The whole family has a cold

Things have been a little sneezey, coughy and crazy around our house this week. Usually either mom or dad can stay out of the germy mix but not this time. We are going through the detailed disinfecting of our house and all hope to be better by next week! There are some great new opportunities and quilts to talk about and pictures to come, next week ;) For now I am off to blow my nose and wash, wash, wash my hands!!

Fall leaves and Quilting Fun

TN Cowboy web
Originally uploaded by Darcy-thepatternplace

The leaves are turning and the air is crisp again. Its quite fun to notice the subtle beauty and not so subtle changes in our neighborhood. Crunchy sounds as you walk on the sidewalk, my little girl having a melt down because she can't wear shorts under her princess dress ;) aah, all the signs of fall.

Well here is a picture of the latest quilt, from genesis to binding and with lots of help from Grammy along the way. It was a gift to our Tennessee Cowboy, so, yep, that's it's new name. Here is Tennessee Cowboy.

Admittedly I spend a minute or two on line, a few groups here, a few more things there. In my travels I happen upon some really great web sites. My new favorite is a wonderful example of great quilting information, from beautiful panto patterns - to download, by the way :), to a very informative and interesting blog, with tips, techniques, tons of pictures and even video. A free pattern every now and again and I am sold. Take a look while on your internet travels.

Feel free to suggests some of your favorite quilting sites and or blogs, we would love to hear from you.
Happy Quilting

New Halloween Applique Banner

Well it has been a very long time, but here is a new pattern from The Pattern Place. We love Halloween and this project makes a great addition to our holiday decorations, we hope for yours as well. The example is shown using wool and wool felt. The banner measures 9.5" wide by 32" tall. Each box is approximately 5" square. The appliques are sewn by hand with embroidery floss.

We welcome your feedback and comments.

Must sleep... :) Happy Quilting

Machine Quilting and Happy Birthday

Well tomorrow is a busy day in our house. Our oldest daughter turns a great big, huge, 3 years old. She is a ray of sunshine and a storm of emotions as all toddlers/preschoolers should be, I thankfully cherish the days when that doesn't happen all at one time ;) Big kisses little girl.

I have had some very productive hours at my machine and more recently with my quilting frame and now have some personal projects finished and quilted. I love to see the 'to be quilted' pile shrinking and the 'just needs binding' pile growing. I must remember to take some pictures during this process, usually it's the middle of the night and or I am just so excited to get something done I simply forget. I will of course post some pictures of the finished product here and when I get the patterns up on The Pattern Place website.

Well in endless pursuit of all things quilting within the vastness of the internet I have come across a wonderful new magazine and quilt designer. Quilter's Connection is a new quarterly Canadian Quilting Publication that looks GREAT. I am still trying to track down my copy of the first issue but the website is very nice and complete. I knew I was in love when I saw the applique project on the front cover. It is a wonderful and sophisticated example of modern applique quilting and so I went on a search for more details. The designer is a fellow Canadian and stay at home mom, Laurraine Yuyama of Patchwork Pottery. Her designs are beautiful and so delicious. I am so encouraged and inspired by the direction quilting is taking here at home.

Very exciting, congratulations to all. I am determined to get my copy this week. Thank goodness for the internet, I wouldn't have known what fun I was missing out on otherwise ;) Happy Quilting

Storage and Organization for Embroidery Floss used to Applique.

