OMG I've won the lottery.................

No, just kidding, but to a quilter it's almost the same.

In my post of October 29, I mentioned that after 21 years a friend "MM" with whom I had lost contact with called me on the phone. Since then we have met for lunch and talked several times. Today we met again for lunch and a good chat.

MM paints porcelain as a hobby and as source of extra spending money. She is a wonderful artist and does some lovely things. She is not a quilter or even a sewer, but had good intentions of making a quilt with some fabric that she purchased a couple of years ago, but that is as far as it got.

Today, she gave me seven different pieces of fabric, totalling 25 yards, she doesn't want me to make her a quilt she just gave it all to me. How lucky can I be.

Here is a photo of the fabric, it looks brighter that the photo shows.

Patricia

I can't believe....

It's been almost a month since my last post, I should make a New Year's resolution to post on a regular basis.

I am here now to send everyone holiday greetings before I get too busy with last minute shopping and baking, although it is mostly all done, there always seems to be the things that have to be taken care of at the last minute.

I am going to be with family and friends throughout the holidays, as this Christmas is ............ going to be difficult.

Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Hope this jolly fellow fills your stockings with everything you have asked for and more.

Patricia

Getting back into the quilting groove and on a roll

I belong to a small guild and we make comfort quilts for chemo patients at our local hospital. At our October meeting we decided that if everyone made a block (the November block is to be red and white) we would have 16 blocks enough for a quilt. Here is my block which will go with me to tomorrow's meeting. It does not look square, but it is. Doing this block got me back into my sewing room. Previously I could not settle down and do anything, even though I had two projects that I wanted to do. One being my grand daughters wedding quilt and a wall hanging for myself. I found a pattern for the quilt see the picture below and purchased the fabric. I am using the colours that were in her wedding, and this is what I have done so far. The picture does not show the colours very well, they look a bit washed out from the flash.

The wall hanging for me is also finished. I took this picture when OH and I were on vacation in Florida during the Winter of 2009. The picture below is my interpretation of this same scene.

To all of the U.S. bloggers, I hope you have a great Thanksgiving tomorrow.

Patricia

It never rains but it pours.....

Last week I had a tooth ache, go to the dentist. Xrays show that there could possibly to a bit of infection near the bottom of the root, so he gave me a Rx that I started taking last Friday. After a couple of days tooth ache was gone.
Monday, I had a rash forming on my body, to my Family Dr. I go, I have an allergic reaction to the Rx the dentist gave me. Dr. told me to get an over the counter allergy medication.
Tue, Wed, its getting worse, yesterday I go to Emergency at the hospital, given another Rx by the Dr there.
Today, I look like a red monster from outer space--I have huge red blobs all over, the skin around my eyes is swollen, I itch and feeling down right miserable. Not much sewing being done so far this week, or anything else for that matter.
Our guild makes quilts for chemo patients at our local hospital. At our October meeting we decided that if everyone made a block each month we would have 16 blocks for a quilt every month. The block that is due at the end of Nov is to be red and white, any pattern that we chose. I have the fabric cut out but that is as far as its got. I am sewing the binding on a wall hanging, and still doing some hexies. Photo's coming soon.
Today is going to be another beautiful day, I should be out picking up my leaves for the compost bin, but not in the mood. Maybe we will have a strong wind blowing soon and do the job for me.
My last posts all have mentioned the problems I am having, I think its about time for some positive words, don't you?

Have a great day.
Patricia

I entertained three firemen last night

No.. I am not running a house of ill-repute.
All joking aside, this post is lengthy but hear me out as it contains a message that everyone should know about.
My garage is attached to my house, in that garage is my 1957 classic car, which was my late husband's pride and joy. During the wet cold months of Fall, Winter and Spring it never leaves the garage, but on a regular basis he always started up her Hemi. I am now trying to do this, but needed help to connect the battery, so #2 sil helped me last night. Opening up the garage door to let out the exhaust, we revved her up, she purred like a kitten for awhile then we turned off the motor.
I then settled down to watch TV and work on my hexies. At 10:15 I hear a shrill beeping sound, thinking it was my smoke detector I ran upstairs to see what the problem was, the Carbon Monoxide alarm was warning me of high levels of co2 in my house. Now I know this is a very serious problem, as it is known as the "Silent Killer". I got my phone and went outside and called 911. Enter the firemen, their monitors detected the co2 and they brought in huge fans, opened all the doors to rid the house of it. After all of their tests they concluded the exhaust from the car caused the problem. I mentioned to them that we have done this countless times and never had this happen before. They indicated that it was a still night , the air was heavy with the temperature hovering around zero C so the fumes stayed in the garage and during the evening seeped into the house through my back door. Because the engine was no longer running the co2 was not rising in the garage, but just the same the levels were high enough to make me ill if I was exposed to them for any length of time, as it was they were there for over 2 hours.
You may not have an old car, or your garage attached to your house, but all fossel burning appliances, create co2, and if not vented properly could cause serious problems.
Please, install at least one Carbon Monoxide detector in your home, push the "test" button each and every week, replace when instructions advise you to. When, or if your alarm is activated the sensor is saturated with co2 and your detector must be replaced.
Most important when alarm goes off, leave the house and call 911.
I am glad that I had one, listened to it, and did the appropriate actions.
Patricia

Friends again

Twenty-one years ago, I had a best friend, she and I did a lot of things together, joined a little theatre group, took photography courses, you name it we did it and had some wonderful times. We even vacationed together with her husband and mine.
However, everything wasn't as happy in her house as it was in mine and, I won't bore you with the details, her life changed directions, she did things that I did not agree with, but it was her life, and as a result we lost contact with each other, I missed her terribly.
When my husband died she read the "obit" in the newspaper and recently called me. She lives in a city near me, has remarried and settled down.
"Would you like to have a cup of tea" she asked. At the time I was not ready, so she told me, if and when I was, give her a call. Some time later I made the call and this past Tuesday, we met again after twenty-one years.
She told me she was so nervous, she was ready hours before we were to meet. We haven't changed, well, I have a few more grey hairs, hers are there also but covered up with the assistance of "Nice'n Easy" we both have a couple of extra wrinkles, oops !! laugh lines, she has some extra pounds added to her frame and my eyes require the help of some glasses.
We went out for lunch and five hours later we were still talking and we still have a lot of years to catch up on.
We are going to get together again.
She was my one and only best friend years ago, so when she left my life back then, I was hurt, angry and upset for a long time. At this point in time I have many friends, I am going to include her as a friend, but not a "best and only " friend, as I don't want to be hurt again.
Patricia

