What a busy day

Here it is 7:30 and I am just starting my blog.
We got home just a short while ago. After this morning's grocery shopping we had lunch at McDonald's. Then we too the groceries home and put them away. 
I was checking out my email and saw that Tom had an advertisement in my mail. I scrolled all the way down to the bottom only to see that he had added an extra store to the bottom of the page. Always nosy I decided to go and see what was up since I recognized the address on Kingsway that was once the Singer store.
We got on our way and went to the address  listed and it had the Singer logo on it still. We went in and had a lovely chat with the lady in the store and yes it was now Tom's. There were quite a few old Singers in the shop .

Not a very clear photo but his is an old hand crank Singer sewing machine.

Featherweights all lined up. Looking for a FW this is the place to find it 6100 block of Kingsway.

Isn't this a beauty and not just the sewing machine but the cabinet too is gorgeous.

 She told us that come January there would be a makeover of the store and it would also contain fabrics and other items for quilting. At least renovations would be started then.

That makes store #3 for Tom. He is making progress. Tom is a smart businessman and I know he will make a success of this store too. We stayed a while and had a good chat with her , can't remember her name. Man that is bad.
After we left Tom's we went down to Regency to get some ostomy supplies for me.
The store was right next to the casino so we thought to go in for a little while. Ray was really doing well today but of course e had to share his success with me as I was the loser right up until it was time to go home. Then I started winning. Ray got a lucky ticket for the buffet 2 buffet dinners for the price of one.
We ran into Jocelyn and Dennis while we were there  and had a nice little chat. We had not seen them for some time and it was great to have that little visit. 
We came home pretty tired and now are relaxing.

This man saved this week old dolphin. Isn't this a lovely photo. It is very heartwarming.

I found this picture very amusing, the collar does not enhance the cat's appearance. The cat is right , the hobbyist needs therapy. LOL.

This came in handy , it arrived today in my email.

 http://nebraskaviews.blogspot.com/2009/07/widening-or-lengthening-backing-fabric.html  

It is just what I needed as my backing was not quite big enough for my little table topper.

And it must be backing time tonight because I found these backings in my mail. Very funny!

speaking of quilt backs,  these are fun and creative

http://pinterest.com/dreamssewn/quilt-backs/

Harvest Time, I made this quilt of fruits and veggies but I did not care for it much. My granddaughter Kate liked it very much and she now owns it. 

The pattern is Turning Twenty by Tricia Cribbs. It takes 20 fat quarters to make but is fairly easy . Some quilts look better than mine because of the fabric choices.

Anyway folks. I am exhausted and am closing now.

Have a great evening.

Good night.

patterns

http://j.mp/15EprKX

Oldie but goody if you have a number of conversation fabrics left over from another project or you can exchange fabrics with other quilters

. by Judy Laquidara for Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 5. http://www.quiltandsewshop.com/product/quiltmaker-100-blocks-volume-5-digital-issue/just-arrived

Looks pretty complicated to me folks but  some  of you are no doubt smarter than I am at these things.

http://goo.gl/komx2z

Now this is a pincushion.!!!

Do you need a pattern for this, I think not. If I can find the pattern I will put it up.

 http://j.mp/1fo8aHd

Now this is an apron, just for ladies

Download now as a pdf pattern

Flock of birds is the name of this pattern. I like these interlocked designs.

www.CottonPickins.com

It's a bit early for Christmas but it will take that long to get this one finished. Beautiful.

Kate and Richard at Niagara Falls. It is a beautiful picture of dad and daughter. I am happy to see Rick happy. 

This morning I sat around in my nightie  watching Perry Mason, Ironsides and Hawaii 5 0 and reading my newspaper. It was such a lazy morning, but after a few days feeling not so well I guess I needed the rest. I must say I enjoyed my morning. 

But then it was time to get dressed and go out to the Post Office to mail the books to Catherine in Quebec.  8 days to get there . Catherine started school this week , ours begin school the day after Labour Day on Tuesday.

 I always loved the first days of school, they were magical to me . Every year began on a high note.

 Today I ran into one of the teachers I taught with for 25 years. We had an on the spot visit and it was lovely. Her husband was a truck driver like Ray so they can talk about that and not have to listen to us. LOL.

I called Lisa my Daughter in law in Louisiana as it is her birthday. She was sitting her very sick granddaughter. Caroline has   a high fever but Lisa said it broke this past hour so that is good. She and Adam will be up here in two weeks so it will be great to see them.

