Poppyprint

Nice Threads!

2012-01-26T15:35:00.000-08:00

Fat Quarterly Issue 8 launched today, so I can show you my fun new memory quilt. If you're wondering why things have been so sparse here at Poppyprint since Christmas, it is because much of what I've been working has been under wraps. Lucky for all of us, it's sharing time!

I just love Fat Quarterly, so when the gang asked if I'd like to be part of their designer Spool Block challenge for Issue 8, I couldn't refuse (this is that special kind of 'working for free as long as it's for friends' stuff). I think Brioni, John, Katy, Lynne and Tacha do an amazing job with their online magazine. You can't find a book's worth of project ideas for the price of one quilt pattern anywhere else! The other Spool Block designers rocked this challenge and there are several very cool interpretations of the traditional block for you to try.

After making these quilts for K2 and K3 in November, I planned to create one for myself exactly like this 4-block layout. It's my quilter's memory quilt and includes selvages of all my fav designer fabric purchased, stashed and (ahem) maybe even used, in the last couple of years.

You'll find the tutorial for creating one giant selvage spool block in Issue 8. It is super easy and fun; they sew up really fast because the selvages are simply top-stitched onto a muslin base. I grouped cool-coloured selvages into their own variegated thread spools and pieced warm backgrounds of Essex Linen orange and Pure Organics Maize. The warm-coloured thread spools have an unknown aqua linen and Essex Linen lime backgrounds. The whole she-bang is bound in an Echo print by Lotta Jansdotter (purchased at the divine Marmalade Fabrics), and the quilt's name "Nice Threads" is ripped off from the Alexander Henry print on the backing (rows and rows of colourful thread spools on a white background).

I think this grey spool is my fav

All of the spool ends are made with Rouenneries selvages. I have about 6m of the Rouenneries linen-look print stashed and happily cut off the gorgeous selvage for various projects. It's too pretty not to use! Each spool has some hand-done running stitches around it with perle 8 cotton.

So, if you're not yet a subscriber, head on over to Fat Quarterly to buy your copy of Issue 8 on January 30th. You won't be sorry and I bet you'll want to make everything in it!

And now, just for Happy Zombie Monica, my favorite little quilt zombie:

More surprises coming soon!

Paperweight

2012-01-21T16:38:00.000-08:00

Look what found it's way into my stash last week!

Against all odds and over 1100 other comments, I happened to be the lucky blogger to win this fabulous giveaway at Rita's Red Pepper Quilts. Thanks to Jackie of Canton Village Quilt Works for sponsoring the giveaway. Paperweight and Roman Glass are my all-time favourite Kaffe Fassett prints, so I was very excited when this fat quarter stack arrived!

Now, what to do with them.....

The List is a Mile Long

2012-01-19T14:41:00.000-08:00

We're not even to the end of January yet and already my To Do list feels insurmountable. Although I vowed not to take on too many projects for others, I just can't seem to help myself. Most of it is really fun, so I'm not complaining. However I seem to be stuck in a rut of having so much to do that I cannot even motivate myself to begin! Instead, I have spent hours and hours in front of the computer for the last few days pouring over apartment rentals in Paris.

Yes, on top of my sewing To Do's, planning a family trip to France in March is also weighing rather heavily. I know, boo-hoo. We're super excited. I'm just feeling a little apprehensive about being prepared. It's not like the old days when I took off with a backpack and a Lonely Planet guide all by myself. Some stuff just has to be booked in advance when you're a family of four. Once I get that first week taken care of, I'll relax a bit.

There isn't too much to show you from the sewing room. I did manage to piece this bee block for Rene yesterday. I used a lovely new tutorial from Lee for this Ribbon Star block. Check out all of Lee's versions. You can do some really fun things with colour in this block. I used the fabrics Rene sent out for her month in the VIBees.

Last Saturday I held one of my regular day retreats and was able to piece this LynneBobSquarePants for Lynne's month in the VIBees.

I think with the completion of these 2 blocks, that bee is over and out! This is the second time I've made this block for Lynne with Liberty scraps. Agatha had a bit of a hard time with the difference in weights of fabric (tana lawn Liberty prints and the kona charcoal solid). The lawns were sort of bunching up under the foot. Very frustrating, but I think I managed to beat this block into submission with the assistance of Mary Ellen's Best Press (Caribbean Beach is my favorite scent. Nothing like fantasizing sand between my toes and ocean waves lapping up to the door of your sewing room. A really steamy iron helps, too...gives your cheeks that sun-kissed glow).

Back to my internet searching.....

Books Reading Books

2012-01-15T09:16:00.000-08:00

I like books and I like this genius short video. I thought many of you might like it, too. It was filmed in a small book seller's shop in Toronto.

My favourite part is the book reading a book: so clever. Thanks to M & J for sending me that link! I don't read nearly as much as I should. My reading tends to go in fits and starts and is often based on recommendations from friends. My favorite recent read was Cutting for Stone, but that was way back in the summer. My next read will be Paris to the Moon (to get me psyched for my family's upcoming trip to France!). My current read is Wheat Belly - I've taken wheat out of my diet for a whole two weeks now and I have to say, I feel fantastic.

Hope you had (or are still enjoying) a lovely weekend. We finally got some of the cold white stuff here, yippee! I was worried it would scare some people away from retreat yesterday, but everyone was able to make it. I typically don't accomplish too much on retreat days since I'm busy with hostess duties, but I managed a bee block for Lynne, despite Agatha's protestations, and I cut all my squares for the Made in Cherry QAL after dinner. More on that soon...

A Down Under Swap

2012-01-12T16:31:00.000-08:00

Consider it a Winter-Summer thing. Here, we are supposedly mid-winter (hello, can we please get some snow already?!), while in Australia it is high and hot summer. Nova sits, patiently awaiting my end of our swap bargain, likely enjoying a long tall glass of lemonade or iced tea. At least that's what I'd be enjoying if it was 100 degrees!

I had a peek at Nova's favs and read up on some of her likes (blues, greens, maps, linen). I was super excited to use some of this perfect Japanese linen printed with a sort of made-up map of some European city that may be Prague, or Paris or Frankfurt. Who knows what goes through the mind of these Japanese designers, but whatever it is usually produces the most interesting of fabrics! ETA: Thanks to Kerry, I can now tell you it is Berlin! This fabric was designed by Marie Jacobi for Yuwa. And Marie is German, not Japanese. My bad.

First up is a hoop project pouch so Nova can take her stitching to the beach! It's lined with some of Lizzy House's Castle Peeps and a piece of Moda marble provides a handy divider to keep hoop and floss in their own little compartments.

Next we have the requisite swap-with-Poppyprint thread catcher. I believe that Nova has a fondness for repurposed fabrics, so this one is lined with shirting and the outside coordinates with her hoop pouch.

And last but not least, a sweet little linen house tape measure made with Laurraine's pattern.

someone recently asked me why all my houses are either #4 or #7. It's because those are the easiest numbers to embroider in small size - no curves! Sometimes I can be incredibly lazy.

We've been thoroughly enjoying the gorgeous pillow Nova sent weeks ago. It's time for me to package these goodies up and send them on their way to the sunshine!

My Orchard Pillow in Stitch!!

2012-01-11T10:29:00.000-08:00

Keeping a secret is really hard, especially since I feel like every one of you is a friend with whom I wanted to share this with so badly! You see, before I started blogging I never would have had the confidence to submit design ideas to magazines or book publishers. I really want to thank all of you for encouraging me with your positive feedback on my work. Your requests for tutorials and help with your own projects confirms that I've got something to share. So I did it!

I designed this pretty Orchard Pillow last summer (based on this mug rug that I made the year before for the very first mug rug swap on flickr).

With some guidance from the lovely Ayumi, I submitted my sketch and swatches to Stitch and they accepted my project!

And after a very long wait, I can finally tell you all about it because the magazine is now out and available for purchase from Kathy at Pink Chalk Fabrics! Look, there is it!!! (I haven't seen it in real life yet. I think it will be a couple of weeks until I receive my copies - and you can be sure there will be a giveaway so stay tuned!). Thanks for taking pictures for me Kathy, and allowing me to use them here.

Photos by Kathy Mack - used with permission

And thank YOU for all you've done to bring me to this place of excitement, and for sharing it with me. I hope a few people will like it enough to make one for their summer garden bench. Or even their living room couch! Now, that would be a real thrill.

The pillow construction is not difficult. It's straightforward machine applique with a little sneaky faux-trapunto technique to give the pears some extra loft. It's a great technique to use on pillows, or even baby quilts if you want a particular motif to stand out and have some relief off the quilt top. The stems are super fun to do as well; it's all explained in the pattern instructions.

I can't wait for my copies to arrive in the mail, and to have my project back so we can enjoy it this summer!

The sun is shining here finally. It's a great day. Enjoy it!

Do you Know Dali?

2012-01-10T15:29:00.000-08:00

A mere 4 or 5 days before Christmas my SIL emailed me and asked if I had some fabric that was about 15" square and sort of 'this' colour (a blotchy image of something sort of light blue was attached). She apparently needed it for a top secret crafty project. I told her to stop by on her way home from work because I had lots of options in my stash.

I had an inkling she might be working on something for our family, but had no idea she was embarking on a major stitchery project (FOUR days before Christmas) for me! After searching for sewing machine images online, she came across this oil painting by Salvatore Dali.

This is a public image on flickr
edited to add: if you'd like to know more about this painting, check out this blog that explains Dali created it for a creepy dream sequence in a Hollywood movie (that was later cut). Thanks Nicolette for telling me about that!

I've never seen this image before! It is so unbelievably cool. And those spooky women all lined up in the archways in their skivvies, seemingly worshiping the sewing machine, or perhaps beseeching it to whip up some clothing because they are freezing their scrawny asses off?! Did the machine just parachute out of the sky, suspended by the umbrellas? Who knows what Salvatore Dali was thinking....any art majors out there care to comment? I'm just so surprised that in 4 years of online sewing community participation, I've never come across this image anywhere! But my SIL is like that. She finds cool stuff.

Imagine my jaw dropping when I opened this up on Christmas morning.

Apparently two very late nights, one long day at work (shhhhhh, don't tell the boss), a trip or two to Michael's for floss and some online stitch reviews were required to pull this off. If I've left anything out, I'm sure she'll set me straight in the comments, so check below!

I absolutely love that she thought of doing this and actually pulled it off as a most amazing gift for me. It has been years since she did any stitching and I think she rather enjoyed making it. I finished the back of the hoop today and it is now proudly hanging in my sewing room. It's definitely one of the funkiest, most apropos stitched hoops I've ever seen and I can't believe it's mine.

Thank you very much Fern. You're the best (but you already know that).

Amaryllis Escape

2012-01-06T09:29:00.000-08:00

Something grew to epic proportions over the holidays (besides my waistline). When you bring an Amaryllis home from the garden store, you're never quite sure what will happen. It's the most amazing bulb that can yield incredible results, or be a total dud. We've got one dried up bulb somewhere in our basement that bloomed every Christmas for several years until the year I forgot to bring it upstairs and water it. It was time for a replacement and this new one did not disappoint!

Here's a little photo story of it's growth and bloom over a one week period. I took a photo each evening, then waited a couple of days for the full explosion of colour.

Ta-Dah!

There are 9 trumpet flowers between the two stalks. Incredible. All I had to do was add water!

I hope to join you here more regularly soon. I'm finishing up my first project of 2012 (for ME!) but before it is for me, it is for someone else to share with you. If you know what I mean. I've also got a few fabulous Christmas gifts to show you. My SIL went to town and spoiled me rotten. She even stitched into the wee hours of a few pre-Christmas nights to make me a remarkable hoop. Just wait till you see!

It's a new year!

2012-01-03T21:10:00.000-08:00

Seems like a good time for a little review before moving on. Here you have a collection of some of the things I made with needle and thread in 2011.

1. Les Petites Mugrugs2 by Poppyprint, 2. Queen of the Dresdens by Poppyprint, 3. Snowblossoms (pattern by Marcia Hohn) made by Poppyprint, 4. Linen Apron by Poppyprint, 5. RSR Thread catchers, 6. Hoot Dresden by Poppyprint, 7. Full Circle by Poppyprint, 8. Raffle quilt complete!, 9. QR Code Quilt by Poppyprint, 10. selvage mini for mamacjt by Poppyprint, 11. FTLOSS by Poppyprint, 12. Team logo stitched by Poppyprint, 13. Embroidery sampler by Poppyprint, 14. Chihuahua Princess - by Poppyprint, 15. Variegated Selvage Spool by Poppyprint, 16. Variegated Selvage Spool by Poppyprint, 17. wool felt snowflake by Poppyprint, 18. Happiness potholders, 19. House tape measures, 20. Reading pillows by Poppyprint, 21. Robot pillow by Poppyprint, 22. Poppy pouch by Poppyprint, 23. Upcycled Jean Skirt Sewing Command Center!, 24. Reading pillows by Poppyprint

Most of these things reside with others, either because they were swapped (privately, Pretty Little Pouch Swap x 2, Urban Home Goods, For the Love of Solids, Misfits Hoop), gifted (friends & family), donated (Women's Cancer, Japan Earthquake relief) or sent to bee-mates.

Which brings me to 2012. The year of ME, MYSELF and I. How totally vain. And necessary. In all seriousness, my traditional guild has our bi-annual show in June and I really, really want to hang something in it. I need to get busy. A queen size quilt for our bed is on the agenda. I started it last February, continued in July and haven't touched it since. Other smaller projects and swaps were just so darn tempting. If there is one thing I need in 2012 it's some self-discipline. I probably said the same thing a year ago. Maybe this time it'll sink in.

How about you? What's one thing you need in 2012?

Crafting a Candy Cottage

2011-12-22T23:46:00.000-08:00

We are all in agreement, it's our best ever Gingerbread Cottage.

It began last night...

Mmmmm, dark molasses direct from Barbados. Thanks Mom!

Then continued late this afternoon...

And into this evening...

Ta Da!

I sent B & D off to the store with very clear instructions "we don't need much candy. Only a few pieces of a bunch of different kinds will do". Ahem. May I present the leftovers (at least the ones that haven't been eaten yet):

I hope all of your preps are going well and that you're able to take a few moments each day for a cup of tea by the fire, or to admire your Christmas tree, or to read the greeting cards coming to your mailbox. I took a very few moments today (like 8 minutes, I think). I hope to be back at my machine tomorrow.

Apologies to my bloggy friends - I haven't had a chance to read many posts in the past week. With the kids home from school, laptop time is hard to come by for Mom and to be honest, that's just fine with me. We have family arriving on the 27th (yes, far, far away sister and her family are coming to visit!!! Woot!!!), so I likely won't make it back here for a while.

I'll take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy Christmas indeed. Thank you for visiting Poppyprint in 2011. I've so enjoyed your company!

Love,

Krista

A village for my couch

2011-12-20T00:29:00.000-08:00

Not too long ago, Nova made a novel suggestion on her blog. She had made a delightful pillow in the summer (well, I guess it was actually during her winter, seeing as she's 'down-under') but felt that it really belonged in someone else's home. Nova posted photos of her creation and asked if anyone would be interested in swapping her for it. Hello?

I have a red couch!
I live in a cute little cottage!
I love hand-stitching!
I adore screen-printed fabrics!
Swapping is in my genes!

I was perfectly qualified for this swap! When Nova informed me a few days later that I was the lucky, randomly chosen swapper, I believe I let out a little whoop. Look what's living on my couch already!

Although I've participated in umpteen swaps over the past 2 years, the Pillow Talk Swap is one that never seems to start up at the right time for me and I've missed out several rounds. Now that this little honey is here, I'm not sure a more perfect pillow could ever be made. The pillow cover is 20", but I only had an 18" on hand. I couldn't wait for a run to the store, so I stuffed a whopping handful of fibrefill into each corner and put the 18" form inside. It's perfect!! Nice and squishy without being overstuffed and straining at the seams. I think this might be my new pillow strategy.

And that sneaky Nova even included a fun mug rug for me that really made me laugh. I'm sure it was over a year ago that she posted a couple of flag mug rugs she'd made for swaps and I took the liberty of sending her a Canadian Flag graphic. You know, just in case. Haha! She remembered and sent this sweetly stitched maple leaf, too.

There are some super-special Aussie screen prints on the back (but sadly, my photo is blurry. Check out Nova's pic here). Like their stellar embroidery skills, the Aussie's seem to have an unusually full talent pool in the screen printing department. I definitely know what I'll be after should I ever make it to the land of Koala's and Blundstone's!

Thank you so much Nova. I'm just thrilled to have some of your beautiful work in my home. We all just love our new pillow (and much to my relief, the dog has not taken any interest in the pompom trim, which I was rather worried about).

