Fall Table Topper

Hi There!

Gilbert and I went to the Dollar Store, after work and I picked up this cute teddy bear sweater, for $1.25!!!

Okay.... so I'm sure you all agree with me that the table topper that I have there, doesn't really go for "fall" season, right?

And, I'm POSITIVE you'll ALL agree with me that there's a BIG difference between "Gotta-Do-Projects" and "Wanna-Do-Projects", right? And that, at some point.... "Wanna-Do-Projects" can quickly become "Gotta-Do-Projects", otherwise you'll go nuts... from the yearning and the NEED to do it!

*VBG*



I rest my case....

Here is my New-To-Me project (AKA "Wanna-Do-Project")

Wouldn't this table topper look like.... ONE HUNDRED TIMES BETTER than the cute, summerish table topper that I now have?!??!

And wouldn't it be like the RIGHT time to do this, so that I can put it on the table, hopefully, before Christmas?!?!?

See?!??

I KNEW I could convince you all to agree with me!!!!

LOL

Now, I just need to make 8 more "Mug Rugs", to go with those place mats that I made....


Rosa

More Place Mats!!!

Hi There!

(progress report continues...)

Well, Sunday, between sniffles and coughs, I managed to piece 12 place mats, together. "Bertha" prefers the place mats to be sewn, side by side... all in one piece.

Gilbert did a "Chantilly Lace" pantograph, on these.



I was able to sew up 2 place mats.... just to give me an idea of what it will look like.

Have a great Tuesday!

Rosa

Election Night in New Brunswick

Hi There!

Tonight is Elections Night, in New Brunswick.

A couple years ago, my parents had been invited to a yearly supper. Well, the present Premier of New Brunswick, Shawn Graham (sitting beside my Mom) and Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal) member of parliament (behind Mom) happened to start chatting with her.

My Mom talks to EVERYONE!

The proof being that she started chatting with (unknown to her) one of my blogging friends, at our local quilt show!

I think everyone loves my Mom!

*VBG*

Anyhow, this picture in NO WAY implies that they did or will vote for Shawn Graham's party... It was just a comical picture, that we teased her about....



And here's another comical picture of my Mom... 'specially since she NEVER wears lipstick!

I think they were getting ready for Halloween... dunno.

Now, this is another comical picture that she created of herself... and the Christmas tree lights.

And this one?

Well, she had just got home with their new Wii Game and was putting on "airs", with her fake fur coat.

*grin*

Love ya, Mom!!!

Rosa

Dots Me Jane

Hi There!

Even though I haven't shared my "Dots Me Jane" blocks, doesn't mean I haven't been busy... Okay, I had committed myself to doing 7 blocks per week and I haven't followed through with it, but at least I'm doing the BOW and still have full intentions of putting my foot to the pedal, with these cuties and PRODUCING them...

I'll keep you posted on this... *grin*

Here's the toughest block, IMHO -
G-6 = Papa's Star



The week afterwards,
I made the EASTIES one, IMHO..

D-13 = Field of Dreams

In fact, this block is usually used at the
Dear Jane "Signature" block.

It kinda feels weird doing this block
and not signing anything in the middle of it...

LOL

This one was last week's BOW:

C-12 = Family Reunion

And I've replaced this week's BOW with this one...

E-10 = Five & Dime

Rosa

The Queen in 3-D!

Hi There!

Well, you can definitely call me a sporadic blogger.... I go days without blogging and then, "POOF!", I post lots of blogs!

Actually, what happens is that my camera gets loaded down with pictures that I wanted to share with you and then, I do a self-kicking-to-the-butt, along with a stern lecture and designate a specific time, to upload these pics.

For the previous week or so,
CBC had been advertising that
they would be showing a FIRST EVER...

3-D T.V.!!!!

You had to go to Canada Post and pick up your (free) 3-D glasses.

The documentary?

The British Queen and her coronation, along to present day.... to be viewed on the 20th of this month.

Gilbert and I went to our local Canada Post office and picked up a couple pair of these 3-D glasses, in anticipation of seeing something incredible.



In as much as I do understand and appreciate the work and talent that went into filming this documentary, Gilbert and I were BOTH very disappointed...

If it wasn't for the designated people telling you when to put your 3-D glasses on or off, we wouldn't have realized or known what was 3-D or what wasn't. And even WHEN you were supposed to put them on.... honestly? it sure didn't look "3-D" to us.

