Busy Month and a New Project

When I see packets of needles at Mardens for 50 cents I just can't pass up a bargain! Some on the right side are old ones from my Mom and Grandmother. I treasure those! And that very small package of Japanese needles. They are tiny (size 12) and a joy to quilt with. I remember buying them In California at a conference put on by the East Bay Heritage QG. What a wonderful experience that was, must have been about 35 years ago. I was so honoured to be teaching there.

I was looking for a size 11 Milliners (Straw) needle. I did find one in all that mess! Guess I should plan a trip to Avonport for more because I have started a new project, an English Paper Piecing project and that first needle has quite a curve now!

Here I go!

I now have 8 "pies" made and 2 "tarts! The pattern is by Sue Daley and it is called "Pies and Tarts". I haven't decided how big it will be yet. But it is a great, portable project to take along to my bee or a meeting.

We have been having a much different winter this year. The snow comes, then melts. This was last weekend. It is all gone now. For 2 nights that I know of, a herd of 8 deer have visited our garden to munch on the rhododendrons and anything else that is tasty. I wish they would get their fill elsewhere!

Grandsons Evan and Ben have a new baby step-sister so we have been working on a quilt for her. It is the great "Falling Charms" pattern by Missouri Star Quilt Co. They have both been using the sewing machine, Evan just had to find out how fast it would go! He was surprised! It is all pieced now, just the borders to sew on then we can baste and quilt it. Yes, it is pink but there are firetrucks, dragons, fish, lobsters and sailboats! I have loved every minute working on this project with them.

A 2016 Finish and More Renos

This was a work in progress for the last 7 years (!). I did finish a few other things in between, I promised myself to try and complete a few of my UFO's. I always wanted to make a Redwork quilt (so named because of the red embroidery, sometimes done in black or blue). I haven't done much embroidery but always enjoyed it. I learned in grade 7 from my Home Ec teacher Miss Clarke at Westwood Jr. High in Toronto, we had to embroider our name on the back of our gym suit/bloomers. She wore a white starched uniform and white shoes. There was only one way in her classroom - her way! I did learn a lot from her and took Home Ec up until grade 11 when we moved to Halifax and I was discouraged from taking Home Ec if I wanted to go to University.

Detail of Bunnies Everywhere

I have started my Guild challenge and it certainly was a challenge with the fabrics.

The turquoise and orange fabrics were two I added. I eliminated a mustard yellow. The theme this year is Poetry and I have chose "Stopping By The Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost. I have also added a white fabric with silver metallic swirls. I have just started quilting it and will share pictures soon.

After a bit of a break we are back to work on the house renos. We decided to paint the upstairs hall, attic stairs, the floor and repaint the stairs. The carpet is finally gone and the floorboards underneath had never been painted. The bedrooms upstairs all had painted floors at one time so we decided to paint the hall too. Eventually the bedrooms will be repainted too.

Looking towards the "bump", the walls are prepped, just need sanding and they will be painted the same lovely yellow as downstairs. The carpet is gone now and it is so much brighter.

Looking towards the bathroom, attic stairs on the right with chocolate steps and risers all painted now and so much better.

We are in the midst of a blizzard here now, they say we are in for 30-40cm (probably about 15"). Here's hoping the power stays on! Good quilting weather for sure.

As I Said...Moving Right Along

Well, I guess I moved a long alright! Right into 2016! Happy New Year! Thankfully there are no "blog police" to give me a ticket for not posting or I would have been gone long ago.

Life has moved along, we did get a week away to Maine to visit with our dear friend Jo Diggs, her daughter and friends. We always love going to Maine and taking the time on our way back to drive along the coast and stop at a few of the small towns along the way. Perhaps it is because it all feels so familiar, just like Nova Scotia's coastline.

Nick, Kate, Evan and Ben

After that we did go with our daughter and her boys to cut down our Christmas tree, my quilt guild had our second annual Christmas Quilt Show in conjunction with the Mahone Bay Father Christmas Festival. It was a huge success with over 700 visitors! I was thrilled to show my new Christmas quilt "Merry Christmas From Lunenburg County", it was beautifully quilted by Lynn Jones. I also showed another new Christmas wallhanging "Deck the Halls".

"Merry Christmas From Lunenburg County, Christmas Tree Capital of the World!", machine pieced, machine quilted by Lynn Jones

"Deck the Halls' is machine pieced, machine appliqued and hand quilted.

Lots of exciting things happening here and out west. Our granddaughter, Molly was skiing with her Dad at Nakiska and who should be there but the one and only Lindsey Vonn. Lindsey had all the time in the world for Molly and made quite an impression. Reminded me of meeting Nancy Greene back in the late '60's.

Lindsey Vonn and Molly

Molly on the Nakiska Women's Downhill podium, practising for about 12 years down the road!

And in other happy news, we are delighted to announce the engagement of our amazing daughter Kate to the amazing Nick! Wedding date and plans are in the works!!

We will have a busy few months ahead, I will do my best to keep up. Meanwhile, back to quilting. My sewing room is all cleaned up and I have several new projects in my head and several others that are in various stages of completion. Lots to do!