Wedding

Here are a couple of photo's I took of my eldest granddaughter, Natalie and her hubby, Matthew on their wedding day October 9th. She was a beautiful bride and the weather was perfect which made for a wonderful day.
On her wrist she wore a bracelet of blue enamel and silver that my Mother wore at her wedding in 1938, me in 1960, my sister in 1963, and on and on, until Natalie was the 12th bride in the family to wear it.
Now I have to get busy and make their wedding quilt, I'm a bit late don't you think.!!!!
Will show the fabric and pattern on another post.

Enjoy,
Patricia

Phew! I was tired last night...............

Do you know how much sewing related "stuff" you have? I do, because I moved every bit of it yesterday, except a table and a bookcase, from my downstairs sewing room up to a main floor bedroom, that OH used as a den.

My sewing room was in a medium size storage room in the basement, it only had a small window which opened up under the back deck so no light ever came in, very depressing. So I decided to move everything into the room upstairs, because how many Tv's can one person watch. One call to a son in law and he came with his brother in law and all the big pieces were moved in a short period of time.

During the afternoon I moved all of the smaller things, I got my exercise, going up and down the stairs. Sorting magazines in publication date order, folding fabric and then sorting it by yardage and colour. Pins and needles in their proper containers, patterns in the right drawer and thread sorted by colour. I know, your saying OMG!!!, but I have to be organized. There was a place for everything and everything was in its place before dinner.

Now I can sit and sew in a room where I can look out the window and see the sun shine, (when and if it comes back ), and the snow when it starts to fly. Its just a more inviting room, hopefully it will start my creative juices flowing. I have a couple of projects that I want to start. The wedding quilt for my grand daughter and new hubby and a pictorial wall hanging.

Its that time of the year again, my Dr. is having a flu shot clinic today, my appointment is this afternoon, better safe than sorry. Its done its job in past years, so hopefully it will do it again this year.

Yesterday I agreed to volunteer at our city "Christmas Care" one day a week, starting on Nov.15. Christmas Care provides baskets of food, toys and necessary items for families that need help over Christmas. I need to keep busy, so this will help me and others at the same time.

Hope you are having a great Monday,
Patricia

Windy...Leaves... Performance...

Oh my gosh, it is windy today. Laundry was on the line early this a.m. had to use extra pegs to make sure that everything did not end up in my neighbours garden. Nothing worse than chasing your knickers, all over town. :)

The wind also brought down a lot of leaves and guess where they are all ending up, in my back garden. They were whipped around in between my next door neighbour's house and mine and then under my gate, ending up in a huge pile at my back door. The forecast is for rain and winds again tomorrow so that's where they are going to stay for awhile.

Last night my friends and I had a lovely dinner, mine with a nice glass of red wine, and great conversations catching up on what everyone had done over the Summer. The performance was a big disappointment to say the least. None of us recognised any of the songs the two women and two men were singing and they did not make any sense. Maybe, they should have had fewer songs and provide a little segment of the original Broadway show so you could understand everything a bit better. The two piano's were so loud. During the intermission a lot of the audience left, so we were not the only ones that were not impressed with the show. We did something that we have never done before, ............five seats in the third row were empty for the second act. It will be interesting to see the reviews in the Saturday's newspaper. My rating * out of *****.
Patricia

Hello...

First, I would like to thank all my blogger friends for the support, whether it was just thoughts, prayers, e-mails or comments, I really appreciate it, Thanks again.

Even though I have not posted anything for awhile, I have been keeping up to date with every one's blogs and leaving a comment or two, all of you have been very busy with one thing or another.

I have been busy, and I need to keep busy, the weather has been lovely for the last little while and I have been able to do a lot in my garden to prepare it for Winter. Pulling weeds, Oh !! my there was a lot and cutting back plants and moving some to a better location. The lawn furniture has been stored away, the canvas sun shade (gazebo) taken down and stored in the basement. I even found the power screwdriver, made sure it did the "lefty loosey" and dismantled the metal framework for the gazebo. Removed the temperature "thingy" that opens the greenhouse roof vents. Now all I have to do is to remember how it goes back on in the Spring.!!!

Geraniums have been taken out of the garden, re potted and currently in the greenhouse until it gets too cold for them there, at which time I will bring them in the house.

The pump and filter are now out of the pond, so its almost ready for the cold weather. I have put a netting over it so all the leaves that I starting to fall will not go into the water and decompose. If they do it means I will have to clean the pond again in the Spring. Speaking of leaves, I will soon have to get the leaf blower/sucker out and pick up the ones that are starting to blow around and add them to my compost container.

One of my sil emptied the water butt, and stored the large deck chair cushion container for me, both too awkward for me to handle.

When we had a couple of rainy days, I cleaned, cleaned and cleaned again in the house, until I started cleaning everything over and over again. At that point in time I figured I should find something else todo. So I found a pattern, purchased fabric for my Granddaughter's Wedding quilt. She was married on Oct 9th but I will save photos for another post. Still working on my hexes while watching TV, can't sit with nothing in my hands.

Going to the theatre tonight with "girls" that I use to work with. We have a subscription for the Grand Theatre in London, Ontario, tonight we will be attending a musical - "Side by Side by Sondheim". Its a celebration of the music of legendary Broadway and film composer Stephen Sondheim. Sounds like it will be fun.

