Happy 2012!

My goodness where has the time gone? 

It is a new year already and winter has finally arrived! A dusting of snow fell on Christmas Day in the late afternoon and a couple of days later this was the scene outside my front door at bedtime. It made me think of one of those Christmas cards with the crystal sprinkles. The next morning the snow had just about doubled in depth but was soon melting away again.

Just before New Years we attended a matinee with the Trans Siberian Orchestra. I wasn't sure what to expect as someone told they were a 'heavy metal band' not my normal taste in music. 

I just knew that I loved their version of the "Carol of the Bells". The performance was at the Air Canada Centre (home of the Maple Leafs hockey team) in downtown Toronto  and our seats were on floor level, just to the right of centre ice if we were attending a Leafs' hockey game, row 21 - pretty close to the stage! 

This photo is our pre-show view of the stage and some of the stage set that was suspended from the ceiling. The blue 'gear' which looked like jaws of an alien ship (at the bottom of the photo) rose to the ceiling to fit into the big 'V's'. At a couple of points in the show the big "Y" was lowered and the tail angled down to the stage so the band or singers could hop on board to sing and dance above us!

As with all bands today there were lasers and pyrotechnics and lots of loud, great music. What I loved was that their string section while performing in Toronto was from the Toronto Symphony Orchestra! The TSO performing with the TSO. Can  you tell I loved the whole show?  

We decided to make a night of it and stayed at "Victoria's Mansion", a guest house at 68 Gloucester St. I lived in a house right across the street when I first went to Toronto to go to Ryerson. How the neighbourhood has changed! I didn't recognize my old street - everything has been fixed up and it has become quite a desirable area. And good old Maple Leaf Gardens that I walked past every day to go to class is now a grocery store and sports facility owned by Ryerson!! 

We found a really trendy looking restaurant just a block from the Mansion called The Brown Stone Bistro & Bar, another reclaimed older building with exposed brick walls and huge windows looking out onto the street. It was packed with people so it looked like a good bet for dinner and we were definitely not disappointed.

This was our room - the brick arch had been taken into the room from what would have been an upper level balcony. There was even a tiny frig, kettle, microwave and dishes for a quick breakfast or late night snack. The room rates were really good for downtown TO and we parked in their lot overnight for $10.00!! We were just two blocks north of Wellesley subway station and about 15 minutes walk from Yorkville and all the wonderful shops and restaurants.

I want to go back for my birthday to walk the old neigbourhood, Bloor Street, the Art Gallery of Ontario, The Textile Museum, The Bata Shoe Museum  and and The ROM - if my feet will take it.....

So until next time keep stitching!!!

Festive issue has arrived!

Last week the Festive issue of A Needle Pulling Thread arrived in the mail. It is full of wonderful projects and vibrant colour photos of each. If you go to the web site you can see a preview of this issue and ordering information if you don't already have a subscription.  You can order single issues as well or if you look in your local book store you may find it there. Many fabric/quilting/needlework stores carry it as well.

There is a wonderful close-up of the Christmas balls on the web site in the preview. The graphs for each of the balls and directions for assembling each are included so you can have apparent seam-free decorations. Even the instructions for the ribbon trims have been included.

Also this week a wonderful couple of photos arrived from Kathy S. She made the little boy's suit from the pattern Infant Wardrobe I for a friend's grandson and monogrammed the breast pocket. What a lucky little guy and what a sweet child he is!!

It is so rewarding to see photos like these.

Another friend sent a photo of her grandson, Josh, wearing his Baby Boy's Smocked Bonnet. This actual bonnet is from the first version of the pattern. The current bonnet comes a bit lower over the ears. The bonnet would actually go together quite well with the suit for a cool-weather christening! Josh is now about three months old and growing so fast like all little boys!

I've been working on samples for the next semester's classes at Triangle Sewing Centre for Jan., Feb. and Mar. which will be posted to the web site as soon as possible.  One of the new classes is for a "Kobo Kote/Kindle Kase" which can easily be enlarged for an iPad pouch, a Sony Reader or other techno gadget cover. We won't let on but they actually employ a bit of smocking.  I've called it fabric manipulation as it doesn't involve conventional smocking. Have you figured it out yet?

So until next time do keep stitching........                               

Other sites to visit!

We had our first dusting of snow yesterday morning and it was a shock to open the blinds to see all the white. Of course it was gone by lunch time as the temperature climbed and the sun rose. But it was a reminder of what is to come and that it is time to get ready - check out the windshield wiper fluid in the car and get the snow tires on the vehicles. One of these days we will have to deal with real snow but hopefully not for at least another month.

