Embroidered Quilt

Hi All!

    This week I have finally started my new embroidery project. It has taken me a bit to get into it. This quilt has been a bit different than others that I have done....no skipping steps! I have a confession...Hello my name is Natasha and I don't like reading directions or following rules! I know for a fact that there are more of you out there, don't worry your secret is safe with me.

     It is amazing how "routine" quilting can be. I get comfortable doing what I know and shy away from a challenge. Cutting, piecing and sewing is so second nature that it doesn't even faze me anymore. Then this quilt came across my desk and I actually started to worry that I maybe bit off more than I could chew. I had to think about it for a bit and then give myself a lecture. Natasha....baby steps, just look at this project one step at a time. First prep the hoop, next prep your fabric. Then look only at the blocks one at a time. Once I did these steps I fell right into the project and it just came. Confidence back firmly in place and just raring to go!

This quilt is called Gypsy from Sharon Schamber.

Photos from Sharon's website sharonschmaber.com.

    As you can see the quilt is stunning. I have already learned so much from just the few steps I have done. It has been a good reminder to stretch out and step out of my comfort zone. Be understanding that it is ok to make mistakes as long as I learn from those mistakes! Won't be the last time they happen.

  Here are the photos of the blocks I have made:

Have a great weekend!



PS: Watch for a Demo day on the Gypsy Quilt at The Cloth Castle coming soon.

Precut Early Release!

Greetings!

Hope you all had a wonderful long weekend (In BC it was Family Day) Yahoo....extra day off for us!

This weekend I managed to make several pairs of pajama pants. I am going to a retreat with my quilting buddies in March and I plan on living in my comfy pants!

At the end of the week last week we received a few Moda Early release 2014 Christmas Charm packs (5" squares), Layer Cakes (10" squares) and a Jelly roll (2 1/2" strips).  We usually don't get any new Christmas prints until June or July so this is a treat! We have very limited stock and we are only selling them on our on line store. So get them while you can! Special pricing too!

 

Pine Fresh by Sandy Gervais
Charm Pack $10, Layer Cake and Jelly Roll $39

Solstice by Kate Spain
Charm pack $10, Layer Cake $39

25th and Pine by BasicGrey
Charm pack $10, Layer Cake $39

Be Jolly by Deb Strain
Charm Pack $10

We are just getting the last of the items on our website so just click the link below and get your early release precuts before they are all gone.....you won't see them again until several months from now!

Online store click here  

**** Don't forget if you live in the area enter NoShipping in the promo code area and you can pick your purchase up in store! When we are notified of your purchase we will set it aside at the till for you.****

New Yarn

Hi all

   How is it possible that it is Friday already! This week has flown by. On Wednesday Vandy and myself unpacked a new order of yarn. We selected 22 colours, something for everyone. It is a beautiful worsted yarn, that has an incredible sheen to it, super soft and is anti-pill, great for sweaters, afghans and more!

Uptown Yarn 

composition 100% anti-pill Acrylic/  weight Aran/  type Classic/ needle size 5mm/  length 165m/  stitches 18 rows 24 row/ ball weight 100g
$5.49 per ball

    With this cold weather it is a great time to start a new knitting or crochet project. Personally I love my knitted slippers! My favorite pair currently have no heal left so I guess I better get started on a new pair! As I have mentioned before knitting takes me awhile!

    Tomorrow is my once a month Machine embroidery class. All the students bring their machines and make lots of fun stuff! This month we are making a little cover for our machines. I hesitate to call it a dust cover, don't know about you but my machine doesn't get time to collect any dust! The rest of the house; now that is another story!

The design is from Embroidery Library.

Have a great day!

A new week

Hi All

   Well another week is well on its way. This week started with my Quilt Club. It was our first of the year and what fun. I love the first class; it is like the first day of school. Everyone so excited to see each other and tell what happened over the holiday season. We always have great laughs and it is sometimes hard to settle everyone.
   This month I featured the book Precut Quilts by Janie Lou. It is a fantastic book all the patterns make up so quickly and are all easy too. Are you ready for this the book retails for $11.99! When was the last time you got a book for that price! Some patterns cost more than that!

Here are a few samples of the quilts I made from the book.

Backyard Fun with added outer border.

Close Up of Backyard Fun

Smaller version of Floating 8 Quilt.

Close up Floating 8. Made from In From The Cold Charm pack.

Lafayette Square smaller version. Made from Bluebird Park Charm pack.
 Looks like it got crunched overnight...needs a pressing!

