Ready, Set, Sew!

I think I am ready. Everything is unpacked and is more or less organized. I am sure as I work in my new space things will change to accommodate drafting, cutting, sewing etc. I have had a few trial runs.

The grandkids all "needed" new Hallowe'en pillowcases and since I found all my Hallowe'en fabric I had no excuse plus 2 needed to get in the mail going west. I love having a designated cutting table. Just the best thing ever, thank you Peter! The last job for him to do is build a shelf to lower my sewing machine. In my old sewing room, we used a sewing machine lift from Lee Valley Tools. I had to leave it there. We were going to get another one but then we found this tutorial online and it makes much more sense and saves almost $200 (more $ for fabric!).

Next on the list is a raffle quilt for the Chester Gingerbread Festival, an easy strip pieced Christmas tree quilt. I'll have some help from a few quilt friends to make this charming quilt. My friend Heather is coming for a week long visit tomorrow. She will be here to teach workshops and a lecture with the Mahone Bay Quilters Guild. So we'll put her to work while she is here! The best way to make a quilt is with friends and it is for a good cause - the new health clinic for Chester.

Really different colour choices for me, I hope they work!

Our new garden continues to surprise us. Blooms can still be found despite the chilly nights, the rain and the wind.

I can't wait to see what the spring will bring.

I should cut this bud and bring it in, it sure looks lonely!

Now we need to see if we remember how to rake leaves! Haven't had to do that in 17 years!

Quilters are the best friends!

Just by chance I mentioned to my friend Heather that I wasn't going to be able to make my annual donation quilt to our local daycare for a fundraiser. I had been putting it off and before I knew it I realized my cataracts had gotten the better of me and that they were "slowing me down"! Surgery will happen soon but I still felt bad that I hadn't gotten a quilt done for the daycare. 

They are a very special daycare, vital to our community as we found out six years ago when our twin grandsons were born. Mary Ellen and her tem just were wonderful in helping to care for our 2 year old grandson, when we all needed to be in the city at the hospital. They are a "not for profit" daycare, they offer subsidized spaces for those who need it and they work hard to give our local kids the best care possible. So for the last 5 years I have donated a quilt to help with their fundraising. 

Mary Ellen, some of the kids and "Backyard Fun" thanks to the Mellow Yellows!

While in Calgary, I went to the Heritage Park Festival of Quilts. If you ever can plan a trip to Calgary try and plan it for around the end of May in time for this Festival. There over 800 quilts dipslayed inside, outside, in tents, over fences, hanging from balconies - everywhere you look there are quilts. A huge undertaking for a 2 day show!

Quilts at the Wainnwright Hotel, they didn't stay up long as they showers persisted!

I loved all the Halloe'en quilts.

I loved this skeleton fabric - anyone know the brand/designer or where I might get some?

This quilt was wonderful, see my Flickr page here for detail pictures of this one and many others! 

A favourite picture for Father's Day (a little late!) Andrew and Molly heading for golf lessons. My Dad and Peter's Dad (two of the best) would be so thrilled to see this!

Maritime Fibre Arts Retreat 2013

A view of the main room.

The Maritime Fibre Arts Retreat was held at the Atlantica Hotel, Oak Island last weekend. There was well over 200 quilters, knitters, stitchers, tatters, lace makers, spinners and rug hookers there. What a gathering! The noise level when everyone was in the room was quite something!

Pre dinner gathering.

Several of us went a day early to relax and chat and sew a little. By Friday the rest of our group arrived and in all there was 20 of us from the Mahone Bay Quilters Guild and the Quilt Mafia and several other quilt/fibre friends.

I couldn't begin to count all the different varieties of spinning wheels!

The days just flew by, there was lots of visiting back and forth, new friends made and old friendship rekindled. There was lots of laughter, lots of shared stories and lots of sharing of techniques and advice. I am so grateful for all my fibre friends. They are all so talented, so gifted and so wise. I think we could have solved all the world's problems!

Sharon Orpin is our faithful organizer, she and her husband Richard have taken on this role and they do it so well. We are all grateful for her dedication and determination to bring us all together. My room is booked already for next year - can't wait!

I posted lots more pictures on my Flickr Photostream here.