Slowly slowly getting close

Bottom half of my Lucy Boston with all the connector blocks added. I was so thrilled to get to this point that I just had to see what it will look like. Mourning the loss of my design wall, I improvised and used the floor. Luckily my camera phone was still able to catch a reasonable pic. Have a look

So the next week or so will be busy sewing these two halves together. Then appliqueing the border on, finding my backing and making the big decision as to hand quilting or sending it out to be machine quilted. Which would you choose?
TTFN

Quilt Show !

So this weekend was my guild's quilt show and I have to start off with this Canada 150 quilt made by Jacqui. I've been wondering how I was going to put the blocks together on my version - sashing/no sashing/what colour, etc. I'm really liking her use of black, but think I may go for a dark charcoal rather than a true black. Lovely quilt Jacqui - thanks for the inspiration!

Always loved this pattern of community in the round. Thought her use of background colour was interesting.


This one block wonder with a panel in the middle is another one of Jacqui's. She's so creative! Lovely mix of colours. Gives me more ideas for that OBW project I have in the back of my mind;)

Some more inspiration with the layout of this Dresden Plate - almost modern :). Uh huh - liking it!

 

Lorna did a fabulous job with her Dresden layout also, and of course I love her use of colour, she's known for that talent ! The white spokes in the plates are Canada 150 fabrics :).

Here's another of Lorna's works (least I think it is her's) this time with hexies! Yowza!!





A couple of kids quilts from Beth. So whimsical. Too bad my kids quilts days are over as I so love this pattern. If you look close you'll
see they are not identical. I think Beth had fun making these ;)

Another whimsical quilt - from Barb I think. Again, love the colours !

A B&W One Block Wonder. Geeze these are beautiful quilts, and the orange border really makes it pop!

Not sure who's  sampler quilt this is. I usually don't like sampler quilts but thought this was an effective use of B&Wand love the piano key border!


And rest your eyes on this lovely Taupe wonder by Linda. She's really into Yoko Saito's patterns and makes such gorgeous quilts!

Must finish off with this beauty, one of three displayed at the show. This lady (sorry don't know her name, she's newish to the guild) does marvelous fabric art landscapes on board.

Hope you enjoyed a few of my picks from our LFQG's Quilts For All Seasons 2018 quilt show!
TTFN

Happy Fall!

So I saved a few things from the old homestead, and glad I did as it makes a nice tablescape for the Fall. The leaves are starting to turn colours so I went for a wee drive this afternoon. Lovely to get out & about. Lots of fun and activity since my last post. Claire has started school, and loves it!

Thanksgiving has come and gone, but I missed the trip to Len's Mills and our evening guild meeting as I was not feeling the best. Have learned to take it very easy when my body tells me to :(. This week coming is William's 2nd birthday.

I wanted to buy him a trunk, he's truck crazy right now,  but didn't get out to shop for that either :(. Also this week I anticipate a visit from a friend & hopefully may retrieve some of my crazy quilt patches which I hope to make into door hangings. Our guild's quilt show is at the end of the week and I am soooo looking forward to it and to shopping @ the vendors booths (not that I need anything!)
I promised myself I would start working on my Canada 150 quilt in Oct. Well, it's the middle of the month and  I haven't opened the sewing machine yet ;(. Got to get myself in gear or it will never get done! Ha ha ha, what can you do, although I admit to still be working on my Lucy Boston - the bottom half is now officially done, and I have just 3 connector blocks to finish the top. Then join the two halves and applique a border and it will be ready for quilting. Ohhhh, the end is in sight!
TTFN

It's official!

I'm a (skinny) senior! August is birthday month and I am officially now a senior. I still feel like I'm 20 something, but glad I'm not ;) It was a lovely day so we all sat outside and William was very busy playing. He's becoming a real lady killer !

It's been a busy month so far, what else is new. I've even gotten out and about on my own a couple of times. Took my buddies out for a lovely dinner at Villa Cornelia as a Thank You and to celebrate. It was a very pleasant dinner and evening with the girls. Would be nice if we could do this more often and not just wait for special occasions.

Next week I'm hoping to go on a trip to Paris, mais oui,  Paris Ontario ;)  - to Mary Maxim. Haven't been there for years - who knows what I'll find to play with !
TTFN

Tsundoku

I learned a new word this week ......

This totally describes me pre-move!! Little did I know there was an actual word for it ! Having been convinced by friends and family that I would not have room for all my books, I got rid of 3-4 boxes of tomes, some (most?) I had not yet read. So I guess I fit the term Tsundoku quite well. It's summer so I'm reading a bit, mornings and before bed, so I may just catch up on all those intended reads yet! I am currently reading Jude the Obscure, and prior to that Deafening by Francis Itani. Lets just hope, having given away more than 1/2 of my library that I don't run out of good reading material.  Guess I'll need to make a trip to the local second hand book shop where you can get good lit at good prices :).

