Sew in the Know Newsletter!

Did you know that there are over 7 billion people in the world? And just as many quilts!

The cool thing is - that each one of us is unique and each one of us has a story. (And yes the same can be said for quilts)

I am very lucky in that I get to meet so many fabulous people - all quilters of course! In fact I do not think that there is a quilter out there that I have done some work for that I have not had an extended conversation and sometimes even a coffee with.

And we all have our stories. It may be why we quilt or it may be a part of the quilt we have just finished.

Wednesday I wrote a blog that revealed a little of my story. You can read part of it below or read all of it here and to see some more of the story click on the link to the Calgary Herald Article from 2013.

You see for a few days I was feeling unmotivated and just could not even step into my studio. Instead I cooked, gardened and started knitting a pair of socks, LOL.

I sent the blog out to a few people to read (for spelling errors!) and heard back from almost all of them. Each one of them told me a bit of their story.

After listening to them I realized (again) how important and special and unique each one of us is. Our journeys are all different. And our quilts often reflect those experiences and journeys. They too have a story.

I must say I have never met a quilt that I did not like in some way. Some are colourful, some are a bit blue...some are funny, but all tell a story.

The same can be said for the quilters I have met. Just as I see the beauty in each creation - I see the beauty in the maker - that's YOU!

This is one of the reasons I send this newsletter out each month. Yes, it is to stay connected to my customers and friends - but is also to pass along stories, tips and ideas and to help all of us stay stitched together.

(Whatever you do - don't come unravelled!)

There's more to read - so enjoy! Be sure to read the great story Naomi Babineau (fellow quilter) has let me use.

And as I have said before and will say again......keep on quilting!

Mandie (the quilter)

Located in Limerick (Near Bancroft) Ontario, she travels hither, thither and yon to spread quilting merriment!

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Join me for some quilting merriment in October!

Region of York Quilter's Guild - October 19th

June 21st 2024

Quilting Conversations

I have been longarming for others since April 2020. At first it was to help others finish their quilts in a time when none of us could leave our homes except for essentials. (yes quilting is essential!)

It has become my addiction, for many reasons. (kind of like coffee, oh, and occasionally wine!)

Each time I received or picked up a quilt, I had an extended conversation with the maker, just to learn more about where the quilt will be used or who it may be gifted to.

I still do this. This is how I really get to know each quilter I quilt or sew for. It's just as important as the quilting I do.

We don't just talk about thread colour and pattern. We talk about life in general too - our families, our triumphs, our mistakes our joy and sometimes our frustrations and sadness.

For me it is magical. I get such a perspective on life and I get to learn so much about each of you. I count it as an honour to have these conversations. And it is also where I hear great quilting stories.

So this week take a minute to have a coffee with another quilter, or a neighbour or someone who needs some connection.

And if you have a great quilting story to share - send it to me. This month I will randomly choose a story to share in next month's newsletter. The story teller wins a $20 Tim Hortons Card!

Share your story by emailing it to me at info@janestreetquilts.com

Pick up and Delivery Notice

Wednesday June 26th:

• 12:00 noon Newmarket, King, Aurora area
• 2:00 pm Burlington, Hamilton area

Thursday June 27th:

• 11:00 am Woodstock area
• 12:30 pm Toronto area
• 2:00 pm Peterborough, Apsley areas

ANYTIME: Bancroft to Belleville!

Have a quilt ready for me? Go ahead and let me know!

In last months newsletter (you can read archived newsletters here), I talked a bit about always wondering what to cook for supper.

Yesterday, I posted one of my favourite side dishes on facebook and the reactions was yummmm! To be fair - I would love it as a main dish with a little chicken breast added to it.

I often stop in at 'No Frills' or farm markets and am amazed at how economical 'not perfect' vegetables are. This side dish cost me $3.00 and it fed six people. We only have two here - so I added some ideas of what I do with the leftovers at the end of the recipe.

BBQ or Oven Roasted Veggies

Prep by soaking 10 wooden skewers in water (2 hours)

Preheat BBQ to 450 degrees (preheat oven to 400)

If BBQing - heat oven to 250 degrees as well

Cut the following into 2 inch (or close) squares (Reminder - squares do not have to be perfect)

1 green pepper

1 red pepper

1 orange pepper

1 yellow pepper

1 sweet onion

Add to the mix 6 large cremini mushrooms (cut in half) or 12 small uncut

6-8 cherry or grape tomatoes

Toss all veggies in 1/4 cup olive oil.

(Optional - add any extra cooked veggie leftovers from the fridge (carrots, brocolli, asparagus)

Sprinkle with 1 Tablespoon of Italiano seasoning

Salt and pepper to taste

Slide each fresh piece randomly on a skewer until all fresh veggies are loaded. (slide tomatoes end to end - uncut)

Place on a perforated pizza sheet or grilling foil. Toss any extra veggies in between.

