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



I goofed

My husband wanted a blog to write about his toy collection. So I set up a blog for him, but its melding into mine. Thats why it says Pete on my blog. I think I needed to create a new account separate from mine. This is going to take some time to figure out. Karen

I'm Back

Sorry for the long absence. Life happened. I've kept up on all my blog reading, but didn't have any time for my blog. I have lots of projects on the go at the moment, and will have pictures later today. I am also waiting for my new block of the month project... Autumn House by Bunny Hill. I can't wait.

Backyard Makeover Continued

For some reason, blogger wouldn't let me add anymore pictures. So I'm trying again.

Our new back yard.

And he must of done something right, because when we came home today, this is what we found in our garden..

Towns and cities in Canada participate in Communities in bloom. Judges go around and pick a few gardens they like. Then on Friday, there will be judges coming to town. They will be here to judge our town against other towns our size, to determine which is the prettiest town in Canada. I hope our town is picked, since it really is the prettiest town in Canada.

Backyard Makeover

Well its been a long haul for my Hubby, but he completed his "vision" for our backyard. He began his work on May 1 and completed it July 23. Pretty darn good. It is amazing. I'll start with some before pictures, so you can appreciate all the hard work he did.









Now, the big reveal. WOW! My hubby worked hard and he should be very proud of himself.
For some reason I had to post the next pictures in a separate post. Below this entry you will find the reveal.