Vacation Catch Up

Well I’m back from my 10-day vacation at my sister’s and had a lovely relaxing time even though Len, my brother-in-law, felt a heaviness in his chest and shortened breath, was ambulanced to Dryden hospital and spent the whole time there being checked out before being released maybe this week. Thankfully it was confirmed that he did not have a heart attack or a stroke – so fortunate! It was lovely out there but too soon this year the leaves are changing with early autumn approaching. I did take some pictures and hope to make up some new thread painted landscape postcards. Will have to see.

The first chance I had I worked on stitching the binding onto my “Touch of Red” twin sized black, white and red charms quilt that I had Irene Johnson from Nestor Falls quilt it for me. Lovely flowers stitched into the piano keys border and swirls in the quilt centre. And you’ll see Sylvia’s (done before mine) larger queen sized quilt with her own fabrics along with some of my B&W charms before I got the idea to do the same pattern but on a smaller scale myself – disappearing 9-patch. But I still have some fabrics left over and hope to make up some other pattern with them too.

One day I hope to establish a website and upload both mine and Sylvia’s and maybe even Pat’s projects with descriptions for whomever to see and who knows maybe sell. Time will tell.

During this vacation Sylvia and I prepared for the quilt sale and once the first few busy days passed by Sylvia did take off to visit Len in hospital, got some items he wanted along with groceries for home before returning around supper time. She was tired and I had a quiet day sewing and did some house tidying.

  
We both enjoyed our days stitching up items that in most cases the next day someone would snatch it up – we just chuckled. I had brought some of my favourite fabric with me and found a pattern with interesting details but naturally the sizes of pieces and finished quilt were not to my liking. So naturally Sylvia came to my rescue and the two of us designed a hanger to fit my fabric poppies and I just LOVE IT!!! Thank you Sylvia once again for bailing me out of a jam!!! Much appreciated.

I even stitched up a second Flowers n ‘Flies table runner after the first one sold quickly, but forgot to take a picture and guess what it was snatched up that same day and now too late for picture taking. We just laughed. I can tell you that the next one I stitched up – I've got to take the picture but this time around no one dropped by so I still have it.

Oh on my what to NW Ontario I dropped in to visit Adeline and Bill and she showed me a quick and easy block assembly that was totally finished in one step basically. So on our trip to Dryden following the ambulance with Len and overnight at a motel, the next day I picked up WalMart’s “Jellies” (smaller than the Jelly Rolls) in black, white and yellow and promptly tried out Adeline’s idea. These were like small table centres and a one-block hot mat/pad but they are still around.

I also got all the HST sliced in half for the MPQ Nickel Challenge quilt about half of them pressed open ready for squaring up and then in September – back out to Sylvia’s for another vacation – both of us will be stitching them up. If I get them all stitched tog and the borders on then Sylvia will spend some time quilting it so I can then get the label and binding on. These all have to be finished and handed in at the December MPQ meeting to be handed over to the ABC Charity Quilts program. I know that I will not do such a pattern again unless it’s in a miniature scale – dang it sure is adding up to many hours and I’m not in stitching mode yet!!!

Sane Quilting, Tatting, and CQing too!

OK I finally finished off two table runners/wall hangings (whichever it could be) that I started at the Morden quilt retreat beginning of May. I'm very pleased with them and it was John at work that mentioned to me that the Dragonfly n Flowers could also be a wall hanging, not just a table runner! Hmmmm I was impressed!  I fell in love with this dragonfly and flowers fabric so fussy cut the squares and then added coordinating strips for an on-point effect.

Dragonfly n Flowers

Type Styles

This one is basically using a feature fabric with images of a typewriter and it's keys which I cut up into 2" squares and laid them out with a light orange batik alternately. Then Tami came along and said I needed 4" squares thrown here and there - that was after at least 2 hours the previous night of laying out the squares to my liking. I cut out the 4" squares, gave them to her and let the girls go for it, then came back and stitched it all up. And honestly I like this mucho better than my static 2" blocks throughout. The pattern is "Table Stripes Runner" within "Quilt Your Stash" - great projects from Joan Ford's Scrap Therapy program.  I love those drapery clips instead of stitching on a hanging sleeve.

Also in June I finished off my B&W disappearing 9-patch blocks quilt top (named A Touch of Red) and dropped it along with my delectable mountains lap quilt along with backing/batting to my machine quilter and a couple of weeks ago got a call that they were done and ready for pick up! WOW!!! So I prepared the binding for the B&W&R and will bind it while on vacation and who knows maybe someone will want to buy it! Pictures of the quilts to come.

