oct. 31, 2007

picture edited out as requested.

I got a few more coasters done last night. I'm really pleased with them. I cut out more squares as well. We watched a bit of t.v. last night and I got a bit of hand sewing to do while I watched.

Watched Bones first and then The Unit. I had 1 leg of a pair of pants to hemmed and a hanging sleeve to sew onto my dolphin wall hanging so I can hang it up. I got both done and turned several of the coasters after sewing them as well. So I was a happy camper. We did stay up later then usual though. Dave was still tired when we got up at 5:30 . I'm working evenings so I'll lay down for a nap around 11 or so.

Dave has to get off work early today and take both kids to the dentist. Chris gets 5 teeth pulled in prep for braces. Jenn's braces came off in Aug.. but the retainer has to be redone. It's not quite right.

Well, guess I'll close for now. Happy quilting,

:)Carol

oct 30, 2007

pictured edited as requested

I know this is short but I'd better go and get the kids ready for school. They are up now. At least Jenn is Chris is awake but not out of bed yet.

Talk later.

Happy Quilting,

:)CArol

oct 30, 2007

picture edited out as requested.

We are going to photo all the others at our Christmas potluck.

I cut out alot of 4 1/2 inch squares last night for more crisscross coasters. They are just so quick and easy to do. Sorry, I haven't taken any pictures of them yet. Maybe later today.

The ferrier is to come and do the horses hooves this morning but then the rest of the day is mine.

WE woke up to snow this morning. A big surprise. I had not heard that we were to get snow so when I saw all that white I had to turn on the outside light to make sure that was what it was.

It is actually not too cold though. Just zero celisus or around 32F. Kids get up in about 10 mins.

They will be surprised too. Good thing it is not a driving day for Chris. I've heard of a few accidents on the roads in town , on the radio this a.m.

One of my bible study friends,(also in my quilting guild) gave me a bag of her scraps from a quilt she just made. They are all hst's cut for the blocks in the quilt. I will have to go through them and iron them and then decide what to do with them.

I one load of laundry in already. It's almost dry and the kids aren't even up yet. We get up at 5:30. Dave leaves for work at 6. When I'm on days, I leave at 6 as well and the kids then have to get themselves off to school. But at 14 and 17, they can manage that once in a while, even though they are geneally spoiled normally. Doesn't them good to get their lunch occassionally.

Guess I'll post this one.

Happy quilting

:)Carol

oct. 28, 2007

pictured edited out as requested of a Battenburg Lace table runner.

Our guild did a workshop on this one and I couldn't go as I was working. I did buy some of the lace to try it though so I'm still hoping to learn how to do this.

I was busy last night for a short time cutting and making a few crisscross coasters. Jen gave us the pattern a while ago and I know I printed it out a couple of times as I had miss placed the first one. Finally thought that I needed to get the first one done and boy did it do up quickly. I just love them. My plan is to made alot of them and include them with some Christmas cards this year. I will cut out alot of 4 1/2 inch squares before my Nov. quilting retreat so I can made alot of them then. As soon as I get the pictures taken I will try to upload somefor you to see.

I'm working one more evening today and then off for 2 days. My son Chris gets 5 teeth pulled on Halloween day. It is in preparation for braces. Poor boy.

Guess that's all my news for now. Happy quilting

:)CArol

wheelchair lap quilt front and back

While, I am surprised this one finally uploaded. This is the front of the wheelchair quilt/bag I made for the LTC unit I work on.

I used block made on foundation of dryer sheets (used ones). Some people would call them crumb blocks. I use scraps.

The one on the left I just downloaded and it in the back or inside of the bag, that the feet go into.
These quilts have 2 purposes. One is to keep resident warm. The second is to cover the seat belt so it is forgotten and not played with or undone.
I guess that the uploading function is working again.

Now I have to remember what other pictures I tried to upload and couldn't

I've been working evenings this week. Did 2 extra on Mon and Tues. Then worked till Fri. Had today off and go back for 1 more evening on Sunday.
Dave was working handibus today so Jenn and I went with him and had supper out. Chinese buffet. Very good but I'm very full. Eat way to much at those things.
It's Jenn's favourite restaurant in Sthramore.

