Sashiko Workshop in Kincardine

We were fortunate to have Renske Helmuth come to the Kincardine Sunset Quilters Guild this week and teach a beginner Sashiko workshop. I was one of the lucky ones to get signed up. I finished one square at the workshop and have a good start on my second block. Renske started us off with paper so that we could easily see the progression of the stitches and how simple straight stitches can build up to the final pattern. We did both square designs and round ones. She also had some resources for us to look at and some beautiful finished quilts with Shasiko designs incorporated into the quilt. She will be teaching this workshop at Quilt Canada next June so watch for the sign up if this is something you may find interesting. Renske is an excellent teacher. I had a great time and it was certainly good to be back stitching.  Piecefully, Joanne

Kincardine Sunset Quilters Guild starts a new year

Mary Coates the guild past co-chair finished her quilt from the Scrap quilt workshop I taught last May. It is a hit with all her family and I can see why. Ann Finlayson our incoming co-chair is on the right. She was part of the measuring team. This year our Guild is joining the Walk to Niagara Challenge from the Canadian Quilters Association. So after show and tell the quilt or project goes to the measurement table for a measurement. We did not have a large number of items at this meeting.
The Executive has done a marvelous job of lining up workshops and programs for the coming year. There is a good variety, as they say, something for everyone. Piecefully, Joanne

A life well lived but ended far too soon

Our son-in-law passed away very suddenly two weeks ago. He was due to return from his two and a half years working in Virginia the following weekend. Mike was just 37. We have been doing what little we can to help our daughter and the boys during this incredibly challenging time. She has a wonderful group of friends and they have been a blessing. Mike's colleagues in Virginia were shocked too. They packed up what he had left in his apartment and drove his car back to Ontario thus sparing Jennifer a long weekend on the road.
My creative energies have gone into hibernation and I hope they are allowed to wake up soon. The only sewing I have done has been some mindless scrap quilt block components.
I saw a nifty (or at least I thought it was nifty) Quilt Along. It is called the Braille Quilt Along and can be found here. Piecefully, Joanne