While house/garden sitting for Angela, I spent my evenings in front of the TV stitching up these coasters trying to use up my stash of selvedges (tightly woven edges from fabrics) using the fancy stitches of my sewing machine.  I swear these things multiple in that bag!

Then earlier in the year I worked on the china saucer pincushions but felt they were kind of "bare" so then decided to tat an edging and anchor around the centre button. Well some I even added beads into the outer chain stitches. One I didn't get a picture of as it was swapped for a bobbin laced butterfly with Mary, but these are the last two I dressed up.

And not sure if I've blogged this but am including it here.  Within our SewBuds crazy quilting group I've a "panel" going around a second time after some embroidery by myself.  Someone mentioned the centre patch with the white lace reminded her of a mountain and so I wanted a winding downhill stream or river over the seam, along with tufts of greenery.  Not sure if I pulled it off but it's there.

Now back to crocheting hangers onto my kitchen towels and basically relaxing after running around most of the evening.

Cool Again!

OHHHHHH thank you Harold for coming over and figuring out how to install my new portable AC!!!  Yeppers it's now down to 81F (can't figure out how to change it to C - not that I need to) from 88F 2 hours ago and it's still going strong.  It even has a remote so I don't have to get up to make changes!  WOOOO HOOOOIE!!!  And it was so much easier to install than that stupid heavy window AC - now just to find a new home for it - preferrably one where it can be left in and covered for the winter!

Purging Again

Well it's been a while since I had good intentions and acted on them!  LOL!

Yep for some reason this week I started going through the two large boxes of quilting magazines and only pulled out a dozen and tore out maybe two dozen patterns and recycled those magazines.  The rest along with a bag of pocketbooks I then packed up and ready to be dropped off at the Firehall for the Children's Hospital upcoming book sale whenever it is.  I still have one more box of magazines to go through.

Then I switched to my dining room and started to tackle the various "plastics" that have accumulated, some to garbage, some to Valu Village and the good ones I'll wash up again and put away - WOW sure downsized that area.  Then I moved my plant unit into the diningroom so I can move my display stand over and make room for the portable AC that hopefully can be hooked up soon.  I have it out of the box and the hoses connected but the panel for the window is wider than my slider grooves so Harold my maintenance guy is dropping over tonight to check it out.  He'll make it work, I'm sure!

So I then moved into my bedroom and tackled the mounds and shelves of t-shirts.  No I had not kept up the rule of bring one in and one goes out!!!  LOL!  So today I managed to cut into rags half of one large garbage bag of soiled or badly worn out ones for the mechanic and another large bag off to the garbage.  Then managed to put away my so so ones for everyday and the good into the dresser with room to spare - that is until laundry is done!  Ha Ha Ha!!!  I continued and managed to pack up some of the better items into another full large garbage bag for Valu Village and a large shopping bag for my niece in case there's something for them.

So then everything went into the VAN and off it got dropped off!!!  HOLY SMOKES it sure makes a difference, there is room on the floor in the living room and next week I'll take the three paper boxes full of personal items to the shredder and save myself the struggles with my personal shredder and also the TIME doing it myself!!!  There'll then be more floor space visible.

And when I get back from house/garden sitting I'll tackle the plant stand and excess pots and hopefully have a notice for the Orchid and Bonsai societies for sale!!!  Yep now it's time to rest as I'm beat and I swear I sweated pounds in this sauna today!!!

I still have a long way to go to getting this place into ship shape - it'll get there again!!!

My CQd Panel

OK here is my naked crazy patched panel along with the panel after the first round with the Sewbuds gals - this baby will be finished as a hanger for my room divider - per se my display board in the living room.

Pretty nifty eh?  So thank you to Candi H, Cris R, Susan N, Katie B, Jane C, Janie J, and Carole M - you all did such awesome embellishments!!!  THANK YOU!

Now it's off on it's second round within the Sewbuds for finishing off.  Can't wait to see what it looks like all finished.

Family Fun

OK this weekend my niece Pat and I traveled to NW Ontario to visit her parents, my sister, and helped them with some flower garden weeding and whipper snippering.  Yep Pat got the knack of that lightweight battery charged unit - Maynards here she comes!!!

First off I stopped in Kenora to drop off two quilt tops I had finished off and left to be quilted, they should be ready for beginning of August if all goes well. 

In between the outdoor jobs while the weather permitted we were inside doing some sewing!  Sylvia helped Pat stitch up a cover for a foam piece and soon their gazebo loveseat will have a new seat! 

