We all enjoyed the Miniature Landscape class with Dianne Bergmann on Sunday. These are just a few of the pieces she showed us. I'm sorry I didn't photograph the participants' projects. I'll try to remember to do that next time. Dianne came into QC the day before the class and chose kit fabrics to represent each of the four seasons. Each person in the class could choose their season. Surprisingly, nearly everyone in the class chose to do a winter scene. I guess we've all had enough of this hot, humid weather.

I was thrilled to get this review in my email this morning:

"... I was amazed and surprised at the level of the class. Dianne's teaching, organization, ability to adapt to rowdy participants (me), knowledge of art, articulate manner in conveying the artistic nature of the medium, and her demeanor were a perfect combination for an all day class ... I could have stayed longer to work on my trees. I would definitely take another class from Dianne."

We've already booked another class with Dianne and if you're interested in fibre arts and fabric landscaping, you can register now for Saturday, October 23 from 10:00 - 4:00.

Shop Hop was a blast! Thanks for participating, we had as much fun as you did. First prize was won by Marilyn Mass of Windsor and three second prize baskets were claimed by Rachelle Wallace, Susan Poth and Bev McCrae. Sydney Enghelbrecht of Leamington scooped up our BYOB (bring your own bag) prize. Thanks for the fun! We've already started planning for next year!

July 1st is fast approaching and with that the introduction of Harmonized Sales Tax (hst). We don't have to like it but we do have to live with it. So, what better to do than to make a quilt? This is mine – the body of the quilt is made up of 192 half-square triangles (hst's). More are added around the quilt to complete a secondary pattern. This quilt is offered as a free class when you purchase our precut kit. We've even presoaked the dark fabrics so you don't have to worry about colour runs. Check the class lineup for dates. Look closely at the quilting – it's amazing, both front and back. It's machine quilted by Melissa Milos. You may already know that Melissa teaches our “Learn to Love your Quilting System” class. She quilted this for me on her B-Line quilting system.

Do you enjoy taking classes? Quilting classes encourage us to finish projects, they provide a social outlet where we meet like-minded people and spend some time enjoying our hobby. Set aside some time for yourself, come in out of the heat and share some fun! And don't forget that kids like to share the fun, too. Heather has prepared a simple quilt for Kids Can in August. We've planned it like a day camp - three consecutive mornings. If you know a young person who would like to spend some time making a quilt and sharing some fun, check it out in our Classes lineup.

Our newest notions are made of crystal acrylic - Crystal Press finger presser and Crystal Press point turner. These are really beautifully made items, they just feel so nice in hand. The little presser is handy for paper piecing or other projects where there's lots of sewing and you'd really like to press the seams but don't want to have the iron on. And the point turner - you can poke out those pesky corners without worrying about your point turner going right through your fabric.

We just received a new shipment of batik fabrics and they're gorgeous!

Can you believe it's mid-May already? So how come we're still getting April's showers? Let's hope for a beautiful dry weekend for our upcoming Shop Hop on May 28 and 29! If you've never participated in a shop hop before you have lots of fun to look forward to. Three shops are participating this year and we have lots of fun in store for you. We've been gathering fun bits to fill our goody bags. Pick up your passport and your goody bag at the first stop. Each shop is offering 15% off fabric and notions. Be sure to get your passport stamped at each of the 3 shops to be eligible to win our grand prize or one of our 3 second prizes. Grand Prize is a $100.00 gift certificate and a class voucher for each of the three shops. Second Prize (we have 3!) is a gift basket from one of the participating shops.
Of course each shop will have treats on offer! Julie from ToBeQuilting will be at Quilting Confections showing off our B-Line Quilting System with Q-Bot! Check it out!
BYOB – Bring your own bag and add your name to an additional draw for a quilty prize. You must have your bag with you and use it!
We've been busy cutting fat quarters and kits that fit into our theme of “Sew Much Fun” And fabric... we're bursting at the seams with all the new fabrics we've added. We can't wait – it's as much fun for us as it is for you!

See you soon!