Purses!

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!

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!!!

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!!!

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 ;(

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!

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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 ..

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!

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

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!