Enjoying Nature.

The bees and butterflies are really enjoying my huge marigold.  Two monarchs landed this afternoon and stayed for quite a long time.  I was able to get this photo as the one was opening and closing its wings.
It has been very hot again today but tomorrow should be quite a bit cooler and I am really looking forward to it.  Hubby was able to get outside for a bit and enjoy the day.  Our neighbour's son cut the lawn yesterday so it made it easier for him to see where he was walking.  We have had such wonderful support from everyone and there is no way you can ever say how much they are appreciated.
I am sure those of you in the areas affected by the hurricanes have experienced the same thing.  People are often more wonderful than we give them credit for.
Blessings

And the Grand Prize Winner Is......

I finally completed my Shattered Squares quilt top today.  I am pleased with how it turned out and think it will look great on a dining room table.  I am also pleased that, with the exception of the backing fabric and what I am giving as the final prize, I used up all the Island Batik fabrics that I received in this shipment.  Considering the amount that we get, I think that is quite and achievement.

This project was part of Island Batik fabrics  Back to School Blog Hop

 

 

 

Shattered Squares Sept. 2017

Shattered Squares-Close Up

Our weather continues to be unseasonably warm.  I took the dog into the village while I got the mail and did some banking but, somehow, my car ended up in the parking lot of our local ice cream store first  As we are almost at the end of summer, I thought I may as well go along with what the car decided and bought a cone.  Heidi enjoyed the occasional like of my sticky fingers.

Tomorrow, I take hubby for his appointment with the surgeon and to get another x-ray.  I am hoping he will be given permission to use a walking cast which will give him a bit more movability.
And the grand prize winner of a selection of Island Batik fabrics is: GranChris.  You have until Monday to contact me with your mailing information.  Congratulations.

Don't forget that the other Ambassadors are also having giveaways.  I put a list of the blog hops on last Thurs. post.  Be sure to check them out.
Blessings

 

And the Winner Is...

Congratulations to Alison who won the pattern from PineRose Designs.  All  names entered in the two contests will now be reentered for the final prize-a selection of wonderful  Island Batik fabrics.
Adding the final border to my top so will  post it tomorrow.  I had an unplanned trip to the vets today as I discovered a lump on my Heidi's tummy.  That caused a great deal of concern.  She will be scheduled to have it removed but we have caught it in the very early stages.
Thank you again to all that entered my 3 stage contest.  I hope you found it a little different that the usual ones
 Blessings,

Strange Growths

 

When I went out to tend the chickens this morning,  I noticed something strange in our log planter.  I took a closer look and realized  two large mushroom growths  seemed to have popped up overnight.  This one was about 8 inches high and consisted of a tight mass of individual fungi.  The one in the photo below was even larger and wrapped around the alyssum.

 

 

The recent warm weather has brought my miniature rose back into bloom  This one is about five years old and has done so well that I think I will get some more.  I don't have any success with the larger roses so I will stick with what works.

Another plant that has done very well this year is this marigold.  This single seed  that was started indoors has turned into a shrub.  I have never seen anything like it.  I will be gathering seeds from it to see if I can duplicate the feat next year.
I finished sewing my blocks together today and am now adding the borders.  I expect to have it finished and photographed tomorrow.  If you haven't entered Monday's contest, don't forget to do so.  There will be one more prize after this one so keep entering.
Blessings,

Blog Hop Contest, Step 2

Congratulations to Allison who won her choice of one of my patterns.  She chose My Stained Glass Star pattern.  Thank you to all those who entered and I have good news.  Today, you have another chance at wining a prize.
I am pleased to be able to give you a chance a receiving a lovely table runner pattern from PineRose Designs.  Eileen Hoheisel took the step to publishing her patterns in 2013 and immediately was embraced by individual quilters as well as magazines and  pattern distributors.  Eileen recently became one of Island Batik's newest designers
Eileen named her company in honour of her parents.  Her father loved the pine trees that surrounded his home and her mother, Rosina, who was also a quilter, loved flowers.
Eileen has often been asked where she gets her inspiration and she replies that it isn't a question that is easily answered.  She plays around with her Electric Quilt program or some pieces of fabric and the pattern emerges.  "God gave me this talent" , she adds, " and I thoroughly enjoy using it.
You can see or purchase PineRose Patterns at: pvquilt@gmail.com,
http://www.quiltwoman.com/pvq-pinerose-designs-eileen-hoheisel

http://www.craftsy.com/user/5316516/pattern-store

  https://www.facebook.com/PineRoseDesigns.Patterns

 

 

 Here is the pile of finished blocks.  There are 8 of each and the blocks are almost 18" before I square them so this is going to be a nice sized lap quilt or non gender baby quilt.  Tomorrow, a photo of the joined blocks.

To enter to win the PineRose pattern, put the name of one of the other Ambassador's blogs that are taking part in this hop in a comment.  Contest ends Wed. at 6 p.m. eastern time.

