Calendar of Quilts - January and February

These are the samples for January and February-Calendar of Quilts wallhanging of the month.  To check out details for this Block of the Month or others check out the website under "Block of the Month".

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

I would like to thank everyone for their support this past year.  May you have a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends and may God bless you in the coming New Year.

Piecefully yours,
Marlene

Chalkcloth----Neat Ideas!

 Just new in the shop is this crazy new fabric called "Chalkcloth".  I came across this neat idea making into a tablerunner.  I didn't take a picture of the one I made and used at our Christmas Party recently but it was a real hit.  You can write on it what the dishes you are serving are, wipe it off and use it for the next party.  To make the tablerunner I cut a piece of fabric just large enough to back it and fold the edges over to the front and sew.  Very fast and easy!

I made some placemats with it for the grandsons.  Give them a piece of chalk and that should keep them busy while supper is being made.  There are lots of other neat ideas---aprons, calendars,etc. 

Let me know what you would make and I will randomly select a winner and send a 56" x 15" piece of chalkcloth to you. (enough to make the tablerunner).  Winner will be picked Wednesday, Dec.28,2011.

Chalkcloth comes 48" wide and sells for $10.00 a yard.

"Tiny Town" Block of the Month

"Tiny Town" is a 9 month block of the month from Bunny Hill Designs.  I am using a different fabric line with more vibrant colours called "Fresh Flowers.  Above are some of the choices for borders for this quilt.  You can view the pattern cover on the website under "Block of the Month"

 This Block One.

 This is Block Two.

 This Block Three.

This is Block Four. (sorry for the sideways view).  You can personalize this quilt with your hometown and family names. 

To sign up just e-mail me at marlene@pastimepieces.com or call me at 519-676-5059.

Registration Fee - $25.00

Block 1-9 - $18.00 each month (includes embroidery floss, buttons, beads, fabric and pattern)

Borders and binding - $25.00

White Christmas ?

 I don't know whether we will have a white Christmas outside or not but it will be inside.  This pattern is called "White Christmas" designed by one of my favorite designers - "Don't Look Now" from Australia.
I used Fairy Frost fabric which is a white fabric with a silver metallic glitter on it.  The picture, of course, does not do it justice.  If you seen it at one of the shows you know what I mean.  I carry the Fairy Frost fabric at $15.00 a yard.  The kit (as shown) can be found on the kits page and the pattern can be found on the patterns page under "Don't Look Now".

 This is a Terry Atkinson pattern using her new line of zippers.  The pattern is called "Pillow Trio".  Kit available for $28.00.

Lots of cute patterns in the  "3 times the charm" book using charm squares.  I have kits available for the baby quilt using the "Greta" pattern.  The small table topper uses "FaLaLa" charm squares.

Busy Times!

 I think I'm finally getting back to normal after a very busy time.  I have been at a quilt show in Waterloo, a quilt show in Georgetown followed by the Creativ Festival in Toronto.  Here is my booth at the Creativ Festival.  I sure pack alot of things into a small space.  After Toronto I decided to drive a little further east and visit with my grandsons.  They are growing and changing so quickly.  It was fun to be with them for a few days.

It took a few shots to get them all to look up at the same time and for Ethan not to keep rolling his pumpkin away.

"Bon Vivant" Purse

 This is a new purse pattern that I thought was unique in that it uses plastic canvas as part of the interfacing.  Now if you have been into crafts you probably have some of that plastic canvas hanging around, you know the stuff that was made into everything you could think of---notepad holders, flyswatter covers ,christmas ornaments, etc., etc.  You still see items made from it at craft shows.  That's the stuff you use to made the bag have some shape.  You also use "Decor Bond" interfacing. 

 Ellen Medlock, the designer of the pattern, also has the fabric. I used the blues with the matching striped gussets in the purse I made. It also comes in pink(shown in her pattern). I carry both the blue and pink patterned and fabrics with bolts of the matching stripes. I do not have the polka dot shown in the pattern below.

The pattern is $16.00 as it includes the silver clasp hardware.  The fabric is $13.00 a yard.

"Bag-ology" - Mini Messenger Bag

 Excuse the poor quality pictures!  I went to take pictures of the girls handbags they made in class last night and my camera was dead.  My son happened to be home so I used his phone.   The phone probably takes better pictures than this but I wasn't used to using it so this is how they turned out.  I hope to have my camera ready and waiting next month.

I am starting a class called "Bag-ology" where  each month you make a different handbag.  You may come to just one class or you may come to them all.

 This month was the "Mini Messenger bag".  It is probably one of the easier patterns to use and I love their little trick to get the lining to fit in perfectly.

Next month we hope to make 2 purses.  The "Triangle Purse" and the "Zippy Strippy" pouch.  We will be meeting at 7:00 p.m., Monday, October 17,2011.  Let me know if you would like to join in.  Details on "classes" page.

