Little Brown Bird

Hello Everyone, I had another work of art come into my workshop recently. Here are some pictures of "Little Brown Bird". Totally hand Appliqued and so well done. It will be hanging at the Niagara Heritage Quilt show in may.

A couple of Raps

The Niagara Fall Shop Hop was a great event this past weekend. It was fantastic to see so many quilters out and about visiting the 3 stores. I really hope that everyone went home inspired and ready to start on some new fall projects. Pictured is Michelle in front of her store, Kindred Spirits Quilt Co.

There sure was some fun last week at Jane's In Stitches Niagara On The Lake Workshop, during Background Fillers training classes. I took some pictures of the ladies hard at work, and also happy at the end of the day with their samples. Way to go girls, you did a great job! I hope you are all practicing and doodling your hearts out.

The next set of classes start on Oct. 22, 2010 - So Much Fun With Feathers. For complete details check out the Aug. Archives or contact me at i_quilt_4u@hotmail.com or 905-938-8422

Niagara Fall Shop Hop This Weekend

Hello Everyone,

One question......where did September go? That would be the million dollar question. I know we are all busy, but wow, I think I just blinked and here we are heading into October, already. The fall retreats are getting so close, fall fairs are underway, and the Christmas rush has started for all Longarm Machine Quilters. I will for sure welcome with a happy heart, the new month and all that goes with it......but....I'm just saying?

Looking back, September was a fun filled action packed month. Heading North in the Uhaul to get Bowen settled in at school.... :) spending time with friends from the past, planning the Nicaragua trip, The Pad Party, and quilting, quilting, quilting. Yes it was a great month. With so many action packed days, no wonder it went in a hurry. Maybe I'll slow down in Oct and it will last longer. Ya right.....Not likely but for today's post lets go with that!

So the Niagara Shop Hop is this weekend, and I for one Love this event. It is a great time for quilting friends old and new to get together and check out whats going on at all of the shops. Each have their own flair, and if anything else ohhhh what a motivator to get us all moving on some fall projects.

Niagara Falls, Patchwork Porch
Fonthill, The Quilting Bee
St Catharines, Kindred Spirits Quilt Co. (that's where I hang out :)

So here is how it works. Whatever shop you start at will give you a passport, and each shop will give you a stamp on that passport and at the last stop, just hand it in and you will be entered into the big draw. I'm not sure what the prize is, but from years past I know it won't be disappointing. It gets better......each shop also gives the shop hoppers (which I like to call you) a free give away and also a free pattern for their individual Featured Shop Hop Quilt. You can count on discounts throughout the stores, and refreshments and snacks also. So, trust me, this event is so worth your time. Don't forget to throw lunch in there somewhere.....time spent with our quilting friends can only "do a girls heart some good``.

The quilts below are those I have been working on over the past few weeks, and you will run into them this weekend.

Ill be in my room so come in I would love to see you. Enjoy your day with whoever you travel with. And remember...``the one with the biggest stash wins``

`To Grandmothers House We Go``

Stitched and Pieced by Sharon Watson

Class at The Quilting Bee

This is a great quilt with allot of hand stitching. Sharon you did a great job and I loved to quilt it for you. I hope you can zoom in on this picture so you can see the details.



Pumpkin Hanger Kit available at Kindred Spirits Quilt Co.

``I Believe``

Pieced by Susan Fortino

If you can believe it, Susan did all of the applique on her quilt by hand, and this isn`t her first either. Just a beauty, and again I hope you can click to see more of the detail.

``My True Love Game to Me.......``

Raffle Quilt

Raffle Quilt in support of Quilting and Sewing in Nicaragua

(Did you honestly think I would get through a whole blog without mentioning a fundraiser!)
I`ll be brief :)

Tickets are $2.00 ea. or 3 for $5.00 and available at Kindred Spirits or Jane

This quilt was a team effort and pieced by me, Gloria Meyer, Sharon Watson, and the Binding, Dianne Civak

Custom Quilted by Jane

And one last mention. The Pasta dinner and Silent Auction is coming up fast! October 26. It is a very casual evening with a drop in Buffet between 5-8 pm. It is a delicious meal, and we will be all eating for a great cause. Bring your families and friends to this fun, night, and I look forward to being your hostess!

Tickets are $15.00 ea and available at Kindred Spirits or Jane, 905-938-8422

That's it for now!! Happy quilting, Happy Hopping, see you soon!

