Episode 038 Canadian Quilt Talk - All About Bargello

Do you want to take the mystery out of the Bargello Quilt? Tune in this week as Brandy Lynn brings out the origin of the word bargello and gives you the skinny on these gorgeous intricate patterns that really can be tackled by a beginner quilter. 

Check out this episode!

Tuesday Preview CQT Episode 38

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

Episode # 38 of Canadian Quilt Talk is ALL ABOUT BARGELLO!

Do you take a look at Bargello quilts and just think - WHOA, that's outta my league? Bargello quilts often look extremely complicated, but can be broken down into methods that are ever-so-achievable even for a beginner.

Photo courtesy of Martingale. Taken by Brent Kane.

On this week's episode I'll be chatting All About Bargello and bringing you my first official book review. I really liked this book because it takes the complicated idea of Bargello and makes entirely achievable.

Eileen Wright, Author

Eileen is a masterful Canadian Quilter and this book, published by Martingale, is a follow up to her first book Twist-and-Turn Bargello Quilts and they are both available on page 19 of my Amazon eStore at www.brandylynndesigns.com. Judging from the fact that she came out with a book called MORE - the first one must have been a well-loved book! 

And now, our winner for this week's Quilter's corner - Charlotte Scott all the way from New Zealand! Congratulations Charlotte. It's so exciting to have a listener from so far away. I would love to visit New Zealand to attend some of the incredible quilting events. I've had one art quilt on display at the Remarkable Quilt Symposium a few years ago - other than that I have only set foot in the airport and never had a chance to explore New Zealand.

As I love to do if I find that a winner has a blog, I check it out and mention it here, so take a look at Charlotte's blog with such a cute name The Slightly Mad Quilt Lady. Charlotte, you have won some fat quarter fabrics from Northcott - the cottons that feel like silk! 

Episode 037 Canadian Quilt Talk - Quilt Better

Join Brandy Lynn this week as she brings you ten tips for becoming a better quilter. From pinning, to reading and clearing your clutter, she'll have you motivated to take some time for yourself and get better at quilting. 

Check out this episode!

Tuesday Preview - CQT Episode 37

OMGoodness! Let's take a step back and breathe for a minute…

My calendar is so full at the moment that I haven't even updated my calendar on the website. I am so excited to be booked and busy, but to use an old school term, I'm really busting the move to get everything done! Not only do I have my usual podcast and weekly video, but I have loads of work to do to bring the Kristy's Quilt project to completion over the next 2 months. There's final edits, layout, design, backer rewards, printing, bookmarks, doll quilts, packaging, shipping and more...

My crazy busy face with nappy hair. 

And to make it even more exciting, I'm getting new requests for teaching, speaking and get this….book signings! I can't believe it. I'm thrilled. It is such a dream come true for me to be doing a book signing! 

On top of all this super fun work, I've had my little guy home sick for 2 weeks. The poor fella has bronchitis and just started feeling better the last few days. And, no - I won't get a break now that he could be back in school because he had 2 weeks off sick just in time to be off for 2 more weeks for spring break. So keeping him comfy and entertained for a month has been and will be a challenge! 

So, for today's Tuesday Preview I'll leave you with a teaser…I'll be staying up very late tonight writing my script because I haven't even picked my topic yet. YES, you heard it! I'm normal, human, and everything else that makes people not get their work done as quickly as they'd like, but I still have 2 days to get the podcast out which is no problem. So, you'll just be in for a nice surprise. 

So as I revel in the wonderful problem of having too much work to do, which is good for business, you can revel in the fact that you'll still hear my familiar voice this Thursday for CQT Podcast # 37 - a pleasant surprise. 

One thing I do know for sure is that I have an awesome prize to give away, which is a 1 year subscription to The Quilt Pattern Magazine! If you haven't heard me chatting about this great online magazine, you must have missed a few podcasts because I've been talking up a storm. TQPM is such a great value. With your subscription, you will receive monthly issues with no less than five new patterns. Other features included will be a variety of articles, tutorials, book reviews and more.

So if you haven't had the chance to send in a story for the Quilter's Corner - now's the time! How has quilting affected your life? Send me your story whether it's funny, silly or sad - share your quilting story for a chance to win. Send a story of 200 words or less to info@explorefibre.com.

