Family Picnic

The ladies

The Guys

Yup. we're definitely getting older, and the sad part is I can't actually name all these people anymore :(, especially the younger ones who live in other towns. Next time I go I must study our genealogy book first! !) I don't go every year (or even every decade!) so keeping track of everyone is difficult. None-the-less it was nice to attend this year and a good way to end my summer staycation.

What else on the homefront? Well, I'm hot on the trail for all things Owly (my niece wants gender neurtal Owls for her baby things) ....

Shhhh - don't tell anyone 'cause the quilt will be a secret. The green owl fabric is actually a plasticized fabric called PUL used for making baby diapers. I don't think my niece will go for cloth diapers, so I'm thinking of using it for a diaper bag. The bottom beige Owl fabric will be the backing of the quilt and possible some other useful/fun baby accessories. The top roll of fabrics is from the kit (pattern in pic) for the baby quilt. Of course I couldn't pass up the Owl buttons (don't know how I'll use them) and missing from the pic are some cute Owl decals! I'm really into this one :)
And of course, one simply can't go fabric shopping and not buy a few fat quarters for yourself!

And yes, I did manage to get some sewing time in ..... after a few days of pondering just how I was going to do it, and whether or not to use Organza, Crinoline, or mesh .... here's the Bee wall hanging - so far ....

I still need to do some stitching in the wings for definition and of course sandwich and quilt it. So far I'm very pleased with my progress!
TTFN

Ahhhh, summer vacation :)

Remember my posting from early July - where I complained about breaking/losing some cherished vintage cake plates? Well, one of my marvelous quilt friends asked for the broken pieces. She's very crafty so I figured she would make something lovely out of the wreckage. I sure didn't expect her to make something for me, but am definitely loving it! A patio stone so I still have my cake plate :) :)

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU !

So, today is my B-day (SHHHH. a secret I tell absolutely no one) and I'm the big 60 ! YIKES! How the heck did I get to be this old!!!? I sure don't feel old. Maybe 60 is the new 40 ? My niece announced they are expecting, so I'll be a GREAT AUNT soon - OMG! How did this happen? My sister is ecstatic, she'll be a grandma. Our parents will be Great grandparents. They seem to be taking it in stride. I'm not! I'M NOT OLD ENOUGH!!!

 I'm on summer vacation and loving it. The weather has been fabulous, I've been uber busy with family business and only been in the sewing room twice! Not nearly enough time to get to all those projects I have on my summer vacation list - yeah right I don't know why I even make lists ....  Almost all my friends are retired, my retirement date is 5 years (1847 days) away! Do my retired friends make lists? and if so why? I have to admit this summer I can appreciate my friend's saying "You'll really enjoy retirement".  I could go for it anytime now, but need to pay off that car loan and mortgage, so it's back to work I go next week.
Before I forget here's a pic of the new bath. Flowered wallpaper border removed, ugly builder's beige painted over, new mirror. Mommy is happy!

TTFN

The end of Summer Staycation :(

Well, it's been busy and fun and the weather was great. I can't say it was overly relaxing, but that's ok.
I did manage to get into the sewing room and create - or at least start a few projects. I made myself a new lunch bag - oh yeah. Not my pattern - check out Pink Penquin .

I still  have a wee bit of the cupcake fabric and the brown w blue dot fabric.  I wonder what else I can make ? hmmmmm Ok, how about a quilted cozy for my travel mug using the same brown I used for the lunch bag lining.

Oh, and I finally got a wall hanging started that I've been want to make since the spring ....

As you can see I had a little trouble with the right side, and have re-sewn it to ensure the B&W stripe doesn't have that wobble in it. Oh, and in case you're wondering, the missing letters are missing for a reason, a big Bumble Bee will be appliqued in the centre as soon as I figure out how best to applique the organza wings! Stay tuned ... (pattern from American Quilter May 2013).

Much of my staycation was taken up with visiting retirement homes with the pater. It was nice to spend time with father dearest , I guess this is a chore which must be done;. Maybe we are close to a decision. It was also birthday time, so lots of family dinners, lunches and cake ! We are ending my staycation with a trip to Sarnia for the annual family picnic!

But, just in case you think it was a true staycation .... NOT! There was a road trip with some of my quilty friends. We drove down to Waterford taking the back roads and geocached along the way. In Waterford we discovered a fun cafe for lunch, spent our fortunes at their quilt shop Quilt Junction, and did some antiquing, then geocached our way home! What a terrific day!!

