Beavers and Birds

We had an exciting an eventfilled Canada day.  After getting some housework done, Roger, the dog and I went down to the pond to watch birds.  He had been sure he had seen a scarlet tanager earlier in the week and we were both interested in seeing if he was correct.  A neighbour had seen one earlier which led us to hope they were in the area.
I haven't seen tanager nor most of the more colourful birds in years.  We have left our property so it is bird friendly-lots of native trees, shrubs, some tall dead trunks and a couple of brush piles.  We can hear the song of birds that we don't recognize and it is lovely.  It would be nicer, however, if we knew who was doing the seranading. We have books but they only help if you can see the bird.  Must find out if there is a recording of bird songs.  It we can't see the tanager, it would still be nice to know it is there.
Our small ponds is in better shape now that we have a resident beaver.  We saw lily pads for the first time on both ponds. 

When we are in that area, it is hard to believe that there is any  habitation for miles around.  The trees deaden all sound even that made by our neighbour who is adding on to his house.  This photo was taken from the bridge looking back to where the house sits.

If you are requesting a copy of the wallhanging/table runner pattern, please put blog pattern in the subject line.
Blessings

Happy Canada Day

Happy Canada Day, everyone and, as it takes place on a Sunday, Happy July 4th to our American followers.
On the news this morning, the presenters asked each other which part of Canada was their favourite and it couldn't be in their home province.  The Rockies, Whistler and other beauty spots were named and I started thinking about my favourite area.  I really couldn't decide.  How do you compare old Quebec to Niagara-on-the-Lake or Stratford.  Quinte's Isle near Kingston is where I used to frequent for holidays but I also enjoy many of the older communities with their stone or Victorian houses.  Kaslo in B.C. is another favourite but so is Greenwood in the same province. The Beaverbrook Art Gallery is Fredricton is intimate and full of wonderful paintings including my favourite by Dali.
This is such a vast country with a myriad of scenic and historic treasures.  We have lakes, mountains, snow, nature reserves, vast wilderness, glorious autumn colours, peaceful streams and raging rivers. There is old and new, every nationality and religion.  It is Canada. We are blessed.
Blessings,

Family

My sister and her husband head back to England today.  The older I get the harder it is to have my family members so far away.  I am fortunate that my brother is moving closer.  He and his wife will be less than an hours drive from us and they have a weekend place that is only ten minutes from the village. (Still have the Alberta habit of refering to distance in time rather than kilometers/miles).
My son and his wife live at the far southerly part of Ontario but, at least, we are in the same province.  My two steps sons and two grandchildren are in Alberta.
The rest of my immediate family are all in England.
Ships and planes have made visiting far flung family members easier but they have also made immigration easier.  There are probably few people who don't have a child living in another country or, in the case of Canada, another Province. Email, twitter and other networks make it easier to keep in touch.  Telephones, however, will allow us to hear the other person's voice.  When my mother was alive, it was so wonderful to be able to talk to her on the phone.  Even though her loss of hearing eventually made conversation difficult, I  still felt connected (if you will forgive the unintended pun). She never heard her mother's voice again when she and I moved to Canada from England.
I have great hopes that more of my family will, one day, live closer but, until that happens, I am eternally grateful that we live in a time when we are still able to keep in touch.
All this talk of family makes me think of those who have sons, daughters, brothers, sisters etc who are soldiers.  Whether you agree with the war or not, these men and women are doing a job which could result in loss of life.  Keep all our troops in your prayers.
Blessings

Christmas Table Runner/Wall Hanging

Okay, our company has left, the bread has been started and some of the housework done, so now I can give you the pattern.  My son and his wife dropped in unexpectedly yesterday evening and stayed overnight.  It was great to see them but it put me behind in the things I was hoping to do. 

Materials Needed

1 meter/yard green print*
3/4 meter/yard red christmas print
1/6 meter/yard dark yellow or gold
1/2 meter/yard border fabric.
Foundation paper
20 " X 45" Batting
1 meter/yard backing fabric

*Small prints are best.

Wash and iron all fabrics and remove salvage.
Cut three WOF  X 1/12" (or desired width) strips from red fabric for binding.
Each block/section is 6 inches and four sections make a block.  See photo on right.
Photo copy foundation patterns on your paper and piece acording to the numbers on the pattern. 
Make three blocks.
Sew together as shown in the photo.
Measure your top down the center vertically and cut 2 strips of border fabric 3 1/2" wide and sew.
Measure center horizontally and repeat.

