Hi Everyone and welcome back to Val's Quilting.

Our Open House was a huge success so thanks to everyone who took the time to stop by and say "hi" it meant the world to me to see so much support. I especially want to thank the Airdrie Quilt Guild for coming out such a ways and spending some time getting to know more about Pastimes Online, I would love to come out to your guild one of these days and meet everyone!! Unfortunately, I didn't get any photos when the room was full of women because...I was just too darn busy...

We own a holiday trailer and have been out doing some camping so I've been away from my sweet machine "cherry" and I miss her but the last couple of nights have been great because I've sewn 2 blocks for the Journey of a Quilter block of the month club and I'm getting ready to sit down and sew this afternoon...doesn't it feel good to just sit and sew? It's my true calling, lol!

A Kittens Tale Block 4 finished, but notice anything...lol I'm keeping it this way, I got busy chatting and stitching with my Mum and because the brown silk is so dark I couldn't pre-trace the letters so I winged it *smile* too funny!

Here's Tig, it's about 1am and I'm still sewing, pressing, sewing, pressing, "just one more seam" I say to her...she's tired and wants to go to bed, what a great pal to have hanging out during late sewing nights :)

Love you Tig.

First I want to thank all 16 of you who entered your name in for the amazing 100th Blog Giveaway draw that we are having...THANKS and HERES to YOU all!! The draw closes May 15th so share and tell you friends about it!!

Hi Everyone, for days and days I've been cutting, bundling, cutting, bundling, stitching my banner, cutting, and bundling and loving every minute of it!!

Chestermere Lakeside Quilters Guild is having a Quilt Show. Saturday, May 1st 10-4pm, Quilts, prizes, and a few vendors...come out and see us!! It's our 10 year celebration of our Guild and we're having a little party!!

Recreation Center beside the Lake across from Tim Hortons on 17 Ave SE, Chestermere. Here's our flyer

I've also been learning to do some coding on my website and I must say I'm enjoying this part so much, thanks hubby for helping me out and giving me some training...who knows maybe I could be called a "code monkey" someday lol!

Here's some pics of what I've been up to for the last week...I still need to get my banner completed but it's so close!!

My class on Wednesday was on the dresden fan block, all needle turn applique...I think they were a bit nervous at first but I hope they liked it in the end :) It was a nice class to just stitch and visit together..

I met with Piecemakers Guild on Monday to tell them a bit about myself, show them some of my goodies, and commit to going to their retreat on Oct 2 with my Traveling Store. It's like a blitz from what I gather...so I'm so excited for it! Thank you ladies for making me feel right at home, mic and all :)

My Mum is up visiting she got here yesterday, spending time with us girls and shopping for fabrics (of course)...she is also going to help me with my books today hopefully (fingers crossed). We spent most of the day yesterday visiting Traditional Pastimes and Out of Hand and they are both such gorgeous stores - we definitely love them very much! Spent the wad which was totally fun! Then my sis and mum came back to my place and we hung out in the studio looking at fabrics, jackets, quilt projects, stitching projects and so much more...until 2:30 am - can you say bliss... 

here's one of her quilt tops we were dissecting and trying to figure out sashing...how fun and crazy busy this one is...

Last but not least is my sweet kitty, Tig. Always a delight and brightens my day, everyday!

Quilt Canada is in Calgary next week and I'm so looking forward to it!! I don't have a booth in this show as you know I just started this business so I wasn't really prepared for that big hoohaw so soon :) But look out world I'm ready now *smile*

Another Quilt Show that's coming up the St. Albert Quilters' Guild "How Green Does your Quilt Grow" Quilt Show May 6 - May 9 including a Quilt Walk in downtown St. Albert contact Michelle E for more information at quilting_michelle@hotmail.com

Until next time, have a happy and creative weekend everyone...

Hi Ladies, first thing I want to thank Jen, Sandy, Jackie, Dominique and Rachel for leaving me comments, I love comments...

So as you know for the month of March I'm being featured as the Guest Honeypot over at Snickerdoodle Dreams, thanks Darlene!

I had to submit a drawing as inspiration to the readers to create something amazing with, here's what I submitted. I also put a shout out asking if someone completed a project with my drawing to send it to me.

this is the one I did

Here's what Jen E submitted, it's so adorable :)

Anyone else create something wonderful with my sketch? If so, I would LOVE to see them please forward to me valerie@pastimesonline.ca

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A few posts ago for one of my "Around the Net" entry's, I put a shout out asking you my readers to send me a pic of their favourite decorated room, I received this great email from Annie (she was previously e-interviewed by moi) and here's what she sent me:

The first one shows my quilt, Kindred Spirits, on my bed 

This quilt is Victorian Star hanging over another dresser belonging to my OTHER grammie.  Mocha Meringue, hanging on the wall over a dresser that belonged to my maternal grammie.  I made that bouquet of flowers on the dresser from scrapbooking paper.

