Bouncy Dog

Farm Quilter posted that she has the log cabin book I mentioned. Have you made anything from it FQ?  I am really intrigued with some of the layouts.

I am starting to sew the rows of my batik quilt together and once I have the border added, I will be able to mark it as done on my UFO list.  Of course, I will have to add it to another list but I still count it as an accomplishment

This is the first complete day I have home all week.  Yesterday was my once a month get together with 3 friends.  The place were we meet is one of those wonderful 2 storey brick with a verandah.  It is knew but looks like an old farmhouse.  It is beautifully decorated inside with a huge kitchen table which gives plenty of room for the four of us.
Our friend has a very large bouncy dog who manages to keep us grabbing at our fabric, rulers or anything else loose.  He thinks it is great fun having us chase him to get back out stuff.  He is a lot calmer than he was even a month ago.  He is a lovely dog and, as I didn't have a lot of quilting to do, I spent a good bit of time making sure he was getting enough petting.
Heidi was a bit suspicious when I came home with the smell of a strange dog on me but I assured her that she was still #1.
Blessings,

Yahoo Downloads.

Do you belong to a Yahoo group?  I am in the process of downloading all the files etc. from my Hearts 2 Hands group.  As near as I can gather, the groups will still be hosted by Yahoo but in a limited capacity.  The other owner and I are keeping this one going as well as one we started with a different server.  It seems that technology gets more complicated all the time.  There are days when I feel I am swimming in jello.

I am now sewing the rows together on my batik quilt so I should soon have the top done.  I will put a border around it probably in black as that is the centre of all the blocks.

I thought it was going to be quite cold today but it warmed up by late morning so it was only minus 7C with the sun shining.  Not bad at all.  I had to go to the doctor's early afternoon to have him check a couple of suspicious moles but they weren't anything to be concerned about.  Thankfully.  I keep an eye on these as I am/was a redhead who had a lot of sunburns when I was younger.  So far, so good.

Well, that is silly.  The Yahoo download completed and it seems to include anything I have ever posted to that server.  Now I am going to have to go through the whole download file and delete the duplicates.  Why, I wonder, did it not just do the ones from the site? Dumb.
Blessings,

Log Cabins.

I have finally completed making all the blocks for my batik quilt.  I don't think I mentioned that it was part of Quilt Along name All Stacked Up.  Of course I didn't-quilt along, but have kept at it.  I now just have to sew the sections together to make the completed block section and then the rows.  I am getting curious about how it will look when finished.  I think I am going to give it to friends who are going through a very difficult time.  It will be very colourful and cheerful so will, I hope, help.
We are taking our dog for her yearly check ups this afternoon.  I am not anticipating any problems although I will let him know about her 'clingy' spell.
A friend and I just ordered a log cabin book.  She had a borrowed copy at quilt group yesterday and I have never seen so many variations.  I thought, by now, I was familiar with all of them but, apparently, not.  I can't remember the name of the book at the moment but will look it up before posting this.
I am sure the person who designed the log cabin block never had any idea of how popular it would become of the myriad of variations it would spawn.  It is still one of my favourite blocks and I have it in quilts many times.

The book is Log Cabin Quilt Book by Judy Martin.  There are 100 layouts plus 36 borders.  Worth checking out,
Blessings,

Chapter One Finished

I just finished the first chapter of my book.  I wasn't able to retrieve what I deleted but, as I have so many notes, I was able to start over again.  The woman who is going to do the first edit can now work her magic and point out how many typos I have made.  Tomorrow-back to quilting
It has been quite mild here today-plus 3.  I went into the village for a haircut and to do some odds and sods.  I had to do a few things on the main street so parked the car and walked from place to place. It is amazing how quickly the steps add up when you do that.
Hubby is not feeling good.  He hurt his back somehow and also is having problem with one knee.  He needed my help getting the food and shavings back to the chickens.  We have three plastic toboggans and they are really handy for such chores.  We are expecting freezing rain tomorrow so I will have to keep him indoors in case he slips and makes things worse.  I can look after the chickies.
Our neighbours had to put their horse down yesterday.  They had had him for 25 years riding all over North America.  General's owner is a real cowboy and has had some amazing adventures.  The horse had a great life but it is always difficult saying goodbye to an animal member of the family.
Blessings,

Frustration

I had a frustrating experience on Wednesday.  I have been editing a book I wrote some time ago (did I tell you this already?) and yesterday got around a 1000 words done.  I highlighted the test to check on the word number and then clicked off the page.  And deleted everything.  I spent the rest of the day trying to get it back but it is gone.  Not even a software program can retrieve it.  So, today I am starting over.  I have all the original notes but I changed the opening and can't remember what I said.
I have to make myself get back at it though or it will all sit in a box for another age.
Did get more done on my quilt top and just have 4 more blocks to make and I can start sewing everything together.

