Accuquilt GO! Cutter

Well, I did tell you that I had brought something else home from the Creative Stitches & Crafting Alive show last week. It was something that I had thought about for some time and finally decided that it really needed to come home with me. I purchased an Accuquilt GO! cutter and several dies. I figured that I wasn't going to win one, so I'd better buy one!

I pre-ordered it before the show from Nulagh Devlin at Stitch in the Ditch in Kelowna, B.C. and she was kind enough to bring it to the show for me, saving me the shipping cost. Nulagh's pricing and helpful information with my decision process was much appreciated, as was the delivery service provided by her husband, George, at the show. Floor to car door delivery was great!

As you can see, I decided to get just a few dies to start with! I could hardly wait to get it home and start cutting with it. My son, Jamie, was anxious to give it a GO and cut all of the first set of circles and feathers for me. In fact, I could hardly get it away from him and my daughter to use it myself! Sarah is currently working on a fabric book from Suzanne McNeill's "Quilting on the Go" book and enjoying that process. 

I have several ideas for patterns using the GO!, but will probably have to wait until the kids are in school before it will be available for my use! I'll keep you posted. Got to GO now!

Fall into Fall Giveaway - Hints

So, are you ready for a few hints about the upcoming Fall-into-Fall Quilter Bloggers Giveaway starting on October 1?


Well, as you know, I'm a pattern designer (hint, hint); what you may not know is that I am an accumulator of all things quilty and crafty. The truth is I'm a shopper and love to acquire things. I know, it's a bad habit - really my only vice (okay, my friends may disagree with this one!).I get a real high from a good deal and I've managed to "collect" lots of fabrics, patterns and books. While this can be a bit of a problem for me, it's a great thing for you because I'll be giving away some of my plunder for this giveaway. 

While I already had a few things in mind to give away, I bought a new toy at the Creative Stitches and Crafting Alive show in Calgary this week-end to help me with this giveaway. 


I'll let you start thinking about that. More hints to come...

Creative Stitches & Crafting Alive 2010, Calgary, AB

Wow! I must've walked 100 miles this week-end. Was I in a walk-a-thon? No, I was at the Creative Stitches & Crafting Alive show in Calgary, AB on Friday and Saturday. This annual event has lots of quilting and scrapbooking vendors and seminars and is a great opportunity to see what's new and upcoming. My friend, Cathy from Pine Freckle Forest, joined me on Friday, along with my son, Jamie. I decided to go back on Saturday so my daughter, Sarah, could have a look around - okay, I really wanted to see it again too!

Matt & Gage from Manquilter.com

I was delighted to visit with friends and make new ones as well. I was especially happy to meet Matt Sparrow of Manquilter.com, as he had his son, Gage, with him. Gage is the same age as my son, Jamie and they spent Friday together at the show. Jamie & Gage had lots of fun visiting the vendors and hanging out. This allowed me lots of time to shop! So thanks, Matt and Gage, for that opportunity.

Horst Hoyer of To Be Quilting with customers

I also had time to chat with my friends, Horst and Julie Hoyer of To Be Quilting. My studio looks like an advertisement for their products, as I have both the B-Line 18 and Studio model frame from them. My Juki Tl-98Q was also purchased from Horst and Julie and since it is now off the frame it is my favourite piecing machine. I was excited to see the features of the Q-Bot and was amazed at the precision and flexibility of this add-on robotic quilter. 
Note: I no longer own the B-Line 18 or frame as I sold them and have upgraded to a Handi Quilter Infinity as of December 2015.

Nancy from Wonderfil Threads

Another one of my favourite vendors I visited was Wonderfil Threads. I love using their products and they are constantly adding to their selections. I can't resist all the yummy colours and bought some of their Spagetti line to try out. They have friendly customer service and are always available to help you out with any of your thread and quilting questions.

So, after visiting and chatting, it was time for some serious shopping. After lots of searching, I managed to find a few things to bring home. Thanks goodness my quilt sherpas, Jamie and Sarah, were able to help me with these! Just a small sample of what managed to find its way into my backpack. 

Oh yes, there was something else that I brought home from the show. I'll tell you more about this next time.

Creative Stitches Show in Calgary, AB

Okay, the weather is unpredictable in Calgary, but it's really not going to look like this on Friday and Saturday. I sincerely hope we have warmer weather by then as it is the annual Creative Stitches and Crafting Alive show at the BMO Centre at Stampede Park this upcoming Friday and Saturday. Lots of vendors and free seminars so you can learn something new - and then be able to buy the supplies right there to try it out ! 

I love going to this show (another opportunity to enhance my quilting stash) and chatting with the vendors I know. I'm particularly looking forward to this year's show as I'll be picking up a little item that I have pre-ordered from Nulagh Devlin of Stitch in the Ditch. Any ideas what this might be...?

Well, if you're GOing to the show, maybe I'll see you there. Parka optional!

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Free Pattern

It's a Hoot!

Now that I have your attention, let me introduce you to "It's a Hoot!" I just uploaded this free mini quilt pattern to my website that I designed for the Quilters' Connection June 2010 newsletter. It's quick and fun and would make a great gift. 


Check out the Tips and Techniques on my website for other ideas as to how you can use this pattern.


I'd love to see your It's a Hoot! mini quilt.

Quilt Chatter from Chatterbox Quilts - September 2010

Hi everyone:

Just published my September 2010 newsletter. To check it out, just go to my website and click on the "archive" link on the Welcome page. Hope you enjoy it!

Quilt Book Review - Fast, Flirty, and Fun

I had to add "Quilt Book Review" at the top of this post so you wouldn't think that I was talking about myself! Okay, maybe the fun part would fit, but the rest...

This is a recent book by Sarah M. Bisel, published by That Patchwork Place. The publisher describes this book as follows:

"Quilters of all levels will find oodles of inspiration in the contemporary colors and fresh designs of these 11 exciting projects. Leave a variety of easy methods for cutting, piecing, and appliqué.

• Discover the roles that color, value, and fabric selection play in creating quilts with visual impact
• Learn a variety of easy methods for cutting, piecing, and appliqué
• Enjoy whimsical appliqué motifs that include a giant birthday cake, a bird, jumbo circles, and more"

I love the cheery and bright front cover to start and anything that promises to be fast and fun is certainly going to attract my attention!

The information at the beginning of the book would be quite helpful for beginning quilters as the author goes into detail about choosing colours and fabric for your projects. I also liked the fact that she provides information about cutting and piecing, as well as appliqué instructions, including working with wool. This section concludes with quilting, batting and binding information so you have all the information you need to start in on the projects.


The various projects in the book, which include both pieced and appliqué, use small amounts of several fabrics, including fat quarters and jelly rolls, although these patterns are not based exclusively on pre-cut fabric packs. The patterns range from wall hangings to throws and I like the fun, fresh and casual look of them. I can see how quickly you could whip these up and could envision them in various fabric lines from orientals to 1930's reproduction prints.


If you're looking for some fast projects for yourself or for a gift, I'm sure that you could find several patterns in this book. The problem might be stopping at just one!