Great Friends

 I am sorry to hear, Karen, that your arthritis is preventing you from enjoy quilting now.  I am glad to hear that you can still knit.  Creativity brings peace to our spirits.  We got a lot of snow on our side of Algonquin National Park but it isn't too cold today.

I did well at the craft sale selling two quilts and two handbags.  I brought home one large quilt (I have a lady interested in it) and a small modern design wall hanging.  Hubby has given me a great idea to make that quilt a bit more whimsical so it might be more saleable.

It certainly is the season for craft sales.  There are two big ones in the area on Saturday.  I am going to one of them as a member of our quilt group has a table in it.

I bought a new light for my quilt room and am looking forward to having greater illumination.

I joined a few friends for lunch today to celebrate a birthday.  I really enjoy getting together like this with good friends.  We understand each other enough that we can tease, laugh together and share our ups and downs.  I hope you all have friends like that.

blessings,

Money Saving Idea

 I make a lot of memory quilts that include photos which means I use a lot of the printable fabric sheets.  I noticed the last time I used them, that the backing paper was still sticky and I had an idea.  I cut a piece of fabric the same size as the backing and then created some labels on my computer.  After I hand pressed the fabric to the sticky side of the sheet, I put it into my printer's paper tray (fabric side down) and printed the labels onto the fabric.  It worked perfectly.  

I serged around the labels before removing the paper but I could have removed it first.  I found the paper gave the fabric more body so it was easier to serge.  I removed the paper by, gently, making a slit in it with a stitch ripper.

If you try this, let me know how it worked for you.

We have a nice skiff of snow this morning.  It should stay for the weekend which may put shoppers into a buying mood for the art clubs sale.

Isn't this an adorable wall hanging.  I much prefer St. Nicholas to Santa Claus.  I hope it finds a buyer who likes it as much as I do.

Blessings,

Christmas Craft Sales

 Have you started thinking about Christmas yet or are you ignoring the advancing calendar?   If you are a quilter or crafter, you are probably elbow deep in projects that will be gifts and others that are for craft sales.  Our Arts and Crafts Club have a sale this Saturday with  Friday set up.  I didn't make anything new although I might get a baby quilt finished in time.  I have so many quilts that seem to be taking up permanent residency that I have merchandise for a half dozen sales.

Winter seems to have finally settled in.  We have had snow on and off but it always melted.  It is snowing today and the predicted temperatures are below freezing so I think it is time to get out my snow boots.

Today is one my sister's birthday.  We are all, except for baby brother, in our 70's now which still takes me by surprise.  My mind still sees the five of us playing games and arguing about nothing important.  The older you get, the more you value your family.  We are fortunate in that none of us have had a serious illness and have managed to stay out of serious trouble.  We have much for which to be thankful.

blessings,

Anna

                                                               Wall Hanging for Sale

Thread

 How much thread do you have?  I have a large spool holder and another large cone holder. There is also  drawer that holds duplicates and a box of decorative threads.  Today, I wanted to get the binding done on the one memory quilt and found some fabric that went well with the top.  I needed some dark brown thread for the sewing.  I have almost every shade of brown that there is but not the one that would be perfect.  I decided black would be the best.

While searching for the best binding fabric, I discovered some material I forgot I had.  I think I need to do some sorting again.  The shelves are starting to get messy again and I think I need to change some things around.

I have a quilt show coming up near the end of this month so am working on a couple of baby quilts.  I already have a Christmas wall hanging and a full quilt done so that should be sufficient.  I have quit doing little stuff as there are usually other people who do them.

Tomorrow, hubby and I and our neighbour friends are going into the village for the Remembrance Day service.  It seems odd to have it on a Saturday but perhaps that will mean more people will be able to attend.

Blessings,

A Winner

 Here is a cropped image of the memory quilt I have been making.  The second row contains photos of children and I never feel comfortable publishing those for anyone to access.  The top is now on the frame so I can get it quilted.

I am very happy as my favourite baseball was on the world series winning team.  The team wasn't my favourite which is, of course, the Blue Jays but once they were eliminated, I moved my support to the Texas Rangers.  Their lead off hitter was Marcus Simeon who use to play for the Jays.  He isn't a fancy player but he just keeps trying to do his best and, last night, he helped his team win.

It is rainy and miserable out today so I am quilting.  In addition to loading the top, I have been finishing up another.  Unfortunately, I didn't get the blocks matched up properly so my friendly seam ripper and I have a date for this evening while I am watching television.

Blessings,

Winter's Arrival.

 I think winter is officially here.  It started snowing yesterday and it is still on the ground today.  I have most of my winter clothes unpacked and the summer taking their place in the huge suitcase.  I still have the cedar chest to do but it is mostly coats. A couple of families from church came and finished getting our wood stacked and our home is now bright and warm from the glow of our wood stove.

Hubby is doing so well with his recuperating knee that I can pretty much get back to my own schedule.  I have finished the one memory quilt top and will be getting that on the frame.  (photo later).  I have another top almost finished that I started before the customer order.  It will be going to an ex serviceman.  Then I can start the other memory quilt. 

I am in the very beginning stages of organizing a quilt retreat for the Burk's Falls Village Quilters.  I haven't been to a retreat in quite a number of years and the best way to ensure it will have everything you want is to do it yourself.  When I belonged to a Canadian quilting on line group, the leader held a retreat every year.  They were so much fun.  Eventually, it got to be too far for me to travel so I quit going.  I did miss it though.

Christmas sewing is in the back of my mind so I am going to have to start seriously thinking about that as I have a sale the end of this month.

Blessings,