My Beach Blankets have arrived!

My in-laws arrived with bells on to visit for the holidays and I was thrilled when my mother-in-law Helen pulled out the 2 beach blankets I pieced together this past summer. I had given them to her, since they were scrappy beach quilts, so she could practice quilting on her new longarm machine and she did a fabulous job! Here's a look back at how and why I made them.

If you have a long arm machine you are just learning to use, these scrappy beach blankets are a great way to get your feet wet! Another great way to practice long arm free motion is to piece together some scraps you love to make a charity quilt. It's great for the community and gives you a wonderful sense of accomplishment and self-fulfilment while you hone your skills.

Beach Inspiration

It got so warm and sunny on this lovely Okanagan winter day (5ºC)  that the snow started melting and we went for a walk with the dogs at Sunoka Beach. There is so much inspiration to be found wandering the beach that I could stay there for hours. Just look at the vibrant colour of this beautiful leaf on a sandy background. It's just begging to be brought to life in an art piece. 

And this tiny feather was less than an inch long, but when photographed against the rocks, which are most colourful when wet, it looks stunning and much larger than life. 

And then there's the ice. When water is in its changing stages from solid to liquid and back it forms the most beautiful designs. Last winter we encountered such a big hole in the shallow ice at the beach that we laid down and peeked our heads into the hole. We were able to see the vast airspace under the ice for over 10 feet. It was very cool. But then again almost anything that involves getting wet and dirty is cool with a 10 year old. 

There is so much beauty around us, it just takes a minute to stop and look - take out your camera and capture a moment. I hope your holidays are full of joy and inspiration. Cheers!

Thermofax Fun

I've had so much fun with thermofax screens since the launch of my Inksations Table Runner Kit. With a thermofax machine and riso film you can literally draw anything your heart desires and make it into a printable screen. After teaching one of my Inksations classes one student suggested that I make a screen for the holidays which inspired the Holly Berries Screen.

Recently, I designed a new class featuring several fibre art techniques to teach at my local quilting guild (the Summerland Material Girls) in the New Year. Since I live in Wine Country I decided to go with the theme of grapes. Here's the first draft of that screen . . .

Both of these screens are available by contacting me through the Brandy Lynn Designs website. Just fill out the contact form and ask for the screen of your choice. I'm having so much fun with this . . . there are plenty more to come.

The 12 year UFO

I'm so excited to have finally finished my longest outstanding UFO. And I say outstanding because it feels incredible that I actually completed a hand pieced, hand quilted, hand bound quilt. I started it way back in 2000 before my son was born. I took a community quilting class. I pieced the top of the sampler and even quilted half of it but then found myself discouraged by a grumpy teacher and tucked it away. (Don't be a miserable teacher! People remember you forever!) I even convinced myself that it wasn't a big deal because my new infant turned out to be a boy and the quilt was a bit girly with the flowers and light fresh colours.

Now that I have been working at Brandy Lynn Designs for almost a year now I was invited to do my very first Trunk Show. (which took place yesterday, and it was so fun!) SO I decided that once and for all this quilt needed to be finished. So I put the last stitches in the binding just in time for the show. As I was talking about it, a quilter mentioned that I should put on the label:

This quilt took 12 years to make and was finished just in time for my very first trunk show which took place on the 12th day of the 12th month of the 12th year!

Here's my lovely little sampler quilt. ALL DONE!

12-12-12 Trunk Show

What were you doing on the 12th day if the 12th month of the 12th year? I was doing a Trunk Show. And I'll never forget the date because this was my very first Trunk Show! It was an honour to be a part of the Penticton Quilting Guild's holiday brunch as the guest speaker. The holiday outfits were fabulous and the food was sooo good.

Are you doing any quilt projects over the holidays? Here's a quick snapshot of another placemat I whipped up for Meals on Wheels.

It is so important to give back when you can, especially over the holidays, and I love to make quilted projects out of scraps that someone can use when they are alone at this time of year. Please leave a comment and let me know how you like to give back to the community!