I demonstrated this Archie Ruler recently as my journey to working with and teaching domestic ruler work continues. I am really excited about this ruler. The reasons I am excited about this ruler are as follows:
Below is the packaging it comes in:
Look at the background designs on the package, You can do this background on your project with this ruler!
See the back of the package for more design ideas: 
Check out the video about this awesome ruler below form the designer herself!
Have a look at what I did with the ruler below, just playing but so much fun to have control over quilting designs with a tool that is easy to handle.
I can imagine all the projects that could be designed with this ruler in mind....bags, table runners, quilts and more!! One little tool, endless possibilities
 
I hope you have a happy Thursday
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 I have to credit this idea to my cousin Tiffany who had one of these infant head supports for her little girl Cora. I have decided that it is to be called a head Snuggie as it snugs up great to support little noggins! See a pic of the lovely Cora below with her Snuggie:  When I took a look at it, I knew that I could make it easily. I am pleased to report that this snuggie was a hit as a gift for my grandson! It works also as a head support while changing baby, as well as in the car seat. I chose gender neutral prints as we did not know until my grandchild arrived that he was a boy. My daughter and her husband wanted to wait on the gender reveal and it made a wonderful surprise. The below picture shows the head snuggie lined up on the changing table with a serged and environmentally friendly bottom wipe, See that blog post here. We are ready to change baby below:  As you can see there was a design modification for the head snuggie that took place in BC while I was out visiting. The light stuffing in the centre was removed and a triple line of stitching was added to allow for babies neck contour. The snuggies look like butterflies and they are very effective at supporting babies head. See picture of my adorable grandson Eli with his head snuggie below:  How to Make the Head Snuggie What you will need:
Free Pattern Download Here A piece of cotton fabric (cotton breathes) (pre-washed so it will not shrink too much when it is washed) Fiber fill stuffing Thread to match A sewing machine Normal sewing notions Hand sewing needle How to make your head snuggie: Download the Free Pattern Here Using the pattern, Cut 2 from fabric Sew right sides together leaving a 3" gap on one side of the neck area to turn to the right side Clip curves Turn snuggie to the right side Stuff moderately dense with fiber fill on the "wing" ends only, leaving the centre neck area free of stuffing, Sew the gap in the neck area closed by hand with a slip stitch Sew 3 top stitch lines of sewing in the neck area about 1/2" apart, see above picture. And you are done. 20 minutes of work and several months of use. A win, win! I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and will try your hand at making this very easy gift! Happy Wednesday!😊 
Just showin' and sharin' today!!
I crocheted a giraffe for my wee grandson Eli. I've been at it since January, It's finally done and turned out toddler sized literally! I am, as I discovered a very loose crocheter and therefore I think it's a bit bigger than expected LOL, but somehow quirky and so ugly it's cute! Laugh if it lightens your day!! I got the book Edward's Menagerie as a birthday gift from my daughter and wanted to try crocheted animals (amirgurami). This is my first attempt, I'm not discouraged, I will keep trying to perfect my stitching. I tried standard sized. Next time I will try the smallest one!! The book is wonderful and there are lots of size and animal choices and the instructions were excellent Kerry Lord ( the author) obviously knows her stuff if she can explain it to me, it can be explained to anyone. The description of the book is as follows: These cute animals with larger-than-life personalities are made using simple crochet techniques and the step-by-step instructions enable a complete beginner to get hooking straight away. Each animal also has a universal pattern where you can change your hook and yarn to create four different sizes, making 160 different possibilities. The book is shown below. 
Like "Elf on the Shelf", "Jimmy" the Giraffe, keeps showing up in different places in our house! Time to ship him to BC. I think eventually Eli will love him!!