I'd give this show a 3, out of 10.
(my 25 cents worth)

Rosa

What's on Bertha?

Hi There!

To those of you that are out of the loop,
"Bertha" is our Long arm
Gammill Classic Plus, which we got this spring.

Gilbert, my wonderful hubby,
is Bertha's master.

By mid-afternoon, Gilbert and Bertha
had finished with one of our client's
KING SIZE quilts.

Here's Gilbert pinning it, yesterday morning.



This pantograph pattern is called "Daisy".

Here's another close-up picture of
this pantograph.

And here's a picture of Gilbert
with this GORGEOUS quilt!

As for my "progress" report,
well my Mom's best friend asked me to
make her 4 place mats....
for a Christmas gift give-away.

When we were in Mardens, Friday,
I saw this incredibly beautiful "Olive Oil" fabric,
along with one of the coordinating fabrics.

And OF COURSE, I make sure to buy enough, eh?

Well, I've managed to make 12 placemats
out of what I bought!

It's pinned on Bertha and
Gilbert will be longarming them, tomorrow.

Since there was a bit of fabric chunk left over,
and as per Gilbert's suggestion,
I will be making as many
"Mug Rugs" as possible, for each set of placemats.
(Re: Mug Rugs - Once again, THANKS Cyn for this lovely idea and pattern!!!!)

That's about it, on the progress report department.

I've still got that nasty cold...

Gilbert's cold is almost non-existant by now.

Me, I feel like the walking dead!

Hope my cold is better by tomorrow....
Monday - I go back to work.

Rosa

Halloween Quilt #3

Hi there!

Well, here's another similar question to my previous blog....

If you have a cute panel, search high and low in your stash for the "back" of your panel, give it to your favorite LongArm quilter, square it up and then, bind it.....

Was it YOUR project?
Can you consider this as one
of your "finished" UFO's?!??



Here, Gilbert let himself loose and
did a lot of fun stuff, on this panel.

*VBG*

Would you believe that he did the houses
and stars 'n loops, free hand?!?!?

And here's the final project.
Once again, it's hanging in
our LongArm studio...
AKA "Bertha's Room"

It was a cute Halloween panel,
that I had picked up at Mardens for $2.24 (US Funds)!!!

I find they're a cheap and easy way to decorate
Bertha's walls and give some "eye candy",
for our customers.

I have already picked up a Christmas one and a Valentine's one....
both are yet to be quilted.

Rosa

Frummie's Flowers From Florida

Hi there!

Okay, here's a question for you.

When a good friend sends you a finished quilt top, you search in your stash for the "back" of the quilt, your Dear Hubby longarm quilts if for you and then, you do the binding.... is this now YOUR finished quilt?!??

*VBG*



I would say it's a collaborative effort, IMHO.

Frummie sent me this quilt top and said that she
definitely DID NOT want this one back!
Moi? I LOVE the bright colors!!!!

And, it's now hanging in "Bertha's" room.

And YES, this is the name that I gave it:

"Frummie's Flowers From Florida".

Thankfully Gilbert loves bright colors too!

Tks Frummie!!!!

Rosa

Elaine - Don't Read This!!!

Hi There!

Just a little background info, here....

My friend Elaine has been trying to "convince" me to start exercising again and to "watch" what I eat. I told her that I WAS "watching" what I was eating and it was ALL VERY TASTY!!!

LOL

Anyhow, I "was" to have re-started at the beginning of September, and I KNOW you can all relate to this, but I have LOADS of excuses....

I was still on vacation.
I went 3 times and most of their machines were broken... waiting to get fixed.
We had clients coming and I had to be home, for them.
Then, there was the Quilt Show, which TOTALLY stressed me out.

Oh, and HERE'S a good one....

I didn't "FEEL" like going to the gym....

LOL

Anyhow, in our defense, we barely ate all day yesterday and, on our way home from Calais, Maine, we stopped off at "Comeau's Seafood Restaurant", in Pennfield, New Brunswick.

OH-M-GEE !!!!

I decided to splurge and get the SMALL "Seafood Platter".

In this picture, see our waitress, to the right of Gilbert?!??



Gilbert got a poutine and here's my SMALL platter....

1 piece of fish, maybe 5 scallops, 3 shrimp and a whole BUNCH of fried clams and french fries!

