Christmas Craft Sales

 Have you started thinking about Christmas yet or are you ignoring the advancing calendar?   If you are a quilter or crafter, you are probably elbow deep in projects that will be gifts and others that are for craft sales.  Our Arts and Crafts Club have a sale this Saturday with  Friday set up.  I didn't make anything new although I might get a baby quilt finished in time.  I have so many quilts that seem to be taking up permanent residency that I have merchandise for a half dozen sales.

Winter seems to have finally settled in.  We have had snow on and off but it always melted.  It is snowing today and the predicted temperatures are below freezing so I think it is time to get out my snow boots.

Today is one my sister's birthday.  We are all, except for baby brother, in our 70's now which still takes me by surprise.  My mind still sees the five of us playing games and arguing about nothing important.  The older you get, the more you value your family.  We are fortunate in that none of us have had a serious illness and have managed to stay out of serious trouble.  We have much for which to be thankful.

blessings,

Anna

                                                               Wall Hanging for Sale

Thread

 How much thread do you have?  I have a large spool holder and another large cone holder. There is also  drawer that holds duplicates and a box of decorative threads.  Today, I wanted to get the binding done on the one memory quilt and found some fabric that went well with the top.  I needed some dark brown thread for the sewing.  I have almost every shade of brown that there is but not the one that would be perfect.  I decided black would be the best.

While searching for the best binding fabric, I discovered some material I forgot I had.  I think I need to do some sorting again.  The shelves are starting to get messy again and I think I need to change some things around.

I have a quilt show coming up near the end of this month so am working on a couple of baby quilts.  I already have a Christmas wall hanging and a full quilt done so that should be sufficient.  I have quit doing little stuff as there are usually other people who do them.

Tomorrow, hubby and I and our neighbour friends are going into the village for the Remembrance Day service.  It seems odd to have it on a Saturday but perhaps that will mean more people will be able to attend.

Blessings,

A Winner

 Here is a cropped image of the memory quilt I have been making.  The second row contains photos of children and I never feel comfortable publishing those for anyone to access.  The top is now on the frame so I can get it quilted.

I am very happy as my favourite baseball was on the world series winning team.  The team wasn't my favourite which is, of course, the Blue Jays but once they were eliminated, I moved my support to the Texas Rangers.  Their lead off hitter was Marcus Simeon who use to play for the Jays.  He isn't a fancy player but he just keeps trying to do his best and, last night, he helped his team win.

It is rainy and miserable out today so I am quilting.  In addition to loading the top, I have been finishing up another.  Unfortunately, I didn't get the blocks matched up properly so my friendly seam ripper and I have a date for this evening while I am watching television.

Blessings,

Winter's Arrival.

 I think winter is officially here.  It started snowing yesterday and it is still on the ground today.  I have most of my winter clothes unpacked and the summer taking their place in the huge suitcase.  I still have the cedar chest to do but it is mostly coats. A couple of families from church came and finished getting our wood stacked and our home is now bright and warm from the glow of our wood stove.

Hubby is doing so well with his recuperating knee that I can pretty much get back to my own schedule.  I have finished the one memory quilt top and will be getting that on the frame.  (photo later).  I have another top almost finished that I started before the customer order.  It will be going to an ex serviceman.  Then I can start the other memory quilt. 

I am in the very beginning stages of organizing a quilt retreat for the Burk's Falls Village Quilters.  I haven't been to a retreat in quite a number of years and the best way to ensure it will have everything you want is to do it yourself.  When I belonged to a Canadian quilting on line group, the leader held a retreat every year.  They were so much fun.  Eventually, it got to be too far for me to travel so I quit going.  I did miss it though.

Christmas sewing is in the back of my mind so I am going to have to start seriously thinking about that as I have a sale the end of this month.

Blessings,

Change in the Weather

 Our weather has taken a down turn.  We have gone from sunny and mild to rainy and cool.  I did manage to get my garden finished, well, almost, and we have church friends coming on Saturday to split and pile out firewood.  Hubby is recovering really quick from his knee replacement and the only thing he can't do now is drive.  It seems that driving involves a different set of muscles and his leg isn't up to that yet.

I have finally completed the top of one of the memory quilts and just have to add the border.  the next one should go quicker as it is a simpler pattern and I won't have extra work to look after.

Another of our dear quilting friends died a few days ago.  It wasn't unexpected as she had been ill for a while.  Difficult for the family though as her husband passed away less than a year ago.  Many of her friends didn't believe she would be a widow very long.  She and her husband were especially close and it was hard to imagine one without the other.  The service is tomorrow.  It will be one of rejoicing as we celebrate our loved ones going 'home' but also of sadness as she was such a wonderful woman.

I managed to get most of my gardening done before the cooler weather arrived.  I wanted to transplant some tulip bulbs but I can't locate them.  Will have to put markers in when they come up next year.

I am going to have to start on making things for Christmas sales soon.  Always something on radar.

blessings,

Getting Caught Up

I hope everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving.  Our was one to remember.  A number of neighbours gathered at the home of a couple that live across the road from us and we celebrated together.  Everyone contributed to the feast and there was more than enough for everyone.

The day felt very special to me and a reminder of the first celebration.

I am almost caught up with my work.  I have some more gardening to do but am waiting for it to warm up and quilt raining.  Two things have contributed to me getting things done.  The Blue Jays have been eliminated from the play offs which means a couple hours of television watching finished.  Also, both my writing jobs have suddenly ended.  I have been doing the newspaper column for ten plus years and the magazine for nearly 15.  To have both publications shut down at almost the same time is odd and, I will admit to feeling disappointed. However, I can now focus more time on my book.  I need to get it finished as I have another one ready to go.

I had a nice day of quilting on Monday and am almost finished the top of one of the memory quilts.  Hubby is doing well and no longer has to use the walker in the house.  He is gradually being able to do more and more which means I have less and less. 

Blessings,

Happy Thanksgiving.

 Hubby has had his first physio appointment and gets his staples out on Tues.  He is getting more mobile everyday although still has a lot of pain.  He is now able to get his own breakfast and lunch and let the dog out.  It is amazing how much of a help that is.

Our neighbour's and friends have been fantastic.  Our neighbour brought us a huge pasta casserole and gluten free cookies.  Also had deliveries of muffins and squares also gluten free.  T
he same neighbour cut our grass and pulled weeds while I gathered up all the tomatoes.

In short, we have been managing fairly well.  I haven't been getting as much quilting done as I would like but it is getting done.  I have a bit more time in one area as the newspaper I had been writing for closed down.  A little less money and a little more free time.  I miss the job though.

This coming weekend is Canadian thanksgiving.  In the past, we all gathered at hubby's sister's farm but, since the passing of their mother everyone pretty much does their own thing.  This year people on our street are gathering for a pot luck meal at a neighbours (same one I mentioned earlier).  It is supposed to rain but I am sure we will still manage.  We are looking forward to meeting some of the new people.

Happy Thanksgiving to all the Canadian readers

and blessings to everyone.