PATCHMAKER

Monday Morning Inspiration

2012-01-30T08:03:00.000-04:00

This is a batik fabric called Pink/Blue Leaves Sunprint Batik:

And this is Deep Blue Leaves Sunprint Batik:

I got them from www.flarefabrics.ca Aren't they just delicious??
They're my inspiration for this week, and maybe most of February!

Happy Quilting!

Maggie

Love Letters in the Ice

2012-01-28T16:54:00.000-04:00

Remember the song Love Letters in the Sand? It was Pat Boone's hit of the 1950's. (Yes, I know I'm dating myself, but my mother used to sing it to me when I was just a little sprout, and it stuck in my memory!) Well, given that we have a half inch of ice on absolutely everything here today, we have a slightly different version here in the frozen north east . . . . .

The Critter's name is actually Cooper, and he has a little girlfriend named Lily (who apparently sat down on her work before she finished the "y").

Happy Quilting!
Maggie

Where a Dog Can Be a Dog

2012-01-26T20:23:00.000-04:00

It was a beautiful afternoon, so The Critter and I took a break and went down by the river for a walk.

The Agricultural College farms these fields which are along the banks of the Salmon River, and it's a great spot to go walking.

There was no snow on the ground today, but that's supposed to change tomorrow!

There's also a hiking trail that's on the other side of the river . . . .

Meanwhile the cats preferred to stay home and watch a little TV. Love those animal shows!

Happy Quilting!

Maggie

Making Something From Nothing

2012-01-14T10:07:00.001-04:00

I'm working on an order that produced some scraps . . . . . they're bright, pretty, and I just couldn't throw them out! So - - -

This:

Became this:

A new pouch for my e-reader. If you know me and my "survival rate" with electronic gadgets, you know it needs all the help it can get!

Happy Quilting!
Maggie

Trial Run

2012-01-03T10:09:00.000-04:00

There's always a trial run for a new design. For me it involves a bit of breath holding and finger crossing, and if the new designs doesn't work, then it's back to the drawing board to figure out where it went wrong. I designed this top in EQ7 over the holidays, and put the borders on last night. Something seemed wrong, I was tired, it was late, so I left it. True to form, in the middle of the night, I realized I had to take the whole thing apart and find out what was wrong. So, this morning, it came apart, I sort of fixed it, and know that I like the pattern well enough to do it again, and how to avoid the pitfalls. Anyways, it's back together, but it has "issues". Lots of "issues". So I won't sell it, but the up side of this whole disaster, is . . . . . . I get to keep it! Yippee! So the plan is to quilt it, use it, enjoy it, and hopefully no one will ever notice the "issues". Except me. And they won't bother me one bit!

Happy Quilting
Maggie

Happy New Year . . . and What Do YOU Want on YOUR Tombstone?

2011-12-31T18:59:00.003-04:00

Happy New Year everyone. As Halifax Broad said in her blog (see my blog list to check her out), 2011 didn't totally suck. It was a good-with-a-small-g type year, with good moments and bad. And it was way better than 2010, hands down. So here's to 2012 . . . may it be simply stellar!

My grandmother is buried under a lilac tree in a little country churchyard near Woodlands, Manitoba. Close to her grave is another, with a grave stone obviously put there by a disillusioned partner, as it lists off a litany of complaints about the person buried there. I'm not one for New Years Resolutions, but I was thinking today about what I'd like to accomplish in 2012, and my thoughts ran to what I'd want to be remembered for (not that I'm planning on going anywhere anytime soon). What would someone put on my tombstone?

I think I've settled on "She was a darn fine quilter!" so that's going to be my goal for 2012. Not a clean house, not losing weight, not quitting smoking (mostly because I don't). Just being a darn fine quilter.

What do you want on your tombstone?

I had a good long walk today with a friend, and a good long chat with another, and, since it's pouring rain with a chance of the temperature dropping and making it ice, I'm in for the evening. I have a nice bottle of Gilgamesh Port from Muir Murray Estate Winery in the Annapolis Valley hidden away in a cupboard waiting for a special occasion, and I think this might be it. Plus, there's a Dog the Bounty Hunter Marathon on TV! Port and Dog in the same evening - does it get any better? So . . . To 2012 . . . and quilting!

Happy Quilting! Happy New Year!
Maggie

Peace. . . .