 

While she was sewing that Sylvia loaded a lap quilt onto her frame and by the time Pat finished off Sylvia that completed the meandered quilting!  WOW!!! 

 

In the meantime I was working on my CQd panel getting it ready to be shipped out today.  Somehow and I'm not sure how I did it but one of the CQers in the first go around saw a snow-capped mountain in the background so I tried to embroider a river roaring down it's sides. 

 

Also I sorted out my 5" nickle charms of light with dark and marked them ready to stitch up HSTs for the MPQ Nickle Challenge Quilt for ABC program, that is with Pat and Ann's help - thank you ladies.  During this time we even got to enjoy Mother Nature's spectacle of a double rainbow and too bad we couldn't get the opposite end of it also in the picture that was visible to us.  Very seldom have I seen both ends so close and visible.

Len was cutting grass and then BBQd us beer can chicken while Sylvia and Ann prepared pan fried potatoes and a cauliflower salad that I thoroughly enjoyed and corn on the cob - yeppers a scruptious supper!  Next day, Sylvia and Len wanted to treat us to lunch at the new restaurant up the highway but they had some type of entertainment Saturday evening and were opening only for supper on Sunday so we went back home and had leftovers with very young asparagus!!!  YUMMY, Pat said was mucho better than restaurant fare and I agreed!  Thank you S&L!!!

Then we headed back for the city but shortly after leaving Kenora we came upon a traffic stall for 2 hours while the OPP directed traffic around the road blockage from an accident of a motorcycle and half ton truck with a jackknifed small trailer behind.  So sad for those involved and talk about VERY IMPATIENT travellers in that line up - doing stupid things like passing over the double line around curves up hills or on the shoulders to get ahead only to be forced to wait to be let into line!!!  There was a chip wagon on the side and I bet he made quite a business that day as people were running up the shoulders to get there and then waiting to be picked up nearby!  LOL!  That was the longest 2 hour wait I've had on a sun baked highway!

Catch Up Again

OK I'm not even sure where or what I've posted and what I haven't, I've been so tardy!!!

Well for sure I've recently house/cat sat for Val W. and gosh it was great as the temps were in the 30s C and my apartment is still without AC as I'm looking for a new more user-friendly one.  Tigger was a charm and I can't tell you how WELL BEHAVED he is compared to other feline's I've looked after.  Not once in the whole week I was there did he meow till I got up no matter what hour, nor jump on the bed to wake me up, nor climb onto anything that was not cat-friendly!!!  BUT let me tell you if I was late for his supper or snack feeding he sure let me know and yes as usual shedded all over me when it was pet time.  He had his favourite perches and he'd just go and sit quietly beside the door or window waiting patiently for you to open it for him and then he'd be there until sometimes I'd be pulling him away to close it.

Now I really musta been not feeling well cause one day I even told him that I would like a cat like him to take home!!!  WHAT AM I CRAZY!!!  NOPE, NADA, NO SIREE no pets for me!!!

Also now I know why I live in an apartment downtown - cause see in a residential section there's this van with this crazy music calling all to come buy his ice cream!!!  Not fair, see three days I was stuck doing things and not possible to zip out without "chasing" it down the block, BUT finally the last evening I was watering the plants out front and rushed in for my cash and got my ice cream sandwiches!  YEPPERS I bought TWO and ate them both that night!!!

Merle's BAS Blocks

OK here is the second set that I worked on and I'm very sorry but as yet I don't have pictures of the before, I didn't take any and there aren't any uploaded from Jackie so far.

But here is what I added to the existing seams and also starting a new seam treatment with the base stitch that was specified.  Here is a description of what I did on Merle's blocks after Jackie had worked on them:

 #1 - cretan stitch - golden orange corner patch with cretan pine trees - also added to the first seam curved accents of tan cotton and gold Delica beads
#2 - herringbone stitch - seam seemed full already - started a new seam treatment with white/grey herringbone stitch with a wrap while crossing over, fly stitch at tips to make diamonds, then with wine filled deep Vs with straight stitches and Colonial knot

#3 - chevron stitch - Bullion knot buds added at base of double leaves on gold patch of previous seam. Then with Ribbon Floss braided rayon stitched varied depth chevron stiches on mauve patch and filled deep Vs with navey lazy daisy chains and straight stitches and then downwards with French knots

#4 - blanket stitch - could not think of anything to add to previous seams and I found this one hard to come up with ideas. I finally came up with blanket stitched "butterflies" with straight & chains in each space and Colonial knots on edges. The bodies are SRE doubled and then straight stitched antennae. I finished off with a varigated mauve cotton blanket stitch seam treatment in varied lengths to fill spaces between.

