Wow it has been quite the first winter in New Brunswick!
We have been hit with a huge ice storm. This is day two & 83,000 households are still without power.
Nova Scotia & Maine are coming in to help with the overload of broken lines & poles.
This is right outside my front porch! See the birches resting on the top hydro line...with five more lines under it!! I called NB Power to let them know of this as it cannot been seen from the main road.
Such a winter wonderland out there, these type of storms are not the norm, but coming from southwestern Ontario, they are. Seems winter has followed me here! lol
They have announced that this is the second worse of two storms, the first was hurricane Arthur, which Bill & I both were in back in July 5th 2015. At that time I was without power for 6 days!
It was because of that storm that when the addition went on the house, we added a generator.
Oh to have hindsight & be part of the storm history in New Brunswick! Sure feels like home! ;-)
The weeping birches on the right, are at the mouth of the laneway. Bill will be flying in tomorrow morning to help clean up the yard & view the damage.
I made this sweet Valentine Banner before we lost our power. I saw the four patch idea on Pinterest I knew I had left over fabrics from the quilt that I had recently made. I embellished it with 4 plastic button hearts & 4 gold metal hearts.
This was the morning sky today... red sky in the morning, no... it's pink!
The grass & water are one again but there is an aqua colour in the ice that I've seen around icebergs!
I love the winter beauty of this season & I'm so glad that we had protected ourselves with that built in propane, generator. It keeps the furnace going, water pump running & several outlets working.
60% of the power is to be back from Miramichi to Bouchtouche...Hoping that the power is restored & the generator can be quiet once more.
Thanks for the visit & I'm doing alright! With the telephone service, I also have the internet to blog!
Stay safe & warm.
Cynthia
Thursday, January 26, 2017
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Canadian Table Runner Pattern!
I made the , mystery table runner pattern from the Quilter's Connection Magazine, winter issue.
So I guess it is not a mystery anyone!! lol It is a contest to see how quilters use colour & quilting techniques, to bring it together. I used KONA red & white, I knew the colours of our flag would not steer me wrong. The binding will be done in the red.
I had some unsewing to do, with the hst - going in the wrong direction. I knew I had to make it right or I would not be enjoy looking at it.
Here's the mistake photo... can you see it?
I knew something was off & really had to study the pattern... yes now I see it!!!
So I guess it is not a mystery anyone!! lol It is a contest to see how quilters use colour & quilting techniques, to bring it together. I used KONA red & white, I knew the colours of our flag would not steer me wrong. The binding will be done in the red.
I had some unsewing to do, with the hst - going in the wrong direction. I knew I had to make it right or I would not be enjoy looking at it.
Here's the mistake photo... can you see it?
I knew something was off & really had to study the pattern... yes now I see it!!!
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Let Me Sew...
It has been so cold & icy & I mean icy, just like a skating rink on our property.
The lane way was not plowed & the tire ruts from my car & trucks, going up & down it has now made huge, frozen ruts.
I think I'm driving through a car wash rut, a very long 800 foot, very slow going car wash & one must, stay within the rut! If you leave the rut you'll end up in the ditch, which is on either side!
So I go out only when I have to!
You can find me organizing the moved in boxes or doing some creative sewing.
Last Wednesday I was given the quilt pattern, that the Golden Age Club was working on. I missed the road trip to Nadine's in Neguac's, for the fabric but those that know me ...know of my sewing stash!
I went through my stash looking for red & white fabric for a Valentine styled quilt theme.
Here it is!
I changed out the size. It was a lap quilt 2 blocks across & 3 blocks down. I made it square 3 X 3.
I had to think about it & it came to me. I'll just add a center block to balance between the corner stones~! Yes, I was back on track again. That was quite the derailment for me!
Now for some more creativity! I used the very last of the deep red sashing fabric, to applique these sweet birds, for the four corners. They looked so sweet on the white with pink polka dots!
Kitties In A Basket
Remember my $3 thift store baby quilt, with the kittens? I placed in a wicker basket & what a hit with the cats in this house! Rexton just loves it...