Well I am up late tonight but I am almost finished a great new Applique Halloween Banner. I am stitching the wool appliques with coordinating embroidery floss, so I pulled out my hand dandy storage totes. I love these little guys, they are so cute and make me smile. It was very easy and inexpensive to put all this together. The plastic containers, floss cards and pink winder cost less then $20.00. I begin by writing the DMC number on the card and then slip the wrappers off the skeins. Place the winder upright on the dividing walls of the container. Attach the cards to the winder, the floss to the card and start winding. When finished secure the floss to the card and most fun of all, place the wound card in color order, light to dark. I do enjoy putting the cards in color order, yes a little compulsion thing going on there but it's manageable ;) I keep the totes in a canvas bag with other cross stitch essentials in the cupboard under my cutting table. My three year old always gushes when I open the cupboard, "oh Mom can I play with your toys too" Yes this cupboard has "Mom's toys" in it. Anyways, I hope you enjoy the pictures and are inspired to sort your embroidery floss stash. Don't forget to write the color number on each card before you add the wrappers to the garbage pile, it takes the guess work out of what color it is exactly. Let me know your storage tricks and tips or your applique/embroidery story I can send you a coupon code for discounts on your next download from The Pattern Place. Happy Quilting

Appliques, Quilts and the Caribbean Sea

August has been one of the most exciting months in a long time!!

My children are growing and growing and we are enjoying every minute of it. One and almost three makes for busy days but quiet nights, it is very fun. We are looking forward to the nearly compulsory three year old princess themed birthday party ;) I am very excited to try another fondant birthday cake, sister's turned out quite well back in July. The Ladybug was made from a bowl cake and a cupcake for the head. The pipe cleaners made for a wonderful set of antennae. The grass was so easy and made the whole cake come together. I didn't write on the top until just before we cut it, I was a little busy and forgot to get a picture :) Emilee loved it and it tasted yummy too!

The quilting part of my life is moving forward and I am so excited, there are lots of new patterns and projects swimming around in my head and some are actually making it out and into patterns. I have found a quilting buddy to help me get some projects completed and tested so I look forward to the next few months. The web site will be changing and I can't wait to let you see the latest creations from The Pattern Place. The last few days have been just a whirlwind for many reasons but it looks as if I will be creating a pattern for a magazine publication !! I am very excited and of course will give more details as things move further along :)

Personally, things have been so good they are reaching the surreal, hubby and I were able to go on vacation together as the girls went on vacation to Grammy's house. We spent a week in Negril, Jamaica and it was fabulous. The water is so clear and warm, the sun was hot and the time to relax was well, relaxing! We stayed in a great resort on the west end and enjoyed the option to visit a sister property right on the beach. I was able to bring my Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt and spend a few minutes putting it together. So my cute little blanket is well traveled and closer to finished. It was so fun to sit and stitch under an umbrella with the Caribbean Sea only a few steps away. I enjoyed the puzzled looks from locals and other tourists alike, apparently hand quilting is not that identifiable. It was about 40°C that day so some quick photos with it spread out on my lap was all I could stand, too hot. It came home safe and sound and just a little sandy.


Well there is a ton of work to do, someone needs to unpack those suitcases and get the girls back in our routine. Nevermind the sewing and designing that has to happen. Summer is almost over here in Canada so we are out to enjoy that too :) Happy Quilting

Applique Quilting Fun

Well things are slowing down just a little around my house, so I thought I would get back to my sewing. The baby has turned one, daddy even had a birthday, so we are full from the cake still. Things have been hectic and uncomfortable at times but we are moving forward.

I have broken my only rule of quilting, again, "don't buy another project until you're finished this one." So yep, I bought the kit for the "Joy to the World" applique quilt by Nancy Halvorsen - LOVE IT!!

I am two blocks away from having her 'Be Attitudes" blanket completed, not that bad I guess. Here are some quick pictures that don't include my toes ;) It needs a press after taking it to quilt group the other day, can't wait to have it COMPLETELY finished. Well enough of my guilty pleasures.



My grandmother's flower garden is coming together and I am looking forward to a hefty road trip in August to get some more put together. But for now here are the results.


I have decided to sew the quilt in strips and then sew the strips together, something about a huge big quilt on my lap in August makes me overheat! Thank you for the comments, I am putting a template basting tutorial on my to do list. I would also love to know how you can reuse your templates when you stitch them to your fabric? The things I didn't know I didn't know :)

Well I am off to sew or rest or clean, not sure it will be the later - Happy Quilting