tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15019660691148172542024-03-13T12:14:50.868-04:00SunimpSUNIMP - A little quilting, knitting, machine embroidery and a little of everyday life.Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06882241924033302657noreply@blogger.comBlogger429125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1501966069114817254.post-55729505464621725912015-04-21T16:50:00.001-04:002015-04-21T16:52:32.848-04:00The Village Idiot<p align="justify"><font size="4">Does anyone even read this anymore? I know I have certainly lost interest in keeping it updated, but since I use it to record all my quilting/knitting/beading projects, I guess I should at least update my projects.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4">I made these little ‘stuffies’ as I call them on my embroidery machine. They were so much fun to make, but as usual, I didn’t have a clue what to do with them when I had them all made. I decided to post them on Facebook and sell them for $10 each, with all proceeds going to our local Animal Shelter. Thanks to the support of my friends, I was able to donate $100 to a very worthy cause.</font></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7pfmysW8H2w/VTa3-4Cv5FI/AAAAAAAAFIM/6XtcPmq6Vs0/s1600-h/Bunnies-and-Chicks4.jpg"><img title="Bunnies and Chicks" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Bunnies and Chicks" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oe7JLTg6-JU/VTa3_l-0qsI/AAAAAAAAFIQ/2-0sgPcWa7Y/Bunnies-and-Chicks_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373"></a></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4">There is a very talented lady at our Guild that takes old fur coats and turns them into teddy bears. I had an old silver fox stole of my Mum’s that I couldn’t bring myself to throw out, and being the animal lover I am, I knew I could never wear it either. Patti to the rescue. She turned the stole into the most amazing bear.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vRO09aa1ylU/VTa3_30T_HI/AAAAAAAAFIY/CaHe_MiCD4c/s1600-h/Mums-Bear4.jpg"><img title="Mum's Bear" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Mum's Bear" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0S_6xCQCtqs/VTa4ARmsenI/AAAAAAAAFIg/zbk3bKKeKLM/Mums-Bear_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="824"></a></p> <p><font size="4">My Judy Niemeyer group started a couple of weeks ago and I decided I’d make Fourth of July.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font> </p> <p align="justify"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://cdn3.volusion.com/eebkn.vkhxr/v/vspfiles/photos/JNQ38P-2T.jpg?1341496141"></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4">I think the most intimidating thing about it was getting started, but Judy has some excellent You Tube videos on how to prepare your templates and pattern pieces, so once I actually started, it went very smoothly. I have starting stitching the blocks and I’m anxious to see how it’s going to look when I put it all together. Picking the fabric was difficult as she tells you the quantities of light medium and dark, but you don’t really know where they are going until you start sewing.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4">I usually just work on one project at a time, but right now I have several irons in the fire. I’m working on a quilt called Moonshine which is a Block of the Month. I’m doing mine in blue, cream and red.</font></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bg2P6HuWKD4/VTa4ChX-jFI/AAAAAAAAFJM/9Wwqoq9MI5g/s1600-h/image%25255B1%25255D.png"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a1auw-k5l_M/VTa4DXk3tqI/AAAAAAAAFJU/c98LVpPhYWM/image_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="504" height="504"></a></p> <p><font size="4">As if that weren’t enough on my plate, I also signed up for this BOM which I loved as soon as I saw it. </font></p> <p><img src="http://store.quiltingbythebay.com/stores_app/images/images_774/FullBoom1000px.jpg"></p> <p><font size="4">I did finish my Spring Bouquet and had it quilted by Kelly Corfe the owner of <a href="http://www.thequiltbee.com/">The Quilting Bee</a>. Everyone asked me why I didn’t quilt it myself. My answer to that is quite simple – if I could quilt like Kelly, I would have!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OmoSAnUNxck/VTa4D4p49OI/AAAAAAAAFJc/Oc2coTAcYr8/s1600-h/DSC_3718%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_3718" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_3718" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JHcHjyl6rR4/VTa4EpCGDgI/AAAAAAAAFJk/lbMGd5VmsXc/DSC_3718_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="904" height="608"></a></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4">While this isn’t the best picture of the overall quilt, it is the best picture of the quilting which is amazing! Hopefully you can click on it and enlarge it. It is now hanging in our living room and I love it.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4">Now, to get back to the title of this post. Last Saturday, Sandra and I went to Buffalo shopping. We were almost at the border, when it struck me that I didn’t have my passport. Just before we left, I decided to switch purses to a lighter weight one. I keep my passport in my purse all the time (you never know when you might have to pop across the border) in a zippered compartment. I still don’t know why all of a sudden I remembered that I hadn’t transferred my passport out of that pocket. </font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4">Usually whenever I go out Leo will ask me if I have my passport – do I have my pills – do I have my keys and my response to him is always the same. Yes, what do you think I am, the village idiot! Well, obviously I am because when Sandra & I went to Buffalo for our annual Christmas shopping weekend, I forgot my pills – this time I forgot my passport. Don’t think this doesn’t bother me – it does – a lot. I find myself doing more and more stupid things lately. My Aunt told me it’s because I have too much on my mind. That sounds like a good excuse to me and I’m sticking with it!</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4">I’m leaving on May 1st for a weekend on Mackinac Island in Michigan. My friend Nikki and I are taking a wool applique class from Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings. To be honest, we are going just as much to stay in <a href="http://www.grandhotel.com/">The Grand Hotel</a> as we are for the class. There are no cars allowed on Mackinac – it’s like stepping back in time. It will probably be pretty chilly, but if we dress warmly, we should be O.K. Famous last words.</font></p> Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06882241924033302657noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1501966069114817254.post-25322612339223068322015-03-06T19:26:00.001-05:002015-03-06T19:26:19.327-05:00With Friends Like This….<p><font size="4">You know the rest! This is an e-mail I received this morning from my friend Lee – you remember her – the one that doesn’t have a blog! Here’s what she wrote:</font></p> <p><font size="4">Today is March 5th and you have missed an update on your blog for Feb....This is just a reminder!!!!!</font> <p><font size="4">Wasn’t that kind of her to remind me? Don’t worry, I’ll get even with her……</font> <p align="justify"><font size="4">We purchased a new computer last month and seem to have had nothing but frustration since it was installed. When I went to write this post, I discovered Windows Live Writer (which I use to compose) wasn’t installed on the computer. So, an hour and a half later, after trying to download it and remember passwords for Windows, Google and my Blog, I think I finally got it fixed. Of course, there are a dozen other programs it downloaded at the same time and I’m sure Leo will be thrilled!</font> <p align="justify"><font size="4">I was asked to make two baby quilts for gifts. The first one is for a very special little boy that is due in about 4 weeks and has been diagnosed with Down Syndrome. He is going to require heart surgery when he is a couple of months old and my heart just breaks for him and his parents. He has also been diagnosed with IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction) so I just hope everything turns out alright. It just seems so unfair that some people are given so much to deal with.</font> <p align="justify"><font size="4">Anyway, on to the quilt. The gift giver wanted a little boy quilt as opposed to a baby quilt and wanted cars and trucks on it. This is what I came up with:</font> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rZ2CsaYvpsw/VPpFhZVjkZI/AAAAAAAAFFk/l1nmMnFyqN0/s1600-h/Finished%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Finished" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Finished" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-H2vyHirxGYQ/VPpFiBFrkbI/AAAAAAAAFFs/7HNwz5nnkxE/Finished_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="660"></a> <p><font size="4">I found this fabric which I thought was perfect for the back.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nufRoAWSAuQ/VPpFiuZeTjI/AAAAAAAAFF0/4vTWv7xWS_c/s1600-h/Back%2525202%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Back 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Back 2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lAcyH_DLkiA/VPpFjUwQMHI/AAAAAAAAFF8/YKMp4bhcf0I/Back%2525202_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="759"></a></p> <p><font size="4">I’m hoping it will be a good teaching quilt with all the different vehicles. Most of all, I’m hoping the little guy will be O.K. as he has a lot of people anxiously awaiting his arrival to shower him with love.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4">The other quilt giver had a specific request too – she wanted a green and yellow quilt with Winnie the Pooh. I looked at Winnie fabric, but it was really thin and nasty, so I came up with the idea of an embroidered Pooh. Of course, all the Disney designs are licensed to Brother, so finding a design wasn’t easy, but I did manage to find one on Etsy that wasn’t pirated and it stitched out very well.</font></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3lDFASMO9dE/VPpFj0jJTzI/AAAAAAAAFGE/Il_MM0-gHm4/s1600-h/Winnie%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Winnie 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Winnie 2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TZ3bqvVDX0c/VPpFkVi63sI/AAAAAAAAFGI/Z3JI7k8CRN4/Winnie%2525202_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="469"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hk-wOjZTBlo/VPpFk4hISgI/AAAAAAAAFGU/5BOXMEPvijc/s1600-h/Winnie%2525203%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Winnie 3" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Winnie 3" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xaUYYtZwp50/VPpFlRoDKCI/AAAAAAAAFGc/ak_U_1UJnvg/Winnie%2525203_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="339"></a></p> <p><font size="4">She also wanted Minkie on the back. I’d never worked with it before, but was pleasantly surprised at how well it quilted. My only problem was the fluff from it all over the house!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Q8EXFn1-IoA/VPpFl1iSWPI/AAAAAAAAFGk/G675f6fyk4c/s1600-h/Winnie%252520Back%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Winnie Back" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Winnie Back" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kfqqzMhT2DQ/VPpFmb3imeI/AAAAAAAAFGo/eIpiwvM6yGQ/Winnie%252520Back_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="339"></a></p> <p><font size="4">I had some Minkie left over, so I decided to make a couple of little tag blankies for both babies. I’ve been told babies love to play with the tags. Not having any grandchildren, I wouldn’t know!!! (But I’m not bitter.)</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--1UebSkPFMU/VPpFm0nx5xI/AAAAAAAAFG0/BC_eKPEdewM/s1600-h/Tag%252520Blankies%2525203%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Tag Blankies 3" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Tag Blankies 3" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sORIUDxACcw/VPpFnHx95qI/AAAAAAAAFG4/D6Jn-PnhrSs/Tag%252520Blankies%2525203_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="339"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4rq39imarRU/VPpFn5JgN7I/AAAAAAAAFHE/m3qsy_0uPz4/s1600-h/Tag%252520Blankies%2525204%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Tag Blankies 4" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Tag Blankies 4" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qvF3qDUMZLI/VPpFoBNRvJI/AAAAAAAAFHM/u-epPGW1_Xc/Tag%252520Blankies%2525204_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="339"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--b4BnTv0wVs/VPpFo2QB9wI/AAAAAAAAFHU/8XC1-FFbYxc/s1600-h/Tag%252520Blankles2%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Tag Blankles2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Tag Blankles2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RRyjx6yNPtk/VPpFpdEGTbI/AAAAAAAAFHc/eoJ8tJf4540/Tag%252520Blankles2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="339"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-d7YT_RsUodY/VPpFp_uDI_I/AAAAAAAAFHk/2SQf_yHclsQ/s1600-h/DSC_3665%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_3665" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_3665" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WHiwH5KbjdM/VPpFqQAUZFI/AAAAAAAAFHo/dSHYUpICrdM/DSC_3665_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="339"></a></p> <p><font size="4">I’m busy stitching the binding on my Spring Bouquet. I am so happy with it and can hardly wait to hang it in the living room. I promise pictures next time. I’m sure Lee will remind me <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vQjEyXpiEEE/VPpFqoKC_AI/AAAAAAAAFHw/n2id3V8iMEU/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></font></p> Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06882241924033302657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1501966069114817254.post-22919436960973289642015-01-18T12:43:00.001-05:002015-01-18T12:43:59.936-05:00Happy New Year 2015<p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Christmas has come and gone and I, for one, am not sorry. I find it a very sad time of year that reminds me of all the loved ones we’ve lost. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I do, however, have some Christmas things to show you that I couldn’t post before they were given to their recipients. I love to make Christmas themed gifts and am always drawn to Christmas kits and patterns. There is something wrong with that!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MOfohJ9RfL4/VLvwvbrSRdI/AAAAAAAAFCk/haEVZP14DEg/s1600-h/DSC_3440%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3440" border="0" alt="DSC_3440" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-T6GtaoGHULI/VLvwv4zAbXI/AAAAAAAAFCo/3UG_LjC3LQU/DSC_3440_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373"></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">This beaded bracelet was for Sandra and the one below is for her wonderful mother in law, Judy.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cCJCU7QaLuE/VLvwwVv_q3I/AAAAAAAAFC0/RhHn7X0UOYA/s1600-h/DSC_3455%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3455" border="0" alt="DSC_3455" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AxfRJUaIkvw/VLvwwwtIfaI/AAAAAAAAFC4/cHOCPjAynR4/DSC_3455_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373"></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Sandra was also the recipient of this tissue holder which was done in the hoop on my embroidery machine.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-e5zUr9rxEyU/VLvwxHQaYkI/AAAAAAAAFDE/oS8Z2Blctdc/s1600-h/DSC_3460%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3460" border="0" alt="DSC_3460" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-n-sWERU91jw/VLvwxzWclxI/AAAAAAAAFDM/dN22Dl7DI90/DSC_3460_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="824"></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I made these for my son in law’s sister who just had a wonderful new addition put on her house with her dream kitchen.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hIptk8UskXE/VLvwysy7k8I/AAAAAAAAFDU/rdVqEuOpKLo/s1600-h/DSC_3471%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3471" border="0" alt="DSC_3471" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CUz0XwpbiVI/VLvwzFrig0I/AAAAAAAAFDY/FTvwPYJTdNc/DSC_3471_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373"></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">These Owl hot plate holders went to Sandra.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-P6Hc-_oyOBs/VLvwzl_vEqI/AAAAAAAAFDk/YY38cgcB-18/s1600-h/DSC_3468%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3468" border="0" alt="DSC_3468" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YDToCri0jr0/VLvw0L1vtKI/AAAAAAAAFDo/5DPoITMtLDg/DSC_3468_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373"></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I showed you one of these trees in my last post, but I felt they needed a little something so added some snow and presents.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XhIhg69Zoyo/VLvw0pK_DlI/AAAAAAAAFD0/GXVvPe4dXe8/s1600-h/DSC_3466%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3466" border="0" alt="DSC_3466" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Nvi65kgHC0w/VLvw1PjmvsI/AAAAAAAAFD8/XoQYcBf6pfQ/DSC_3466_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="749"></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I’ve been working on a mystery quilt I made several years ago. Here is a picture of the top:</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-w9R4jPnbbDM/VLvw1gSGudI/AAAAAAAAFEA/-_pukeBlxZw/s1600-h/photo%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo" border="0" alt="photo" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-P9f5gsyt7LI/VLvw2GoFHXI/AAAAAAAAFEI/AOldyhSAX9U/photo_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="379"></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Those big empty plain blocks always bothered me, so I decided to machine embroider some applique on them. It’s a pretty tedious task – it takes me almost 2 hours to do one block – I could probably have hand appliqued them faster, but here is a not very good picture of one of them done:</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YamQ-N8xW7g/VLvw286uN2I/AAAAAAAAFEU/zsxdt0xZAL8/s1600-h/DSC_3519%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3519" border="0" alt="DSC_3519" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-reYRJxa7OG8/VLvw3Mb9rnI/AAAAAAAAFEY/LHIvf-ZZxDg/DSC_3519_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="339"></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">There just don’t seem to be enough hours in a day to accomplish everything I want to. I’ve been asked to make 3 baby quilts – one which is very special and is going to take a lot of work. I also got talked into doing a Block of the Month for a quilt called Moonshine. </font></p> <p><img src="https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10407493_839002142810006_2403796887300456429_n.jpg?oh=a22b422afc1b29209a319eef56311c97&oe=556C297D" width="550" height="550"></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I’m doing mine in dark blues, reds and creams. