In rolls a storm.....

I was just outside taking a picture of my new "Egyptian" plant, so I could show my GF in another city.
The clouds came in, the thunder rolled and the lightening flashed ~ and everything on our back deck went for a ride!!!

 We don't leave the canopy top on during storms, but the side fabric panels were just enough to give the wind an advantage.  The two large cinder blocks I had on the base didn't hold - me thinks DH will now screw it to the deck!!!! It's bent but DH said it's fixable!!

 Hopefully my Rose of Sharon will spring back up ~ the canopy frame bounced on it!!! OUCH One large Mulberry tree will be coming down tomorrow. It's on the property line at the back of the house, and is now laying on the neighbours back shed.....he wants the wood, he can cut it up!!! LOL

My new Spartan 192K!!! We were wandering around an antique store and I really didn't see any old sewing machines at all. Passing by the last row of booths, I spied the Spartan but wasn't really interested!!!

I couldn't find a cover ( this model didn't come with one!!!) and I really don't need anymore machines. BUT....everything in the booth was 50% off - it came home with us. I think I spent $16.00 on it. And I had to make a crochet doily for the thread holder.  Haven't plugged her in yet, she is in excellent shape but I'll wait until DH has some time ....and I'll let him plug it in first! *cheesy grin!!!

 

Wordless Wednesday

Good Lord ~ A Complete Finish

Done ~ with a few wiggly bits on the back for good measure. It's my first free-motion quilt and during the quilting process, I thought it was going to be my last.

You sort of work through all your issues while making mistakes and either correcting them or just living with them.

I corrected some, and am letting sleeping dogs lay....so to speak!

My niece will not notice them - thank goodness for little kids.

And to top it all off, my niece & nephew are the proud new owners of a beige lab ( I think, could be a golden retriever !!)

 

 

 

A trip to the beach & my beach art work!! I usually leave them behind....this time...I brought the stones home and will find a place in the garden for them.

 One of the reasons for the trip to the beach was to see the old light house. LOL ~ between the overcast, hazy day and the plastic wrap....I believe there is a light house there. The workers were just setting up the scaffolding and hopefully the restoration project will continue on. It's been 3 years in the making and the local residents and shop owners are eager to see it finished....love the federal government & how slow it works.

A Finish for A Friday ~ sort of !!

Ugh ~ I just noticed an 'opps' on the Christmas Quilt! Good thing I'm in the mood for fixing, or it would stay there as my humble block!! Will have to head over to the Quiltville website and check out the other finished Carolina something-or-other quilts!

Good Grief ~ I can't remember the proper name of this quilt. It's been so loooong in the making!!!

Edit: Yup...Carolina Christmas is the name. This mystery quilt came out in the later part of 2009. Another good grief moment ~ slow as a turtle!!!

Orca Bay

As I was sewing this quilt top together, I had decided to stop at the single bed size ~ there were so many fiddly pieces that I kept putting it aside. As of this morning, I have completed all the unfinished blocks that were calling to me.
Today is a sewing day and I'm dealing with a lovely bout of vertigo ~ blah! Will just have to limit my ups & downs, no twisting around to the ironing board and no rapid eye movement! So, hopefully....I'll get those extra blocks sewn on & the top will head into 'border' status after that!

 There was a lovely Orca Bay quilt on someone's blog that had a flying geese border and it look fantastic. Will be thinking about using that treatment for my borders....now, to find that blog again!

 

Found the blog ~ http://scraps-a-plenty.blogspot.ca/2012/09/orca-bay-top-is-complete.html

 

 

Happy First Day of Summer 'June 21, 2013'

 

 

Bonnie Hunter has landed ~ Ireland!!

OK ~ so I checked Bonnie's posting this morning and she posted one of those lovely picture post card shots of Ireland .... from the plane's window. Beautiful!!

So ~ it jogged my memory that I hadn't taken a picture of my DIL's green quilt yet. Actually, just the top or flimsy or WIP or whatever other term for lazy ass not quite finished!! LOL

I don't like it - wish I had made the triangles a smaller size....but, it is what it is now!!! I'm still looking for a backing, not that I lack any material here ~ just nothing that suites it! It's just for their couch for snuggling! And with 3 cats....it was better to make something durable/washable/functional etc!

I love Pinterest....look ----- > the greenhouse of my dreams. I had started to collect old window panes more then 25 years ago, but....as usual...when a break-up happens, so much stuff has to be weeded out in the moves etc. I still have about 6 windows in a shed at my brothers, but I just don't think it's going to happen anytime soon. The frame of my old plastic greenhouse is still being used by the new owners, still holding up after I left it over 12 years ago. Glad to see them using it!!!

It must be Spring.....!

