be able to force the motivation and things will happen again. I don't know when it will come, I don't know how to make it happen sooner then later. But I do know it will happen and I hold on to that fact to get me through.

I also admit to feeling some jealousy of my fellow bloggers and am really trying to put that behind me and just be happy for the opportunities they have.
Things just aren't right yet for me to have those opportunities. Hopefully that will change but if not I will be thankful for all of the awesome things I have been able to do. And if no one asks me to join in their patterns, giveaways, blog alongs etc I will accept that.
But somedays it can be hard. I know I have talent. But maybe not the patience or the personality. We'll let time decide that.
For now I will be happy to see others fly high and get their dreams.

So why have I told you all of this? Mostly because I felt it in me and needed to put it down. Once I start writing I felt I should share. Maybe knowing that it isn't always easy but that you can get through it, even if it comes back, will be helpful to someone.
I also think I just need to feel I've given myself a voice. I've felt voiceless, ignored or unwanted far too much in my life. That is something I can change. I can give myself a voice, even if no one listens, because the only thing in life I can control is me.

And now I'm going to go sew. Because even if I get only one seam done it will be something.

Little Bit's First Communion

2011-05-15T15:21:00.000-04:00

I just remembered I haven't posted about Little Bit's First Communion! She received the Sacrement a few weeks ago.
For those who don't know First Communion is when a person received Eucharist for the first time, often done at age 7-8, so grade 2.

Our new parish doesn't have the entire class, she goes to a Catholic school, do their sacrements all at once, but spread out over several weeks. This is way nicer because it means Mass isn't super long because of the number of kiddos.

Little Bit picked out her dress herself and was so proud of it! She looks gorgeous and I can't believe how grown up she is getting! What happened to my baby??

LOL she looks so tiny compared to Shane and I but my little girl is really growing up!

Shawna's doing it again!

2011-05-15T11:10:00.002-04:00

That crazy Shawna over at 1 Choice 4 Quilting is having a crazy huge giveaway on her blog! Go check it out to win all sorts of prizes and fabric!!

Bloggers' Spring Quilt Festival 2011

2011-05-13T20:21:00.002-04:00

This is my third time participating in the Bloggers' Quilt Festival and I love visiting and seeing everyone quilts, and even more reading the stories attached to the quilts.

For me so much of quilting is about storytelling, everything from why you choose the fabrics and pattern to the process of making it to the person it goes to, is interesting and fun.
Some stories are short and not particularly significant, others touch your heart, but they are all interesting and speak about the quilt and the quiltmaker.

This quilt falls more into the short category. I made this quilt for a pattern, the fabrics provided by the manufacturer. I'm absolutely in love with basicgrey's Max & Whisker's for Moda. It is such a crazy fun line. Perfect for a boy or a girl and not overly cutesy.
However the quilt didn't come along well, the original pattern wasn't working out and I put it aside.
One of the things if you know me is that you know I can have confidence issues, and lots of health ones as well.
Something I have been trying to do is work through and above those. And that means scaring myself by pushing through when things aren't going well.

In one of my moments of resolution I picked up the fabric again and started working and re-imagining the quilt design. It came easily, used up an entire charm pack and jelly roll! Here is Snowball Fight!

The pattern is still waiting to go to the printer, a small issue with bar codes, but other then that it is ready and I'm thrilled with it.
Some friends are using it for the block instructions to make a charity quilt for the tornado ravaged South, and even the beginners have been able to follow the instructions and that is so satisfying for me as a writer.

As to where it's going, well that's still undecided.

So thanks for stopping by and reading my ramblings! Enjoy the festival!

Layer Cake Winner!

2011-05-09T19:07:00.001-04:00

Thank you to all who entered! I loved reading your choices for a layer cake, a really diverse group!

The winner of the layer cake from 1 Choice 4 Quilting according to Random Number Generator is....

Congrats to my fellow Canadian and blogger Flo @ Butterfly Quilting!

I'd hoped to hit the 400 followers mark so I could give away 4 charm packs too but unfortunately that didn't happen. But because Shawna is so awesome she said I could still give away 2 charm packs!