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Yesterday Lee and I took a class on how to make thrummed mittens. It was fun and I think these mitts are going to be really warm when they are done.</font></p> <p><img alt="Thrummed Mittens: February 12 -- New Session! - Click Image to Close" src="http://greenwoodquiltery.com/store/images/workshop%20photo%20OLS.jpg" width="550" height="253"></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">After our class we had a nice lunch, then went to Len’s Mill in Guelph. I think the Guelph location has more fabric than any of the other locations I’ve been to. I’ve been searching for ‘sky’ fabric for a couple of weeks, and had my choice of several there. It’s too bad sky fabric wasn’t the only thing I bought <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-sadsmile" alt="Sad smile" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Wsfw-mqr_BA/VLvw3opn7RI/AAAAAAAAFEg/-ZStFhOPIJg/wlEmoticon-sadsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I will soon have to decide which Judy Niemeyer quilt I am going to do for the group starting in April. I’m drawn to 4th of July, but it may be a bit ambitious for a first attempt at one of her patterns. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">There is also another quilt my friend Nikki showed me that I’d love to do. It’s called Country Crossroads and it, too, is a block of the month. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><img src="http://siterepository.s3.amazonaws.com/420/450x447_countrycrossajpg.jpg" width="550" height="547"></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Well, maybe if I got off the computer and actually DID some of the things on my list instead of just telling you about them, I might accomplish a bit more.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">It’s been freezing in our part of the country the last couple of weeks, so I hope wherever you are you are staying warm and cuddling under a lovely quilt.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06882241924033302657noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1501966069114817254.post-69499008249380303752014-12-03T20:15:00.001-05:002014-12-03T20:15:20.302-05:00December Musings<p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Do you remember my annoying friend Lee? The one who doesn’t have a blog but calls to ask me when I’m going to update mine? Well, she asked again and guilted me into it!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I think I left off at our Guild’s quilt show and still had more pictures to share.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QGFbsE1Jao4/VH-1iEvD09I/AAAAAAAAFAg/PbN4qWSdXt0/s1600-h/032%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="032" border="0" alt="032" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XV7SPSkQVlg/VH-1isJGNWI/AAAAAAAAFAk/YBj-pp7Jifg/032_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373"></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">This is a Jinny Byer pattern called Moonglow. I’ve always wanted to make one of these, but the pattern is free on her website and after I looked at it, I decided I didn’t want to dedicate the next ten years to one quilt. That being said, I have joined a small group that are going to be working on a Judy Niemeyer quilt. We are all going to be working on our own pattern, but hopefully will get help and support from each other. It isn’t going to start until April, which is a good thing since I still haven’t decided which one I want to do. I’m leaning towards <a href="http://www.quiltworx.com/patterns/fourth-of-july/">Fourth of July</a> but I’d like to buy a kit rather than try and pick my own fabrics.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KCe40uH1-jI/VH-1jc4F1hI/AAAAAAAAFAw/99RbJakTsPE/s1600-h/046%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="046" border="0" alt="046" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aBI5Xkl3qEw/VH-1j1S8LhI/AAAAAAAAFA0/BdmRe0M3esA/046_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-anarS9JbWsU/VH-1kbC9ezI/AAAAAAAAFBA/JER0r4h7rIU/s1600-h/040%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="040" border="0" alt="040" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0kWjqzmIbr4/VH-1k4ASBEI/AAAAAAAAFBE/WWwGDwQgq3o/040_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373"></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">There’s a new baby in our house – a Babylock Ellisimo Gold. I’ve always owned Husqvarna machines and never really considered another make as I had all the feet, embroidery hoops, software, etc. for them. Then I saw the Babylock demonstrated and fell in love. In my humble opinion, it is way ahead of the Husqvarna technology wise. It’s very user friendly and I love sewing on it, as well as doing embroidery. It came with everything I could possibly want, so buying more hoops or feet wasn’t an issue. I’m trying to sell my Husqvarna/Viking SE but so far have had no interest. It’s a great machine – I just like the Babylock more <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZvAIP-4GpwM/VH-1lchxJUI/AAAAAAAAFBM/HgJrYoJDExc/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I took an embroidery class where we learned how to do a tablerunner or quilt completely in the hoop. I’m not sure I would do the technique again, but it’s always nice to learn new things.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-U3LSgxg_BDQ/VH-1mNF87uI/AAAAAAAAFBY/GDY1M820Rf8/s1600-h/002%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="002" border="0" alt="002" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uhGMNKqlN4Y/VH-1mhcnGVI/AAAAAAAAFBg/AJ5S0914K6E/002_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="612"></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Sandra and I went on our annual Christmas shopping trip to Buffalo a couple of weekends ago. You might have heard about the 7 feet of snow they got! Well, it seems like the snow literally cut the city in half – the south was hit really badly, but the northern part of the city got very little. Luckily, we were staying in the part that had no snow and didn’t see any during our travels all weekend. It was hard to believe that just 5 minutes south roofs were caving in from the weight of the snow. We had a successful trip and I always enjoy spending time with my daughter.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I made her an Advent Calendar a few years ago, but she has taken to filling it every year for Darren, so I made her another one and gave it to her complete with 24 little gifts wrapped and numbered.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qvenqW6kVdM/VH-1nVbGGxI/AAAAAAAAFBo/TOxCLkccy-E/s1600-h/005%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="005" border="0" alt="005" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WfcwX8cWqHU/VH-1n9JDF2I/AAAAAAAAFBs/j86z90Jkfis/005_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373"></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I also managed to finish the top of my Blueridge Beauty from Bonnie Hunter’s class. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tXBnAufJJMo/VH-1oL-J0uI/AAAAAAAAFB0/7CKAxLDenv8/s1600-h/Blueridge%252520Beauty%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Blueridge Beauty" border="0" alt="Blueridge Beauty" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-THnn-GQQGiw/VH-1ozImsBI/AAAAAAAAFCA/CRX5tK8C_ZA/Blueridge%252520Beauty_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="416"></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">There is one heck of a lot of sewing in that top – two hundred odd half square triangles and the same of four patches. Since I did it completely from my scrap bin, there was a LOT of cutting involved. Let’s just say I’m glad it’s done! Now I need to get it quilted. Oh, by the way, Lee’s isn’t finished yet <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZvAIP-4GpwM/VH-1lchxJUI/AAAAAAAAFBM/HgJrYoJDExc/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"> </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">My favourite quilt store is about an hour away. <a href="http://www.thequiltbee.com/">The Quilting Bee</a> is a wonderful store and the owner, Kelly Korfe, has done so much for the local longarm community. She is bringing in Judi Madsen of <a href="http://greenfairyquilts.com/">Green Fairy Quilts</a> for classes. Lee and I have signed up and are looking forward to learning from Judi. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I saw a tutorial on Facebook the other day for a fabric tree and decided to give it a go. This isn’t a very good picture, but I think I’d like to bling it up a bit with some hot fix crystals on some of the ‘branches’. If I make another one, I’ll do that.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-naonwPvbhSU/VH-1pW_s0FI/AAAAAAAAFCE/3CRXKKjW3hg/s1600-h/008%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="008" border="0" alt="008" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KZVZAJoT9es/VH-1phpJnxI/AAAAAAAAFCM/V4_RuykH1dw/008_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="824"></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">We are having our living and dining room painted this week. We’re buying new furniture for the living room and not before time. The stuff in there is so dated and while there isn’t anything wrong with it, I’m sick of the sight of it. I’m sure someone in need will make good use of it. I just wish I could wiggle my nose and all the new furniture would appear as I hate making decisions. On the other hand, if I left it to Leo, we’d probably be sitting in a boat in our living room!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06882241924033302657noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1501966069114817254.post-29042233518435496072014-10-27T20:04:00.001-04:002014-10-27T20:04:14.056-04:00Trick or Treat<p><font size="5" face="Times New Roman">I was actually ahead of the game this year and got some Halloween sewing done early. I made this wallhanging for my adopted grandsons, and also a treat bag for each of them.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FIUoOpm0Nts/VE7dKdEzz2I/AAAAAAAAE74/kfquU5YRI-Q/s1600-h/007%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="007" border="0" alt="007" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kK2J8gnT8NE/VE7dK3XmmoI/AAAAAAAAE8A/RX3FhY5guqk/007_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373"></a></font></p> <p><font size="5" face="Times New Roman">It’s difficult to see, but I actually got out of my box and quilted a spider web on it!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-M-yPwF037pI/VE7dLfAt7XI/AAAAAAAAE8I/_TWkOvYlBvI/s1600-h/003%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="003" border="0" alt="003" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KxJlJrJk15I/VE7dMOtdWpI/AAAAAAAAE8M/2JKUForHVRQ/003_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sodatmTl8tI/VE7dMpOvEOI/AAAAAAAAE8Y/5gtXOkjacTs/s1600-h/004%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="004" border="0" alt="004" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-78fxPvspMMA/VE7dNK1GOqI/AAAAAAAAE8c/HZUFHN-2lIY/004_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8fJeRS_ur_Q/VE7dNmqTsbI/AAAAAAAAE8o/i3PsJelOjNo/s1600-h/002%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="002" border="0" alt="002" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6I3gzmmQw0I/VE7dN9R9QrI/AAAAAAAAE8s/ID4w8LM-Xpk/002_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ki7wcYdoS_g/VE7dOkhr1II/AAAAAAAAE84/AyATVbsNWS4/s1600-h/006%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="006" border="0" alt="006" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GBqVSJLnsks/VE7dPFwmT6I/AAAAAAAAE9A/T4V6UcaYWs0/006_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373"></a></p> <p><font size="5" face="Times New Roman">I think they liked them.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-a9xq9sg2d1Q/VE7dQEd1p1I/AAAAAAAAE9I/4KODHY9DXbk/s1600-h/IMG-20141009-03439%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG-20141009-03439" border="0" alt="IMG-20141009-03439" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MMpcsOAU4rk/VE7dQz1Be1I/AAAAAAAAE9Q/qMVe1E-3jcc/IMG-20141009-03439_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="737"></a></p> <p><font size="5" face="Times New Roman">I also made a tablerunner for Sandra – she loves Halloween and always decorates their house.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7SDQAOh5iGc/VE7dRpGDHtI/AAAAAAAAE9Y/9BMIUUDXm_0/s1600-h/009%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="009" border="0" alt="009" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kKOcyOtZjsg/VE7dSDdgWDI/AAAAAAAAE9g/iPD9MDgRkDk/009_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="824"></a></p> <p><font size="5" face="Times New Roman">Then I decided I needed a fall wreath for the front door. I used batiks this time – all from my scraps. I really enjoyed making the first one, but for some reason this one seemed to take forever and I never thought I’d get it finished. I was going to make one for Christmas, but I think I’ll wait until next year when I’ve forgotten what a PITA it was to make.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KqfGCluITPw/VE7dSxJWOaI/AAAAAAAAE9o/wwgZBC0hrHo/s1600-h/Fall%252520Wreath%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Fall Wreath" border="0" alt="Fall Wreath" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Urxa62pJpjE/VE7dTeKz7WI/AAAAAAAAE9w/rXlE_ZmHbIU/Fall%252520Wreath_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="737"></a></p> <p><font size="5" face="Times New Roman">A friend I used to work with who is now retired has always wanted to take a beading class. She practically begged me to take it with her and I told her I already had enough hobbies without getting addicted to another one. You guessed it – I gave in and took a class. I was hoping I’d hate it, but unfortunately, I really enjoyed it and can now add beading to my list of hobbies. At least beads don’t take up much room and are easy to get in the house unnoticed! This is the bracelet I made at the class.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EMCxkxbA8rE/VE7dT-R9U4I/AAAAAAAAE90/jSSQiSIa7rY/s1600-h/063%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="063" border="0" alt="063" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Grg0jMNYrdc/VE7dUUlrRRI/AAAAAAAAE-A/oZi6pHX7j6A/063_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373"></a></p> <p><font size="5" face="Times New Roman">I’ve also been doing some knitting – furry cowls to be specific. I made one for Sandra and she loved it, so I had a couple of requests to knit more. They are unbelievably soft and the best part – they don’t shed – not one little bit!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tjeg_EOUFts/VE7dU4DOqhI/AAAAAAAAE-I/2a5PbFqgnl8/s1600-h/014%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="014" border="0" alt="014" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FGuY0wM0thM/VE7dVXDg6cI/AAAAAAAAE-M/LtjqPeE-GFE/014_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FiIfK7O81Yk/VE7dV7SfcqI/AAAAAAAAE-U/-AfkdoYHhQ4/s1600-h/058%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="058" border="0" alt="058" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ilMActP3pqw/VE7dWcvNj4I/AAAAAAAAE-Y/CS8p0rFdxRw/058_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tBGBTJCcS4E/VE7dW5_TBrI/AAAAAAAAE-o/daSN_5kosvA/s1600-h/062%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="062" border="0" alt="062" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-O8nSc_A-qi0/VE7dXV6Tq6I/AAAAAAAAE-s/q-0eg8-dLqo/062_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373"></a></p> <p><font size="5" face="Times New Roman">I made two more, but you get the idea.</font></p> <p><font size="5" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><font size="5" face="Times New Roman">I’m working on my Blueridge Beauty, but it’s going to be a while before that one is finished. I’d love to be able to work on more than one quilting project at once, but when you have everything pulled out for something, it doesn’t make sense to put it all away and start working on something else. </font></p> <p><font size="5" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><font size="5" face="Times New Roman">I promised I’d share some pictures from our Guild’s Quilt Show. I’ll post a couple now, and more next time.</font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QQUmNPgDv60/VE7dXz6fUHI/AAAAAAAAE-4/l5UUiQDBxOQ/s1600-h/001%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="001" border="0" alt="001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JLKxhQ9syQs/VE7dYrilEPI/AAAAAAAAE_A/iVALmCd9ln0/001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="824"></a> </p> <p><font size="5" face="Times New Roman"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4guHlCkk5Fc/VE7dZBVvOCI/AAAAAAAAE_I/VITBNmi5NJ4/s1600-h/008%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="008" border="0" alt="008" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GPuuEx5am1E/VE7dZ9U_3rI/AAAAAAAAE_Q/XLmUuNTrb_c/008_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="824"></a></font></p> <p><font size="5" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uD1QKEAwcDo/VE7dauUIBnI/AAAAAAAAE_Y/1-o1U5ItzAw/s1600-h/013%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="013" border="0" alt="013" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yx5gV_UxIck/VE7dbDDzTPI/AAAAAAAAE_g/tZ5J7m4Vy1c/013_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="824"></a></p> <p><font size="5" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><font size="5" face="Times New Roman"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-01lIJAaZ3AY/VE7dbzUhkSI/AAAAAAAAE_o/0Cnmih0umK4/s1600-h/021%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="021" border="0" alt="021" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-px4uIDQoEB0/VE7dcpu3AZI/AAAAAAAAE_s/lI67fCankEI/021_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373"></a></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lYWsmk5Ebw4/VE7ddEJHZPI/AAAAAAAAE_4/O-UOThDoQ54/s1600-h/017%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="017" border="0" alt="017" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-g6kWiIqm4Ns/VE7dd0zFt5I/AAAAAAAAFAA/5hDNvQoEZ-g/017_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="824"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-w7J4j1bSvsU/VE7deU5f-JI/AAAAAAAAFAI/GLZkaYqWnNY/s1600-h/022%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="022" border="0" alt="022" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4-qoACvkZwg/VE7dfF16-XI/AAAAAAAAFAQ/FKbrmoY1-Yo/022_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373"></a></p> <p><font size="5" face="Times New Roman">We have some very talented quilters in our Guild. </font></p> Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06882241924033302657noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1501966069114817254.post-52169878733771848632014-10-06T18:18:00.000-04:002014-10-08T17:00:48.539-04:00Road Trips<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">We won’t even talk about how long it’s been since I’ve updated my blog.