Lots of Fabric

Ever wonder what almost 20 meters of fabric would look like?  Here it is stretched out on my clothes line.  We had a bit of rain yesterday after I hung it out which, combined with a bit of a breeze, removed all the wrinkles.  It is now folded and stored, waiting to be cut for the backs of all my tops.
It is a bit dreary today with a light drizzle.  It isn't enough to discourage anyone from going out but it should help keep down the dust.
I got another quilt onto my frame last night and have been working on it.  I am doing free motion around the center pattern and then will shadow quilt that part.  This quilt is made from the fabric mys sister gave me for my birthday last April so I am glad that it will be done before the year is up.  I will post a photo when it is done.
We are just getting ready to go to the village funeral home.  The mother of a friend died on Wednesday so we will go and pay our respects.  The friend is a distant relative of my husband-everyone here is related to someone with the exception of me. 
Hope you aren't being affected by the latest labour problems with Air Canada.  I don't know why the management of that company isn't dong a better job of getting information to their customers.  It seems to be a real mess. Have a great weekend.
Blessings,

Fabric Sales

I am washing fabric.  We went to Huntsville today to do a little 'before the check' shopping and because Fabricland was holding a half price sale.  I needed some backing fabric so this was a good opportunity to get some.  There was a discount table with material for $3.00 which meant I would be paying $1.50; a deal far too good to pass.  I bought the rest of one bolt-11 meters, and 6 meters of another.  If I had had more money, I would have got a lot more but this will finish up two of the tops.  I also have fabric coming from an on line store which will take care of a third. All this should keep me busy for a while.
I have often wondered why they don't hold these sale at the end of the month when most government and pension cheques arrive.  I would have spent twice as much and I am sure they are others who would do the same.
We ran into a brief rain shower on the way home and watched the car thermometer as it dropped 4 degrees in just a couple of minutes.  It is back up again now and has added a couple more.  I think I will hang my fabric out on the line to dry. Eleven meters strung out along the line should make for an interesting sight!
Blessings,

Guest Blogger

I have just finished doing some spring cleaning: the refrigerator and wood stove.  Outside, the sound of my husband getting the motorcycle ready for the season is another reminder of the unseasonably warm weather.  When he came in for his tea, he said that he wanted to get the work done before it gets to hot.  In March?!
If you are a subscriber to the Quilt Gallery, you will notice that I am the guest blogger for this month.  If you aren't, here is the link: http:quiltgallery.com
I am starting to think about what I am going to be taking to the quilt retreat.  It is less than a month away so if I am going to work on a quilt, I better decide what it will be.  I am mainly focusing on my hand applique but as I don't know what type of chairs will be in the room, I want to have an alternate project.  When I am appliqueing, I like to have my feet on a stool.  As soon as I wrote that, I had an aha! moment.  I have a little collapsible stool that would be perfect.  I think I will add that to my 'take to retreat' list.
I am now going to go out and fill the bird feeders.  I was debating putting out the hummingbird feeder but it has to be too early to that.
Blessings,

Deer Down

I have a bird feeder just outside my studio window and it has had a constant stream of chickadee visitors this past week.  My husband saw a robin on Sunday and the snow is all but gone from the bush.  It happened so quickly.  There was a couple of feet piled on my front garden and it was gone in less than three days and there are shoots standing 2 to 3 inches high in its place. I even hung some of my laundry out on Saturday.

Yesterday, I went to quilt group although I came back early to let the dog out as my husband was boiling sap and hadn't been able to get to the house.  After I changed my clothes, I made him a cup to tea and while we were talking, a herd of deer ran toward the pond.  Right after the the last one leaped down the embankment, we heard a splash.  The small one had tried to go across the pond instead of using the bridge.  We could hear it splashing so I angled over to where I could see  its path through the ice.  Fortunately, despite the depth and temperature of the water, it did make it to the other side.  There wasn't much we could have done to save it so we were thankful that an attempt wasn't necessary.
I am starting to feel like quilting again so am going to be adding a couple of border strips to finish a top and then I have a couple of small projects to do.  I am gradually, a bit at a time, getting my energy back but still have to limit myself. 
Blessings,

Farming

I expected to wake up this morning to see that our snow had left.  We had quite a lot of rain last night.  I am not sure how long it lasted but the volume was enough to, I thought, wash away the last foot of white that is still throughout the bush.  It did lessen by a few inches but there is still quite a bit remaining. And, of course, it is going to probably be June before the banks made by the snowplow leave.
My husband is boiling down some of the sap that he has gathered.  He doesn't have very much yet but, as the weather is supposed to stay warm for a bit, it has to be cooked. If not, it will go sour.
I have made three trips back to the cook sight already.  the first to take a thermos of tea and an apple. the second trip was to deliver lunch and the most recent involved his book, a granola bar and the gathering of eggs.  I have another to do in an hour for a final thermos of tea.
Our chickens have discovered that spring is on its way and they have come outside.  At first, it was just the big red ones who dared a little adventure but they were soon joined by the two little white biddies.
As soon as it is warm enough to clean the coop and do a bit of renovation work, we are getting 4 more hens and a rooster.  We hope to have a few fluffy bundles to raise. They should be ready to start producing by the time the initial  five hens  stop laying, go through their moult, lay a bit more and then quit completely.

A Safe Place

Keeping Watch

We have had a herd of deer bedding close to the house for over a week.  There are about half a dozen of them and they gather on a little knoll near the chicken coop.  There are probably wolves roaming around at night and they feel more protected here plus there is less snow and access to the driveway so they have a better chance of escape.  It is interesting that they seek security by getting closer to one of their predators.  I am convinced they know when it is hunting season and realize they are in no danger from us.
Although the pond is still frozen, we have had a couple of ducks land on its edge.  Perhaps they are looking for a nesting spot and getting a jump on the other waterfowl. We are watching for the return of our blue heron as well as hoping our resident beaver is still that-in residence.
We had some lightening last night but no thunder and thunderstorms are predicted for today.  Right now, however, the sun is shining brightly, my husband is cutting wood and the dog is sitting on my sewing table watching the activity.  I still don't have enough energy to do much and am getting a bit stir crazy. Poor Heidi is also missing her walks.  I hope that I will be able to start short ones again next week.
Blessings,

Twitterpated Chipmunks

It is a grey day here in the backwoods but the little creatures are having fun.  The tiny chipmunks and red squirrels are darting everywhere from tree to woodpile, newly uncovered rock to the clothesline stoop.  Our dog Heidi, our protector of all things ferious, is on constant guard in case own tries to charge the house.
The tree trunks have turned a lighter grey as part of their preparations for spring and there is very little contrast between them and the sky.  The only bit of colour that I can see while sitting here at my computer is a yellow plastic but that is near the wood pile.
We have reached plus 5 this morning with warmer temperatures to come (here is your weather report, Grace).  In fact, it is predicted to go up to 18 before next weekend! 
I am wavering between wanting the warmer weather to arrive so it dries up the mud and dreading it because it heralds the start of the bug season.
There was a discussion on a chat group recently on what constitutes a scrap quilt.  One lady said she thought that the title belonged to projects that are made with what you have on hand and, with the exception of lights and darks, there wasn't much colour planning.  I agree with her.  I think a quilt can have a scrappy 'look' if  you specifically purchase the fabric but it isn't a true scrappy.  What do you think?  Is this another area where the quilt police have begun to make their presence known?
Blessings,