So Karin and I am Just One Mom are getting a charm pack in their choice!

Email me at caraquilts @gmail.com to claim your prize, and let me know the line you want.

Keep your eyes out for another giveaway in the near future from 1 Choice 4 Quilting!

And for those of you on twitter, tomorrow night's Talkin Tuesday (#talknt) is being sponsored by 1 Choice 4 Quilting so you can imagine what we have for prizes!

Layer Cake Giveaway!

2011-05-02T10:03:00.003-04:00

Shawna over at 1 Choice 4 Quilting is sponsoring a giveaway here on my blog!
I really just adore Shawna, she is a fun, sweet woman who is so generous with her time, knowledge, and anything else she has to offer.
We've been friends since before she opened her online shop, having met through Talkin Tuesday.

But you want to know about the giveaway!

The winner gets a Layer Cake of her/his choice from 1 Choice 4 Quilting!!

All you have to do to be entered is go over to 1 Choice 4 Quilting and look at what layer cakes are in stock. Come back and let me know which one you would like to win!
And don't worry, if more lines are added during the course of the giveaway I will check with the winner to make sure that is still the line they want.

The only catch is you have to remember to come back and check if you won, I'm not a fan of having to chase after someone who only visited my site to enter a giveaway, so I'm not going to do it.

I will draw on May 9th and the winner will have until May 16th to contact me. If no one does then I will redraw.

Hyggeligt Fabrics

2011-04-30T15:14:00.002-04:00

I'm so excited I found another fabric store here in London!

Hyggeligt Fabrics is a great store that carries all modern fabrics and has a HUGE collection of Kaffe Fasset. Chantal also has Liberty of London prints and organic fabrics.
You can find her on Facebook as well.

It's at 515 Richmond, in the plaza, you have to go through the walk way in the middle to find it.

Chantal is the owner and she is just such a wonderful, fun and nice person. I've gone in there and talked to her for hours. Which just tells you how much patience she has!
She's also the one behind starting the London Modern Quilt Guild! Which makes me happy!

We're going to be starting a Modern Block of the Month quilt program. probably in the fall. I'll give you more details when I have them.

I'll also most likely be teaching a few classes on techniques.

I'm so happy that I've finally found one of those awesome, friendly local quilt/fabric stores that so many people seem to have and just love.

Inaugral meeting of the London Modern Quilt Guild!!

2011-04-27T11:00:00.001-04:00

Tuesday we had the first meeting of the London Modern Quilt Guild and it was a great time! There were about 15 of us, all different ages and background, and I am so excited!
Like us on Facebook!

We talked about wanting to be an open, friendly and teaching/learning guild, which is awesome.

Huge surprise I did a lot of talking!!

I can't wait for the next meeting!!

Canadian Quilt of Valour Update

2011-04-26T20:47:00.000-04:00

I've received lots of blocks so far!

I can't wait to get them put together! Thanks so much everyone!
I have 14 with stem, 10 without, and 8 plain blocks!

Thanks Michele, Sandra, Elizabeth, and Trisha!!

There's still time if you want to contribute! I will make up as many quilts as I get blocks and make up the difference.

1 Choice 4 Quilting Giveaways!

2011-04-24T12:02:00.002-04:00

I don't normally post about giveaways but thought you need to know about the ones going on at 1 Choice 4 Quilting!

The first one is here. And is for a kit to make one of the quilt's out of Amy's Modern Basics, and you have 3 fabric lines to choose from! They're starting up a Quilt Book Club! Isn't that awesome?

The second one is on the Quilting Book Club's site here! You could win a kit in Sherbert Pips and there are 2 copies of Amy's book being given away!

Requested Recipe, Gluten Free Chicken and Dumplings!

2011-04-24T10:04:00.001-04:00

Before I post the recipe I wanted to wish a Happy Easter and Shalom Passover to my friends celebrating this weekend/week. And blessed day/s to those celebrating other faiths that I'm not as familiar with.