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">I am a huge fan of Deb Tucker of <a href="http://www.studio180design.net/">Studio 180</a> Design. I first met her in New Hampshire at MQX about 6 or 7 years ago and have followed her progress ever since. I find her fascinating to listen to and watch and her rulers are absolute genius! My latest purchase was her LeMoyne Star ruler. She has excellent instructional videos on line, but more for the road trip than the lesson, Lee, Nikki and I went to Buffalo one day to take a class on using this new tool. It is SO easy and makes a perfect block every single time!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BWm91xhZMQ0/VDWRKnxJQJI/AAAAAAAAE2I/16e1BIHMMq0/s1600-h/Cropped4.jpg"><img alt="Cropped" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XI7qtXAmRjY/VDWRLRM2FSI/AAAAAAAAE2M/fpI79IjRwRM/Cropped_thumb11.jpg?imgmax=800" height="444" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cropped" width="554" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">Sandra and I spent a wonderful weekend in Rochester, NY. She planned the whole thing and we visited the Jell-O Museum (the very fact that there is such a thing warranted a visit), a beautiful mall, a spa day, a visit to the George Eastman house which was amazing and finally a trip to the zoo before heading home. We both had a ball and were particularly impressed with the George Eastman (of Eastman Kodak fame) house. It is 35,000 square feet and has been restored to it’s original condition. The guide told us that one New Year’s Eve over 900 guests were in the house. Here are some shots from our weekend.</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7Ib-YpFwnwU/VDWRMAmnH2I/AAAAAAAAE2U/im70AISMuXQ/s1600-h/jello-33.jpg"><img alt="jello 3" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xkDeZJDlmo8/VDWRMi-pQOI/AAAAAAAAE2c/kE0LH3Yab2Y/jello-3_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" height="416" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="jello 3" width="554" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FK84wByyHTE/VDWRNOqUBwI/AAAAAAAAE2o/-A3PxldIITc/s1600-h/jello-53.jpg"><img alt="jello 5" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-K2AJMDYW_fk/VDWRN53MdnI/AAAAAAAAE2w/RfwMQKDv0LY/jello-5_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" height="737" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="jello 5" width="554" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">The Eastman House and gardens.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wYlLs2m5peo/VDWROr0VZVI/AAAAAAAAE20/JZBuEcsMufU/s1600-h/rochester-63.jpg"><img alt="rochester 6" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-v5pXJXRnwCE/VDWRPLlSk6I/AAAAAAAAE3A/yj4NVndABjs/rochester-6_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" height="737" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="rochester 6" width="554" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZTgMEcx_y7U/VDWRQBAr-YI/AAAAAAAAE3I/IbTlFySVeWI/s1600-h/rochester-423.jpg"><img alt="rochester 42" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-leWHX0SWLk0/VDWRQoQvF_I/AAAAAAAAE3Q/fuEavOwA-6U/rochester-42_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" height="416" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="rochester 42" width="554" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IXoVWCi0ez0/VDWRRFyzf5I/AAAAAAAAE3Y/JVRSuJD9btQ/s1600-h/rochester-207.jpg"><img alt="rochester 20" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CCJ4380aQ9U/VDWRSHPpxMI/AAAAAAAAE3g/pkQoKlwoZsI/rochester-20_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" height="737" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="rochester 20" width="554" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9ICr0PhlrxM/VDWRS2t6wGI/AAAAAAAAE3o/doCHlOzGMuw/s1600-h/rochester-26a4.jpg"><img alt="rochester 26a" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CJolv0C3bvM/VDWRTSBSXXI/AAAAAAAAE3w/6y8oRRiIMQY/rochester-26a_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" height="416" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="rochester 26a" width="554" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">This wasn’t my favourite picture – he shot this elephant while on safari and while the tusks are the original, the original elephant’s head rotted and a replica had to be made.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6cPscDOIDP0/VDWRUBH7pQI/AAAAAAAAE34/gd5wapRTkTI/s1600-h/rochester-123.jpg"><img alt="rochester 12" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JkKumUMiMw4/VDWRUpYqkJI/AAAAAAAAE4A/wvfbhpbeJ2M/rochester-12_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" height="737" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="rochester 12" width="554" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">The crown moldings and decorative trim were unbelievable.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TDQUyvU-OBs/VDWRVL_UFWI/AAAAAAAAE4E/prYEjRxDhQg/s1600-h/rochester-117.jpg"><img alt="rochester 11" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0OIk4abJf6k/VDWRV3G8vKI/AAAAAAAAE4Q/_frjoPm_Y3U/rochester-11_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" height="737" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="rochester 11" width="554" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HgmY95pox4M/VDWRWSGrVfI/AAAAAAAAE4Y/lWinDswoigM/s1600-h/rochester-4664.jpg"><img alt="rochester 46" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NmIlPxUgW8A/VDWRXGxfMCI/AAAAAAAAE4c/Tzb1m59MiLA/rochester-46_thumb64.jpg?imgmax=800" height="737" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="rochester 46" width="554" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">Lee and I had our class with Bonnie Hunter. I’m probably the only quilter in North America who feels this way, but I was very disappointed in her class (actually, there are 2 of us, as Lee felt the same way). I knew the quilt we were making was an easy one – Blueridge Beauty – but I thought she would share all kinds of tips and tricks for scraps – like what sizes to cut them, how to sort them, etc. Maybe we needed to go to the lecture to get that, but in her class we spent the morning making 4 patches and the afternoon sewing half square triangles. I think I already knew how to do that! In my opinion, and this is only my opinion, I think she is spreading herself too thin. She had arrived in Buffalo from Alaska and was at the end of a 12 day trip. I don’t care who you are, you can’t keep up that kind of schedule and be as enthusiastic at the end of the trip as you were at the beginning. I would love to hear from anyone else who has taken one of her classes. Maybe we just caught her on an off day, but I was extremely disappointed. I was even disappointed in the picture – this is NOT a good picture of either Lee or myself but since I’m such a good sport, I’ll post it anyway.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-miidOjbe0Wo/VDWRXTosfvI/AAAAAAAAE4k/JN-cvfVTWZc/s1600-h/Cropped9.jpg"><img alt="Cropped" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uL4e_sYSHlY/VDWRYIOlgCI/AAAAAAAAE4w/r-bZhGD42Hw/Cropped_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" height="313" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cropped" width="554" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">Last weekend, Nikki, Diane, Valerie and I went to Quilting Around Chautauqua in New York state. It was a gorgeous weekend weather wise and the trees had started to turn down there, which is surprising as they are further south than we are and our trees haven’t started turning yet. The show is held on the grounds of the Chautauqua Institute and it was like stepping back in time when the rich would go to their summer mansions on the lake for the season. The community was so quaint and the show and vendors were spread out in different buildings throughout the community. Several shuttle busses ran continuously all day taking you from one venue to the next. This is the Athenaeum Hotel where a lot of the vendors were located.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4i2Iwt42qmE/VDWRYu_UOpI/AAAAAAAAE44/zDUsMs74EZs/s1600-h/Atheneum-Hotel3.jpg"><img alt="Atheneum Hotel" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2w_uqnBdpNE/VDWRZIe_4xI/AAAAAAAAE48/SrQNx2IfwQI/Atheneum-Hotel_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" height="293" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Atheneum Hotel" width="554" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">The hotel is right on the lake and that beautiful porch was filled with rocking chairs and you look onto the lake from them. We tried them out at the end of the day when we were weary from carrying our purchases. Did I mention we did our duty and boosted the economy of the area?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">While the quilts for the most part were disappointing (honestly, they were), there was one building that housed quilts done by a group called The Stitchin’ Sisters and their quilts were outstanding. Here is a sampling of what was on display in their building.</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2e7SdUAiBAc/VDWRZ30_SFI/AAAAAAAAE5E/Xn8vTMw201o/s1600-h/IMG_07074.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0707" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-myWxYt8f4FA/VDWRaX0luxI/AAAAAAAAE5Q/iw1DYp5G10g/IMG_0707_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" height="737" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0707" width="554" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Bcf0U2lIKYk/VDWRa1EwEtI/AAAAAAAAE5U/2uOf8hIgn30/s1600-h/IMG_07083.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0708" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DzHXgcmpAw8/VDWRbjql97I/AAAAAAAAE5g/afBEzk753A4/IMG_0708_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" height="737" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0708" width="554" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MhB2t-79qOI/VDWRcHvQyNI/AAAAAAAAE5k/I0FYNo3p1vE/s1600-h/IMG_07103.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0710" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QdKLT7f24sA/VDWRclgn8TI/AAAAAAAAE5w/mlmIpAYyv0k/IMG_0710_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" height="737" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0710" width="554" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-15T9Uw3XLps/VDWRdcKaFKI/AAAAAAAAE54/-cIkt-L8Hj8/s1600-h/IMG_07113.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0711" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0WgJTkt5u_8/VDWRd9JMTbI/AAAAAAAAE6A/mBxzfzu2sCo/IMG_0711_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" height="737" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0711" width="554" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gYPCutWCl90/VDWReY5_N6I/AAAAAAAAE6E/fMm1OSUXRQU/s1600-h/IMG_07163.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0716" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-X_-q95X-kZw/VDWRe5HfBAI/AAAAAAAAE6M/rqYvsnSpYtU/IMG_0716_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" height="737" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0716" width="554" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rO1da1BrmT4/VDWRfmPo3SI/AAAAAAAAE6Y/pGu5KUiketU/s1600-h/IMG_07173.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0717" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JPjf3uHxJek/VDWRgblHKcI/AAAAAAAAE6g/kjKMJAQJK1c/IMG_0717_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" height="737" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0717" width="554" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">Here’s a peek of the lake.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ElfW4AXHaoY/VDWRg4Y4W7I/AAAAAAAAE6k/8JYh8h0XL-U/s1600-h/IMG_07053.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0705" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TDfkJKX4OGI/VDWRha-oTLI/AAAAAAAAE6w/3DkVB5DhHMo/IMG_0705_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" height="737" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0705" width="554" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">You can see what a perfect day it was without a cloud in the sky.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ES7pWuIBqV8/VDWRh_iZm-I/AAAAAAAAE64/my0lWfF3k3Q/s1600-h/IMG_07403.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0740" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gprq9nlloko/VDWRipluEFI/AAAAAAAAE7A/GqQz2VWMPwo/IMG_0740_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" height="737" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0740" width="554" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">This one was taken from the porch of the Athenaeum Hotel. I hope you appreciate the effort I made to get out of my rocking chair to take this!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">Here are my buddies – Nikki, Valerie and Diane.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qlC6Mo9YPzY/VDWRjB8O_FI/AAAAAAAAE7I/0aaCck_mj58/s1600-h/IMG_07393.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0739" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NwUhEs-7Gio/VDWRj1f0PwI/AAAAAAAAE7Q/EzCrFkZzx-k/IMG_0739_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" height="737" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0739" width="554" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">They made me hide all their shopping bags behind them <img alt="Smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2LB_63l38pI/VDWRkm4gNPI/AAAAAAAAE7Y/I1gtpawlO8w/wlEmoticon-smile2.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none;" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">Here I am with Nikki and Diane.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rLPKAAYRKVo/VDWRlNPUFUI/AAAAAAAAE7g/7yXitbAzNX8/s1600-h/Cropped41.jpg"><img alt="Cropped" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-P8al5VZSCq8/VDWRlhw6rjI/AAAAAAAAE7o/K3aUmT7AmtE/Cropped_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" height="474" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cropped" width="554" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">Our Guild’s Quilt Show was last weekend but I haven’t even downloaded the pictures yet, so those will have to wait until next time.</span>Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06882241924033302657noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1501966069114817254.post-71327985158665881242014-08-19T19:40:00.001-04:002014-08-19T19:40:10.693-04:00When it Rains, it Pours<p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">This has been the strangest summer weather wise. It was so cold on the weekend I seriously considered turning the furnace on and while it has warmed up slightly, I’ve been wearing a sweater or hoodie all week when I go outside. I’m not complaining though, as I’ll take this over heat and humidity any day and it’s much easier on my breathing. Our city also made the national news this month as we had terrible flooding – they estimate we had two months of rain in one afternoon. Every other house you drive by has a dumpster in the driveway as so many people had flooded basements and ruined possessions. We were lucky – when we renovated our basement quite a few years ago, we spent a small fortune having a trough dug around the interior of the basement and a sump pump installed. Since then, we haven’t had any problems. This poor guy wasn’t so lucky.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/gta/2014/08/04/flash_flood_creates_chaos_in_burlington/appleby_line.jpg" width="550" height="364"></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I did manage to accomplish a couple of things on the sewing front. This simple four-patch was an attempt to use up some of my green scraps – it didn’t even make a dent! I’ve made this pattern several times and you can find the pattern on <a href="http://www.maryquilts.com/easy-double-4-patch/">Mary’s blog</a>.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oNh5dTPziOQ/U_PgSx4-LcI/AAAAAAAAE0o/3QXbqMcKaYw/s1600-h/006%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="006" border="0" alt="006" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AUDRJgWTnWs/U_PgT-UEOPI/AAAAAAAAE0s/cDCTJiABXls/006_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373"></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">We had some stonework done at the front of our house this summer and I was looking for a new wreath for our front door. Everything I found was either cheap and nasty or $200 – neither of which appealed to me. During my online search, I came upon a <a href="http://www.nancysnotions.com/category/video+demos/tie+one+on+fabric+wreath.do">tutorial</a> for a scrap wreath. Since I love blue and yellow, I grabbed those scrap bins and started cutting a million 1” x 5” strips. Now my scrap bins aren’t just strips – they are literally any piece of fabric left over that I can’t bear to throw out. After all, you never know when you might need a 1” square of orange for a penguin’s beak or a snowman’s nose! Because I was cutting the pieces pretty much individually, it took me ages. If I were to make another one, I would use batiks as they wouldn’t fray as much and they would be the same colour on both sides. Here’s my finished project.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-b86PTHr4NRM/U_PgUWIiTcI/AAAAAAAAE04/rEaH9c7vgOs/s1600-h/photo%2525204%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo 4" border="0" alt="photo 4" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lRYzRdOXcaA/U_PgU2zgCwI/AAAAAAAAE1A/n3riRCSJm2I/photo%2525204_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="737"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I originally had a different bow on this, but while it didn’t look bad close up, from the street it needed more punch, so I made another one. The one below is the original.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-X2A2fqXODhc/U_PgVj4dp9I/AAAAAAAAE1I/ZLqYKjAj-fM/s1600-h/photo%2525203%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo 3" border="0" alt="photo 3" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5x2XdX0snLk/U_PgWFU9ebI/AAAAAAAAE1Q/6Fybf3sWP5w/photo%2525203_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="737"></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I also made a wallhanging for a birthday gift, but I forgot to take a picture of it before I mailed it. Hopefully I’ll have one to show you next time. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I’m looking forward to taking a class from Bonnie Hunter in September. She is teaching at the Amherst, NY seminar that I try to attend every year. I thought all the spots would have been taken up by guild members, but Lee and I were lucky to get into the class we wanted. I’m sure she will have all kinds of tricks to teach us so it should be a fun day.