#5 - chain stitch - green fly stitch in varied sizes up from every second chain base on previous seam. Then using multi coloured thread I did chain circles filled with Bullion knot roses and SRE leaves.

#6 - fly stitch - black/grey centre I did a circle of metallic deep red fly stitches with Colonial knots with chains and straight stitches in centre. Then on gold patch stitched alternated fly and chains along seam with various stems in green.

#7 - feather stitch - again I could not think of anything for the previous seam treatment and what I did is definitely not a seam treatment but I filled the patch with a feather stitched fern stem and some elongated towards the seam (I love this filler).

#8 - running stitch - on the previous seam I added blue "+" stitches in the centres. Then I started a new seam treatment of double running stitch (a might to close tog but my first time) then wove Watercolours through the straight stitches for an awesome look and finished off with a varigated green 7mm SRE woven through centres.

#9 - just have fun - on previous seam treatment I added taupe running stitch curvy stems on both sides. Then with SRE wine I added deep zig zag along printed patch with light blue lazy daisy chains at points on both ends and then with newly learnt "backstitch" did some small circles in the under deep Vs in navy.

Yeppers these BAS blocks are really a challenge for me and within another group is a discussion on some stitches and I've found out that Blanket/Buttonhole and Backstitch/Outline/Stem are totally different whereas I thought them to be the same.  Go Figure!!!  So yes already this is a learning curve I had not anticipated I'd be encountering in this round robin.  Maybe one of these days I'll do up a sampler block of just the various stitches (named that is) and keep it handy for a quick check.

Jackie's BAS Blocks RR

Oh my I just realized I've not posted about these either, I'm truly behind.

OK above is the set of blocks I received from Jackie with a base seam on each block except the 9th one which I get to start.  Now this is a round robin that the owner makes up nine crazy patched blocks and adds one stitch type seam to each block leaving the 9th blank, then sends it to the next person on the list for there addition to the base seam.

So here is what I did, sometimes adding to the already stitched base seam and also starting another base seam with maybe another addition to accomplish multiple seam treatments in one place. 

#1 stem - I added to the base seam a stem and V with straight stitches from ends.  Then added a new seam with stem stitched spirals alternating directions with Delica beads in centre.

#2 blanket - added to base seam the green straight stitches between the yellow chains  with delica beads in centre then added running stitch path for the bee.  Then using the templates marked out scallops on one side and alternating spacing on the opposite side with the blanket stitch spokes outwards.

#3 herringbone - added 2 upward stems with Colonial knots and SRE leaves to original base seam.  Added a herringbone seam with fly stitch closures and then wove a loopy ribbon through centre crosses.

#4 chain - added the opposite half circles from the chains on the base seam and then chains at ends of Vs.  Then added interwoven chain hearts with purple straight stitches in the V.

#5 feather - added green stems and purple Colonial knots to base seam.  Then added Rayon Ribbon Braid feather stitch in a balanced trio on each side and finished off with cotton chains - sort of like candles.

#6 cretan - added various chains, straight and beads to centre along one side tips, and added a trio of Xs from the opposite sides tips with a larger chain and straight stitches in the Vs.  Then added a beaded cretan with a set of 5 small crosses at each tip.

#7 straight - added various green stems with fly stitch branches amongst base seam.  Then I added straight stitches forming squares on point three rows deep.

#8 chevron - added fly stitched larger leaves from points facing one way, large chain and straight stitches facing the opposite direction, and in the deep Vs a set of straight stitches with Colonial knots on tips.  Then did a bugle bead with a trio of seed beads for the straight ends then finished off with two straight stitches on angle outwards from ends.

#9 - blank - did a cretan cotton with large orange beads at each tip.  Then worked a blanket stitch half wheels for another seam treatment with straight and chain stitches from anchors, scallops of Colonial knots in wool in between and large glass bead anchored in centre.

Definitely not easy but learning lots from this BAS RR.

Another CQd Block

OK end of May I received another set of crazy patched blocks for my embellishing - these are Jane C's African blocks and at first I was intimidated wondering what I was going to do.  They are so lovely and I wanted to add to them not wreck them.  So I GOOGLED (love that option) and came up some ideas for African flowers, animals, masks and baskets that I thought I could embroider.