I haven't gotten much sewing done lately. Too much working. We finally hired a few people at work so by Dec. we shouldn't have to work the extra shifts. Or at least I hope so.

Well I will close for now.
Happy quilting,
;)Carol

I tired again to upload the wheelchair lap quilt front and back and it would not load. Don't know what the problem is. It loaded to serial quilters. Oh well. You just get words here and no pictures for the moment.
Now I need to start another wheelchair quilt. I likely have enough blocks done I just have to start and put some of them together. I showed the quilt at my guild meeting and asked for others to make some so maybe I won't have to make as many now. I know of at least one person making one so that is good.
I worked 2 unexpected evenings so far this week. I am now on my regular shifts starting today. I would be working 7 now instead of my usual 5 except Joanne did find someone to work my Sat. So I will work 5, 1 off and 1 more evening before my 2 off. One staff member has been really sick.
We had a beautiful sunrise this morning. Bright pinks and purples. OUr fall sunrises and sunsets are awesome. More so then the rest of the year. I went outside and took a few pictures. The horses were in the garden so they are in the pictures. After I upload from camera I'll put here.
So I guess that's my news for today.
I took some pictures of fabric plates that I made last weekend. When I get them on the computer I'll put them here.
Happy Quilting,
:)Carol

wheelchair lap quilt

Sunday Oct. 21, 2007

This is a picture that needs to be rotated but I don't know how to do it so you get to look at me sideways.

I am sitting in my favourite rocker . The bag over my legs is the charity lap quilt/bag for a resident it a wheelchair at the long term care nursing home where I work. The bottom has a pouch to put feet in to keep warm. Sorry it is sideways. Beside me is my quilt rack with some of my quilts.

Dave's ready for bed so I guess I'm off line now. I'll try to get a better picture tommorow.

;) Carol

Friday, Oct. 19, 2007
Hi everyone, I tried again to download a picture and it would do it. I also couldn't get into Yahoo or msn account. Finally the msn account opened so maybe I should try the pic upload again. Busy working and last night my daughter needed the computer for school work so wasn't online at all.
A friend of mine did 2 cross stitch Christmas stockings. She does not sew. She asked last night if I would make them into stockings for her. What could I say. They are very pretty. Both have dragons on them. So now I have an extra project. I'll have to look for material for them in my stash first. When I can I will take and up load pictures.
Happy quilting to you all.
;) Carol

Oct. 17, 2007

Wed. Oct. 17, 2007

picture edited out as requested. It took alot of text with it.

I sewed a little tonight. Got some done on Charity blocks.

Hope you all had a good day

Happy quilting,

:) Carol

Tuesday, Oct. 16,2007
This program isn't letting me upload a picture tonight. So I guess I'll stop trying.
Had a good day today. It's my Handicraft guild meeting day. We met early as we had 2 projects. The first was material to clear glass plates. It took awhile to dry, so we planned a second craft which was yoyo christmas tree. Both turned out very nice. I could and will do a better job with my tree but I am happy with the plates. I will get some pictures of them soon.

I am working the next 2 days, day shift so I'll not be doing much in the craft/sewing till after Thursday. So this is just a quick note tonight as well.
Hope you are all busy and productive over the next few days.
Take care and Happy quilting.
:) Carol

My house

Monday, Oct. 14, 2007

Hi, This is an aerial view of part of my home. The top part is the canal on the left. Our land is from the ridge just the other side of the play structure towards the top left corner. It is pie shaped and goes over to the tree line on the right corner and then quite a piece down the driveway to the top corner of the pie. This picture was taken in 2006 and since then we have built a wooden coral for the horse. In the same area between the house and pond but 60 foot round. The horse shelter is just outside of the coral and there is now a small garage beside the horse shelter.We have a second double garage on the other side of the tree line.

We fill the pond with water from the canal and that waters everything outside. Our property is 4 and 1/2 acres. The part shown above the tree line is likely about 3 acres. The rest is below the tree line in a triangle.

I just went to a very interesting seminar today about Infections and how they develop and are controlled or not. Did you know that some people actually eat chimp and squirrel brains. They both carry disease similiar to mad cow disease.

