Meet Your Neighbour

This week meet Brenda Eckstein, a lady with a great sense of humour, an amazing good heart and a passion for quilts. Sounds like just my kind of girl!

Brenda was born in the Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, BC as  a 2 month premature baby. As an infant Brenda could not tolerate dairy milk and was fed goat milk. At the time this would have been pretty ground breaking! Brenda can have dairy now and no longer is dependent on the goat. LOL

Brenda was raised in Abbotsford, on top of Sumas Mtn. at the end of the road in a log cabin. School was a one room elementary school in the little community of Straiton. The school has been declared a heritage site and is now converted to a home! Who would have thought? Upon graduation from Abbotsford Senior High School Brenda went to work for the Abbotsford Bakery as a clerk. From there she signed up for Secretarial training at the Pitman Business school in Vancouver.

Her first job after attending the Secretarial School was at Eatons in the shipping department, which she found really interesting. However she moved on,landing a position in Port Alice as an Inventory Control clerk for the company Rayonier. Brenda was to meet her future husband while there. Norm, her  husband to be, was working in the lab. After 2 years in Port Alice she then moved back to the mainland working for the sawmill in Marpole in the office. By this time Brenda and Norm were engaged and soon to be married. After a stint back on the Island in Nanaimo for 7 years they finally moved to Kamloops in 1977.

Brenda and Norm have lived in the same house now for 42 years! After working for Robinson Morelli Law, West Mark Engineering, Airborne Paint center and Kent Wong Photography she has finally retired and can now spend time doing what she loves....cruising, quilting, gardening and having fun will all her friends!

It was Val Berggren, her neighbour and partner in shenanigans, was the one to really get Brenda going on quilting. Brenda took to it like a duck to water and has been full steam ahead ever since. She loves all parts of quilting but choosing the fabrics is really high on the list. Especially scrap quilts. They hold a special place in her heart for sure!

So where did I meet Brenda Eckstein? I met Brenda when she came into Findlay's Vacuum and Sewing and I helped her choose a vacuum for Norm to use. As far as I know they still have the same vacuum and Norm is a very happy camper! Brenda's quirky sense of humour just connected with me  and we have been giggling buddies since!

Thank you to Brenda for being such a positive, fun and super lady! We all loved meeting you and look forward to seeing you soon!

Annemarie Fraser

Annemarie Fraser was in to long arm quilt her adorable baby quilt. This is one of her favourite patterns done is bright colours.

The elephants are just so cute and the little birds on their backs really add that finishing touch.

Annemarie used Glide thread and a simple panto to get perfect results done quickly!

Thank you to Annemarie for sharing with us all! Always fun when Annemarie is in the building!

Betsy Hartwick

Betsy Hartwick is the winner of the November $75 Gift Certificate! She was pretty darn excited and was here right pronto!

Don't forget that with every purchase of regular priced product you get an entry into the draw each month. What would you do with $75 to spend in the shop?

Congratulations Betsy and have fun!

Teapot Sampler BOM

From In the Begiining fabrics we have a new BOM coming in 2020. This one is called "Teapot Sampler" and finishes at 72" x 84".

The project will be over 10 months and is using regular cotton fabrics.
Bright colours and a fun design this quilt will look great in many different situations. Like my house. LOL

We will have more details as to pricing and when exactly it starts in the next couple of weeks. If you are interested you can call us and get your name on the list. 250-376-7630

Stonehenge Challenge Quilts

This just absolutely had us speechless in the shop! That doesn't happen often so you just know it has to be something spectacular!

Charlotte Letham and Kathy McDonald were in to show us their Stonehenge quilts they created. They worked together on the layout and creation of the blocks. Using traditional piecing, paper piecing and applique the work involved was considerable. Charlotte and Kathy have collected blocks from right across Canada and the USA.

The first photo is Kathy's quilt and you will notice these are big quilts. Queen size! The blocks being different sizes made the layout a bit of a challenge but they persevered and the result is fantastic!

The second photo is of Charlotte Letham and her version of a Stonehenge challenge quilt. Charlotte chose more of a blue look to hers and little to no sashing. A completely different look using the same blocks!

Lori Dewart did the long arm custom quilting in a Celtic design. The quilting really enhanced the projects!

After getting photos taken in the shop the pictures are sent to Northcott in hopes of winning a prize! We are all crossing our fingers and toes for these girls.

Thank you to Charlotte and Kathy for sharing with everyone. You are amazing!

Debbie Ulinder

Debbie Ulinder was in to long arm quilt her gorgeous Bed Quilt.

Deep rich reds, greens, golds, blacks and more with touches of Metallic really make this one sparkle. Queen sized, Debbie is keeping this one for her bed!

Thank you to Debbie for coming in to share your day with us!

Sew Days in 2020

Due to rising costs our cost of Sew Days will be going up in January to $10 per person.

I was so sad to have to do this but it is a tough market out there right now. Just wanted to give a bit of a heads up for all the Friday sew girls.

Your $10 gives you the use of our room, irons, Best Press spray, advice when one of us is available and some great social time. Thank you for your understanding.

Northern Seas BOM

This project is being presented as a Block of the Month at $22.99 per month for patterns and fabrics. Northern Seas is a 9 month program and will finish at a large lap size quilt.

The fabrics are 100% cotton quilting fabrics of the best quality to ensure a long life to the quilt and is sure to be loved by a special someone in your life! Only 2 kits left!!

Give us a call at 250-376-7630, come on in or sign up on line at http://www.fabricshelf.ca

I Love You This Much Sleeping Bag

This is a great project to make for the grandkids coming for Christmas! Maybe for a summertime sleepover party? The best part? Use up some of your flannels that are in the stash bin! If you have any....otherwise I can sell you some...LOL
The fabrics shown are out of print now, but you could really personalize it with dinosaurs, animals or anything that is your little one's favourite.

Henry Glass Fabrics puts out the free pattern that looks like a very simple layout and instructions. Click on the link for the free pattern:
http://store-zccxsqua1r.mybigcommerce.com/product_images/import/PROJECTS/pdf/I%20Love%20You%20This%20Much_Sleeping%20Bag_Pattern_12212015_Web%20File.pdf