quilters across the globe sharing their talents and forging new friendships

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Getting to know the new us!

Feel free to tell me (us) a little about yourselves, I'm excited to get to know the newer members.

I'm Vivian and I live in the Yukon Territory in northern Canada. I'm nestled in the mountains on an acreage that holds fox, and moose (we have willows so we usually get a couple of moose stop by for a nibble), we have a ravine go through that's a natural corridor for the local black bear and wolves (the wolves come by twice a year on their migration route...around Christmas and in the late spring...keep the little dogs and cats inside!!!). I love my view of the surrounding mountain tops, currently covered in snow.

I'm a mom to two girls, 10 and 11. They are my joy and I can't wait to see the people they grow up to be. They are quite the little fat quarter collectors, and Lisa (my 10 y.o.) is collecting 6 inch square food fabrics...and not just any food...desserts and sweets...she's got cupcakes, and chocolate covered strawberries, bagels and donuts, oreo cookies even. She hopes to make a food quilt this winter. I had a proud momma moment this summer when we stopped at a quilt shop in Alberta...Lisa heads for the counter with two bolts of food fabric and asks the worker to cut her a fat quarter of each please. The worker knew she was dealing with someone who was serious. Jennifer is more into socks and sewing dog toys. No sock is safe in our house, she turns them into bunnies and snakes. I have a rice filled snake (made from a striped knee high ) on my desk at work to use as a paperweight. I love it. My significant other and I have been together for 19 years now...sheesh...where did the time go! I'm 39 now, and my guy still thinks he's 32...hmmm, when did I pass him?...he'll be 48 this year so someone better break the news to him, somehow, I don't think he believes me.

I've been quilting for almost 2 years now. My local shop is Bear's Paw Quilts (www.bearspawquilts.com). I've visited the shop for many years to pick up GAST threads as I've been a needleworker forever (and a freelance designer). I would pick up a fat quarter or two and matching GAST and go home and design a pillow or something. The owner, Ruth, has been threatening me for years that she'll turn me into a quilter. Once day she convinced me to sign up for Quiltstart, a 3 evening class where we were taught all the basics, terminalogy and came away with a rail fence table runner: pieced, quilted and bound. I was hooked. I've signed up for several classes each term and am hoping to finish "quilt school" in the next year. I love it. Although my least favourite thing to do is needleturned applique.

We also live with two dogs - old Lady who's about 13 and she's a black lab/blue heeler cross, and is starting to feel her age, and Zeva who is a 2 year old Carmacks mutt - she's a tiny bit of everything small in the town of Carmacks...there is a lot of chihauhau, a lot of corgi, and a bit of jack russell or some kind of terrier in there, we've heard even maybe a weiner dog but that's an unconfirmed rumour, and finally, there is Crammer the cat, pronounced kraymer, who is in charge of everybody. When Zeva was a baby (imagine, full grown she's 10 - 11 pounds...as a baby she could fit in my pocket) and I would take her for a walk around the property, Crammer would follow calling us back b/c don't you know it's dangerous out there for a baby.

Currently, my favourite colours are purple batiks...oh and orange! I'm loving orange, I recently made an orange bag (pic on my blog) and I can't get enough. Did you know orange and pink look fantastic together? I didn't until I decided to sew them together.

I look forward to having fun with everyone during round 2. Happy quilting!!! Viv

7 comments:

  1. OMG, Viv, I can't believe I've "known" you for a year and didn't know you could personally go in and touch things at Bear's Paw Quilts. they are one of my favorite online sources for fabric! I have 3 very nice fabric shops within driving distance (expensive, moderate, and okay $$) but still order a lot of my stuff online. Oh, I am so jealous!

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  2. Hi
    I am new to the group this round. I retired in 2003 after serving 30 years in public education. I live in Louisiana, USA about 45 minutes from the French Quarter in New Orleans. I have two grown sons, two daughters-in-law and two sweet baby grandsons. The baby boys are 24 months and 29 months old and the joy of my life. My husband of 39 years is also retired. We take care of them as often as we can. We babysit the 24 month (Reed) old every day so his mom can teach. We get the 29 month old (Alden) as often as we can..he is here about once a week for a night and a day. They are learning to play together. I have been quilting for a long time. My mom was a seamstress and made clothing for a few ladies in our community, she did alterations and she made wedding pary outfits for several weedings..including the wedding dress. She could make anything. I lost her when I was 31 and I still miss her very much. I guess I got my love of sewing from her. Since my retirement I have made over hundred quilts of various sizes. I am so excited to be a part of this online quilting bee.
    beebee

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  3. Welcome Beebee!
    I'm living in Fort Collins, Colorado along with Tara (not sure if we are the only ones).
    I am married to Brian a Texoloradoan (grew up in Texas and Colorado about 1/2 and 1/2). We just celebrated our 10 year anniversary on Sept. 19th. We lived in Colorado 4 years together when I met him, then 3 years in Toulouse Fance and 4 again this time around in Colorado. We are thinking about moving back to France either in January or April of 2011.
    I work at a Fiber arts shop here and teach knitting, crocheting, spinning, weaving... I also design garments and write patterns. I just started quilting with the first round of the Bee and I love it! I would love to take some classes one day like you Vivian.
    I am all excited!
    Melina

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  4. San-Dee, are you thinking of Bear Paw Quilting Co in the states? Its a different store then mine if so. And I'm thinking that's the one you are thinking of. Our stock comes and goes very quickly and changes lines once a bolt is done.

    Melina, the girls recently bought me a dress pattern that is tempting me...and kind of scaring me. It's a Serendipity Studio pattern and it's just so darling. Neither of my girls are girly girls so it doesn't suit them, and I'm pretty sure I don't want to see me in a dress like it LOL...but the girls thought it would be so much fun for me to make it and hang it on the wall or something. It's called the Monique Dress ( http://www.sewserendipity.com/ ). But I'll tell you, sewing a clothing item kind of scares me!!!

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  5. Hi Viv, Beebee and Melina. A pleasure to meet you. I've just posted an intro to me. Look forward to (virtually) meeting all the members.
    Kate

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  6. Vivian, the dress looks really cool!
    I only design knitted and some woven garments with knitting in them.
    I have only made some skirts, one dress and quite some repairs but I am not an expert in sewing garments. It is one of my dreams though and I am starting, to design and sew my own garments...
    Nice to meet you Kate :-)

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  7. Hi Viv, I'm looking forward to hearing more of your mooscapades. I'm getting V. excited about this group.

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