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PastimesOnline.ca, Freebie 15, Pinky Lee, Tig, Garden Flowers (entry 11)

So for the last couple of months I’ve been working on another business venture since I sold Exhibit Studio and this one is one that will come from the heart – my passion. Pastimes Online Ltd. – I’m already incorporated and waiting on Business Number, Licenses etc. This will be “A Canadian Online Quilt ‘n Stuff Source” – I’m still working on this tag line – any suggestions would be great!

Here’s my new logo – the colours pastel pink, periwinkle blue and the greenish spool of thread with needle.

Since my new business is going to be an online business I wanted to use online sources for my logo design and web needs. I used a site called elance you can put in a request for many things like corporate id (letter head and business cards etc) logos, web design, programming, etc.
So I picked a company called OhSnap because I loved her designs the best part about going into business with OhSnap was I found out after we began the project that we have the same name and spelled the same – how fun is that!! I’m already in the process of posting another job online with her to help us with the background of our website. DH is getting back into programming for his wife and I’m very grateful! Here’s a preview of pastimesonline again this is just in testing phase…but I’m still so excited!!
I’m also working on a few quilty things (of course) the new block from my freebie 15 program – I think there is only one block left and so far I like some of the 12 or so that I have completed but in the end I’m sure it will turn out great.
Here’s my latest block – this is the second round the first one I cut all of the triangle corners too small (but I will use these for my label or something) so Traditional Pastimes gave me a new kit so I could get it right – I of course completed this the morning of the 15th with out a minute to spare.
I’m also working on that dresden fan project that I mentioned in my last blog entry. This quilt I love – I love the brown, pink and green paisley prints I used and I’m so happy with the quilting method I used to echo the shapes of the dresden fan. I also did free motion machine quilting around the border – still trying to figure out the green circle centers and what to do there. One of the ladies in my quilting group commented on this white waffle muslim (which I purchased on our holidays through Portland and Seattle last year) I bought so much of it as I think it was only $5 per meter – here it would have been at least $12 +. So I used the rest of this waffle muslim on the back and I think it worked well.
I had went back to take a few more of this quilt but Tig found a home for her morning nap – didn’t she just have one??
I think she started to get a little self conscience here as she opened her eyes to see what was staring at her…yes the D80!!
I have been doing a 6K run each morning for the last couple of months (since I sold ES) so I signed up to run a 12K race called Loop Around the Lake here in Chestermere, September 19th. This is the same date as our fall fair (September 18-19) – which the Lakeside Quilters also have their quilt show – should be a busy weekend for me.
I have a few new projects to show and a couple to get finished for the show so I’m working hard getting these done including labels *smile*.
I also wanted to share some pictures of my flowers in my yard with you as I think they are so beautiful:
If you have a blog – send me your url I would love to read it.
I’ll be in touch in a couple of weeks!!
Valerie
Oh and here’s Tig looking for her latest quilting book to review…

 

 

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Pillow for Auntie from Mum, Lakeside Ripples, Tig (entry 10)

Here’s a set of pillows and custom cases that my mom made for my Aunts 50th – the ribbon is to die for.

As for quilting, thought I would post a picture of Lakeside Ripples: this quilt started as a class using ugly flower fabric that was an exchange with my Lakeside Quilters Guild – then I ended up liking the appliqued circles technique so much that I made it into a lap sized quilt.
I also spent the majority of one whole day at a retreat with my other guild called Flying Needles and did all of the machine quilting on it – I love with way the quilting turned out.
Here’s just an overview shot of the quilt once it was finished
Of course Tig is always a part of every project

This is me doing the machine quilting on Lakeside Ripples while I was at retreat.
Here’s a good close-up of the quilting – I just followed the curves and it turned out awesome
Here’s the back repeated some of the flower fabric that was on the front for the back and I love it.
I know I promised showing the tins I’ve covered in cute fabric but still trying to get photos as well as the laptop bag but I’ll post them shortly. It’s been busy with me looking for a job, working on my new project as well as holidaying but I will continue to do these posts as it’s a good way for me to document things in my life.
Hope you enjoy – I would love to read your comments.
Valerie

 

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Threads in Hand Club, Freebie 15, Grace, Sheets Set (entry 9)

So I’ve been working on a BOM by Lynette Anderson http://lynetteandersondesigns.typepad.com/

here’s a picture of one block that has the embroidery stitching completed and the triangles around the perimeter (which I changed from the original pattern) I still have to complete the applique for the homes.
This 2nd image is the center of the alternating blocks with solids, 9 patches (52) and these cute little heart with swirl center blocks (13) almost finished just need to stitch the hearts in place.
One of the girls in this club said that one block took her approx 10+ hours to complete…some of them I believe that!:-)
The Freebie 15 project – for those of you who don’t know what this is it’s a Block of the Month (BOM) this is given out by the stores as long as you get your block completed each month the next month is free!! It’s a kind of mystery quilt project as you don’t know what it will look like until it’s done. see a few of the blocks from this challenge that I have completed thus far. This is through TraditionalPastimes.com
I did finally get to give my niece her quilt – the quilt for Grace and she was so happy as well as the rest of the family – overwhelming response which was awesome!!
These aren’t that great as they were taken with an iphone but my SIL Colleen will be sending me the better ones – thanks in advance Colleen!!
Here’s some pics of the quilt setup on her bed what a perfect match – Auntie’s just know 🙂
I’ve also spruced up our sheets and pillow cases for our holiday trailer – I just thought that they should be a little more fun and I’m pretty happy with how they turned out here’s the pics:
First pic is the bow on the top band of sheets with bow ties.

Second Pic is the ties to close the pillow cases after the pillow goes in them
Third one is showing the complete set.
I think that’s all for today…
Happy Sewing…Quilting…and Crafting
For the next entry I have designed a laptop bag for my mac as well as working on a design for my ipod so I can strap it to me when I’m jogging in the mornings…I’ve also started covering my old cookie tins with fabrics for my sewing room shelves and to store fabric stashes in.