I'll talk to you on Thursday! 

National Quilting Day!

Hey Everyone!

HAPPY NATIONAL QUILTING DAY!

How are you celebrating your favourite passion today? I have decided to set all of my task list aside, clear my schedule and take massive action on my Quilt of Valour. After all, how can I motivate you to make a QoV quilt if I don't lead the way. So remember - Anyone who makes a QoV quilt in 2014 and sends me a photo will get a FREE Brandy Lynn Designs pattern. I have to say that this is only an official day in the U.S. as far as I can find online, but quilters celebrate this day all over the world now and I am feeling sufficiently patriotic and altogether quilty piecing together my giant maple leaf. 

Remember this one? I don't really consider it a UFO because I haven't tucked it away and forgotten about it. But, it has been laid out on my design wall for a month. I have a firm deadline, and it is inching closer, so I've got to get it done. I have a wonderful custom long arm quilter in Edmonton named Kim Caskey who has volunteered to custom quilt it in April, so today is my big piecing day and I'll finish it off this week. I have no idea how Kim will quilt this but she'll have free reign over this charity quilt and I have full confidence it will be fabulous. Click on her name to check out her gorgeous quilt gallery or to contact her if you need a long arm quilter in the Edmonton area. I'll be sure to post all about her design. 

But I can't let you go without giving you a great way to celebrate NATIONAL QUILTING DAY TODAY so make sure you check out your favourites of over 169 free videos on The Quilt Show website. 

Ricky Tims and Alex Anderson are having a TOTALLY FREE WEEKEND in celebration of National Quilting Day. It's a great way to check out what they have to offer an view your favourites. Now…back to my Bernina!  

AND LASTLY - TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO SUPPORT THE KRISTY'S QUILT PROJECT! The campaign ends at midnight tonight. Click on the book cover on the right to back the project today in exchange for great rewards including the book itself! 

HAPPY NATIONAL QUILTING DAY!

Quilt Reflections 2014 - Spirit of the Prairies

I was so pleased to read the Quilt Manitoba update this week written by my friend Melissa Marginet. The local Manitoba Prairie Quilters have their biennial show coming up in a few weeks and they always pull off a spectacular display of quilts. If you are going to be in the province that weekend then check out Quilt Reflections 2014 - Spirit of the Prairies.

 

Melissa stumbled across a great video recently from the Remarkable Symposium of Quilts 2011 in New Zealand. I'd never seen it before and the exciting part is that there was a Canadian Content exhibition on display that year by members of the Fibre Art Network. My piece was in that show along with a fine show of talent by over 30 Western Canadian Fibre artists.

After the Fire - Self Portrait - Brandy Lynn Maslowski

Here are a few ways you can see this great Canadian showcase of talent:

You can check out Bonnie's video on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzw0jbpdnxY. 

Or you can go to the Fibre Art Network website and click on Canadian Content. It's one of 16 exhibitions they have displayed on the website, so grab a cup of tea and peruse some wonderful fibre art. 

Episode 036 Canadian Quilt Talk - Quilt + Food

On this week's Episode Brandy talks about quilting and food. From food that looks like a quilt to quilts that look like food she'll give you ten tips on food to bring to quilting potlucks and healthy snacks for workshops, retreats or at home in the studio. 

Check out this episode!

SUCCESS - Kristy's Quilt has reached it's goal!

The Kristy’s Quilt Project has reached it’s funding goal of $10,000 - 3 days early!

THANK YOU to the circle of friends, quilters, family and perfect, wonderful strangers who believed in my dream and backed the project to make it happen. I am really going to have the actual book in my hands and so are you! We will be bringing the heritage of quilting into the lives of children everywhere, so thank you! 

My 11 year old son Gavin drew something special just in case we meet our goal and I’m so excited to show you here! 

ANNOUNCEMENT: In celebration of reaching the funding goal (once all the rewards are in your hands) I’m going to do a bit of research and then translate the book into French! 

But the story doesn’t end here. Backers can still fund the project to get rewards until March 15th at midnight pacific, so here’s what happens if we exceed the goal: 

More books - Any funds exceeding the goal will go to printing more books. 