Place on BBQ or in 450 degree oven (middle rack). While tidying up your sewing area, cook for 30 minutes turning the skewers every 10 minutes so they char evenly. If using an oven you may want to broil for the last few minutes.

Once the veggies look delish - move them to a warm oven while you grill your burger, steak or chicken.

To serve - pull them off the skewers and place in a bowl. So pretty! (I only cook them on skewers for ease of turning them while cooking.)

Leftovers: Make a gourmet sandwich by using the peppers (now cooked and flat) in grilled sandwiches or in summer soups. They taste great cold in a pasta salad. Simply toss with cooked pasta and little Italian dressing. ( I also toss in cooked chopped leftover sausage). Enjoy.

Now we return you to our regularly scheduled quilting news!

With Canada Day fast approaching, I thought I would highlight a great Canadian story (see next section) and show you a pattern I developed using Northcott's Oh Canada line. I call it Canada Geese Fireside Quilt.

This is a "no waste quick finish" quilt and I have only a couple of these kits left! Patterns and and panels are also available.

(If you would like a discount on multiple panels - let me know.)

The quilt is 60 x 72 and would make a great quilt for the family room, to hang outside on Canada Day or donate to a a veteran. (Quilts of Valour info here)

Kit cost: $75.00

Pattern and Panel: $15.00

Pattern only: $10.00

If you prefer to oder and be invoiced - please let me know here

To purchase using a secure checkout link:

You can find them all here.

More information on Quilts of Valour here

Courtesy of Naomi and Mike Babineau.

Naomi and I attended Branch 385 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Aurora for a very special Quilt of Valour presentation.

We were honouring a 99 year old member of the Canadian Women’s Army Corp, Sgt. Thelma (McGowan) Reynolds. Sgt. McGowan enlisted in the WAC’s in in 1943 in the middle of World War ll.

The Women’s Army Corp was established on August 13, 1941 in order to relieve men in non-combat positions and allow them to serve in combat. At that time it was an Auxiliary organization without rank structure.

In March of 1942 it was fully integrated into the Canadian Armed Forces allowing for the first time in history that women would be allowed to serve in Uniform.

Thelma rose to the rank of Sergeant serving in Nova Scotia until she was released at the end of the war in 1945.

The WAC continued service until October 20, 1978 when all female units were finally fully integrated with male units.

Sgt. McGowan is pictured here standing beside her WW2 uniform which is on display in Branch 385.

Thelmas Quilt was made by Kathleen Rogers and Barb Morrison.

Sadness. We all sometimes experience it.

Recently I awoke to realize I had been feeling a little blue. I was having difficulty getting motivated to do even the things I love to do. “Why not do some quilting?”, she asked herself. Sigh. I just couldn’t get started. I even mentioned it to my guy who of course told me maybe I should take a break and not be so hard on myself. (Hmmm does he even KNOW me?)

After a day or two of bumbling around doing well, not much, it dawned on me! I checked the calendar and realized it was the day before the 11th anniversary of the floods of Alberta - an event I was heavily involved in as a first responder. (some of the story is here ) 

AH Ha! I now understood the sadness.

​It was a major milestone in my life - and I had to work very hard to stop measuring my life by referring to events that have happened in terms of before or after “the flood”. 

Read more of the bog post here

I am no longer quilting or teaching longarming for The Quilt Store in Newmarket or Burlington. If you would still like me to do your custom quilting or edge to edge quilting - please be sure to contact me.

I do offer pick up and delivery service at no extra charge to Bellevillle, Peterborough, Aurora, Newmarket and King area all the way to Hamilton, Burlington and Woodstock.

And finally - because I an now fully independent when it comes to providing services and products for my customers - I will let you all see some of the great savings I have available if you are interested.

Over the last year I have been working towards trying to offer my customers reasonable options that can save them a little bit to make their quilting dollar go further. Those of us who believe that there is enough business for everyone, refer others who have great deals and do not begrudge those who can do so.

If I see a deal - I pass it along. Even if it is not my deal!

And I have begun to stock some items to help you save a few dollars. So here is what is available if you need it....

Backings - 15 different backings in stock and more arriving.

Precut, prepared quilter's binding - assorted colours

Other services (or - things YOU don't want to do!)

• Creating binding
• Serging edges of the quilt
• Attaching binding
• Repairing Quilts
• Finishing unfinished quilt tops
• Enlarging finished quilts
• Creating quilted fabric
• Embroidered labels

Ask about services here

See backings and battings here

SHORT ON FUNDS?

Please do not let a temporary 'shortage of funds' delay you from getting your quilt longarmed! Contact me - and we can work out a payment plan. (yes - we can!) And I can also offer Visa and Mastercard options. Contact me here to learn more.

Thanks for reading to the end!

Do you know someone who would like to read it - have them sign up here.

Have questions or comments - please be sure to let me know. Email me at info@janestreetquilts.com