Labels.

 We are getting a light snowfall but it looks as though it may continue for a while.  A friend told me 'big flakes, small accumulation; small flakes, large accumulation.  Now I will be watching to see if it is true.

I am enjoying my new 4 patch method and got 30 blocks done.  That is almost enough for a top when alternated with plain strips.  I think I will make it into a lap quilt to give to our thoughtful neighbours.  I make so many quilts with the end goal of selling that is it nice to have an actual purpose for one.

My wee Heidi dog seems to be feeling her age lately.  She has started laying beside my chair when I am in the studio.  I put a nice soft blanket on the floor for her and she is curled up on it now.  I can reach down to pet her occasionally which makes us both happy.

I have a question.  When you label a quilt, do you add the date it was completed or the date it went to its new home?  I tend to do the latter as I can have one sitting around for quite a while until it is sold or given away.  I do include the completion date in my records.

Blessings,

Scrappy four Patch.

 As I sit here writing this, our neighbour from across the road is filling the mudroom with wood.  Hubby had a small setback with the healing of his carpal tunnel incision and has to wait a few more days before using his hand.  He was in to the doctor's today to have the stitches removed but was told that he had a reaction to thread.  She removed what was there and put in a different type.  Hopefully, this will result in complete healing.  We are so fortunate with our neighbours as we have many who will come if needed.  We were equally fortunate in Edmonton with the people who lived on either side of us plus many others.  It is so encouraging, as we get older, to know that we won't have to worry about giving up our home because we can't do things.

We are experiencing some covid closures in our area again.  The library has shut its doors until after Jan. 1 and there is discussions going on as to whether children will be going back to school.

I have come up with an idea for making scrappy 4 patch blocks.  I take two charm squares, place right sides together and hem on opposing sides.  Cut down the middle between the two sewn edges. (2.5 from sewn edge).  Press seams. 

                                                                                Fig 1

Place pieced sections right sides together (fig 1) and sew a seam on short sides. (fig. 2)

                                                                            Fig. 2

Measure 2.5 inches from one stitched edge and cut (note black dot on Fig. 2)so you have 2 sections. (Fig. 3)

                                                                            Fig. 3.

Press.  You can speed up the process by chain stitching.  Sew along one side of all the paired charm squares and then do the same on the opposing side.  Cut and proceed to next step until completed.

When finished, you will have 2 blocks the same which can be either included in one top or used in two different ones.

I think you will find this method much faster than sewing four 2.5 in. squares together to make a block.

Let me know what you think.

Blessings,

New Year Plans?

 I hope everyone had a great Christmas.  Hubby and I had a quiet day.  It was just the two of us so other than eating and opening gifts, we spent the day reading.  The next day, it was a bit more exciting as hubby's youngest sister came for a visit and brought her two young grandchildren.  The young lad is very quiet but the girl is rambunctious and loud.  I wasn't sure how our aging Heidi would manage but the kids were great with her.  Hubby took them to our neighbours so they could see the goats, they tobogganed down our driveway which has a great hill and then we all watched a movie.  Everyone left after breakfast the next morning.  It was a lovely visit and it was good getting to know the children again as it has been a couple of years (thank you pandemic) since we last saw them.

Today we went to Huntsville where I picked up the new smart watch I had ordered.  I have been trying to learn all the functions and how to use them  since then.  I am not sure all the work involved is worth it.  I like to know the number of steps I have taken in a day and some of the other information but the time it takes setting it all up is rather off putting.

Tomorrow, I have to make some more neck scarves for our scout troupe and then would like to start making some reusable shopping bags for our craft store. What are your plans for the New Year?

Blessings,

A Blessing of Turkey Soup.

 I can't believe how long it has been since I last posted. I have had so much going on including hubby having carpal tunnel surgery, that any free moment was spent resting. Hubby's appointment was for 2.30 so I took him to the hospital and then went shopping.  I didn't have a lot to do and, an hour later, I was sitting in a parking lot reading a book.  When hubby called, I was ready to pick him up only to be told that he hadn't gone in yet. He was finally ready to go at 4.30 which made it after 5 before we got home.  I was so tired, I left the groceries in the car as there wasn't anything that would be hurt.  We had been at a Christmas dinner earlier in the day and the cook gave us a large container of turkey soup.  It was a life saver as it only had to be heated.

I fell into bed shortly after nine. I have had to take on hubby's chores for a few days but he is healed enough to do them himself now.

On Friday, I finally ordered gifts to be sent to the grandchildren and marked that off the list.  Saturday, I realized I hadn't changed the shipping location and everything is coming to me rather than Alberta.  They will be great birthday gifts.  I have now sent gift cards.

As I mentioned in my last post, we haven't been able to do cards etc. because of Post Office problems.  When the Federal government gave its employees until the end of November to be vaccinated or lose their jobs, it didn't plan for the fall out.  Postal Employees are Federal and, apparently a couple of those at our office lost their jobs.  That left only two people.  One to do the sorting and the other for the desk and everything else.  One of those women is a friend and she has been working 12 hour days.  The Post Office is only open for a few hours through the week which means long line-ups.  I don't know if larger communities are having the same problem, but I imagine they are.

