Cool Thoughts

Here is a photo to help you have cool thoughts if you are in the midst of a heat wave like us.  Hard to remember 30 below when you are at 30 above. 
Huntsville was very busy today as it often is in the summer time.  Lots of out of Province and out of country licence plates were seen in parking lots and in the street.  And, of course, a lot of children where shopping with their parents.  Despite this, everyone seemed to be in good humour which certainly makes the situation easier to bear.
I got done and home as quickly as possible but it still took nearly four hours from the time I left until I returned home.  And then everything had to be put away.  Dear One helped and then made me a cup of tea so I managed to survive.
I did a bit more work on the Nine Patch Mix block last night.  I think I am going to like this one.  I bought some fabric to finish a top but don't think I am going to use it as it isn't going to look the way I hoped.
Blessings,

Free Block-Nine Patch Mix

What does a person do when it is too hot to do anything more strenuous than breathe?  I fiddle around with quilt patterns and today I have come up with a simple, quick pattern for using up 5 inch squares.  Start with a 9 patch block and make as many as will be needed for your project.  For example, using 12 block (your finishing block will be 11 1/2 ) you will need 35 blocks plus borders.  Half your blocks should have a dark center and corner squares and the other half plus one will have light center and corner squares.  My sample shows the light version.  For scrappy, use different fabrics for each of the squares. Diagram 1





Diagram 1

Cut your blocks in half diagonally-D2

D2

D3

 

 

 

Pair a light center block with a dark and sew.  You may wish to pin where the corners join as you are sewing fabric that will stretch.  D3

 

Sew all your blocks together following the same method.  Sew blocks into rows and the rows together.

Enjoy,
Blessings,

Chipmunk Having Lunch.

I finished a top for a twin sized bed today and, once I finish my commissioned quilt, I will get this one in the frame to quilt.  I also got another top ready for the finished applique touches.  I am pleased that I have finally had the time to get back at my quilting.
It was such a pleasure being able to sew, listen to my music and feel the breeze coming through the open windows.  I took Heidi for our walk early so I was able to have the afternoon free.  The walk was at a brisker pace than I intended because the deer fly's were quite bad.  I hadn't used any bug spray on either myself or the dog so they were really annoying.  I did have my bug hat on which kept them off me although it didn't  stop them from flying around my head.  They seem to focus on heads for some reason and Heidi had quite a number buzzing around her.  I kept switching at them but they are persistent creatures.

 

 

 

Our raspberries are doing well this year but I am not sure how many we will be able to pick.  The birds and little fellows like this chipmunk also enjoy them.  He is obviously enjoying his lunch.

 

Blessings,

Whose Law

I got the guest room set up again including the new bed.  Of course, as soon as it was done, I had to pile things on the bed that can't be put back in the sun room yet.  There is also some foam which I am going to use to make some chair cushions that is to big to have sitting in the quilt room.
The treadmill is taking up a bit too much room but I will adjust to it or find a better location.
I finally found my Jinny Beyer patterns that I want to use to make a couple of table runners.  I bought some of her fabric a couple of years ago but didn't get around to making anything.  A table runner will be the perfect project to do while working on the next crib quilt commission.  Most of this quilt is hand work and I don't want to start anything major that will have to sit in a cupboard when I start the machine sewing sections.
We had a bit of a scare earlier today when we saw smoke rising above the trees across the road.  Hubby thought it was the property that is being developed opposite us but it turns out that a neighbour was burning something.  I hate when they do that.  We aren't supposed to have fires before 6 because the majority of our fire fighters are volunteer but, of course, there is always someone who thinks that laws are for everyone else.
When you live surrounded by bush, fire is a very real danger.
Blessings,

Quilting Cook Book?

I am beginning to think I am not going to get have a full day of quilting for a while yet.  We got back from our shopping trip north in the mid afternoon and then I made some cereal for a friend who has been busy with some family concerns.
I seem to be getting more and more cooking jobs which I don't mind as I enjoy cooking but, of course, it does take time to do.  I have been half thinking of putting out a small cook book of some of my recipes.  Maybe I will combine it with some short quilting stories.  That will stay on the back of my mind for a bit.  What do you think of the idea?
One of the things I bought today was a fabric marker.  I got it at Michael's and it is a non toxic (great for baby quilts) permanent marker that comes in a number of colours.  It will be great for doing labels and adding touches to a quilt top.  It was under $7.00 which is cheaper than the ones you get at a quilt store.  A friend in our quilt group had purchased one and really liked it so I knew it would be okay.
I delivered the crib quilt to its new owner today as well.  They were really pleased with it and took some business cards to pass out to friends.
Blessings,

Flying Mattress

I have finally got back to quilting but not until yesterday.  I started a small wall hanging at quilt group yesterday and did a bit more on it today.  However, I didn't get a lot done as I have been busy all day doing other things and tomorrow we go north to deliver a crib quilt and do some shopping.
A friend offered to lend me a treadmill that he wasn't using to see if I liked it and he and my hubby brought it over today.  It has a lot of options so it will take me a while to get used to it but I have done a couple of 5 minute trial runs.  I still went for my usual walk with Heidi but that wasn't until after supper.  This is actually a good time as it is cooler and the bugs (which seem to have almost disappeared) are a lot less.  There was just one deer fly and even it was as persistent as usual.
After hubby got back from picking up the car at our friends, I had another chore for him.  I had been looking for a double bed to replace the one in the guest room.  I found a good one at a reasonable price and we picked that up in our old truck. 
The trip which seemed to be straightforward turned out to be a bit of an adventure.  First of all, we couldn't find the right road as it was in an area were we hadn't been to previously.  We loaded the mattresses into the trailer without problem and tied them down for the return trip.  We hadn't got too far when the mattress decided it didn't want to go to a different home and flew off the trailer.  Luckily there wasn't a vehicle following us.  We reloaded putting the box spring on top this time, re tied the load and arrived home without further incident.
I think that is enough excitement for one day.
Blessings,

Tomorrow, I Quilt

My quilt studio is back to the point where I can do some sewing again.  Other than hand quilting, I haven't been able to stitch anything in a week.  The only other time I touched fabric was to get it back on the shelves.  Now, everything is completed.  Tomorrow I quilt.  To make it even more likely, my hubby is working.
I do have to paint the cabinet we use for storing groceries and that will need to be done outside.  Of course, there is the ever present house work that will have to be done as well but that shouldn't take long.
I am working on a quilt that is simply black and white blocks with red in the borders.  I find sometimes that simple can be quite dramatic and many of my favourite quilts contain only a couple of colours. 
I have had to set up a bit more lighting with the slightly changed layout.  The computer desk is at a right angle to one wall with the  sun room windows behind the back.  This is normally a very bright room so it is surprising how much of a difference one change can. 
Hope everyone has a safe and happy weekend,
blessings,