Glacier Star Has Started

 This year the ladies have picked Glacier Star to do as their Quiltworx Technique of the Month. It is an older one but is still stunning. Now as a new Certified Shop I am now the teacher and this is my first of many. As I work through Coral Reef the latest edition to the Technique of the Month series the ladies have already decided that one will be next.

We had a fantastic day on part 1 making the first block. 

A couple of class room action shots.

 

 

The ladies did so well and I won't be surprised if all the ladies complete  this section before our next section next month.

.Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Our Abbie English Paper Piecing Workshop

On Saturday we had our English Paper piecing workshop featuring Sue Daley's Abbie pack. This make the workshop more interesting as we are working with non traditional shapes. It can make things more challenging too. 

We started with a morning of selecting fabrics and cutting fabrics for one block. The packs have enough paper piecing included to make a quilt and you can even select to two different pack and create a two block quilt. This would create a much larger quilt. 

After lunch we got stuck in to the sewing, chatting and laughing.. It is a really different feel compared to a workshop with the machines going. Maybe even a soothing feel to the day. We have been apart for too long and it was really nice to hear the chatter in the classroom again. I must admit I have missed that, even though I thought no classes would give me more time to work on other stuff I needed to do. It didn't quite turn out that way. Here are a sample of the ladies blocks they start with.

I look forward to seeing their blocks completed. It was a good mix of fabrics used. There was Tilda, Sue Daley's Abbie, Sweet Stems & Paper Daises ranges used and mine was from Riley Blake Designs Heart and Soul range.

This workshop will be repeated shortly as I have others wanting to do this workshop. So if you are tempted let me know and keep an eye open for the workshop date. This is a great workshop to expand your English paper piecing skills, or if you are finding hexagons, diamonds etc boring as you have done a number of those projects.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Some Ruler work Quilting Fun

We had a ruler work workshop on Sunday, which gave me the chance to do some work on one of my projects.

 This table runner is part of an upcoming workshop. So it's good to get to the quilting.

 The back of my table runner

How cool is that Spinfex flower looks! I am loving this one. So I can guarantee I will be using it again soon. I was using Glide thread Turf which is a shade darker than the fabric. Glide thread Pearl was used in the grey sections.

 Once the quilting was done I was ready for the binding which I had cut at the time of making the project.
 Oops I think I have a problem. Damn how can I be short. Double damn there is no more in the shop. Note to oneself make sure you cut one extra strip, to avoid this happening again.

 A hunt in my scrap stash revealed a 1 1/2" strip of the fabric only, so I found another green and cut a matching piece. Sewing them together length ways gave me the 2 1/2" strip to fill the gap.

Look what happens when you fold the binding back. It's likes magic. You won't know that I was short unless you have read my blog post.

Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

My Diamond Dance Workshop

On Saturday I hosted a group of ladies, all keen to learn how to make this Missouri Star Quilt Company Diamond Dance pattern.
My sample quilt hanging in the classroom.

This was a day workshop in store and we have more Missouri Star Quilt Company workshops planned. Here is the link to the workshop list if you want to join us in the future workshops.

 The ladies hard at work cutting their fabrics in the morning.

 By the end of the workshop  we had some of rows together  showing us the difference between fabrics selected.

They are going to be stunning when they are finished. 

We have spots in many of our upcoming workshops, so don't be shy about joining us in learning something new or advancing your skills. There are workshops for all skill levels, so beginners are welcome.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia.

Prismatic Star Workshop

On Sunday we had Elizabeth Chadwick in store teaching us the Quiltworx Prismatic Star Quilt. It is a jelly roll friendly project but you don't have to use a one. I didn't use one and Shelly cut strips from her Cynthia's Ark Batik Fabric Club packs which she has been a member for quite a while. My Batik Club is great for Quiltworx projects. It give you a great variety to select from and then you may only need to purchase your background fabrics. Desert Sky is another Quiltworx pattern that I have done from the club packs. You can find more details and join the here.  Back to the workshop.

 Some action shots from my sewing station.

 You can just see Elizabeth's Prismatic Star quilt on the wall.

A bit of everyone's progress from the workshop. They are all going to be stunning when we get them finished. It's another great Quiltworx pattern and not as hard as it looks. With the right guidance it is very achievable.
Stay tuned for progress updates.
Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
 Cynthia

My Quiltworx Adventure

This year in store we ran the Quiltworx Vintage Rose Technique of the month program plus a couple of other workshops. This one is mine ready for it's binding.

With the success of these workshops I am taking up the challenge of becoming a Quiltworx certified instructor. I have done a number of projects and love their patterns. They speak to me. They allow me to create challenging projects that I may have thought in the past beyond my skills. I have discovered that Quiltworx patterns are well within my skill level. I want to share my knowledge and inspire others to try them out.

In 2020 we are running Paradise in Blooms plus we will be having other Quiltworx workshop to allow other learn the brilliance of Quiltworx patterns.

This Elizabeth's Paradise in  Blooms on loan to me to help promote the workshop.

Last weekend I ran my first Fractured Paintbox Workshop which went really well and it looks like I will be running it again soon for those who missed out this time.

Some snapshots of the ladies work from the workshop.

All the ladies blocks put together. Stay tuned for more of my Quiltworx Adventure as there is more workshops and projects in the pipeline including this one. All cut ready to sew. Love how this happens.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Upcoming Paradise in Bloom Workshop Series

We had some much fun learning the Quiltworx techniques during our Vintage Rose workshops this year, which has led us doing it again in 2020 with another Quiltworx project. It is Paradise in Bloom. Once again we will have Elizabeth Chadwick as our certified Quiltworx instructor guiding us through this series.

Here are the details for those of you that are interested in attending this series of workshops.
There will be 6 full day workshops over 7 months, this will give you time in between workshops to do some or all the homework.
Cost will be $650 for all the workshops and pattern. Deposit is $150 to secure your spot. Payment plans can be set up to pay the balance.
Dates currently are 16th February, 19th April, 17th May, 21st June, 19th July and 16th August. The first date is set. Dates are subject to change at this early stage but hopefully I have got it right.
Fabric is extra, but if purchased through Cynthia's Ark you will receive 20% off our retail price. I have a great range of batik fabrics for you to choose from.
If you can't attend one of the workshops you can catch up with me in one of my Quiltworx sessions, at no extra charge.(Miss one workshop equal one in store session.) They will be scheduled in between the monthly workshops for extra help or so you can work on your homework. Yes there will be homework
Limited places so book your spot early.

Some close up shots of the quilt.
Any questions please ask me in store or online.
Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Fractured Paintbox Quilt

This is one of my project to be completed this year.  My Fractured Paintbox quilt was started last year. The beginning of the year saw me halfway through the blocks.

 So the first job was to finish the sub blocks.

 Then they had to sewn into the final blocks and add the sashing to join the blocks.

 I have made my blocks random but you can create a totally different look by keeping the same fabrics in each block.

 I have used Garden Delights fabric with Riley Blake Designs Confetti Cotton Charcoal. To me it feels like a formal garden.

Then came the final border. This would make a great first project if you are new to foundation paper piecing or to Quiltworx patterns.

Now to get it quilt it.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia