I’ve been lurking here for a while, and decided to come out of hiding. This board is great! I live in Ottawa, Ontario and work for the Canadian government. I have two kids, one is away at university and one is in grade 12. I have an awesome Shetland Sheepdog named Jack who is the only man who is happy to see me when I come home from work. :-)

I learned how to sew when I was 8 and have done cross-stitch, needlepoint and basic sewing since then. I’ve wanted to learn to quilt my whole life (seriously – I’ve been saving fabric scraps since I was about 14 – I’m 44 now) but only got around to taking an intro course two years ago. I’ve made several since then – attached are a few examples. I absolutely love it but I’m not very competent yet. I want to learn to appliqué and FMQ. Someday I’d like to learn how to long arm quilt too. I think the stitching on top is what makes the overall look – it really adds a lot of dimension and beauty. I’ve been practicing FMQ but it looks like crap. I tried to get into a class at a local quilt store but it was full, so hopefully they will have room in January. I think I may have finally mastered stitching on the seam lines without wandering off too much.

In the meantime, I practice by making baby quilts and giving them to anyone at my office who is having a baby. People can’t believe it, and I always feel bad because I don’t think they are all that great. I’ll try and attach some pictures of a few that I have made. I’m looking forward to learning more from this group!

Canada Kate said: Wishing I Could Quit Work and Quilt Full Time!

Ditto! Love the black, white and red.

Welcome aboard from Northern California!

Hi, I'm from Ottawa, too and just signed up today. Small world but a good thing.

Sailorwoman

Welcome from Oregon. Your quilt tops are lovely. I am a fairly new quilter to and love the peicing but not the quilting part so much. These wonderful people here will help you out a lot if you have questions.
Tammy

your quilts are all lovely!
and remember-we are all our own worst critics---when we show a quilt to someone else- they do not see any mistakes- they have no idea it is not exactly what you intended it to be- only you know that (unless you point out the errors and tell on yourself) no one knows they are mistakes---so don't worry about it :)
glad you finally jumped in here and let us see some of your quilts!
many of us wish (and dream) of the day we can retire and quilt all the time :)

Welcome from Michigan.:) Nice Quilts!

Welcome from Alabama. All your quilts are lovely. Great job.

welcome from va your quilts are beautiful

Welcome from the beautiful Carson Valley...just below Lake Tahoe! Love your quilts!

Thanks you so much for the encouragement (and everyone else who has welcomed me, too!). You are right that we know where the mistakes are! I saw a post/picture on here earlier today of someone who had entered her quilt in a county fair and won for best machine quilted entry and it was *gorgeous*. The designs on the top were to die for. When I can do that, I will be satisfied! (That's probably asking for a lot, eh?!)