Its feels good to be back.
Patricia

My best friend

On Sunday, Sept 12, 2010 my husband Daniel passed away. At 10:00 a.m. I went to the hospital, he must have been waiting for me to be with him, at 10:30 a.m. he was gone.

I thank you all for your prayers and thoughts during the past weeks, Friday, is going to be a difficult day, so I need your help to get through that day.

Patricia

Not much sewing being done

Last Thursday, was the first day in a month, I did not visit OH in the hospital. My youngest daughter helped with his lunch and he had a number of friends visit in the afternoon, so he really didn't miss me too much. My eldest daughter and granddaughter #2 went shopping for a dress to wear to granddaughter #1's wedding next month. All three of us were successful and very happy with our purchases.

OH has been in hospital now for 4 1/2 weeks and is currently on another 21 day course of antibiotics, if this doesn't solve his health issues there is not much else that can be done. The prognosis is not good and he will not be coming home.

I am working on the English paper piecing hexagons in the evening, I find the mindless stitching relaxes me. Not much progress is being made however, eventually I will have enough done to start putting them together.

The International Ploughing Match is fast approaching and all the quilts that were in the competition in May have to be taken to the quilt committee by Sept 15. I delivered mine on Monday.

Fall is certainly in the air, cool nights, the leaves on the trees have a hint of colour, the Mums in my garden are starting to open up, and all of the plants that have been blooming are starting to look very tired.

Gotta go,
Patricia

Retail Therapy

Yesterday, a friend called to see if I wanted to go out for lunch. We hadn't seen each other for a couple of months so we had a lot to talk about. We had a nice couple of hours. Afterwards, I needed to take my library books back and get a couple of new ones, and also do a couple of errands. Then decided that some retail therapy was in order, so went to a fabric shop, of course, picked up five more batik fabrics for the Orange Peel workshop that one of our guild members has organized for Nov.
Had a quick dinner, and up to visit OH at the hospital. As of today, he has been in there for 18 days, and no indication as to when or if he will be coming home. Monday he had a problem with very, very low blood pressure, Tuesday was a day when he could not keep much on his stomach. I gave him a bed bath last night, the nurses use the premoistened cloths, they serve the purpose for the time being but, give me good old soap and water with a cloth to freshen someone properly. I had to ask a nurse to find a wash basin!! I used his shower gel and several bowls of water and he said he felt a lot better. He is getting so thin, he looks like one of those starving children from a third world country, at the beginning of the year he was over 200 lbs.
Leaving the hospital last night at 8:20 p.m. I have to drive in a easterly direction to get home. Just above the trees was the most beautiful big yellow full moon, and no camera with me.
Hope everyone is have a great day.
Patricia

Orange Peel Quilt

The majority of the members of our guild have enrolled in a Orange Peel workshop, our first session will be held in November. It's going to be a challenge for me as I have never done anything like this before. Last night several members got together to show the fabrics they will be using. Three of the "girls" present, including me, are using batiks, another Kaffe Fassett fabrics, others are raiding their stash. Our next regular meeting is next month so I am sure others will be showing their fabric choices then.

The city I live in and surrounding area are under a boil water advisory due to low levels of
E. coli being found at the sampling station last night. Do you know how many times you automatically turn on your tap during the day? I lost count, but I did attached a colourful elastic band on the faucet, just to remind me not to use the water. Hey, don't laugh, you do what you have to do. It is an inconvenience having to boil water for a minute prior to using it for everything that goes into your mouth. It makes you appreciate the fact that we can turn on the tap (under normal circumstances) for all of the water we use.

I had to go to the grocery store today, no fish, no deli meat, no meat other than what was packaged prior to the advisory, and no fresh vegetables. Are we spoiled or what. There was bottled water stacked all over the store.Patricia

Asters

I picked myself a posy of asters from the garden this afternoon, the colours are beautiful, what do you think?

OH is improving, he has been very confused, two of the things that did not make sense at lunch time - "did I know that Elvis has just died" and the black cat got up on his bed again". He will be having infected fluid removed from his leg tomorrow, after several days of postponing it due to him not being up to it.

The pneumonia is improving, but now he has "C-dif" which is short form, for a very contagious case of the back door trots, it is a result of all the antibiotics in his system killing all of the good biotic and the bad ones have taken over. Visitors have to wear a gown and gloves to enter his room. Hope this round of antibiotics don't put him over the edge again.

I took three hours and visited my Mum yesterday, her 93rd birthday.

Gotta go.

Patricia

Not a very good week....

I am not having a very good week, on Sunday I had to get the ambulance to take OH to hospital and it has gone down hill since then. Yesterday, being the worst day of all.

Things are a bit better today, and I am now at home for a couple of hours to regroup and get some lunch.

I am glad that I had some paper piecing prepared as I have been doing a bit while at the hospital.

This is what I have done so far, the picture is a bit washed out, but you get some idea of the colours.

Patricia

Two UFO's completed.....

.......finally completed the birth announcement and quilt for my great grandson and his is only 4 1/2 months old!!!!

His room is decorated with animals found in Africa, so thought this fabric was appropriate. The second picture is a close up of the fabric.

At one of our guild meetings in the Spring, we had a guest speaker that brought stamps and fabric paints so that we could all try our hand at making some samples. I used a giraffe and some leaf stamps. Now what do I do with them? I made a birth announcement for the same GGS. Thanks for looking.

Patricia

Sewing on the binding.....

.....on the quilt being given to my great grandson, should be finished today.
Tomorrow is a Golden day for OH and myself, how fast those 50 years have gone. Due to OH's health I don't have the time or energy to plan anything at the present time. I do have a strong suspicion that our children are planning something next week.
Those of you that have been following my blog know that I have two adopted grand daughters from China. The eldest, 12 years old, was adopted in 1998, all six of the families that travelled together at that time, have a yearly reunion. This year's is being hosted by one of the families that lives in Ottawa. So tomorrow we are driving to Ottawa, a good 7 1/2 to 8 hours, but with two youngsters and an OH that require "pit" stops, and meal breaks, it will take a lot longer. I am always invited to attend these reunions because I was one of two Grandma's that travelled with the families. We always have a great time, but is all over in such a short period of time and then we wait 'til next year.
Going to be AOL for a few days, have a great weekend.
Patricia

My second post today...