On the Clothesline.....Picket Fence from the 1997 Quilter's Newsletter Magazine "Quilt It for Christmas" ~ using mostly men's shirts and odds & ends of neutrals.
Just needs a couple borders to complete! I only managed to step on it once - right in the muddy part of the yard ~ GRRRR!!!

 On the Canopy Railing just as the wind was going to fly it away.....Plaid Obsession by Evelyn Sloppy.
I have everything cut & ready to sew in order to complete it....Loves this quilt!!!!

 Last weekend ~ a trip to the local greenhouses for some 'spring sniffing' of new flowers growing and to chase the old winter spirits away!!!

 On the design wall bed....Big Zig Zag ~ design by me ( roflmao) ya...whatever!!! It's for the dil and she loves greens. I just wished I had of cut the HT's smaller. These are cut at 6 inches and if I ever make another one, I"ll try 4-5 inches instead!! All blocks are done & the final sewing will hopefully be sooner than later!!!

 On the cutting table ~ Patio Tomatoes! At the moment they are moving around the house, following the sun. Today is transplant day into larger pots!

 

On the deck outside.....Me & "Little Dorrit" by Charles Dickens. It's a sunny 7C and I"m making the most of this lovely spring weather. Outside I go.......-------> Do Not Disturb!!!

 

1998 Kit

While checking around the different sites, I managed to find the date of the original block-of-the-month kit. 1998

And ~ the red thimbleberries fabric that I have ~ matches the green in the kit. I laughed! I have 5 yards of it and I paid $9.33 total. So, I could do the outside borders with it also!!!

 

It just about matches the red in the top piece of fabric from the kit. This will make it a little easier to change some of the blocks as I'll be able to incorporate my red into the outside pieces and then use them elsewhere. Now....to do the math! UGH ~ my brain hurts already! ;-)

Thimbleberries Quilt Kits on the cheap!

 

Visiting your favourite thrift shop can be dangerous at times. That's if you manage to spy 7 out of 12 ~ Thimbleberries Month-by-Mouth Quilt Blocks!!!

HOLY COW BATMAN

Some poor quilter paid $14.95 per block and I nabbed them for $2.00 each at the thrift store.

Not the first time this has happened. I managed to get another set of blocks done by JoAnn Fabrics, but have yet to sew them together ( material was really crappy too)

If I play my cards right, I'll wiggle the cut fabric around and make the blocks that I like the most.

I'm missing Jan - Feb - Mar & April. Not fussy on some of the complete ones, so I'll rejig a few!

I know I have some really dark red in Thimbleberries fabric and can always pulled that out to help complete the quilt.

 

 

 Colours are rather "off' in this shot, but all-in-all ~ not a bad score!!! Like I need more fabric !!

Not the greatest shot of the bird feeders, but when I glanced out the upstairs window - two blue jays and several cardinals were at the feeders. My days of dashing down the stairs to get to the back mud room for a better picture are long over.....!!! So, I missed getting the other cardinals in this shot....but they were there!!! ;-)

Wordless Wednesday

It was going to be a quiet day just fiddling around with the new machine! Here I sit, searching the internet for information and making small repairs to the few 'opps' that the machine has.

I have it up and running but the tension is terrible....lots of top thread showing on the bottom. It was after taking the tension assembly apart that I realized it's missing the tension spring....CRAP!!!

So....the word for Wordless Wednesday is .....CRAP!!!!!

Have found a lovely vintage sewing machine group on Ravelry and had success at finding knowledgeable people who also own machines like this.....bonus for me!!! Now, to source out this part.....CRAP!!!!

DNB ~ the new hand crank!

Meet "DNB"!!! My new to me - Seamstress Rotary Hand Crank by National Sewing Machine Company of Belvidere IL.

So..........what does DNB stand for??? "Does Not Bounce"

We headed out early on Saturday to met the kids at a auction and after viewing everything, we headed out on our own to another venue. At the last booth, I spied a machine cover and went into stealth mode ~ half hiding, back turned to any onlookers ( you know, the ones that aren't interested in anything except what you're looking at....annoying) I lifted the case off and there she was!!! $30.....mine, all mine!! Checked to make sure she had all her bits & pieces, slow on the crank but that's to expect - just needs OIL!!!

Told hubs I was going to drag it to the cash as I've experience that 'oh, it will be there when I wander back in 5 minutes'......told him I was going to CARRY IT  BY THE BOTTOM as it wasn't locking properly on the one end.

Yah....you know the rest. It wasn't me that was carrying it by the handle. 30 odd pounds screaming for it's life, one very old & weak lock and.........................DNB!!! About 5 feet away from the cash....and you know....lovely to look at, lovely to hold, but if you break it.....consider it SOLD!! So, I got a good deal.....10 things for $30 bucks...LOL LOL!!!

