That's Not The End of The Story....

No, the story goes on.  After we started for home, our computer would not work.  We couldn't figure out what the problem was but, we were very wary since having all these strange e-mails.  Well, when it went completely black and we couldn't use it at all, found out it was truly dead and could not be revived.  Really, it's only a few years old - don't they last longer than that?  Guess not.  We'd better get a new one and this time I wanted one that was the fastest and had the newest hard drive, etc., etc.  Well, that didn't last long either.  Back to the store for a new one.  This one didn't last long before it was giving trouble too - send it to the manufacturer and get it fixed.  Seems I had a software problem.  All this time, my DH moved over to let me do the things I absolutely had to do on his computer.  It was not easy some days but we came through.  Now to get used to 8.1 - I'm still working on that.  Sometimes it's just easier to move to the old computer - it may be slow but it's easier to use.  

After getting the computer fiasco fixed up, I had the opportunity to go to the Vermont Quilt Festival.  Four of us girls went and we had a blast.  Quilts were great but the vendors and shops were even greater - at least that's what my wallet said!  

It wasn't long before someone was using my credit card again.  I hate it when people charge trips to my card and don't invite me!  Here we go again, calling and having the card cancelled and having to wait for the new one.  Glad they don't take too long to arrive.  I don't know how this is happening but twice in 4 months is just about enough.  

Things seem to have calmed down now and I'm certainly glad of that.

I didn't get much sewing done over the summer.  I started on a few Christmas ideas and have to show you the quilt I put together on a retreat in the Spring.  It has been really popular and I hope you like it.

It's a wonderful, cozy flannel and kits for this quilt will be available very shortly.  I've run out of one of the fabrics and am waiting for it to arrive.  Shouldn't be long now.

I've gotten a few more things made for Christmas and will post them next week.  

Until then, may your bobbins always be full.

What Next???

This is getting tiring!  Just a few days before leaving for our vacation, our credit card company cancelled my husbands' card - they think it had been compromised.  Send a new card fast!!!  And, so they did.  Away we go.

We check our e-mails regularly while away to keep in contact with friends and family. 
Well, here's an e-mail from our Bank????  They've never e-mailed us before.  Actually, I don't think they ever e-mail their customers.  NO, we won't just "click here" to confirm anything.  We made a call to them and they agreed - don't click!

A couple of days later, an e-mail from another Bank - we don't even have an account with them.  NO, we won't just "click here".  To the Trash you go!

The next was an e-mail from Itunes.  Please confirm the order.  What order? The order for a couple of hundred dollars.  Noting it was being billed to our e-mail address, decided NO - we won't "click here".  Trash again!

Today, my DH decided to check our credit card account to ensure everything was okay.  What?  Not again?  Here was a charge for over $1600.00 - not our purchase!  This time it was my card.

There are lessons here:  don't just "click here" when asked to.  The e-mails from the Banks really looked good, even including their insignias, but after thinking about it, realized they don't even have our e-mail address.  The e-mail from Itunes wanted us to click if it was not our order.  That sounds really good, doesn't it.  Don't be too swift with clicking.  If you didn't order it, why would they have our address to ask for confirmation?

Keep your eyes on your credit card account.  Don't just pay that balance.  Keep all receipts and match them to your statement.  A lot of times, anyone using your number will make small purchases to start with to see if they get through - don't let anything but your own purchases get through.

Wouldn't you agree, if these people who are always scamming would use their talents in a positive manner, what a world it could be!  They could be doing something really good.

I hope by telling this story, I am able to stop someone from making the mistake of  giving out information they shouldn't.  This has all happened in a space of about five weeks which makes us very wary now.  Be vigilant and make sure who you're corresponding with.

Good night for now, and may your bobbins always be full!


  

I know, it's been a long time...

I didn't realize just how long it's been since I've posted.  A lot has happened since my last post. 

 The first thing was a trip to Cuba.  What a nice vacation.  We had a great hotel and the people were lovely.  They couldn't do enough for us.  We did a tour of Havana in a 1956 Chev Bel Air.  With the driver and tour guide, I couldn't figure out how the four of us would also fit in the vehicle.  Well, silly me, I forgot how big these old vehicles were.  We were quite comfortable.  The architecture there is awesome and so much restoration is going on, which is wonderful.  Warm weather,  good friends, and drinking Banana Mamas on the beach - how good is that???