Today is my brother's birthday too . He is not with us any more but Marg and I always think of him on his birthday.

We ran into Marg up there at the mall and sat and visited with her too. So you could call today a visiting day. It was good.

When we got home I wanted to have a nap but I booted myself  in the sitter and finished off my Halloween top. Now I am glad because I just have to make the backing and put all three parts together.

The bag will take some thinking , I have to think over every new piece , I think too much about things.

So here is the top.

The family that exercises together stays together and keeps the fat away. I love this little baby imaging his dad and sister. I wonder if he was set up like this or managed to do it all by himself.

We had a major thunder and lightening storm last night The lightening lit up the bedroom like daylight. The rain came down in torrents. Hydro was down in some communities but our hydro is underground and it has never been out since we moved here.

It was a wild night as my dear departed mom would have said.

And on that note

I am signing off.

Good night Mrs. Calabash wherever you are. LOL

Look up the comment for a cute story.

Have a great evening.

Good night.

No today is Thursday

I am still confused about the day. Do you ever have a week when the days seem to be out of order. I feel like it is Friday but know it is Thursday. My brain is jumping ahead of itself. 

So Thursday it is. I had to go to the doctor again today some -stomach problems. 

We met Sam first thing at the ABC restaurant for breakfast. We haven't seen him for a long time . He has been in Israel on business for a while. So long that he was able to make friends with a lady bartender. Or can you do that in one night? I should know as I was working in a bar when I met Ray, so sometimes it works out. We have been happily married since 1976. And still are!
Back to Sam he has a huge beard on right now, I call him Grizzly Adams with that beard but he is having a customer coming over from Africa and has to shave it off  to look more professional. Oh well it won't take him long to grow it back again.

Sam and Grandpa Ray.  The boys have always been good friends and it shows. 
It is raining very hard today and last night. I had a nap with the window open so I could hear the rain on the leaves of the tree outside my window.  It is a soothing sound  and soon I was asleep. What a delightful way to succumb to the snoozies, " new word".

Keeping dry  in the rain.

It was after our breakfast that we went to the doctor just to keep things in order. 
We picked up two  prescriptions at Safeway and then just came home. 
In Safeway they are celebrating all things Asian and they had this copy of the Chinese warriors that were found buried in China at some point. There was a whole battalion of warriors, not real humans though,  buried upright along with....you can see it here

The Terracotta Army or the "Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses", is a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. It is a form of funerary art buried with the emperor in 210–209 BC and whose purpose was to protect the emperor in his afterlife.

The figures, dating from around the late third century BC,^[1] were discovered in 1974 by local farmers in Lintong District, Xi'an, Shaanxi province. The figures vary in height according to their roles, with the tallest being the generals. The figures include warriors, chariots and horses. Current estimates are that in the three pits containing the Terracotta Army there were over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which are still buried in the pits near by Qin Shi Huang's mausoleum.^[2] Other terracotta non-military figures were also found in other pits and they include officials, acrobats, strongmen and musicians

Bad picture  but shows what these terracotta warriors. It was an amazing discovery.

It was a nothing afternoon other than reading my latest book on the Reader. I do like the Reader since it is very easy to read , the pages all lay flat , it is easy to hold and simple to read plus very easy to  purchase a book even from your bed. Now what could be better than that.  I still like to go shopping for a real book once in a while just for the fun of it. 

Speaking of books Ray got the books we bought for Catherine all packed up and ready to mail. We'll do that tomorrow since there  is nothing on our calendar for Friday. Her grandma, our daughter Lynn will read them to her. Catherine  will be going to English school for the first time next week.  

We had a really good dinner tonight. Ray made hot dogs LOL.
He does make wonderful hot dogs and they look as well as taste great. they tasted so good that I ate them instead of taking a picture of them. Ah too bad. I must get more focused.

A box full of wonderful kittens, all the same , unusual isn't it. They have such adorable faces. Marg I thought of you when I found these guys. Even I a dog person am pulled in by these little guys. I have always like grey cats though.

Our Katie dressed up as Amish. She is going to Amish country to visit with a friend.

This is an adorable photo of a Quebec baby. This is perfect.

Adam and Prince Charles,  the picture taken by the NEWS ASSOCIATION.  He sure had  a great chat with the Prince.

A simple and quick quilt to make for a small person  if your time line is short. 

| A doggie car seat, dog in a basket. I can't really see that this is a safe option for a dog but then I don't have a dog just love them.

