Winter.....

boy, oh boy, I didn't even get to post about Fall... I got home from my trip to Las Vegas to this..... YES..... snow.... and it has been snowing for two days now.... today we are sort of "snowed in", although the temperature itself isn't too bad - about -4 Celsius.





I taught two machine quilting classes to the Lebel House Quilters in Pincher Creek, Alberta before my trip. This is a picture of the Lebel House - it is an old mansion that has been used as a rooming house, hospital, school, etc... and is currently used as an Arts Centre. I just LOVE old buildings like this and I really enjoyed the classes I taught - met some great quilters.

Last week at this time I was in Vegas... and the temperature was 20 Celsius..... LOL.... at least I have gotten lots done today.... snow days are productive quilting days...

Thought for the Day
Know well what leads you forward and what holds you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom.
The Buddha

Fall......

has begun where I live - as a matter of fact we might even see some snow flurries in the next day or so..... > I made a cute little purse out of some fabric that we got in at the shop that I work at.... reminds me of the fall harvest.

Thought for the Day

In the depth of winter I finally learned there was in me invincible summer

Alberta Camus

Perhaps I am .....

Pumpkin Crazy????? this has to be at least the 4th or 5th item I have done in the last few weeks.... oh well, ...... this is going to be given as a thank you gift....

I mentioned a few posts ago about a great little tutorial on making fabric baskets.... As I am still not feeling so great, I spent some time sewing today... and I made two.... the one on the right is the size from the blog... and the one on the left is made just a tad bigger. These will be great for Christmas gifts, I think.... or even as hostess gifts, or secret sister gifts... well, the list goes on.

I have also spoken about Shirley's group a lot - her Learning Fiber Arts Group is a really great little group. I made a tote bag a few posts back and really loved it... so I thought I would make another one for a family member for Christmas... I think it turned out really great and I hope ???? likes it. LOL

Thought for the Day

People with glass Pumpkins shouldn't throw gourds

Pumpkin Nook

It's the time of year...

for a Harvest Moon!!! This brilliant moon appeared the other night and I just had to have a picture of it... I just love the fall!!!

I have been keeping busy with quilting... At present, I am quilting a customer quilt that is just absolutely stunning.... I am having such a great time with it... I would love to share pics... but.... isn't fair until she sees it... so stay tuned..... I am on day 3 of quilting...lots of intricate free motion quilting... which is what I love.

My friend, Shirley, has some exciting tutorials on her blog. Check it out, you will definately learn something! I am battling a cold at the moment :( ..... the first one I have had in almost a year... so that's pretty good.... taking it easy - lots of sleep.....and orange juice...

Thought for The Day

A wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings, and learn how by his own thought to derive benefit from his illnesses.

Hippocrates

Happy Thanksgiving.....

This is the frost I woke up to yesterday morning.... it was cooolllld.... but today it has warmed up to above freezing, so Magpie and I can have our daily walk. We did walk yesterday in the afternoon, but the wind was biting. This view is out my front door..... As it is Thanksgiving weekend end Canada, I want to wish all my friends a happy "turkey" day... I am thankful for my wonderful family and friends, and the new life I have found.


I made another pumpkin wallhanging when I taught this class earlier in the week. I like to "quilt" along with my students.... sometimes I end up with a few of the same things! I like this darker colorway... and I added a crow on the pumpkin...



While I was working away on this little wallhanging... I decided I needed a little "Autumn" jacket of some kind... so I used my applique pieces and made a jacket out a sweatshirt. I really enjoyed making this... took an afternoon....

Thought for The Day
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Happy Autumn.......

Taking a walk the other morning.... I just had to snap this picture...... today we have rain and it is very cold......... can winter be far away????

I have been working on a class sample for a Christmas Table Runner. I made two - a small one with applique and a larger one with a great Christmas print that I only had a Fat Quarter of..... let me know your thoughts..... This worked up very quickly and it is a beginner project. Most will be able to finish the top in two hours or so..... I now have Christmas gifts for my neighbours!

