New website (again)!

Well I decided to bite the bullet and get a professional website made and it will be up and running by the end of this week.  I just wasn't happy with the size of the pictures for the products and some other issues on the old websites.  That's what you get when you try to do something cheap! 
I have alot of new products to show you but am waiting for the new website.  I have designed a few new things myself and am just finishing up the samples and patterns. 
I just returned from Seattle,WA where my husband had some meetings to attend and where they wine and dine me as well.   One nice surprise was that there  were so many quilt shops in a 2 hour radius of Seattle.  My great husband drove me around  to about 20 of them (I think there were 42 all together).  Bill had to take a picture of me outside of each one.  I will post some of my favorites when I get a chance.  This and next month are quilt show months so I am very busy getting things organized for that.
I hope you will find the new website easier to see and easier to navigate.
Talk to everyone again soon.     

New "Folded" technique patterns!

Four new patterns by Debbie Richards!

Here is my sample of the Folded Lonestar!

"Bloom"

 Spring is blooming flowers!  This quilt says it all with multi coloured flowers on a crisp, fresh white background. I  used one "Simply Colour" ombre colour roll (2 1/2" strips in different colours--colour graduates from dark to light to dark again).  I also used 60" wide Kona cotton so I wouldn't have to put a seam down the middle.   Quilt is 60" x 68"
Patterns - $10.00.  Kit - $99.50 (includes pattern, "Simply Colour" ombre roll and enough white cotton  for background and backing.  Sashing strip and binding also included. )

Here a close-up of the flower petals.  I added white pearl beads to the middle of the flowers for an extra touch.

New Little Girl's Growth Chart

This little girl's growth chart is called "Bloomin' Up" thanks to my husband for coming up with the name.   I have kinda of a theme going with "up" being in the name of the growth chart patterns and I just couldn't come up with a name that worked so as he is watching the hockey game he casually says "How about Bloomin' Up" and I say PERFECT!                                  

It has 3D look.  The flowers are very simple to make and this growth chart comes together easily.  I love the bright colours which can be made to match any little girl's room.  Patterns for Bloomin' Up are $10.00 and the kits  are $50.00 (includes pattern, bug buttons, ricrac, 4 stick pins, ribbon and fabric as shown)

"Farm Fresh" Block of the Month

 "Farm Fresh" - New Block of the Month by Buggy Barn Quilts.  To sign up you must first purchase the book for $24.00.  The blocks 1-10 are $18.00 each (which includes the borders and binding).  A great deal for an unique gardening quilt.  Size is 68" x 82".  Fabrics as shown (I also changed the American flags to Canadian).  If you are interested just let me know by phone or email.  marlene@pastimepieces.com .  You may sign up at any time.  Pick up or ship out.

New Boy's Growth Chart--"Hoop it Up"

Since Lucas, one of my grandsons, loves balls I thought I would use that theme to make a growth chart for him..  It is called "Hoop it Up".  Zachary his twin brother will also get one.  I am also designing quilts for their bunk beds that have a sports theme as well.   The growth chart comes in a pattern for $10.00 and a kit (including pattern ) for $45.00.  The hanger "I'm This Big" is $16.00 extra.  I have lots more ideas for other growth charts.  The little girls are next (even though my next grandchild---another boy is due in 2 weeks).  I will be at the Creativ Festival in Toronto at the end of this month if you would like to see it in person.

January Happenings!

 The pond at my brother-in-law's was frozen enough to skate on this past weekend.  It's not often that it is cold enough to freeze it and for it to be nice enough ice to skate on.  Thanks to my brother-in-law for spending 1.5 hours to shovel it off only for it to rain for the next 2 days.   

 This is my husband trying some fancy moves. 

 My daughter Krista and her boyfriend Matt!

 My son Michael was also home for the weekend from university.

 One of the new projects that I wanted to work on for months but was waiting for the laser cut "Silhouettes" to  arrive.  They finally came!  I know it is past Fall but now there is plenty of time to get this tabletopper or wallhanging done for September.  I just need to finish the machine quilting and binding.  Kits are available for $79.50 (fabric, pattern, 3 pkgs of  Silhouettes and binding.)

