Idle Hands Empty Brain ...

Bridal Shower

2012-02-26T09:15:00.010-06:00

So here's the bride to be - my niece.
First bridal shower I've attended in many many years (decades ?) Glad the mater and I made the effort as my sister (mother of the bride) is in Portugal on holiday so we represented "the family". The ladies on the right are 2 of her 3 bridesmaids. I can safely inform you that showers haven't changed much over the years - still the same food, games and gifts, yeah! And, for those still interested in my wedding quilt saga .... here it is with borders on. Currently it is sandwiched and 1/2 basted. I expect to be hand quilting it tonight as I watch Downton Abbey
TTFN

Angry Quilter!

2012-02-25T08:45:00.007-06:00

Let me begin by setting the scene - Although I work at a University, and am a University graduate, and at one time had a student loan (lonnnnnng ago fully paid back), I am not now a university student, I am not now indebted to the Canadian government for ANYTHING. Also, I have registered, several times, with the National DO NOT CALL LIST, and really really hate all telemarketing calls - who doesn't?
Ok, so for some mysterious reason my peace in February has been shattered by almost daily phone calls. It's a robocall - a machine placing the call for FSCN (? - least that's what I heard) and they claim to be a government agency. They are calling for someone named Andrea Brendan (sp?). Their message is that Andrea must call them back @ 877-221-2285 reference # 11046880.

I AM NOT ANDREA, I DO NOT KNOW ANDREA.

In fact, my investigations online reveal this number is a Canada Student Loans collection agency, possibly identified as NORDON Collection Inc., 325 Milner Ave Suite 1100 Scarborough On. Apparently, like most collection agencies, they are realllly nasty and never give up!At first these "people" called during the day and left messages on my machine. Not a big problem, I come home and erase the useless message. Now they are calling at 6 pm every other night. So, to all my friends and family - don't call me @ 6pm as I am not answering the phone!!

To NORDON Collection Agency Inc. I AM NOT ANDREA! I DO NOT KNOW ANDREA !I HAVE NO CONTACT WITH ANDREA! I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANDREA'S DEBT!

STOP CALLING ME!
I am registering a complaint with
the Ontario Ombudsman.

Re-Usable Grocery bag tut!

2012-02-19T09:20:00.023-06:00

So, here's a pic of this month's fabric postcards. It's the last I have of this cute Valentine fabric, so next year I shall have to get more creative. I must admit to totally enjoying my guild's postcard exchange, it's lots of fun. If your guild doesn't have one you should suggest it!

I've also been busy finishing off the "bags" for my niece's bridal shower. I decided I needed to make a cotton foldup grocery bag and chose to use the garlic and mushroom fabrics. So grab some fabric you think will look cute and let's get started! Measurements don't matter - it's your bag make it whatever size you want. I choose to make the top border about 6" as I wanted to fold it over (see pic on left). I then turned down the top edge and french seamed it so I would not have open seams - this fabric frayed a wee bit! Before doing the french seam make sure you insert a loop of fabric or elastic at the centre point, this will make sense when you go to fold up the bag.
Next I cut a out square of fabric, about 2" square, at the bottom on both sides. Once sewn this allows the bag to have a flat bottom. Personally I like a flat bottom to my bags, even grocery bags - the cans sit in the bag better!. SAVE the small squares you cut out. You'll use them later. Next, with wrong sides facing sew the side seams together with a 1/4" seam, then turn right sides out and sew the sides seams again, this time with a 1/2" seam (in other words enclose or French your side seams).
Now, as shown on the right, sew together the bottom corners using the same technique to enclose your seam. It's a wee bit awkward but worth the effort. Now you're ready to make the straps. Anyway length is fine - again, whatever suits you. I just whacked off 2 strips from my initial piece of garlic fabric about 6" wide each. Fold the strips so that the edges meet in the centre, then fold again onto itself, press and seam along the open side. This makes a fairly sturdy strap.
So, using those wee squares we cut off the bottom, on the right side of the bag you want to fold in each side 1/4", place approximately 3" in from the side and 1" from the top edge, right side down. Then place the bottom of the strap into the square, fold it up encasing the bottom of the strap. I sewed down all four sides of this case then crisscrossed to make sure the strap was securely attached. I don't know the proper name for this technique, but it has a neat look to it. Lastly you want to attach a button to the bag, either above the loop, or below as I did in my example. Here's what mine looked like when finished. Er, actually I should say what my niece's looks like!
And finally, here's "the quilt" all blocks put together and applique and embroidery all done! I've been fighting with it to get the borders completed - they are not cooperating and several blocks have been unsewn then resewn, but I have conquered them. The side borders fit, the top and bottom borders will need some kind of creative solution as they currently are too big. Wish me luck, perhaps next installment will be a pic with the borders on!
Wish me luck!!
TTFN

Memory Lane

2012-02-12T10:45:00.009-06:00

A few years back, as a means to introduce computers and the internet to father dearest, my sister and I gave him a scanner so he could digitize our family slides. I don't know about your family, but I grew up in a typical 1950's/60's family where the father took all the pics. Since my family of origin split up not long after I left home, custody of all those slides remained with the pater. He has been digitizing "collections", learning computers and calling on me when assistance is needed. As it turns out this has been a good bonding opportunity. Father dearest started with our travels overseas (my family lived in West Africa for a few years) and has now moved on to local family lore. So, here are a few pics of me from my halycon days. I particular like this one at the bottom - it's me feeding the pigeons in St. Marco's square, Venice!

The Mill and The Cross (2011) Movie Trailer HD

2012-02-05T10:26:00.000-06:00

Grocery Bags ...

2012-02-05T09:46:00.007-06:00

So my niece is engaged, and the aunt on the groom's side is throwing a bridal shower. Since I've spent a small fortune on the quilt so far, I have decided to not go crazy at the shower(s) - besides, there may be more than just this first one! In case my niece reads my blog , I doubt it, but just in case, I won't reveal the "gift", but will show you the "green" reusable produce bags I've made s0 far. On the left is the fruit/vegetable fabrics, a collection of matching mesh and ties, and on the right are the three I've completed. The idea is they are light weight and can be used at the grocery store in place of the plastic bags they offer. You can also use them to hold your fruit/veggies in the frig! I still have a mushroom and a lettuce bag to make, and IF I have the time before the party I hope to complete a casserole/pie carrier - or maybe I'll hold that back for the next shower. After all, these are probably the one and only's I'll be invited to!What else have I been up to? Well, above is a pic of the last two Chickadees for the wedding quilt. As I told you in my last post I have tried a new method - appliqueing first onto a piece of lightweight interface. So, here they are pre-applique to the quilt, and pre-embroidery of beak and legs. You'll have to wait a week of so for the post quilt applique pics!
Saw a realllly interesting movie last week. The Mill and the Cross. Here's a details/reviews from the IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes.

TTFN

Too Busy

2012-01-29T09:20:00.009-06:00

Phew! I've been busy this past week - too busy really, makes me tired and crabby and I don't like myself when I get that way. I used to be able to keep up the pace, but no longer. I must, really I must start saying NO more often. No matter how legit the request(s) I just can't keep up being the accommodating one. I need to practice, No, No No.
Ah well, soon I'll be retired and desperate for things to do (Yes PH I will retire someday so STOP ASKING ME WHEN I'M GOING TO RETIRE!) No, wait, if Stephen Harper has his way I'll not be retiring as soon as I've been planning! Damm those PCs, - Waaaaaah! I'll have to change my Google count down page - it's at 2407 days until retirement ! Yes, I'm counting the days!! Most of my friends and family are retired, and it's hard being the one still working. Ah well, my turn will come.Ok, enough bitching, here's what I've managed to squeeze in this last couple of weeks. I got all the stems and leaves appliqued, the squirrel is on and one Chickadee is completed. Because the Chickadee has such small pieces I tried a new applique method. I drew the pattern on a piece of light interfacing and basted the applique to the interfacing. Then I cut the interfacing back to the edge of the completed piece and appliqued it to the quilt top. Seemed to work fairly well, so I'll try it again for the next 2 birds. Last night I got that appliqued to the quilt top and some of the embroidery done. Now I'm wondering if I need to embroider veins in all the leaves, or quilt that in. What do you think??

TTFN, a tired

2012!

2012-01-07T09:59:00.007-06:00

Well, I don't usually participate in humblebrags, but I did this year as it taught me how to make a digital picture collage! Woohoo. It also allowed me to meet resolution #7 - to get more techy! Above is my humblebrag, as it is a brag fest but also makes me feel quite humble - is that ALL I did last year??! I thought I was incredibly busy yet my output was, in my eyes, rather minimal. Oh, that's right, I forgot about volunteering for the CQA Quilt Ontario conference which ate up huge amounts of time. That was lots of fun and a great experience, but I'll not volunteer for awhile. This fall/spring will be taken up with the wedding quilt for my niece, and after that I PROMISE myself to do something just for meeeee! Wow, what a thought ;)
TTYL

New Year's Resolutions

2011-12-31T12:20:00.017-06:00

I figure if I blog about them I might - just might keep of few of these .... (one or two of these might be a wee bit reminiscent from last year ...)

I will buy fabric ONLY for specific projects (no more stash enhancement) - yeah right!
I will exercise more - I have signed up for Yoga again
I will try more new recipes, especially homemade soup
I will be more self assured/assertive (not a doormat)
I will be more patient; this is especially important for me @ work; and
I will learn to be a better friend, and I hope my friends will too. This requires me to:
- be real, but honest. It's hard to rely on or trust a person who uses excuses
- be loyal and supportive - in times of crisis I will tell my friend " I am here for you" but it doesn't mean I will listen to years of "I'm going to ... save money, clean my house, lose weight (for me this last one is actually gain weight) " take your pick. Opps - wait I think I already forgot #5
- be respectful not judgmental, more tolerant (but still not a doormat). Good friends respect one other and don't point out perceived faults of the other
See:http://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Good-Friend

Phew! that's a long list, but I'll try - wish me luck!

I've been a real beaver this last 2 weeks sewing, unsewing and resewing on the wedding quilt. The quilt top is still not ready - but I haven't given up! Here's a small project I finally got to over the holidays (Hint - it's a bookmark).
Taking today off from sewing - having the mater over for New Year's dinner and watching the Hell On Wheels marathon, my latest TV obsession. Yup - I still watch TV. Tried to watch some Charles Dickens on DVD last night but my DVD player died .... so watched them on the laptop - woohoo.
Addendum to the above resolutions: #7 get more techy this year, starting with learn how to watch DVDs played on my laptop and displayed on the TV. I think this requires a trip to one of those techy stores!
TTYL

Yummm, baking

2011-12-27T12:47:00.009-06:00

I'm sitting here blogging while taking in the fabulous aroma of lemon squares and brownies with walnuts and ginger bread, and sugar cookies baking (not all at once!) Yummmm. I was tres lazy last week and did not get any baking done, but have been invited out for dinner and offered to bring some "goodies" with me, sooooo. Above are the miniature Christmas stockings I made for the gift cards I gave everyone. I felt guilty for not being very creative with my gifts this year, hence the stockings. I used up scrap Xmas fabrics and some of the Xmas ribbons in my stash. The were fun and quick to make and everyone enjoyed "opening" their stocking.
What else have I been up to, welllll, I finally, yes finally finished recovering the $5 Eastlake chairs. Remember these 1970's harvest gold lovelies?? They were a real bargain except for the upholstery. Never mind, a big sale at the local fabric store meant I got the whole bolt (6+ meters) of the rose coloured fabric for less than $20. A trip to another fabric store got me 5-6 meters of trim, and the loan of a couple of handy dandy tools from the mater and pater and bob's yer uncle. Well, actually it took several months just because of my procrastinating. Never mind, they're all done now except to insert the vintage porcelain casters. WooHoo! Personally I think they're FAB, do you agree?

TTYL and Happy New Year!!

It's Beginning to Feel a lot Like Christmas

2011-12-18T09:35:00.015-06:00

Yes sireee, it's finally feeling like the holidays. My shopping is done, only 2 wrapped so far. I'm officially on 2 weeks vacation (YEAH), my tree is up and decorated, and there is a little covering of that white stuff . We've had unseasonably warm weather lately and some people have dared to talk about a green Christmas. Personally I never lost faith in the weather to always do it's thing ... so now we have white stuff. It can stay for a week or two then go go go! (I'm not a fan of cold or snowy weather).What else have I been up to? Well, as you can see I finally, yes finally got the tea cup pin cushions made. It's not as difficult as it might look, don't we all have dozens of tea cups from our mothers or grandmothers? And, if you look very closely I'm sure you'll see that some of them have a few chips or cracks or tea stains which just will not come out! Right? Come on, you know you've got them somewhere hidden away in the darkest recesses of your china cabinet! Anyway, identify these lovelies, and BTW a wide mouth cup is better as a pin cushion than a narrow cup, and also one with the "decor" on the outside not the inside is best. The next decision is what scrap fabric will work best with your tea cup(s). This of course is a personal choice, and if I may admit, I changed my mind at least a dozen times! Now it's time to get a luncheon plate from the cupboard and trace a circle on the chosen fabric. Using strong thread sew a running stitch around the perimeter and draw up the fabric into a circle. Stuff the circle with fibre fill and sew the opening closed. I filled the cup with a several glass marbles just to give the cup some weight, Actually, I hot glued the marbles into the cup. Next I hot glued inside the cup and stuffed the pouffe into it, and voila` we have a pincushion! Embellish with ribbons and trim and flowers, whatever you have on hand and now you have a lovely door prize or hostess gift . Have fun with this one ladies. As you can see from my clatter of teacups below I have already given two away! I had fun and hope you do too. Now, who can I give the remainders to?

TTFN
Here's the teacup pincushion I chose to keep for myself. I re-found the fabric I had already used to make my thimble holder and decided it matched this particular teacup so well. It may not be the prettiest, but I like it. I kinda like being matchy matchy ;).
Happy holidays everyone!

Progress ...

2011-12-04T09:29:00.008-06:00

Well, I can proudly report that I have successfully pumped gas for the second time and resolved the chirping smoke detector - woohoo, technology won't best me (least not this week;) ) Above are three postcards for the guild exchange using the leftover triangles from many of the blocks I made for THEE quilt. Nice to put them to use and not just toss these wee scraps, and I think they look pretty good even if I say so myself! !
On the left is the remade version of THEE quilt, and on the right is the first version. I felt the colours of the centre block and pinwheels were too insipid so I did some more unsewing and put them back together. Personally I think the second version works better! Now, here's hoping I have enough fabrics left to create the border, which extends the pattern and colour scheme. After the appliques I'm hoping I'll be hand quilting by January!
TTFN

Ta Da!!

