Away Too Long

Where do the hours, days, weeks go to.  I seem to be constantly apologising and thats not what this blog is all about.  We need positive vibes and lots of encouragement in order to keep our heads up and enjoy the process of our quilting in general.  I hope you have had a more successful few weeks completing your projects in time for gifting.  I have sat down a number of times over the last few weeks with my iPad to pen a quick note - just to say I am still here and have not abandoned my followers.

Unfortunately for some reason I am no longer able to write my blog from the Blogger App!! on my iPad. It keeps crashing on me and telling me the app needs to be updated, however I know all my apps are up to date and all working well.......that is except for Blogger!

Here I am now, what have I been doing since last time?  Caring for my Dad, preparing for Christmas and trying to keep things on an even keel which I am struggling with a bit.  Hubby's Mum was admitted as an emergency, to hospital at the beginning of this week very, very poorly, however she seems to be on the mend and is now sitting up at the side of the hospital bed giving out her orders to her sons!

Sewing takes too much concentration when your mid is a bit congested with other things so although my Connecting Threads table runner/quilt is still on the design wall not a lot has been done.  I did receive my Connecting Threads order which I placed in Black Friday Sale - that was exciting!

I have however been knitting, keeping my fingers busy.......... how many of you remember these jumpers?  

This is a small size, for the big boy who was 2 years old last week.  I think it will keep him cosy when he is out in the garden running around - he is such an outdoor boy, following in his parents footsteps already.  Their little family went Christmas tree picking yesterday and of course he had to be dressed for the occasion.  He makes me smile!  This photo's on Facebook so I guess its ok to post here

I got his Christmas stocking finished and hopefully Santa will visit and drop a few parcels inside, complete with the orange and the penny in the bottom.

In other news Techie's room here has been completely emptied and the painter will be coming soon to transform it for its new use........whatever that might be.  

Once again sincere apologies for lack of updates, but now I know there is a problem I will try and make time to sit down at the computer.  Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas.

Mainly Handstitching

Well I am pleased to say my sewing corner remains fairly tidy due to the fact I have been hand stitching this week and doing a bit of knitting.  I had forgotten how much I enjoy a bit of knitting.  I don't normally sit and watch television but for some reason this week I have been watching and knitting at the same time.  Very relaxing and enjoyable and sometimes sitting on my new chair with my feet up.  

Before the buttons were attached

and my new chair and stool before the legs were attached!

Preparations are being made everywhere for the festive season and many stitchers are posting lots of photos of their Christmas makes on the internet.  I must be odd - I think the only Christmas make for me this year is Santa's stocking for our little grandson.  I have finished the hand quilting and have a few sparkly star buttons to put on it and then I will put it all together this week.  

the buttons still need to be sewn in place

This little project has been on my design wall for a wee while - another of Connecting Threads kits.  It should be a table runner however as always plenty of fabric will make it into a little quilt for a charity.  

Rows still to be sewn together

The pattern

I hope you are all starting to think about the festivities and getting all your preparation done ahead of time so you can enjoy the holidays with your family and friends.

Never Ask A Lady Her Age

Well now it has gone I don't mind telling you I celebrated a big birthday last weekend.  I didn't want a fuss its just another day, week, month, year, decade!  

After a pretty hectic few weeks visiting Dad in hospital, attending to all the usual housework, getting his house back in order and moving things around to make thing easier for him, finally he got home. He now is managing with a new routine with some extra help each day.  It has given me a bit more peace of mind knowing that he is well and someone is checking on him.

Birthday celebrations were the last thing I wanted.  Thanks to a wonderful family and good friends, they all managed to make my 'Special' Birthday a big success.  Lots of very pleasant surprises but no big fuss - exactly how I wanted it. 

Progress has been made in the clearing of Techie's space now he has moved off to his own little empire.  We have had lots of discussions of how to make best use of the rooms in our own home.  No firm decision has been made but there will be a lot of moving 'stuff' around over the next few months to get it all the way it suits us both!

