Introducing Alice and Tommy, Canadian Paper Rag Dolls

By on 8-11-2010 in Original Pattern, Original Quilts

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Here are two new paperdolls. I have always loved Raggedy Anne and Andy, but I thought Canada needed their own rag dolls. Meet Alice and Tommy. August was a great month for them. They went swimming in the pool…..always when a lifeguard was on duty. Never swim alone without a buddy and a lifeguard to keep you safe. The rag dolls also visited the horse exhibit at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. This is a great exhibit and it is here until January 2, 2011. Click Horse Exhibit to visit the story of horses. After January 2011 this link will not work, but you can visit the museum by clicking: Canadian Museum of Civilization

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Christmas in August

By on 8-11-2010 in Original Pattern, Original Quilts

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August is the month to start preparing gifts for Christmas. Jams and jellies from this year’s fruits and herbs would make great gifts. As gifts they need to be presented with frills and covers. Crafts Plus October 1995 magazine published some very pretty, but easy and quick covers to make during this busy month. Susan Bolton designed the apples in the basket which could be put on apple butter, apple sauce or apple jelly or anything else apples. Mary Driscoll designed the ‘cool mint’ stencil. Mint jelly was a favourite with my mother-in-law at all her turkey dinners. There is also a palm tree which would look great on a jar of jelly made from tropical fruits. A hardanger cover is also included which could go on any jar you give at Christmas.

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You can download all four patterns shown, plus the hardanger cover instructions here. It is a 222kb pdf document Jam Jar Covers, Crafts Plus Sept/Oct, 1995

Vikki Pignatelli’s Quilting by Improvisation

By on 8-11-2010 in Original Pattern, Original Quilts

null Quilting by Improvisation: Exploring Curves, Openwork and Dimention by Vikki Pignatelli. Published by Dragon Threads, 2006.…….. Vikki creates beautiful, bold landscapes using new techniques that capture your imagination. She passes along her keen understanding of colour and fabrics. Chapter 2 has the best instruction on colour I have read. Through the chapters she covers tools, fabrics and technique. There are lots of stunning photos and step-by-step guides. This book is a must have for anybody who wants to take their quilting to the next step and into the realm of art.

Summer is Almost Over

By on 8-11-2010 in Original Pattern, Original Quilts

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With autumn just around the corner I thought it was time for one last ‘sweet treat’ with these desserts from the Family Circle 1979 magazine. Family Circle created a mobile and I thought these desserts would make a ‘sweet’ little wall quilt or a summer table runner. A child’s bib could be adorned with the ice cream cone or sundae and the banana split would look great on a placemat. What ‘cool’ Christmas gifts they would make. These patterns would also look great as redwork embroidery, placed on cafe curtains for the summer months.

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A Wedding Quilt…….”Turn Around”……for my young niece

By on 8-11-2010 in Original Pattern, Original Quilts

“Turn around and you’re a young wife with a babe of your own”. {lyrics by Malvena Reynolds, 1900-1978}……When the design of this quilt became a reality on paper, the name was clear. On the back label I placed two photos, one of my niece in her wedding gown and another of her when she was about 3. How do our children grow so big so fast? A year after the event, she is carrying her first child. The lyrics have pulled at my heart as my children grew to adulthood and my grand girls are now doing the same. Time never ceases.
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Each block of the quilt has a meaning and a message along with it. Inside the label pocket on the back are two pages. One with the lyrics of the song and another with a block map and the messages that go with each of the blocks. I also had extra photos so created the two little hanging pillows using the left over patchwork pieces from the quilt.