The Badlands

A few years ago I saw a picture of what was called the Cheltenham Badlands, close to Orangeville.
One Sunday afternoon we went looking for them, but never did find it .
Then ,when the badlands were mentioned during our latest horticultural meeting, I really wanted to find this place.



This last Sunday was the day. This time I looked the location up on the computer and after a 1 hour drive we found this remarkable place. Parking is right on the road and you can walk right in. These are shale deposits, that have over the years eroded.
Walking on the top ridges was easy, but I can see that as soon as it rains , it could get very slippery, very quick.
After one hour, we made it back to the truck, just before it started to rain.
And that's the way it stayed for the rest of the afternoon on our drive home.




Last week I tried a few new projects, but they all were a dismall failure. Laurence thinks I'm nuts to start thinking of making Christmas cards during the summer. But it seems , that is the best time to start the thinking process.
But not so far. It all ended up in the garbage.
Next week will see the African Quilts at the London International Quilt Festival. I'm planning to go one day to see the quilts and visit the merchant mall. Then on Friday I will be taking a woodblock printing workshop with Paula Benjaminson.
I'm really looking forward to that. I have not taken a workshop in ages.
After the workshop I will continue with the African themed quilts.
So what to do in the mean time?

I took out my botanical blocks. I started this project last year, but gave up when my shoulder started to bug me again.
As you can see I have lots of fabrics for the daffodils and I'm enjoying the process again.
The flowers in this block should be done by the time the workshop is over.
Then I will have to make a decision of what to do next.




Last year we had a den of foxes across the (very busy) road. We saw the foxes most days, crossing the lawn and at times watching us work in the garden.
This year I had not seen them, till a friend mentioned, that he saw foxes across a small field beside the house.
On the other side of this field is a creek with lots of trees ans shrubs.
Now we see them almost daily.
Then last evening, while sitting in the office, I noticed 3 of them watching me outside, maybe 10 feet on the other side of the window.
I ran to get my camera, but could not get a good picture, since there was an an evergreen in the way. They were not afraid and took their time watching me. One even nosed in the garage.
Once I opened the front door they took of. Then during the night Laurence woke up. He was sure they were playing under the window.
We hope they will keep their distance. We don't want them to get too friendly. We will make sure that there is no garbage sitting around.
I do love to see them playing though.

New Hamburg Relief Sale

The last week-end in May means only one thing. It is time for the annual Mennonite Relief Sale in New Hamburg.
Years ago I would take grandma to see the quilts on the Friday evening. And that's all that would be there. Once the organizers noticed all the people coming for the preview, more activities were added, so that this year a lot of things were going on.
We managed to go the Friday evening. Laurence had been feeling sick for a few days ( the miserable, rainy weather did not help either).
Besides furniture there was a quilt made about 1860-1870 being auctioned. The maker was known
In the picture it looked really good, but by examening closer, it did not look quite as good, so I did not bid.
It wetnt for $300 and looking back I should have at least put one bid in. Jenny was not happy! She loves old things
The feature quilt was made by Judy Pearce. Her son-in-law took a picture a few years ago and she decided to make it into a quilt
And what a wonderful job she did!
She very carefully matched the fabrics, appliqued them and then machien quilted it on her domestic machine.
Here is Judy with her quilt on the Friday evening before the sale.
On Saturday it was sold for $10.000 to Brenda Jewitt, an old neighbour, who used to live 2 farms up from us. I'm very sorry I missed it. But on Saturday it was my turn to be sick and the couch was about as far as I traveled that day.

 Just don't think that it is only quilts being sold.
There is a large tent overfull with plants, flowers, even small trees.
And as usual Clara was more then ready to help future customers.
She brings a lot of plants and can help you with just about any questions.
I ended up buying a few more dahlias to fill in a few holes.
And we better not talk about the food!




And we had our birthday girl.
Evelyn turend one May 15th and the following Sunday there was a party for her.
Last fall Jenny phoned and wondered about this little chair. She was at a craft sale and there were these cute miniature chairs. If she should get one for Evelyn, she wondered
She painted it red and Evelyn loves it. It is so small that she can get in and out herself.





