More Celebrations the Quilting Way

Celebrate-Fêtons 150

Since I've been writing about the many ways that the Quilting Community is celebrating Canada's 150, I've been finding all kinds of great events and patterns. I've also discovered that some of the quilt designers I've been following are Canadian!

Before I get into more Canadian celebratory patterns, here's an update on my March OMG (One Monthly Goal) the Beaver block by Lorna from Sew Fresh Quilts. I'll write more about this project in an upcoming post, but I did want to show you my progress. It's now ready to quilt!

Beaver block designed by Lorna of Sew Fresh Quilts

I've also made three more slab blocks for Canada's Big Quilt Bee which is co-hosted by Lorna from Sew Fresh Quilts (isn't she a busy bee!) She got her own Sew Fresh Quilt Bee going on - so make sure to check out the amazing variety of slab blocks (see Related Links at the bottom of the page).

Three more slab blocks for Canada's Big Quilt Bee

Canada Eh?
Mystery Table Runner

Here are a few more Quilt-Alongs and patterns that celebrate Canada's 150th.

Quilter's Connection Magazine as a contest and free pattern called Canada Eh? Mystery Table Runner. The link at the bottom of the page will take you to the contest details (deadline April 15, 2017) and the free PDF pattern.

I generally avoid mystery quilts because I like to know what I'm quilting and I rely on the finished picture to keep me oriented. I did download the pattern and saw the finished quilt somewhere in blog land. I was hoping to provide a link, with a spoiler alert warning, but I can't find it - so no need for the warning. I will say that it's a lovely table runner, worth putting the time and fabric into it. Make sure you link up to Celebrate - Fêtons 150 if you make one!

Canada 150 pattern by Kathy K. Wylie

Award-winning quilter and pattern designer Kathy K. Wylie has a pattern out. Canada 150, that uses reverse appliqué with a strip-pieced patchwork maple leaf block. She calls the technique “Peek-a-boo Appliqué“. I've bought the pattern and am looking forward to using her technique. Kathy will be teaching this, along with other courses, at the Quilt Canada 2017 in June.

Canadian Sampler BOM

Sew Sisters asked 20 Canadian quilters to create blocks for a Block of the Month celebrating Canada's 150th. It's the Canadian Sampler BOM. If you want to join in, round II begins July 2017.

Oh, Canada! pattern by Cheryl Arkson

Another pattern that I couldn't resits is the Oh,Canada! quilt pattern by Cheryl Arkison. I just love its scrappy look. I have been following Cheryl's blog for a while, but obviously not closely enough since I didn't realize that she's Canadian.

What I learned:

• It looks like I'm going to be spending 2017 making quilts to celebrate the 150th. That's not at all how I expected to spend my year but then, I may as well, since I may not be as productive when the 175th is here!
• Making the slab blocks has been fun. It looks like I may be in for more fun than I thought since the small quilt calls for 12 blocks, not 9! Oh well, if I don't get the quilt top done on time, I'll just hand in my blocks at the Common Thread Quilt Guild since they will be sending tons of blocks to the quilt bee.

Featured Links:

• Celebrate - Fêtons Canada 150 in March (March 1, 2017)
• The post includes my OMG, slab blocks as well as the link-up for March.
• Canada's Big Quilt Bee and Sew Fresh Quilt Bee
• Canada Eh? Mystery Table Runner - contest details and pattern
• Kathy K. Wylie's Canada 150 pattern using her  “Peek-a-boo Appliqué“ technique
• Sew Sister's Canadian Sampler BOM
• Cheryl Arkison's Oh, Canada! quilt pattern

Linking Parties: I'll be linking my slab blocks to Lorna's Sew Fresh Quilt Bee link-up
and this post to the Celebrate - Fêtons Canada 150 in March. Don't forget to join the fun and link up! Monday Making, Moving it Forward Monday, Linky Tuesday, Midweek Makers, Needle & Thread Thursday, Off the Wall Friday, Finished or Not Friday, Oh Scrap!