Rexton is usually the mean girl but today she left Tommy & was comfortable on my cutting table.
I placed a couple of their cat mats together & she was napping to Tommy's snoring. lol
Rexton loves the new Canada pillow that I made, it 100% wool, very cozy with the cold days we're having these days.
We had a thaw last week & the water & grass was visible again! Now everything is frozen & icy.
Soon the puppies will be here & my quite sewing days will be over & my days will be full of puppy needs, potty time, feed time, play time, sleep time... repeat. lol
Yes February 13th will be here in no time!
Bill found the Boston terrier hand puppet, that we got in Boston back in 1994, home of the American Boston terrier! And the door stop Sandy found for me! :-)
Heather & I were in town looking for baby blankets & sweaters for modification for the baby Boston's. For now I'm trying to get that Canada Eh! quilt worked out. I made a huge mistake in my cutting & I'm now awaiting a fabric order from Sew-Sister's in Toronto.
I've cut out a couple of aprons to make today. Then I'll cut out more maple leaf blocks for the quilt.
Sew much to do before the puppies arrival!
Thank you for stopping by & stay warm & safe this icy winter!
Cynthia
The lane way was not plowed & the tire ruts from my car & trucks, going up & down it has now made huge, frozen ruts.
I think I'm driving through a car wash rut, a very long 800 foot, very slow going car wash & one must, stay within the rut! If you leave the rut you'll end up in the ditch, which is on either side!
So I go out only when I have to!
You can find me organizing the moved in boxes or doing some creative sewing.
Last Wednesday I was given the quilt pattern, that the Golden Age Club was working on. I missed the road trip to Nadine's in Neguac's, for the fabric but those that know me ...know of my sewing stash!
I went through my stash looking for red & white fabric for a Valentine styled quilt theme.
Here it is!
I changed out the size. It was a lap quilt 2 blocks across & 3 blocks down. I made it square 3 X 3.
I just loved the bird toile fabric.
| And I used this border fabric as it reminded me of feathers! The challenge came, keeping it all direction & going in a downward pattern. |
| Everything was going together splendidly ... |
| What was I thinking!! Measure twice, cut once! Oh I cut alright, the size of the block, without the border! |
I had to think about it & it came to me. I'll just add a center block to balance between the corner stones~! Yes, I was back on track again. That was quite the derailment for me!
Now for some more creativity! I used the very last of the deep red sashing fabric, to applique these sweet birds, for the four corners. They looked so sweet on the white with pink polka dots!
![]() |
| This is the pattern's photo, very fall themed. I'l take photos of the other quilts being done at the Golden Age. |
Kitties In A Basket
Remember my $3 thift store baby quilt, with the kittens? I placed in a wicker basket & what a hit with the cats in this house! Rexton just loves it...
| & so does Tommy! |
Rexton is usually the mean girl but today she left Tommy & was comfortable on my cutting table.
I placed a couple of their cat mats together & she was napping to Tommy's snoring. lol
Rexton loves the new Canada pillow that I made, it 100% wool, very cozy with the cold days we're having these days.
We had a thaw last week & the water & grass was visible again! Now everything is frozen & icy.
Soon the puppies will be here & my quite sewing days will be over & my days will be full of puppy needs, potty time, feed time, play time, sleep time... repeat. lol
Yes February 13th will be here in no time!
Bill found the Boston terrier hand puppet, that we got in Boston back in 1994, home of the American Boston terrier! And the door stop Sandy found for me! :-)
Heather & I were in town looking for baby blankets & sweaters for modification for the baby Boston's. For now I'm trying to get that Canada Eh! quilt worked out. I made a huge mistake in my cutting & I'm now awaiting a fabric order from Sew-Sister's in Toronto.
I've cut out a couple of aprons to make today. Then I'll cut out more maple leaf blocks for the quilt.
Sew much to do before the puppies arrival!
Thank you for stopping by & stay warm & safe this icy winter!
