My Routine

I suppose everyone has a morning routine.  Mine is a bit flexable but usually contains things like turning on computer, having breakfast, watching the morning news, checking my e mail and writing the blog.

After those things are done, I may stay in the quilt room or do some much needed housework.  This afternoon we are taking advantage of the warm weather and planting blackberries, blueberries and asparagras.  It is a bit early but they are blooming already so we need to get them in the ground. Roger has built plastic shelters for them so that should keep them safe until the night time temperatures warm up.
This photo is my quilt as you go strip quilt.  It is done entirely on the machine including sashing and border.  This pattern will be for sale but you, my wonderful followers can get it for free.  You just have to let me know that you are interested.  However, you must be signed up as a follower.  I will leave the offer open until the 9th of April in case anyone is away for the Easter weekend.
I am going to be buying some longer rods for my Flynn Frame today.  I would like to see if I can use it to top stitch larger quilts.  I will let you know how that goes.
Blessings

Photo

A reader asked me to share a photo of my gnome family and this picture, taken last year, shows a few of the less shy.
You can just see Norbut and his wife, Jolene in the background.  There is a hole between the rocks right there so they can duck out of sight if need be.
Willy is busy gathering mushrooms to provide shade for the babies and there are a few other workers hiding amongst the weeds.
They all should be coming out of hibernation soon so I will see if I can't get another picture.  They have gotten used to my husband and I but aren't too sure of our Heidi who has a tendancy to want to play with anything that moves.  This can be rather disconcerting when you are only a few inches high. By the way, the rock you can see in the foreground, is coral.  It was taken from a farmer's field in Alberta, miles from any ocean or large body of water.  There was quite a large section of coral in the area which is another indication of how our world has changed over the years.

I read something yesterday that caused me to smile.  A quilt book author was sharing the fact that quilting is constantly on her mind especially when she is trying to go to sleep-familiar situation.  She said that if she has trouble sleeping she will visualize her sewing machine needle going through the fabric.  Why count sheep, she said, when you can count stitches.  Definately a quilt addict.
I am just finishing a quilt as you go blanket and will share the instructions with you later in the week.  This is truly a quilt as you go-no handstitching at all except for the binding.
Blessings

The Gnome Forest

When Roger and I bought our property, I began thinking of a suitable name.  I considered all the obvious-Maple Bush, something Ridge or Hill,  a location related name such as Backwoods Acres but nothing seemed to be right or one that we both liked.  We finally decided on 'The Gnome Forest'.
We started collecting garden gnomes in Edmonton and then bought a large one, Norbut, to accompany Roger as we moved to Ontario.  We have since added to the collection thanks to friends and the little creatures are distrubuted through the gardens, tucked under rocks, and behind trees.  We even have a  female gnome.  They are much shyer than their male counterparts and harder to find.
It is one of my spring duties to take all the gnomes from their winter hibernation and place them, once again, around the property. Those with rakes or wheelbarrows are placed in the flower garden.  The older ones find themselves next to a handy mushroom or hole in a stump.  We have a birdhouse that looks like an outhouse so that is located in a convenient spot on the ground for emergency use.
It is a lot of fun setting this all up and I usually try to keep track of where they all are so visiting children can have a gnome hunt.
I must give credit to the idea for this to a place Roger and I visited on our honeymoon.  It is called the Enchanted Forest.  It is in B.C. and consists of a wooded area with trails that wander past a number of hand crafted, folk art  sculptures.  We thought the place was wonderful and, in a small way, have created a similiar one of our own.
Blessings,

Shopping

It seems that nearly every Thursday sees us in Huntsville shopping.  Today, we returned the printer, bought a new office chair and a quilt frame plus, of course, fabric.  I always take advantage of the 50% off sales to stock up on the basics as well as whatever is needed for a project.  This time I bought black thread, batting and a few meters of fabric.
Now that we are home, we have assembled the chair and, once the blog is done, I have to wash the fabric.  I am so thankful I have an understanding husband.  He not only had to cart my supplies and assemble the chair but did so without complaint.
Our sun is still shining although the weather is cooler.  It is supposed to get even cooler and rainy but will get warm again next week.  We have already had grass and other fires to the south of us so some rain will be welcome.  I do hope we don't get another rainy summer though.  The past two years have been wet and cool.  I don't mind but it is hard on those who depend on tourists.  Still, we get what we get.
I am really going to have to get myself together and post another free pattern.  Next week?  I will really try.
Blessings.

