Sick Days.

 Hubby and I have been ill with something unidentified.  I have inherited a good immune system so was really unwell for just a day.  Hubby, on the other hand has had it for nearly a week. He is starting to get better now.  We had to reschedule his MRI but was able to get another appointment, thanks to the incredible staff at North Bay Hospital, on March 1.

I was ill enough (and concerned about spreading anything) that I didn't go to quilt group on Monday.  One of the ladies brought the top of a sampler quilt she is making.  She did an amazing job but then, she always does.  I love the little black scottie. Hubby tells me that if I keep practicing that once day I will be as good as Terry.  Bless him!

Thank you, Margaret for taking the photo.  Not an easy task unless everyone is over six feet.

We are expecting another 'snow event' but so far it is just a normal winter day.  One of my sister's in England tells me her snow drops are up.  We have snow drops as well but ours falls from the sky.

Blessings,

Sun Screen.

I  have used my dish mat for the first time and it did the job it was designed to do perfectly.  I thought I had made it to big (16X 16) but it turned out to be just right.  I still haven't found the right spot to store it so right now it is above the fridge and, when it is wet, I drape it on the kitchen counter.

I have a row and a half to do on the customer quilt and then another one will be finished.  This one took longer to do as I am using a ruler to do stitch in the ditch.  I have never done a complete quilt top with the ruler before so am getting a lot of practice.  The further I get along, the quicker it goes.  I think I am now ready to incorporate curves and other designs.

Hubby is not feeling well.  He has a phlegmy cough but no temperature or aches so possibly allergy related.  I will keep him dosed up with hot lemon drinks and vitamin C!

Speaking of health issues: I got the result of the dermatologists appointment to find out why my arms are so itchy.  Apparently, it is due to sun damage.  I always wear a sun hat when out but don't worry much about my arms-not sure why.  As a red head, I am susceptible to sun burn and I have had a number of them when I was younger.  Even had sun stroke once.  And as a professional driver, my arm was always in the sunlight.  I am thankful it isn't anything more serious.  I have a topical cream to use so am hopeful that it will help.

I will be more diligent with the sun screen this summer.

blessings,

Dish Mats

My appliances have all gone on strike at the same time.  We bought a new washer about a month ago and then the microwave door came apart.  Since then my Kitchen Aid food processor and Magic Bullet grinder have both quit working.  I am going to whisper this just in case but, so far, all my sewing machines are working.

This is the first day since Christmas that I have been able spend completely in my studio.  I have finished a dish mat and almost completed the quilt that is on the frame.

Apparently dish mats have been around for a while but we have just discovered them at our quilt group.  Most of us, of course, have dishwashers, but there is always items that have to be washed by hand.  I have a dish rack but it always tips over so the mat will be easier.  I just have to find somewhere to put it.

It is a grey and rainy day and as the temperatures drop, it is going to get very slippery.  Hubby and I both have medical appointments in the village tomorrow so we are hoping we are able to get out.

I have mentioned that we got a little tabby in October.  She is adjusting to a life indoors and having her own bed, dishes, regular feeding time and lots of love.  Her little claws have been sticking on pile surfaces lately so I got myself mentally ready to trim them.  Our Heidi dog hates her feet being touched and I am of the belief that cats felt the same.  Yesterday, got the clippers ready, put Ally on my lap and took one of her front paws.  The nails on that foot where clipped without any argument from kitty so today I will do the other ones.  I have always believed that rescue animals are a lot easier to look after.  Ally has further convinced me of that.

Blessings,

Rural Excitement.

 Thank you, Karen, for your comment.  It is nice to know I am not alone with cloudy brain issues.

Those living in urban areas might be prone to believe that nothing happens in the country.  In many respects they would be right.  Our weekly newspaper consists of only a few pages because, other than local events such as a story on a new business or someone's 100th birthday, there isn't much in the way of news.  Once in a while, however, we do rate large black front page headlines.  We had a young lad drown a few years ago, and, more recently, a woman who was shot and killed and a drug bust that included gun possession.  