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06882241924033302657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1501966069114817254.post-81926674785337639852014-07-08T21:30:00.000-04:002014-07-09T15:06:54.975-04:00Time Flies<p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I’m not sure where June went and have trouble believing the first week of July is already over. I don’t have much of interest to share with you or show you – especially on the creative side. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">My nephew got married at the end of May and it was a glorious evening on the rooftop of a Toronto hotel with the skyline before us. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zzD8EAXViMw/U7yVsTVfa3I/AAAAAAAAABc/Bq3avlqoHUo/s1600-h/Brock%252520%252526%252520Jess%252520Get%252520Married%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Brock & Jess Get Married" border="0" alt="Brock & Jess Get Married" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-maoNrecnBOA/U7yVs0WXxHI/AAAAAAAAABg/TZ5S5bnB-JI/Brock%252520%252526%252520Jess%252520Get%252520Married_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373"></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">My friends on Facebook have already seen this one, but this is Leo, Sandra & I at the wedding. Unfortunately, Darren wasn’t in the picture as he took it! </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8zVbdHM-hMA/U7yVto3gldI/AAAAAAAAABo/uP2o8Gs06wM/s1600-h/IMG_0152%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0152" border="0" alt="IMG_0152" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8_dAdgLwkDY/U7yVuNy9GtI/AAAAAAAAAB0/odlmqONJSgM/IMG_0152_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373"></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Leo and I also celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary in June. We’re saving the big trip until I’m a bit stronger, but we did have a lovely day in Niagara on the Lake which is one of the prettiest towns in Canada. The flowers there are always gorgeous and look like they are on steroids. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-41tsANwD-Ms/U7yVvMetcgI/AAAAAAAAAB8/p3uvi5DWOJg/s1600-h/IMG_0426%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0426" border="0" alt="IMG_0426" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-swmO3kbKhIU/U7yVv72PRKI/AAAAAAAAACA/FsCDw1nnYBg/IMG_0426_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="416"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wlxQLX1fXBU/U7yVwn7DzfI/AAAAAAAAACM/XhgYtpoDKJ0/s1600-h/IMG_0437%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0437" border="0" alt="IMG_0437" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--kVe9AcFhbk/U7yVxNfG8hI/AAAAAAAAACU/R4p4n3gFdQ0/IMG_0437_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="416"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-K7FTgPo6njs/U7yVxzdftVI/AAAAAAAAACc/dpmUYY1D-B8/s1600-h/IMG_0438%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0438" border="0" alt="IMG_0438" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dFSbrfVJZKs/U7yVyYMqWLI/AAAAAAAAACk/W7G7vUVudE4/IMG_0438_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="416"></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">My friend Joan has a July birthday, so I sent this to her. She’s opened it, so I’m not ruining the surprise. It’s made from one piece of striped fabric.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bltXUt8dItA/U7yVzJgD-nI/AAAAAAAAACs/R2XLvtgQkds/s1600-h/001%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="001" border="0" alt="001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-atHccWcEjow/U7yVzhk3S8I/AAAAAAAAAC0/cQ-VYxrHGwM/001_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-y5ARRjjQTSk/U7yV0Goi40I/AAAAAAAAAC8/BBgyBjOxzXo/s1600-h/Cropped%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Cropped" border="0" alt="Cropped" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MCjaKh2nbEw/U7yV0uv167I/AAAAAAAAADA/rf7zJG7P_7c/Cropped_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="387"></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">My dear Aunt has been sick for the past month and has been in hospital for three weeks. She has had two surgeries, and they are talking about another one tomorrow so I have been spending most of my days and some of my evenings there with her. You all know how much she means to me and my heart breaks to see her in so much pain. It’s been hard to concentrate on much of anything, but in some strange way, it has made me stronger as I have had to face my fears of going back into hospitals and ICU in particular. Trust Auntie to help me, even when she’s so sick.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I did go to Quilt Canada, but to be honest, I was disappointed. Maybe after seeing Houston and Paducah I’ve been spoiled, but there were very few traditional quilts and a LOT of what I would call art quilts. I can certainly appreciate the imagination and work that goes into them, but I think a more balanced mix would have been nice. There was no picture taking allowed so I can’t share any of the quilts with you. I did try a newer version of my APQS Millennium with Bliss tracking on it and fell in love. After doing the math, it wasn’t a whole lot more to buy a new machine than to upgrade the one I have, so I’ve been trying to sell mine. It’s in excellent condition and I’ve never had any problems with it. I have had a few enquiries, but since I’m not desperate to sell it, I’m not willing to do a whole lot of negotiating on the price.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Hopefully next time I’ll have more quilting or knitting content to share with you.</font></p> Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06882241924033302657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1501966069114817254.post-55342337302367860942014-05-19T14:41:00.000-04:002014-05-20T19:44:23.599-04:00It’s A Bust!<p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I dragged Leo to Buffalo on Thursday as he was in need of some new clothes and shoes and there is a much better selection, not to mention much better prices, there.  We also had to make a trip to the box to pick up some parcels that were waiting.  I know you’ll find this hard to believe, but none of them were for me. (Mine hadn’t arrived yet.)</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">As we were walking through the Mall, I noticed a sign in a shop window advertising mannequins for sale for $10!  In I went and came out with this:</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-E2XNkNedl18/U3paRdgYhbI/AAAAAAAAEus/s9s_KarQg-s/s1600-h/009%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="009" border="0" alt="009" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XTfPQ-I4dfg/U3paSPaD_CI/AAAAAAAAEu0/815Rr6fZCzo/009_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="824" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">As you can imagine, Leo was just thrilled to have to walk through the mall carrying this bust but how could I refuse?  The store were getting all new mannequins and selling their old ones for $10 cash, no tax.  No one could understand what I wanted it for, but I bought it for you – my dear blog readers.  It’s just perfect to show knitted items instead of showing them in a heap lying on a bed.  This is Willow Cowl that I finished a couple of weeks ago.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iA9NKFQAhOg/U3paSop0iwI/AAAAAAAAEu8/UT9DeJcy_Zo/s1600-h/002%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="002" border="0" alt="002" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sRsIRKAmzwQ/U3paT-2N9II/AAAAAAAAEvE/GHFly3YPfd0/002_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">This is my Colour Affection which has been done for a while, but I’m not crazy about it.  I went back to the store and changed the colours on this and I wish I had gone back again.  I think I would prefer it in more neutral colours that could be worn with more outfits.  Or, maybe it should have been pink – then I would have loved it!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-x8-O2cLvqxA/U3paUWS9wUI/AAAAAAAAEvI/yB4pDlm-jWw/s1600-h/013%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="013" border="0" alt="013" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-q3lfRk_WW6E/U3paVGRuhhI/AAAAAAAAEvU/tAVMjJozvic/013_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="824" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">It also lets me play with different ways to wear it:</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZWRCOw-9HmI/U3paVyUJZ-I/AAAAAAAAEvY/J_R1sQeggA4/s1600-h/012%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="012" border="0" alt="012" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-K8Qk5lPjsco/U3paWv4ZSXI/AAAAAAAAEvg/uWJN_IK3WuE/012_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="824" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I’ve still been working on my Spring Bouquet – I got the first border on, but there are still 4 appliqued borders to go.  I have one of them done, but I’m giving it a rest for a few weeks as I’m going blind working with the invisible thread.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XznZGgkQ5DI/U3paXthQsLI/AAAAAAAAEvs/WBQI0MSNlt4/s1600-h/Border%252520Cropped%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Border Cropped" border="0" alt="Border Cropped" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Kr5ZsfmaA8Q/U3paYrOJKsI/AAAAAAAAEv0/tf3LhNB5OuI/Border%252520Cropped_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="559" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">During my hiatus from Spring Bouquet, I made a gift for my Aunt for Mother’s Day.  Those of you who know me, know just how special she is to me.  </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pYir96YsawI/U3paZuRDthI/AAAAAAAAEv8/aYUVJJlxHmk/s1600-h/Auntie%252527s%252520Birds%252520Mother%252527s%252520Day%252520May%2525202014%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Auntie's Birds Mother's Day May 2014" border="0" alt="Auntie's Birds Mother's Day May 2014" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-t0FQvRl-_vI/U3paaKAOiTI/AAAAAAAAEwE/nXvwgwzC3H8/Auntie%252527s%252520Birds%252520Mother%252527s%252520Day%252520May%2525202014_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="510" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vVtTmL_qWJ0/U3paa0gkH5I/AAAAAAAAEwM/TBWHsh4eVrk/s1600-h/Auntie%252527s%252520Birds%252520Label%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Auntie's Birds Label" border="0" alt="Auntie's Birds Label" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-D2KSR_hTLM8/U3pabqgJ18I/AAAAAAAAEwU/dqKNPNot1_8/Auntie%252527s%252520Birds%252520Label_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="410" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">We went to visit my Mum last weekend too but she is a sad soul and there wasn’t a single thing I could have taken her that would brighten her day.  She no longer knows who we are and rarely talks or even acknowledges our presence.  It is absolutely heartbreaking to see her like that.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I’m not sure what it’s like where you live, but around here, you have to pay for any type of bag in grocery stores, drug stores and even department stores.  They charge you 5 cents a bag, so needless to say, everyone carries their own bags with them when they grocery shop.  They do sell these horrible ones that can’t be washed and disintegrate after a couple of months usage.  So, I made my own.  Leo does the grocery shopping so the fabric had to meet with his approval as he told me he was not going into the grocery store with bags covered in flowers!  I had all kinds of upholstery fabric that I’d bought years ago – I have no idea what I bought it for as I’ve never upholstered anything in my life.  He looked through the fabrics and reluctantly agreed that these would be O.K.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">So, I made 3 of these:</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cKY8xnL_1Zs/U3pacCOpCSI/AAAAAAAAEwc/m2e5xSxtSOM/s1600-h/001%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="001" border="0" alt="001" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8RiBJKHQLFE/U3pacyr-qHI/AAAAAAAAEwk/2CkNm9mu3DM/001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="824" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">And 2 of these:</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ua8g99-1m2Y/U3padpcrqjI/AAAAAAAAEws/WfPR_Q6OkNY/s1600-h/006%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="006" border="0" alt="006" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CnNfSh7ICVg/U3paeRyLq7I/AAAAAAAAEw0/cGgDxh2Q7OE/006_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="824" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Lee and I heard that we got into Bonnie Hunter’s class in Amherst so I’m really looking forward to that in September.  I’m not interested so much in how to make the quilt, I could figure that out on my own, but I think she will have tons of time saving tips and tricks to share.  </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I mentioned that something I ordered hadn’t arrived at the box yet….  I loved this quilt the first time I saw it and contacted McKenna Ryan to see how much the kit for the whole thing would be.  Turns out the laser kit is $695 so I decided I didn’t love it $695 worth!  Then, she had a sale with 25% off everything on her site and I e-mailed and asked if the kit was included.  She said yes, it was, but they also had a regular kit where you cut your own pieces and it was a couple of hundred dollars cheaper.  Still, I sat on my hands until the sale was over.  Then, I noticed on Facebook that the sale had been extended one more day and I caved.  I have many friends that enable me and every single one of them told me to go for it – so I did.  Just think how much I saved – 25% off plus I got free shipping <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-X_JJuT9a2h4/U3pae0IeDOI/AAAAAAAAEw4/ixPXgb-ksWU/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oyNP3EyJPC0/U3pafYwbgFI/AAAAAAAAExE/ubGJNcbkqYg/s1600-h/Dog%252520Park%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Dog Park" border="0" alt="Dog Park" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CwAwxEoG1HQ/U3pagAtG5vI/AAAAAAAAExM/oW_nljSHdqk/Dog%252520Park_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="725" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">What could be better to combine my two great loves – animals and quilting!</font></p> Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06882241924033302657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1501966069114817254.post-58154100416884759472014-04-24T20:12:00.001-04:002014-04-24T20:17:45.799-04:00Yes, It’s Been a While<p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I managed to make it through our awful winter without getting sick, then spring finally comes and I get sinusitis.  Never one to do anything half assed, my knee decided to act up at the same time so I was in agony for a couple of weeks.  Enough said about that!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Now that I’m finally feeling better, I’ve been working on my Spring Bouquet.  I’ve really enjoyed this and while I have all the blocks done, I still have four appliqued borders to do plus a little (1 1/4”) four patch border.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XpcGmgcLQL4/U1moOEAEIyI/AAAAAAAAEsc/PQTAyO9RiV8/s1600-h/Spring-Bouquet-Blocks-Cropped4.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Spring Bouquet Blocks Cropped" border="0" alt="Spring Bouquet Blocks Cropped" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XTecHFbUmKU/U1moOkpcKfI/AAAAAAAAEsk/jBzp7sbDFBk/Spring-Bouquet-Blocks-Cropped_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="554" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I made this table runner for Sandra & Darren quite some time ago, but forgot to post it.  It’s a bit late now for Easter, but here it is anyway.  It’s from the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/My-Runners-by-Disa-Designs/dp/B005LVHNOE/ref=pd_sim_b_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=13AW5JM33NTH3W5TBBFQ">My Runners</a> by Disa Designs.  </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GHF38JxZKfA/U1moPp_QJxI/AAAAAAAAEss/iT-E0zNRymk/s1600-h/DSC_75154.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_7515" border="0" alt="DSC_7515" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2O45bpt2zNg/U1moQTPkK_I/AAAAAAAAEsw/ExcC_bb4YQ0/DSC_7515_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CFvH6tzpk3M/U1moQ_HjnKI/AAAAAAAAEs4/XzXX3ff38wM/s1600-h/DSC_75134.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_7513" border="0" alt="DSC_7513" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WUpIGdIbfJQ/U1moRXhyKuI/AAAAAAAAEtE/GmgpJ-VT_-E/DSC_7513_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="824" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I’ve also been doing some knitting and Sandra was the recipient of this too.   I’m glad that she likes what I make enough to wear them and use them.  I showed you her bow scarf in my last post, but it wasn’t a very good picture.  Here it is on Sandra.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tl_l4qAY_L8/U1moSN13K1I/AAAAAAAAEtM/sB9be1Zbty8/s1600-h/Bow-Scarf3.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Bow Scarf" border="0" alt="Bow Scarf" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vU61JzWtv4c/U1moS7_YLYI/AAAAAAAAEtU/u5B5cWK5YHk/Bow-Scarf_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="554" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Since I forgot to get pictures of the other two scarves I made, Sandra enlisted the help of one of her models.  The first one is a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/barbs-koigu-ruffle">Churchmouse</a> pattern that I’ve made several times.  This one is done in bamboo which makes it softer than the Koigu which is called for in the pattern.  </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4sBQSyRKDl0/U1moTlNpZPI/AAAAAAAAEtc/Ibsdr00Qym4/s1600-h/SAndras-Ruffle-Scarf-14.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAndra's Ruffle Scarf 1" border="0" alt="SAndra's Ruffle Scarf 1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yFabJiGivxs/U1moUUJtWaI/AAAAAAAAEtk/Zv0QMK1xUi0/SAndras-Ruffle-Scarf-1_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="824" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">This is one of those easy ruffle scarves that had Sandra’s name all over it.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rB0MWCstMIw/U1moVBH9MvI/AAAAAAAAEts/DrL_4s3zVng/s1600-h/Sandras-Ruffle-Scarf-24.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sandra's Ruffle Scarf 2" border="0" alt="Sandra's Ruffle Scarf 2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L4umbYv23y8/U1moV6dTzjI/AAAAAAAAEt0/hzMrUxU99RY/Sandras-Ruffle-Scarf-2_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="824" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I just finished a Colour Affection scarf yesterday, but I need to block it before I get pictures.  I tried a new ‘stretchy cast off’ method and was really pleased with the results.  It gives a wonderful stretchy edge which would be great for toe up socks or any edge that you want some stretch in.  