So not long after that I started on the Bird of Paradise leaves and flowers in the grassie fabric in one of the blocks. Then I chose some complimentary perle cottons and proceeded to embroider a trio of baskets in the same patch.  Two of them were in stem stitch but one is a woven effect and I like them all.  I decided that I would just work on the one block and for some reason did not take pictures of the other - which I totally LOVE - it has an awesome giraffe charm on it.

Also those dragonfly & butterfly are not my tatting, I just thought they begged for more to be added to that patch.  I just can't believe it but I finished this and got it mailed away in like two weeks???  WOW definitely a first.

Pincushions - Redressed

Some time ago I made up these china saucer pincushions but felt for me they were lacking - maybe not quite finished.  So I decided I was going to tat some edging and tie it under the button and bury the ends into the pincushion.  Well I finally was able to finish one to my liking and will try others too.  So what do you think?

I personally like the bit of tatting with beads around this.

2012 Lace Days

Yes once again our Northern Lights Lacemakers (mainly bobbin lacemakers but a few tatters in the mix) put together another educational event with lace displays, items for sale along with refreshements cafe - all by silver collection.  Please drop in and check out our Blog for a collection of photos from the event.

Here is a picture of Mary (on the right) with the butterfly she made for me.  I had picked out the threads at last year's Lace Retreat and now I have to decide what I will be doing with it!  I LOVE IT!  Thank you very much Mary.

2012 Morden Retreat

YEAH this year I finally convinced my sister to join me in Morden for the Aurora Quilters retreat during the Barnswallows Quilt Show weekend. 

It was too bad that I had an ungraceful uncontrolled meltdown at work the week before that put a horrible damper on this event.  BUT it was very good that those there did not know the circumstances and only knew that I just about had not attended.  Yes I would have missed it and I did get a lot of sewing accomplished that weekend - a good deal of it with the help of my sister and friends.  Thank you all.

Can you believe this - I did not really take retreat pictures!!!  I did photograph some quilt show items which will eventually be in my Webshots albums and yes I did get Sylvia to take a few pictures of my various projects that I worked on.  So here they are.

My first attempt at Sashiko and I must say I did pretty good.  To fill the space I did a varied echoing around with the Sashiko cotton thread.

These black & white with the red centre nine patch blocks were stitched up then cut apart and restitched as disappearing 9-patch blocks in March.  Then I snagged my sister and niece to "layout" the quilt top - I was going buggy and just gave up by myself.  So during the retreat I assembled the quilt top and added the narrow red inner border.  After this retreat I did start cutting the remaining 6.25 inch black & white blocks in half and stitching up the outer piano key like border.  One day I'll finish it off and repost again.

Then I found this awesome dragonfly fabric at Kathy's Quilt Shop in Carman along with the coordinating fabrics and used a pattern Sylvia had with her.  EXCEPT the pattern was basically 2.5 inch squares all sewn together - NADA I was not doing that.  I wanted something simpler using the lovely fabric designs for the centre blocks and then the coordinating fabrics I cut in strips and assembled together.  Now all I have to do is put it together in a pillow slip fashion - eliminating binding period.

Now this fabric with various images of typewriters and it's keys on a blotchy coloured background just caught my eye last year at Kathy's Quilt Shop in Carman and in my book "Quilt Your Stash" from Joan Ford's "Scrappy Therapy" program I sort of followed the "Table Stripes Runner" pattern.  I found the pastel orange-like batik for contrast to do a sort of colour wash look.  Then Tami suggested I should throw in some 4" blocks of the typewriter and the word blocks - SHEESH - it took me ages to set those blocks down on my flannel board.  I did like the idea but totally dreaded redoing anything, so I cut the blocks out and let them go with reconfiguring the layout, then I sewed it all together.  I LOVE IT!!!  THANK YOU ladies!!!

Yes I did enjoy my weekend even though there was that dark cloud hanging over me!

It's been a while!

Yep, May started on a downer so to speak and I tended to keep to myself as much as possible.  But then things at work sort of escalated and sort of kicked me in the gut so to speak and resulted in my having a major meltdown and taking a couple of weeks off.  With my Dr's advice I did things that would help lift my spirits and try to rid myself of the high anxiety.  I think it was helping (along with the aquacise and long walks) but naturally whenever I thought or talked about work I could feel myself going back to that anxious state.  Hmmm was not sure what my planned week's vacation was gonna be like feeling this crappy.