I'll soon complete my side of the swap bargain and show you what's heading down to Nova!

Happy Sew Luckiest

2011-12-17T15:29:00.000-08:00

My lovely, local, crafty galpal Berene (who blogs at HappySewLucky) is currently enjoying a summer Christmas in Australia with her family. If she hadn't doorbell-dropped the most incredible early gift for me on the day they flew out, I might be jealous. Who could be jealous of Christmas in Sydney when they've got this one-of-a-kind tea towel hanging in their kitchen?

Last month I spent a few days working with Berene and other members of our community on a very special project that you can read about here. I took Agatha, my Featherweight, along because it's so portable and just can't be beat for straight piecing. Berene took this photo of me (below), which I love.

I guess that gave her the inspiration for my tea towel. She's been doing quite a bit of hand-printing lately, having participated in a great flickr swap. The Featherweight was printed using a hand-cut freezer paper stencil and the towel hem was lovingly embellished with running stitches. I'm really in awe of Berene's design talent. The apple has certainly fallen close to the tree at her house - check out this awesome video tutorial that her son made for an easy printing technique onto t-shirts!

I'm Happy and Sew Lucky to have many creative and generous friends in my life.

I think I'll go wash some dishes.

The Traveling Quilter

2011-12-16T08:14:00.000-08:00

That's me! Today I'm traveling to Lynne's little space on the interwebs, the lovely blog known as Lily's Quilts. It's all about Christmas Gifts for Quilters over there and I've got an excellent suggestion for last minute quilting-spouse-shoppers. Especially those that may be quilt-store-phobic.

photo by Felicity

You may just want to send him the link!

Bare Neck-ed No More!

2011-12-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

Ok ladies, this post is a peek at the gifts you'll receive if you are a woman over 13 years old and related to me by birth or marriage. If you would like to keep your present a total surprise, I suggest you make a hasty exit. There are some colour options, so that bit you won't know until you open, and they are already wrapped and labelled, so no special requests! That means you SIL who loves 2 blocks from me (as opposed to the two who live a zillion miles away).

ok, last chance to bail!

Alright then. Thanks to Krista, who gave me the idea with her one-woman sweat shop production line at retreat, I came home with the plan to make lovely scarves for all the girls. Using my very own scarf purchased from Krista as a template (and with her encouragement), I got busy with some buttery soft AMH voile, Alexander Henry cotton lawn and a cozy Jo Ann's flannel in gorgeous colours. I used up every scrap of fabric I bought for my gifts, but if you would like to treat yourself or someone you know with a bare neck to a luscious scarf, Krista still has some available in her shop!

The scarves are a generous 70" long and 8" wide. I've been wearing mine daily (and sometimes just even around the house!).

I'm not going to give you a full length view in case of looky-loos, but I was so excited about (a) how these turned out and (b) that they are actually completed on time for shipping far away that I could not wait until after Christmas to show you (and by YOU, I mean women unrelated to me by birth or marriage). Because those you's are not reading this post, are you?

My kind of air freshener!

2011-12-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

Baking. That's the only thing I want to smell in my house. Not some chemical Tahitian sunset coming from a plugged in plastic seashell. Today my home has the lingering scent of Mexican Christmas Crackles. This is my go-to holiday cookie. When it comes to the holidays, nothing says Christmas to me like the smell of these chocolatey-cinnamony-clovey-cayenney cookies.

Mexican Christmas Crackles

6 oz unsweetened chocolate (I used Trader Joe's discs), melted over double boiler

1/2 C. room temperature unsalted butter creamed with 1 + 3/4C sugar

add in 3 eggs one at a time

add 1 tsp vanilla

gradually stir in chocolate

Sift together:

2 C + 2 TBsp flour

1 Tbsp cinnamon

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

1/4 tsp cloves

slowly combine dry with wet and stir until blended. Chill in fridge for 2 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350F and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Form tablespoonfuls of dough into a ball and roll in sifted icing sugar. Place onto sheet 2 inches apart. Press a whole almond or 1/2 cherry into the top of each ball.

Bake for 12 minutes. Let cool on sheet 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack.

I made three batches yesterday. That's 18 dozen. I only needed 11 dozen for my cookie exchange last night. Mmmmmm, more for me! Well, not too many. When the kids were young, they called these "the spicy cookies" and avoided them like brussel sprouts. Sadly, when they got home from school they both devoured several. Apparently their palates have matured!

What smell says Christmas to you?

Pillow Party under the Tree

2011-12-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

If you are my sister, or my SIL who is also a mother to five children AND you don't want to see what your children will be getting from me for Christmas, then make a hasty exit now please. No paging down first.

For the rest of you: they are done! Seven quilted reading pillows for all of my nieces and nephews (yup, one of my brothers has 5 kids and my sister has 2). For specific fabric lines used, click on the photo and it will take you to flickr where I wrote that info in individual photo descriptions.

All 18" pillows except for the pink/purple dresdens in the bottom left corner, which are 20". You can see the pictures individually once you get to my flickr photostream - they're all there.

I didn't use any specific tutorials to make these pillows, but I got the idea to use my GO!Baby tumbler die for the boy pillows after seeing Katy's. Check her Tumbler Pillow tutorial at Fat Quarterly. If you want to try a dresden plate there are several free tutes I found via the google searching wonderdog here and here. Or if you want a hybrid tumbler/dresden pillow, check out this tute! For my dresdens, I used a 22.5 degree ruler made by Nifty Notions, but you can use any dresden ruler. To know how many blades you need to complete the circle, just divide 360 degrees by the number of degrees in your ruler's arc.

I like dresdens with long blades and a small centre circle (trying to use up my scraps after all), but chubby dresdens can be very cute, too. Nova just published an adorable pattern that is a chubby dresden pillow with a pocket in the centre circle. Brilliant!

On pillows for the younger kids I did a simple envelope closure for the back (plus I ran out of long zips. Note to self, an 18" pillow requires a 16" zipper, not an 18" one). I covered the couple zips I did use to protect furniture and long hair. There are different ways to cover a zipper, one is here and another here.

Next up, gifts for grown-ups.

With My Compliments

2011-12-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, a tweet I read directed me to a thought-provoking blog post by Jessica Hirsche on the difference between Inspiration and Imitation. I had no idea who Jessica was but I'm sure glad I've found her blog because that woman not only has heaps of talent, she's super smart and also freakin' hilarious. I still haven't read my new camera manual, but now all I want to do is read every blog post in her archives because that chick knows stuff.

Never one to stir up controversy here on the happy blog (I save that for my in-person life. No really, I do), I've shied away from posing SERIOUS QUESTIONS, or sharing BIG OPINIONS. Except that once. However, two topics come to mind after my reading yesterday. They are:

Giving credit where it is due. If someone else's work inspires your own, then let them know. If you make something in a similar style, or copy a design, then say so in your Flickr photo description or blogpost so the original designer gets credit. Better yet, ask permission first. If you want to make something for personal use, permission will almost always be happily granted. I do it all the time in flickr comments. For example "this is so pretty - would you mind if I made something in a similar style as long as I credit you for the inspiration?"
The expectation by some people that all of us sewists having nothing better to do than work for free. That the thrill of seeing our name in print is enough incentive to carve a week, 2 weeks or a month out of our busy lives to dream up original designs and then write up instructions, have them proofread and the project tested in return for, oh, lets say a $15 book? In short: working for FREE so that someone else can gain financially from your effort.

I have, in fact, been a willing participant in activity #2. But I only did it once and I'm not going to do it again (caveat: I will work for free for friends, who I know fully appreciate my efforts and will be grateful for my contributions. Mostly because that kind of goodwill usually comes back around boomerang style). Luckily, Jessica designed the perfect flow chart, entitled "Should I work for Free?" that is not only spot-on advice, but fabulously funny, too. Go on and read it, I promise you'll laugh (spoiler alert: there is one person for whom you should always work for FREE. That is your Mom). Oh, and there are some naughty words on the chart.

So, there you have it: Two Strong Opinions. Not a rant, just stating. So you know where I stand. I will not like you less if you choose to work for free, because that's your choice. I just don't appreciate the expectation. And it's something that is changing in the craft industry as people speak up (evidence).

However, I am always bummed when I see a blatant copy of someone's work that is not credited back to the first maker. Our community is small and we watch out for each other. It doesn't happen a lot, but often enough that it's on my mind. I've read in several places we should all chill out; imitation is the best form of flattery. Well, if you don't give credit it's not! It's kinda sneaky, actually. As a community, we share our work because we love giving and receiving feedback. It feels nice and it is nice.

Thanks for indulging me. I'll be back with Christmas makes tomorrow. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments, but really, I'm not looking to pick a fight, or enter a massive debate, or make anyone feel bad. It's just me and my laptop sharing a little brain dump with friends. And giving Jessica all the credit for it.

All I want for Christmas is candy

2011-12-06T13:52:00.001-08:00

So says my daughter's Secret Santa partner at school. Remembering the last time we had a birthday request for CANDY, she asked if I would make another fabric basket to hold the sugar. I happen to know her secret partner, a very nice boy who is really enjoying the guitar lessons that started up in music class last month.

Presto. One fabric basket featuring the divine guitar (or is it Ukelele?) print from Heather Ross' FFAIII line, Ty Penningtons woodblock in grey and Mrs. March's Collection Modern Style for Lecien as the lining.

They are in French Immersion class, after all. Had to throw in some Paris! There is even sheet music printed in the background of the print.

And here it is filled with cavities.

These fabric baskets make up in a jiffy (in fact, I almost had it complete in the time it took for D and her friend to walk to the candy store and back!). They are perfect for gift giving...fill them with French milled soaps for a girlfriend, home-baked cookies for a neighbour or teacher, or you know, candy for the discerning 12 year old sweet tooth on your list. Easy peasy tutorial here thanks to Ayumi. You'll see that I substituted two 3.5" x 9.5" pieces of guitar fabric instead of the pieced panels, and sped things up by using fusible fleece for the batting.

The gift-making continues here in Poppyprint-land.....

Women's Work in Stitches winner

2011-12-05T08:13:00.000-08:00

The winner of Embroidery from A - Z will have "one of the great reference books of all time" in her possession very soon. Perhaps she will want to start on a women's remembrance quilt of stitchery for her daughters.

I was absolutely smitten by this collage-style quilt of family hankies, stitched together with notable quotes from women (that one above from the undeniably brave Canadian woman Nellie McClung). I saw this quilt at a recent meeting of the Needle Arts Guild that I attended as a guest. It was made by Jeri Engen for her daughter who was heading off to university. Jeri and her mother in law stitched the hankies "crazy quilting" style to a linen tablecloth. This piece represents the needlework of four generations of women in their family. Embroidered profiles of each woman with her name below appear randomly over the quilt (you can see one in the lower left corner below).

Quotes are scattered about the quilt, some light-hearted, some dead serious....

...and some containing valuable advice for a first year student, like "no woman ever achieved orgasm mopping the floor".

And now, the next great embroiderer will be the person responsible for comment number 16!

C'est Kirsty! Felicitations! This is exciting. Kirsty is a new friend I've recently met in blogland who I hope will become an invaluable resource in our summer vacation planning. You see, she's a super talented crafty Aussie actually living in the south of France. You must visit her blog. Despite having 4 children in a foreign country, she manages to visit a new town almost every weekend, then returns home with amazing photos and stories of delicious French cuisine to share. Plus, she's hilarious. A quality I just love in bloggers. This post actually made me guffaw out loud at the end. Go have a look, seriously I'm sure she could publish a coffee table book with her photos.

Happy week everyone. I am almost finished stitching my Christmas gifts, which is great news because it's time to start baking! Neighbourhood Cookie Exchange is on Thursday night and I need to show up with 12 dozen delicious somethings.

On the Lam{inate}!

2011-12-01T11:29:00.000-08:00

Several months ago while on a little fabric browsing/post office/Trader Joe's run across the border, I picked up a few chunks of laminated cotton fabric. I haven't used it very much, but thought I'd try making a couple of pouches with laminate on the outside and cotton on the inside.

Trying out some different settings on my new camera, I took this picture in diffused daylight (overcast, but bright light, no direct sun) in aperture priority setting.

Hmm. The depth of field was so narrow, only the pens are in focus. I'm pretty sure you're not here to see pictures of office supplies.....so, I returned to full AUTO mode for this next one, and stood back a little as well.

There, now you can see the pouch in focus as well as the pens. That's better. I can see it's going to take me a while to get the hang of close up photography with the DSLR. It was a no-brainer with my little point and shoot on the cute little tulip (macro) setting.

The cupcake ribbon is so cute and looks perfect with all that pink! I recently purchased a teflon foot for my Pfaff and it was a dream to topstitch the laminate with it. I had tried topstitching with a piece of tissue paper between the laminate and a regular metal foot, but the tension went all wacky so the stitches looked terrible. If you're planning to do a lot of laminate sewing, I would highly recommend the teflon!

Now, I need advice on how to get rid of the wrinkles that result when turning the pouch right side out. I pressed the finished pouch through two layers of cotton pressing cloth (no steam), but the wrinkles didn't iron out. Any tips?

These pouches, the fleece sweater, some gloves and a notebook are heading to a young girl we sponsor in Ecuador. I made two pouches and decided to send both in case she has a friend without a sponsor that she'd like to share with. I really should have had them in the mail a few weeks ago!

Lighting

2011-11-30T21:05:00.001-08:00

It's a tricky time of year. Not only is the sun a rare commodity from November to March in Vancouver, but when it does appear, that warm and glowing orb is very low in the sky. I've got plenty of recent work to share, but my photography is being foiled by harsh lighting or no lighting and a pretty huge intimidation factor with my new camera.

The sun made an unscheduled appearance today after the weekend's torrential rains (rumour has it the clouds are gone for the next few days as well), so I had a little photo shoot on the kitchen table in the morning light.

You've seen these before in a pretty average progress picture. I attempted to photograph my house tape measures again, this time using my new Nikon on auto setting without flash and a 50mm 1:1.4 lens (as recommended by Sonja and seconded by the dude at the camera shop).

In full, but shaded, natural light

In full natural sunlight - look at those shadows!

I think shadows can be fun in some circumstances (especially when you're walking in late afternoon and the sun is low in the sky behind you, and your shadow is cast in front of you as you stroll up the road, rendering your body about 8 feet tall and skinny as a super model. That's when I admire my shadow and think smugly: girl, you look gooooood!). hehe.

Like in these pictures, where my stout little houses are casting shadows worthy of a four-story Manhatten walk up!

I've got SO far to go, learning how to use my new camera. Interesting that I should receive a note from Interweave about the release of this new book just yesterday. I immediately added it to my Christmas list!

If you've got a savvy sewist on your Christmas list why not whip up a house tape measure? You can purchase Laurraine's pattern here.

Embroidery - You Can Do It Giveaway!

2011-11-28T13:37:00.000-08:00

Time and time again I receive comments and lovely compliments on the embroidery projects that I show here on Poppyprint. Many avid quilters and sewists tell me they would love to learn how to embroider.

I learned how to embroider in Girl Guides many, many years ago. It is a pastime that I find very relaxing and endlessly creative. Plus, I love floss. And all things considered (in our chosen hobby/work/art/craft) it is super cheap.

Embroidery can be simple, or complicated, but either way it is not difficult. Earlier this fall I took a wonderful 2-day course to hone my skills and learn some new stitches. The excellent (and extremely patient) teacher, Bonnie Adie, recommended a reference book called The A-Z of Embroidery Stitches by Country Bumpkin Publications. Unfortunately the book was very hard for me to find locally, so I contacted the publishers and guess what? They sent a copy all the way from Australia for me to share! Now you can learn, too!

This guide comes with a brave claim on the front cover that it is "One of the great reference books of all time". I don't know about that, but I do know everyone capable of holding a needle can learn every stitch contained in this book. Beginning with the Algerian Eye Stitch, and ending with the ZigZag Stitch, every page is stocked with full-colour photos to guide you through each stitching step required.

Look, you can do Shisha!

Helpful tips are inserted along the way in text boxes, including tips for lefties, needles, using hoops, knotting your thread and finishing you work. I love it when publishers are clever enough to bind crafting books with a spiral so they will stay open and flat on your work table - makes following step by step instructions so much easier.

After learning a basic stitch, you'll be ready to combine techniques for beautiful effects like this loopy blanket stitch rose, above. This book doesn't have a lot of fluff - it's full on useful information from page 1 and I know I will refer to it often. There are no project ideas, it's strictly technique for over 150 stitches.

I love the two-colour chain stitch!