 We were doing a demo night at the guild so I decided to do it on the Twister Tool. 

This is  "Snowman Twist"!  He has a 3 dimensional scarf that hangs to the side and down.  "Snowman Twist" pattern is available is 3 sizes so you can use the regular Twister tool (5" squares) or the mini (3 1/2" squares) or the itty bitty (2 1/2" squares) .  I used the mini and without binding it measures 33" x 36".

 Another project that I finished just before Christmas was an Advent wallhanging  using the "Stocking Stuffers" panel.  With some the the cordinating fabric in that line I made the wallhanging to hold the 25 little stockings. 

 This the panel from the "Stocking Stuffers" fabric line by Northcott.    I cut the stockings out, sewed them together and attached them with little snowflake buttons.

 Another cute item I made up was the "Nail Salon in a Bag"  The bag holds 8 bottles of nailpolish and there is lots of room for the other items.  The pattern comes with a tool holder as well. 

 Zachary and Lucas turned 2!!!!!   Another special happening in January!

A big box, what can be inside?

(Mom is in the background expecting baby boy no. 4)

 Sometimes the box is just more fun! 

And what's a birthday without a Thomas the Train cake.  Their Mom does a wonderful job making their birthday cakes!

Learn Something New This Year!

 First of all I want to wish everyone "All the Best for 2013!"  I hope you had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends!

Every New Year should be a time to start the year off by learning something new so I am offering 2 workshops to start the year off right.  One is on "Mexican Stars" and the other is Machine Applique! All the details you will find under "Classes" on the web site.  If the times and dates don't work for you , let me know and I will see if we can arrange something.

Here's the little girl's growth chart Up, Up and Away.  I forgot to mention that I have the hanger's "I'm This Big" available for $16.00.  The cost to ship the hanger is $3.00 in Canada.  The size of the growth charts are
15" x 50 1/2".

Lots more postings of projects to come after I return from holidays.

New, New, New

I finished designing some new patterns before Creativ Festival in Toronto.  The first one is called "Highway PileUp" Growth Chart.  The pattern is $10.  Kits are available for $45.00 (pattern included).  I also designed a little girl growth chart called "Up, Up and Away".  It's posted on the next page.  Patterns and kits available (same price as boy's)

 This is a handy carryall for your notions, embroidery floss, etc called classmate.  I have a class scheduled to make this project for Friday, November 23, 2012  form 1:00 pm -5:00 pm. 

 Class is $15.00 (pattern $10.00 extra)  Kits available for $48.00 (includes everything you need to make the "Classmate".   Call or email if interested in joining us for this class. www.pastimepieces.com

New Block of the Month coming for January. A wool and flannel project. called "Petals and Pennies".  More details to follow soon .                                                   

Fun at the Corn Maze

Every year we try to go to the corn maze that is located outside of Thamesville which is not too far from our place. We took my daughter and her husband and the three grandsons.  It was cold and windy!  A little warmer when you were actually in the corn field blocked by the  stalks.  The boys had fun playing and feeding the animals.  They had a slide there that was incredibly fast.  The boys went on a cow barrell ride but by the time they came back  Lucas and Zachary were upset and crying and Ethan didn't want to go around in circles anymore.  Time to go home!

Boys, Boys, Boys

We took this picture this summer to show my mother-in-law her 7 great grandsons (soon to be 8), all under the age of 3.   There is only one great grandaughter, Martine , who will be 19 in December.  My oldest daughter, Lindsay is also in the picture with the boys.  Another baby expected in the new year.  Could it be a girl?

This is my youngest son Michael, with our boy dog, Otis. Michael got his motorcylce license figuring it would give me the van to drive as we had to share a vechile while he was home for the summer working.  I wasn't too crazy about it at first but my husband has had a motorcycle for years so what could I say.  He survived and is now back at university.

  I just got this flannel in  and love it.  It's called "Little Friends" and its from Northcott.  They make the   softest flannel and this print is gendre neutral so it works for boy or girl.