My friend Lisa Hawkes from New England has this wonderful web site, Pink Hollybush Designs. She began her business just over a year ago and it has been so exciting to watch her business grow. Lisa shops for her fabrics in New York City and takes care to only choose the finest quality goods. I just love her Mother-of-Pearl buttons as it is so hard to find them where I live. There is ivory Irish handkerchief linen and sumptuous silky pink silk dupioni - fabrics that are hard to find in Canada at this quality and price! You will find all sorts of interesting things when you visit Lisa's site.

Nancy Zieman is world famous for her TV program and mail order business which began back in 1979. But there is also a store, a retail location, Nancy's Notions, in Beaver Dam, WI where you can actually go and shop for all the things Nancy has made famous. They also hold classes!!

Last year before I started this blog I had a call from the store asking if they could order some of my Snowdrift patterns for a class. I was in shock to say the least to think that such a famous store wanted my patterns for a class. Well, once again I've had a call for more patterns as they had such great success last year, they are running the class again. 

Now it isn't being held until January 16 of next year but we should all be planning ahead, right?  So if you live within distance of Beaver Dam, WI, why not treat yourself to a class at this famous store?

Last summer I met a lovely lady in the manicure shop where we went to have out nails done for my daughter's wedding. While we were sitting under the nail dryer we got to talking, naturally. She told me about a group that she is involved with called Get Well Gang. These ladies knit or crochet hats for men, women and children undergoing cancer treatment. I've looked at their patterns, and having gone through chemo therapy, I can tell you the styling looks comfortable and stylish. If you have a desire to make a donation to this group or to make one of their hats for a friend who might be going through chemo therapy, believe me, there is a need. From my experience just keep in mind when choosing your yarn, it needs to be very soft to the touch and preferably hand washable. This is just one of their cloche hat patterns. You will make someone who is fighting this horrid disease so much more comfortable.

I hope you have found these web sites interesting and helpful.

So until next time, keep stitching.....

That Sewing Place

This week I finally made it over to That Sewing Place on Bayview Ave., just one stop light south of Mulock in Newmarket! This new shop is owned and operated by Jaret Grimble and his sister, Liana Kirkey. I'm so sorry Liana was not in the day I was there to take these photos.

They have been open for a bit and are growing weekly! They carry Bernina and Brother machines and service all makes and brands. Now many of you will remember them from their mother's store, Evelyn's Sewing Centre. Well these two have struck out on their own since Evelyn retired to carry on the same high standard of service you were used to getting at their mom's shop.

Jaret & Evelyn coffee in hand!

Education is important to these two. You will be pleased to see the lineup of classes they have to offer and the number of notions grows and grows. If there is something you are looking for be sure to ask about it. They want to keep abreast of new things as well. And to my great surprise the prices were wonderful! So be sure to check them out whenever you can. I'm sure Evelyn will have the coffee on if she is in visiting!!

One of the things I was looking for the day I was in was a marker for dark fabrics. Liana showed me two. First was the Frixion marker. It comes with a nice fine point in many colours and can be removed with friction or heat. I immediately chose the lime green, one of my new favourite colours.....

Next was the Fons & Porter mechanical marking pencil which comes with additional leads. It comes in light or dark 'lead' and erases with white eraser. So you have a choice of two types and two price points depending on your needs.

We made one more trip to the cottage this week and although it was supposed to be nice all day, we drove into rain on the way up. It was quite cool and bleak with most of the leaves gone from the trees. I couldn't help but think of little suspended jewels though as we drove down the lane and saw the raindrops hanging from the bare branches. What do you think?

Winter is fast approaching and with it more indoor time for stitching It is definitely time to get your projects lined up for Christmas if you haven't already done so.

So until next time, keep stitching......

"Happy Hallowe'en!"

Tonight there will be so many little people out and about, going door to door with cries of "Trick or Treat!" Sometimes they are so small you wonder how far they will be able to walk! It is always so much fun to see them in their costumes and hear their shy, little voices. I wonder what characters will appear at our door....

 I always see loads of interesting Hallowe'en prints in the stores and never know what to do with them as I don't have any little ones at home to dress nor do I decorate the house any longer. But a friend sent a photo of her friend's grand daughter wearing the cutest little dress (smocked no less!) done in coordinating seasonal fabrics. The dress would be so easy to recreate but to top it off the little girl, Izzie, so just adorable.  