I had never heard of Country Bumpkin before (not surprising they are in Oz, land of beautiful stitchery!) and have learned that they publish beautiful magazines and many other reference titles. So, how'd you like to add A-Z of Embroidery Stitches to your crafting library? Just leave one comment for your first entry and then sign up for Country Bumpkin's e-newsletter and comment that you've done so for a second one. Please, please make sure there is an email link in your comment so I can contact you.

Happy Stitching!

(random winner will be chosen Saturday, December 3rd)

Comments are now closed, thanks for visiting!

Half a weekend

2011-11-26T19:12:00.001-08:00

A LOT went on today.

First I woke up.

Then we went downtown to drop D & her unicycle off at the marshalling spot in the Grey Cup Parade.

Drank delicious latte here.

Then I got a one-armed hug from Cory Monteith as he left the Hotel Vancouver en route to getting into the Honorary Parade Grande Marshall pick up truck.

arent' we cute in our matching toques? So Canadian.

Saw Gene Simmons and Shannon Tweed (and their kids!) drive by in the parade. What the?

Took some blurry shots of D riding by on her uni - soaked to the skin and still smiling.

this is the best I could do on my iphone - it was raining so hard! D is the blondie.

Ran into Cory again at the end of the Parade. He was also soaked to the skin and still smiling.

Came home. Chowed down some crackers, cheese and yummy wine jelly.

Hammered some grommets into my Happiness Potholders for my secret partner in the VMQG-FVMQG potholder swap. Grommets make me happy.

Fondled my new rig.

more on this later - I just got it yesterday!

Quilted two pillow covers (Christmas gifts)

AND, now I get to go back downtown for a lovely dinner with my husband and some of his colleagues. It's only Saturday evening! I wonder what will happen tomorrow?

I mean, besides rain.

Smack Friday

2011-11-23T08:00:00.000-08:00

Yup. Fabric is my drug. No matter how long I lecture myself on the need to show restraint and just use what I have already, I am powerless against the DEAL. And I know that you are, too. Which is why I'm giving you the opportunity to forego lining up at the ungodly hour of 5:00 a.m. this Friday morning, and instead shop in your jammies with a latte in your hand (like I just did. It's noon and I'm not afraid to admit it).

My sweet friend Tammy has some killer goods listed in her specials section at big discounts. I may have picked up some yardage of this for some zippy pouch action:

RSR transistors cotton/linen blend perfect for bags & pouches - yum!

and these for stash building:

Joel Dewberry's Aviary 2 wood grain in vintage yellow and dill. Sublime. Sorry, I cleaned Tammy out of the brown woodgrain.

But don't worry, I left some of this for you:

Smack Friday pricing all 'round. Have fun!

Fuzzy Snow

2011-11-22T11:25:00.001-08:00

No such thing. It's cold, it's wet, it's white. I love it.

Once in a while, I like to celebrate the snowflake's sublime symmetry. Yesterday, when I realized my guild's ornament swap was happening tonight, it was panic stations around here for a few minutes before I clued into my new GO!Baby die: the hexagons! A 6-armed snowflake would fit perfectly onto a hexagon background. You know, sometimes that university degree comes in so handy.

I googled "snowflake template" and perused many a flake before deciding on this one (chosen for supposed ease of negotiating small spaces with a machine blanket stitch). Please do not examine all those points too closely, my blanket stitch did run amok in spots. I fused the flakes (using Transweb) onto the hand dyed wool 4" hexagons that were beautifully cut on my GO!Baby. I put one layer of wool at a time through the cutter and the hexagons were cut accurately and cleanly.

Both sides are identical and the ornament hangs from a 1/8" satin ribbon loop. I hand stitched the two hexies together with perle cotton and lightly stuffed with fiberfill. Then I secured matching buttons to each other through the middle to gently squeeze the snowflakes, giving them some added roundness. Swap-ready in one hour! Love that.

Bonjour!

2011-11-22T08:00:00.000-08:00

To all my far away readers, especially those of you who make up the 1% wedges, I say thank you for visiting Poppyprint! Merci beaucoup, G'day, Hej, Tack, σας ευχαριστώ!!

And to the 25.3% of you that don't know where you live, I just want to know, who's wifi are you scamming?

Thanks to my I.T. department for snipping this graphic for me after I found him perusing my blog stats in his pj's on Sunday morning.

Fantasy Becomes Reality

2011-11-21T08:00:00.000-08:00

You know when you really love someone else's work and you sort of make a little wish that one day, if you were really, really lucky a little morsel of their talent would make it's way into your life?

Well, I got extra really lucky at retreat when Krista (aka K2) brought along this sweet little fantasy quilt just for me!

Krista's a huge fan of Heather Ross and she uses Heather's motif-driven fabrics to great effect in her collage quilts. Every quilt feels like an image from a beautiful dream. It doesn't get much sweeter than two unicorn friends hanging out under a fantasy fruit tree.

Birch bark is one of my favourite things in nature. Ever since Girl Guides, when I learned that fallen birch bark is nature's most efficient fire-starter (and also makes fun notepaper for letters home!). I also learned that you are never, ever, to peel it off a living tree, right kids? It's okay to cut birch fabric though, especially for friends. Isn't that one birch tree strip on the right edge genius?

Completing everything is the lovely, swirly quilting over all the special fabric scraps that make up the background of this mini quilt. I've got it hanging directly across from my sewing room chair, so that whenever I look up I can admire my special gift.

Thank you, Krista. I just love it!!!

For those of you that have asked, Krista doesn't currently have a blog; she's a flickr swapper-extraordinaire under flickr id lolablueocean. Rumour has it that a blog may be in the works. I will be sure to let you know when she gets it up and running!

Lucky x 2 (Potholders)

2011-11-19T09:18:00.000-08:00

Look what came to my house on Thursday - two gorgeous potholders designed and made just for me by none other than the talented Cynthia Frenette! Cynthia is a member of the Fraser Valley Modern Quilt Guild and my secret partner in the Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild's inaugural swap with the valley girls.

I feel so spoiled. Cynthia is an award-winning designer of fabric on Spoonflower, a cover artist on the current gifts issue of Quilting Arts magazine AND was recently awarded top mixed media artisan 2012 by Cloth Paper Scissors! Cynthia's stunning "quaintings" are incredibly inspiring and beautifully executed - check them out here! On top of all that, she's a total sweetheart. It won't be long before you'll be able to buy her fabric in quilt stores; I can't wait!!!

I helped organize the swap with Eryn and we made up a fun questionnaire for everyone to fill out so our partners could have an idea of our tastes. Instead of the boring old "favourite colour, likes and dislikes" type list, we instead asked people to choose between sets of words like:

Stainless steel, white or avocado?

IKEA, farmhouse or industrial?

martini or lemonade?

cat, dog or goldfish?

Gees Bend or Ginny Beyer?

...............you get the idea.

I have a plan for my partner that I hope to make this weekend. We've got until Nov. 30th to mail, but Cynthia is neck deep in craft fair making, so she got way ahead of the game (what a considerate swapper!). Felicity is finished her potholders, too. I've gotta get sewing.

Me and my kitchen are so happy. Thank you Cynthia!!!!

And then there were 3

2011-11-16T17:06:00.000-08:00

...Krista's, that is. Here we are! It really happened!

Now I know what it's like when bloggy friends get to meet in person, laugh over shared online experiences, see each other's work firsthand and just realize that friendships made over the internet are every bit as real and fun as those you make in person. I still can't believe these girls made the trip to Vancouver for retreat, but I certainly am glad they did. Felicity is a local Vancouver girl but it was her first time on this retreat. We had a ball and it was really fun for many of my local friends to meet them, too!

As always, retreat was a blast. This time I think I may have been socializing a wee bit too much, so productivity was down, but that's perfectly okay by me because I had a ball. Lots of laughs, a bit of wine, copious quantities of junk food (an apple just doesn't cut it at midnight when you want to sew for 2 more hours!), a bit more wine. Heaps of inspiration. Everyone else got tons done! Check out this conference room - Bena's One Block Wonder is at the back on the design wall, our Christmas block raffle blocks are next to it stuck to the white board, Rossie's French General X table topper is in the foreground. There are no quilters in sight because this photo was taken at 2:30 a.m. Only the fittest sewists can survive until 2:30 (or maybe it's those with the best chocolate supply)!

Here are Krista and Felicity, holding a 2:30 a.m. design charrette on Krista's gorgeous bee blocks.

As predicted, it snowed! It really came down all of Saturday afternoon. Wet and miserable and cold. I held off on the snowball fight. I'm pretty sure there wasn't one other person I could convince to leave the building. In fact, we had to move our (covered outdoor) basting tables inside to the lodge foyer because frostbite was setting in for those poor people trying to pin their quilts. I also heard the 505 was coming out of the can like chunky snowflakes!

Here's our motley crew in the rowdy corner of the work room.

K2-Krista, Sindy, Felicity and K3-Krista

K3 was busy running her one-woman craft fair sweat shop for three days. It's a wonder she went home with any stock, everything was so beautiful we wanted to buy it all! I managed to convince her to sell me a gorgeous Echino and flannel scarf (see first photo) and all was going so well until I discovered there was a rat on my scarf. Eek!

Here she is turning a zippy pouch

K2 kept us in stitches (which is better to say than she was killing us - because she could have!) with her 5 lb Gingher hedge trimmers. Look at those things (below)!

I was busy with some gift-making and did manage to get binding on a queen sized quilt that K2 beautifully quilted on her long arm for me. It's the first time I've had a homemade quilt to sleep under at retreat (even though it's really intended for my son T for Christmas...every quilt needs a test drive). No photos of that yet though.

The beginnings of a robot tumbler pillow cover for my nephew - I brought my GO! Baby for people to try out and used it myself to cut out 3 sets of tumblers

Here are my house tape measures in progress. I was testing Laurraine's pattern. It is now available in her pattern shop - a fantastic gift idea for any sewist!

I'm still catching up on sleep and unpacking my large tote. I'm excited about the progress on my Christmas gifts and hope to resume stitching this weekend. As always, parting is such sweet sorrow (so I'm not sure why they look so darn happy). They were crying on the inside, I bet.

The Kristamobile departs for Seattle. Sniff, sniff. Thanks for coming, girls.

You're both the adorablest.

And there you have it. Retreat Report 2011. I can't wait until next year. Stay tuned for a reveal of the sweetest mini that K2 made for me!! I just need some light to take a decent photo.

Variegated Thread Selvage Quilts

2011-11-11T16:00:00.000-08:00

I'm at retreat. Well, not yet, but by the time you read this I will be yucking it up with my pals, sewing up a storm and sampling everyone's chocolate stash when they're not looking. Because my Krista Sista's have traveled so far to come (K2 from Seattle, K3 all the way from Anchorage via Seattle), I really wanted to show them how much I appreciate their friendship. So I made them each a 14" x 20" quilt in their respective colours.

This one will head home to Alaska on Monday with K3

I've made several Chinese coin quilts with my selvage collection, but ages ago I 'favorited' this quilt on flickr and asked permission to use it for inspiration. I made my spools slightly less wonky, but free-cut the angles on each side of the spool top and bottom. Those strips for the wooden spool were made using selvages from French General fabric (which I think has the most beautiful selvage that is totally worthy of using as a design feature!). I just love the idea of these 'variegated thread' spools functioning as fabric memory quilts - a sweet reminder of all my favourite fabrics. I will definitely make one for myself!

Here is K2's quilt, which I hope will reside in her Seattle studio.

Give me one good reason why I shouldn't bind every future quilt in this Joel Dewberry Heirloom print? It absolutely rocks for binding!!

I wanted to keep the quilts a surprise, so I've scheduled this post to go live after I've gifted the quilts. I'm so excited. Isn't it a great feeling to give someone a hand-made present? Even more so in this case because I am pretty sure they'll really like them!

I also have another teeny item for the three of us. I'll post a photo once we're all together with those ones, though. They have to do with identification. You see, with three Krista's in one room, there is bound to be trouble. When K2 visited me last year, my husband started the numerical reference (I think I got K1 only because he knew me first - NOT because I'm the, ahem, oldest). K3 is clearly the youngest by a longshot though, so in her case I'm sure being #3 is just fine with her!

I hope you're enjoying your weekend as much as weeeeeeee aaaaaare (gloat, gloat). I'm only doing that because your virtual smacking is having no effect on me whatsoever.

Agatha's Road Trip

2011-11-10T07:26:00.000-08:00

Just a quick hello today friends. I've got a lot of organizing, packing and pre-cutting to do today. Tomorrow is Day 1 of my annual November retreat. Agatha and I are going on a road trip!

Photo by Berene

This year is extra super duper exciting for many reasons. The big one is that I will be joined by two of my Krista Sista's!! Krista (Lolablueocean) and Krista (Spottedstonestudio) are coming on retreat. They'll be road-trippin' together from Seattle. It's going to be hilarious to have three people with the same name together - that never happens to me, and I can't wait. Rounding out my 'new friends from blogland who I get to hang out with in real life' gang will be Felicity - yep, she's coming, too! Plus all my fabulous regulars, without whom this retreat wouldn't happen, year after year.

I've got lots of projects lined up that include Christmas gifts for family, ongoing work on a quilt for our bed and a new little pattern test (thanks to Laurraine) that I'm very excited about.

I will most definitely NOT be making another one of these (I mention this because people keep asking!).

Tune in next week for a full report, and what I hope will be lots of fun pictures. Rumour has it there may be snow in them thar mountains this year, but it's warmed up a bit today so I'm worried my planned snowball fight might not happen.

Why didn't I think of that?

2011-11-07T14:31:00.000-08:00

Today I received a Groupon offer that could change my life. It was for 50% off a pair a Hot Pants. Now, don't get me wrong, I love a great pair of pink stretchy pants from the 60's, but high-waisted, skin tight black lycra? Not so much.

The selling feature? Apparently these attractive shorts actually make you sweat 80% more during exercise, in order to get rid of cellulite-causing toxins. Yippee! Just want I've always wanted: my (80% more) sweaty ass encased in black toxin-soaked lycra! You know, that almost makes me want to go to the gym right now.

Alas, I don't have any Hot Pants. And never will. It's shocking the things that women will spend their hard-earned cash on in an effort to slim down, smooth out and youth-ify. If we all just say no, maybe the brainiac marketers could turn their attention to things that really matter? Like doors that are too heavy to hold open and push a stroller through at the same time, or ziploc baggies that don't zip worth a damn? The fact that someone, somewhere, is making money on crap like Hot Pants is enough to make me fall right off the back of a treadmill (that is, if ever I was to set foot ON one).

Where's the Groupon for two for one chocolate mousse cake?

This blog will return to it's regularly scheduled crafty business very soon. Just couldn't let this one go by without a mini-rant.

Dresden Pillow part deux

2011-11-06T15:31:00.000-08:00

Early in the year I made this pillow/mini quilt for a private swap with my friend Tracey (who, by the way, has just given birth to the most adorable little girl, so if you have a sec, stop by and wish her well!). Before mailing it to California, I shared the project at my traditional guild's show and tell. The response was lovely and the workshop coordinator asked if I would give a workshop on how to piece and applique a dresden by machine. Why yes, of course I would! I love teaching workshops. It helps when all of your students are friends from guild!

So, due to the fact that my sample is a couple thousand km south of our meeting hall, I made up another one.

It is a slightly simplified version in the hopes that people will be able to complete the top and back during the one-day workshop. I nixed the narrow inner selvage border and went with a covered zip closure instead of a buttonhole placket on the back. I couldn't resist duplicating the fabric, though. I just love this French General red for fall decor and the hand of this fabric is luscious....just buttery soft.

Everything is done by machine, except for the hand-tacking of the binding to the back. The alphabet print is my favourite from the La Petite Ecole line. The binding is a striped print from the line, but I cut it on the bias (bias stripes on a binding are just happy-making, don't you think?).

The double centre wasn't intended. It became a necessity when the original larger circle fabric turned out to be rather transparent after it was fused on with steam-a-seam. The seam allowances of the dresden blades showed through and I didn't like the way that looked, so I slapped on the smaller red circle: problem solved! I love the machine blanket stitch around the circle edges. It was a major selling feature of my Pfaff Quilt Expression 4.0 because it's got a 9mm throat plate which means you can do a HUGE blanket stitch if you want to.

I have to write up detailed instructions for the workshop, so I'm considering making this my first official .pdf pattern for download. I'd love your feedback on what you like (or could do without) in .pdf patterns. Lots of photos? Detailed explanations? Quilting instructions? Do you follow those patterns via laptop beside your sewing machine, or do you prefer less pages so you can print them out? Bring it on people, I'd appreciate your thoughts!

