I've got mail

 For a while now I have been contemplating making Karen's "Winter Star Mug Mat" but you know when you have a piece in mind with a specific fabric? Nothing else seems to do. I pictured this pattern with some old world map fabric in the background and all I had in my stash was a 5 x 5 square of the Peace on Earth Line by Three Sisters. Ask and you shall receive. I asked  some quilting friends to be on the lookout for such a fabric and wow! I got mail!  

 Karen Neary the designer of the pattern sent me these pieces of fabric perfect for the mug mat.  

 

 You can download the pattern free on Craftsy Quilting 

Here is the finished project. Thanks Karen for the perfect fabric. 

A while back I mentioned the Mystery Quilt challenge we had at the Guild. A year ago member Paula gave us the challenge to make a project with a square as the main focus. It is to be a secret and we will unveil our finished pieces at the open house on April 12th. Mine is all done. 

All I can show is the label . 

This is really fun and exciting and I am soooo looking forward to seeing all the projects in the Mystery Quilt parade. 

My next project is totally different for me. I fell in love the minute I saw it and I just had to have it  so I ordered this BOM. from Primitive Gathering  

"Words To Live By" 

What is different for me is that the appliqué is wool . I have never worked with wool so it is totally out of my element. 

A new challenge♥ and I love a challenge. 

Yes, I love mail and with a new BOM I am guaranteed a quilting package every month in the mail. 

 I can't believe it but it looks like we will be able to have our quilting meeting on Wednesday at the guild, as the long range forecast gives fair weather. Every Wednesday there has been a storm and we had to cancel the meeting x 4. It will be fun to see all the projects that have been worked on at each others homes.

March is a busy month at the guild with lots of wonderful events  on the calendar.   

Another Canadian Winter Sunday

But in my book .... a perfect sewing day!

  It was a nasty storm with mass cancelled. After some reading in my bible I retreated to the sewing studio. TV on to watch the Olympics and the sewing machines are revved up for a perfect sewing adventure.       

Ahhh! the Rose of Sharon. I love this pattern and every time I see a version of this quilt pattern I am so attracted to it. I have been doing some hand appliquéd blocks but 

 when I found this machine appliquéd  program I just had to have it. When I went to Amherst in October to visit Mrs Puglsley Emporium I picked up some gorgeous fabrics to make this version of the Rose of Sharon .   

 Lots of blocks to make. 

but I decided to make a sample as this is my first attempt at machine appliqué.

... and here is the finished sample. 

I think I am ready to go for the real blocks to make the large quilt.

And more sewing on my Block of the Month 

working on the top border  

  

The finishing line is in plain site and as I near it I am planning on how this quilt should be quilted. Um???

 I am thinking I may do some free motion. 

I made this wall hanging I discovered on Moda Bake Shop. 

 Last year we had a family of red cardinals visit our bird feeder and this year I only saw one and only the one time. 

I love  Red Cardinals. there are many different legends about the red cardinal one legend  says that seeing a cardinal flying towards the sun is good luck. The bright red colors of the bird's feathers signify confidence and great abilities.
Seeing a bird can mean an individual  is to tap into the creative being. Seeing a red cardinal is a reminder to focus on our faith.  

A few years ago, fur coats were worn and actually enjoyed but that is not the case today. So I had mine, ( Blue Fox) stored in a closet and I was a bit torn as to what to do with it. 

Whenever I wore my coat when GD Amy was little she would  ask to cuddle with it. My friend Carmen who is a wonderful seamstress turned it into a fur lap quilt for her, Amy.  

( I  will give it to her at Christmas )

I am so happy it will be passed on.  

She was able to make a cushion as well.

Well the guild was finally able to meet last Wednesday. It had been three weeks. Three storms closed the meetings.  This week the executive meets to look at and plan spring activities.  Yippee!  

 This is the workshop scheduled for March. My friend Elaine will be doing this workshop. It is a beautiful folded Star. 

Well hopefully this week will be mild. I don't mind the cold weather as long as it is not storming.  

Stay safe!  

Pillow talk....

More like pillow week. 

My embroidery machine went to the Doc; more like the hospital for a while and I had this design but with my machine sick it was put on hold. Amy and Émilie have a Shih Tzu and now that  Bernina is all better I got to make.......  

 A cushion for 

 Miss Amy with Levi approving 

and one for Miss Émilie 

 I have on my to-do list this quilt called

Diamonds and Pearl; Design by Early May Enterprises. 

I was a little apprehensive about starting it so I decided to make a cushion for practice. I think I will go ahead now with the quilt. It is hard to see the design but it is all made with Metallic thread and decorated with pearls and beads . On this pillow I put crystals . 

 I love how the embroidery design is encased in the cathedral window. 

I can't forget to make a pillow for Miguel 

 His birthday is in April so

 The teddy holds the April birthstone

I finished my 

 Valentine Apron.. 

Last Saturday was the Junior workshop at the guild .

This was the material used for the project.

Yes, jean pockets.. lots of jean pockets  

 They had lots to choose from to 

make a wall hanging organizer  

This was a fun project organized and presented by members Carmen and Nicole. 
This winter is proving to be very active and the snow storms have scheduled themselves all on Wednesday, cancelling the guild meeting for three weeks now. I bet there are lots of gorgeous projects being made in the cozy sewing studios of our members. "Show and Tell" should be very interesting when we get back together. 
This is Canada with its Canadian winter. ♥