Shopping Marathon.

I had a marathon shopping day today: groceries, some Christmas gifts and the fabric store.  Came home with a trunk load of stuff and some in the back seat.  Got everything put away and sat down with a cup of tea.  Why is it that shopping is so exhausting?  I did stop and have lunch which I normally don't do.  A salad and some bruschetta restored enough energy that I was able to finish the major part of the grocery shopping without wanting to just leave it and go home.
Hubby helped put everything away and, as I had already made a big pot of chili for supper, I have been able to take it easy for the rest of the day.
My issue of The Quilt Pattern Magazine (thequiltpatternmagazine.com) arrived in my in box so I have read that and am now printing off one of the patterns.  Barbara Douglas has created the cutest snowman quilt with full size patterns that will make a lovely gift.  I also printed, for future reference, Deanna Jameson's article on making your own quilt labels.
I need to get at making some fleece hats for our food bank.  I think I will look up a pattern for those this evening and get them done tomorrow.  Always lots to do but, at least, I have a house full of food to sustain me!  😄
Blessings,

Shades of Brown and Grey.

It rained like crazy last night and today it has been grey and overcast.  When we went for a walk this afternoon, you could see the mist hanging over the pond as well as the wetlands at the front of the property.  Despite the lack of sun, it was still nice walking through the woods.  The leaves have been exposed again and the hundreds of different shades of brown carpeted the trail.  There is still a few patches of snow but it looks more like late spring than early winter.
A friend sent me a link to the cutest commercial I have seen in a long time.  I watch it through twice noticing different things each time.  I have since watched it a few more times.  Hope you enjoy it as well.  See if you can spot the name of the bear on the passport. Here is the link, you may have to copy and paste.

Coming Home for Christmas, Adorable Commercial

www.chonday.com

blessings,

Happy Birthday Son

Forty eight years ago today, my son was born. He was 6 weeks premature and only weighed a bit over 3 lbs and then went down to less than 3 right after his birth.  He was so small the hospital staff didn't think he would live.  He was sent to Toronto's Hospital of Sick Children where he spent the next 6 weeks of his life.  Because we didn't have a car, I wasn't able to see him at all during that time.  I also found out later that his Dad was advised by the doctor that it was best if we didn't visit because our son likely wouldn't survive.  Of course, now that wouldn't be a factor.  Parents are encouraged to spend as much time as possible with the newborns no matter how ill they might be.
A lot has changed in the attitudes of medical personnel since those days and even though I am saddened by the advice we were given and the resulting long separation, I am still grateful that the care resulted in his survival.  He was the smallest preemie to have survived at his birth hospital.
He is now a strapping, well over 6 foot man and I am immensely proud of him.
It has been mild but somewhat dreary today and that makes it hard to get motivated.  I did send the information to Quilts for Sale to have 3 more of my quilts listed so they should be on site shortly.  Other than that, I took the dog for a walk, made a pot of stew, tidied the house and that was about it. Oh, and I took some photos.
Didn't even take advantage of any of the sales that drove a lot of people into a buying frenzy.
Blessings,

One Month Away

Happy thanksgiving to all our friends in the U.S.  Please drive carefully if you are travelling.
I was quilting with a couple of friends today working on a BOM.  We are getting to the point where all the sections are being joined by sashing and we are having our brains exercised.  Fortunately each step is done twice so when you have figured out one, you can zip-carefully-through the second.  We still have quite a bit to do before our tops are finished but it is going to be a beauty.
I decided to give our birds a treat today and put some peanuts in the feeder.  It didn't take long before the word to get around and we were inundated with more feathered creatures than we have ever seen at one time before.
One month today it will be Christmas Eve.  Hope you have started on your shopping list.
Blessings,

