Talents

I finished the black and white top today.  I am just trying to decide whether to add a 2 inch black border or just leave it.  The binding will be red.  I did this pattern a while ago in brighter colours and it is amazing how different it looks.  I can't find the photo at the moment but, when I do, I will post it.

My sister recently took up painting with water colours.  When she showed me the photos on line, I asked if I could have one as I think she has a great talent. This is the one she brought for me.  I think she has a real talent.  My family has the ability to do just about anything they put their mind to.  The youngest sister has done bricklaying, one of my brothers is a marathon runner and the other is good at building.  Each does many other things as well.  In fact, we are more likely to learn how to do something than hire someone else to do it.  We take after our Dad for that but Mom has passed on her stubborn refusal to give up.   "I am not going to let (whatever) beat me" was one of her favourite sayings.  The other was "if I gave you a million dollars to do so and so, would you be able to do it"  Of course, we would answer in the affirmative and then she would add that we could also get it done without the money.  And she was right, of course.
Blessings and Happy Canada Day.

On The Road

It was a busy day yesterday.  We left home just after nine and, after a stop to feed a friend's cat, headed to Orillia which was just under an hour and a half away. I was going to spend sometimes with my sister while hubby was going on to the farm to have lunch with his mother. Heidi came along for the ride as loves her 'grandmother'.
Sister and I always go to the same restaurant every year and always sit in the same place.  The restaurant is part of a hotel and they don't have any other business that early in the day so we have the place to ourselves. Although, we never seem to have enough time, we are both grateful we can get together and catch up on our news.  Her beautiful granddaughter just graduated from public school.  It is amazing how grown up she has become.
Sister dropped me off at the farm and hubby and I got home just before four.  We had enough time to get a cup of tea, tend to the dog and leave for supper with some friends.  Our day ended at nine and we were tired.
I slept in this morning.  Hubby was already out splitting wood before I was out of bed.
Today I got caught up on some housework and then quilted.
I am glad you got some use from the link I shared on Tuesdays.  One reader commented on how helpful the colouring pages were.
I am thinking of putting together a how-to video but not sure of the subject.  Is there anything I can demo for you?  I want to learn a bit more about making videos.
In the meantime, here is professionally made one.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmU_fl3DOm1tWkgZ1SjAhrA

New Quilting Site

I have decided to add a piano key border to my black and white quilt and it looks good.  I thought, at first, that it detracted from the top but now I have got used to it, I like it.  A couple more sides to go.
I had an appointment to get my eyes tested today.  I thought it had been a year since my last test but apparently, it was two.  I guess one was due when hubby was hit by a tree and then I started having breathing problems so time just got away from me.
I have sent out the free dinosaur applique pattern to those that want it.  Hope it arrived alright. Tomorrow, I am going to meet up with my sister who is here from England.  We will have lunch together and catch up on our news.  Her granddaughter is graduating from public school so she will be able to go to the ceremony.  It will be a few years before our grands reach that milestone but I am sure the time will pass quickly.
Hubby and I are also going to a friends in the evening to help celebrate a 96th birthday.  The gentleman is in remarkable health and only just recently gave up his driver's licence.

Here is a link to a site that may be new to you.  Lots of information, patterns etc. Enjoy

Quilting Site
Blessings,

For Hope and Damion

https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=11be7209eb7e

Enjoy.

Quilt Show

Some of the ladies from the Burk's Falls Village Quilter's and I went to an area quilt show today.  We had a private guided tour by the lady who made the quilts which gave us a lot of information.  We saw some techniques which were new to us as well as a lot of fabulous quilts.  She has also offered to come to our group and teach a class.
After the show we went to lunch, laughter and conversation and then back home to our responsibilities.  I bought some fabric and it as well as  other laundry is being washed.  Tomorrow, I will be able to cut some of it into a border for the black and white quilt and get that top finished.
I did take a number of photos and will share them as soon as I figure out how to get them from my phone to the pc. On a side note, I also picked up another web design job.  Yay.
Tomorrow hubby and I are taking a trip north to get some more layers to replace the once that were killed.
Blessings,

Free Applique Pattern

I almost forgot my blog tonight.  Thursday is when I do my newspaper column so I guess I was thinking that was all the writing I needed to do for the evening.
I cut this dino from my pieced block today and now will get it appliqued to the background fabric.

