Draw Announcement

Bad week for regular posting.  Last night, we had a nasty wind storm with thunder and lightning which made the hydro flicker on and off.  We turned off the computer and television and watched the light show for a while. 
Some areas to the south lost their hydro and it was still out later today.  This was the result of the last storm we had as well and it rather odd for this area.  Usually we are the ones to have to light candles and bring in alternate power sources.
There wasn't any mishaps except for a sheet of metal that covered one of the woodpiles taking flight and putting a nasty scratch on my car.
I have mentioned a couple of times about an upcoming draw.  It will start next week.  There will be two draws.  One is for those who are signed up as followers of this blog and the other, which will be mentioned on my Facebook page is for anyone.  If you are a follower, you can enter both.
The blog settings will be changed next week so only followers can reply/enter.
Blessings,

Ouch

 

Moss in Bloom

Spring is Finally Here and I Can Sit Outside

 

 

 

April Island Batik Project

 

 

I  missed posting yesterday because I had a mishap at quilting on Monday.  I can't figure out how it happened but while doing something at the machine, I was amazed to find that the needle had gone through my index finger.  It took a few seconds to figure out what to do but then we raised the needle-and my finger, undid the screw to free the needle and clipped the thread which now hung from my finger.  My initial idea was just to pull it all out but one of the woman who used to be a paramedic said I needed to go to the clinic.  So, off we went.  I got amazing care and while that was happening the quilt ladies packed up my stuff as well as the woman who stayed with me and put it in  my car.  When that friend had to leave another arrived and drove me home after going over to my car to get my sewing machine.

I wasn't able to use the pc as typing was difficult.  I am still having to go over what I have written as I either add spaces or leave out letters.  I returned to the clinic today and had my finger checked.  No one can believe that I neither have had any pain (except when the needle came out), bleeding, bruising or infection.  The needle just missed the bone and that too was amazing.  So, if you are going to have a dreaded sewing machine accident, my version is the best.

The photos are self explanatory.  I included them in case you didn't want to read the details of my adventure.  I was surprised to find that the receptionist as the doctor's office couldn't look at my finger.  I guess, as a quilter, I don't find needles, no matter where they are, a big deal.

Blessings

What Are You Making This Weekend?

Another drizzly day but it is warm in the house.  Before I get into todays post, I would like to pass on a thought from Karen, a regular reader in response to yesterdays blog on pillowcases.  She mentioned that she made flannelette pillowcases for her Grandmother and how much the older lady enjoyed the softness.  A great idea if you decide to make cases for a hospice.
I finished the place mats today and they have gone on to their new home.  I now need to get at this months Island Batik project.  We are to make a quilt using applique and I have had a bit of a problem coming up with an idea but think I have one now. I don't have a lot of time to get it done but it shouldn't take to long.  Also have this month article for the Quilt Pattern Magazine to finish.
Some areas are getting a lot of flooding.  Our driveway still have a good bit of water in the lower area but it is going down.  Of course, if it would quit raining, it would go a lot faster.
Have a great weekend.  If you are quilter, I would love to have you share a photo of what you made.  Stay tuned for a draw which will happen next month. 
Blessings,

Pillowcase Blessings.

Quilters are wonderful.  I have been searching for 5.5 inch square of fabric to finish my granddaughters quilt and had just about come to the conclusion it wasn't going to happen.  I was considering some other options when I was contacted by a lady on a Facebook group.  She has the fabric.  Yahoo. 
While waiting for it to arrive, I am making some place mats as a gift. 
I noticed something the other day when watching the news which I will pass on as you may be looking for another charity project.  The item was about a Hospice centre and I noticed that the pillows on the bed were very colourful.  What a wonderful way to add a bit of cheer to a person's last days.  We have a wonderful hospice in this area and I think I will contact them to see if they will accept pillowcases.  Pediatric wards might be another place. A quick and easy way to bless someone.
We had 3 wild turkeys in our yard this morning.  Haven't seen any here for quite a while so it was good to see they had returned.
Blessings,

TOAD!

I finally have my income tax done and submitted.  It is usually sent in long before now.  In fact, I have usually spent my return before this date.  This was just one of those things that kept getting put off but once I got started it was done, thanks to a program, very quickly.