The week-end before that we all were at Jenny and Tonys for Jonas' baby dedication.
This was the first time that the cousins  seemed to notice each other.
It was funny to see them interact.
Less funny was, when Jenny and Tony had a mishap when out biking.
Jenny fell and hit the ground hard. Her helmet was cracked in 2 places.
When she experienced chest pains I took her to the hospital.
She was taken in right away and after lots of tests and blood work it was decided that she was o.k
All in all it took from 6 till 1 in the morning.At the same time Laurence and Tony were looking after Evelyn and Jonas. The guys did a great job. When we came home everynody was a sleep!
And Jenny promised not to go on her bike till she has a replacement helmet.
That's what saved her from more serious injuries.

Busy time

 We have had a few busy days. As soon as the ground was ready for planting Laurence was in the field, so that right now all the corn has been planted. Even the sweet corn!
Some years that has not happened. I know, that when THE call comes, I better be ready with the seeds. Once the corn planter has been parked, that's it, game over.
The planting itself only takes a few minutes with the 6 row planter. But now we need rain. It always amazes me, how quickly it can go from too dry to dry.
I did not get much done quilt wise.
I have started on the second block of the African quilt


For the dark borders at the left and bottom I used the selvages from the African fabrics I have. Most are from Tanzania and that is clearly labeled.
The silhouette  comes from a picture I took of 2 Massaai warriors in Tanzania.
It has been fused, but I will sew around it, using the blanket stitch.
My plan is to machine quilt with dark thread trees in the back ground and stones in the front. I took this picture, when we were visiting a new sand dam, one of the first ones in the area.
Everybody was waiting for the rains to come, so the sand could fill in behind the dam.




With this glorious weather it took no time for the hyacinths and daffodils to show their colors. At the same time, with this warm weather they will not last long. Today I started to dead head the spend blooms.
It seems, that almost all my plants have survived the winter. They all are up, even some I cannot remember. That's good, but this means that I do not really have any reason to buy more plants.
In the early spring I will buy a few primulas for in the house and once finished blooming they will end up in the flower beds, where they do well. They give some extra color in the early spring.
Next Wednesday I will be teaching in Stratford, where I will have a full class.
Now the next job on my list.......mowing the lawn!

African quilt

Just over a week ago I took this small quilt to our guild. My idea was to show it and see if there would be any interest in making another quilt for the Mennonite Relief Sale.
It always helps to have something to show.
I think there will be another quilt.
About 50 hands went up. We will not start this project till the fall, but at least I know, that I better get my act together and come up with a more concrete plan.
This small quilt will be, once cut back 16 by 20 inches, The final quilt will consist of small quilts, sewn together with the quilt as you go method.At least that's the idea for now.
The small batik pieces I found in a craft boutique in Nairobi. They were stuck to a  piece of paper and sold as cards.

This necklace I received from one of the Massaai ladies, when we were up in the hills. When I went through my pictures I even have a picture of one of the ladies holding it in her hand.
 The 2 border pieces come from a large piece of fabric I was given. Since the border should be around 3 inches, it was the perfect size and color.







The necklace on the left I bought at the same place, where I got the other one. Wherever we went, the woman would put a cloth on the ground and on that display their ware. Some of the beadwork was incredible.
And their hands were never idle. While talking and listening they would be working on their beadwork.
The buttons at the bottom are bone buttons I had bought a few years ago.
They were just what was needed to finish this project.




Now it is back to making things for the grandkids. Evelyn's birthday is coming up and she can use a small fabric book, Jonas was in need of more bibs. I had made one of these touchy-feely quilts for Evelyn and now there was a request from Jeanette. It took me longer to find the blocks I had cut out already than to make it. It has been put in the washer and gone through the dryer, so I know it will be able to stand the use/misuse it will get.
We finally have a sunny day. Here it is almost May and none of the crops have been planted yet. It looked like the coming week might be different, but the forecast now shows showers/rain for the forseeable future.
I did get some of the flowerbeds cleaned up. Most of the plants seem to have made it through the winter and it looks like I will not have to get too many new plants.