I posted on twitter that I was making Chicken and Dumplings and had several requests for the recipe so here it is.
Like so many recipes, especially from the South measurements are iffy, and there is a lot of substitution with what's on hand, preference etc.
When DH first had me make it we did it without any vegetables in the broth, because that's how it was made, well that's not how I wanted to make it so I of course added vegetables. After admitting it was better this way we've played with the recipe pretty much everytime we make it.
All ingredients are optional, well I guess not the chicken or dumplings! lol

Ingredients
2 large carrots, peeled and cut into chucks
broccoli stalks, chopped into chucks
Asparagus stalks, (the part you normally throw out, I just keep them for this)
cremini mushrooms, sliced or whole (these act as a bit of a gelatin so it won't be quite as creamy)
sm-med onion peeled and cut into quarters or eighths.
2-4 Bay leaves
2-3 cloves of garlic, chopped fine
1 whole chicken, about 1.5-2 lbs, or a package of thighs, and one of breasts.Or fancy it up and use quails, or duck!
1 container of Chicken Broth - depends on how much evaporates if you'll need it, or if you need to stretch the pot.

In a large pot, the bigger the better, saute all of the vegetables for about 5 minutes, just get them cooking a bit, place your whole chicken right ontop of the vegetables, make a well if you need to in the center so the chicken can be covered by water.
Cover with water, about 12 cups. If a bit of the chicken sticks out of the water it's ok so long as you can put the lid on the pot. Just flip the chicken over about half way through.
Leave the lid on the pot and simmer on low to med-low heat for as long as you can, at least 1 hour, but 4 or 5 is better.
Prick the chicken and make sure the juices run clear.
Remove the chicken from the pot and put onto a platter or baking dish. Be careful! It's very hot and the broth will be...ummm...in it.
Let the chicken cool while you drain the pot through a sieve/colander into a large bowl. If you don't have either a large enough bowl or colander just use a slotted spoon and scoop out the vegetables and make sure you get those bay leaves. You can actually throw the mushrooms back in the pot if you like them, they're still good to eat, if you don't then don't.

My dogs absolutely love eating these left over vegetables. To you and me they'll taste like crap because they're so incredibly over cooked and mushy, but to them they're chicken infused heaven.

If you have someone to help, have them separate the chicken now. Or you can do it if the chicken is cool enough. Get as much meat as you can off the carcass being careful not to get any little bones or cartilage. Shred or chop up the meat so it's small enough you can get it and a dumpling on your spoon at the same time and put it back in the pot.
If the pot is only half full at this point you may want to add the chicken broth. It will make it a bit soupier then you may be used to but it also doubles the servings.

Now it's time to make the dumplings, which are really just biscuits cut up small. Now don't panic if you can't make biscuits, these don't have to be perfect because they're being thrown in the pot, so no worries about crumbly or heavy here. No such thing as over worked dumplings. Have the kids help with this part and make it a real family dinner.

Ingredients
2 cups flour, I use my Namaste Perfect Flour blend, which is gluten free and awesome
1 TSP salt
3 TBSP margarine or butter
3/4 c milk (you may need a bit more or less depending on your flour and altitude)

Mix all the ingredients together until they're well blended. You want the consistency of play d'oh basically. Wet enough to roll, but not so sticky that it sticks to your fingers or rolling board.
You can either roll long thin rolls of dough and use a knife to to cut your dumplings, between 1/2"-1" depending on your preference, or just grab and toss in bits as you go. Kids can help with this part and they think its great fun.
You can also roll out the dough and use tiny cookie cutters to make fun shaped dumplings.

So put the dumplings in the pot and let them cook on a gentle boil, about 15-20 minutes. Give one a taste and if it's too chewy just cook them a bit longer. The broth will become creamy looking as some of the flour from the dumplings melts into the broth. It will also thicken up some more once it's off the heat and cools some.

Salt and pepper to taste.

Enjoy!

Want to add some more vegetables to the final product? Add about 2 cups of chopped spinach, or some frozen vegetable mix when you add the dumplings.
You can also add some herbs, either to the broth or to the dumplings, I'd recommend sage, thyme or parsley.