2011-12-23T08:53:00.001-04:00

Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Robert Frost

1923

Merry Christmas.

Maggie

Completed Gift #3

2011-12-22T09:34:00.001-04:00

And finally, Gift # 3

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Happy Quilting!
Maggie

Completed gift #2

2011-12-18T19:01:00.000-04:00

This is McKenna Ryan's pattern In Full Bloom, pieced in batiks for my gardening neighbours. Hope they like it!

Happy Quilting!
Maggie

Completed gift #1

2011-12-16T14:56:00.000-04:00

I hate binding but since it's a necessary evil, and I prefer to finish it by hand, so there's nothing for it but to get at it. Gift #1 is now complete. For the sunflower lover who lives on a farm over by Wolfville . . . the petals are dimensional and two sided, and want to flop around.

AND, if you're in Canada, and you quilt, I found the most wonderful online shop:
www.flarefabrics.ca
AND they offer free shipping within Canada, AND they have the most wonderful batiks! My first order arrived this morning, and I couldn't be more pleased!

Happy Quilting!
Maggie

Hot Off the Sewing Machine!

2011-12-14T11:31:00.000-04:00

My newest design - just finished this morning:

Happy Quilting!
Maggie

I Bought a Head!

2011-12-12T10:29:00.001-04:00

I just bought a head! A mannequin, actually, but now I have a full litany of really bad head jokes going through my head . . . . . . . I'm a two headed quilter . . . . Got a headache? Use your other head . . . . . . Call a head for a reservation . . . . . sorry - I can't help it!

I'm working on setting up a second Etsy shop, focusing on handmade hats and scarves in really delicious fibers, and need a "model", since it's really tricky to model the scarf and take the picture at the same time, not to mention that wrinkles tend to put people off just a tich.

Bet you've got bad head jokes in your head now too . . . . . . sorry!

Happy Quilting!
Maggie

Ah, Spelling!

2011-12-09T11:05:00.001-04:00

I have a love/hate relationship with spelling mistakes. They annoy me, yet I love taking pictures of them. Here's the latest:

You'd think they could put a little of that tax money into spell check. . . maybe buy a dictionary . . . find a fifth grader to check their spelling ???

Have a great weekend!

Happy Quilting

Maggie

The Christmas Tree Story - a Cross Border Tale

2011-12-06T16:28:00.001-04:00

Ninety four years ago today, in 1917, at about 8:40 in the morning two munitions ships, The SS Mont-Blanc, a cargo ship from France, loaded with wartime explosive, accidentally collided with The SS Imo, a Norwegian ship, also loaded with explosives. The Mont-Blanc exploded shortly after. The resulting fire injured over 9000 people, and killed around 2000. All buildings within 2 kilometers of the harbour were levelled.

The explosion caused a tsunami in Halifax Harbour. It remains reportedly the world's largest man-made accidental explosion. As if that weren't enough, it was followed shortly after by a blizzard, dumping snow on the remains of the city and further slowing rescue work.

Among the first to offer assistance and aid was the state of Massachusetts, offering ship loads of doctors and nurses, followed by trainloads of people and supplies. Total relief aid from Massachusetts alone totalled
$750,000 US. In 1917, that was an amazing amount of aid.

Each year, to show our appreciation, the people of Nova Scotia ship to the city of Boston the biggest and finest Christmas tree available. This years tree was donated by Ken and Donna Spinney of Central Argyle, Yarmouth County. The 2011 Tree Lighting was held December 1st.

Happy Quilting!
Maggie

A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood!

2011-12-02T20:47:00.000-04:00

It was a beautiful day in the neighbourhood - Mahone Bay, that is. The Critter and I headed off this morning for a road trip and we had a great day!

The bay was beautiful:

The churches never looked finer:

The shops along the harbour were great! Of course, I visited Have a Yarn, www.haveayarn.ca
and stopped for a bite at The Gazebo Cafe (the BLT was super)!

The Critter wanted an ice cream in Stewiake on the way home, so of course, I had to join him; we ate outside at a picnic table. This is December??? Really???

Happy Quilting!
Maggie

Sale . . . . . Ssshhhhhhhhh!!