Here’s a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abBhe-JYmgI">link</a> to the video.  </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Someone didn’t plan things very well as both The Knitter’s Frolic and the Creative Festival are both being held in Toronto this weekend.  Since the last thing I need is more fabric, (or yarn for that matter) The Knitter’s Frolic won out.   I haven’t been to the Creative Festival for years as for a while there it really got off topic.  There were so many vendors there that, in my opinion, shouldn’t have been – coffee manufacturers, cookies for sale, hand cream – you get the picture.  I think things have changed as I know most of the longarm companies are being represented there, as well as quite a few quilt shops.  Maybe next year….</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I’m anxiously awaiting news to find out if we were accepted into Bonnie Hunter’s class at the Amherst Quilt Guild in NY.  I’ve been going for many years and the last few years Lee has been coming with me.  We’re really hoping we get in the class but I’m sure the demand has been overwhelming.  Keep your fingers crossed for us please, especially since Lee has her fabric all picked out already.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Leo retired at the end of March and it’s hard to believe he’s been home now for almost a month.  What is even harder to believe is I haven’t wanted to kill him yet <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" alt="Winking smile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EhurEKlDi3c/U1moWZunKMI/AAAAAAAAEt4/aHRGKTsqAxA/wlEmoticon-winkingsmile2.png?imgmax=800" />  Of course, I haven’t been myself – give it time.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"> </font></p> Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06882241924033302657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1501966069114817254.post-83526563060801205712014-03-09T12:31:00.001-04:002014-03-09T12:31:05.176-04:00Sewing and Knitting and Cats and Dogs–oh my!<p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">The dreaded month of February is finally over.  It was a year ago at this time that I entered <strike>hell</strike> hospital and it’s been a tough time to get through.  Being in hospital for so long, especially in ICU, really did a number on my mind and I’m still trying to recover from that.  Keeping busy helps, so I’ve been doing a lot of sewing.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">I got my Broken Star quilted and it’s added to the pile of quilts I have no idea what to do with.  </font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-W6ap1iCDPuM/UxyXIU4ZM-I/AAAAAAAAEoE/w2cdpNJtYHg/s1600-h/Cropped%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Cropped" border="0" alt="Cropped" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qvJPNes2pDc/UxyXJFqzZuI/AAAAAAAAEoM/hKBkRXdfGTk/Cropped_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="313" /></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">I quilted it with a clam shell pattern which you can just barely see on the border above.  A certain little kitty seems to like it – in fact, she blends right in.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EafA6ofxJ1w/UxyXJ8DWOBI/AAAAAAAAEoU/2O5iV9263-4/s1600-h/008%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="008" border="0" alt="008" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sC1iglCsUoQ/UxyXKVhMtXI/AAAAAAAAEoY/mkgkWA7No-8/008_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">I also got my vest blocked with the help of my friend Diane.  She took a finishing class (which I need to take) so came over and blocked it all for me.  It’s a little bit wide on the shoulders, but other than that, I’m happy with it.  The pattern is called Deb and can be found <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/deb">here</a></font><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9CXm2XIdgSw/UxyXK2CAEMI/AAAAAAAAEok/xd9XrFMuyPk/s1600-h/Vest%252520Cropped%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Vest Cropped" border="0" alt="Vest Cropped" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KnsylxyDCfg/UxyXLogvgEI/AAAAAAAAEos/qKW0JPimdK4/Vest%252520Cropped_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="681" /></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">It took me forever to knit this – it was all garter stitch which was really boring and I didn’t particularly like knitting with the wool – it was Berroco Blacstone Tweed and is a lot thicker than I’m used to.  I like knitting with fine wool and small needles.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">I also finished this bow scarf for my girly girl daughter Sandra.  As soon as I saw the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bo-peep-scarf">pattern</a> I knew it had her name written all over it.  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Gr_hpWw_mCc/UxyXMBLZ_eI/AAAAAAAAEo0/WGtq9x5BGBg/s1600-h/010%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="010" border="0" alt="010" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RiG605Ug3HA/UxyXM6Y7HzI/AAAAAAAAEo8/4VlnY9h1NDk/010_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="824" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">This was knit in Blue Sky’s “Brushed Suri” which I found out is baby alpaca.  It’s 67% brushed baby suri, 22% merino and 11% bamboo and it is sooooo soft.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Just before I got sick, Lee and I had one of those what on earth were we thinking about moments and both bought Edyta Sitar’s Spring Bouquet kit.  </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zraYrM8c2gM/UxyXNbqSGWI/AAAAAAAAEpA/GIROubnM0uU/s1600-h/Spring%252520Bouquet%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Spring Bouquet" border="0" alt="Spring Bouquet" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-F2D7eRiPtMU/UxyXN3uw2kI/AAAAAAAAEpM/tWZEoRYb2i8/Spring%252520Bouquet_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="714" /></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">I think this is the first time I’ve ever lied to Leo about the cost of fabric.  When he saw the amount on the Mastercard, I told him that was for Lee’s and mine <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QiDB_Tp9aYg/UxyXOpDzJBI/AAAAAAAAEpQ/2fvI4yNTEBw/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" />  Not that he’d care, but even I felt guilty about this one!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">The Aurifil thread was included with the kit, but after we had done most of one block, we were in a local quilt store and saw a lot of Edyta’s quilts done with invisible thread and we liked it much better.  So……home we came and started frogging.  I’ve got the top 2 blocks finished and the two on the bottom are fused.  Invisible thread has come a long way since the days it was nylon but it’s still hard on the eyes and a bit of a bitch to work with.  I’ve got 60 wt. thread in the bobbin and so far, so good. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GwqbEx5QbCM/UxyXPayLVFI/AAAAAAAAEpc/AmqWXN-tVyU/s1600-h/Spring%252520Bouquet%252520Cropped%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Spring Bouquet Cropped" border="0" alt="Spring Bouquet Cropped" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6uzYkSrC6yA/UxyXQcsy3AI/AAAAAAAAEpk/rc9ZFLHI_U8/Spring%252520Bouquet%252520Cropped_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="531" /></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">I need to work on something else in between doing all this applique though or I’ll go blind.  I think I have enough other projects to pick from <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QiDB_Tp9aYg/UxyXOpDzJBI/AAAAAAAAEpQ/2fvI4yNTEBw/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">We actually got above freezing on Friday for the first day in what seems like months.  It seems it’s all we can talk about – this awful winter weather.  10 more days until spring – let’s just hope that spring like weather comes with it!  My poor baby hasn’t been on his regular walk for months as it’s just too icy and apart from my fears of falling, his little paws get frozen and he refuses to wear anything on his feet.  He doesn’t even like you touching his feet!  He does like the snow though….</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pd3uFlg2TZ0/UxyXQ1jJ8qI/AAAAAAAAEps/rX_6Dt7IkJs/s1600-h/Snow%252520Dog%252520Cropped%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Snow Dog Cropped" border="0" alt="Snow Dog Cropped" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bJKpfo1SLuI/UxyXRXbLRgI/AAAAAAAAEp0/bS9JCEO0JoA/Snow%252520Dog%252520Cropped_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="416" /></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">Here he is, face down, about to roll and get covered in snow.</font></p> Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06882241924033302657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1501966069114817254.post-75476665437984276532014-02-11T18:41:00.001-05:002014-02-11T19:08:00.131-05:00Memories of Galveston<p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">The first time I attended the Houston Quilt Festival in 2005, my friend Onalee and I took a break from the show one day and drove down to Galveston.  We had a wonderful time walking the beach and had dinner outside overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dCMs9LObhco/Uvq7VeGaVqI/AAAAAAAAEhs/gHGvFKny9_w/s1600-h/Houston%252520Oct.%2525202005%252520071%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Houston Oct. 2005 071" border="0" alt="Houston Oct. 2005 071" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4r9ec5GgbW4/Uvq7WFhaaII/AAAAAAAAEhw/9120A62UVRQ/Houston%252520Oct.%2525202005%252520071_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="416" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BevBiXb2l7c/Uvq7W6gm25I/AAAAAAAAEh0/k7_A55rIhRI/s1600-h/Houston%252520Oct.%2525202005%252520078%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Houston Oct. 2005 078" border="0" alt="Houston Oct. 2005 078" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5z9mDwH325U/Uvq7XbDnMvI/AAAAAAAAEh8/GpO5YhO-mNE/Houston%252520Oct.%2525202005%252520078_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="416" /></a></p> <font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"> As if we hadn’t seen enough fabric at the show, we also stopped at Quilts by the Bay which was a charming store which unfortunately was destroyed by hurricane Ike in 2008.  I purchased the fabric for this quilt there as I fell in love with the floral – and strangely enough, I still love it.  Sometimes when so much time has passed, we have one of those ‘what on earth was I thinking when I bought this’ moments.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xDwd-AVzmlA/Uvq1JTufOjI/AAAAAAAAEgQ/YJEEtktVvDE/s1600-h/003%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="003" border="0" alt="003" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-obL65XgQhV8/Uvq1JwICblI/AAAAAAAAEgU/b5DaML84aQE/003_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PCAraD1nLVk/Uvq1LLKf-HI/AAAAAAAAEgg/Wjt_jtikmyc/s1600-h/005%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="005" border="0" alt="005" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-X6l_-NQ4-xE/Uvq1LxHuk_I/AAAAAAAAEgk/uJbgsGrNBKs/005_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">I quilted this with Metro thread which has a gorgeous sheen to it and picked up the gold in the fabric (although it’s not easy to see in these pictures).</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">I also got my Broken Star top finished and it’s now patiently waiting to be quilted.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mHxcPwVjzvg/Uvq1Mdr7pnI/AAAAAAAAEgw/0OswF53FCF4/s1600-h/Broken%252520Star%2525201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Broken Star 1" border="0" alt="Broken Star 1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1s_Z1vzGGN4/Uvq1NA5PXVI/AAAAAAAAEg4/lnGdA7U565c/Broken%252520Star%2525201_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="554" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Lee and I have been attending a new afternoon Guild.  Since I’ve been sick, I have difficulty driving at night – I’m not sure if it’s the medication but I do know it’s not my glasses as I’ve had them checked.  This Guild just started last September and there are a lot of new quilters who attend.  While it’s nice to go in the afternoon, rather than at night, we both miss the inspiration that our evening Guild gave us.  They have some very talented quilters and amazing Show & Tell every month.  Maybe when the nights start getting lighter, I can try again.  </font></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I’ve almost finished knitting this:</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_HutU3BvETQ/Uvq1NTXo8yI/AAAAAAAAEhA/Lg3J4rGil6k/s1600-h/Vest%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Vest" border="0" alt="Vest" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZvRG1rldVOQ/Uvq1Od9xRCI/AAAAAAAAEhE/bh9bOd94qdY/Vest_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="829" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">It’s been really slow going as it’s all done in garter stitch and is SO boring.  I just hope I like it when it’s finished.  It’s knit all in one piece, which I’ve never done before, but so far I haven’t had any problems – other than trying to find all my Mum and Grandma’s stitch holders as so far I’ve needed 7!!!  Hopefully by my next post, it will be finished.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">The quilting community lost a wonderful lady on January 26th – <a href="http://www.quiltsbyrosemary.com/index.html">Rosemary Makhan</a>.  Rosemary was an award winning quilter who showed her quilts all around the world and taught all across Canada, but we were lucky enough to have her living in our City and teaching in our community.  She was a true lady in every sense of the word and she will be sorely missed by all who had the honour of knowing her.  Take a few minutes and look at her gorgeous work – you’ll be glad you did as it’s truly amazing.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06882241924033302657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1501966069114817254.post-6465736453740845522014-02-02T14:13:00.001-05:002014-02-02T14:13:43.930-05:00Groundhog Day<p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Well, it looks like both Punxsutawney Phil and Wiarton Willie both saw their shadows this morning which, according to legend, means we are in for another 6 weeks of winter.  I think it’s time we got a new predictor – what the heck do groundhogs know anyway?</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">My Aunt gave me a beautiful amaryllis for Christmas and it bloomed last week.  There are still more blooms to come, but it was certainly a welcome sight to see this on our kitchen table.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MGBgKr-j-AE/Uu6YuL4EsaI/AAAAAAAAEeA/CqSeJhdZv2M/s1600-h/Feb.%2525202%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Feb. 2" border="0" alt="Feb. 2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Q4pZcCZoQ_Q/Uu6Yu17nyfI/AAAAAAAAEeI/y20-8ne9Sg4/Feb.%2525202_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="737" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Lee came over for a sew day a week ago and we tried the Disappearing Pinwheel block from the Missouri Quilt Company.  Both of our blocks were missing a point in the corner and my friend Diane tried it too and didn’t have any success either.  Here is Lee’s block</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OgRHdxd1SGY/Uu6YvlAHifI/AAAAAAAAEeQ/_nVQQtpbyaQ/s1600-h/003%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="003" border="0" alt="003" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hcq4d1MSM1o/Uu6YwCLTOeI/AAAAAAAAEeY/uwzSy_ZARJM/003_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">and here is mine – Lee’s fabric camouflages the missing point much better than mine.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wVoyudFx_ss/Uu6YwyC4F_I/AAAAAAAAEeg/sV7_hKUb1nA/s1600-h/002%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="002" border="0" alt="002" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2Y3HhtUNJJQ/Uu6YxlRvP9I/AAAAAAAAEeo/2N6zrZ_BJ4Y/002_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Here is Lee working on the tiniest little blocks from a Christmas kit she bought.  She has more patience than I do – she wasn’t happy with the way they turned out, so she took them all apart and is redoing them.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YYaXA1a7K1s/Uu6YyWTdyXI/AAAAAAAAEew/iXrIsovOefU/s1600-h/005%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="005" border="0" alt="005" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CiwGjw6POpQ/Uu6YzHRfWYI/AAAAAAAAEe4/CQc3cfETCSs/005_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I was working on what feels like my forever project.  I bought this kit in Shipshewana many, many years ago, started it at a Retreat about 4 years ago and finally pulled it out again to get it finished.  I’m getting there.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AHG3-pzqfOQ/Uu6Yz3vr51I/AAAAAAAAEfA/S5LKEt3jJls/s1600-h/Broken%252520Star%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Broken Star" border="0" alt="Broken Star" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-y9zI094mqKw/Uu6Y0hYMpsI/AAAAAAAAEfI/gAs8aUdpYg0/Broken%252520Star_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="552" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I have all the blocks finished, now I just have to get them all sewn together and there are two borders that need to go on.  I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I also got this quilt finished.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yNzGdXvIEEY/Uu6Y1Q0nGWI/AAAAAAAAEfQ/wEObia278LU/s1600-h/007%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="007" border="0" alt="007" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-c2pKoe649j0/Uu6Y2K-R1pI/AAAAAAAAEfY/X1NeBds8PUM/007_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SVEnmo5KIJ8/Uu6Y3GqUiSI/AAAAAAAAEfg/bWL19zf3ni4/s1600-h/009%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="009" border="0" alt="009" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9F3urq4UDjQ/Uu6Y3gEnAvI/AAAAAAAAEfo/HRms7u7HZAU/009_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">This was done with two packages of Bali Pops.  I don’t know why, but the quilting in the second picture almost looks raised – it’s just an optical illusion – it looks like someone drew the design on – strange…</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">My little girl always seems to feel the cold, and every time I see her lying here, I feel guilty.  Why would she lie over the vent on a tiled floor?  She has a gorgeous basket to lie in, numerous comfy chairs with quilts on them for warmth, but oh, no, this is where she lies.  I swear she just does it to make me feel badly.