"My Santa Sampler"

"My Santa Sampler" is finished and on the wall! WooHoo!  Just in time. 

A close-up of the FMQ

New Stuff

Have you seen Karen Neary's newest pattern yet?  Well, I have and I have ordered it.  It is available on Craftsy.  I love this pattern so much. Love the name too..."Gift Scrapped".  If you check out the link to Karen's blog you will see that you can make the sweetest table runner and placemats too .  I have several Christmas prints that I have been dying to showcase and this is just the perfect design.  My Quilty Sister and I have been wanting to make a quilt together (in different time zones...I live in Nova Scotia and she will be living in Qatar in the New Year)   Right now she is visiting her sons in Calgary, Alberta and I am sure she will be visiting a few of the lovely shops they have there. 

I want to show you the sweet coin purse I made for my niece, Katherine, for Christmas.  She is my Knitty Sister's daughter.  She will graduate in the Spring and start her career as a Pharmacist.   I ordered the pattern online from Madame |Samm on Craftsy and I ordered the 3" frame from Kelly at I Have A Notion.   I think Katherine will really love this.  She is kinda crafty herself. 

The pattern was amazing with a ton (40 photos) of instruction.  I see a few threads showing but that's OK with me for my firsttime making something like this.   I think the next time I make one I will trim the fusible interfacing a bit in the seam allowance just to reduce some of the bulk that has to fit in the channel of the frame..   I think it is wonderful for my first attempt.  I already have a few people who want me to make them one.  I used a DMC variegated perle cotton  to attach the fabric to the frame. 

These are a few of my favourite (quilty tools) things!

I was thinking that you might like to see my Top 5  favourite quilty things.  These are the things that I am in love with. Some are old loves and some are new. 


 1. Accuquilt GO cutter - Retired Hub bought this for me about a month and a half ago.  I really never wanted one but since I now have it, I am using it all the time.  I love it.  I keep it open, on a table in my sewing room, and fill it with scraps as I sew.  So much better than throwing scraps in a bin to collect and then resort.  I only have one die right now but a little elf told me I will probably get a few more for Christmas. 

2. Hedgehog -  I think that is what this gadget is called.  My Quilty Sister brought this from Holland, probably 8 years ago.  They are available in Canada now.  I couldn't live without this little gem.  It will pull out the tiniest tip of a quilting needle that would otherwise be lost in the layers. 

3. Oliso iron - I have gone through a lot of irons over the years.  This one is the most expensive iron I have ever bought but I got it for a great price at Costco.  I love the weight of it and I love how it hops up when you lay it down.  No need to stand it up.  It's a great steamer too. Awesome for ironing yardage.   I also have the Rowenta travel iron that I use when I chain piece.  It's the best when working with small pieces.  I use the Rowenta when I am working on Bonnie's mysteries.

4.  Karen Kay Buckley's Perfect Scissors -  OMG these scissors are amazing.

Karen Kay Buckey's Perfect Scissors (small)

They certainly are perfect.  I have a pile of scissors but these are by far my favs. Especially the curved ones

Karen Kay Buckley's Curved Scissors

.  I love how they help when you are cutting away from an applique.  I purchased both pairs from Cindy Threadworks in B.C.    (I am not affiliated in any way) Cindy has amazing customer service by the way.   I just wanted to let you know how wonderful these scissors are.  They are so sharp and also they are serrated so they grab the fabric and aid in cutting.  





5.  TrueCut Sharpener.  This is an amazing tool.  I have been using the same blade for my rotary cutter for several months.  I have sharpened the same blade many times.  .  I have certainly cut down on expenses for new blades.  This sharpener is expensive at the onset but I think it makes up for it over time.  Blades are megaexpensive!

TrueCut Sharpener