2011-11-24T16:41:00.000-04:00

I'm having a FREE SHIPPING SALE on my Etsy shop! When you make a purchase, enter the coupon code SNOWBANK and I'll ship it to you for free. Honest. Wherever you are! Until November 30th! But it's a secret - the Etsy people don't know about it. Ssshhhhhhh.

http://www.patchmaker.etsy.com/ or http://www.patchmaker.ca/

Happy Quilting!

Maggie

It's snowing . . . I'm sewing.

2011-11-23T15:31:00.001-04:00

The title about says it all; it's snowing and I'm sewing. What a great way to pass a snowy day!

Good news on the internet and email front - as of this morning, both my website and my email are working! Sometimes you win one!

Glad I'm not driving.

Happy Quilting!

Maggie

My day disappeared and my eyes won't focus!

2011-11-18T18:09:00.000-04:00

Well, today was the day - the day in which I would tackle the world of internet domain hosting companies and hopefully win. My old domain hosting company has been letting spam past their filters and into my inbox. Up to a hundred a day. Really, I don't need help with my debts, or an online ultrasound degree, or a quote on a forklift, or any of the other delights these emails were offering. Nor do I need 100 spams a day in my inbox.

So yesterday I called my former domain hosting company. My fingers are itching to name them right here so the world will know who they are, but I'll be a responsible citizen and keep it to myself. Anyways, for weeks now, I've emailed them & complained about spam. They've said nothing's wrong, and as soon as I signed off, magically the spam would stop for a couple of weeks, only to start up again. I'd email, they'd deny/deny/deny, and magically the spam would stop again.

But yesterday the LiveChat operator, Nichelle, suggested that I re-type every last one of the spammers email addresses into their Blacklist feature. I told her that just wasn't an option. At a hundred a day, that's a lot of typing. I'm a quilter, not a typer. Well, she replied, if I wasn't willing to help myself, there was nothing she could do.

That was it. Time to move on, kick them to the curb, scream hasta la vista baby, and slam the internet door in their face!

So today, having researched the options in depth, I signed up with a new domain hosting company, sent them off payment for a year (at half the price I was paying). All done; problem solved. NOT so FAST! Had to contact the old company and have them "unlock" the domain name, patchmaker.ca (Don't go there now - it doesn't work yet.) Live Chat again. Nichelle again. She told me what to do. I did it. Didn't work. I contacted Nichelle (again). Oops, she said, hadn't she told me I'd have to cancel? So I did. Only way to cancel is to send them $60 to buy out the domain name. Ok. At this point, anything to dump these people. They took the money, but the transfer still didn't work. Nichelle again. Oops, she said, didn't I mention that you have to send a letter requesting immediate cancellation? So I did. Still didn't work; the domain is still locked. Nichelle again. OK, she said. I've unlocked it. Guess what. Not unlocked. Live Chat again. Got a different person (thank you, goddess of the internet!) Nope, he said, it's not unlocked. I'll unlock it now. Guess away - didn't work. Live Chat again. Should be okay now.

Meanwhile, a very, very patient person at the new company, let's call him Fred, kept doing his best. After numerous attempts he finally got the domain transferred, only now it has to be re-registered for it to work.
And, my email isn't working. According to Fred this should resolve itself when the domain is formally re-registered. In 48 hours.

So, according to this process, the only way to change domain hosts involves losing your website for 48 hours, sending $60 for a domain I purchased 5 years ago, and not getting email for 2 days. This is not a good thing for an online business. Bet Bill Gates doesn't go through this!

Thankfully I have another email address, and had a moment of wisdom before all this happened in which I directed all my mail to the address that still works. So now, I'm getting 2 copies of everything. But that's better than none. Doncha love computers????? It's now 6 PM, I'm hungry, my eyes won't focus any more after all day online, not a stitch was sewn all day, and nothing's working except the email that shouldn't be working.

Going to pour a glass of wine now.

Happy Quilting!
Maggie

PS: Have to post a quilt picture just to make me feel better.

So Many Pictures, But No Camera!

2011-11-13T09:10:00.000-04:00

Friday was an incredibly rainy day here; statistics say that Halifax got over 100 mm of rain - about 3 inches. Here we got a mere 60 mm (only 2 inches), but I don't remember when I last saw it rain so hard. I tried to take a picture, but it doesn't quite do justice. Lets just say it was raining so much, The Critter was up to his Critter knees just walking around in the back yard.