2011-11-27T09:18:00.015-06:00

Ta Da! This week has been soooooo successful. To start, I PUMPED GAS! Yup - I said it, I actually got out of my car and pumped my own gas. I wanted $20 and I pumped exactly $20!! Yeah for me (small triumph, but none-the-less a triumph). Second triumph of the week ... (see pic on left) I have finished the outside blocks for "Squirrels Not Allowed". This is actually beginning to look like something - yeah - and I can start to see the pattern evolving. On the right is this week's set of blocks in the making. I can actually say that so far (risk jinxing it here) I have done NO unsewing - so far! Third Ta Da this week are these two Christmas placemats I made. Every year our guild donates homemade placemats to Meals On Wheels I use smoke plastic thread, top and bobbin and used my scallop stitch on the Husky to quickly machine quilt these. The green binding is some broadcloth donated to me many years ago from a non sewer.
The fourth success this week I must share - it was an enjoyable get-together. Our quilt group gathered at CMR's for a very friendly evening. Our hostess was away down East for the summer months and has only been back a month. We were treated to her many accomplishments while she was away, and a house all decorated for the holidays. It was nice to see her, and nice to see the group all getting along so well and overall it was a very enjoyable evening.
And, lastly, TA DA ! I have been notified that my blog post (Sunday Aug 22, 2010 - Busy Busy -Opps!) will be featured on Reduce, Reuse, Upcy cle. Guess it's my 15 minutes ;). Note: this tutorial was NOT my original idea but based on something I was shown at guild by another lady, who in turn learned it in Florida at a craft workshop for seniors. Now, what on earth will I do for an encore??P.S. I finished the last three blocks and the centre. Even though I used my fabric plan (see above) I have to admit I am not happy with my centre block. It's supposed to be a lighter version of the outer blocks, but right now it;s just not making it. So, I'll have to audition some other fabrics, do some unsewing - well, you know the rest. Here's what I have so far ....TTFN

One step forward - Two back!

2011-11-19T09:22:00.006-06:00

Well, another week of sewing. Do you see the mistake? Hint, the one on the left is correct, the one on the right is not. I made one correct, three incorrect blocks. WAHHHHH. So, needless to say the old unsewing instrument came out - again! Below is the layout with the corrected blocks. Now we can start to see the pattern coming thru and I can figure out what block is next!
What else is a step backward you ask? Ok, don't laugh now, my full service gas station on the corner closed. Big deal eh? Well, I DON'T PUMP GAS. Yup - I'm an anachronist ... because I had a full service station, always a cent or two cheaper than the big brand on the next corner ... well, I'm not stupid (really, I'm not!) guess where I always filled up! But now I have to learn how to pump gas. Oh Bother! another big WAHHHHHH.

She Scores!

2011-11-06T19:06:00.013-06:00

I know what you're thinking - what they heck are these? Well ladies, remember those $5 Eastlake parlor chairs? They came sans casters, so, while out and about this weekend antiquing with a friend I scored! 4 porcelain casters, two for each front leg ! Woohoo! It was a fabulous day, lots of sunshine, good company and fun activities. Thanks SVA!
What else have I been up to? well I was down for the count for about two weeks with the plague (aka cold/flu) even though I got my flu shot! Grrr. Here's a pic of my block from two weeks ago.
Even though it was "next" in the instructions it turns out not to be next in the actual quilt. So here on the left is the first and third blocks. This week's is the pinwheel block, and on the right are the 1st, 2nd and third blocks. I starting to place them on my design wall in the order they will go in the quilt. It seems there are several groupings of 4, but within each group they either rotate in a specific way or reverse fabric placement right over left. Because I'm mildly dyslexic this can be very confusing for me. I rely very heavily on the visual, so my design wall is my best friend. Wish me luck -more to come ...... TTFN

Did You See it?

2011-10-30T08:46:00.009-05:00

Did you see it? Look close now - closer .... closer ... I didn't see it - I missed it totally! But that's the advantage of a digital camera and blogging :) Apparently I switched two of the patches in block three, then repeated the mistake in block four. Easy enough to do .... and easy enough not to catch when that's all you have completed. But the mistake would become a whopper in the final quilt! I didn't see the problem until I was proof reading last week's blog entry. I came down with the plague (cold/flu) last week, consequently my only accomplishment for the entire week was to tear apart these two blocks and re-sew them with the correct fabric placement!
Here's the corrected four blocks. Ahhhhh, much better. I know what you're thinking - not much difference. Anyway, now that I'm on the mend, and my blocks are mended I can proceed to the next four blocks. Now if only I can figure out the pressing plan I'll be really happy :)
TTFN

Prideful Beginnings

2011-10-23T11:09:00.014-05:00

Ok, Fall isn't really a beginning, it's more of an ending, but I have to admit I'm in love with my Japanese Maple. The patio has successfully been put to bed for another season :( but my Maple is showing it's colours in full Fall glory. It's another sunny warmish Sunday and I'm loving it?
So you may ask, what is the beginnings?
This - TaDa!!!! I have three blocks done for my niece's wedding quilt. I know - it's hard to tell what the heck this quilt will look like just from three blocks. There are 55 pieces to each block, and 7 different colours. Although I purchased the book so I would have the complete instructions, following instructions has become more and more difficult for my post menopausal brain ! None-the-less I'm proud of getting started - it's my beginning!
I'm proud of myself for once again attempting a new recipe (new to me anyway). My colleagues and I had a 6oth B-day potluck on the weekend, and instead of wimping out and buying something mass produced I made a potato puff casserole. Herb and garlic and yummy :)And lastly, I'm also proud of myself for turning a negative work situation into a positive. For too long silly work stuff dripped over into my real (non-work) life. But lately I have taken a more constructive approach. Unfortunately, while attempting to crow about my change in attitude to a usually supportive friend, the stars misaligned and our conversation got off track ... Ah well, everyone has their own opinion, Some days ya just can't win, but ya can keep on trying ..... and I'll keep on making more blocks!
P.S. Block 4 completed!

Thanksgiving :)

2011-10-10T10:11:00.017-05:00

So, as promised here is a photo of my completed (aka bound) Fall table runner. Took me a week, I had fun and got to practice my machine quilting - always a plus! I took it to my fair soeur's for thanksgiving dinner. Not surprisingly her comment was not "thank you" but "oh". I'll take that as a "Ohhh, how nice", although I strongly suspect it was "Oh, not another one ". Hmmmm,

Remember these from August? My $5 chairs with their ugly 1970's gold flocked fabric?? Well, I finally got around to ripping the old covers off, and discovered these chairs must have been professionally re-covered in that ugly Gold flocked fabric, as they had a gazillion staples and, cotton canvas covers underneath. Good! So, on the left is the before picture, and on the right is the first chair with the ugly fabric removed.

I started with the top front and back. Not toooo too bad, after carefully removing the ugly fabric I used it as a "pattern" to cut the new pieces. Since I bought the whole bolt (Ok, you can stop freaking out now .... there was less than 6 meters and it was on sale @ $3 a meter! ) After getting that "right" I moved on to the seat .... much more complicated as you have to go around the wee arm. This is where the ugly old gold fabric had ripped, so I needed to take care and leave extra, while still making it look neat. What do you think, how'd I do?
Anyway, the gimp trim will have to wait for another day. It's just tooooo nice out not to go for a long walk then finish my book sitting on the patio.
TTFN

Autumn

2011-10-02T09:58:00.014-05:00

Well, I've been busy! Using a tutorial I found on the internet (the Mayfly.com) I created a car organizer for my car back seat. It now holds my book of maps (out dated now that I have GPS), my accordion folding sun shade screen, my soon to be used (waaaah) snow scraper, and finally, my string bags for grocery shopping. I decide not to bore you with the details of how .... suffice it to say I used a stretchy brown/black denim I had in my stash (why I can not fathom) and a nifty black & white geometric cotton print, also from my stash! Of course I couldn't stop with just the organizer and went on to make a garbage bag, and shortly will try my hand at a visor CD holder! Thanks to both ladies for such great and useful tutorials!
So ... what else am I working on you ask? Welllll, browsing through my abundant collection of miscellaneous quilt magazines I came across this wonderful Fons & Porter pattern for a fall table runner. I have been collecting leaf fabrics lately in anticipation of using them in my niece's wedding quilt, and because they are soooo lovely. The combination of this pattern and the fabric just screamed at me. Since I am over to my dear sister's home for Thanksgiving, I decided it might be appropriate to whip this up for her! ...So first you dig out a bunch of neutral beiges, cut them into 3.5" strips, sew the strips together, then cut them apart into 3 patch strips, sew them together again. Didn't even notice that I was toooo matchy matchy. Next time I'll try to mix it up better .... Then you border it with your fantastic fall leaf fabric. Next, cut out some oak/maple leaves in coordinating colours and strategically place them then bond the leaves to the runner. I chose to machine embroider the leave veins. I know what you're thinking - how lazy! Well, Thanksgiving is next weekend and I really want to get this one done. On the right I'm machine quilting with invisible thread. You get a peak at the backing fabric, also a nice fall leaf print. Hopefully next week I'll have it finished and will give you a picture of the completed project. Then back to/finish cutting out my niece's wedding quilt.
TTFN

Fall Purse covers!

2011-09-18T09:37:00.010-05:00

Well, the double eye glass case, for which I did a wee tutorial, didn't work out quite as I wanted as the mater can't open it with her arthritis! So .... made another one this time with a Velcro closure. Now it works, but while giving her the new and improved eye glass case I was asked for a new purse cover, you know, something with red and silver in it, something for winter ....
So, yup I'm a softie ... I made 3 more purse covers (these are becoming addictive!) Two are the same, a nice grey/black/white/red Haida print and a red/with/black circular reversed side. The third one is for me - the same grey/black/white/red Haida print and a black/white/gold reversible side. Woohoo - we are ready for winter!
Now it's time to get cutting - onto a wedding quilt for my niece.
The pile on the left are the "chosen" ones, and the fabric on the bottom is the backing. Each colour is supposed to have a light, medium and dark. The pile on the right are the rejects - not yet put away in other boxes as I might yet change my mind and use them. I have chosen to go "scrappy" in this quilt so I have several dark/medium/light for each colour. In the reject pile you can see the swatch card I used while shopping. I found it sooo much easier to cut a swatch, label it and staple to a card, then underneath the fabric I wrote how much I needed. Maybe too anal for some, but I found this organization quite helpful!
TTFN

Double Eye Glass Case tut!

2011-09-05T09:53:00.032-05:00

So, I was frivolous this week and purchased a cat tree for the furry ones ... Iris has been encouraged (cat nip and a "Cat Ease" spray) to sit and relax in it, but Simone has yet to recognize it's existence. Maybe they'll get the hang of it this winter...? I finally got to this project - the finale from my earlier purse project to make a double eye glass case for the Mater's reading and sun glasses. I purchased purse frames a couple of years ago in the states. I think they are meant for coin purses, but hey what the heck, they work for this project as well! I traced around an existing cloth eye glass case to get the basic pattern - so I have not supplied the actual pattern - just directions. If you don't already have a cloth eye glass case to trace, just take a pair of your reading glasses and trace around them to get a pattern. I'm using brown Haida print for the lining and divider, and white, black and beige geometric linen for the outside of the case. These fabrics match the purse I already made mother this summer. I'm also using Pellon peltex interfacing, the same kind of stuff you use for fabric postcards or purses. First, cut two brown and one peltex for the divider. Since the peltex is thick and quite stiff I recommend cutting it actual size with no seam allowance. With right sides facing (RSF) and the peltex in between sew along three sides, leaving the bottom open. Machine quilt as desired. Insert the divider between the two case linings. Sew around the outside and bottom, leaving the upper open.
Next make the eye glass outer case, with RSF sew around the sides and bottom of the eye glass outer. Turn right side out and iron. Insert the lining wrong sides facing, and a peltex piece on both sides between the lining and the outer case. Next, turn under the liner top and the outer top and iron. I find this step makes it makes it easier to hand sew the opening closed. Hope you can see from the pic, the divider is inside, it should not come too far up past the "hip" of the eye glass case. Did I forget to tell you there is hand sewing involved in this project? Sorry!

Next is more hand sewing. The purse frame has a line of small holes at the bottom to use for attaching the purse. Using heavy duty thread I attach the lining first, then move to the front and sew through the front and through the holes to the lining so all is secure (hopefully)! And, Voila you have a fabric eye glass case - for two pairs of glasses than matches the fabric purse you made this summer. Ohhhhh la la - how matchy matchy!

Busy Busy Busy ...

2011-08-28T09:58:00.008-05:00

Well, I ended my vacation with a shopping trip to Len's Mills I wasn't looking for anything specific - always a bad time to shop in a fabric store! Anyway, I came out with this cute fabric panel. I don't usually indulge (in fact almost never) in cheater panels, but somehow this one took my fancy, so here we are one week later ... um, yes, it's hand quilted. I just needed something to stitch. Ever get that feeling?
So, approx. 3 weeks ago I told you all about my score at the Goodwill - 2 Fabulous Eastlake chairs. Come to think about it, I was looking for upholstery fabric @ Len's, yeah, that's why I went - they had a buy one get the second meter for 1/2 price. Unfortunately they didn't have what I had in mind. Actually all has turned out to be another score - I found the EXACT fabric I had in my mind @ Fabricland, for are you ready ... $3.50 a meter (on sale of course) It's a pinky rose (I LOVE red) in a kind of square weave with a dark brown/green squarish dot. So .... I just had to buy the whole bolt! (actually just a little over 6 meters). This fabric should match with the green Hydrangea and the Beige Hydrangea prints I have in my living room. Now I have another project to finish, hopefully before Sept! I have put off beginning my niece's wedding quilt until then. Wish me luck!
TTFN

Christmas in August!

2011-08-21T09:50:00.008-05:00

So I've had three fat quarters of Christmas fabric - black & Turquoise (kinda an odd combination of colours for Christmas) for over a year now, and last night I finally decided something must be done! As you readers know I've been working on a series of small wall hangings for my mater's apt. front door. She's become hooked on the notoriety this has brought her, and the project has done it's job in providing a topic to discuss on the elevator and a means for her to break the ice socially. For those of you out there with a senior in your life - it's an idea for something you too can do to help them adjust to their downsized life.
Anyway, enough proselytizing, here's my details of this project. I used some black scraps to make the basket front in checkerboard style. A small turquoise print is used for the background, a black & white Christmas fat quarter I "won" at last year's guild Xmas fabric toss, and the final black & turquoise Poinsettia fat quarter in the outer border. I located a good matching turquoise fabric for the backing, and some silver decorations for inside the basket. Now all I have to do is quilt it!
TTFN

End of the Vacation ;(

2011-08-14T09:05:00.011-05:00

So I have ended my vacation with two special purchases, pieces of my "good" china. Now this is fast becoming a collection/obsession rivaling my fabric obsession - but hey, it could be worse, right?
So, while enjoying a lovely day out with two of my quilting friends, thank you ladies, we visited an antique market. Now I know what you're thinking .... why on earth would you be able to make a fabulous china purchase at an antique market? Well, my china pattern, although not out of stock is no longer sold in North America. Since it is/was also sold as giftware I am still able to find pieces out and about in various "markets". So, I picked up another, yes another cake plate. Yes I know, how many cake plates does one need - well, two of course! I also picked up 2 demitasse coffee cups. And then, just yesterday I scored again at the goodwill ..... and picked up this crazy little miniature ewer/pitcher in my china pattern.
So there you go, an end to this year's summer vacation and more to stuff into my flat-to-the-wall!
TTFN

She Scores!!