Blessings,

 

Back to School Blog Hop and Contest.

September is the month when parents breath a sigh of relief as their children head back to school.  In honour of this special time, Island Batik is holding a Back to School Blog Hop.  We Ambassadors get

to play with fabric, practice our composition skills and learn to share.

I am making my quilt from the aptly named Diner Days fabric.  As I have been working, I as thinking of all the mother's who are gathering in restaurants or diners to have a quiet cup of tea with friends as they celebrate having a few a little more quiet in the house.

I was supposed to have my project done today and I really tried but as my husband recently broke his ankle, my computer crashed and life took a on more craziness than a group of two year olds, I ran out of time. 

But, never fear, I still have something planned that I hope you will find entertaining.  Most of the bloggers are giving away prizes.  I am going to do that and more.  You will have a chance to win a prize each day that I post my progress. today is the first day.   You will find the rules at the end of today's blog.

So here goes:  I wanted to make a quilt this time which is another reason this has taken longer.  The following photos show how I went from strips of fabric to a finished block

This is a trial layout.  Not very inspiring.

This is better but something seems to be wrong.  Can you see the mistake.

Much better.  I really like this.

 I bought this little gizmo recently and I love it.  It is great for holding down seams, nudging fabric into place and easing it under the foot.  No needles through the finger now.

This is a better picture so you can see what it looks like.

And here is what my quilt is going to look like.  I am pleased with how it is turning out.  I have the rest of the blocks to add and then the borders.  Stay tuned.
Here is today's contest. It is open to everyone except those who have already won Island Batik prizes from me. You must comment on my blog page, not Facebook.  In a previous post, I showed a photo of the lovely Island Batik fabrics I received this year.  I would like you to send me a comment that mentions the name of one of the fabric lines.  The winner will get to chose any one of my patterns on my Craftsy's page.
For a chance at even more great prizes, check out the blogs listed below,
Blessings.

WEEK 1

Monday, September 4 – Beaujolais
Quilting Affection Designs • FunThreads Designs

Tuesday, September 5 – Country Dozen
Cheryl Lynch Quilts • Inspired Layers

Wednesday, September 6 – Bonsai
Little Bunny Quilts

Thursday, September 7 – Sakura
Masterpiece Quilting

Friday, September 8 – Empress Garden
Dessert Bloom Quilting • Slice of Pi Quilts

WEEK 2

Monday, September 11 – Fresh Pick’ins
KISSed Quilts

Tuesday, September 12 – Lotus Blooms
Kathys Kwilts and More

Wednesday, September 13 – Olivera
Moose Stash Quilting • Vicki’s Crafts and Quilting

Thursday, September 14 – Rise & Shine
Den Syende Himmel • Sally’s Quilting Corner

Friday, September 15 – Diner Days
Ark Angel Creations • The Quilt Rambler 

WEEK 3

Monday, September 18 – Seas the Day
KISSed Quilts • Whispers of Yore

Tuesday, September 19 – Vineyard
The Inquiring Quilter • Inchworm Fabrics

Wednesday, September 20 – Abalone
PamelaQuilts • Yellow Cat Quilts

Thursday, September 21 – Batiks Go Retro
Adventures in Applique and Quilting

Friday, September 22 – Captain’s Anchor
Purrfect Spots Designs • Beaquilter

WEEK 4

Monday, September 25 – Cherry Berry
Freemotion by the River • Mary Mack Made Mine

Tuesday, September 26 – Lobster Bake
Seams to be Sew

Wednesday, September 27 – Solstice
Bejeweled Quilts • heARTs Creations

Thursday, September 28 – Sour Apple
Seams Like a Dream • Kauffman Designs

Friday, September 29 – Zen
Lizard Creek Quilting • Quilt’n Party

Thankful Thursday

Hubby is getting more mobile.  Crutches take some getting used to but he is learning pretty quickly and getting more independent.  I am thankful as I have been really busy trying to keep up with everything.
Once of my must do projects is the latest Island Batik quilt. This is for a blog hop and each of the Ambassadors have a day on which they post.  Tomorrow is mine.  I won't have a completely finished quilt but the top will be done.   I will also have a draw.
Having my new computer all set up including the camera and printer added is on my agenda  as well so I will be able to share some photos.
In the meantime, I am both grateful and thankful that my hubby is home and we are a unit once more.
Blessings,

Home At Last

A quick note this evening to say that my hubby is home and all is right with the world.  It was a long day and difficult getting him in the house but, with the help of a neighbour friend, we made it.
We had so many offers of help, it has been overwhelming.  Frankly, I thought everyone would have been tired of us by now as this is his 4 operation in just over a year.  The other 3 were scheduled but, really.....
Anyway, we can now start getting back to normal although hubby's activities will be limited for a while.
Blessings,