I've taken the front light off - interesting - it's a Singer light that was screwed on & I'm wondering if the two screw holes were actually added later. God, the thought of drilling into this - ugh!!! And I've removed the motor at the back, for the time being. This machine will fit into my grandmother's treadle base that holds the Eatonia. Both are made by National and the base measurements are the same, so a score there.  Just signed onto several yahoo groups and a ravelry group that deals with these machines. A small problem with the bobbin area needs to be addressed and I'm hoping it's good to go with just a few more adjustments!

I'll post better pics in a few days, I'm still a little peeved at the lost of the base....will be looking at what repairs I can do, if any. SIGH !!!!

Slow speed ahead....good grief!

Still plodding along with Christmas gifts....NO....not gifts for 2013, but 2012.

 

 At least I have this 'Christmas Gift' quilt layered & ready to quilt or tie....not sure which, but I'm thinking 'tie', the quilt batting is really thick and machine quilting is not really my strong point!!! ;-(
The 2nd 'Christmas Gift" quilt is still waiting for the outside borders......I think I see dust on it!!! ;-(

 Mr Doggie Quilt needs a mouth & I'm thinking 'black embroidery cotton'. Again, it will likely be tied!

This is the backing for the Christmas Quilt. It's actually laying face down on the floor ~ was just starting to tape it down. I put a 6"x9" strip of each material I used on the front. Will be doing the same for the 2nd one.
Hopefully, I'll find my quilting/sewing  MOJO soon!

Still here....rofl

Since I can't upload pictures from my computer ~ I'm cranky! Will have to check around blog land to see what's what.

Sledding into 2013 ~ Happy New Year

 

Tobogganing ~ at my age!!! Not a chance!!!

We wandered over to our local park which contains a free-leash dog area ( fenced in) children's playground, basketball courts, volleyball sand pits, public washrooms, skateboarding area and many other family orientated activities....a little something for everyone!

Now that winter and the SNOW has finally arrived, the giant hill is once again packed full of kids of all ages & a wide assortment of sledding devices! I waited patiently for two fellas that had interesting blown-up sleds ( for lack of a better description!!) and when the moment came when they pushed off.....a mini-van pulled in front of me, I moved & could only snap one on his way down. Rats!!!

Oh well, it was fun watching all the comings & goings....!!!

 

 On the 2013 'to do' list.....
The craft room is a complete bomb as usual. I'm sorting every little bit & piece and doing a complete crap overhaul of everything. Just gotta.....it's making me miserable the state it's in! I have loose sewing machine needles that I need to use the magnifying glass just to read the size....crochet hooks, knitting needles and I'm sure the kitchen sink is in the mix somewhere.....good grief Charlie Brown!

I have another week or so to finish up this baby blanket & mail it off, so it reaches the baby shower on the 13th! They know it's a girl and I had some lovely yellow yarn in my stash, so....just had to pick a pattern and get at her!!!

The actual 'UFO' list.......gotta think about that one. Don't think there is enough room on a single sheet of paper just to list them....or try to list them!!! I finished up a pair of slippers and need to post a pic to Ravelry - and need to get back into posting on there also. Ugh.....my brain aches! :)

The sun is shining, it's white outside ~ the cross country skis will be coming out later today.
HAPPY 2013 TO EVERYONE!!!

Let It Snow.....

 We took a little drive out of town to drop off some items to our favourite Mennonite Thrift Store and went and had lunch by the river. Very pretty....very cold. We wandered over to where they normally pen the swans up for the winter, but.....the area was empty. I'll have to check around & see if they are being wintered in Stratford this year.

 My frozen balloons & star ice candle. Not thinking.....I put 5 water filled balloons outside in the snow several days ago. With the temps in the minus, they should have frozen solid. But....I forgot just how insulating snow can be. The bottom half of 3 of the balloons are still water!!!! I turned them over & will check in the morning. So, my ice picture is rather empty....roflmao!!!

When I helped moved my aunt/uncle into their senior living apartment, I nabbed all their old pictures and empty frames. A little black craft paint & new pictures, and I'm good to go!

Merry Christmas 2012

A light dusting of snow fell during the night & it was just enough to give the outside world a pure and clean look for Christmas. It was quiet here this morning, after travelling into the city & having dinner with son & DIL the night before! What a lovely surprise - my son can cook like a chef.....who knew!!! ;-)

To everyone....A Merry Christmas of Peace & Joy!

On the crafting front, I really need to find the crocheting pattern for the wreath above. I made tons of these wreaths in red, white and green....many moons ago! I was selling them at Christmas craft fairs and to family friends. They were a hit & still are, I'm just too lazy to produce more in that quantity!! But....I would love to have a whole tree full come next year. And I need to get back to making these lovely little x-stitch stockings for other family members. So...I decided that most of 2013 will be devoted to producing Christmas items & finishing up other UFO's (which there are many) I always feel rushed come Nov/Dec to get handmade gifts finished up.....so, lets just do Christmas year round this time. I"m rather looking forward to that.......

