Textures in the Back Yard . . . .

Having (mostly) recovered from my cold, I took a few close-ups in the back yard this morning (and Mr. Patchmaker thought I was raking leaves) Love the different textures!

And my favorite:

Now if only they were fabrics, think what we could do!

And on to something totally different, there was an article in our local paper today about this entrepreneur couple, who like us, came to Nova Scotia to enjoy a simpler life.

http://www.earthartcashmere.com/index.php

Happy Quilting (or knitting)

Maggie

Really Warm Fluffy Mitten Making

I've been down with a major cold for the past week. My poor sewing machines are having fits of loneliness; the pattern I designed last week is sitting untouched on the cutting table; even the Thimble Cat is feeling abandoned, as I watch (make that sleep-through) yet another really bad movie on TV. But, the end is in sight! Today I have a touch of energy. I can leave the tissue box alone for almost 3 hours at at stretch!

The new quilt design:

So, as a compromise between designing/stitching and sitting, this morning I've been researching and knitting Thrummed Mittens, aka really warm, fluffy mittens.

The mitten, so far:

For anyone who has never run across these, they are said to have originated in Newfoundland and Labrador, and perhaps also in Nova Scotia. They have "twists" (thrums) of wool rovings knitted in, with the loose tails of the rovings inside the mitts.

The inside of the mitten:

This loose wool will basically felt over time and use, and be incredibly warm. They were developed for fishermen to wear, as no matter how wet the mitts get, your hands will not be cold. I used Briggs & Little 100% wool Heritage yarn (from New Brunswick) and my stash of wool sliver from the Have a Yarn shop in Mahone Bay. I think I'd make the thrums a little fatter next time, but you get the idea. There's a pattern here:

http://www.haveayarn.ca/stitch/06_2008_stitch_of_the_month.htm

if you want to give them a try.

Stay warm; stay dry; don't catch a cold!

Happy Quilting

Maggie

And the Winner Is . . . . . . .

All of the entries went into the official "draw basket"

Mr. Patchmaker served as impartial/non quilting judge, supervised by the ever faithful Judge-Cat Thimble (who really wasn't pleased about having her picture taken):

And the winner is . . . . . . . . (drum roll ):

Valerie at Life's Little Garden!



will be receiving a goodie package in the mail soon, including the infamous "Gummy Lobsters"

A big thank-you to everyone who entered. See you in another 100 posts!

Happy Quilting

Maggie

OMG, I'm 100!

It's here! Patchmaker's blog is 100 posts old!

Yippee!! Wow!! Whodathunk????

This is it . . . the 100th Post!!

So let's have a giveaway! I've had a great time gathering goodies, and now it's your turn.

Posting a comment will get you one entry. Mentioning the giveaway on your blog will get you another. That's it! Nothing complicated.

Not saying what the goodies are, but they have a Nova Scotia theme, with a couple of exceptions. Here's a hint: Ever eaten a Gummy Lobster?????

The winner will be drawn, by a completely impartial non-quilting person, supervised by equally impartial Judge-Cat Thimble, at

9:00 PM Atlantic time Friday, October 30th

(i.e. when I get home from work),
and I'll get in touch with the winner then too!

Good Luck!

Maggie

Fall Colors

Over the Thanksgiving weekend, Mr. Patchmaker and I stayed at the Oak Island Resort in Western Shore, Nova Scotia. The view from our room was amazing.

And just as pretty at sunset!

This tree is in our backyard, and it loves to show off this time of year. (Disregard my clothesline in the picture!)

Have you started any Christmas quilting yet? Do you even do any Christmas quilting? I'm just getting at it now, although I don't do a lot, and avoid entering the craft sales. Think I'll put some of these little candle mats on my Etsy site:

Having successfully negotiated fewer hours at my job, I'll have more time for the important things in life . . . . quilting, blogging, sleeping . . .

Happy Quilting!

Maggie

Mahone Bay Scarecrow Festival!

Happy Quilting!

Maggie

Out and About!

I've read that one of the best things to do with your blog is to let people see where you live, so I thought I'd slip in a few pictures of my little piece of the planet . These were taken yesterday - in the rain - in downtown Truro . . . .














It was named after the city of Truro, in Cornwall, England, and first settled in 1761. Lots of the streets are really narrow - leftovers from years ago.












There are many, many churches in town, and so many of them are very old & stately. And because the town is so old, the cemetaries are my favorite places to walk, because of the really old markers.




Enough history; on to quilting!

Here's another Kansas City Star pattern; this one is English Ivy, from 1931.



Haven't had a chance to "tweak" it yet, but it looks like it has possibilities!





My Tree of Life is still a work in progress:


And I'm working on some hand embroidery:



This weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving, so to all of my Canadian readers:

Having both landed part of the weekend off, Mr Patchmaker and I plan on eating way too much, sleeping way too late, and pretty much looking like the mouse in the picture!

Happy Quilting!

Maggie