Finally! Sewing Again!

I am sooooo happy to be sewing again! It's been close to 7 months since I left home and my studio... I have been taking a class at work  and I love it! I don't have a machine yet so I have to go to the store to sew before work... so I'm not getting as much done. Still, it's wonderful to be taking this class.
Jeannie Jenkins is a wonderful teacher. She's so patient and gentle and will always find a way to make something work. Learning a great deal from her. The ladies in the class are lovely too and we're having a great time together.

We're making this quilt and its really interesting to see what fabrics everyone has chosen. There's a wide range of colors and fabrics in the class and I'm sure the quilts will all look great once they're done.

Here are my blocks.

We had a whole bunch of Amy Butler's Midwest Modern and Daisy Chain fabrics and Erin McMorris' Weekends come in a couple of months ago at the store. I've used most of those fabrics. I love the colors... they are so happy and summery. Linking up to W.i.P. at Freshly Pieced!

Mennonite Quilts

Every year on the last Friday and Saturday of May there is a huge sale in Ontario -  The New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale. It started in 1967 by individuals from Mennonite churches is southwestern-Ontario in response to the world-wide need for  "relief from hunger, poverty and natural disaster and for development and peace-building activities." Go to the New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale website for more.

Among other things there is an auction and sale of quilts. There were some samples at the show and they are exquisite! I hope someday I will be able to go to the sale until then...

 Loooooved this quilt!

 

Mennonite Quilts

The 34th Annual Ontario Mennonite Relief Sale Quilt Auction is in May and there were some samples of their work on display at the show. These quilts are breathtaking. It would be great to go to the sale. I just stood before them completely mesmerized! The work is so good. So well crafted and so beautiful. To me, you can't really put a price on them.

Interesting way to make flowers.

Spring Creativ Festival

Went down to the Spring Creativ Festival on Saturday. It's farther out than the fall festival which is downtown and way smaller. Still, I went because I'm in the market for a sewing machine and the shows are a great place to shop for one. Not only are all the dealers and brands right there under one roof they have some great show specials so its more likely to get a good deal on your machine. Anyway, more on that in another post. For now here are some pictures from the festival.

This is our booth - Sew Sisters Quilt Shop. Sometimes I still can't believe I work here! Before we moved to Toronto I googled "quilt shops in Toronto" and they were one of the first to show up. I subscribed to the newsletter, followed the blog, looked at their website and told myself I would visit if I moved. And then I moved.

I volunteered at the festival in the Fall and I remember walking through the shop floor looking for the booth and when I saw that familiar banner I smiled. :) I was actually half way across the world and staring at the store I had looked up 4 months ago.

I then went to the York Heritage Quilters Guild show and bought my first fat quarters from them at the booth. I chatted with Judy a little.

Later in January I wrote to Judy and said I was looking for work. Went to the interview the same week and now I work for Sew Sisters Quilt Shop and love it! I sometimes have to remind myself of how amazing this all is! :) Anyway... so here's our booth and it was mighty busy!

 

Here are some of the other booths. 

I was really impressed with the Sashiko. The stitches were so beautiful!

Really liked the display in this booth. Lovely colour palette.

 

:)

 

Liebster Blog Award

 

Many thanks to Chumkie from My Favourite Things for this cool award! :) It's interesting that she and Rashida gave me this award - one for Happy Turtle and one for Quilting in India. So... since they are two different blogs I'm going to share the love with 5 more winners! :)

The Liebster Blog award is presented to blogs that the presenter believes should be recognized. It is given to "small blogs" - those with fewer than 200 followers. 

Here's a little I dug up:

The origins of the Liebster Blog award are somewhat unclear but the general consensus is that it originated in Germany, Liebster meaning favourite or dearest, to showcase bloggers with fewer than 200 followers. Upon accepting the award the recipient can then pass it on to five more blogs of note. A way of introducing other bloggers to the blogs you enjoy.

There are a few rules that need to be followed if you're a recipient.

• Thank the person that nominated you on your blog and link back to them.
• Present the award to five other blogs. 
• Let them know via a comment on their blog.
• Post the award on your blog. 

Here are my  5 awards: 

1. Suzanne (I'm not sure if I spelled that right) from fiberchick
2. Rebecca from The Vintage Bicycle
3. Dana from Drinking Fabric.  
4. Sujata Shah from Basket full of Scraps.
5. What Comes Next?  

Congratulations! And I hope you pass this along! :)