I can't show you what I bought as it will be a surprise in March. Suffice it to say, my only niece has announced she is expecting and would like a gender neutral Owl baby quilt. Well, I've been quilting for over 35 years (YIKES!) and I just bought my very first quilt kit !! Ok, I also bought some hexie templates, but that's not an exciting pic. Yes, I'm going to join the hexie craze - someday, if I ever get all my other projects completed. HA Ha ha!!!
That's all for now, how was your summer vacation/staycation ?
TTFN

My contributions this week to our Wellspring charity drive, three water bottle carriers. I included the water bottles, Dollar store items which are BPA free! Other than that I have not accomplished much! It's been stinky hot/humid for almost 2 weeks and I have to admit this summer it's getting to me. Yesterday and today have been wonderful though as the temp has dropped a wee bit and the humidity has vanished :)
Don't know how the old folks can take it - they have no AC! Course they do have a pool in the backyard - maybe they've taken a dip or two. This past week was the big meet (both families) to discuss alternate living arrangements for the seniors. This is so hard as we know neither of them want to leave their house, but ...... it's going to be a long process ....
Next week is my last work week then 3 WEEKS off - YEAH. No particular plans except to get both baths painted up. Hired someone to do it for me (I'm so lazy this year...). Will be nice to have these rooms freshened up.
TTFN

Typography

Of interest perhaps?

Hydrangeas :)

Just had to take a pic, even though they are slightly bent over from the recent rainstorms. My Hydrangeas only stay white for a few days, soon they'll be a lovely limey green. I like them white, but am happy they thrive in my lower garden no matter what colour :). They do a good job of hiding the AC unit.

 

TTFN 

Wahhhhhh!

It has NOT been a good week :(. It's been tres humid and with my respiratory issues I'm exhausted and crabby and have developed the dropsies. Is it just me? Is it the weather? Or is old age creeping in? Anyway, I had to open up the ironing board Wednesday morning for something to wear to work. The ironing board had been taken down for vacuuming the weekend before. It's an old, heavy, wooden ironing board. When I say heavy I MEAN HEAVY. So, I'm holding the ironing board waiting for the legs to fall open when the whole thing just drops out of my hands ! YIKES. Not only does it land with a heavy THUD, but immediately afterwards I hear CRASH then another CRASH from downstairs. I just knew something was not good ....

My favourite Aynsley cake plate! which normally resides on a nice white shelf in the dining room on the floor in pieces ;(. I spent 4 hours on Ebay/Google trying to find a replacement. Apparently this is a rare vintage pattern - it doesn't even have a name. DARN! and I have the cream & sugar and 2 tea cups with saucers to match. It was a set .... Nothing survives my hard white ceramic floor .

And my second favourite Aynsley cake plate! It may look like these are big chunks which could be glued back together - nooooo, there were lots of tiny fragments. Boo hoo, woe is me ;( . I know - they're just things, I'll get over it, but it was not a fun way to start my morning ....

Being known as a quilter we all know you are susceptible to those who don't sew but have their grandmother's quilt  ...... You know how that goes, right? Well last week it was a work colleague with a found quilt (actually a "crazy" coverlet made from upholstery fabric) from her grandmother's  trunk. She wants to hang it up in her living room - can I help? So I spend most of Saturday afternoon hand sewing a hanging sleeve on the back. Here's a pic!

Here's hoping next week is much much better.
TTFN

Happy Canada Day!

The Gold Finch is back and he brought his wife :) Nice to see on this Canada Day weekend. Got the house cleaned, the shrubs trimmed, the cats petted, the laundry done, the parents visited, and ...... drum roll please ...... Felines and Flutterbies is on the frame!!

 

One whole evening to sandwich it, and another 1/2 day to baste it, an it's almost ready to start stitching!  The yellowy green fabric you see along the edges is the backing turned over to the front to protect the edges of the quilt as I quilt it. Now will I be "liberated" and quilt as desired ? I think so  - wish me luck :)

 HAPPY CANADA DAY EVERYONE

It's Summertime :)

Ode to summertime :) Yeah right - we're hiding inside with the AC on and the curtains/blinds drawn. It's typical SW Ontario heat & humidity. One of my pet peeves are all those silly people who walk around complaining "Boy, it's hot" when usually it's not actually hot, just humid. However, today the sun is shining bright and it is HOT and HUMID, ugh! But hey, that's still way better than being cold and wet and snowing ;)

So a local quilt store owner has decided to retire (good for her!) and is closing her store. Yup, you guessed it = FABRIC SALE :)
I managed to pick up a panel which matches the lovely leaf fabric I used for the water bottles. I don't usually do panels, but this will make a quick summer door hanging for the mater. I also bought some backings for upcoming projects/UFOs.
Yahooooo. And, I am pleased to announce the Felines & Flutterbies (sp?) top is finished. Another Yahooooo.

