Valdani Threads...update!

You all are amazing!  I've sold out of my signature thread sets for the second time.  Thanks so much for your support!

Having said that, I'll be placing another order on Monday for another 40 kits.

There were a couple of you who had indicated that you would like one set aside but came up as "no reply" so I had no way of getting in touch with you. Kathryn Oppelt and Chickadee Sue, could you please email me directly if you would still like a set and I'll put one aside for you when the next order comes in?

Once again, I would like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart.  I'll let you know as soon as the next shipment arrives.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Happy stitching!

Valdani Threads

The shipment of my signature sets of Valdani threads arrived yesterday and I've been busy filling pre-paid orders.

 

A HUGE thanks to all of you for your support. Your thread kits will be in the mail today!

I have a limited number of sets left to purchase in my Etsy shop at the introductory price of $49.95 + shipping. These sets will retail at $69.95 if purchased elsewhere.

Here's the link should you be interested in having a peek...

https://www.etsy.com/shop/kaarenjohnston?ref=si_shop

I'm off to the post office and to do a little grocery shopping. You know what I'll be doing when I get home...working on my new quilt design! Yay!

Have a super day and as always...

Happy stitching!

She purrs just like Frankie!

Here she is, all shiny and new...and she purrs just like Frankie!

I got her all set up and played with her for a while after dinner yesterday. I know I'm partial and realize that it all comes down to personal preference but from what I've experienced, there's nothing that sews like a Bernina.

Baby Bernie 330 is going to be doing most of the "grunt" work and my 750QE will be used for everything else. I'm sure I could even teach her how to cook dinner because there's not too much she can't do...I only wish!  

I finally took the plunge and taught myself how to use the BSR (Bernina Stitch Regulator), a feature that is unique to some of the Bernina domestic machines.

This computerized attachment allows you to perform evenly regulated stitches throughout the entire free motion quilting process.  I was quite intimidated to even give it a try but once I did and learned how easy it was to use and give me the professional results I was looking for, I could kick myself for not having experimented with it sooner.  

So this afternoon I'll be doing some free motion quilting on this quarter's First Friday Freebie which is scheduled for release on the 6th of June.

Yesterday I also treated myself to some of the new fabric that came into my friend Darlene's "A Needle Pulling Thread Quilt Shop". True blacks that don't read as navy are difficult to find and if you need some to add to your stash, now's the time to get some before she sells out...and probably to me!  

Oh and did I mention that her prices are hard to beat?

As you can see, I also got some of the new dark browns and awesome cheddars.  These are destined to be used in a new quilt design that I'm working on.

Gorgeous!

Guess I'd better get the rest of my housework done because then I can play in my studio without feeling guilty. 

Yup, I'm anal...and that's only ONE of my many shortcomings! *wink*

Happy stitching!

A new addition to the family!

We're left for Halifax at around 7 this morning to pick up my new "baby" and to do a little shopping while we were there.  

This was my first trip to Halifax without having to visit a doctor!!! Woo hoo! Can you tell that I was and still am excited? That in itself was reason enough to celebrate!!!

We returned home at about 3 this afternoon from the 250 mile round trip...tired but oh so happy!

Mr. Painted Quilt is happy because the fridge and freezer are both full from our shopping spree at Costco.

My Bernina 1080QE will be retiring after serving me faithfully for the past eighteen years.

"Baby Bernie"...who is still waiting to be unpcked...is going to have some big shoes to fill because not once in eighteen years has Old Bernie had a repair issue.

Baby Bernie will be sharing my sewing studio with Big Bernie, my 750QE which was, is and always will be my dream machine.

I'm just too tired to unpack her now but you know what I'll be doing first thing tomorrow morning.

Now what's more important...a new sewing machine or jam-packed refrigerator? You don't even have to guess at my answer. *wink*

Happy stitching!

Valdani Update

All my Valdani signature thread kits have been sold. Thanks so so much for your overwhelming support!

I have ordered another 20 kits which I expect to arrive towards the latter part of next week. 

I'll still be able to sell this next shipment at my introductory price of $49.95 + shipping. The same kits are selling elsewhere for $69.95...and that's NOT a typo!

If you'd like me to set one aside for you, please either email me or leave a comment here. 

Thanks again!

Happy stitching!

Valdani Thread Kits

My Valdani thread kits have arrived and are now available for purchase in my Etsy shop at a terrific introductory price. 

I have a limited number of kits available at this special price so if you've always wanted some of your own, here's the perfect chance to get a head start on your own collection.

The kit includes 12 of my favorite "go-to" colors.  Valdani threads are reknowned for their quality and the fact that they are hand dyed and colorfast.  I use them exclusively for wool applique and "big stitch" quilting.

Click HERE to visit my Etsy shop.

Happy stitching!

Mom

"Everything I am or hope to be I owe to my mother."

Abe Lincoln

No one can or will ever take her place. 

She was kind, generous and the most positive person I’ve ever known.  She was always there for us.  Her three children, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren meant the world to her and she was our world as well.  She was our rock, our mentor and made our world a happier place.

My Mom lived a simple life.  She enjoyed cooking, gardening and reading…and she loved her night time television shows.  That’s when she relaxed and unwound.  She loved to laugh and you could often hear her laughing out loud at some silly comedy show.  Just thinking about it brings a smile to my face.

The above photo was taken on her wedding day, September 9, 1941.  Two days later, my Dad was deployed to England as a member of the Armed Forces during WWII where he served for four years.

My Mom lived with Mr. Painted Quilt and I during the last year of her life.  After a brief but courageous battle with cancer, my Mom passed away on June 23, 2006.  Not a day goes by when I don’t think about her.

I miss you, Mom.

Exciting News!

After working in the garden for almost four hours yesterday doing the spring clean up thing, I can honestly say that I'm getting too old for this! There are limitations as to how much I can physically do because of my hip but I did as much as I could and "supervised" while Mr. Painted Quilt did three quarters of the work. I did give him lots of moral support though. *wink*

After the yard work was done, I made lunch and then started the prep work for a new design that has been patiently waiting for me to bring to "life". I'm making great progress so far today and should be ready to begin the handwork either later this afternoon...if I don't poop out...or tomorrow morning.

Speaking of handwork, remember a while back I alluded to another giveaway...in addition to the Aurifil thread giveaway?

Well I now have my own personalized collection of Valdani threads that they...Valdani...have made just for me called "Sentimental Favorites by The Paint Quilt". How cool and exciting is that!!!

And even better than that, they will be for sale shortly in my Etsy shop as soon as the shipment arrives...and at a GREAT price!

Having said that, I will be giving away a box of 12 of my favorite colors...very similar to the palette I used when I was painting...to one of you who have "liked" my Facebook page. As soon as I reach 1000 "likes", I'll do the random generator thing and pick a winner.  For those of you who don't do Facebook...and I understand the reasons why because I held off for a very long time as well...I won't forget about you.  As soon as we reach my Facebook goal, I'll have the same giveaway here so please be patient.

Now it's back to the prep work because then the fun part begins...the hand stitching with...you guessed it...my Valdani threads!

Happy stitching!