Think Twice ~ Cut Once....DOH!!!

Sigh......!!!!

This is "Ruff Patch" from the Quiltmaker Magazine. The original size was for a crib quilt. I "upped" the size of the squares from 2 1/4" to 3" for a larger quilt. BUT, I forgot to write out all the new measurements, thus.....the outside checkerboard border is short in all directions and I can only laugh at myself .....BIG DOH!!!!

 

I actually have lots of the brown/beige 2 1/4" already cut, so a little more sewing and maybe, just maybe.....I'll finish the top tonight. Watching/listening with Bonnie Hunter later in the evening, so I"ll likely work on this quilt or the other Christmas Gift Quilt.

 

This little tree is going to get some red bows in the next day or two. Maybe one at a time, or several....not sure!!! It's in our local public gardens and each winter we tell ourselves that it needs some red bows for the holiday season - and I always forget to bring the bows when we wander over there!!! Bows are at the door....just need to put them in the car ( and then, we'll take the other car) and the circle continues!!! ;-P~

I love blogger....there are several more pictures loaded, but not showing up! Later......I need to be sewing, not farting around with blogger!!! LOL

Cats & Catching Up!

Cat #1 ~ Spookers

So Gram....you want to sew????

 

 Cat #2 ~ Squiggles
So Gram....You want to cut fabric???(or maybe tidy your mess up!!) ;-)

 Cat #3 ~ Ninja
So Gram ~ Keep the other 2 rotten female cats busy in your sewing room, and I'll chill on the Christmas quilt in the living room...thank you!!!

 After a solid week spent flat on the couch after throwing my back out, the 3 grand kitties have came to visit for 10 days. Not a lot of sewing, cutting fabric, ironing....is happening, due to the over active cats!!! We managed to visit a thrift shop during the weekend and I gave in to my 'no spend' brief thought.....perfect fabric for the Lady of the Lake quilt and a Debbie Mum quilt booklet.

That's it...the cats are all sleeping ( afternoon nap for them) so, I better see if I can sew for a hour or two!!

Cat Sitting

Hmmm, blogger doesn't like me today!!!

Let's give this another try!!!;)

 

 

While away cat sitting, I started a crochet blanket for my son and daughter-in-law. I just about froze while at their house!  My DIL loves the colour hunter green and I had about 10 large balls of it and only had to purchase the cream colour. Everything I had in my stash!!! Love that!

 

Cat Sitting at my son & daughter-in-laws!

 

I tired to feed them their snacks in a circle, so I could take a picture of them all together!!!

 Ninja ~ good name for him. He completely disappears in the house and is very quiet!

 Spookers was helping me with my crocheting. Thank god I took my fleece pj's, as it was damn cold in their house. And being in the city, it was noise galore at all hours!! ;(

 Cemetery hunting ~ We had to uncover at least a hundred markers until we found my great grandfather and great grandmother. Joseph and Amy came over from Kent, England in 1906 and unfortunately - Joseph died within 6 years of being in Ontario, Canada. Amy remarried in 1918 only because her daughter ( my grandmum Mabel)  was being harassed by her soon-to-be ex-husband and his family. Amy married another Brit ( a soldier ) that came over with his 1st wife in the same time period. His wife had died after giving birth to her 6th child, and only 2 lived out of the 6. Very sad indeed.

 Long story short...this new husband was useless and only interested in the money that Amy had. Amy was also struggling with TB, and trying to hold onto the businesses that Joseph had started up, their home in the city and 100 acres in the country that they had purchased. The 100 acres was just sold several years ago, and my aunt that inherited it - wouldn't let anyone else buy it. That was totally sad on her part, but....it's the way it goes!

My grandmother and her 8 month old daughter ( my aunt) spent a year 'hiding' at a ladies shelter run through the Salvation Army. She would finally divorce and then meet my grandfather.....that's how I came about. But first they had to move to Detroit and then New York in order to avoid the ex and his family.  They had 3 more children and in total had 11 grand children.

There are many, many skeletons in this family tree, and it's so interesting as I uncover the truth and correct the many stories that have been told. I have many old letters, odds 'n ends, legal paperwork, border crossing paperwork with pictures and finger prints etc etc. I'm slowly opening each one ( very fragile) and reading them and transcripting them so I can produce a story of my great grandparents lives down to my grandparents.

It was very rewarding when I finally cleared away the fallen leaves and found their marker. A 100 years has passed since Joseph's death .....there is much to uncover still!! ;)