Comments

 So recently a quilt friend on FB wondered what she was doing wrong, no one was commenting on her blog. Hey, welcome to the club. I'm a fairly regular blogger and, with the exception of one kind follower, rarely receive comments, publishable ones anyway. For some strange reason people, including me, prefer to be browsers, lurkers, silent readers. Just because there are no comments doesn't  mean there are no readers. I realized this long ago whenever I meet up with a specific woman from the guild. She's a lovely lady and always tells me how much she enjoys my blog - but she has never never never left a comment!  Nice as it is to hear her compliment (?) I agree with my quilt/FB friend, it would be nicer to have some comments.

 So last week I actually managed to take in a movie - Hannah Arendt. Interesting.  Not being a political scientist I was unaware of her famous phrase "Banality of Evil", but now I know and have some context. Here's a book review I found from my favourite website Arts & Letters Daily: "Arendt's Affair" from the Tablet. Arendt seems to be popping up everywhere recently, or am I just noticing now that I know her name.  Whatever, interesting woman to read/see about.
TTFN

They're Back ...

So, it's September and they're back. University students that is ... and this week's headlines are the usual litany of silly things Frosh/university students get up to, and the ridiculous shocked and dismayed  reaction from the overpaid University uppity ups (aka administration) who once again reveal how totally out-of-touch they are :(. Yes, it is very sad that this generation (are they still called millennial?) think binge drinking and all out sex (underage and non consensual) is the "hot" thing , but can you blame them - just look at their influences - it's everywhere in the media. Gulp, wow, do I sound old?? You betcha! Ok, I'm off my soapbox for now ....
Today is sunny YEAH, I got quite a bit of sewing done yesterday, and I'm planning a movie this aft (Hannah Arendt), so the day is shaping up rather nicely. Here's my progress so far:

2 new "Fall" wall hangings, one bound in brown the other in red. Not sure which one I prefer, but I gave the mater the brown one as it smaller and would fit on her front door better.

I actually managed to complete my liberated quilting on two more blocks of my Felines and Flutterbies. Not sure how well you can see the quilting in these pics, but trust me, each block took a week as they are densely quilted. Still mulling over what to do in the lattice strips. So far I have outline quilted any vines/leaves/roses. Other than that I haven't decided yet, Any suggestions?? Here's the project so far

Next week will be interesting (aka hard to get through) and will require lots of patience. Luckily I won't have to drive to guild night YEAH, it's my driving partner's turn :)
TTFN

Happy Labour Day!

I've been busy as a Bee (sorry - I couldn't resist that one...). Since it's Labour day weekend I thought I'd show you the fruits of my labours! I finished off the Busbee Bee wall hanging and it's already on the mater's front door! I'm rather proud of this one, my mitered corners are perfect, and I did use the Organza which worked out OK. I even did quite a bit of machine quilting (not my forte).
What else am I working on this weekend? Well, remember this panel?

Here's what I created from it!
I plan to machine quilt both of these, not that I'm any good at machine quilting, but that I need to practice practice practice!! Least that's what they tell me.
I have 1/2 the panel yet and need to think up another project to use it up. I've used up all the border fabric so  whatever I come up with will be less leafy. Any ideas?
 I need to get started on the Owls quilt for my niece, and am still working on my cats quilt after almost 3 weeks of no activity. I just couldn't think of how to quilt it. Without any particular decision I started quilting again. I'm doing "liberated quilting" and I really like it! What do you think ?

TTFN,

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!