Vitamen D is one of the best things you can take to boost your immune systems. I found the falling facts interesting. 1. How long does the flu virus live on a doorknob?.....60 minutes

2. How long does the cold virus live in a hotel room?.....24hours

3. How long does TB live in sputum? 2 years

4. How long does MRSA live on a keyboard?.....24 hours

5. How long can Legionella pneumoniae live on a showerhead? ....2 months. When was the last time you cleaned your showerhead? Barb actually recommended soaking the showerhead in CLR for 1/2 hour.

6. How long does herpes simplex live on a toiletseat?....45minutes

7. Which toiletseat is less contaminated?....futherest or closest to the door.

8. How long does E coli O157:H7(hamberger bug) live on a stainless steel countertop?.....60days

9. How long does the SARS virus live in diarrhea....4 days

Hope you found this as interesting as I did. Some of it is scary.

Better sign off for now. Hope you have a good day

HappyQuilting,

:)Carol

Oct. 13, 2007

Sat. Oct. 13, 2007


picture edited out as requested. It was a tree skirt.

This was made by a guild member and I thought that it was a great way to use already made blocks. Thought that the design was quite neat. Hope you enjoy seeing it.

I've just finished working my second 12hour shift. I do not do 12 hours shifts well. Dave drove me to and from work today. Yesterday I expected only to work 8 hours and stayed till 6 30 after starting 15mins early to do night shift meds as there had been no RN on nights. So it was a very long day. Plus I was to be at curling for 7pm. I was about 10 mins. late. Dave said that I must have been speeding because I got home so fast. I wasn't speeding but I was going faster than he likes me to drive my car. I didn't do very well curling. Didn't get one rock over the line.
Just wasn't throwing it hard enough. We still don't have a slider so my throwing was from a stationery position. Oh well, at least next week I am not working before I play. Hopefully I will not be so tired. I haven't had much time to read anyone's blogs lately so maybe I'll be able to catch up soon.
I have to head to bed soon so I get a good night's sleep before another day of work.
Hope everyone is doing great. Bye for now.
Happy Quilting,
:) Carol

oct 11, 2007

Thurs. Oct. 11, 2007

picture edited out as requested.

Well I have just a few minutes. I am downloading I think the last of the fractured quarter rr's.

This is the one that surprised me. No one did any diagonal add ons to this one. It was the only one that was all straight pieces. Strange.

Busy day at work today and now my guild meeting is tonight. I'm taking my wheelchair apron/quilt to show and ask if anyone would like to make one for the unit.

I'll get a picture tonight of it. and post it soon. Hope you are all busy quilting/sewing.

Talk soon

:) Carol

oct. 9. 2007

Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2007

pictured edited out as requested

This is from the same round robin. This one only had one angle cut.

Same of the prints are orientals.

I worked evenings last night and then off today. I was very tired. Think I might be getting my husbands cold. I slept about 1/2 the day away after the kids went to school. Then we went shopping when the kids got home. Dave needed to gas up the van before it went away for awhile. We drove to a party in EDmonton (4hrs) and home after it on Sat.

The party was very nice. Alot of people and relatives that we don't see too often.

I finished the wheelchair quilt/bag that I was making for work. Haven't taken any pictures yet but will in the next couple of days. I have a quilt guild meeting this Thurs. I want to take it there and see if anyone is interested in making some. I am very slow. It goes to the nursing home where I work.

Well, this is short but I have to work the next 5 days and I've a few things to get done tonight before I start working again.

Happy quilting,

Carol

oct. 7, 2007

Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007

picture edited out as requested.

I tried to upload this picture a few times the other day and it would just not upload. It is here today. This is the fractured quarter round robin again. I really enjoyed doing this challenge.

I didn't get on the computer to blog yesterday. I did read some in the morning. But we spent the morning trying to decide if you were going to a family gathering. Only thing holding us up was that Dave has a cold and he wasn't feeling great. It is a 4 hour drive from Calgary to north of Edmonton to Leila's house and Dave likes to sleep at home. So we would be 8 hours on the road to go for Leila's 50th birthday party. In the end we did decide to go.