Well have a great! We are sunny but cold here in Victoria. Wherever you are in the world stay warm and safe!

Have a great day

Hi all

  Well the weekend is here! I have plans for sewing this weekend that include getting ready for my quilt club on Tuesday and some machine embroidery.

  Came across this funny e-card on Pinterest and couldn't stop laughing. If you are a fan of Big Bang Theory it is in the rhythm of soft kitty!

Have a great day!

Is it Friday already?

Hi all!
  
     Where has the week gone? Not only that a month already. Doesn't bode well for a slow relaxing year....who am I kidding it is never slow!

   This week we had a customer come by and show us her show and tell. The customer made this great pullover shirt for her grandson. The fabric that was used is a new sweater knit that we received a couple of weeks ago. The way that she combined the colours and "patched" the pullover is so cute. What a great job. This is the front, don't you love that cute little pocket. The pocket matches the back.

    Vandy (my coworker and friend) and myself have also been making a couple of new knitting samples. Using our Savanti Yarn. This yarn is virgin wool and so soft. Being a mega chunky it knits up so fast. You can have a cowl and a scarf knit in an hour or two....depending how fast you knit!

Have a great weekend!

Hawaiian adventure!

Hi all

    This is a guest post by my sister Miriam Cloutier about our new Hawaii cruise. 
    September 23-October 5, 2014! Hope you can join us!

Hi Cruisers

     Hope everyone had a great Holiday Season! Now that the holidays are over it is time to start planning our Hawaii Cruise.  This is going to be a very exciting trip if you have any questions please don't hesitate to call or email anytime.

 Here are some trip details: 
      We will be cruising with Celebrity. The ship we will be on is the Celebrity Solstice. I toured this ship and it is stunning! Some of my favorite things were the Murano Glass Blowing show that they have. The real grass they have on the top deck. The three different pools; including the main pool that has 2 decks for sun loungers. The Ice Martini bar. The two story library and so much more! 

 

      Our staterooms are all Balcony's. This means when we are in Hawaii you can order some room service and have it on your balcony in your pj's!


     The cruise will depart Vancouver September 23 and we will arrive in Honolulu on September 29. I have the conference rooms booked on the ship for classes for September 25-28. The space is on the top deck of the ship and has floor to ceiling windows. Just like last year we need to get permission for the Irons and Machines. 

      We arrive into Honolulu on October 5. Here is the big decision you have to make. Would you like to fly home from Honolulu to Victoria on October 5 or extend your trip? I have been booking flights for guests already going and the flights have all been under $500.00 per person. Just let me know and we can help get your flights and hotels booked. 

    Now on to the great deal that Celebrity is offering us! I am so excited about this. Since we are all in Balcony staterooms we qualify. 
Celebrity has a 1,2,3 go promotion. You will get to pick 1 of the three options. 


The options are:


Option 1: Free Classic Beverage Packages. This is the best deal!!!  If you were to buy this it is $1548 for two people on a 12 day cruise. This will get you free drinks and wine and spirits. This option makes your cruise All Inclusive! 5 star dining and drinks such a great deal. 


Option 2: Pre paid Gratuities this is a $300 per stateroom Value


Option 3: $300.00 on board credit per stateroom. 

      If you would like to take advantage of the 123 go promotion your deposit of $490.00 per person is due by Feb 28 2014. This deposit is for the cruise only. Airfare and Hotels are done differently. I can take care of your airfare and hotel with you to get you what you need. 

    I am going to look into doing a group Luau so let me know if you are interested.

    My hours of work are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9-5 Saturday 10-5 Wednesdays and Sundays I am off. 


     Please let me know if you have any questions. This cruise is not just for quilters. I think of our trips as people with a hobby in common traveling with friends. The more the merrier. Alaska was just so much fun! I look forward to seeing old friends  and making new friends on our Hawaiian adventure!

   The price for the cruise is $2011.00 per person taxes included. 
We  have booked a private bus from Victoria to Vancouver to take us directly to cruise ship terminal and that will be $65 per person. 

Kind Regards, 

Miriam Cloutier| Travel Manager

Flight Centre Business Travel Tuscany Village

103 - 1632 McKenzie  Ave | Victoria, B.C. | V8N 0A3

Phone: 250 360 2058 | Toll Free: 1 866 420 4410 | Fax: 250 360 0268

Email: miriam.cloutier@flightcentre.ca

PS.....Want to know what we are making???? That is surprise for another day!