Well as every quilter will tell you the main issue we all seem to have is lack of time.  I'm no exception, I just don't have enough time to do and make all the things I want.  Part of this is down to time-management and also tidiness or maybe I should say untidiness.  Each time I try to do some sewing I have to clear a space or look for thread, or decide on my next project, or sort my fabric or.......... so it goes on.

So with all that in mind I have decided I must sort, catalogue, re distribute, pass on and declutter my sewing paraphernalia.  Hmmm!  I know what you are all thinking - yep I know, I don't think it will ever happen either.  I'm trying though I am really trying!

All my books are now listed on a spreadsheet, and relocated and organised in Author order in their new home on the bookshelf upstairs.  

this of course now leaves a gaping hole in the bookshelf downstairs

which will now allow me to clear the end of my worktable of these fabrics

which have been sitting waiting to be 'filed' on the appropriate shelf, but there wasn't enough room! 

On with the job then instead of procrastinating!  I will put on some cheery music pull up a chair and rearrange my fabrics this afternoon - if I manage it all I will reward myself by starting a new project, or more likely sitting with my feet up with I nice glass of something.  

Watch this space.  Have a lovely weekend doing whatever you have planned.

****UPDATE****

Cleared that table

Tidied the Fabrics

                              

                              Put my feet up - with a coffee

and finished off the binding of another linus quilt

A very productive afternoon - feeling happy!

Another Hiccup

The only sewing done this week was last night when I at last put my feet up after a very tiring week.  I managed a wee bit of hand stitching on the Christmas Stocking I have started for our little grandson.  This year I fully expect he will be aware of all thats going on over the festive holiday.  This little project gave me the perfect opportunity to focus on one thing and helped me relax.

Unfortunately Dad had a couple of falls this week. Fortunately there was no major damage done, his legs just wouldn't hold him.  He has been admitted to hospital with a suspected UTI.  Its a worrying time but I am comforted to know he is safe and being looked after.  Of course there's been more work for the family and travelling up and down to hospital visiting.  He is feeling fine though and in good spirits and hopefully the antibiotics will clear up the infection.

I will continue my stitching in the evening when I can and I am hopeful I might manage a few more donations for the PHEW Christmas Fair.

There may be a little lull in the usual posts if I am busy with other things but bear with me and enjoy your stitching.

The De-Cluttering Continues ........

............So not a lot to say about anything new on quilting.  I've just been working on the same quilts and doing a little bit of stitching for the charity fundraisers.  Until next week here are a few photos.

Needlecases

Ahhtishooo!  

This Way - all finished

My finished folded log cabin cushion - Happy Halloween!

Hubble Bubble

It's that time of year, season of mellow fruitfulness, beautiful autumn colours and making hedgerow jams, jellies and preserves.  Plum jam was the first at the end of last month then Rowan and Apple jelly last week and this is the second batch of plum jam yesterday, and before the jelly pan was returned to the back of the utility room cupboard hubby decided to have a try at quince and apple jelly, quinces bought at the local market and crab apples from his Mum's trees.  Store cupboard full!

It's a quieter house now without Techie and he is settling into his new home and getting everything put in its own space.  We have being trying to do the same - slowly tidying and rearranging rooms, doing a bit of decluttering as we go along.  This is not a quick fix and it could take a   l  o  n  g     while.

I have managed a few evenings sewing this week and on Tuesday at class T gave a tutorial on how to do a folded log cabin block.  This made for an enjoyable evening with all the equipment in use and the sewing machines humming.  I used some autumn colours with cream all found in my scrap bucket.  I continued with the block and decided I will make three others to join together and perhaps make a cushion cover.

The binding has been stitched down on That Way but the label is still to go on.  I like how this one has turned out its so bright and cheery.

I have no plans for this week other than I have a couple of ideas for small items for some fundraising for a few charities which are looking for crafty items for their Christmas Fayres so I might try them out to see if they are worth passing on for sale.  

Have a good week.