.....I am on a roll.

Can anyone identify this flower for me.

My youngest daughter gave me this plant several years ago. She received it from a co-worker, who was originally from the Philippines, I don't know if it is from there or not.

The white blossoms are approximately 1 inch in diameter, they look like a miniature rose. They last a couple of days then turn brown and become dry. The leaves are evergreen and shiny. The fragrance from these flowers is lovely but over powering. I put it outside during the Summer and it shoots out new growth off the main stems. and grows like wildfire, at the present time it is over 5 feet tall, after cutting it back during the Spring. It does OK during the Winter in the house in a south facing window.

Any ideas.

Patricia

Afternoon outing....

A friend took OH out for a coffee, yesterday afternoon at " Timmies". (For those of you not in Canada, Tim Horton's is a coffee and donut shop, also now serving light meals and most recently getting into the ice cream market. It is affectionately called Timmies). One can sit and chat for long periods of time over one coffee, believe me, OH used to sit with his car buff friends for hours, twice a week.!!!
Several months ago this would not have been a big deal, however, at this point in time it gave me a chance to also get out of the house and not have worry about him for a couple of hours. So what did I do with my spare time?
No not a fabric shop, I went to an Apiary. I took my youngest two grand daughters to a local apiary. It was not just educational but the owners have set up a big play ground, and also a few barnyard animals. For $5.00 each we had three hours of fun, and came home with some delicious honey. I chose a lemon honey, yummy, had some on toast this a.m. This was also the choice for the eldest of the pair, the youngest chose chocolate honey.
It's marvelous what a few hours in the sun and fresh air, doing something out of the ordinary with not a care in the world can do for you. I felt so much better.
Dinner prepared, eaten and cleaned up then out to cut the lawn which was beginning to look like a forgotten hay field. That was my Monday.
Patricia

Hot..hot...hot

Yesterday was sooooooo uncomfortable, I feel so sorry for people that do not have A/C.
Thursday overnight we had rain, but we still had our windows open because of the lovely breeze, (I hate everything being shut up during the Summer), however, the early morning sun began to heat up and the humidity in the air increased. It was heavy, everything was damp and clingy, we hear later in the day that it felt like 40 C, with the humidex calculation. OH and I were eating breakfast and two smoke alarms started up, its the D/!% toaster again, so out comes the dish towel, to do the wafting thing under the alarm, but neither stop. A FIRE? Can't smell any smoke. Out to the garage to get the ladder to disconnect the batteries, before the neighbours call the fire department, by now the noise from both alarms is hurting my ears. At least I know they would wake us up.
Batteries out and all is quiet, still smell no smoke, so what caused them to activate? the batteries were new when we changed the clocks in the Spring. Then, remembering that sometimes the steam from the bathroom shower sets one off, I realize that the humidity in the air must have done it. A/C on, windows closed, new batteries in the alarms, both tested OK and all is quiet on the home front.
A good day to stay inside and quilt, got quite a bit done, happy with the results so far. Pics coming soon.
Patricia

Finishing UFO's

Finally, some time to do a bit of quilting, so I have decided that before any new projects were going through my sewing machine, two UFO's were to be completed and given to their intended receiver. One finished (the birth announcement wall hanging) and the second (crib quilt) which I am hoping will be done by Sunday. Both projects are for my Great grandson, Ethan.

The cross stitch wedding sampler for my nephew, Jeff and his wife Cindy is finished and framed, ready to give to them in August, when they are having a family get together to celebrate their quiet July 2nd. wedding. When all completed I will post photo's.

Gill, from "That British Woman" asked me to post a photo of my pond. The "pond" is small, just the right size for our back garden. About 16 years ago, my two sons in law dug the hole, installed the liner, rocks and waterfall. The soil from the hole created a rock garden around it. All of the water lilies have finished blooming, I had five this year. At the present time the flowers in the garden are past their prime, next year I might plant some portulaca, SP? for some summer colour. The last photo shows my "duck" topiary, it hides the electric connection for the pump and filter. During the Winter we place a heater in the water to keep the fish alive. The white lines you can see over the pond is fishing line. Quite regularly we have a visiting heron looking for its dinner, this keeps it out of the water and is not too noticeable.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Patricia

My Garden.....

As mentioned in previous posts, gardening is second on my list of hobbies. Today I am showing two flowers currently in bloom in my back garden.

This water lily is the second pink one that has bloomed in my pond this year . I particularly like this photo as you can see the drops of rain water on the petals and leaves. Click on photo to get a better look.

This is a Brugmansia, a friend gave me a 12 inch cutting last Fall, telling me to keep it in the basement, watering it occasionally during the Winter. Bring it up into the sunshine early Spring and put it outside when all danger of frost is over. After following these instructions the cutting has rewarded me with some beautiful flowers, the photo does not do them justice. It is a delicate pink, at the outer edge, changing to a pale yellow at the base of the flower. If I had children or pets I would not grow this plant as it can be toxic if ingested.

Patricia

Relief....

Rain overnight and into this morning has put an end to the sweltering heat and humidity we have had for the past few days. My water butt is full and I should be able to pull the weeds out of the flower beds on Sunday, the ground was too dry to even try during this past week.

I needed a "pick me up" so yesterday I bought myself a new pair on sandles, they were on sale, but still cost a fair bit of money. They are good quality, so should last a few Summers. This a.m. I went had had my hair cut, I always feel so much better if my hair, in my opion, looks good. Then stopped at a local veg and fruit market for some fresh salad stuff for lunch.