But, even though it started on a sad note with my Uncle's passing (Mom's brother) and prayer/funeral services Monday/Tuesday, I've ended the week with a flurry of visiting with Sylvia and Len and taking them shopping.  Oh on Thursday my "oil can - service" light flickered on for the first time and I could not reason why as BABE just had an oil change mid-April - HUH!!!  OK it shut off but then every time I started the van it would come on and today it stayed on around the block before shutting off.  Needless to say I called the mechanic and promptly went over and he checked the oil like I had and yes it was good, then he remembered he didn't reset the gizmo after changing the oil, which he quickly rectified.  Thank goodness it was just something that simple!!!  PHEW!!!

Then today being my birthday and even Google sent me a greeting that when my mouse moved over it said "Happy Birthday Rose Anne" - WOW!!!  I had breakie at Sals with them both, then Len had enough of shopping for his items, so we dropped him off, and Sylvia and I went to Olive Garden for lunch and I treated myself to a glass of wine and a skewer of grilled shrimp with my salad - YUMMY!  We then shopped the afternoon for Sylvia's items - I only bought an embroidery hoop for myself with a 50% off coupon at Michaels.  After dropping her off at Pat's just in time for supper, I left for home totally exhausted. 

I had received a few cards and many email birthday messages from family and friends and even a call from my sister Florence - Thank you all for the nice greetings!  Then I walked over to Boston Pizza with my book and this time to the bar and watched some of the hockey game and enjoyed my ceasars along with wings/ribs appetizer.  The server was going to bring me a piece of birthday brownie but I just did not have the room for it.  Then home to finish off my pocket book and now I'm going to crash as I'm truly beat!

Tomorrow's another day of another year!

Moving Up in Technology

Don't laugh, this is major for me!!!

OK my cell phone contract is ending soon and I got a reminder letter WITH a $25 coupon towards accessories.  So this time I decided to go sooner and make use of that coupon.

Well this time the $0 cell phone offer was not an option as I decided I wanted a handsfree option for the vehicle and the Bluetooth was only available with a purchased phone for $30 - oh well it's been a number of years with $0 types - I can bite the bullet this time.  No I did not want a Blackberry or those keyboard type phones - I don't text and don't intend to - so didn't even look at the options for them. 

And talk about fortunate for me today, see they had a sale on the visor type Bluetooth units and the one I got is $130 on sale for $70 minus my $25 coupon so I decided not to quibble and just paid the difference.  I wanted to have my contacts transferred over but that's another $15 so I declined and just spent the past hour setting that up myself and this time entered in the 204 area code for local calls which will be a must this fall.  It's done.

Now just to connect my Bluetooth visor unit into vehicle power and charge it up and I'll be able to make the connection after that.  No I do not know what I'm talking about just read the steps and that's what it said!!!  LOL!  Wonder if I'll be able to unplug it and take it in with me - don't want to leave temptation visible for vandalism.  BUT I did read that to make a call I need Voice Recognition in my phone so back to it I went and searched and yeppers I found that option and tested it by calling my sister - who laughed at my "playing with my new toy"!!!  Yep I'm way behind the times compared to them but heck now I can legally use my phone while driving - no I didn't do that before just shut it off or passed it onto others to answer for me.  I've the univeral car charger that I plug the home charger into and it stay charged while mobie. LOL!

I can just imagine what my co-workers will think when I tell them - HMMMM!

Darlene's Retired!

Oh boy, you know no matter how I was feeling, even if we had differences of opinions, Darlene was always there with her special comforting hugs for me and her unquestionable support!  AND I can't forget her almost compulsive encouragement to continue with my quilting and crazy patch embellished projects - she just LOVED my postcards too!  Well even though she always went away for four weeks on vacation in early spring - she always returned - well this year it did not last!  BOOO HOOO HOOO!!!  See she was only back for a couple of weeks and then more vacation leave to use up excess time before officially RETIRING!!!

Not sure if you remember seeing my Northern Solitudes hanger on the Oriental like bamboo hanger I purchased from Ten Thousand Villages, but she's always been hinting at my making a "fancy" Kimono to hang from it.  Nah, not my thing, but then wait is she hinting that she'd like that for herself?  Hmmmmm???  That got me thinking and as those who know me well - that could be a mistake - LOL!  So promptly I started to research what they look like, how I'd make a pattern for a small hanging and after many hours and a first rejected attempt I finally got the Kimono together and ready for the embellishing.  Ohhhh I had such high expectations for this baby - yes majority of them materialized - BUT heck I didn't realize it would take me like 46 hours in the next two weeks after the Quilt Show to actually get it finished!!!

