Space rockets and shooting stars

Yahoo to the first quilt off the new longarm.  I started this quilt when I first moved to Saint John out of a jelly roll.

On the hanging wall.

Jelly rolls are a fun and easy way to quilt and I love the fact that you can make so many different designs and blocks.

A simple rail fence block.

Keeping with the space theme I topstitched this fun twin quilt with meandering stars shooting in loop-de-loops everywhere.  The thread used was bright green.  It went well with both the top and backing of this very fun quilt.

Loop-de-loops

Picking the longarm pattern for this quilt was easy as the fabric was covered in stars and stitch like loops already.  The most successful topstitching  patterns happen when matched with the fabric or quilts design.

Fun back

I will use the backing material to bind the quilt with and some one is going to love this quilt.  It will be for sale on https://www.facebook.com/seriouslypinned.ca  so check it out.  Or come to the shop to see at 862 Manawagonish Rd. Saint John, NB. Hours are posted on https://seriouslypinned.ca/.

Christmas Market

Tyler and I had fun at the Cerdarcrest Christmas Market over the past weekend.  Saturday was very busy with everyone checking out all the amazing hand made crafts.  From woodworkers to fancy aprons and everything else in-between.

 Jewelry was not the way to go as there were a lot  of jewelry booths.  We did manage to sell a few pieces and it was surprising that it was a few of the older necklaces that sold.

The big hit of the day were the jewelry totes as we sold quite a few of them.

But the best was the amount of Seriously Pinned brochures that we gave out.  Quite a few younger ladies that were interested in learning how to sew and quilt as well as interest in the longarm.   I think we gave out about 70 brochures....yea, I look forward to seeing those 10% off on your quilt coupons in the next few months.

One of my favorite things about markets is visiting with your neighbor marketeers.  We met folks from all over the place, even a nice couple from Campbell River , BC.

So although we did not clean off our tables we did have a lot of fun.  A big thanks to all the everyone that stopped in to supporting us.

Little Christmas Booties

Ok so you know how everything happens all at once?  The Open House(which was a lot of fun with lots of goodies and thank you coupons to give away) was last Saturday, well this week Seriously Pinned opened for regular hours on Tuesday and for the rest of the week.  With the exception of Friday afternoon we will be closing (closed on Saturday as well) early to go set up for the Cedar Crest annual Christmas market.  So I decided to make a few very cute Christmas booties to sell.
I used the pattern that was given out by the Marco Polo Quilt Guild as a Christmas exchange and added a cuff and a hanger loop, just for fun.

Paper pattern

 Cut out the fabric, cut out matching cuffs and cut out a thin fusible interfacing.

I like using interfacing for this kind of a project as it cuts down the sewing time and gives a bit of extra support to the fabric.

Sandwich the cuff between the interfacing and booty.

 When you sandwich the cuff between the interfacing and the fabric make sure you have the fusing side the right way before you sew, flip and press.

Parchment Paper

 I use parchment paper to press on, on the iron board.  It protects the iron board from the glue on the fusible interfacing.

Ready to sew

Once all the sides are folded, fused and ready to sew, cut the hangers.  I used satin cording cut at 5 inches.  Sew around the boot starting at the front cuff with a interlocking stitch and follow the boot around until about the last 3 to 4 inches.  Tuck the looped cord under the cuff to hold it in place and finish sewing up the back.

Start at the cuff,

Then check your stitching to make sure you have caught both sides of the booty, trim off any access fabric and threads. Then turn them inside right and press them again.

You could embellish them with bling and beads or simply use as is.

Perfect as a re-gift-able package, or just to hang on the tree.

Simple but very cute.

Don't forget to stop in at the Cedar Crest Gardens to say hi.  Seriously Pinned will be there!

Ok Santa my stockings are ready. lol

A busy week

It's been a crazy week.  Trying to get everything done and set up for the open house on Saturday.
Tyler and I put up a few Xmas decorations over the weekend.

Admiring our handy work.

Stockings hung with care.

Then as well Tyler had an interview in Moncton yesterday so we had to go buy him a suit; which I don't know about you but shopping takes all day.  Suit, shirts, shoes and socks but my son looks very handsome all decked out.

One more interview tomorrow and I think he may have the job.  

So I think we are ready for the Seriously Pinned Quilting and Longarm open house on Saturday.

The sign is made, the hours are posted, All the quilts are hung and even the pulley system is in place.  Everything is ready to show off everyone's quilts as they come off the longarm.  

Ready to show off quilts.

Projects ready to go.

Seriously Pinned is now on Facebook.  I've had to learn how to use it but am figuring it out.  

https://www.facebook.com/seriouslypinned.ca

It's here and ready to play

The new longarm arrived on last Saturday.  I kinda felt bad as I was at the Marco Polo Quilt Guild (MPQG) helping to make place mats for the seniors and meals on wheels when I got the call....it's here.

Ready, set, go.  The first test loaded and the anticipation is killing me.

It took Tyler and I 3 hours to put the frame up and get the sewing machine onto the frame. and another 2 to get everything ready for the test quilt.

Checking to make sure the tension is correct on both sides.

Tyler is a wiz at this.  He's even having fun.

Other happenings this week.. At the quilters cove (MPQG) this week I was able to work on a quilt started in 2013.  My goodness, by the time I actually get it finished it will have been 7 years in the making.  The main thing though is that is will be finished.

Calendar quilt

Getting down there and only 4 more quilts in the UFO (unfinished objects) box.  How great is that.

Then the other great news is that Seriously Pinned is having a open house on November 30 to show off the new machine, and answer any questions you all may have.

Very exciting week

Winter arrived this week with -6 mornings and a skiff of snow.  I have always loved that first falling of snow that cleans the world and makes everything silent. 

The back yard looks so bare. 

The most exciting thing though this week is we took the plunge and started Seriously Pinned Quilting and Longarm Service.  I had forgotten how much was involved with starting a new business.  Business plans, projected cash flows, financing, not to mention all of the multi media to start, hook-up and link to. Thank goodness I have a wonderful son that helps with all that stuff.

So business cards have been ordered, financing is being sorted out, Tyler has done a wonderful job on the new website https://seriouslypinned.ca/, and best of all the new longarm has been ordered and arrives next week.  wow.

I can hardly wait for the new Q'nigue 21" on a 12' frame to get here.  Load up a play sampler quilt and practice, play and get ready for production December 1st. 

This week hopefully everything comes together.  We should have the space all sorted out with ..... well, quilting stuff.  Cutting table, shelving, design wall, bragging wall, All of the important opening a new business things.

Halloween

It has been a busy week.  We had about 60 kids even though it was ugly out there.  It poured and the wind blew but those little kids were persistent.  We also had a Marco Polo pot luck on Halloween and you could not have believed the food.  It was nice to see a few dress up and I'm sorry that I did not have Tyler take a picture of me to show you.

Only one of 3 tables loaded with goodies ant the pot luck.

 Having salvaged a bit of wood going to the dump from my neighbors, Tyler and I spent one afternoon cutting pieces into smaller pieces.  They need another coat of paint or two but I think will work  quite well as a display to show off all the jewelry at the Xmas market.

Lots of little pieces.

Once they are finished being painted, I will attach them in groups to a base, add a bead to the top and a small screw on the back and instant necklace display.  Don't worry I'll make sure to post a photo after they are assembled.

Work in progress.

I did also manage to get the final coats of polyurethane onto the acrylic pours.  It never ceases to amaze me the formations and cells that appear as they are drying.  Very cool.

Peach Pie.

And of course you have to have a kitty in the works.  Carl is my watcher and protector all through work and play.

Making sure I'm doing it right.