A House of Another Colour

"House Sampler" is the first Block-of-the-Month pattern I designed (several years ago) and it's still one of my bestsellers. Here's the original version.
I always love seeing how other quilters reinterpret my patterns by choosing different fabrics and colours. This week I received several photos in the mail from Jody Burch, a quilter from Tennessee, who made the pattern mainly in black, white, and red fabrics with a few other bright colours as accents. Isn't it amazing what a change fabric choice can make? Suddenly the pattern has transformed from country to contemporary! I love how the bold use of colour makes the graphics pop. (I'm sorry Jody--my scanner doesn't do the photo of your beautiful quilt justice.)

Thank you for sharing your photo with me!

An Amazing Afternoon

Several months ago (I don't remember exactly when) I received an email from a woman I'd never met--Martine (at right in the photo below) who lives in the Loire Valley in France. Thanks to the internet, she'd discovered my patterns and tracked me down. She belongs to a group of quilting friends from France and Belgium who travel to quilt shows around the world. (How much fun would that be?!) She asked me whether I'd be willing to invite this group of ten into my home and studio, while they visited Vancouver, and then traveled on to the Sisters Quilt Show in Oregon. What an honour! Of course, I said yes! They arrived yesterday afternoon.

I gave them a quick tour of my home so they could see my quilts.

And then invited them into my "shop" where I have items on display which I've made, as well as fabrics to purchase.

What a wonderful group of women and what a wonderful afternoon! If anyone had told me several years ago that someday a group of quilters from France and Belgium would visit me, I would never have believed it! I was so thrilled that they came.

I'm sorry I can't remember all their names--my menopausal memory kicking in again! There was one male, a husband to one of these beautiful women. He was assigned the "photographer" job.

They'd handmade some gifts too, which were so beautifully wrapped I hardly wanted to open them.

Look at the beautiful stitching! A sachet filled with French lavender, a delicate thimble-case and thimble from Angers, a fun little mouse to hold thread, and some nougat. Yum! Thank you so very much all of you!
I'd made a batch of chocolate chip cookies and some ice tea, since it was such a warm day.

They took a few cookies to the bus driver (waiting patiently on the street outside my home) and then they said good-bye, to drive back to Vancouver and continue their travels. You can follow their journey on their blog, http://quiltinusa.blogspot.com/.

Au revoir, mes amies! It was an unforgettable afternoon and I hope to meet you all again very soon!

Happy Birthday, Canada!

Canada turns 143 years old on July 1st, 2010!

See more of our beautiful country at http://www.localsknow.ca.

Come visit us!

New Patterns

Hubby and I had a great time on our last day in Columbus, Ohio, as you can see! We spent part of it in the area known as the historic German Village.
As always, it was good to get home. And now--ta da!--I have copies of my book available for order from me! The price is $26.99 (Cdn/US). Place your book and/or pattern order before July 1st and get FREE SHIPPING within Canada and the USA! Thank-you to all of you for your support and patience. I'm happy to sign a copy for you if you like!

I have a few new patterns to share with you as well. This one is the spring pattern for my Picket Fence Series. The caption reads, "Spring has sprung, the grass has riz, I wonder where the birdies is?" It sells for $8 and measures 30" x 35".

This pattern is called "Daisy Chain" and sells for $5. The wool table rug measures 7 1/2" x 30" and the little cross-stitch pillow measures 4" x 7".

This pattern, "Little Bird Pincushions" also sells for $5.

The "Old Tyme Sewing Needfuls" pattern has instructions for the stitchery pincushion, the little travel pins and needles book, and the rotary cutter holder. All for $5.

And finally, "Words of Wisdom" has instructions for all five pillows/pictures and sells for $5.

You can see more of my patterns at http://www.countryquilts.ca.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CANADA!