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HAX5h4RmHJA/Uu6Y4eNnCVI/AAAAAAAAEfw/1curK4CInZ8/s1600-h/Molly%252527s%252520Cold%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Molly's Cold" border="0" alt="Molly's Cold" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-P3E2GT4gR4U/Uu6Y45um7rI/AAAAAAAAEf4/erG8UYTFjNc/Molly%252527s%252520Cold_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="410" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I’m working on another UFO and just have the binding to finish.  Hopefully it will be done soon and I can share that with you.  Stay warm…..only 45 more days until spring <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-W4qIvudC3Wg/Uu6Y5RWlDkI/AAAAAAAAEf8/RbfdX-A7-PI/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></font></p> Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06882241924033302657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1501966069114817254.post-53781825290737970212014-01-09T15:18:00.001-05:002014-01-09T15:18:27.825-05:00Cold Enough For You?<p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">It seems like all we can talk about is the weather, but I don’t remember a winter that started so early and hit us as hard as this one has.  I know we have been very lucky compared to some.  My friend Lee was without power for 6 days.  I just can’t imagine what that must have been like – and I can only imagine what she smelled like after no shower for 6 days <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iHZ0zEFR5Bs/Us8D6zXqcgI/AAAAAAAAEYU/ftNhsSfS39o/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I haven’t been venturing outside as I’m terrified I’ll get sick again with the bone chilling cold or fall on the ice and break something.  That being said, you would think I would have a lot to show for spending so much time at home – well, I don’t!  I have no idea where my days go, but they are over before I know it.  I did get my Hunter’s Star finished but I’ve had great difficulty getting a good picture of it.  I’ve tried it with and without a flash – with the light on and the light off, but the colours just aren’t true.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vPIMD4Yc4YA/Us8D7lxtqlI/AAAAAAAAEYc/YfN17h3-j7U/s1600-h/001%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="001" border="0" alt="001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WC0JZ_CAWjo/Us8D8W6tCoI/AAAAAAAAEYk/G2ID6VICH7o/001_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">The quilting shows up much better on this picture, but the colour is way off.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kvbBEPagwRU/Us8D9AX6jwI/AAAAAAAAEYs/AxwH0oRLer8/s1600-h/006%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="006" border="0" alt="006" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SbwYHYLCeaE/Us8D9vI2xzI/AAAAAAAAEYw/XXyHHGt3TBo/006_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I used Deb Tucker’s <a href="http://www.studio180design.net/videos/?id=2">Rapid Fire Hunter’s Star</a> ruler for this and it was very easy with no Y seams.  This quilt has been on my ‘to do’ list for years.  Lee and I bought the rulers when we went to MQX in 2009!  </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I also finished this little runner which is totally off season but I don’t seem to get my act together until after a holiday!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3nfk3W7hkEc/Us8D-ZbghUI/AAAAAAAAEY8/yi13mR1NHAM/s1600-h/Sunflower%252520Table%252520Runner%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sunflower Table Runner" border="0" alt="Sunflower Table Runner" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yxi5eIgV6Pg/Us8D_MQtipI/AAAAAAAAEZE/tK1M3ieEd78/Sunflower%252520Table%252520Runner_thumb%25255B12%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="551" height="848" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I was lucky enough to win these gorgeous hand dyed fat quarters from <a href="http://www.starrfabrics.com/">Starr Design Fabrics</a> through a contest on Facebook.  I absolutely love them and want to make something really special with them.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Z5SkQIeIFvk/Us8D__nFQvI/AAAAAAAAEZM/MQZj0faBD8w/s1600-h/002%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="002" border="0" alt="002" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RewWfAMpsP8/Us8EAeRWpdI/AAAAAAAAEZQ/oKbVj6Wr1ZQ/002_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">We have been having trouble with the TV in our bedroom.  Certain channels aren’t available and others cut in and out, yet our other TV is fine.  Leo called the cable company and a nice young guy came out on Tuesday.  I felt heart sorry for him working on a day like that, but he turned down an offer of coffee and said he was dressed for it.  He took a quick look outside and came in and told me he’d found the problem right away.  He asked if we had a lot of squirrels and I said yes, as a matter of fact we do – we feed them so all the squirrels in the neighbourhood hang out in our backyard.  Well, this is what was wrong with the cable.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6GsAL4BhiUU/Us8EBLyPSlI/AAAAAAAAEZc/Z0Jt0O3xRpQ/s1600-h/Cable%252520Damage%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Cable Damage" border="0" alt="Cable Damage" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Pknk4MTNo0A/Us8EBqKRJWI/AAAAAAAAEZk/pQCa_puZukU/Cable%252520Damage_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="416" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">On the cream coloured cable, which is the one that leads to the bedroom TV, they had chewed right down to the copper wire.  The short black one, they were just starting on – it leads to our other TV so very soon it would have started causing us problems too.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Every week, Leo buys TWO of these:</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tc33YgTlKdM/Us8ECSbwzSI/AAAAAAAAEZs/adZs6CoIBXc/s1600-h/Peanuts%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Peanuts" border="0" alt="Peanuts" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NCjPHiGemfc/Us8EDF6-2yI/AAAAAAAAEZ0/MBS8yBLq5sI/Peanuts_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="737" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I’ve asked him how much it costs and his reply is always ‘you don’t want to know’.  What I do know is we have the best fed, fattest squirrels in the area!  Then, come spring, Leo will be the first one to complain about them digging up his bulbs and breaking the tops off his tulips.  I asked him why he doesn’t buy peanuts in the shell as I’m sure they are a lot cheaper, but he says he doesn’t want peanut shells all over the back yard!  It’s not always easy being an animal lover!  One little black one in particular comes right to the patio door and scratches on the glass until we feed him.  Molly and Ben just ignore them now unless we let Ben out and he makes a half assed attempt to chase them.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I got a newsletter from my favourite <a href="http://www.pinegrovequiltshop.net/">Buffalo Quilt Store</a> the other day and noticed this stamp on the envelope.  I’m sure all my American friends have seen this before, but I thought it was so unusual and really pretty.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen a round stamp before.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lFUcPkH-vNQ/Us8ED_TQlNI/AAAAAAAAEZ4/fjI0uZOR5vk/s1600-h/US%252520Christmas%252520Stamp%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="US Christmas Stamp" border="0" alt="US Christmas Stamp" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JP73lD8VvHA/Us8EEdcQl4I/AAAAAAAAEaE/gdilYA1GLtY/US%252520Christmas%252520Stamp_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="737" height="554" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Wherever you are reading this from, I hope you are warm and dry.  Just think……only 69 more days until spring <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iHZ0zEFR5Bs/Us8D6zXqcgI/AAAAAAAAEYU/ftNhsSfS39o/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></font></p> Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06882241924033302657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1501966069114817254.post-35165150982976028722013-12-14T12:30:00.001-05:002013-12-14T12:30:58.632-05:00If I Only Had a Brain….Or A Memory<p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">One of the problems of getting old is you forget things.  One of the problems of getting old and being sick is you forget even more things!  There was something I specifically wanted to tell you about yesterday, but completely forgot.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">One blog I have been reading religiously for years is <a href="http://www.tommythematerialgirl.blogspot.ca/">Tommy The Material Girl</a>.   I love her sense of humour, she is a Cordon Bleu chef and she loves animals as much as I do.  The other day, she blogged about a company called <a href="http://blog2print.sharedbook.com/blogworld/printmyblog/index.html">Blog2Print</a>.  To borrow Tommy’s words, “It is a simple process of going on line and filling in a little bit of info, like the first day of the year and the last day of the year and your blog address and pick out your cover graphics and voila! You have your blog in a book form.”  I think this is a wonderful idea for people who blog a lot more regularly than I do.  It would be like having a diary of your year.  Check it out!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I also forgot to show you a couple of baby quilts I made – they are both the same as they are both for little boys and I reverted to my old standby strippy quilt.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XPlPazL-ssc/UqyVxE12nWI/AAAAAAAAEXs/XLkdevXYMTs/s1600-h/001%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="001" border="0" alt="001" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hNEI1nkBX_c/UqyVx3YzswI/AAAAAAAAEX0/c6ReQrJTZzM/001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="824" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I also completed this Santa tablerunner.  I like the idea of this, but I’m not sure if my sense of symmetry can handle it!  It’s right up there with my matchy matchy gene!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3I3dn1KhreQ/UqyVy0Ym6FI/AAAAAAAAEX8/klDRo03q3QA/s1600-h/003%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="003" border="0" alt="003" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Df0XyKlte0Q/UqyVz8ANqzI/AAAAAAAAEYE/dOJUttUvqQs/003_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">We’re getting dumped on pretty heavily today, so we had to cancel lunch with ‘my girls’.  I am very disappointed and hope we can reschedule before Christmas as a couple of things I have for them are Christmas related.  I didn’t even think it snowed when it was this cold but obviously I was wrong.  My sister in law and a girlfriend are both coming back today from a week in Florida – I don’t think they will be very impressed!</font></p> Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06882241924033302657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1501966069114817254.post-21191437978709000962013-12-13T10:59:00.001-05:002013-12-13T10:59:18.934-05:00Baby It’s Cold Outside….<p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">No, actually it’s FREEZING outside and it isn’t even winter yet!  The weather in the whole continent seems to have gone wacky and I ask myself every day why we live in a country with such extremes in temperature.  We’re either way too hot or way too cold.  I’d be happy with just Spring and Fall – that would be just about perfect!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I seem to have been busy, but I’m not sure I have a lot to show for it.  I did get back on Tillie and quilted quite a few Cuddle Quilts for our Guild.  It felt good to be back on the longarm, but I have to be careful not to overdo as I had a fair bit of pain in my lung after quilting for a couple of days straight.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – why do people put their ugliest fabric into charity quilts?  I know not everyone does this, but I’ve seen some pretty ugly quilts pass through my hands.  I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AgtcZp6QklY/UqsufQR1ToI/AAAAAAAAEVU/oxfQuH0O-nQ/s1600-h/001%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="001" border="0" alt="001" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-okirsPk8Xqk/Uqsug3cUNoI/AAAAAAAAEVc/WC_AqS7N2l0/001_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">This looks like it was an orphan block top and while it doesn’t look too bad in this picture, trust me, in person it was UGLY!  I like to think my quilting gave it some beauty <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_UyL90dBn6A/UqsuhyC3a4I/AAAAAAAAEVg/hI3GM0QQUFk/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oagPvMU-TzQ/UqsujCKqeOI/AAAAAAAAEVs/R_mmYT_rC9A/s1600-h/002%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="002" border="0" alt="002" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-c0ntDRY4a6g/UqsukJm5KLI/AAAAAAAAEV0/YySGOlZS71M/002_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7cEs2BPZkfw/UqsuljQmi1I/AAAAAAAAEV8/BHvNkA3jsWo/s1600-h/003%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="003" border="0" alt="003" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JVBllbq51CU/UqsumywsqFI/AAAAAAAAEWE/2JzqOwjauOU/003_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-J2bC6nv6Fk4/UqsuoGgZdtI/AAAAAAAAEWM/FVaPnKk2y80/s1600-h/005%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="005" border="0" alt="005" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4exFhcTJLFE/UqsupR621CI/AAAAAAAAEWU/bmzq7niu36g/005_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AZpWwq2Rn14/Uqsurc4K1cI/AAAAAAAAEWc/ywU6mm7iqc8/s1600-h/007%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="007" border="0" alt="007" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fj9TGV9q3r8/Uqsusc-oPoI/AAAAAAAAEWk/aHv817xKeDU/007_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I’m sure some of these panels came straight from the 60’s.  </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I finally got my knitting finished but I never did find Bruno, my model, so I guess he was bagged up with the rest of my bears and is now living in the crawl space.  I really should bring him back upstairs, but going into the crawl space is something you have to work up to so it will have to wait for another day.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">This is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/groovy-dk-and-aran-weight">Groovy</a> and I did it in 100% cotton.  My friend Diane kindly blocked this for me – it isn’t my favourite part and when I finished it, I still wasn’t feeling that great so it was wonderful to have it done for me.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QdEf4JKLF6E/UqsutpzvgII/AAAAAAAAEWs/yNKwIPKUwik/s1600-h/004%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="004" border="0" alt="004" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Oih1lxMPnM4/UqsuuqQOl9I/AAAAAAAAEW0/OKxGNUtKDGk/004_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-76Mx63d_amE/UqsuwYjM-VI/AAAAAAAAEW8/ZUXSiE3Sl8g/s1600-h/001%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="001" border="0" alt="001" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SLzK57uEI54/UqsuxVbuQ4I/AAAAAAAAEXE/9pyccy_Mu10/001_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">This is another <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hitchhiker">Hitchhiker</a> done in fingering weight wool.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I now have more scarves than I know what to do with!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I did quilt some placemats for our local Meals on Wheels – they were Christmas on one side and regular fabric on the other, but I forgot to get a picture <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-sadsmile" alt="Sad smile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cYbe18NNgKE/UqsuyxDvpUI/AAAAAAAAEXM/CcNz31CEoUc/wlEmoticon-sadsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">My Christmas shopping is pretty much complete – thanks to the Internet.  I love online shopping – and it’s such a nice surprise when the packages arrive at your door.  There were some great sales on Black Friday and Cyber Monday and Canadian retailers finally got in on the act and had some great sales to try and discourage cross border shopping.  They still have a way to go to price match, but at least they are trying.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">This is the only tree that is going up in our house this year.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9c9jG_5EMWo/UqsuzwMlpHI/AAAAAAAAEXU/kVpYf1-C7LU/s1600-h/010%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="010" border="0" alt="010" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MjWuUTnpPcs/Uqsu1GKWrJI/AAAAAAAAEXc/ILJ_QeYze_Y/010_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="824" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">The thought of putting up a tree and all my decorations was just too overwhelming this year – maybe next year I’ll be feeling more like it, but I wouldn’t bet money on it.  I am getting stronger but still tire very quickly and still get awful flashbacks to my hospital stay.  I’m impatient, I know, and should be grateful for how far I’ve come, but I still feel I have a long way to go.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I’m hoping to have lunch tomorrow with my adopted granddaughters – I haven’t seen them for way too long, so I hope the snow that is falling right now stops as they live in the Niagara region and the weather there can be very bad at this time of year with lake effect snow from both Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.  </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I’m working on a Santa tablerunner, so I better get my act together and get it finished or Christmas will be over before it’s done!</font></p> Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06882241924033302657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1501966069114817254.post-81165850885677739782013-10-29T11:03:00.001-04:002013-10-29T11:03:30.653-04:00Progress<p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I’ve been trying to make some progress with my Hunter’s Star, but it slow going as my attention span isn’t the greatest.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8bcUzVFevVM/Um_OMMeKEMI/AAAAAAAAEUY/xeO9rFvVIkY/s1600-h/001%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="001" border="0" alt="001" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JfvY8XGo1C8/Um_OM3YwHzI/AAAAAAAAEUg/kf1ij-QMa04/001_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I was hoping to make this queen size so I’ll need 20 full blocks and 5 half blocks, but I don’t think I’m going to have enough fabric, so I may have to re-think the size – either that or put on bigger borders but I’m not a big fan of doing that as I always think it looks too obvious.  Speaking of borders, my original idea was to put a small 1 1/2” finished inner border and a 5 1/2” finished outer border, but I have no idea what fabric I am going to use.  Nothing like winging it – most people would have this all figured out before they started cutting, but I like to live dangerously.