Tomorrow we are visiting our son and family in Aurora, Ontario, we haven't seen them since Easter. He is a computer programmer, and just recently was able to pick up a used laptop for me. He has loaded all the programs I want, its sure is nice to have someone that knows what they are doing, to do all that for me.

Hand sewing has kept me busy during the evening hours. One of my nephews was married July 2nd. It was the second time around for him and his partner, just a quiet ceremony with the Justice of the Priest. She is such a nice girl, its a pity they didn't find each other the first time.
Their "reception" is going to be a garden party and BBQ mid August. As they have been living together for quite awhile, they really didn't need anything in the way of gifts, but I wanted to give them something, so I am making a cross stitch sampler with their names and wedding date on it. Will show photos when its done. Also started on the English paper piecing flowers for the Grandmothers Garden and finishing the quilt for my great grandson.

Hope everyone is having a great day.


Patricia

Where do the days go.....

I can't believe my last post was dated June 14. So much has been going on during the past couple of weeks blogging was not on my list of things to do.

Our guild's last meeting prior to a Summer break, was hosted by one of our members on June 25. D's husband prepared a feast fit for a King. Thanks D & S.

First, I hope all the Canadian blogger's had a great Canada Day. I watched Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip attend the festivities in Ottawa, did my laundry and painted my bathroom.

OH has been in the hospital again, this time with an infection in his left foot and leg, not good news for a diabetic, happy to say he is now home and doing a lot better.

I am working on my GGS's crib quilt and a wall hanging for his room, when completed I will post photo's. I have also started some English paper piecing, and making a Grandmothers Flower Garden quilt. It is something that I can pick up and stitch outside when I have a few minutes.

My garden is doing well, and I must say, so are the weeds, I have to get out and do something with them before they get ahead of me. The photo is one of the water lilies that is blooming in my pond, there is also a pink one starting to poke out of the water.

Short and sweet today,

Patricia

Not much quilting done.....

......as I have been busy in my garden. Have to keep weeding, don't want them to get the best of me. The maple tree bonsai I started from a seed five years ago, it is now about 18 inches high. Now I don't really know much about bonsai, however, I am surprised that it looks as good as it does, even if I do say so myself. Just wish I could get the leaves to come in a bit smaller. The secret is getting enough nerve to dig it up and cut off some of the roots and re-pot it. The honeysuckle and roses have a lovely fragrance, I can really smell it today, as the air is quite heavy and sultry. Enjoy the flowers currently in bloom in my world.
Dd2, granddaughter5 and I went to Shedden on Sat. for their Rosy Rhubarb, village wide yard sale. Dd2 saw a number of items she would like to take home but the $$ were out of her price range. A beautiful antique buffet $1800.00 !!! Gd5 was looking longingly at some Barbie dolls and accessories, so Grandma could not resist spending $3.00 for the huge tub full of stuff.
On Sunday, OH and I went to the Rosy Rhubarb car show, even though it looked like rain. Thankfully not a drop fell on us, OH would not like anything to spoil the shine on his "baby".
I am thinking about starting some hand piecing for the Summer months, something that I can do sitting outside, as I hate being in during the nice weather. Been looking at English Paper Piecing and making Grandmothers Flower Garden pattern.

Patricia

I have been asked.......

...............to show photo's of the quilts, that I put in the show, so here they are. Patricia

Pleased as Punch --

Went to the International Ploughing Match quilt show yesterday in Shedden, Ontario. I was looking forward to see if any of my three entries won anything. At our guild meeting on Thursday, we were told that some members that had entered the show had won ribbons, however, we did not know who, we had to go the show and see for ourselves.

Having been to other shows and seen quilts that were works of art, and this being the first show that I have ever entered, I didn't get my hopes up too high.

I am so pleased, and I can't contain myself any long, so now I am going to brag a little. I won, I won, I won. All three of my entries received a ribbon.

English Cottage Garden -- 2nd.

Mother & Child --1st.
Birds of a Feather, Flock together --1st.
This one is my favourite, it was gorgeous.
Patricia

Wheeeew it's hot....

... I have just looked at my thermometer and the hottest it got today was ---36.4 C. Now, I know that the thermometer always reads a bit higher that the official temp but even at 34 C its warm , and when you calculate in the humidity, it starts to get a bit uncomfortable.

I am not complaining, because I prefer this weather over blowing snow and freezing temps, but it is a drastic change, we go from cold and wet to this and it is only the end of May.

The gardening will have to wait until after dinner tonight. Can't do much more because the curb side pick up for our compost bin does not come until next week, and my compost container is full also. Just have to fill up some spare garbage containers for the rest of the week.

Patricia

No gardening today......

....in S. W. Ontario it is raining. I welcome the odd day like this during the busy days of getting the Spring gardening done. It gives me a chance to catch up on my housework, which has been neglected during the past week because we have had such beautiful weather and I would much rather be outside.

Vacuuming and dusting done, kitchen and bathroom cleaned from top to bottom.

Gave OH a hair cut. I have been cutting his hair for years, I am no professional, but at least he doesn't have to wear a hat for a week until it grows back in a bit. With the guides on the blades you really can't go wrong----well, I guess you could if you were not careful, anyway, he was happy with it so that's all that matters. My Dad used to say, "The only difference in a good hair cut and a bad one, is three days", so by Tuesday OH should look OK.

This afternoon I have been able to work on the quilt I have started to put together for my great grandson, so far, I love the way it is looking. On a previous post I showed the fabric, -- African wild animals. I have just bought a new camera, still trying to figure it out, will post photo's later.

Now I have to make my Friendship Amish bread, the dough has to sit on the counter for ten days, on the fourth day I had to feed it and now today I can make my loaves. It really is yummy, I have been putting some in the freezer, so that I can take out a loaf whenever I need something sweet.

