My Quilt Frame 11

Here is a photo of my Grace frame and the Juki.  I have the backing for the queen sized quilt loaded and, with my husband's help, will get the top and batting on latter this morning.  I am not sure how clearly you can see it but at the top of the frame is a spool of thread.  The spool holder was originally on the base but I think the long distance for the thread to travel contributed to shredding/breaking problems.  I put a bolt through an used hole and, voila, new spool holder.

As you can also see, I don't have a lot of room for the frame but if I have a choice between no room or no frame, I'll take the former.
I have been exchanging e mails with a new on line friend the last couple of days which has, again, reminded me to be grateful for what I have.
I mentioned in my last posting that Roger and I were going to the boat show on Saturday.  We actually ended up going for a drive through the beautiful Bala/Port Carling area and back through Bracebridge.  These communities are all part of the Muskoka's so the scenery was wonderful.  We stopped at Bracebridge and went for a walk along the main street.  We had Heidi (our wee dog) with us and she found all the people and new smells quite exciting.
I will be posting the next BOM on Thursday so don't forget to watch for it.
Blessings

Saturday and Updates

Yesterday was so much cooler that I spent the day re-organizing my quilt room and getting some housework done.  We went out for supper at the local legion.  They do a barbecue each Friday and last night it was ribs and chicken for twelve dollars.  Our neighbour's group entertained with down home music.  I am not a fan of anything remotely country sounding but realize I am probably in the minority.  The place was packed and as the people lined up for their food they were chatting and bopping to the music. 
Today, we are off to an antique boat and car show.
We have another new member sign up and for those of you who are recent followers, I would urge you to scan through past posts as there are a number of free patterns.  They are for your use but I would appreciate you giving me credit when doing show and tell. Using my company name 'Ark Angel Creations' is sufficient as that is the one under which I sell the quilts and patterns.
I am also a contributor to the Canadian quilt magazine Quilting Connections. 
A little background:  my husband and I live with our week dog, Heidi in a 5 acre maple bush north of Huntsville, Ont.  We are about 10 km. from the village of Burk's Falls.  We arrived here just over two years ago from Edmonton, Alberta and consider this our personal (earthly) heaven.
If you have made any of my patterns, I would love to see the photos.
Blessings,

A Few Sprinkles

We got a few sprinkles of rain this afternoon.  Not enought to wet the ground but still suffiecient to give us hope that cooler weather might be arriving.  I'm not sure just what the temperature is at the moment as my computer weather page isn't working.  Perhaps it is better not knowing.
I got a bit of work done on the quilt that is on the machine frame.  I broke one needle so I replaced it with a stronger one.  Thread broke so the cone was exchanged for spool.  I know from previous experience that all this is normal.  The stitch regulator isn't working either and I will have to call the company about that.  All in all, despite the little hitches, I am pleased with what I have got done so far. 
Tomorrow it is supposed to be cooler so I am hoping to finish this quilt and get set up for the real one.
My dear and very wonderful husband has been making most of our meals lately but tonight, I will take over.
The quilt room is too hot to do much more than just perspire anyway.
blessings

My Quilt Frame

It is marginally cooler today by about 3 degrees.  There is also a bit of a breeze and that helps.  I have been trying to look on the positive side.  I figure with all the perspiring and less food intake I should be losing weight.  Yesterday, it felt like an all day sauna so that has to be some benefits of that!
I have been working on putting my quilt frame together.  Not an easy job when it is so hot that it is hard to think much less follow instructions that involved dozens of different sizes screws.  Actually, the instructions are easy to follow.  Very detailed.  The problem is that I prefer to look at a picture and figure it out myself.  I am at the point where I can put the sewing machine on and once I get the final bits done, I will do my sample piece.  After I am sure I know what I am doing I will set up the Queen sized quilt.
But, before I do that quilt,  I will take the table apart and put the extension piece at the correct end.  I kept thinking that there didn't seem to be enough support and now I see why!
Blessings

Heat Wave

We are experiencing some very warm weather.  It is just too hot to do much more than just sit and stare at the television or into space.  Too hot to even read or quilt.  Unfortunately, life continues and things have to get done.  I have completed the tops of both wedding quilts and, heat or not, I've got to get them quilted.  Before I can do that, I have to get the quilt room reorganized and set up the frame.  I am trying to work up some enthusiasim but the most I can manage is a sense of responsibility.
Our village farmer's market started last Tuesday so we went this morning and bought a fridge full of organic meat and veggies.  Some preserves and baked goodies somehow found their way into our bag and, when we got home, our tummies.
In addition to the soccer games, we have been watching the royal tour.  I admire the Queen so much.  Eighty four years old and zipping up and down steps without assistance, walking around in the heat , smiling, making speeches and not noticing if someone does the wrong thing.  I think she is marvellous. 
Blessings

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,