Start the Car! Start the Car!

It was like getting it for free.....at the Kindred Spirits Quilt Co. Boxing Day Sale on Saturday.

I had the best of intentions to just go in and pick up creme cotton to match the Radiant Star Quilt I'm working on...that would be in line with my New Year's resolution from last year not to buy any fabric that was not absolutely needed.
But once I was in there....all hell broke loose.
I did get a nice selection of Christmas fabric to add to my stash and I do know that I don't really have a huge selection as far as Christmas goes.
Visiting Michelle at Kindred is like going to your crack dealer to get a fix.....you just gotta have it! It's amazing how many quilters she has hooked,,,,I saw Jean slinking around in there, trying not to be noticed. I think that's the third time I've seen her at the store in a week.
Look how gorgeous it all is...see it's not my fault!

Sew Thankful for Sew Sisters

It’s wonderful to have such great people to work for, work with and have as great friends. This is the team from Kindred Spirits Quilt Co. at our annual Christmas dinner hosted by Michelle and Jane. There is Liz, Amy, Michelle, Gloria, Moi, Jane and Marg…Sylvia and Sharon were m.i.a.

We had a wonderful dinner at Cafe Amore…delicious. We had wonderful wine, wonderful chit chat, wonderful desserts and a sharing of some special gifts.

Michelle, bless her heart….she owns and runs the store, has two grown daughters, 2 young (under the age of ten) sons, a new grandson, a hubby…and she asks me how I get things done…takes the time to make each of us a travelling quilt tote complete with a small cutting board and a little press area.

Gloria, Jane  and Sylvia were thoughtful with their Peach preserves(which I love), Wine glass centerpiece and a thread candle.

Thanks Sew Sisters for making it such a wonderful evening.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away

These ladies had fun making their apple blocks for their table runners.
The pattern is  from Shabby Fabric and is just delicious…Carol, Marlene,Candy, Merla and MaryLynn all did fabulous and will have it finished in no time.
This is one of my favorite runner pattern….ever

Margie…you’re a bad influence

I’m checking the staff schedule at the store before I go in again. EVERYTIME that I visit when Marg is working I end up leaving Kindred Spirits Quilt Co. with a stash of new products. Look what she sucked me into last time. She makes is so appealing……Lesllie, look at the little tape measures, and the little ducks, and look at the vintage colors….ohhhhh!  She’s evil!

She sucks you in slowly, before you really notice what has happened….

“Hey, Leslie, oh did you see this new line that came in!”

“Oh, Leslie, look at these adorable new charm packs, ohhhhhh!”

“Leslie, I thought of you when I saw this new Jelly Roll!”

“Ohhh, this one has little sewing machines on it, don’t you just love it Leslie!”

She’s the devil, you know that little guy that sits on your shoulder opposite the guy that is saying don’t buy it….that’s her…she sits there and smiles all sweet, ohhhing and awwwwing, soft as butter, then she has you in your grips, it’s too late, you’re done….you reach for your wallet as she stands behind the cutting counter or the cash and just gloats……she has done her job.

Michelle…does she work on commission?

On a Mission

These ladies from my Mystery Table Runner Class at Kindred Spirits are on a mission….everyone of them has their head down and is intent on their tasks.  Shirley, Barb, Debbie and Cathy are all hard at work trying to anticipate what the table runner will look like…unfortunately they won’t know till the last class. Just a few bits and pieces of the pattern are given each class, but I can guarantee them it will be stunning when they are complete.

Pinwheel Pinup Girls

These ladies from my Beginner Class at Kindred Spirits Quilt Co. are absolutely the BEST! They have been so much fun and they are doing fantastic at their blocks. Karen, Gloria, Ann, Trish and Monica have completed their last pieced block called Pinwheel. These ladies are all awesome students ….gorgeous blocks ladies!

Star Pupils plus a Pinwheel

These are my star pupils from my beginner class at Kindred Spirits Quilt Co.  Well 4 star pupils and a pinwheel….Monica, Gloria, Ann and Trish and my pinwheel Karen. Karen did complete the Star Pupil block, just opted to show off.  The blocks look fab…all the ladies are doing amazing as you can tell from their blocks. I can’t wait to see their quilts fully completed.

Falling in love with quilting

These are the ladies for my beginner class at Kindred Spirits Quilt Co.
Gloria, Ann,Monica, Trish and Karen are all starting to fall in love with quilting…you can tell when they don’t mind picking out a few seams,  they are laughing at each others mistakes and no one takes a break to get a coffee.
They are doing amazing and their second blocks called Fall Leaves have turned out perfectly.
I got a good chuckle when Gloria mentioned that having your final block measured to make sure it was 12.5 X 12.5 was as stressful as going to the doctor for your annual check-up…
We all know what that’s like…

You go Girls

Look at these beginners go! First block all finished and awesome. We are teaching the class from Eleanor Burn’s beginner book and this block is called First Love. I think she calls it that because once these beginners make their first block, they are in love and totally hooked on quilting. You can see the pure joy in their faces as they show off their masterpieces.

Gloria, Trish, Karen and Ann and doing fantastic and are becoming accomplished quilter’s with each stitch!

Beginner's Luck

Wow these ladies from my Beginner Class at Kindred Spirits Quilt Co. are doing wonderfully with their first blocks after learning the basics of cutting and 1/4 inch seams. Monica, Trish, Gloria, Ann and Karen are well on their way to completing their first block called First Love.

And of course as a beginner it’s always good to learn how to pick out seams properly as well….let’s face it, we’ve all been there!

Beginner Bliss

Don’t they look so happy?…..yeah, but it’s only the first week of the beginner class offered at Kindred Spirits Quilt Co. You should see what they’ll look like by class 7…LOL

No really, they will look much the same…happy smiles plus a quilt top completed as well.

These lovely ladies are Karen…got to watch out for her, she’s friends with the boss lady…..Trish, Gloria, Ann and Monica.

You should see their fabric choices…..all different and all amazing. Stay tuned for their progress.

Hey Margy…thanks for helping me out with fabric choices and cutting…puts a whole new meaning to quilt til’ you wilt.

LCL Group

So what is the LCL group you ask?  It’s  Leslie’s Crazy Lunatic Group   Log Cabin Ladies'  Group…which includes…Lorna, Bianca, Leilia, Gail, Jane and Debbie.  What a great group of students..all stripping their way through the log cabin quilt in a day class. Here are their blocks so far…I think they look great and their fabric choices are wonderful. Can’t wait to see how they made out with their homework.

Kindred Spirits all wrapped up

Every Christmas, Michelle who owns Kindred Spirits Quilt Co. in St.Catharines, takes the staff (that includes me) out for Christmas celebrations. She is so good to us and we all just love working for her…what an amazing job… getting to work at a local quilt store!

I always like to get my “Sew Sisters” a little something to unwrap at the event and this year I crocheted little curly neck scarves for everyone. Don’t my sisters all look great all wrapped up in them! There is Michelle, Amy, Sylvia, Gloria, Marg, Sharon and Jane.

Tiny Town Residents

This is Marnie and Elaine from the Tiny Town BOM class held at Kindred Spirits Quilt Co. They are faithful residents the 3rd Saturday of every month and come prepared to construct their little Tiny Town villages. They are both characters and there is tons of laughs and a great deal of fun on those Saturdays. You can see the work in progress on the table and they both mean business when it comes to getting their Tiny Towns complete each month.