Telecast Thursday on a Wednesday

Hi everyone:

I know it's a day early, but I wanted to send this post out before Christmas. 

As Christmas Day falls on a Thursday this year and New Year's Day will also be on a Thursday next year (yes, it will be 2015 then!), I didn't want to interrupt your holiday celebrations with a quilting video. I'm sure that you are visiting with friends and enjoying the season with relatives. I hope you're taking a break from your normal routines and deadlines. I'll be doing the same thing, so I've put Telecast Thursday on hold until next year. 

You can catch up with Telecast Thursday on January 8, 2015 when a new video will be published.

I wish you a peaceful and joyful holiday season and hope you get some quilty goodies from Santa.

Christmas Kitty by Jamie Hirst for Chatterbox Quilts

Craftsy Best of 2014 class sale

Hi everyone:

Image courtesy of www.thegraphicsfairy.com

Okay, you've been a good girl - you've made all the gifts for your favourite people, you've got 12 different kinds of Christmas goodies in your freezer and your house is decorated from top to bottom - you deserve a treat! How about a Craftsy class at $19.99 or less? Sounds like a great deal to me!








From December 20th all the way through Christmas, Craftsy is having the Best of 2014 Sale! ALL classes are on sale for only $19.99 or less. Shop now to stock up and save.

Once you enroll you'll own your Craftsy classes forever, so you can watch them at your pace in the comfort of your home, anytime. Hurry, offer expires 12/25/14 at 11:59 PM MT. 

Now you can put your feet up with a cup of tea and learn something new. You deserve it!

Note: I am a Craftsy affiliate and will be compensated if you purchase an item through the above links. Thank you!

Telecast Thursday - Singer 301 Sewing Machine

Hi everyone:

I hope you enjoyed last week's look at some of the vintage sewing machine stools that I have in my collection. It's a good thing that Teeka and Charlie approve of them or I suppose I'd be looking for some other ones that fit their strict standards!

This week I'll be showing you one of my estate sale finds. Yes, I also find sewing machines there occasionally. This machine is a bit different from my previous ones as it has a more industrial look to it, but the cabinet and the condition of the machine are immaculate! I can't believe I almost passed this one up.

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

If you haven't seen the other episodes in this series, you can find them here. 

Subscribe to my Youtube channel to receive automatic notifications when new videos are released. You can also click on the Chatterbox Quilts logo in the upper right corner on any video to go to my Youtube channel and subscribe.

Happy quilting!

Telecast Thursday - New Videos in Kim's Vintage Sewing Machines series

Hi everyone:

Welcome to Telecast Thursday! This week I'm sharing a very technical vintage sewing machine video with you. I actually had to bring in some experts for this one!

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

I'd love to know if you have "help" in choosing your sewing machines and accessories.

If you haven't seen the other episodes in this series, you can find them here. 

Subscribe to my Youtube channel to receive automatic notifications when new videos are released. You can also click on the Chatterbox Quilts logo in the upper right corner on any video to go to my Youtube channel and subscribe.

Happy quilting!

Christmas 2014 Embroidered Ornament Tutorial

Hi everyone:

If you're looking for a quick Christmas gift this year, you'll love this idea! It's simple and fast and so easy to personalize. 

Christmas 2014 Ornament

While I hand embroidered a snowflake to my ornament, you could certainly choose to use the recipient's initial, a word, such as Joy or Peace, or even "Christmas 2014". If you do want to stitch a snowflake, just download my FREE Snowflake Brrr design and use the smaller snowflake design in it.

If you still have some time after making the Christmas ornament, you might want to tackle the Snowflake Brrr design and create a pillow or wall hanging with it. I know you'll have time to create that project too!

Snowflake Brrr design by Chatterbox Quilts

But let's not get ahead of ourselves: let's learn how to make the Christmas 2014 ornament first!

You'll need:

• Two pieces of fabric - one for the front and one for the back. I used squares that were about 8" each.
• A piece of ribbon or rickrack about 6" long for the hanger. I chose a piece of coordinating rickrack.
• A piece of heavy fusible web, just slightly smaller than the fabric pieces.
• A CD, bowl or jar lid - something to trace the circle that will be the finished size of your ornament. I used a CD and found it was perfect for the size I wanted.

