Ahead of the Rush

The oddest thing happened yesterday.  I wrote the post and then added a photo.  Before I could do anything else , the whole page disappeared.  So, I rewrote, making sure to manually save as I was writing.  Got to the same point and the same thing happened.  Tonight, I hope to be able to actually write and publish.
Just did a check and, so far, so good.
I think I mentioned previously that I had bought a new tablet and was having problems getting it connected to my WiFi.  After talking to a very helpful man at Xplorenet,  I have come to the conclusion that I need a new router.  I have had this one for quite some time and it was probably the cheapest I could get so I guess I could expect it to wear out eventually.
I have been getting a lot of quilting done.  I sent off a customer's quilt last week and today a couple more went into the mail as gifts.

Customer Quilt.

I am now  making some crib quilts for an upcoming craft sale and would like to do 3 more for a charity.  I haven't been quite this motivated for a while but now that I am feeling so much better, I am making up for lost time.

I expect it is early but the two quilts I sent were Christmas gifts.  I am really ahead of things this year and have great hopes of sending my overseas cards off in time that my family receive them before Christmas.  We will see if my energy and enthusiasm lasts.

Blessings, 

Groups Closing

If you belong to any Yahoo groups you have probably heard that they (Yahoo) is ceasing many of the benefits such as photos, files, and even the ability to join a group (you have to be invited).  As a consequence, all the ones I belong to are shutting down.  I expect I will do the same with mine although I hate to take that step.  Hands2Hearts has provided me with a lot of support, fun and information.  Closing it down is going to be like saying good bye to a dear friend.  Most of the committed members of the group have moved over to our other one-A Scrappy Life so we will be continuing to keep in touch and share.
It seems that participation in groups is waning.  Some have moved to Facebook but I don't find that there is as much closeness in those.  And, of course, a lot of people don't like Facebook. I find that, as I get older, I am having more decisions taken away by an individual or group that decides they know best.  I understand that if they own something they have the right but I don't have to like it.
Fortunately, I am still in control of my quilting.  I loaded my granddaughter's quilt today and hope to have that finished by tomorrow.  Then I can complete the binding and get them sent off next Tues.  Cutting it a bit short but I think I can get it done.
Do you belong to a Yahoo group?  Is it closing down?  What do you think your next step will be?
Blessings,

Flashing Construction Lights-Yuk

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving.  We went to my in-laws and had a great meal, a good visit with everyone and lots of laughter.  One of the nieces was there with her family.  We have a close ties with her two young children and I spent the majority of the visit with them.  I was given a number of medical examinations, listened to stories I couldn't quite understand and played an exhausting game of 'kick the soccer ball'.  We weren't Skyping with the grandchildren until the next day so we stayed a little longer than usual.
It was dark when we started for home with hubby driving.  We switched seats about 2/3 of the way and I took over.  By then it was raining.  I have a hard time driving at night on a highway because the oncoming traffic makes it hard to see-especially when they have halogen headlights.  I was doing alright until we come to a road construction site that was marked with those orange signs with flashing orange lights.  They are so distracting that is near impossible to see where you are supposed to go.  Got through that and dear hubby had me pull over and he drove the rest of the way.  I can drive in nearly every condition-snow, traffic jams, busy roads whatever but I hate those orange lights.
Today, I got my customer's quilt sent off to its recipient.  It is a Christmas gift so it will arrive in plenty of time.  I am working on a couple of quilts for the grands which will also be sent off this month along with their other gifts so I will be ahead of the game this year-so far.
Tomorrow, off to town to replenish the food cupboard.  No matter how much you buy, you always run out of something before the month is over.
Blessings,

