Tobyknits - Episode 117

So I am trying something new on my Tobyknits Youtube channel and wondering how you feel about it.  Basically I did a weekend vlog while working on my WestKnits Twists and Turns MKAL instead of my usual here's what I made this past week video.

Might be something to think about for December.  I have not done a Vlogmas before and think it might be fun. What do you think?

Here are some other fabulous vloggers to follow in October:

Knit365blog Postcast  @knit365 blog  https://www.youtube.com/c/knit365blog This Little Wonderful Life  @This Little Wonderful Life  https://www.youtube.com/c/ThisLittleWonderfulLife Little Workroom Crafts  @Little Workroom Crafts  https://www.youtube.com/c/LittleWorkroomCrafts

Until next time, craft on!!

Cheers

Anne

Support Group Quilt Along

Support Group Quilt

I wasn't sure I was going to do this quilt along, I thought the image of tons of bra's was a little odd.  I actually have two cousins who successfully beat breast cancer, so it's not that it didn't touch my heart ...but I just couldn't get past all the bra images.

Then I saw someone say they looked like bikini tops, and I thought oh yeah, cool.  A sweet summer reminder of fun and sunshine, or trips from the past.  

Not long after that, Fat Quarter Shop reached out to me and asked me to take part and share my progress on social media.  Of course, I have enough block of the month, and quilts in progress to keep me going for a year, but I came up with a plan.  Make this quilt out of scraps....and donate it to raise money for breast cancer.  

Now if you want to purchase the kit, it includes the Support Group Quilt Pattern and Stitch fabric by Lori Holt to make a 59.5" x 66.5" quilt top and binding.

Quilt Kit

Alternatively you can just purchase the pattern like I am, and use stash or scraps.

Support Group Quilt PDF Pattern

So keep checking back as I start to make these blocks and show my support for Breast Cancer Awareness.  

ps.  There is also a cross stitch chart if your not into quilting!!  More information HERE!!

Until next time, craft on!!

Tobyknits & Friends FIRST cross stitch retreat

OOh my goodness....our first ever cross stitch retreat!!!  PLEASE READ TO THE END FOR ALL THE DETAILS AND AVAILABILITY.

Come and spend some time with Diana and I, meet some new friends, bring some old ones and be creative while having fun.  It’s all about the cross stitch, relaxing and eating…nothing more.

The retreat is being held at the beautiful Riverlee stone house, in Johnstown,  Ontario.

Nestled 2.2km east of the International Bridge in Prescott. There are 5 bedrooms, one of which has two single beds (Diana and I will share that), the rest are either Queen or a King.  

There is a fabulous kitchen, where you can prepare your own meals on the Saturday and Sunday.  Friday night Diana and I will treat you to a chicken chilli, salad and buns.  There is an amazing little diner close by that we are considering going to Saturday night.

We can either stitch in the dining room or the gorgeous living room….or if the weather is good, on the deck or in the gardens.  OOOh such choices.

A super cute dining room

A comfy stitching area

Price:

Retreat Fee is $245.00.

Minimum $100 (non refundable deposit) required at registration to hold your spot.

Balance of $145.00 due by October 1st, 2022. 

Payments to be made via EFT to Anne Hunt at baashunt@gmail.com. 

What’s Included:

Accommodation.  Your own room with either a Queen or King bed.

Comfortable spaces to stitch from 2pm - 11pm Friday, Saturday 9am - 11pm and Sunday 9am - 1pm.

Mocktail party welcome.

A Chicken Chili Dinner on the Friday night.

Opportunity to dine at Bridge View Restaurant Saturday night with us.  

Tea, Coffee, Water and cookies and muffins all weekend.

Hot-tub….yes for real!  Bring your bathing suits.

Vendors Tobyknits and Welcome Home Interiors will have a small table with a few items for sale.

Super cute table gifts

Daily Door Prizes

Free Mystery Stitch Along.  Floss and Fabric not included.  An email will be sent out with material lists once registration is confirmed.

What’s Not Included:

Transportation to and from the retreat.

Any food other than the Friday night.  Please bring your own food for breakfast, lunch and the Saturday night, if you are not joining us at the Bridge View Restaurant on Saturday night.

How Do I Contact You?

You can reach Anne at this email - baashunt@gmail.com.  or 613-899-5519

You can reach Diana at this email - farmerdistitches@gmail.com or 613-796-5190 (leave a message or text)

ONLY TWO SPOTS LEFT........EMAIL IMMEDIATELY TO LET ME KNOW YOUR INTERESTED.  

