Ready, Set, Sew!

I think I am ready. Everything is unpacked and is more or less organized. I am sure as I work in my new space things will change to accommodate drafting, cutting, sewing etc. I have had a few trial runs.

The grandkids all "needed" new Hallowe'en pillowcases and since I found all my Hallowe'en fabric I had no excuse plus 2 needed to get in the mail going west. I love having a designated cutting table. Just the best thing ever, thank you Peter! The last job for him to do is build a shelf to lower my sewing machine. In my old sewing room, we used a sewing machine lift from Lee Valley Tools. I had to leave it there. We were going to get another one but then we found this tutorial online and it makes much more sense and saves almost $200 (more $ for fabric!).

Next on the list is a raffle quilt for the Chester Gingerbread Festival, an easy strip pieced Christmas tree quilt. I'll have some help from a few quilt friends to make this charming quilt. My friend Heather is coming for a week long visit tomorrow. She will be here to teach workshops and a lecture with the Mahone Bay Quilters Guild. So we'll put her to work while she is here! The best way to make a quilt is with friends and it is for a good cause - the new health clinic for Chester.

Really different colour choices for me, I hope they work!

Our new garden continues to surprise us. Blooms can still be found despite the chilly nights, the rain and the wind.

I can't wait to see what the spring will bring.

I should cut this bud and bring it in, it sure looks lonely!

Now we need to see if we remember how to rake leaves! Haven't had to do that in 17 years!

Our First Scarecrow Festival

 "Welcome to the Scarecrow Festival" a wallhanging I made for the 2006 Mahone Bay Quilter's Guild Challenge.

Winner of the Annual Pumpkin Carving contest - the pumpkin walk brought out hundreds of people each night to see the creative pumpkins all lit up.

Elton John visits Buchannan's Music Store

The local constable enjoys his Timbits!

A fall tradition in Mahone Bay is the annual Scarecrow Festival. The town gets decked out with handmade scarecrows in front of many businesses, homes, the churches and along the waterfront. There were weddings, a visit with the Royal Family, hockey games and even a sighting of Elton John. 

A few members of the Royal Family join us.

Lance Armstraw visits "A Sweet Ride", the local bike and candy store.

The weather was superb, warm and sunny everyday. The crowds came out and the sidewalks were packed with people all day. We ran out of time to create a scarecrow for this year but we already have an idea for next year. 

Lunch was just too much for this scarecrow at Mateus Bistro

On the roof at Joann's Market, a busy spot.

A knitter relaxes in front of "Have a Yarn", our local yarn store.

But next up is the Father Christmas Festival which comes to town early December, should be fun for kids of all ages!

Getting Settled

Slowly making progress and finding room for my fabric and books.

Well, it has been a hectic few weeks. I had forgotten, after 17 years just how exhausting moving can be plus we are 17 years older! However we did it and are now happily enjoying unpacking, sorting (again), throwing out (and recycling) and putting away. Plans have been made with an electrician (never enough plugs to support our electronic world in a 145 year old house!), a plumber (we need a set tub in the basement for the winery - we do have our priorities!) carpenter (to fix a bit of sill rot, install a floor in the attic, new back door etc) and the oil tank needs replacing (we have been through one oil spill, never want to do that again!). They are drilling, draining and installing a fibreglass tank today. We are getting there, Insulation next and hopefully a lovely little propane fireplace.

Finding room for my treasures - Margi Hennen's dolls are back in residence.

My sewing room is a work in progress. Peter has made and installed my new sewing table and a new cutting table. I have yet to christen them, they are still covered in stuff to be put away. The room is bigger then my old one, I will miss the ocean view but I have always wanted a designated cittung table, at the right height and free of clutter (we'll see how long that lasts!).

Ben thinks he is helping!

My books were spread out before, over several rooms and bookcases. Now I am able to have all my "how to" books and my quilt history books in one place. My children's quilt story books (I have about 150 in my collection) will have to go to the "library. Fortunately the small bedroom came with floor to ceiling book shelves.

Another treasure from my childhood, it is interesting what we hang onto. Pluto still works!

The bi-annual Mayflower Quilter's Retreat at Pictou Lodge starts in a week. This will be our 14th! Hard to believe that an idea I had almost 30 years ago is still going strong. We are so grateful to everyone who attends (almost 60 quilters each year), to the teachers who come and share their knowledge and skills and to Pictou Lodge who bend over backwards every year to feed us delicious food, make our beds and put up with the fun we have!

 Ben found the perfect place to curl up, in with my quilts, my (maternal) Granny's quilts and a quilt my great aunts made for my paternal Grandparents. I only found out recently that there were quilters on my father's side of my family. Guess I was destined to be a quilter.