Thanks so much for sharing Annie and giving us a glimpse into your life :)

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Here's some pics of things in my studio...there will be many more pics to come. Almost settled in, videos hopefully for you all next week:)

I found these adorable boxes at Michaels recently they came in many sizes, magnetic envelope closure styles lids, great for hiding all of my wip's.

These cute little wall boxes (not really sure what to call them) are empty now and will be moved to their new home shortly.

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Here's Zach's quilt, drum roll please...

first Tig had to test it out

Then Zach got to take it home...such a little cutie!!

Until next time ladies, have a happy and creative day and weekend!

Hi all, writting this post on Wednesday night as Friday I will still be out of town. Heading to Edmonton with my Sis and the boys for a night plus seeing an ol' friend of my sisters and spending the night at my Mum's, what fun!

Update on the studio: the carpet was installed Friday and so since then it's been folding, sorting, purging, sorting, folding and more purging. Here's a bit of a clip to keep you all abreast.

Thanks to Allison Rosen and her AR way of folding fabric, I've followed suite to ensure that I can get the best space for all of this. I measured my drawer and divided it by 6.5". I used a 6.5" square ruler, and wrapped the fabric around this and folded in the exact same manor (removing the ruler as you go)

Then I got 4 even rows of fabrics, all nice and neat I won't want to use them now :)

Funny story, my DH says to me "Hey hun, is all of this your fabric?" Me: "Yes it is, why" DH: I didn't realize how much you had? Me: "Oh really?" Isn't that a riot? I don't even have that much of a stash, yet ;)

Quilt til you Wilt last weekend proved to be another awesome day, with quite a few of us gathering together we sewed, we laughed, great ol' time as usual.

Mum and I worked on getting our Freebie 15 blocks all caught up, I got these three paper pieced leaves done and the large main block almost finished. I'm quite happy with the way these turned out.

We purchased 4 Billy bookcases from Ikea and set them up today, My sweetie pie has been so great helping me get setup and sorted...thanks Babe!

This was at about 2pm, since then I've unloaded so many boxes, all of my silks and notions, etc, it's been so fun, too bad you gals weren't here to help me out ;)

I will be open next week for business by appointment only please call before you come by...

I'm also so pleased to announce that I'm the Guest Honeypot over at Snickerdoodle Dreams, thanks Darlene for having me on your site, it was really fun to do :) For those of you who create something with the drawing I included and email (valerie@pastimesonline.ca) me a pic of your project, I'll put your name in for a great prize, think something along the lines of silks.

Last but not least, here's Tig (aka Quilt Inspector) checking out the fabrics all nicely folded in a plethora of colours..."hmmm what should I pick next?"

I'm also so pleased to announce that the Lakeside Quilters here in Chestermere have voted me in to be their Vice President, thank you so much ladies and I hope I make you all proud!!

BOM Update: I've order the gorgeous silk flosses for A Kittens Tale, which I hope will commence middle of March, anyone else like to sign up? I'll be ordering the patterns next week. The Journey of a Quilter's 2nd block has just been sent out, 1st prize was drawn, 6000 yard beige cotton thread cone and 20g tin of Quilters Tea, congratulations Susanne!!

Until next time, have a happy and creative day

Hi Everyone, so todayyyy I have so many updates and wonderful things to share with you but first I would like to thank those who have left a comment for me within the last week, I so appreciate the comments it gives me a little something.

Mary-Ann, Rachel D, Vivian, Kathy B, Mishka, Amber, Shannon, & Jen.

I'm finished the quilting on Zach's Quilt - YAY!!! So I'll get it to them this weekend.

I love the kite strings - adorable!

My DH wants to upgrade our cameras so the first to go was my D60 :( by ol' friend. Next on the chopping block is the D80, then I get my hands on his D90...look out world my photos are about to explode lol. Just joking I have a heck of a learning curve with the D90, Amie a little help here :) My DH wants the D300S from Nikon so he can kick but in photo land.

I found this great Canadian mixed magazine. Don't you just love the name!! It's a compilation of cross stitch, embroidery, knitting, and sew much more.

Some of the kits for Journey of a Quilter Block 2 bundled and ready to be sent out March 1st!!

Here's Tig, dreaming of her next quilt project while laying in the sun...bliss

my DH may be a bit shy that I shared this with all of you...but hey he loves me and I love him back. 

New doors, paint, trim, baseboards, and carpet ordered...YAY it's coming together. 

Until next time, have a happy and creative weekend!!