Buggy Barn Crazy Day!

Today was the day, it was Buggy Barn Crazy Day at our local quilt shop.

This was my first Buggy Barn class and it was a good day which inlucded a huge potluck...we sewed and ate all day! What could be better?

As I mentioned before I chose to make the Crazy Christmas Tree Skirt. Here is my finished skirt top!

My colour palette is green, brown, mustard and red. My favourite block has to be the brown paisley with the gold star. I love it. The paisley was actually the last fabric I chose for this piece, and was a last ditch option to fill in with a brown. Who knew it would become my favourite?
Now I'm going to shop for some brown fabric for the backing and the binding. I just love it. It's about 45 inches square.
I have lots of the fabric left over so I'm going to sew up some Christmas ornaments for next years tree. Throw in some primitive style cross stitch pieces and I'll have the most wonderful tree.
Note to self: buy more paisley. I checked, the bolt I bought this fabric off of is gone! If I had only known...

Anyhoo, thanks for stopping by, take care and have a great week!
Vivian

A little "Stir Crazy" with Buggy Barn!

Tonight is the first class of my winter quilting lessons. It's the Buggy Barn Crazy class. We meet tonight to discuss fabric and do prep work. I have never done a Buggy Barn pattern, although I have admired their quilts for quite a while. I think the first time I went into our local quilt shop I zoomed right in on a model of one of their designs on the wall and fell in love. However, I became overwhelmed the first time I opened one of their books and tried to make sense of their instructions. Totally my fault, not theirs! I'm not a pattern follower...at least word wise...I like seeing something come together visually and then recall it that way.

Our homework for tonight? Pick a pattern, trace our patterns on freezer paper, and get an idea of what type of fabric we will be working with, including if possible an inspirational fabric to start the ball rolling.

I chose my pattern. I'm making a tree skirt! It's the Crazy Christmas Tree Skirt from their booklet, Stir Crazy.

It's it beautiful? I love the cosy, homey feel. There are several designs that I liked and it was a bit tough to choose from (check out their website: http://www.buggybarnquilts.com/ ) but I decided that I really needed a tree skirt, and this gives me ample time to get it finished before next Christmas. We've always had an artificial tree and I proclaimed that for 2011 we would have a real one! I'm actually envisioning all the ornaments that I can make for this fictional tree and it's kind of exciting. Hmmm..how many hand made ornaments can I make in the next 10 1/2 months? Anyone want to help? LOL...doesn't hurt to ask!

The sewing portion of the class will be next sunday, at the end of the month. I'm wondering if I can actually NOT start sewing on it before then. One thing you should know about me, I'm not one for being patient. If I have it here I want to start it now or I'll be thinking about it all night long (sort of like knowing your favourite left overs are in the fridge waiting for you...there's been many a morning I've had fajitas for breakfast because they can't wait till lunch).

See ya!

Vivian

Hocuspocusville Block 1 "Potting Shed" completed!

This block was truly a pleasure to stitch and piece up. The threads used are Weeks Dye Works, 2 strand cotton. I've not used WDW in this form before, I've always used the 6 stranded cottons. I believe I like these better.

Here is a closer look at the stitched piece, don't you wish you could just hop in and check out what could possibly be growing inside the potting shed? Hmmm...makes you wonder!

Here is a close up of the wicked Ravens. The Raven is actually our territorial bird and they are not scared of anything! They learn your habits and they wait for you to let your guard down so they can steal your shiny things (and anything edible of course). When I had a desk near a window, sometimes I'd eat my lunch at my desk (I work on the 3rd floor). Every time I did this a raven would land on the light post just outside my window and watch me. Watch me eat, wait to see if he can possibly snitch my sandwich. Very creepy.

Thanks for stopping by, have a great evening everyone!

Vivian

I LOVE Halloween!!!

I really do. I love the spookiness, I love the colours (black and orange), I love dressing up.