Because I'm impatient I have to add crushed ice to my bowl before putting that first scoop of steaming hot yumminess into it or I guaranteed burn my mouth.

London Modern Quilt Guild!

2011-04-23T18:35:00.000-04:00

Tuesday April 26th will be the first meeting of the London Modern Quilt Guild and you can bet I'm going to be there!! I'm so excited for this new guild which I think will be a super friendly place. It's not been decided on what direction we will go in terms of being a teaching guild or what but what I can promise is it will be a place where Quilt Police are not allowed!!

The meeting will be at the Talbot Center Mall, 142 Fullerton at Richmond, in the conference room, and since the building is actually closed it's bring your own coffee for now. The meeting starts at 6pm and probably will go to about 8pm.

If you go early, before 5, you have enough time to drop in at Hyggeligt Fabrics, and visit the lovely Chantal who will also be at the guild meeting!!

The online social world

2011-04-16T18:52:00.000-04:00

I have to say I've met some of the nicest people online. Really.
I now count some of my best friends as people I've never actually met. I talk to them all day, pretty much everyday. If I'm offline for a few days they email to check on me. We talk quilting, kids, work, spouses, hobbies and pretty much everything you can think of.

While I met a few from my blog I met most of them through twitter. It can be a great place to meet and chat with people, and the biggest names in quilting superstars are there too.
You can see what they're up to, get to know the person behind the designs, fabrics or books.

Twitter isn't scary, it's easy to use and I promise you can have a lot of fun. Sign up for an account, give a few people a follow (like me!) and get chatting!

And remember every Tuesday night from 9-11pm EST I host a chat over there that has awesome prizes, and tons of fun.
All you have to do is add #talknt to the end of your tweets to be involved. Since it can move pretty fast I suggest following it in tweetchat, http://tweetchat.com/room/talknt You can change the speed of the refresh and everything.
The first Tuesday every month is sponsored by Fat Quarter Shop.

Gluten Free Donuts

2011-04-10T19:47:00.000-04:00

DH made me the most delicious gluten free donuts and timbits ever. Mine were coated with cinnamon and sugar and tasted like those Elephant Ears you get at the fair! My absolute favorite, have actually eaten even though I get horribly ill treat.

We use Namaste All Purpose Flour blend, which a totally gluten free mix made in a dedicated facility. I use this flour for everything and it works as a straight substitution. Everything I've made has turned out wonderfully and DH and Little Bit eat it without noticing a difference.

I seriously recommend trying this blend if you or someone you know needs gluten free. It really is awesome and makes life easy and yummy.

The only thing with these donuts is they do get dense after sitting out for a day or two, which means store in an air tight container if they somehow manage to last that long. Ok they actually make a lot of donuts so maybe freeze some, or be like me- a total glutton and eat them all!

The recipe can be found here. We substituted 1 cup apple sauce for the sweet potato, you don't taste the apple sauce. Oh we, this is the royal we by the way, used our little deep fryer, and drained them on a wire rack over a backing dish.
We also did some with sugar and cinnamon sprinkled on, some plain, and some with blueberry icing. Basically something for all of us.

The Naked Bed Challenge

2011-04-01T22:31:00.008-04:00

If you are a regular on Talkin Tuesday you may have heard a few weeks ago about the Naked Bed Challenge...it was just thrown out there but THE Sarah Fielke has taken it and made it into a reality.

We discovered that several quilters did not have a quilt on there own bed! Kinda like the cobbler's children going shoeless.
The thought of all those poor beds naked, unclothed, cold and without love.

So to change all that and get your beds covered up we're issuing a Naked Bed Challenge. You have 8 weeks to make a quilt top, it doesn't have to be quilted, for your bed. Upload the pictures to flickr and add them to the group and you will be entered to win-

1 of 3 $30 gift certificates from Fat Quarter Shop,

1 of 3 $50 gift certificates from 1 Choice 4 Quilting!!

And because we know how generous quilters can be we're going to hold a raffle! You could win a kit to make Sarah's quilt in the upcoming Down Under Quilts from Above All Fabric!

