Celebrate Canada's 150th Anniversary with The Canadian Sampler

I am very excited to share with you a project I'm participating in with 19 other Canadian designers -- The Canadian Sampler. Sew Sisters Quilt Shop asked us each to design a block to celebrate Canada's sesquicentennial as part of a Block of the Month (BOM) Club for 2017. It didn't even take me two seconds so say, "Hell ya!"

Here is the finished quilt. Didn't they do a great job laying out all the different blocks?

You don't have to lay yours out this way, of course -- you can lay it out any way you want!

Designers worked with Northcott ColorWorks Premium Solid 9000-241 Cardinal and 9000-10 Snow to design and create a block that expressed their appreciation for this country. I think there's such a great variety of blocks in this quilt that can appeal to all types of quilters. I especially love that "Eh!" block! Eh? (sorry, couldn't resist)

My block is the Canada By Code block (the lower right one below). That's Canada written in Morse code. I'll tell you more about it in February, when my block is up.

The BOM kicks off this month and I can't wait to get started. If you'd like to participate, check out the Sew Sisters Quilt Shop website. Instructions for two blocks are sent out each month, with the instructions for the layout and sashing coming in the 11th month. Could be done for Christmas...just sayin'...

What a great way to celebrate 150 years, eh? 

Quilt Show Weekend!

It's quilt show weekend here in Ottawa. This year it's the Common Thread Quilt Show with a special room for the Ottawa Modern Quilt Guild. Woo hoo! I have four quilts in the show and hoping to get there this afternoon to look around. I'm volunteering tomorrow from 11-1 p.m. If you are in the area, stop in. You won't be disappointed!

Also, Sew Sisters Quilt Shop is having a Free shipping event this weekend for Mother's Day! Enjoy!

Colour Pop - A Work in Progress

A cold has sapped my energy this week so not much is happening on the quilting front. Except that I've started quilting Colour Pop. I put in two layers of batting on this one so the quilting will really pop.

The triangular spiral quilting is simple in look but tricky to do. If you use a walking foot to get nice straight lines, there is a lot of turning of the quilt. Free motion quilting goes quicker, but is hard to get nice straight lines, which is what I want in this case.

I am trying rulers for the first time. Bernina came out with a ruler foot for their new long arm machine and it is compatible with the domestic machines (NB: check your machine warranty before you go out and get one). I've been wanting to try ruler quilting since I took the Quilting With Rulers on a Home Machine class on Craftsy.

I'm learning a lot and some areas are not very pretty, but I've got it about 1/3 of Colour Pop quilted. It's going faster than the walking foot, but slower than free motion quilting.

A couple of sponsor news items for you! Sew Sisters Quilt Shop is having an online sale today only. 20% of yardage! Sweet! See their sale notice for details.

Canadian National Fabrics always has some great treasures in their Sale section! Remember, there's free shipping on order over $50 in Canada.

Mad About Patchwork has some gorgeous Cotton + Steel on sale right now!

Hope you have a great weekend! 

Because It's 2015! Sponsor Snip-its and Specials

Happy, happy Friday all! I'm pretty stoked this week -- our new Prime Minister appointed a gender-balanced cabinet! And his response as to why it was important? "Because it's 2015!" Woo hoo! :)

Of course, some enterprising soul at Teespring has already created a t-shirt for it. LOL!

In case you too are in the mood to celebrate, check out these specials by Quilt Matters' wonderful sponsors.

The Running Stitch here in Ottawa is featuring 27% off their Christmas fabric for this month's Lucky 7 special tomorrow, November 7th.

Sew Sisters Quilt Shop Deal of the Month for November is a 30% off Kona Basics. That is $7.69/metre, people!

Canadian National Fabrics is now carrying Tula Pink's Eden collection. Woo hoo! Also, the Sale section is stocked with lots of sweet deals! Remember, there's free shipping on order over $50 in Canada.

Mad About Patchwork is featuring at 20% discount on Tula Pink's Eden prints until November 13th.

Hope you have a great weekend! 

Sponsor Snip-its and Specials

I did a little retail therapy when I popped into Mad About Patchwork's warehouse location yesterday. Sigh. I love Alison Glass fabric. And a little Kona. And a little Cotton and Steel and a little Moda. Yes, perhaps it wasn't a 'little' retail therapy after all.

