Last weekend, we had the privilege of attending an extraordinary wedding in Banff, Alberta. The wedding was held entirely at the spectacular Banff Springs Hotel….a true winter wonderland. This was the view from our lovely, renovated hotel room.

What a treat it was to spend two nights in the splendour that is Banff! Although the temperature was super cold, we were able to be outside and walk awhile. It was exhilarating to navigate the icy path leading back to the hotel; sheltered by the tall evergreens from the bone-chilling winds. The walk was a highlight of our weekend away from Calgary.

The wedding itself was like a tiny slice of perfection – everyone looked so beautiful and peaceful and relaxed in the resplendent surroundings. I’m thinking I cannot wait to go back there!

Till later….

Kim

A special welcome to all our new subscribers. Thanks ever so much for taking the time to register on our site.

Good day everyone.

Sometimes, the best part of having quilts in our homes is decorating with them. It’s so much fun; quilts bring life and breath to an otherwise unadorned corner. Flannels and children’s fabrics have always been my favorite medium in which to work.

To change the look of a quilt, roll it up, tie it up and secure some ribbon.

Rag quilts are so fabulous….just add a little machine embroidery and you will love the results.

Till later…..Kim

Good day from the Great White North! My City of Calgary, Alberta, Canada has been experiencing record snowfalls of late – just a crazy amount of snow.

Snow is soft and twinkles and covers all things in a blanket of freshness. It is beautiful….and makes for an excellent reason to remain indoors and sew, embroider and quilt!

I love working with Quilter’s Newsletter…this is the second time I’ve participated in a blog tour. My pillow – Fans & Flowers is featured on page 74 of Best Modern Quilts, and as always, has been beautifully photographed by the magazine. My favorite part of the pillow is definitely the square fans.

Thank you so much for stopping by on the blog tour. I’d love to hear where you live. Leave me a comment and maybe even a photo of your City. I would love to read all the comments and I will answer each and every one of them. Leaving me a comment also means you have an opportunity to win a great prize from Quilter’s Newsletter Best Modern Quilts magazine.

Till later…take good care of yourself.

Kim

Good day to you all. I hope you’re having a lovely Christmas Eve.

As many of you know, I have been searching for a vintage Mary Engelbreit pattern, called Playtime Pals for more years than I can remember. After my last post, I did a search on ebay (as I have done countless times in the past) for the elusive pattern. A match to my search was made instantly, and voila I now have an early Christmas present!

I couldn’t believe it….32 years old and the pattern is in remarkable condition. Work on it will commence as soon as time allows.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone. Take good care of yourself.

Till later…
Kim

If I could spend a day with a quilter, hands down it would be Mary Engelbreit. The woman’s work is delightful; she is creative beyond description and her talent is off-the-charts.

My first exposure to Mary Engelbreit’s work was in 1982 when I came across her charming and whimsical quilt pattern called “Playtime Pals” featured in Better Homes & Gardens Creative Ideas Christmas magazine. I ordered the pattern immediately via Canada Post and couldn’t wait till it arrived! The pattern was an iron-on outline of sweet & cheery children in vintage outfits. One needed to complete the outlines using fabric paints… basically colouring for adults. I ironed all the pattern outlines onto muslin fabric in different sizes, purchased an array of fabric paints and set to work, painting for days on end. (I had never used fabric paints in the past, so there was a bit of learning curve and some less-than-perfect blocks!) I loved every single minute of working on that quilt.

Playtime Pals became my baby daughter’s first and favourite bedtime treasure. She virtually loved that quilt to its demise as it became tattered and torn throughout the decades of her life.

I have tried, in vain, to find that pattern again so I could make Playtime Pals for my sweet baby granddaughter, Harlow. I’ve contacted Mary Engelbreit’s “people”, the magazine that first published the pattern, and checked for it on ebay countless times. No luck.

