Happy 150 Birthday Canada

Happy Canada Day.  It is too bad that today wasn't July 1st as the weather was lovely.  Got outside for a walk and did a bit of gardening.  Tomorrow, it is back to the rain again.  We are still planning on going into the village and taking part in some of the events.  It is a shame with so much work and money spent to celebrate that the weather isn't going to cooperate.  Of course, it still could.  Fingers crossed.
My sister arrives from England tomorrow and will be here late evening.  They will be exhausted so we won't be doing any visiting until the next day.
I got my Island Batik project finished for this month except for the binding.  I will post a photo when it is complete.
My posts will be a bit spotty this month as we will be going hither and yon with my sister.  I will try and upload some photos of the things and places we see.  I am grateful to a dear neighbour who will be house sitting and looking after the dog and chickens while we enjoy ourselves.
Blessings,

Brag Mugs

Thank you for all the good wishes re my eyes.  I have decided that I can live with these floating things until I need to get something done.  Most people have some sort of issue in their lives and this is minor compared to what others deal with.
We had a nice surprise in the mail today.  A parcel arrived from the grandchildren and when we opened it we found, in addition to some lovely photos, two travel mugs with the children's  pictures on them. Grandparent's brag mugs!!
We are looking forward to using them and showing off the photos.
I am gradually getting the house ready for my youngest sister's visit.  Make some vegetarian soup today and a couple dozen muffins.  Just a couple of days now.
It doesn't look as though the weather is going to be very nice for Canada Day.  We are planning on going into the village for the classic car show and the guided walking tour if it isn't raining too badly.
Blessings,

Good News/Bad News

The t shirt quilt is on its way to its owner.  I met the lady who was going to deliver it yesterday while on my way to the optometrist and handed it over. She was taking it to Toronto today.  The customer is away for a few days so won't see it right away  and I don't want to post the photo until she does.  Soon.
While at the optometrist, I mentioned that   my distance vision seemed to be improving and wondered why that might be.  I was told  that when a person is developing cataracts the improvement sometimes happens so-good news/bad news.  I knew I was getting to that stage though so it wasn't a surprise.
What happened later in the day certainly was.  Just before 7 .00 p.m. I kept seeing what looked like a hair strand or wisps of smoke like substance floating near the top of my head.  I couldn't figure out what it was and kept swiping at it.  Finally realized it was my eyes.  Off to the optometrist again today, somewhat concerned about what was happening.
Apparently, the liquidy ball that is behind the eye has a tendency to change shape as a person ages.  Mine had done so sufficiently that it pulled loose from one of the three 'tethers' (my word).  Nothing needs to be done unless certain symptoms occur and then it is immediate attention.
I am really tired tonight and, although I was supposed to be going out, I stayed home and will be going to be early.
blessings,

Confirmation.

I've had a productive day.  The T Shirt quilt is completely finished except for the label which will be added on Monday.  I am making a little extra something to go with it but won't tell you what it is just now in case my customer reads this.  Studio is tidied up and ready for the next project which will be this months Island Batik challenge.
I had my phone interview for the web course at 1 p.m. and at the end was told that I had been accepted.  I received my confirming e-mail shortly after.  I am looking forward to all I am going to learn this fall.  I may have to forgo being part of the Island Batik Ambassador program as I will have to put in a lot of hours on the course.
It has been raining on and off all day again and I think the poor dog is getting webbed feet.  Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny though so I should be able to hang out my clothes.
Just one more week to Canada Day.  How are you celebrating?
Blessings,

Done

The t shirt quilt is finished.  I just have to add the label and clip all the loose threads.  I will take a photo before sending it on to its owner.  It is always nice to get another project finished and there is a special feeling when it is a quilt that was commissioned.  This is a quilt that will be treasured because it was ordered by one family member for another and that is always good to know.  So often our creations lay, unloved except by us, in a tote or other container.
I had some wonderful news yesterday.  I received an e-mail letting me know that I had passed my assessment test for the web course I want to take.  I got a perfect score.  Not bad for an old lady who didn't start using a computer until middle age.  The final step before acceptance is a phone interview and that takes place tomorrow.  Wish me luck.
I had a lovely visit with my sister yesterday.  We usually go to the same restaurant every time as there is never anyone else there and we can talk for as long as we want.  It is a small café in a hotel with a limited but adequate menu.  The food is good and the place is quiet.  What more could anyone want.
Blessings,

Where Did the Time Go?