I am sure, if you are a quilter, you are familiar with most, if not all, of these quilting short forms.  These were part of Quilting Concessions blog and, as there were a few that I hadn't seen before, I thought I would share.
Blessings,


WISP—Work In Slow Progress

SABLE—Stash Accumulation Beyond Life Expectancy

PhD—Projects Half Done

STASH—Special Treasures All Secretly Hidden

UFO—Unfinished Objects

PIGS—Projects in Grocery Sacks

HIPS—Hundreds of Ideas Piling Skyward

WOMBAT—Waste of Money, Batting and Time—my fav, I have a few!

TGIF—Thank God It’s Finished

WHIMM—Works Hidden in My Mind

FOB—Fear of Binding

CRAFT—Can’t Remember a Flipping Thing (Cynthia’s favourite)

PIPS—Projects in Process

PITS—Projects in Totes

TOAD—Trashed Object Abandoned in Disgust

WWIT—What Was I Thinking

Fabric Needed

This is frustrating.  I am just finishing up my granddaughter's quilt and discovered that I am short a 5.5 inch square of fabric.  I have looked everywhere and cannot find another bit tat will work.  I will probably switch the colour on the top row but am hoping someone has a bit somewhere.
Just on the off chance you might have a bit, I have included a photo.  I bought it at Fabricland.  The colour shown is accurate.  The largest flower is under a half inch wide.  I only need that square but if you have more and want to get rid of it, I will take it.  There isn't any info on the side selvage.

 

 

 

It has been another lovely day and I went for a long walk, helped hubby take the sap buckets from the trees and then just sat outside for a while.  Hope you had a good holiday weekend.

Blessings



Cutter Review

Our bird feeder has really been busy the past couple of days.  They must know that this is going to be the last time I am filling it.  In addition to the usual chickadees, sparrows and other little brown birds we have also had redpolls, finch and a starling.
I expect that the bears will be coming out of hibernation soon, if they aren't already, and feeders are always a draw.  We rarely see a bear on our property although they are in the area.  We work on the principal that the animals were here first and, as long as they don't because a nuisance or attack our chickens, they are free to come and go as they wish. Our responsibility is to make sure we don't do anything to contribute to them being a problem.
Hubby decided to do another day of boiling sap as the pails filled up again.  He has been out all day and I have been a good wife taking him food and drinks.  Heidi and I went for a walk mid day and then I did a bit of work in the garden although it is really not dry enough yet to do much.  I am planning on hanging my laundry on the line tomorrow.  I am tempted to wash all the sheets and towels just to get that lovely outdoor smell again.
In between all that, I have made good progress on my granddaughter's quilt.  I almost have the blocks sewn into rows.  I might not get them finished tomorrow as I have a couple of sewing jobs to do for neighbour's. 
I almost forgot to mention that my Fiskar's rotary cutter/ruler combo came today.  I did a few test cuts with it and I think I am going to really like it.  It is certainly easy to use and much easier on the hands than the regular rotary cutter.  It is called Rotary Cutter and Ruler Combo if you would like to check it out.  This one is made specifically for fabric.
Blessings,

Tomorrow is Another Day

  

It doesn't seem that long ago that I could spend a whole day driving without showing any effect.  Now, a couple of hours tires me out.  We went to North Bay this afternoon (an hour away) for hubby's last doctor's appointment from his hip replacement.  It was basically just there and back with  just a bit more than an hour for the appointment, some shopping and going to Timmy's but I am tired.  I also had a meeting in the morning so that didn't help. The weather was a bit nasty for the drive up but not as bad as a normal winter day.
In any case, I am glad to be back home, supper over and cleaned away and ready for a relaxing evening.  I was going to do a bit of quilting but I don't think I could see to sew when I am yawning this much.  Tomorrow is another day as Scarlett would say.
The photo is an old one but I was looking at it the other day and remember how sweet our little dog was when she was a pup.  She is still sweet but now she has a bit of an attitude sometimes.

Blessings,

Who is in Control?