Trace the circle onto the right side of one of the fabric pieces. I used a Frixion pen so I could easily remove the traced line later. 

After tracing the circle, I embroidered the snowflake inside the circle, centering the design in the circle.

Snowflake embroidered inside the circle

After I finished tracing the design, I layered the fabric pieces together and cut out along the traced circle with pinking shears. I also cut out a circle from the fusible web with regular scissors, making sure this circle was just a bit smaller than the fabric ones.

Finally, a use for my pinking shears!

Front and back fabrics all cut pinked out

Layer the ornament as follows: back fabric, wrong side up; ribbon or rickrack, folded in half with raw edges in; fusible web; top embroidered fabric. Fuse the ornament together, following the manufacturer's instructions.

Layered up and ready to be fused

Hang your ornament and enjoy! (You did make one for yourself, didn't you?)

All finished and hanging in my house already

If you have additional time, consider adding some embellishments to the ornament. A running stitch or maybe even some beading all around the edge would be lovely (why didn't I think of that when I did this ornament?!). There are lots of ways to jazz up this little decoration. 

I had fun creating this ornament and it only took an hour to whip up.

I hope you'll try stitching your own embroidered Christmas ornament and would love to see your creations.

Happy quilting!

Telecast Thursday - Got 15 Minutes? Episode 10

Hi everyone:

Welcome to Telecast Thursday and the final episode in the "Got 15 Minutes?" video series. This week we're going to be finishing off this series by using our scissors. In 15 minutes a day, you can cut out fusible web appliqué shapes to help advance your project. You may even be able to cut out all the shapes for a project. If not, I'll show you what to do with the ones you have been able to cut out.

You can watch the 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 to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted. You can also click on the Chatterbox Quilts logo in the top right corner of the video to subscribe. 

I hope you've enjoyed this video series and found the ideas helpful. I also hope that you've actually been able to use some of your 15 minutes a day to accomplish just a little bit more on your latest quilting or crafting project.

If you have any other suggestions for using just 15 minutes a day to work on a WIP, please leave a comment below.

Happy quilting!

30th Anniversary Celebration in Beautiful Banff, Alberta, Canada

Hi everyone:

First a warning: this post may be offensive to some quilters as it doesn't contain any quilting information or photos. If you dare read on, don't say you weren't warned...

A few weeks ago we went to Banff, Alberta to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. We stopped in Canmore, Alberta at The Sugar Pine Company, the local quilt shop, which just happened to have demos going that day and 10% off storewide. (Okay, this is the only quilting reference in this blogpost). I did buy just a few things that I absolutely needed or will need for a future project, I'm sure. After lunch, we heading into Banff to the Rimrock Resort Hotel. I'm told that the Rimrock has a gorgeous view of the mountains, but the fog was so thick that we couldn't see anything but the trees (no, not the forest either). 

View from our room at the Rimrock Resort Hotel - lots of fog and snow

We spent some time shopping in town and had a wonderful dinner at Melissa's Missteak, a Banff institution. The next morning we headed up to the Cave and Basin to look around and snap a few pictures. 

View from the top of the Cave and Basin

We also went into the Banff Indian Trading Post and I picked up a few souvenirs and some Christmas presents. 

Totem pole outside the Banff Indian Trading Post

No, I didn't bring home any of these for Christmas gifts

I remember going there when I was very young (just a few years ago!) and wondered if the merman was still there. Yes, he was and looked as scary as ever! 

Merman
Photo courtesy of www.calgaryherald.com

After this it was a quick trip to the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - just behind the Prime Minister and the President of France - and then home. 

Just missed lunch with the dignitaries at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

Of course the day we were returning was gorgeous and sunny so we stopped to take some photos on the way back. 

Since that week-end, it's been back to quilting, filming and editing for an upcoming project. I've got big news to share but I can't let the cat out of the bag yet. I'm hoping that I'll be able to let you in on the secret very soon...

Happy quilting!

Black Friday Sales from Craftsy

Hi everyone:

Have you had your fill of turkey and pumpkin pie? Ready to do some Black Friday shopping? Well, you're in luck because Craftsy is having a Black Friday Sale. All of their classes will be on sale for $19.99 or less!