Maybe one day, I’ll come across that fabulous pattern again – still in it’s plastic and wrapping from 31 years ago. Or maybe someday, I will meet Mary Engelbreit in person and she will dig this pattern out of her archives – just for me! Fingers crossed!

Till later…..Kim

It’s a rainy, blustery and dreary day here in downtown Edmonton. If I wasn’t in such a good mood, it may be a bit depressing!

Quilter’s Newsletter is a very popular, American-based quilting magazine. They solicit 300 word manuscripts for each of their issues on varying topics. My essay on Quilts & Technology was chosen and published in the October/November 2013 issue. I`ve not worked with Quilter`s Newsletter magazine before; so publication of my essay was unexpected and such a lovely surprise.

From page 23 of Quilter`s Newsletter magazine:

Pinterest has changed our world, to be sure. I`d even say it may have changed our world for the better.

Till later….
Kim

Fall is probably the loveliest time of the year. Leaves changing colours, kids going back to school and chillier evenings make for some wonderful autumn days. I think it’s #1 on my list of “Favorite Things“.

#2 has to be Starbuck’s Earl Grey tea, because it’s gotten to the point that I can’t start my day without it! Two cups while reading the paper in the morning is just the best way to start my day.

Since yoga has become such an important part of my day-to-day life, I’ve come to love Swiftly Tech short sleeved t-shirts from LuLu Lemon. I have several different colours and wear them all the time – they last forever and make such a nice gift. They are #3 on my Favorite Things list.

Several years ago, I had some health concerns and had to adjust to eating a gluten-free diet. While it was crazy-hard at the beginning, it became easier and easier for me to adjust. Despite having to go “flourless”, I still HAD to have a weekly cupcake. Crave totally filled the bill, with gluten-free cupcakes. I love them with pink icing. Crave Cupcakes are #4 on my list of My Favorite Things.

As much as I enjoy supporting my local quilt shops (Traditional Pastimes, My Sewing Room) in Calgary, I purchase most of the fabric for my business online, via Fort Worth Fabric Studio. Jodie, the proprietor, is lovely and helps me constantly with my orders. I buy batiks and Riley Blake fabrics all the time – but especially on Fridays, when Jodie has special sales. I would say that Fort Worth Fabric Studio is #5 on my list of Favorite Things.

A few years ago, I came across Designs by JuJu. Their machine embroidered, applique designs are second to none; so, so perfect for children’s projects of all kinds. Love them! Designs by JuJu is #6 on my list.

While most perfumes make me sneeze and give me a headache, I’ve found a great fragrance that does neither. It’s called Aveda Balancing Mist Chakra #2. You can purchase whichever balancing mist suits you best…there are nine of them. This has to be #7 on my list.

When in Invermere, B.C., we often visit the Artym Gallery….beautiful art – beyond compare. I think #8 on my list is the artist, Katherina Mertikas, whose work is sold at the Artym. She features children in her work; kids in the rain, kids in the snow. She is unbelievably talented.

#9 on my list is Homespun Magazine. I came across the magazine at Chapters/Indigo and will purchase it when I see it – but it’s kind of hit and miss. Subscription rates from the UK to Canada are astronomical, so I can’t justify purchasing a subscription. It’s such a lovely magazine, with different articles and photos and quilts and crafts.

The final thing on my list, my #10 is my favorite animal – Rudy the Red Panda. What a guy! Cute and cuddly on the outside, but ferocious on the inside. When I actually think about it, Rudy may just be my #1!

Till later…..
Kim

Hello everyone. I’ve been away from my blog for quite sometime now; spending most of the past few months working on some magazine assignments for Creative Machine Embroidery and Quilter’s Newsletter. I’m the type of person that loves the deadlines and structure surrounding magazine assignments so I’ve been working happily. I’ve found that editors are delightful people, easy to work with and a pleasure to deal with – just be sure and do what they ask of you and deliver the “goods” on time! Special thanks to both Ellen March of CME and Mary Kate Karr-Petras of Quilter’s Newsletter.