Christmas came fast after our vacation.  Our DD and DGD came for a four day visit in mid December so we had our Christmas a little early.  Of course, when it came time for them to go home, the weather didn't co-operate.  They ended up staying two more days before they could get out.  We celebrated again on Christmas day, this time with in-laws and our new little niece who is as cute as a button.   We normally spend Christmas Eve with friends but, I'm afraid, sickness took over and we had to wait until January.  Our friends were sick, then my DH and I got it too.  Sickness has been the order of the day twice since 2014 began.  At times, Rudoph didn't hold a candle to me!

January is that time of year when we resolve to get ourselves organized.  Well, I'm no different, except, that I didn't accomplish a whole lot.  Just sorted scraps.  Instead of having a laundry hamper full, I've sorted them into colours and put them into separate drawers.  Much easier to get at when doing a scrap quilt.

I haven't even done any sewing, although I did cut out a tumbler quilt.  I've always wanted one so thought I'd get one ready to sew while on vacation.  Yes, I set my sewing machine up with the ironing surface beside and sew a seam or two whenever the urge hits.  I've gotten a lot done with little effort in years gone by.  I also thought it might be a good idea to take a UFO so have 42 Angela's Arrowhead blocks to put together.  They're only a year old (relatively new to the UFO pile). 

We are currently hunkered down in a hotel - stuck in the Atlanta snowstorm.  Wonder what they'd do if I took my sewing machine to the breakfast room, put a couple of tables together, and proceeded to sew my tumbler quilt together?  I'm sure there would be heads shaking at that.  I'm finding it quite boring just watching TV, although I am enjoying the Olympics - Go Canada Go!

 Well, I'll sign off for now.  Will try to post some pictures soon.

Keep quilting, and, may your bobbins always be full!

 

I just couldn't resist...

Went to the Creative Festival in Toronto and just couldn't help myself.  I bought another sewing 

machine!  I have been looking at these little gaffers and decided I'd have to try one.

Here she is....

 Isn't she just the cutest little thing????

I played with her for a little while and she runs like a charm.  I really am a Pfaff fan (love the fact 
that I don't have to wrestle with a walking foot) so it wasn't easy to resist.  We are doing a block of 

the month at our Guild right now so this will come in very handy.

When my DH asked "how many machines do you need?" all I could say was just one more.

Have to show you the pillow I'm working on now.  Each of my twisted sisters are making one too.  It's a pattern from The Quilt Patch in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.  They have some really cute designs and their booth at the Festival was wonderful!

I haven't gotten their eyes or buttons sewn on yet and the bottom checkerboard has to be attached also.  Will get that done this week.

I'm also working on a type of sampler, but, instead of a traditional style, it's rows of blocks.  Will post when it's further along.

Well, must say goodnight and may all your bobbins be full.

Cheers

 

Lots of News...

Hello everyone:
I have some new rulers to tell you about.  They are more than wonderful!  These rulers are becoming more popular every day.  I keep trying new ones and I haven't found one I didn't like yet.  Here are some pictures of the ones I've tried so far but I know I'll soon have then all.  If you think you'd like one, you can purchase by just e-mailing me and I'll give you the details and send it out to you.

Here's the first one I tried - the half square triangle.  I was so pleased with the outcome of these blocks.  This ruler is available in 1.5", 2.5", 3.5", 4.5", 5.5", 6.5" 8.5", 9.5" and 12.5" square sizes.  They are also offered in sets, which are more economical.  

This first picture shows the ruler which is used to square up the oversized block. 

The next picture shows how the ruler is placed on the block and the groove locks on to the seam, ready for trimming.  Then you see the perfect half square triangle block all trimmed up - easy peasy!

I was so pleased with the way these blocks turned out using the half square triangle - and fast too!

When I was so pleased with the half square triangles, just had to try the flying geese.  I've always hated making the geese when you use different colours on each side.  Using these rulers makes this process a breeze.  Here are some pictures.

The first shows the ruler I used to square up the flying geese and the second picture is my block finished.  I'd now like to make a quilt with more flying geese blocks.  They certainly don't intimidate me any more.