Happy Tuesday ? If you miscalculate the length of your bindings for quilts like I do, you will be interesting in my tip for storage of those extra lengths of binding. I hate to throw anything out and frequently like to make variegated (multicoloured) continuous bindings. I was finding my binding storage a bit of a mess. See below:  So as you can see above they are somewhat organized but still bunched up in an old linen bag. The bag is labeled as to what it is and some people would think that's organized, but the problem is I cannot see all of them and they are extremely wrinkled. I wanted to be able to see what I was working with and get them out of the storage bin with other fabric. I decided a better storage option for me. I am sharing my idea with you below:  I just used a cardboard wrapping paper tube to wrap my bindings around and pinned into the cardboard to secure them. So now I can see the individual colours and I am not done by any stretch of the imagination! I still have to wrap more around another tube!! I think that now that they are taking up less space (square footage) and I can see them in all their colourful glory. It also makes a nice visual for my sewing studio.  As you can see, I have leaned the binding tube up against my other colour inspiration, my long arm thread. It is now out of the bag and ready to be used when I want to make a multicolour continuous binding.
Maybe for my next quilt? Just a small tip I thought I would share as it may (or may not) be useful for you! Happy Monday!😊 FYI if you are looking for a good quilting book, Connecting Threads has them on sale now, click on the image below to check out their website and the deals on some really good ones.  Have a great weekend! 😊
The above mini quilt/mug rug was part of a demo on Saturday at Hummingbird Sewing in Barrie, where I talked about the how to and the tools to make easy modern circles. I really love modern quilts with circles and consider the above mini quilt a precursor to circle quilts that I hope to make in the future.
Check here for an article in the Craftsy blog "5 Circle Patterns to Try" for even more inspiration 
Photo courtesy of Craftsy Blog post 5 Circle Patterns to Try
 Go! Retro Circles Quilt Pattern from AccuQuilt
Also have a look at this Free Pattern Download for GO! Retro Circles Quilt Pattern at AccuQuilt. Also another easy way to cut out circles. Click on the image to visit this site and download it for free! 
Tutorial
Modern circles for an adorable mug rug or mini quilt
1. Draw circles with June Tailor Circle templates. See below:
Draw these circles out on the non fusible side of light weight fusible web with a pen or pencil.
I use Pellon Fusible, the sheer weight fusible one that can also be used for shirt collars below:
See a close up of my "Swiss Cheese" drawing of circles below:
2. Use the circle templates again to trace and cut out fabric circles.
3. Lay your fabric circle right side together with the fusible side of your Pellon Interfacing (it will have a shiny, fusible side). See below (matte side is facing out):
4. Sew 1/4" from the edge all the way around (do not leave a gap for turning)
5. Pull the interfacing away from the fabric as shown below (it will look somewhat like a fortune cookie).
6. Cut a slit with scissors in the top centre of the interfacing only about 1.5", be careful not to cut fabric.
7. Turn your circle to the right side gently through the hole you just created.
8. Use a turning tool or Purple Thang (recommended) to smooth out seams, be gentle so that you don't rip through the interfacing. Once you have a nice looking smooth and flat circle set it aside and make more, DO NOT PRESS!
See where to get this awesome tool, that I use all the time below:
It's also a 1/4" measuring tool, bodkin, stiletto and turning tool! So handy in my sewing studio!!
9. Lay out your many circles and audition them on your background, press them down to the background once you are satisfied with the arrangement. Do not use steam but use a hot cotton setting. Press also on the wrong side of the background to insure the fuse is working.
10. Applique your circles to your background using monofilament thread and a zigzag, matching coloured thread and a blanket stitch or appliqué method of your choice. You will also want to stabilize your background while appliquéing. I used white freezer paper ironed shiny side down to the back of my project and tore it away after my appliquéing was completed. See my blanket stitch (very close together) and coloured thread below:
11. Mark circles for quilting on your background with your circle templates and a wash out marker and sandwich your quilt.
12. Quilt (free motion) your marked circles ( I used many thread colours) and meander around the circles, Quilt the circle appliqués as desired. See below for inspiration only! Try your hand at your own method and imagination!! 
I hope you try your hand at this method and send us photos of your quilt project to share with our readers!
