Welcome Summer, er Fall

Hi everyone:

Welcome to fall or summer, as we're calling it in Calgary this year. While we would typically be donning our fall coats by this time of year, this September we're luxuriating in unseasonably warm temperatures. White shoes being worn after Labour Day? You betcha - and sandals and shorts too! Unfortunately, this lazy summer weather isn't meant to last (that's why we appreciate it so much) and will soon be giving way to cooler temperatures. But, as I put away my summer duds, I will be pulling out my quilting fabric.

 While I had great plans to accomplish many quilt projects this summer, it was not meant to be. While we weren't affected by the "Great Flood of 2013" (really, not so great), we were working on our house, specifically the basement area. I've previously posted about some of the redecorating that we were doing and am pleased to report that it has not been finished - almost. There are still a few vent covers to be screwed in and pictures to be hung on the walls, but the walls are painted, new cork flooring has been installed and the baseboards and door trim have been nailed into place. My fabric has been categorized and stored in new bookshelves (with doors to keep out the dust and kitty fur), WIP's are now all together in one place and I'm feeling much more organized and sane. Now I feel confident that I can tackle some fall projects!

In my next blogpost I'll share some more details of the redecoration/renovation, but in the interim, I'll leave you with some images of "how I spent my summer vacation".

Waterfall near Hamilton, ON

Delicious ice cream in Huntsville, ON

Managed to fit in some quilt shopping in Huntsville, ON

Chillin' at the lake at my brother's cottage

Celebrating my birthday with my parents and family
Still looking stylish even with the hat :)

Notre Dame, Montreal, QC

Design inspiration at McGill University, Montreal, QC

Gladioli at lunch in old Montreal, QC

Have to enjoy some crepes while in la belle province

Chatting with an artist in old Montreal, QC
He had been vending from this stall for 40 years!

One of the beautiful murals in Sainte Adele, QC

Lac Cornu in the Laurentians, QC, where I spent some girlfriend time
Reminds me of a Monet painting

The perfect end to a wonderful summer holiday

I hope you enjoyed a fabulous summer and are working on some fun fall projects :)

Why I Hate Craftsy!

Hi everyone:




I've been so busy with renovations and quilt deadlines this summer that I have been neglecting my blog. I'll be sharing what I've been up in future posts, but for now I just wanted to let you know how upset I am with Craftsy. 

You know that I love Craftsy's videos and am enrolled in several of their classes - and not just quilting ones either. Now they've really upset me by offering many of their classes at up to 75% off. Not only that, but they are also offering similar discounts on their fabrics and yarns. It's really not fair! How am I supposed to resist signing up for some new classes at these deeply discounted prices?

Just one of the many Craftsy classes that I'm enjoying

If you'd like to take advantage of these excellent prices, just click here, but please, leave some products for me.

P.S. Don't wait to take advantage of these great prices. They're only being offered through September 21, 2013.

Quilting Diet

Hi everyone:

I imagine you wonder why you haven't heard from me lately. Well, I've been on a quilting diet. I'm sure you're wondering what I'm talking about. Well, a quilting diet is what happens when you're renovating your basement and your quilting studio is spread throughout the upper floor of your house so you don't get to quilt as much as you'd like to.

This used to be my quilt studio

This is where most of my quilt studio is.
Notice the lovely "carpet"

My books are in bookcases in my garage and my fabric is in plastic storage bins scattered in various places in and out of the house. 

My new library in the garage

Due to this disruption I've only been able to snatch snippets of time to work on my quilt projects. Of course, the fact that  all the basement furniture had to be moved up to the garage,all baseboards and door casings had to be removed and all the basement walls needed to be washed and painted also took up valuable quilting time. Then there have been the many phone calls to the flooring company to ensure that the flooring is indeed on its way to our house (they missed sending the shipment on time so this has delayed everything by a week) and that installation will occur when we need it (prior to going on vacation). All in all, it has been a busy few weeks. 

Cutting table has been "cut" down and is waiting for a new top

Teeka is guarding her new cabinet
which was cut off the cutting table
Maybe there are treats inside!

Not I'm not complaining as there have been others in Calgary who have had far worse problems that not being able to do some quilting. As you may have heard, we had a major flood on June 20/21 and the entire city has been in a state of emergency up until this past week. Neighbours to our south in High River are still suffering from this devastating event and many people are still not able to return to their homes. 

View of the washed out riverbank by Stampede Park
Can you see the metal headboard to the left of the photo

Fortunately we were not affected and it was hard to even believe that there had been a flood, until you saw the photos in the media. So many people affected and so much loss. 
Fortunately Calgary is a town known for helping others and volunteers in the thousands have been shovelling mud, tearing down drywall and lending a helping hand any way possible.

As quilters, we naturally think of making quilts to provide comfort to those in need. Several groups in and near Calgary started initiatives to provide quilts to flood victims and they have now all come under one Facebook group, Quilting for Calgary. Finished quilts can be sent to My Sewing Room in Calgary and they will be arranging for distribution of these quilts in September. I did manage to get one quilt top to them (they were initially accepting tops as well as finished quilts) in the midst of the renovation.

Quilt top made for Calgary flood victims
from 5 & Dime pattern

I was impressed by the large number of quilts being sent to them from all over Canada and other countries as well. If you would care to donate a quilt to this cause, you can find out more information from the Facebook group . I know they would appreciate any donation that you would care to send them.

Quilting for Calgary Facebook group

Hopefully all this upheaval in our household will be finished soon and life can get back to normal. Just in time to go on vacation...

Hope you're achieving your quilting goals and are staying dry.