Layer top, batting and backing.  Pin and top stitch as desired.
Add binding.  If using as a wallhanging, add sleeve .




I will send you the foundation pattern by e mail to ensure that you are able to print.  Please send your contact address to:  arkangelcreations@gmail.com

blessings,

A Few Tips

It has been a busy weekend.  We watched the televised reports of both the G8 and G20.  We were particularly interested in the former as it was taking place in nearby Huntsville.  I think the town did a wonderful job.  The G20, as you probably know, had problems with rioters.  It was horrible watching those few hundred individuals create such havoc but there were a few interesting things happening during the turmoil.  There was one shot of a policeofficer and the young man who had been arrested and the two were chatting away as though they were out for a stroll.  There was no hint of animosity.  That, I said to my husband, is a truly Canadian snapshot.  Personal opinion:  I think the police did a good job.  They showed restraint and gave respect to those they had to deal with.  They have a lousy job; no matter what they do, they are in the wrong. 
Also on the weekend, we went to see my sister, husband, he son and his family.  Our brother and his wife were able to join us so we had a nice family time.
Today, I am watching the Queen's arrival and the various things related to that.
Tomorrow, I will post the wall hanging but, today, I would like to pass on a few hints for those of you who are new quilters.
When I first started quilting, I was really nervous about cutting the fabric in case I made a mistake.  Material is not cheap and we do use a lot of it.  I found that making a trial block out first helped.  I save all my left over material and use it for the trial block.  It helps me work out any problems and gain confidence if it is a new block.  A side benefit is that eventually, I have enough blocks to put together for a sampler quilt.

A cost saving tip:  to get extra usage from your rotary cutter, carefully rub it with fine sandpaper.  This will remove any burrs and rough spots.

Do you have a clear extension table for your machine.  Put a small battery operated lamp under it for a quick an easy light table.  This makes lining fabric up for paperpiecing much easier as well as other projects.

Hope some of these ideas are useful.
Blessings

Hot and Humid

I had planned on making bread today but it is going to be too warm.  This is something I usually do earlier in the week and, hopefully, on a cooler day but this has been one of those difficult weeks again.  I haven't been able to sleep properly without taking something and, as I hate taking things, I have been in a daze much of the week.
Yesterday, I was tring to get the last of the blocks sewn together for what I have come to think of as the 'blue' quilt.  I concentrated on making sure each block was in the right order before sewing.  Even after double checking the diagram and previous blocks, I still managed to get it wrong.  I finally gave up.  I only have two rows to do and they will only take a few moments-if I get it right.
I wanted to get the top done so I could take it with me tomorrow and show to my sister.  We all like to do show and tell, don't we.  Even if the showees aren't remotely interested in quilting!
I promised I would let you know about the special project that I would post in honour of reaching 25 (now 26) followers.  I am going to go with the Christmas wallhanging that I mentioned earlier in the week.  My mind hasn't been working well enough to think of anything else and this is quite pretty and unique so I think you will like it.
I am going to do my best to post it on Tuesday.  It may be just the supplies needed but I will get as much done as I can before then.
Until then,  have a wonderful and safe weekend.
Blessings

T and E

We managed to miss all the 'fun' yesterday.  The earthquake that shook much of Ontario, Quebec and into the states was active in our area as well.  A couple of neighbours asked if we felt it and we had to admit to not even being aware that there had been one.  Our home is secured into rock and I guess it is solid enough to withstand some shaking.  Nice to know.
Later in the day a tornado touched down south west of us and caused some damage but, thankfully no death or injuries.  I have never seen a tornado although I have lived in areas known to be targets.  I was living in Orillia when the devestating one went through Barrie and area.  I had friends who were affected.
Edmonton, my last home, was another area that had seen the horrendous effects of a tornado.  There were others in nearby communities that resulted in massive devestation and injury.
There were warnings today of severe thunderstorms with high winds but it seems to have missed us.  We never even lost our power although I did leave my computer off until the sky cleared up. Little Heidi was nervous and wanted to stay on my husband's lap as he watched the soccer game.  I guess she sensed the change in the atmosphere. 
I hope that all of you have remained safe and problem free during these most recent nature demonstrations.
Blessings.