The Day That Changed Our Town

It was Sunday, August 21, 2011 4:00 PM. We live in a small town of 8500. Our downtown is unique in that it is in the shape of a circle with side streets running off of the main circle. In the center of the circle is our courthouse, with beautiful trees and a gazebo surrounding it.



My honey and I moved here 5 years ago, and we LOVE this town. But on August 21, an F3 tornado came through and did so much damage, I think it will be some time before everyone gets over the shock. The following picture is what our downtown looks like now.

One man at our salt mine lost his life, and many others were injured. So many businesses damaged and questions as to will they be able to restore them. I worry because they were so old, but that is what gave our downtown so much character.

 We were so lucky, just a lot of raking and a damaged window well cover. But many homes were badly damaged. Tarps on lots of roofs, homes demolished and waiting to be rebuilt, lives turned upside down, and many folks still without income from the buisinesses that were damaged.

But I'm sure in time,  we will be different looking town, but still have the great town we have grown to love.

This Christmas it would be wonderful if you could include our town in your prayers. We will need strength to get through this.

I have included this video of our town before and after this tragedy.

Karen

Another Miniture Quilt Done

I finished another mini quilt. These are so fun because they are quick.



I'm still hand quilting the table topper from the Fons and Porter magazine, that I mentioned a few posts ago. But it has been so hot lately, I'm not getting much done. Today, they say the humidex will be 32. I'm going to be happy going to work this afternoon (air conditioning). Take care today as we could have some thunderstorms throughout Ontario this afternoon. Oh my. I'm sounding like a weathergirl.lol

New Computer and Some Quilting

Yes. That's right, I got a new computer. My first laptop. Where do I keep it, you ask? Why in my quilting room, of course. I've always wanted one because they are so portable. I would love to sit outside on the deck, and read all the blogs I follow, but the sun and the temps haven't been cooperating. But towards the end of the week, the sun is expected to shine, and with a four day weekend, you know where I'll be. I'm so glad my hubby let me pick out which ever one I wanted. I Love him. Now he has his computer for blogging and I have mine. Thank you Baby, big time.

And here she is



Pretty.

On the quilting front, I did go to the quilt show I mention in my last post. There wasn't much there for me, so my honey drove me to one of my favorite quilt shops. They have quite a selection of reproduction fabric that I love, so I managed to pick up a few kits. I wanted to make some small quilts to hang on my quilt room walls.I 've already completed one small quillt.

I really enjoyed making this one. Hand sewing all the wool circles on was so relaxing. It is the first time I combined wool and cotton, and I really like the effect.

The one I'm working on now is another small one I purchased at the same quilt store. The picture belows shows the center just about completed. Just sewing the final strip on. Even though there are a lot of little squares (1inch finished), this quilt was sew easy. The pattern asked to sew 10 assorted strips together. Next you sew the first and last sides together to form a tube. After this you cut your tube into 11/2 inch rings. The last step is to open each ring's seam at a differnet seam so you have the above effect. Cool.

So now I'm off to finish it, then go to work, then come home to enjoy a four day weekend. Happy Canada Day to all my Canadian friends and family, and to all my other friends, enjoy your weekend.

Thanks for looking in.

New Pen For Marking Quilts

One of the things I love about quilters is that they love to share new ideas with other quilters. As I was checking other quilting blogs yesterday, I came across Gail's blog http://quilt-knit-run-sew.blogspot.com/ . In her blog she mentioned about these inexpensive pens that you can mark fabric, then remove it with an iron. Really? I couldn't wait to go to our local office supply store and sure enough they had them. The pen is made by Pilot and is called Frixion Gel Pens and has an eraser on the end.

So I marked a piece of fabric.

And after lightly touching the fabric with an iron, its gone. Years ago I used to work in a bank, and many times I came home with ink on my blouses. How, I don't know, but I used hairspray to remove it. If I had this pen back then, I think of all the hairspray I would have saved. Thanks Gail.

I will end today with a block of the month I just finished. Its a pattern from Bunny Hill called Autumn House. It was my first real experience with so much applique. I love it now that it is finished, but it was a real learning curve. I love Bunny Hill patterns.

Quilt show tomorrow, so I need to wrap this up and get some sleep. There might be major shopping tomorrow



A New Beginning

I'm back now. I got blogger all figured out. My loving husband has his blog http://oldtoycollection.blogspot.com/ , and I have mine. If you like to know about toys and memories of the 50's and  60's, check it out . He is doing a great job and enjoying it so much. Sometimes he has to stop himself from posting too much in one day. (Can't give them too much all at once). I am so proud of him for learning all about blogs, computers, taking digital pictures, uploading them, editing posts and all this without asking for any help. You've come along way Baby.

The town St. Jacobs in Ontario is having their yearly quilt show this weekend. As well, they have a quilt annex with vendors selling lots of fabric, books and notions. I can't wait. Its difficult to find the reproduction fabric I love, new notions I find on the internet, as well as the latest books and patterns in my area of the world, so I get so excited at the prospect of seeing all of the things the quilt annex will have waiting for me. Honey, bring your wallet please lol. Yes, I'm bringing the camera to take pictures of our day there.

I am currently hand quilting a table topper kit my honey bought for me from Fons and Porter. It is on the cover of the Sept/Oct 2009 issue.

Sorry the picture is a little fuzzy. The picture of the completed topper won't be.

Until next time, keep quilting