2011-08-04T21:45:00.007-05:00

So the big news .... (drum roll please!) is my New Car!! After 10 years driving the ugly brown F_ _ _ _ I bit the bullet and got a new chariot! It's a 2011 white Toyota AWD 5 door Matrix, with, ahem, a few bells and whistles! Woohoo!My second score this summer vacation is 2 East Lake chairs in perfect condition - except for their rather fugly upholstery .... Another big WooHoo! These came at the hefty price of $5.00 each! Ok, I know what you're thinking - just how many East Lake chairs does one woman need. So far I have collected 5 of them - they join the list of 8 pressback chairs, 1dainty dining chair, 1 child's pressback rocker, 1 pressback high chair, 2 wood vintage kindergarten chairs and 1 other diminutive child's chair. Ok, how many was that - 14? WOW !

Vacation Blind!

2011-07-31T22:33:00.008-05:00

So I've been promising myself I'd make a Roman blind for my bedroom while I am on vacation. I have my bed up against the window as it's the only location which allowed me to get some decent sleep - Feng Shui don't ya know ... Anyway, I get intense sunlight late in the day in this window and the cotton drapes and cafe curtain were fading fast. I lucked out last year and found some yardage of the exact - yup I said exact fabric I used to upholster my East Lake bedside chair.
So, guess what I spent the last 2-3 days doing ! I even lined the darn thing! I put 1/4" dowels in the "pleat" to help it fold nicely - it's kinda stiff right now because of weight of the 2 fabrics. Here's hoping it lossens up.
I re-hung the long side curtains (red & white pinstripes) and the top panel on two new rods so the "look" is wider than before (sorry no before pic!) Anyway, that's how I've spent some of my first week off work!
TTFN

Fractured Zen

2011-07-17T10:09:00.018-05:00

Before I entertain you with a story about my Fractured Zen, let me show you my beautiful Hydrangea!!! I actually remembered this year to pour on the special fertilizer this particular plant likes in order to get and keep white flowers. In past years this plant has started out white then immediately turned green. So, I'm very happy with this year's crop of WHITE hydrangea flowers! WooHOO!
So, a friend lent me her book, Fabulous Fractures by Elizabeth Esslinger.(Thank you SVA). Mother fell in love with this particular Japanese panel. Since I have been making door hangings for her, and she was whining about needing a new one .... well, you know what happened next. You need a minimum of 2 panels, 4 are better. You take the first panel and cut it vertically into strips every 1 1/4 in. Label each strip A1, A2 etc. Then you take the second panel, cut 1/4 in strip off the left side, DISCARD - do an Eleanor Burns thing - just throw it over yer shoulder and forget about it ;) Next, you cut the B panel into 1 1/4 " strips and label them B1, B2, etc.

Of course now you get to sew them all back together. A1 to B1, B1 to A2, A2 to B2 ... etc. This is the tedious part, however, the effect is rather nice - not sure my pics actually show how the panel becomes fractured (I have a camera, but am still very much just a photo amateur). So, on the right is the "finished" fractured panel and my auditions for binding. Since it was going to hang on Mother's front door it needs to be a smallish size. Trouble was - just about any of those colours would have looked just fine. I ended up, as you can see below with a plain (reads as a solid) mid green fabric, which goes well .
So, summer vacation is just around the corner ( next week! YEAH!!!) and I hope to get started on my No Squirrels Allowed project. This one is for my niece who is getting married next spring. Since I hand quilt and hand applique (I machine piece) it will take me a few months to complete. So, you can expect ongoing updates on this one for awhile!Cheers, and HAPPY SUMMER!

Happy Canada Day - Eh!

2011-07-03T10:42:00.004-05:00

So, wildlife in the city for the long weekend. I've been experiencing lots of wildlife so far this summer (no complaints). First it was a visiting groundhog. Wouldn't have worried me too much except it was in the middle of the day - not a time when they usually travel about - and s/he came too close for comfort - right up on my patio. I shooed the kitties indoors and gently used the hose on the poor beastie, which, since it was a blistering hot/humid day may have been a kindness. Anyway s/he eventually took off to investigate other backyards. Fine by me.... Next it was a poor dead frog/toad. Found it one morning laying belly up on the patio, feet removed and gutted. OK, my kitties are indoors all night and I KNOW the poor amphibian was not there the night before. So who was responsible???? The weekend started with 2 baby rabbits on the front lawn and ended so far with 2 BIG horses walking past my patio on the public walkway. I was just finishing up Not Wanted on The Voyage and just knew that clop clop clop sound was unusual .... and then there they were! WooHoo! Haven't seen horsies in quite a while!
Above is the LAST purse I'm making for quiet a while - this one for my new friend B. Now on to more artistic/creative pursuits.
Happy Canada Day/July 4th everyone!

Purses!

2011-06-19T10:24:00.011-05:00

So, now that I'm healthy again I turned my hand to sewing up Mother's birthday presents. It's a Simplicity purse pattern where you make the basic bag then a cover for it. In my case I chose to make reversible covers. The cover on the left is a lovely abstract linen - my local fabric store was having a buy 1 get 3 meters free sale ..... The reverse of that bag cover is a cotton duck beige stripe. Fairly plain but definitely functional for summer.

The next cover is one of my favourite summer fabrics with Turquoise and oral sun bursts. Then to top it all off I made the Haida print cover. So, one purse, two covers - both reversible gives mother lots of choices. I plan to make a dark charcoal inner bag for her soon so she can use the covers with that one later into the Fall/winter.
And, just to finish things off, here's a pic of the LOC I was involved with this past year 1/2 organising Quilt Ontario 2011. Great crew, lots of fun and lots of work!

TTFN

Cable Guy!

2011-06-12T16:08:00.006-05:00

So, Tuesday last week started off with this guy - really... Not! But someone just like him, perhaps even a bit bigger came to my home and laid a nice white wire from the cable box to my house , and now TA DA ! I have full internet - EVERY TIME!!! I told them something was wrong ! He was very competent and very polite and very efficient, even though it was a really hot day. I set out a couple of bottles of cold water for him as there was a humidex alert! So now I have to wait 2-3 weeks for someone to come and bury the wire.... It's such a long process, but none-the-less I'm happier :)
By Wednesday I was feeling kinda punk. By the time I got home and trucked out - yes I mean trucked out (I used my new flatbed trolley - a good buy!!!)3 bags of garden debris and 1 recycle box I was exhausted and in extremis asthma wise. Thursday & Friday I was totally down for the count. Spent the weekend on the couch as I have no energy (makes sense, can't breathe =no energy) popping Ibuprofen for the head ache and puffers every 4 hours trying to get this under control. Unfortunately, I missed my deadline for mother's birthday (shhh, I sewing her some purses) and missed my only niece's engagement dinner party. Bummer!
I see the Doc on Monday, here's hoping she has some better drugs for me, and some good advice. So ladies, sorry, no quilty sewing news this week. I'll post pics of the purses next week with any luck!

Mice!!!

2011-06-05T11:11:00.008-05:00

Ok, so just to add to the misery of the unjust parking ticket (are they ever fair?) this week I found two dead mice in my basement! YIKES!!! Yuck!!!! OMG! Guess that's what Simone is doing down there in the basement - chasing/killing mice! You'd think with two cats in the house the silly mice would know they have to stay AWAY!
Still having intermittent internet service (GRRR), I'm now up to three technical visits - the next one will be Tuesday for which I just spent 2 hours scalping the Yew bush in the corner of my back garden. The big dude needed me to "remove the plant" so he could get in the corner to give me a new line from the outside "box"to the house. Um, no, not removing 8 year old established bushes, am willing to trim the heck out of it, but not remove it. So, since I had dad's electric hedge trimmer (thanks dad) I did the Forsythia bushes and all 3 Wiegelas at the front. Phew!
Did a road trip to Stratford yesterday to see the musical Camelot! Fabulous - only issue was my friend walked me allover Stratford - Boy, am I out of shape ..... Uh Oh ....
TTFN

Parking Ticket!!!

2011-05-31T18:06:00.004-05:00

Way to go UWO ! What an end to the conference .... We had just finished taking down the quilt display at the library and the other two ladies left. While I was in the library returning their parking pass the B from parking services gives me a $35 ticket! I AM SO PO'd!!!!!!!

Quilt Ontario 2011 is Over ;(

2011-05-29T17:47:00.012-05:00

Well, after a year and 1/2 of planning and meeting after meeting ... the conference is over! I can't believe it, what a blurr!!! I have never before been involved in planning a national conference or responsible for a portion of a national quilt show. This was a new experience for me, and I enjoyed every minute (almost!) Above is the beginning of our hanging the show, and below is me (centre) and my wonderful crew! THANK YOU ladies and gent. If it weren't for all of you the Quilt Ontario 2011 Invitational show would not have happened!
Every year CQA/ACC has a national show. On even years it's a BIG show, and on odd years it's a small show - so ours was a "smaller" show. Well, all I can say is Thank Goodness it wasn't a big Show!
This red and white quilt was made by a member of our LOC (Local Organizing Committee). She's an award winning machine quilter and wanted both sides to be seen, so we hung her quilt without the drape! (pardon the fuzzy pics - I dropped my camera! Grrrr). I learned a great deal about organizing, planning a layout and hanging a quilt show. Two of the entries were smaller framed pics so I purchased a trifold screen and hung them from there. This worked nicely as it was more proportional for these pieces and gave the viewers' eyes a rest from all the black drape!
One of the biggest lessons I learned is that no matter how much you plan/organize there will always be something unforseen, a last minute entry, or a change of plans.
So, I guess the biggest lesson I learned was to be flexible and not sweat the small stuff (hey - where have I heard that one before?)

CQA/ACC Quilt Ontario!

2011-05-23T17:57:00.007-05:00

So, last weekend three of us hung 8 local CQA Rosette winning quilts in the library where I work. Our Quilt Ontario conference originally was going to be in the building next door but got moved as that renovation is going on and on and on and on .... you get the picture.
We hung the quilts over the half wall on the mezzanine floor. They are safe from the public's curious fingers and fully viewable from the main service floor below! I thought it was a good idea at the time .... and the reaction from staff and the public has been tremendous!
I think we all forget just how beautiful quilts, especially Rosette winning quilts can be. We see them every month at guild Show-n-Tells, but most members of the public don't quilts all that often! So ladies, take a HUGE BOW and congratulate yourselves! Especially the ladies from our four local guilds who made these lovely quilts! we are thrilled andproud to display them.
Now, if I can just get the quilt show hung tomorrow that I'm responsible for I'll be happy and can relax. The pipe and drape guy didn't bring any S hooks from which to hang the quilts! I was told "Don't worry "He'll have everything you need" but no S hooks! Duh!!! Wish me luck!!
TTFN
P.S. I'm having internet issues with useless cable company .... so patience please if I don't post for a while.

Did you?

2011-05-08T07:38:00.005-05:00

Did You? Well did you? Come on - fess up. Did you get up in the wee hours and watch the royal wedding? I had absolutely no intention of doing so, but my aging bladder woke me so what the heck, I was up anyway .... What does this have to do with Piecework? Well, interestingly enough - this month's focus is Lace, and there is a lovely article about Carrickmacross Lace. I believe Kate's wedding gown had some handmade Carrickmacross lace. Nice coincidence. This is my first year subscribing to Piecework.
I heistated with this subscription, they had a real problems getting my address correct, and that was even before I received the first issue! None-the-less, I have enjoyed the issues since that start-up problem, which I blame on an incompetent employee. The editors, on the other hand, obviously know what they're doing! The first issue had an article about Russian Lace Shawls and the history of Silk, the second discussed natural dyes for Reds, Purples ad Blues. The third issue talks about historical knitting and now an issue on lace. Combines two great interests of mine... history and handwork, what can be better!

And not to make this an Interweave free advertisement, but here's my other subscription's recent issue ... another great magazine. Although, I must admit I spend more time examining the pics than reading the articles! Too busy with CQA/ACC Quilt Ontario 2011 planning/organizing ... It's coming soon!!!!
TTFN

Happy Easter

2011-04-25T08:20:00.009-05:00

Happy Easter everyone. Well, I survived another "holiday" weekend. Pretty lucky really as I managed three dinners - I made Turkey for myself, mother and a couple of friends, was invited out to a yummy Ham dinner at a friend's and leftover Turkey tonight - woohoo! Can't complain about that! My Daffodils and my Fosythia all decided to blossom this weekend - so I'm having a yellow weekend. Mother nature decided to cooperate and we've actually had some decent spring weather. Now , if only I could convince the bossy librarian at work that we are not her personal slaves just 'cause we work there (some people never get it - duh) - and just once get a supportive comment from the step monster (don't hold yer breath!)- I'd have a real good month! The pics this post are my new patio planter. I once told my friend how I hate birthdays as my birthday was always an occasion for family fights. Consequently she surprises me with unbirthday gifts! Looking forward to sitting on the patio with plants in this one ! THANKS!

TTFN

April Showers

2011-04-10T13:35:00.011-05:00

Well, the sun has finally graced us today. When I finally get this post complete (Rogers so-called Wireless is once again being a royal PAIN) I will go for a wee walk. Above is this month's fabric postcard, and I'm proud to say looks not half bad considering it all came from my scrap basket! What else have I been up to ?? Below is a wee purse/pouch thingee I made for our upcoming conference (we, the LOC are all making one). The mesh pocket will hold a conference name tag, and the colours are meant to match our conference, Quilt Ontario, logo colours. I chose to do some beading in the shape of leaves, as our "theme" is tree related, and we're doing leaf baskets for the door/table prizes.
Other than that I am trying to relax, stay sane and not beat myself up for another episode of retail therapy. I know I know - it's my $$ so I can do what I want, but I had promised myself the last time to never, never do it again. HA! Ah well, that's what income tax rebates are for - right?
TTFN

Lions and Lambs & Quilt Shows

2011-03-27T09:54:00.004-05:00

So, last post I extolled the glories of Spring - and jinked us all! I guess March came in as a Lamb and is going out as a Lion! This past week has been grey and snowy and cccccold and yucky! So, blame it on me, it's all my fault! Sorry;(
On the other hand, the season for quilt shows has begun and a couple of friends and I traveled to the Exeter Heritage Quilt exhibit. Excellent. (pic above not from the show as I forgot my camera!) What I liked the most about the show was the wee drive, the day was lovely and sunny, and seeing the heritage quilts. Helped put my collection of vintage/antique quilts into perspective.
The sun is out today, so I hope to go for a wee walk and enjoy the bright cold weather. Have a great week everyone!