Howling Dogs

We, like most of Canada, have had an early spring.  Because of that, the bears and other animals have already come out of hibernation.  We have had sow and cub sightings a week ago.  Unfortunately for the animals, their buffets haven't arrived yet.  Grasses, fruit, seeds and saplings won't appear for a bit so human sources of food are more attractive.  I like to refill my bird feeders as the spring flocks arrive but I know they could be a target for a hungry or lazy bear.  We are always careful with our garbage as is anyone who lives in the area but the dump is a big attraction.
When you live in a rural area you have to be aware of the habits of the first inhabitants.  It is rare that anyone is bothered unless they have been doing something they shouldn't.  However, when your dog howls late at night, you know that you might be receiving a noctornal visitor.
Our Heidi tends to be a yappy dog, warning us of falling leaves, passing squirrels or neighbours that are driving past.  She doesn't usually bark at night however,(she gets a stern repremand) but she did yesterday.  Between 10 and midnight, she gave a couple of quick barks but then she started to howl.  It looks cute when she does that, rather like a child dressed up in Mom's clothes, but it is an eerie sound, nontheless.  My husband checked but didn't see anything.  He said the neighbouring dogs were also sounding so something was wandering around.
I will take her into the village for her walk today. 
Blessings

And Down it Fell

My husband takes his forestry duties very seriously.  If there is a dead tree, it comes down.  Some are left for the birds but the rest are dropped to allow for new growth and to supply our firewood.  Roger is very safety concious and doesn't do any chainsaw work unless I am here.
On Saturday afternoon, he was working on a large tree that had been dropping dead branches and possing a safety hazard.  I was in the house trying to get my printer installed  and listening for anything that might indicate a problem.
All of a sudden, I heard a tremendous crash and then silence.  Out I dashed and yelled to see if he was alright.  Yes, he replied but the clothesline wasn't.  The tree was taller than he thought and it took out the lline, the pole supporting it and my stand that was attached to the pole.  Clothespins, of course, were scattered across the yard. 
It was a good thing the tree fell the way it did or it could have hit the house.  The other good thing was that I needed the stand moved anyway as it was in a slightly awkward place.
Just one exciting day after another.
Blessings

Printer Problems

Yesterday, we bought a new Kodak printer and today, I am still trying to get it installed.  I spent two hours last night and 5 today and am no further ahead.  After talking to two techs on line and one via phone, it seems that the installation disc is faulty.  Well, lovely.  So now I wait 'three to five business days' for the new one to get here.  Life can be frustrating at times.  I can still use my old printer but it is almost out of ink and I am not going to buy new.
I also bought a book on marking your quilt top.  I think a problem that most quilter's have is determining the best top quilting design.  this book-Mastering Quilt Marking by Pepper Cory gives a good, easy to understand guide.  Now that I have finished wasting time with the printer, I am going to practice as couple of her designs as I think they will be perfect for a scrap quilt I am doing.
She also recommends that, no matter what the batting product says, the quilt should be stitched no further than 3 inches apart.  She includes information on what a judge would be looking for if a quilt is entered in a show.  The book cost just over $20.00 so it was a good buy.
Our weather is supposed to be cooler next week so I have a good excuse (not that I need one) to stay in my studio and quilt.
By the way, have you been watching the Paralympics.  A number of people have been complaining about the lack of TV coverage.  I agree and am complaining to CBC and CTV.  I would like to encourage you to do the same.  These contestants have many challenges to overcome and deserve our support every bit as much as those who were competing in the Olympics.
Blessings