It's been 30 years

It was 30 years ago that I signed up for a night school quilting course. The course was to run for 10 weeks and I figured I would probably miss the very last class since I was pregnant at the time expecting child number three. Well, she came early (the girls were early, the boys late) and so I missed the last two classes.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Maili!!!

And here's the birthday girl with flowers that her little sister sent a day early to her work. Today, the birthday girl is taking a day off work and going for a 30 mile run around the city with her boyfriend and a friend that came all the way from Portland, Oregon just to celebrate. The temperature is supposed to be a mild 12 C (54 F) with some light rain.

Napkin Challenge

I have joined Mrs. Moen's napkin challenge. There aren't many of us and I guess it could be because people are trying to get Christmas gifts done. Anyway, here is a selection of napkins that I picked up. I really couldn't make up mind as to which one I wanted to use as my inspiration. The big reveal is December 1st so everyone just has to wait until then to find out.

If you want more info, click on the link in my sidebar that says (obviously) Mrs. Moen's Napkin Challenge.

Note: I did get the glasses fixed and am now proceeding to finish a few projects.

In and around town

The clinging vine.

Brilliant colour.

City worker.

Leaving behind a mess.

Wall of blue trees.

Movable wall at the University of Toronto.

Old bridge - but not as old as in England.

A couple of bikers - not wearing helmets.

Sewing suspended. The good glasses, the wire framed ones on the far right, lost a lens. No sewing until they get fixed.

Goodnight.

Champagne Quilters update

Well, we have started another quilt.

So, here it is up on the frame.

And from a different angle.

A close-up of the corner treatment.

We haven't used channel quilting in quite a while. I think it's because we used it a lot at one time and got tired of it. When doing this we don't mark anything, we just use masking tape (see the first two photos) and quilt beside it. It keeps the lines straight. Once again, I am doing the long sides while my two co-horts are doing the interesting quilting. Oh well, I'll be finished soon. We took two turns of the frame last night and I will try to remember to bring the camera next week to show you the quilting design in the plain blocks.

Mail and craft fair goodies

This is what came in the mail yesterday.

The latest issue of A Needle Pulling Thread. Here are a few of the projects.

A really cute quilted wall hanging.

A wool applique table runner.

Knitting and felting.

A winter scene in cross stitch.

A cross stitched wreath.

And some knitted leg warmers. 

I didn't show you the knitted hats, the punch needle stocking, the Australian Santa (one in a series of Santas around the world), the Celtic snowflake ornament and so much more. There are many great things about this magazine: it is in full colour, it has something for everyone and all the patterns are included for each project. If you would like to subscribe to this magazine, here's the link.

On the weekend we attended a couple of Christmas bazaars. One was about an hour north but my friend was there selling her pet beds and other paraphernalia and she told me it was a good show. I bought a few things but not much. Then we headed back home and down the street from us is a Salvation Army where we saw these.

My husband fell in love with these and both of us couldn't figure out why they were still there. They must have had many more but we did get these.

 

But then we decided on two more.

And since there were only three left, we decided to take them as well. 75 cents per cup cake with mini marshmallow flowers - held in place with some white icing. Someone took a lot of time making these. We shared these with the family.

These little muffins were my favourite. As you can see, I had to try them out as soon as they arrived in my kitchen. I should find a recipe so I can make more.

Home made pumpkin pie.

And lastly, there were two of these but one got eaten fairly quickly (not by me). It's a chocolate brownie and my husband said it was a real chocolate brownie. So, whoever made these knows something about baking brownies. We also had lunch there and I managed to picked up a couple of Christmas gifts. It was a successful shopping excursion.