Under The Needle

This has been a much more productive week for me all round.  Not only have I managed a bit of sewing I have managed to calm myself and don't feel quite as manic.  My mind is a bit calmer and I have tried to make time for myself as well as my family this week.  The results you will see below.  I am in the process of working on four, yes four UFO's.  Under the needle today have been Which Way and That Way.  I must admit I have made quite a bit of progress on these bright cheery quilts.  I like everything about them, the colours the patterns,  the stitching - they have just come together well and no hitches so far!

That Way - Half Square Triangles

Which Way - Flying Geese (very appropriate for the season)

Last night I put the final stitch in the binding of the scrap quilt I started in Canada.  This was fun stitching all the little 2.5 inch squares and remembering all the projects I have made using the fabrics, you may even recognise some of them too.  I bought the trellis fabric for the background in Sugar Pine from their sale room. The border was from my stash and I have had it a long long time. I knew I wanted to put the blocks on point but my head was not allowing me to work it all out and I wasn't quite sure how to go about it until I remembered the exploding block!  yep success although of course I forgot that you lose the points don't you.  Ahh well not to worry, this is another charity quilt and while I do like try to perfect my points (don't we all) I am sure this little quilt will keep someone cosy throughout the winter.

I am a very contented and happy quilter tonight - I am up to date again with my blog posts, the Gallery Page is about to be updated and I'm looking forward to finishing off Which Way and That Way over the next week.  I believe today was 'Sew Saturday' with events going on all over the country, however I enjoyed my Sew Saturday in my sewing room stitching away merrily on my own and I achieved lots.  I hope you all had a good day!

Time Flies

Oh dear, it seems I have been dragging my feet again with regards my blog. I realised last night that I had not updated you all this week.  Before I start writing a post I always go back and read my previous one.  I don't want to be repeating myself now do I?  I was horrified to find that my last post was on the 18th September. That's four weeks ago!

Well as you have probably realised I've had a hectic few weeks since coming back from our holiday in Canmore.  Where has that time gone?  Sadly my sewing machine still sits idle, the dust is gathering on my cutting mat and my fabrics I bought on holiday still lie waiting to be put away.  So yes you've guessed no sewing updates again.

The experience of looking after our grandson was fun as expected, although we had a little 'moment' at bedtime.  He is not used to being put to bed by Grannie and of course it's a very long time since Grannie put a wee one to bed.  We survived though and I had a great time and I'm sure he doesn't usually have his breakfast toast with both honey and jam.......... no don't worry I didn't give in to that one!

Ingliston Quilt show was a good day out, unfortunately K did not receive any ribbons but it was great to see her quilt hanging with all the other entries.  Well Done K!

K's Faberge Quilt - beautiful hand quilted feathers

The show itself I thought was a little disappointing, lots of lovely quilts some expertly sewn, but it seemed all the top spots were won by what I would call the professionals, some of which I had seen before.  Perhaps next time the organisers should include a category for new exhibitors or newcomers to the quilting world.  I don't think there were so many stall holders and a few of the regulars I thought were missing.  It was held in a larger hall than the previous McRobert Pavilion which is being renovated, there was easier access, a larger cafe, more room between the aisles and quilt displays but in my opinion the one downfall was the poor lighting.  I didn't make any fabric purchases but did buy a couple of books.  It was worth the visit though.

Last weekend was spent in the Aviemore area where we attended a wedding.  A glorious weekend, beautiful bride and wedding party and great venue.  It was good to meet up with all our friends and see how their families have grown and blossomed over the years into young professional men and women making their own mark on the world.

So here we are another week on - this last week has flown in a mixture of house sitting, waiting for deliveries, shopping, cleaning, packing boxes, washing floors and windows and hanging curtains in readiness for the big move.

Techie has been getting himself organised for this move for a long time and of course we have all been involved.  He moved in to his new home over the weekend and last night our house was so very quiet by this I mean the noise level - there's still plenty to be organised and tidied, laundry to be caught up on, cleaning to be done etc etc.  But I miss his whistling already and the sound of the television/music in the next room has gone.  Life moves on and I wish him all the best as he makes his little house into a comfortable home allowing him to do what he wants, when he wants without any mealtime restrictions being put on him by his Mum and Dad.  

