Telecast Thursday - Got 15 Minutes? Episode 5

Hi everyone:

Welcome to another new video in my Youtube series, "Got 15 Minutes?".

I like to buy quilt books and magazines and need some way to keep track of the patterns in these publications that I hope to make some day. This Thursday I'll show you how to use your 15 minutes to organize these future quilt projects so you'll never be without a project to do.

You can watch this video below or on my Youtube channel.

If you haven't seen the other episodes in this series, you'll can find them here. Subscribe to my Youtube channel so you'll receive automatic notifications when new videos are released. Clicking on the logo in the top right corner of any video will also allow you to subscribe to my channel.


Leave me a comment below to let me know how you keep track of all of the quilt projects that you want to make - and how you organize your quilting books and magazines.

Happy quilting!

Telecast Thursday - Got 15 Minutes? Episode 4

Hi everyone:

It's Thursday and you know what that means - a new video! 

Today is another episode in the "Got 15 Minutes?" series. I'll be showing you how you can use your 15 minutes today to finish up some bindings on your quilts. I always think that it will take hours and hours to hand stitch those bindings down, but it really doesn't take that long. Join me to see how I finish my bindings and the tools I use to make this job easier.

You can watch this video below or on my Youtube channel.

If you haven't seen the other episodes in this series, you'll can find them here. Subscribe to my Youtube channel so you'll receive automatic notifications when new videos are released. Clicking on the logo in the top right corner of any video will also allow you to subscribe to my channel.

I hope you are enjoying the tips I have for using 15 minutes of your day to advance your quilt projects. I'd love to hear how you use your 15 minutes a day to quilt.

Happy quilting!

Telecast Thursday - Got 15 Minutes? Episode 3

Hi everyone:

Another beautiful fall Thursday in Calgary brings a new episode in the "Got 15 Minutes?" video playlist. 

Today I'll be showing you how you can prepare borders for your project in just 15 minutes a day. I always have quilt tops that are almost finished - they just need the borders to be put on, but this is where I seem to frequently stop and stow them away for a few more weeks. I just need to take my own advice and I would soon have lots of tops ready for quilting (and that's another blogpost all in itself!).

You can watch this video below or on my Youtube channel.

If you haven't seen the other episodes in this series, you'll can find them here. Subscribe to my Youtube channel so you'll receive automatic notifications when new videos are released. Clicking on the logo in the top right corner of any video will also allow you to subscribe to my channel.

If you have any tips for preparing borders for your quilt projects, please let me know in the comments below.

Happy quilting!

Happy Thanksgiving - Celebrate with Craftsy

Hi everyone:

Finally, my favourite time of the year - turkey time! Yes, it's Thanksgiving in Canada and I can hardly wait until Thanksgiving dinner with turkey and all the trimmings. This is going to be a great week-end as my daughter will be joining us from university and it will be great to have her home if only for a few days. 

There's another reason this week-end is special: Craftsy is celebrating the fact that they have over 5 million - yes, that's million with lots of zeroes - members. Wow, that's a lot of crafty people! To celebrate this milestone, they are having a Flash Sale and you can get up to 50% off select online classes for a limited time only!

I've recently signed up for more Craftsy classes: Leah Day's Free Motion Fillers Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 classes. I always find I learn a great deal about free motion quilting by watching Leah Day and like her down to earth approach. She uses a domestic sewing machine - the same Janome machine that I currently have - and has helpful tips to make free motion quilting easier. Of course, there are many other classes on sale this week-end, so browse the classes and save up to 50% off.

Hurry, this offer expires on October 13th, 2014 at 11:59 PM MT. Shop Craftsy's 5 Million Member Flash Sale now and save.

Enjoy your week-end and your Craftsy classes - and don't overdo the pumpkin pie!

Happy quilting!

P.S. I am a Craftsy affiliate and as such will receive monetary compensation if you should purchase an item using the links above. Thanks!

Telecast Thursday - Got 15 Minutes? Episode 2

Hi everyone:

Welcome to Telecast Thursday! 
This week I am continuing my series of helpful ideas for using just 15 minutes of your day to move you forward on your quilting projects. 

In this week's episode, I'll show you how you can use those 15 minutes to help get your fabric ready for your current or upcoming quilt pattern. You can view this video on my Youtube channel or find it below.

There are many more videos in this series, so be sure to subscribe to my Youtube channel, to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted. You can also just click on the logo in the top right corner of any video to allow you to subscribe to my channel.

If you have tips for how to use just 15 minutes a day on a quilt or sewing project, please let me know in the comments below.

Happy quilting!

Book review: Here Comes Winter by Jeanne Large and Shelley Wicks

Hi everyone:

With the recent cooler weather and even some snow (shudder!), I've been thinking of more wintery projects. If you're looking for fast, whimsical quilt designs, "Here Comes Winter" by Jeanne Large and Shelley Wicks is a book you'll want to get.

In this, their fourth book with Martingale, Jeanne and Shelley continue their design trend of creating cute projects and this book contains a variety of them from table runners to pillows to quilts. There are 19 patterns in all.

Photo courtesy of Martingale and Brent Kane (photographer)

I have enjoyed all of Shelley and Jeanne's books and just love their country design sense, which is not really primitive, but more on the cute and charming side.

Here are a sampling of the projects that you'll find inside.

The Snowstorm series includes a throw pillow (and while you're at it you might as well make several of these), a lap quilt and a table runner. The pieced background on the quilt and table runner add interest and really make those snowflakes pop. I think that my Scan n Cut would be perfect to cut out these snowflakes, making the edges perfect.

Photo courtesy of Martingale and Brent Kane (photographer)

I think the little doggie is perfect with these projects, don't you?

I really like the Run, Run Rudolph projects: a lap quilt and a table topper to match. If you think this design would be perfect as a tree skirt, you're in luck as instructions are included in the book on how to do just that.

Photo courtesy of Martingale and Brent Kane (photographer)

It's Cold Outside is a square quilt that includes simple piecing and fun appliqué. I love this use of rick rack - both as mitten strings and as a decorative element in the design.

Photo courtesy of Martingale and Brent Kane (photographer)

There are many more charming designs in Here Comes Winter including pine trees and snowmen as well as several traditional pieced quilts. Great gifts and many designs that I want to make just for me!

Photo courtesy of Martingale and Brent Kane (photographer)

Telecast Thursday - Got 15 Minutes? Episode 1

Hi everyone:

Trying to fit some quilting into your busy day? Think that you need at least an hour to accomplish anything? Well, you don't! In this episode of "Got 15 Minutes?" I'll let you know one of the quilty things that I can accomplish in just 15 minutes.

There are many more videos in this series, so be sure to subscribe to my Youtube channel, to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted. You can also just click on the logo in the top right corner of any video to allow you to subscribe to my channel.

I'll be waiting to hear if you were able to accomplish the same thing that I was able to in your 15 minutes.