Freedom for Who?

If you live in Canada or hear Canadian news report, you no doubt have heard about the truckers protest.  It started out being about one thing, but as support grew, it morphed into a less concise purpose.  Most of the banners and chants are about freedom.  As much as I support people's right to peacefully protest, I can't see that these people have any right to complain.  The majority of Canadians (82%) have willingly taken the vaccine's, wear masks and maintain social distancing.  I would be more supportive of the protest if stores, daycare centers, food banks and shelters were not closed out of fear for what might (and has) happened.

Now for a less divisive topic.  I am continuing to sort out my studio.  Today I went through the bin of tops that I have been asked to quilt.  I checked to see which had backing, which needed more work and how much batting I will need.  These quilts were made by members of the Burk's Falls Village Quilters and will be donated where needed.

I finished up a wall hanging of my own and only have to add the sleeve and it will be ready for my Christmas sales.   It is a lot warmer today.  We have gone from minus 31C to minus 4 in a couple of days.  Tomorrow, we are supposed to get above freezing.  I think it is time to dig out my car and get it started,

Blessings,

Monday Progress.

 Thanks for the comments sharing your winter experiences.  It seems that most of Canada is experiencing very cold temperatures.  Quilters always seem to have the solution though, don't they?  If it is cold outside, it is still nice and warm in our quilting area.  I am sorry to hear that Karen is having back problems when quilting.  Under other circumstances, I would suggest using a foot stool but that isn't possible when you are at a machine.

I have finished my friends quilt and am getting ready to load a charity one next.  A repeat customer contacted me to see if I can do another of her quilts.  She always does the same applique design and this will be, I think, the fourth so I am pretty sure I can zip through it.

Yesterday was one of those lovely, sunny cold days that have to be photographed.  I took a few of the area to the north looking onto our neighbours property.

This photo is  now the my pc's background.  

While doing my rather slow studio tidying, I came across a number of backing fabrics.  They are now on hangers and in the guest bedroom closet.  I won't need to buy any more of that fabric for a while as I have nine in various colours, mostly light.

I buy a lot of fabric from Connecting Threads and I just got their latest catalogue which showed some thread I think I would like to try.  It is a 70 weight which should pretty much disappear into the fabric-great for when you make a mistake.  I will let you know how I like it and, more importantly, how my machine does.

Blessings,

A Wandering Machine.

We had our snow 'event' yesterday.  I am not sure how much we got but I would say probably 10 cm (5 in.) or so.  There were times when I couldn't see the end of our house.  When it settled down,, I went out and blew some of the accumulation from the deck.  It was too deep in spots (the thrower's limit is 6 inches) as I hadn't been out there for a week because of the extreme cold.   It is still very cold today.  Hubby froze his fingers tending the chickens and doing the outdoor work.  Not fun being my man on these days.  I do hustle and get him a hot drink when he gets in to show my appreciation.

Yesterday was hubbies birthday.  I made his day a little special by making apple crisp, his favourite dessert.  I almost forgot to give him his gift and then couldn't find it.  We don't have many rooms in our home so it should have been fairly easy to locate it but I had to look in the 3 logical ones 2 or 3 times before I found it sitting in plain sight in a large shopping bag.

Today, I am working on a friends quilt.  I started it quite a while ago but had to unstitch one side of the border as my machine was wandering (It was the machine's fault-honest)  I was doing straight lines a 1/4 inch apart but some of the lines got a little creative.  I have since bought another LA ruler for straight stitching and have clamped the machine wheels to keep it from moving.  I used a bit of ingenuity for the clamps as the ones I bought were too big.  I found that two binder clamps work perfectly well.  A small piece of batting helps ensure there isn't any scratches.

We are getting some of our Covid restrictions eased.  I haven't heard them all yet but am hoping the quilt group will be able to meet again.

Blessings,

Herding Instinct

 A lot of southern Ontario  had a snow 'event' today.  School buses were cancelled some businesses closed lots of vehicles in the ditch.  It wasn't as bad here which was nice as we needed to go to Huntsville (3/4 hour south) for my hubbies follow up medical appointment.  We went early as I had shopping to do which took less than usual as there wasn't many people in the stores.  Dropped hubby off at the surgeon's office and parked at Tim's until he was ready to go home.  Everything is great with his hand and it is healing well.

