Victoria Day Weekend

Another day is slipping past.  I hope all that were celebrating a long weekend had a safe and happy time.  We ended yesterday with a thunderstorm and our hydro went out briefly during the night.  We continued to get heavy rainfall throughout the day but not as bad as in some areas.
We had company for the weekend and had an enjoyable visit with them.  On Saturday, the four of us plus Heidi went for a drive to see the areas where my husband's father's family lived.  The weather was lovely although the black flies prevented us from spend more than a few quick minutes outside.  We made a few stops to take photos as Roger's uncle is an accomplished artist.
I have managed to still keep my quilt room tidy.  The task has been made easier by me spending most of my time on the computer rather than the sewing machine.  I have been getting the last pattern ready to sell in the quilt stores.

These are two of the photos I took. It was hard to get a good image because of the sun angle.  I may go back and redo a couple of them.

Tree by the Falls                               

 

 

Abandoned House by a Stream

 

Blessings,

 

Victoria Day Saturday

Happy Victoria Day Weekend.  The weather is lovely and the bugs not too voracious.  We are expecting company tomorrow for a couple of days so I am making a huge stew.  I have planted some more tomatoes and broccoli, done the laundry and done a bit of writing.
My husband and I went into the village after lunch and wandered around for a bit.  For some reason, it seems as thought we rarely have time to window shop in our nearest community.  To be perfectly honest, I rarely window shop anywhere except on line.  Don't have the patience for it.
This photo is a reminder of what we so recently were experiencing.

 

 

 

Happy Holidays.

Blessings,

A China Mug, a Pot of Tea and Thou

I don't know precisely why, but some mornings seem more special than others.  Or perhaps we just make them so.  I took Heidi for her walk this morning and got all the other routine things finished including unloading the clean and reloading the dishwasher with the dirty.  I have now made a pot of tea and am sitting at my computer with my favourite china mug.  The latter is probably why today feels different.  My tea is usually a bag popped into a regular mug.  I really do like having it in a pot.  Perhaps I will make a little mug and pot mat set to keep by my computer or sewing machine.  That would be a lovely touch of luxury. 
This is my writing day and I am planning on getting my magazine article done as well as writing up a pattern that will be sold, hopefully, in area quilt stores.  Heidi's groomer is coming to pick her up shortly and my husband goes to play cards in the afternoon so I will have a nice quiet day to get things done.
I just have to stay motivated.  That is always the hardest part.

I have been having a lot of neck pain this week and I suspect that it is because I am working on the frame machine.  As I am in relearning mode, I am not keeping my shoulders relaxed.  I only did part of a row yesterday.  It is frustrating not to be able to get the quilt finished as there is only a couple more rows to do. 

Today many people will be on the highways heading for cottage country.  Those of us who live here year round will be glad to welcome them back to the area we enjoy every day.  The village main street will, no doubt, be bustling tomorrow as people come for their supplies. I enjoy seeing the activity although it is odd to have to search for a parking space.
If you are travelling, please be careful.  This weekend is usually the one that results in the most traffic fatalities.
Blessings,

Neck Problems

I had a disturbing call today.  There was a message on my credit card  on line account asking me to call them.  When I did, it was to find out that there was a couple of fraudulent charges.  They hadn't paid them for which I was thankful.  I deal with Capitol One at the Bank of Montreal and I highly recommend them for security.  I have my account set up so I am notified if there are any purchases over a certain amount.  I always know what is happening with my balance, purchases and payments.

I recently came across a couple of links you may find interesting.  They are both quilt related and very well done.  the first is from Generations Quilt patterns. Her video link is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIv4Xzxc_Fo  
 
The Crafty Gemini also has a really good video:
 www.youtube.com/TheCraftyGemini


It appears that we are going to have a good weekend for weather so I am planning on getting the last of my garden in.  I picked up a couple packs of broccoli and have more beet and cucumber seeds to get in.  I am a little reluctant to plant the tomatoes just yet.  I think I will give them until the end of the week.
I wasn't able to do any sewing on my frame today as my neck was too sore.  Sometimes it is bad enough that I can barely turn it.  This is a result of having my car rear ended seven years ago.  My lawyer is still trying to get me a reasonable settlement.
I think the frame sewing bothers me because I have my head tilted to one side so I can watch the laser.  Probably need to have the table higher but won't be able to do that until I get the new base.
Blessings,