In case you are looking to do a little retail therapy yourself, check out these specials with my wonderful sponsors.

Sew Sisters Quilt Shop Deal of the Month is a 3-pack bundle of Aurifil thread for $24.83. That is a sweet deal!


Canadian National Fabrics Sale section is deliciously stocked with lots of fabric goodness! Remember, there's free shipping on order over $50 in Canada.


The Running Stitch Lucky 7 Special this month is 17% off Batting, Backing, and Basting Spray on September 8th (they are closed on September 7th for Labour Day). They are having an Open House on Saturday, September 12th from 12-4 p.m. for classes. For every class you register for, you get a $10 gift certificate that day to use towards class supplies.


Craftsy is also having a Labour Day sale with up to 50% off all online classes and supplies!

Mad About Patchwork is featuring at 10% discount on children's prints this week. Mad About Patchwork is having an Open House for Fall workshops (including my Modern Free Motion Quilting Sampler class) from 10-2 p.m. on Saturday, September 12th.


Hope you have a great long weekend! 

Marking Your Space

B-b-b-bonanza! Bundle Bonanza, that is, is on at Sew Sisters this weekend. Great bundles of coordinating fat quarters at delicious prices (yes, I haven't had breakfast yet). On until tomorrow!

***

By some scheduling miracle a couple of weekends ago, we got to spend a Saturday morning hanging out at home instead of the arena. Even better, I could spend it in my sewing studio sewing with my boys. Woo hoo!

I've been promising them placemats for some time. I pulled out the solid scrap bin and had them choose what colours they'd like.

Micah's:

Daniel's:

Patrick's:

Daniel's is finished and with a little luck, we may just finish the other two up this weekend!

Have a great weekend all!

Quick Fix Scraps - A Work in Progress

Hi all, happy Friday! It's been a good, but long week. I thought I'd ring in the weekend by playing with the triangular scraps from Quick Fix. I made some HSTs.

Now I'm playing with them on the design wall. I'm really liking this effect, but I will keep playing with layout.

I'll probably share some of the layouts on Instagram 'cause I'm now on Instagram too! If you are on Instagram, you can find me there at quiltmatters.

Oh, and did you hear? Sew Sisters Quilt Shop is having a Free Shipping event until Sunday on all orders within Canada. Woo hoo! Enjoy!

Have a great weekend!

Getting Bloggy With It

Happy Friday! I'm feeling all TGIF for sure. No TGIFF! for me just yet, but I'll be hosting it next week...so get those finishes ready!

Did you hear that Blogathon Canada with Sew Sisters starts up again on Monday?

Here's how it works: 
Each day, host bloggers will introduce themselves and their work on their blogs. They will include links to more blogs from their province so you can visit those blogs as well. The host bloggers will also host a giveaway of some of their favorite goodies from Sew Sisters Quilt Shop so you have a chance to win every day of the week! Not only can you win prizes from Sew Sisters on the host bloggers' blogs, you can also enter giveaways on the Sew Sisters Blog during Blogathon week. These prizes are sponsored by the fabulous co-sponsors:

The Hosts: 

Monday, November 17	BC	Stacey	Stacey in Stitches
Monday, November 17	BC	Jessica	Momiji Studio
Tuesday, November 18	Maritimes	Linda	Scrapmaster
Tuesday, November 18	Maritimes	Linda	Stitch Lines
Wednesday, November 19	AB	Kelsey	Everyday Fray
Wednesday, November 19	AB	Leanne	She Can Quilt
Thursday, November 20	SK	Heather	Peace.Love.Quilt
Thursday, November 20	MB	Lori	Night Owl Quilting
Friday, November 21	QC	Josée	The Charming Needle
Friday, November 21	Territories	Janet	Caribou Crossing Chronicles
Saturday, November 22	ON	Lorna	Sew Fresh Quilts
Saturday, November 22	ON	Sandy	Upstairs Hobby Room

Join the Party:
If you would like for the host blogger from your province or territory to link your blog in her post, please write to Sew Sisters at: connect@sew-sisters.com and they will add your blog to the list. Please note that you need to be a blogger living in Canada and your blog should have posts about quilting or crafting to be eligible.

Grab the Blogathon Canada Button for your blog so you can have a quick link to all the fun!