Tobyknits Flosstube #32 - A New Start....

It's so nice to be back into a routine....I fell so behind with all my crafts and social media when I was sick with the covid that wasn't covid virus.  Anyway, today is Flosstube day, and my latest Tobyknits Flosstube Episode 32 dropped this morning.

What I stitched or mentioned:

Mondays stitch is - Peeking Puppies a Dimensions Kit https://www.123stitch.com/en-ca/item/Dimensions-Peeking-Pups-Cross-Stitch-Kit/K70-35400 Wednesday stitch is - Song of Christmas, a Lavender and Lace Chart I have had for 20 odd years. Friday's stitch is Fall On The Farm, chart 5 http://shrsl.com/3nhvk Or you can now buy the entire set: http://shrsl.com/3o6w0 Sunday stitch is Jungle Welcome - Bothy Threads Kit https://www.bothythreads.com/shop/kits/jungle-welcome

Tobyknits and Friends Cross Stitch retreat October 28-30 2022 just outside Ottawa, Ontario. If you would like some information about this before we release the final details on September 5th, please email me at: baashunt@gmail.com. Maybe one more spot available. I am also releasing a brand new cross stitch design...a MYSTERY stitch-along to coincide with the retreat. It's free to retreat attendees but 50% off to everyone else. Cost is $5.00 and each PDF clue will be emailed over the course of the weekend. email me at baashunt@gmail.com for all the details. Until next time, craft on!!

A New Mystery Quilt Along

Oh my gosh, I may have died and gone to heaven!  There's a new mystery quilt along....WITH A DIFFERENCE.  This is like a whole experience....this ticks ALL my boxes.  

• Monthly
• Fabric
• Blocks
• Reading
• Puzzles
• Recipes

Okay so let my explain.  My friend Brenda sent me a link, knowing full well I would jump all over this.  Which of course, I did.  Thanks Brenda!!  This years Flash Fiction Mystery is called "Around The Kitchen Table" which according to author Lynda H. Smith "will warm your heart and keep you on the edge of your seat".

Each chapter in the book is tied to the quilt block for that month. There are also 12 recipes to try and 14 puzzles to solve!!   What!!!  I know, right.  There are also prizes to be won for correctly solving the puzzles and a private Facebook group to chat with other mystery buffs. Could it be any better???

The quilt has a warm country cottage feel with a kitchen and garden theme.  There are 14 blocks and you can use your own stash, which is what I am doing or purchase a quilt kit.  The quilt will finish at 48" x 72".  Here are some of the fabrics I have chosen so far. I just need to pick up a couple of 1/2 yard cuts in yellow, and red.  Don't you just love the Lori Holt Kitchen fabric???

The member website is super easy to navigate and the puzzles so far have been brain teasers!!  So much fun. I literally can't wait to read the first chapter and see the first block, which releases on Wednesday August 31 at 10:00pm ET.

Now here is the BIG NEWS.  The excited news.....the best part!!  I HAVE A CODE you can use to get a discount, because there is STILL time to get in on this mystery.

The cost for this fabulous experience....is ....wait for it.    $7.00 per month or $69 yearly.

Click the photo to register

So, when you register click the Have A Coupon link, just below the create a password and enter one of the following two options:

******************

TOBYMONTHLY22 to get $0.50 off your membership every month of the year.   OR

TOBYYEARLY22 to get $5.00 off the regular yearly membership

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However the Monthly option closes on September 8th so act quick but the yearly option is open all year round.  

Come on, how much fun is this going to be???  Make sure you tune in to Fridays Tobyknits Quilty Fun so I can tell you more about it, show you the first block maybe....but definitely my fabric choices.  Or visit Flash Fiction Mystery Quilt website for all the details.

Until next time, craft on!!

Anne aka Tobyknits

Where have I been?

 So you may have noticed, I have been missing in action.  Not posting, not filming.....just not anywhere. 

Bob looking for me

Well that's because I have been sick....like super sick.  I actually thought I had Covid that's how sick I was.  Hubby and I both fell ill at the same time (5 days after a large family event) and we tested every day...Negative.  So on day 4 we decided to do a PCR test at the local health centre....24 hours later we are still Negative.  Okay, so it's not Covid, what is it then??  Off I pop to the doctors and she tells me it's a virus.  Wait...isn't Covid a virus too?  