Since this pillow is ideal for sprucing up your armchair for autumn, I'm linking up to Rachel's Celebrate Color event. Stop in and see some of the other gorgeous projects there!

A-O-K!

2011-11-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

Check out my hoop!!!

It arrived today all the way from Atlanta. Made by Ella just for me in the Misfit Quilter's hoop swap. I've never done cross stitch, but I've watched my mom carefully mark off pattern rows and count her way across aida cloth under a magnifying glass. Wow, these x's are so tiny!! I must say that I don't think I've got the patience, or eyesight for it. Just this last weekend, I was really ready for some progressive lenses....note to self: call for eye exam tomorrow.

I just love it that I have my very on "K" hoop. It is proudly hanging in my sewing room already.

I've had some seriously good swap luck lately, haven't I?

Fresh Sewing Day!

2011-11-01T09:39:00.001-07:00

Hello November! Nice to see your frosty mornings and crisp autumn winds.

It's Fresh Sewing Day at Lynne's, so I thought I'd put a mosaic together of some of the stuff I worked on during October. It's not all here since the weather hasn't been super cooperative at the times when I want to take photos. Today is looking promising, though, so watch this space for more work soon!

If you want more info on any of the photos, just click on the mosaic to reach my flickr stream and the links are all there for you just below the picture.

One thing I haven't shown you yet is the pine tree block in the middle top row. That is the block I chose for my month in the Stash Trad bee. We are making traditional blocks for our bee-mates out of fabrics from our own stash. Literally within two days of posting my sample and the instructions, 5 others have already made their blocks for me. Can I just say that this might become my all-time favourite quilt? So excited!

I'm linking up so you can click on this button and find the list of other participants and check to see what they've been up to in the last month! Lynne also has a small blog meet up running on the first of the month - head over to visit some of the newest friends in blogland and show them some love.

HAPPY NOVEMBER!

Chihuahua Princess

2011-11-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

Ladies and (one or two) gentlemen, may I introduce Chihuahua Princess, my latest embroidered hoop project...

This is on it's way to my secret partner in the Misfit Quilter's modern hoop swap, a small swap group that I totally gate-crashed after reading about it on Twitter. I was in the mood to make another hoop. They don't take tons of time and you can have a lot of fun with them.

Her 'diamonds' are clear beads attached with a French knot.

I'm never sure that others will share my sense of humor, but I thought it would be funny to have a totally blinged out princess Chihuahua in her 80's Adidas bag letting everyone know that her other ride is a Prada. I hope no one sues me. I think every boy in my high school carried their books in those vinyl Adidas bags in the early 80's...that is until the handles inevitably ripped out of the rivets!

I'm linking up to Rachel's Celebrate Color Needlepoint pool with this hoop!

One more swap to complete: I'm making a pair of potholders for a member of the Fraser Valley Modern Quilt Guild in a swap with my Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild. We are only about an hour's drive apart location-wise and sometimes a few members of one guild will attend the other's monthly meeting. We thought a guild to guild swap would be fun. Have you ever done a swap like that?

BOO!

2011-10-31T12:00:00.000-07:00

Last night while I was recovering from a very busy weekend coupled with a rotten head cold, there was a very insistent knock on our front door, followed by the unmistakable pitter patter of someone running down the front steps as quickly as possible.

I had my suspicions right away; after opening the front door, it was confirmed. We'd been BOO'd!

This fun Hallowe'en tradition swept through out neighbourhood about 5 or 6 years ago, but I hadn't seen it again until last night. On our doorstep was a goody bag filled with yummy treats (even two cans of pumpkin ale for Dad and lovely napkins for me!) and decorations. The box of homemade Pumpkin Gobs cracked me up. They are delicious cookies stuck in pairs with icing. The idea is that you drop off a goody bag anonymously, along with a sign to put in the window letting others know that you've been BOO'd. It's super fun and when we did it to several neighbours years ago we included our famously disgusting witchy finger cookies that are always a hit!

Every year B and I go to a fun grown-up party where everyone really gets into the spirit with some amazing costumes. Here we are last Saturday, Phyllis and little Lisa from the 137th Calgary Pack.

I always thought Phyllis Diller was the funniest woman ever! As one of my flickr friends commented, I look pretty good for a 94 year old!

B was working on his beer-consumption badge at the party.

If you've got little ghouls and goblins at your house, I hope you all have lots of fun tonight haunting your neighbourhood!! Happy Hallowe'en!

Bloggers Quilt Festival Fall 2011

2011-10-28T14:56:00.001-07:00

Hi there! Welcome to Poppyprint if you are clicking your way through the Bloggers Quilt Festival listings. Here is my favourite autumn quilt, which is hanging on my office door for the season.

I first saw a photo in Quilter's World Magazine of this wallhanging by Ellen Stuckey (I believe she's from Indiana, but I can't find a blog or website for her). I hung on to a colour photocopy of it for several years and finally found the perfect fabric. All of it was hand dyed by my friend Kathy, except for a few of the lighter fabrics, which are batik.

This entire quilt is free cut with scissors, no rulers or rotary blades. I pieced it on my annual November retreat a few years ago and made a massive mess of my work table and the floor around me! Free-piecing can be pretty wasteful, but all of the scraps were so beautiful I saved them for other, tiny projects. The quilt is not bound in the traditional way, but with a facing instead. I really liked the way Ellen had defined the two panels with an asymmetric top and bottom edge -it's a unique quilt finish.

I had a lot of fun with the quilting; using different thread colours, some free motion in the leaves themselves, but mostly straight line quilting with a walking foot on. In some cases, I used the quilting to define more leaves, like the one pictured below.

If you are not a regular Poppyprint reader, you may be interested in my recent free-cut project that I just made earlier this week in a workshop with the Quilters of Gee's Bend, Alabama. You can read about it here!

Thank you so much for stopping by. Be sure to visit Amy's Creative Side for a complete listing of participating blogs and check out all of the other amazing quilts in this Festival by clicking on the button below!

The Quilting Workshop that wasn't....

2011-10-27T13:49:00.001-07:00

This past Monday and Tuesday were spent in the company of some very special women. I signed up and paid for a quilting workshop. Instead, I was treated to a cultural experience rich in faith, sharing and genuine love.

China Pettway, Revil Mosley and Louisiana Bendolph all came to Vancouver from Gee's Bend, Alabama accompanied by Matt Arnett of Tinwood Media. Maiwa invited them to give lectures and workshops as part of their 2011 Textile Symposium. I've been trying to figure out a way to share these two days with you and it's sort of difficult. I could just say: 15 of us gathered in the Maiwa textile library, cut and ripped up fabric and sewed it back together again. Because that's essentially what we did.

Or, I could describe my expectations for the workshop, which were not much more than to make a quilt in the style, and spirit, of the many, many quilts I have admired from the quiltmakers of Gee's Bend. Which would mean making something with bold lines, without a plan, out of old clothes.

Louisiana and I, with my 'bricklayer' quilt in progress

There were several experiences I didn't count on. For one, I NEVER expected to use Brown Fabric. Those of you who've spent any time around here know that in the past, I've referred to this colour as evil brown. Well, you won't read that here again. Louisiana has cured me of my aversion and she predicts it won't be long before I'm wearing it. I told her not to push it.

Each day started with song (with plenty more throughout the day). Matt told us all gatherings start with singing and praying. China is a preacher with a preacher's singing voice. Revil sings sweet harmony. Louisiana doesn't sing, but she prayed. They filled us full up on gospel, then thanked God for waking us up that morning, for being together....and for a lot of other things. I'd only been there for 30 minutes, but already felt like anything I made that day would be the best thing I'd ever made.

There wasn't a plan. There wasn't a schedule. No hand outs. The only instruction (and I mean the ONLY instruction given to the entire group over two days) was "start ripping fabric!". China came over to me and asked "what you gonna make?" I said, a quilt. She asked "you ever made a quilt before?" I said, yes, lots. She tilted her head to one side then, and said "well, I dunno what I'm gonna show you then." I showed her the black pants I had brought with me. She didn't believe me that they didn't fit anymore, but they don't. I asked her to show me how she'd start ripping a pair of pants so that she could use them in a quilt top. So, she did.

Each of the three workshop tables was mounded high with fabric scraps supplied by Maiwa and leftover clothing scraps from the previous day's workshops. I brought my black pants, a pair of my husband's bagged out jeans and some solid yardage & FQ's. The top of some fuschia corduroy overalls on the table caught my eye, so I salvaged the biggest bits by peeling the old interfacing off the bib part. I picked out some pleats. There were scraps of some brown jeans in the pile that looked perfect with the fuschia. A start.

Agatha came with me on Day 2 to help with the sewing

Some of my favourite Gee's Bend quilts are courthouse step variations that the ladies call "Bricklayer". I don't recall making a conscious decision, but this is where I headed. At one point, I heard Louisiana say, "no unpicking your sewing". So when I realized I had broken from the courthouse step and made a black log cabin around the entire centre square, I just let it be. That's what these days were all about. Just letting it be. That is, until Matt came by and told me to get some of that aqua in there to bust things up a bit.

I've never ripped fabric for quilting. I do everything with rotary equipment. There is absolutely nothing on my quilt top measured or squared up. The back is a dog's breakfast of wacky seam allowance and different coloured piecing thread from the 4 different machines that were used in it's construction. The whole thing ripples. The worn knees of the jeans pouf out. I asked Louisiana how they dealt with all that and with a wave of her hand she said "you just quilt that out". Ok.

Lou, me, Revil, China

I thought I was done after adding the jean borders. But China and Revil kept digging around the fabric piles and finding more pieces of that brown corduroy skirt I had cut up the day before. So I added a final border. There wasn't enough to go all the way around, so China handed me a hunk of red and said 'use this'. Who was I to say no? Besides, it went with my shoes.

So, there it is. My Gee's Bend-inspired quilt top. In all it's wonky, ripply, unsquare, brown-bordered glory. It just might be the best thing I've ever made. And I am grateful.

There are a few more photos from the class in my flickr stream. Just click on any photo to get there and you can look around and see what some other participants made. And if you ever see that the quilter's of Gee's Bend are giving a workshop anywhere that you can get to, sign up immediately. You won't be sorry.

Glowing

2011-10-25T23:04:00.000-07:00

Look! It's me and my block from Modern Blocks. Thank you Sonja for taking this picture at our VMQG meeting last week.

Apparently I'm a 'well-known designer'. It says so right on the back cover of the book!

I'm in pretty good company. I love it that I ended up right below Ms. Goldsworthy! (that's only because of the alphabet you know. It doesn't mean she's more well-known than me. Even though she is).

Back soon with Gee's Bend report. I am positively glowing after two days with those ladies, actually. I was able to edit my last post and give credit to all of the quilt makers thanks to Matt Arnett who identified each one in a split second!

Gee's Bend Week

2011-10-23T22:44:00.000-07:00

The likelihood of a good night's sleep for me tonight is slim. I am super excited about the next two days. I'll be back at Maiwa for a workshop with three of the Gee's Bend Quilters. Last time they came to town, in 2005, I wasn't able to grab a spot in their workshops, so this year I knew I had to be fast on registration day and I managed to score the last place!

The quiltmakers, L-R: Annie Mae Young, Mary Lee Bendolph, Mary Lee Bendolph, Arlonzia Pettway, Mesie Lee Pettway.

Like so many others, I have been fascinated by the quilts made in Gee's Bend ever since they were first exhibited in Houston in 2002. I was lucky enough to see some in person in July, 2004 when Ed Mirvish Books on Art hosted a small exhibit in Toronto. That's where all the photos in this post were taken.

Candis Pettway

After standing with my mouth open in front of every quilt, I sat and watched the video of the quilters made by Tinwood Media. I bought the VHS tape and I bought the coffee table book (it was my birthday, after all). When I returned to Vancouver, I was so anxious to share what I'd learned and seen, I read the book cover to cover and gave a slide show presentation to my guild in the fall.

Nancy Pettway

Last Friday night, I attended a lecture given by three of the quilters, Louisiana Bendolph, China Pettway, Revil Mosley along with Matt Arnett (who, with his father, has mounted the museum shows of quilts, published the womens' stories and traveled around the world, introducing the quilters and their work). Felicity wrote an excellent summary of the lecture you can read on her blog here and there's even a video clip of their amazing singing!!

This is one of my all-time fav quilts. I am smitten by that angled center panel, all protected by the field of light green grounded by the strong red stripe across the bottom...

made by Gloria Hoppins

On a 2009 trip to Sisters, Oregon for the famous outdoor quilt show put on by the Stitchin' Post every July, there were 8 quilters from Gee's Bend in attendance, promoting the second coffee table book, the Architecture of the Quilt. I bought it. They signed it. I cried when they broke into gospel. Look closely at this next photo:

Mensie Lee Pettway

See the labels below the quilt, defining the type of books for sale on the shelves below? How perfect. Now take a look at this next one:

Mary Lee Bendolph

Even more perfect!!!! I just loved that. Modern Art indeed.

These last few photos are all quilts made from colourful corduroy that the women were able to acquire as leftover cuts from the Freedom Quilting Bee - a sewing business not far from Gee's Bend where many worked making commercial bedding for Sears Roebuck at one time. These are some of my favourite quilts, too. The wild colours and how the quilter's used them in their compositions are truly special.

Annie Mae Young

And here you see some classic Gee's Bend work. The denim pant legs sewn right into the quilt top. We are going to deconstruct some clothing in the workshop and make some of our own compositions. I think. We may just sing for two days and that would suit me just fine.

It may take me a little bit to put it all into words and photos for you. I know how lucky I am to have this opportunity and how many of you would enjoy it too, so I promise to share.

Note: the quilts photographed here were hung a storey above the floor where I was standing. I was not able to read the tiny labels 12 feet up on the wall, identifying the each quiltmaker. I'm sorry I cannot identify the individual that created each quilt pictured here.

Edited: Thanks to Matt Arnett who identified each quilt's maker for me!

Winners!

2011-10-22T09:26:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the lucky winners of the giveaways!

The canvas sampler of your choice courtesy of BasicGrey goes to:

That's drmithome! I hope you have lots of fun creating your own special collection sampler.

And the e-book copy of Modern Blocks, courtesy of StashBooks goes to:

That's Stitchinpenny, who had one of my favourite comments: I am so glad you are giving away an e book since the real thing may not fit in my sewing room. Haha! Well, hopefully your hard drive has room for the electronic version!

Congratulations to the winners of the giveaways this week! I will be in touch soon. At the moment we're rushing out to our son's rowing regatta. Have a lovely weekend all.

VMQG Hallowe'en edition & giveaway

2011-10-21T10:58:00.000-07:00

Last night was our guild meeting with a seasonal flare!

Our new president and guild founder, Holly made this great table decoration!

Our challenge this month was to bring Hallowe'en themed blocks for a raffle. One block = one ticket. Just to be safe, I made 8 blocks and brought Berene's along for her for an extra entry. Alas, it was not my lucky night. BOO! I'm very happy that Amy was one of the first winners, though. Hallowe'en is her holiday and I really wanted her to get a nice selection of 10 blocks to take home and make into something fabulous (which she'll totally do).

Here are some of the 69 blocks turned in!

Our guild has two very talented man-quilters who turned up last night with some very fine show and tell that I want to share with you.

This is Matt's amazing Judy Neidemeyer quilt that he just got back from a long-armer who spent over a week custom quilting it.

Here is Paul's take on the mood string quilt. The colours are incredible. Sonja will have better photos on her flickrstream soon.

Our always amazing door prize table!

Just before I had to duck out early, I won a very cute package of jack 'o lantern buttons!

Aside from all the Hallowe'en fun, there was a little exciting moment last night when I realized that Matt (who owns a quilt store called The Quilted Bear in Ladner, BC) actually had a real life copy of Modern Quilt Blocks...with my block in it!! The contributors haven't even received their copies yet, so it was really fun to see it and realize it would be in stores here already. Fellow VMQG guild member Sonja has a sweet Robot block in, too. There are so many of my blog friends also published that the entire book is just so exciting for me to be a part of. Thanks StashBooks!

I have permission from Stash to share one e-copy of the book with you. This is a quickie giveaway for those of you on the ball today, just one comment below gets you a chance to win your own electronic edition of Modern Blocks. This book contains 99 amazing blocks designs - you want this in your library! I'll close comments at 11 pm. PST tonight and announce the winner tomorrow along with the BasicGrey giveaway which you can still enter here. Good luck!

Comments are now closed, thanks for visiting!

Fav Fabrics - Sampler Tutorial & Giveaway!