Yesterday, I went to Lake Charlotte with a friend. There was an incredibly amount of standing water left from the storm. I had every intention of bringing home pictures of the lake, the water, the washed out roads, the puppies I met, the Zodiac I helped load in the truck (and yes, my neck and shoulder will forgive me - eventually), but when I dug the camera out to start clicking, the battery was absolutely dead. Duh! How could I have done that????? Sorry, no pics. And the puppies were very cute, too, but you'll just have to take my word for that!

I have another finish to report. This is the latest custom order, and it's on its way to its new home in the US.

I promised myself I'd spend some time building up stock, doing a decent job with my Etsy shop, and playing with the longarm machine, so that's where I'll be today. Here's one of the latest additions to my Etsy shop,
http://www.patchmaker.etsy.com/

Happy Quilting!
Maggie

Today . . .

2011-11-04T20:39:00.000-03:00

Today, I was called "an artist".
I don't think that's ever happened before.
Wow . . . .
Made my day!

Happy Quilting
Maggie

Decompression

2011-11-04T17:51:00.000-03:00

After a particularly difficult morning yesterday, The Critter and I headed for Victoria Park to decompress:

Just when you think you're alone, take a look at who's watching:

Apparently it was a good day for a swim:

Wonder who planted all of these trees in straight rows?

And, a finish!

Happy Quilting!
Maggie

Autumn Garage Sales

2011-11-02T10:30:00.000-03:00

Just thought I'd share the view from my studio on this fantastic fall day:

Last Saturday, while The Critter and I were enjoying our morning walk, we happened upon a sign that said "Garage Sale and Pottery". So, on the return trip, we made a short detour and we found an amateur potter, and all of these treasures!

This teapot's lid doesn't fit quite right, it's handle is out of proportion to its body, but I love its uniqueness (is that a word) and it brews two cups really, really good tea.

And as a bonus, I also found containers for my double pointed needles and my crochet hooks!

Happy Quilting!
Maggie

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T10:43:00.001-03:00

Happy Quilting

Maggie

The Inspiration . . . .

2011-10-24T17:46:00.000-03:00

The inspiration . . . . .

The result . . . . .

Happy Quilting!

Maggie

So, What's New?

2011-10-18T11:03:00.000-03:00

Seems like forever since I've been here to post! Its only been 10 days, but feels much longer. Here in Colchester County, we have this lovely thing called "Fall Clean Up Week". Maybe you have it too. Basically, it means that you can clean out your attic/basement/shed/garage and put almost anything at the curb and the wonderful people with the big green garbage trucks will come and haul it away for you. Well, I don't have a basement, the garage is done, we won't talk about the attic, but boy-oh-boy did my shed get cleaned out this week. I borrowed a friends pickup truck, and it took 3 trips from the back yard to the curb to haul the stuff out! BUT, now I have a clean and organized shed, where I found no less than 9, yes NINE, totes of fabrics and yarns I had forgotten about. And I can actually walk right up to them. I'm so happy with myself!

And just look what a good friend has given me:

This book is an amazing source of inspiration, and I have yet to be far from it. I've also noticed that visitors also tend to want a peek, and every so often, when all conversation stops, I find them lost in the book. If you have a chance to pick up a copy, I can highly recommend it!

The new snowblower has arrived . . . . bring on the blizzards. Of course, we probably won't have a single one this year, just because I'm ready! Some years here we have very little snow, and others, like last year, we're buried. Either way, I'm good.

The mittens I showed in an earlier post are just waiting for thumbs . . . . . soon!

Anyways, between goofing off, crocheting, knitting, cleaning, sorting, visiting, planning and hauling stuff to the curb, that's been my last 10 days. All those things take up an amazing amount of time! Back to the serious business of quilting!

What's new with you??

Happy Quilting!
Maggie

Cape Sable Island

2011-10-07T13:44:00.000-03:00

After a busy week of vacation on Nova Scotia's south shore, I'm back! You would simply not believe just how much can be crammed into a week, from a flute player in a pub, to a brush with a hurricane, to the most southerly point in Canada, I saw it all, and had a fabulous time!

We stopped Sunday for lunch at the Mug & Anchor Pub in Mahone Bay. There was an amazing trio of keyboard, cello, and flute for our listening pleasure, and they set the tone for the entire week.
http://www.themugandanchorpubltd.com/

Our destination was Shelburne. Shelburne is a very old town jam packed with history.