Anyway I have more energy, and not coughing as much....so on the mend basically.  And...back to filming, knitting, cross stitch and quilting.  Yippeeeeeee

Check out this weeks Tobyknits Flosstube Episode 31 to catch up on all my stitching and learn about something super exciting coming in the fall.

What did I show or mention:

I finished Letters to Santa a Fat Quarter Shop paid for mystery pattern.

I finished Home Sweet Home, another Fat Quarter Shop paid for mystery pattern from the spring.

Wednesday stitch is - Song of Christmas, a Lavender and Lace Chart I have had for 20 odd years. Friday's stitch is Fall On The Farm, chart 5 Or you can now buy the Entire set

Sunday stitch is Jungle Welcome - Bothy Threads Kit

BIG NEWS is my friend Diana and I are hosting a very small Cross Stitch retreat at the end of October 2022 just outside Ottawa, Ontario. If you would like some information about this before we release the details on September 5th, please email me at: baashunt@gmail.com I am also releasing a brand new cross stitch design...a MYSTERY stitch-along to coincide with the retreat. Again, want more info...just email me. Until next time...craft on!!

Wrapping Up Jolly July

 So how did it go...your Jolly July?  Did you get everything finished, or like me....almost ha ha.  I added three new "starts" as we say in the flosstube world to my existing four weekly cross stitch projects.  

Letters to Santa

Letters to Santa was a paid for pattern from Fat Quarter Shop  and a weekly mystery which launched July 1st, 2022. It started with the border, which did take a long old time...then each week we were emailed a new part.  I stitched mine on 14 count black aida using the called for DMC floss.  It's still available to purchase as one complete pdf chart now.

As you can see, it's still not finished....but I have big plans for this cute little postcard. 

Boo Crew

Boo Crew was next as a new start.  Another fabulous Fat Quarter Shop weekly mystery...but this time it was FREE.  Let me repeat that...FREE. I absolutely love stitching this one, not sure if it was the gorgeous Peaceful Purple 14 count aida cloth or just the cutest little characters.  I mean, that hat!!  

Again, not finished...but almost.  Hoping to finish this in the next week or so, and I have a great idea for fully finishing it.

Happy Camper

Finally....my last start for Jolly July was a Stitchin With the Housewives chart, called Happy Camper.  This one was also stitched on black 14 count aida cloth and just a cute little one....4" x 3".  I did omit the flag from the back of the truck, couldn't figure out how to do a Canadian flag, and I did not use any of the black DMC but all the other called for colours.  I don't see the point of stitching black floss onto black cloth.  So left it out.  Made no difference to the truck, trailer or house windows...in my humble opinion.

This one I did manage to finish, and am thrilled with how it turned out.  I plan on mounting this with a fabric border and putting it on my wooden hanging frame.  

If you want to see the rest of my weekly stitching, check out today's latest Tobyknits Flosstube and remember to like, subscribe and "tell ya mates".   Also, if you have any questions for me, pop them below and I will answer them on next weeks Flosstube.  Yes, they are every Wednesday.

Until next time, craft on!!

Tying a Quilt

Have you ever tied a quilt?  I just did my first one....and it was epic!  This is the Unravelled quilt from the June 2021 Sew Sampler Box.  I made it for my daughter-in-law and added an extra row of blocks and an extra border.  So now it was huge!   

While I enjoy machine quilting on my Singer sewing machine, and I am learning so many cool techniques (Ruler Quilting, Free Motion, Walking Foot) this quilt was now bigger than I wanted to handle on my domestic sewing machine.  So it sat for a few weeks, while I decided what to do with it.  Then someone suggested I tie it. Wait what??  

"Tying, or tufting, is a quick alternative to hand or machine-quilting. Tied quilts have a puffier look than those that are quilted.  A tie is a stitch taken through all three layers of the quilt sandwich and knotted on the quilt top surface or, occasionally, on the back of the quilt."  American Pachtwork & Quilting, Nov 2017

So first I laid out my backing fabric, then batting and finally the pieced top using safety pins to secure them together.  I used some cotton yarn and a larged eyed needle, and did large ....really large, running stitching across the quilt top, through all the layers...almost like a huge loop.

Then I snipped each loop with my scissors, and tied a knot.  Keeping them spaced out as evenly as possible.