I drew the shape myself so it isn't quite right but it will do.  I think I will add a tree branch so it can nibble at the leaves.
Tomorrow I am off to an area quilt show.  All the quilts are hand quilted and our LQG are getting a personal tour which will be fun.  I need to buy some red fabric for my black and white quilt while there.  It doesn't matter how much fabric a person has, you still need something.
I am giving away this applique pattern to anyone who requests it.  It is approx. 16" X 18" and you will receive the actual size.
Just send me an email.
Blessings,

Nap Time

I am getting to that stage of life when an afternoon naps seems more and more inviting.  I don't give in unless the tiredness is accompanied by a headache but I am beginning to think it is a good idea.  Of course, it would be a better idea if the siren call of a nap didn't happen about the time I need to  be getting supper.
Today started off with bright sunshine but then that turned to a heavy rainfall interspersed with drizzle by mid afternoon.  The greyness, I am sure, contributed to the desire to sleep.  I did manage to keep going and I have now finished putting the rows for the black and white quilt together.  I did have to take out one row again as I had it the wrong way round but once I started double checking and then pinning the rest of it went together easily.  I am looking forward to seeing this finished as it has been around for quite a while.
Hubby spent quite a bit of time outside cutting and hauling wood to where it can be split.  I don't know how he stood it.  The mosquitoes and blackflies were terrible today.  I went for a walk just before the rain started and a deerfly bit me on the back of my left hand.  It was swollen and red by the time I got back home.
We had decided to put  our old bug tent onto the deck but when we got it open, we found the fabric was rotten.  I have ordered a gazebo from ebay so hope it gets here before the snow flies.
If you are interested in a quick and easy scrap quilt, check out this link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8Zf8wuqUb8
Quick and Easy Scrappy
blessings,

Double Aargh.

I always get my stuff ready for quilt group Monday on Sunday evening.  I know that no matter when I get up or how prepared I am, something will go wrong. Today wasn't any different.  I made it to the van in plenty of time.  Everything was loaded.  I only had to start the vehicle and go.  Except, I couldn't find the key.  Since my vehicle has been laid up, we have been sharing the van and I get to use the spare key which (don't tell anyone) is always kept in  a separate place for me.  This morning, it wasn't.  I looked through everything and it wasn't there.  I even checked my bag in case, for some odd reason, it had fallen into it.  Nope.  Out of the van to yell at hubby, who told me that he had left it on the dash!   Aargh.  Now I am, not late, but no longer have lots of time.

I arrived at the hall and after the usual unloading, helping to set up the room, visit and look at the show and tell items, I turned on my machine.  I had set aside today to sew together the rows of the black and white quilt and I had got over half of them finished before everyone was ready to pack up.  I spread my work out to see how it looked  and a couple of the ladies came over and pointed out I made a mistake. 

When I sewed the last of the blocks together on Sat., I forgot to check which way they were orientated.  The second block had to be set a certain way or the pattern wouldn't work out.

Double Aargh.

Tonight, I am taking the rows apart and then will mark which blocks need turning.  It is too confusing to do it any other way.  Tomorrow is another day. Can I blame today on the head bump I got on Friday?

Blessings,

Carelessness Precedes a Fall

After I had taken the dog outside to do the necessary, I decided it would be a good time to finish setting up my garden gnomes as the sun was shining and wind blowing hard enough to keep the bugs away.  I always enjoy spending the time to put each creature in the right spot and adding the other items that complete the arrangement.  

 This gnome went under a small oak tree along with  his own  outhouse.  Our nephew made that for us this year.  The wooden fence is the back of a Knick knack shelf we picked up somewhere.

