Squeaks.

 Hope you are all enjoying the sunshine from inside your warm houses today.  I will have to go out later to help hubby bring in some wood so I will be wearing my warmest clothing. .  I actually do enjoy these cold, brisk, sunshiny days.  I love how the snow squeaks under you feet and the air reminds you that you are alive.as it is minus 29, it might be me doing some squeaking.

Hubby and I got a bonus when going home yesterday.  Someone had put out one of those cat towers with a sign saying it was free, so, knowing Ally cat would be very annoyed if we didn't bring it home for her, we did.  It is now all brushed to remove previous owners hair and is installed in the Princesses boudoir. She hasn't used it yet other than to retrieve the treats I put on the lower level.  As the weather warms up, I will move it so she can see outside a window.

Heidi do has claimed the front window as her squirrel spotting area so ally will have find another one.

I have been working on a quilt top for a friend.  It is a basic log cabin and I debated a number of ways I could quilt it but have decided on a simple stitch in the ditch using a ruler and ruler base.  I am not very good at this so the practice will come in handy.

If you haven't signed up for Connie Kreskin's blog, here is another incentive: :Hidden Wells Table Runner.  This is a very simple pattern and yet, looks complicated.

blessings,

New Design Wall

 The first month of the year is almost over and it will be ground hog day in a week.  It has taken me a while to accept that winter is actually here this year as the weather has been so changeable.  At the moment, it is snowing and the sky is gray.  Yesterday, the sun was shining and the snow melting.

Do you have a design wall?  It is one of those items that make designing a quilt top so much easier but not everyone has space.  I have read of many solutions to not having free wall area.  A fabric covered sheet of plywood, left over paneling, or any other thin, non bendable material would do. I am fortunate to have a wall that I can use.  I am in the process of altering so it functions better.  Someone gave us large, acoustic ceiling tiles.  I am stapling them to the wall and will then cover the base with a flannel backed tablecloth (wrong side out).  The flannel will hold pieced blocks but if I want to display a finished row or two, I can use straight pins which will hold them securely. The photo shows most of the tiles in place.  I just need one more in the corner.  I am probably going to need to buy a tablecloth as the one I have is too small.  Can't wait to get the pieces for my latest design on the wall.

I just got back from taking Heidi for a walk.  I didn't put her bootees on because it isn't cold.  However, the snow was packy and she ended up with snowball feet.  Had to put her in the kitchen sink with some warm water to free her tootsies.

She got an extra treat for cooperating as it was my fault.

Blessings,

Hubby's Birthday

 Happy 71st birthday to day to my dear husband.  Your body may be aging but, inside,  you are  still that sexy 19 year old I fell in love with.

Our new washing machine was delivered yesterday by two very young and fit men. Once it was hooked up, I did laundry.  Nice to be able to have fresh towels again.  The next thing we need is a microwave.  We are gradually having to replace all our appliances.  The stove went two years ago just before Christmas, the washer and dryer have been replaced a few times as they were always second hand and I am sure there will be other things that will go to the great eternal trash heap before too long.

We have been in our home (which came with appliances except laundry) for nearly 15 years so we have been fortunate everything has lasted as long as it has.   I would like to replace the couch as it doesn't have good support anymore but that will have to wait. Heidi likes to perch on its back and look out the window so someone is still happy with it.

Our little dog is getting a lot of vocal exercise barking at the squirrels.  The mild weather (minus 3 C) has brought them to the house  looking for a fresh meal of bird seeds.  Heidi is trying to tell them they need to find a cosy nest somewhere.  Ally Cat just thinks she is crazy and wonde4rs why she doesn't find a comfy spot to sleep all day like her.  It is fun living in a home with opposing personalities!

Blessings,

 

Lights and Mops.

 I have received two requests for more information on the little  mop and strip lighting that I mentioned in my last post.

The mop is pictured above and is called a chenille duster.  The head is removable so it can be washed (I hadn't noticed that)  The pole is about 28 inches long.  That is a guess as I didn't measure it.  As I said in my article, I bought it at one of the dollar stores.  

This isn't a good photo of the lights but those little bumps is the strip.  This is my long arm machine and it is plenty long enough for it and does give a good light.  I bought them (I got two) from Amazon and following is the write up.  They are $15 plus change.

Healifty 30cm Sewing Machine LED Lighting Kit 4000k 5V USB Powered LED Sewing Machine Strip with Touch Dimmer IP65 (Pure White)  I expect if you just entered 'Healifty' it would show up.  That are numerous others.

Hope this answers the questions and enables you to find the product you want.  If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask,

Blessings,

  

The Perfect Little Mop

It is cold and sunny here today-my favourite winter day.  I will get out for a walk this afternoon after I get Heidi dog all wrapped up.  I have finally unearthed  my warm gloves and knitted hats.  I have had a hard time accepting that winter is here.  Perhaps because the weather has been so unpredictable.

Saturday is when I do most  of my major cleaning plus laundry.  I am still waiting for my new washing machine to be delivered so laundry is either rinse a few things by hand or go into the village to the laundromat.  I have a neighbour friend who would gladly let me take my clothes to her place and she is only across the road but I don't.  Don't ask me why because I don't know that either.

As I have got older, cleaning bath tubs and toilets has got to be a chore because of all the bending.  I bought a child's floor mop at the dollar store (it may be a dusting mop for adults) and it is perfect for the tub.  The mop part is triangle shaped so it gets into all the nooks and crannies.  I spray cleaner on the mop and wipe it around.  I can also easily clean around the toilet as well.  (That is auntie's household tip for today.)

I have loaded another customer quilt on my frame.  It is a lovely monochrome log cabin and I am going to do shadow stitching around the outside block as well as the centre one.

I will try and remember to take a photo of the new sewing machine light I bought recently.  Only 20.00 and it is perfect.

Blessings,

I am Still Here.

Well, it has been nearly a month since my last post.  I don't think I have ever had that much time lapse before but I know you will understand as that time included Christmas preparations, the big day and then New Years. 

Since then, I have been trying to get more things done in a day by being more organized.  One of my friends gave me a weekly planner and I have been putting it to good use,  Each large page is divided into columns for the five weekdays and  with Sat. and Sun each getting a half column. There are some things that need to be done every day such as changing the cat litter, so it is noted on every column.  I have been doing the next days agenda the night before and then adding more things as I think of them.

One of the quilting related jobs I have accomplished is to sort through all my scraps.  They were divided into discard, pieced i.e half squares, stirps and other fabric.  The pieced I am putting together into scrappy tops which will be kennel mats, and, if enough pieces-lap and baby quilts.  I bought some larger lidded plastic boxes from the dollar store as well as 3 shoe box size.  These will hold the various fabrics.  I find that the little totes work better than freezer bags as they are more visible.

I will post some photos when I get a bit more done.

I hope you all had a great holiday season.  The weather  prevented a lot of  travel in much of Ontario and  the U.S. but if everyone stayed safe, that is the more important thing.

Blessings,