I love this recent customer quilt, it was one of two, this one has such a fun colourful backing.
I chose the pantograph Waterworld as it continues to add the movement in the border fabric.The fun fabric choice for the backing is delightful!!
I spent part of yesterday rearranging some of my fabrics and checking through my collection of solids…what a surprise to realize how much I have accumulated over the years. Some was gifted from a precious friend who has been along my journey for many years making the up coming plans even more fun.
2022 is coming and before I know it will be here, I am considering goals for myself. I not only plan to work with solids but hope to plan a few leader ender projects and see where that takes me. I have always loved scrappy quilts and I certainly have more than enough variety to play.
I had such great hopes of hours of quilting time yesterday. Thankfully my neck and back are fine from Thursday’s accident.
I was on my way to report the accident as there are limited hours to do that due to Covid , when Eriks Mom called with abdominal pain. Long story short she had a bowel obstruction due to a hernia the good new is that she had surgery and is recovering. We are thankful that she called and has been so well cared for at our hospital.
I love waking up early, while it’s still dark and while enjoying my coffee watching the day begin out of our picture window. My view is mostly trees…it seems every morning is a new view. It is a quiet and peaceful way to begin a new day.
Life seems to move so quickly and working from home I for the most part have the option of not having to drive during the busier hours that I did while in the work force.
My morning commute is a quick walk down the stairs to my Longarm or sewing room. Erik and I are in such a nice for the most part season of our lives.
Yesterday was not a quiet day but a full one that involved driving more than usual. Yesterday I was rear ended by an overwhelmed young Mom. She was so apologetic and we were both shocked…we were all ok thankfully.
She reminded me a little of myself 20 years ago. Life moves quickly and some things that I have observed …being a few minutes late is not the end of the world, being mindful and practicing being more in the moment is very beneficial especially while driving.
On other news, I have been looking for Reynolds Freezer paper for my up coming adventures with The Color Collective by Tara Faughnan and Sewtopia.
I finally ordered some on Amazon. It doesn’t seem to be available in Canada anymore. I sure miss our quick trips across the border.
I am looking forward to more relaxed mornings and quilting days. The coming season is so perfect for quilting.
We have been incredibly spoiled this fall with warm days. A couple of days ago the high was actually 20C which is unusual for this time of year in this area. Now that the October full moon has passed the colder air seems to be upon us at least it sure feels like it this morning! It’s -4C with a feels like -8C…
Liam has been with us this week and I remind him that in a month or two those temperatures will seem warm! Still it sure makes it hard to crawl out of a warm bed in the morning and we will very soon be turning on the furnace.
We have been busy around here getting ready for winter. The gardens are empty and tilled, the pool is covered and parts stored away. It is time to give in and bring the boots in from the shed and tuck away the summer shoes.
Thankfully my quilting keeps me warm and happy. My customer quilts delight me. I love the transformation from top to quilt!
I continue to work away on my Longtime Gone quilt. The most recent block is trip around the world. It was laid out for weeks before I finally sat down and sewed.
This block consists of 121 1.5” squares. I have fun choosing different backgrounds for these blocks.
This has been the hottest and driest summer that I can remember. We had hoped to take a small trip somewhere however it just hasn’t worked out.
We thought about a trip to Grand Beach Manitoba but with record making temperatures we decided to stay at our own resort where we can use the pool anytime and enjoy the comforts of home and air conditioning.
I have been teaching Liam how to make Finnish pancakes and the other day he showed his Mom his special way of eating them! canned whipping cream is not something that I would normally buy however once in a while… he does have fun with it.
I have spent some time helping and visiting with my granddaughter and the cousin love is just so precious!
They are always so delighted to see each other!
In Texas news my eldest Grandson started Grade 6 this week. We are really hoping for a visit as it’s been way too long!
We visited with friends of ours, during covid lockdowns they decided to learn to use hula hoops so bought tubing from the hardware store and weighted them with water…and they both mastered them!
Erik has been busy with his new to him tool which the grandsons both asked if they could drive it as soon as they saw it!
I have been busy with family, gardening and of course quilting. My Longtime gone piecing has been a little slow this month though with Liam returning to school in a couple of weeks that should change.
I am almost halfway done making the little churn dash blocks, I love the small piecing.Creative chaos!
Of course my summer has also involved my customer quilts…look for my next post soon.
Liam and his Dad brought out Liams first dirt bike last week, he has been learning to drive it and yesterday he explained to me how the gears work and when you use the different ones.
Sometimes he and Pappa will go for rides through the trails they both look so happy as they play! Liam also drives around the yard and through the paths closer to the house…I can often hear him singing as he drives.
