Sunday 28 October 2012

Tiger Lily Quilts

Annette and I attended a schoolhouse at Tiger Lily Quilts in Wolsley Saskatchewan. A new technique was demonstrated every half hour. I learned how to use a Squedge (rhymes with wedge) ruler, apply hot ribbon appliqué, make tricky triangles and Seminole strips, and create with positive and negative appliqué.

Long drive. Thank goodness we had the excuse of dropping AnneMarie off in Regina or it might not have been worth it. Wonderful to see a beautiful new quilt shop open up on the prairies. Good luck to Liz and her staff/supporters.

Reading

Alexander McCall Smith read at McNally Booksellers. My book club, 2000 Splendid Books, took in the event. 'Sandy' is a wonderful speaker. Funny and quick on his feet. He only spoke for 20 minutes as the crowd was too large to all be seated and he was conscious of that fact. As it was two people collapsed, one needed medical attention!

After hearing AMS speak I would really like to read his other two series - 44 Scotland Road and the Isabel Dalgleish series. Anyone have copies to lend?

Home Routes with Ian Sherwood

Beth and I hosted Ian Sherwood for a Home Routes concert at the THAA.

Ian is from Halifax and is a singer songwriter. His catchy melodies sound amazing as he layers his guitar and vocal background tracks down for accompaniment. He even adds saxophone to some songs. Makes for rich and full sound! Great concert.

Halloween themed treats were a tasty snack. Thanks Beth!

Three landscapes

Work on the landscapes is progressing. I hung them side by side and made some minor adjustments. Now for the leaves on the outside two, then I should be ready for thread work and eventually quilting.

Thursday 25 October 2012

Fall hike

Sunday afternoon was a beautiful day for a hike. We walked the ravine. Charlie loved the walk too!!

Friday 19 October 2012

Farewell Jackie

One life can touch many.

Jackie, one of the best Educational Assistants I ever worked with, is moving to Ontario with her husband, Gary. She will be greatly missed!

Jackie worked in three different schools in Prairie Spirit School Division (Holland, Treherne Collegiate, and Treherne Elementary). Various staff met with Jackie for a farewell supper.

Jackie's gentle ways touched many educators and dozens more students!

Thursday 18 October 2012

New creation

Annette had fun playing on her latest creation. Check out her fancy stitches. They really show up against the black backing fabric.

What is he doing??!!

New Tostado employee? Guess his job!

Sunday 14 October 2012

Our own bed quilt

I feel like we've been neglected. I have made quilts for many others - Mom and Dad, Leah, Aaron, numerous nieces and nephews.... Now finally we have our own quilt!!

I made it out of fabrics from Bali. Exactly a year ago I went on a fibre arts tour of Bali. While I was there I bought over 50 meters of Bali batiks. It was from these fabrics that I constructed our quilt using a pattern called Magic Squares.

I quilted it using a flower motif that was printed on the background green fabric. I also constructed Celtic knot corners. As it seemed so precious I purchased a special silk batting for quilting it. Now it is completed!! What do you think?

Monday 8 October 2012

On the road again

New winter boots for the kids, just in time for the snow.

Don and Aaron did some repairs to Aaron's car that had the side mirrors vandalized.

And off they go!

Results

Here are the results of Leah's first attempt at long arm quilting. Awesome!

Quilting buddies

Monkey and Matt are getting along a bit better. They are my buddies as I work on a landscape scenery project of Sioux Narrows. Here is panel one of three in the making.

Monkey and Matt

Leah brought her new acquisition home with her for the Thanksgiving weekend. A little Monkey! Matt's nose is definitely out of joint!

Thanksgiving activities

Forgot to take a photo of the Thanksgiving table before we ate. Marvelous meal. Wanda, George, Aaron, Leah, Don and I had a royal feast.

After supper we all lazed around and digested. Leah quilted a baby quilt for Renee who is having a baby girl this month. The 'boys' enjoyed their favorite activity - surfing. I worked on a knitting project. It was nice to all be together!

Friday 5 October 2012

New Car!!


I ordered a new car yesterday from AutoHaus in Winnipeg.  A 2013 VW diesel Passat, opera red with corn silk beige interior.  I can hardly wait!  It should arrive in 6 weeks or so.  Yahoo!

VW Passat link


Tuesday 2 October 2012

Bountiful harvest

Amazing amount of tomatoes from four plants this year. We have already eaten and given away dozens. I have also made batches of salsa and tomato sauce. Today I will make stewed tomatoes. Here is a photo of the green ones. I hope we will be eating fresh tomatoes into November!