Monday, November 12, 2012

It is lovely to be spending a day at home. It is an overcast day here, and definitely fall. There are tons of coloured leaves scattering the ground both in our yard and across the street at City Hall. The neighbour’s apple tree is bare except for the many apples that haven’t fallen yet – I expect the bears and deer will be visiting it on a regular basis over the next few weeks.

Winter had already arrived when I landed in Saskatoon. Deloise picked me up and we headed to Stacia’s cabin on Turtle Lake. We had a great weekend of visiting and then we got down to the business of quilting.

Stacia had trouble deciding on a project, but before the week was out she had a set of placemats done for her grandkids as well as a start on a lovely chenille quilt for Nia’s bunk bed. Deloise won the prize for bringing the most projects to the bee, and she spent most of her time quilting four UFO’s.

I sent a box by bus and I’m happy to say that I worked on all the projects I took along. I had hoped to finish my applique blocks before I left but since that didn’t work out they were the first thing I tackled. I still have some stitching to do, but I can see the end in sight (hopefully in time for the quilt show in the Spring).

I have many projects in mind that require Stacia and Deloise’s help and advice. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to work on my tie quilt. I didn’t have enough of Dad’s ties, but I raided Pat’s closet and ended up with enough fabric for the pattern. I’m going to call this one “Sundays, Weddings and Funerals”.

Although I didn’t get any photos (and I’m not sure why) I also finished the top of my Disappearing 9-Patch and I did a little bit of hand quilting. The little bit of hand quilting I did ended the debate on whether the quilting on my applique blocks should be done by hand or by machine – it definitely won’t be by hand!

After a week of sewing I spent a few days with Kathryn, Dave, Will and Alex in Saskatoon. They are an active family and I saw two of Will’s hockey practices. One afternoon Kathryn, Dave and Will had a hockey party so Alex and I had an afternoon to ourselves. Kathryn was scheduled to work one of the days I was there so I was in charge – at least until Dave got home at noon.

I arrived in Calgary just before the snow started falling and the temperature started to drop. I was able to give Emma her quilt – seeing her enjoying it was worth all the effort. The kids are all in school during the day and Elizabeth and I enjoyed some quiet time (and some homemade cinnamon buns). The school bus stops in front of their house and Elizabeth is the official supplier of hats and mitts for the neighbourhood kids who leave home without them. Mum would have bags of mitts sent to her in a blink of the eye, but this Grandma will take a bit longer. I’m determined though to get at least a few hats and mitts done before winter is over.

I’ve had a lazy day today and I see no reason to change that at this point. I think I’ll find a scarf, hat and mitt pattern and get something started.