A Higher Number of Calls

I was planning on getting quite a bit of work done on my second book today.  I went for my walk, had breakfast and watched the news so all the routine stuff was finished.  Just as I sat down at the computer, the hydro went out.  Rats!
I had a book that I picked up at the library yesterday so sat down to read it for a bit.  After a half hour or so, I decided to phone to see if the company had an estimate as to when our power would be restored.  I always get a kick out of their voice mail message.  Keep in mind that I am calling a special number to report a power outage, this is the beginning of the message: "we are experiencing a higher number of calls than usual from your calling area and are checking to find the cause."
Duh, might it be because there is an outage.
The power is, obviously, back on but as it is almost lunch time, I will work on the frame quilt for a bit and then, after lunch try to get back to the book.
I have been thinking about hooking up my web cam to do some video tutorials but the picture quality isn't that good with it.  I do have video on my camera so could get my husband to hold it but, I think that a small tripod would be a better idea.  Something else on which to spend my money.  I should be able to get one second hand so will keep my eye open.  It would be good for my still photos as well because when I am using the telephoto lens it is hard to keep my hand steady.

Trillium

 

The trillium's are in bloom.  We have purple ones on and around the property.  There were quite a few along the edge of the road where we walk.  Lovely.

 

Blessings,

Aprons and Presser Feet.

Well, here we are almost at 8 o'clock and I just realized I hadn't posted anything yet.  I have been making aprons today.  There was a white sheet in good condition amongst the fabric donation I had and, as it wasn't a size I could use, I decided the church could use some aprons.
The men made the women brunch on Sunday and one of them got something on his shirts.  I spilled chili on my jacket a while ago so I think aprons will help. With the help of my serger, they can be made quite quickly.
I have also done some work on the quilt I have on the frame.  I am really out of practice but I am keeping the speed down and am gradually getting into the rhythm again.
My studio is still nice and tidy and I am hoping that if I can get into the habit of putting things away, I will keep it like this.  It is much nicer to be able to not only find things but also have lots of room on my cutting board.  Previously, it was piled high with fabric, half started projects and other flotsam which I pushed to one side when I needed to cut something.  Rather silly to try and squeeze a few inches to cut a huge piece of fabric when you have a nice large mat and table designed for the purpose.

I ordered a presser foot for my Juki today.  Mine broke last year and I have been waiting ever since for a store to order another one.  I called different place and it should be in in a week.  A cost a lot of money which I debated spending but the foot I have been using doesn't fit right and I can't use it for ruler work.  Hope I sell a bunch of books and patterns to offset the cost.
We have had a few days of cool weather but the forecast seems to be for more seasonable temperatures.  I have some strawberry plants to get into the ground.  Our apple trees have a lot of buds so we are hoping for a good crop from them this year.  We had one lone apple last year.
Blessings,

My Tidy Studio

My Studio

Sitting Corner
 

Heidi's Window Seat

These are some photos of my organized studio.  In the top picture, you can see the cutting and ironing table, my design wall and serger stand.  In the foreground on the right is the sewing table and on the left my long (short) arm.

 

The second photo shows my little sitting corner with the book case containing all my magazines, binders and quilt/sewing books.  My knitting supplies are in the metal trunk under the window  which, as you can see in the third picture, is also Heidi's special place.  She can sit there and watch my husband as he tends the chickens, works around the shed or gets ready to go somewhere.

 

I didn't take a shot of the computer area or the sitting room.  There are also two more book cases.  There is still quite a bit more to do but I am enjoying the space. My one big hope is that I can keep it as tidy as this. 

 

Yesterday, I picked up the plastic bags for my quilt patterns so I can sell them in stores.  I have one ready to be written but first, I have to get the top quilted.  Before I can do that, there are two others that will be gifts that have to get done.  Getting started on them is today's project.

 

It is cooler and quite overcast today so a good day to stay in side and quilt.  Yahoo.

 

Have you checked out the information on my book, Scrappy Quilts and More From the Back Woods Quilter?  Just go to my web page and you will see all the details.  www.arkangelcreations.net

 

Blessings,