Celebrate - Fêtons 150 in March

Celebrate - Fêtons 150

February was the first month of the
Celebrate - Fêtons 150 link-up. Unfortunately there were no link-ups (other than my own) but it's not surprising since the link up theme is rather narrow - any post celebrating Canada's 150th or Canada in general.

The post has been read by many, so I really hope that it's gotten you thinking about making something special to celebrate Canada's 150th.

February's prize

I will continue to host the monthly link-up as well as giving out prizes. Don't forget that leaving a comment in one of the Celebrate - Fêtons 150 posts will also give you a chance to win the monthly prize. The February prize is 3 fat quarters of Stonehenge Oh Canada fabric by Northcott. I drew the prize winner using a random number generator. Susan of Quilt Fabrication is our winner. Congrats!

As well as showcasing some of the quilting events, patterns and fabrics created specifically to celebrate Canada's 150, I thought that I would participate and make a few of these myself.

The first one, that I mentioned in my last Celebrate - Fêtons 150 post is the Canada's Big Quilt Bee. If you didn't read about it, follow the link in the Related Links at the bottom of this post. 

Lorna, our own Canadian pattern designer of Sew Fresh Quilts is participating in the celebration by hosting her own SEW FRESH QUILT BEE. So make one or many slab blocks using at least one of the Canada 150 fabrics and then link up on her blog. She will also be giving away prizes! Join in the fun :-)

Here are my 3 slab blocks - I am hoping to make 6 more to complete a small quilt top.

12" slab blocks made with Stonehenge Oh Canada fabric by Northcott

Sew Fresh's Canadian
Forest Friends quilt

Sew Fresh's Canada 150 lap quilt

Lorna has also made some lovely quilt and quilt block patterns to celebrate Canada. I purchased her Beaver block below and it's going to be my One Monthly Goal (OMG) for March! The plan is to have it finished by April 1 so that I can show it off at the April link-up. We'll also have a great prize courtesy of Lorna!

Sew Fresh's Beaver quilt block pattern

There's a lot in this post and since it's the beginning of the month, I also need to include my monthly goals for March.

1. My One Monthly Goal (OMG) is to complete the Sew Fresh Beaver block pattern.
2. I have 6 more slab blocks to complete this month.

I hope to get more done, but I think that two goals are ambitious enough at this time. As a former boss used to say: "It's better to under promise and over deliver!"

Quilting & Learning - What a Combo!  
Celebrating 150 posts

Finally, I have a special prize for this month. Not only are we celebrating Canada's 150th, but my next post will also be my 150th! WOW! I knew that I enjoyed quilting but I wasn't expecting to love blogging so much. There are fabrics purchased from Mad About Patchwork - one of my favourite online fabric stores. I hope you love them as much as I do....it's going to be difficult to part with these :-)

March's Give Away

What I learned:

• I've learned to stay optimistic about the Celebrate - Fêtons 150 link-up. As much as I dislike advertising, I didn't study business for nothing! Getting the word out there is what it's all about!
• I am really having a great time finding fun things to include in the Celebrate - Fêtons 150 posts. There are some wonderful things happening everywhere across the country. It's going to be an awesome year!
• I went to my first official Canada 150 event last night - it was the screening of Ti-Coq by Gratien Gelinas at Library and Archives Canada in Ottawa. The movie was restored and projected using original equipment. How cool is that! I'm really looking forward to attending more of these great events.

Featured Links:

Celebrate - Fêtons 150 posts:

• Read the details about Celebrate - Fêtons 150
• Announcing a Linking Party with Prizes (February 13, 2017)
• Canada 150 Quilting Events and Projects (February 15, 2017)

• Canada's Big Quilt Bee - with links to the slab block, instructions etc.
• Details of SEW FRESH QUILT BEE and the February link-up
• Sew Fresh Quilts patterns
• One Monthly Goal (OMG) at Elm Street Quilts
• Mad About Patchwork
• Quilt Fabrication

Linking Parties: I will be linking to the One Monthly Goal - March Goal Setting Link-up and the SEW FRESH QUILT BEE as well as these other link-ups. Check out what everyone is up to! Main Crush Monday, Move it Forward Monday, Linky Tuesday, Midweek Makers, Needle & Thread Thursday, Oh Scrap!

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