I am not sure who was walking whom but Heidi and I were able to get out for a nice stroll through the bush today.  I am not sure that 'stroll' is the right word.  Clamber might be a better one.  Now that most of the snow is gone, I can climb up and down all the slopes which makes for very good exercise in a short area.  Heidi made sure my arms also got a workout.  She was excited about all the new smells and was pulling in all directions.  I had to keep giving her a sharp reminder that there was an older two legged human on the other end of the leash.  She was trying to dash through shrubs and over rocks and fallen trees and I was just trying to stay on my feet.  She is usually more considerate and became so today finally when I made her sit and then shortened the leash.  She got the idea.
I have been working on my granddaughter's quilt.  I have 10 more blocks to go and then can start sewing the rows together.  She is going to love the colours.
Blessings,

Another Windy Day

We had one of those late spring days when winter popped back into say it wasn't finished yet.  The snow that started yesterday continued overnight and the accumulation added up to 3 or 4 inches.  The wind howled all night and didn't run out of air until after lunch.  However, other than not being able to go for a walk in case a tree fell, we didn't have any problems.  Other areas were not as fortunate.  School buses stayed off the road over a good part of this province and there were power outages to the south of us.
Tomorrow all will be forgiven as the sun and warmer temperatures return.
I did make a short video of our swaying trees but it isn't being cooperative and loading onto the PC.
After the mandatory housework, I spent the day working on my new quilt pattern.  It is a bit tricky in places but I think that will just add a bit of interest and challenge to an otherwise simple design. 
Tomorrow, I am off to do my shopping and will try and find a centre panel for my granddaughter's quilt.
If you were in an area that lost power, I hope it is restored now and you are all set to enjoy the weekend.
Blessings,

I forgot to welcome those of you that just joined as followers of the site.  Thank you for taking the time to read my posts and I hope you find some of my ramblings interesting.  I appreciate all of you who have been faithful readers over the years.  I am planning on having a little draw later in the month so stay tuned.

Runner Set Finished

I finished my runner/place mat set today.  There are 4 place mats that coordinate with the table runner and I am also going to do 4 coasters.  This was a kit from Connecting Threads and they provided enough extra fabric that I was able to do the mats and coasters.
You may have noticed a link to my web page on this site.  I am completely redoing it.  I have been using the site to advertising the patterns I have for sale but as they are also on Craftsy, I have decided my web page might be better used to show the quilts that I am selling.  I will let you know when it is ready to be seen.  You can go to it right now but there isn't much on it.
In addition to finishing the runner set, I also started another quilt using one of my patterns.  This is a new one that has been buzzing around in my brain for a while.  It is one that can be completed in a couple of days and only uses 4 fabrics.
The weather was dreadful today.  I had planned on driving to town to do some grocery shopping but decided that it wasn't a good idea.  I did go into the village as I had to get a couple of things and that was enough of a challenge.  The roads were slushy and slippery.  It was snowing, raining all at the same time and combined with ice pellets.  Fun!
Blessings,

The Magic Quilt

Lizbeth had been feverish and coughing for three days and her mother was exhausted to the point of collapse.  She had been up and down the stairs to tend to her daughter more times than she could count.  Taking her temperatures, bringing soup to eat, helping her to the bathroom, tucking her in; the list of things her 6 year old needed seemed endless.  All this had to be done while looking after the other two children, trying to get some of the housework done and get meals for the rest of the family.  The biggest problem was that Lizbeth wanted her mother to stay with her.  She wanted the comfort of her mother's presence.  As Dorothy wearily climbed the stairs one more time she wondered how her mother had coped with all her children.  And then she remembers: the quilt.  She went to the cabinet in the guest room and pulled out the quilt that had belonged to her mother and took it into her daughter.  "Lizbeth, I have something special for you.  This used to be Grandma's quilt and she would tuck it around me when I was a little girl.  See all the hearts?  It is a love quilt and it is going to make you feel all warm and cozy and loved so you can get better.'  She tucked the quilt around her little girl and watched as she snuggled deep into her bed with a smile on her face.  "I feel better already Mommy.  It really is a magic quilt."
Blessings,

Free Patterns and Showing Appreciation

As you know, I love scrap quilts.  Most of the ones I make are from my own designs but there are also a lot of wonderful patterns from other quilters.  I recently was give a link to a site that has amazing patterns-many of them free.
Before I pass on the link, I would like to share a thought.  I know only too well the hours of work it takes to design and perfect a pattern.  It is amazing that after all that effort that the pattern is offered without charge.  I encourage you, if you use these free patterns, to support the designer by purchasing one as well.  You will benefit by helping to keep the free designs available and the designer benefits by making a bit of money.  I would also like to suggest that you send a photo of the quilt you made using someone else's pattern.  I always appreciate seeing someone else's interpretation of my creation.
Here is the link:  https://www.quiltedtwins.com

It has been a rainy day and I have been busy keeping the wood stove stoked.  Have also got my place mats quilted and the binding on the runner.  Another project almost done.
Blessings,