Stitch-a-Thon a Roaring Success!

The Pad Party was a huge success! Over 30 sewers aka Pad Princesses, joined together in Niagara on the Lake to make Sanitary Pads (finished result pictured above) for me to take to Nicaragua in January. I am travelling there to teach Sewing and Quilting to a group of ladies who would like to start their very own Co-op. My heart broke when I learned that some of the girls, miss out on school every month because they don't have the supplies to manage their periods and that is why this night of outreach began.
This is Kristyn, who is a pro at serging! She finished over 200 pads! What a trooper. I on the other hand couldn't serge to save my life. Kristyn is my dear friend from Ilderton and is also on the Team travelling to Nicaragua. Thanks for being there and for all of your help :)
Jane and Sharon. Sharon was the brains behind the whole Pad production. I gave her the idea and she ran with it! She worked for weeks on the final Pad design, and made sure that the production line was organized and everyone had a job. This girl truly has a beautiful heart.
And this is the group that made this effort such a success. 185 liners and many extra pads were made during the evening and donations of $1500.00 were collected with more on the way. This is so huge! To every single one of you, Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your friendship, support and helping hands.

Classes are full! New Date Added

All scheduled longarm class are now full, so I have added an additional Background Fillers class for Thurs. Sept 23. If you are interested in joining let me know soon and I will reserve your spot. There are only 2 spaces left.

I have to say that I am thrilled about the interest shown towards my classes and I am looking forward to these fun filled training days!

To view Complete information about classes go to Archives August 15.

Happy Labour Day & Nicaragua Update

Hello everyone, and Happy Labour Day. This is usually the weekend that the switch is flipped concerning the weather, and we can feel fall rapidly approaching. This year sure isn't any different. Windy and cool for the parades, but I am sure the party goers won't let that stop them.

My son, Bowen left for college today, 4 hrs away, his second year. He is so excited to be sharing a house with a couple of his friends. My goodness, the day is here, which at the beginning of this summer I thought would never arrive. ....What a great summer, I just wish I could make time stand still....The reality of Bowen leaving the nest has hit me suddenly like a ton of bricks. I'm not feeling so much in the party mood. People say,don't panic, and offer up some good tips to lessen the anxiety but the best idea for sure will be a sisters night out, this week. They always make me feel better. Don't get me wrong, it is so fantastic to see the happiness,and excitement in your child as he starts out another year. I am so proud of the man he has become and I am excited for his future. He's got it going on :) . I know, I need to start a new quilt that will fix me right up! Yes that's it, Devon your black and white Log Cabin is on the way!

The fall season, brings with it a fresh new start for all.

I have been busy preparing for the trip to Nicaragua, to teach Sewing and Quilting. The date has been changed to Jan. 3, and that's OK I'll be ringing in the New Year with my family - a good thing.

Every time I get together with the 12 other people on our team, the more excited I get about this whole trip. Each one brings their own unique reasons for being involved in this venture, and I have a hunch when everything is said and done, we will all be fast friends. Every time we meet, I find out more and more about the needs of the people that we will be working with. There has been some communication with the pastor of the community, and he has relayed to us that the women are very excited to know of our plans. It is their hope to start a co-op with the skills we will teach and one of the projects will be a traditional peasant blouse.

There is a trip planned one afternoon to visit a Women's hospital. The ladies travel a long way to go to this hospital for treatments and It is our hope to be able to take a gift bag full of toiletries and a nitie for each one.

I have listed some items in need and if you can help out, than please let me know and I will arrange to pick up and Thank you so much!

Soaps, Lotions, combs, toiletries, tooth brushes and paste.

We are looking to fill 50 bags. The small bottles that you get from hotels would even be great.

Head Scarves

Nities- Variety of sizes - new only please

Underwear - Variety of sizes - new only please

Clear plastic zippered bags - (the ones that a comforter or sheets would come in)

Hockey Bags for us to pack in - We need a lot of them!! :) Not the huge goalie ones and no wheels please.

Also just a reminder that the Pasta Dinner/Silent Auction fundraiser is on Tuesday October 26 at Club Belvedere, Thorold. Tickets are $15.00 each and available through me or at Kindred Spirits. Bring your family and friends, I can't wait to be your host!!