Do you remember Disney's Legend of Spooky Hollow? I can still hear the clip clop of the poor ol'horse's hooves and the sound of the frogs.

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is also a favourite, we watch it several times during the halloween season.


I even made a Halloween quilt top (wall hanging size). Unfortunately I did not get the top done in time to quilt it to hang for Halloween so I put it aside. I definitely will get it quilted up to hang this October.

You may be wondering why I'm talking about Halloween today. Not only have I been working on my Hocuspocusville BOM (update to follow later), but I made a decision on my 2011 cross stitch project. I'm going to do Lizzie Kate's soon to be released Halloween Rules! I just pre-ordered the first instalment and cannot wait! You can see it at one of my favourite online needlework stores, Down Sunshine Lane ( http://www.downsunshinelane.com/lizziekate.htm ). Oh I just love it, it just looks so...orange and black LOL. Want to stitch with me? We can keep each other motivated!!!!!!

If you followed my previous blog, you may recall that I stitched Lizzie Kate's green series last year and enjoyed it immensely ( http://www.lizziekate.com/ ). I'm pretty sure I'll be enjoying this one as well.

Ok, back to my dishes and I have cookies in the oven. We're at home today as my youngest is under the weather. She's currently watching Hoodwinked and is a little upset she's now lost her perfect attendance at school this year. She would have received a special sticker don't you know. BTW, ever watch the movie Hoodwinked? It's hilarious...( I've got horns that open bottles, I've got horns to hold my keys ).

So toodles for now, check back for a Hocuspocusville update, I'm optimistic!!!

Vivian

Hocuspocusville Month 1 - Block of the Month

I spent the weekend working on the stitching of block one of Hocuspocusville by Crabapple Hill Designs (http://www.crabapplehillstudio.com/). All I have left to do is the big tree on the left hand side and I'm ready to piece the rest of the block together.
It's been a while since I sat and watched movies and stitched something. I laughed (Grown Ups), I groaned (Paul Blart Mall Cop) and I cried (Duchess). I really get into my movies!
Thanks for looking and stay tuned, I'm hoping the next post will be a completed block.

Vivian PS: check out pattern # 315 Brunhilda's Midnight Ridge at the Crabapple Hill website, I love it! I may have to break down and order it.

Row Quilts

I have never done a row quilt, have you?

Well, by this time next year I'll have completed one! I joined a group of ladies for a row quilt round robin. We each initially completed our own row, in whatever theme we wished. I can't seem to locate a photo of mine, I'll have to take another. I used batiks and create a rolling green (mountains) below a star strewn sky. You'll see soon.

We just finished row 2, the theme was flowers. I can't say who is receiving my row yet because it's a surprise! I chose to applique a bunch of purple flowers to a pale blue fabric using a raw edge technique. I seem to be gravitating more and more to purple in my colour choices.

The above is the row before I completed the raw edge stitching. I had a fun playing with the layout. Below are a couple of shots after I completed the stitching.

We are starting row 3 now and the theme is houses. I'm not sure if I want to do more applique or if I'll just cut up a bunch of fabric and start piecing. We have a two month window to complete each row so I have some thinking time.

Today was a nice leisurely day. I watched movies with the girls, we avoided going outside (-39C!!!!) and I worked on my Hocuspocusville. I traced the design and have been stitching. I'm hoping to have all the stitching done by tomorrow night so I can piece the entire block together, although I'm beginning to think I may have been thinking that I stitch faster then I actually do. Think good thoughts I don't cramp up!

Vivian

ps: thanks for the tips on moving the pics around! It seems to have worked.

