Pig Breaks

I have been sitting at my computer for the past half hour trying to write a magazine article.  I have the idea and the words are coming easily but I am not making much progress.  Why?  Because Heidi keeps dropping her rubber pig at my feet to throw. I could ignore her but, if you are a dog lover, you know how hard it is to not give in to a pair of pleading puppy eyes.
I have tried to distract her with a dog biscuit but that only worked for a few seconds. I guess I am going to have to wait until my husband gets back from the village where he has gone to pick up the mail and a few things.  When he returns, he can play 'throw the pig' for a bit.
I previously mentioned about my problem with not being able to finish my quilt top because the rolled part on the frame was taking up so much room that I couldn't do the pattern.  Dianne wrote and gave me some advice and now, I am happy to say, I have gained enough room to continue.  I am still going to try using the bicycle clips when I get them though.  If they don't help my quilting, I may get up the courage to actually get on the bicycle my husband bought me and use them for their original purpose.
And now it looks as though Heidi may have had enough chasing for a moment so I can get back to my writing.
Have a great weekend. 
Blessings from the Backwoods Quilter.

Puppy Pig Fetish?

Play With Me

Before I went away to the quilt retreat, I bought Heidi a rubber pig.  I thought it was so funny because, when you squeeze it, it oinks.  Now, I am not sure that the purchase was a good idea.  Heidi carries it everywhere and even sleeps with it.  We were thinking that she thought it was a puppy but momma dogs don't usually chew on their offspring or want you to throw them.  Perhaps she has a pig fetish!
It is a bit dreary outside today so I have been baking.  I've made bread and some cookies which makes the house smell nice.  Not sure what I am going to do for supper but probably something that needs cooking in the oven.  The weather will soon heat up and cooking won't be fun so it is nice to do it now.
I have had to quit working on the quilt that is on the frame as the roll is getting so big that I can't do the pattern.  I have ordered some bicycle pant clips as I think I can slip them over the roll to compress it a bit. (I had fun explaining to the teenager in the hardware store what they were.) In the meantime, I am finishing up another top and have another two quilts in the preliminary design stage.
Welcome to the most recent people who have become followers of this blog.  You might want to check back posts for the free patterns.
Blessings,

More Retreat Photos

An Applique Lesson

Pincushions



These are the final photos I will share from the retreat. The first picture shows the ladies getting a lesson in the backbasting method of applique from our group expert.  This was something I was particularly interested in and, although I usually learn by reading, it really does help seeing something 'alive' especially when you can ask questions. 
The second photo is a couple of pincushions I received.  I collect unusually shaped pincushions and was thrilled to have these to add to my collection.  The flower shaped one was in our goody bag along with a number of other things.  The fabulous batik chicken was given to me by one of the participants.  I had brought a machine for her to use as she was arriving by plane and this was her thank you gift. 
The chicken looks like it is smirking.  It will have a prominent place on my shelf. Quilter's are the nicest people, aren't they?
Blessings.

Retreat Plus Two

A Proud Quilter

The lady who is second from the right was one of our servers in the hotel restaurant and a real delight.  We found out she was a quilter and asked to see what she had done.  She brought this quilt to show.  We were all impressed with her skill. 
It is especially encouraging to us 'oldsters' to see that the next generation is producing so many enthusiastic and skilled fabric artists.
I didn't get a lot done at quilt group yesterday as I was still on a high from the retreat but I think I am starting to get back to routine-note that I didn't say 'normal'.  I still have laundry to put away but I did get another row done on the quilt that is in the frame.  I have about another 4 to go and I will be able to start the binding.  I am anxious to get it done as it is another version of my Scrapper's Scrappy pattern that is selling so well.
We woke up to a forest of snow this morning.  The trees looked like ghosts.  I am glad I hadn't removed my snow tires.  We are going to Huntsville later today as one of the stores has flour on sale and my husband needs to buy some things.
blessings,

Home From Retreat

This is a quick post to do a bit of catch up.  I wasn't able to use my lap top while away as it was working so slowly.  We had a wonderful retreat.  It is nice to meet people that you know only through e mail and to see again those that you know in person.
The weather was great as were the accommodations.  The event was well organized and I enjoyed it thoroughly.  I will have more details and photos to share with you later.
My husband and I just got back from a short walk around the property and he is now cooking supper-wonderful man.  Our little dog was beyond excited to see me home and has been dogging (pardon the pun) my steps since I walking in the door.
Hope you also had a a good weekend. 
Blessings

Retreat

I am just about all packed and ready to leave tomorrow for the quilting retreat.  It has been a bit of a chore deciding what to take because I don't know how much I will get done.  I do have a hand applique project so that will fill in time if needed.
My problem is that now I am ready, I don't have anything to do or at least nothing I want to do.  I will pack the car in a bit so I will be ready for the morning.
The  weather today is nice but it is supposed to be rainy for the weekend but that will just give us all an excuse to stay in and sew.
I am taking my lap top so will b e posting, although probably, like today, it will be short.  My little dog is moping around so she knows something is going  on that doesn't involve her.  I think I will take her for a walk and then set out the garden gnomes.  We have quite a collection so that will take a while.
Blessings,

Sunshine on the Wing.

Winged Sunshine

Did you get the windstorm in your area last night?  We had gusts of nearly 100 km until about 6 a.m. this morning.  I had to put ear plugs in so I could sleep.  We were sure that we would have trees down, hydro out and everything not tied down moved to our neighbours.  In fact, little happened.  Lawn chairs were toppled and my clothes pegs were strewn around but most things stayed in place. When we went out later in the day, we could see evidence of trees that had come down on the road and lots of debris had been shifted from one place to another but that was about it.
I hadn't intended on going to Huntsville today but yesterday at quilt group we got the bad news that our local quilt store was closing.  She was having a 50 percent off sale so I bought a few items.  Our nearest quilt store will now be nearly an hour away!
We are getting a lot of finches in our niger feeder and they are starting to get used to seeing me moving around in the quilt room.  I was able to get a few photos yesterday and this morning.  Their vivid colour sure brightness up a grey day.

blessings,