We checked out the history:

and the local real estate market:

We visited Cape Sable Island (on one of only 2 sunny days of the whole week). The pictures don't convey the power of the waves on the north Atlantic, but you get the idea.

We paused in Gunning Cove

Stopped again in Mahone Bay for some shopping, and headed on home

Now back to the serious business of quilting!

Happy Quilting

Maggie

"Interesting" Comments

2011-09-24T16:03:00.000-03:00

From an RCMP officer in New Brunswick, to my friend who was returning to Nova Scotia following a trip to Boston:
"Ya don't have any illegal aliens locked in your trunk, do ya?"

AND

From the investment manager at my bank (We were chatting about life in general and I mentioned my plans to buy a new snowblower this winter.)

"Surely you don't still push a snowblower . . . at your age???"

Maybe I really am older than dirt!

Happy Quilting!
(Really Old) Maggie

Free Shipping Sale!!!

2011-09-23T07:14:00.000-03:00

Great news . . . . . the website re-design is complete, and to celebrate I'm offering free shipping on purchases from my website, http://www.patchmaker.ca/

Happy Quilting!
Maggie

It Isn't Summer Any More!

2011-09-18T07:40:00.000-03:00

Picture it . . . . 7 AM . . . . I head off out the door to dump the cat litter . . . . . in my bare feet - of course, it's summer! Or is it?? Seems a little chilly on the feet . . . . and then I see it! That's frost on the car!! Fortunately, we had a frost warning, so all of the portable blooming potted plants spent the night in The Factory (aka the sewing room), and they're fine.

I managed to do something painful to my neck on Friday, so I've been watching the world (and a few old movies) from the comfort of my recliner, and I also had a little time to put in on these:

They're in the Berroco Ultra Alpaca yarn I picked up at Gaspereau Valley Fibres last weekend, and they're deliciously soft. I just happened to (accidentally, of course) buy yarn that (accidentally, of course) would go really well with my winter jacket - you know, just in case I knit them in my size (accidentally, of course), and I decided to keep them for myself - but that would almost, probably, never happen. Maybe.

Today, I'm back in "The Factory", and here's what's on the design wall. These are 12" blocks, for a queen sized top, and, except for the black, they're all hand dyed fabrics.

The finished top will have 3 different blocks, and will look something like this:

Happy Quilting!

Maggie

Blue, Blue, Blue

2011-09-12T10:58:00.001-03:00

It was a blue weekend . . . but not me - the weather! The sky was blue, the Bay of Fundy was blue, even the house I was visiting at was blue. We - the Critter and Me - went to the Annapolis Valley for a couple of days to visit a friend and we had a great time!

The view of the valley from the deck:

The Critter got a T-Bone (the actual bone - I had the steak) and has been hauling it around with him ever since. He was a very happy boy!

Of course, a stop at Avonport Fabrics was completely necessary. I even bought blue fabric!

And a stop at Gaspereau Valley Fibers, where I couldn't resist these treasures. Sorry, no blue here.

Saturday, Karen and I toured the Fundy Shore, from Hall's Harbour as far as Morden, taking every little road we could find that looked like it went to the harbour. This is Hall's Harbour:

We came across this fellow in our travels:

So now I'm off to sew. Nothing like a little new fabric to inspire creativity!

Happy Quilting!
Maggie

The Stuff on the Fridge

2011-09-08T12:02:00.000-03:00

We all have it . . . . . the stuff on the door (or in my case, the side) of the fridge, and I've been thinking about organizing it for a while, in keeping with my new less-cluttered resolution. The February 2011 issue of Quilter's World has an article called Four-Pocket Organizer by Julie R. Filatoff that inspired me, but of course, I had to make it my way! I used pre-quilted fabric, added a pocket or two, and changed the size, but it's a finish!

The "unloaded version"

The "loaded version"

Happy Quilting!

Maggie

Life is Just a Walk in the Park!

2011-09-06T10:13:00.000-03:00

What did you do with the long weekend? Did you even have a long weekend - I know lots of people have to work (me included - I have such a nasty boss - LOL!) But I did manage to fit in some time for a walk in the park with The Critter.