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I’ve also been trying to finish a Hitchhiker scarf so I can start on this!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aEX9rVrEEgg/Um_ONS-EoGI/AAAAAAAAEUk/3daddmyc5zY/s1600-h/Vest%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Vest" border="0" alt="Vest" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NEqOfyGLyKo/Um_OODC73AI/AAAAAAAAEUw/ujq4RtCG01o/Vest_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="829" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I saw this on Pinterest but the link provided didn’t take me to the pattern.  Thanks to another kindly Pinterest user, she told me where it came from and I ordered the book and the yarn.  I’m anxious to start it, but promised myself I’d finish the scarf first.  This vest is from a book called <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1604680288/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1">Seamless or Nearly Seamless Knits</a> and there are some other very nice patterns in the book.  Since sewing things together is my least favourite part of knitting, this fits the bill perfectly!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I promised you pictures of some of my other knitting projects, but for the life of me I can’t find my model Bruno!  Before I got sick, I cleaned out our spare bedroom and packed away most of my very many bears but I was sure I left Bruno out as he made a great model and he was very special to me.  I have no idea where he has disappeared to so now I’ll have to go searching.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mfzSgyOSnF4/Um_OPuEwCtI/AAAAAAAAEU0/gJpr1WdEVCw/s1600-h/001%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="001" border="0" alt="001" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ruTaFEJojPM/Um_OQDM849I/AAAAAAAAEU8/1WMh4OyjwrM/001_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="824" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Here he is modeling a <a href="http://www.churchmouseyarns.com/collections/churchmouse-classics-patterns/products/barbs-koigu-ruffle-pattern">Ruffle Scarf</a> I made a year or so ago.  How could I misplace something this big?  Maybe I did pack him away – who knows – I have no memory anymore, not that it was so great to begin with!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">It’s very deceiving looking out the window this morning – the sun is shining and it looks like a gorgeous fall day, but the temperature is hovering around the freezing mark.  I really hope we aren’t in for a long, cold winter as I already missed spring and summer this year!  </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I’ve been looking at all the pictures on Facebook from Quilt Market and it makes me wish I was going to Houston.  I’m sure all the stores will be e-mailing all kinds of new goodies to tempt us just as soon as they get home.  Of course, I’m not buying anything – not a single thing – until I use up some of what I already have.  Does that sound familiar?  </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"> </font></p> Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06882241924033302657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1501966069114817254.post-84331712124941720602013-10-17T13:58:00.001-04:002013-10-17T14:00:26.564-04:00It’s Been a Long Time<p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">For those that don’t know, I’ve been sick, really sick.  While I don’t want to go into all the morbid details, here’s the condensed version of what happened.  I went to Emergency on February 25th with really bad asthma symptoms.  While waiting in Emergency for a room, I developed the Tamiflu, then got double pneumonia and was on a ventilator for 9 days in ICU.  Following that, my lung collapsed 3 times so I had to have a chest tube inserted and back to ICU I went.  I was allergic to the Heparin they give you to prevent blood clots and hemorrhaged and eventually ended up with a blood clot in my lung.  Since I had been off my feet for so long, I could no longer stand or walk and had to learn to do that all over again.  After 87 days in hospital, I was finally released.  </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"> When I came home that’s when everything hit me.  I could barely walk, I needed help going up and down the stairs, my breathing was very laboured and I generally felt awful.  I guess you can’t spend that long in hospital without going into a deep depression and that’s what happened.  I’m still struggling and trying to claw my way back to some kind of normalcy.  They say if you go through the motions, then eventually the pleasure will return – I’m still waiting.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I’ve missed my blog as it serves as a record of what I’ve been doing on the quilting and knitting front, so I’ve decided to try and start over and record what I have been able to accomplish.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">In late July, I decided to start on something small and made some quilted cards, embellished with Swarovski crystals.  </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-y8RORL1AZsU/UmAlIkQJT3I/AAAAAAAAESg/IoF7VRzao3g/s1600-h/001%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="001" border="0" alt="001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UfMg6_Lsdyg/UmAlJGTB0SI/AAAAAAAAESk/VUGqpm5dygk/001_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">The exposure on this picture is terrible, but you get the idea.  Since I still wasn’t ready to tackle anything on a larger scale, I decided to make Christmas cards.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-r7YWHgJ6Pkc/UmAlJ6mNtNI/AAAAAAAAESw/L1WReV8SVbU/s1600-h/009%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="009" border="0" alt="009" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-y4OHGkpeCgE/UmAlKbnSQkI/AAAAAAAAES0/ptssOzPNmzk/009_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">While these are really easy, they are very time consuming.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I was doing the <a href="http://bordercreekstation.com/">Border Creek Station</a> Mystery Quilt before I got sick and luckily was all caught up on the clues.  I managed to get the top finished just in time for the reveal at the end of September.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1ewzn7p0mcA/UmAlK2YYMiI/AAAAAAAAETA/yXcktruv0sY/s1600-h/photo%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo" border="0" alt="photo" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-K4tVlStEW3M/UmAlLcbq0hI/AAAAAAAAETE/nBk2jGIySlg/photo_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="416" /></a></font></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">My Aunt has been amazing during my recovery and came over every day at 9 a.m. to help me make it through the day.  She encouraged me, walked with me, comforted me, helped make meals and I know without her I wouldn’t have made the progress I have.  She is truly an amazing generous person and I love her with all my heart.  She brought her knitting over with her and always had it in a paper carrier bag, so I made this for her to carry her knitting.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-14PLCmxBdJg/UmAlL8CtB3I/AAAAAAAAETM/hfgJf7LTY6Q/s1600-h/004%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="004" border="0" alt="004" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nDC0GaW4A58/UmAlMb9_QjI/AAAAAAAAETU/qOcS7CoEvO4/004_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Two of my daughter Sandra’s favourite things are shoes and Halloween, so this seemed an appropriate table runner for her.  Darren & her are having a big Halloween party this year, so I thought this would look good on their table.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8WOxDGMa0wE/UmAlMuMKMxI/AAAAAAAAETY/dxs_aainmak/s1600-h/002%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="002" border="0" alt="002" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RGUtlo5Xa-U/UmAlNeeQwzI/AAAAAAAAETk/I844_t2BYPg/002_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="1061" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I’ve had a Hunter’s Star on my to-do list for many, many years.  I bought the fabric for it at least 6 years ago and I bought <a href="http://www.studio180design.net/">Deb Tucker’s Rapid Fire Hunter’s Star Ruler</a> at MQX in 2009!!!  I thought it was time I got started, so this is my progress so far.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Pw8p1zn_fac/UmAlN4D5yiI/AAAAAAAAETs/rYYt-yPn9wM/s1600-h/002%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="002" border="0" alt="002" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LUkJxtI4pCE/UmAlONZtLII/AAAAAAAAETw/a6XxlYyErNk/002_thumb%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="681" height="304" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-slOg32mrGrg/UmAlO0UQImI/AAAAAAAAEUA/bBtLuwvr9tY/s1600-h/004%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="004" border="0" alt="004" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-U9RDiZx1pnI/UmAlPY_VnAI/AAAAAAAAEUI/r3TvxfbEzio/004_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">As you can see, it’s not all stitched together yet, it’s just placed on the design wall.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I’ve been doing a little knitting too, but I’ll leave that for another day or I’ll have nothing left to show you.</font></p> Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06882241924033302657noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1501966069114817254.post-89101780646709224112013-02-16T16:01:00.001-05:002013-02-16T16:01:18.665-05:00Modern Quilts<p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Eric, the Online Media Coordinator at Fons & Porter asked if I would review another ebook entitled Modern Quilts.  According to this booklet, Modern Quilts are notable for their minimalist aesthetic, use of bright, bold colour with large doses of white and other neutral solids, asymmetrical designs and free-form piecing.  Who knew?</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I think whether you like a quilt or not is based solely on personal preference.  There are some quilts that I can appreciate for all the work and design that has gone into them, but they are just not my cup of tea.  I also think your tastes change over the years.  When I first started quilting, I didn’t like Civil War or reproduction fabrics.  Now, I’m drawn to many of those quilts and would love to make one.  </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Having said that, let’s get back to the ebook.  I love the first pattern in the booklet entitled Baubles & Beads.  It’s basically a square in a square with a strip joining the squares as an added design element.  I could definitely see myself making this quilt.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Td2o_cKIde0/UR_zgD0IYKI/AAAAAAAAEPA/_Pm8d4PKbbk/s1600-h/image%25255B7%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eIv3D7z1g5Y/UR_zhNwBIPI/AAAAAAAAEPI/gta46j7SPlI/image_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="554" height="426" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">As for the other two quilts, they are just not my cup of tea.  Rainbow Rhythm is all half square triangles, but I just don’t like the setting and I particularly don’t like the black rectangles in it.  I know these could easily be changed, but I’m reviewing the book as written.</font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NNbgiv4quoM/UR_ziRk7ybI/AAAAAAAAEPQ/nEKlj_Qu6uk/s1600-h/image%25255B11%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TDXIYUYBt7w/UR_zjpVV11I/AAAAAAAAEPY/Fug9TfpcDO4/image_thumb%25255B5%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="554" height="591" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">The last quilt is called Lemon Squeezy and it reminds me very much of the Jelly Roll Race quilts that are making the rounds.  I do like that this one is done diagonally, but, like the Jelly Roll Race quilts, I just don’t see the point.  Everyone and their dog has made one of the Jelly Roll quilts and I’ve yet to see one that I like.  I guess it could be said that they are quick and easy but I’m at a loss for anything else good to say about them.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0LX2pgrbWAc/UR_zlWEKvmI/AAAAAAAAEPg/wwGn70t2PBA/s1600-h/image%25255B29%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pmB4P97KbEg/UR_zmCtUheI/AAAAAAAAEPo/Fa74w9O77hA/image_thumb%25255B15%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">For some reason, the picture on this won’t copy properly but if you go to this <a href="http://www.mccallsquilting.com/free-modern-quilt-patterns">link</a>, you can get a copy of the ebook complete with instructions for all three quilts.  The instructions are well written, easy to understand and well illustrated.  Hope one of these is your cup of tea!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I’ve been working on a square in a square quilt myself.  The blocks were completed back in November and I finally got them assembled this week.  I also pieced the backing which is one of my least favourite jobs, so it’s ready to be quilted.  This top was made with two packages of Bali Pops and I ended up with a top 66” x 84”.  I don’t think I’ll be buying any more Bali Pops – some of the strips were really wonky and I’ve heard friends comment on this too.  </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_rwCP1z34kM/UR_zm4U4FYI/AAAAAAAAEPw/e4Htst_jWI8/s1600-h/001%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="001" border="0" alt="001" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Py877w2OPwE/UR_znRteAyI/AAAAAAAAEP4/___aA1KwZ_k/001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Monday is Family Day in some parts of Canada and I’m celebrating by going to see Bon Jovi.  It’ll take a week for me to get the smile off my face <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gwVpPdtgAWg/UR_zngWrC0I/AAAAAAAAEP8/llhd35iNuNc/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"> </font></p> Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06882241924033302657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1501966069114817254.post-91501634273762010362013-02-15T17:56:00.001-05:002013-02-15T17:56:35.025-05:00Smile<p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">There hasn’t been much quilting done around here this week.  My Aunt was discharged from hospital on Wednesday so now that she’s home, I’d like to get back into some kind of routine again.  I did get my Mystery Quilt clues caught up to date – just in time for the new one that was issued today.  No wonder I sometimes feel like a hamster on a wheel!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I’ve been sitting on my hands a lot lately too – trying to stop myself from taking advantage of some of the great sales that have been making their way into my Inbox.  When I’m being good, I just delete them before I even look at them, but sometimes I’m not so good and I actually read them – bad mistake!  So far I’ve resisted buying any more fabric but I’m not sure how much longer I can be good.  There are a couple of e-mails just taunting me every time I look at my in-box and I haven’t had the willpower to delete them…..yet.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Since I don’t have anything to show you, I’ll share this with you.  Colgate have created an ingenious advertising campaign to promote their dental floss, but before I explain the main detail of these images, I will let you look at them quietly:</font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xVobAwZS4L0/UR69F_y9_II/AAAAAAAAENY/Tl129dmRpKI/s1600-h/clip_image001%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="clip_image001" border="0" alt="clip_image001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mxR0L2Q5hQk/UR69GUKC6YI/AAAAAAAAENg/Y8jqFPMZNGk/clip_image001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="366" /></a> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8_krb8-W_dU/UR69HDl4jiI/AAAAAAAAENo/Gs4czW3ovg4/s1600-h/clip_image002%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="clip_image002" border="0" alt="clip_image002" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CEVV7VgdVPM/UR69Hhw5k_I/AAAAAAAAENw/wmB76HvH5TE/clip_image002_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="366" /></a> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aPQ6J_5seZ0/UR69IHWzH-I/AAAAAAAAEN4/B8poqhpHw68/s1600-h/clip_image003%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="clip_image003" border="0" alt="clip_image003" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iQCTlF-vpsk/UR69IZUhCZI/AAAAAAAAEOA/QVUDKrRhfT8/clip_image003_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="366" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Alright, now that you’ve had time to look at the ads:  in the first one you’ll notice that she has one finger too many; the second one has a phantom floating arm; and the third one, the man has only one ear.  The campaign proved that food remains on your teeth draw more attention than any physical defect!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I didn’t notice any of the deformities so don’t feel too bad if you didn’t either.</font></p> <p> </p> <p> <br /></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"> </font></p> Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06882241924033302657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1501966069114817254.post-69720105127903649742013-02-07T11:40:00.001-05:002013-02-07T11:40:15.932-05:00Half Square Triangle Overload<p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">My Aunt is still in the hospital, so there hasn’t been as much sewing done as I would have liked.  She had a kidney infection and they seem to have things under control now and her white cell count is improving every day, so I really hope she gets to come home soon.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I’ve been working on my <a href="http://www.bordercreekstation.com/">Border Creek Station Mystery</a> quilt.  I hadn’t started it, so I was four months behind with the clues.  I’m almost caught up after making 340 half square triangles, but they really are a breeze with <a href="http://www.bearpawproductions.com/store-detail.php?cat=1&ID=2">Triangulations</a>.  Some of them went into 13 of these:</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pJtvxOD4kmE/URPYzxKWbHI/AAAAAAAAELU/_22uKM5Oqss/s1600-h/003%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="003" border="0" alt="003" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VBYnHSWvrEU/URPY0hpdhZI/AAAAAAAAELc/u1OMVdDXpcg/003_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">more went into 48 of these:</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rtFg1Z-Ka6c/URPY2Vf0dCI/AAAAAAAAELk/s--WUZHtEjo/s1600-h/002%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="002" border="0" alt="002" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MplUwYqPqpY/URPY3NNiRNI/AAAAAAAAELs/hpEM4vaQe4w/002_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">and yet more went into 52 of these:</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xSZAO1-bq64/URPY4_nFmjI/AAAAAAAAEL0/5LU-ibtO74A/s1600-h/004%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="004" border="0" alt="004" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0LwoJhtnd1w/URPY5m6-Q9I/AAAAAAAAEL8/r7k1Kxwr1_I/004_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">There are still 88 more that will be worked into the mystery somewhere.  