You can treat yourself - or a friend - to one of Craftsy's classes, which will all be on sale for $19.99 or less! Yes, that's right - or less! The class sale starts on Friday, November 28 and runs through Sunday, November 30. 

While this sounds like a great after-Thanksgiving gift for yourself, you might want to consider gifting a class to a creative friend for Christmas. At these prices, you could gift one class and buy one for yourself! 

This is a great time to try out some of the newer quilting classes, such as Playful Textures for Easy Appliqué Quilts with Kim Christopherson and Kris Thurgood or The Secrets of Free-Motion Quilting with Christina Camelli. 

Have fun shopping and happy quilting!

Telecast Thursday - Got 15 Minutes? Episode 9

Hi everyone:

It's Thursday and another new episode in the  "Got 15 Minutes?" video series. This week we'll be using our 15 minutes a day to practise our free motion quilting skills. I'll show you how I do this and give you some suggestions for how you can practise your quilting technique.

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.

There is just one more video in the "Got 15 Minutes" video series to start us off in December. You can then look forward to a new series of quilting and sewing videos.

Merry Early Christmas with a Free Pattern from Chatterbox Quilts

Hi everyone:

Christmas is fast approaching and each year it always creeps up on me unexpectedly and I'm usually frantically finishing gifts at the eleventh hour. I'm sure this year will be no different. I have, however, created a new winter pattern and it is already published and just waiting for you to download it and make it. I'm quite impressed with myself - until I start thinking about the present buying, the house decorating and the baking. Oh well, I guess there's still quite a bit to do.

Snowflake Brrr from Chatterbox Quilts

In any event, you at least have an early present from me. You can find Snowflake Brrr, a hand embroidery design, on my Craftsy pattern store. The pattern includes full size templates, in normal and reversed formats, as well as stitch and colour suggestions.

Snowflake 1 Detail

Snowflake 2 Detail

This is really a quick project to create and once you're done stitching you can use the stitchery to create a pillow, a table topper or maybe you'll just leave it in the embroidery hoop and hang it on the wall. 

I hope you enjoy this design and would love to see your finished projects using Snowflake Brrr.

Brrr! stitchery detail

Happy quilting!

Pre-Black Friday Deals from Craftsy

Hi everyone:

Happy early Thanksgiving to my American friends! While we in Canada will be busily decorating and buying for Christmas this week-end, you will be eating turkey and celebrating Thanksgiving with friends and family. 

If you are considering creating fabric-y gifts for Christmas, you may want to check out Craftsy's Pre-Black Friday Sale on Wednesday and Thursday where you can save on Yarn, Fabric and Kits.  

Shop now because you won’t want to miss these incredible sales! 

Happy quilting and don't eat too much turkey and pumpkin pie!


Please note that I am a Craftsy affiliate and will be compensated if you purchase using one of my affiliate links. Thank you!

Fall and Halloween Recap

Hi everyone:

Wow! It seems like fall just flew by and we're already into winter - at least in Calgary. I've been busy with lots of projects, although you haven't heard much about them. As usual, I start working on projects for holidays much to close to the actual date and end up with them finished - or not - past that particular date. This year, I was caught up in fall and Halloween projects. 

Embroidered Pumpkin Design by Chatterbox Quilts

Some are even almost finished. Which is saying quite a bit for me. Maybe I'll even have them quilted in time for next Halloween!

Boy Skull design by Janie Hirst for Chatterbox Quilts

I shouldn't feel too bad about not finishing these projects yet because it's been a very busy fall. We've been up to Edmonton several times to see my daughter, check out and buy (or not) some vintage sewing machines, and to buy a used tent trailer. I think we've been to Edmonton more in the past few months than we have ever been! Add to that the fact that I've been sick for all of October and still can't seem to shake a cough that pops up now and then - usually when I'm trying to sleep! We also celebrated my husband's birthday (one of the big ones) and our 30th wedding anniversary within two weeks of each other and then there was Thanksgiving and Halloween too... Well, suffice to say that the past two months have been extremely busy for us.

Girl Skull design by Jamie Hirst for Chatterbox Quilts

Now of course Christmas is looming, so maybe I should start thinking about some wintery projects. Or maybe I'll just finish off those fall and Halloween ones...

