Quilty Happiness is Finding a Spot for Your Ironing Board!!

It really doesn't take much to make us quilters happy does it. But SERIOUSLY.....finding a permanent spot for the ironing board is BIG!!!! I know, I know, I really need to get a life.

And just maybe, I might even make a new cover for it!! Gotta love that fabulous Marimekko fabric!!! 

This is actually a secondary Ironing Station, very important, as I have Quilty Friends that come and gab, drink coffee and quilt.....lately more emphasis on the gabbing and coffee. What can I say....it's just as therapeutic as quilting!!!

What you are seeing here is what I like to call the "Industrial Zone" of my studio. My condo has a lovely walk-out basement with a view of the river. But being a condo, part of the basement has no windows and of course a huge furnace etc....being Alberta!!! The walls are drywalled and painted and the concrete floors are painted as well. This is the part of the studio where the long arm lives, along with many, many meters of fabric. 

The space is approximately 700 square feet and is dived in two. It is my goal to utilize this space to the best of my ability. 

Every bit of wall space has to have a function.

 A Marimekko Bulletin Board is just a bit more Quilty Happiness.

Now, back to the "Public Zone" of my Studio.

More Quilty Happiness.....a huge, black design wall!!

And.....adjacent to that a smaller, white design wall.

Well, It's Been a Year!!

Shockingly enough, I woke up this morning, full of vim and vigor!!!  Who does that on New Year's Day??? Not me usually, but then there's a first for everything. Let's hope that's a good sign for the year to come.....

Another first......THE TREE WENT DOWN ON BOXING DAY. Yikes, that's never happened before. Well, my husband was in a mood to paint and one really needs to take advantage of that type of mood. That would be the reason to dismantle Christmas so early.....works for me!!!

You don't have to call me twice, when it's my studio being painted!!!!

Look at all that yummy trim!!!

The downside.....there is a downside???  Of course, that goes without saying. I had to take down all my design walls and revamp things somewhat. 

So with all that vim and vigor I redid my design walls. 

I decided on one really large, black one (there it is partially up) behind the couch....since everything slides like butter, on the new cork floors, it should be easy to push it forward a few feet when working on large quilts.

I have a smaller beige one beside the cutting table....that should do me. Sadly, one only has so much wall space.

So, what was my year like in Quilts......well, not really high in number.

Abigail's Quilt.

Shifting Impressions

Picking Up the Pieces

Besides quilting, I did get a few wonderful opportunities to share my personal quilting journey. 

Meeting so many wonderful quilters, during the workshops I taught, was definitely a highlight!!!

On a personal level....there was loss.

Today, was the first New Years Day, without calling my Mom (something, I did every New Years Day since leaving home at the age of twenty).

I wish you all the best, for the New Year.

Marianne

I had an Epiphany

Sometimes we dream......
We dream of all the quilts we would create if only REAL LIFE......yes, if only REAL LIFE wouldn't get in the way!!! 

I'm not going to have a lot quilts to show for 2014 when I sit down to write my New Year's blog post this year. REAL LIFE just kept getting the way. Pondering this thought is when I had my epiphany......

It's out of life that quilts flow.

Lots of tears flowed as I created "Shifting Impressions".

There was rage in my grief, as I slashed a quilt and then started "Picking up the Pieces".

But in the midst of one's difficulties there is usually some sunshine. 

My four, precious rays of sunshine were very involved in the Christmas Cookie Bake....after the house was clean and ready for Christmas (you think I would know better!!!!).

After layer upon layer of icing....

Would you look at that spectacular batch of cookies!!! (gingerbread monsters...according to my grandson)

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!!

The Cork Floors are In!!!!

Renovating during the Christmas season....hmm!!! One probably needs to have their head examined but, MY CORK FLOORS FOR THE STUDIO ARE IN!!!!

We had trouble nailing down an installation date for the cork floors, for the studio and guest room downstairs but they are in and soooo worth it!!!

Below are a few quick before and after shots.  The lighting isn't great, but it will have to do for now

 So exciting seeing the carpet being removed!!!!

 There we are, we still need baseboards and a fresh coat of paint.....

 Check out my new sleek, modern computer desk.....and that chair, so comfortable and modern to boot (what more could one ask for???).

 My studio doubles as a family room....so it's the perfect spot for the tree.

One more shot of those fabulous floors!!!!

Why cork, some of you might ask. Well, cork is easy to care for and much easier on the back and feet, if you are standing for long periods of time. Also, no more ugly plastic mats under my rolling chairs (gotta love that).

One out of Three.....is going to Quilt Con

I thought if I submitted at least three quilts to Quilt Con.....hopefully one would be accepted. And there you have it one was. The quilt I was really wanting to go....is going!!!! I haven't shared this quilt on my blog to date, as I was testing one of the scores in Sherri Lynn Wood's upcoming book "The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters".

I loved making this quilt and my only regret was being unable to share my process with you, along the way. But rest assured I took plenty of pictures throughout. Today I will just give you a couple of photos, but there will be some process posts coming up.

Shifting Impressions

The Cork has arrived/Studio Reno

After living in studio limbo for several weeks.....my new cork floors for the studio are here. The carpet is being ripped out as we speak. Anyone that has as much sewing paraphernalia as I have knows that  clearing everything out can be something of a nightmare!!!! Throw in Christmas and a houseguest.....well, I'm in a bit of a tizzy, to say the least!!! 

There it is......soooo exciting!!!!

Let's get that carpet out of there!!!!!

My husband installed a fancy electric fireplace and hung the TV......good times ahead!!!! 

I'll keep you posted!!!

I Sort of Lost My Blogging Mojo

but never fear..... I haven't lost my quilting mojo!!!

Life has a way.....but I'll catch you up on what's been going on in my world.

I finished making a quilt for my little great niece, Abigail, using workshop demo blocks. I love the bright colours and guess what???? Abigail's room is painted purple....what a wonderful coincidence!!!

 

 Abigail's Quilt (front)

 

Abigail's Quilt (back)

 

In September, I did a two day workshop for my guild, the Edmonton Modern Quilt Guild.

 

As you can see.... lots of "Wonky Curves" happening.

 

 

 Gwen's wonderful blocks....she's looking happy!!!

 

 

 Heather....isn't that lovely!

 

Would you look at the wonderful quilting, on these fabulous blocks!!!

 

Good times! Wendy did such a fabulous job planning our first workshop and she even managed to find a venue less than 10 minutes from home. Thanks Wendy!!!!

 

With that workshop completed, I had to prepare for my upcoming workshop in Whistler. Since all my demo blocks were gone....time to make more.

 

 

I decided I would make several wonky curved blocks in two different sizes....naturally I got carried away!!!!

 

 

Then off to Whistler....this was the view from the hotel room!!!

 

 Soooo beautiful!!!!

 

 

 Such a fabulous room....look at those high ceilings, and there was a whole wall of windows with a lovely view!!! 

I did a trunk show on Friday evening and a two day work shop after that. The ladies were so friendly and welcoming....I had a wonderful time!!!

 

Below is some of the incredible work that came out of the workshop....I love watching as everyone's work starts to come alive!

 

 

Thank you for letting me share my process with you. I was thrilled at all the creativity sizzling in the room.