TGSHS

2011-03-20T09:31:00.002-05:00

Thank G Spring Has Sprung! For the cats and I it was a too long winter! Ok, I know what you're thinking .... I just jinxed it and now it will snow again (shhhhh!) All I can say is my Daffodils have sprouted in the back garden, and Simone is out wandering in the sun and trying to chase Robins :)
I must be getting old or something, but this year I found it really difficult to acclimatize to DST. I am either sleeping when I should be quilting or wide awake when I should be sleeping! Oh No! Consequently I have nothing to show-n-tell/report to you about my stitching. But hold on, it will come back. Happy spring everybody!

Lessons Learned/Re-Learned

2011-03-12T09:54:00.012-06:00

Well, last week I chatted about reading instructions, and the lesson I re-learned was that no matter how many times I read the instructions, my AAD (age attention deficit) will kick in and I will impulsively jump in where no woman dares to go ... and end up unsewing at least once!

This week I'm chatting about other life lessons I have re-learned! This past week was Septimana Horribilis for me (Horrible Week - for those who's Latin is a bit shy). It started off with a simple, private e-question that lead to a public "surprise" answer. OK, I have my big girl pants on, but didn't need to start the week swallowing that one. At work the next day I was again "surprised" at a committee meeting which led to added workload and another committee involvement (like I don't have enough?!) Wednesday was spent eating crow and making amends for the Monday surprise. Thursday was guild meeting where I distributed an updated Stitch-n-Bitch address/schedule. One of the participants bemoaned the list as it didn't quite suit her ....! Lesson re-learned = NEVER volunteer to be the organizer 'cause ya can't make everyone happy (sometimes nobody)!
Also on Thursday I sent off a quick blurb about copyright and quilting (I had been asked about it the month before), only to have my submission queried. I'm pretty sure what I sent was an OK article, so the question stung a wee bit. Lessons re-learned, proof read twice (at least) before hitting send, and never never write another article for the newsletter!
Just to top the week off - this is what we woke up to on Friday ... Lesson re-learned = Spring never comes fast enough!!
P.S.: I've heard a few people agree with me about volunteering.... The best carrot for getting volunteers and keeping them is to treat them with respect and appreciation!

Luck of the Irish to you ..

2011-03-06T07:49:00.005-06:00

Happy St. Patty's day everyone! Just in case you thought I had abandoned this project - au contraire .. but since I hand quilt, including hand stippling, this one took awhile. None-the-less its done. Woohoo! If I were to make it again, and I very much doubt that, I would use darker green squares in the outer corners, and a higher contrast neutral between the inner background and the outer background (yes, they are different fabrics)
So, what else is on the agenda? Well, still grappling with what to make for the upcoming Quilt Ontario Invitational show ... hmmmmm. Have lots of ideas - that's not the problem, indecision is the main problem! It will be smallish, whatever it turns out to be. Wish me luck!
Below are this month's fabric postcards .... more Irish, yes, that's right - I'm GREEN all the way!
TTFN

Purse lessons!

2011-02-27T09:19:00.012-06:00

So - guess what I spent my weekend doing :) ? Learning/re-learning life lessons and making purses ... I learned that some people think it appropriate to foist their food choices on others (yuck). I learned that my family issues aren't unique, communication aka respect, or lack thereof, are ubiquitous. And I learned that I definitely CAN'T READ INSTRUCTIONS!
I think my grade 1 teacher correctly identified this life issue of mine and she was correct!Knowing my predisposition to jump right in ... I spent two separate evenings reading the instructions for the Simplicity pattern above. Amazingly enough - that didn't help! I still managed to make three important mistakes - and consequently did three sessions of unsewing.
I also left two important items out, a key ring and the bag bottom, and forgot the "hint" I was given before I started = DO NOT USE
elastics, as instructed. Never mind, I learned, and I did get the project completed and am reasonably happy with the results. Above is the inside black bag over which you can attach either the brown Haida print, or the funky pink & turquoise outer bag. All in all I am happy enough with the results to offer a bag to mother and to plan another bag - or two - for myself! Woohoo!

Have a great week everyone!
TTFN

Plumbing

2011-02-13T08:22:00.005-06:00

Well, I finally had to bite the bullet and call in a plumber.... the hot water tap in my upstairs bath changed from a drip to a full stream! Oh No! So, after a week of running up and down 2 flights of stairs to turn the water on/off, and, after 3 1/2 hours with a very chatty plumber I have a new tap (woohoo!) no drip, cut off values upstairs, and the taps in the rest of the house have all been repaired. This should keep us going for a while. I chose a "high" faucet so Iris (the cat) can sit in the sink and drink to her hearts content without having to be a contortionist.
So, what's new in the quilting side of my life? Well, I'm currently working on a three leaf clover door hanging for St. Patrick's day. It starts with 3 basic 9 patches, and I am proud to say all came from my stash! When it came to the backing I have to admit I was at a loss, so made a quick trip to the local fabric store where they had a lovely clover patterned fabric - ta da!!
Hoping to have this one done for early March - wish me luck!

Tea Anyone?

2011-01-30T09:36:00.006-06:00

Whilst moving the jam cupboard into the dining area last week I rediscovered a number of tea cups. Lovely as they are .... when will I ever use them? Some have wee cracks and some are just showing their age - who isn't? - and stained - again, who isn't? So, I have pulled them from the cupboard and moved them up to the sewing room. Why you ask? My plan is to make more teacup pin cushions ..... maybe to sell at the "Toonie Table" at our next guild show. Hmmm, that gives me a year and a half, I think I can make that deadline!

What else has been happening? Well, I did manage to make the lining for my new dining room drapes, and I was good to myself and denied two requests on my time - sorry ladies.
TTFN,

Upset and Discord ...

2011-01-23T08:24:00.009-06:00

I moved some furniture on the weekend. Nothing much, just one jam cupboard, but that involved moving the litter box - now in the basement!. The furry ones have let me know their disapproval. Simone has been whinny ever since, and Iris decided to hide! Here she is in the wicker basket which sits under my sewing table and is supposed to hold fabric, but right now holds the dear one. Cute ain't she? I was sewing on the final border before the binding on my BOM at the time of this sighting!
What else am I working on???
Well, I have resurrected a whole cloth wall hanging that I started oh
about a year - maybe two years ago! I got the "kit" many years ago at the other guild's yearly auction. I thought it would be fun to make just one in my lifetime. It is pre-stamped and the markings are supposed to wash out when I've completed the stitching. Unfortunately the cotton used is extra fine and stitching it is real hard going (probably why I stopped working on it before). None-the-less I am tenacious and will finish it - eventually!
Wish me luck!

I've been Tagged!

2011-01-20T18:41:00.003-06:00

I've been tagged !!! Oh no - what the heck does that mean .... what on earth do I have to do ? Ok, deep breath, relax, calm down, I can manage this one ... What is it all about? Well, to copy my tagger "its purpose is to spread the word about smaller blogs", so, here's the rules:

1) Tell your readers who tagged you ...Regan
2) Add a link to their blog ... from Floating on a Quilted Cloud
3) Award 3-5 bloggers who you think deserve this award.
Barbara Cheesman @ Embroidery Overlaps because of her wonderful free form embroidery
Joanna from Things Handmade because I LOVE anything with lettering and love how she recycles things and incorporates them into her embroidery
Cynthia @ Kyrotime because she's a guild mate and her blog is real new! :)
Inform them and post directions to your blogspot. Please don't tag people who already have 300 followers. The goal of this award is to get more publicity to blogs that are good, but not so well known.

What else have I been up to? Well, I've been making black velvet book worms (filled with rice) for the library!
That's all for now ....

Snowy Sunday

2011-01-16T10:30:00.010-06:00

So if you're wondering what I'm up to .... I'm hand quilting a Baptist Fan pattern on the outer borders of my Tisket-Tasket BOM. I've always wanted to quilt the Baptist Fan pattern and now I am! Only problem is it looks so good it's making my outline quilting of the blocks look pretty puny. Oh No! I may have to do some hand stippling - or maybe try my hand (pardon the pun) at McTavishing! I just borrowed a book on that from the guild library!
It's cold outside and the snow is blowing a wee bit so I have decided to spend another Sunday in the kitchen. Not a bad idea and quite productive!I started the morning by getting a beef stew together in the crockpot ... so that should make a good dinner. Next I made a batch of banana walnut muffins for next week's coffee breaks. Now, what to make for lunches next week? Hmmmmmm.

On Dec. 23rd my favourite aunt had a surprise 80th birthday party . The mater and I decided we would attend, so bundled up and drove
the scary 402 (it was closed for three days the week before due to snow...) The day turned out lovely, nice to see lots of the family for a HAPPY celebration. Unfortunately the first week of the new year was another trip back, this time for an aunt's funeral. It was expected but still sad. Here's hoping family "stuff" is all over and I can get on with creating.
I'm still indecisive as to what to produce for the Quilt Canada Invitational show. I must admit I'm rather intimidated, but as the show coordinator feel somewhat obligated to submit something! Have lots of ideas, that's not the problem ... decision and execution is the issue. Wish me luck!
TTFN,

Happy New Quilting Year!

2011-01-02T08:59:00.010-06:00

I don't know about you but I'm always invigorated at the start of a new year or a new project. A couple of years ago I discovered the sweetest book ever - with a beautiful white Persian cat. Well of course it took my fancy and I had to have it. I now use it to hold my list of UFOs, WIPs, and Wanttabes as well as clippings of fabulous quilts other have done which I find inspiring. So, now that it's the new year I really must sit down, look through my binder and determine this year's projects! I see I did manage to complete one wannabe items from last year - TaDa!!!! I actually finished the sewing room cross stitch! I think someone gave me this as a giftee (can't quite remember), none-the-less it cried out to me. I started it early last January and finished it before the new year this year! Woohoo! Now I really need to decide if I will frame it or not, and if I do where on earth will I hang it?
What else did I do on my two (2) weeks vacation? I finally, yes finally made myself a rotary cutter carrying case! I used up scrap strips from the last baby quilt, - Robyn Pandolph's Canadian Cottage fabrics. I even managed to insert a magnetic closure! Well, I still had some leftovers ... so waste not want not ... I made a matching thimble holder and a needle case. Take note - the wee scissors have a scissor charm and the thimble holder has a thimble charm - how clever of me - don't ya think?
So how about this new year? Well, once again I promise myself to NOT BUY FABRIC (insert uproarious laughter here) - except that gift certificate I got for Christmas ....
If I enter the guild president's challenge this year I promise myself to NOT COME IN THIRD (to the person out there who doesn't "get it" that's called having a competitive spirit and wanting to better yourself - not complaining! - You know who you are...)
Anyhoooo that's all for me so far this new year! My Tisket-a-Tasket is on the frame, so you'll be seeing it soon. My other resolutions this year is to NOT take any commissions, to have fun at the CQA Quilt Ontario 2011 conference and to NOT STRESS OUT!
TTFN

I survived Christmas!

2010-12-26T09:30:00.006-06:00

Yes folks - it's true .... I have survived another holiday season - how about you ? The first week has been a blur, with finishing up all my "projects", gift shopping, house cleaning and other chores the time has flown by! Here's hoping next week is more relaxed as I need some down time!!! Above is the final Tiskit a Tasket BOM. Yup ! I finished it in one year! I MET THE CHALLENGE - WooHoo! I don't think the other two ladies in my challenge group accomplished it, as a matter of fact I think they quietly dropped out of the challenge - party poopers!
I am so proud of myself, even with totally inadequate
finishing instructions I managed THE FIRST TIME
to get all the blocks together in the correct order and with the seams going in the correct direction! A first for me!!! I originally chose a blue with red somethings as the cornerstone blocks. They looked good together on my cutting board, but after I got them all together and on the design wall the blue was too strong. So, a quick trip to the local fabric store and I was able to find a suitable replacement which I think works better. And, since it was on sale for $3 a meter (yahoo!) I purchased enough for it to be the backing!
Who knows, you may just see this one done real soon! As always I have made the requisite resolution to NOT BUY ANY MORE FABRIC (insert uproarious laughter here). Ok, I do have that gift certificate from the sister to one of our local quilt fabric stores .... but after that !
Anyway, I think I have enough on my plate for the new year. I have an oriental panel to quilt for the mater, something I should make for Quilt Ontario 2011's invitational show (as yet undecided, but I have a few ideas), a quilt display at the library to arrange, and the invitational show to manage! By the end of May I will be ready for a grand vacation!

Happy New Year Everyone
and happy quilting!

A Window with a View ...

2010-12-12T15:56:00.009-06:00

This is currently the view from my sewing room window. That's snow hanging over the eaves! Makes ya feel in the mood for the holidays - so, having found an old cross stitch I'd forgotten about I decided to make a wee door hanging for the mater's apt. door. I cropped it down a wee bit with the pinking shears, found some red Christmasy fabric for the borders and used some leftover blue binding I had made about 10 years ago. (I'm glad now that I kept that binding all these years). Overall I'm rather pleased with the results ... Just the right size, feels wintery and snowy and Christmasy to me - what do you think? TTFN

Snow, Snow and more snow!

2010-12-08T09:18:00.007-06:00

So we are now into our third snow day .... and I have to admit. besides the D$#^@ shoveling I'm not actually hating it - feels almost like an early holiday ;) I have managed to take care of lots of wee niggling chores which I had fallen behind on, and this is good since it's the busy season. Have missed a lunch, two dinners and our Christmas theatre outing ... but most have just been postponed, so nothing tragic yet. Spent another 2 hours digging the car out - again! The snow drifts were up to the door handles! Yikes!
Then again, I can honestly say I haven't missed the library ... just last week there were two dramatic news stories involving libraries. The first was about two students at Queens University who fell through a skylight. One was killed and the other injured seriously. That happened at my library a few years back but the young person did not die - I believe he was injured for life though! The other news story was of a man who was killed by a crossbow - yes a crossbow - while sitting reading in the main branch of the public library in TO. Yes, I said a crossbow! Who said working in a library was a safe job!!!
TTFN

T'is the Season

2010-12-05T20:30:00.010-06:00

T'is the season - the pater dropped by with my yearly Poinsettia. This year I inserted it into my glass globe which I've been keeping on my table. Last year I filled the globe with large pine cones and a read and gold ribbon. I like this year's version. Thank's Dad!
Finished off the Holsteins so got busy and made up
two place mats. The mater purchased machine lace panels with a variety of holiday themes. When she downsized her home I "inherited" the panels. Last year I made the mater a door hanging. I used plain red behind the panels and scrap Christmas fabric on either side. I used another Christmas scrap for the backing and more for the bindings. My quilt guild donates these place mats to Meals on Wheels to add to the Christmas dinners! I have two panels left, wonder what else I can do with them - any ideas or suggestions?
Even my indoor plants think it's the season ... my "Christmas" Cactus has decided to blossom. No ... I can't take any of the credit, actually, neglect seems to be what this plant likes - and I think it worked again this year!
Well, it may be the season but I have to admit I HATE the SNOW! It has snowed here for hours, and I've shovelled twice already! Phew! Supposed to snow again tomorrow - all day. Oh NO! Wish me luck!
TTFN

Work Free Day - Woohoo!

