A Sad Duty

 Hubby had his first vaccination today.  He was in there for such a long time I was beginning to worry and finally went to check.  He isn't very good with needles and I thought he might have had an attack of nerves.  Of course, while I was checking, he went back to the vehicle.  

We took the dog with us and she had fun watching all the people coming and going.  On the way back home, we stopped at a store and bought some special dog treats for her.  I need to train her to get up on a box and then jump onto the bed.  A couple of times now, she has ran into the bed instead of making it onto the top.  I am not sure if it is her vision, although she is okay most times, or if, perhaps, she is a bit stiff in the evening.  In any case, as she get older, she is going to have more problems so this is a good time to teach her something new.

A couple of quilt friends and I have a sad responsibility.  One of the ladies that belonged to our quilt group is suffering from dementia and her husband wants to dispose of her quilt supplies.  We will be going through everything and then will see if anyone in the group can use anything.

This is the third time our group has had  to do this.  The previous times were as a result of a member dying so this one isn't quite a tragic-although in some ways it is more so.  While it isn't going to be easy, it is something we can do to help a lovely woman who was intelligent and witty.

Blessings,

Blackflies Starting

 We are getting warmer weather this week so it is time to finish up the garden before the blackflies start.  A few have been spotted already but they aren't biting yet.  

I am finally getting things done and am able to remove them from my to-do list.  It always give a person a nice sense of accomplishment when that happens, doesn't it?  Of course, there are a ton more things that I could add but I am going to enjoy the happy feeling for a bit.

Heidi and I went for our walk first thing this morning.  I usually wait until around three but it is so much fresher just after breakfast and the fresh air gives me the energy to get at the work that needs to be done.

If you feel in need of something to make you smile, click on the link below.  

https://youtu.be/vPFCn3itBFE

Blessings,

Sane? Not Me!

A sane person, when storing the fabric to complete a project would include the pattern.  I, apparently, am not sane.  I wanted to finish making the final two placemats to complete a set I started a while ago.  The pattern is a bit complicated but I obviously thought that wouldn't be a problem because it isn't in the bag with the fabric.  I can figure it out by measuring the various pieces needed but it would have been a lot easier to follow the designer's steps.

I did consider looking for the pattern but as it has likely been stuck in a tote waiting for me to sort everything, it will be quicker to continue as I have started.

All the pieces are here somewhere.

This is the next quilt to go on my frame-I think

I have been selling some collectables for a friend.  Anyone interested in a set of 6 apothecary bottles, complete with stopper and in perfect condition?  Smallest is 5 inches, middle 8.5 and the largest 11 inches.

Blessings,

 

Off Centre

 Is it just me or are there more videos on line these days?  I seem to have at least half a dozen sent to me every day and I am sure that is double the usual number.  Probably it is because people have more time.  I don't pass on all of them but usually  send one to someone else.  I guess that adds to their daily number.

It was still raining a bit today but I took Heidi for a walk anyway.  All our neighbours were out doing yard work so I got to meeting another lady who I hadn't seen before.  We have had a lot of people move into the area this year (another Covid thing) and I have been gradually getting to know them.  There are still a few property's for sale so I expect there will be more new faces before the year is out.

I started loading a new top onto my frame but then decided to do a different one because the backing was so large.  I hate using a large backing on a lap quilt even if I am able to use the left over fabric for something else.  And  why is it that no matter how much backing you have, you hardly ever have one that is just right for a top?  One of the advantages of a pieced backing is that you  use a number of fabrics and one of them is sure to suit the front.  I have done this a few times but usually with small quilts.  I am always afraid everything will be off centre if I do a bed size.

Blessings,

The Positive Side

 As we continue living under the restrictions and threat of Covid 19, I have been trying to think of the positive things that have happened.  It is easy to focus of the downside: the restrictions, people ill and dying, the massive debt being incurred by governments and individuals, mental health and the fear that many feel. 

However, in the midst of this dark and looming cloud, there have been blessings.  Many of us have had more time at home with our immediate family, people are developing new hobbies (cooking, woodworking),  pets are being adopted from shelters (please don't return them after the pandemic is over), money is being saved on car fuel and other items.

Personally, I find that hubby and I are closer than before.  It isn't that we were  at each others throats previously but as we are finding more time to sit and talk we remember what drew us together in the beginning.  Because I am not always out at meetings, I have more free time to sit outside or watch TV with him.  

I also notice how people are pulling together to help each other.  In our rural community, everyone has someone they know they can call to have groceries or prescriptions picked up, a ride to vaccination clinic and so on.  If they don't anyone, a post to our buy and sell Facebook page will result in volunteers. This good will isn't something new but it has grown.

I hope after this is all over we will remember what it is like to think as a community, to remember that we are part of a whole, and remember that pulling together makes any situation easier.

Blessings,

Laser Work

 I don't know what happened to last week but it seemed to end almost before it started.  I did have one day when I had a bad case of heartburn but all the rest were reasonably normal.

We got our bug screen attached to the gazebo so we are ready for the winged onslaught.  So far, spring just doesn't seem to want to settle in.  We have had warm days but a lot more cooler and wet ones.  Of course, in this area, we don't usually start planting our gardens until May 24 so we are not behind schedule.  It just feels like it.

I got together with a couple of close friends on Friday to celebrate my birthday and that of another   women.  The dates were well passed but it didn't matter. Our hosts home was big enough we could stay our 6 feet apart and we wore masks when arriving and leaving.  I took my dog for a play date and she and the hosts cockerpoo had a good time.  Ice cream raspberry cheese cake (unbelievably delicious) and tea fulfilled the food requirements and exchanged gifts added to the fun.  

Today, I am adding the last border to a small quilt which will be donated to a charity when finished.  The Grace Company had a special video event last week with guests and tutorials.  One of the latter was on how to use a laser on the front of a long arm machine to trace patterns.  I have been wanting to do this for some time and made a point of watching it.  I put the info to use and was able to do a practice piece right away.  I am going to do this on the quilt I am finishing.

Stay well,

blessings,

Feeling Twitchy

 Judy shared, in response to my last post, that she was thinking about adopting an older but, as she already has another cat plus a dog, is worried about how they would accept another family member.  This is a realistic problem and, sometimes, no matter how much we want to be able to do something, it just isn't possible.  However, if a person isn't able to adopt a needy animal, we can still support the agencies that help them.  As quilters, we have tons of left over batting that can be made into mats.  I make a simple bag by sewing around 3 sides of a top and bottom fabric.  Turn it right side out and loosely fill with layered batting.  Stitch opening and then sew  diagonally from one corner to another and the same with the other two corners.  This prevents the batting from getting matted.  Use a smaller than usual stitch so the animal doesn't get its nails caught.  Denim or plain upholstery fabric makes a good cover as they are durable. Old towels, blankets and sheets can also be used by shelters and, of course, pet food.

This was my day for working on the computer.  I updated two web sites, our church blog and took care of some business for the Burk's Falls Art and Crafts Centre.  The end of the month is when I submit my magazine article so I got that started.  I was really hoping to be able to do some more organizing of the quilt room and a bit of quilting.  I am starting to feel twitching because I haven't been able to sew for a few days.  I will do some hand quilting this evening while watching television so that might help.

Blessings,