I hope to get a bit of sewing done this week.  Tonight I plan to sit and tidy my work space and decide where and which UFO I should start on.  I'm sure it will be a long todo list and there are a whole lot more ideas swimming around in my head.  

I hope you have all been more productive with your stitching than I have.  The curtains are being closed earlier now as autumn approaches,  it's time to pull out the hand stitching switch on the daylight light and sit by the fire, perhaps even listen to an audio book while enjoying the pleasure of sitting under a quilt stitching.  Happy days!

Back Home

We left snow topped mountains behind last Sunday and I can't believe we have been home almost a week already.  

Jet lag has been awful, early morning, 3.30am forays to the kitchen for tea and toast and woozy head in the mornings.  I would like to say I am feeling a bit better but it lingers and it can hit you when least expecting it.  I am however managing a full nights sleep now.  

It's been a busy week catching up with all the family, we had a little visitor yesterday which was lovely and enjoyed some time in the garden in the sunshine.  It's amazing how quickly little ones grow and this little boy is no exception - we saw quite a difference in only 3 weeks away.  He is copying everything and is very chatty.  

                                   

       

Techie has taken the first step on the property ladder and has got the keys for his house.  It's exciting times as our lives will change once more.  Today Techie and I are off shopping for curtains and soft furnishings for the new house.  It's always fun to help spend other people's money and good to spend time with him to help him set up in his new home.

There has been no machine sewing this week but I did manage another hexi the red one is now sew together.  

My machine is sitting patiently waiting for me to summon up the time and energy to move on to the next step of my bright rainbow quilt, but first I need to get it up on the design wall to see the placement of colours.  I bought a 'roadway' panel for S for his cars when I was on holiday.  I need to decide whether this is going to be a hand stitching project which was the plan when it bought it but......... that may take me too long to do.  I think he is ready to start playing with it soon.   I also have a couple of WIP to finish,  if you remember I pieced two tops just before I went off on holiday This Way and That way.  They will need to be sandwiched up and quilted too. 

Next week looks as though it's going to be busy.  I must get my hair cut, all of a sudden I can't do a thing with it and every day seems to be a bad hair day,  I am looking after our grandson for a couple of days to allow Mummy to do her field work while Daddy is off with his pupils on an outward bound activity week.  Grannie and S will have fun and have some adventures on our own hopefully.  I'll take my hexi project with me and perhaps do some stitching if, and it's probably a big if, he has a nap.  

At the end of the week I'm off to the Quilt Show at Ingliston.  K has submitted an entry - she has entered one of her stunning quilts and I am looking forward to seeing it hanging and being admired with all the others on show.  Her quilt is one of Jinny Beyers designs and has been expertly executed with mitred borders and beautiful hand quilting.  Oh, and the colours are gorgeous!  Look out for it if you go along to the show, Good Luck K!

I am not short of things to do, so what will you be working on this week?  Whatever you decide to do enjoy the process, relax and have fun, it's good to see things growing and evolving.

On Top of the World

I had forgotten how beautiful the view from the top of a mountain can be.  As a long time retired fairly basic skier I used to enjoy the amazing vistas you were able to enjoy when at the top of a chairlift.  Yesterday we took advantage of a summer visit to the top of the Norquay ski hill in Banff.  It was somewhat strange going up in the chair without skis dangling from your feet and I had forgotten how much movement and bumps you had to endure on the way to the top but they actually stopped the chair to allow you to dismount - no balancing tricks trying to ski off.  What a view, we have been waiting all week for a clear day and we were not disappointed.

A coffee in the restaurant rounded off our visit, the return journey was a bit daunting.  Although I had  travelled up a mountain many times when skiing never had I experienced the chairlift going down.......just a wee bit scary!

We are almost at the end of our stay here but obviously have been in touch with home and all things going there.    One of our sons colleagues had a little baby boy at the end of June.  Baby CT was diagnosed just last week with a heart defect and had a procedure on Tuesday at the new hospital for sick children in Glasgow.  I got to hear about this and thought I would get in touch with ER our local Linus co-ordinator to see if it was at all possible for a Linus quilt to make its way to the family at this anxious time.  