Posting A Winner

We have a winner for the Woodsy Winter fat quarter bundle courtesy of Sew Sisters!

131. Patti26 July 2014 00:25

I also follow Sew Sisters! Thanks

Congrats, Patti! I've sent you an email. Thank you so much to Sew Sisters for sponsoring this giveaway!

If you didn't win this time, keep in mind that you still have until July 31st to take advantage of the free shipping from Sew Sisters! 'Cause you know, Christmas is only 5 months away! ;)

Speaking of shipping (how's that for a segue? ;) ), I took a bit of time, just before leaving on vacation (when I should have been doing many other things), to make a couple of hostess gifts. Have you heard of the The Postcard Quilt Along with Debbie at A Quilter's Table? I wanted to participate, but didn't have time for a full quilt with the kids home and a number of other projects (ahem), but I thought the postcards would make great coasters. Especially for two friends who have been doing a lot of travelling lately.

I pulled out some travel-related prints and paired them with some text prints, using Debbie's great tutorial. Instead of piecing them to make a quilt top though, I sandwiched them with some batting and made coasters.

Bundle 1:

Bundle 2:

Now I have to make some for me! 

It's Like Christmas in July Giveaway!

We're currently midway home from where we were, but I just had to pop in to let you know that Sew Sisters Quilt Shop is opening their Christmas Room tomorrow, July 25. To get you in the holiday making spirit, Sew Sisters will have free shipping on all orders within Canada between July 25 – 31! I know it may seem early, but they have a ton of jolly good fabric for the holidays that are so worth checking out!

To celebrate this Merry development, Sew Sisters is sponsoring a giveaway of 5 fat quarters from the Woodsy Winter collection from Hoffman Fabrics! Woo hoo! Wouldn't this fabric make fabulous gift bags? Or placemats? Or stockings? I love the colour combo.

 

While the free shipping offer is only for those in Canada, this giveaway is open to everyone! Yay! To enter, just leave me a comment telling me something that might be on your Merry making list this year. Followers of my blog get a bonus entry -- just leave me a comment letting me know how you follow (Bloglovin', Feedly, Facebook, Twitter, etc.). Followers of the Sew Sisters blog also get a bonus entry -- just leave a comment letting me know you follow them.

The giveaway is open until Sunday, July 27th at 9 p.m. EDT, at which point I'll pick a winner via Ms. Random Number Generator. No reply bloggers, please leave your email address with your comment. Not sure if you are a no reply blogger? Check this post to see if you are and what you can do to fix it.

Good luck and Merry, Merry everyone! I'll be back in a couple of days with tons to share.

Like A Flash

Best shower interruption question for a quilter: "Mommy, when you're done your shower, can we start a new quilt?" True story!

***

Who doesn't like a Flash Sale? Sew Sisters Quilt Shop is having an Inventory Reduction Sale today, June 22nd! This is an online event only (the store is closed). As this is an Inventory Reduction Sale, quantities are limited and fabrics cannot be backordered. Select alternate fabrics in case your choices sell out - things go really quickly during their sales!

***

And finally making progress. :)

Have a great weekend!

Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner

So I think you liked the Minimalista fabric, eh? Ms. Random Number Generator picked...

89. Amy's Crafty Shenanigans1 May 2014 16:11

I like your Facebook page too :) Generous giveaway!

Thank you and congratulations, Amy! It was a generous giveaway indeed! Thank you again to Sew Sisters Quilt Shop for sponsoring this fabulous giveaway. Don't forget that Minimalista and plenty of other great Art Gallery Fabrics are on sale at Sew Sisters right now.

My three year blogiversary is coming up so you know there will be another giveaway soon. I'll be on the lookout for something special at the merchant mall at the Common Thread Quilt Guild Show this coming weekend here in Ottawa.

I'll leave you with this, 'cause don't we all need a little more Colin Firth? ;)

Found on Pinterest

Sew Sisters Sponsorship Giveaway Is Sew Sweet!

I'm very happy to welcome Sew Sisters Quilt Shop as a sponsor for Quilt Matters. Yay! Sew Sisters is a Canadian quilt shop dedicated to all things quilting -- great quality fabric, notions, books, kits and patterns. This wonderful shop is physically located in the bustling metropolis of Toronto, but it is online everywhere! Judy and Karen, the sisters behind the name, believe you should pay for fabric, not postage so they have some of the best shipping rates going!