2010-11-29T08:38:00.009-06:00

So today is a work free day - woohoo - and I deserve it!!! Since I took the process pledge I need to show the process and not just the finished project!
Here's the Holsteins Ahead project on the ironing board. Once all the pieces are applied it was off to the sewing machine where I used invisible thread to quilt/tack down all the appliques. Seems I have developed the knack for that. But then I decided to do some thread painting in the grassy knoll (pardon the silly reference). Although I practiced practiced and practiced I was not at all satisfied with my tension with this machine work - but what can you do? Well, I did pick some/a lot out and redid it using a coloured thread in the bobbin as well as the variegated thread on top. It was a little better, but still not the best. Guess I need more practice practice practice!
What else have I been working on? Well .... while digging through my basket of holiday fabrics I ran across a 1/2 made table runner. All I needed to do was quilt it! So, since I already had the machine threaded up with invisible thread ..... This time the tension problem seems to have corrected itself - go figure - and I'm very satisfied with the end results. I even had enough "left-over" bindings in green and red to get this puppy finished off! Not sure who will be the lucky recipient - any takers?
TTFN

The Last Knit

2010-11-19T10:20:00.001-06:00

I think you'll really enjoy this video!

I'm sick!

2010-11-19T08:50:00.009-06:00

I'm sick - I'm truly truly sick! I mean completely addicted. What wrong's with me? I'm suddenly, totally, completely addicted to Ted Danson. Yup - that's right, Ted Danson!
How the heck did this happen? Why me? Am I nuts??? Suddenly I find my day starting off at 7 am with reruns of Cheers. A full hour while I'm running around the house madly trying to feed the kitties, drink some tea, put on my face and head out for the day. And now I'm ending my day with a half hour of Becker. Ok, at first I didn't even realize the connection, and then it seemed relatively harmless, but now I'm convinced I'm hooked, addicted, obsessed even!

HELP !

On another note, I'm off work today (yeah for individual vacation days!) and sitting idly at the kitchen table listening to CBC radio 1. They just finished an interesting discussion regarding children, privacy and the recent, somewhat dubious predilection for posting videos on YouTube of their children having meltdowns. Albeit some may seem tres funny, the premise of the discussion was that many of these videos are/will be just plain embarrassing to the child at some future point in their life. These videos are a violation of the child's privacy, and as such are simply disrespectful. Having been the butt of many an unkind childhood pic myself I still cringe when these pics surface (don't worry nothing abusive or sexual, just plain embarrassing). Seems only yesterday I had a similar discussion on this blog about parents and the revealing stories they tell about their adult children. So .... parents out there ..... take care - take one moment and think about your child's privacy and personal dignity. They may be wee but they too have rights!

OK, enough preaching ... now for something quilty - here's what I've been up to .... and what I'm spending this weekend machine quilting. I intend on using invisible thread to quilt down all the appliques, and hope to do some thread painting in the grass area. Wish me luck!
TTFN

Achoo!

2010-11-14T19:03:00.004-06:00

Well, the "Canadian Cottage" baby quilt is done, but the maker is now a sickee - Achoo! Got the sinus cold/flu bug that is going around - just in time for one of my busiest weeks, of course!!! I've started the Holsteins Ahead and will be posting pics of that soon - that is if I can get off my sick bed. I pushed it today and went into the library to take some pics... shouldn't have done that, now I'm feeling miserable and they won't believe I was OK Sunday but sick on Monday. What can ya do!?
TTFN

On the Frame ...

2010-11-01T09:17:00.005-05:00

My cup runneth over. I must confess that I am happiest when I have something on the frame. I LOVE hand quilting. Next to that I love hand stitching, usually cross stitch, but any - yes ANY hand stitching. I find it totally relaxing and a great stress reliever. The workshop baby quilt is on the frame and half done. In case the pic looks a bit odd may I explain, I baste on "extender" cloths (an old sheet ripped up) to all the edges so I can quilt right to the edge. I'm doing my favourite pattern - stitch in the ditch ;) and expect to finish this week, binding excepted. After that all I have planned is the McKenna Ryan Holsteins Ahead and this gift is done! Woohoo!
Whilst blog surfing last week I noticed several other ladies commenting on the experience of people taking their FREE tutes and selling the products on Etsy. Again, all I can say is Tut Tut Tut, there is always some selfish one out there who can't play fair. At least I'm not the only one!
TTFN

It's a Beautiful day in the Neighbourhood

2010-10-24T11:03:00.010-05:00

Yesterday was dull and gray I spent the day sewing the blocks together with sashing. Still using the Robyn Pandolph Canadian Cottage fabrics. I did make a trip outside to take two boxes of "stuff" to the goodwill - finally. Now I'm trying to decide which fabric will be the backing and which will be the binding. What do you think? I'm leaning towards the turquoise for the binding. The backing will have to be pieced, as I'm only working with 1/2 meter lengths.
A few weeks ago I posted a tutorial on making what I call thimble holders. It's a FREE pattern, no copyright, but the intention of posting online was to SHARE with other sewers. Of course there's always someone out there that thinks this is now her license to make a bunch and sell them on Etsy. Tut Tut Tut, not playing fair! But what can I do? There's always someone!
TTFN

Quilt shows and Workshops!

2010-10-17T10:32:00.003-05:00

The last of the Fall quilt shows was this weekend in Nairn. A friend and I were able to see the show after work on Friday and enjoyed it immensely! Well done ladies, and thanks to my retired friend who was gracious enough to accommodate to my work schedule!!! Also this weekend was my first workshop for the season. Karen Llewellyn Parsons, from England, taught us "30's Spin" ... which is a double pinwheel. Hers was done in 30's reproduction prints and was lovely - but, following my stated goal of using up my stash - I chose several of Robyn Pandolph's "Canadian Cottage" fabrics to use in mine. I was able to complete 12 blocks, so I'm well on my well towards the goal of a baby quilt! Woohoo!!!

Thankful Thanksgiving

2010-10-12T17:21:00.003-05:00

It's been a glorious weekend so far .... I've sat outside each day and the cats are revelling in the sunshine. For this I am thankful. I took an extra vacation day and made it a four day weekend, for this I am thankful. Thought I had a set up an outing for an out-of-town quilt show with a "friend" but she was a no-show so, spent my time productively and got the house cleaned and my remaining outside prep for winter work done. For this I am thankful. No wait - didn't finish my outside work as the screw that holds the umbrella has finally seized firmly in place and no amount of WD40 is going to budge it ... needed an extra pair of hands (being single does have some disadvantages). Guess I'll just pull a Scarlett O'Hara and "think about that tomorrow" ... the umbrella can stay outside until next Spring! The rest of the outside chores are done, including finally got my STAR firmly attached to the outside wall instead of hanging off the mailbox! For this I am thankful. Had homemade pumpkin muffins for breakfast this morning, for this I am thankful yummmm!
Got time in the sewing room once all the chores were done, for this I am thankful. Did some finish up work on my Halloween Witch and got my tree wall hanging completed - more machine quilting, this time with variegated thread. Found some Fall buttons, Maple and Oak leaves in just the right variety of colours! For this I am thankful. Now I need to get a postcard made for next week's guild meeting! Purchased McKenna Ryan's Holsteins Ahead pattern. The step mother asked me to make a baby quilt for her expectant grand daughter ... who is a bovine veterinarian. Thought I would surprise them with this added bonus! Should be fun! Hoping to use blocks from next week's guild workshop for the baby quilt. Off to the pater's today to once again show him some computer tricks. Tomorrow the mater comes for dinner (turkey breast not the whole bird). Lucky to have both parents still alive and kicking, for this I am thankful.

All in all not a bad long weekend. How was yours?

P.S. thankful I spent time house cleaning as the mater brought an unexpected guest for dinner! Also, the copious amount of WD40 I used last weekend did it's job and the patio umbrella is now safely stowed away for the winter!!!

Quilt Shows!

2010-10-03T09:15:00.005-05:00

Tis the season for QUILT SHOWS! Yahoo! This past weekend was the show for my guild Harvest of Quilts and also the Ingersoll Pieces of Magic. Next weekend is a show in Paris, and the week after is a show in Nairn. Managed both shows this weekend, don't know about the next two weekends! Also have a workshop coming up and I work a weekend sometime in October! Phew!
I'm on track and have my October Tisket/Tasket basket done .... saw this BOM finished at one of the shows - beautiful job. Inspiration for me to keep goin and getter done! The quilt shows themselves should be inspiration enough - we certainly do have many many talented women!
TTFN

Lil' Witch and Pumpkins

2010-09-25T18:08:00.016-05:00

Yahoo ! I finally have a Halloween door hanging. Not that I get a lot of kiddies at the door, but I'm just a big kid myself and want to get into the spirit of the season.... So anyway, I found this pattern - free - on the internet (from Angie's Bits & Pieces) ... thank you ,thank you, thank you! Of course the 50% off at my local fabric store (see last post) helps a lot, and voila!I have a Lil' Witch hanging for my front door.
Since I took the process pledge I guess I'm bound to show you all the process details. I had the black and white check fabric some of the oranges and the brushed cotton turquoise I used for the backing - all in my stash. I pieced together about 5 different pieces of batting, using my zig zag stitch. For quilting I used invisible thread and managed to go through 3 quilting needles before I finally got the tension just right! Since I used the heat n bond applique method I outline stitch each applique piece, then machine quilted Boos in the purple borders, using tracing paper to help me with the lettering. A little echo quilting around the witch, some star buttons from my stash and she's done! I'm pleased - what do you think of her?
Since I was on a roll of getting some seasonal pieces completed I dug out a block from my Piecemaker Times and Seasons 2004 calendar pattern. This one involved using snippets. New to the technique I was not very comfy with the results, but liked the inside border fabric so much (none left - boo hoo) I always hesitated tossing it out. Well, I decided it would make a nice door hanging - since it has wee pumpkins in the corner - so what the heck. The original block was meant to be on point and completed with crazy patchwork and lots of embroidery. I think my version will work just as well for a seasonal door hanging. Next weekend is my guild's biennial quilt show. They were a wee bit short on full sized items so I borrowed back one to put in the show. I promise to take pics and post them next week.
TTFN

Fabric Sale!

2010-09-12T09:18:00.002-05:00

Fabric Sale! One of our local quilt fabric stores (Cotton by Post) is having a 50% off sale .... Well, although I've promised myself for the last several years not to buy more fabric ;) (yeah right) I none-the-less succumbed to temptation. Above is my first batch in prep for a wedding quilt? My niece is hinting - no announcement yet, but the hints are definite. We all know how long a full quilt takes, so time to get started!
Here's last weekend's sewing project - free pattern from All People Quilt. If I were to make this one again, and I might, I would not use fusible fleece in the lining as well as the bag = too thick/heavy. The fabrics for this one came straight from my stash, so I can feel somewhat righteous. Some lucky person in the family will probably receive this one for the holidays.

Well, it's September and our guild meetings have started up again. It was a very enjoyable meeting, the speaker was hilarious! I brought along a new person. It's kinda fun to share her excitement over each new technique, block and colour combinations.
Somehow or other I've developed a reputation as being "the driver", now don't get me wrong, the occasional request for a ride it quiet acceptable but when it becomes a habit or an expected thing - well .... especially when I have to drive across the city to pick the person up! Enough said, I just have to learn to say NO.

TTFN

Something for me ... Something for them!

2010-09-04T09:06:00.009-05:00

I love McKenna Rya n I've purchased and made many of her art quilts for some time now. Wish I was that artistic! I mean that's what interested me in quilting in the first place, but sady I can't draw a straight line :(. Anyway, I"ve had her Morning News series for about three years now, and finally, yes finally got one done! Yeah me! It's not that they take all that long .... although they are a lot of prep work. It's that darn other To DO list - you know, the one that includes requests from everyone else, it always gets in my way! OK, enough excuses, it's really the machine quilting which puts me off. However this time I have one machine quilting course under my belt, and a plexiglass extender table (helps a lot) and a wee bit more confidence.
I used invisible thread in both top and bottom and outlined all, yes all appliques then got fancy doing some veining in the leaves. One down, two more to go!

Yes, I was "shopping" during my vacation and picked up these fat quarters - I love fat quarters as they build your stash so quickly and provide the variety I like and need for my applique. I hang a clear plastic bag over the door in my sewing room and stash (pardon the pun) all my fat 1/4s there until I have enough to wash. Then of course there is the dreaded ironing, sorting and stashing away. Ain't life a B? I finished up the thimble holders for my quilt guild's "toonie" table - tutorial available on previous post. Here's a pic. I'm using a photo holder stand to display them. Here's hoping the quilt show visitors will love them as much as I do and buy them all up! Now maybe, just maybe I can get my fabric postcard and the other two McKenna's done in time for show. Wish me luck!

Busy Busy - Opps! ... and a Thimble Holder Tute!

2010-08-22T20:18:00.053-05:00

So, it has not been a good week ... china wise :( Sometime ago I gently smacked the sugar bowl to my good china. I didn't even notice it at first - then a small crack appeared. The crack has been growing ever since, and last week it exploded!!! WHAAAAA! Then, just to end my week, a tea plate to my every day china snapped - I mean just snapped in half as I was taking it out of the dishwasher. Geeeesss!

Ok, to make up for all that bad luck the mater, after cleaning dresser drawers (aka downsizing) donated a box (eat yer heart out girls) of hankies! Yup dainty hankies. Not sure what I'll be doing with them ... but at some point something creative will cross my mind. Speaking of creative .... here's block nine of my Tisket-Tasket block challenge. I enjoyed doing this one, I think the Scottie dog is kinda cute!

I've been doing a fair bit of blog surfing lately and have truly enjoyed several great tutorials out there. I have decided that it's time to take a stab at my own, so - for all you out there who like handmade, enjoy being GREEN, and appreciate tutorials .... here's my first! Just about all of us purchase either margarine or yogurt which leave us with loads of plastic containers and lids. Save the lids!
Make yourself a paper elongated egg shaped pattern about 3" to 3.5" long. With a marker trace the outline of this pattern onto recycled plastic lids. Cut out three with "utility" scissors. Next, trace your pattern onto your fabric, six times!

Cut out your fabric, leaving a scant 1/4" seam allowance. Take two fabric pieces and pin match the points, right sides together. Starting about 1/4 " from the bottom right hand corner hand sew up to the corner, around the far side and around the top to the left corner then about 1/4 " along the bottom left, following the marked lines. I use a back stitch as you want this seam to really hold.

Now, turn your piece inside out making sure you have nice neat corners. Insert one of your plastic pieces ... trim to fit if necessary, accuracy is not necessary and is the beauty of this little project! I use a ladder stitch at this point to close the fabric around the plastic. the smaller the stitch the better.