2011-10-20T08:41:00.000-07:00

Fabric and scrapbook design company Basic Grey created a groovy concept for a sampler display canvas. You've likely seen them on other blogs recently - Fat Quarterly had a bunch made up as designer challenges and Amy has done several stunning examples, too. It's cool to see how different people run with the idea of displaying their fav fabrics, notions, trims and even scrapbook paper!

My original plan took a bit of a U-turn. Initially I thought about painting the vines gold and using Christmas fabrics in the circles...sort of a Christmas bauble idea. I considered silk ribbon for embroidering hangers on a few of them, or criss-crossing it over the middle of a few circles as if they were wrapped gifts. The Sharpie Gold Paint pen was a disaster on the canvas. I tested it on the back and it sunk into the canvas with no sheen at all. It was just a dull brown stain. Euw.

So, plan B was Sharpie Silver which looked better (still not what I envisioned, but oh well). Unfortunately, I don't have enough holiday-looking fabric to coordinate with silver so I re-programmed and went with a fav fabrics display for my daughter. She wants us to repaint her bedroom in lime green, purple and turquoise. Hmmm. If I can keep this a secret, it will be a Christmas gift for her. If you'd like to try out a Basic Grey sampler and want some ideas, here's how I did mine:

After the colouring was all done, I scoured my scrap bin for suitable fabrics. Then I cut 3.5" squares of Steam-a-Seam II and stuck it on the back of each scrap, leaving the backing paper ON. Using my GO! Baby and the circle die (thanks Di!), I cut out 2" and 3" circles from the Steam-a-Seam-backed scraps. I also tossed in a few hand dyed wool pieces for a hit of saturated colour. I hadn't considered cutting wool with the GO!, but Paulette recently did a whole bunch and it worked perfectly!

Then I laid everything out with a few buttons and took a photo for reference. All the backing papers were peeled off and, as is typical of me, I chucked the photo and rearranged most of the pieces in a different way. To hold them in place temporarily, I used a Clover mini-iron, just heating the very centre of each circle. This little iron would have crushed the felted wool, so Roxanne's Glue did the job on those ones (honestly, I hadn't intended for this post to become such a product placement....I really have all this stuff and I really use it!).

Now with everything secured, I turned the canvas frame over so I could press firmly from the back to adhere each circle permanently.

I found the whole display rather flat at this point, so it was time for some buttons and embroidery to add texture.

I know the pottery puppy button seems like a complete non sequitur, but if you know D, you know there is nothing she loves more than dogs. I've had these South African-made buttons for ages and this seemed like a place to use one!

Still not completely satisfied, I decided that some ricrac would help frame the whole she-bang so I staple-gunned it around the edges to the back of the frame. A few dabs of hot glue secured it to the canvas. And here you have it:

Now that you see how easy and fun it is to create a display of your fav fabrics, do you want to try one? Have you got a horde of cherished scraps, or bits of baby clothes, or grandma's button collection to display? Basic Grey will send one lucky reader a canvas sampler of their choosing (there are three different styles). If you'd like to leave ONE comment below I will use the random number generator to pick a winner on Saturday morning, Oct.22. The samplers are available to purchase online here.

PLEASE: Your email must be linked to your comment, or written in your comment to win. Use "name(at)network(dot)com" format if you like.

Edited: Comments are now closed, thanks for visiting!

2011-10-18T17:27:00.001-07:00

On retreat last Saturday, I managed to finish a couple of small projects, one of which is this adorable little skeleton plushie, complete with jack-o-lantern dress.

This clever design comes from the creative brain of Berene and it won 5th place in the weekly Spoonflower fabric design contest! You can buy your very own Happy Sew Lucky Pumpkin Skellie from Spoonflower and then follow Berene's blog tutorial here to put her together in an afternoon. I think everyone's Hallowe'en decor should include a well dressed skeleton, don't you?

Especially one with a sweet little heart on her bum.

NOTE: Mine is a smaller, FQ version, but you'll get a 27" high skellie if you buy the full yard pattern size. I'd recommend choosing the upholstery-weight twill, or linen cotton canvas substrates if your skellie will be played with by small people, but quilting weight cotton would be fine for a display-only version like mine.

Some Hoopla!

2011-10-17T13:42:00.001-07:00

This day is a happy one. I've already been for a lovely 1-hour sunshiny walk with the dog and arrived home to a full mailbox.

My swap with Suzanne is now complete. She has received from me and her package arrived today. We did a side swap out of the Pretty Little Pouch swap flickr group and decided to swap a hoop & hoop pouch with each other. Suzanne had already made me two adorable, useful and much loved pouches in round 1 of the PLP swap, so I feel extra lucky.

Isn't this hoop fun?!! Both Suzanne and I ordered the map fabric panel last spring from Hancock's after seeing it put to amazing use as background in Gayle's Farmer's Wife blocks.

And here's my beautiful hoop pouch. I love this so much. I've never English Paper Pieced before (despite having purchased hexy papers a few years ago...I don't even know where those things are anymore!). I adore every fabric she put into the star and the handstitching totally makes it for me. The pouch is lined with the pink/red dot DS print from the Jo Ann line. Perfection!

This pouch is going to get a lot of well-deserved attention at my next stitch group get together. It's loaded with my latest embroidery project already!

Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful work with me Suzanne.

p.s. picnik guys were "stepping over black cats" while the program loaded today....

Look What Michelemademe

2011-10-14T13:54:00.000-07:00

Awwwwww. Is this not the sweetest pinnie?

Thank you Michele for this super-fabulous-one-of-a-kind-upcycled-denim-sunshiney-pin-cushion. I absolutely LOVE it! You also get a prize for world's tiniest, most adorable handwriting. You caught me just in time, by next week I might not have been able to read it the way things are going with my close-range vision!

Check out Michele's blog. She's on a roll lately with all things tiny and inspiring. That girl is gonna put me in progressive lenses any day now.

Tomorrow is a retreat day for the VMQG gals and a few other friends who will join us. The day before retreats, I am a multi-tasking fiend. So far I've made (since waking up this morning): spinach lasagne, turkey shepherd's pie, fresh salsa, two salad dressings, Southwest quinoa salad, garlic bread and a delicious latte (for immediate consumption - everything else is for tomorrow). Yesterday was baking day: orange Nanaimo bars (we're close enough to Hallowe'en for those), brownies and butterscotch oat cookies (recipe here, thanks e they are divine!).

No one is going hungry on my watch.

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend. The autumn sun is shining!!

5-Alarm block!

2011-10-12T22:12:00.000-07:00

I made this yesterday for Melissa. September was her month in the VIBees, but sadly her fabric package has yet to emerge from the Canada Post Twilight Zone, and I fear it's lost forever. I went ahead and managed to find some red in my stash (uhhhh, not too difficult) because we're almost half way through October already!

Melissa is making a "Going Places" quilt for her son. Bee members are making blocks of transportation in the air, on land and at sea. I was on holidays when people chose their 'vehicles' and when I got back, the firetruck was mine!

Since the blocks are massive at 16.5", I had to adapt a smaller 6" foundation pattern from a photograph posted in our flickr pool. Unfortunately, to maintain the proportions there ended up being a ton of white space, but hey, more room for creative quilting!

I'm pretty happy about the driver, and also the lined paper print that I used for the hose. I love it when you can find just the right piece of fabric in your stash to take a block up a notch. BAM! This quilt will be a lot of fun for her little guy.

Against my better judgement, I'm going to tell you about the most ridiculous giveaway. Alex has given Lynne a truckload of Aurifil thread to share. So much that it even comes in it's own suitcase! Quick - right after you leave a flattering comment on my adorable fire truck block, head over there and enter the giveaway in her super fun Christmas Gifts for Quilters series!

Carving Pumpkins

2011-10-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

Aneela did a lovely fall post the other day and I was smitten with her sweet pumpkin table runner. It inspired me to immediately dig through my orange scraps and make these three amigos for my VMQG Hallowe'en block raffle coming up later this month!

Wanna know something so awesome? When I clicked on 'edit in picnik', those of you familiar with flickr and picnik know that these little turning cogs come up on your screen while your photo loads in the editing program. Along with the cogs, the smartypants picnik people always put silly little excuses for why the program takes time to load; things like "setting the table....", or "picking daisies..." Well, this time, and I kid you not, when I clicked to crop this photo of the blocks, it said "carving pumpkins..."

I might have snorted.

If you're in the mood to stitch up some quick improv pumpkins, Kaelin just posted a sweet tutorial for a log cabin pumpkin table runner here. I'm done stitching up the squash, now I'm going to roast one. I love making pumpkin pie from roasted sugar pumpkin and there is always lots leftover for a batch of muffins, too.

It's Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend. There will be pumpkin pie!

And they're off.....

2011-10-06T13:37:00.000-07:00

My swap package for Suzanne is complete and on it's way across the continent (visit her blog to see what she made for me! It is simply gorgeous). I completed the hoop this afternoon. I've told you all about it here, so I'll just show you the ta-da pix today.

I thought that I would try a blanket stitch sort of finish around the outside of the hoop, but it looked really awful, so I ripped it out and went with my standard ricrac embellishment. If you click through the photo of the back, I explained how I finish my hoops in the photo description.

The hoop is snug in it's pretty hoop pouch and I'm sure will be enjoying a lovely flight back east very soon. Let's hope it avoids the Twilight Zone.

I also made this Stash Trad block for Angela. She's posted a tute for it on her blog. It's a big mama - measuring in at just under 20". I keep referring to it in my brain as the Cheese and Cracker Jacks Scraps block...but Angela just calls it Cracker Scraps. I'll make a second one for our other group, the VIBees as soon as her fabric arrives. This block made me realize my yellow/mustard yellow stash is sadly slim. Must buy more fabric.

Angela requested Kona bone for the background - nice!

Now, to design my last hoop swap stitchery. I have some fun ideas for my partner in the Misfits Hoop Swap....I just hope my drawing/copying skills are up to the task!

A Solid Swap

2011-10-05T14:35:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, after a loooong wait, my For The Love of Solids swap package arrived. The international shipping deadline was September 8th but my fellow Canadian swappers know that as soon as a foreign parcel sets foot on Canadian soil, it enters the Canada Post Twilight Zone and delivery ranges from 1 day to 1 month. In this case, I have to say: totally worth the wait.

Megan, who blogs here, was one of the swap organizers. She made this stunning mini quilt and also sent along a coordinating pouch and a Kona solids charm pack (awesome, because I am so not done with this pattern yet and will undoubtedly create something else with the charms soon).

This will be my last major swap for a good long while. I like to go out on a high note and Megan really delivered with two beautifully constructed gifts! I literally have no more wall space for mini quilts, and I freely admit to feeling extremely liberated -- in a creative sense -- knowing that I do not have any sewing commitments or deadlines for other people in my future. I must say though, this solids swap was a great challenge and I was very inspired by the wide range of projects and the original use of solid fabrics that appeared in the flickr pool.

I just have two hoops to finish up and then I will get busy sewing stuff I want, for me (well, and everyone that I am making Christmas gifts for).

Poppyprint Embroidery Sampler

2011-10-03T06:00:00.000-07:00

After my recent embroidery course, I wanted to get busy and practice some of the new stitches I'd learned before they were forgotten. Suzanne requested a hoop featuring some of my poppy-printed fabric for our private swap. It's not complete yet, but here is where things stand at the moment.

I picked up this oval hoop at a charity shop last spring and have been wanting to use it for a swap. The fabric is a natural linen printed with red ink and I used Presencia perle 8 cotton for the embroidery. My idea was to embellish the prints, using their symmetry to guide my stitching, without entirely concealing the printed forms. Check it out: I learned how to do Shisha!

It's more fun saying Shisha! than it is stitching those little mirrors on, trust me. I need more practice to get my stitched frame more symmetrical (obviously). Please don't ask for a tutorial, because this is a technique you've got to see done right in front of you. Possibly 10 times over before you will 'get it'. Ahem. I may need a trip to India.

Next is an old stitch with a new look. How adorable are these sets of three nested lazy daisies?

Something else I learned is the wrapped spider web. Perfect for the season!

I have a bit more work to do and hope to show this in it's final form in a day or two. I have a thought about finishing the edges of the hoop that may or may not work....

I'll be mailing the hoop inside this embroidery project pouch that I made before our summer holidays.

Made with 'twofers' leftover from this project's flying geese blocks.

Here's the flipside, with some stitched dragonflies.

My to-do list is dwindling now that I am almost done with swap commitments. I'm not taking on any new ones so I can free up some creative time for Christmas gifts and a bed quilt for us that I want to have pieced before the holidays. Here's to a productive week ahead!

Happy October!

2011-10-01T15:57:00.000-07:00

In honor of Lynne's Fresh Sewing Day, here's what I've been cutting and sewing: Hallowe'en blocks for the VMQG's October meeting. We are going to have a block raffle. Every block you turn in gets you a ticket to win a set of blocks. The only rules are that it has to be Hallowe'en themed and each side of the block has to finish in a multiple of 3. I have a stash of Hallowe'en prints that I have never used and it is great to do some busting with these. I have a feeling I'll be making a lot of blocks for the raffle.

I cut these 3 1/2" tumblers with my GO!Baby Accuquilt cutter. I thought it would be fun to piece them into two long blocks, each 6 1/2 X 18 1/2. I must say, this shape has been my most successful die in terms of clean cutting on the GO! Baby. I think the dies with sharp angles 90 degrees or less have a tendency to snag threads between the blade and the foam inside the angles. These tumblers cut beautifully using 5 layers of fabric. I laughed when I turned off my sewing room light and discovered that the jack 'o lantern mouths and eyes glow in the dark - I had completely forgotten that!

These two 6 1/2" blocks were made with the Lazy Angle ruler. I took a course on it many years ago and it was a total brain bender. I had to completely re-educate myself on how to use it. It's still a brain bender.

This simple, 12 1/2" 9-patch uses my all time favourite pumpkin print. I think I bought it nine years ago in San Fransisco at Mendel's in Haight Ashbury. They had all kinds of great Alexander Henry prints there....the spider web print must be from there, too. I know because they ripped the fabric off the bolt at that shop and there is about 1/2" of useless frayed edge on that 1/2 yard. The webs are an embossed gold ink that makes them extra fun.

These quick blocks are a great way to get into the season and a lot easier than making costumes!

linked!

For the Girls

2011-09-28T11:33:00.000-07:00

October is upon us in 3 short sleeps. Today in Vancouver we are enjoying the first of what I hope will be many sunny, crisp fall days to come. Besides the annual hoopla on the 31st (costume negotiations are officially ON at my house), there is the month long celebration of breast cancer awareness goin' on. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.

I've written several posts on the subject, my favorite one was Boob Sandwich, where I got so many incredible comments and very personal, emotional private emails from many of you. Most of you know about the walk I did last year and again this August. And you've already seen this hoop remembrance I stitched up with our team logo designed by Berene.

There was a lot of interest in the stitchery pattern, and since the lovely Bari J. posted it on We Love French Knots the other day, the orders are rolling in! Do you know a crafty cancer survivor who would love this in her sewing space? Or a recently diagnosed friend who could use a colourful, handmade-with-love symbol to give her strength and hope? Breast cancer is hard, but embroidery is easy - just chain stitch, back stitch and satin stitch (long, filling in stitches).

You can buy the pattern here for a nominal fee, 100% of which will be donated to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation to further the already ground-breaking research that is being done in our country. Visit Berene's Happy Sew Lucky blog, read this beautiful post featuring incredible artwork by her SurvivorMom and help end breast cancer.

The girls thank you.

Une autre Tour Eiffel

2011-09-27T14:46:00.000-07:00

My niece's 10th birthday is this weekend. Continuing on the Eiffel tower theme of her last few birthday presents, I put keyka-lou's camera wristlet together for her. The original size seemed rather small, barely fitting an iphone, so I enlarged the pattern pieces to 115% on my printer. Not that my elementary-school-aged niece has an iphone. But lipgloss and a wallet take up space!

Why are Japanese fabric designers are so obsessed with Paris and all things French? Does anybody know? I mean, we have a perfectly good (and much taller) CN Tower here in Canada and you just don't see that on linen.

I decided things were a little dull with my green and natural linen colour-scheme, so I got out my Presencia perle 8 and did a blanket stitch trim around the flap instead of a simple machine top stitch. Next time I make this with linen, I'll skip the interfacing. The lining has a fusible batting attached to it's wrong side and it seems to give the pouch plenty of structure without having to interface the linen.

The closure is a sew-in magnetic button set. Although the pattern calls for it, Velcro and I are not friends. I find it a royal pain to sew in and secure, plus I don't like the sound of it at all. No disrespect to the genius who invented it. Gore-Tex rain jacket cuffs, yes. Cute little purses, no.