Well gotta go........
Patricia

Exposed

Today was such a beautiful day, temps in the high 20's C, lovely blue skies and not a cloud in sight. Just the perfect day to expose two of my white body parts. Now these white parts have not seen the sun in a long time, and they are not one of my best assets, (they wiggle a bit at the top), but then when you are in your late sixties none of the body parts are your "best"assets. Although, my dentist says I have beautiful teeth!!!
Here in Canada we don't get a chance to expose any body parts until after the May 24th holiday weekend, usually it is too cold or wet. But, because today was such a glorious day I decided to do "it". My neighbours were all at work, so no one to stare at me. Removing their covering I applied a liberal coating of sun screen, don't want them to get sun burnt. Peeking out the door, the coast was clear, no one in sight. I don't know what I am worried about, it's not illegal. Making my way onto the lawn and to the flower beds, I decided to pull a few weeds. Bending over to get one that was very stubborn, it suddenly let go, dang it,! dirt is sticking to my my white parts because the sun screen has not yet been absorbed. I brush most of the dirt off the rest will come off in the shower.
Oh my gosh, next thing I see is my neighbour, she is also exposing her white body parts too, we chat for a few minutes then she is on her way. Well, I think I must not look too bad if she made no comment, but I am glad that I shaved my white body parts yesterday. I was also glad that my shorts did not shrink over the Winter, and they covered my wiggly bits at the top of my legs.

Shame on you, what were you thinking.

Have a great day,
Patricia

Entries submitted

Yesterday I delivered my quilts that I have entered in the International Ploughing Match competition. All the quilts entered are being judged prior to the show on May 28, and 29, 2010. Looking forward to seeing all the entries.

Below is a photo of the English Cottage and Garden quilt finally finished. The colours are a bit washed out due to the bright sun. I am very pleased with the final product, and truthfully glad that it is done. I started it in January 2009, so it has been a long process to get it completed. This quilt is entered in the category "Landscape or Pictorial quilt".


The next photo is a wall hanging submitted in the category of "Rural Sayings" --"Birds of a Feather, Flock together". The colours are brighter than the picture is showing, but it gives you an idea of what it looks like.
My third entry is in the "Original Design" category - "Mother & Child" which I have shown on a previous post.

Yesterday was a cold wet day here in SW. Ontario, the months of April and May seem to be switched around this year. We had unseasonably hot weather last month and getting the rain now. Today is drier but still cool, a good day to do some housework this a.m. and start a new quilt project later today.
I promised myself that I would fill my freezer this year with more fruit and veg. They are so much cheaper when they are in season and they are easy to prepare for freezing. So, yesterday I purchased and froze 12 lbs of rhubarb. On Mother's day I made a Jamie Oliver's rhubarb crumble for my Mum, it was delicious.
The local asparagus crops were damaged by a frost a couple of days ago, so don't know if I will be able to get much of that put into the freezer.
Hope everyone is having a great day.
Patricia

Busy, busy, busy

Yesterday I worked all afternoon in my garden, it was such a lovely day, got a bit sun burnt too. My flower beds in our back garden are all curved, I liked the way it looked and they made the area look nice. However, I now help OH cut the lawn and our lawn mower is heavy, so to make the job easier on us both I am in the process of making all of the edges straight. What a job!! The side beds are done, they were about 30 feet in length, now in the process of doing the ones around our deck, only one at the back of the garden to do, it's the longest, about 50 feet.
Also baked some sweet bread. My dd2 gave me a started bag of Amish Sweet Bread (Friendship Bread). I had to keep it in a plastic bag for five days, MUSH it every day, then feed it on the 6th day with flour, sugar and milk, and then MUSH it for another 4 days. On the 10th day I had to take out 4 cups of the dough and put 1 cup in each of four plastic bags, these are suppose to be given to friends, thus the name. With the remaining dough I had to add flour, eggs, sugar, etc, etc. and made two loaves. Needless to say it was delicious and only half a loaf is left. I justify eating it because of paragraph one.
My next door neighbour gave me a big armfull of rhubarb, I put three containers in the freezer, and we had some for our dinner tonight. Some time, tomorrow, both OH and I will have our Spring cleaning done. lol. Thanks goodness the forecast is for rain tomorrow it will give me a chance to do some sewing, rest my achy muscles and be close to the loo.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
Patricia

Stroll Down Memory Lane

Last night was the final show in our 2009-2010 subscription at the Grand Theatre, London, Ontario. What a show it was--we took a stroll down memory lane, or I should say an exhilarating journey of pop culture nostalgia. The performance - Legends - featured over 100 classic songs of the 50's, 60's and 70's, and I had a great time, clapping and toe tapping, and just wanting to get up and dance.
We heard Tina Turner, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Dionne Warwick, and The 5th Dimension. Tiny Tim, The Beatles, and The Beach Boys. Stevie Wonder, Supremes, The Mamas and the Papas, The guess Who, Mike Jagger, Aretha Franklin and the King - Elvis, and everyone else in between.
Today, was such a lovely day I could not stay inside, so out I went into my garden and started to straighten my flower beds. Hopefully, I should be able to get out there again tomorrow afternoon, and then to my quilt guild meeting in the evening.
It is still too cool to do anything outside after dinner, so I am now off to my sewing room.
Patricia

Wall Hanging and Spring

The photo below is showing a wall hanging that I designed and finished a couple of weeks ago, I have called it Mother and Child.

Here are some of the flowers that are in bloom in my garden at the present time.





Spring is such a colourful time of the year. Enjoy

Patricia

Sunny with a cool wind

Today we have a lovely sunny day, with a cool wind, both will dry up the garden so that I can get working in it again. Our soil has a lot of clay in it so it takes awhile to dry out enough to work in it.

OH's Dr visit yesterday went better than I had hoped. The problems that he had several weeks back, were the result of an undetected disease, which reared it's head with a vengeance, when he stopped taking medication to cure his gout. OH swore that he would never take that medication again. However, that same medication is the one of choice to treat the disease that has just been diagnosed. When told of the outcome if he did not take it, he really did not have any choice. Because the worst scenario was, in approximately a year he could be in a nursing home, and possibly blind. Reluctantly he agreed to take it, the good news, after two doses of medication, I can see an improvement already, and he is looking, and feeling a lot better. A miracle drug for sure.

