Thursday, January 28, 2021

Zoom with Me

 After a couple of days of not feeling well, I am back to normal.  Also feeling more energetic which led to me actually getting some quilting done.  I had some sort of intestinal upset on Tuesday and still felt a bit bloaty the following morning.  By the end of the day, however, I felt better.

I am getting more proficient at using a ruler on my long arm.  There was a lot of experimenting with types of rulers and markers but I think I am getting the hang of it.  I don't like my ruler base as it is a bit wiggly so am looking at an upgrade.

I have also started adding pieced borders to the panel quilt for my sister-in-law.  I had a bit of a problem finding the main colour as I want to use what I have on hand.  It is a lovely panel with birds at a feeder so there are a lot of colours but I am focusing on brown, blue and yellow with red as the pop.

One of my favourite stores is having a free QAL on Feb. 1st.  You will get to take part in making a block in 20 minutes by watching a Zoom broadcast.  If you are interested, check out:


Meeting ID: 884 9140 2288
Passcode: 160595

Watch for a free pattern next week.
Blessings,

Friday, January 22, 2021

The Hill We Climb

I think everyone was awed by the poise and talent of Amanda Gorman as she presented her poem at Joe Biden's inauguration.  As a Canadian, I applaud her and post here her words in case you didn't here them or want to read them for yourself,

Blessings

 The Hill We Climb

When day comes we ask ourselves, where can we find light in this never-ending shade? The loss we carry, a sea we must wade. We’ve braved the belly of the beast. We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace. In the norms and notions of what just is isn’t always justice.

And yet, the dawn is ours before we knew it. Somehow, we do it. Somehow, we’ve weathered and witnessed a nation that isn’t broken, but simply unfinished. We, the successors of a country and a time where a skinny Black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother can dream of becoming president, only to find herself reciting for one.

And yes, we are far from polished, far from pristine, but that doesn’t mean we are striving to form a union that is perfect. We are striving to forge our union with purpose, to compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters and conditions of man.

Hits, 1983 Acrylic on canvas with hand-woven fabric 84 x 70 inches by Emma Amos

Hits, 1983
Acrylic on canvas with hand-woven fabric
84 x 70 inches
by Emma Amos

And so, we lift our gazes not to what stands between us, but what stands before us. We close the divide because we know, to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside. We lay down our arms so we can reach out our arms to one another. We seek harm to none and harmony for all. Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true. That even as we grieved, we grew. That even as we hurt, we hoped; that even as we tired, we tried; that we’ll forever be tied together, victorious. Not because we will never again know defeat, but because we will never again sow division.

Scripture tells us to envision that everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid. If we’re to live up to our own time, then victory won’t lie in the blade, but in all the bridges we’ve made. That is the promise to glade, the hill we climb if only we dare it. Because being American is more than a pride we inherit; it’s the past we step into and how we repair it. We’ve seen a forest that would shatter our nation rather than share it, would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy. And this effort very nearly succeeded.

But while democracy can be periodically delayed, it can never be permanently defeated. In this truth, in this faith we trust, for while we have our eyes on the future, history has its eyes on us. This is the era of just redemption. We feared it at its inception. We did not feel prepared to be the heirs of such a terrifying hour, but within it, we found the power to author a new chapter, to offer hope and laughter to ourselves.
So, while once we asked: “How could we possibly prevail over catastrophe?” Now we assert, “How could catastrophe possibly prevail over us?”

Diagonal Diver, 1985 Acrylic on fabric with African fabric borders 77 x 59 inches by Emma Amos

Diagonal Diver, 1985
Acrylic on fabric with African fabric borders
77 x 59 inches
by Emma Amos

We will not march back to what was, but move to what shall be: a country that is bruised, but whole; benevolent, but bold; fierce and free. We will not be turned around or interrupted by intimidation, because we know our inaction and inertia will be the inheritance of the next generation. Our blunders become their burdens. But one thing is certain, if we merge mercy with might, and might with right, then love becomes our legacy, and change our children’s birthright.

So, let us leave behind a country better than one we were left. With every breath from my bronze-pounded chest, we will raise this wounded world into a wondrous one. We will rise from the gold-limned hills of the West. We will rise from the wind-swept Northeast where our forefathers first realized revolution. We will rise from the lake-rimmed cities of the Midwestern states. We will rise from the sun-baked South. We will rebuild, reconcile and recover in every known nook of our nation, in every corner called our country our people diverse and beautiful will emerge battered and beautiful.

When day comes, we step out of the shade aflame and unafraid. The new dawn blooms as we free it. For there is always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it. 

Amanda Gorman

Monday, January 18, 2021

Fluff Coated Trees

 The weather here has been glorious the past few days.  Snow followed warm temperatures so the trees are all covered in a heavy coat of white fluff.  Today the temperature dropped and the sun came up.  The scenery was amazing.  Heidi and I went for a walk in the afternoon and it was hard to keep moving and not just stop at stare at the bush on either side of the road.




Just a sample of how lovely it has been.

The foot pedal for my Janome seems to be working fine so now I will be able to start my next customer quilt.  They really love birds so I chose this panel for the centre of the quilt.