Hope you're ahead on your quilting!

Thank You, Subscribers!

Hi everyone:

I have some exciting news today - my Youtube channel now has over 500 subscribers! I'm I'm so thankful to my subscribers who comment and give me suggestions for new videos. Thanks, guys, you're awesome!

My purry assistants, Charlie and Teeka, wanted to join me in saying thanks to all my subscribers and express their gratitude for your support. 

If you aren't yet a subscriber, you can become one by visiting my Youtube channel. Once you're a subscriber you'll receive automatic notifications when new videos are released, so you'll never miss one. 

Again, thank you to my subscribers for helping us reach this goal. You can look forward to many more quilting and crafting videos from myself, Charlie and Teeka.

Happy quilting!

Telecast Thursday - Got 15 Minutes? Episode 8

Hi everyone:

Welcome to another Telecast Thursday. In this week's episode in the  "Got 15 Minutes?" video series, we're going to talk about cleaning. No, not house cleaning, but sewing machine cleaning. In just 15 minutes a day, you can clean and prepare your sewing machine for your next quilt project.

In this video I'll be showing you how I clean my machine and the tools I use to do this. 

You can watch the 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 to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted. You can also click on the Chatterbox Quilts logo in the upper right corner on the video itself to go to my Youtube channel and subscribe. 

I'm almost at the end of the "Got 15 Minutes?" video series, so subscribe to see what my next series is all about.

If you have any other ideas on how to use 15 minutes a day to advance your quilting project, please post them in the comments area.

Telecast Thursday - Got 15 Minutes? Episode 7

Hi everyone:

It's actually Sunday and I just realized that my Telecast Thursday post didn't go out this week. Sorry about that! Here it is - a few days late.

It's Thursday and I've posted another new episode in the  "Got 15 Minutes?" video series. This week I'll be showing you fusible web appliqué fans how to advance your project in just 15 minutes.

If you love to do fusible web appliqué like I do, you'll love this tip. In just 15 minutes, you can trace the majority, if not all of your appliqué shapes. Remember to use you Sharpie Ultra Fine Point pen to trace so you'll have dark, clear lines and no smudges.

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.

Were you able to trace all your appliqué shapes in 15 minutes? I'd love to know how much you were able to accomplish - just leave a comment below.

Lest We Forget

Today we remember...

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
Illustrated page by Ernest Clegg. 

In Flanders fields the poppies grow

     Between the crosses, row on row,

   That mark our place; and in the sky

   The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

   Loved and were loved, and now we lie

         In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

   The torch; be yours to hold it high.

   If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

         In Flanders fields.

Composed at the battlefront on May 3, 1915 

during the second battle of Ypres, Belgium

by Canadian physician Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

Today I remember my maternal uncle, Albert Glazer, of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders (SD&G Highrs) regiment, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps, who died at the battle of the Falaise in France on August 21, 1944 at the age of 22. 

Page 317 from the Second World War Book of Remembrance

I remember his sacrifice and those of so many others so that I could live in a country free and safe. "True north, strong and free". 

Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

Lest we forget.

Craftsy Classes on Sale for a Limited Time

Hi everyone: It's a week-end to save! Don't miss Craftsy's Shop to Unlock Sale happening now! Get up to 50% off online classes for a limited time only! If you purchase a class during the flash sale, you will unlock a second set of classes on sale. A sale within a sale! I love it! For users who purchase, you will receive a subsequent email with a link "unlocking" the next set of classes. This is an opportune time to purchase one of Craftsy's on-line courses at a great price.  Hurry, this offer expires on November 9th, 2014 at 11:59 PM MT. Shop Craftsy's Shop to Unlock Sale now and save big. Please note that I am a Craftsy affiliate and will be compensated if you purchase a course through the links in this post. Thanks!

Telecast Thursday - Got 15 Minutes? Episode 6

Hi everyone:

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

This Thursday I'll show you how you can use your 15 minutes to pick out fabrics for your quilt project. I love playing with my fabric and enjoy seeing how various fabrics will combine in a new project. There's no pressure - just lots of playing!

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.

Do you love playing with fabric too? Leave a comment below to let me know how you pick fabrics for a quilt project.

Happy quilting!

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)