After each knot was tied, I used Fray Check to secure the knots.

It took me two afternoons to finish tying the quilt while sitting at my dining room table, watching the telly.  Think I am all caught up on Virgin River now....oh wait, season 4 just dropped.  Then it was time to trim, and bind.

I don't know about you but I love making and sewing on binding.  For me it really marks the finish, it's kind of like backstitching a cross stitch picture, just makes it POP.  And yes,  I do hand stitch it on the back.

I enjoyed tying this quilt so much, I think one I had earmarked to go to a long armer, will now be hand tyed by me.  It makes the quilt just so soft and puffy and you can really see the beautiful fabric shine through.  

Don't forget to check out tomorrow's Tobyknits Quilty Fun video, and see this quilt up close, including how I added a label.

Until next time, craft on!!

Piazza Puzzle Mystery Quilt

 What is a Puzzle Mystery Quilt?

Okay, so you have heard me talking about PMQ's or Puzzle Mystery Quilts before on my Youtube channel.  But do you really know what it is?  How it works? Why you need to sew one??

The Puzzle Mystery Quilt from Cotton Cuts, is a 10 month block of the month program.  With a twist!

It is pre-cut for you!!  Yes...no incorrect cuts, no waste, no left over fabric to figure out what to do with.

Valle 

Cotton Cuts latest PMQ is called Piazza and the first clue ships out on July 29th, but there is still time to get one of your favourite colourways.  I am doing a Valle small.  Click this LINK to go to the Cotton Cuts website to select your colourway and size.  You have two size options, a small 48" x 60" or a large 72" x 72".  

All the pretty colourways

Months 1-9 you will be sent a small packet in the mail with that months clue instructions and pre-cut fabric puzzle pieces.  Month 10 you receive border fabrics and the final clue of how to put the quilt together.

Let me tell you, my first Cotton Cuts PMQ was Olympia which I started August 7, 2021.  As a new quilter, the idea of pre-cut pieces really appealed to me.  I also love a good mystery, so the idea of putting something together each month, and trying to figure out how it all fit together was exciting for me.  The really interesting thing was, each month when I had assembled the clue...it still did not look like a standard quilt block.  All odd sizes and style blocks.  

Clue 1 of Olympia PMQ

It was not until Clue 10, when we started putting it all together that everything made sense.  

Centre block of Olympia

And then the final beautiful quilt.   I still need to finish the backing, and quilt this....but I made this for my Dad as the colourway name was Dorothy, which was my Mum's name.  I hope it will give my Dad some comfort being wrapped up in Dorothy again.  What do you think?

Finished Olympia Small Quilt

It looks like a stained glass window doesn't it??   The colours just flow together beautifully.  Here is a better shot, with no light behind.

Finished Olympia Small in Dorothy Colourway

It really is the most fun Block of the Month and definately beginning friendly.  If you do sign up, and why wouldn't you at this stage??  Remember to use my code ANNEPIAZZA to receive a FREE gift from Cotton Cuts in your first clue.  ALSO....I will be sewing my clue's EACH month on my Tobyknits Youtube Channel, so make sure to tune into watch if you need some help....or just want to sew along together.

Until next time, craft on!!

Jolly July Update

 How is your Jolly July going??  Mine is going great.  I am managing to keep up with all my cross stitch projects and have to say, I am really enjoying Boo Crew...and Letters To Santa.  Many of you know how much I love a good mystery, and these are no exception.

Part 1 of Letters to Santa

Letters to Santa is a pattern from Fat Quarter Shop and the cost is quite minimal for the PDF chart.  Every Friday you get a new section emailed and build the mystery one stitch at a time.  The first section released July 1st was the border, which reminds me of how the old airmail envelopes used to look.  When I first moved to Canada from England....40 odd years ago, this was how I communicated with my parents.  No cell phones or internet back then.  

Working on the black 14 count aida is not as hard as it looks.  I stitch in the evening with a light around my neck and a piece of white copy paper on my lap, under the aida cloth.  Much easier to see the holes.

Part 2 of Letters to Santa

Part 2 released July 8th and was super easy and quick to stitch.  Letters go so quickly...I am so excited to see what Part 3 will be tomorrow.  Do you have any guesses??

Boo Crew is the other super fun mystery QUILT and STITCH along from Fat Quarter Shop, and this one is FREE!!  I am actually doing both the quilt and stitch along...