You should now have a fabric covered plastic pattern piece. Make two more exactly the same. Hold two of your pieces together and whip stitch them together. Once this is done grab the third piece and whipstitch it to one side of the pair - doesn't matter which side. Now it's time to decide if you want to add some beads, ribbon or some kind of tag/handle.
Here's where you get to be creative and come up with something unique! I've used ribbon and beads.
To complete your thimble holder sew closed about 1/4" at both ends. you will find the "thimble" holder closes and stays closed better if you do not skip this last step! I'm putting "thimble" in quotes - just because I use it to hold my thimbles doesn't mean everyone has to use it the same way. Mon mater uses her's to keep her rings in when she's away from home and takes them off . A friend uses her's to keep her pills in ... lots of ways these little containers can be used! I made up half a dozen or so for my guild for their quilt show. We have a "toonie" table - wee gift items which visitors can purchase, and the proceeds go to the guild and help finance our charity work during the year. Here are my completed thimble holders!

TTFN

End of Vacation - Waaaaah!

2010-08-15T09:31:00.016-05:00

Well, it's the end of this year's summer vacation. I managed to get several items off my TO DO list, including getting rid of the ancient grapevine wreath and replacing it with a STAR Woohoo! I would have rather had something larger - but hey, this works!
I also managed to get lots of sewing done ... even did my version of the CQA leaf bowl . Silly me strictly followed the instructions, for example I used Heat n Bond as the adhesive, next time I'll use basting spray as it is much kinder to your machine and easier to complete the finishing stitching. None-the-less, since I am stubborn and like to complete what I start .... TaDa!! Here's my finished leaf bowl! Credits and Kudos to J Buckley from our guild who designed this project and shared it with us!

What else have I been up to? Well, I also finally got to that sewing machine cloth .... you know, the quilt that sits under your machine and holds all your tools - here's the tutorial from Get Your Craft On. As you can see I'm still on my use your up your stash kick ... and used some lovely yardage I got from a former guild's fabric auction. I decided to get bright for the binding and am very happy with the end effect. Now I can finally get rid of that carpet scrap I've been using under the machine....
That's all for now ... the rest of today will be spent getting ready for the next work week. BooHoo! To all those still asking me "When are you going to retire?" It's too soon to discuss but close enough to start planning! So, stop asking!

TTFN

Ah Peaches ...

2010-08-07T09:16:00.010-05:00

I love Peaches - they're my favourite fruit. No - wait a minute Strawberries are my favourite - no wait a minute Melon .... oh what the heck. It's summer and fresh LOCAL fruit are in season. What can be better? Mmmmmm fruit and cheerios and sitting in the sun on the patio mmmmm.
Yes folks I'm on vacation and loving it. As per usual my TO DO list was/is huge, but I'm well on my way to completion.Week one was taking care of car and personal business. Week two has included some visiting and lots of sewing. Here's Iris on the ironing board with the "old" cover. It was in bad bad shape and needed recovering badly. TaDa! used up some pretty fabric which was kicking around and voila! Next was the Roman blind for my kitchen window. I get direct sun in the kitchen/dining area until 2 pm every day. This is great in the winter but not so good in the summer. Trouble was figuring out how to and still keep the antique stained glass hanging in the window. Pleased with my results but of course this meant I then needed to make a matching tea cozy, toaster cover and table runner! Just as I was finishing the runner my work horse Kenmore decided to go kaput! OH NO! So quick trip to Coolens and it's fixed - another YEAH! While that was in the shop I did some cleaning/re-arranging ... well, actually I wanted to plug in an old clock radio in my sewing room and, believe it or not, this entailed a major re-organization! I was not especially happy with all the work but am happy with the results. Here's a pic of that little corner!And finally - thanks to the gracious efforts of a quilty friend I now have a cordless Ott lamp. She dared me to make a bag for it (I have a bag for my corded Ott lamp), so ..... here's a pic of my efforts. I have been cleaning in my basement and linen closet and decided to reuse some of my vintage linens ... this bag was made from a previously loved dresser scarf. I think it's kinda cute. What do you think?

Anyway, that's all for now. One more week of vacation, then back to the daily grind. BooHoo.
TTFN

A time of My Own ! Woohoo!

2010-07-25T17:26:00.005-05:00

Well, it's FINALLY summer vacation time - phew. There were times when I really didn't think I would make it. But now its here and I'm thrilled to finally have some time to myself. Above is the completed remake of the "baby" quilt. Three weeks of intense work, some guesses and several unique work arounds .... but it's done.
My garden is once again in bloom - this time it's the Rose of Sharon. I now understand what everyone has been talking about all these years. It's such a thrill to see something you've planted thrive and blossom. I"m really getting a kick out of it. The ones in the far back are purple, and the bush tucked under the Maple are all white with dark red centres. I shall enjoy them for as long as they last!
As you can imagine my To Do list for my summer vacation is HUGE and likely way too ambitious. None-the-less I well on my way through at least the housekeeping items ... Might as well get them done while I have energy and will power. Luckily it has cooled down today and I can open the windows and doors for some fresh air. AC is great when you need it ....

TTFN Hope your summer holidays are going great!

Ahhhhh Simone

2010-07-11T12:36:00.012-05:00

Well, Simone and I have been having a time! Two weeks ago the weather was still tolerable and we (Iris, Simone and I) were enjoying the patio. Now I allow the kitties to wander a wee bit - as long as I can still see them. Iris likes to munch on the tender new grass , I think it helps her digestion and all her probable hairballs. Simone, youngster that she is, likes to explore and chase anything that moves.Well, didn't Simone discover that wee hole in the chain link fence and escape to the other side! OH NO! Mommy realized the problem quickly and was making a total fool of herself laying on the ground with her arm extended under the fence through the hole trying valiantly to coax the silly untouchable back to home territory. But no .... a dog walker happens by and scares Simone who then escapes up the walkway, across the drive and into the next complex. Well, long story into short .... mommy spends 30 minutes sitting on the dirty hard ground in the intense humidity talk to poor Simone who is hiding under a Cedar and panting her pretty little head off! Mommy finally get up the courage, grabs Simone the Untouchable by the scruff neck and carries her home. Phew!!! Simone submitted to Mommy and did not fight back.
Well, the next week or so was tres humid (you know how SW Ontario can be in the summer- yuck!) so I had the AC blasting and the windows and curtains closed. Simone took to the basement laundry room hiding in an old wicker laundry basket and wouldn't come upstairs or socialize. After several days of this behaviour I got concerned confiding to a friend at our bi-weekly quilt get together. Don't ya just know that she would make a liar outta me and that night when I got home she was upstairs on the table in the window waiting to welcome me home! Don't ya just love them?
On the quilting side I've been plugging away at the "baby" quilt repair. Things are going pretty good, all the re-appliques are done as are the re-embroideries. I've started re-quilting and surprisingly enough it actually looks real good. Pics coming soon as I truly hope to have this completed before my summer holidays. Looking forward to them- wahoo!
TTYL

Canada eh?

2010-07-04T11:24:00.010-05:00

Happy Canada Day! I always swore I would not be an American and become a rabid patriot .... but I must admit it is kinda nice to celebrate once a year! And, it is lovely to have a four day weekend! Had a patio picnic with family and friends and thoroughly enjoyed the company and evening, thanks ladies!
Not much else on the home front, still working on the repair of the "baby quilt" which turned out to be at least a twin if not a double bed size and a fair amount of work. But then again I am a bit of a perfectionist.
It's getting hot, humid and smoggy outside, so the kitties and I are stuck inside for the duration. TG for AC! My IP company is about to get the boot .... I've had to reset my moden 10 times (no exaggeration) just to read one email and complete this blog entry! ARGGGGG. They are about to lose my business!

TTFN

Fix it part Deux!

2010-06-20T10:44:00.004-05:00

I really should know by now ... as soon as I start a Fix it Please project more come out of the woodwork! I was just about to start on the baby quilt fix-it job (see last post) when Father Dearest dropped by with a royal blue bridge tablecloth seven inches too big ---- fix it please. Well, with Father's Day coming how could I refuse? Having never worked with plasticized fabric I approached the job with some trepidation .... but once I got started it seemed to work out OK. - Phew!
Onwards to the Fix It Please baby quilt job. So, since my local fabric store was having a 50% off sale, yes, you read correctly, 50% off, I made the necessary trip to acquire some plain cotton (broadcloth) and other sympathetic fabrics with which to repair the 1) area with zero batting and backing, 2) threadbare appliques and 3) binding. The loving mother was perhaps a seamstress, but definitely not a quilter as most appliques were applied with an unusual zigzag stitch. Coming from the late 1960's-early 70's this baby quilt also contains non-cotton fabrics, aka polyesters and other "fab" fabrics. So, this is one of the biggest challenges in repairing vintage quilts. Wish me luck!
TTYL

Fix it Please .....

2010-06-13T09:38:00.005-05:00

Sometimes it's just not worth it! But for those who don't know quilts/quilting the sentimental attachment is too great to hear that the quilt isn't worth the time, effort or expense. They also think you can repair it in a weekend! HA!
Above is child's quilt made by a loving mother sometime in the late 60's early 70's. Now that daughter has her own child she wants it rejuvenated so her little boy can use it. From the pic you might be excused if you think - oh well, there's not much work to be done ... think again. Not only has the binding completely disintegrated, but the top has also lost batting and backing. Many of the appliques are threadbare and need replacing, and much of the quilting is gone. This is going to be a big job. Normally it would have been an automatic NO, but I like this woman (she's a work colleague) and I know how hard it is to find someone who will repair old quilts. What a suck I am.... This will take at least a month of my time, sure she'll pay me (don't expect to get rich this way) but it will also put me another month behind in my own quilting plans. So much for having something ready for my guild's show in October, or for the CQA show next May! Ah well, what can you do .... In the end I'll be glad for doing it. Quilting is not a hobby for those in a hurry!
TTFN

Peonies and Applique ...

2010-06-06T11:04:00.012-05:00

Well, it's the start of June and my Peonies are in bloom - yeah - but that also means rain! It seems every year just as these lovelies blossom we have thunderstorms which beat down the poor Peonies which are top heavy to begin with. BooHoo .... I don't have too many flowers in my garden as it is so I always love to see these blossoms :)
Last week I did manage to finally make myself an applique roll. I've had the pattern for years and years ... not difficult, just need the time to finally get to it! I reused one of the pvc pipes which came with a small hand held quilt block frame. I never used it and never will so why not recycle! Also, I have a second pipe available - hmmm - present time for someone? As you can see by the pics I used fabric from my stash. The left shows the roll open with this month's Tisket a Tasket block. The right shows the roll closed! Neat and tidy as I like things. Should come in handy as I LOVE to APPLIQUE!
Here's June's block - I still have a wee bit of embroidery to complete for the birdie.
In the news this week is Canada's new copyright law. Most people don't take copyright any too seriously, but we need to, whether it's a logo, a piece of art or a performance. Give credit where credit is due.

Vacation Over Boo Hoo!

2010-05-30T21:16:00.007-05:00

Geez - you wait all winter to have a few measly days off ..... The first day of my vacation it rained .... boohoo! That's ok though 'cause I promised myself to finish off my spring cleaning. HA HA HA! Well, several days later I did manage to get 2 floors of the condo cleaned and got the basement vacuumed. I did wash floors and managed to do some outside work.

I did not "clean" the laundry room - aka - get rid of much collected detrius . I did not make the summer purse I've been wanting for some time. I did not get the fabric label printed - or even get the ink in the printer yet . I did not get through 1/2 of my overly ambitious list!

I did go out for lunch, get my hair cut, make an applique roll and read 3 books. I did get to St. Jacob's with a friend for some fabulous day of quilt shows. Another day we went to Shedden for another fabulous quilt show and I learned about Geocaching, spent a fabulous afternoon at the Port. I even had me a whopping big ice cream cone! Yeah!

So, all in all it wasn't too bad of a week off ...... except I have now to go back to work. Ugh!

Vacation!!

2010-05-23T09:22:00.009-05:00

So, it's my spring vacation and my Lilacs are in full bloom! I usually take a week this time of year as my patience with patrons and colleagues runs thin and needs a wee rejuvenation. Next year I'll be in the thick of hanging the Invitational show for CQA's Quilt Ontario 2011, so I had better enjoy this year's vacation as next year won't be any kind of rest!
The Lilacs are gorgeous this year. I come home at night and let the girls out, Simone and Iris just can't wait to roll around on the patio. Simone is new to the patio this year and wants to wander .... so mommy sits out with them as "guard". This year I've taken to sitting on the other side of the patio, next to the Lilacs - WOW! They are planted just below my kitchen window, so when it's open that end of the house has such a lovely fragrance!
Taking a wee rest from stitching, but have started on block 6 of Tisket a Tasket. Hope to make myself an applique roll while off work - that is if I get finished with my long list of housekeeping chores. Ah well, it's got to be done!

TTFN
p.s. reading my blog may keep you informed on my life but doesn't keep "us" in touch. Coments are welcome ;) And to the person(s) who keep sending comments in Japanese/Chinese .... you can STOP NOW !

Birdie Birdie who's got the Birdie

2010-05-16T18:41:00.009-05:00

Well, it would seem I do! I was really beginning to wonder why Simone was in love with my Caragana ... and just a wee bit worried, since it's still in flower and several large Bumblebees are buzzing around. She has discovered a Robin's nest neatly hidden in the crotch of it's newest branch. So that explains the cat's fascination, and the winged flight which freaked me the other day as I passed the tree. So, although I enjoyed a good 2-3 hours on the patio this afternoon whilst reading a fab book and sniffing the opening Lilac blossoms, I need to tread carefully around my small tree for a few weeks as Mother Robin roosts.

Spent a good part of Saturday and some of Sunday completing the binding and applying a hanging sleeve. Overall I'm very please with my results and hope mother will appreciate and even hang this one! Since I have about 2-3 weeks before this gift is due I think I will attempt to make a computer generated label - woohoo - a skills upgrade!

Today was a busy day, Sunday's usually are. Breakfast on the patio (yeah) several chapter so a good book while sunning my very white shins and forearms, a nice long walk in the neighbourhood, one dozen Banana chocolate chip walnut muffins, a pasta salad for next week's lunches, dinner and now blogging! Phew! TG next week is my last and I have one precious week of vacation coming...
TTFN

Ah! Spring Mornings

2010-05-02T08:23:00.005-05:00

Is there anything better! It's so lovely to awaken to the sound of the birds chirping their hello to the day. One of the things I loved best about this home is the amount of birds. I have the usual Gracklings and Sparrows and Mourning Doves and Chickadees. I also have a plethora of Finches, red ones, grey ones, brown ones, gold ones and even, I think, one or two Zebra finches. Then there's the Cardinals and the Robins, the Red Winged Blackbirds and even a few Blue Jays. Some people hate, I mean hate being woken up by the birds. For myself I love it - I don't waken easily, but love Love LOVE waking to an avian tuneup!

No stitching to show-n-tell as this last week was devoted to tax time. Must do it three times before I catch all my errors. It's my mathematical challenge every year. I've only been wrong once in over 20 years! Not bad for a math phobic.
TTYL

Progress!