It is in the mail and on it's $15.92 plane ticket across the country. If only I could squeeze myself into a medium sized padded mailer. Because I know even though she loves my hand-made presents, nothing compares to a visit avec la vrai tante Krista, and her birthday party sounds like it'll be a blast. She's taking her friends on a PINK double-decker bus tour of Charlottetown, PEI. The probability of PINK cupcakes after the bus ride is very high. Lucky girls.

Upcycled Jean Skirt Sewing Command Center

2011-09-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

Allow me to introduce the latest in hip sewing machine fashion:

It's the Upcycled Jean Skirt Sewing Command Center! I've written a ridiculously long-winded tutorial describing how I made this amazingly useful item from an old skirt and you can read the whole thing (if you don't nod off first) over at the incredibly inspiring corner of blogland inhabited by Michele at Michele Made Me.

It's Drop Dead Denim month! An entire month of fabulous tutorials and links to all things groovy and denim. Please visit and add Michele to your regular reading list. She is my recycling guru and writer of hilarious, yet insightful posts on all things crafty. It is my absolute pleasure to guest post on her blog!

Stitching Inspiration

2011-09-19T11:23:00.000-07:00

Last week I had the pleasure of spending two whole days in a room filled with inspiring textiles and women. In Vancouver we have an incredible resource in Maiwa. Maiwa Handprints is an artisan supply store (dyes, handcarved stamps, paints, wool, linen, books...etc), a clothing shop (featuring natural-dyed linen garments made around the world), an import-furniture warehouse, textile and textile book library and the host company of an incredible annual textile symposium.

I took a two day embroidery course with local expert, City and Guild's graduate Bonnie Addie, and next month I will spend two days with the quilters of Gee's Bend! Wow. I was super lucky to get into these classes - I was on the computer the first morning right when registration opened and got the last spots in both classes.

Bonnie has traveled to India with Charllotte Kwon, the inspiring woman behind Maiwa. There, she met with local embroiderers and fabric dyers, sewists and artisans who supply much of Maiwa's products.

What I wanted to share with you today are photos of the space we worked in. The Maiwa workshop also serves as a textile and book library where you can spend time pouring over examples of ethnic stitchery from all over the world, or research stitches or dying methods in any of the collected books. Everything is stored in lovely glass-front cabinets. The library is open for anyone who calls ahead to book at time during business hours. I will be back for sure!

I am very inspired by the hand work of women around the world. Many of whom have overcome incredible tragedy, poverty or persecution. There are entire isolated communities of women, especially in India, who have honed their needle arts through generations and produce not only beautiful, but unique textiles. In particular, those of us in the workshop were given a beautiful embroidered silk pouch & needlebook made by earthquake survivors from the Kutch region of India. These women were taught to embroider as a form of therapy (and also out of a sense of urgency to pass on the skills that were almost lost when so many of the community perished in the 2001 earthquake). Now they have a life skill and trade to support themselves and their children. I want to learn more about the tradition of stitching in this oral culture - where stitch is used as mean of recording events in the lives of family and community.

Our tablecloth at the work table! Beautiful Kantha.

My brain is stuffed full with ideas for stitching, so much that I'm having trouble focusing on anything! I'll be back soon to show some of the cool stitches I learned (I can attach a shisha mirror!) and I want to share a fun and easy technique with you as well.

I'm linking up with my friend Trish's new "Monday Morning's Inspiration" feature over at Two Peas in a Pod.

Who doesn't love Dragonfly(s) & Fabric?

2011-09-17T20:59:00.000-07:00

Did any of you regulars notice that sweet new logo over there on my right sidebar? The pretty blue one with the dragonfly?

Recently I met Jennifer. Fellow sciencey-quilter-outdoor-enthusiast-momma who also happens to be Canadian just like me! I couldn't be happier to partner with Jennifer and her home-based business Dragonfly Fabric. She's working hard to offer competitive pricing and fantastic shipping rates: 3 yards of fabric ship for only $4.50 within Canada! Anything over that goes for a flat rate of only $12 and Jennifer lives in Alberta, so hello, NO TAX (for those of you outside the land of maple syrup and snow forts, Alberta is our province with all the oil, and therefore heaps of $$, so they don't have to tax their residents for petty little things like fabric, or booze or cars). The shop is open to international shipping so everyone gets to take advantage of the great pricing.

Like many of you and me too, Jennifer has a slight fabric addiction problem. Of particular issue are gorgeous modern designer prints. Hmmmm, maybe like these ones?

Is anyone else out there seriously jonesing for some Joel Dewberry Heirloom? Bloggers everywhere are featuring projects with this fabric, writing about how gorgeous it is, lusting after it and generally singing Joel's praises. I know my stash is rather lacking in yellows and I'm trying to build up some grey, too. This pile 'o 13 luscious fat quarters would be my kind of fix!

Alas, I am merely the messenger. Yes, that's right. It is YOU who could be augmenting your stash with this fat quarter set of every print in the citrine colourway. And there are three easy ways for you to enter:

1. Leave ONE comment here with an actual fact, or something you think you know about Canada (hey, no mentioning maple syrup, snow forts or Alberta oil - that's like cheating).

THEN, you've got to visit Jennifer's blog to find out the other two ways to enter! Why don't you visit the shop as well? Feast your eyes on the entire Heirloom collection, because she's got 'em. And they are only $10/yard!!

The giveaway closes on September 26th and the winner will be announced on Jennifer's blog.

Subversive Stitchery {Fail}

2011-09-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I was trying to be all clever. And naughty. Because I have a naughty and clever friend who is in the market for some subversive stitching.

I believe I've been foiled by Google Translate. You be the judge.

What I really wanted to show you was the sweet little wooly flowers. Because every roood stitchery should be sneaky and decorated with dainty little flowers, don't you think? You can easily make these by cutting out tiny wool circles with a hole-punch. My single hole punch didn't make it all the way through the wool, but I easily finished the job with my sharp-to-the-tip embroidery scissors.

The wool dots are simply attached to the background with a double-wrap french knot. I surrounded them with typical lazy daisy flowers, leaves and some stem stitch. At least there is something interesting to look at, now that my Latin will fail to shock any passing scholars.

And for something entirely different and really fun, you can visit Angela at Cut to Pieces and read all about ME! I'm so excited to be her most recent "Quilting Around the World" guest. There are all kinds of things you'll need to know next time there is a Poppyprint quiz, so check it out!

Patience is a Virtue

2011-09-14T14:59:00.000-07:00

If so, then Carol is the most virtuous among us. She has been waiting a very long time for this mini quilt, promised almost a year ago now.

Carol loves bright, primary & rainbow colours with black and white, so that's what she's getting! There some fun selvages in here. I think the binding is totally 'her', too. Lately Carol's been on a roll creating mini portrait quilts of her sewing friends. They are so much fun. Visit her blog for a look-see. You're sure to leave with a smile.

I've made several of these before, but this was the first time I had the brainwave (some of us are a little slow.....be patient) to add my label right into the stacked selvages. Clever.

I'm heading to the post office Carol. You won't have to wait much longer!

And as for you lot who are wondering about my subversive stitchery, I'm having second thoughts about sharing. I don't want to offend anyone, or do anything to damage my well-earned sterling reputation (cough, cough). Upon further investigation, it does appear that a reverse look-up on Google translate gives a rather clean version of my Latin stitchery...darnit. I was trying so hard to be naughty. Stay tuned.

Survey Monkey

2011-09-12T13:33:00.001-07:00

Want fabric designers, manufacturers, book/magazine publishers, notion and thread companies, bloggers, online shops, Brick & Mortar quilt stores and guilds to know what is important to you and your sewing passion?

Take seven or so minutes out of your day to fill out the GenQ modern quilting survey! You might even win something - there will be prizes awarded every Sunday to one random survey participant.

I'll be back soon with some naughty stitching.....

September Swapping

2011-09-08T09:18:00.000-07:00

My For the Love of Solids swap package is en route far, far away to my secret partner. This swap piqued my interest because I was anxious to see what people would come up with when they were limited to using only solids. Most people are making wall quilts for their partners, but there are some smokin' totes and a few other very cool items to check out as well. There are some great, original designs appearing in that flickr pool!

We were encouraged in our sign up form to indicate one or two things we'd really love to receive. My partner gave a few ideas, but seemed to really want a machine cover. After making Full Circle, I wasn't quite done with Malka's wonderful design, so I returned to it with another Kona solids charm pack and some navy blue sashing to come up with this:

I added some detail to the ties by top-stitching a tiny ricrac down the middle and adding a covered tab on the end. There is fusible fleece batting and a strip of Timtex heavy weight stabilizer across the middle so the cover will have a square shape over the top of the machine. It is quilted with a very-easy-to-use Aurifil variegated rayon. My machine seems to love that stuff and with an Inspiron size 80/12 quilting needle I am totally in business! I lengthened my stitches to 3.5 so there would be more thread than holes along the stitch lines, and once again used my seam guide to sew parallel concentric (semi) circles.

The swap package had to include one smaller item as well, but this item didn't have to be made with solids. I decided to send one of my thread catchers along. It incorporates my partner's favourite colour (I'm just not going to tell you which one!); I tossed in a hunk of poppy-printed fabric in that colour, too!

I try really hard to get to know my partner and make something that they will really like. Nevertheless, there is always a tiny bit of lingering doubt when I send off a package. I think almost everyone goes through this with swaps - it's probably a good thing, and keeps us striving to do our best work for others!

Back to School!!!

2011-09-05T22:32:00.001-07:00

Woohoo! The kids are back to school! In all honesty, I wish I had my very own set of new markers, too. Like many people who enjoyed school, September is what I consider the 'new year'. It's such a major seasonal change in Canada (although you wouldn't know it here in Vancouver, we had our hottest day of summer yesterday), unlike January 1st which is just cold before, during and after and doesn't feel much like anything new to me.

This year, I'm going back to school. However, this time, I'm up at the front of the class, baby. That's right. It's Ms. Poppyprint to YOU! Sara invited me to do a guest post on a technique I love as part of her Sewing Back-to-School series at Sew Sweetness.

You can catch my Spray Basting Tutorial over here. Sharpen your pencils and check out all of the other wonderful guest posts in the series - you just might learn something new.

Sandy sculptures

2011-09-04T16:05:00.000-07:00

If you've still got beach-worthy weather in your neck of the woods (and you Aussies will be back to it soon enough!), you may want to try your hand at making some wall-art!

You need Plaster of Paris, fresh water, a bucket and stir stick/spoon, wire coat hanger and wire-cutters and shells or pebbles for decorations if you like. The key to success is compacted beach sand (the stuff just below the high tide mark...not saturated, but not dry, either). With our massive summer tides, we had no shortage of perfect sand!

Simply dig out a mould (you want at least 2" depth...we made our "B" a little too thin and it took much care to get it home in one piece!). A popular shape with kids is a starfish. Cut a section of coat hanger and bend it into a loop. Push the bend into the sand 1/2 way down the edge of your mould at the top of your shape. You want the two 'arms' of the loop to be imbedded in the plaster of paris. My husband also lays bits of wire into the plaster if a shape is particularly delicate, like our letter "B", to give it extra strength - just imagine crafty re-bar.

Give them at least an hour to dry in the sun (and guard them against frisbee players and kite flyers from running into them!). With a shovel, dig under the sculptures and gently free them from the sand. As the sandy side dries, most of the sand will brush off, leaving a only a thin layer.

You can experiment with digging different levels to give your sculpture more dimension, like with bird's wing and beak. Don't you just love the long skinny birdie legs?

I'm sorry I don't have any process photos. I intended to take some, but was busy swimming, embroidering and magazine reading while B did this craft with the kids.

If you're without plaster of paris, never fear. You can always make a mermaid with decorations at hand. This beauty was sculpted by D and her Aunt (usually referred to here as my SIL). These two massive guys (below) were built on the same beach a couple of years ago by B and his friend, with the help of about 10 kids.

So, my holiday posting has come to an end. The kids start school in two more sleeps (I'll try to keep my cheering quiet). We've had a wonderful summer together, but everyone is ready to get back to the routine, friends and activities. And Mom has a stack of UFO's to work on, two exciting courses and two retreats coming right up!

Hey, I made clothes (sort of)

2011-09-03T14:46:00.001-07:00

I'll stop rubbing it in that I spent two glorious weeks on this beach soon.

But first I am going to *reluctantly* show you my attempt to make an article of clothing for myself. You see, I fall into the category of Competent Sewist of Stuff; Amateur Sewist of Clothes. I dallied in a few sun dresses when I was a teenager, but have never tried again to make myself something that I would actually wear in public. I think it's because I just figured you have to be skinny and tall to home-make decent clothing. I never see anyone modeling 'real-sized' women clothes on their blogs, or on the popular group blogs like Sew Mama Sew, for instance. My set of measurements seemed so wacky and didn't correspond to any on the pattern, so I cut out the size 14 and prayed it would fit over my head. It did. It fits across the chest (the darts appear to have worked out), but then falls in a shapeless tent from the boobs down, if you know what I mean.

Anyway, with that disclosure, here we have my linen beach sack.

please note that weird crease on the left arm hole must have been bad pressing b/c I didn't even notice it until I looked at the photos - it's not a sewn pleat!

No one in my family said a word when I showed it to them. Nor when I wore it at the beach. Even though they knew I'd made it. So, uhmmm, I guess it was that bad. It is totally shapeless, and probably not the best pattern decision for my body. A straighter cut with an empire waist would be better.

BUT, I am thrilled with the groovy applique!

The silk-screened flower applique was a gift from Amy. The pink flowers are pieces of my own poppy-printed fabric.

I used Steam a Seam Lite to stick the printed flower shapes to bias cut hunks of linen, then trimmed them, leaving about 1/4" of linen outside the flowers. I sewed with white thread through all three layers, attaching the appliques to the dress (no Steam a seam between the dress and appliques - I figured doubling up that stuff would make the appliques too stiff).

And the topstitching looks pretty, I think:

I can see that having a serger would make clothes sewing more tidy. This was perfect as a beach cover up, but it is not going on any public city outings.

It's unlikely I'll be cutting any fabric for more clothes. I bought the Schoolhouse Tunic pattern over a year ago, and some AMH voile to go with it, but the thought of sewing it up only to find out it looks terrible on me would be heartbreaking. Dude, where did my waist go?

A Hoopy Remembrance

2011-09-02T17:43:00.000-07:00

While luxuriating on my beach blanket over the past two weeks, I occasionally took my eyes off the view to focus on some embroidery. Remember the gorgeous logo I told you about here? Well, the clever designer Berene (who knows me too well) sent me a .pdf of the logo as a line drawing. You know, just in case I might want to stitch it out. Hello, what a great idea!!

So I did.

I had some gorgeous handmade ceramic buttons from this talented artist stashed away in my sewing room. They were the perfect embellishment! The variegated blue and both pinks are #8 Finca perle cotton by Presencia and the gray and brown are 2 & 3 strands of DMC floss, respectively.

I trimmed the excess linen, snipped the 1/2" allowance and glued it to the back inside of the hoop. Then I cut a piece of heavy interfacing (Timtex) and hot glued it to the hoop, covering the backside of the stitchery.

I love my remembrance hoop! We spent almost a year raising that money, plus many cold and rainy Sunday mornings on training walks together, and ultimately 2 wonderful days of walking through Vancouver. That's worth remembering!

A Little Modesty....puh leeze!

2011-08-30T13:09:00.001-07:00

Home from our ultimate chillax on Hornby Island. For the first time in 8 years we stayed a full two weeks and can I just say: I could have stayed on for a third with no questions asked!

Considering the dismal weather lead-up to our vacation, we completely lucked out and had 13 out of 14 beach days. We are all golden and smiling. On that one windy, grey day my family took the kites out to take advantage of low tide (maximum beach for running around) and I stayed home with Agatha. We had a nice time together.

Agatha (gifted to me last year by my SIL, this machine was bought new by my MIL with some of her wedding money in the 50's)

I managed to piece the top of a sewing machine cover I'm making for my secret partner in the For The Love of Solids Swap on flickr. I thought I'd take a few fun photos in the orchard of our rented holiday house. The homeowner is a sculptor and this reclining nude luxuriates in the dappled shade of the apple trees.

Her outstretched arm was just crying out for a quilt to drape over, don't you think?

My fellow swappers thought the photos were quite fun. With the carefully draped quilt top, the flickr censors didn't come after me, either. Phew. Some of you will recognize the layout as the machine cover pattern in Malka's book Fresh Sewing. Berene and I used this same design for our Kona Solids challenge quilt for the VMQG in the spring. I used about 2/3 of a Kona solids charm pack and navy sashing for this one. Although I'm not really into obvious rainbows, my partner likes them and I am really happy with the transition of colours diagonally across the piece. Darnitall if I'm not out of navy for binding. I'm thinking it's really the only colour that will work here....what are your thoughts?