Next week it's celebration time. It's my 65th this month and I'm taking a leaf from dear papa's book and throwing my own Bday party. My friends were so good to help me with the move and I owe them an evening of fine dining, so that's celebration #1. I'm hosting the Sew What's group the next day, and that will be a first at the new digs! We'll see how it all works out, We'll gather in the "Queens Kitchen" a communal room on the first floor, and two of the ladies who haven't yet hosted are bringing the goodies; celebration #2. And to end the week my sister has promised  a weekend BBQ, celebration #3. I think I deserve it!! Pics to follow.

I've been working diligently on the connector blocks for the last rows of my Lucy Boston POTC. I miscalculated and ran out of the black fabric I was using in the connectors so had to lay the whole thing out on the floor (OH HOW I MISS MY DESIGN WALL!) to determine how many were missing. The coffee table makes a pretty good substitute cutting table, and the mats are hidden under the couch - see, I knew what I was doing with that  slipcover ;). The next big hurdle will be to discover if my "sewing centre" will work for me. Built over 4 shelf units  it looks good, holds my "stuff" but appears to be a bit high. I may have to get a stool to sit on.  We'll see. I have to admit, although I am missing several  items that have gone bye bye,  I am not regretting any of my decisions to let those things go. I have all I need and this place is filled but not stuffed beyond capacity.
TTFN

All over but the Crying

Well,  it's all over. My move to a retirement home that is. It's been a long and stressful haul :( not helped by my poor health and a couple of heat waves! None-the-less the worst is over - YEAH! My newly slip covered couch and chair arrived today so I finally have somewhere to sit - bonus!

I went with an off white fabric. I always wanted a white couch and now am hoping I don't regret it. We'll see. I placed Dad's quilt over the back and the small green cushions from my former front hall church pew. Love the look, so am happy. See, some things do work out :)

I've placed my remaining artwork around the room. Still have to put my few knick knacks out, but it's beginning to feel homey. The unpacking is all done and I admit to very few regrets re what was left behind, given away or sold off. It's quite an adjustment and way more than I had planned or anticipated. The packing was helped tremendously by friends and family. A HUGE THANK YOU to my sister Christine, brother-in-law Vince and nephew Mark, and my friends Ann, Susan and Mibs :). The adjustment phase has not been quite as easy with some indelicate (aka thoughtless, not funny) remarks about how I got rid of things, what I got rid of, or my present state of health ... What can you do except

I have 2 large rooms and set up a sewing nook in the back corner. Doesn't look like much and a lot less than what I had in the condo, but it's better than nothing. The desk to the right can be used as my cutting table. I don't do too much (read that as almost none) machine quilting, preferring to hand quilt, so this should work out. I did have to give up my design wall which I will sorely miss.

I salvaged a wee bit of china (my strawberry basket, teapot, cream & sugar, some cake plates and 4 coffee mugs) and have stowed those away in my jam cupboard. As you can see I also brought along my stereo and one of my stained glass windows and my stars :).

The bedroom is large which is good as I have used one wall to build shelving to hold my stuff, these rooms have a serious lack of closet space, coming from 4 closets down to 2 :(.  I kept 6 of the best of my vintage quilts and plan on hanging them on the vintage drying racks beside the bed. When I finally get my Canada 150 quilt done I plan on hanging it over the bed on the wood curtain rod  I saved from my parents home.

They provide the valances and window blinds so it was no problem leaving all my window coverings at the condo. Closing on my condo was yesterday and the $ should be in my account shortly - woohoo! Now to get on with the remaining move related tasks and get back to my quilting! Next month I'll be hosting our sewing group here so they'll all get to see what modern  retirement homes are all about, they feed me three times per day, clean my place once per week, change my bed and launder my linens once per week. I get to live on one floor, don't have to cook, clean  or grocery shop.  And even better,  they'll get my car from the lot, clean it off and deliver it to the door for me this winter. Not a bad deal as far as I'm concerned. Well that's all my "news" for now, but my family has had some fun news - they got to see/pose with the Stanley Cup!! My sister's neighbour works for the Washington Capitals and for some reason was allowed to bring the cup home for a weekend. So ...

TTFN

I've been Picked!

So, last week I was at the house to talk with a lady about making slipcovers for my couch and chair. I've wanted to do this for a while now. There's nothing wrong with the current upholstery except it's "old lady floral" and reminds me of mother (it was her set). So now that I'm moving it's time for a change. The slipcover company (Accent Upholstery) will remove the couch & chair from my condo and deliver it to my new residence, then remove the "extra" chair I'm taking with me to the new abode while I await the newly slipcovered set. Sounds like a win win for me.