Weather woes

We have had a different week behind us.
Last Wednesday I left for Toronto early in the afternoon. I do not like driving in the city, but I was invited to give a trunkshow at the Yorkshire Rose Quilters Guild.
The ladies were very accomodating and told me to come early, so I would miss rush hour. I arrived in the city during a downpour, but did manage to find the right address. Margaret, born in Friesland, and I got along great. She even drove my car to the church, where there was a parking space right in front of the Danfort Mennonite Church. Moving my things inside was easy. Afterwards I followed Anne through a large part of Toronto.
After a good night I left with only a dusting of snow. That got worse as soon as I was on the road.
I did make it home through snow, sleet, freezing rain, ice pellets and yes even some sun.
Was I ever glad to be home!
At bed time the weather did not seem to be too bad. When we woke up at 4 in the morning the power was of. That means a quick trip to the barn to check on the generator. And ....everything was covered with ice. Yes, that is an orchid in front of the window. Not much to see.
Laurence did make it back.When we got up at 7 the power was still out and there was still more ice. Time to put the generator at home on. For years the barns would have power during an outing, but never the house. When we moved here I was sure to get it set up for a generator. After we had one, it promptly got stolen ,when Laurence took it to start the combine.

But the one we have here now needs a tractor with loader to move.
And that was our live for the next few days. Laurence was kept busy moving fuel. By Friday afternoon the ice was gone, but it took till Monday afternoon to get power again. It had hit a very large arrea and a lot of hydro poles had broken.
We managed just fine. The generator cannot handle the heating system so even with the fireplace and a small heater it was a tad on the cold side. But you can always add an extra jacket.




But it did run the sewing machine.
Tomorrow at our guild meeting I want to introduce a new project I have in mind. For this I wanted a make a small quilt out of my African fabrics.
The 3 small batiks I found on our last day in Nairobi. They were pasted on a piece of paper and were sold as postcards. The buttons are made out of bone, the necklace out of beads and bone.
 Although the weather has improved, it still does not feel spring like.

Cherry blossoms

 I have been trying to get this done, but Blogger has changed again and I'm unable to do it the way I want to.
So this time it will be short and sweet.
The top of this wall hanging is finished. It started with a panel . Since the kimono had small cherry blossoms I decided to bring these out in the border.
I used a creamy sashiko thread. The high lights are a overdyed pearl cotton .When I started I had no idea how much it would take, but I did have enough, but just barely
There was about 4 inches left!
One of these years I will learn to figure things out before starting a project.


The next step will be the  machine quilting, but that will have to wait till my shoulder feels better.
Last week I had a very good time at the guild in Dunnville. I was looking forward to it so much, that I managed to show up a day to early. I felt awfully stupid. This has never happened in all of my almost 20 years of teaching.
But ....I stayed at Jeanette's place and so I could enjoy our grandson one extra day. The trunk show went well and we had a lot of fun during the workshop.
Now it is tomorrow to the Yorkshire Rose Guild in Toronto for a trunk show.
 Just before Christmas this cactus was in full bloom. Once finished it ended upstairs in a window, where it was promtly forgotten. Once in a long while I would water it.
To my surprise buds appeared a few weeks ago and now it is in full bloom. I guess they thrive on neglect.
Almost all the snow has gone and now I can see how much work the flowerbeds need.
As soon as the weather will warm up, I will spend my time outside.
Waiting for that I have started another project, more about that the next time.

Some more sashiko

We have had a very busy week. Shawn and Emily took some  holidays  and we looked after Evelyn for a few days. She is almost 11 months and she is a very busy girl. Since this is our oldest grandchild it is a new experience for us. But by now she has us well trained.
Here she is wearing a pullover , that was knitted by my aunt Ietje in Holland. She made it for Jeanette, when she was a baby. I had kept it in the cedar chest and it came out as new. Now Evelyn is wearing something her great, great aunt knitted.
And yes, we were very tired once she left us.



I have been working on a few small sashiko projects. One workshop I have shows a sashiko border around a panel.
I wanted a few more samples and the first one was this small cloth, used to wrap a present. It shows a bridge with blooming cherry trees.






I added sashiko cherry blossoms to the top and bottom and finished this piece of with a simple pillow style back. It will not get any quilting.








