Monday, March 31, 2014

Optical Illusion...

Yesterday and again today we have had lovely blue skies and sunshine, and temperatures around 10*C.
April 1st tomorrow, of course, showers are forecast, but that is just fine with me, they will melt the snow which is still laying around in some areas and help thaw out the ground.   The streets will get a much needed wash to remove all the gravel and salt used to melt the Winter ice and snow.   The bulbs just showing out of the ground will get a drink.

In early March I attended two classes conducted by one of the members in the guild I belong to.  We made an "Optical Illusion" wall hanging.   Mine is smaller than the original pattern and I wanted it to hang "on point" which proved to require some additional thinking to make it hang properly.


 
 
 
Patricia

Friday, March 21, 2014

Spring

The calendar says it's Spring, however, we still have quite a lot of snow on the ground, and a messy weekend is forecast with rain and/or freezing rain.  In the past, the reports always indicate these weather systems to be worse than they end up being.  So, I am hoping this is the case for this weekend and it will not be as bad as they are predicting.

Where the snow has melted, there are a few signs of life in my garden as grape hyacinths, crocus, daffodils and tulips are poking the tips of their leaves through the soil.  Mother  Nature is so great at the things she does, because it always amazes me how these bulbs can survive freezing cold temperatures and frozen ground throughout the Winter, and I need to bundle myself up to face the elements just to go to take out the garbage.     

In the Fall I decided to  place a heater in the pond to keep the fish alive during the Winter, big mistake, not for the fish but for the electricity bill.  This being the coldest Winter we have had in many years made the heater work overtime.  Note to myself to rethink for next Winter.  

Almost completed the top of my dd2's quilt, the pattern called for sashing to divide the blocks, however, I rearranged the blocks into a different configuration,  and as a result more blocks were required to bring it to the correct size for a queen bed.   Pictures coming soon.  Not much else is being done in the sewing room at present,  why.....

I am painting my bedroom,  and if my body survives it should be finished this weekend.  Last year when I painted my rec room I don't remember my muscles crying out as they do now.  Must have age a  lot over the past 12 months.  LOL.

Have a great weekend.

Patricia

Saturday, March 1, 2014

February 2014....

The second month of 2014 is now history and thank goodness.   Record breaking cold temperatures, blizzard conditions and lots of snow which will not stop falling.  Where I live March has come in like a "Lamb" and according to the tale, will now go out as  a "Lion".  The long term forecast for March is indicating a colder than normal month, which sound reasonable, as all this snow has to melt and the ground to thaw.  The Great Lakes are almost covered in ice too so that will take a long time to melt and also keep the air cold.    It's Canada, so I should stop moaning and get on with it.

Those of you which have followed my blog for awhile know that while I like sewing traditional patterns into my quilts, I also have a creative part in me to make original pictorial wall hangings.   In South Western Ontario more and more quilts blocks are being erected on barns, historical buildings and marking important areas of the landscape.  Brochures have been printed to map the blocks for those who wish to travel the quilt block routes.  So what has this got to do with me?   I have just completed my latest wall hanging which shows a barn with a quilt block on it,  a photo of which is below.  (sorry the photo is not quite straight).





 
Autumn in the Country.



 
P S. Click on the photo to enlarge.

Patricia