Before I start, let me warn you that if you are sensitive about anything that happens below the waist, you might want to skip this blog.
Once in a while, my DH and I watch Dr. Oz. Yesterday, he talked about why women are always lined up at public washrooms. He said it was because we have to urinate more often and gave reasons why-uterus pressing on bladder, excess fat, childbirth. And I am thinking, yeah, right. The reason women are lined up is because we take longer and the person who designed the building doesn't take that into account and provide more facilities.
Scenario One: Man going to toilet. Enters room, lines up at trough, unzip, flip, pee, shake, zip, wash hands, done.
Scenario Two: Woman going to to toilet. Enters room, checks to see if there is vacant cubicle, enters and closes door. Discovers latch doesn't work. Exit and look for another or tries to keep it closed with available body part. Hangs purse and shopping on hook that is, hopefully provided. If no hook, find somewhere where things will be safe. Checks to ensure there is toilet paper. Tells child to stop looking under connecting wall. Lowers pants, underwear, foundation garment and nylons, pees while telling child to stop fidgeting. Pushes door closed with foot. Dries, replaces previously mentioned clothing. Retrieves belongings and child who is about to crawl under door, washes hands and returns to husband that is loudly complaining about how long she took. Returns sympathetic smile of other women who are in line up.
Blessings.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
An Unsettling Day
I have been more alert to news announcements today. A gunman has entered one of the government buildings in downtown Edmonton and, to date, I am not sure if anyone has been taken hostage, although there are some people who have locked themselves in a room. I have a number of friends who work in that area and I am anxiously waiting to make sure that none of them are involved in anyway.
As I wait for news, I have been thinking of how much access we have to situations that are occuring all over the world. We have front row seats to both tragedies and triumphs. When the planes crashed into the World Trade Center, we watched. When people are bombed, we watch. Children stuck in wells, bears in a tree, protestors, and hostage takings are viewed by millions just as though they were another television show. It must be dreadful for those who are immediately affected by whatever is happening to know that their grief is just another news broadcast.
I am glad we are living at a time when we are more aware of what is happening in the world around us. I also try to remember that the people involved are just that-people. They are human beings who are loved by someone. This helps me to stay sensitive and to pray for those in trouble.
Blessings.
As I wait for news, I have been thinking of how much access we have to situations that are occuring all over the world. We have front row seats to both tragedies and triumphs. When the planes crashed into the World Trade Center, we watched. When people are bombed, we watch. Children stuck in wells, bears in a tree, protestors, and hostage takings are viewed by millions just as though they were another television show. It must be dreadful for those who are immediately affected by whatever is happening to know that their grief is just another news broadcast.
I am glad we are living at a time when we are more aware of what is happening in the world around us. I also try to remember that the people involved are just that-people. They are human beings who are loved by someone. This helps me to stay sensitive and to pray for those in trouble.
Blessings.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
The Land of Oz
Do you remember Dorothy's line in Wizard of Oz when she said 'we're not in Kansas anymore, Toto'? It is a favourite quote for my husband and I since we moved to the country. I think of it whenever I get another reminder that I haven't yet shook off city thoughts and habits. It happened again this past weekend.
On our trip to Haliburton, we had to stop and ask directions to the street we needed. We saw a group of people standing near a firehall and with them were a number of dogs. I assumed that it was a show of some sort and, after getting the directions, I asked if that was what was happening. The man looked at me oddly and replied that it was a rabies clinic. When I told this story to my rural friends, they all immediately knew what the dog owners were doing.
With the arrival of fall, comes another reminder. My husband is an avid hunter. When we lived in the city, very few of the people we knew shared his passion. However, in this area, most of the men hunt. Those that don't still have to adjust to the season. Last year when I was getting my satallite internet put in, everything was put on hold for a couple of weeks while the technician went hunting.
I suppose the time will come when none of this will be a novelty but I hope I never get so acclimatized that I don't notice the beauty of my surroundings. Dorothy was anxious to return to her home in Kansas but I am happy in Oz.
Blessings.
On our trip to Haliburton, we had to stop and ask directions to the street we needed. We saw a group of people standing near a firehall and with them were a number of dogs. I assumed that it was a show of some sort and, after getting the directions, I asked if that was what was happening. The man looked at me oddly and replied that it was a rabies clinic. When I told this story to my rural friends, they all immediately knew what the dog owners were doing.
With the arrival of fall, comes another reminder. My husband is an avid hunter. When we lived in the city, very few of the people we knew shared his passion. However, in this area, most of the men hunt. Those that don't still have to adjust to the season. Last year when I was getting my satallite internet put in, everything was put on hold for a couple of weeks while the technician went hunting.
I suppose the time will come when none of this will be a novelty but I hope I never get so acclimatized that I don't notice the beauty of my surroundings. Dorothy was anxious to return to her home in Kansas but I am happy in Oz.
