MIA

I will be MIA in the coming weeks as I will be attending  a few  dance competitions!

Daughter #2 will be competing in three competitions in 6 different numbers.  It is a busy time in our house. I love watching her on stage.  It will be a little different this year since with daughter #1 is not competing after many years.  She does continue dancing at university 

Not much time for sewing that is for sure. 

Until next time,

Happy Stitching

Lee

p.s. wish her luck!

Interruption

I interrupt my UFO progress.

 These have been commissioned.  

What's  a gal to do but put aside the UFO's and get them done.

A pile of 3" strings  

being sewing together

to make 2 rag quilts

tops are completed.

 one is quilted and waiting for binding

2nd one will get sandwiched tonight!


Linking up to Needle and Thread WIP Wednesday

A week ago ...

I had the privilege of riding along with 5 other quilters from my guild to the Red Deer, AB quilt show. The weather was not so nice, but lots of chatting in the van, chauffeured by Kim from Chatterbox Quilts, made the ride quick.

I had not been to this show before.  The venue was great.  The lighting was good, lots of room to move around, coat check, welcoming table, door prizes all good.   I liked that there were vendors from all over Western Canada, ones I had never seen before too.  However, due to my purchases in Montana the week before, I was limited to what I could fit in my small purse.

  

Along with the vendors they had featured quilters and guild quilts on display.  I am in awe of the work done by some quilters.  So many of them were breath taking.  Of course some of my favourites were the scrappy quilts. 

Here is the show winner!

But my ultimate favourite was this one!

Isn't it a beauty? Tulips have been my favourite flower for years. 

I wish the tulips were blooming in our yard, but I am afraid we had another spring snow storm again last night and we are all white again! 

Where is your favourite quilt show to go to? 

Happy Stitching

Lee

P.S. I bought 3 patterns and 2 spools of thread which fit in my purse just fine!

Winter White Block Exchange

 Back in January I hosted a block exchange between 11 other bloggers.   It was called 

The Winter White Block Exchange.  

The only 'rules' were, to make a 12.5" block using colours that remind them of winter. 

Aren't these beautiful?

From Mary (no blog)

From Corina @ CW Quilts

From Julianne @ Quilting with Calicos

From Peg @ Pieces on my Mind

From Sue @ CollectingTexasGal

From Linnea @ Nea Bear Sewing and Crafts

From Debra M @ Sew Rip and Sew Again

From Deb A @ Patchwork Sanity

From Suzanne @ Colorado Lady

Mine

I haven't blogged about these blocks yet, because I kept hoping that two more blocks would show up.  Apparently one set was 'lost in the mail'.  The other set was sent back to the maker.  I was assured by the makers that they would send out the individual blocks to all the participants, but another month has gone by and I haven't seen or heard anything from them.  so I am done trying to track them down and will chalk this up to experience.  The blocks that were sent for the two MIA participants will be made into charity quilts.

Needless to say I am a little disappointed, but have no control over it so I must let it go.   

We have 10 blocks to work with and they should make up into a nice winter throw for next year.  (or now since Calgary got another sprinkle of snow this morning).

 Happy Stitching

Lee
Linking up to Crazy Mom Quilts finishes, since the exchange is finished. and to Richard and Tanya's Link a Finish Friday

Road Trip and LQS on the way....

Over the Easter weekend hubby, daughter #2 and  headed on a little road trip.  We saw a lot of this on the open road. 

Yep actually about 5-6 hrs worth of beautiful blue skies, prairies and mountains in the distance.  Destination Great Falls, Montana 

Of course no trip would be complete with out first researching "Are there any quilt stores in this town?"  Lucky for me there was and the driver was willing to stop at them.  The kid watched DVDs while waiting for me. 

First stop Big Sky Quilts  

 The store is large and one wanders the whole depth of the building.  The staff were very friendly and helpful. They had a great selection of minkie and flannel.   We snuck our heads into their classroom which was huge.  Down side of this store, it is a little dated and dark. 

purchases from Big Sky Quilts

In between going to other stores to satisfy the other traveling buddies.  We went to The Quilt-A-Way.  What a gorgeous store.  Bright and airy.  Their room settings and groupings of fabric were delightful; quilts and patterns scattered with antiques. Once again the staff were very charming and helpful . 

Purchases from the Quilt-A-Way

Our last place to visit which I didn't think we would get to because it is located 25 mi outside of Great Falls was The Quilting Hen.  Let me just say I am so glad we did.  It is well worth the drive (even the gravel part)

Diane the owner welcomed us into her beautiful studio/store/classroom with open arms.

Welcome sign

bright, clean, organized store

Look at the top shelf, full of antiques.  I spied my mom's dishes

my purchases at The Quilting Hen

Her rolls of 1/4yd cuts in every colour wave are amazing.  When I unrolled them at home there wasn't one fabric  I didn't like in there.   She has a great online store too!

Isn't this so cute?  Due to water restrictions she has put in 'continuous' blooming plants that sure brighten up the prairies.

She has thought of everything!

We did see a few tourist/nature things while in Great Falls. 

we weren't the only Canadians there!

Have you been on a road trip lately?

Happy stitching

Lee

Another finish

Last year I participated in the Curious Quilter Charm Swap four times.   What a delight it was to receive 100's of little 2.5" squares from all around the world.  Those squares together with ones that I had worked up into this wonderful Postage Stamp Quilt.  It is not a true PSQ as there are some duplicates, but not many. 

I FMQ'd it on my domestic machine. 

back side drying in the sun

My friend recently purchased a home outside of the city, in the foothills of the Rockies.  Once she saw this quilt she claimed it (before it was even finished) to go in her new country home. 

Lily on our way to deliver the quilt

 in it's countryside glory. 

oh the view

relaxing on the deck

will probably be used on this sofa much of the time

I just received my partner's names for the next swap.  I am excited to work on another PSQ.

Have you made a PSQ before?

Happy stitching. 

Lee

Linking up to Link a Finish Friday and Such a Sew and Sew and Finish it Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts
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