I thought this was a long shot - especially as I'm on the other side of the Atlantic involving time differences etc. I heard later that evening that a quilt was delivered by a contact of ERs.   They had managed to find the family.  All I had given was the little boys name!  

                                     

The procedure went as expected. This is the photo Mummy F sent to Linus and is posted on their Facebook page.  I am sure they won't mind me sharing.  This was taken just before he was discharged from hospital.  This family certainly need a hug at this anxious time, especially as Daddy (32) was diagnosed last year with early onset Parkinson's.  

Well done the Linus ladies!!  The family are extremely grateful!  Happy ending, C is now back home and doing well, just over a week after surgery.  The power of the Internet, and the diligence of the Linus network system is working well.  However that's not the end of this story.  Mummy F sent a lovely thank you note to Linus and posted it on the Project Linus UK Facebook page.  Low and behold, not only did the post pop up on my feed it made it to the pages of UK Quilters United yesterday!  

All I did was send one little quick email!  It just goes to show how wonderful the folks out there are who make quilts and blankets for Linus and other charities.  This has helped a lovely little family,  who will treasure that little quilt and I am sure it will provide lots of fun for C in the future.  This story has reached a huge audience and raised awareness and hopefully will recruit more quilters and knitters out there to perhaps donate their time, talent and materials to spread the love and hugs around to many more children in the future.  It has also served to remind everyone that the Linus charity is there for all children of all ages right up to teenagers.  So if you know of any child, now or in the future who you feel needs a little extra comfort, whether it is a hospital stay, accident, family breakup or bereavement just get in touch with your local coordinator (or the one closest to the child) and they will do their best to fulfil any request if they can.  There are networks all over the UK and in many countries all over the world.  More information can be found on the Project Linus UK website.

Packing up of the sewing equipment will start later today.  I've had fun with this block, it bright and colourful and was great fun to do.  

I have not quite managed all the blocks needed to complete the quilt but the finished ones are travelling back to Scotland with me so you should see the end result on the design wall in the not  so distant future.

Storm Clouds

 The forecast was for showers today so we decided this was to be the annual shopping day in the big city.  The drive into Calgary was enjoyable although the traffic on the other side of the highway heading out in the opposite direction was quite heavy.  This is the start of the long weekend and some city dwellers were making the most of it and starting the journey early for their well earned break in the mountains.

I enjoyed a good day of retail therapy, lots of purchases but not too excessive all thanks to my flexible friend.

This is what we were met with on the return journey - this was three o'clock in the afternoon, a huge storm brewing.  Bangs and flashes all around.

                                    

We managed to skirt around it and returned home to find snow on the mountain peaks!

I have been knitting this week, handstitching hexis and have started to cut into those nice bright rainbow fabrics, I'm really enjoying this unusual block.  There was no rainbow seen today though. The sun was a bit elusive but hopefully it will appear tomorrow at least for a wee while.

Just Another Manic Monday - NOT!

A very peaceful one instead.............

Our Picnic spot......

Holiday Reading......

Blue skies and sunshine............

DInner at our favourite Chinese restaurant............

Then home for a nice G & T, Canadian Gin of course! 

What's New?

It's been a good week here, catching up with friends, visiting a few of our favourite places and enjoying the slower pace of life in general.  As we sat at the side of Ghost Lake yesterday we enjoyed the scenery, and watched the water sport activities taking place on the lake.  Folks were out and about enjoying the sunny Saturday afternoon.  Life in the fast lane with jet skis and motorboats but also some taking it much slower paddling along in their kayaks and canoes.  Fun to watch but I am one who prefers to have my feet on solid ground.  The storm clouds were brewing as you can see and by the time we returned home the raining was pouring down and the thunder and lightning was rumbling in the mountains.

I've had my first quilt shop visit - Addies in Cochrane, a lovely shop selling lots of beautiful fabrics.........yes I did buy some.  Black background, rainbow fabrics, downloaded pattern, ready to go!  