 

Didn't they turn out great!  There are so many sizes, even the tiny sizes that are used in the Jo Morton patterns.

Well, I couldn't stop with those two rulers, had to order the Triangle In A Square System.  I have a pattern I'd like to make that this ruler will be perfect for.  In the first picture you'll see there are 3 pieces.  You get the two over sized templates to cut your fabric, along with the double grooved trimming ruler to lock onto both seams.  Think of all the blocks and sashings you can make with this ruler.

This second picture shows the block before trimming with the ruler ready to go, along with the completed block - perfect.

I think I'll try the Half Rectangle Triangle Square Up Ruler next - looks very interesting.

If you want to see a very good tutorial on this ruler, go to happyquiltingmelissa.blogspot.com.  She is a more experienced blogger than I am and her pictures are wonderful.

Remember, if you want any of these rulers, just e-mail me.

Happy quilting, and may your bobbin always be full.

Cheers!

Making Pillows

Thought tonight would be a good time to show you how I made my little pillows.  They end up 12" x 16".

The patterns come from The Quilt Company in Pennsylvania and are available at many quilt shops.  They make some very nice patterns and I especially like these.

I didn't follow the pattern completely and the reason is that I wanted to save the step of quilting it.

First of all I cut a piece of cotton that will be used for background just a smidge larger than the pattern calls for because sometimes the quilting will make your project a little smaller.    Using my frixion pen, I traced the greenery pattern onto it.

Second, I cut a piece of very thin cotton (something you wondered why you bought it and is not good enough to put into a quilt).  I cut it about 14" x 18".  On top of that I put a piece of thin batting about the same size.  Then I centered the background piece on top.

These 3 pieces can be sprayed with 505 or something of that nature to keep the sandwich together, or, you can baste around the area to be embroidered.

I used Sulky 12 wt. thread and starting at one end, I stitched to the first branch, then up that branch and back down right on top of my first row of stitching.  Then I went along the main branch to the next branch.  If there were branches coming off, I would go up the little branch, back to where I veered off, then to the end of the branch and back to the main branch, always sewing right on top of the previous stitching.  If I went off, I didn't worry - it's a tree branch and they can go any which way.  When I got to the end of the main branch, I turned around and did a second row of stitching along that main branch.  If I made an error, I just left a tail of thread I could weave in and started again.  When I was all finished, I pulled the thread ends to the back and tied them off. 

After the branch was sewn, I drew a line around it, the size the fabric was supposed to be in the first place.  Remember, I cut this piece larger in case sewing the branches made this piece smaller.

Borders are cut to a specific size as per the pattern.  First the small red border.  I used the line I drew to simulate the edge of the background fabric.

 Next comes the outer border, which is dark green on this one. 

 There are a couple of ways to finish the pillow but I just followed the instructions to have one piece fold over the other.  It worked just fine for me. 

Before turning the pillow right side out, I did a zig-zag stitch all around the raw edges, clipped the corners and turned.  
 

Here is one of the pillows finished.  Really cute!

I enjoyed making mine and hope you will too.

Hope everyone has had a nice week-end and may your bobbins always be full!

Cheers

Won't these be Fun!

Our family like to have some fun at Christmas.  Don't you think this fabric will cause some laughter?
I hope so!  Will have to make some pillowcases for the girls.  Fun to make too!

The casserole cover is all finished.  Wish I'd used the orange/yellow colour for the binding though, think it might have looked better.  I didn't use 2-1/2" strips like the pattern called for, just quilted every 2" instead.  It looks like a pretty useful item to me.  What about you?

Starting a new quilt.  This one is called "Under The Stars".  It's a really cute snowman pattern by The Rabbit Factory.  They have some wonderful patterns and these guys were so cute, I couldn't resist.  I need to cut 156 squares in a variety of colours so am starting with red (one of my favorite colours).

Duncan came for the day to quilt with us.  My DH will often leave a treat for him (a bone from the butcher shop) and Duncan will look for him to play a bit.  Here he is sprawled out on the floor while DH gives him a foot rub, but note, he's not letting go of the bone.  He just doesn't understand that we don't want it. It just doesn't go with our tea!

Well, will sign off for now.  Come back again and watch the progress on my "Under The Stars" quilt.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian blog friends and may your bobbins always be full!