Making memories
We also hiked Rabbit Mountain this week. Erik and Liam climbed the straight up hike up the hydro line. I preferred the other path this time still a good hike but a little more relaxing for me.
The base of their hike
Many hours were spent in the pool this week along with Liam eating and picking many of Mummus raspberries and and a couple of bowls of ice cream there as well.
Liam loves the decorative pillows that came in a bed in a bag years ago…Erik not so much as it seems silly to him to have to remove and replace unnecessary pillows from a bed.
Liam on the other hand has had hours of fun with them. Yesterday after arriving he created a little nest for himself so I handed him the book he has been reading…
I have always loved reading to children and Liam has been no exception. Encouraging him to read for pleasure has not always been met with excitement or even willingness.
I asked my friends son who is 13 for book recommendations and he suggested the And Then it happened series. His Mom said oh her son has outgrown the recommended age group but still pulls them out and reads for fun.
As his Mom put it these books have stories about pranks, farts, stinky, muddy stuff etc… perfect for a 9 1/2 yr old boy.
The link below gives a chapter from each book to sample… I ended up buying the series from Amazon to have in our library here for years of fun reading.
This journey of life is so often winding and full of twists and turns and mine of late has been just that. So far this summer has been extremely full.
Birthday Roses a gift from last years birthday that bloomed on my day this year!
I celebrated my birthday last month and was so surprised when several of our daughters (we have 7 combined) and all but one of our grandchildren (he lives in Texas) came over to visit and have a impromptu pool and dinner party. It was so much fun!!! How can you beat the joy and laughter of family.
There have been medical appointments for family members who I do my best to be there for and this last week also involved a one day trip to Toronto for tests. A two hour flight each way and thankfully my sister by choice was there to drive us to and from the hospital…that was a full day!
Eriks Mom and I waiting for our first flight!
There are some more medical situations happening and the coming weeks will involve big decisions and changes for members of our family. Aging is not always easy.
My Dad however is turning 84 next week, he just bought himself a new bike and is really enjoying that freedom and fun. It’s nice to see. He has spent the last couple of years learning and perfecting his cooking skills and he told me last night that my brother has bought a Ninja Foodie…Dad bought one because I have one and he has been encouraging my brother to get one as well. Dad told me last night that my brother bought one yesterday.
Liam is still here almost every weekday. I love his fun and laughter and feel so blessed that we can be such a big part of his life! He keeps our pool well stirred up. He really enjoyed his guy day with Pappa while I was in Toronto and the next day…because they couldn’t fit it all in started driving the go cart…pictures to follow in another post.
Liam chilling during our heat wave
So….Life sure has its moments and as much of it brings joy some of it is really heavy and can make me so weary. My quilting life really does as always get me through. My current customer quilt is mostly freehand fill and puts me in a wonderful zen mode.
My Longtime Gone blocks are coming along … it’s not a project to rush through instead I am savouring each step.
It amazes me at times how much fabric I have accumulated over the years. I have had so much fun pulling from scraps that have been gifted and then digging through my own bits and pieces…a few (maybe more than a few) fatquarters have followed me home from Donnas shop in Pass Lake and a little online shopping as well for background fabrics. Or is this just a little stash enhancement.
Also a little thread wax as I have never tried it before.
Yesterday’s trip included some fun for Liam, as he got to meet and hold Oreo…this little guy was found by Donna’s grandson and was almost expired before he set out to revive the baby which he clearly has. (There are plans to release him when he appears to be ready…hopefully it won’t involve a certain scent 🦨)
The fun hoodie Liam is wearing was a little big on him just a few weeks ago!
Piecing Long Time Gone has been just the project for relaxation this summer. The piecing really isn’t difficult and has enough variety to keep it interesting and what a fantastic opportunity to play with colour!
I hesitated to share the following picture on my blog but in many ways it helps describe January 2021!
Moda Blockheads 3
We are once again in lockdown in Ontario, though this one seems a little easier for some and more challenging for others. Winter here is not always easy, thankfully for the most part we have had surprisingly mild weather.
I am blessed with family and also the ability to help as needed. It has been a busy month but also a rewarding month. We had a health scare in the family and this week received good news such a huge relief for us all.
So one day a week or so ago I was tired, and feeling like I hadn’t had any me time…I also had a whole day to myself! I made the most of it and played with my toys and made a mess. I rarely do any paper piecing but I did enjoy making the love block and it inspired me to keep going on the Moda Blockheads quilt that I began a year ago.
Wendy’s Quilting and Life 