It was very nice but alot of driving. We got back home at 2:30 and slept in to 10:30 this morning. Dave feels pretty lousy today. Won't be doing much. Her party started out small but ended up with 94 people there for a sit down dinner. Good thing she has a really big house.

She didn't want any gifts but I took a few dish cloths that I make and 3 small wheat bags. Enclosed notes saying that even though she was 50 she would still have to do dishes and on the wheat bags I said that they heated in the microwave and she could apply them to all her sore body parts. She didn't open them while we were there.

Leila is actually a foster sister of DAve's , she lived with their family for 3 or 4 years. Dave's Mom, Dad and 2 brothers were there as well with their families. OUr kids didn't go. Chris had to work and Jenn didn't really want to be in the van for 8 hours.

I actually managed to stay awake for quite awhile on the way home. I think I only dosed for about 1/2 hour or so.

We went straight to bed when we got home of course. We were a little surprised that Jenn and Kelsey were awake and playing video games. Jenn doesn't usually stay up that late.

I'm hoping to get a bit of sewing done today. I just realized that I haven't done anything about the UFO group. I've forgotten where to find it. Can anyone out there remind me. I must figure out what to do with that.

Guess I'd better get at something else and off the computer for a bit.

Happy quilting,

:) Carol

Friday, Oct. 5

about 615pm

Just want to say thanks for the comments under Butterfly..... I am very lucky to have a great Husband and son to come and get me. I wasn't too tired till about the last 15mins of the drive. I was really glad that I wasn't driving.
Dave actually took the kids to supper out for Chinese buffet in Strathmore. Chris wanted to shop. So after supper they did. Then Chris and Jenn took my car and drove home. They actually had some snow on the way home. They left about 9pm. We were only 35mins behind them and we didn't have any. When we got to our driveway, though , there was snow on the ground. Sitting on the grass but not the driveway.
Dave came into the unit and waited for me to finish my shift. One of the staff , surprised me the next day by saying how handsome she thought my husband was. I agreed with her of course but them I am a little bias about that.
So I worked evenings on Thursday after attending the funeral of one of our residents. It was a very nice service. Elsie was 94 years old and there had been alot of life in her up till this last time she got sick.
She was a wonderful little lady which great red hair. She kept it so dyed that the red frequently came off on the pillow case. But she always had a smile to give even when she wasn't well.
I was a few minutes late for work but I had cleared it with the outgoing RN so that I could attend the funeral. I'm really glad that I went. She was with us for about a year. I'm glad I got to know her a little.
Well, I was just writing to say thanks for the comments and on and on I go. Nikki those aren't quilts I made though. Actually a couple of my secret pals got little wall hangings that I had cross-stitched and then quilted. This year I have an extremely experienced quilter and I'm not sure what I will make.
One year I crocheted an afgan instead of quilting an item. I'm thinking maybe a table runner but I'm not sure yet.
I just went back to read the comments again and found 5 more.
Nikki, I'm going to run out of things to show that are mine soon. I have alot of UFO's though and have to get working on them.
The bread maker looks like it is functioning now. The first loaf did not mix. I guess I had not clicked the basket into place correctly. It was a very noisy run and there was still flour on top. This loaf I am cooking now is almost done. It is smelling up my kitchen...mmmmm. Can't wait. Yes it will be hard not to eat too much. We decided that I would make bread for awhile though instead of buying it all the time.
I do leave the Christmas quilt on the quilt rack all year. I guess the blue sashing made it look less Christmasy.
Well I guess I had better close for now. No picture for tonight or I'll run out too soon.
Hope you all had a great day. We are off to go curling for 9pm. I haven't curled since 1971. My last year of high school , it was an after school thing. I liked it then so hopefully it well still be fun. Dave hasn't curled in a league for over 20 years.
Bye for now.
Happy Quilting,
Carol

oct 5.2007

Friday, Oct. 5, 2007

picture edited out as requested.

Here is fractured quarter. This was a fun round robin we did in my guild.

Oh.....a day off for me. I decided to go get bloodwork done this morning that my doctor ordered in Feb. at my annual check up. I'm really not good at getting this stuff good on myself. It's just to check my fasting blood sugar and my cholesterol. That's why it hasn't been done up to now. I have to fast for 12 hours for the one. Today works for me so I'll go and get it done finally. It's a good thing the doc didn't put the date on the form.