No, I didn't eat it all!

I left quite a few fries behind.... but it was SOOOOOO good!!!!!

Rosa

Gifties from Florida!

Hi There!

S'me again!

As I mentioned in my previous post, we picked up a parcel in Calais. My friend Frummie had sent me a few things.

She sent me a Minick & Simpson quilt pattern. I told her that I might not make this quilt but that the beach appliqués were EXCELLENT for a hooked rug that I was dreaming about.

*VBG*



Frummie had mentioned this skirt in previous phone calls. She graciously sent me the pattern, specifying that I could make a skirt for Princess Sophia and anyone other little "princesses" in my family....

And here's a gifty that my wrist will surely thank her, for.... many, many times!

A hook rug frame!

This will be a cah-zillion times better than an embroidery hoop!

Got some great hook rugging plans on the brain.... I'll keep you all posted on this!

Rosa

Calais (Maine) Quilt Show

Hi There!

Gilbert and I went to Calais, Maine, USA, today.

We had to pick up a parcel, we did some shopping
and we also went to a quilt show!

*grin*

Gilbert took this picture,
with his iPhone!



I took these 3 pictures,
with my camera.

Do you see Gilbert, in my pictures?

Lovely, LOVELY quilts!!!!!

But, I sure do hate to complain,
but golly gee.... the quilts were nicely
folded up, on the back of the pews,
almost one on top of the other...

:-(

You could barely "see" them,
let alone ADMIRE them!

*long sigh*

If any of your guilds are preparing a quilt show.... PLEASE .... DO NOT let them display the quilts, this way! It's probably easier for the organizers, compared to hanging them up but the viewer sure has a difficult time gazing at each and every one.

Sorry, I just had to share...

Rosa

Whatcha Doin'?

Hi there!

Here, it's Thursday evening and it's PAY DAY....
and I have tomorrow off!

PLUS, we're going to Calais, Maine, again!!!!

"What's the bad part of this story?", you ask.

Well, Gilbert and I each caught a cold.

And since I LOVE to using the "Google Image" search, I thought I'd punch in "Cold Germs" and HEY, look at the pretty images, that Google came up with, eh?!??

*VBG*

This one looks like an INCREDIBLE ball of yarn or wool or something....
*scratching my head*

LOL

This one looks like a whole bunch of different colored chewed-up gum got put together in a HUGE ball....

And this one?

Well, it's just plain cute - you almost want to make an appliqued quilt block with it!

LOL

Mind you, this is until you realize that you're looking at pictures of the common cold.

At this point, we're not yet at the stage of "Walking Zombies"... we can still walk 'n talk 'n eat.... hoping we'll be in decent shape for our trip to Calais!!!

Rosa

Our Local Quilt Show - My Thoughts

Hi there!

Well, not everyone can win at these quilt shows, but I was walking around, prouder than a peacock, today... admiring my own quilts, patting myself on the back and reflecting back on how many hours it had taken me to make these quilts... and WOW!!! Look at them - hanging up for the whole quilting community to admire and probably secretly criticize... but HEY! I had the courage to do it, right? *grin*

And, of course there was all that "EYE CANDY".... I was in a transe!!!! LOL

Anywho......... I've been following the "The Q and the U" blog for the past several months. She's a quilter that she lives nearby. We finally met in person at the quilt show today. My Mom was the one that actually started a conversation with this lovely lady. (My Mom talks to EVERYONE and ANYONE she meets!!!! LOL)

Well, Riel from "The Q and the U" will be blogging about HER thoughts and ideas and favorite quilts, from this quilt show. PLEASE visit her blog and leave a message. I'm positive she'll enjoy receiving a reply on her posts. *VBG*

And that's it for me, tonight... I'm exhausted and I'm headin' to bed!

Rosa

My Quilt Show Results - "Operation Jane"

Hi There!

Hi there!

I've decided to share with you what I had written on my quilts and what the judges wrote. I've got a fairly tough skin and had hoped that I would receive constructive criticism.

HEY! You can only get better, right?!?!?
LOL

Anyhow, here's what I wrote:

Pattern from the book Dear Jane by Brenda M. Papadakis. started in June 2005 and with a 2 year hiatus, finally added the binding July 2010. 169 blocks, 52 triangles, 4 kites for a total of 5130 pieces of fabric with very few repeats. When I started this quilt, I was new at quilting. I've since learned a lot of new and different techniques, whether it be paper piecing or all the different methods of appliqué, this was an INCREDIBLE learning quilt. Longarm quilted by Gilbert Crevier (3A Quilting).