All you have to do is donate at least $10 to the Red Cross, and leave the receipt number on Sarah's blog post. The raffle will be open until 3pm, Saturday April 16 Sydney time

To help you out both Sarah and I are providing a free pattern for you! You can use our patterns or any one you choose or design for your challenge quilt. Sarah is providing Bless You, which comes in three sizes,

and I'm providing Chain Link.

AND, not only could you win great prizes, but the fabulous folk at Fat Quarterly are going to do our prize draw for us, and publish pictures of the
winning quilts on their website.

If you enter the competition using YOUR OWN DESIGN (That means you
made it up and didn't take measurements, settings or drawings from someone
else's pattern. If we find that you did, the quilt will not be eligible for
the prize), Sarah's lovely friend Deb at Down Under Quilts Magazine will pick
her favorite quilt from the original quilts entered and publish the quilt
and the pattern in the magazine. AND, she will pay you $300 AUS for the
privilege. Holy smokes!

The rules are:

1. The quilt must be made expressly for the Naked Bed Challenge, not
previously made.

2. It must be for YOUR bed. No cot quilts, wall quilts or dolly quilts. We
do not believe any of you are mice.

3. When you post to Flickr, MAKE SURE you leave your name and a way to
contact you, the name of the designer of the pattern you used if
applicable, and note whether you wish to be considered for the Down Under
Quilts prize.

That's it. We aren't very big on rules around here.

And here's a little button to put on your blog if you are so inclined:

use this code without the brackets (http://thelastpiece.typepad.com/the_last_piece/2011/04/announcing-the-naked-bed-challenge.html)

What are you waiting for? Get those beds covered up!

Debates in Quilting - "Dumbing Down"

2011-03-26T15:29:00.002-04:00

Like anything the quilting world is rife with debates about everything under the sun.

Prewash fabrics? (never do it)
Rip vs. Cut (mostly cut)
Hand v Machine (machine)
Polyester or cotton threads (either)
Best way to make HSTs (half square triangles) (check my patterns)

The one that bothers me though is the idea about "dumbing" down quilting. Here's why.

Not everyone has the time, money, skill or desire to make a Baltimore Album, or Judy Niemeyer paper pieced masterpiece. ( I "borrowed" the pictures from Stitchin Heaven's kit page)

And that's perfectly alright.

It's not "dumb" to decide your hobby should be enjoyable and leisurly. Or that your quilts should be machine washable because kids actually use them.

And there is nothing wrong with making the elaborate touch-and-you-die type quilts. I have one on the go now. And the Baltimore Album-type and Judy Niemeyer paper pieced are on my bucket list.

Why do we feel the need to judge other peoples way of doing things? Unless its in a competition there really is no need.
If you don't like the patterns that are being put out there design your own!

We all have different aesthetics. What I like maybe you hate and vice versa. Yes, in my patterns I try to make more complicated designs simpler to construct. But that is my preference because I don't want to spend an immense amount of time ripping out stitches to get that perfect y-seam.

This idea that because its simple it's "dumbed down" is ridiculous! Why on earth would complicated equate intelligence? or somehow make it more worthy? or artistic?

And as beginners it is better to start simple, finish it and feel accomplished then get something way over your head that you never finish and turns you off quilting forever.

Ok, I get seeing a Turning Twenty in a judged show would make me go "whaaa" but honestly it's not going to make me throw my hands up and declare that quilting is going to hell in a handbasket.

For the fast majority quilting is a HOBBY. By definition hobbies are supposed to be enjoyable.

If applique makes you pull out your hair, or quilting the top on your home machine causes you pain, or precuts allow you to actually get to the part you like faster then there is NOTHING wrong with that!
Don't do it, use fusible, send out the top and buy away! It's for you!

Yes, stretching ourselves is good, learning a new technique could turn out to be the best thing you ever did because you fall head over heels for it but really that is no ones business but yours!

Do what YOU want. You quilt for YOU. The Quilt Police can only have power if you let them.

And if you're someone who thinks because it's easy or quick it's not worth doing....good for you! But really don't judge everyone because they don't share your opinion.
And if you don't think it's worth spending a year of your life on a huge intricate project then don't, but don't judge those who do.