Last but not least is Pies and Tarts. Check out that purple silk!!!
Pies and Tarts is an English paper piecing project. See all those circles in the photo of the finished quilt? Yep, entirely hand pieced using all those little white triangle templates. I'm so excited!!!
Whew, I'm feeling a little light headed at the prospect of what's ahead of me for the coming year. Do not be afraid to poke me in the elbow and keep me motivated. I know myself, I tend to get sidetrack by pretty, shiny things and wander off.
Thank you for joining me on this journey, now I'm off to wrap myself up in one of my mother's quilts, open a trashy novel and sip on some hot tea. It's darn tootin' cold out there. We were at -40 celcius for a while today, however we've now warmed up to -38 C. Trust me, there isn't much of a difference.
Take care and see you soon!
Vivian PS: Does anyone know how you can sprinkle your photos throughout the post on blogspot? I can only get them all to go at the beginning of the post...I'm sure I've seen blogspot blogs with photos throughout the post.

Truly Scrumptious by Cinderberry Stitches is my second BOM of the year. Isn't it gorgeous? The cotton fabrics are way too fun and the Weeks Dye Work threads? Oh my, simply pretty. As mentioned before, I've been a cross stitcher forever and I've always enjoyed working with Weeks Dye Work threads. Yay!!!

My youngest has already put dibs on this quilt for her room. She may be only 10 but she's a fabric junkie like me and she is very excited by the fabric on this quilt.

Vivian

Spooky Stitching

Have you ever joined a BOM? (block of the month)

I participated last year in two. Unfortunately I didn't finish. I did horrible. But that was last year, part of another lifetime. Not only will I finish those two off but I've joined 3 more!

Yes, 3 more.

One of my most favourite people in my online world is Valerie at Pastimes Online. If I ever make it to southern Alberta I'm looking her up. I think we would have the best time together. Have a look at her website and her blog when you get a chance: http://www.pastimesonline.ca/

Val is a wonderful BOM hostess. She has such clear directions, takes lots of step by step photos, and great taste in fabric! Sometimes there are prizes. I know! PRIZES!!!

One of the BOMs I'm participating in is called....Hocuspocusville.

Did you feel a shiver?

I love halloween. Love, love, love it.

Val put together some wonderful fabrics including a gorgeous coppery/orange silk. Now I bet you're shivering!

This quilt (by Crabapple Hill) is done as stitchery and 9 patches. In 10 segments I'm hoping to get it done in time for Halloween 2011. Seriously.

Thanks for stopping by! Oh, and thank you for the comments on my first post, so glad to know you all!

Vivian

A New Beginning

I'm trying something new. I'm striving to be a better person, to be more creative, and to leave the past behind me. 2010 was a hard year, ending not so well. I over burdened myself, my defences were stripped away and my health suffered. So I am making changes, starting with a brand spankin' new blog.

WELCOME!!!

For those that have just stumbled across me, hello, I'm Vivian. I live in the wonderful Yukon Territory, in northern Canada. During the summer we enjoy the midnight sun. Just think, sunlight all night long. It makes up for the long, cold, dark winter (currently -36 celcius right now, don't even ask me about the windchill, it was in the -40s during midday).

I'm a 39 year old mom to two growing girls who are my greatest joy. They are completely different from each other and they make me laugh...and cry...and beam with pride.

No, we do not have a dog team. Not everyone in the Yukon does! However we do live in the mountains, on acres of bush, with our motley crew of a cat and two dogs. Moose ramble through to eat our willow bushes, one winter a fox lived under our porch (our dog pretended she had no clue...it was easier in her eyes then actually having to deal with it), and we are in bear country.

I'm a newer quilter. I took my first quilt class (Quilt Start at our local shop, Bear's Paw Quilts) in November of 2009 and haven't looked back. What the heck did I do with my time before I discovered quilting???

Oh yes, I remember, I knitted. I knit. Can you use "ed" in the past tense? I knot? Silly thing to worry about I know. Let's just say I made a lot of scarves, toques and shawls. Out of yarn. There. LOL. I still do on occasion, however, at a much slower pace.

I was also a cross stitcher and designer. Yes, google me, you'll find my cross stitch designs out there. I still design, for myself, for special friends, for my local needlework guild.

Thanks for stopping by, and come back soon to see all the quilting stuff I'm working on. I may need a kick in the butt to finish things!

Vivian