Friday, October 14, 2016

Colour Coded Storage

I have been getting a lot of wonderful comments regarding the quilt top photo I uploaded on Wednesday.  I appreciate all of you taking the time. I am looking forward to getting it finished but have to wait until I get some black batting.  This will solve the problem of having little white pokies coming through on the back.
In the meantime, I am working on another quilt that was a result of a retreat put on by The Quilt Pattern Magazine (www.thequiltpatternmagazine.com).  I almost have all the sections finished.
I seem to be going through a stage of losing things.  Yesterday, I discovered that I had lost the charger for my camera battery, today it is a reservation for a hotel in Toronto.  I made it a while ago, didn't get to use it and was going to give it to a family member.  However, when I checked the folder on my computer where it was saved, it was gone.  Not sure what happened but I don't have anything in any of my folders for that email address.  A Windows 10 thing?  Annoying and frustrating.
I have been able to find another charger at a great price from a company I have dealt with before so that is a plus.
In Thursday's post, I asked if anyone had tips for keeping their sewing room tidy.  Karen said she keeps her work in totes and anything that needs to be done right away is put in a red one.  I wouldn't have thought of coloured coded totes.  Thanks, Karen.  Great idea.
Don't forget to check out the last of the blog hop posts and enter the contest for the Folk Art Quilted Traditions and some fabric.
Friday October 14
Lara Buccella - http://www.buzzinbumble.com/
Looks like we are going to have a warm but wet weekend.  I am still trying to get my yard work done.  Maybe between the raindrops tomorrow.
Blessings,

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Cleaning Plan

I got 2 bushels of apples in the freezer today.  Most were cut up for pies and other desserts and the rest became applesauce.  I saved a few so I could give some to a friend and then made hubby an apple crisp.  He had spent a good bit of the day cutting down a tree that was casting too much shade onto a flower garden and  sawing wood into stove lengths.  I thought I would reward him with his favourite dessert.
I also got my studio back into order so I can, once again, see the cutting and pressing tables.  It is so much easier to work when you can find your tools and have room to do what you need.  No matter how often I try, I just don't seem to be able to get everything back in its place by the end of each day.  Part of the reason is that I don't know when I am finished for the day.  Something may come up and I only get a few hours of sewing in the morning or, I may continue on into the evening.
What seems to work best for me is to just leave everything until I finish a project and then clean.  How do you keep your work space tidy?  Perhaps you have an idea that would be better than mine.  Leave me a comment and I will share it with everyone else.
Blessings,

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Folk Art Traditions


Folk Art Quilted Traditions Blog Hop - My Houston Auction Quilt!







I have been having major problems getting ready for todays blog.  I had been concentrating on getting the quilt ready but ran into machine problems.  I have had to unpick all the quilting I had done so have not been able to show you a photo of the completed quilt.  However, I am sharing what I do have.
The first photo is the completed top, the second a close up of the centre and the third photo is what some of the quilting will look like.  This will be on the outside border.  The light corners will be a close meander as will the centre block which will also include outline stitching.  I have use a dark blue thread on top and black on back.
Now let me tell you about the pattern itself.  It is from a wonderful new book called Folk Art Traditions by Suzy Webster.  The book include 12 blocks (I used # 12) and 4 projects. My wall hanging is called Traditions and while I used her instructions, I changed the centre  from # 6.  The blocks themselves can be used in whatever manner that your creativity comes up with.  Suzy uses machine applique but they can just as easily be done by hand.  I am only just getting comfortable with machine applique but her instructions are so easy to follow that I didn't have any concern with tackling what could have been a challenging project. A list of supplies is given along with suggestions about what works best.
I chose this particular project of Suzy's because I liked the pieced order and I think it really adds a touch of pizzazz.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of the book, click on the 'contest' link below.  Don't forget to read the other blogs and see more photos of projects.
A complete list of the blogs was on yesterdays post but here are the ones for today and tomorrow.
Blessings and don't forget to scroll down for the contest link.

Wednesday, October 12

Thursday, October 13
Maryellen McAuliffe - http://teachpany.blogspot.com/


















Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Blog Hop and Prizes

I have a new blog hop for you and it has prizes.  It started yesterday but you can still check out the blogs which are listed below.
My post is tomorrow and I have been really committing myself to getting the quilt done that I will share.  Unfortunately, my machine decided to act up and I have had to unpick the top.  I will still post it tomorrow but you won't be able to see the quilting but I will share that also when it is done.

The link to the draw will be on each of the blogs so read them and enter.  I will also have it for you tomorrow.
Blessings,


Monday, October 10
Connie Kresin Campbell - http://www.conniekresin.com/

Tuesday, October 11
Adele Mogavero - http://adelemogavero.com/

Wednesday, October 12

Thursday, October 13
Maryellen McAuliffe - http://teachpany.blogspot.com/

Friday October 14
Lara Buccella - http://www.buzzinbumble.com/




 

Friday, October 7, 2016

Fall Photography


I haven't done any fall photography yet so thought I should get the camera and take a few before it was too late.  A lot of the leaves are falling now so it won't be long before the beauty that is on the trees will be all on the ground.  All these photos were taken on the path through our bush.
Blessings,



Carpeted Forest Floor

Standing Guard

Red and Blue

All Trees Greet Fall in Their Own Way

Even the Baby Maples Have Colour

Enjoying the Walk

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Go Blue Jays!

I have had a productive day.  I  finished the quilt that is on the fame with the exception of the side borders.  I will have to turn the quilt to do those as it is too big for the frame. Also got a lot done on another quilt I am piecing and listened to our Blue Jays win a baseball game
Hubby and I connect the Jays with our wedding.  Just after we were married, we were living in two different Provinces: he in Alberta and I in Ontario as I finished out my tern on city council.  T hat was the year the Jays won the first championship.  I would phone him and we would listen to the last few innings together. It was a good year.  Our team one and we began a new, wonderful life together.
The next year I was in Alberta and driving a bus for special needs children.  We listened to the games on the radio as I drove them home.  If the Jays won, they got a treat the next day. 
Although our team hasn't done as well until last year, we still support them.  I am not a big sports fan but I do like the Jays.  We don't get the TV station the carries the games so we listen to the radio just like we did years ago.
Go Blue Jays.
Blessings,

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Chicken Auction

It has been a busy few days.  Helped our son and his wife move on Friday, Saturday went to a chicken auction (more about that), Sunday it was church and a pot luck, Monday quilting, Tuesday visiting and today we had company.  In between, I am working on 3 quilts that all have to be done right away.
The chicken auction was a first for us.  We wanted to go and see what it was about as we will, eventually, be adding to our flock.  The auction took place about three quarters of an hour drive from us and it was a lovely day with the fall colours not quite at peak but still glorious.
The auction took place at the agricultural centre of the community and was well attended.  In addition to the chickens, geese and ducks, there were guinea hens, pigeons, budgies, rabbits,  ne ferret and a miniature goat.  We really enjoyed the event and are planning on going again next year when we will be buying some more layers.
Whenever we do something like this, I think back to how, just a few years ago, we were living in a large city, dealing with constant traffic and walking across the road to do our shopping.
Who would have thought our lives would change so much?
Tomorrow I hope to have photos of my latest projects.  I would have been much further on with one but, after carefully drawing sewing lines on 200 two and a half inches squares, I discovered I had cut and marked the wrong fabric!  Good think I have lots and I will be able to put those squares to good use in another project.
Blessings,