Phew. What a Week

Well what a week it has been.  My computer crashed on Tuesday and found out the next day that it couldn't be repaired so ordered another one.  I hate being without my PC but was making do with my hubby's laptop and my tablet.  I didn't want to have to keep changing from his email lot ins to mine so just made do.  then a dear and wonderful friend offered me the use of her spare lap top which is what I am using now.  I picked it up this morning before I went to the hospital to see my dear one.
Yesterday, was about 3 days long.  Hubby was outside cutting down some trees and I was in my quilt room with one of the windows open so I could hear if there was a problem.  I heard the saw stop and waited a bit to see if it started again.,  Meantime, our Heidi was looking out the open window and making an odd woofing sound.  When I called to hubby to see if everything was okay, he replied that he needed help.
I found him sitting on the ground, bleeding from a cut on his ear and with a suspected broken ankle.  I dashed back inside to get a blanket and call my neighbours.  They arrived, took one look at everything and called the ambulance.  Hubby was obviously in shock so I added another quilt and we kept him
talking until the EMS arrived.  He was supposed to go to a larger hospital tomorrow and get the ankle operated on but it might not happen until the next day.  In any case, he is in good hands and I have had tons of help offered so I am feeling looked after as well.
My heart goes out to those in the path of the various natural disasters in the south.  Our mishap is nothing in compared to the destruction that is happening there.
Blessings,

A Good Day at the Fair

It poured all day here and some of the fair activities had to be cancelled but it was still a fun day.  We met a couple there who are new to the area and had fun showing and explaining all that was going on.  They also raise chickens so the poultry and rabbit area was a hit  It is quite interesting looking at all the various breeds and the different personalities they all have.  A young man we know entered his pet hen.  He had given it a bath and even painted its toenails a bright blue!
My entries did very well.  I submitted 7 quilted articles.  Five won first prize, one got a second and the other didn't place.  My doll outfit also got first prize.  The quilt photo I posted yesterday was one of the winners.

Continuing-Just as I finished the last sentence, my computer crashed.  I am on hubby's laptop now until my new pc comes in and is loaded.  An  inconvenience but such is life.  Won't be able to post photos.

Hope everyone had a safe weekend.  I probably won't be posting much until everything is back to normal.
Blessings

Fair Entrries Done

I don't usually do a post on Saturday but I wanted to do a follow up to my rant from yesterday.  I discovered, while rereading the rules for fair entries, that we are supposed to have our application for the tags in 4 to 5 days before the fair.  I never noticed that before because the method was different.  So, part of the problem in getting my tags was mine.
I did get my entries in today and it didn't take much longer than usual.  Then hubby and I helped a friend unload her stuff.  She always has a van load and usually wins a prize for most points in crafts.  (I won one for needlecraft a couple of years ago which was a big moment for me).  I will find out on Monday how I did.
This is one of the quilts I entered.

 

I find the transition from August to September happens to quickly.  It feels as though there should be a week or two in between that is another month or something.  Perhaps it is the abrupt change from summer to school and end of holidays.  What ever the reason, I have made a note on my computer's calendar to remind me to get my fair stuff done earlier next year. 

The weather has been beautiful today and it has been difficult to stay indoors.  I have managed to get a bit of quilting done.  It is supposed to rain for the rest of the weekend so being inside won't be a problem.

Blessings,

 

Frustrating Volunteers

Well, I am irritated.  I got everything ready to get my tags for the fall fair entries this week and then ran into problems.  Normally, once the tags are ready, they are picked up from the secretaries residence but this year we were to go to the municipal office.  That shouldn't have been a problem but it turned out to be a mess.  I was called when mine were ready and went over late morning to pick them up.  They hadn't been brought in yet.  Got an email later saying they arrived at 1.30 and I could get them.  I didn't want to make another trip for just one thing so decided to wait until the next day.  I phoned the office this morning to make sure of the closing hours and that my tags were still there.  I had to go to Huntsville for a medical appointment and decided to go off route into the village.  When I got there, I was told the tags were picked up already and would be at the fair grounds the next day.  I was really frustrated because I was there 2 hours before the office closed.
Now I will have to take pins and everything else I need to the fairgrounds then try to get the tags onto the articles while they are in the vehicle.    I like to have all this done before I get there so I just hand the prepared entries to the volunteers. 
If there are many others in the same situation as I, it is going to be a long process as there is usually just one person handing out tags to those who need an extra one.  I am not looking forward to it and contemplated just not entering but that seemed rather drastic.
I know all the people are volunteers but even so one expects people to still do their job properly.  We would all be in a nasty state if all the millions of volunteers were haphazard about what they were supposed to do.  Imagine a volunteer firefighter going out to answer a call and then deciding to stop for a coffee first.
Not a bit problem in light of all that is going on in the world but frustrating nevertheless.  And that is my rant.
Blessings,