Blessings.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Weather, Quilting and a Mystery
I hope everyone had a nice weekend. We have had a few good weather days which is especially welcome when it has been cool and damp. My husband and I went to Haliburton to visit a couple who have been my friends for over 35 years. It is a 2 hour drive but the scenery is lovely and, as I mentioned, the weather good so it was an enjoyable trip.
Today was the regular meeting of our quilt group. Most of the women are working on a scrappy bargello and, although everyone is an experienced quilter, there was a lot of table grouping as we all tried to help each other. There was also a lot of half audible mutterings as well as laughter as we worked on our projects. By the end of the day, everyone could see how their quilt was going to turn out. I really enjoy getting together with these women. Everyone shares what they know, their supplies if someone forgets something and a bit of their lives. Each session is different. Sometimes it seems as though we do more visiting than sewing and other times all you can hear is the hum of sewing machines. It is interesting to think of how many women have met like this through the years.
Have you started the mystery quilt yet? I have heard from some of you and I am pleased to know that you are getting along without any problems. I am doing it as well so, hopefully, if there are any mistakes, I will correct them before writing up the next step. Of course, I wasn't paying attention to my own pattern and cut a bunch of squares wrong!
Have a happy.
Today was the regular meeting of our quilt group. Most of the women are working on a scrappy bargello and, although everyone is an experienced quilter, there was a lot of table grouping as we all tried to help each other. There was also a lot of half audible mutterings as well as laughter as we worked on our projects. By the end of the day, everyone could see how their quilt was going to turn out. I really enjoy getting together with these women. Everyone shares what they know, their supplies if someone forgets something and a bit of their lives. Each session is different. Sometimes it seems as though we do more visiting than sewing and other times all you can hear is the hum of sewing machines. It is interesting to think of how many women have met like this through the years.
Have you started the mystery quilt yet? I have heard from some of you and I am pleased to know that you are getting along without any problems. I am doing it as well so, hopefully, if there are any mistakes, I will correct them before writing up the next step. Of course, I wasn't paying attention to my own pattern and cut a bunch of squares wrong!
Have a happy.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Mystery Quilt-Week One
Hello everyone. Thank you again for joining in on this, my first mystery quilt. As I said in yesterday's blog, I hope to do these on a regular basis.
Note: all directions are given in both metric and imperial as we have quilters from 4 countries joining in. In Canada, we buy in metric and work in imperial but I will write everything in metric. Imperial will be in brackets. It will be a little confusing for those of us in Canada but I hope you will be able to follow along. You might want to highlight the measurments that you are going to use before starting. There isn't a lot of measuring so it shouldn't present a real problem.
Theme Fabric: Some of the squares in the pattern will be replaced by theme fabric. You can use pictures of cats, gardening, childrens toys, numbers etc. You can chose to use more of the themed fabric in your quilt but, I would suggest that it not be greater than half of the light fabric. This can be a great 'search and find' quilt for a young child.
All seams are a 6 mm (1/4 in.). (It is actully 6.35mm but I don't think we need to get that picky)
This quilt can be done as a scrappy. It will be very effective if you choose very bright, vibrant colours for the darks: scarlett, tangerine, sunflower yellow etc.
Supplies:
Rotary Cutter
Ruler and Mat
Sewing Machine and neutral coloured thread
Fabric:
Measurements based on fabric that is 1 meter (40 in.) wide.
1/4 meter (10 in) of two light coloured fabrics
1/4 meter (10 in.) of two bright coloured fabrics
1/2 meter (20 in.) of two bright coloured fabrics
1 meter (1 yard) of theme fabric (for border and blocks)
1/2 meter (20 in.) border fabric
1 1/2 meter (1 3/4 yards) backing fabric
Piece of batting 1 meter X 1.30 meter (39 in. x 51 in.)
If you are doing scrappy, you will need: 98 squares of bright, 37 of light and 5 themed.
Cut all light fabric into 9 cm (3 1/2 in. ) strips
Cut all the bright fabrics into 9 cm (3 1/2 in) strips.
Cut 5-9 cm (3 1/2 in) squares from theme fabric.
Save the rest of the fabric for borders.
See you next weekl
Any problems, please contact me at arkangecreations@gmail.com.
Happy sewing.
Note: all directions are given in both metric and imperial as we have quilters from 4 countries joining in. In Canada, we buy in metric and work in imperial but I will write everything in metric. Imperial will be in brackets. It will be a little confusing for those of us in Canada but I hope you will be able to follow along. You might want to highlight the measurments that you are going to use before starting. There isn't a lot of measuring so it shouldn't present a real problem.