Really Quick and Easy Quilt Instructions

Farm Quilter:  Thanks for the comment.  I will take my camera and get a picture of those trees.  Our colours are starting to fade a bit now but it still a lovely walk/drive along our road.
I decided to make a couple of last minute cuddle quilts today.  I need to get them done quickly so I can post them a week from this coming Tues.  So, I came up with a truly fast and easy quilt.  It isn't fancy but if you are just looking for something a child can drag around and snuggle into while watching fireworks, this is it.
Decide your size.  I like 45X 60" give or take.  Look through your stash for some fabric that has a nice over all pattern.  I found one that has cows, barns and other farm animals all over it.  The figures are a nice size so it will work well.  I cut the fabric 50" X 65". I cut mine 2.50 inches smaller than that and added a border.  I wanted to back it with fleece but didn't have anything that worked with the top so I got some deep brown flannel and used it.  It was cut 3" all around larger than  the top.  I loaded the backing onto my machine horizontally, covered with batting and then the top.  I quilted using a loose meandering stitch.  When I trim, I will leave the backing an inch wider than

the top all around and use it to self bind the quilt.  The time from start to finish the quilt is only a few hours-probably not more than four.
The photo shows the idea.  Not done yet as hubby and I decided to go out for a bit but it and the second one will be done in plenty of time.  If you wanted a top with a bit more work, you could cut the fabric into 10 inch squares, sew them together with sashing between each block and row and a border around the outside.
Happy Canadian Thanksgiving to all who live in this county,
Blessings,

If a Tree Falls in the Forest....

It was another lovely autumn day today.  I had a meeting in the morning  but got home in plenty of time to go for a nice long walk on the road.  I have travelled along this road either by foot or car many times since we moved here eleven years ago and I still see new things.  Today, it was two trees with twisted trunks.  All the ones around them were straight but these two looked like corkscrews.  They were on the side of a hill which meant they might have been affected by the wind when they were saplings but the trees close to them should have been as well.  Whatever the reason for them being different, they did add a bit extra to the walk.
And, speaking of trees; while hubby and I were sitting on the deck enjoying a cup of tea, we heard a tree fall.  We looked at each other and at the same time said "well, that answers that question".  The windstorm we had a couple of days ago must have blown it askew and today it just gave up the fight to stay vertical.
I finished the Scout neck scarves today and got started on finishing the binding on the dinosaur quilt.  I am substituting hand stitching for a machine sewn herringbone stitch.  It should make it nice and secure.
Blessings,

A New Toy

I have a new tablet.  It just arrived in the mail today and now I am trying to get everything set up.  WiFi is always a problem because of the password.  I got one a slightly bit bigger than the previous device and am now downloading the manual so I can start getting familiar with all the options.
I also ordered some Aurifil thread from Sew Karen-ly Created.  I started using that brand when I was an Ambassador for Island Batik and like the way it handles.  Previously, I used King Tut, YLI and Glide but Aurifil will now be included as one of my favourites.  I use 40wt. thread as it is the same as my bobbin thread and it saves a lot of tension adjusting.  I usually prefer my thread to blend with the fabric rather than stand out so a lighter weight works well for that.
I am just finishing up the binding for a customer quilt and making some next scarves for a Scout group so am back at serious sewing.  It is good to be feeling healthy again.
Hubby, little dog and I went for a walk after supper.  The bush is especially lovely this time of year with as many brightly coloured leaves on the ground as there is on the tree.  The special fall smell was particularly evident as we walked along the trail through to my sister's property, down her

driveway and back up ours.  Got back in time for our dessert and to watch the news.
A lovely day.
Blessings,

Friends are a Blessing.

Hubby and I couldn't believe how early Thanksgiving was this year.  Today, I got together with three quilting friends and I mentioned to them that the holiday seemed earlier.  No,  I was told, it was the same as always, the second weekend in Oct.  But, my calendar said it was on the 7th not the 14th.
When I got home, I doubled checked.  Yup, the 7th.  Then I looked at the calendar in my quilt room and it said the 14th.  I guess who ever made the other calendar didn't check dates before it was printed.  I am relieved.  I have a number of things to get done before we start eating turkey.
It was nice getting together with my friends.  It seems I have been house bound for ages.  I didn't do much.  Mostly sat and talked or listened.  I was just glad to be there.
There is an extra special bond between a woman's female friends.  We really 'get' each other, are supportive, quirks are allowed, self indulgence isn't.
I am truly blessed by my friends and I hope you can say the same.




Blessings,