Our Heidi doesn't seem to be feeling well.  When hubby is out doing something, she sits under my chair and won't move.  Then when he comes home, she moves to his side.  She doesn't seem to be unwell but am glad that her check up is next week.
Blessings,

Sticking to the List

I am not going to complain about our changeable weather after looking at the 4 feet of snow in Newfoundland and the minus forty temperatures in Alberta.  Ours has been far more average-changeable, but average.  I have been out walking most days.  I really enjoy the sunny, crisp days and little Heidi just trots along delighting in each steps.  I get so much fun watching her sturdy little boding bouncing along at the end of the lead.  It is then that I have a hard time believing she is a aging dog as she looks just like a puppy.  She does sleep more throughout the day and gets a bit grumpy when it is time for a bath or nail trimming but is in good health and that is the main thing.
I only have a few more blocks to finish my scrappy batik top.  I have put a lot more time into this one planning colour combination.  I don't think that you will be able to see that when you look at the quilt but there was quite a bit of thinking about what would be best where.
How is everyone doing at keeping on with the things on their bucket list?  I really want to push my project to one side and make a little table cover but am making myself stay focuses.  I will add the cover to my list of projects but it will be near the end.
Blessings,

A Few Favourite Quilts.

Sorry I have been so remiss in posting this week but, truth to tell, not much has been happening.  I thought I would share a few quilt photos with you plus the one I am working on.  We are supposed to get a large snowfall tomorrow so I should be able to get this top finished.  I didn't much like it at first but now I am getting the sections together it is looking better.  I don't think it will ever be a favourite so will either sell it or give to a charity.

 The following are some of my favourite quilts.  The last 6 are my own patterns as is the one above.

 The beach huts in this pattern were inspired by a television show centered around a English seaside community.  The fabrics are all Island Batik.

 This quilt is on my bed as an extra cover on the really cold nights.  I can't imagine it made in any colour but these.

 Another favourite.  I added tulle over the panel as well as sequins.

 Love the mouse in the bottom left corner.  This was an adaptation from a commercial pattern.

 I have made this pattern about 3 times.  Still one of my favourites.

This one is on my bed.  It is a king sized and I quilted it on a domestic machine.  Still can't believe I did that.

One UFO Almost Done

We had some nasty on the weekend-not as bad as predicted but still enough to mess up plans for some people.  A lot of church in our area were closed on Sunday as well as at least one road.  By Monday, it was fine and I was off to quilting.  Today I had to go to Huntsville to shop and for a medical appointment.  We were scheduled to get a heavy snowfall but it didn't happen. Our winter hasn't been as bad as last year, thankfully, but a lot more variable.  Still you get what you get, don't you.
I have almost finished the top of one of my UFO projects and have picked out the next one.  I did some more work on my long arm and think it is now working properly.  Test drive tomorrow.
We have had a half dozen blue jays around one of our feeders and will try and get a photo of them.  I got some more sunflower seeds for them so that should keep them happy.

Sunsets are always wonderful, aren't they?  I think more so in the winter because it is such a contrast to the monochrome scenery.
Blessings,

Spider's Web

I have accumulated a long list of favourite web sites during the years I have been quilting.  Some are for specific procedures,  others are teaching videos, or  fabric shops.  One of my all time favourite sites is owned by Marcia Hohn.  In addition to dozens of patterns listed according to size and style, there are tutorials, photos of lost (stolen) quilts and much, much more. As a beginner, I made quilts using her block patterns.  Then I moved up learning new techniques.
If you would like to learn a quick method of sewing half square triangle, strip piecing nine patch blocks or try some different labels, this is the site for you.
Here is the link:  quilterscache.com.  Warning!  Don't check it out unless you have lots of time.  This site is like  a spiders web.  It pulls you in and then you are caught.  You will start looking at block patterns in various sizes,  and the next thing you know, a couple of hours have slipped past.
Blessings,

Hydro Rates

After a frigid day yesterday, it has warmed up again.  I don't have heat in my studio but except on the coldest days it is comfortable.  Heat from the other part of the house comes through the two doors helped by a fan and keeps the room cozy.  I do have an electric fireplace that I could turn on but, except during off peak hydro times, I don't like to use it.
I don't know if other areas of Canada or the world has the same system as we do but it is (like most things) both good and bad.  Our days are divided up so that during peak usage times, our hydro rate is the highest.  We also have mid and low.  Weekends are always low as are stat holidays so that is when I do laundry.  Dishwasher is turned on after 7 p.m. or weekends.  I do have to keep checking the times because they change according to the time of year.  A bit bothersome I know and some people (with more income than us) ignore it but I also think it is another way we can reduce our carbon footprint.
I guess I have said all that to say that I shall be working on my batik quilt today.  Making that UFO list really has been helpful.
Farm Quilter:  I agree with your comment about the Australian fires.  I am praying for a extended downpour even if it isn't the season for it.  With God all things are possible.
Blessings,

Batting on the Windows.