Last week rather got away from me.  I was out most days and a couple of the evenings as well so didn't get a post done.  The next couple of weeks won't be much better but I will try and write a bit each day.
Our weather has changed again and we are back to rain and wind as well as cooler temperatures.  I don't mind it being cooler.  It makes so much nicer for getting things done both inside and outside the house.
I made a dozen muffins late last week and cooked them in my electric skillet.  I put a rack on the bottom, sat the muffin pan on top, and replaced the skillet lid.  They cooked beautifully and were, in fact, moister than usual  because of the steam generated.  I am going to try cookies next.
It is nice to be able to do a bit of baking without heating up the house.
I have almost finished the T shirt quilt and am pleased with how it looks.  I won't be posting a photo until after the customer sees it but I think she will like it.
Hope your week was less busy than mine.
Blessings,

Rookie Mistake

It has been a long time since I lost information because I didn't save it first but today that is what happened.  I was filling out a skill test form and was almost finished when I clicked to close another program and lost everything.
To make matters worse, the test was on my computer knowledge and skill.  I had managed to answer a lot of questions about the PC itself and was feeling good about myself when I made the rookie mistake.  Fortunately, I did write down the info as I located it so next time around it should be quicker.
I am making good progress on the quilt as you go project.  I had some trouble with the top stitching part as my machine didn't like the interfacing.  I switched to the Juki and zipped through it. 
My partner in this job has had problems with her machine as well so I will do this part and she can sew the blocks together.
We got our TV working again this morning.  There was something wrong with one of the outside lines.  We wondered if one of the trees had grown enough to block the satellite so glad it wasn't that.  We do love living in a bush with 80 foot plus trees but once in a while they get in the way.
Took Heidi for a walk through the woods today.  Almost no bugs but I was concerned about ticks.  I checked her over after we got back and didn't see anything but will continue to watch.  Nasty things.
Blessings,

Stop the Itch

Mosquito bites are not fun.  They itch with a vengeance. I have found a quick and easy way to stop the itch and, ladies, I bet you have the product in your purse.  Rubbing some lip balm over the mosquito bite stops both the itch and the swelling.  I've no idea why it works but it does.  Give it a try.
I started my computer course today.  So far it is just reading and watching videos; interesting but I am anxious to get into the stuff about coding.
Supposed to be another good weekend here so I will be able to hang out the laundry again.  I also expect to get the sashing and binding finished on the baby quilt.
Have a great weekend,
blessings,

And Then the Snow Flies

Today has been one of those wonderful late spring days we have been waiting for.  Still buggy but it is getting less now that the dragonflies are arriving.  We have learnt to tell what is going to happen by the arrival of various factors: blackflies come with the trilliums and go when you have a few days of really hot weather.  Mosquitos come a week or so after the blackflies and stay most of the summer but lessen considerably when the dragonflies arrive.  Deerflies come in the fall and stay until the snow flies.
I took Heidi into the village with me today and, after I went to the Post Office, we went for a nice long walk up and down the main street.  It was good to get out in the fresh air without bug hat, jacket and foul smelling spray.
I have just started adding the sashing to my baby blanket and it is turning out alright.  Kinda of funky looking.
There was a story on the news this evening about an elderly gentleman (early 90's) who just graduated from a university History course.  I have been thinking for some time about taking an on line course and decided to see what was available.  I signed up for one on understanding coding and designing web pages.  Really would have been better to do this in the fall but I have 7 days to try it out.  If I find I can't keep up, I will cancel and then start again later.
Blessings,

Buy One, Get One. Day Two

 I was notified that some of you were having problems accessing my pattern store.  I contacted the company and got this new link.  This should take you right to the page.  If you have any more problems, please let me know.  https://www.craftsy.com/profile/annajb-s-pattern-store
You can still buy a pattern and then get one free.  Once your order has gone through, I will contact you so you can let me know which one you would like to have me send free of charge.  These are all downloads so no shipping charges.

