Some scraps are too precious...

The Spring 2014  issue features two projects by me!

 This April, I will be at the CreativFestival in Toronto. I have been asked to do a trunk show of projects that use fabric remnants and scraps. As we all know, scraps are the prize in the cereal box to those of us who are slightly to addicted to fabric. This is something unassuming about scraps and remnants. They weren't intentional. They weren't really an integral part of the calculation of  yardage. Some people even (gasp) throw them out.

I collect them from all over. I have raided the scrap bins of friends and dived into remnant bins at quilting shops. I know the secret thrill of finding a gem -- nay -- a treasure -- amongst what others considered wastage.

And now I get to share how to use them up with other people who likely have the same affinity for the fabric flotsam and jetsam of the creative fibre life.

Here's the problem: at the moment, I have few examples. My stock of finished projects were wrapped as Christmas presents, or donated for charity sales.

 So, I have been holed up in the sewing room, making some things to talk about in the CreativFestival's Needlework Nook.

I will be doing a presentation, and then we will be doing a little pincushion project.

Tilda turtle, a work in progress....

In order to get ready, I have been pawing through my scrap stash, particularly my very cherished stash of Tilda fabric scraps. I have been doing hexies and pentagons, which met up in a turtle pincushion, based on a design by Anni Downs, an Australian designer. 

I love turtles and I actually have about 150 of them in various figural forms. This little guy will be a treasured part of the collection.  

I also did a Tilda patchwork teacup, because, you know, that is just cute.

Next up, a patchwork hoop-la. It calls for 1.5 inch squares -- so that's challenging.

The scraps just keep on coming....

Look, it's a Tilda teacup!

Getting ready for my scrap-tacular trunk show!

The winter of our discontent...

Ice laden branches

We had a huge ice storm three days before Christmas. The ice weighed down the trees and then took out the power lines.
The power was out for nearly 30 hours (thank goodness for the gas fireplace). We cooked on the gas barbecue. The tea was awful. Just sayin'
It was a big surprise for this gal, who ALWAYS seems to be sewing at almost the 11th hour at Christmas.
Since there was no power for Bernie, I did some hand sewing. I played around with pentagons and hexagons. I made small, medium and large Tilda patchwork ball decorations. I used my clip Ott Light. I clipped it to the front of  my hoodie and worked away. The light was more than adequate to work with.
During the daylight hours, I was able to do more involved hand sewing  So far, my medium Tilda Winter Wonderland polar bear has legs attached. But, I had to set him aside to, you know, re-enact pioneer living by cooking outdoors in day light, and finding batteries, which we apparently hide all over the house...

Hockey on backyard rink

By Christmas Day, everything was back to normal. Although, many trees in our area did not fare well. We lost our backyard juniper tree. It was laden with ice -- it is estimated that 55 cm of frozen rain fell. The trees were coated in ice and the branches were so heavy they could not withstand the wind that followed. Many trees in our area lost branches and some cracked down the middle.
The juniper It isn't harming anything at the moment, so we will leave it for now and remove it in the spring. Right now, the birds don't care, they still perch in the split tree when they need a rest.
Miss B is bound for the UK to take up a teaching position, so I did some projects for her to remind her of home. She promises to find me some Tilda stuff and Cath Kidston off cuts. That is the only reason I am okay with all of this.
I hope everyone is having a good new year so far! I am hoping to be a better blogger in this new year. Honest.

Tea cup present for Vicky

Pink Penguin lunch bag for Miss B

Waffle weave cotton blanket with quilted bands. UK bound!