Here I am at the beginning of 2012 planning out my class schedule for the next few months. I spent a few hours updating the calendar on my website  this morning and hopefully some photos will be up later today.

I have been busy making up some new designs, the one shown here is ‘Winter Day’. I am presently working on a new runner applique pattern based on my Great-Grandmothers button tin (tole), and look forward to doing up the sample. Traditional hand applique lovers will have trouble passing this one up!

This last week, I have been busy paper piecing a runner for a class project, something that has good size pieces and a well written pattern. I don’t do a lot of Paper Piecing, but it does come in handy sometimes and is popular with beginner quilters (first class I ever took).

We are continuing to offer beginner level classes in the hopes of drawing new customers to the downtown location and it was successful in the fall. Thanks to those who came!

In the fall we had a one day class doing a beautiful flannel throw, this session we are doing a one day class on the popular pattern ‘Labyrinth’. It has easy big pieces and with some pre-cutting should go together fast! I am making two colourways using batiks, but I know it would be just as striking in traditional colours/prints.

I ended up offering three Needle Felting Classes last session and it was a lot of fun. Anyone wanting to see some samples of my projects, check out the Harbour Quilt Company Facebook page, as I posted them on there. I am offering one class in January and will add more if needed.

My next challenge is to figure out an easy pattern that uses the four big animal fur prints I just got…hope I have time! My daughter likes them, so maybe a birthday gift?

Hope this year brings everyone something special in their life!

Kim

Feeling the creative juices flowing and finally getting to my new Jelly Roll Design (a follow-up to my ‘Warm Memories’ quilt). Inspiration for this vase came from: a branch off the maple tree behind the store, the chinese lanterns in front of my kitchen window and finally the trees of berries that I see as I walk along the harbour road. The richness of the fall colours, the bounty at the farmers markets and the scent of fresh baking and meat/veggies roasting, these are the reasons fall is so special to me. We are given this special time to not only prepare physically for winter but to mentally phase in. This week we have had a special final period of summer weather to enjoy, but with those lovely crisp fall evenings and mornings to make us feel alive!

I will post a photo of the new design before I send it to be quilted, and the pattern will be going to the printers shortly.

Design Process for 'Fall Memories' Jelly Roll Quilt

New Basics are in!

Just in! New basics to fill in the holes and help you add colour to your stash of quilt fabrics. I was a little panicky when I first put my store fabrics on the shelf, but now we are better prepared to help you find that perfect coordinate for your print. Look at all those wide quilt backings! I can’t wait for the next big shipment, when I will be thinking ‘where am I going to put it all’, and ‘why did I give my ex one of my big fabric shelves?’.  Keep posted!

It is so wonderful to get in some basic colours to fill in our wall! Our collection of wide backings is amazing too. It will be like Christmas here for the next 12 months!

A Teaser of the new store

It has been a while since my last post and a lot has happened! Basically in mid July, I had an overwhelming need to get the store OUT OF MY HOUSE! This lead me to downtown Antigonish, where I scoped out locations (not easy and stressful), but I found a spot that  fits like a glove.

It was A LOT of work getting it ready to open (flooring on the big second level, painting, lighting, railing), but my helpers came through big time!

We have lots of room at the back for our classroom table, a better display of finished goods, and all my favourite old furniture had a perfect spot (like it was meant to be).

If you want to see a better album of photos, check out our facebook page, where I will be adding more. Hope you can get out to visit us, we are across from the big Shoppers Drug Mart on Main Street, Tues-Sat. 10:00am – 5:00 pm, with Sunday and evening hours coming for fall.

Here is the temporary office during my living room painting. My computer next to the ‘kitchen couch’ and my puppy Darwin by my side. A comfortable place to keep in touch with everyone and everything going on!

Here is my first blog on my new website.

It has been a busy few weeks for me! I am busy painting interior rooms in the house/store, which is gruelling work. The kitchen trim needed freshening up and the store entrance hall and ‘cash’ room needs an overhaul. I have also been in the process of successfully securing a part-time position as the Community Room Coordinator at the local Superstore. Hopefully this fall, I will be holding quilting classes there! It is a big bright room with lots of parking and food nearby, yeah!

On Saturday May 28th, the Oceanwaves Guild of Cape Breton will be holding their AGM at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre. I will be setting up a booth in the lobby, so if anyone wants to stop by sometime between 10:00 and 2:00 to pick up a kit, pattern, book or some FQ’s, I would love to see you (bring cash)! :)

For the time being, it is best if I put my hours down as ‘by appointment’ or ‘by chance’. Although I am here a lot, I may be knee deep in paint. I do turn my sign around every chance I get, but calling ahead saves disappointment.  Once I have finished my new job training and set up the PC Cooking School, I will be able to set up firm hours.

I hope everyone enjoys the sunshine when we get it, Darwin and I will be walking on the beach and he will be chasing birds!