Here's a picture of me, with my "Operation Jane".



And yet another picture....

And I was ASTOUNDED at the interest that some people had, with this quilt.
(I'm on the far right... short with red hair. I was explaining to the ladies about this quilt.... and would you believe, they were interested?!?!??!)

*grin*

Here's what the judges wrote:

VISUAL ASPECTS:
Design - EXCELLENT
Colour - EXCELLENT
General Presentation - EXCELLENT

TECHNICAL ASPECTS:
Top Assembly - Excellent
Quilting - Good
Finishing - Good

COMMENTS:
Lovely choice of fabrics
Center focal point nicely done!
Good colour sense!

Sooooooooo, I thought I'd share with you the judges comments in case you ever decide to enter any of your quilts in a quilt show, for judging. *s*

Rosa

My Quilt Show Results - "Fat Quarter Stash Ladies"

Hi there!

I've decided to share with you what I had written on my quilts and what the judges wrote. I've got a fairly tough skin and had hoped that I would receive constructive criticism.

HEY! You can only get better, right?!?!?
LOL

Anyhow, here's what I wrote:

Made with a kit called "Stash Management Quilt County by Moda, with my own border and backing. Longarm quilted by Gilbert Crevier (3A Quilting).



Here's what the judges wrote:

VISUAL ASPECTS:
Design - ....... (Needs Improvement: Makes you dizzy!)
Colour - ....... (Needs Improvement: Too much bright.)
General Presentation - ..... (Needs Improvement: Bows don't add anything.)

TECHNICAL ASPECTS:
Top Assembly - Good (Needs Improvement: Everything meets)
Quilting - .....
Finishing - ...... (Needs Improvement: Binding not full and sew corners of binding)

COMMENTS:
(None were given, this time)

Sooooooooo, I thought I'd share with you the judges comments in case you ever decide to enter any of your quilts in a quilt show, for judging. *s*

Now, here's my opinion.

Quilters are human.
Quilt Judges are DEFINITELY human, too!

I seriously and honestly got a kick-ass belly chuckle from these comments.

ALL my other quilts - 'cept for the two that have scallops - ALL have corners that are unsewn!!!!

None of these comments were mentioned (re: unsewn corners), on my other quilts!

None of the "binding not full" were mentioned on my other papers, either!

Plus, I used fabrics from a KIT and followed the Moda pattern to a "T".... adding my own borders of course, to enlarge this a bit.

Are you telling me that Moda SCREWED UP with their color choices!??!?!?

Sheeshe!!!!!

This mini quilt is MEANT to be bright and IN YOUR FACE!!!

*shakes her head*

Anyhow, tastes should never be discussed... quilting techniques YES, but not "color tastes"!

I had actually sewn BOTH sides of the binding on this quilt, by sewing machine and only decided AFTERWARDS that I should enter in the quilt show... just for the heck of it!

And, once again.... just for the record....

The "bows" are there as a decorative statement AND to hang up this quilt on Gilbert's fancy, smancy hanging rod.

Rosa

My Quilt Show Results - "Monthly Houses"

Hi there!

Hi There!

I've decided to share with you what I had written on my quilts and what the judges wrote. I've got a fairly tough skin and had hoped that I would receive constructive criticism.

HEY! You can only get better, right?!?!?
LOL

Anyhow, here's what I wrote:

Pattern was a free internet Block of the Month from HGTV - Home & Garden Television, called "Strolling the Block" by Jan Schmidt. Top started in (circa) 2004. As I had a non-existent fabric stash at the time, I enjoyed searching for bits and pieces of fabrics and embellishments here and there - at our local 2nd hand clothing stores, my Aunt's stash, etc. Longarm quilted by Gilbert Crevier (3A Quilting).



Here's what the judges wrote:

VISUAL ASPECTS:
Design - Good
Colour - Good
General Presentation - Good

TECHNICAL ASPECTS:
Top Assembly - Excellent
Quilting - Good
Finishing - Good (Needs Improvement: Squaring up before binding)

COMMENTS:
Would have liked to see inner border.
Would separate from piano key border.
Border ties together nicely with quilt.
Darker sashing might have set blocks off better.

Sooooooooo, I thought I'd share with you the judges comments in case you ever decide to enter any of your quilts in a quilt show, for judging. *s*

Rosa

My Quilt Show Results - "FFF - Fabulous Fall Frolic"

Hi There!

I've decided to share with you what I had written on my quilts and what the judges wrote. I've got a fairly tough skin and had hoped that I would receive constructive criticism.

HEY! You can only get better, right?!?!?
LOL

Anyhow, here's what I wrote:

An organized internet exchange of fall coloured "Dear Jane", Dear Hannah" and some "Midget Blocks". Setting from a free internet pattern from Prairie Moon Quilts called "Strippers Delight".



Here's what the judges wrote:

VISUAL ASPECTS:
Design - Good
Colour - Good
General Presentation - Good

TECHNICAL ASPECTS:
Top Assembly - Good
Quilting - Good
Finishing - Good

COMMENTS:
Nice quilt - blocks overpowered by sashing.
Hangs beautifully.

Rosa
P.S. I personally LOVED the sashing around these blocks!
*VBG*

My Quilt Show Results - "My Pink Quilt"

Hi There!

I've decided to share with you what I had written on my quilts and what the judges wrote. I've got a fairly tough skin and had hoped that I would receive constructive criticism.

HEY! You can only get better, right?!?!?
LOL

Anyhow, here's what I wrote:

Pattern from "Favorite Quilts" from Anka's Treasures, called "Candy Apple Blossom". Quilted by Gilbert Crevier (3A Quilting).



Here's what the judges wrote:

VISUAL ASPECTS:
Design - Excellent
Colour - Excellent
General Presentation - Good

TECHNICAL ASPECTS:
Top Assembly - Excellent (Needs Improvement: Block placement)
Quilting - Excellent
Finishing - Good (Needs Improvement: Binding should be 100% bias)

COMMENTS:
Paisley for border excellent.
Log cabin blocks are not squared.

Sooooooooo, I thought I'd share with you the judges comments in case you ever decide to enter any of your quilts in a quilt show, for judging. *s*

Rosa
P.S. The binding WAS cut on the 100% biais but to be honest, it was a B!tch to stitch and YES, it twisted in a few places! Hmmmm.... maybe I gotta practice scalloped bindings more, eh?

Quilt Show in My Area

Hi There!

Gilbert and I went to our local quilt show, where I had submitted FIVE quilts, for the very first time! Boy, was I nervous and worried and traumatized!

We dropped off the quilts on Monday and Wednesday was the "Awards" ceremony.

I didn't go.

I was afraid that I'd get the "Lionel Ritchie" look.

Remember when Michael Jackson brought out his album "Thriller", back in 1986? Well, Lionel Ritchie had his album "Dancing on the Ceiling", that same year. I rarely watch the music award ceremonies but that evening, I did. Michael Jackson and his "Thriller" took almost ALL the awards, if not all of them, and poor Lionel, with his great album "Dancing on the Ceiling" didn't take any awards.

Every time they would announce the nominees and the camera would focus on Lionel's face, you could see his shoulders slumping more and more each time when Michael's name was announced as the winner of a specific category.

I didn't want to go there and become another Lionel Ritchie.
(BTW, I LOVED Lionel's CD!!!!)

Gilbert took an over all picture of the quilt show.



One of our clients, J., entered 2 of her quilts.

This one....

And this bright, beautiful one...
(We were soooo proud!!!!)

LOVED the colors and patterns on this one. Sorry, didn't write names.

Gilbert noticed it 'cause it was the BIGGEST quilt there.

115" X 116"

Now that we're in the Longarm quilting business, we're sure to look at other people's quilting. There were a LOT of hand quilted pieces and some that were longarm quilted and had "regular" quilting done to it.

This one stood out, for me, anyhow.
It was a log cabin quilt

Look at the GORGEOUS feathers!!!

Two basket quilts...

In fact, they look like the
"Tisket A Tasket" pattern, eh?

This was a baby quilt.

Yep, sometimes the simplest ideas are the best! I never, EVER thought of adding the baby's last name to the front of the quilt! What a WONDERFUL idea!

And I LOVE these colors, too!

Got more pics to share....

Stay tuned, folks!

Rosa