Old Treasure's

We have had severe rainfall warnings for this area so I expect that, if we get it, my internet service will go down.  We get internet and tv from satallite so the weather sometimes interferes with the signal, especially if it is extreme.
I am working on the layout for my paperpieced bird quilt today.  I am still having trouble deciding on the fabric for the alternate blocks.  I have some that I really like but I think it makes it look 'Christmasy'. Decisions, decisions.  I think that I will get my husband's opinion when he comes in from cutting wood.  He has a nice colour sense.
Later on, my husband and I are going to visit a couple.  She has an old quilt that she wants me to see with the idea of me doing some restoration work on them.
This is something I really enjoy doing although I am not a professional by any means.  I would never tackle a museum quality quilt but I get a lot of joy from making someone's family treasure usuable.  There is just something about an old quilt that I find appealing.  It doesn't really matter about the quality of workmanship or choice of fabrics.  These treasure's are the work of someone's hands, a labour of love for their family members.   I am looking forward to seeing what she has.
Blessings,

Philosophy

Heidi is back to normal.  The pain killers the vet prescribed are allowing her to eat so she is back to her walking stomach, bouncy self. 
This photo was part of an e mail of 12 commandments sent by a friend.  The pictures, as you can see, are rockwellian, and the words are good reminders to be grateful for what we have.
I am sure that people have always dreamt of bigger and better but, I believe, that television and lottery ads have pushed that desire to a new high.
I am going to set myself a goal of starting each day being thankful for at least one thing.
Today, it is Heidi's returned health and, if I am permitted a second, it would be the wonderful autumn colours.
Blessings

In Praise of EQ

Followers of this blog will have heard me refer to EQ a number of times.  There are a number of computer quilt programs on the market and I have a couple of them.  My favourite, by far, is EQ (Electric Quilt).  I use it to design, choose colours and figure out the math involved in creating a quilt.
I have been working on a quilt for my sister -in -law for some time.  She wasn't in any rush so it kept getting pushed back on my to do list.  It has, however, finally made it to the top of my priorities and I am getting it finished.  The feature blocks are paper pieced birds from Jodie Davis' book, Backyard Bird Quilts.  She is a wonderful paper pieced pattern designer and I really like this book.  In fact, I wish she bring out another with even more birds.
I had been having a lot of problem deciding what my alternate blocks would be and finally, yesterday, decided to use Jodie's sample.  From there, I went to EQ to do the layout with my own colour choices and, voila, a quilt.  These blocks will be quick and easy so I should (key word is should) have the quilt done and ready for the top stitching by the end of the month.
I do have a small project to do before the weekend but, other than that, I am free.
Have to take our Heidi to the vet this morning as she still isn't well.  I suspect a bone or something caught in her jaw.
Blessings,

Thunderstorms and Four Legged Children

I never know how to describe a thunderstorm.  All the usual adjectives-good, terrific, terrible-never quite seem accurate.  What I want to say is that there was a lot of thunder and lightening but I only want to use one descriptive word.  Oh, well, it will probably come to me later and then I will forget when we have another storm.
Whatever word used, last nights storm was a doosy.  It woke us all up.
Although, I don't usually like being awake through the night, I was glad of the opportunity to check on our dog.  She went off her feed in the afternoon and wouldn't eat anything not even her bacon treats which usually send her into tremours of excitement.  We were, of course, quite concerned.  Heidi, not eating, is like me not quilting.  She seems to be back to normal today but am keeping her on softer foods for the day.
One of the ladies in our local quilt group also had  scare yesterday.  She has two little pugs-her 'girls', and she got a call saying they had got out.  Like us, she lives in a rural area with the danger of larger animals.  She dashed off leaving us to take care of her stuff.  I was quite concerned as our Heidi had done the same thing once and I spent a frantic half hour or so searching for her.
The girls were found and, I am sure were hugged, scolded and given a nice treat so today our respective worlds are joyful.
Blessings

September BOM

This is an easy Bow Tie pattern.  When you have made the four blocks, experiement with the layout.  If you turn the first and last block, you can make a wreath.

Directions for 12 1/2" Block

  Cut eight  3 1/2" background (mauve) squares
  Cut four 7 x 3 1/2" rectangles from print fabric
  Cut eight 2 1/2" squares.  These are for the  center of the bow tie and can be the same colour as the rectangle or contrasting.

Place a 2 1/2" sq. on a corner of a background square, aligning edges.  Lightly draw a line diagonally across the square and sew on this line.  Repeat for all 8 squares.  Trim fabric 1/4" from the sewn line on the side away from the background square. Open and press.

Cut rectangles in half to make  3 1/2" squares.  Sew each of these squares to the joined blocks. 
Tip: Place pairs of the joined block together so that the tips of each bow tie center are touching. (They will form an hour glass).  Then place one background block above a joined square and one below to make a block.  Sew sections together.
Press.
Repeat for remaining squares.
Sew sections together to make a 12" block.
Blessings,

One More Day

I seem to be having trouble getting back to normal.  I have a pattern for the BOM now but it isn't ready to post.  I promise-I hope-to have it for you tomorrow.
Today we went to Huntsville for shopping and to restock our shelves.  It has been raining all day so I have spent the afternoon in my quilt room tidying up.  I can't decide which top to finish.  Probably will depend on my backing fabric.  My husband is in hunting mode so I will have lots of time to do whatever I decide.  I really should finish my sister-in -law's quilt.

We went for a short walk before supper yesterday and took a few photos of the changing trees.  Every day we can see a difference so the peak should arrive in a week.
This photo was taken on my sister's property and shows how the maple will often start with a portion of their branches taking on their autumn dress and then the rest will follow.
Blessings,

A Chinese Quilt and Grandkids

Just some photos today.  Hope to have the BOM ready for tomorrow.  This quilt was made in China and is reversable.  It isn't a quilt in the proper sense of the word as it hasn't any batting.  I am not quite sure what to do with it yet.  I would like to open it up so it is one layer and then back it.  Otherwise, I don't really know how you hang a reversable.  the other photo is our grandchildren being held by a proud grandpa.

Blessings,