All in a days work :)

Daisy Swirl - Jodi Beamish. Great Edge to Edge pattern to add to your collection.



Hi all, here I am again, even I'm amazed! Let me tell you once you get onto this blogging idea it becomes addictive.

Over the past little while I have been taking picture after picture of ideas and quilts that I think are worthwhile sharing. I hope you have enjoyed them. I'm still having a hard time blogging about me personally. I must say....hummm maybe I'm boring? So for now, I'll stick with sharing with you, intriguing quilts that come into my shop, and fun happenings around Kindred Spirits Quilt Shop. Trust me if anything earth shattering happens around here....I'll be sure to fill you in. For now, life is good, quiet and right on track :) Everything is in place.







Mirage - A Bargello Quilt




Mirage Pattern by : Dereck Lockwood

Pieced by: Gloria Meyer



This stunning Bargello wall hanging came into my shop last week and at first glance I thought "Oh no"! Sometimes during a consult with a customer a quilt stares me in the face and challenges me to come up with the perfect ideas to present to its owner. Believe me I have been put on the spot more than a few times but I don't mind, its all in a days work, and a good challenge keeps me on my toes!

Perfect example, at first glance this Bargello didn't speak one word to me. It looked really confusing, and complicated. I had the feeling it was worthy of more than an all over pattern....but what to do? So, I took first of all a deep breath, then a few steps back, and the most obvious design areas to me were the pink diamond and also the green cross so I worked from there. The blue, purple and yellow areas seemed like a shadow to the prominent design space. I quilted Elegant Feathers (surprise) in the pink and green areas and simply ditched the rest of the squares. Yes, every square I didn't want a secondary design to clash with the feathers, so I figured, simple in this case was the best choice. Most quilters are not fans of ditch stitching, but for me its not a problem, and actually enjoy the process. The owner Gloria told me that in this Bargello Hanging there are 1677 Squares! I finished it up with a double eco swirl on the boarder.

It can been viewed at Kindred Spirits and the kits are $76.95



Rambling Rose




The Rambling Rose Quilt is more in my comfort zone! The log cabin block are arranged in such a way that a perfect light design area is created, and excellent for feathers




This is one of the many sampler blocks pieced into the quilt. I Pounced and then quilted the same stencil design in each block, to keep a somewhat orderly look.


Hearts, Swirls and Peacock Meandering finished up the boarders perfectly.

I love this quilt and may add it to my list of ones to piece before I die. :) I better live a longggg life!

And Finally



"Asking a quilter to mend is like asking Picasso to paint your garage". (I love that quote)



Thanks for stopping by.

Niagara Shop Hop Report!

This past weekend was the Spring Niagara Shop Hop and wow what a success! The event began on Thurs. and we were busy right through until the end on Sat. It is just a great weekend for friends to get together and go to all 3 shops in the area and to check out whats new in our quilt shops.
On Thursday, I put aside some time to go to The Quilting Bee, Fonthill and the Patchwork Porch, Niagara Falls to check it all out, and to snap a couple of photos before landing at my home store Kindred Spirits to spend the rest of the weekend.
Each store had their very own "Shop Hop Quilt" and they also gave out a free gift.


Kindred Spirits Quilt Co.
Midnight in the Rose Garden, Kit 99.95
Designed by Nancy Nigh, and quilted by Moi!

Feathers, feathers and more feathers, because as you know, I love feathers! I love how Nancy put a twist to the traditional Dresden Plate.

The store was loaded, with fabric and kits. There sure is no shortage of Flannels and also novelty fabrics!

I was in my room, doing some Longarm Demonstrations, and had a great time showing off some different techniques.
All weekend long we served, goodies and fruit and had punch and coffee on hand. It was great to see groups of ladies, enjoying a visit on the patio furniture out front, and so many had lunch at Cafe Amore. We all hope that you enjoyed your visit!



The Patchwork Porch
Chinese Puzzle, Kit 119.95

This Quilt was so bright and fun! A breath of fresh air. It was displayed on a chair with matching pillows. The store was a buzz with quilters, checking out the new fabrics! While I was there, Debbie and Al we so busy cutting fabric, I wonder how long they lasted, I hope they had a second shift arranged! Every 30 min. or so, they had a draw for special prize! I didn't win.... rats, but the goodies were delicious!

The Quilting Bee
Rick Rack out of Whack
Designed by Susan Fuquay, Kit 99.95

This quilt is very pretty. The beautiful fabrics made this simple design just perfect.
The Quilting Bee had a beautiful display of samples and so many new fabric lines. We had so much fun on the Porch as Linda gave a demo on a ruler for binding. Used correctly, this ruler will guarantee perfect binding every time! Now we're talking! Oh ya, I left with one.

I really hope that everyone had a great time doing the Shop Hop! So now, its back to usual for me....I may get some time in the garden!! I'll be working in my room At Kindred Spirits every Wednesday and its business as usual here in Niagara On the Lake.

Friday Feather Quilters

Here are the Friday Feather Quilters with their samples. Tired and ready to hit the road for home! Way to go girls, great day!

Fun Filler and Feather Classes

Hi All!

Some fun was had at my Niagara On The Lake location, last Thursday and Friday, during class time! The classes offered were Background Fillers and Freehand Feathers.
Both days we started sharp at 10 am after a getting to know you coffee, and got straight to work first off trying out some basic designs, and then moving into the intricate and challenging techniques.
The quilters that participated were motivated and ready to move out from behind their machines. Each quilter had a sample piece to work on for the day, and
to take home.
Both days of training are definitely challenging and motivating, in a friendly relaxed atmosphere. Hopefully all of the quilters went home with some great new ideas so they can begin to develop their very own custom style.
The pictures below are of the quilters at the end of the day ready to return to their own workshops and try the new techniques.

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