I'm off to the shop to retrieve my Pfaff so I can get this all quilted up for my partner. I've totally missed the international deadline (tomorrow) so will have to drive over the border next week and get my package into the USPS for 'domestic' delivery!

Calm

2011-08-22T20:09:00.000-07:00

Just me, Jack, Dallas and Mark.

Some Kona solids.

A doe and her twin fawns in the orchard outside my window.

And Agatha.

All because this came in last evening.

Tomorrow I start my day with a 90-minute massage.

*Sigh*......I could get used to this island life.

All's quiet on the western front

2011-08-21T23:40:00.000-07:00

While I soak up views like this...

I've been enjoying island time with my family for the past week and we still have another one ahead of us! Yippee!

There may be a Featherweight, ironing board and iron with me. All I need now is a rain day.

I'll be back with you soon.

Blisters and all....

2011-08-20T08:08:00.000-07:00

The radio ads for the Weekend To End Cancer last year featured a breast cancer survivor, who at the end of the spot stated: "Cancer is hard, walking is easy."

Many times throughout our stroll through the beautiful streets, beaches and forests of Vancouver last weekend, I thought about that statement. Because I have to admit, at times walking was a little bit hard.

Lovely little scenes like a decorated neighbourhood traffic circle made it easier....

So did the amazing volunteers who fed and hydrated us, and who stopped traffic so we could safely cross the street.

The scenery wasn't bad, either. It is so easy to take Vancouver for granted, or to whine about the 2 months of rain we had this spring/summer (and 4 months of rain we have every winter), but an hour strolling the sunny beaches, bridges and boulevards of this city quickly erases those memories and has one feeling rather thankful to live here.

What really made this event for me -- what really got me to the finish line after 35 km on Saturday and another 25 km on Sunday, however, was my TEAM.

Walking, talking, listening, laughing, LAUGHING, sharing, comparing blisters, waiting in line for the Starbucks (flush) toilet, stretching, snacking, encouraging, sighing, smiling (okay, and I did a little bit of whining, too). We did it for ourselves, for each other, for our two amazing survivors and for all women.

My movie-star boyfriend even showed up. It was an incredible weekend. If ever you've thought about participating in something like this, I can't encourage you enough to dive in and just do it. The sixteen of us worked together to raise over $41,577 and it wasn't even that much work, honest. As we walked together holding hands, towards the finish line on Sunday, the announcer said "and here comes the team that was always together, at every pit stop, encouraging each other...it's Team Kicking Cancer with Creativity!!!" I felt no pain in my knees, my blisters had momentarily disappeared and I had the biggest smile on my face. We all felt amazing.

Unfortunately, this will be the last year for the Weekend event in 5 cities across Canada. Participation is down (last year 1100 walkers in Vancouver, this year 800). The great news is that Ride To Conquer Cancer, an event benefiting all cancers has really taken off and is raising millions. Good thing I bought a new road bike this spring......

Create

2011-08-11T10:57:00.000-07:00

In two more sleeps, I will depart in the wee hours of the morning with my SIL and drive across town to UBC. There, we will meet up with our 14 other team mates and at 8:00 a.m., our 60 km journey begins.

After the two of us completed the Weekend to End Women's Cancers walk last year, I signed up (at the finish line) for this year's event and pledged to form a team of at least 10 people. With my SIL already in, we only needed 8 more! Imagine my excitement when, by October, we had grown to a powerhouse team of 16 women. Only the two of us had experienced the walk (and SIL had an extra year on me, having walked in 2009 as well), but everyone was excited to be on board.

Together we have raised over $40,000 in the fight against women's cancers and are a top 10 team! Team Kickin' Cancer with Creativity is comprised of quilters, jewelry-makers, a flipflop bedazzler, a gourmet basket-maker, successful businesswomen, SAHM's, and most importantly our two brave survivors. Together we have walked 10 km every Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. since January. We held two wildly successful events generously supported by our community and we've encouraged our family and friends to support us with donations.

Last night I handed out our gorgeous team shirts (designed specially for us by the ever-so-generous and talented Berene who's sewing-related work and kits you can see/buy here) and embroidered logo hats (team photo next week!).

And then my friends handed me this:

Stirling silver hand-stamped "Create" necklace by local jeweler Andrea Waines

I'm so very thankful for every one of them; for the hard work we've all put into raising funds, for the support and friendship we've shared over the past several months, and for the hope that our contribution will give to women fighting cancer in B.C.

Thanks team. You're the best. I can't wait for the weekend.

Soft Landing

2011-08-10T11:37:00.000-07:00

Everyone needs a nice, soft place to lay down their head. Or to plant their bottom on after a long day walking. You can recycle your batting scraps into useful pillows for just this purpose. My guild started collecting scrap pillows for local homeless shelters last fall and I bet we've donated more than a hundred already.

Here's a super quickie tute on how to prepare and make pillows out of your too-skinny-to-be-useful batting scraps; you know, the ones you trim off the edges of your quilted quilts prior to binding?

I purchased a large remnant of home dec weight solid blue fabric (dark colours are best) for about $5 that has been enough to make four pillows. Other's are being resourceful and using upholstery fabric sample squares they got for free from a local sofa company.

Here's what you need:

2 squares home dec weight fabric 18" x 18"

2 squares batting 18" x 18"

1 5" length of 1" twill tape, or left over binding with raw edges turned into the fold and sewn closed.

Layer the squares in this order, bottom to top:

batting

fabric right side up

fabric wrong side up

batting

Between the fabric layers, at one corner, pin the tape ends to 2 adjacent edges, about 2" from the corner (photo below). This will function as a handle for the pillow.

Sew around all four sides with a 1/2" seam allowance, leaving a 4" opening in the middle of one side and be sure to back stitch at the beginning and end. Clip corners (save those batting corners, you can throw them into the pillow!).

Turn the works right side out, gently poking out the corners.

Leave your pillow form near your cutting table and cram full of batting scraps! At first we asked people to use all fabric scraps, but as you know, cotton can get pretty heavy. Plus, we figured if the pillows got wet (hello, we are talking Vancouver, people!) they'd be pretty gross if they were full of fabric. Therefore, we're asking our members to stick with batting only.

Once it's nice and full, slipstitch the opening closed! There you have it, one nice, soft landing.

Why not suggest this great recycling initiative at your guild or sewing group? All you need is someone to volunteer to collect the pillows at meetings and deliver them to a local church or shelter that can get them into the hands of folks who need them. And we all know how easy it is to get people to volunteer at guild, right? hehe.

A Friendly Process

2011-08-09T12:02:00.000-07:00

Like many of the amazing friends I've met online over the past two years, Amy is someone I turn to for advice and email conversation often. And, like a few others, we've become such good buddies that it seems I've known her for ages and can't quite remember exactly how we met. It may have been through her first Potholder Pass swap on Flickr (which I just missed out on), or the 2nd and 3rd potholder passes that I did participate in!

Many of you will recognize this "Process Mini" because Amy already posted (far better) photos of it on her blog a few weeks ago. It features her sweet "quilting process" silk screen print, some extremely accurate piecing and very thoughtful fabric choices. How about this seed packet print? Perfect!

Included in my little private swap package were three other specialty prints done by Amy - her freezer paper stenciled flower fabric 'sticker' (already backed with WonderUnder for easy applique!), some pieces of her latest vintage kitchen silk screen and a generous hunk of pretty laminate.

Her talent knows no bounds, nor does her productivity. She's a busy Mom of three small children. I don't know how she gets all this stuff accomplished During Quiet Time!! Check out her latest hexie case pattern and various prints for sale in her Etsy shop.

Amy has requested a thread catcher in return and I think I have just the right fabrics picked out. I'm already feeling like I got the long end of the straw on this swap!! Thank you so much Amy. You're such an awesome Friend.

Give 'er the old Gold-Eye!

2011-08-07T17:12:00.000-07:00

I once read a teen-lit novel about a quirky little Italian girl that was an expert at malocchio, or giving someone the Evil Eye. Her Grandmother was the expert before her and apparently everyone in their small village was terrified of her. The grand daughter was desperate for the same power over the village children, so she studied her Nona every day until she, too, perfected the dark art of malocchio. I'm sure some of you have been on the receiving end of a malocchio or two from a teenage girl! I wish I could remember the name of that book.

I've already digressed before telling you what this post is all about, sorry. This post is about a teensy tiny needle that may or may not change your life. The Gold Eye self threading needle. I love them. The ones I use are made by Fons & Porter (they don't seem to be on the F&P website but Amazon has them?). They have a nifty notch in the end so you can snap your threads into the eye without having to get your reading glasses on. You can also thread tails that are only an inch long this way!

Why would you want to thread short tails into a needle? Well, to bury them into your quilt, of course. I've had a few people ask how I start and finish quilting lines without back-stitching. This is my not-so-secret secret. I will avoid any malocchio by being totally honest and admitting that I learned this tip from Melody Crust many years ago when she visited my guild.

I have made another Pictorial Tutorial that explains how to neatly begin a line of quilting and neatly end a line of quilting without having to back stitch, or risk a bird's nest on the back of your work. Simply click here and read through the photo descriptions for the how-to's!

Summer's Best Salad

2011-08-06T12:44:00.000-07:00

One of our most often-used (at least by me) wedding gifts is a copy of Great Good Food by Julee Rosso. This cook book introduced me to quinoa, which is an ancient grain packed with protein and pronounced keen-wah. I first made this salad for a summer solstice potluck gathering about 16 years ago and people literally freaked out over how yummy it was. Later, I made it for a neighbourhood potluck and I think it actually won me lasting friendships. So, it's not just tasty, good for you and fun to make - it's also enchanted. Honest. Make it and you'll see.

Pistachio-Mint Quinoa Salad*

(make it in the morning for your potluck dinner)

2 Cups uncooked quinoa (rinsed in a sieve and drained)

4 cups water, chicken or veggie broth

zest and juice of 4 limes

3/4 C. liquid honey

1 C. golden raisins

2 jalapeno peppers cored, seeded and finely minced

1 C. chopped unsalted pistachio nuts

32 scallions (green onions) white parts + a bit of green, finely chopped

1 C fresh mint finely minced

1 C cilantro finely minced

Method

1. In a medium saucepan, heat quinoa and broth/water until boiling. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 12-15 min stirring occasionally, until all water is absorbed. Fluff with fork. Remove to a large bowl and let cool to room temperature.

2. In a small saucepan, heat lime juice, zest and honey until hot but not boiling. Remove from heat. Add raisins and let sit 30 minutes

3. When quinoa is cool, add all ingredients plus a bit of fresh ground seasalt and pepper. Let flavours mellow at room temperature for a few hours before serving.

Garnish with a sprig of mint and prepare yourself for compliments.

*I've made some adaptations from the original recipe in Great Good Food by Julee Rosso

The Talented Mrs. Goldsworthy

2011-08-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

You may know her as Lily's Quilts. Or quite possibly Lynne. Maybe you think she's my Giddy Aunt. Likely, she'd answer to Smart Ass.

One thing is for certain, you all know who she is. The one who does the redonculous circle things. And the skinny linny's (those thin white strips that outline all manner of shapes in the blocks she makes). Of late, she's been the Queen Of All Things Hexagonical (yes, I am fully aware of the world hexagonal, thank you very much, but if you've seen what she's doing to those poor old hexagons, you'd use Hexagonical, too).

I just think she's FABULOUS. Because look what she sent me:

If I wasn't acutely aware of her insane productivity, I might accuse her of being lazy for not putting a label on it (I'll take that matter up privately with Mrs. G). I have no choice but to make up my own name, so I'm calling it Killer Triangles (killer meaning wicked cool). I could look at it for hours and still notice new strips of wonderful, special fabric.

In keeping with her overachieving ways, of course it is totally reversible.

"the back!"

AND, as if that wasn't spectacular enough, Lynne also sent me one of her trademark Union Jacks (this is what I'd asked for in the first place for our little swappy - certainly I never expected TWO quilts). Jeez Nigel, now I'll have to make her something else. All I sent was a weenie passport pouch!

Lynne once excitedly tweeted that her Hochi Mappy Yum Yum had arrived and now I cannot possibly think of Monica's fabric as Happy Mochi ever again. Hochi Mappy has a mischievous ring to it that just makes me giggle (and I'm pretty sure that's okay with Monica).

Thank you so very much Mrs. Goldsworthy.

Krista

Pretty (and Perfect) Little Pouch

2011-08-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

This is fast becoming my favourite swap group. The members are fun, the talent is evident and the work is inspirational. I am busy clicking the 'favourite' button on almost every pouch photo! I love the rules that specify your pouch cannot be larger than 12" and any extras you send must fit into the pouch. It helps one avoid falling into Overachieving Swap Participant Mode.

In my sign up survey, I indicated that a pouch to hold our family's Kobo e-reader would be a great idea if my partner was looking for ideas (I personally like direction from my partners, so I try to give some ideas when I sign up for swaps - it takes a lot of pressure off from wondering what the heck to make!). When I first saw this photo in the flickr pool, I immediately got that "oh! Could this be for me?" feeling. Imagine my thrill when it did arrive in my mailbox last week!

It was beautifully made by the talented Vikki and sent along with those amazing extra treats all the way from the UK. Thank you so much Vikki! We used the pouch right away on our recent family road trip and everyone thinks it is totally cool (and cute, and functional, and perfect).

The pouch I made for one of the swap organizers (and fellow VI Bees member) was very well received (there were a lot of exclamation marks in her thank you flickr mail - so cute). Kelly had asked for a pouch that could tote juice boxes & snacks for her two little boys. I took this as a great opportunity to try lining a zip pouch with laminated fabric recently purchased in Bellingham. I also quilted the outer pouch with insul-brite thermal batting which gave the whole thing quite a lot of body so it can stand on it's own.

Pouch + loot

(including my quilting secret weapon, Roxanne's Glue Baste-it, some chocolate, a Kona solids charm pack, hilarious napkins and tissue holder)

Back of the pouch, with some poppyprints and stamped text (I'd been dying to use my alphabet stamps purchased at JoAnn last March).

So, another great swap comes to an end. I think I'm gearing down on public swaps in general, but I will definitely participate in this group when round 3 comes up. It's too much fun!

Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun

2011-08-03T06:00:00.000-07:00

Good news for all those worried about the west coast ice age. Summer arrived on the weekend and we couldn't be happier! We had a great family weekend visiting our friends just south of Portland (that dreamy kind of weekend where kids get along, grown ups get along and the livin' is easy!). We just loved Lake Oswego and all it had to offer for a long weekend; lake swimming & grilling dinner on the shore, hilly walks through wooded neighbourhoods, farmer's market, fabulous local coffee (Peet's...yummm) and quiet evenings chillin' on the back deck.

Perky sunflowers at the Farmer's Market

Fresh dill, anyone?

Swimming easement, Lake Oswego, OR

There was time for fabric, too! The Pine Needle had a great selection of Marcia Derse prints (which thanks to Michelle I am apparently collecting now) as well as a few other goodies I could not resist. I am even more motivated by Amy's newest design in the latest issue of Fat Quarterly...have you seen it yet? Simply gorgeous and a fun piecing challenge, to boot. If you are not yet a subscriber to Fat Quarterly, what's the holdup? Best few bucks you'll spend on quilting inspiration all year, I promise.

I also picked up some other bits and pieces, just for fun.

On Monica's suggestion, I managed to veer off the I-5 and into Bolt for a fabric fix on our way south. This shop is in the greatest neighbourhood - we loved it! While my family ordered lunch at the brew pub down the block, I managed to find a few yards of fabric and assorted trims to take home. Then, I got a little giddy when Elizabeth herself strolled in and couldn't contain myself from an impromtu introduction (sorry, no photo, I'm not that well trained in stalker procedure).

A great time was had by all.....until we hit the border line up returning home.

Yup, we really were a 1/2 mile from the gates and we'd already been sitting there for half an hour....90 minutes was our total wait time. Longest ever border crossing, and a reminder of why we rarely travel on long weekends!

Who's Expecting? GO!Baby winner!

2011-08-02T13:30:00.001-07:00

The suspense is over and I'll make this short and sweet. Thanks everyone for making my birthday extra special with all of those lovely well-wishes! Unfortunately, there is only one Accuquilt GO!Baby for me to give away, and that little bundle of fabric cutting joy is going to:

Hueisei!! Congratulations, I have emailed you! Here's the exciting thing: Hueisei is expecting her first baby (like, a real one!) and it's a boy. I'm sure the GO! Baby will come in handy to save her time with her quilting projects.

