Another Reno Project

We have had some time off from any major projects so it was time to get going again. The crack in the sloped wall of our master bedroom had gotten worse over the winter. The time had come to do something about it, the plaster is the original about 160+ years old, like other walls in the house it had horsehair in it as a binder. We decided to remove the sloped wall and the ceiling, have it drywalled then Peter will paint. The ceiling had embossed wallpaper on it, under that were acoustic ceiling tiles, under that we didn't know. We soon discovered there were more bad plaster, lots of cracks but it was being held up with strapping so that was good, the drywall can go right on top.

While we (that's the "royal we"!) were at it we decided to remove the old insulation which was very old, dry wood chips (an R value of 0-1!) and have the sloped wall spray foamed for insulation.

The cracks in the ceiling.

Some of the 10 plus bags of wood chips!

Quilt Mafia Gathers Again

I missed our last gathering and was so happy to make it there yesterday. We met at the very lovely Gaspereau Valley Fibres a farm yarn shop in the very beautiful Gaspereau Valley. I it was a beautiful day and nineteen of us sat around an array of tables and stitched all day. I can't think of a better way to spend a day!

Leslie, Cathy, Laurie and Alex

Uta's wonderful Leopard Who Hides His Spots

Margi's wonderful stick puppets of herself and Brain and four of their grandchildren

Celeste, Kate and Linda

Val's wonderful embroidery that she brought back from her recent trip.

Linnet's vibrant animal quilt

We were watched over by various characters!

I loved all the various textures around us from our own work to the beautiful years and the wonderful old barn boards.

It was really quite wonderful to be surrounded by such inspiration not only in the shop but in the scenery around us. The Gaspereau Valley is fast becoming known for its vineyards, we past three on our way there. It really is a unique spot in Nova Scotia.

The members of the Quilt Mafia are all doing such interesting things. Penny and her amazing dedication to embroidery, Margi and her dolls of all sorts, Alex and her stitching and daily drawing in her journals that are amazing. She dedicates part of her day to drawing and I think she said she had over 2,000 entries!

I wish we could get together more often, we all travel a distance to get together. Plans are in the works for another day soon and perhaps a sleepover! Can't wait. Be sure and see more pictures on my Flickr page.

Maritime Fibre Arts Retreat 2016

The view never disappoints! It was good to be back this year as I have missed 2 years. This year I went for the one day instead is staying overnight, I live just 10 minutes away so it is an easy commute.

Betsey was working on her Star Surprise quilt from a workshop with Linda Mills.

As well as quilters (and there were a lot) there was also a good crowd of spinners. I always find it quite mesmerizing watching the spinners spin! I think of my grandmother who was a wonderful spinner, I have her spinning wheel and her walking wheel. Oh, if only there were enough hours in the day!

I love watching all the hands at work. This was a woman tatting, she was sitting behind me. Beautiful work!

My good friend Patty, a member of the famous Brunch Bunch and a legend in the world of Nova Scotia weavers is also an exquisite rug hooker. I am so honoured that she gave us one of her hooked mats when we moved into our Mahone Bay house.

It was a wonderful day, it flew by all too fast. As well as the fibre arts pictured above there were many knitters, felters, embroiderers etc. The noise level was high, the sense of accomplishment was high and new friends were made.

This has become such a successful event that it is already full for 2017 and has a waiting list. Great to know that the fibre arts are alive and well in Nova Scotia! Be sure and see a few more pictures on my Flickr page.