I've been a customer of Sew Sisters both in person at the shop and online. I've always been impressed with the selection and prices, and pleased with the service so I'm thrilled to have its support.

Sew Sisters regularly has great sales and also offers weekly giveaways on its Facebook page. Hello!

To celebrate, Sew Sisters is offering a giveaway! Say what? Yes, one of you lucky ducks will win this 10 fat quarter bundle of Minimalista by the AGF Studio for Art Gallery Fabrics. Minimalista and a ton of other fab Art Gallery Fabrics are on sale now at their store!


To enter, just leave a comment on this post before Sunday, May 4th at 9 p.m. EDT and Ms. Random Number Generator will choose a winner Monday morning. For a bonus entry, you could 'like' Sew Sisters Quilt Shop on Facebook and leave a comment below. For another bonus entry, you could also 'like' the Quilt Matters Facebook page and leave a comment below.

Have a good one and good luck!

And The Winner Is...

It's time for the big Birthday Sale over at Sew Sisters. 29% off everything, including clearance! Plus great rates on shipping. Yummy! And so is the charm pack and candy pack of Bonnie & Camille's Scrumptious that I get to give away today. Thank you all for your fabulous book and wine suggestions. I'm looking forward to exploring them and trying them out! And thank you to Sew Sisters for sponsoring this giveaway!

The winner of the Scrumptious charm pack and candy pack, according to Ms. Random Number Generator, is...

Congratulations Sarah! I'll be sending you an email shortly and getting you in touch with Sew Sisters to claim your prize!

foodmathquilts14 September 2013 15:22

I follow sew sisters - it's how I found you!

Sarah

No need for the rest of us to be sad though. We get 29% off today at Sew Sisters! I'm heading over now. I'm thinking some Kona jelly rolls. How about you?

It's Time for a Birthday Giveaway!

Isn't it wonderful that Sew Sisters is doing this huge birthday sale and giveaway in honour of my 40th 29th birthday? ;)

For those of you who are not familiar with Sew Sisters Quilt Shop, it is a Canadian-based quilt store that celebrates all things quilting. They have a large selection of fabric, notions, books, patterns and kits.

Although I haven't ordered from their online shop yet, I had the opportunity to visit their Toronto shop twice this summer (it's so close to the 401, how could I not stop?!), and got to meet Carol and Judy in person. So lovely and such fun! Great service and their fabric and notion selection is fabulous. Also, since I'm on a one-income family budget at the moment, I especially appreciate the prices! The shipping rates are the very reasonable because they believe that you should buy more fabric, not postage.

They are having their birthday biggest sale of the year next week. Everything in the store is 29% off, including the clearance items! Better than cake, don't you think?

They are offering one of you lucky ducks a yummy charm pack and candy square pack of Bonnie and Camille's Scrumptious line:

To win, just do any or all of the following:

1) Help a girl out by leaving a comment on this post with a book recommendation. My book club meets soon and I've got nothing to recommend! That or a wine recommendation 'cause that's really what a book club's about, eh?

2) Followers of my blog get a bonus entry. Just leave a comment.

3) Followers of Sew Sisters blog also get a bonus entry. Just leave a comment.

The giveaway will run until Monday, September 16th at 9 p.m. EST, at which point I'll pick a winner via Ms. Random Number Generator. I'll announce the winner on Tuesday, September 17th -- the day of the big sale!

No reply bloggers, please leave your email address in your comment(s). Please don't make me run Ms. Random Number Generator again!

Go check out their website to see what goodies they have! Think of it as pre-shopping... ;)

Thanks for entering and good luck!

Kona Club Challenge and Giveaway? I Accept!

Hi all, when Sew Sisters contacted me to see if I'd like to participate in the Kona Club Challenge, I said heck ya! I do love working with Kona solids.

I chose their October palette - Kona Black, Kona Charcoal, Kona Coal, and Kona Iron, as well as added in some Kona Snow for pop.

I used these yummy tones to make this Improv-Pieced Laptop Case. There's a tutorial on the Sew Sisters blog if you want to give it a go as well.  

Check out the Sew Sisters blog for the tutorial and a giveaway! Yes, that's right, there's a giveaway of this bundle up for grabs!