Today when hubby and I were going into the village, we noticed a number of cruisers sitting at the landfill site.  There were still there when we came back but it did appear that people were being allowed to drop off the garbage.  Being the nosy sort that I am, I contacted our local paper and told them what I saw.  Their website just posted the story and, from what I gather by reading between the lines, there is something happening at a residence on the same road.  Another drug bust?  Probably.  I am sure there will be more news later.  I bet I hear what happened from a friend before it is in the newspaper.

I am glad it wasn't a case of someone from a larger community who dumped something illegally.  I am afraid my creative mind gets overactive at times.

I finished a travel bag I was making for a family member and got it sent off.  Here are a couple of photos.  There are 3 sections, each zippered.  The middle section is wider for things such as glasses or a wallet.

I made it according to the family members needs so there was quite a bit of trial and error.  I think it has turned out alright though.

Blessings,

Sanity Test Needed?

 I think it may be time to take a sanity test.  I just got back from going into the village for a meeting.  When I arrived, there was hardly anyone there and I asked if it had been cancelled.  I was told that the meeting was next week-the second Wednesday.  I guess my mind wasn't present when I flipped the calendar page this morning.  This is the same group where I served as president for a number of years. I enjoyed a visit with those who were there for the work day.

Yesterday, I was working at the computer in the afternoon when the fact that it was Tuesday hit me.  I always face time with my sister on Tuesdays but that didn't register either.  I missed my newspaper column deadline.  Can I put all this down to the change in the weather?

It might be a good day to take off but I do want to work on my quilt.  Wish me luck.

Blessings,

Squeaks.

 Hope you are all enjoying the sunshine from inside your warm houses today.  I will have to go out later to help hubby bring in some wood so I will be wearing my warmest clothing. .  I actually do enjoy these cold, brisk, sunshiny days.  I love how the snow squeaks under you feet and the air reminds you that you are alive.as it is minus 29, it might be me doing some squeaking.

Hubby and I got a bonus when going home yesterday.  Someone had put out one of those cat towers with a sign saying it was free, so, knowing Ally cat would be very annoyed if we didn't bring it home for her, we did.  It is now all brushed to remove previous owners hair and is installed in the Princesses boudoir. She hasn't used it yet other than to retrieve the treats I put on the lower level.  As the weather warms up, I will move it so she can see outside a window.

Heidi do has claimed the front window as her squirrel spotting area so ally will have find another one.

I have been working on a quilt top for a friend.  It is a basic log cabin and I debated a number of ways I could quilt it but have decided on a simple stitch in the ditch using a ruler and ruler base.  I am not very good at this so the practice will come in handy.

If you haven't signed up for Connie Kreskin's blog, here is another incentive: :Hidden Wells Table Runner.  This is a very simple pattern and yet, looks complicated.

blessings,

New Design Wall

 The first month of the year is almost over and it will be ground hog day in a week.  It has taken me a while to accept that winter is actually here this year as the weather has been so changeable.  At the moment, it is snowing and the sky is gray.  Yesterday, the sun was shining and the snow melting.

Do you have a design wall?  It is one of those items that make designing a quilt top so much easier but not everyone has space.  I have read of many solutions to not having free wall area.  A fabric covered sheet of plywood, left over paneling, or any other thin, non bendable material would do. I am fortunate to have a wall that I can use.  I am in the process of altering so it functions better.  Someone gave us large, acoustic ceiling tiles.  I am stapling them to the wall and will then cover the base with a flannel backed tablecloth (wrong side out).  The flannel will hold pieced blocks but if I want to display a finished row or two, I can use straight pins which will hold them securely. The photo shows most of the tiles in place.  I just need one more in the corner.  I am probably going to need to buy a tablecloth as the one I have is too small.  Can't wait to get the pieces for my latest design on the wall.

I just got back from taking Heidi for a walk.  I didn't put her bootees on because it isn't cold.  However, the snow was packy and she ended up with snowball feet.  Had to put her in the kitchen sink with some warm water to free her tootsies.

She got an extra treat for cooperating as it was my fault.

Blessings,