Sales and Sewing

I am just about ready to stop and spend some time listening to the television while knitting.  I have got everything done that was on my 'to do' list today so am feeling good about what I have accomplished.  I didn't get much quilting done but as I will be spending the day doing that tomorrow I don't mind-or not much anyway.
Hubby also had a productive day.  He left the house early to take a neighbour for his cancer treatment, did some grocery shopping for me and then got some odd jobs done after lunch.  We took the dog for a walk in the afternoon so, that too, was taken care of.
Even though I didn't do any physical sewing, I did some mental.  I came up with another 9 patch block pattern using 5 inch squares so that is four for the booklet. 
There are a lot of on line sales happening this weekend.  If you are looking to purchase a quilt for a special someone, including yourself, check out:  www.quiltsforsale.ca. Some quilts are reduced by 50%.  Others offer free shipping in Canada plus a discounted price.
Craftsy, the popular site for patterns and hand made items, is also offering some great prices.
It's Black Friday all weekend long on Craftsy! Enjoy up to 60% off all kits and supplies. Plus enroll in any class for $17.99 USD or less. www.craftsy.com
Happy Shopping,
blessings,                               

My Favourite Season

Winter has arrived.  We went from plus 18 C one day to minus 3 the next.  Our hydro went out Sunday afternoon for a few hours but came back on in time for us to Skype with our grandchildren. 
I had to put Heidi's pink bootees on to take her for our walk today.  The snow was quite wet so I knew it was either the booties or a sit in the sink while I removed the snowballs from her legs when we got back.
We went down to the pond first.  It has a thin layer of ice covering it and, in places, it looks ripply which isn't surprising.  The wind on Sunday and throughout the night was fierce enough to be categorized as 'gale force so it is not a wonder that the power went out.  Our walk continued through the bush where I could see the tracks of deer and some smaller critter-probably a mouse or similar.
Hubby made sure the snow blower was going to start for when it is needed.  The shovel will be fine for now.
Looking forward to more days of being able to get outside, enjoy my favourite season and take lots of photographs.  In the meantime, here is one for the past.
Blessings,

Patterns Found

I have started working on a scrappy quilt and why does that always seem to result in making more scraps.  I am doing a simple disappearing 9 patch and then, with the left over blocks, I will make some half square triangles.  I already have quite a few of those which I made from the cut off corners of another project.
While I was getting my cutting table organized to start these ideas, I found a few pattern ideas which I had sketched out some time ago.  And a number of mug mat patterns as well.  So, I think I am all

Scrappy Idea

set for projects for a while.  I am enjoying doing something new as I had been finishing up previously started quilts as well as doing craft sale items.  I am not sure what I will do with these quilts but I think they will be given to a charity.
The weather report sounds as though fall may be over by early next week.  Guess I  better get my winter clothes out.  I usually have that done by the end of October but there certainly wasn't any need this year.
Blessings,

Chosen.

The following is a poem that was sent to me from a lady in our local quilt group.  She received it from a lady in her knitting group-don't you love the internet.  I was so impressed with what was said that I read it at church on Sunday.  The words remind me of what my mother used to say "They also serve who sit at home and wait."  It may have been a quote but I am not sure. The other reason that it struck a cord is because, as I have mentioned previously, I was born in England and that is where this poem is based.

The author's name wasn't given when I first saw the poem but now that I have it, I wanted to share it with you.  This will be one of my yearly readings.

If you would like to know more about the writer, her blog is: https://elsieshufflebottom.wordpress.com/ 

Blessings

Chosen

I’m an ordinary baby,
Red, squalling, indignant at being dragged out into this cold, noisy world.
But to my Mum and Dad I’m beautiful – the one that they’d have chosen.

I’m an ordinary little boy, naughty sometimes, grubby sometimes.
I was third shepherd in the school Nativity. John was Joseph.
Mum and Dad think I should have been chosen.

I’m an ordinary eleven year old. I didn’t get my scholarship to the grammar school.
Peter next door did.
Mum and Dad think I should have been chosen.

I’m an ordinary fourteen year old. I wanted to work on the farm up the road.
David from the cottage by the church got the job.
Mum and Dad think I should have been chosen.