I've been wanting to get a picture of this inukshuk all summer, but on the rare occasion I remembered to actually take the camera, it usually wound up forgotten in the car. This weekend, however, the stars must have all been correctly aligned because both camera and inukshuk were together

It was a beautiful weekend for hiking. When does a walk become a hike??? In my mind, if it's over 2 hours, it's a hike, so this weekend included no less than 2 hikes. The Critter learned to climb stairs - the far spaced, open, wooden kind, and we had a great time.

September, for me, marks the beginning of "official" quilting season - yeah, like I don't quilt all summer too. I set myself up a new work schedule - 2.5 hours working, take an hour off, 2.5 hours working, take an hour off - amazing what you can get done in a day! At least this works for me - a leftover from my kennel keeper days when everyone gave me a hard time for my long breaks, but I sure got a lot done.

Yesterday's finish . . . . .

I'm giving the "Monday Oldie" feature a vacation. It was getting boring, even to me! It may be back later, or maybe not.

Happy Quilting!
Maggie

Hurricanes and Friends!

2011-08-28T21:20:00.000-03:00

It's 9 PM on Sunday night, and I'm sitting here waiting for Hurricane Irene, who is actually now only a Tropical Storm, to arrive, but somehow I think it's more of a "Goodnight Irene" than anything. It's a bit windy, and has been raining off and on all day, but, then the wind isn't supposed to pick up until later, so maybe the worst it yet to come. Hmmmm . . . . do I sleep in the bedroom under the old maple tree and wait for it to fall on me, or do I opt for the recliner in the living room (which, for the record is only minimally farther from the maple tree). Hmmmmm. . . .

And check this out! I got mentioned in Vivian's blog, Quilting Under the Midnight Sun! This is so cool!

http://quiltingunderthemidnightsun.blogspot.com/

Happy Quilting!
Maggie

Hitting the Road - for a Day

2011-08-22T16:21:00.000-03:00

Yesterday was a warm sunny day, so the Critter and I headed out to Pictou and a chance to sit on the wharf for a while. There's nothing like wave-watching to restore peace and calm. Pictou (pronounced PICK-toe, for those who haven't been here) was settled by Scottish settlers in 1773, who arrived on on the ship The Hector. The waterfront there is a favorite spot to sit and ponder the state of the universe, and maybe have an ice cream too. This is a reproduction of The Hector:

We sat on the wharf and soaked up some sun:

The occasional boat came and went:

I wonder who built this little house:

Some of the buildings around town are interesting too. The building on the right is the former Post Office, and it's for sale, if you feel like a really big reno project:

And, I'm pleased to report a finish - the Jacqueline de Jonge top, Circle of Life, that I've been working on for a couple of weeks:

So, to honour the Scots who arrived in 1773 aboard the Hector, here's a Scottish Cross pattern from the KC Star in 1945.

Happy Quilting!
Maggie

An (Almost) Finish, and a Monday Oldie

2011-08-15T20:47:00.000-03:00

The problem with having a longarm machine, is that the more quilts you finish, the more you want to keep! This one is waiting for binding (as are several others), and then it may be staying right here.

For this week's Monday Oldie we have "Waves of the Sea" from the 1930's. I think they meant for it to be a two color block, but it would be a great scrap-stash buster done in scrappy bits.

Happy Quilting!
Maggie

It's Raining Again . . . . Duh!

2011-08-08T20:15:00.000-03:00

Yup, it's raining again. . . .
On the plus side, we aren't worried about wells drying up; the flowers don't need daily watering; too wet to cut the grass; the car's getting a free wash; it isn't a hurricane; and it's great quilting weather! We're supposed to maybe, possibly see some sunshine on Wednesday. If we do, boy or boy, I'm hitting the road and going somewhere - anywhere, where I can smell the ocean and see the surf and walk in the sand. . . . But in the mean time, here are some pictures of what summer would look like around here if it wasn't raining. These were taken a couple of years ago . . . . . . . my goodness, how time flies!

So anyway, I spent the day working on a Jacqueline de Jonge pattern, Circle of Life. I'm having a great time with it, and I love the way it's coming together!

You can see more at her website:

http://www.becolourful.nl/

The inner star is done, and I'm starting on the first ring of New York Beauty blocks.

For today's Monday oldie, I've chosen a redwork umbrella pattern. (If you have a Nova Scotia vacation booked, you're gonna need one!)

Happy Quilting!
Stay Dry!

