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!