And now, here are the winners of the 3 consolation prizes: each person can choose their favourite colour of my poppyprinted fabric and I'll mail them a hunk (of fabric, people...not the Mark Wahlberg variety).

hmmm, wonder what colour she's gonna pick.

Drop me a line at the email address up there in my profile and let me know your fav, girls. And if your eyes are tired, I'll tell you that pinksuedeshoe, Lisa and Lori are the winners.

click on the pic for details of ink/fabric colours

I've got so much to share with all of you - last Thursday was stupendous in the mail department! I think I've got a post for every day of the week, so stand by!

Newsflash: Summer Missing from Pacific Northwest!

2011-07-27T20:29:00.001-07:00

The trees have turned blue for Heaven's sake! 'Nuff said.

We're heading south to Oregon in search of a few degrees. Not holding out hope for sun. The weather forecasters are wearing rose-coloured glasses these days. I think they are tired of the hate mail.

I know there are plenty of you just dreaming of a day around 65F or 20C.

Come to Vancouver. We can set you up.

More QR Code Quilt Fun

2011-07-26T18:42:00.000-07:00

After posting photos of Scan Me on flickr, it was soon invited to join a couple of fun groups. The first is QR Codes in the Wild which mostly consists of photographs of printed QR codes in magazines, newspapers, posters and playbills. The second is more up our collective alley: QR-3D which showcases QR Codes hand made by some very creative people. I think the group was started as some sort of contest in the UK, but I can't seem to find any details. Here is one fabulous quilt from that group, shared here with permission from it's talented maker Pippa Wardman.

Pippa created this unique QR Code quilt with a solid white background and fused fussy cut cupcakes. IT ACTUALLY WORKS!! I think this is super fun. Thanks for letting me share it, Pippa. For those of you without a smart phone, I can tell you that the code links to this blog (but if you've got an app, try it! Scanning is just too much fun!),

Check out the flickr group - there are some spectacular codes made from hundreds (maybe thousands!) of tiny french knots, several cross-stitched codes and even some knit gloves incorporating codes (although my iPhone couldn't scan the knitting).

Oh! Have you heard? The Modern Quilt Guild Blog has put out a call for submissions for a feature they will run this fall called "100 Days of Modern Quilts". You are encouraged to submit up to 3 quilts that you've made and consider to be examples of modern quilting, along with any tutorials that you have written, or that you would like to nominate from someone else in blogland. I've submitted "Scan Me" - let's see if they like it!

Still two days to enter my birthday giveaway for a GO! Baby fabric cutting system (including 3 dies of your choice) or some of my hand-printed poppy fabric here.

Scan Me Full Frontal

2011-07-23T20:48:00.000-07:00

Possibly my naughtiest post title ever. Love it.

My guild held a summer sew-in today and I was able to complete the quilting and binding of my QR Code Quilt. I kept scanning it along the way to make sure the quilting stitches and the blue binding would not affect the scan-ability of the quilt. You can even scan this photo of the quilt with your smart phone and it works! Pretty cool. Thanks to my GO! Baby I was able to cut all of the 2" squares I used to construct this quilt in about 20 minutes (I did cheat; some longer strips were used wherever there were more than 5 squares of one colour in row. I'm not that obsessed with piecing!).

I quilted the entire quilt in a simple grid pattern using King Tut Superior white, 40 wt. 3-ply thread. The batting is bamboo/cotton blend. Check out the cheeky backing:

Perfect foil for a totally functional, mod quilt, don't cha think? That's a hunk of Alexander Henry's "Home Sewing is Easy" that I got on sale as a bolt end here last fall.

If you would like to make your own QR Code quilt, I've done a tute here. If you would like to WIN a GO!Baby, then enter your comment here before Thursday, July 28th.

Go ahead, scan it! You know you want to!

This is it Baby. GO! Giveaway

2011-07-22T08:44:00.000-07:00

Today is my birthday (like you didn't already know) and I can't think of a better way to celebrate than giving one of you a present. When Accuquilt offered me the opportunity to try out one of their adorable GO!Baby cutters I was very happy to accept because it meant I could then share one with one of you. These are expensive tools and not necessarily something everyone can just run out and buy. It feels nice to be able to gift something like that!

You can read more about my escapades with the cutter here and here see a tutorial for making your own QR Code quilt on my flickr sets here. I've only used my GO!Baby to cut 2" squares so far. I have been getting a lot of ideas of what else I could use my new tumbler and chisel dies for, though. Luckily I have two willing assistants who think rolling the dies through the cutter is a super fun job (it is!) so when I'm ready to tackle one of those projects I know who to call.

I've had some inquiries about whether an Accuquilt cutting machine would be helpful for someone with arthritis in their hands. Well, I have arthritis in my hands that is mostly in remission, but easily flared by repetitive strain. I can say this: you have to be able to grip, both the top handle to stabilize the cutter, and the rolling handle to turn it. A flat hand over the top would work for holding the machine steady, but a full grip is necessary to turn the crank. The dies did flow VERY easily through the machine with 3 fabric layers so you don't necessarily need a tight grip...any more than 3 layers require more general arm strength and a tighter grip. Also, unless you are using scraps, fabric preparation with rotary equipment is still required, so this is not a replacement for rotary work by any means. I don't believe any auto-cutting system is.

The good news is that the GO! Baby is just plain fun to use, and very safe (the blades are super sharp, but if a grown-up places the fabric and cutting mat on top of the die safely, then a smaller helper can roll it through the machine for you). Or a big man helper, whichever you happen to have on hand.

For your chance to win a GO!Baby and three dies of your choice, please leave ONE comment. Your email address MUST be linked, or written in your comment for a valid entry. If you blog on a platform other than Blogger, your email is not linked, please leave it in your comment!!

This giveaway will be open until Thursday, July 28th at 6:00 pm PST

ETA: comments are now closed, thanks for entering. Winners will be announced when I return home the week of Aug.1st.

Now, before I received my GO!Baby, I had entered a lot of giveaways trying to win one myself. I know what a bummer it is not to win, so with that in mind, I'm going to offer a very small consolation prize to three more Poppyprint readers.

You can choose your favourite colour of my poppy-printed fabric and I'll send you a piece!

Ok, if you are here for free stuff, go ahead and leave a comment. If you are curious about the good-luck birthday story I mentioned the other day, here you go.

I had always thought I was lucky that my birthday was on the 22nd, because that meant I would be old enough to do something really cool on my "good luck" birthday. You know, turning 22 on the 22nd. Well, I did do something really cool that day. In fact, it was something I NEVER would have dreamed of. Turns out, that summer of '89 I got a job in South Africa through recruiters at my university. Gold Fields, a South African mining company, had a program to bring over foreign geology and mining students for their summer term and give them 'a job' to experience the mining industry there. The hope was that you'd return after obtaining your qualifications. As a geology student, I was able to work at the mineralogy lab, and live in an apartment in Johannesburg (most of the mining students remained out on the mines in staff housing). Over one two week period, I had the opportunity to work at a field camp just north of Swaziland - there I rode my mountain bike amongst ostrich, wild boar & zebra since we were just inside of a soon-to-be-game park. Pretty cool. Fortunately I never encountered a Black Mamba, which apparently had been found in the shower shack the week before I got there!

Here's the birthday part: turns out King Mswati III of Swaziland turned 21 that summer and he decided to celebrated on the 22nd, even though is birthday is in April. Now, he's turned out to be a not-so-great guy for his country because of all the money he blows through, and I'm not sure how his 14 wives feel about him, but for his 21st birthday, he threw an incredible party! I drove down with a South African geologist and another American student and we camped out at this amazing field (Woodstock style, but with less mud). There was an incredible concert including Eric Claptan, Joan Armitrading, Johnny Clegg & Savuka all playing on this massive outdoor stage, while the King circled overhead in a helicopter. At the end of the night there was a stunning fireworks display. BEST. BIRTHDAY.EVER. The photos are in a box of slides somewhere in my crawl space....maybe one day I'll dig them out and share.

So, my friends, there you have it. Another year. I still am having a very hard time believing that concert was 22 years ago and that I am twice as old today as I was then. I'll leave you with this beautiful bouquet, dropped off by the incomparable friend Double NN Dianne last night.

Good luck in the giveaway and thanks for stopping by for my birthday party!

Passionate Winner!

2011-07-21T22:23:00.000-07:00

Okay, can I just tell you how interesting/fortuitous/wacky/lucky/bizarre it is that my birthday month giveaway resulted in 67 comments? Why? Because I was born in '67! (cue Twilight Zone music).

So this week, it's gonna be lucky number 9

Who happens to be Beth! Congratulations Beth! I'm telling you it's Beth, because I am assuming everyone reading this is over the age of 20, therefore unable to read this snipped comment:

You get to visit Passionate Dyes and shop with a $30 gift certificate! Have fun choosing your blues. But first you need to email me because your email is not linked to your comment and I have no way of contacting you.

Next up, the final, the fabulous, the giveaway you've all been waiting for (right?)....it's Birthday Month Giveaway #4, BABY!

Quilt Labels - a Guest Post!

2011-07-20T10:51:00.000-07:00

The lovely Becky of Chasing Cottons invited me to participate in her incredible Quilt Class 101 series. Have you been following? Even experienced quilters will learn new things, and if you are a non-quilter who is chomping at the bit to get started, I highly recommend you check out the series. Every step of the quilting process is covered by Becky and other fabulous guest bloggers over the past few months on the Wednesday posts. While you're there, have a look at the the Chasing Cottons downloadable pattern selection. Becky is a talented young designer with great ideas for your modern, or traditional fabrics. I especially love her wildly original Curlicue Crush quilt. It's another creative way to use Drunkard's Path blocks! I think I'm officially converted and will make the Drunkard's Path die my next Accuquilt purchase.

You can read my guest post on labeling your quilts there today! At the bottom of the post, there is a link up for people to share their own labeling methods, or a favourite label, too. Lots of wonderful inspiration!!

You've still got until tomorrow to enter Birthday Month Giveaway #3 here. The odds are lookin' good!

Friday is my big day. It's what I'm referring to as my double-lucky birthday...I'll be 44 on the 22nd. Holy cow. I'm going to tell you the story of my 22nd birthday on the 22nd. Now, THAT was a birthday!! I'll also announce the big kahuna, ultimate Birthday Month Giveaway #4. You don't want to miss that one!!

Poppy Pouch

2011-07-19T12:13:00.000-07:00

It is summer swap season and I'm so happy that I've completed my first commitment 3 weeks early! Go, me! The Pretty Little Pouch Swap is a lot of fun and you cannot believe the incredible amount of inspiration in one flickr group. If you are at all interested in creating sewn pouches, check it out - everything from pencil cases to snap frame change purses, hoop pouches and little key fob cases to boxy cosmetic cases. Here are a few great project photos that I included in the inspiration mosaic for my partner.

click on the photo for links to each pic

I got a great secret partner for the swap and once I'd received her mosaic and sign up info, I was immediately inspired and got busy making this for her:

I can't give too much away or it might become obvious who this is for, but I'll tell you that it's fully lined with a pretty Central Park laminate, the outside base is Moda Crossweave and the scraps are MoMo's It's a Hoot line. It's my first real laminate project. In order to keep the lining as useful as possible (i.e. continuously seamed laminate), I left the turning opening on the side seam of the outer bag, in lieu of the normal lining hole. I had to carefully stitch that up from the right side using a ladder stitch.

It's got a side handle and is a great size of about 8" x 9 1/2". It'll be perfect for cosmetics, or anything else requiring a bit of spill-resistance! The outer bag is quilted with insul-brite.....you know, in case something has to stay cool or warm.

I spent last Sunday printing fabric with my poppy seed pods (stay tuned for poppyprint fabric on offer!) and took the opportunity to decorate the back of the pouch with some groovy prints.

I've made several zip pouches and I have to say that every single time, it's a total mystery as to how well the ends of the zip are going to turn out. I've read countless tutes on how to reduce zipper bulk, but I've got a long way to go perfecting this element of zippy pouch construction!

I think my partner will like it - I'm feelin' good about this swap!

If you're looking to stock your stash with some luscious hand-dyed fabric, scroll down for your chance in my birthday month giveaway #3!

Passionate Dyes - a Giveaway!

2011-07-17T16:19:00.000-07:00

It's Birthday Month Giveaway #3!

ETA: Comments are now closed, thanks for entering!!

When my local friends Susan and Martha announced that their amazing hand-dyed fabrics were now available to purchase from their very own online store, I immediately wanted to share their excitement with all of you. When these gals take their fabric on the road to quilt show merchant malls, their booth is full with gasping admirers. These women are definitely passionate about dying fabric, about colour, quilting, and art. To celebrate their online opening, Passionate Dyes will give a $30 gift certificate redeemable for hand-dyed yardage from www.passionatedyes.com to one lucky Poppyprint reader!!

Have you ever sewn with hand dyes? The colour depth is unlike anything achieved with commercial printing, and no two pieces are exactly alike. Susan and Martha have trained in numerous dying methods, including shibori resist, wrapping and colour mixing. The variety of colours and patterns achieved in their workshop is incredible....and I just love that you can shop their website in colour categories like Earth, Coloured Glass, Luminous and Stone. I think my favourite category is Shibori (resist techniques). Look at these beauties!

Their fabrics cover the complete colour spectrum but have an added feature; many pieces evoke landscapes, sea beds, trees, forest floor and flower gardens. Texture is created by folding, pleating, scrunching and shibori resist techniques. A passionately dyed fabric will add immense interest to your next project!

You'll notice that each piece of fabric is priced by it's size and base fabric (either Hoffman PFD -prepared for dying, Pimatex or Kona cotton)

Both Susan and Martha are expert quilters. I've had the pleasure of seeing many of their beautiful quilts first hand. Some of these art works are available in the webstore as well. A quick trip through their quilt gallery will provide plenty of inspiration for your own hand-dyed fabric project!

"Circles" by Martha Todd

"Line and Shape" by Martha Todd

Perhaps you're smitten with hand dyes and you'd like to treat yourself to a little present? You can join the monthly fabric club and have one yard, or two 1/2 yard pieces sent right to your mailbox! You can also sign up for their newsletter for all the latest on quilt shows, new releases and shop updates.

If you'd like the chance for a $30 shopping spree* at Passionate Dyes, please leave ONE comment below and let us know your favourite colour to work with. I must have a way to contact you, so if you email is not linked to your comment, please include it in "your name (at) your server (dot) com" form. Comments will stay open until 6:00 p.m. PST on Thursday, July 21 at which time the random number generator will choose the winner!

*(not including shipping)

GOOD LUCK!

Who's going shopping at Marmalade?

2011-07-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

Why, that would be the lucky person who left comment number:

Hey, it's Jenny! Yippee, now you can buy some Moda Crossweaves you need! Or, you might want to consider a special piece of the "arriving next week" FAR, FAR, AWAY III!!!

I'll get an email off to you with the details, Jenny. Thank you very much Tammy, for generously providing the $20 gift certificate for your sweet shop Marmalade Fabrics! I've got some new Marmalade news for all of you. Tammy has just started a rewards points system for her customers, which is an easy peasy way for you to earn 10% off all of your fabric orders! Now that her store is moving into larger digs, there will be even more delicious fabric for you to peruse - you'll be racking up the reward points in no time!

Birthday month giveaway #3 coming right up people....more money, more fabric, more fun; right here at Poppyprint. Woot!

Psychedelic Quilt Movie! Yes, there is one!

2011-07-16T14:51:00.001-07:00

I've just learned that my tax dollars DO actually pay for something cool...this National Film Board sponsored film! Although the credits say it was made by Gayle Thomas in 1996, I've only just discovered it via a guild friend (thanks Leslie!) and I'm so happy to share it with you. The music seems sort of Japanese-y at the beginning, but then it segues right into some classic Maritime kitchen party tunes. Very Canadian.

DISCLAIMER:I take no responsibility for your bad trip if you are under the influence of (a)prescription painkillers (b) B.C. bud, or (c) several glasses of wine, while watching this. You'll see what I mean.

Enjoy it!

Drunkards Path has never been one of my favourite quilt blocks, but I've gotta say that this pattern shown in the title image for the film is totally cool! I can imagine it in sweet Japanese prints, or repros (again, not usually my scene, but apparently this movie has quilt-brain-expanding magical powers that open your mind to all sorts of never-before-imagined quilt possibilities). Oh! or Happy Mochi Yum Yum. Yeah, that would be the bomb in this pattern.

Back soon with Birthday Month Giveaway #2 winner and Giveaway #3 for ya!