Thought for The Day
Every man has a rainy corner of his life whence comes foul weather which follows him.
Jean Paul

A new week.......

came upon me rather quickly. I have had some great walks over the past few days.... here is some of our wonderful scenery......every day the leaves are more beautiful and there are more colors....











We have had bears around the last couple of weeks, as there are many many little berries just waiting to be feasted upon.... so far I haven't seen one.... but there is lots of "poops" around, so I am careful not to walk too early in the morning, and if I do I carry a whistle and an air horn, just in case. Magpie, the Boston Terrier, almost had a run in with a porcupine a few days ago... she was investigating in the shrubs and I noticed something moving that I thought was furry... but it wasn't furry... I think we were exceptionally lucky... she didn't get too close but if it had been any closer we might have had a nasty accident. My adventures in the wild!!



I finished a great little table runner a few days ago... it is wool and hand appliqued, using a blanket stitch.... I bought it as a kit and I think it looks so cute.... I spent most of this afternoon quilting.....








and received this great swap in the mail yesterday.... it was a "craft" swap, from England, and I was so excited with all the goodies.

Thought for the Day
Earth's crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God; And only he who sees takes off his shoes; The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Fall Days.....

....another pic of the beautiful fall morning today..... although it is raining this afternoon.

If I walk early enough there are still little spider webs in the grass..... these webs must disintegrate when the sun comes out. Some days there are lots of them..... the bad part... you don't want to see the furry creatures that make them - LOL

I received another block for my civil war quilt from my August Blockswap partner..... as always, it is just perfect and the quilt is getting closer and closer to being put together.

Don't forget to enter my give away!!

Thought for the Day
I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air.
Nathaniel Hawthorne

Give-Away Sunday.........

As this is my 100th post, I am having a give away..... the rules are pretty standard - leave a comment and if you post on your blog about my give away, you will have an extra chance to win.. I will draw on Friday, September 12... This is what I will send you if you win. This is a small machine appliqued wall hanging - made of hand dyed fabrics, except for the print which is from Japan. Good Luck!
I must be able to email you if you win.... so leave an email address or blog address. If there is not way to contact you.... I will have to draw another name.

Happy Sunday... The leaves are falling.... this picture is from our morning walk yesterday...

Thought for the Day
I have been lucky enough to live on my obsession. This is my only success.
Francis Bacon

My morning walk.....

the leaves are starting to turn color in Northern Alberta. This is the road that Magpie and I take on our morning walk..... I am sure as the weeks progress that we will see some beautiful color. I just love Fall - I love to quilt using fall colors too...




I spent the Labour Day weekend in Calgary and the weather there was a tad on the chilly side also... it was so great to see the wonderful mountains!! .... they are starting to be snow covered.... it was an extremely pretty site. This view is looking west from Crescent Road - the bridge over the Bow River is 14th Street Bridge. I grew up in this area as a child.....



I have been busy the last few days also... getting some UFO's done... this quilt is made from some vintage blocks that I purchased on Ebay a few years ago..... I put the quilt together with some homespun fabric... and I think it makes a very nice quilt... I am going to quilt feathered wreaths in the plain blocks.... and???? in the pieced blocks.... The pieced blocks are all made from old shirting fabrics and are hand stitched...


I also put the finishing touches on a few items that I am donating to the Boston Terrier Club of Canada Rescue. They are having a craft sale in Eastern Canada in October and I am sending these items to them for their sale. The little quilts are actually crate blankets.... made raggy style.....






Last, but not least, I completed a nine patch block to be sent to Australia and quilted up a lovely little Fall panel that I have had forever...... The next few days will be spent with a customer quilt......


Keep watching my blog for my 100th post!! I have a great give-away (well, I think it's great - LOL)

Thought for the Day
The essential question is not, "How busy are you?" but "What are you busy at?" "Are you doing what fulfills you?"
Oprah Winfrey