Free Patterns....

A while back I posted about the Astronomical Quilt Block challenge issued by Astronaut Karen Nyberg.
I have just posted free patterns for a couple of blocks on my website ( www.stonecottagecrafts.ca ) . Look under More > Free Patterns > 9" Stars for Houston

I have only posted two so far. I may do more if I get a chance but this will get you started.
The Friendship Star is an easy one and the Country Farm star is more challenging.

Feel free to print these off and give them to your friends to do as well.

Don't forget you can drop your stars off to Mom's Tangled Threads, 559 bay St., Midland, Ont. and we'll send them in for you.
                                                                                                           

Finally!!!! A new website....

Before I closed my shop two years ago, my web mistress and I began working on a new website that was to include online shopping for my patterns.

Somewhere along the line we lost touch and I was left waiting for a website or at least updates to the old one.

I finally figured out that the best way to do this was to do it myself (with some help from Scott... thanks Scott).

Here it is......
www.stonecottagecrafts.ca

It's still a work in progress (or a WIP in quilting terms as opposed to my last attempt which is a UFO)

The Store is not quite ready....that's the WIP part. In the mean time if you see something that you would like to order, please use the contact page to order. I will send an invoice via your email.

Please spend some time taking a look. 

If you have a project that you are proud of, send it to me for the gallery. (especially if it's from one of my patterns but not necessarily)

I have a few more ideas and will add to the site as I go along. If you have any ideas of things you would like to see, leave a comment here or contact me through the site.

Welcome to the Cottage.....

Take the challenge.....

Earlier in the fall Astronaut Karen Nyberg invited quilters to make star blocks to join the one that she made while on the International Space Station.
We are collecting blocks at Tangled Threads in Midland if you would like to take part.
The blocks will be sent to Houston and will be displayed as part of a quilt at the 40th Anniversary International Quilt Festival.

Read the details here....

If you haven't seen the video of Karen describing the challenges of sewing in zero gravity here it is....

The challenges of sewing in space

Some blocks have started to arrive. Get yours to the shop before July 26th so you can be included. If you have any questions call the shop at 705 528-0909 or post in the comments.

Some blocks have started to come in.

What happened???

What happened to that time?? Has it really been two months since I posted anything??

I don't know about you but I am SO DONE with this winter!!!!!!

There was a bit of snow falling when I went to bed last night and when I went out this morning... HOLY... there was snow half way to my knees and it was covering all the ice from the melting the past few days.
Turns out Mother Nature was just making room for more snow.
To top off my morning I got stuck in my driveway and couldn't get out of my car because the snow was so deep beside my car. Son James came to rescue me.....   (must bake cookies)

This is how I feel

If you have trying to email me the info@stonecottagecrfts.ca is still not available. The best way to contact me is messaging me on Facebook right now. Search for Stone Cottage Crafts quilts & things if you haven't "liked" me yet.

 I have found someone to help me get things up and running as I don't know where my previous webmistress went. He will hopefully help me put together a new website with shopping capabilities.

I'll keep you up to date on this as I get more info.

Merry Christmas....

I hope you were able to get all of your quilting done on time.... as well as the million other things that you had to do. I heard something this morning that made me chuckle but it was so true - 

Santa is like your boss. You do all the work and he takes all the credit.

We have had regular visitors to our bird feeder. Rather seasonal don't you think?

The weather has certainly been wintery and there was no fear of not having a white Christmas. But to the thousands of people in the Toronto area that are still without power or heat that has not been a blessing. All I can wish for you today is that you are safe and warm.

Mother nature has a way of being terrible and beautiful at the same time.

Here's wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a peaceful and happy 2014

Outside the box....

In the past I have shown you how different fabric choices can change the look of your quilt.

I want to show you how to take a basic pattern and change it up a bit.

This is Almost Modern featuring Northcott's Harmony line. (shipping in Dec.2013)

In this pattern, floral squares have been fussy cut and placed where the rows intersect. 

Now let's replace the floral squares with fabric from the rows.

It now looks like the rows are woven together. I really like this one.

If you replace the floral squares with a plaid or check that contain the same colours as the stripes 

a certain "blending" happens at the intersection.

Another one I really like is creating a "transparency" by making the squares secondary colours where primary colours cross. Where blue and yellow cross there is a green square, etc.

So when you are looking at a basic pattern (or any pattern) think about different ways you might colour it to change it up. It takes a bit of thinking when you are cutting it out but think about the great results,

If you would like to buy this or any other patterns just contact my by emailing info@stonecottagectafts.ca for more info. You can see all of my patterns in the slideshow on the right side at the top of the page. If you click on the small image it will take you to the album where you can get a better look. (I think)

Fall Classes.....

It's back to school time for quilters as well.

I will be teaching the following at Tangled Threads in Midland, Ont.

Call 705 528-0909 to register

Medallion Mystery – Sat. Sept. 14 @ 10:00   $15/month  (includes pattern)

This year’s Medallion Mystery is called Which Way to the Cabin.                                                  
Each month a border will be added to a centre block to make this 92” x 100” quilt.                     
No sewing in class.

Simcoe Sampler – Sat. Sept. 21 @ 10:00    $15/month (includes pattern)

The blocks in this sampler represent our home county with its lakes, farms and history.           Different setting options will be explored.

Farmer’s Wife – Sat. Sept. 28 @ 10:00 $15/month + book

In 1922 The Farmer’s Wife Magazine offered prizes for the best answers to the question – Would you want your daughter to marry a farmer? They were overwhelmed with 7000 responses – mostly positive.

Each month we will make some of the 6” blocks inspired by this contest.

English Paper Piecing – all day workshop Tues. Sept.27 @ 9:30   $40.00

Learn how much fun and how useful this technique can be.                         

 This is a hand work technique.  We will work with different sizes and shapes and explore traditional and modern design.