Hi Ho Hi Ho it's off to quilt I go!

Hi Everyone


    What a busy start to the new year it has been. This year our local Sewing and Craft show is a month early...you know what that means. Sew, Sew, Sew... as fast as you can. My coworkers and I at the store have been sewing everyday making lots of new samples. I also have been working projects for quilt club. Our first club is this Tuesday and I've made a really cute Dresden Plate Quilt. Using the Quick Dresden Plate ruler by EZ Quilt. I love this project and can't wait to make another quilt. the picture below is just a little teaser I'll post the whole quilt after club on Tuesday.

   
    With Christmas always such a hectic and busy time. My quilting friends and I exchanged gifts in January, I have to brag and say that I have some talented friends! Thought I would share the pictures.

Pauline made the little bag... has the cutest stitching all around the outside with hand stitched flowers. Karen knit me a beautiful scarf. Colleen made a wool snowman pin cushion and cardinal ornament. Nikki set us all up with everything we need for needle felting, which is sooo addictive! Vandy made us frames that you hang earrings on.
What fun we had, aren't they talented!

   This year at The Cloth Castle we are also having our quilt challenge. The quilt block is crazy patch, so I have pulled out my wool and decided to start my Wool Crazy wallhanging. It is a lot of fun and I think I will be working on it for awhile. Each little section gets a different applique, you can out all your favorite things or personalize it for your life. It should be lots of fun and I can't wait to start embellishing.

    Well I better get to work and get going on  my samples. Happy stitching.

Natasha

A New Year

Hi Everyone


    Hope you all had a great holiday season with your family. My family and I went to Mexico and we had a GREAT time! I think I really enjoyed just spending time with the family, not about gifts and all that.

This is the resort we stayed at, Riu Jalisco

This is a view from up on a cliff of the coastline, Puerto Vallarta.

     The whole family had such a great time, we didn't want to come home! It was also a lot colder when we arrived home. All good things must come to an end. Time to start saving for another holiday.


    I was back at work on Jan. 4. I really had to get going on some of my class samples. I got together with a few of my quilting buddies on Saturday night. I managed to get this cute bag done and the little change purse. Both projects were really fun to make up. Great gifts for any occasion! I know I will be making more of these little projects.

Two Hour Tulip Purse from Anything but Boring

This is a great wallet for all the cards we carry around. Doesn't need a lot of fabric, great stash project.



Well I hope this year brings you lots of time for quilting and sewing. Happy New Year.

Natasha

I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year....

Hi Everyone

    Before my family and I leave on our Mexican Holiday, I just wanted to wish you and your family the happiest of Christmas'. Enjoy your loved ones close to you and far away and remember those we have lost; but are in our hearts always. Blessings for a Happy New Year! Remember the reason for the season!

Merry Christmas, Natasha



"It came without packages, boxes or bags!"

The Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!

"Maybe Christmas," he thought "doesn't come from a store."

"Maybe Christmas....perhaps....means a little bit more!"

from: 

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

by:

Dr.Seuss

The Christmas Countdown is on!

    Hi everyone, sorry it has taken so long to get a new blog out. I finally started holidays and went up island for a few days. I have a very dear friend there, her and her husband will soon move away. It was the perfect time to go up to Parksville. Trudy and I both considered Michelle a sister, our friendship grew through Michelle. We both rely on each other when things get tough.




This is a quilt for Trudy and Gene's new home, with love from me!

       My sister also came along for the trip, while we were there we attended The Bethlehem Walk at Parksville Baptist Church. I'm including some photos but they don't do justice to how much work everyone went to. It was a great presentation and I loved it. A great start to the Holiday Season. Besides seeing great friends it was one of the highlights of my trip.

Shepard guarding his flock.....

Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus

One of my favorite market vendors

all wool....loved it!

      I have done a little sewing too. I finished my new tree skirt. I'm thrilled how it turned out, the crystals look like sparkling ice under the tree. I wish you could see it better.

Next on my agenda... start working on some of my class samples for the New Year.



 Well I better sign off for now, quilting with friends tomorrow need to get ready!

Natasha

If found please bring me home

    I was so sad to discover that someone has stolen one of my quilts from the store. It saddens me that there are dishonest people who would steal from me and I do take it personal, I put time and effort into that quilt. If anyone sees my quilt or feels ashamed at having taken an item of mine please return it to The Cloth Castle. It can be left by the back door.
    If whoever took it is reading this..... you should be ashamed!
   The quilt is a whole cloth quilt stitched out on my embroidery machine and I have attached a copy of a photo.
   Sorry everyone for having to post such a negative blog but I just can't believe that there are still dishonest people who would steal from me. I know it shouldn't surprise me but It still stings.

Take care everyone, Natasha

Christmas on my mind....

     I can't believe that we are past the middle of the month already. This year is going by way too fast! With thoughts of Christmas quickly approaching I thought I better get going on some sewing. My embroidery machine has been working hard creating new Christmas decorations and gifts. I have been working on a new tree skirt for myself, I actually made the same one for my mom last year and just loved it. The snowflakes are all embroidered and then I use the iron on crystals to embellish, if only you could see how the tree skirt sparkles beneath the tree.

The picture just doesn't do justice to how pretty this comes out.

 

This is one snowflake with the crystals ironed on. When the light hits, it just lights up.



   I just have to pause and say sometimes these computers really get on my nerves! If it would just type where I want it to that would be great! Very frustrating. Sorry about the large space between.

   Anyway..... I also downloaded this embroidery design for a Christmas Stocking. It took a bit of time to stitch out but worth it. Now to finish it.

 

    Have you ever visited the Bake Shop on the Moda home page? There are so many great patterns, and they are all FREE! I spent hours looking there the other day. Great project ideas and fun blog to read. Just click on the link below and it will take you there. Have fun.

www.modabakeshop.com

     I have been working on my new classes for the new year. I'm starting a great new program, Natasha's 5 for $75. You can pick from 26 different classes, you pick the 5 classes you would like and only pay $75 (supplies extra). That's only $15 per class! Anymore classes than 5, you only pay the $15 per class. The details will be available soon at The Cloth Castle, the schedule should be out by Dec.1 or around that time.

    Well I better get back to my sewing, have a great week.

Natasha

It Slices and Dices and More!

   Well we have been home 1 week and have I been busy! Lots of activities at work and also lots of ideas running around my brain for my Slice. I love this gadget I can't wait until we get the rest of the cards for the machine.
    This weekend I got down to business and made up some samples to show the ladies at Quilt Club tomorrow, if you are a club member you may not want to peek! But if you are like me you won't be able to resist! Oh well you can see them in person tomorrow. Enjoy. I loved doing all the projects I have other things I need to get done, all I want to do is Slice and Dice!

Snowflakes were all cut in Slice Fabrique Machine

Flowers and Alphabet all cut with Slice Fabrique. I also used the ruffler attachment for my sewing machine... that makes a quick job of ruffles! This summer when I went to the Husqvarna Convention I also took a class on free motion quilting. The circles on the background of the alphabet were circles that I learned in that class.

Quick and Easy tablerunner, it took only 15 minutes to cut these leaves!
To make this runner took only 3 hours start to finish.


I don't know if I mentioned it , I'm loving my Slice Fabricque and no I don't get paid to say that it is a great tool!

   So as you can see I have been having fun this weekend, now I better get to work and actually get the demo ready for my pattern for club tomorrow!

Have a great week!

Natasha