I was just looking at some photos of the fires in Australia.  It is hard to imagine how dreadful it must be there.  All the expertise, work, time, money and energy and it hasn't made a dent.  A lot of quilters are donating blankets or squares and that is good but personally I think the best way we can help is financially.  If you don't have a home, were are you going to put a quilt.  My personal opinion.  It could be receiving a lovingly made quilt might be just the comfort someone needs to help them through.  The bottom line is, if you are in a position to do so, please help.

I have been working on the first item on my UFO list.

It is hard to keep track of the colour combinations that I have used so I am placing one square from each block (some have 3 sections and others 4) on the design wall.  There will be 25 sets when I am done so a long way to go yet.

My hubby is definitely quilt orietated.  He said he thought my car windows looked as though they had batting on them!

Blessings

FREE BUCKET LIST FORM

How was your weekend?  I took down and packed away all our Christmas decorations plus tree and then did the same thing at our church.  Of course, as soon as our totes were taken to storage, I found some items I missed.  It happens every year no matter how thoroughly I check the house.

Today, the Burk's Falls Village Quilters got together for the first time since Christmas.  It was good to see everyone and catch up on news.  I didn't bother taking my sewing machine as I had a baG of fabric that needed sorting and cutting.  Some were just squared up and others became 5 " blocks or 2.5" squares.  I found a number of fat quarters in amongst the fabric and decided to put them and all the other same sized material in a separate container.  Will have to find a small, clear box for them.

Before I made my UFO List document, I wrote down some ideas that I want to make for gifts and our fall fair.  After the UFO list, I realized another one would be good for the ideas.  I named it my Bucket list.  The form has a place to note the idea/project , description and who/what it is for.
If you would like to have a copy, send an email to: arkangelcreations@gmail.com
I would love to hear how you are using your lists.
Blessings,

Quilter's Calendar

I got a bit of quilting done today.  I had started a block challenge in June of last year and had to put it away while I did other things.  Now, life is back to normal and I have my studio organized so it is time to start on the UFO's I have listed.  Because it has been such a while since I worked on this it took me a bit to remember what I was doing but I have it mentally together now.  I have some of the blocks on my design wall and others sorted out with the colours I want to use.
Speaking of my UFO list, some of you might like to have a calendar especially designed for quilters to help you stay organized.  If so, go to ConnieKresin.com/blog and sign up.  The calendar is free as are many of her patterns.  It is a great site and always provides a good read as well as interesting ideas.
I think I will take my tree down tomorrow.  Hubby and I are going over to our church to undecorate so I may as well continue to do so at home.  It is always sad to see things packed away but nice to have a bit more space.  We have a narrow tree but we have to remove furniture to put it up.  I used to think our house in Edmonton was small but it was definitely a lot larger than this one but it was also more housework so I am content with what we have.
blessings,

Heidi's Odd Behaviour

Happy New Year plus one.  We went to a neighbour's for New Year's dinner last night and enjoyed a lovely evening.  After we came home, the daughter dropped over to get drinking water from us (they have too much iron in their well) and our Heidi did a really odd thing.  She loves Diana who is her caregiver and groomer and, as is normal, greeted her enthusiastically.  Then she disappeared.  I went to check on her and she was laying on the bed looking like something was wrong.  We couldn't find anything that she had done and finally came to the conclusion that she though hubby and I were going away.  She stayed close by us all evening even after Diana had gone home and slept with her body touching mine all night.  Today she was back to normal but it was rather unsettling.  She has never done that before.
The plough guy did our driveway today which removed a lot of the slippery areas so I was able to go out for a good walk along our road.  One of the young families that live further up the road were out with their young daughter and dog as well.  We have a lot of walkers in our area so it is easy to get to know your neighbours enough to exchange a few words when you see them.  When we lived in Edmonton, I rarely saw anyone out just walking.
My husbands niece is a professional photographer and she just shared some photos on Facebook that she took on Christmas.

I think this one she took of hubby, her young son petting Heidi and myself turned out really nice.  Thanks Jayme (jay.elle.que photography)

I have got one of my UFO's out so I can start working on it tomorrow.  Monday, I will have a new document to share.

Blessings,