I’m an ordinary nineteen year old. I joined up to do my bit. I was hoping to be made up to L/Cpl.
George Smith got the promotion.
Mum and Dad think I should have been chosen.

I’m an ordinary twenty one year old. I lie in a cold grave in France. Above me a wooden cross.
Somebody has written in pencil “An Unknown British Soldier.”
Mum and Dad wonder why I have been chosen.

I’m still twenty one, still young, and still serving.
My tomb is in Westminster Abbey.
Kings pause and bow as they pass.
Queens lay their flowers for me.
People file past and cry for me.
Children stop and wonder who I am.

I am an ordinary man.
I am the Unknown Soldier.
My Mum and Dad don’t know that I was chosen.

Jennie Carter

Back Woes

I am sure you are aware that our moon is closer to the earth than normal and many people are out taking photos.  It has been overcast here but, when I looked out last night, I saw this hazy glow behind the black tree branches.  I zipped out and took the photo.  It is a bit out of focus as I couldn't hold the camera steady enough (must get a tripod) for the slow shutter.  However, I think that adds to the eeriness.

 

I did well at both craft sales on Saturday so will have some spending money for Christmas.  I made an extra wall hanging card holder which I will put into a local store to sell. It is only 25.00 if you are interested.

I had to go to the doctor's today as I have been having back spasms.  Very painful.  He practices alternative medicine and quickly got me back to normal without pills.   My  back still feels tired and achy but no spasms.  I was hoping to drive to Orillia to see my sister tomorrow but am going to have to make sure I don't do anything to stress my back.  Disappointing, as she is here visiting her son and family as well as an adult grandchild.  We will have to do our 'visiting' on the phone until she comes back again.

blessings,

One Day at a Time

Does it take your pet a while to get adjusted to the time change?  Our Heidi has a schedule for certain things: being fed, walks, being put outside to take care of business.  However, she, of course, doesn't know when we crazy human decide to upset everything twice a year and it takes her a week or so to adjust to it.  She still waits expectantly by the door when her clock tells her she should be getting ready for her walk only to see me ignore her  or, depending if we have changed to or from DST, we go before we should be.  It must be upsetting.  Mothers are advised to start gradually changing a child's routine a week or so before time changes and it would probably be wise to do the same thing for our furry children.  I never remember though.
Almost ready for the craft sales.  I have cookies to bake for one of them and a few small items to finish.  Then I need to work on a pattern that I have sold to a magazine, go to the dentist, visit one of my sisters who is here from England and start thinking about Christmas.
Ah, well.  One day at a time.
Blessings,

Paws Up

Thank you everyone for your kind and encouraging comments on the quilt I posted yesterday.  I have just finished the hand quilting on a wall quilt in a similar style.  I think this is a rather neat idea that I have thought of and might make a few more quilt/card holders for Christmas gifts.
It has been a busy day as I had to drop off items to sell in two locations before heading south to do some shopping.  I met a friend for lunch and then finished up the last store before heading back home.  Tomorrow, I will do the finishing touches on the items for the craft sale.  I have a church friend who does lovely knitting and I have invited her to put some items on my table as well.  I find it is good to have too many things to sell rather than too few as you never know what someone will want.
The cold that I had seems to be clearing up but I am still having back problems.  It is hard to bend down as far as is necessary some times.  Our little Heidi is so low to the ground that getting her hooked to the lead so she can go out is a chore.  I have trained her to stand on her back legs with her front paws on my knee so I can reach her without as much effort.  She looks so cute when she does that and knows exactly what I mean when I say 'paws up'.  Pets give us so much pleasure, don't they?
Blessings,

Winter Wonderland

   

I couldn't wait until this evening to upload the photos of my latest Island Batik (islandbatik.com) challenge.  As you can see by the picture, we were to make something to depict winter.  This shouldn't have been difficult for me as this is my favourite season.  However, I also wanted to use up the bits and pieces left over from other projects and most of them were green.  I decided on an evergreen tree.  I then added some machine appliqued woodland creatures.  I included a close up so you can see them.