Happy Thursday! ? Burp cloths are a necessity when the baby is on the scene! I know years ago we used towels, flannels diapers, old rags and anything we can get our hands on to burp baby. As they say "necessity was the mother of invention". OMG I think I just aged myself but be assured I am one active, happening Grammie!! Why not use beautiful fabric now? As most sewists' and quilters know, there is so much beautiful cotton fabric out there. Also, if you are giving someone a baby gift, why not make it pretty with gorgeous fabric and make it so it suits it's purpose? These shoulder burp cloths do just that as they have a cut out contour designed for the shoulder so that it sits nicely while holding baby. My oldest daughter Katie and new mommy to Eli is the model for my shoulder burp cloths below:  The Shoulder Burp Cloth Burp cloths for Eli Tutorial to Make Shoulder Burp ClothsWhat you will need: To make one: Free Pattern Download for this website, get it here or go to shop tab above and to free patterns to download 10" x 18" piece of 100% cotton fabric (front) 10" x 18" piece of flannel (recommended) or towelling fabric (back) Thread to match Sewing Machine Scissors Pins How to make it: Use a 1/4" seam allowance Using the Free pattern download, cut one from cotton (front), cut one from flannel or towelling (back) Place front and back right sides together and pin Sew around leaving a 2" opening in the shoulder arc for turning Remove pins as you sew Clip curves close to seam line prior to turning to the right side Use a "purple thang" or turning tool to turn to the right side and press Sew your 2" opening closed by hand with a slip stitch Top stitch all around the burp cloth approximately 1/4"-1/2" from the edge You are done, admire your efforts and make more , these are a cinch to make!  Eli and Katie. making good use of the shoulder burp cloths I hope you enjoyed and can make use of this tutorial, they are so practical for my daughter and Eli of course.
Make some today to put away as baby gifts for the new moms in your life! Happy Wednesday! 😊  Another new series of blog posts because I have been so inspired lately! Recently, I was asked by a local quilt shop to come up with some ideas for a demo day and not only did it motivate me to look at some quilting tools I have had for a while (and LOVE), but also to look at most recent "acquisitions" of hot new tools that are making my work exciting. Below is a photo of some of these notions. Starting this Thursday May 3, 2018, I will be starting to demo and discuss my recent work with these notions on this blog. This blog series about the Best Quilting Notions will be posted continuously every Thursday. A sneak peak of just some of the projects is below:  Read all about it every Thursday starting May 3, 2018 The Best Quilting Notions for Fun Projects! exclusively here at quiltingintheloft.com. We hope to inspire your creativity .
Mark your calendars! Follow along, ask questions, try our exciting ideas and show us your projects (we are happy to post them). We welcome your feedback! Happy Tuesday and Welcome to May! 😊🌷🌸 
My "Quilty Cookies". Buttery sugar cookies piped with royal icing and just a hint of lemon.
This past Saturday, I was a guest demonstrator at Hummingbird Sewing (Barrie, ON) for their "Notion Commotion" and Janome Education event. The event was lots of fun and because the ladies who own and run the store have been so good to me, I decided I would pay it forward and make some treats for their event. Thanks again to the "Fabulous" Sharon, Deb and Maureen.
I know how hard you ladies work to inspire your customers and I for one appreciate it! Below is the flyer for this SOLD OUT event! Scroll down below for the recipes for the cookies and the icing 
Demonstrating-Easy Modern Circles, Angela Walters rulers, "The Grid Marker", Quilt in a Day, Rulers, Crayon Applique, How to Transfer Designs & Great Marking Tools
Sugar Cookies RecipeIngredients: 1 cup butter 3 cup flour 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon soda ½ teaspoon powder 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 eggs 1 cup sugar How to make them: Mix together the first 5 ingredients until thoroughly mixed with a beater (about 5 minutes). In a separate bowl mix the vanilla, sugar and eggs together. Pour the vanilla, sugar and eggs mixture in with the first 5 ingredients and mix well. Separate dough into 2 discs and refrigerate for a minimum of one hour. Roll out on a floured surface, cut with a knife (as I did) or cookie cutter and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 7-10 minutes at 350 degrees F. Note: These are buttery cookies, but not too sweet. The royal icing really makes them tasty and well balanced. Icing is recommended. Royal Icing Recipe
Ingredients:
4 TBSP meringue powder scant 1/2 c. water 1 lb. powdered sugar 1/2 - 1 tsp light corn syrup 5 drops of lemon, vanilla or almond extract (optional) How to make it: Mix well with a blender until the icing is "pipe able" for the white icing (5 minutes or so) and "flood able" for the coloured icing (you will need to add more water) . Add water in very small increments for best results. Use a piping/writing tip and piping bag for the white icing. Do this at least 15 minutes before adding colour. Use a squeeze bottle or flooding tip for the coloured icing after the white icing has had a chance to dry slightly. Let the finished cookies sit out for about a 1/2 hour and then store in air tight containers in one layer overnight before serving. See some images below. 