 

I finished my baby quilt blocks today and I like them better than I did at the beginning.  It made a difference when I increased the width of the satin stitch and used a darker thread.  Now I have to decide on sashing.  When completed, I will add this pattern to my store.

It has been quite warm today.  I was able to take the dog and go for a walk this morning as the flying creatures were at a minimum.  However, this evening when we tried to put the bug tent up, we couldn't.  Too many bugs.  Some sort of poetic justice there, I think.

Blessings,

 

 

Buy One Get One.

This has been a down day for me-down as in getting nothing done.  I didn't sleep well last night which means I don't function well; or at all, the next day.  I did bake some cookies using a new old recipe.
I have a raisin cookie recipe which I have always liked making as it results in approx. 12 dozen good sized cookies.  However, as we no longer eat wheat and have cut way down on starch and sugar, I haven't made it in a couple of years.  Today, I substituted butter for lard, coconut sugar for white and I use chickpea flour in place of the regular.  I only did have the recipe just in case but they did turn out quite nice.  I think I will try honey next time instead of sugar.
It is nice to be able to have some 'treat' foods that are somewhat healthy and I love experimenting with ingredients.
It seems that we are going to have a couple of days of nice warm weather so we are hoping that will kill off the last of the blackflies and may dry up some of the standing water so the mosquitoes will lessen.  My flowers and vegetables are doing really well and I would love to be outside pulling a few weeds.  Maybe tomorrow.
Have you checked out the patterns I have for sale on Craftsy?  If not, this would be a good time as I am having a 2 for 1 sale.  Buy one pattern and I will contact you to see which one you would like free.  I will send that one directly to your inbox.  Just click on the link and it will take you to my page. www.craftsy.com/annajb
Blessings,

Quilt Show.

The Bracebridge Quilt show was excellent. Over 300 hundred quilts, 12  vendors, door prizes and demos all available on two floors.  The quilts were amazing with many that could be categorized as art or modern both of which I really like.  Believe it or not, I didn't buy anything but my friends made up for it.  I did take a couple of photos.  Both these quilts are award winners and appliqued by hand. The one on the bottom was also hand quilted.  Note the caterpillar in the first photo.  There was a similar insect on each of the blocks which led a little whimsical touch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have been thinking of having a sale on my patterns.  It will be a buy one get one sale on the patterns I have listed on Craftsy.  Stay tuned.  I will let you know when it happens.

Blessings,

First Quilt Show

Tomorrow morning I am heading off to Bracebridge with some friends to attend my first quilt show of the year.  It may very well be my only one.  I wasn't able to get to the Lindsay show last week as I had another commitment and most of the others are too far away for this aging body. 
I am looking forward to the day for a number of reasons: being with friends, seeing what is new in quilting, looking at some wonderful eye candy and escaping the bugs.  They have really been getting to hubby and I this year.  I guess you could say they are driving us buggy!
It seems that every time we open the door enough bugs fly in to carry away our little dog.  We then spend the next hours or so swatting the dratted creatures.  They really are quite bad this year.  I am thankful I don't work outside.  It must be dreadful for construction workers or farmers right now.
I bought a new product a couple of days ago and I don't like it.  It is sheets of paper with fusible on one side so you can use your printer to make copies of applique pieces.  I followed the instructions but was only able to get one sheet to actually go through properly.  I used two printers and the paper stuck in both of them.  It is called Ink Jet Printable Fusible Web by the Tailor company. If you have had any success with it, please let me know as perhaps I just got a bad lot. 
I went back to the old way of tracing my shapes on fusible and completed the sections needed for my baby quilt.  Once I have done the machine stitching I will add the sashing and another top with be done.
Blessings,