QUILTVINE
January 2009 has come with its annual case of blahs. It would be nice to see the sun more often and have milder temperatures. I think I'll have to raid my stash of lime greens and yellows cottons to cheer me up. I'll make something quite blinding to give the effect of sun! (or not!)
I've finished some fun woven quilts with different colours. The woven techniques are so handy to use as backgrounds, and they look like you've done tons of work. I've enjoyed playing with them.
I've booked my ticket to Saskatoon in May, and I will be visiting my brother in Prince Albert, and his family – which includes 2 more grandsons – twins!, and be popping down to Moose Jaw. If I work it out, I'll get to a Prairie Hearts Quilt Guild Meeting. On to Quilt Saskatchewan after that for a judging class – should be interesting! I hope it will be warm there.
So next project is the Trendtex Challenge for Quilt Saskatchewan . The theme is roots, and I have an idea. Whether it will turn out is anyone's guess. You'll find out in May if I finished it!
Myself and a few other lovely ladies have been busy putting a proposal together for a Quilt Canada in Halifax . Wish us luck! We have lots of work to do yet, but we have a theme, we have a university, we have food places…..just have to find the fabric places!
Happy Quilting
Karen
2008 continues to be a great year. I did get around to changing the colours of my living room to reflect a little Hawaii. There's a touch of sand and some teal blues here and there, nothing overpowering, and very calming.
That same day I booked my trip to Hawaii in January 2008, I booked my trip to St John's, Newfoundland to attend the Quilt Canada conference in June. The conference was loads of fun. I met more quilters and renewed some friendships from past Quilt Canadas. I received the Teacher of the Year Award from CQA/ACC. Very exciting, thrilling and altogether cool! I told my husband he's the man, but I'm the TOY! Does this mean I get to buy more fabric? (shhh! yes!) I received the first place for my Trend Tex challenge titled “Where We Are Bound.” The theme was ‘Quilting on the Edge.' My children completely canned the idea of my quilt and decided I was COMPLETELY over the edge. I believe I got the last laugh!
Returning home to jaw surgery for my husband and graduation ceremonies for my daughter and niece, June was not a productive month for quilting. July has changed that! I've been working away on that lovely Pfaff Creative Visions developing some workshops. The first includes an embroidery pattern from the machine, and working with tulle. The second workshop is a cute beaded evening bag. I made the first bag in lime green and purple – fun colours. My hubby thinks it is horrible, so I know it's a good thing! He has no taste! (except he married me!) The new workshops will be listed in mid to late August….stay tuned!
I am making tentative plans to go to Quilt Saskatoon in May 2009. Moose Javians watch out! I may be coming on a fly by visit and want to catch up with the girls of the Prairie Hearts Quilt Guild.
Catch you later! Karen
2008 is proving to be an exciting year. One of the biggest highlights was a family trip to Hawaii . Not terribly conducive to quilting, but the warm air and water were very welcome in the middle of March. Since then I wish to change my living room over to teal blue, soft green and sand. I did buy a little fabric, and I'll use some of it in my class at Newfoundland .
One highlight on the trip was snorkeling in Kane Ohe Bay . We saw bright coloured fish on the reef as well as several Green Sea Turtles. I have begun a wall hanging with the turtles in it…it may hang in my new living room! A lovely opportunity to use lovely teal and green hues.
I have a fantastic new Pfaff I am trying on for size ( that would be XL?). It is the newest machine – the Creative Expressions. If anyone of you is dreaming of a new machine, it has all the bells and whistles for embroiderers and the quilters. I will need help programming the sounds of Star Trek's RED ALERT claxon into the machine, and I will look no further than my children who have the sound effects, and the program manual. Aside from bells and claxons, it is proving to be a lovely quilter. I haven't worked on the embroidery yet…give me time. Check out the machine at www.pfaff.com .
I have added another class to my listing – Pet Portraits. It is a Beginner/Intermediate Level. It is a good chance to make a small project including one of your beloved animals.
June concludes my term as the Nova Scotia representative for the Canadian Quilters' Association. It has been a good three years, but its time to pass the torch. It has been fun to meet all these fun, passionate, and creative ladies. I'm sure we'll meet at the next quilt show!
Happy Quilting!
Karen
Welcome to my website!
Instead of quilting this summer, I have worked on my garden. It has looked beautiful all summer, and now I know it will fade soon. Still one more bed to make…and maybe get rid of that grass over there!
Mariners Quilt Guild had a wonderful show last June. The quilts varied immensely from art form to traditional, miniature to queen, from reproduction print to bali. There was something for every quilter and non-quilter.
I won First Place in the Trend Tex Challenge at Quilt BC in Kamloops last May. What a surprise and delight! I am amazed to be included with other quilters who’s work I admire; Judy Morningstar and Martha Brown.
I have several classes coming up this fall. By the time I finish November I will have travelled most of the province. Sorry to Digby and Yarmouth, but I will be close! You can find my schedule in the workshop listing.
I am spreading the word of Quilt Canada 2008 in June at St Johns , Nfld. If you become a member, you will be able to register for classes at a discounted fee, and be able to register earlier that non-members. Go to www.canadianquilter.com to sign up! The schedule is now online.
Quilt The Atlantic is up and running. Please check out www.quilttheatlantic.ca to find out what is going on in your Atlantic Province . I am still looking for more teachers, I am sure you are out there. Please email me!
Happy Quilting
Karen
We have gone from winter to summer with the coming of May. We have many bush fires in the area; it has been a dry winter, and there is plenty of dead brush leftover from the debris of Hurricane Juan. Fresh air is a little smoky right now.
I spent April visiting many quilters around the province of Nova Scotia . It was delightful to meet those quilters who I have corresponded with online. A little out of my area are the Ocean Wave Quilters in Cape Breton . They had a lovely quilters day with a merchant mall, luncheon and auction. They are a lively and fun bunch!
As the current Nova Scotia representative for the Canadian Quilters Association,
I am spreading the word of Quilt Canada 2008 in June at St Johns , Nfld. If you become a member, you will be able to register for classes at a discounted fee, and be able to register earlier that non-members. Go to www.canadianquilter.com to sign up!
Quilt The Atlantic is up and running. Please check out www.quilttheatlantic.ca to find out what is going on in your Atlantic Province . I am still looking for more teachers, I am sure you are out there. Please email me!
I am busy working on challenge for Mariner's Quilt Guild in Dartmouth , NS .
The theme is ‘Heavenly Bodies.” You don't have to look up in the sky to see all those bodies either! Or on the beach?
Happy Quilting
Karen
Thanks to all who attended the opening reception at the Craig Gallery. Many Ooohs and Aaahs! The gallery looks like a little bit of summer with all the bright colours. The lighting helps to enhance the quilts. Thanks to Dad, Diane and Sandra for helping to hang the quilts, I could not have asked for a better trio to assist me.
Many wondered why I put my daughter, mother and sister up for sale! I hope that the purchaser enjoys the quilts as much as I have enjoyed making them. Now I can move on to consider another quilt with other favourite people in them. I hear my son calling my name!
Now that the gallery is open, I have a chance to do my gardening (I know its November!), and work on some silly patterns. I am making a lovely table runner with cats and pumpkins using heat ‘n bond. It should be finished quickly with one hand tied behind my back and blindfolded! There IS a time for simple patterns!
Happy Quilting
Karen