The rest of the gnomes go onto the rocks at the edge of the garden.  It is hard to tell from the photo but it is around twenty feet to the top boulder which makes for a lot of place to put the collection.  You can see the church on the right side that was also made by our nephew.  I only had a few more gnomes and accessories to add when I decided to dash myself onto the ground, narrowly missing smacking my head onto the car.

When I am working outside, I always make sure that I am wearing good shoes and carrying my study walking cane.  Because this time it was spur of the moment, I didn't have the cane and when I was put off balance by a thick stem, down I went.  Fortunately, I wasn't hurt.  A scraped knee and jarred body was the only reminder that carelessness precedes a fall.

  I will finish the gnomes later but, this time, I will make sure I prepare properly because I need to get to the top of the rock pile to put the last pieces in place. In the meantime, I will look at these flowers that grow wild at the back of the house.  They insist in growing in bad soil and rocks.  I am just as stubborn as they but, apparently,   more suseptable to injury.

Blessings,

Are We Getting Old?

At supper this evening, hubby and I were wondering what happened to all our energy.  It seems mere months ago that we were going on a two hour ride on our motorcycles just to get ice cream.  The trip back might have included exploring some new roads before getting home and taking care of chores.
Now, a four hour round trip in the car exhausts us.  And to think, when I was working, I drove 8 or more hours a day.

We went to a family funeral to
day and we were so tired that I picked up a couple of TV dinners on the way home to have for supper.  The packaging on them has changed a bit over the years but the taste is still the same.  Not something I would normally consider to be food.  However, tonight I was glad of the convenience.
Some of the tiredness came from driving in less than ideal conditions.  It was raining and misty so extra care had to be taken.  But, we have ridden in worse.  One trip involved so much heat we had to take refuge in a service station and then, a few hours later a thunderstorm had us holed up at a restaurant with a room full of other drivers-we were the only motorcyclists. Once that cleared up we continued on for another few hours before stopping.  We were tired, yes, but not the exhaustion we are both feeling right now.
I think part of the reason is (no, not our age)  that we don't go on many trips anymore.  Our shopping is either done in the village or the nearest town which a half hour away. Even then, we only go to the town perhaps twice a month unless we have a medical appointment.  I like being at home, though, so I am not going to start going away just to build up my travelling strength.
Blessings,

A Nothing Day

This has been one of those busy days when you get a lot done but none of it was noteworthy.  Did the usual housework and gardens stuff but nothing exciting.  I finished the blocks and rows for the black and white quilt and put it aside to finish at quilt group.  After I tidied up from that, I discovered a block that was behind something else.  I may make a cushion cover with that or, as I still have a bit of fabric left, a small lap quilt.  Usually I am squeeking by with hardly enough fabric left to finish the top so this is a bit of a change.
I started working on the next customer quilt and it will be slow going for a while as the centre is fiddly.
I also did some work on a client's web site.  I need to get at my own but that doesn't seem to be happening for a while.
And that was my day.  Tomorrow, I have a meeting and Thursday is the funeral for a family member.
Blessings,

The Same But Different

The one good result of being ill is that when you have recovered, you feel even better than before.  I have had a cold for a few days and it felt as though it might hang on for a bit.  I still felt draggy this morning although I did get up closer to my normal time.  As the day went on, I realized I felt pretty good.  I am rarely ill more than once a year and it generally does last to long so I am pretty fortunate.  Hubby on the other hand is still not over his cold despite have got it a few days before I did.

I did quite a bit of sewing today.  I discovered that it really isn't a good idea to be working on two quilts at the same time and having both on the cutting table.  I am using black (no surprise) in each and was wondering why I had cut 5" squares for the one to turn into HST's when I normally did 7 inches which made four.  It took me a minute to realize the small squares were for the other project.  I gathered up all the pieces for it and put it into a bag.  

I have shown the photo of the black and white quilt previously but thought you would like to see the one I had made from the same pattern quite a while ago.  It is amazing how different another colour scheme looks. The first layout is on its side and still needs more rows as well as the borders.  I am going to use red in this one as well but not sure just yet about any other colours.