So, while we are perusing fabric swatches the slipcover lady looks around and says "I see you like antiques, are any for sale?" to which I reply "Yes, some".  Slipcover lady says "My sister has a shop in ..... can I call her?" Next thing I know her sister and DH arrive and the 2 ladies run around the condo buying up all kinds of small and large antique/collectible stuff. I walk out the door $900 richer and much less stuff to pack & move ! Felt like I was in an episode of

American Pickers!

They couldn't take everything with them that day so came back on the Saturday when they purchased even more stuff!

All in all I got rid:

my Flat-to-the-wall (pic shows Aynsley china set also sold).

A dresser/server/bureau/TV stand

(I don't know what to call this piece) where all my great aunt's Limoges was kept.

A not antique Oak hall tree, an overmantle, 2 wicker trunks, 1 antique wicker chair, a wicker vanity, 2 foot stools,  2 Eastlake unmatched parlor tables, 1 Eastlake parlor chair, 2 wooden benches, 1 headboard cutoff (seen in above pic of couch), 1 shutter shelf, 1 antique floor trilight, 2 quilt racks, 10 vintage quilts, 300 +  pieces of Limoges (seen above), 8 place setting of Aynsley + serving pieces (also seen above).

A large pile of vintage linens, 1 vintage christening dress, a framed stained glass, milk bottles and mustard crocks,  and 1 antique Singer head.

An organ stool, 6 pictures (3 framed Brass rubbings, a vintage print of a young girl looking at the Blue Bird of Happiness, a Teapot picture and a Teacup pic)

Then there was the Boston Fern stand with a fake Boston Fern, 3 sets of glass door knobs, and probably lots  more I can't even remember to list. 

All in all I made over $1000.00 for an garage sale I didn't even know I was going to have! Whooppee !

It was tiring for all, and I am so grateful for my nephew who helped load their vans, my sister and Brother-in-law who helped keep it all organized (as much as we could), and  the 2 ladies who had a ball purchasing all my stuff which would probably have gone to the Goodwill !! See - sometimes good thing do happen.

TTFN

Life Changes

It's summer and time for ice cream !! at least that's what Princess Claire thinks and I agree !

It's almost the end of May and my plans for my summer have changed dramatically :( :( :(.
The original plan was to sell the condo in March, have my cataract surgery in April, go apartment hunting in May, and in June pack up all my worldly possessions then move in July. Sounds like a reasonable plan - right?
Well, we all know what happens with Best laid plans ... something always goes awry!  For me it started with another case of Influenza (I think I know who shared - grrrrr). It put me back in the hospital, this time for 8 days :( :(. Once I was well enough to leave the hospital it was decided I should go into respite care as I was too weak to go home alone, so off I went to Oakcrossing a new Retirement home in town.

It has now been decided that I will stay here on one of their "Independent living" floors. The benefits of staying are:

• no stairs
• not having to go outside to collect my mail or take out the garbage
• not having to pay someone to clean up after me
• not having to clean off the car in the winter (they will do it for me)
• I can come and go as I please
• no grocery shopping
• no cooking
• should I need it again, assisted living (respite care) is "in house"
• it's real close to my sister, friends, Doctor, bank, etc.

The disadvantages of moving into Retirement Living

• having to downsize more dramatically than I planned as I now have to squeeze into 2 rooms  - YIKES
• much more expensive than living on my own in an apartment
• I'm the youngest one here (besides staff) - YIKES I'm surrounded by old fogies

So, with much trepidation I am now in the process of figuring how to divest myself of unwanted (antique) furniture, 3 sets of china, and 2 cats!! The two cats are a real problem. Simone, She who can not be touched  is proving to be very wily. My sister and her DH have set a "live trap" in the laundry room (where she hides) for 3 weeks now and still Simone has not been caught!

Iris is hiding under the bed but I am confident she will come out once I'm there and the place is quiet.

I am heartbroken that I can not take care of my fur babies any longer and can't find anyone to adopt them. I don't blame people for not wanting to take on She who can not be touched, but poor Iris is such a sweetie. What can you do. So right now they are both at home, alone (except for each other). My sister is going over each day and feeding them  (what a chore!) as well as dropping by Oakcrossing with this and that for me. 

Some of my quilting friends are dropping by on Wednesday to start the packing process  - this time I am hopeful we can pack up what's left of my sewing room, and maybe, just maybe even get the Limoges and the Aynsley packed!  I am so blessed to have a willing and helpful sister and such great friends!!!
So that's my life in a nut shell right now. I'm being pampered @ Oakcrossing, 3 meals a day, snacks brought to my door twice per day, housekeeping and free WiFi and internet. I'm walking the halls with my walker 2-3 times per day trying to gain strength and missing my home and my garden :(. I'm also missing all the great quilt shows this Spring and trying hard not to get too sad about that. On the bright side I'm still working away joining up rows for my Lucy Boston. Who knows I may finish that project yet!
TTFN