Okay folks  it is time for me to cease my chatting.

Have a lovely evening.

Good night!

Is this Thursday?

Retirement while wonderful seems as if the days all become Tuesday or whatever day you wish. LOL. If it were not for the appointments with doctors we would have no idea. I suggest to all you retirees  that you get yourself a large appointment book and write up every thing you are going to do on each day. One where you can write big so you can actually see. Haha.
So for this day nearing the end of August Ray took me to the chiropractor. I go every 5 weeks to keep my back all lined up.  If not I twist and it is very painful. Then we went up to Metrotown and had some lunch. I have not been out for several days . I had KFC for lunch and it was very tasty. 
We walked around the mall a bit for some exercise. We stopped in at a lovely kitchen store where they carry some beautiful items. We bought some new table boards , ours were getting a bit worn around the edges.

Pretty dull picture but pretty boards. It is good to have dinner on such a nice board.

Download now as a pdf pattern

Flagstones is the name of this pattern.>


 http://j.mp/1dnTJr3

http://jembellish.blogspot.com.au/2011/10/how-to-make-your-own-mouse-pad-wrist.html

Rist rest.... Not correct but I had to do it. I hope it helps if you are having wrist troubles.

Well I have lost a good portion of my blog somewhere so I'll have to do it again. I am not happy when that happens. And I feel like just quitting but I am not a quitter so ...more to come. It may be somehting different fro what I had originally but what the heck!

Adam and Lisa are on the way home from Scotland after a month long visit. They have had a fabulous time there. I am sure they'll go back again. Remember when Adam met Prince Charles? That was exciting.

 Here's Adam , glasses and all. I guess the light is strong when you far north.

Looks like this is a hospital bed full of hexagon flowers. I love these. They are gorgeous!

This little kitty has very unusual markings on his face but I expect he doesn't care a bit.

Hexagon mug rug and beautiful to boot. Examples of the hexies at the bottom so anyone can tell what to make. I buy the professionally cut hexagons  so they are all exactly the same.  Die cut I think is the correct term.

I use them over and over again so they are not really that expensive and they are perfect when finished.  I buy mine at The Cloth Shop on Granville Island.

Soon to be Back to School next week in fact.  

This is a lovely Back to School quilt. I don't have a pattern but if you want to make one this has all the ingredients.

Scruffy little dog but cute as can be.

 These little wire haired terriers are special. Scrappy though.

Time for me to close folks.

Have a great evening.

Grow little buddy.

Egad another pinwheel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2_2-i4HC9U


Here is another way to make a pinwheel block. And I bet you are thinking "not another one " LOL

Another repeat , a bad day again and I did not go to my sewing groups. I sure hope this gets better in a hurry. It is interfering with my life. 

However I did finish my book The Perfect Nazi. If you are interested in the period of WW2  you would find this interesting and enlightening. Because I grew up during the time in our history and because my parents were British WW2 loomed very large in our house. We listened to "This is the BBC from London" which was broadcast every night and gave the news of the day from Britain. 
I do recommend this book to anyone who is interested. 

A priceless Tea Shop in Australia , not useful to us but it is pink LOL. I love going to tea shops, they are wonderful. Tea,  biscuits. strawberry jam, tiny cucumber sandwiches  and iced cakes Petit Fours. Delightful! 

Made by my friend Helen this gorgeous Mariner's Compass is absolutely striking.

Helen you are so talented. 

And do any of you remember taking a bath in a galvanized tub.

 On the farm where my aunt and uncle lived there was no running water and they had to take their baths in the main room in a galvanized tub. That was not for me, I fussed so much that the moved the tub to the other room where the beds were and put it at the furthest corner of the room. I came form a home in the city where we had a bathroom , a tub and total privacy. It was just beyond me to be naked in a tub in front of anyone. At home we would be punished for exposing ourselves like that. But things were different on the farm. Life is as you make it.

Isn't this little hexie mug rug a treasure?

I wonder what size the hexagons are, it would be fun to make. 

Did you know you could start rose cuttings in potatoes? I had no idea that would work. We used to grow roses in our garden when we lived in our house. We had 60 varieties. They were wonderful.

Nice quilt of bouquets or posies.

Well that's it for tonight folks. I am tired of writing and sitting up. 

Maybe tomorrow will be better.

Have a lovely evening.

Good night.