Cynthia
Friday, January 6, 2017
2017 - Canada's 150th Birthday & More Renovations
When Bill & I were traveling with our business, back in the 1990's, it would be business & pleasure trips, to other countries, looking for products to import into Canada. And those days would open my eyes, to how young our country really is.
In England we would eat off of tables, older than our county of Canada & upon returning, I would take a breath & feel the youth of Canada, as we arrived. We were like a puppy country, in this dog world.
As time has gone on I feel Canada has more a sense of being Canadian proud, more & more red & white flags, are flying now. I have a flag pole on each property, one at the shore, at home & one on the lawn at the cottage.
With Canada's birthday coming in July, I'm going to try to decorate the house in red, white, & maple leafs!
I made this 12" block as practice for the Canada Eh! quilt that I'm working on now. I wanted to see how large the large was. There will be 12 - 12" blocks, each with an applique of a scene from each province & territories. How is yours coming along Liz? More on the quilt next post. ;-)
The fabric scraps of red & white, are from the Canadian flag wall hanging I did last year.
My rug hooking friend Marg, had a bag of wool pieces that were to be thrown out, if no one wanted them... how could I say no to this free offer?! The red wool, I used for the letters & leaves & the back of the jacket became the background for the pillow covering.
I love the thrill of a find & creating something with it. Thank you Marg!
More Renovations...
Doesn't this look like a scene from a postcard? It is the view, looking out the great room window.
| The window dressings have been removed & await for the painters to return. |
However, before the painters return the hardwood floor needs to be sanded down, stained, & sealed.
The baseboards & baseboard heaters have been remove & new baseboards will go on after the floor is done. That will probably be the first week of February... puppies will arrive on the 13th, timing is everything!
Bill discovered a rotten floor board under the old baseboard & replaced it with a board from under the stair closet. It has no stain on it but should blend in beautifully once the job of sanding & staining is done. Thank you, my handsome & yes, handy, husband of 30 years! XO
Speaking of the handsome & handy husband...he also made this support for the old mezzanine & once it is painted like the railings, everything will look as it should!
The great room floor is going to lose its orange hue & have a warm, mid brown tone, rosewood stain applied. Much like the hue on the new staircase stain colour.
The stairs are going to be hand sanded, stained, & sealed, the same as the great room floor.
Upstairs~~~~~~~~
| The glass railings have been installed around the mezzanine & Rexton is taking in the afternoon sun. lol |
| The view going down the glass railings to the landing, this area is warmed up with the, Vintage Tin, quilted wall hanging. |
| It was to go in Bill's office but there was no wall room. More about his office on a later post, he needs time to unpack. For now I'm enjoying seeing the quilt hung up! |
The other end has such a summer feel to it with the April Cornell, mauve & blue bedding.
This is my childhood dresser & mirror. I can't believe that all the clothes I owned, fit in those drawers! My dresses & blouse/jumpers would have hung on the back of my bedroom door. I never had a closet for the longest time. It now makes a perfect night table & guest storage area!
The steer head is being stored in the guest room till the painting is done!
Fond Memories~~~~~~~~
This is my grandma, my mom's mom. She was a huge influence in my growing up. This is a picture I took of her after her stroke in 1999. She is holding her kitten Irish. I gave it her Irish after reading that petting animals helps to heal after a stroke. Her words started to come back & she loved having Irish as her own. My grandpa grew prize winning iris's & refused to allow a cat in the house! They did always have a dog though. With grandpa dead, she wanted a cat & I had a spare kitten!
This is Tommy's sister, Tommy is the last of the litter, remember Jerry, the one eyed, three legged cat with a heart murmur, he died in 2012? Well those were the three kittens, back in 1999!
| Sweet dreams Tommy. He too only has one working eye, so he does look odd when he sleeps with one eye open! lol |
I hope you have a great weekend, wherever you are! I'm in Canada & it is winter, winter white right now! And in less than 6 months from now it will be July...Canada's 150th birthday.
How are you going to celebrate it? By hanging something wonderful, to greet your guests from your door? Picnics, oh the thought of grass makes me giddy! lol
May health and happiness surround you in every season.
Take care,
Cynthia
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