Yeppers at 1:30 am Thursday morning of her retirement party it was wrapped and my short and sweet speech prepared!  I was even going to sign it so John (deaf co-worker) would know what I was talking about but he said "NAH, I'd be too nervous", so I let him read it before the party!  When I was called up for my small presentation I did a lead in which I signed and John chuckled and everyone laughed.  Kinda relaxed me but still did not help when it came to actually expressing my Thank You and Good Bye to Darlene.

Closeup of 1st Goldwork attempt and silk floss embroidery

Appliqued fans and silk fabric Obi



I think it was safe to say she was really surprised with my gift for her and today she told me it's already hanging in her living room!  Now to find the time for a visit here and there as she lives close by!

I LOVE this picture of Darlene but have to explain that she was having difficulty expressing herself during her Thank You speech with thoughts of our past ADM and friend Lorne, who retired a year ago and passed away a few months later.

Good Bye Martin!

Boy life sure is not fair! 

See last fall Martin, one of our Aurora Quilters, had chest/breathing problems and by Christmas was diagnosed with lung cancer (a non-smoker)!  Surgery was not an option and I'm so glad that our group got together and made him a comfort quilt to help keep him warm!  Jeanette (his loving wife) informed us that Wednesday morning, April 18th, Martin passed away in the hospital.  Definitely too young!  He is so sadly missed by his fellow quilters as I'm sure by his family and friends!

There were a few of us who attended Martin’s Celebration of Life and it was lovely to peruse the Storyboard Jeanette had prepared.  Also what a lovely touch to see the two quilts (Aurora Quilters and Victorian Quilts) made for Martin gracing the alter where his urn, flowers and stuffed animals rested.  Jeanette looked lovely, teary eyed naturally on occasions, but she wore the dress Martin loved most – her final party for him - what he wanted! 

Good bye dear friend!  You will be missed by many!

2012 Quilt Reflections Disappointment

"Sometimes life stinks, but one must find the roses and help get through it!"

Disheartened - Explanation!

I think I've calmed down enough to explain what happened when Sylvia & I were dropping off our quilts for judging/showing at this year's quilt show.  First off I will say that I know nothing about quilt show organization, rules etc but do know that it could have been handled differently starting back in January.  The actual quilt show was AWESOME and if it wasn't for the heavy "storm cloud" of feelings over us, we would have enjoyed the show even more.  It even passed through us to totally "withdraw" our items period, but reason did prevail.

OK here goes!  Around the end of March I received a phone call from the Quilt Competition convenor who had been trying to contact my sister (lives in Ontario).  Well she & hubby had been back and forth to Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, and then back to Winnipeg for about a 4 week period dealing with health conditions and surgery sooner than suggested.  So I asked if I could assist and get a message to Sylvia for her.  Basically I was told that all competition quilts will be hung but room was in short supply for show quilts and it was possible Sylvia's three quilts would not all be hung and needed her to number them 1, 2, and 3 and for sure one would be hung.  OK I passed that on and Sylvia even withdrew one show quilt, they only needed to be picked up from the quilter and the binding stitched in place.  Remember she was not home to do this in the past month and I'm sure she's not the only one finishing a quilt that month before the show.  So the Easter long weekend I drove Sylvia home to go get the quilts and we worked on those two and came right back to the city as Len was just released from having back surgery and she did not want to be away from him long.  That week was quilt drop off and then the Show.

We arrived to drop off our quilts and while Sylvia was in line I dropped off my Boutique items.  I turned around and heard Sylvia's anxious voice - very unusual for her so I promptly went over to ask what gives.  She tells me that none of her Show quilts would be shown just the one Competition quilt.  I promptly asked for an explanation of why they phoned and said one thing and then turned around and did the opposite.  Needless to say the answers were wishy washy about too many large quilts this year, not enough frames, many competition quilts (no number restriction/person) which all were to be hung so it was decided some Show quilts were not going to be hung.  You guessed it I lost my cool - I did NOT yell as was reported to an Executive member (if I had the Hotel Security would surely have been there right away) - but definitely was very frustrated and disappointed and ready to cry!  When I realized I was not getting any satisfaction, I did mention I'd be blogging about this - see my blog is my FAMILY - my sounding board - my release.  WELL one of the Committee members said I was not to "bad mouth this show as I could shut it down" her words not mine (as if I have that kind of clout).  THAT got me totally annoyed - I have always tried to remain fair within my blog even when I am annoyed - so that got my goat and I said they should have thought of that before this happened!!!  Very immature of me yes and I wish I had just kept quiet!  But like my boss says: "at least you know where you stand with her and how she feels"!