2010-04-25T10:09:00.006-05:00

Woohoo! I am making progress! I had some technical set backs, starting with the lettering. The pattern told me to hand or machine embroider the letters. Well I did the first two letters and positively hated it. So, ripped them out then heat-n-bonded the letters onto each block. Well, I don't know about you ladies, but no matter what I do nothing I bond ever- Ever -EVER totally sticks! So, I was unhappy with that. Finally I caved in and raced off to the local sewing shop, bought matching thread and zigzagged the letters in place. Much happier! Got the three borders on last night ... now it's sandwich time and the big decision .... to machine or hand quilt?
But first I must take a sidetrack and do my taxes - my math challenge for the year - YUCK. None-the-less the returned $ will be welcome.The quilt show season has begun. Thank you ladies it was a fun day - early, but fun! And thanks for the additional side trips, and for doing all the driving - it's such a treat to be a passenger! I admit to being only semi good at the show ... I purchased a fat quarter of a liberty print as a gift for a friend, and indulged in only one book! Pretty good for me ;) Although there was nothing really exciting at the show - no showstoppers as it were, I still find going to quilt shows to be inspiring and interesting and always look forward to the quilt show season.
TTYL

Snow! What's with That?

2010-04-18T09:37:00.015-05:00

So what's with this weather anyway? I know it April, so I expect some showers, but snow!? Give me a break! I'm finally feeling better - human - and the sunshine disappears - ee gads! Even the garden is confused ... the Peonies are up about a foot, my Caragana tree is in full bud about to leaf. Now I'm watching my Japanese Maple as one of it's major branches is nude - no buds - oh no!!! Here's hoping it's just slower than the rest of the tree. I think I have to give up on the Lavendar and go hunting for more (to be planted in another location - hmmmm - where?)
I was too sick to attend our last guild meeting (boo for seasonal allergies) but just in case my challenge ladies, the Three C's, thought I had fallen behind - au contraire, block five is completed as you can see from the pic! This one was easy and completed in two days! I'm looking forward to completing this BOM!!!
Now that I'm feeling better (aren't OTC anti-histamines and decongestants fab!) I've returned to the vegetables wall hanging. I started embroidering the words, as per the instructions. Got two letters done and decided this was a) going to take forever, and b) didn't look like I wanted. So ripped out what was done and went for heat-n-bond letters. Much much happier. Below are the two with completed embroidery and lettering. Only four more to go.
I made a quick trip yesterday to the LM store and lucked out BIG TIME. They had enough of the mottled light blue background for backing and I got some really decent dark blue for borders and binding. Woohoo! Score!
TTYL

Daffodils and Sunshine - Oh My!

2010-04-11T09:46:00.005-05:00

Well, I'm slowly coming out from under this cold/chest infection/seasonal allergies combination attack. The Daffodils in my garden have bloomed (yeah), my trees are budding and all my shrubbery are almost in leaf. So the garden is slowly coming back to life also, though I am concerned about my replacement lavender. The one in the back flowered very well for three years then died completely. I replaced it but planted the replacement in the front garden. I managed to replant it this spring (did not get it deep enough last fall when I first got it) so will give it another week or so and hope it comes back to life. I hope so as I Love LOVE LOVE Lavender.Not much new on the sewing front as I just haven't felt well enough to stitch - that says a lot!
I did manage to start satin stitching the letters for mother's vegetable wall hanging, but am not convinced I like the look. One and a half letters into it and I think I'm going to rip it out and try machine applique. This should be interesting.
TTYL

Sick - AGAIN!

2010-04-04T09:34:00.008-05:00

So, here I am sick - AGAIN! Knew my chest was tight and my breathing was bad but put it down to seasonal allergies. Wrong, instead I have contracted another of my infamous chest infections/colds from HHHH. Argh! So I've been out flat on the couch for four days ... and the weather is phenomenally wonderful - just my luck! Tuesday the Forsythia didn't even have a bud on them, so during one of those rare half hours when I wasn't coughing my brains out I went out and trimmed them. By Saturday morning they were in full bloom. Woohoo! My Daffodils are up but not yet flowered and I can see the Peonies just breaking through the ground. My Weigela bushes at the front are budding and I have seen Robins and Red Wing Black Birds and even a pair of Gold Finches - so spring has definitely sprung!!

Above is mother's Easter wall hanging, now proudly displaying on her front door. I had planned/arranged to cook a turkey dinner for Easter (Saturday) for myself, mother and her friend and the two nephews. We held dinner at mother's 'cause her apt is better suited to dinner "parties" than my condo! As is her way mother whined for a good two hours because I/we didn't invite my niece and her partner. Being sick anyway I am glad I didn't as I barely got through the setting the table, cooking the meal, doing all the serving and cleanup, then driving everyone home! By the time I got home I was totally totally exhausted and collapsed. Why did I bother ? GOOD QUESTION!

Went to dinner and a movie - White Ribbon - with two friends on Monday night (before getting sick). Would have been a good experience overall if it hadn't been for the old COOT in front of us. The movie had NO sound track, was in B&W and had subtitles. The movie had just started and we were discreetly whispering to each other once or twice as we attempted to figure out who was who and what was what. The old COOT in front was truly obnoxious demanding that we "Be quiet ....We weren't at home in our living room" and that there was "nothing to laugh at" (my friend had giggled quietly when he said the "not in your home living room" bit). OK - one can and should expect a level of quiet at the cinema, I give him that, but there is also a polite way to ASK - and he was NOT polite! I do not feel at all guilty that his movie experience was interrupted. Tolerance of others while in public is not just a nicety it is a necessity! Ask nicely next time ....

Well, not much else on the home front. Not much of a productive week. Here's hoping for continued great weather and better health ...
TTYL

Hippity Hop

2010-03-28T10:22:00.008-05:00

Easter is fast approaching. For some crazy reason I took Thursday off instead of Monday to make a four day weekend, why I don't remember. Ah well, I get four days off either way, woohoo! Above is my April Tisket/Tasket block, so I am definitely keeping up with the challenge ... another woohoo!
Not much on the home front this week. The week started out by seeing Shutter Island on Sunday, with a friend and Leonardo Di Capro (not hard on the eyes even as he matures). Good thriller and not any real gore so you don't have to keep averting your eyes. Then Tuesday was the theatre and a very good production of Pride and Prejudice. Thursday was the stitching group and we had a lovely time!

The rest of this week has been spent diligently working at mother's Easter door hanging. I've made the pattern
before but using different colours. I must admit I really like this version and am kinda jealous that she's getting it! Did a wee bit of machine quilting to outline the shapes, then hand stippled the inside and am now hand quilting around random "leaves" in the border. Hope to have it completed by Easter for her - which will be at her apt. I'm doing all the work and supplying most of the food, so although a long weekend it will be exhausting! Of course I'll have to borrow it back for Show-n-share at guild the next week!
TTYL

You Can't Go Home Again

2010-03-20T10:01:00.015-05:00

Sorry for missing a week or two, I was busy with a visit from a childhood friend! I spent two weeks cleaning my brains out trying to get rid of winter's accumulated detritus and cat hair ... I got rid of two bags of older clothes and one of kitchen stuff. I can officially say I have almost completed my spring cleaning. Only two more rooms and the basement and windows, and it isn't even Easter yet. WooHoo! Of course my friend wore black corduroy and black velour so all the cat hair remaining in the house was instantly drawn to her as if I had never cleaned!!! ARG!

I think it was Thomas Wolfe who said "You can't go Home again" .... Although I loved having her (I don't get too many visitors) and it was great catching up in person (not via email, facebook or blogging) it seems our lives have diverged. Afterall she's a SAHM and housewife while I'm a SWL (single working lass). I continue to find it interesting that although I understand her lifestyle, most SAHM continue to think my life should be exactly like Sarah Jessica Parker's in Sex in the City . NOT!!! So, after answering way too many questions about my love life and my financial choices (I choose to pay off my mortgage ASAP and prepare for my upcoming retirement, and NOT live on credit, which means I will not be travelling soon), I can honestly say I was glad to get back to work where nobody bothers to ask anything ;) None-the-less I was totally THRILLED to have her here, it was tres fun walking down memory lane and can't wait for another visit..
What else have I been busy with you ask? Well, there are now three of us in the Tisket Tasket challenge. I'm calling us the 3Cs, for obvious reasons. Block two and three on either side and block four is well on its way - YEAH! Of course the challenge is to have four blocks completed by the April guild meeting. I'm sure I'll make it! But then again mother has asked twice now for a spring hanging for her front door. Uhoh, I'd better get busy! Here's row one for my challenge group ... eat yer hearts out heeheehee.
TTFN

P.S. After several stimulating e-conversations I have come to understand that not everyone rejoices in the term SAHM (all the blogs I read glory in it, so you'll have to forgive my skewed POV). In future we shall use the term CFOW when referencing CB. Slowly, yes slowly I creep towards an understanding of life, mine, theirs and others.

Socks!

2010-03-07T09:20:00.010-06:00

Socks! I finally have a pair of hand knitted socks! Woohoo! A few years back I organized a stitch-n-bitch group (although we don't call ourselves that!) and we meet once a month during the quilting year and twice per month in the summers. Mainly it's quilters ... we all bring handwork and many ladies knit or embroider. As most of you know knitting is very popular right now (been there, done that) and one of the ladies in our group is into knitting socks. Anyway, as more and more ladies showed up to meetings with a pair of these lovely socks I've been teasing her for a while now about "where's my socks?". Well, now I have them and they are LOVELY! Thank you thank you thank you Ann! I'll have to tease you about something else now, hmmmmm.

The sun is shining and it's a wonderful weekend. While chatting on the on the phone to a friend I watched 2 Cardinals competing for the tree out front of the house. Soon it will be Robins, oh yah - spring is almost here!

Progress on the home front - to the right are the country vegetable blocks. The applique is all done now all I need to do is get the embroidery completed. But I've been delayed while working on the applique challenge block(s). Block one is on the left - not bad! Block two is started, may have it done for Thursday guild meeting may not. I have started my spring cleaning as I have a friend from out west coming in next weekend for a visit. Haven't seen her for - oh - 10 years maybe. Will be real nice to see her again.
TTYL

I Can Do It!

2010-02-27T09:21:00.007-06:00

I can do it! I know it kinda silly, especially to the more empowered members of our sex, but I'm rather proud of myself!!! Two weeks ago I manage to add air to the front tire of my car, this week I managed to open the hood and add much needed washer fluid. Ok, ok, I still haven't pumped gas yet - I guess that will be my next milestone, and yes, I needed help opening the jug of washer fluid, but none-the-less progress is being made! Woohoo!

Another woohoo - I have a partner for a challenge. We've challenged each other to complete last year's Bunny Hill A Tisket A Tasket basket BOM. I'm already behind, my partner Christine R was working on block one at last Thursday's group, so I have to hurry up and get the first two completed by April 1st while she only needs to complete one. I think I'll suggest we do another two in April to bring us on track with the "block-o-month".
I love applique, so this shouldn't be too much of a problem for me. However it does force me to work on two projects at the same time. Speaking of which, the Country Vegetables are almost complete. One block to go for the applique then the embroidery.... stay tuned! Did I show-n-brag about my latest acquisitions at the Quilt store? All but the batik at the bottom are Robyn Pandolph's newest Canadian Cottage line. Very pretty.

And lastly, here's the pile of vintage purses, gloves and hats ready and waiting for the antiques dealer to come. Wish me luck, hope she interested in all of it and takes it all away. No, it's not my entire collection, but a substantial portion. Downsizing is inevitable and cleansing.
TTYL

Achoo

2010-02-21T09:03:00.001-06:00

ACHOO! I've got a bad one .... boohoo for me. I'm down but not out for the count! Took two days off work, then felt guilty and bored so made the mistake of going in on Friday. Got to hear Debbie Travis speak at this year's Staff and Leaders Conference. Very entertaining, and yes worthwhile even for a sickie! Went to an antique show a couple of weeks ago with a friend at a local shopping mall. There was a booth with vintage jewellery, hats and gloves and stuff and I half jokingly asked her if she also bought stuff. She didn't have a card but wrote her contact info down for me, then came after me to say she also made housecalls. Hmmmmm, got me thinking this might be an opportunity to rid myself of some of my "collections". So, not being one who can sit still for too long .... yesterday I went through my vintage linens, corde purses, gloves, hats etc. The linens mainly consist of vintage cotton/linen hand towels, doilies and hankies. The corde purses, about 35, were from a collection I out together locally and displayed in my last apt. The gloves, also about 35, I got by chance at a local auction. They were contained in a "quilt block" bag and I thought I was bidding on a bag of quilt blocks. To my surprise it was full of green and yellow and pink and white and black gloves from the 50s and 60s! There even was a lovely pink pamphlet describing glove etiquette!

I guess I have the spring cleaning bug a bit early ... last weekend I went through my closets and pulled out 2 bags of old clothes I think need to be retired. That's all for now from this sickie. Hope you're keeping well?

Argh!!!

2010-02-14T11:09:00.003-06:00

Argh! I've come down with some sort of respiratory something ... So am well into Cold FX therapy .... here's hoping it stays off the worst of it. So .... last weekend while I was still feeling human I went out to the local quilt Fabric shop were I had a gift certificate (thank you to sister and b-i-l). With no particular project in mind .... I indulged in a half meter each of 10 of Robyn Pandolph's Canadian Cottage Challenge fabrics. Who knows if I'll get a project completed in time for the competition, but I fell in love with the fabric (my kinda colours - all in those country cabbage rose style - and with a Canadian theme to boot!) I also scored a interesting thread container ... to match the green vintage styled wicker and wood sewing box I won at their store as a door prize. Woohoo!

So, here's a picture of the squares I was preparing for my next project - remember the last post ? Well, I decided the instructions were stupid (some patterns take the long road ) and I wasn't going to cut 108 1 1/2" squares in three different shades of blue ... instead I would cut 1 1/2" strips of three shades of blue in assorted fabrics and sew the strips together then cut into 1 1/2" strips. OK, this is good patchwork technique and would have worked just fine .... except ... being a visual personI then followed the pattern's picture instead of reading the instuctions .... see mess on the left! my patches did not match up in the corners and I was really po'd.

So, the remainder of the week was spent unsewing those borders ..... I spent Saturday afternoon repairing the damage caused by pattern writers who don't pay attention to the accuracy of their visuals - tres important for all us visual people!!!! Needless to say, my borders are now closer to perfection and I am happier. LESSON learned? There are still sewing/quilting pattern writers who think the world remains controlled by text dominated patterns and are not yet politically sensitive enough to those who are visually dominated. HELLO- wake up pattern writers!

Ah well, the world's not perfect - yet - but maybe someday (HA Ha ha). Below is the finally version with their respective interfacing overlay. I use the overlay to help me with the placement of the applique pieces - a wee trick I learned from one of my many quilting friends!