Maggie

Dogs

2011-08-02T08:14:00.000-03:00

Here's a question for you . . . . . . .
We humans spend hours training our dogs. We read books, watch videos, take classes, and the list goes on. So why is it that the dogs have us trained in the first week, without a single book, video, or class????

Here are a couple of vintage dog patterns for the embroiderers and redworkers among us, for the Monday oldie, and yes, I realize it's Tuesday.

Happy Quilting!

Maggie

A Little Treasure

2011-07-29T19:20:00.000-03:00

My friend Janet and I set off this morning in search of a new craft shop on the way to the Joggins Fossil Cliffs
http://jogginsfossilcliffs.net/

We found the craft shop easily; Janet has some of her thrummed mittens and slippers for sale there, and her DIL has some of her hand painted signs as well, and Janet wanted to do a "mystery shopper" visit to check the place out. And wouldn't you know, I forgot to take a picture. Next time!

Anyways, then we decided to check out Amherst; http://www.amherst.ca/history-of-amherst.html
we'd both always driven right by on the highway without venturing into town, so it was time for a visit. We started off at Dayle's Department store, http://www.dayles.ca/ and found some great bargains. Check out the mural over their door:

That worked up an appetite, so the next stop was at Bella's Bistro for lunch, where I had the absolute best, melt in your mouth, reuben sandwich I've had in years!

We spent some time looking around town; the architecture is amazing - massive red brick buildings everywhere! This looked rather like New York City meets Harry Potter:

We stopped on the way out of town at a used book store; there must be literally millions of books there. We were both looking for a particular authors who are not easy to find, and thought surely they must be there! The fellow working didn't seem open to browsers, and kept telling us how "not one single person ever puts a book back where it belongs!", as he took the books out of our hands and put them back on the shelves, so we backed carefully out and went on our way, having a chuckle at the overprotective bookseller's expense, and headed home.

Have a great weekend! Happy Quilting!
Maggie

Happy Monday, and it's a Beautiful One

2011-07-25T09:02:00.000-03:00

It's a beautiful Monday morning here. It's cool, meaning we all got to sleep last night, but heading for a high of 24 degrees Celsius (about 75 F), which is what I consider to be the perfect summer day. You'd think I could come up with something more exciting than grocery shopping!

The July/August 2011 issue of Piecework Magazine has an article called "Home Work from Victorian Canada" by Rebecca Blair.

I have a copy of the book mentioned in this article, and I love it! It has dozens of wonderful patterns for crochet and knit laces and edgings. When I cleared out my mother's house 11 years ago, I found the book tucked away, and claimed it immediately. It's dated 1891, and apparently they were issued in different colors, as mine is blue, while the one pictured in Piecework is brown. As you can see, it has been "well loved", but then it's 120 years old.

Sometimes it's nice to sit and crochet in the evening, and right now I'm working on an edging, which I think would look super on pillow cases. Some of the instructions are a bit difficult to follow, but once you learn to think like a Victorian lady, it's a piece of cake.

Keep your eyes open; if you happen to find a copy, it's a keeper! And, who knows when you might need a pattern like # 162 - Nets for Horses Ears, or maybe # 33 - Muff in Tricot Stitch.

In the mean time, happy quilting!

Maggie

I Completely Forgot!

2011-07-18T14:21:00.000-03:00

I completely forgot to post a Monday oldie last week! But I have a good excuse; I was a bit distracted by the new addition to my business:

It's a Husqvarna Mega Quilter on an Inspira frame, and has both the Quilter's Cruise Control, and a pantograph. So far, I love the pantograph, but haven't gotten used to the Cruise Control; it seems slow to react, but it's probably just my lack of experience!

I did manage to finish the Queen sized top I was working on:

It's a custom order, for someone looking for Laurel Burch-ish colors, and will be on it's way to its new home later this week.

This week's Monday Oldie is from the Detroit News, date unknown, but the name intrigued me, or maybe just made be hungry. It's called Pork & Beans.

And, because I forgot last week, here's a little cat to applique. Isn't she sweet??

Happy Quilting!

Maggie

Just Look . . .

2011-07-09T17:58:00.000-03:00

It was a grey, rainy, cool day today, but these guys followed me home from the Farmer's Market this morning, and they didn't seem to mind the rain at all!

Happy Quilting!
Maggie

Quote of the Day

2011-07-07T09:23:00.001-03:00

On the local radio station this morning:

"It doesn't look like it was done by hand; that's how good it is."