Theme Fabric: Some of the squares in the pattern will be replaced by theme fabric. You can use pictures of cats, gardening, childrens toys, numbers etc. You can chose to use more of the themed fabric in your quilt but, I would suggest that it not be greater than half of the light fabric. This can be a great 'search and find' quilt for a young child.
All seams are a 6 mm (1/4 in.). (It is actully 6.35mm but I don't think we need to get that picky)
This quilt can be done as a scrappy. It will be very effective if you choose very bright, vibrant colours for the darks: scarlett, tangerine, sunflower yellow etc.
Supplies:
Rotary Cutter
Ruler and Mat
Sewing Machine and neutral coloured thread
Fabric:
Measurements based on fabric that is 1 meter (40 in.) wide.
1/4 meter (10 in) of two light coloured fabrics
1/4 meter (10 in.) of two bright coloured fabrics
1/2 meter (20 in.) of two bright coloured fabrics
1 meter (1 yard) of theme fabric (for border and blocks)
1/2 meter (20 in.) border fabric
1 1/2 meter (1 3/4 yards) backing fabric
Piece of batting 1 meter X 1.30 meter (39 in. x 51 in.)
If you are doing scrappy, you will need: 98 squares of bright, 37 of light and 5 themed.
Cut all light fabric into 9 cm (3 1/2 in. ) strips
Cut all the bright fabrics into 9 cm (3 1/2 in) strips.
Cut 5-9 cm (3 1/2 in) squares from theme fabric.
Save the rest of the fabric for borders.
See you next weekl
Any problems, please contact me at arkangecreations@gmail.com.
Happy sewing.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Tomorrow's Pattern
I have had a wonderful response to the Mystery Quilt. I am pleased so many of you like my idea and if all goes well, I will certainly do more. If you have friends who you think may be interested in doing the quilt, by all means, let them know. I am glad of a chance to give back to the quilting community as I have been the recepient of so many 'freebies'.
Met a dear friend for lunch today in our closest city. Bought some fabric, of course. I am planning on doing the mystery along with you as it is going to be a gift and this new material will suit it nicely.
A short posting today as we are out this evening. All those who won prizes at our local fall fair will get their awards this evening. My husband and I are going and I am looking forward to seeing how it is all done. Big night in Burk's Falls!!!
I am planning on having the first step of the Mystery Quilt posted in the morning so good luck to everyone.
Met a dear friend for lunch today in our closest city. Bought some fabric, of course. I am planning on doing the mystery along with you as it is going to be a gift and this new material will suit it nicely.
A short posting today as we are out this evening. All those who won prizes at our local fall fair will get their awards this evening. My husband and I are going and I am looking forward to seeing how it is all done. Big night in Burk's Falls!!!
I am planning on having the first step of the Mystery Quilt posted in the morning so good luck to everyone.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
My Blog
When I started writing this blog, I had two goals in mind. One was to talk about the things that interested, irritated or impressed me and the other was to provide a place where I could share my love of quilting. As I am a writer, the blog also gives me a chance to work on that craft however, quilting is my main focus. If you have been with me from the beginning (or have read through past posts), you will be aware that I have occassionally offered to share a pattern. I would now like to go a step further and teach a mystery quilt. For those of you who are not quilters, a mystery quilt is a pattern that is revealed in steps. Participants don't know what the project will look like until the last step is posted. (Of course, you can cheat, wait until all the instructions are posted and then see if it is something you would like to do but you wouldn't do that, would you?)
This will be a simple project for two reasons; first of all because this is the first time I have done this and I don't want to go beyond my capabilities and, secondly, I would like it to be something a non-quilter could do.
So, if you always wanted to make a quilt here is your chance to start. Your finished product will make a great Christmas gift. This Friday, you will be told how much fabric you will need and how to cut it. You will have a week to get this and each following step finished as they will be posted each Friday.
You will also be able to contact me for additional help if you need it. If you have never quilted and would like to start now, get in touch with me at: arkangelcreations@gmail.com and I will let you know what notions (ruler, rotary cutter etc) you will need. Don't worry if you can't keep up with everyone. You can print off the pattern steps or just check the back posts.
Let us all have some fun together.
This will be a simple project for two reasons; first of all because this is the first time I have done this and I don't want to go beyond my capabilities and, secondly, I would like it to be something a non-quilter could do.
So, if you always wanted to make a quilt here is your chance to start. Your finished product will make a great Christmas gift. This Friday, you will be told how much fabric you will need and how to cut it. You will have a week to get this and each following step finished as they will be posted each Friday.
You will also be able to contact me for additional help if you need it. If you have never quilted and would like to start now, get in touch with me at: arkangelcreations@gmail.com and I will let you know what notions (ruler, rotary cutter etc) you will need. Don't worry if you can't keep up with everyone. You can print off the pattern steps or just check the back posts.
Let us all have some fun together.
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