December 26, on the Police Blotter

BOLO for a goofy looking St. Bernard cross, white in colour with black and brown splotches.  Wearing a pink collar and dragging a pink leash.  No tags.  2 years old, 60 pounds, answers to the name of Marsh.  Last seen heading toward Highway 91.
Yep, you guessed it, she dashed out the door while I was trying to get them both out for a walk.  She lunged, I felt myself slipping and grabbed the door, dropped the leash and away she went.
Seven hours later she was returned none the worse for the wear, having been found wandering just west of the town.  New friends were made and tags were promptly ordered.
Stayed tuned for more of "Houdini's" adventures.

James' Advent Calendar

 I added a small clear pocked on the front to hold the ornaments. 

This is a really nice panel that made up into a lovely Advent Calendar wall hanging.  The colour is quite yellow in this picture, but it is really a nice creamy colour.  You can see some of the ornaments hanging.  I couldn't get a closer up pic as it went blurry, but there are animals standing on top of each other trying to reach the top of the tree.  The writing says:
"24 days we prepare for his birth
inviting Baby Jesus to come to this earth...."

Here you can see some of the ornaments.  There were 25 in all attached to the tree by small buttons.  They are backed with black felt and the red hanging loop is tucked in between the backing and the actual ornament.

Meet Marsh

She was found along a country road near the Holland Marsh about 3 months ago.   We (Qtip and I)picked her up from the shelter yesterday.  She is a 2 year old Great Pyrenees/ beagle cross (I don't think she will get any bigger.  At least I hope not).  With me she has found a forever home.  She is quite anxious and has spent the morning pacing and wandering in and out. This is the only time she has sat still all morning.  I have finally turned off the heat and left the back door open.  It is raining and quite mild.  Both Qtip and her are finding what each can tolerate (note to Marsh-do not go into Qtips' kennel).  That was quite the drama when that happened.  As regular readers of this blog know, I had to put my beloved Hershey down about 7 months ago.  It was time to get some company for Qtip as he has become bored and naughty.  And, there are a lot of dogs (and cats) waiting for forever homes.  I am so glad that I am allergic to cats, cuz there was a litter at the shelter yesterday.  I could fit of them 3 in one of my hands, they were that tiny....

 

The Grim Ripper

While on the subject of Hallowe'en, here is my version of "The Grim Ripper" a free pattern from Fons and Porter.  I made 2 of them, one for me and one for my BFF.  Easy, easy, took about 4 days in all.  The blade is there, just hard to see in the photo.

Sorry it's sideways, and I can't figure out how to change it.  Standing my computer on it\s side helped.  :)

Happy Hallowe'en!!

Well, my studio has been up and running for about 8 weeks now.  The carpet is dry and cupboards, cutting table and fabric are back to where they were before the flood, sort of.  There is till some mould that shows up in random places (like the baseboards), but elbow grease mixed with bleach and a dehumidifier are helping to get rid of it.  If nothing else, the smell will certainly cure what ails me.
I made 2 place mats as gifts for 2 special boys this year, my grandson James (who turned 2 the day after Hallowe'en) and Kaden, the son of former neighbours.
The next time I make one, I want to make the spider legs with wider ric rac.  I think it will look not so anorexic.  :)  The napkin (in the photo below) tucks into the spider body along with the cutlery.

And, the curtains?  Still not up...sigh.

 

After the Flood

Well, it took almost 4 months to get my sewing room organized-carpets laid, wall knocked down, walls painted, boxes emptied, shelves stocked, pictures up.  I went downstairs last Sunday to finish painting the trim around the windows and hang curtains....

It took 4 hours of monsoonal rains to undo it all...SIGH...
The smell of bleach is prevalent.....thankfully, no fabric was lost.  And that table you see on the far right?  It is 12 feet long and still not big enough to hold all the fabric...
Of course, this was the week the not so local quilt shop asked me to make some samples for them....so for now I'm in the kitchen sewing, with a borrowed iron and a 10 foot extension cord.....SIGH...maybe next weekend I'll get the curtains up....

Grace Olivia

June 26 2013
1450 UK time
9 pounds
All well

ARGH!! We Be Pirates

What a beautiful ending to a great evening
Thanks VCARS


 

A Quilt for Sarah

Pattern by Reese Hansen of Morning Glory Designs.
Don't we all deserve unexpected surprises?

Mario's Bow Ties

Over the next few posts, I will be showing you pictures of quilts that I have made for the special people who have made my life better, just by knowing them.

This quilt was made for my hair dresser, many times he cut my hair for free or for a very nominal fee.  Thanks, Mario

I can...

I can....

...take control of my life
...take back my brave
...be unafraid
...move 120 km
...live with a best friend for a year and still talk to that best friend
...arrange for a mortgage
...and a moving truck
...and friends to help me move
...with unexpected friends, take down a wall
...tear up a carpet
...lay down new carpet
...rake the yard
...mow the yard
...weed the sadly neglected gardens
...learn to pay bills on line
...be happy
...I can
...change locks