Ant solution.

It is amazing what you can get done when you keep at something.  I have all the blocks done for the memory quilt and have loaded a customers quilt onto my frame.  I am not sure what pattern I am going to use on it yet so am just leaving it for a day until it tells me what it wants.

Do you have a problem with ants getting into your hummingbird feeder?  I think I have a solution that might help.  I have a number of the glittering pipe stems that are used for crafts and, as the bristles are quite stiff I thought they might be unpleasant for the ants to crawl over.  So far it seems I am correct.  I wrapped one just above the middle of the feeder and the other where the lid joins the glass.  I only see one ant in the liquid and I think it was there before I finished with the pipe cleaners.    I hope this works for you as the ants can really create problems for the little hummers.  If you are going to try this, be sure to use the glittery pipe cleaners.  The fibers on the others are too soft.

Blessings,  

Memory Quilt

 Our yearly bug onslaught has started.  The black flies arrive when the trilliums bloom and then after a week or so, they start biting.  We got some gardening done this morning but we were covered from head to foot and even then we had to make frequent retreats to the house.  I got up earlier than usual this morning so took Heidi for a walk after breakfast.  I thought we would be okay in the morning and we were until we got to the bottom of the driveway.  I guess we will stick to the bush for a while.

I have been working on a customer's memory quilt.  I am making it differently than normal.  First of all, the T shirts are small.  So I just cut each one as big as possible.  Then I cut 10.5 X 12.5 squares from an old sheet.  T shirt fabric was centered onto the sheet and pinned.  I measured the distance from edge of T shirt to outside edge of sheet on all four sides.  I cut strips from a baby blanket that was included by the customers.  The strips were sewn on T shirt block, pressed open and then I stitched around the outer edge of the finished block. 

This method is cheaper than using the special backing paper and doesn't have the stiffness.

Blessings,

Time for Quilting

 Taxes are finally done and sent.  Once everything is in place they don't take long.  This time it was just waiting for CRA to be back on line and writing down my credit and debits (which I, of course, leave to the last minute).  I am glad I don't have to pay in or I would be dealing with a fine by now.

Now I can get back to quilting.  I have a charity quilt to finish, 2 comfort quilt commissions and one quilting job.  I am not counting the tote full of tops that need to be done for our local group.  I am thankful one other lady in the group also has a long arm and is working on group tops as well.

If you have a quilt business, do you find it difficult to do your own projects?  Part of my problem is that I spend too much time reading or playing games on the computer.  I also try and go for a good walk each day.

Our temperature has dropped again and I had to bring in my geraniums.  We haven't planted the veggies yet as we know from experience that we can still get frost. Typically, in Ontario, most of the planting is done on the May 24 weekend.

Blessings,

Dratted Taxes

 The Burk's Falls art and quilting clubs made 30 fascinators for the King's Coronation tea which was held at our Legion on Sunday.  It was a fun event with people of all ages attending.  I was served a special non gluten tray which I really appreciated.  To be treated with such thoughtfulness is a wonderful thing.

I am having another busy week with my final pre cataract surgery test yesterday, another meeting this morning and I still haven't got my income tax started.  It is getting harder to stay indoors as it is getting warmer and the sun has shone every day.  While I am enjoy our weather I am aware of the people in Alberta who are experiencing a lot of forest fires.  It is early in the season for them so hope this isn't the beginning of a bad year.  With the usual irony of nature, other parts of Alberta are dealing with floods.

I haven't done any quilting this week except for Monday at group.  There are too many other things going on and I have writing to do as well as those dratted taxes.

Blessings,

Fascinating Fascinators

 I finally got a bit of gardening done today.  I was going to work on my taxes but who wants to do that when the sun is shining for the first time in a week.  The lawn is still pretty soft so I confined myself to raking up the dog's winter souvenirs.  

I want to transplant some of my plants to the front of a dilapidated garden bench and add a new shrub or two.  I am not big on gardening but I do like to see the flowers bloom and, of course, provide food for the birds and bees.

I finished my customers Little Prince Quilt and she picked it up on Monday.  I did a lot of infilling around the applique on this one and am pleased with the way it turned out.

Tomorrow of number of ladies are gathering at the Legion to make fascinator's.  The Legion is having a King's Coronation Tea on Sunday and the fascinator's will be a fun raiser for the Legion.  I will take some photos to share.

Our Heidi dog is doing so much better now that we are giving her a baby aspirin each day.  She is more mobile and doesn't have as much problem jumping onto the couch.  That is a blessing.

Blessings,

Another Memory Quilt

 We have been (impatiently) waiting for more eggs to hatch.  Momma hen is still sitting on the nest with every indication of staying there as long as is needed.  The little one that was born a few days ago is growing and doing well.  It is amazing that a chick just out of the egg can start eating on its own.  A good arrangement because I can't imagine even the most devoted of mother would want to have that little beak latched on to them.

We are getting a wonderful array of birds in our feeders.  There are, at least, a half dozen purple finches as well as some yellow ones.  They are joined by woodpeckers, chickadees and sparrows.  We also have an aggressive squirrel trying to get its share of the seeds.  Hubby has gone shopping this morning and I have asked him to pick up a Super Soaker to see if we can discourage, without harming all future squirrels.  They can have the seeds that are on the ground.

Two bags of men's shirts were delivered on the weekend that will be used to make memory quilts for a couple of little ones who lost their grandfather way too soon.  I always consider making this type of quilt to be a privilege.  I am going to take all the shirts when I get together with some of my quilting friends tomorrow and they can help me remove the backs.

blessings,

We Have a Fluffy Addition

We have had exciting news this morning.  Every since we started raising chickens, we have been trying to get a hen to hatch some chicks.  Despite all our efforts, nothing happened until recently.  When a hen is brooding, she makes a soft cooing sound.  We had one of the Black Copper Maran's start to give every indication that she wanted to be a momma.  When hubby went out to tend the flock today, he heard a peeping sound and saw a tiny ball of feathered fluff peeking out from under her momma. These are beautiful birds that lay a dark chocolate coloured egg so we are delighted to have another generation. Chicks that are raised by their mothers become brooders which is another reason why we are so pleased.

I had my eyes tested for cataract surgery yesterday.  A long day and stressful day.  The stress came from being in a room full of people and all the noise that comes with it as staff is ushering each one to the various places they need be.  I was in and out within the time given, have my next appointment scheduled and my surgery so it was a good day if tiring. I am thankful, once again, for my dear friend and neighbour who looked in on Heidi for us.

I took Heidi for a walk this morning and now am planning on getting a lot of quilting done.

Blessings,