There is a "spot" of smocking in the CF with a little black cat. You could use the cat from the Hallowe'en Ball Leaflet, 'Cats & Bats' in the Atelier of my web site. I know it is a just little late for this year but the Hallowe'en fabrics will all be on sale now and you could start planning something for next year!!

While the east coast of the United States and Canada were being deluged with a surprise snow storm Saturday, here in southern Ontario we were blessed with beautiful sunshine. It was a bit nippy I will admit, but on our way to Oshawa for a dinner party, we spotted many a diehard golfer out catching what might be one of the last games of their season! 

Here is a sample of the colours still on the trees (on Sat.) in our backyard. We hold our breath as one day of good strong wind and these trees will be bare. We just hope that those who got all that snow and lost power will soon have it restored and have their lives back to normal.

So here is hoping you have a safe and happy night tonight! 

Till next time, keep stitching.....

Creativfestival!

Fri. it was my priveledge to spend the day demonstrating in the booth for 'A Needle Pulling Thread' magazine. So many wonderful ladies who stitched for their little ones and those who want to stitch for their grandchildren stopped by the booth to share their experiences and dreams. It certainly gives one a lift and loads of inspiration.

 Here is Karen chatting with a couple of customers.

And here are two of the needle artists whose work has been featured. The lady with the dark hair, way over on the left hand side, is Carla, the heart and soul of the magazine! The pieces hanging on the back curtains are wither in the upcoming issue or the most recent one. Watch for the Festive issue which contains smocked Christmas balls to be released in the next couple of weeks.....

The Embroiderers' Association of Canada had a huge booth filled with the most intricate work! So many talented women!!

And here is my friend Lorna Rae of 'Blue Heron Stitchery' with just a few of the garments she made for the fashion show for the 'Sewing Workshop' pattern company. Lorna is a Custom Clothier out in Harrowsmith, ON just north of Kingston. She does incredible work.

The show was filled with wonderful booths and lots of people shopping their hearts out. I met up with a number of old friends that I had not seen in a couple of years and it was so good to hear what they all about what they were doing. 

Next spring the show will be back but out at the International Centre where there is loads of free parking! Mark the dates, April 27 & 28 now so you can join us there.

I thought that none of my photos of the mist on the lake at sunrise Thanksgiving weekend had turned out. But lo and behold when they were downloaded, look what was there!

The lake was like glass - not a ripple on it and as the sun rose the colours became more brilliant. One day I will take up my paint brush once again and try to capture some of this beauty on canvas.

So until next time, keep stitching......

Fall has arrived!

What a splendid Thanksgiving weekend we had here in Ontario! The temperatures were in the high 70's up at the cottage and we were stripped down to short sleeves for the outdoor work - chopping and stacking wood for the winter. 

The noontime turkey dinner all went well and instead of having a big meal in the evening we had a wonderful selection of cheeses, crackers and fresh fruits. The sunsets were glorious and the cool temperatures overnight lent themselves to a fairy-like mist over the lake in the early mornings. The camera or perhaps the camera person just didn't get the right settings to capture it all adequately.

So taking advantage of the beautiful weather the following week I chose to photograph the next set of adaptions to the Infant Wardrobe outside on the stone walk. I'd like to say it was 'dappled' sunlight not just shade which sounds so ordinary. 

 

It was the strawberry pin wale pique that inspired this set. The kilt and pants are from good "bottom weight" broadcloth. I used strips of bias cut pique to make the ruffles around the pockets and at the ankle to give them a playful look.

Then I added the same ruffles to the outer edge of the collar of the plain English Broadcloth shirt. The button placket was accented by a row of multiple zigzag stitching done with a triple needle threaded with red, green and red normal sewing thread. It tends to look like rick rack and is so easy to do!

Details make the difference and at the top of the back pleat I embroidered a little strawberry to act as the 'stay'. The collar, button placket and cuffs were edge stitched with red for additional colour.

Here is the back of the striped shirt. A bias-cut ruffle was used for the collar here and spot smocking added in the centre back and on either shoulder of the shirt front. Little strawberries were smocked and then a white border added. I cut the sleeves straight rather than tapered, lengthened them about 2" to allow for a ruffle and hem. Then they were smocked with two rows of simple two stem wave in white. I added little strawberries like the one on the plain shirt just above the smocking for another accent.

The shirts are interchangeable with the pants, kilt and jacket. Next job is to get these and more photos posted to the pattern on the web site.

 

I hope these photos will inspire you. I like to think of this pattern as the starting point for creativity. I'd love to see what you can do with this pattern!!

So until next time, keep stitching.....