Weekend with Marianne Haak learning her Quilt as You Go method.

Saturday morning a group of us gathered to learn Marianne Haak's method of quilt as you go.  She has several lovely inspirational pieces to share with us.  This grey, black, aqua and green piece is still under construction.

 She draped the quilts over a wall for us to enjoy.

 Log cabin set with wide and narrow strips.

 Fractured petals made from Oak Shot cottons with curved bias for a friend's technique book.

 Some rippled curve blocks in progress for samples.

 Fracturing one of the rippled curves to show us what happens.

 I started out with 10 inch blocks and trimmed them into rectangles.

 One of the trimmings became a block.

 Another one just the pink and multicoloured became this block.

 Or maybe it will be this way?  Homework for Sunday's class was sandwiching the blocks for quilting.

Check out Marianne's blog at The Quilting Edge. More pictures tomorrow.

Botany Inspired Stitches along with the real thing!

Yesterday morning I headed into Vancouver for a couple of reasons and after a harried drive in a wind and rainstorm I decided to reward myself with a brief visit to Van Dusen Gardens for a display by the Fraser Valley Quilters' called Botany Inspired Stitches on display until April 3rd.  Outside they have some vials filled with current blooms in the garden.  Some lovely white Japanese Quince.

 A favourite, Forget Me Nots.

 Lungwort.

 Sorry forgot this one but it is abundant along the quay each year.

 On the doors leading to the garden entry.

 Perfect.

 I got there a bit early and had to wait until the doors were opened to this lovely display by guild members.

 The room isn't large but has lots to see.

 It is very nicely lit.

 Fantasy in Green by Beth Laugessen.

 Sorry I forgot to photograph the label on this next one of a tree on the edge.

 West Coast Nostalgia by Mary-Lou Wightman, I have pictures of this as a work in progress during the Susan Teece class we took.

 Once Upon a Lily Pad by Dianne Matier, a favourite photograph on some favourite green fabric splashed with black ink to represent the water.

 These three were all done by Val Smith.  Left to right they are Little Jewels in my Garden.  Asian Garden and Cherry Blossoms and other Delights.

 Oriental Serenity by Robin Fischer hand painted and inspired by various photographs.

 Glorious Nasturtiums by Judy Leslie.  Hand dyed silks by Judy.

 Top Remembering by Judy Leslie honouring the last gift given to her by her mother-in-law, hand painted and heavily machine quilted.  Also by Judy Orchid Splendor inked, painted and machine embroidered the orchids before machine appliqueing them to the background.

 Sprig of Leaves by Nancy Chan.  Class taken from Judy Leslie called Adding the 3rd Dimension.

 Majestic Beauties by Wilma Brock from the Susan Teece workshop, the background is hand painted.

 Real Gold by Judy Leslie, I believe this one is painted.

 Leaves by Lynne Fanthorpe, she also made one to commemorate and donate to the Harrison Hot Springs Hotel and Spa for our 10th anniversary of our retreats held there in October.

 Honey by Fumiko Naguchi, inspired by Japanese taupe quilts.

 Detail of the above quilt.

 Fall Foliage by Susan Penty a pattern by Gloria Loughman.

 Spring by Robin Fischer was designed for a guild challenge.  Machine quilted and appliqued, the butterfly was thread sketched and applied later.

 On the way out a few more of the floral display.  Larch blossoms.

 Camilla rose.

 Bleeding heart...can't recall the whole name.

As I left the parking lot of the gardens I saw this lovely magnolia blowing in the wind and rain.

 Please go and check out the quilts at Van Dusen Gardens, but choose a better day and enjoy the gardens while you are there.

I was surprised on Monday Morning with the arrival of my Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine.  I had contacted the publishers to ask why it hadn't arrived last week and they said they would send a replacement.  Well both arrived on the same day so I'll gift a friend with the other copy.

It has several interesting projects that are tempting me already...great more UFOs to add to the growing list!

 Saturday Rita and I went up for a look at the Pacific Spirit Quilters' Guild display at the new Eastburn Community Centre.  Unfortunately the smell of chlorine from the swimming pool gave me a terrible headache so I sat outside and enjoyed the changing weather.

 Daffodils in their glory.

 Don't know the name of this plant but there were masses of flies hovering around.  Love the blue against the lime green of the foliage.

 Tuesday I got my first subscription of Simply Moderne Quilts.  Love the cover photo of Wendy Williams of Flying Fish Designs Round the Garden quilt.  It will be shared in the next three issue!  Oops another UFO on the horizon.

They also have some great profiles of designers and other projects in this issue.  So glad I got a subscription.

I also started on Dawn Heese's Wooly Baskets.  First I whipped stitched them down.  I'm going for a brighter version than what she is working on.

 My friend has Beauty Berry in her garden with purple berries; so rather than red I chose purple for mine.

 All whipped stitched down and ready for some fun stitching.

 Finished them on Wednesday afternoon.  I had some fun with changing up the look of the blocks.

 I was a bit more restrained on the second basket.

 Love the look of them side by side.

 A closer look at the pistil stitches I did on the flowers and buds.

 I did a simple stitch to accent the stems.

 Stars on the berries.

If you want to get the pattern for these cute 6" baskets here is the link to the post on Dawn's blog.

Stitching Weekend

Saturday I started stitching the first of Stacy West mystery BOM a let It Snow blocks.

 Today I stitched block two!

 Liking how they look together. Thanks Stacy looking forward to the March edition!