This last photo shows a further addition.  Although we don't get as many Christmas cards as in years past, we do get them.  I used to display them on a string which I hung across a wall but haven't done that for a few years.  I decided to make something that would hold the cards and keep them nearby so we were able to reread them.  I made a pouch and velcroed it to the base of the hanging.  As the wall quilt isn't Christmasy,  it can, with the addition removed, stay on the wall until spring.

I put a mall booklet in one of the pockets so you could see how it works easier.

I liked the idea so much I am now turning a Christmas panel into the same idea but with the pouch permanently attached.

Blessings,

A Pep Talk

The link below will take you to a fantastic blog.  If you have ever thought your work wasn't very good , (and haven't we all at some time) read the article.  It is a bit long but worth the time.
That is all for today.  Click and read.
Blessings,




http://thebitchystitcher.blogspot.ca/2016/11/a-pep-talk-in-case-you-need-it.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+TheBitchyStitcher+(The+Bitchy+Stitcher)

Fog or Mist.

It has been quite a while since I have been so productive.  I finished another quilt today and will be doing a self binding on it.  Also added the binding to another and am finishing that by hand.  I won't be getting as much hand work done now that the baseball series is over but that is okay.  I really should start listening to podcasts and then I could sit in my cozy studio and do the hand work.  I have been trying to get more familiar with my little ipod so I can do that.  I do have some pod casts on it but I find that method of listening to be too fiddly.  Perhaps, I should just use my tablet.
It has been raining on and off today so I didn't get outside for my walk.  I always miss that.  Especially this time of year.  It is so lovely walking through the bush and looking at the carpet of leaves underfoot.  Now that the trees are bare, the sky is more visible as are the birds that are foraging for food.  We have had juncos at the feeder the past few days.  I think they are the prettiest birds in their black tuxedos.
It will soon be time to put our clocks back to regular time and it will be lighter earlier in the morning.  It was quite misty this morning while we were eating breakfast and I was thinking that, where it next week, I would have been outside take photos of the pond.  I love pictures of the mist rising off water.
Of course, if I am driving in it, it is fog, and not as much fun.
Blessings,

Quilts Finished

I am still busy making projects for the craft sales that are coming up on the 12th.  I finished a Christmas runner that has been in my WIP (work in progress) drawer for at least a year.  I also completed a more recent project: the pattern given for the virtual retreat hosted by the Quilt Pattern Magazine.  This quilt (the yellow one) was designed by Isobel Meekins.  I backed it with flannel and used the focus fabric for the binding. The runner will be for sale at the Art Centre and the baby quilt will be with me at the Country Christmas sale at our Legion.

 We are continuing to get milder than normal weather.  Hubby got the heat tape put on the roof to prevent leaks should be get winter this year and then we sat outside with mugs of hot chocolate. I have my snow tires on and everything else has been made winter ready so now we wait for it s arrival.  I really do enjoy winter so the snow will be a welcome sight for me.
Blessings,

Doddery Me.

We had a thunderstorm today.  It wasn't severe and   didn't last long but-a thunderstorm in November!  The hydro flickered on and off once so I was glad I had put the new surge protector in.  I need to get another for the sewing machine to protect it.
A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I thought I had thrown away the battery pack charger for my new camera.  I searched everywhere, couldn't find it so ordered another.  On Sunday, when I was getting some knitting needles from a trunk, I noticed the big camera case that was sitting beside it.  This is where I keep my old camera, extra lenses etc.  I looked inside and there was the charger. The new one arrives tomorrow and I think I will keep it.  It is good to have a spare when you get old and doddery!
I finished the binding on a table runner today and have almost completed the top of a wall quilt.  These are both for upcoming craft sales but I will be posting photos shortly-now that I have my camera battery charged again.
Blessings,