I was rather surprised there weren't more people in the stores as, when I drove a city transit bus, it was always busier when the weather was bad.  It took me a while to figure out why that was as logic would say that you stay indoors during a storm.  I finally realized the reason everyone wanted to go downtown was due to the herding instinct.  Where there is danger, there is a natural instinct to gather together for comfort. I seem to be lacking that tendency as I am always glad for the excuse to stay home.

Blessings,

The Joy of Quilting

 It is still quite cool here but I am staying in and getting some work done.  I have finished the shopping bag finally.  It has taken longer than it should as I was working out what I wanted to do.  The rest should go together quickly.  I will do one more and then wait and see if they sell before continuing on.

The bag is fully lined with a heavy weight fabric so it will hold up when carrying a heavy load. Now I can do another one and then some more masks.  

A childhood friend has asked for a quilt for their first grandchild.  I always feel so privileged to be trusted to make something for such a special occasion.  The joy of being a quilter.

Blessings,

New Projects

Karen commented that she has been sewing the four patch blocks she made into quilt tops.  I am hoping she will share a photo of them when they are done.

I have set my block making aside for a few days as I am working on masks and carrier bags.  I have almost finished one bag and will share a photo when it is complete.  This one is my prototype so it has taken a bit longer.  I have so many small (8"X8" and up) panels as well as left over blocks that I am incorporating them into the bags.  It is nice to have smaller projects to do as they use up a lot of the bits and pieces I have saved.  I wonder if any quilter ever completely uses up all their fabric?  I don't see how it is possible.  A friend moved into a senior's residence which is quite a bit smaller than their home and she gave away a lot of her fabric and just kept the kits she had bought but never made.  I think that was a good choice as the kits will have all the fabric she needs with the exception of batting and backing.  When ready she can buy just what she needs to complete the kit.

We have been experiencing some very cold weather-mostly because of the wind chill.  There isn't a breeze today so I went outside and shovelled some snow.  I didn't get a lot done but it was nice to get the fresh air.

Blessings,

Winter Wonderland.

 Yesterday, I had to go to Huntsville (our closest largish community) for a bone density scan.  I thought the appointment would be cancelled because of the latest lockdown but it wasn't.  Hubby drove me down as I needed to buy groceries and if he isn't with me, I am likely to just grab a couple of things and head home-I hate shopping. After we got home and everything was put away I lay on the couch with a cup of tea-and woke up an hour or so later.  Amazing how tired I get now after hardly any activity.

Today, I am meeting with 3 of my closest quilting friends for a small gift exchange and visit. We usually do this before Christmas but, this year, time just flitted by.

I am still making my speedy 4 patch blocks.  I am not sure how many I have done but they are really addictive.  I think I will keep at them and put the finished ones in a container so they will be ready if I have a projects where they can be used.

It is a winter wonderland in the bush with the snow clinging to every surface.  Pretty as it is, it still has to be removed from the pathway.  Probably after I get home.

Blessings,

Free Quilt Label

The bitterly cold weather that our western Provinces have been experiencing is now in Ontario.  It is not as cold but feels like it with our moist air.  I went outside for a bit yesterday after starting my car.  I wanted to let it run for a while so took a bit of a jaunt through the bush.  The wind was really cold on my face so I didn't stay long.  

Today, I have been working on a website getting everything up to date.  If you would like to check it out and see some great artwork and crafts go to:  bfacc.org.  I still have my own site to do but it always seems to get pushed to the back of the line.

I gave wee Heidi a haircut.  Probably not the best day with the temperature being what it is but I will keep her indoors.  I have one other task today-sync my new watch with the cell, and I will have accomplished everything on my list.

Thank you, Eileen, for your feed bank on labels.  She tells me she dates hers when they are completed.  Eileen also mention that she puts the label on the back before adding the binding so she only has to finish 2 sides.  I would suggest placing it near the corner edge and then pin so it stays in place. Eileen is a talented quilt pattern designer.  You can take a look at them at:   pinerosedesigns.com

We are in covid lockdown again so quilting is cancelled until the end of the month.  So too is the luncheon I was going to have with 3 of my friends on Thurs.! 

Speaking of labels.  Here is one I have designed.  If you would like a free copy, let me know.

Stay well and blessings,