Tomorrow I pick up my new template ruler.  I am really looking forward to learning how to use it.  Tomorrow is also hubby's birthday so a special mean is in the offing,

Blessings.

Friday, January 15, 2021

Block of the Month

 Happy days.  My Janome, so far, is working with the new foot pedal.  I am going to start on my SIL's quilt now and perhaps a crib quilt as well.  They should give my machine a good work out.

The sun was shining today but, unfortunately, it was too slippery to go for a walk.  Wee Heidi and I did go around the house and down to the chicken coop and back so that was something.  We are enjoying a really mild winter which is nice but that also means a lot of gray days and slippery conditions.

Has anyone started any of the new year projects?  I am thinking of doing a block of the month  but haven't decided for sure.  If you are interested, here is the link to the one I am considering.

https://www.aquiltinglife.com/2021/01/january-2021-quilt-block-of-the-month.html/

I need to do another reorganizing of my fabrics after completing the last two customer quilts.  I have to sort through the pieces of fabric that need to be cut into strips etc. for scrappy quilts.  Everything else will go back onto the shelves, if there is room.  I sometimes think that my fabric brings in their fabric friends to keep them company as somehow I always seem to have more than I should.  Of course, it isn't because I am always buying something.  That couldn't possibly the reason.

Blessings,


 

 

Thursday, January 14, 2021

Quilting Video's

 After spending all day yesterday baking, I was ready for some down time today.  I was given a number of books by a friend and this afternoon, I read one.  It was a new author for me and I really liked her plot  and characters.  I will have to watch for more of them.  It was also a quick read-under 4 hours, which was enough time to laze around.

I have been watching a number of Natalie Bonner's videos lately.  I saw one on ruler quilting and then there was a bunch of others that popped that were things I was interested  in so I saved them.  No I just have to find time to watch them.  I may have to upload them to my tablet so I can look at them when I am hand quilting.

I can't remember if I mentioned that I was having trouble with my Janome machine.  It was in for service and they didn't find anything wrong so I am wondering if it might be the foot.  The repair shop used on of theirs as I had forgotten to take mine which is why I think it might be that.  I was given one by (another) friend and I will give that a try tomorrow.  This is my back up machine but I also use it for decorative stitches so would like to get it functional again.

Blessings,

Tuesday, January 12, 2021

Encouraged by a Friend

 Thank you for your kind comments regarding hubbies gnomes.  He will be encouraged.  I appreciate also your concern for my sister and family.  They do seem to be getting better gradually.  I told my sister she was faking it all just so I would be in touch every day.

The weather was rather odd today.  We had freezing drizzle in the morning which turned to more rain than ice and from there to snow.  I went out for a bit in the afternoon and I found it necessary to keep the speed down a bit as the corners were slippery,  I went to visit a quilting friend for a couple of hours for conversation and relaxation.  We spent a bit of time watching the Premier's announcement of new restrictions for our Province.  We are locked down again so I won't be able to visit again for a few weeks.

My friend is an excellent quilter; one of the best I know and I am always challenged by her work.  I came home ready to start creating again.  It will have to wait until I finish all the  customer's projects but I should be able to do a baby quilt for donating. And now it appears I will have even more time for a while as we are asked to stay home except for such things as shopping.

Blessings,

Monday, January 11, 2021

Gnomes

 Last week was a bit rough as my sister and her family were diagnosed with covid.  Fortunately none of them were ill enough to go to the hospital but still pretty sick.  My sister moved in with her daughter and grandchildren so they were able to isolate together.  The youngest grand was okay which was a blessing.

My sister is past the isolation period but still having some symptoms.  She will continue staying in the house but is hoping to be able to get out to the garden for some fresh air when she has the energy.

It has been a worry as she is in England but we have been video chatting everyday.  Apparently one in every 45 people in England have tested positive.  Meanwhile in Canada, one third of the population think it is all a hoax, or are worried about their rights being affected!!!

I got my new stove hooked up on Tuesday.  We found a fabulous service person who came at the exact time he said he would, phoned when he said he would and came back to check and make sure everything was working properly.  This is the way service should be and so frequently isn't.

I have been doing a bit more ruler work on a customer quilt.  I also used locks on the machine track so I could sew  straight lines right across the border.  It is fun learning something new.

This isn't quilting but I am proud of my husband's artistry.  He has been doing a series of gnome paintings.  Here are a couple.


Blessings,

Monday, January 4, 2021

Hearing Test

I had great plans for devoting today to quilting.  I did get some sorting (found a top I forgot I had) and a bit of sewing done but certainly not a days worth.  Some of the time was spent sweeping the floor and getting things that missed the trash bucket inside it.  I got the deck free of snow once again and went for a walk but most of the day seemed to have got frittered away.

I had some disturbing news in the afternoon when my youngest sister let me know that she, her daughter, two grandchildren and close family friend all have covid.  It does seem to be a mild case but still a bit of a worry and with them living in England I can't do anything to help.

Tomorrow I go in for a hearing test.  I can hear sound really well but not always able to determine words.  I am hoping that a hearing aid will help.  It would also be great if it would mask the tinnitus as well.

I thought you might like to see this video.  It will provide a few moments of relaxation which I think we all need right now.


 http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=nr9KrqN_lIg