Winter is here

After what seemed like a long autumn I do think winter is here for awhile. We have had snow everyday since the weekend and it is starting to pile up. I am once again shoveling my way to the studio and office to work. Yesterday in the snow we had new kitchen windows installed. It actually went pretty well considering the weather. The kitchen sure seems warmer without all the drafts but it will take some getting used to looking at the broad expanse of white windows. It is the only white in the kitchen :(  sure wish we could have afforded wood but there were expensive enough and will have to do.

On a cheerier note here is a lovely little girls quilt I finished recently for a customer.

Just Checking in

How time flies! How is it even possible that Thanksgiving is next week? Like most professional quilters this is a busy time for us, however none of my customers are expecting quilts for xmas this year. Since I specialize in custom work my lead time is at least 6 months. Fortunately I have wonderful customers who desire my quilting and are willing to wait. Life is good.

Here is a quilt if finished recently, it was King sized and the borders are 14" filling that space was a challenge but I am pleased with the results.

My next one is loaded, it is a beautiful applique quilt and I will spend some serious time on it as soon as I return from quilt retreat this weekend.

Vacation Sept. 2010

Niagara Falls Canada, taken from the Skylon Tower

Niagara on the Lake, a charming town. We had lunch at the Irish Harp. A pub brought over from Ireland.

Gum Wall. Who does this? How does it even get started?

David and me, at the Flower Clock.

View from our room 32nd floor, and my knitting basket.

Watkins Glen, NY  on Seneca Lake. View from our room.

Spanish Aero Car.  250 feet above the whirlpool rapids, down stream from Niagara Falls. Yikes!             This was scary!

Daivd and I took a real vacation this year. One that did not include Volvos, quilting or family. And we took 2 weeks off! First time we have done that in 20 yrs. When you are self employed it is hard to get away for that long. We easy to get away but hard getting back as no one takes care of the work while you are gone.

We decided not to fly and that limited our choices but Niagara Falls seemed like a good choice. And it was. We took advantage of almost all of the touristy things to do, the first full day we signed up for a bus tour that took us to several of the sights. No parking, no tickets, no lines, no waiting. It was great! But exhausting too and we got soaked, twice. Once on the Journey Behind the Falls and later in the day on The Maid of the Mist boat ride.
The other days we did lots of walking and one day we drove north to the most charming town. Niagara on the Lake.
The down side was that the food was fair at best and very,very expensive. We were glad to get back to the states for a few days before heading home. One the way back, first stop was in Buffalo, NY. Duff's, home of the Buffalo Chicken Wing. David and I shared a plate of hot wings for lunch - yum! I should have taken a picture of that too, lol.

Vintage Roses

Twenty one yrs ago we purchased our home from Mike and Harriet Carr Van Valkenburg. Harriet was born and lived in this house her entire life until she and Mike moved to assisted living, they never had children. Harriet was an only child and her mother too was born and lived here here entire life, also an only child. Harriet's grand mother moved in at 1 yr. old and also stayed here her entire life, again an only child.

I was fortunate to have been able to correspond with Harriet every month,as they held the mortgage. I learned much about the town, village and the house. About a year before Harriet passed on she stopped by and was able to see the changes we had made. I think she approved.

One of the thing she shared was that her grandmother had planted the climbing rose bush at the back door, right around 1900-1910.

After so many changes here it remains constant. The roots probably go to China at this point, lol. It blooms every year, except for the years we cut it back for a rest. Once we had a robin nest in it. And every spring our song sparrow visits and serenades us. It is right by the door to the yard off of the kitchen. This area was once a porch before being closed in.

My New Studio Sign

You can't miss the studio now, eh??

Two years ago I had an Open House at the studio to introduce my rental business. I hung my bright batik Lucky Stars quilt on the front of the building for the day.

My friend, Pam Ross, loved the way it looked and asked if she could paint it for me. Well yeah!! She asked how much detail I would like and I told her, just enough so there is texture to the piece. She delivered it on xmas eve and I was blown away. She did an amazing job! I was a bit afraid to hang it lest it get damaged, lol.

Last weekend David and I had a moment of free time and got it put up. Wowzer, it looks great, no?

Thank you Pam.

My Poor Wisteria

My poor wisteria blossoms were not able to withstand three nights of temps in the 20's. We have had the strangest spring weather! Luckily the wind blew down one blossom and I was able to press it. It might be the only wisteria I will ever have!

We have flowers!

At long last we have wisteria flowers. Not what I think of, when I think of wisteria however. After 15+ yrears of waiting I hate to be ungrateful, but..... shouldn't there be some leaves?? I remember seeing beautiful lush green vines with pendulous purple flowers. This poor vine looks naked!