Music

I have a friend who is a genius at finding interesting or helpful videos.  She sent this one this morning and as I really don't have much to share, I thought I would pass it on.  It does come with a warning that you will be singing it for the rest of the day.

It is a dreary raining day here.  Hubby has lit the wood stove and I would really like to lay on the couch and read but I had better make a couple more blocks for my customer quilt. Hope you enjoy the video.

 https://youtu.be/b8YWVURnTXM?si=8J_ZR3UGaN4lZPUO

Blessings,

Staying Focused

 It is amazing what a person can accomplish if they stay focused.  Thursday is hubby's turn to get supper and as I didn't have any appointments, I decided I was going to focus on getting some blocks done for the customer quilt.  It takes a fair bit of time to do each as she wants each block to have different colour choices.  The centre of each block is the same as is the background but the rest differs.  

The block consists of half square triangles and you know how finicky they can be to make to the exact measurement and then sew so that the seams line up.  I have found that setting my machine to sew a 1/4 inch seam rather than using a special foot works much better.  Other than trimming the wings, there has been little to no adjusting.

I was even able to get a couple of rows done on the quilt that is on the frame and as well as my exercises done.

We have had a gray drizzly day but the rain stopped by mid afternoon so I could take the dog for a walk.  I went along the road and then to my sister's property and saw that her neighbour had let all his construction garbage blow over to her side.  Why do people do that?  I don't understand thoughtfulness.

One of the blocks.  The center has been changed to fabric the same colour as this one but the pattern is hearts. 

Blessings,

Stolen Quilts.

 Our Heidi went to the vet for her latest check up on Friday and she is doing really well.  It is great when  you feel that your Animal Hospital really cares about your pets.

I have been sewing a lot of half square triangles for my customer's quilt and, as you know, they have to be accurate or getting your seams right just doesn't work.  I have always used a 1/4 inch foot for quilting but I realized it wasn't always precise so I have gone to the machine setting.  That is working much better and I don't have to fudge the seams to get them lined up.  I am aiming to have this quilt done by the end of the month-or at least the top.  Then I have another one to finish.  That top is almost done so it shouldn't take too long.  In the meantime, I have started a simple one which will be put in a sale in June.  I also think I will make a couple of tea cozies as my last one was stolen.  I figure if they are theft worthy then they should be saleable.

Speaking of theft.  Doesn't it break your heart to hear that someone's beautiful quilt has been stolen.  They are always amazing works of art and represent many, many hours of labour.

I think it would be devastating.

This wall-hanging is one I made for a customer and it was stolen from her when she was moving.

We are getting snow again but not cold.  I am looking forward to doing some gardening so hope spring settles in soon.

I had a hyacinth plant given to my for my birthday.  Does anyone know it it can be replanted in the garden?

Happy sewing,

blessings,

The Art of Relaxation

 Well, it has been quite a week.  We had a wonderful time with family celebrating Easter.  Monday would normally have been quilting but some of the ladies were away so it was cancelled.  Hubby was getting ready for a medical procedure the next day and had to fast so I was doing what I could to help him. Tuesday, after dropping our dog off at the neighbours we drove an hour and a half to the hospital.  Everything went well and the preliminary results were good.  After lunch and a stop at a fabric store, we drove home.  I did all the driving because of the sedatives hubby received and the fact that he had been awake most of the night.  A wind storm had been predicted and I fought that all the way home.  Picked up the dog and then collapse on the couch. 

The wind continued through the night and I was awakened once with the sound of a loud bang.  the hydro flickered on and off a few times but didn't stay off.  The next morning up, have a shower and breakfast and the lights went out.  They stayed off until 7 p.m.  We spent the time reading and heating premade stew on the wood stove.  Next day and today, all is well.  We had a couple of trees come down, once just missing the driveway, but no real damage.  Now I am trying to get caught up

I have just loaded a new quilt onto the long arm and am going to try out a new pantograph.  I gave the machine and frame a good cleaning and check over and discovered the base of the frame was half an inch lower on one end than the other.  Getting that fixed should make for easier stitching.

Today's photo is of our kitty,  Ally Cat.  She looked so relaxed that I had to take a picture.  Wouldn't it be nice if we were all able to free our mind of all that really doesn't matter?

Blessings,

Sticker Shock

 While grocery shopping today and looking for a decent crossword book, I saw a quilt magazine that looked interesting.  I haven't bought one in ages and, in fact, got rid of all the ones I had except the ones I write/wrote for.  Sometimes, though, it is nice to be able to browse through someone else's ideas but, when I saw the price, I changed my mind.  When did they get so expensive?  I used to be able to buy a hard covered book for that price.  I like to be able to support all publications but I also like to be able to eat, buy fabric and feed our pets.

Speaking of pets, our Heidi is getting better all the time.  She rarely limps at all now although I still have to watch when I take her for a walk in case she get tired.

We are going to be spending Easter Sunday with hubbies family.  It will be nice to see how the little ones are growing and catch up on all the news.  We are taking our little orphan chick with us (as well as the dog) as one of the nephews is interested in raising it.  He is wonderful with animals and even had a goose that walked on a leash.  Peep will have a great life.

If you are travelling this weekend, please stay safe.

Blessings,

Half a Bird Brain.

 Thank you for your kind comments about Heidi dog.  She is getting better.  I take her for a short walk each day on easy terrain.  The hardest part is trying to keep her from moving to fast.  She doesn't know she is old so I don't think I should tell her.  However, I don't want her to strain that leg either.

It seems that there is always something happening.  Yesterday, I was doing something in the kitchen when I heard a loud bang.  The large living room window had popped out and was leaning against the couch.  Went over to see what had caused that and saw a large bird laying on the deck.  Hubby said it was a partridge.  Apparently, it didn't see the glass.  It took a bit to get the back in place and secure and then I swept all the dirt that was behind and under the couch before getting everything back in place.

We have a feeder on the window but it is far too small for a bird the size of a partridge but, apparently, it didn't notice that.  I always say that if you had a dozen partridge in a group they would equal half a bird brain.  Speaking of birds our little chicken has doubled in size and doing very well.

It is nice and sunny today although cool.  I have a lady in doing some housework for me today as I can't keep up with that and get my writing and quilting done.  Even having someone once a month is a big help.  If I quit spending money on doodads, I can afford it.

I have one block of my customer quilt done as well as the fabric cut so am making headway.  Lots of half square triangles so I have to be extra careful that all the points  and seams line up.

Enjoy your day,

blessings,

A Rocky Week

 We have had a rocky week.  Our little dog started going lame in her hind legs on Sunday and is still having problems.  Sometimes she is able to walk fine and the next, she is hopping on three legs.  I have a vet appointment for her and am hoping it is arthritis and can be treated.

As she will be 16 this August, we are prepared for deteriorating health but, as long as she isn't in pain, we will continue to do what we can for her.  We have also taken on the raising of a baby chick that was abandoned by her (I hope) mother.  She is in a cat carrier with food and water and a nest made of quilt batting.  She seems to be doing well.

I finally finished the quilt that was on the long arm frame.  My ability to follow a pantograph pattern improved enough as I neared the end that I am sure I will be able to do this again.  However, this quilt will be cut up into table runners and placemats.

I want to take the Q'nique and table apart and clean and rebalance everything.  Because the base is wood, it gets off kilter sometimes.

The weather here is warm and sunny.  We sat outside on the deck for a bit yesterday and I was able to walk through the bush.  I miss being able to take Heidi and hope she will be mobile enough to go again soon.

Blessings,