Not sure I'll rush to get this sandwiched - next weekend is a long weekend so I have some time. It has been unanimously decided I will hand quilt this one. The only plan I have so far is to quilt some flight lines under the Butterflies. So, here's my summer project, wish me luck.
TTFN

Happy Father's Day

Dad's graduation picture!

Early 1960's with my sister and I.

 

Ready for Church

 

At his 80th Birthday party :)

Thanks Dad! 

Beautiful Sunny Sunday

Oh joy oh bliss, it's Sunday and it's sunnnnny :) My garden has been so beautiful this year, and I am sitting outside enjoy the fruits of my labours. The dwarf Lilac bush was gorgeous this year but it was so rainy I missed most of it. Somehow I wrecked my back last week and spent several days on the couch. None-the-less, I managed to crawl outside and pick a few pink Peonies :) :). I am soooo glad I planted them, even though the Peonies and the Lilac fight for room in the garden and are determined to push each other out of the way. My wee garden must be doing something right as I had a beautiful visitor last night,

I knew they were around (Gold Finches) but all I ever usually see are the Sparrows, Gracklings, occasional Cardinal and Red Winged Black bird.  Not to leave out the front garden, I posted a pic on FB and friends told me what I've got - apparently it's Spiderwort!

 

I have managed to get a wee bit  done on the quilting front ... the flutterbyes  (butterflies) are all sewn down, I have replaced the ravelled bottom to the mother & kitten (bottom right) and re-sewn all the bottom seams I opened to insert the greenery. Now I guess I have a wee bit more applique for mother & Kitten, then some embroidery and I'm ready to, dare I say it, quilt it!

Just a wee bit more sewing, it's the mater's 86th birthday this weekend, so I've made her a new purse cover .... White with Black & Red , and the reverse is a Turquoise & White print. Rather like this one :)

I have to admit I have also had some success in the kitchen this week - I made Minestrone soup. I know, I know, for all you domestic Divas out there - what's the big deal? Well, I'm no domestic diva ... far from it actually, but have decided to try one new recipe per month, and am always surprised when it's a success! and yummy :)

That's all for this week, hope your past week was as great as your future week will be:)

Home Time !

Had this week off work (YEAH) and actually managed to get into the sewing room during the daytime (Yeah). Finally got to this home dec project, recovering my Eastlake foot stool. This is it's 3rd cover since I bought the foot stool, and I think I'll keep this one for a while. Me Likee :) In fact I like it so much I recovered my sofa cushions  ...

It's freezing outside today (4 degrees C!), not exactly springlike :( otherwise I'd be on the patio finishing up my latest book Havisham. Not the very best of writing, but as a preclude (to Great Expectations) not bad. As far as precludes go I did enjoy the movie Oz, The Great and Powerful, good visuals and cleverly done. My all time favourite book preclude is Wide Sargasso Sea. If you're a Jane Eyre fan (I am) this is a definite must read this book! Well, what else have I been up to this week? I've been to our local Quilts of Israel Quilt Festival, and here are some of the quilts I thought were fabulous! So, what else have I been up to? Took in a local Quilt Festival - Quilts of Israel. Here are some of my favourites :)

Apologies, I was running short of camera battery power so did not take pics of the quilt descriptions, so am unable to provide attribution. Must remember to charge up the camera next time!
I definitely love love love the one on the right - just love the colours in this one.

The bull rushes (?) on the right were done with yarn - nice.

Love the use of log cabin blocks for the water !

And of course you know I love applique :) The birds were very well done, but I'm not sure Israel has Mallard Ducks, do they? Perhaps they weren't meant to be representative of Israeli birds.

 

Street musicians, nicely done .

This one was fabulous from a distance .... up close it was raw edge applique. Interesting

Along with landscapes there were some "folk art" type quilts  with lots of hand embroidery and buttons. I can't say I'm overly familiar with Jewish/Israeli folklore, so not sure what this multi-armed person riding a Lion is doing. Hmmm.

I like the horse in this one - it  reminded me of a Chagall painting - perhaps that was the intent, what do you think?

Now this person had a couple of quilts in the show. I think she used multi-coloured fabric, a very sharp cutter and lots and lots of patience to cut out these patterns.

I don't read Hebrew, so forgive me if I got this wrong side round (I think it's right). I'm hoping it says something inspiring. Any help out there ladies?

I have to admit I have great admiration for  quilters who manage curved flying geese blocks. Since I am block challenged (aren't we all?) I liked this quilt!

So, there were lots more lovely lovey quilts, but these were my favourites. Hope you enjoy them too. 

Oh, and we met up with some former Library friends also!

TTFN