My newest pattern in the "Peek-a-Boo" series!

Here's my latest pattern "Peek-a-Boo Bunny" done in pink fabrics with the pink and brown minky border.  Pattern is $10.00.  Kits available for $52.50.  Backing in brown and pink dot minky is $25.00.

Ethan's "Big Boy" Bed Quilt

 Ethan just turned 2 so it's time to move him to a "big boy" bed so the twins can each have their own crib.  He loves any kind of big equipment---dump trucks, tractors, diggers, car haulers you name it so I thought the quilt on the cover of "Those Crazy Kids" by Buggy Barn would work out great.  Lindsay (his Mom) picked out the primary colours to use in his room. 

 When they were home this weekend, he had to try it out. 

 There are several books by Buggy Barn using the "crazy" method.  Stack several pieces of fabric on top of each other.  Trace the pattern onto freezer paper.  Iron the pattern onto the top fabric.

 Cut the pattern apart not moving the pieces.  According to the pattern take the top fabric from certain sections and put it to the bottom.  Take other sections and put the top 2 pieces to the bottom.  Sew together.  Don't worry the book gives detailed instructions.  This was my second "crazy method" quilt.  If you are looking for something different they are fun to make!

Folded Snowflakes

These are my samples for the "Folded Snowflake" workshop that I did last week Wednesday for the Chatham -Kent Quilt Guild.  I really enjoy making them and the technique is easy once you see how it's done.  Debbie Richards has several more "folded" patterns which you will find on my website.The following is another one of Debbie's pattern's called Folded Kaleidosquare.  I made this small table topper to go along with a wedding gift for a wedding we attended last week.  Her kitchen is white and black with red accents so I thought this fabric worked well especially for a kitchen.  I love the fabric!  I think it would look great used in the "Home Cooking Casserole Cover" pattern too.

New Kits!

I have just made up two new kits---Tea for Who and "Family" Table Runner. Check kits page for description and prices.

Visiting the Boys!

Zachary and Lucas in their bumbos!

Ethan's camera smile!

Big brother Ethan holding Zachary and Lucas!

After going to Canada's Wonderland with our youngest 2 children, Krista and Michael on Saturday, we continued on and spent the rest of the weekend with the grandson's (and their parents).  It sure is neat to hear that they are excited that Oma and Papa are here.  How can you not help but love these cuties even if they do put purple crayon all over the new family room walls!

"Willow" Pillow Kit

I just completed another project from "Don't Look Now" designs.  It's the "Willow" pillow.  It's a large pillow measuring around 25" square.  Kellie uses raw edge applique in her designs which makes it quick and easy.  Using bright colours up against a white background really makes the colours pop.
Kit - $25.00(not including pattern)  Pattern - $18.50

We Have Come A Long Way!

I came across my mother-in-law's old sewing machine when we were cleaning out her apartment to move her to an assisted care facility.  She took it with her from The Netherlands in the 1940's when they immigrated.  She had bought it used then so I have no idea how old it is.  I can't say that I will be doing much sewing on it but it reminds me of how far we have come as far as sewing machines go.  I am kind of spoiled with my automatic threader and cutter, etc.,etc.,etc.    

New Patterns from "Don"t Look Now"

                                                                          Animal Alphabet

An animal inspired quilt using raw edge applique and an easy trapunto method to make the animals jump off the surface of the quilt.  

                                                            From the Heart

                                           Four perfectly romantic applique projects!

                                                                        Peak Hour

Cars and trucks and all things traffic makes a fun quilt for a little man!  Bonus cushions included with patterns.

                                                                   White Christmas

                                                         A fun snowflake tree design!


             I can't wait to try all of Kelly's new patterns.  They just arrived today from Australia!

Baking Potato Bags

Here's a great way for baking potatoes.  The kit comes with the potato fabric and the Warm and Natural "Warm Tater " batting for $6.00.  Free pattern and cooking instructions with kit.  My Mom wanted to use one because she heard of how great the potatoes turn out.

Remember Whooo Loves You!

Here's a quilt that I finished a while ago and just never got it posted.  It's called "Remember Whooo Loves You."  It's adorable!  I made it in pink and green but also hope to have kits made up in blue and green.  Kit (including pattern) is $58.00.

I backed in white bubble minky which makes it soo soft.  Backing is $25.00.

More Fruit Ladies Has Arrived!

I just received some more of the Fruit ladies border fabric for those who were interested in it at the last show.  This is such a fun fabric to make into pillowcases, purses, aprons, towel borders and the list goes on. I will try to put it up on the web site otherwise just e-mail me and I will process it that way.

New patterns from "Crabapple Hill Designs"

The two "new" patterns are here from "Crabapple Hill Studios.  I haven't tried Meg's crayon method yet for the shading but it looks nice.  I hope to try it on a pillow first.  You will need approximately 20 skeins of Cosmo "Seasons" embroidery floss #8041 ( available soon-on order).