Now that crisis is over I can concentrate on my sewing as I have a couple of projects that need to be completed within a month. So I am getting off this computer and going to work in the sewing room.

Patricia

Rain, Rain......

...go away. After record high temps last week, we are under heavy clouds, thunder storms and rain for the past couple of days, and more to come tomorrow. However, as they say April showers bring May flowers, so we have to put up with this wet stuff. It looks as if my lawn has grown inches overnight, my forsythia is in bloom and looks so nice. I have had frogs /toads in the pond calling for their mates, and this morning saw five couples laying their spawn. We are going to have tadpoles by the thousand. Some will be dinner for my fish, but quite a few will mature to frogs/toads.

I have been a bit under the weather these past couple of days, got a touch of some bug I guess, or maybe it's just all that I have been doing these past couple of weeks is catching up to me. Anyway, i am feeling a bit more like myself today, maybe its because I had my hair cut. I always feel much better about myself when I like the way my hair looks. OH goes to the Dr again tomorrow, still have not been given any definite answer to his problems. Time will tell I guess.


Did some sewing last night, all that is left for me to do on this wall hanging is to sew on the binding, hope to get that done tonight.

Hope everyone is having a great day.

Patricia

Summer????

Yesterday was such a beautiful day I worked all afternoon in our back garden. I have a small pond, the kind with the rubber liner, which is about three feet deep, twelve feet long and eight feet wide. I haven't cleaned it for a couple of years, so decided to do it this spring. Water was drained, plants, fish and a toad were taken out. There was a lot of decaying matter in the bottom so I got rid of that. Refilled pond with clean water, connected the pump for the water fall, trimmed all the dead leaves from the plants, and put them back in. Conditioned the water to rid it of the chlorine and then put the fish and toad back in. They all seemed to be happy with the spring cleaning all done. Last night I couldn't understand why my arms and neck felt a bit warm, I was sun burnt. I didn't even think about putting on sunscreen, will have to remember next time I am out for a period of time.
Today, well I am feeling the results of all the work I did yesterday, however, once I got myself moving it wasn't quite so bad.
We are to have record high temperatures for the next couple of days, up into the low to mid 20's C. It appears we have missed spring and gone right into Summer. I shouldn't say that as we can still have some cold temps in April.
I did do an hours sewing last night, I have a tendency to start making mistakes when I am tired, so I put it away for the night.
Have a happy Easter everyone.
Patricia

Great Grandson

This is my new great grandson - Ethan. He was born at 7:30 a.m. and this photo was taken about twelve hours later. He is gaining weight and is a happy baby.

Patricia

Guild Meeting

We had a great guild meeting last night and some members displayed their lovely quilts during show and tell.
It was really nice to get out with friends for a couple of hours and our host made a yummy dessert for lunch at the end of our meeting.

Today, however, I am fuming. I had to make a visit to the grocery store to stock up the pantry.
Bags in the trunk, key in the ignition and gear in reverse to get out of my parking spot. Pulled out into the exit lane to leave, and was just putting car into drive, and then saw the reverse lights come on in a van which then proceeded to bang into my rear bumper despite me honking my horn loud and clear. There does not appear to be too much damage, but the cars these days are all plastic and nine times out of ten everything has to be replaced as it can't be repaired, and shop costs are expensive. I want it repaired so off to get an estimate. Needless to say I won't be buying much fabric for the next little while.
Patricia

Guild meeting....

.......tonight is my monthly quilt guild meeting, I feel that I need to get out for awhile so my plan is to attend. I have nothing quilty for show and tell, as I am still working on projects for the competition I am entering, but will take a photo of my new great grandson to show instead.

We have come up with a plan so that OH will be able to give himself his insulin, get his snack, make a bathroom visit, and the phone is close by if he needs me to come home.

We were at the Dr's this p.m. however, know no more now than before we went in, Dr only confirmed what he told OH in the hospital . We made another appointment to visit our family Dr. next week, so will have to wait a little longer for any information.

Worked some more on some hand sewing last night, and I must say I think it is coming along nicely.

We have a damp cool day, and we can expect the weather to get colder as the day progresses, expected low tonight and tomorrow night is -7 C.

Hope everyone is have a great Thursday,
Patricia

Not much ....

...........going on today, I was able to do some more hand sewing on the wall hanging yesterday, and should be able to complete the top tonight and then start putting on the borders. I have a good idea as to the quilting i am going to do, so its coming along nicely.

After a night of high winds, we have a dull damp day, with the promise of late day sun, we will see how accurate the weather forecast is.

Have a great Tuesday,
Patricia

Health Care Workers

If you have been reading my earlier entries you know that my OH was in hospital. He is now at home, and is having to use a walker once in awhile, and cannot change his position from laying, sitting and standing by himself. He is 6ft and me just 5 ft. so you can imagine what I have to do to get him moved. I know the correct way to move him, however, the muscles I didn't even know I had are shouting at me.

To all of the health care workers out there, I have a new found respect for the work that you do. Especially if your job description has these words in it, " assist patients moving from one position to another". Thank you.

I am getting quite a bit accomplished on a wall hanging that I am currently doing, so that is a good thing.

My Great grandson, Mum and Dad visited us last night, our first meeting with the little fellow, he is such a sweetie, will have to post a photo later.

We are back to seasonable temperatures today, with possible mixed precipitation showers.
Have a great Sunday,
Patricia

Mother & Child

I have been working on a wall hanging that I am calling Mother & Child. It is another project that is going into a competition in May of this year.
It is all hand stitching at the present time, and if time permits I will quilt it by hand otherwise will have to do it on the machine.
After having two glorious days of record breaking temperatures, we are now back to cloudy skies and single digit temperatures. Some showers are in the forecast so they should give the plant life a good drink and then they will start growing.
Have a great day.
Patricia

OH home...

from the hospital, however, having quite a bit of trouble getting around, so he has to use a walker. Don't know if this is a result of the problems he had on Sunday, staying in bed for 4 1/2 days in hospital, or something else.

