Up North and Dragon Dreams Quilts

 

Cindy made this fun Up North Quilt using a pattern by Pen and Paper Patterns.  She pieced the top with fabrics from her stash and for the backing used Campfire Nights from the 'Get Out and Explore' collection by Mint Tulips for RJR Fabrics. It was a perfect match!

I quilted it with the Bora Bora pantograph, used light grey So Fine thread and Quilters Dream Blend batting.

Cindy also brough this sweet Dragon Dreams quilt, pattern by Astrid Bordash from 'Apple and Beavers'

She used batik fabrics and a turquoise Minkie from her late mom's stash to make this quilt.

I quilted it with the London Fog pantograph, used light grey So Fine thread and Quilters Dream Blend batting.

Mod Cabins Quilt

Marnie pieced this modern 'Mod Cabins' quilt, pattern by Quiltachusetts.  It was a kit from McTavish Quilting in Duluth and uses Essex Linen with a Shot Cotton center block.  I actually saw this one when I was at the Minnesota Quilt show a few weeks ago and was really drawn to all the kits on display at the vendor booths that used Essex linen.  I didn't buy any but now can't stop thinking about a linen quilt being the next one I make for my bed.  

I quilted it with the Taro pantograph, used a beige So Fine thread and Quilters Dream Blend batting.

 

Misted Pines Quilt

Gay made this King sized Misted Pines quilt for her daughter.  I have also seen this pattern called Misty Pines by the same designer, Patti Carey, so not sure why the name change but here is the link to purchase the  Misted Pines pattern.   The fabrics are all Northcott's Stonehenge line. 

The King size is 118" wide and 110" long so completely covers my Queen sized bed.  I have to say this is the widest quilt I have quilted on my longarm!  I used the London Fog pantograph, light grey So Fine thread and Quilters Dream Blend batting.

 

Harmony Quilt

Coleen made this lovely Harmony Quilt using Quilt Minnesota 2023 Shop Hop fabrics.  I have to admit that when I saw her quilt I had to find that hummingbird fabric to have in my stash. Happy to report I found it and plan to use it for a lining for the next bag I make for myself! 

 

I quilted Coleen's quilt with the Happy Times pantograph, used beige So Fine thread and Quilters Dream Blend batting. 

The Shop Hop fabric has lovely panels with outdoor themed images with flowers and animals you find in Minnesota and our area in Ontario.

Not Your Mother's Rail Fence Grad Quilt

 

Its graduation time so a lot of quilters are busy finishing up their grad quilts!   Kim choice our Highway 10 Designs pattern Not Your Mother's Rail Fence for the grad quilt she was making to gift a young man.  The parents suggested it have a volleyball print in it as the recipient is a volleyball player.

I quilted it with the Plush pantograph, used grey So Fine thread and Quilters Dream Blend batting.

You can see the volleyball print in this close up.

Traction Quilt

Bev pieced our Highway 10 Designs Traction quilt in King size!   It will be a gift for someone that has a mid century modern home and loves the colours of the era. She used a green and grey solids along with an orange dot print.  Her fabric choices really allow the design to shine!

Woke up to a sunny day with little wind so took a drive out to the Barwick lighthouse to get a picture.  Its a really good spot for taking pictures of large quilts.

I quilted it with the Soho pantograph, used putty So Fine thread and Quilters Dream Blend batting.

Sparrows Quilt #2

Cindy made this sweet Sparrows Quilt, pattern by Pen & Paper Patterns.  She used all batik fabrics and the backing is a grey Fireside.

I quilted it with the Bountiful Feathers pantograph, used grey So Fine thread and Quilters Dream Blend batting.

 

Now that the weather is getting warmer I have been taking my new camera out to practice my bird photography. Going from a DSLR to a mirrorless camera is a game changer.  I want to record all the birds that visit our yard and its amazing how many species of birds you discover when you really pay attention.  I'm getting pretty good at perching birds but still need to work on my in-flight action.

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

Purple Finch

Goldfinches

Brown Thrasher

Tree Swallow

Yellow Rumped Warbler

Yellow Warbler ( it's so stinking cute and tiny) 

Palm Warbler

Kingbird

Kingbird regurgitating a pellet....learned something new that moment!

And my favorite discovery this spring is seeing an Eastern Bluebird as they are uncommon in our area.

The hummingbirds are back and my main focus when I am out in the yard but I'll save those for another post.  We are also checking on the herons that have a rookery (11 nests) a few km away from our place. At the moment they are all just sitting on their nests, the activity picks up once the little ones hatch.