Another Lesson

Free Patterns

You may be wondering why I have posted this pattern again.  It is because I have just learnt how so do something new.  My web master (mistress) Rachel, previously taught me how to add a link to my photos.  Today, she showed me how to add a name so that when someone is searching for an image (photo) of winter or free pattern, mine will pop up with a link to my web page.
Isn't that the neatest thing?
You may already know how to do this but as I am, officially, approaching old age, I am quite excited about learning new techie stuff.  Especially as it is something I have been wanting to be able to do for some time.  So, thank you, Rachel!
Today, while I am mucking about on the computer, my dear husband is boiling maple syrup.  It isn't running that well this year due to weather conditions so he decided he might as well get at what he has.  He has the cell phone with him so I can be a good wife and take him lunch and tea as needed.
I can see him working from my studio window and I feel a bit guilty watching him slaving away so I had better get something accomplished myself.  Back to the sewing machine.
blessings,

Antiques and Free Stuff

Do you like antiques?  I am not fond of most things that are labelled 'collectables' (althougth I have a few) but I do enjoy the solid, hand made articles of the past especially if it belonged to a family member.  We have a lovely set of dishes that were owned by my husband's Grandmother.  We couldn't afford to replace even a saucer if it were to get broken but we try not to just use them on special days.  We also have a chest of drawers that belonged to a great-grandparent again from my husband's family.  My side has contributed jewelry and a few smaller items.  We have a couple other bits and pieces of furniture that is quite old that we found at sales or were given to us.
I have recently started collecting pin cushions and am watching for any that are unique or old.  One of my favourite web sites, Sisters Quilting Expo, has a number of reproduction sewing items which are quite nice.
Because of the size of our home, anything collected is going to have to be small so sewing things fall into that catagory.
I have just completed another block with will go onto my web site as a free pattern.  This one would be perfect for a little boy and is called Dinosaur Garden. If I have done this correctly, you should be able to click on the name and the link will take you to the pattern.  It hasn't been downloaded (uploaded) just yet but will be later today.
It still isn't very warm yet.  My dear man is waiting to get his maple syrup done. Like more things in life, things happen when they do.
Blessings,

A Contest

I am thinking about holding a draw to mark the one month anniversary of my web site.  I haven't quilte decided how to do it yet so stay tuned.
I noticed that we have another sign of approaching spring; I can now see the bottom step at the back door entrance.  The snow had been covering it all winter which made the dog happy as she could jump from the ground to the landing.  We had so much rain last night, combined with wind, that I am surprised to see there is any snow left at all but the bush still has quite a lot.  Our lane, on the other hand is bare and muddy.  The car tires sunk about four inches when I got back from picking up the mail in the village.  Guess I will have to park somewhere else for a while.  We need to get some gravel on that part of the hill.
I was just talking to my sister-in-law and she and my brother have just bought some chicks.  We have been think about it but it isn't something you do to save money.  When you factor in cost of the birds, feed, heat etc., they will end up costing about $8.00 each.  On the upside, they won't be pumped full of water or anything else.
There has been quite a response to the free patterns on the web site so I am going to get busy and do some more.  I am thinking of an applique that would be nice for a child's quilt. 
And now, my bread needs to come out of the oven and the dog is waiting for her walk.
Blessings,

Happy St. Patrick's Day and Yesterday's BOM

Are you wearing green today?  I'm not but  I am English and we tend to be contrary.  I have just finished a quilt pattern that has a lot of green in it so that will be my celebration.
There might have been some confusion yesterday when you went to access the free pattern.  After you clicked on the photo it took you to a store check out.  The price would have shown as zero but those who haven't done a lot of on line shopping weren't used to the process.  My webmaster has changed the site so that when you click on the photo, you get an immediate download. I hope this makes it easier for everyone.
I am going to be adding a number of freebies-tutorials and hints, as well as patterns.  Is there something you would like to see?  I think I will also do some easy labels as I find that a lot of the ones you buy don't have much room for writing.  I like just a border and some lines where a quilter can fill in their information.
It looks as though we are going to have a nice day here in the backwoods.  The sun is shining and the temperature is already above freezing.  I have noticed more birds flitting through the trees lately so it does seem that spring is on the way.  Another sure sign is the flowing sap.  My husband is out in the bush now checking the pails and getting ready to collect what has accumulated.
It won't be long before I will have to put aside my machine and be at the ready for carrying lunch, mugs of coffee and any other necessities as Roger is kept busy stirring the syrup to be.
Blessings,