STRETCH GOAL: For every $100 over the funding goal I’ll donate one book to a library. 

We've already surpassed the first $100 so a book will be donated to the West Kildonan Public Library in Winnipeg where I grew up. 

Thank you so much for believing in me! Today I just feel like I am surrounded by a huge circle of wonderful people who believed that what I am trying to do has value. I was so afraid to press the launch button on this project because I’ve always felt like such a dreamer. It’s so nice to have this dream come true. 

Thank you. 

Tuesday Preview - CQT Episode 36

Hey Everyone,

I can hardly take a moment to post the Tuesday Preview because I'm up to my armpits in alligators with the Kristy's Quilt Project. It is so exciting and we are so close to our goal.

We are over 90% funded with just 4 days to go!

Please share Kristy's Quilt with a friend in the final stretch! 

But back to this week's CQT podcast - if you love quilting and you love food then this is the show for you! This week I'll chat about foods that look like quilts, foods to take to quilting potlucks, and the best snack foods to eat at home in your studio or to take to retreats. This week on Canadian Quilt Talk it's all about food!

Did I mention that I need stories for the Quilter's Corner? 

I am down to my last few stories and only saw one come in through my email this week. The prizes are fabulous - who doesn't want some fabric from Northcott? So get your story submitted to info@explorefibre.com.

This week's winner is Viki Kirby with a story of a little boy with a much loved quilt. Congratulations Viki! You have won a fabulous fat quarter bundle by Northcott. 

Episode 035 Canadian Quilt Talk - The Singing Quilter

We are in for a very special treat this week as I chat with Cathy Miller - The Singing Quilter. I'll ask her about everything from the inspiration for quilterly songs to where she'll be singing next. Don't miss this exciting Canadian Talent. 

Check out this episode!

Wow, I've been published!

I've been spending so much time focussing on the Kristy's Quilt Campaign writing for magazines and guest posting for my favourite blogs that I forgot about a humorous little article I wrote for Chicken Soup For the Soul! 

I was very excited when this arrive on my doorstep yesterday. A story I submitted was published in the latest Chicken Soup book called The Multitasking Mom's Survival Guide. 

The best part? Unlike almost ALL of the other writing I've ever done, they actually pay you if they choose your story and send you a few copies. Stay tuned! I just might give one away on the Canadian Quilt Talk podcast! 

Brandy Lynn

Tuesday Preview - CQT Episode 35

The Singing Quilter - Cathy Miller

This week's podcast was so much fun to create! It will be more like a radio show with musical segments rather than just a talk show. I’m so excited to have a very special guest - you may have seen her at a quilting event near you because she travels everywhere, it’s The Singing Quilter herself Cathy Miller. 

The Singing Quilter Cathy Miller and husband John Bunge

I’ll chat with Cathy Miller about her story as a quilter, how she moved from a music career to quilting and, and of course, her exciting travels as the Singing Quilter! 

Join me this week for Episode # 35 of Canadian Quilt Talk 

as I chat with the Singing Quilter! 

Kristy's Quilt Book Cover! 

And don't forget about the Kristy's Quilt Project! We are 53% funded with 12 days to go. Thank you so much to every single one of you who has backed the project and shared it with your friends. Please continue to spread the word in any way you can. You are my cheering squad and the best way to get the word out! I'm so proud to be able to share this heartwarming story with little quilters-to-be all over the world. 

And now for the winner of our weekly Quilter's Corner…

Susan Easton writes a funny little story about just how little the average person might know about quilting. Congratulations Susan! You have won 2 CDs by our special guest Cathy Miller. The first CD is her first release called “One Stitch at a Time.” and the second is one of her latest releases called, “Little Crazy Quilt.” 

Also, The Brandy Lynn Designs newsletter comes out tomorrow. If you haven't signed up yet, just look in the right column where it says SUBSCRIBE TO OUR MAILING LIST and enter your email today! 

And if you are absolutely loving all these FREE podcasts, fibre art videos and prize giveaways, then please support the Kristy's Quilt Project today. simply click on the Book cover to the right to support head straight over to Kickstarter and support the project. 

Have a great week everyone!