All Safe

Well, that was awfully silly of me. I should have told you all that we are safe and dry in my last update about the flood here in Calgary. We live well away from the rivers and our power stayed on, which meant our sump pump was able to do its thing. So no repeat of our 2005 flood at home. Phew.

It really is quite insane here in Calgary. Even far away from the flood zones the roads are quiet. So many businesses shut down because their staff are directly affected. And our incredibly awesome mayor tells us to do things and we listen. So when he tells us to stay home, we do. When he tells us to restrict water, we happily skip laundry, and when he tells you stay off the water, all but one canoe listens.

I've had emails about quilts for evacuees and those who have lost everything. Of course there are quilt drives! Here are two I know of so far:

Quilting For Calgary
My Sewing Room (Hell or High Water Quilt Initiative)

UPDATE: The groups have merged into one, Quilting For Calgary.

If you know of others, please let me know and I will share the details (I have a collection of my own stuff ready to go.)

Also, note that this flooding is not exclusive to Calgary. There are numerous communities around Southern Alberta affected, some so devastatingly so. An event like this in unparalleled in our city's history though and has most of the city in shock. But we're also resilient (we are Prairie folks, after all). The sense of community reaching across the community is incredible. From the city's numerous food trucks and restaurants coming together to feed evacuees, first responders, volunteers, and media to strangers offering their homes to strangers who may lose theirs. This isn't my home city, but I'm incredibly proud to call it my home now.

Oh Canada! Pattern Update

Thank you so much for the response to my Oh Canada! pattern. And thanks for all the orders. Your support is greatly appreciated and I'm thrilled that you all like the pattern.

Now for the sad news. If you ordered a printed pattern there will be a delay in delivery. Our city is being flooded right now thanks to a lot of rain and a ridiculous amount of spring run off in the nearby mountains. And my printer is in an evacuation zone. No word on any damages for them, but all my patterns were waiting for me to pick up this morning.

Thank you for your patience, I will contact all the people who ordered directly as well.

Think good thoughts, send prayers, and keep all of Southern Alberta (and British Columbia) in your hearts as we deal with the immediate waters and the devastating aftermath sure to come.

Oh Canada Pattern Release


Here it is folks: The Oh Canada! Pattern.


Designed in perfect proportions to the original flag, Oh, Canada! pays patchwork homage to this symbol of Canadian spirit and drive. Make one block or make a dozen. Piece the fabric together from scraps to echo the diverse nature of Canada, or make it solid to showcase the fabric. 


Available as a download (Thank-you Etsy for making this an automatic feature now) and a printed option. Also available for wholesale orders if you are a quilt or sewing shop. Email me for those details.

I'm so excited to share this incredible quilt with you. I'm looking forward to seeing your own versions because no two scrap quilts are the same!

Thank-you so much to Jessica at Blue Jay Graphic Design for her work in making this come together.

PS Just a reminder that I am teaching this block as a class on Thursday, June 20 at Traditional Pastimes here in Calgary.

Friday Favourite - The Monster


If it wasn't for the arrival of this amazing creature seven years ago I wouldn't be here at all. I mean, literally here in this space on the internet. That's because her arrival in my life forced me to see who I really was. In order to be the best mother, the best potential role model for the tiny creature placed in my arms after months of stress, I needed to be true to myself. That meant embracing my creative side and putting them out into the world. If it wasn't for her arrival I would never have started writing again, I never would have met all of you, I never would have been honestly happy with myself.

Besides all that, she has the best giggle in the entire world, she is empathetic beyond her years, her brain works in the most awesomely logical way, her contemplative nature fights with her energy daily, her fashion sense is to be admired but not necessarily copied, and she loves people in a way that has no boundaries.