Scheduled for more tests next week, so time will tell.

I was able to do some hand stitching on a wall hanging that I am doing for an upcoming competition, that made me feel better.

Another beautiful sunny day, however, out unseasonable warm weather will be coming to an end tomorrow with rain in the forecast and seasonable temp.s

Hope everyone is having a great day.

Patricia

A movie star????

My son has been unemployed for approximately six months, however, recently he called to say he has a new job.
Sounding very excited he advised his Dad and I that he was finally in "show business", namely in the movies.
Now we were wondering what talent he would have to be in the movies, as we have never seen any indication of any. He was not particularly show biz material, other than getting dressed up as some of his favorite movies stars on Halloween, such as the Blues Brothers and Sir Elton John.
Finally he tells us that he is working for Blockbuster, we think, Oh no! he is one of the counter staff that says "Hi, how are you, welcome to Blockbuster" when you go into the store. As it turns out he is a Systems Analyst, for Blockbuster Canada.
I guess we know what we will be getting for Christmas this year, Blockbuster gift cards.
Not much quilting stuff going on yet.
Patricia

I have flowers.......

...... crocus and daffodils are blooming in my garden. There was also a chipmunk eating some seed from underneath our bird feeder, so he/she is out of hibernation. It must be Spring.

OH is still in hospital but now out of ICU. The Dr's are now saying they believe his problems were caused by low blood sugar (he is diabetic), however, I am having a hard time agreeing with them. But then, what do I know, they are the experts.

Not much sewing being done, soon I will be having withdrawal symptoms and will have to get a fix. Maybe tonight when I get home from the hospital.
Hope everyone is having a great day.

Patricia

Plans were changed

Yesterday we had planned a visit to see our new baby, however, OH had a dizzy spell and collapsed on the bathroom floor. The day then went from bad to worse, I won't go into details, called an ambulance took him to hospital, tests and more tests, and at present he is in ICU.
Short and sweet today.
Patricia

Baby

Well, I am feeling a bit older today, as I am now a great grandma. One of my granddaughters gave birth to a healthy baby boy yesterday, Match 13. Ethan weighed in at 7 lbs 10 ozs, and 21 inches long.

Plans are to go and see him today.

Have to get busy with his quilt, and get it finished before his graduates to his crib.

Hope everyone is having a great Sunday.

Patricia

Spring....

Yesterday I saw a robin in our back garden, a sure sign of spring in my books, and several were back again today.
They visit a fruit tree (I think it is either a crab apple or cherry which still has fruit on it) in my neighbours back garden, they also paid a visit to some of the seed under by bird feeder. Rain is in the forecast for the next few days, which will help the frost out of the ground and allow the worms to come closer to the surface, a choice meal for the Robins.
The rain will also mean a few days to stay inside and quilt, what more can one ask for ---signs of Spring and a rainy days to quilt.
Have a great Friday
Patricia

Finished

Well, its finished, all but some additional embroidery to highlight the path and flowers.

The photo is a bit washed out due to the sun shining on it, and it was blowing in the wind, but it gives you an idea of how it looks. Now I have to decide what border to put on it and how I want to quilt it. Edited March 16, the size of the top is 74 by 78 inches but I have yet to add the borders.

I have learnt many lessons doing this project.

1.Organization. This is the only thing that kept this project manageable. When I decided to do this I went through all of my embroidery cotton and picked out the colours that were to be used for the cross stitch. I then pulled fabric out of my stash which was close in colour to the embroidery cotton. Each piece of fabric was then identified with the colour number and the symbol on the graph. One thing that I really didn't consider was the amount of fabric I would need.

2. Cut your squares to the exact measure using the same ruler for the entire project. This is true in all the fabric you cut, however, when dealing with such a small piece to begin with, it doesn't leave much room to compensate for that fraction of cutting error. I wasn't able to do much strip piecing due to the frequent changing of the fabric colour, so each square was sewn separately.

3. Sew a precise 1/4 inch seam. Use the same sewing machine for the whole project.

3. Pin all of the seams so that they line up. I spent a lot of time doing this step.

4. Patience.

5. Patience.

6. Patience.

7. The most important lesson. What was a thinking, was I mad???? a bit crazy??? a little bit on both counts. If you decide to do a project like this, DON'T, change your mind and forget it.

Don't get me wrong I did enjoy doing this project, and now that the time consuming part of it has been completed I am glad that I did it and I am very pleased with the result.

Hope you are having a great Wednesday.

Patricia

English Cottage Garden Quilt

Well after a year's work putting together this quilt the top is F I N I S H E D.


I have converted a counted cross stitch pattern into a quilt, each cross stitch equals a one inch square of fabric, and 5,424 squares later it is completed. At the present time I am embroidering tree branches and outlining some of the flowers and leaves, I am pleased with the way it is looking.


Now I have to decide what kind of border to put on and also how to quilt it.



Tomorrow I will post a photo and would welcome any suggestions you might have.

Below is a photo, (not a very good one) of the counted cross stitch as it appears in the magazine where I found the pattern.

Hope you are having a great Tuesday.

Patricia

Baby Quilt

My great grandson (am I really THAT old to have a ggs) is due this coming week, but his quilt won't be ready for awhile yet. The fabric was purchased some time ago, however, my life has been quite busy during this past ten days so have not started his quilt yet.

Finally chose a pattern I want to use, it is a easy one so once I get started it won't take too long to put it all together.


Here is a picture of the fabric I am going to use,(the colours look a bit washed out from the flash) however, it will give you some idea. His nursery is decorated with African animals, so when I saw this fabric at Joann's I just had to pick it up. I wondered if the colours might be too dark for a baby, but decided to use it any way.

Today is promising to be another lovely day, but mid week the forecast is calling for some snow.

Have a great Sunday

Patricia