The only "rules" I say are really necessary are 1/4" seam allowance for a pattern. The pattern is written for it so without things won't match up. And pressing instead of ironing because of stretching. Which will throw everything out of whack.

But really the only golden-must-not-be-broken rules in quilting are enjoy what you do, and be nice and supportive to your quilting sisters and brothers.

Let's lose the superiority complex, the judgmental and elitist attitude and go back to being a community who share a love and passion for hacking up bits of perfectly good fabric and sewing it back together again.

Canadian Quilt of Valour

2011-03-24T14:36:00.001-04:00

Since I've received several e-mails about deadlines I thought I'd answer here. I'd like to receive the blocks by mid-May, earlier if possible but that will be the deadline.
I'm hoping to have the quilts finished and sent off for July 1st, Canada Day.
Again if you're a "no-reply" blogger I can't email you back. I've been checking profiles to see if I can reply from there but if you don't have an email listed I can't reply to you.
You can send me an email directly if you like at caraquilts @ gmail.com

For my Australian friends. I've designed a Quilt of Valour for the Australian Armed Forces and it will be hosted by my friend Brie of Little Creatable. She will have a post up soon for it. The colours will be green and gold and will be a star block, finishing at 12". The basic design is this.

For those of you who aren't familiar with the Australian flag, the white stars are what is called a Southern Cross and are found on the blue background of the flag.
The green and gold are the colours worn by athletes in international play.

If you are interested in having a quilt of valour drive for your country and would like some help, either designing or writing instructions let me know and I would be happy to help!

Canadian Quilt of Valour

2011-03-20T20:36:00.002-04:00

So with so many getting in on the Just One Star, including me, I got to thinking we need to make at least one Quilt of Valour for Canadian service personnel. To do this I need some help.

I've designed a quilt and need people to send me some some Maple Leaf blocks. I've provided a pattern here.
We need 16 blocks of Maple Leaf with Stem, and 8 Maple Leafs without Stems, for each quilt. Both blocks are 12 1/2" unfinished. This will give us a 68"x68" quilt.

The Maple Leaf itself should be in medium to dark red, with a white/light background. I'd really prefer no blue in any of the backgrounds used. It's acceptable for the patches to be different fabrics, so scrappy blocks. Canada is a country made up of different ethnicities so why shouldn't a quilt for one who serves her not be made up of different fabrics?
Each quilt will require (8) 12 7/8" squares for the setting triangles. If you like you could send in a square with your blocks. If not that's ok. I should be able to scrounge up some.

If you're a quilt shop who'd like to donate backing/batting, or if you can't do that, sell it to me at cost I would really appreciate it.
Any long-arm quilter willing to quilt this would also be appreciated.

Ideally I'd love every person who sends in to send 2 Maple Leaf with Stem, 1 Maple Leaf without Stem, and 1 12 7/8" square.
If you can only make 1 block that's ok too! I will make up the difference in blocks.

So who's in?

Please make sure you're not set to no-reply if you want to join in. I need to be able to reply to you and give my address. If you don't hear from me that is probably the issue, just send me an email.

The stem block has a mistake. The stem should read 6 1/2" x 1 1/2". Sorry I've fixed it now.

Just One Star

2011-03-16T18:00:00.000-04:00

Moda is spear heading a drive to create 100 quilts, Just One Star, for the Semper Fi Fund. Several bloggers are holding giveaways to encourage people to participate. I've sent two star blocks of this morning and wanted to make sure you all know about it.
All you have to do is make 1 block from the pattern provided and mail it to Moda. Easy peasy.

Why you may ask is a Canadian getting involved in a program for American military personnel? Several reasons, one my husband is a proud American from a military region in North Carolina.
I know many wives, daughters, sisters and mothers of American servicemen and women.
And I think it's a good idea. One of the reasons I love quilting and quilts is because of the comfort they can bring.
You can support troops and honour their service, without agreeing with the politics of their mission.

I've also been inspired to look into making some for our Canadian service personnel. How about maple leaf blocks? Anyone interested?