Wish me luck!
TTYL

Winter Projects

2010-02-06T08:54:00.001-06:00

Shhh! Don't say anything. When this project is done it will be a birthday gift to mother for her Kitchen. I've had this pattern kicking around for quite a while and finally getting a chance to work on it! - Yeah! A bit of patchwork, a bit of applique and even a bit of embroidery. The pattern calls for the lettering to be done in satin stitch, but I might just do it by hand. I'm hoping to machine quilt it now that I've completed a course on machine quilting. Anyway, her B-day isn't til June so I've got lots of time...

So, January is over and I realized I hadn't begun the "laying out the quilts" for this year. So, while rooting around in my linen closet I discovered one more quilt I hadn't inventoried last year! This one was made by my maternal grandmother Lilian Grace Boyter and her mother-in-law Mary-Jane Boyter, we think it was made sometime in the early 1950s and was definitely made from men's wear wool samples. My mother's brother worked in a fine men's wear store for his first job and brought home all the sample squares of wool intended for men's suits. So, being enterprising women Grandma and Great Grandma made a quilt! In my memory this was always in the trunk of father's car and was know as the car quilt. It's backed in light grey cotton and nicely hand quilted in the Baptist fan pattern. Poor thing has had a hard life, it was used to wrap whatever cargo father had in his trunk and likely never washed much. None-the-less this utility quilt is part of family history and loved for what it represents.

I was given a new crock pot over the holidays so decided this week to attempt to make soup. Now, I readily admit to not being domestic .... at all .... so attempt #1 was an inevitable disaster. Don't ask, I know you're wondering how on earth someone can screw up making soup ... suffice it to say, I now know at least two important things when making soup and will employ these lessons in attempt #2.

Wish me luck!!!!

TTFN

A voice of One's Own

2010-01-29T09:26:00.003-06:00

So I've been blogging for about 2-3 years now and finally feel that I may - perhaps - may have found a voice of my own. One that expresses my personal opinions and life observations without appearing to simply be rants or misguided comments. Personal observations of the minutiae in my life, are just that, personal, perhaps to be shared, perhaps not. My comments are not opportunities for others to offer unsolicited advice or admonitory censorial remarks. But some people just can't help themselves, and that's part of life also. Luckily I moderate all comments (ha ha). Those are the people I now choose to avoid, if possible, like the shopping lane monster from a previous post. Avoid, because life is too short to get all wound up and anyways, girls just wanna have fun - right? especially this girl!

I acknowledge that perhaps I see life differently than the "norm" - for a woman of my age. I have a wry sense of humor and some people misinterpret my humour as anger. Not so, but hey - that's you not me. Occasionally I wonder if I should change how I present myself to the world and then decide the effort is just too great. I'm not willing to pretend to be someone I'm not . We've all met the fakes - you know them, the just smile optimist/extroverts (they who think they rule the world ...). The ones who never seem to notice or comment on the absurdities of this life. I sometimes think their rose coloured perspective makes them miss most of the more interesting moments. Who knows, perhaps that's what they're after.

What brought all this on you might ask? Well, I've been reading this book by Kenneth Sherman titled What the Furies Bring. It's a collection of essays on his musings on the post 911 world, Judaism, poetry, other religions, terrorism, the works of Anne Frank, Primo Levi, Franz Kafka and Varlam Shalamov, to name a few. Challenging but interesting and I'm pleased to acknowledge that I have actually read of most (not all) the authors he discusses. I also just finished the book Money from Hitler, by Radka Denemarkova, recently translated into English from Czeck, another find from the new books shelf (remember I work in a library ...) And also Findings : the material culture of needlework and sewing by Mary Beaudry. This latter one I was tipped off about from one of my many blog surfs. I can't remember who's blog, sorry can not ascribe attribution for this wonderful read. None-the-less, thank you! I highly recommend this work for anyone interested in archaeology and the history of sewing implements . Boring you say - no no no, au contraire! I suppose we all know there are sewing needles and embroidery needles and darners and straw needles, but did you know there are minikins, and short whites, and middlings and poppets and corkins, and even mourning pins!!! Not so boring now eh .....

Nothing much to report on the craft side, still stitching along on my cross stitch. Perhaps the reading and cold weather have decreased my productivity, I don't know and don't much care. Anyway, that's all for now folks ....

TTFN

"If you do not tell the truth about yourself you cannot tell it about other people". and
"The beauty of the world...has two edges, one of laughter, one of anguish, cutting the heart asunder." Virginia Woolf

Winter Hiatus

2010-01-23T09:18:00.002-06:00

Well friends and readers .... I'm back after a wee hiatus. Nothing serious, but the winter blas (pictured above) got to me and I took a break. Actually I've been a slug ... just going to work, feeding the cats and cocooning in my living room doing cross stitch! Yes - for the time being I'm all quilted out and have returned to an earlier craft. Actually, I'm taking a machine quilting class at a local sewing shop as I felt the need to have "professional" instruction in an attempt to improve. Time will tell if the effort was worthwhile. In the meantime I found a stamped cross stitch kit in my stash and am once again hooked on cross stitch. This may take me awhile so don't hold your breath!

So, being hooked on cross stitch I made up a cross stitch winter postcard for the quild's postcard exchange. Then I remade the mittens, pictured earlier, and finally got the needlepoint pillow completed. I've had the needlepoint for years and always wanted to make a small pillow. So, recently I moved a black hooked rug from the hallway into the main bath to cover the cold cold ceramic floor. Hmm, that gave me an idea and so I also moved mother's baby rocker into the bathroom corner ... and, well, you know how these things go ... I just had to complete the needlepoint pillow to put on the rocker!

So what else have Iris and Simone and I been up to you ask? Well, ok, I admit I have done some sewing. A while back I randomly put together the leftover blocks from my Cobblestones quilt. It's been on my design wall forever, and over the holidays I finally put some borders on it. I love how it looks, but it's still too small to do anything with it except maybe donate it as a kid's quilt.... So, now I'm grappling with what to do next, donate it or find something else to extend the borders. But don't forget this year's resolutions:

1) finish UFOs and 2) don't buy any fabric (hahahahahahahhah!) Wish me luck!

TTFN

Happy New Year!

2010-01-02T09:49:00.002-06:00

So it's the New Year .... did you make any resolutions? I did, lots and lots of them .... I won't bore you with mine, but needless to say one of them is to be friendlier, happier and more accepting. Sounds good, lets see how long I can keep my resolutions this year! I was pretty good last year until about October when I got totally stressed out over my quilt show at the Library - oh dear. I shall have to guard against that in 2011 with the CQA show coming to London! I found a Christmas pillow someone gave me several years ago and decided it would look wonderful on the Eastlake chair my dear friend gave me. Don't you agree?
And keeping up with my sewing time this holiday season I finally, yes finally made those matching mittens for my down winter coat I call the beast. I got it many moons ago at a reduced price as the hood was missing. Since I'm a frugal shopper I purchased an almost matching hood then made an outer hood, cuffs, a scarf and now mittens out of dark brown with black trees fleece (no, the mittens are not all black!). Anyway, as always I learn best by doing, next time (ha - like there will ever be another time) I"ll know a couple of mitten tricks! Here's the online tut I used for this project from Sew Can Do. If you're anything like me I love to decorate for the holidays and hate, Hate, HATE taking it all down, especially taking down all the lights as they do brighten up the place! None-the-less take them down I must, today. But as a reminder ....

TTYL

Sewing Time!

2009-12-29T09:30:00.008-06:00

So, this year I finally have some time to myself to get some sewing done. Am I inspired? No, not really. Funny how that works, you finally have the time but not the inclination. So, instead I have been playing way too many computer games, I told you the machine would eat my time up, and I'm making teeny-weeny projects which are fun but not necessarily productive. Here you see the double eye glass case I just made for myself thanks to this online tutorial by U Handbag. I had the purse frame in my stash of craft supplies, Who knows when or where I actually bought it. I purchased the funky fabric to make a laptop case for my niece. Maybe I'll make the laptop case for myself one of these days, if there's enough fabric left!

This other item is a thread catcher from The Stitching Room. Yes, I fancied it up a wee bit with some beading. It's small enough to go with me on quilt get-together nights. FYI, that's not a stain on the yellow batik, bt part of the fabric. It's made from scraps left over from Rachel's Star - remember that one? Well I gave it to my work colleague at his retirement party . He and his wife were thrilled! I got lots and lots of hugs for this one, and I'm very please. It was a total challenge, Rachel's Star that is, but I'm so glad I persevered. This thread catcher was also a challenge, my dyslexia got in the way several times. I won! WooHoo!

So to all those out there that think I'm nothing but a nasty bitter ole crone ... well guess what! Not so!! I have my moments, like we all do!
TTFN

Doom, I'm doomed!

2009-12-26T09:44:00.004-06:00

I am totally doomed! This past year TVO, our local public broadcasting network has run the Charles Dickens Little Dorrit series. I have NEVER been able to catch the whole thing in it's entirety from beginning to end. I am fated to always come in somewhere in the middle. Yes, they have rerun the series several times, so I have been able to catch the beginning episodes, but that is simply not the same as seeing it from beginning to end! I'm doomed to never see it whole! So this year they ran the first three episodes Christmas eve and the remainder on Christmas evening. I missed the episodes on the 24th! I guess that's fate and I should accept it and move on, but really BBC productions are soooo good, and Charles Dickens is a classic! What's a girl to do? Empire of the Word is the other TVO series I've been watching, and since I also missed several episodes of this one I plan to catch up online!

Like my newest Christmas decoration? I couldn't resist as I got the glass bowl at half price, the pine cones for free, the ornaments from the dollar store and the I already had the ribbon! Once the season is over I plan on filling it with the dried hydrangea blossoms from my garden so I can enjoy them until the spring! Enough about Christmas. Onwards to a new year. I have lots of NY resolutions to make, and lots of quilty things too!

This year's tablescape

TTYL

HO Ho HO

2009-12-23T09:48:00.002-06:00

So I thought I would get a pic of the lap quilt I made my father for the laptop he gave me! I kinda think that's a fair gift exchange. Now you can see the multi fabric border I boasted about in a previous post. No big deal but something new for me!

So last week was our first annual (at least I hope it will be annual) Christmas potluck for the quilt group I organize. It was a really good turn out, especially for this time of the year when everyone is so busy. I hope all the ladies enjoyed the evening. We went for an unplanned - bring whatever kind of potluck and it worked out wonderfully! Everyone brought luscious dishes, and I must admit that my green bean casserole was OK. Thanks Kraft Canada!

I'm still pretty much a basic point and shoot with the camera, so please nobody take offense if I left anyone out of a pic. A really big THANK YOU to JP for being our gracious host and making the initial suggestion. Playing secret Santa at the end of the evening helped top off the fun! It has turned out to be such a fun eclectic group and I'm really glad to be a part of it. I had 2 potlucks to go to this year and both recipes came from Kraft, I highly recommend this one!

Anyway, hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season.

TTYNY

Ho Ho Ho

2009-12-16T19:53:00.000-06:00

Final Christmas present completed .... TaDa! This free pattern came online to me from Quilt Arts magazine. I like free. Above is version one, which is yet to be quilted. I may wait until after my machine quilting class in January as I think it could use some nice machine quilting. Below is my completed version, yes done by machine. A colleague at work gave me the center (under the white Ho) poinsettia fabric which I also used on the back. The funky Christmas fabrics I found at the F.....Land store where I also found some nice green with light green stars fabric on sale for the binding and the funky buttons. All in all I rather like it and hope my niece likes it as it's her present (SHHHHHH)

Now, all I have to do is get through this season without killing anyone. Who said Christmas was supposed to be happy? Bah Humbug!

Postcards

2009-12-06T09:27:00.003-06:00

Yesterday was a good day ... I actually made 11 fabric Christmas postcards! WooHoo! I know I know, this pic really doesn't give you a good detailed look, but since guild is next week, and some of these are for the postcard exchange, I don't want to give a zoomed in pic just yet. I've been collecting themed ribbons and used some of them as my message - so in the above pic you are seeing some of the backs! On the abstract Xmas trees I placed a gold star sequin and gold bead at the top of each tree. I used my new Kenmore embroidery foot and machine quilted them all. I must say I'm beginning to like machine work!

Are some people just completely dense or what? I mean you drive a car to get to there, why the heck can't you drive a cart in the grocery store? Shopping carts are definitely the worst!!! Parked in the middle of the aisle so NO ONE can get pass on either side, not one aisle, not two aisles but practically every aisle. When I got to the checkout some monster woman (I won't say she was FAT as that's not PC, but she was a giant) parked her cart at the beginning of the lane even though she was already checked through, paid and packing her bags. (Mental note: should I ever run across this situation again I will recognize it as a sign of a lane hog).Would she move the cart ? NOOOO. So thinking she was just distracted I gently pushed the cart ahead - out of my way - so I could unload my purchases. She pushed it back! I continued to unload my purchases, which the clerk rang through but then I had a dilemma. Being vertically challenged I couldn't reach past all the debit machinery to give the clerk my money ... unless the monster moved her cart. So, I turned to her and asked politely if she could move her cart. To which she replied nastily "I'll be finished soon".

Well!

All she had to do, and LADIES this is standard grocery lane etiquette, move her cart out of the lane, then return to the lane and pack her groceries. Then everybody's happy and get their morning chores done without hassle! As it was, she made me, the clerk and the three other people lined up behind me wait and wait and wait until she was good and ready. All this in front of her daughter, what an great example!!! Sometimes I really wish I was bigger and more of a loudmouth (or is that just more assertive ?) I would really have liked to give her a piece of my mind, but in the end it's just not worth investing valuable emotional time on such people.

TTYL

Seasons Greetings

2009-12-05T08:25:00.000-06:00

It's December finally and all the fun begins! I've been sewing my head off and hopefully it will all pay off and people will enjoy their gifts. Just when I think I'm finished I find another project ... when mother moved from her condo last year she downsized and I inevitably received anything fabric related. So, many many years ago she purchased these machine made lace panels and red broadcloth with the intention of making placemats. Yes, you guessed it .... I found them and feeling somewhat guilty that I have not completed her project (what? why am I feeling guilty?) started by hand sewing the lace panel onto the red square behind. There are a dozen of them - so stay tuned ....

We have a transit strike here in home town. So I have been providing rides to a young man in my complex, and rides home/errand trips to a co-worker, both of whom are dependent on the bus. So last night my co-worker gave me some "extra Xmas fabric" as a thank you. Looks like approximately 2 meters! so there's another project to complete. What shall I make, what shall I make?

Did I tell you I solved the porch light problem? I finally took a really good look at the original, shorter photosensor thingee and lo and behold I didn't have it completely open! So, I returned it to it's home in my front porch light, inserted the 150 watt light bulb and now I'm no longer in twilight when I come home! WooHoo! See, told you I would solve all the problems of my world!

Now, if only I could get myself in gear and out of my housecoat! But it is Sat am, PBS is on another fund drive so my quilting shows aren't on, and Vinyl Cafe is on CBC!

TTYL