I set up my sewing machine on Wednesday night and decided to use up some scraps which have been accumulating here. Not quite sure how they will end up though, I have managed to produce 6 x 10.5 in blocks, then another 4 slab blocks with the red, yellow, blue and green scrappy strips so far.

All in all a very good week here I hope you have had a good one too.

That Way........

I missed a post at the weekend and there was good reason.  We were travelling all day Sunday and have now arrived on the other side.  It's holiday time!  A long awaited and needed few weeks of rest and relaxation in our favourite place in the Rockies.  Yesterday was spent stocking up on the groceries and unpacking and dozing on and off throughout the afternoon.  It was a grey and drizzly day just like home, but we are hoping for some improvement during the week.  We are both awake early this morning par for the course and looking forward to a lazy day, hopefully with a little sunshine to allow us to sit on the deck.

This Way quit top is complete, although I might just put another border on, and yes - it's artistic license  its not the same as the pattern - for those who don't know me I never do things the way I'm told!

   

The HSTs from the leftovers have been pieced together and will become a small lap quilt called 'That way'. 

And I still have scraps and strips left for perhaps a little linus quilt.  

  

A great value quilt kit indeed.

I've just finished my early morning coffee so ready for a new day.  No plans, no deadlines, take it as it comes kind of day.  Reading, sewing, chatting, cooking, dozing, and repeat.  I might even unpack my sewing stuff and take a look in the boxes to see what I left behind last time.

So you may get fewer posts over the next few weeks, you may get more, you may get none!  You might get just a photograph of somewhere we've been or what I've been doing.  The posts may look funny as I am doing everything from my iPad so apologies if the font or formatting looks weird. Whatever you are up to this week enjoy!

Which Way?

I am pleased to say I have had a more productive week.  Sewing wise at least and I suppose I have managed to keep up to date with my washing and ironing and all the other chores that need done occasionally around the house.

I am delighted to report that K has been successful in having one of her beautiful quilts accepted for the Quilt Championships at Ingliston this year.  We are all hoping she does well but to just have a quilt accepted is a huge achievement and we are all looking forward to seeing it being exhibited and hung up beside all the other quilts at the show with  K’s name beside it.  We can all now say we know someone personally who is exhibiting at the show.  Good Luck K.  We all know your work is stunning, lets hope the judges do too.

Baby Arthur’s quilt has been finished and has its label on, if it had not been so blustery today I might have managed a photo.  Tomorrow is another day!  after which all I need to do is parcel it up and ship it off to him - I hope over the years he will have hours of pleasure using it.

My Challenge quilt is finished too.  I am really pleased with it.  It has been a journey of different techniques and challenges which I have thoroughly enjoyed.  It is sometimes good to sit at your machine and put the pedal to the metal as they say but sometimes its good to take things slowly and carefully and take time to savour the moment when all the pieces come together and what your vision was on paper finally comes to fruition.  This is only a small piece as a wallhanging which in the end comes out at 17 x 24 inches, and I am happy with it!  Look out for it in my Gallery after Tuesday 6th September (This being the date we have to Show and Tell our ‘Illusions” quilts at class).  I will post it there - or I may even do a separate post about the journey.

Im sorry I'm being a bit of a tease - not able to show you pictures of my finishes just yet.  So here are a few pictures of whats been going on in my sewing space in the last few days.

This is another of the Connecting Threads Kits which was on sale and I bought for $27.  

The Pattern

A bargain I thought at the time, however it was even more of a bargain than I thought.  As I may have mentioned before these kits I have found have a generous amount of fabrics.  

Large Flying Geese

Having cut out the required pieces I realised I could make HSTs with the trimmings, 

5 inch HST's

so instead of just one quilt I am heading to make a second and maybe another with these scraps I still have 

7 x 2.5” strips and 7 5 x 6” pieces to play with and that doesn't include the sashing pieces

The progress so far

I hope your progress has been good this week and you have some time this coming week to do some stitching.