The Stitch-A-Thon is going to be great. And is coming up in a hurry! Friday Sept. 17. Our big hearted friend Sharon Watson has so graciously taken on the job of organizing the design and assembly line for the pad production. Her goal is 100 pads and extra liners! Thank you Sharon, I owe you big time! There are still a few spots left, so check out all of the information below and let me know if you can join in for this fun and worth while evening of outreach.

Stitch-A-Thon

Friday Sept. 17, 2010

Grace United Church Hall

222 Victoria Ave.
Niagara On The Lake

2 pm until you can't take it anymore!

Hosted by, Jane Sandercock

All proceeds going to PAN Missions Canada, Sewing Mission Nicaragua

This is going to be such a fun event!

We will start to gather at the hall around 2pm and if you can't make it then, just come whenever you can and join in. Bring whatever it is that you would like to work on and I'll make sure to have a couple of ironing stations ready to go. Be sure to bring your sewing supplies, and an extension cord.

If you would like to donate some of your time working for the cause, then I will have an assembly line in action to make sanitary pads. These are such a necessity, but sadly a luxury for the ladies in Nicaragua. All of the supplies and directions for this project will be provided.

All we need is an hour of your time, your capable hands and your sewing machines!

A Pizza Party is included, complete with snacks and dessert.

Bring your own drinks.

So please bring yourself, a friend or a group! Everyone is welcome.It`s a guaranteed fun night for a Great cause!

Call me soon to reserve your spot as space is limited. 905-938-8422

This is a fundraising event. When you sign up, pledge sheets are available or a personal donation is welcomed.

Well I sure did have a lot to say today!! Good therapy for an empty nester. :) Have a great rest of the Labour Day Weekend!!

Underground Railroad

I had the opportunity to quilt a couple of Underground Railroad Quilts. The pictures are above and I hope you can zoom in to see some of the quilting details. Same pattern and story, but different fabrics put an original spin on each of these beauties. The story behind these quilts is fascinating and here is just a glimpse of that. I have added this pattern to my list of things to do. Enjoy

Underground Railroad Quilt Code

Secret messages in the form of quilt patterns aided slaves escaping the bonds of captivity in the Southern states before and during the American Civil War.

Slaves could not read or write; it was illegal to teach a slave to do so. Codes, therefore, were part and parcel of the slaves’ existence and their route to freedom, which eventually became known as the Underground Railroad. Some forms of dance, spirituals, code words and phrases, and memorized symbols all allowed the slaves to communicate with each other on a level their white owners could not interpret. Codes were created by both whites aiding the slaves, and by Blacks aiding the slaves. The Blacks included other slaves, former slaves or free men and women. In slavery, secrecy was one way the blacks could protect themselves from the whites; even the youngest child was taught to effectively keep a secret from anyone outside of the family.

Most quilt patterns had their roots in the African traditions the slaves brought with them to North America when they were captured and forced to leave their homeland. The Africans’ method of recording their history and stories was by committing it to memory and passing it on orally to following generations. Quilt patterns were passed down the same way. It is interesting to note that, in Africa, the making of textiles was done by males; it was not until the slaves’ arrival in North America that this task fell to the females.

The quilt patterns, used in a certain order, relayed messages to slaves preparing to escape. Each pattern represented a different meaning. Some of the most common were “Monkey Wrench”, “Star”, “Crossroads”, and “Wagon Wheel”. Quilts slung over a fence or windowsill, seemingly to air, passed on the necessary information to knowing slaves. As quilts hung out to air was a common sight on a plantation, neither the plantation owner nor the overseer would notice anything suspicious. It was all part of a day’s work for the slaves.

Characteristic of African culture is the communication of secrets through the use of common, everyday objects; the objects are seen so often they are no longer noticeable. This applied to the quilts and their patterns, stitching and knotting. It has been suggested that the stitching and the knotting on slave quilts contained secret information, too, as map routes and the distances between safe houses. Using the quilts, spirituals and code words, the slaves could effectively communicate nonverbally with each other and aid each other to escape.

There is still controversy among historians and scholars over the quilt code theory, and whether or not escaping slaves actually used codes concealed within quilt patterns to follow the escape routes of the Underground Railroad. As oral histories leave no written record, there is no written proof that the codes in the quilt patterns actually existed. What remains are the stories passed down through the generations from the slaves themselves, and, following the code of secrecy, many of the stories were never told.