Monday, August 29, 2011

Every Inchie Monday #35

Change: to substitute another or others; to transform or convert; exchange for or replace with another, usually of the same kind or category.

 The birth of a baby brings so many Changes. A couple becomes a family - a mom and dad. Another child becomes becomes a sister or brother, then there is the aunt and uncle, grandmother and grandfather. Of course, there is the never ending (or so it seems) job of Changing diapers.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Let's go to the Ex

That's the theme song heard every year at this time advertising the Canadian National Exhibition - better known by one and all as the CNE or just simply "the Ex." Eighteen days leading up to Labour Day, the Ex opens up and everyone knows that the summer holidays will soon be over and school will then begin. It's the last chance teenagers have of obtaining a summer job - even for a couple of weeks. The last day of the Ex is always Labour Day and then the first day of school falls the next day. Always has been. My children went every year - with or without the parents - until other things became more important. When my sons (and my eldest daughter) were older, they volunteered as Scouts (Venturers) and helped push wheelchair patrons around the grounds. Free transit tickets to get to the Ex, free admission and free food is what they got in return. To young teenagers it was a lot of fun. One day was usually Kids Day and that was a very crowded day. I think we avoided attending then. It has changed over the years but the smells are same - fried onions, hot dogs, cotton candy... This year of course, they had deep fried butter (no kidding), deep fried Twinkies and several other deep fried concoctions. My youngest son Eric actually had a Krispie Kreme hamburger -  said to be about 1500 calories.


Note: photo stolen taken without permission (I'll get it later.)

The reason for this post is to bring you all down memory lane. Last night my husband, my daughter, her boyfriend and myself went to the Ex to watch Neil Sedaka. He was singing in an outdoor venue called the Bandshell. The concert was free with the purchase of your entry to the CNE grounds but because my daughter has connections, the tickets were free. It was a great night weather-wise and the music was truly wonderful. Neil Sedaka's Greatest Hits was the very first LP I bought as a young girl. I listened to it constantly and new all the songs.

This was taken just now. It wasn't hard to find the record because it was the first one in my record box.

Not a good photo since my daughter's boyfriend didn't have a zoom on his camera. All of these next photos were taken by my daughter Maili.

Luckily, they had big screens.

Neil Sedaka's older now (who isn't), but his voice is still good.

He sang some oldies.

And he sang some new songs that he had composed only two weeks ago.

We didn't have seats - we stood but that was OK. You could move to the music better then. The concert started at 7:30 p.m. and it was still light out. By the time it ended, at around 9:00 p.m., it was getting dark. We left the area and headed to the Midway then.

Crowds.

Stuffed things to be won. My daughter and I wondered what happened to all the stuffed toys once they got to their new home. Really, what does one do with them? We saw two not-too-big men carrying a huge stuffed monkey with a banana. I guess their girlfriends were impressed. The thing was just as big if not bigger than they were. Comical it was.

Lots of games of chance and people just waiting to take your money.

A ring toss that my daughter decided to try for. 5 rings for each of us to try our luck. I didn't bother and nothing was won. Those are all small glass bottles with taller gold coloured bottles. I guess you get a bigger, better prize if your ring lands around its neck.

This is a ride that goes up slowly and then plunges towards the ground quickly - ending softly at the bottom.

Colourful Ferris Wheel.

Another ride.

Lots of lights.

Lots of food stands.

Lots of people. The faint purple light in the middle of the photo is the CN Tower.

Lots to see with a lot of walking.

My daughter checking out the magic mirror - making her short and squat.

We split a waffle with ice cream. It was good and refreshing.

Strange names for rides.

And lastly, the Conklin Clown. It's the Conklin Group that operate the rides at the Ex.

We didn't go into any of the buildings because it was late. We headed home after touring the midway. I always liked the horse palace and looking at the farm animals and the butter sculpture but things are now changed and I don't know if they even have horses anymore. Sometimes it's OK to change things but sometimes they should just leave things alone. I miss the old Ex.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Every Inchie Monday #34

Imagine: to think, believe, or fancy; to conjecture; guess.

 Just imagine that this sign appeared on everything you wanted to purchase.
Some might say it's a scary thought.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Every Inchie Monday #33

Strength: the quality or state of being strong; bodily or muscular power; vigor.

 A bit of nostalgia. I grew up watching Popeye gulp down his can of spinach to gain strength.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Every Inchie Monday #32

Rust: any film or coating on metal caused by oxidation; a stain resembling this coating.

 Two little keys that I placed in a bowl with some vinegar. Wait a few days and voila, rust. They are on a fabric inchie that I distressed with acrylic paint, an ink pad and a marker. I think it's one of my favourite inchies.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Halton Quilt Show - Part three

This will be the last installment of the quilt show.

 I love solids and I love bright colours.

This one is so pretty and delicate looking.

This looks a bit complicated but it really isn't.

Another quilt with brown and blue but a log cabin this time. I like the curvy-ness.

Here's the write-up on the Winter Wonderland quilt. I have posted photos of this done in various colours. I love it when quilters make a pattern their own by using the colours they love.

I wonder how long this would have taken to make if it weren't paper pieced? Patience and a lot of work went into this.

Love the movement and colours in this fan quilt.

This is the border on the fan quilt.

Something a little different. 

The explanation on the quilt.

A close-up.

And yet another close-up.

Another wedding dress quilt.

Stars and triangles.

I do believe that this was made by a male member of the guild.

Sorry for this shot. There were just so many people there and I couldn't wait for all of them to get out of the way of my camera.


And now for something a bit different. The show had some extra quilts displayed. These were from the Canada Packers Quilt Collection. Their permanent home is in Milton, Ontario at the Country Heritage Park.



The Parliament Building in Ottawa.

Umbrella ladies.

A lovely Dresden Plate.

A Hawaiian style quilt.

The description.

All of the Canada Packers Quilts are hand quilted.

I have seen the collection before but I was surprised with this one. I don't remember ever seeing it before.

Not necessarily a typical pattern but certainly typical in colours - red and green on white. Click on the photo to see the gorgeous quilting.

Like I said, red, green and white. Wonderful quilting.


Well, there you have it. Another arm chair quilt show finished. I hope you all enjoyed it but there is nothing like viewing the real things. I urge you to go see one 'live' for yourself if you can. The admission is usually only 5 or 7 dollars and the shows are usually held in arenas, churches, schools or community centres. Quite often the members of the group putting on the show sell their own quilts, knitted items and other crafts at the members boutique and there are usually several quilt store vendors with their wares. Lots to see, great variety and very inspirational - whether or not you quilt.