The instructions for these mystery quilts are so well written and at the end of each installment, she gives you an inventory list of what and how many you should have in different baggies.  It keeps you really well organized.</font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NBq93TaO6pI/URPY6kopo9I/AAAAAAAAEME/GVp4w_jmgfY/s1600-h/Spring%252520Bouquet%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Spring Bouquet" border="0" alt="Spring Bouquet" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hTxKv2y413M/URPY7uRDzAI/AAAAAAAAEMM/sNNDCF0aZr8/Spring%252520Bouquet_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="714" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">When this quilt first came out, I sent a link to Lee and she asked if I was going to do it.  I believe my response was something along the lines of “not in this lifetime”!  Well, a couple of weeks ago we were in our favourite quilt store in Buffalo, <a href="http://www.pinegrovequiltshop.net/">Pinegrove Quilt Shop</a> and we saw one of the blocks completed.  They were running it as a block of the month.  It was STUNNING!  Unfortunately, they were sold out of the BOMs and didn’t know if they would be able to get any more or not, but said they would look into it and give me a call.  I think we always want what we can’t have and I searched the web high and low trying to find somewhere that still had this available – I didn’t have any luck.  Then, on Tuesday, I got a call from Sue at Pinegrove telling me she was able to get two kits for Lee and I!!!!!  I’ve watched Edyta Sitar’s You Tube videos and I can hardly wait to get this in my hot little hands.  </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Sandra and I are supposed to be going to Buffalo this weekend and I plan to pick them up.  If Leo sees the credit card bill and falls off his chair, I can tell him to relax – it’s only half as bad as he thinks <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kQT2zmlqlmo/URPY73_aroI/AAAAAAAAEMQ/OUzrxUwy6Z8/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></font></p> Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06882241924033302657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1501966069114817254.post-58639558205101902692013-01-31T13:08:00.001-05:002013-01-31T13:08:13.509-05:00This Too Shall Pass<p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Technology is a wonderful thing.  I’m writing this post from an isolation room at our local hospital as I sit with my Aunt.  She has been sick for a week and unfortunately isn’t getting any better.  Our wonderful family doctor came to see her at home on Tuesday and administered some shots to help with the nausea and diarrhea, but they didn’t do the trick, so yesterday he asked me to call for an ambulance to take her to Emergency.  First of all, how many doctors do you know that still make house calls?  He is one in a million and I don’t know what we are going to do when he retires.  I made him a quilt a few years ago and almost every time I see him, he tells me how much he treasures it.  I just hope he knows how much we treasure him.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">My Aunt is such a trooper.  She has had a lot of illness in her life and somehow always manages to stay cheerful.  She is like a mother to me and I love her to bits.  I just hope they can help her to feel better.  It isn’t the flu, but some intestinal virus – they aren’t sure exactly what, which is why she is in isolation.  So, I’m sitting typing this with latex gloves on and a very unbecoming yellow gown.  It’s a bit of a joke, really, as some nurses ‘suit up’ and some don’t and they are flitting to and fro from patient to patient.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I finished my Starry Eyed Quilt and got the binding sewn on.  This was a pattern from the Moda Bakeshop website and I’d like to do another one some day.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WLKsd93MUyY/UQqy90xHXqI/AAAAAAAAEJw/-6m0UJKQBL4/s1600-h/001%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="001" border="0" alt="001" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Y3qm0pYWbT0/UQqy-x-jY_I/AAAAAAAAEJ4/7LvdGrJQNRU/001_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I believe the fabric line I used for this was called Ruby and it just takes one layer cake and two charm packs.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OEwtNOzUY5g/UQqzASwLvCI/AAAAAAAAEKA/Y3ynBbAPvhs/s1600-h/006%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="006" border="0" alt="006" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CIcy47MnjeY/UQqzBFoXu8I/AAAAAAAAEKI/7R-r7gRSjnA/006_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">One of these pictures was taken with a flash and the other without.  Maybe one day I’ll learn to use my camera properly – it has a dozen settings and all I ever use is ‘auto’.  </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Speaking of good pictures, my son Ian took this picture of my baby.  I absolutely love it!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xntD7IYL3PI/UQqzCRuf4XI/AAAAAAAAEKQ/dMY2nH-c0LA/s1600-h/BenAuntie%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="BenAuntie" border="0" alt="BenAuntie" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-inII97BLE7o/UQqzCycz_cI/AAAAAAAAEKY/8PdPwGzrgog/BenAuntie_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">His little world is upside down right now as I’ve been out so much.  I took him over to my Aunt’s earlier this morning while I changed her bed, etc. and he searched the house for her.  I hope she will be home soon – we all miss her!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"> </font></p> Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06882241924033302657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1501966069114817254.post-71954505671440501892013-01-26T14:57:00.001-05:002013-01-26T14:57:55.647-05:00I Feel Good<p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">As James Brown would say! I’ve been busy quilting tops this week – tops that have been completed for quite a few <strike>months</strike> years and have been patiently waiting to become a quilt.  This one is called Birthday Presents by Atkinson Designs and I believe it was in the book Take Two and Add a Few.  It’s been so long ago since I bought it, that I can’t remember.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KDH1WdM2vZs/UQQ1KLxOpeI/AAAAAAAAEIM/w7lNNh2EO6s/s1600-h/001%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="001" border="0" alt="001" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bsy4I6Lt1zg/UQQ1LIZ-yBI/AAAAAAAAEIU/ePRqi5s11Nw/001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I quilted this with the Swirls design from Circle Lord.  This has a batik back on it and I was a bit concerned that it might give me problems but I shouldn’t have worried.  Tillie handled it with ease and the tension was perfect.  I used a variegated King Tut on the the top and a Super Bob in the bobbin.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RqBk3Sdj5rM/UQQ1NTHY5FI/AAAAAAAAEIc/_dmxko5qZY4/s1600-h/008%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="008" border="0" alt="008" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yPfIMGiIA6w/UQQ1Or_7xTI/AAAAAAAAEIk/hjZuA5up7sc/008_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I just took my Starry Eyed quilt off the frame this afternoon, so once I get it bound, I’ll post some pictures.  What I should say, is after my hands recover from hand sewing the binding on this quilt, I’ll start on the next! </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I was looking at all the tops still to be quilted on my rack downstairs and there is one in particular that has been there forever.  I don’t like it anymore and I don’t want to quilt it either, so I think I will just donate it the way it is.  I loved the fabric – Paris Flea Market – in fact they have just brought that line back as it was so popular.  It was a swap done many, many years ago on the About.com quilting forum.  I just read recently that you don’t have to finish everything you start.  There is no crime in giving it to someone who likes it or donating it as a charity quilt.  Therefore, I can get rid of it with a clear conscience – that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">We must have been out of our minds when we did it, but Lee and I signed up for a class through our Guild that was held on Wednesday night.  Why on earth I thought it would be a good idea to haul everything out to a class at the end of January is beyond me.  Did I mention that it was FREEZING here all week and UNBEARABLY COLD at night?  <strike> Brave</strike> stupid souls that we are, we went and it was actually quite interesting.  Next month – oh yes, we didn’t just sign up for one month, we signed up for three – in the middle of winter – it must have been Lee’s idea – anyway, next month we are somehow going to be making a strip pieced star.  I’ll let you know how it turns out.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">This quilt is going on Tillie next.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FZgT17bYqD4/UQQ1P6M5YuI/AAAAAAAAEIs/9afxPnSpGd0/s1600-h/Ladybugs%252520001%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Ladybugs 001" border="0" alt="Ladybugs 001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AFEc2oKCiuE/UQQ1QiXLcqI/AAAAAAAAEI0/FFCluXw0low/Ladybugs%252520001_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="416" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I can’t remember if I put a border on this or not, but if I didn’t, I think I should, don’t you?</font></p> Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06882241924033302657noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1501966069114817254.post-67478653140776729082013-01-21T17:10:00.001-05:002013-01-21T17:10:30.355-05:00Winter is in the Building!<p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">The glorious weather we had is now just a distant memory.  It’s freezing here today and it’s supposed to get colder as the week goes on – lovely!  A good excuse to stay home and sew.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">On Saturday, our local quilt store hosted Sherri Hissey from <a href="http://www.bordercreekstation.com/index.html">Border Creek Station</a>.  Sherri designs the Mystery Quilt that I have done for the past three years.  She was really entertaining and showed us some gorgeous quilts.  I did take some pictures, but the room was very small, so I didn’t get the proper perspective for good pictures.  I’ll share a few of my favourites.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LDDkySUhk_A/UP28rGjZ54I/AAAAAAAAEFo/4sBfbhy7GTU/s1600-h/026%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="026" border="0" alt="026" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5HSDdId7WiE/UP28sOP0SoI/AAAAAAAAEFw/AYOnjrpyQqM/026_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4So2rdotwiA/UP28tMIgvBI/AAAAAAAAEF4/681QlKZANtE/s1600-h/022%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="022" border="0" alt="022" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fMBIWrm6U28/UP28t9xz7QI/AAAAAAAAEGA/9409WhoDAh8/022_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">This one was done as a leader/ender project and Sherri did it completely from her scraps.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3wIzNqX1huc/UP28ukHT7bI/AAAAAAAAEGI/fUbwKfJQHoU/s1600-h/031%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="031" border="0" alt="031" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-klPH6wIahO4/UP28vfdoXzI/AAAAAAAAEGQ/QuZCi2ulTPM/031_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">This lets you see just how small the room was and why my vantage point wasn’t ideal.  Ron, Sherri’s husband, helps her with the business and does all her binding.  A handy man to have around!</font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9gAHCIlrAF4/UP28waF-wCI/AAAAAAAAEGY/uxbcdN4FwLQ/s1600-h/004%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="004" border="0" alt="004" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MqbFKTjYNIQ/UP28w-_Y70I/AAAAAAAAEGg/Ef9egSho2Cw/004_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I got my Poinsettias de Noel top finished.  I realized while doing this that I have a very short attention span.  I had only worked on this top for 3 weeks, but already I was sick of it.  I have a whole new admiration for quilters who spend months and years on certain projects.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gXZ9u4JlExA/UP28x_wABiI/AAAAAAAAEGo/CVw_fvIL-FM/s1600-h/013%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="013" border="0" alt="013" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-13mmIBYsItA/UP28yvR1s0I/AAAAAAAAEGw/H192kALWxqo/013_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">If you look at the top left in the picture, you’ll see Molly.  I spent ages trying to get this laid out flat to get the picture, then as soon as I stepped away, she plunked herself down right in the middle of it!  You’d think there was catnip in quilt tops the way she is attracted to them.  Just shortly after this picture was taken, Ben had to come and lie on it too – so I guess it now has the seal of approval from both of my little quilt inspectors.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">We have quite a few squirrels in our neighbourhood and one of them has no tail.  He is so cute – he almost looks like a bunny.  It doesn’t seem to bother him and he can still climb trees and walk along wires.  I don’t know if he lost it in an accident or he was born this way, but he has been without it for a couple of years.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KaMVGnc5xzM/UP28zIdib7I/AAAAAAAAEG4/xHDAzGwt_bA/s1600-h/001%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="001" border="0" alt="001" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-b1--K9WjgSE/UP28zlHktUI/AAAAAAAAEHA/zMtkcFZhNGY/001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VvsFhrw0-us/UP280cn9J3I/AAAAAAAAEHI/g9aI25noAt4/s1600-h/003%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="003" border="0" alt="003" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-q9mNGyeZ-kg/UP281b1AqLI/AAAAAAAAEHQ/qrJV-AquSjI/003_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Isn’t he cute!!  We also have a squirrel that comes right up to our patio door and puts his paws on the glass until we throw out peanuts.  We have the best fed (and fattest) squirrels in the neighbourhood!</font></p> Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06882241924033302657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1501966069114817254.post-3207136629516368062013-01-13T18:45:00.001-05:002013-01-13T18:45:55.831-05:00January?<p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">The calendar says it’s January, but the temperature thinks we’re in the southern hemisphere.  It was over 60 F here yesterday and today – not bad for Southern Ontario!!  In fact, a couple of crocuses were blooming in our front garden.  They are in for a big shock though as the temperatures are supposed to plummet at the beginning of the week.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I’ve been working away on my Poinsettias de Noel and this is what it looks like now.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-q0zK2NJ_meA/UPNHH77OcEI/AAAAAAAAED8/a-1-3fxMCCs/s1600-h/Getting%252520There%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Getting There 2" border="0" alt="Getting There 2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eVtAjjNSxTA/UPNHI3ETWWI/AAAAAAAAEEE/9kSt_LXLAaU/Getting%252520There%2525202_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="529" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">That big area in the middle is going to have a pot of poinsettias in it.  I cut them all out last night and will start to get them assembled hopefully tomorrow.  There will be red sashing between the blocks and a black floral border – at least there will be when I get it done!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I took a break from it today to get some charity quilts quilted.  I managed to get 3 of them done and the binding sewn on, all ready to be hand stitched on Tuesday at our Cuddle Quilt Day.  While I was in my longarm room, I took a look at all my tops waiting to be quilted.  I must do something about that.  If the backs would magically piece themselves they would get quilted a whole lot faster.  </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Lee and I were talking about making a bucket list of quilts.  We all have quilts that we want to make, but somehow something else comes along and some quilts always get put on the back burner.  As I was looking through some of my pictures today, I came across this one.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-36yZPMChEzA/UPNHJb3R9eI/AAAAAAAAEEM/vgSO6V6ALSg/s1600-h/Circle%252520of%252520Hope%2525202%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Circle of Hope 2" border="0" alt="Circle of Hope 2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NJSQEQxTaaE/UPNHKlOydBI/AAAAAAAAEEU/PsdzxpFVpKo/Circle%252520of%252520Hope%2525202_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="554" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">It’s called Circle of Hope and I ‘think’ I got the pattern from Keepsake a couple of years ago.  It wouldn’t be difficult, so I need to JUST DO IT!!  Another quilt on my bucket list is a Hunter’s Star.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ykQ70NiFBCI/UPNHLYvSpcI/AAAAAAAAEEc/ak4MqPrJscg/s1600-h/Hunter%252527s%252520Star%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Hunter's Star" border="0" alt="Hunter's Star" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2VzZ2q0gKVg/UPNHMSKsrhI/AAAAAAAAEEk/akXpZrOWYL0/Hunter%252527s%252520Star_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="741" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">It’s not like I want to make a New York Beauty (although that would be nice too) so I need to get busy and start crossing things off my Quilting Bucket list – the list that I haven’t made yet <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BT4OXUr8JIc/UPNHMqLdcmI/AAAAAAAAEEo/eVuYCyS3GUM/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">The Golden Globes are on tonight and Jon Bon Jovi has been nominated in the Original Song category with “Not Running Anymore”.  He’s up against some tough competition with Adele in the category.  I like them both, so as long as one of them wins, I’ll be happy!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">I’m afraid I’ve had to put a verification code on my comments as  I have been getting so much spam and it’s really annoying.  It makes you wonder – do they really get any business from all those spam comment links?  </font></p> Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06882241924033302657noreply@blogger.com1