Which version do you like the best?

Blessings,

An Unwanted Gift

My dear hubby gave me a gift this week-a summer cold.  He was so kind to share his with me and, although I usually love his gifts, I would like to return this one.  I don't feel as bad as he does-mainly it is just like my usual allergies with the addition of a sore throat. I generally have a very good immune system but I have been a bit more tired lately so that is probably why I succumbed.
We had a really warm day today.  I was working at the Art Centre and didn't get home until 2.30ish but I sat outside while there.  The mosquitos make being outdoors a bit challenging but there weren't as bad as here.
Tomorrow we will set up our bug tent on the deck as well as finishing planting the garden and getting out the garden gnomes.  That will take care of the spring chores.  Then it will be time to start weeding.  All of that is a good excuse to get outside.
Are you all ready for spring or perhaps you live in one of the areas that are recovering from floods and are still dealing with that.
Have a great weekend.
Blessings,

A New Gnome Building

The weather was warm and sunny today.  We took advantage of it to get a few more things done around the house.  We finished getting the fenced in run for the chickens by adding a cover made of chicken wire.  That will further discourage predators as well as keep and hens from testing their flying abilities.  We did some shopping later in the day and I bought a few more plants.

We still have to get our lawn furniture and gnomes out of storage.  Hubby and I collect the little folk and have quite a few now.  They fill up the rock wall at the back of the house and, if you look carefully, you can also find them tucked under a shrub or in one of the flower gardens.

Our nephew made us this church and outhouse.  He did them without any special tools or patterns.  I can't wait to add them to the display this year. (He does sell them if you are interested).

Tomorrow, I am staffing the Art and Crafts Centre.  If you are in the area, drop in for a visit and see the great items we have for sale.

Blessings,

Return of the Banty

I have been looking after a friends cat while there were away.  I went into the village twice a day to give him his medicine, food and make sure he was okay.  If I had time, he generally got a massage to help ease his aging joints.
I am very fond of cats but hubby's allergies (and my aversion to having cat hair everywhere) means we are a dog only household.  So, being able to spend time with someone else's pet is a nice change.
We had some good news this morning.  Hubby went out to tend the flock and saw that our little female banty had returned home.  We were very pleased and now she is back in the coop with her very happy mate.
I started gathering fabric today for a QAL that an area quilt shop is holding.  If you would like to check it out, the link is: thimblesandthings.com.  Look for the QAG button.

Tomorrow I am getting together with a couple of friends for a quilting day.  This is a monthly event and we really look forward to it.
Blessings,

Good News, Bad News

We had a good news, bad news weekend.  Hubby's  younger sister, along with her two young grandchildren, came for a visit on Saturday. We took the children to see our chickens (more about them later) and our neighbours goat farm.  It was such a fun time and, of course, I took lots of photos.  Our little great niece hates bugs so I put one of my bug hats on her.  She wore it the rest of the afternoon and took it home with her.  We gave her brother a similar one.

 Bug free

 Fun with goats

and ponies

and great uncle's gold fish.

The next day was a normal Sunday; church, lunch etc.  When evening came, hubby went out to put the poultry to bed.  He had been gone quite a while and I was just going to call to see if everything was all right.  Before I could do that, however,  he came in with some bad news.  Something had got to the hens (we think while we were at church or we would have heard the nose from them and the dog barking) and killed four of them.  All that was left was some feathers so we assume it was fox or coyote.  We were also missing our little female banting.  She had been sitting on a nest of eggs.  We still haven't seen her so she is either in hiding or has also been killed.  We don't really think the later as she can fly really well and would have been able to escape.  We are still hoping she will return although it is too late now to hatch the eggs.

We hate when we lose a hen but it does happen when you live in a rural area.  You have the choice of keeping them in the coop or letting them run free.  We think they have a better life if they are allowed to be free but, of course, there is always a down side.

Next step is a noisy motion detector.

Despite everything, it was a great weekend thanks to the little ones.

My favourite photo.

Blessings,