Afterwards an Executive Member, my girlfriend, did call me to explain how the decision was reached.  See when they realized the space was limited they withdrew names of those who had Competition quilts from the Show quilts group and apparently hung ONE quilt of the remaining names in the Show category.  I guess it's fair, but after all was said and done, it was not acceptable to Sylvia or myself period.  I'm not sure what will happen in future shows but I should hope this problem does not arise again as I've heard that many others were unhappy and dissapointed with this outcome - not just us.  Just totally too bad!

I even suggested that maybe in future the Committee not put out the "hue and cry" like they did in January and February begging for quilts to be entered as the numbers were down for this show.  By the way Sylvia's registration was sent in in October.  Yeah well March poured in so many quilts it was now "overloaded".  Also suggested they should have maybe gone back and hang those according to when their registration was received - mine then would not have been hung as I was in the last group to register!  But like my niece and one of my girlfriends said - no matter which way they solved the delimma there would have been hurt feelings and dissappointment - they did what they thought was fair!  I hope so!

OK enough of this - it's been eating at me for a couple of weeks and I have to let it go!  Like I said it's been a rough few months for me and I don't like these feelings/emotions or lack thereof!!!

Catch UP

OK I'm not sure if I've posted some of these pictures so here goes!

March was house/pet sitting time - kinda bad timing as Len (my sister Sylvia's hubby) was called in for his back surgery and was in the hospital here March 22nd through to the 30th.  He's doing good and today walking much better with a cane in their daughter's home than the walker.  Hopefully he'll be doing better yet before they finally head for home next week - just in time for more Dr appts in Dryden then back into Winnipeg again beginning of May for more appts and a quilt retreat for Sylvia & I.  They should be collecting frequent "driving" miles!!!  It's been nothing but long distance driving for them either east to Thunder Bay or west to Winnipeg!!!

Anyways here is McDuff who after a couple of days took a real shine to me and allowed me to even groom him which sure helped with removing some excess loose long hair. 

Then spring break week I moved over to the second house and this time I could not resist taking pictures of the wall unit climber Simba, who even thought about jumping down onto the window seat after some invisible bug!!!  I sure hope that TV is anchored down as it sure takes a beating as the midway point to his favourite perch!!!

 

And here is Mary working on her bobbin lace making me a butterfly during our Northern Lights Lacemakers gathering on the 25th (last Sunday of most months).  I can't believe the number of bobbins this baby is needing, but I know it'll be beautiful!  Just not sure what I'll make with it!

 

OK I think I've blogged about my disappearing 9-patch blocks quilt and Sylvia and Pat had helped plan out the layout so one of these days I'll stitch those up and decide on borders.  So now my next crazy patch project - the About Seams blocks with my starter seam treatment!  I even used my Carole Samples template #20a and can't believe how even my stitches are with this baby!!!

All About Seams DYOB RR
World Wide Crazy Quilters
"CQ Shapes Sampler"

I've one more step to do with these pictures and then I can finish off the booklet that goes with these blocks and the mailout date is May 1st.  Guess with all that has been going on I managed to finish off most items I'd planned to do.  Now to get some much needed R&R and regroup!!!

So Disheartened!

Lately with all the family/friends/work situations happening I'm finding myself more and more disheartened with others, myself, my quilting and yes even my work.  I'm not sure what I'll do to set myself right but I can definitely say it's going to take something major after today's "situation" in regards to this weekends Manitoba Prairie Quilters Quilt Reflections.  I'm too upset to go into my "how it unravelled" and "feelings" at this time, I need to regroup and calm down before my whole weekend is wrecked!  My girlfriend even phoned me to "explain" and in the end said I was to apologize for "yelling" at the volunteer.  That got me - yes, I was very disgusted and had raised my voice, BUT I definitely was not YELLING - if I was the Hotel security would have come to investigate!!!  Yes I was rude and that was uncalled for, but considering the unfortunate circumstances hardly unexpected.  I'm sure I'm not the only one who will be totally disgusted either, maybe just not voiced as freely.

Also in the last few weeks I've come to the decision that I'll continue to blog about my "life", to chat about my joys, disappointments of day to day happenings including my hobbies (my autobiography so to speak) and it's up to those who wish to read it to check my blog either from my email siggie link or the "follow this blog" link (except for those few who want me to send it to them). 

Sometimes life stinks, but one must find the roses and help get through it!