Part 1 of Boo Crew

The chart releases every Tuesday in the month of July.  I am stitching mine on the called for Peaceful Purple 14 count Aida, using DMC floss.  This is much easier to see than the black ha ha.  One of the things I like about these patterns, is they don't use a ton of thread.  7 for this one, and if you don't have the called for fabric, they offer lots of great substitutes.  My friend Brenda is stitching hers on a Hazy Grey dyed aida.  It's so neat to see the difference in both of them.

I am not finished part 2 which released this week, but here it is so far...

Part 2 of Boo Crew

I just love the hat...it's so super sweet.  Tonight is my catch up night, so plan on finishing this section - which is the letter O - tonight.  Tomorrow on my Youtube video, I will show you how the quilt sections are coming along.

Leave me some comments below on how your #JollyJuly2022 is coming along.  Until next time...craft on.

Camping and Cross Stitch....does it work?

 We finally got out on the road with our 19' travel trailer this past weekend. I can't believe this was our first time, normally we are itching to go camping in late May.  The first trip we never go too far, and it's only for 2 nights so we can restock the cupboards, remember how to use everything and make note of things we have forgotten.  Our first trip was to Rideau Provincial Park located on the historic Rideau Waterways, in Kemptville, which is 40 km from Ottawa.  

Our trailer all set up

Didn't take us too long to get set up, and after we had taken Toby for a walk around the area for a million air pee's, we were ready for a cool drink and some relaxing.  This is when I pull out the cross-stitch.  

Letters to Santa

I have to say, it was so peaceful...sitting in the shade, stitching away on Letters To Santa with Toby lying at my feet.  That is, until a wee little red squirrel decided to have a full on conversation with Toby!! Letters to Santa is a paid for weekly Mystery Cross Stitch from the Fat Quarter Shop...click the link above for more details.

The weather was glorious the whole time we were there, not too hot....or humid.  Most of my days were sitting outside stitching and listening to music or the squirrel and Toby's conversation.

One day we took our 2 year old grandson for a few hours, and went to the beach.  Then paddled and splashed in the water.

Toes in the sand

Toes in the water

In the evenings, to avoid the mosquitoes we lounged inside, watching TV and naturally, me stitching.

Jungle Welcome

Toby being Toby...sleeping

I have to say, having all my projects in different bags, with their own set of floss, scizzors, pencils and patterns really helps keep me organized.  I think I may need to make a little floss catcher for all the little endy bits.  Something small...what do you use?  

And as for forgetting something, we did...something REAL BIG....the kettle!!!!  

If you want to know how my Jolly July 2022 stitching has been going, check out this weeks Tobyknits Flosstube:    

Until next time...craft on!!

Who's up for some Jolly July?

 This morning, I printed out a free stitching calendar from Fat Quarter Shop and set about planning my Jolly July stitching projects.  I have decided to free up three evenings per week by not knitting for the month of July, and adding three more cross stitch projects...primarily 3 stitch alongs.

Last year I did the Bat's and Boo's Quilt & Stitch Along, so naturally I want to do it again with the 

Boo Crew Quilt & Stitch Along.  This is a FREE mystery pattern.  Got my fabric and floss bag all ready as this starts Tuesday July 5, for 4 weeks.

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I did not take part in last years All The Trimmings Quilt & Stitch Along, but this years sneak peek at the Christmastime Quilt & Stitch Along is calling my name.  Maybe not the Quilt ...but definitely the Stitch Along.  This is also a FREE mystery pattern.  Got all my fabric and floss ready, we are just waiting on a start date from FQS once the fabric for the Quilt Along is in.  

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Then finally there is Letters to Santa which is a paid for mystery pattern which comes weekly in the form of a PDF file, starting July 1.  Got my fabric and floss, and pretty little needle minder all ready.  Such a fun project to start on Canada Day!!!

 

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So here is how my Jolly July evenings will work out.

Monday:  Baby Permin Sampler

Tuesday:  Boo Crew

Wednesday:  Song of Christmas

Thursday:  Catch Up and/or Whatever Takes my Fancy

Friday:  Letters to Santa

Saturday:  Christmastime

Sunday: Jungle Baby Sampler

For more information on how my Jolly July is shaping up, don't forget to check out my Tobyknits FlossTube on YouTube, especially today's as it includes all my fabric and a floss toss for the new projects.

Until next time, craft on!!