I was just trying to download another picture and I lost it both times so I guess this is it for this email.

Hope to get some sewing done today. I start curling with my hubby tonight. Haven't curled in a very long time. More than 30 years for me About 25 for my hubby. Should be fun though.

I'm almost finished making a wheelchair cover with foot bag, for general use at the long term care unit that I work at. I just have to put the tying strip onto it and it's done.

I have to look at what I want to put on my UFO list for the other group doing that. I can think of at least a couple of things that I'd like to be there.

Guess I should get ready to go to town.

Have a good days.

Happy quilting,

Carol

oct. 4, 2007

Thurs, Oct. 4

picture edited out as requested.

Yesterday was my long day at work. The stroke seminar was very good though. I am glad that I went. They supplied us with lunch and a free pen. The pen is neat. Each time you click the top you get a different sign of stroke. There are 5 mains ones on the pen. So that was cool.

Dave ended up taking the kids out for supper. Chris wanted to do some shopping and he doesn't get out to eat as much as Jenn(He was usually working ) so he told his Dad that he needed to take him out for supper. So all 3 came to Strathmore early, shopped and then at 9pm Chris and Jenn drove home in my car and Dave came inside to wait for me. I got off at 9:30.
I likely could have driven home but I'd been at work or 12hours so thought that I should take the chance. Chris and Jenn hit a little bit of snow on the way home, but by 9:30 Dave and I didn't see any. There was snow on the grass though when we arrived home.

And it is very cold this morning. Below zero celius. Alot of very heavy frost on the grass.
I lite a fire this morning. We have a wood burning fireplace in the livingroom.

Guess that's about it for news today.
Happy quilting,

:) Carol

Butterfly wall hanging

Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2007

Not the greatest clear shot but the butterfly wall hanging is mine. I did not make this one. It was a Christmas gift from my secret pal in 2000. Quilters name is Gretha Robinson. I just love this one. It hangs in my bedroom.

The red, blue and white quilt belongs to our current president of the guild, Jenny Barrett. The pictures were drawn by her grandsons and she made them into a quilt.

Oh, the little table topper in purple beside the butterflies is also mine from another secret pal. Either from 2001 or 2. Quilters name is Joanna Stoesz. That one was one my coffee table for some time but mydaughter has moved it, so it is away at the moment. I didn't get any quilting in yesterday. We've company coming today so I don't know if I'll get into my sewing room to sew or not. Oh well, there is always another day. I know I won't get in there on Wednesday. That's a very busy day.

Staff meeting a 9am. Seminar about strokes at 10 to 2pm and then I couldn't get the shift off so I have to work evenings from 3 to 9:30pm. I will be very tired by the end of the day. I have a 30mins drive home so my hubby and son will come and get me. Chris can drive my car home and I rest while my hubby drives. I don't want to take any chances of being too tired to drive.

I'm not used to such a long work day.

Happy quilting,

:) Carol

Monday,Oct. 1

Hi everyone, is there anyone out there?

This is my Christmas quilt. Each year all the member of my guild bring a Christmas block to our Christmas potluck. We now have several draws with them. I won the blocks along time ago. I think in 1998 or 1999. I just finished quilting this one in the spring of 2006. I have been our librarian since 1996. When I won these blocks I was considered part of the executive. Now we are bigger and I'm a committee leader.

We now have at least 3 draws. One for executive, One for committee leaders and One for a member at large. The pile of blocks is divided evenly. The rule is to have the quilt done by the next Christmas. A few members have actually managed to do that.

Well, I'm finally on a couple of days off. I go to a little bible study group this morning and then I think I might go shopping but not for too long. I would like to get a bit of sewing done.

I got a new bread maker last week with my Club Z points so I really need to have a look at the book and make my first loaf of bread with it. My old one was a one pound loaf. This new one will make 1 , 1 1/2 or 2 pounds. I've had it on the counter for about 4 days and haven't looked for a recipe to try yet.

Well, I guess I'd better go for now.

Happy quilting,

:) CArol