I started a new pattern on Monday at quilt group, decided I didn't like it so have changed it to something else.  It has been a few weeks since I have been able to work on my frame.  Hopefully, after Christmas life will slow down.  How are you doing?  All ready for the big day?

Blessings,

Hopeful Pile Getting Higher

 Here we are at Friday already.  When we were on Monday, I had a list of things I wanted to accomplish before the week ended.  I have done some of them but most are still in the 'hopeful' pile.  I have sent one Christmas card but as our post office is closed getting parcels and cards to the recipients is going to be a challenge.   I expect things will get sorted out eventually but it is just one more challenge to deal with this year.  Supply shortages is another.  Hubby is going to the city to do some shopping this morning and I am hoping he will be able to find me some gluten free flour.  

We have quite a bit of snow right now but it is going to be plus 7 shortly so everything will disappear again.  I did get to try my new snow thrower and it does an excellent job of clearing the deck.  It will also be great for doing a doggy trail so Heidi can get out for her business.  I don't mind shoveling snow.  It is good exercise.  However, lifting it over the banks as they get higher and higher is a problem.

I finished decorating our tree.  I really thought I would have a lot of ornaments left over as the tree is a third shorter than usual.  I was actually able to use all of them and could have done with a few more.  I guess it is because I can reach around the back whereas the other didn't have much there.

I hope the current Covid situation isn't going to affect your celebration this year and that you and your loved ones are all healthy.  

Blessings,

First Winter Storm

We are getting our first real winter storm although it isn't too storm like.  The snow changed to rain in the afternoon which is supposed to become freezing rain late on.  Our quilt group cancelled their meeting just in case the situation got bad once everyone was in the village.  We only have one member who lives in Burk's Falls so we have to be mindful of members who (like me) are travelling.  

I used the time at home to make my Christmas cakes, start decorating the tree and house and get working on the scout neck scarves I have to have done by the weekend.  We are just getting our cards sent out and discovered that our post office has drastically cut back on its hours because of staff shortage.  One person, apparently, isn't double vaxed and another quit.  It is always something, isn't it.

 This is one of the quilts I will have on sale.  It is 50 X 60", crib quilt size.  It can be washed and dried by machine.  It is priced at $40.00 (plus postage, Canadian funds) and it will be loved your special little one.  A label can be added at no extra charge.  If you are interested, I can share photos of the back as well as the quilting design.

Blessings, 

One Slice Pattern.

 Karen asked if I might be allergic to the sizing in fabric.  I think I can safely rule that one out as I have been quilting/dressmaking for the majority of my life without problem.  Also, I prewash all my fabric which would eliminate or lesson the sizing.  Thank you for your input, though, Karen.

I took my quilts and facemask, today,  to the local store which carries my products.  This has brought me up to date with my sewing so I can have the weekend off.  The weather bureau is predicting a snow storm for Sunday p.m. so quilt group may be cancelled for Monday which would be a pity.  

I found a really easy and quick pattern on the Patchwork Posse post.  It is made with a packet of layer cakes or an equal number (40) of 10 inch fabrics.  I have a Batik package that I was saving for something suitable and I think this would be a perfect.  The pattern pieces are large enough that you can still see the design in the fabric.  The link is below.  Scroll down until you see the patterns listed.  It is the second on and it is called One Slice.

Pillowcases and Placemats, my go to quick gift - todays tutorials! - arkangelcreations@gmail.com - Gmail (google.com)

Pre Christmas Sale Coming

 What a week.  It has been so busy that I hardly recognize what standing still means.  The Christmas sale on Saturday went well with me selling two quilts and some face mask.  Monday, in addition to the regular gathering of the Burk's Falls Village Quilter's, I had another doctor's appointment. My arms and hands were still itching.  The prescription cream would help during the day but not at night.  Even applying it morning and evening didn't make a difference.  I have another cream now and, so far, the itch is lessening.

Tuesday, hubby and I went shopping.  A lot of the products I usually buy weren't available due to shortages.  One of those items was my gluten free bread.  Fortunately, I was able to get everything else at our local store except the bread.  I had to buy more bananas despite getting quite a few the day before.  We were so beat when we got home, that we missed the bag containing the bananas when we brought everything indoors.  By the time we remembered, they were frozen.  They are now in the freezer waiting to be used in baking.

I had a meeting and other things to do yesterday but today I was finally able to get at the sewing machine.  I quilted a wall hanging and made more masks.  I still have 13 neck scarves to make for our local scouts.  I am trying not to think about Christmas although I do have the turkey and all the supplies for baking.

This is one of the quilts I sold on Saturday.  I would like to get more of these panels as they sell quickly.

I am planning on having a pre Christmas sale shortly.  Items will be greatly reduced and posted on my web site.  If you know of someone who is looking for a quilted gift, please let them know.

Blessings,