Just Me and the Dog

I have had both an early and a late start to this day.  The dog woke me around 2 a.m. and I didn't get back to sleep for a couple of hours so I slept in this morning.  I didn't get up until 8, which, I know, is not sleeping in to most people but we usually have the day started by 7 a.m.
I watched the news with my husband and then saw him out the door as he was going to spend a bit of time with his parents.  So, I am now in my office and it isn't even ten o'clock. 
I am in the midst of putting another quilt pattern together and want to get at one more unfinished item.  I am going to consider myself at work until later afternoon.  I will need to check the maple syrup buckets to ensure they aren't overflowing but, aside from that, the day is mine.
Our temperatures are above freezing and there is a light rain so you can almost see the snow disappearing.  It is way to early but I am thinking about my flower gardens.  I am not an avid gardener but do enjoy getting everything ready for another season of colour.  I stick mainly to wildflowers that will attract and feed the butterflies and other smaller creatures. The rest of the plants are perennials that pretty much look after themselves except for an occasional thining or deadheading.
Time for another cup of tea and then back to the cutting table.
Blessings,

March BOM

This month's block of the month is ready for you.  In retrospect, I should have done something with the colour green but didn't think of it at the time.  You will need to go to my web page (http://www.arkangelcreations.org/) to access the pattern.  Just look for the Free Stuff page.  I have included the easy half square triangle method in the instructions.

I am working on a quilt pattern that uses this star as a center block.  It should be ready near the end of the week.
Did you know that yesterday was pi day?  I didn't.  Apparently, it happens on the 14th day of the third month because of the numbers 3,1 and 4 relate to pi.  You can look it up on wikipedia as they explain it better than I can.  Numbers and I don't have a very good relationship. You celebrate the day by eating pie, of course.
We have had above freezing temperatures for a few days now so it is starting to look, or at least feel, a little like spring here in the backwoods.  Later today, we will be gathering the sap that has accumulated in the pails.  There isn't much yet but my husband has to go away tomorrow and doesn't want to take a chance on them overflowing.
Making maple syrup is very much a go slow and then hurry up process.  We only have about an inch left in our last jar so I am looking forward to replenishing our stock.
Blessings,

Tsanami and Block of the Month

The title of today's blog couldn't be more opposing than if I had planned it.  We have been watching the news reports of the tsanami that has hit Japan and is headed for our west coast.  With the closeness that the internet has caused, I 'know' people all over the world and, wherever disaster strikes-man or nature made-there is someone I am thinking about.
The other effect of the immediacy of news is that there is a tendancy to get , not quite bored, but certainly blase about the reports.  As we watched the same photos and heard the same reports being repeated over and over, I found that my mind was wandering and I started thinking about turning the television off.  It isn't that the devestation doesn't cause concern but just that we are getting used to it. We have information overload.
And so, while I will keep an ear open for the news, my day continues.
I am putting together a free block to share for the 15th of this month.  There will also, a few days later, be a quilt pattern that uses it.  That will be on my web page but I will let you know in case you are interested.
I now have to, once more, tackle the mess that has accumulated in my studio.
Do you have, like me, difficulty in keeping things in their proper place or, perhaps, even have a problem finding where that place should be?  There is an excellent article in this month's issue of Quilter's Connection that you might find helpful. Kristie Demke has one suggestion which I found particularly interesting which is to determine the purpose of your room. Once that has been done you can remove (or store in an out of sight place) those things which don't belong.  I am going to take a good look around my space and see how I can improve my mess.  I am also, as she suggests, going to try to stop quilting a few minutes before I need to and put things back where they belong.  Try being the operative word.
Blessings,