Step one of the Royal icing stage, piping the outlines of the pieced shapes on the cookies. 1/2 square triangles, 4 patch, nine patch, stars, pinwheels and flying geese.
Step 2 Flooding with a squeeze bottle
about 1/2 way there!
Done! Ready to Eat, mmmmmm. So quilty!
I am a TOTAL amateur and plan on improving my cookie decorating skills at Craftsy.com
Who knows, maybe you will see some more "professional" cookies on this blog in the near future, we can all hope for progress, LOL! If you are interested in cookie decorating and/or perfecting your decorating skills, feel free to check out the cookie decorating class below. Price is in USD , when you click on the link below it will show you a price for your country or origin.
I encourage you also to check out Hummingbird Sewing if you are visiting Barrie, Ontario this spring or summer. They have lots to offer quilters /sewist's and very friendly staff!
Happy Monday! ? 
Receiving blankets are so necessary when a newborn arrives into the world because they needle to feel loved by the feeling of being swaddled in a soft and cozy blanket. A newborn has difficulty regulating and keeping body temperature so keeping them warm is essential. If you think about it, they have been in a warm, tight and cozy womb for 9 months. Being wrapped in a soft blanket must feel good!
I have made many of these as gifts for friends, coworkers, nieces, nephews--- you name it! I have had friends recently tell me that they loved my receiving blankets because they are big and some of them are double sided and reversible. They are the easiest gift to make and are so very useful. 
The ones shown above are double sided, which means 2 layers of flannel.
These receiving blankets are exactly square and are larger than store bought but that is what makes them fantastic for swaddling as they are large enough for all sized babies. Good quality flannel that you can feel when you purchase it, is also often better than the packaged flannel receiving blankets. I also make them with a single layer as some babies are warm blooded like my grandson Eli. The single layered ones are also useful for the warmer months and as wind/sun shields on strollers and car seats.
What you need to make them:
Double Sided Receiving Blankets: 2 lengths of flannel ( I use 100"% cotton flannel) the same measurement as the width- i.e.. if the fabric is 42" wide, purchase 42 " in length. Make sure each side is different, as it provides more visual interest for mom and baby. Thread to match A sewing machine and straight stitch foot Scissors Single Layer Receiving Blankets: The same as above except , one layer of flannel, the same width and length and serge all the edges or zigzag and press hem at 1/2" and once again and top stitch (that's it!) How to Sew Double Sided Receiving Blankets: Cut the top fabric the exact same size as the bottom. Serge all raw edges if you own a serger or zig zag them. Place the top and bottom right sides together and pin around perimeter marking with pins a 4" gap where you will not sew and for turning to the right side. Sew 1/2" seam allowance all the way around, leaving the 4" gap open Clip corners close to stitching Turn to the right side through the 4" gap Use a turning tool or Purple Thang , shown below to make edges crisp and to point corners. My go to tool for turning items! Hand sew opening closed Press and top stitch 1/4 to 1/2" from edge. That's it you are done! 
Bright Idea! Single layer receiving blankets make great "wrapping" for other baby shower gifts.
Eli loves his giraffe double sided receiving blanket! Also "doubles" as a wake time play blanket!
Have a great Wednesday!☀️
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