This kimono panel I found in some fabric I received. On the kimono are branches with cherry blossoms.
I planned a border with similar branches with cherry blossoms.
 First I put freezer paper to the size I wanted the border to be.
Next I drew the branches and some of the leaves with pencil.
I was not sure where I wanted the flowers and the easiest for me was to draw a bunch of blooms, cut the out and start putting them on the freezer paper.




These flowers I drew with a heavy magic marker. Once the pattern is finished I will put it on my light table. By making the lines heavy I can see them through my dark blue border fabric and it is easy to draw them with a white pencil or pen. .
I'm almost done and so far my shoulder is o.k. I do take my time though

 

Sewing Day #2

Last week I showed you what we did on our first day. This time Tamara and her daughter Margareth joined us for the day.
The project this time was I Spy quilts. Over the years I have collected prints, from boats to lions to houses to bugs. Earlier in the year I conviced Laurence to help me cut up these fabrics in 5 inch squares and 21/2 inch strips.
Since he was at the cutting anyway we made enough squares for 8 quilts.
Jenny tackled the strips, the rest used squares.
Under the supervision of Jonas and Evelyn we did get a lot done.
Since I take a break from sewing, my job was to keep everybody fed and watered.


At the end of the day the quilt tops were taking shape.
Some will go to the Relief Sale we hope and some will be Smile Quilts to give to children in the hospital.




This is Jeanette's quilt, all ready to be quilted .Both this one and Emily's are being machine quilted as we speak.
The other 2 tops are also ready to go, but will be hand quilted. Margareth's will be hand quilted this coming week and if all works out, it will still make it for this year's Relief Sale.

This has been a fun project. I got to have family and friends here without having to do any sewing.
I'm finally working on some sashiko again. Once I have finished this project I might feel ready to tackle my botanical applique again.
This has been a busy week with our guild meeting on Wednesday and a visit to Toronto to Canada Blooms yesterday.
I love to see all the new plants for the coming year and as always the arrangements are gorgeous.
I did come home with a new helleboris and as soon as the snow is gone it will be planted in a special spot. I also came home with a few new bulbs. '
But looking outside I might be a while yet, before I can start digging. There is still a fair amount of snow on the ground.

Spring is coming

 Inside the flowers are in full bloom,but outside it is cold and snowy, so how do I know, that spring is near?
This morning I got THE call. Our jugs have been filled with fresh maple syrup and we can pick them up.
Laurence will be thrilled. We have been out for a few months. I dropped a large container. Not a good idea! It makes an awful mess to clean up.
Most of my ammarilis bulbs  have finished blooming, but my orchids are doing great.




This winter we had a new visitor at the bird feeder. It is a red bellied woodpecker, a bird I had never seen before. It took a while before she( I think that what it is) was comfortable enough to go to the suet ,but once she had a taste, she was back often.








I'm back to some applique, but this time I try to be smart and do a little at a time. Not being able to do as much as I wanted made for a long winter. Jenny had asked about rag quilts and we decided to
get to gether for a sewing day.
Jenny has done some sewing, even made a quilt, but Emily was new. For somebody to learn about sewing making a rag quilt is a good excercise. While they sewed I looked after the kids. Since at that time they were not mobile yet, it was easy.



At the end of the day they were ready to snip the seams. Both quilts turned out great and are in use all the time.
More next week about our second sewing day.

Let's start again!

 It has been a few months and still I'm not back to doing any applique. I'm still seeing my physiotherapist weekly and I'm faithfully doing my exercises. But the clean sewing room is getting to me.

I did have the orchids to spend some time with and this one was the first  to bloom.

I have never been good at sitting around and if I could not work on some applique, maybe there was something else I could do. The word rag quilt came up and that's all I needed. Next time pictures of our first sewing day.

Over the next few days I'm planning to add a few more workshops to my list and also add some more quilts to my web site. And I will update my itinerary for the coming months. And I will try and be blogging more regular, as I have something to share.

I love amaryllis and try and save my bulbs from year to year. Sometimes I'm success full, other years not. This one has 6 flowers on one stem and 4 on the other.

It is worth the time it takes to get them from year to year. Last year I kept some of the small bulblets and they are doing well, but will not be blooming for a few years. It is not exactly a fast project.

The orchid is one of my oldest and is a pretty yellow.

Here are Jonas and Evelyn with the ragquilts their moms made for them.