New "Folded Hot Pad" pattern

 Debbie Richard's has come up with another folded technique pattern--The Folded Hotpad!  If you have always admired the other designs but didn't want to tackle that much work, here's a nice quick project to complete in an evening.   Pattern - $9.00.

I loved this sailboat fabric when it came in and wanted to do a quilt that would feature this fabric. 
The bright coloured blocks and other nautical fabrics fit right in.  Kit - $99.00 includes pattern.

New Projects for August

 Zoom, Zoom - A little boy's quilt made completely from Cuddle minky fabric.  Size- 42" x 48".  Kits available for $75.00 which includes the pattern and all the fabric needed for the quilt top and binding.

 Another one of my absolute favorite wallhangings or crib quilt - Animal Whimsy.  Size 42" x 54".  Kits available for $99.50 which includes $30.00 pattern.  

A beautiful wool project for the upcoming season!  Kits - $54.00.  Stand also available.

Dr. Seus!  Who doesn't love Dr. Seus.  I received some bolts from the "Celebrate Seus" line of fabrics.  I just had to make something from it so I made a pillowcase.  My twin grandsons get comments wherever they go when they wear their Thing 1 and Thing 2 shirts.

"Vintage Tin" has arrived!

 Crabapple Hill's newest pattern "Vintage Tin" has just arrived.  A great "man quilt" with it's vintage cars, oil cans and license plates.  Looks great in the black and whites.

I already started with my first block.  I hope to have my sample done for the quilt shows coming up but that will mean some major stitching in the next few weeks.  It's a great project to work on during the olympics.
I am not using the Lucien fabric line but a combination of fabrics that I have.  Lucien fabrics are very unreliable as far as delivery time.  I may get one bolt and then may not get the others for 3 months or more and I'm excited  to start it right away.  Patterns are $28.00.  The pattern suggests using Cosmo floss 895(dark grey) which I have available in spools or skeins.
Let me know by e-mail if you are interested.  I will try to post it on the website.  My website is having a major overhaul which I hope will be completed in a month.  It should make things alot easier on your end as well as mine.

September Wallhanging

 One month till September! Time sure does go by quickly.  Here is the wallhanging for September-Calendar of Quilts.  I didn't add the "ABC" (personal choice) but the fabric for them is in the kit.  As long as someone is still interested in joining , I keep cutting more kits so if you would still like to participate, let me know.  Info is under "Block of the Month on the website.

I finished the companion Monster tooth fairy pillow for boys (or girls).  The pattern is in the book "Curiosities and Mischief" available for $22.00.  Kits for the pillow also available for $4.50 each.

New Block of the Month :Garden Baskets"

This is a new block of the month that I am offering "Garden Baskets".  It  uses quilting cottons, wool and perle cotton threads for the garden baskets.  The wallhanging is 23" x 28".  A nice small wool project which doesn't take alot of time or money.
Registration fee is $10.00.  Blocks 1-12 is $8.00 a month which includes  fabric, perle cotton threads , pattern and the finishing kit.  Register now for a September start. 

Carina, Junior Quilter

 My great niece, Carina, is here for the summer from Kiev, Ukraine.  Her Mom had to go back to the Ukraine for a month to do some rotations before her last year in medical school there so I thought I'd give their Dad, Aaron, a break and have Carina and Jacob over for the day.  I've never seen someone so young eyes light up when they see fabric but Carina's sure did.  We decided to make a purse and purple is her fabric colour so that's what we chose.  We used the Triangle Purse pattern. 

 She did a fabulous job with the sewing! She is either 9 or 10 years old.  I forgot to ask her.  She likes old things so she chose an old brass button with an airplane on it because she had done a project about Amelia Earhart recently. 

After some swimming, playing with our dog,Otis, and baking she helped me pick out fabrics for kits that I was putting together for "Animal Whimsy".  She's excited about helping me out for my Summer Open House on July 27 and 28.
Jacob was content to swim, play with the dog and play"Wee".