They were doing an interview with a local artist, who is working with hockey player Sidney Crosby.

Kinda puts everyone who does amazing things by hand in our places, doesn't it?????

Happy quilting!
Maggie

Ice Cream!

2011-07-04T18:15:00.000-03:00

Happy 4th of July to all of my readers in the U.S.! Have a hot dog for me!

The Critter and I took a drive over the mountain this afternoon, and discovered an ice cream stand at a fork in the road, so, of course, we stopped for a cone.

We ended up in a little town called Wallace, or as their signage says, "Wallace by the Sea". It was cloudy when we got there:

But the sun came out while we were there.

And so the Monday Oldie for this week is called Ice Cream Cone, from the Kansas City Star in 1942.

Happy Quilting!
Maggie

Happy 144th Birthday Canada!

2011-07-01T07:23:00.001-03:00

Gypsies and Hummingbirds

2011-06-27T13:30:00.000-03:00

And, we're back! Canada Post has been legislated back to work, and the mail should start moving again tomorrow. My job for this afternoon is to get my Etsy shop up and running again!

So my baby is growing up. The Critter, who recently turned a whole year old, is off to Doggie Day Care today, so that he can meet some canine friends, and see some people other than me, and generally have some fun. He was so excited when I dropped him off that he didn't even notice when I left! I'm expecting a tired Critter tonight.

Recently, a friend and I decided to go get lost in the countryside on a Saturday morning. We discovered many treasures, including the Great Village Farmers Market - more on that in a later post. And we also discovered The Gypsy Wagon, in Glenholme!

Doesn't this look like a spot that would be full of treasures? And it was, too!

You can read more about it here, if you're interested.

http://www.theshorelinejournal.com/may1016.pdf

The Gypsy Wagon inspired this week's Monday Oldie; I chose a Wheel of Fortune block, from The Star Weekly Farmer, from the early 1930's.

My trip to the Annapolis Valley (known locally as "up the valley") included a stop at the Annapolis Royal Farmer's Market, where local wineries have stalls. I needed a bottle of wine for my faithful pet sitter, who also loves hummingbirds, and I found this one from the Annapolis Highland Vineyards. The shop keeper told me that they had put out a call for local artists to design labels, thinking they might get a hundred submissions. They got over 800, and this was one of the 8 chosen designs. I thought it was a perfect choice!

Happy Quilting!
Maggie

Waiting out the Postal Strike!

2011-06-20T10:57:00.000-03:00

No, I haven't disappeared from both Etsy and Ebay! I'm just waiting out the Postal Strike, which basically has my business shut down right now. I understand the issues on both sides, but I also know, right now, I can't sell anything, because I can't ship anything, and haven't since this started June 2nd. As a self-employed person, this isn't a good feeling! I realize from reading the Etsy forums, that most people in the U.S. don't know there's a strike going on, so I thought I should explain my absence! I will be back! I haven't stopped sewing! And rumour has it that the Canadian government may legislate them back to work later this week. Fingers crossed.

I've been working with a friend on a Card Trick quilt. I really like the pattern, but I just don't seem to be able to get my brain around the color layout. And since misery loves company, here's the pattern if you want to give it a try! If you have EQ, just do a search, and you'll find it.

Happy Quilting
Maggie

A Short But Happy Tale

2011-06-19T09:21:00.001-03:00

If you're in Nova Scotia, and you drive in Truro, you must know that we have the most courteous drivers anywhere. (We also have very strange traffic patterns, but that's another story.) So, if anything happens, we stop. Traffic light might turn yellow, we stop. Pedestrian who might want to cross, we stop. Nearing an uncontrolled intersection, we stop. Sometimes we stop for no reason at all. (Drives me crazy sometimes, but that's another story too.)

So yesterday I was driving down Queen Street, one of the main "cross town" streets. The car coming towards me stopped. The trick is to figure out why he stopped, and in this case, it was because a woodchuck was crossing the road. The cars behind him stopped. I stopped. The cars behind me stopped. The woodchuck was scared and was running around under the first car. We all stayed stopped. Mrs. Woodchuck gathered up all her nerve and scooted out from under the car, over the curb and back into the trees. And so, no orphaned Baby Woodchucks. Sometimes stopping is good.

Happy Quilting
Maggie